JP2003312883A - Recording material feeding device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a recording material feeding device attachable to and detachable from plural kinds of image forming devices differed in image forming speed and capable of carrying a recording material at a proper speed according to the kind of image forming devices. <P>SOLUTION: When the power supply to a body 101 is ON, and power is supplied from the body 101 to an option feeding device 102, the option feeding device 102 sets the connected body 101 as model A in step S801. When a setting instruction to model B is received from the body 101 in step S802, the option feeding device 102 switches the set to the model B in step S803 according to the determination that it is connected to the body 101 of the model B. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a recording material feeding device, and more particularly, to a recording material feeding device which can be attached to and detached from a plurality of image forming apparatuses having different image forming speeds.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an optional feeding device which is attachable to and detachable from an image forming apparatus such as a printer has been known. Such an optional feeding device is used for increasing the loading capacity of the recording material of the image forming apparatus and for adding an additional function such as a double-sided printing function. Normally, a dedicated option feeding device is prepared for each model of the image forming apparatus main body from the viewpoint that the speed of transporting the paper differs depending on the model of the image forming apparatus main body, and that the appearance is impaired if the design is different. There were many things.

On the other hand, in recent years, from the viewpoints of reduction of development costs and inventory management, it is possible to support a plurality of models instead of providing a dedicated option feeding device for each model of the image forming apparatus main body. Optional feeders are desired.

[0004]

As described above, in the optional feeding device that can be used in a plurality of types of image forming apparatuses having different recording material conveying speeds, etc., the conveying speed and the like depending on the type of the image forming apparatus to be connected. In order to make the setting, it is necessary to have the model ID of the image forming apparatus provided from the main body of the image forming apparatus, and switch the transport speed and the like according to the model ID to set the control mode. Therefore, the image forming apparatus main body requires an informing unit for informing the option feeding apparatus of the model ID.

However, it is not designed in advance in consideration of using an option feeding device which is compatible with a plurality of models, and the model I is used for the option feeding device.
For an image forming apparatus that does not have a means for informing D,
It was necessary to develop a dedicated option feeding device or to continue manufacturing and maintenance of the option feeding device dedicated to that model.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a recording material feeding apparatus that can be appropriately used in a plurality of types of image forming apparatuses having different recording material conveying speeds.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is a control means for controlling the feeding of a recording material, which control means can set a plurality of control modes, A determination unit that determines whether or not the information indicating the type of the image forming apparatus is received from the image forming apparatus, and the determination unit determines that the information indicating the type of the image forming apparatus is received. The control means switches the preset first control mode to a second control mode according to the type of the image forming apparatus.

Further, the invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the first control mode is a mode which is set in response to the power being turned on to the recording material feeding device.

Further, the invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that the control means makes the feeding speed of the recording material different between the first control mode and the second control mode.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 4 is a communication means for communicating with the image forming apparatus, and is based on a clock signal transmitted from the image forming apparatus and having a predetermined cycle. It is characterized by having a communication unit for performing communication and a determination unit for determining the type of the image forming apparatus based on the predetermined cycle.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided control means for controlling the feeding of the recording material, the control means having a plurality of control modes that can be set. A control mode is set according to the determined type of the image forming apparatus to control the feeding of the recording material.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 6 is a communication means for communicating with the image forming apparatus, the communication means being capable of receiving a plurality of control commands from the image forming apparatus. And a determination unit that determines the type of the image forming apparatus based on the reception intervals of the plurality of control commands.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided control means for controlling the feeding of the recording material, the control means having a control mode capable of setting a plurality of control modes. A control mode is set according to the determined type of the image forming apparatus to control the feeding of the recording material.

Further, the invention according to claim 8 is characterized in that the control means changes the feeding speed of the recording material depending on which of the plurality of control modes is set.

[0015]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION (Embodiment 1) An optional feeding device according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the external appearance of an optional feeding device 102 and an image forming apparatus 101 (hereinafter referred to as a main body 101) such as a printer. The main body 101 is an apparatus including an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording material, forms an image on the recording material, and discharges the recording material on which the image is formed to the outside of the apparatus. As an image forming method, for example, an electrophotographic method described later is used, but other methods may be used. The recording material can be fed from a paper feed cassette 104 provided in the main body 101, and an optional feeding device 102 that can be attached to and detached from the main body 101 is further connected to the connector 10.
By connecting to the main body 101 via 3, it is possible to increase the number of recording materials that can be stacked. In addition, in FIG. 1, two optional feeding devices 102 to be connected are illustrated, but
It is also possible to connect three or more optional feeding devices 102 via the connector 103.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the main body 101 and the option feeding device 102. 201 is D
The C controller controls the image forming unit and the like of the main body 101. An optional feeding device control unit 202 includes a motor 203 for driving a sheet feeding roller 301 and a conveying roller 303, which will be described later, a solenoid 204 for switching whether or not the driving force of the motor is transmitted to the sheet feeding roller, and an optional feeding device. This is for controlling the paper detection sensor 205 and the like for detecting the remaining amount of recording material in the apparatus. Further, CLOCK, COMMAND, STA are provided between the DC controller of the main body 101 and the optional feeding device control unit 202.
Three TUS signal lines are provided. CLOCK is sent from the DC controller 201 to the optional feeder control unit 202 and is used as a communication clock signal. The COMMAND signal is an instruction from the DC controller 201 to the optional feeder control unit 202.
This is a signal line for transmitting a request or the like. Also, STAT
The US signal is a signal for sending the state of the option feeding device 102 from the option feeding device control unit 202 to the DC controller 201. Power is supplied to the option feeding device 102 from the main body 101 (see Vcc and GND).

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the main body 101 and the optional feeding device 102. When the recording material is fed from the optional feeding device 102, the recording material is fed and then ejected. The conveying path of the recording material up to is indicated by an arrow.

Here, a process of discharging the recording material to the outside of the apparatus after feeding the recording material and forming an image will be described. First, a video controller (not shown) included in the main body 101 is provided with image data from an external device or an image reading device.
If an instruction to form an image is issued from the video controller to the DC controller after the input to the option controller, if the instruction indicates that the recording material should be fed from the option feeding device 102, the DC controller 201 outputs the option. A paper feed instruction is transmitted to the feeding device control unit 202. The optional feeding device control unit 202 that has received the paper feeding instruction sets the motor 20
3 is driven to rotate the paper feed roller 301 and send the recording material to the conveyance roller 302. The conveyance roller 302 guides the recording material to the main body 101, and the conveyance roller of the main body 101 guides the recording material to the image forming unit including the process cartridge 303 and the like. The process cartridge 303 is for forming an image on a recording material using an electrophotographic method,
A charging unit (not shown) that charges the photosensitive drum 304 to a predetermined potential, an exposure unit that includes a semiconductor laser that exposes the photosensitive drum 304 to form a latent image according to image data of an image to be recorded, the photosensitive drum It has a developing section for developing a toner image corresponding to the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of 304. The toner image is transferred to the recording material by passing through the image forming unit, and then the fixing roller 305 including a heat source such as a halogen heater or a ceramic heater therein.
Fixes the toner image on the recording material, and discharges the recording material to the face-up discharge tray 306 or the face-down discharge tray 307.

Next, an actual communication method will be described with reference to FIG. When the main body 101 determines that a communication path has been established after the power is turned on, the main body 101 receives a clock signal (CLOC).
The command is set in synchronization with the falling edge of K). As shown in FIG. 4, those output in synchronization with the first clock fall are counted as C10, those output in synchronization with the second time are counted as C11, and so on.
A group of eight clocks C10 to C17 is transmitted as one command signal C1. Optional feeding device 10
As described above, the main body 101 transmits the clock signal to 2, and the command signal transmitted from the main body 101 is received in synchronization with the rising edge of the clock signal. After a lapse of t2 from the transmission of the command signal C1, the main body 101 starts transmitting the next command signal C2. At this time, the option feeder 102 synchronizes with the trailing edge of the clock signal and outputs the status signal (STATUS
As S), the status of the option feeding device 102 is transmitted, and the main body 101 receives the status signal in synchronization with the rising edge of the clock signal.

As with the command, the status signals output in synchronism with the falling edge of the clock signal are S10, S11. ． ． And Further, since a group of eight clocks is transmitted as one status, the respective status signals are S1, S2 ... Sn.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the command signal (COMMAND) transmitted from the main body 101 and the status signal (STATUS) transmitted from the option 102. For example, DATA1 transmitted by model A main unit
The command (code 00000001) indicates that the command is an initialization instruction for initializing the motors and sensors so that the option feeding device 102 can be fed, and DATA2 (transmitted by the option feeding device is The status of code 00000010) indicates that the model setting is model A setting.

FIG. 6 shows the main body 1 of the optional feeding device 102.
The figure shows the operation of transmitting and receiving commands and statuses between the option feeding device 102 and the main body 101 when the main body is powered on in the state of being connected to 01.
The main body 101 in the operation of FIG. 6 is the main body 101 of model A developed before the optional device was developed.

First, the communication 1 executed when the main body 101 of model A is turned on will be described. The main body 101 sends an initialization command to the option feeding device 102. The optional device transmits the pseudo status to the main body 101 in response to the reception of the initialization command, and performs the operation by regarding the connected main body 101 as the model A. The optional feeding device 1
02 operates assuming that the connected main body 101 is model A, but the main body 101 which is actually connected model A
Since the ID information of the model cannot be sent from the optional feeder to the optional feeder, this setting can be performed by the main unit 101 on the model A
It is performed regardless of whether it is. Further, in the communication between the main body 101 and the optional feeding device 102,
Each device communicates with one set of transmission and reception, but if there is a command to be transmitted from the main body 101 but there is no data to be transmitted from the optional feeding device,
The pseudo status is transmitted to the main body 101 to establish a set of communication.

In the next communication 2, the main body 101 sends a model setting request command to the option feeding device 102. Then, in communication 3, the main body 101 transmits a status information request as a command to the option feeding device 102, and at the same time, indicates that the model A setting is a response from the option feeding device 102 to the model setting request of communication 2. To receive.

The model setting confirmation operation of the above communications 1 to 3 is as follows.
This is an operation performed using a function incorporated in the main body of model A so as to detect an error when an optional feeding device that cannot be connected to the main body of model A is connected. That is, in response to a model setting request from the main body 101 of the model A, the main body 1 of the model A is returned if the status indicating that the model A is set is returned from the option feeding device.
It can be recognized as the optional feeding device 102 connectable to 01.

In communication 4, the main body 101 makes a status information request to the option feeding device 102. The status information referred to here is, for example, whether or not paper is present in the option device, the size of the existing paper, whether or not the door is open in the optional feeding device, and the like. It shows information necessary for controlling the main body 101 of model A.

In the communication 1 after the communication 4, when the main body 101 of model A feeds paper from the optional feeding device 102 and starts image formation, the optional feeding device 1
02, the optional feeding device 102 receives the instruction, and starts driving the driving device necessary for feeding the paper. In the subsequent communication l + 1, the main body 101 of the model A confirms that the transfer start instruction is normally transferred by subsequently receiving the transfer start status from the option, and in the communication m, the main body 10 of the model A is transmitted.
1 transmits a paper feed start instruction command to the option feeding device 102, and the option device receives the command and executes the paper feeding operation.

In communication m + 1, the main body 101 of model A confirms that the paper feed start instruction has been normally transferred by receiving the paper feed start status from the optional feeding device 102, and feeds the required number of sheets. Do paper movements,
When the printing is completed, the initialization command is transmitted to the option feeding device 102 so that the option feeding device 102
Tell them to stop.

As described above, when the optional feeding device 102 according to the present invention is connected to the model A having no means for transmitting the information for identifying the model of the main body such as the model ID, the connected main body is The control operation mode can be set assuming that the model is A.

Next, the optional feeding device 1 in the present invention
02 and the main body 101 of model B will be described with reference to FIG. The model B differs from the model A in that information indicating that the model B is the model B is transmitted as a command.

In FIG. 7, in communication 1 to communication 4, the same communication operation as when the model A is connected (FIG. 6) is executed. Therefore, regardless of whether the model of the main body 101 connected to the optional feeding device 102 is the model A or the model B, it is assumed that the main body 101 is the model A and the optional feeding device 1
02 works. 7 is different from FIG. 6 in the operations of communication l and communication l + 1. In communication l, the main body 101, which is the model B, is the model The B setting instruction is transmitted as a command to the option feeding device 102, and the option feeding device 102 recognizes that the received command is the model B setting and operates with the model B setting. In the communication l + 1, the option feeding device 102 transmits the setting of the operation mode as the model B to the main body 101 of the model B as a status, and the main body 1 of the model B is transmitted.
01 confirms that the option feeder 102 is changed to the model B setting. Then, in the subsequent communication l + 2, the option feeding device 102 is instructed to start the conveyance. Subsequent operations until the end of printing of communication m, communication m + 1, communication n, etc. are the same as in the case of FIG.

The communication operation when the main body 101 of model A and the main body 101 of model B are connected to the option feeding device 102 has been described above. An outline of the operation of the feeding device 102 will be described.

First, the main body 101 is turned on, and the main body 1
When power is supplied from 01, the option feeding apparatus 102 sets the model in S801 by regarding the main body 101 as the model A.

In step S802, it is determined whether or not the model B setting instruction indicating that the model B is transmitted from the main body 101 is received. If the option feeding device 102 is connected to the model B, the model B setting instruction is transmitted from the model B as a command, and therefore the process advances to step S803 and the model B is selected.
The setting is performed, and in the subsequent command processing, the operation is performed as the model B setting. Option feeder 102 is model A
If you are connected to the
Since it is not sent from S80, subsequent command processing (S80
In 4), the operation is performed as model A setting.

As described above, the option feeding device 102 in the present invention starts to operate at the setting corresponding to the model A when the main body 101 is powered on or reset, and then the main body 101 switches to the model B. When the setting is instructed, the operation setting is switched so as to operate with the setting of the model. Therefore, the model ID
Option feed that is compatible with one model that does not send information that specifies the type of image forming device, such as the image forming device, and the model of the image forming device that sends the model ID, and that performs appropriate control according to the model A device can be provided. In this description, only two models, model A and model B, have been described, but the supported models are not limited to two models, and different model IDs are assigned to a plurality of models having different transport speeds. It is possible to provide an optional feeding device applicable to three or more types of image forming apparatuses.

(Embodiment 2) A second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The configurations of the main body 101 and the optional feeding device 102 in the second embodiment are the same as those shown in FIGS. FIG. 10 shows an internal configuration of the optional feeding device control unit, and shows a clock signal (CLOC) transmitted from the DC controller 201 of the main body 101.
K) is transmitted to the timer 1001 and the control circuit 1002. The timer 1001 measures a time (time T1 in FIG. 2) according to the cycle of the clock signal, and transmits the measured time to the control circuit 1002. The time T1 according to the cycle of the clock signal transmitted from the main body 101 to the optional feeding device 102 is designed to indicate a different time depending on the model of the main body 101 to which the optional feeding device can be connected. In the present embodiment, the option feeding device 102 measures the period T1 according to the clock signal transmitted from the body 101, thereby determining the model of the body 101 to which the option feeding device 102 is connected, and performing an appropriate conveyance. It controls.

Optional feeding device 10 in this embodiment
The operation 2 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, the main body 101 is powered on, and the main body 1
When power is supplied from 01, the timer 10 is activated in S901.
Measure T1 where 01 is the time corresponding to half the period of the clock signal. In S902, it is determined by the control circuit 1002 whether T1 is longer than a predetermined Ta. If T1 is longer than Ta, in S903 the model A
If T1 is less than Ta, the model B is set in S904. In addition, T1 used to determine the model setting
Has been described as being measured only once, but T1 may be measured a plurality of times and the average value thereof may be used. Except for the model setting method, the same operation as in the first embodiment is performed.

As described above, by measuring the time corresponding to the width of the communication clock signal (CLOCK) output from the main body of the image forming apparatus, a plurality of plural signals can be obtained without obtaining a specific signal from the main body. It is possible to realize an optional feeding device corresponding to a type of image forming apparatus.
In the present embodiment, two types of main bodies, model A and model B, have been described, but the boundary times Ta are Ta1, T
The same effect can be obtained by distinguishing three or more types of image forming apparatuses by using plural a2 ...

(Embodiment 3) A third embodiment of the present invention will be described. The configurations of the main body 101 and the optional feeding device 102 in the third embodiment are the same as those shown in FIGS. Further, as in the second embodiment, the clock signal (C
LOCK) is transmitted to the timer 1001 and the control circuit 1002. The difference from the second embodiment is that the timer 100
1 is after the transmission of the clock signal for 8 bits is completed,
The point is that the time T2 until the next clock signal is transmitted is measured and the time is transmitted to the control circuit 1002.
Also, T2 is a main body 10 to which an optional feeding device can be connected.
It is designed to indicate different times for each model.
In the present embodiment, the option feeding device 102 measures the transmission interval T2 of the clock signal transmitted from the body 101, and the body 1 to which the option feeding device 102 is connected is measured.
The model of No. 01 is discriminated, and appropriate conveyance control is performed.

Optional feeding device 10 in this embodiment
The operation of No. 2 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, the main body 101 is powered on, and the main body 1
When power is supplied from 01, timer 1 is set in S1101.
T2, where 001 is the transmission interval of the clock signal, is measured. In step S1102, the control circuit 1002 determines whether T2 is longer than a predetermined Tb, and
When 2 is longer than Tb, the model A is set in S1103, and when T2 is less than Tb, the model B is set in S1104. Although T2 used for determining the model setting is measured only once, T2 may be measured a plurality of times and the average value thereof may be used. Except for the model setting method, the same operation as in the first embodiment is performed.

As described above, by detecting the interval of the communication clock signal (CLOCK) corresponding to the transmission interval of the plurality of commands output from the main body side,
It is possible to realize an optional feeding device corresponding to a plurality of types of image forming devices having different transport speeds without obtaining a specific signal from the main body side. In the present embodiment, two types of main bodies, model A and model B, have been described, but the same applies by distinguishing three or more types of image forming apparatuses by using a plurality of boundary times Tb such as Tb1, Tb2 .... The effect of is obtained. Also, the same effect can be obtained by measuring the time from the transmission of a predetermined command of the clock signal (CLOCK) to the transmission of the next command with a timer.

In the first to third embodiments described above, the optional feeding device for feeding the recording material to the image forming apparatus main body is used as the recording material feeding device, but the recording material to which the present invention can be applied. As the material feeding device, any device which can be attached to and detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus and which feeds the recording material can be arbitrarily applied. For example, by applying it to a double-sided printing device that adds a double-sided printing function to an image forming device, an envelope feeder that enables printing on envelopes, etc., optimal feeding while connecting to multiple models with different image forming speeds Recording materials, envelopes, etc. can be fed at a speed.

[0045]

As described above, according to the present invention, the control mode for controlling the feeding of the recording material is switched according to whether or not the information indicating the type of the image forming apparatus such as the model ID is received. Thus, it is possible to provide a recording material feeding device that performs appropriate feeding control according to the types of a plurality of image forming apparatuses having different transport speeds.

Further, according to the present invention, the type of the image forming apparatus is discriminated based on the cycle of the clock signal transmitted from the image forming apparatus, so that the type of the plurality of image forming apparatuses having different transport speeds can be determined. It is possible to provide a recording material feeding device that performs appropriate feeding control.

Further, according to the present invention, the type of the image forming apparatus is discriminated based on the receiving intervals of the plurality of control commands received from the image forming apparatus, so that the type of the plurality of image forming apparatuses having different transport speeds and the like are determined. It is possible to provide a recording material feeding device that performs appropriate feeding control according to the above.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view of a main body and an optional feeding device.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of a main body and an optional feeding device.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a main body and an optional feeding device.

FIG. 4 is a signal waveform in communication between the main body and the optional feeding device.

FIG. 5: Command signal and status signal

[Fig. 6] Example of communication operation when a main unit of model A that does not transmit model ID is connected

[Fig. 7] Example of communication operation when a main unit of model B that transmits a model ID is connected

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the control configuration of an optional feeding device control unit according to the second and third embodiments.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a third embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

101 main body 102 Optional feeding device 103 connector 104 paper feed cassette 201 DC controller 202 Optional feeder control unit 203 motor 204 solenoid 205 paper detection sensor 301 Paper feed roller 302 Conveyor roller 303 process cartridge 304 photoconductor drum 305 Fixing device 306 Face-up output tray 307 Face-down output tray

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Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A recording material feeding device which is attachable to and detachable from a plurality of image forming apparatuses having different image forming speeds, wherein the controlling means controls the feeding of the recording material and is capable of setting a plurality of control modes. And a determining unit that determines whether or not information indicating the type of the image forming apparatus is received from the image forming apparatus, and the determining unit determines that the information indicating the type of the image forming apparatus is received. In this case, the control means switches the preset first control mode to the second control mode according to the type of the image forming apparatus. 2. The recording material feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the first control mode is a mode which is set in response to power being turned on to the recording material feeding device. 3. The recording material feeding apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control means makes the feeding speed of the recording material different between the first control mode and the second control mode. 4. A recording material feeding device detachably attachable to a plurality of image forming apparatuses having different image forming speeds, which is a communication unit for communicating with the image forming apparatus, and is a predetermined unit transmitted from the image forming apparatus. A recording material feeding apparatus comprising: a communication unit that performs communication based on a clock signal having a cycle; and a determination unit that determines the type of the image forming apparatus based on the predetermined cycle. 5. A control unit for controlling the feeding of the recording material, the control unit having a control unit capable of setting a plurality of control modes, wherein the control unit is the type of the image forming apparatus determined by the determination unit. The recording material feeding device according to claim 4, wherein the feeding of the recording material is controlled by setting a control mode according to the above. 6. A recording material feeding device attachable / detachable to / from a plurality of image forming apparatuses having different image forming speeds, comprising a communication unit for communicating with the image forming apparatus, the plurality of controls from the image forming apparatus. A recording material feeding apparatus, comprising: a communication unit capable of receiving a command; and a determination unit configured to determine a type of the image forming apparatus based on a reception interval of the plurality of control commands. 7. A control means for controlling the feeding of the recording material, the control means having a control mode capable of setting a plurality of control modes, wherein the control means is the type of the image forming apparatus determined by the determination means. 7. The recording material feeding device according to claim 6, wherein the feeding of the recording material is controlled by setting a control mode according to the above. 8. The recording material feeding apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the control unit changes the feeding speed of the recording material according to which of the plurality of control modes is set. .