Image forming system, determination method, computer program, and recording medium

Abstract

To provide a technique capable of predicting a time when an image forming system fails.SOLUTION: In the image forming system, the controller is configured to input, to the motor driver, an operation amount for moving the carriage in the main scanning direction at a target speed based on the moving speed of the carriage detected from the encoder signal. The motor driver is configured to drive the motor by applying driving power based on the operation amount to the motor. The rotational movement of the motor is converted into a translational movement of the carriage. On the other hand, in order to determine the lifetime or the remaining lifetime of the image forming system, for each of a plurality of periods, time-series data of the moving speed, the physical quantity related to the moving speed, or the operation amount observed by the movement control of the carriage in the corresponding period is acquired. An index value related to an abnormality of the image forming system is identified based on the time-series data. The life or the remaining life of the image forming system is determined based on the transition of the index value in the plurality of periods.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to imaging systems. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is known an image forming system in which multiple devices in the system are controlled based on a master signal (see, for example, Patent Document 1). As a technology related to this image forming system, there is known a technology for diagnosing faults in each device by analyzing the frequency of fluctuations in rotation speed in real time, which are calculated by comparing the master signal and feedback signal of each device.

[0003] Also known is an image forming system that forms an image on a recording medium such as paper or clothing by ejecting ink from a recording head. In this image forming system, operational abnormalities occur due to various factors, such as motor deterioration, ink stains, and wear of moving parts. Conventionally, system maintenance such as part replacement and cleaning is performed to ensure the continuous use of this type of image forming system. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-165201 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, with conventional technology, it is not possible to predict when an image forming system will break down, and therefore system maintenance cannot be performed at an appropriate time, which can result in downtime occurring or being prolonged.

[0006] Therefore, according to one aspect of the present disclosure, it is desirable to provide a technique that can predict when an image forming system will break down in an image forming system that is configured to form an image by ejecting ink onto a recording medium. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an image forming system including a print head, a carriage movement mechanism, a motor driver, an encoder, and a controller, wherein the print head is configured to eject ink onto a recording medium.

[0008] The carriage movement mechanism includes a carriage carrying the print head, a motor, and a power transmission system that converts rotational motion of the motor into translational motion of the carriage to move the carriage in the main scanning direction. The motor driver is configured to drive the motor. The encoder is configured to output an encoder signal corresponding to a change in position of the carriage in the main scanning direction.

[0009] The controller is configured to control carriage movement by inputting an operation amount for moving the carriage in the main scanning direction at a target speed to the motor driver based on the carriage movement speed detected from the encoder signal. The motor driver is configured to apply drive power based on the operation amount to the motor to drive the motor.

[0010] The controller is configured to identify an index value related to an abnormality in the image forming system based on time series data of a movement speed, a physical quantity related to the movement speed, or an operation quantity observed by carriage movement control during each of a plurality of periods, and to determine the life or remaining life of the image forming system based on a transition of the index value during the plurality of periods.

[0011] According to this image forming system, it is possible to accurately predict when the image forming system will break down from the determined lifespan or remaining lifespan.

[0012] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there may be provided a method for determining a lifespan or remaining lifespan of an image forming system, The image forming system includes a print head, a carriage moving mechanism, a motor driver, an encoder, and a controller.

[0013] The print head is configured to eject ink onto a print medium. The carriage movement mechanism includes a carriage on which the print head is mounted, a motor, and a power transmission system that converts rotational motion of the motor into translational motion of the carriage to move the carriage in the main scanning direction.

[0014] The motor driver is configured to drive the motor. The encoder is configured to output an encoder signal corresponding to a change in position of the carriage in the main scanning direction. The controller is configured to control carriage movement by inputting an operation amount for moving the carriage in the main scanning direction at a target speed to the motor driver based on the carriage movement speed detected from the encoder signal. The motor driver is configured to apply drive power based on the operation amount to the motor to drive the motor.

[0015] The determination method can include acquiring, for each of a plurality of periods, time series data of a movement speed, a physical quantity related to the movement speed, or an operation quantity observed by carriage movement control during a corresponding period, and identifying an index value related to an abnormality in the image forming system based on the time series data. The determination method can further include determining the life or remaining life of the image forming system based on a transition of the index value over the plurality of periods.

[0016] By using this determination method, it is possible to accurately predict when the image forming system will break down from the determined lifespan or remaining lifespan.

[0017] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a computer program for causing a computer to execute the above-described determination method may be provided.A computer-readable recording medium for recording the computer program may be provided. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a mechanical configuration of the image forming system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the image forming system. [Figure 3] 10 is a flowchart showing a job-related process executed by a main control unit. [Figure 4] 1 is a graph of velocity versus time showing the change in carriage velocity over time. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart showing a determination-related process executed by a main control unit. [Figure 6] 10 is a graph showing the transition of the index value versus time. [Figure 7] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a method for identifying the cause of an abnormality based on a frequency spectrum. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram relating to a method for identifying index values ​​based on frequency spectra in the second embodiment. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a determination-related process according to a second embodiment. [Figure 10] 10 is a graph showing the transition of the index value versus time in the second embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram relating to determination of remaining life using a server device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to the drawings. [First embodiment] The image forming system 1 of this embodiment shown in Fig. 1 is an inkjet printer that forms an image on an object P as a recording medium by ejecting ink onto the object P placed on a platen 10. Specifically, the object P is clothing. In other words, the image forming system 1 is configured as a garment printer.

[0020] In addition to the platen 10, the image forming system 1 includes a recording head 20, a carriage movement mechanism 30, a linear encoder 40, and a controller 50. The recording head 20 is an inkjet head configured to eject ink onto an object P disposed opposite the recording head 20. The recording head 20 has an array of nozzles that eject ink droplets.

[0021] The carriage moving mechanism 30 includes a carriage 31, a belt mechanism 33, a guide rail 35, and a carriage (CR) motor 39. The carriage 31 carries the recording head 20. The belt mechanism 33 is disposed along the main scanning direction.

[0022] The belt mechanism 33 includes a drive pulley 331, a driven pulley 333, and an endless belt 335. The belt mechanism 33 functions as a power transmission system that converts the rotational motion of the CR motor 39 into the translational motion of the carriage 31.

[0023] The endless belt 335 is provided in the main scanning direction and is wound around a drive pulley 331 and a driven pulley 333. The drive pulley 331 is provided at one end of the guide rail 35 in the main scanning direction. The driven pulley 333 is provided at the other end of the guide rail 35 in the main scanning direction.

[0024] A CR motor 39 is connected to the drive pulley 331. The CR motor 39 is, for example, a DC motor. The drive pulley 331 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the CR motor 39. The endless belt 335 and the driven pulley 333 rotate in conjunction with the rotation of the drive pulley 331.

[0025] The carriage 31 is fixed to an endless belt 335 and moves in a translational manner in conjunction with the rotation of the endless belt 335. That is, the carriage 31 receives power from the CR motor 39 through the endless belt 335 and moves in a translational manner.

[0026] The carriage 31 is connected to a guide rail 35 that extends in the main scanning direction. The guide rail 35 comes into contact with the carriage 31 and regulates the movement of the carriage 31 in the main scanning direction. A roller 311 that runs on the guide rail 35 is rotatably provided on the carriage 31.

[0027] The roller 311 corresponds to the connection between the guide rail 35 and the carriage 31. When the carriage 31 moves in translation in conjunction with the rotation of the endless belt 335, the roller 311 travels on the guide rail 35 by rolling while in contact with the guide rail 35. With its movement restricted by the guide rail 35, the carriage 31 receives the force from the endless belt 335 and moves straight in the main scanning direction along the guide rail 35.

[0028] The carriage 31 moves in the positive or negative main scanning direction depending on the rotation direction of the endless belt 335. That is, the carriage 31 reciprocates in the main scanning direction depending on the switching of the rotation direction of the endless belt 335.

[0029] The linear encoder 40 includes an optical sensor 41 and an encoder scale 45, and functions as an incremental optical linear encoder. The linear encoder 40 is used to observe the position and movement speed (hereinafter simply referred to as "speed") of the carriage 31 in the main scanning direction.

[0030] As shown in the figure, the encoder scale 45 is arranged in the main scanning direction along the movement path of the carriage 31. The encoder scale 45 has graduations arranged at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction corresponding to the main scanning direction.

[0031] The optical sensor 41 is fixed to the carriage 31 and moves in the main scanning direction together with the carriage 31. That is, the optical sensor 41 moves relative to the encoder scale 45. When the carriage 31 moves in the main scanning direction, the optical sensor 41 reads the graduations of the encoder scale 45 and outputs an encoder signal according to the positional change of the carriage 31 in the main scanning direction.

[0032] Specifically, the optical sensor 41 outputs a pulse signal as an encoder signal each time the carriage 31 moves a predetermined amount in the main scanning direction. The encoder signal includes, for example, an A-phase signal and a B-phase signal whose phases are shifted by 90 degrees from each other.

[0033] The controller 50 controls the movement of the carriage 31 and the ink ejection operation of the print head 20 based on the position and speed of the carriage 31 in the main scanning direction, which are detected based on this encoder signal.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming system 1 includes a signal processing circuit 60, a motor driver 70, a head driving circuit 80, a user interface 90, and a communication interface 95 in the periphery of a controller 50.

[0035] The signal processing circuit 60 is configured to detect the position and speed of the carriage 31 in the main scanning direction based on the encoder signal input from the linear encoder 40. Hereinafter, the position and speed V of the carriage 31 detected by the signal processing circuit 60 will also be referred to as the detected position and detected speed V.

[0036] The motor driver 70 is configured to apply corresponding drive power to the CR motor 39 based on a voltage command value U input from the controller 50, thereby driving the CR motor 39. The head drive circuit 80 is configured to drive the recording head 20 based on a command signal from the controller 50, causing the recording head 20 to perform an ink ejection operation.

[0037] The user interface 90 includes an operation unit (not shown) for receiving operations from the user and a display unit (not shown) for displaying various information to the user. The operation unit may be, for example, a touch panel provided on the display screen of the display unit. The display unit may be, for example, a liquid crystal display.

[0038] The communication interface 95 is configured to be able to communicate with an external device. The image forming system 1 is configured to acquire image data from the outside through the communication interface 95 and form an image on the object P based on the acquired image data.

[0039] 2, the controller 50 includes a main control unit 51, a motor control unit 53, and a head control unit 55. The motor control unit 53 is configured to control the position and speed of the carriage 31 in the main scanning direction by controlling the CR motor 39.

[0040] For example, the motor control unit 53 performs motor control to move the carriage 31 at a constant speed of target speed Vr in the main scanning direction when forming an image on the target object P. This motor control is performed to control the landing position of ink on the target object P.

[0041] Specifically, the motor control unit 53 is configured to perform feedback control of the speed of the carriage 31 to the target speed Vr based on the detected speed V of the carriage 31 obtained from the signal processing circuit 60. The feedback control may be, for example, PID control.

[0042] The motor control unit 53 calculates a voltage command value U according to, for example, the deviation E=Vr-V between the detected speed V of the carriage 31 and the target speed Vr, and inputs the voltage command value U to the motor driver 70. The voltage command value U corresponds to the amount of operation U of the CR motor 39 for moving the carriage 31 in the main scanning direction at the target speed Vr.

[0043] The motor driver 70 applies a drive current (in other words, drive power) corresponding to the voltage command value U input from the motor control unit 53 to the CR motor 39, for example, by PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) drive. As a result, the speed of the carriage 31 is controlled to the target speed Vr.

[0044] The head control unit 55 inputs a control signal to the head drive circuit 80 to control the ink ejection operation of the recording head 20 based on the detected position of the carriage 31 obtained through the signal processing circuit 60 .

[0045] In addition, the main control unit 51 is configured to accept commands from the user input through the user interface 90, monitor the status of the image forming system 1, and, if necessary, display information explaining the status of the image forming system 1 to the user through the user interface 90.

[0046] Characteristically, according to this embodiment, the main control unit 51 is configured to determine the remaining lifespan, which is the time remaining until the image forming system 1 breaks down. The main control unit 51 is further configured to provide the user, via the user interface 90, with information urging them to perform maintenance such as part replacement or cleaning before the image forming system 1 breaks down, based on the remaining lifespan. Details of the processing related to this remaining lifespan determination will be described below.

[0047] The main control unit 51 records the maximum value VP of the speed V of the carriage 31 for each print job, and predicts the timing at which the maximum value VP will reach a threshold value based on the trend of the maximum value VP. The main control unit 51 determines the predicted timing as the lifespan of the image forming system 1, and determines the time from the present to the predicted timing as the remaining lifespan. When the remaining lifespan falls below a set value, the main control unit 51 notifies the user of the remaining lifespan via the user interface 90 and urges them to perform maintenance.

[0048] The main control unit 51 may include a processor 511 and a memory 513. The processor 511 can realize various functions including determining the remaining life span by executing processes in accordance with a computer program recorded in the memory 513. The memory 513 may include a RAM and an NVRAM.

[0049] The job-related processing (Figure 3) and judgment-related processing (Figure 5) performed by the main control unit 51 described below can be understood as processing performed by the processor 511 in accordance with a computer program recorded in the memory 513.

[0050] Specifically, when the start conditions for a print job are satisfied, the main control unit 51 executes the job-related processing shown in Fig. 3. For example, when a command to execute a print job is input via the user interface 90, the main control unit 51 executes the job-related processing.

[0051] When job-related processing starts, the main control unit 51 starts a print job (S110). In the print job, the main control unit 51, in cooperation with the motor control unit 53 and the head control unit 55, controls the movement of the carriage 31 and the ink ejection operation of the recording head 20, and forms an image on the target P based on specified image data.

[0052] In a print job, the motor control unit 53 causes the carriage 31 to reciprocate in the main scanning direction by controlling the CR motor 39. The motor control unit 53 calculates a voltage command value U so that the carriage 31 moves at a constant speed of target speed Vr in a region of the movement path of the carriage 31 where ink ejection operation is performed, which is located between an acceleration region and a deceleration region.

[0053] Specifically, the motor control unit 53 sequentially calculates a voltage command value U according to the deviation E=Vr-V between the target speed Vr of the carriage 31 and the detected speed V of the carriage 31. The motor control unit 53 sequentially inputs the calculated voltage command value U to the motor driver 70, causing the motor driver 70 to drive the CR motor 39 based on the voltage command value U. This achieves movement control of the carriage 31, and the speed of the carriage 31 is controlled to the target speed Vr.

[0054] During a constant speed period in which the speed of the carriage 31 is controlled to the target speed Vr, the main control unit 51 generates observation data by sequentially recording in memory 513 the speed V of the carriage 31 detected using the linear encoder 40 and / or the voltage command value U as the operation amount U input to the motor driver 70 (S120). The observation data is data in which the observed speed V of the carriage 31 and / or the voltage command value U are arranged in chronological order.

[0055] When the print job is completed (S130), the main control unit 51 performs frequency analysis on the speed V and / or voltage command value U for the constant speed period indicated by the time series of the observation data (S140). The frequency analysis provides a frequency spectrum of the speed V and / or voltage command value U. The main control unit 51 records this frequency spectrum in the memory 513 (S140).

[0056] The main control unit 51 further identifies the peak of the speed V and / or the voltage command value U during the constant speed period indicated by the observation data as an index value Z to be used in determining the remaining life (S150). The "identification" of the index value Z here may include calculation of the index value Z. In other words, the process of identifying the index value Z may include calculation using the speed V and / or the voltage command value U as observation quantities.

[0057] 4 is a graph illustrating the change in speed V over time, with the horizontal axis representing time T and the vertical axis representing speed V. According to this graph, during the constant speed period of the print job (the period from time T=0 to time T=TE), the speed V of the carriage 31 reaches a maximum value VP at time TP.

[0058] The index value Z corresponds to a health index of the image forming system 1. In the example shown in Fig. 4, the main control unit 51 identifies the maximum value VP of the speed V as the index value Z. In Fig. 4, the speed V may be interpreted as the manipulated variable U or the voltage command value U. In this case, the main control unit 51 can identify the maximum value of the voltage command value U as the index value Z.

[0059] Thereafter, the main control unit 51 registers the index value Z in a table for recording index values ​​(S160) and ends the job-related processing. The main control unit 51 registers the time-series data of the index value Z in the table by additionally registering the index value Z in the table in S160 each time a print job is executed. For each print job, the table registers the index value Z corresponding to the peak of the speed V and / or voltage command value U observed in the corresponding print job. The table may record information on the date and time of registration together with the index value Z.

[0060] Every time the main control unit 51 executes a job-related process, it executes the determination-related process shown in Fig. 5 following the job-related process. In the determination-related process, the remaining life of the image forming system 1 is determined based on the transition of the index value Z shown in the table (S250), and if the remaining life is short, the user is notified of the remaining life and the need for maintenance (S290).

[0061] When the determination-related process starts, the main control unit 51 determines whether or not a predetermined number of records have been accumulated in the table (S210). The records referred to here are records of index value Z. When job-related processes are executed a predetermined number of times or more, and as a result, a predetermined number or more of index values ​​Z are accumulated in the table, the main control unit 51 makes a positive determination in S210 and executes the process of S220. When the number of index values ​​Z is less than the predetermined number (No in S210), the main control unit 51 determines that there is insufficient information and ends the determination-related process.

[0062] In S220, the main control unit 51 determines whether the amount of change in the index value is equal to or greater than a reference value. Specifically, the main control unit 51 determines whether the latest value of the index value Z has decreased by equal to or greater than a reference value compared to the previous value. When the main control unit 51 determines that the index value Z has decreased by equal to or greater than the reference value (Yes in S220), it executes the process of S300. The index value Z improves rapidly when maintenance is performed. The determination in S220 is made to detect an improvement in the index value Z due to maintenance.

[0063] If the main control unit 51 determines in S220 that the amount of change in the index value is less than the reference value (No in S220), it executes the process of S230. In S230, the main control unit 51 generates smoothed time series data of the index value Z by executing a smoothing process on the time series data of the index value Z registered in the table. Specifically, the smoothing process may be a moving average process. The moving average process smooths the time series data of the index value Z in the time direction.

[0064] Thereafter, the main control unit 51 calculates an approximate curve of the index value Z by function fitting using a predetermined function to the time series data of the smoothed index value Z (S240). The graph shown in Fig. 6 is a graph in which the index value Z for each print job based on the time series data of the smoothed index value Z is plotted, and has the horizontal axis representing time T and the vertical axis representing the index value Z.

[0065] The time T in the graph may be understood to be the number of times the print job is executed. In Fig. 6, the open dots correspond to the plotted points of the index value Z. When each index value Z corresponds to the maximum value VP of the speed V in each print job, the group of plotted points represents the time progression of the maximum value VP.

[0066] Fig. 6 illustrates an example in which an exponential function approximation curve corresponding to a group of plotted points is calculated by function fitting using an exponential function. In Fig. 6, the approximation curve is represented by a solid line. The function fitting is performed, for example, to search for an approximation curve that minimizes the sum of squared errors related to the errors from the plotted points.

[0067] In the next step S250, the main control unit 51 determines the remaining time until the time TD when the index value Z on the approximation curve reaches the threshold value Z_TH as the remaining life. That is, the time from the present time to the future time TD (e.g., the number of print jobs executed) is determined to be the remaining life. For example, the time from the latest plot point (the plot point located at the end of the time direction) to the time TD in FIG. 6 corresponds to the remaining life. The threshold value Z_TH corresponds to a value at which the image forming system 1 is deemed to have failed when the index value Z exceeds the threshold value Z_TH. The threshold value Z_TH is set in advance through an operation test of the image forming system 1, etc.

[0068] When the index value Z corresponds to the maximum value VP of the speed V of the carriage 31 in the print job, the threshold value Z_TH may correspond to the maximum value of the speed V at which normal speed control is possible. When the index value Z corresponds to the maximum value of the voltage command value U in the print job, the threshold value Z_TH may be a voltage command value that corresponds to the maximum value of the drive current that can be applied to the CR motor 39.

[0069] For example, when the encoder scale 45 is dirty and the optical sensor 41 cannot read the scale correctly, the speed V is more likely to deviate from the target speed Vr, and as the dirt progresses, the index value Z corresponding to the maximum value VP of the speed V may reach the threshold value Z_TH. For example, if a malfunction of the carriage movement mechanism 30 due to mechanical wear increases the reaction force acting on the carriage 31, the index value Z corresponding to the maximum value of the voltage command value U may reach the threshold value Z_TH.

[0070] In the next step S260, the main control unit 51 determines whether the determined remaining life is equal to or less than a set value. The set value is determined so that information prompting maintenance can be output at an appropriate timing before the image forming system 1 reaches the end of its life.

[0071] When the main control unit 51 determines that the remaining life is equal to or less than the set value (Yes in S260), it sets an abnormality flag (S270). The main control unit 51 further identifies the part in the image forming system 1 that has reached the end of its life based on the frequency spectrum of each of the multiple print jobs stored in the memory 513 by the process of S140 (see FIG. 3). As a result, it identifies the cause of the change in the index value Z as the cause of the abnormality (S280).

[0072] The main control unit 51 identifies the cause of the abnormality by, for example, comparing the target spectrum with the standard spectrum among the frequency spectra of each of the multiple print jobs stored in the memory 513 by the process of S140.

[0073] The target spectrum is a frequency spectrum that represents the current health state of the image forming system 1. Specifically, the target spectrum is a frequency spectrum of the speed V or the voltage command value U based on the latest observation data obtained in the last executed print job.

[0074] The standard spectrum is a frequency spectrum when it is estimated that the image forming system 1 is operating normally and no abnormality has occurred. Specifically, the standard spectrum is a frequency spectrum of the speed V or the voltage command value U based on observation data obtained from the print job executed for the first time or immediately after maintenance.

[0075] In FIG. 7, the target spectrum is represented by a dashed line, and the standard spectrum is represented by a solid line. According to the example shown in FIG. 7, the target spectrum and the standard spectrum have local peaks in a first frequency band having a center frequency f1, a second frequency band having a center frequency f2, and a third frequency band having a center frequency f3. The frequency band indicated by the symbol FB in FIG. 7 corresponds to a fourth frequency band having a center frequency f4. The fourth frequency band is a broader frequency band than the first, second, and third frequency bands. The peak in the first frequency band of the target spectrum is significantly increasing from the peak in the first frequency band of the standard spectrum. In this case, the main control unit 51 identifies the location corresponding to the first frequency band as the cause of the abnormality.

[0076] When the peak of the target spectrum deviates from the peak of the standard spectrum by a predetermined amount or more in one of the first, second, third, and fourth frequency bands, the main control unit 51 can identify the part corresponding to that frequency band as the cause of the abnormality. However, with regard to the fourth frequency band, if an abnormality occurs, the spectral intensity may vary widely throughout that frequency band. Therefore, when the average value of the fourth frequency band in the target spectrum deviates from the average value of the fourth frequency band in the standard spectrum by a predetermined amount or more, the main control unit 51 may identify the part corresponding to the fourth frequency band as the cause of the abnormality.

[0077] When there is a change of the above-mentioned predetermined amount or more in two or more of the first, second, third, and fourth frequency bands, the main control unit 51 can identify the part corresponding to the frequency band with the largest change among the two or more frequency bands as the cause of the abnormality.

[0078] For example, when the first frequency band is related to the operation of the CR motor 39, the second frequency band is related to the operation of the roller 311, the third frequency band is related to the operation of the belt mechanism 33, and the fourth frequency band is related to the operation of the linear encoder 40, according to the example shown in FIG. 7, the main control unit 51 can identify that the CR motor 39 is the cause of the abnormality.

[0079] According to this example, the main control unit 51 can identify which of the CR motor 39, the roller 311, the belt mechanism 33, and the linear encoder 40 has an abnormality by comparing the target spectrum with the standard spectrum.

[0080] In the next S290, the main control unit 51 displays the remaining life determined in S250 to the user via the user interface 90, and also displays information urging the user to perform maintenance on the part corresponding to the cause of the abnormality identified in S280 to the user via the user interface 90. Thereafter, the determination-related processing shown in FIG. 5 ends.

[0081] By executing this determination-related process, the main control unit 51 can prompt the user to perform maintenance at an appropriate time before the life of each component of the image forming system 1 reaches its end and the image forming system 1 breaks down.

[0082] In S290, the main control unit 51 can output an alert sound through the user interface 90, thereby strongly urging the user to perform maintenance. The user interface 90 can be equipped with a speaker (not shown) for outputting the alert sound.

[0083] On the other hand, if the main control unit 51 determines in S220 that the amount of change in the index value is equal to or greater than the reference value (Yes in S220) or determines in S260 that the remaining life is longer than the set value (No in S260), the process proceeds to S300. As another example, if the main control unit 51 makes a negative determination in S260, the main control unit 51 may end the determination-related process without executing the processes of S300 and S310. Alternatively, the main control unit 51 may be configured to end the determination-related process without executing the processes of S300 and S310 for a predetermined period after the abnormality flag is set.

[0084] In S300, the main control unit 51 determines whether the abnormality flag is set. The abnormality flag is reset in the initial state and is set in the processing of S270. When the main control unit 51 determines that the abnormality flag is not set (No in S300), it ends the determination-related processing.

[0085] On the other hand, if the main control unit 51 determines that the abnormality flag is set (Yes in S300), it considers that maintenance is complete, and resets the abnormality flag and related data (S310). For example, it resets a table that stores time-series data of the index value Z. Thereafter, the main control unit 51 ends the determination-related processing.

[0086] According to the image forming system 1 of the present embodiment described above, the main control unit 51 generates, as observation data, time-series data of the speed V or voltage command value U of the carriage 31 observed by controlling the movement of the carriage 31 during a corresponding period (particularly a constant speed period) each time a print job is executed. Furthermore, the main control unit 51 identifies an index value Z related to an abnormality in the image forming system 1 based on the observation data each time a print job is executed.

[0087] The main control unit 51 further determines the remaining life of the image forming system 1 based on the transition of the index value Z over multiple print jobs. Specifically, the main control unit 51 calculates an approximation curve relating to the transition of the index value Z, determines the future point in time TD at which the index value Z reaches the threshold value Z_TH on the approximation curve as the remaining life of the image forming system 1, and determines the remaining time until the future point in time TD as the remaining life.

[0088] The main control unit 51 calculates the approximate curve by performing function fitting on the time-series data of index values ​​Z across multiple print jobs. In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which an exponential function is used as the approximate curve, but examples of the approximate curve include an approximate straight line. That is, an approximate straight line may be calculated by performing function fitting using a linear function. In order to suppress the influence of older index values ​​Z, the function fitting may be performed only on the time-series data of a predetermined number of the most recent index values ​​Z. The function fitting may be performed by weighting the index values ​​Z. That is, the function fitting may be performed so that the weight is greater for newer index values ​​Z. Weighting may be performed, for example, on the error between the index values ​​Z and the approximate curve. The function fitting may be achieved by searching for an approximate curve that minimizes the weighted error.

[0089] According to this embodiment, by determining the remaining life using the above-described method, it is possible to accurately predict when the image forming system 1 will break down before the image forming system 1 actually breaks down, and to prompt the user to perform maintenance on the image forming system 1 before the breakdown occurs. This allows the user to perform maintenance on the image forming system 1 at an appropriate time before the breakdown occurs, and prevents the occurrence and prolongation of downtime due to breakdowns.

[0090] According to this embodiment, the main control unit 51 particularly identifies the maximum value (i.e., peak) of the detected speed V or voltage command value U of the carriage 31 during the constant speed period as the index value Z. This index value Z corresponds to the feature amount of the corresponding period. The maximum value VP of the detected speed V corresponds to the moving speed of the carriage 31 at the point in time when the moving speed of the carriage 31 deviates most from the target speed Vr during the constant speed period.

[0091] The main control unit 51 smooths the time-series data of the index value Z in the time direction by moving average processing. The smoothed index value Z is used to calculate an approximate line and determine the remaining life. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the influence of minute fluctuations in the index value Z is suppressed, the transition of the index value Z can be accurately grasped, and the remaining life can be determined with high accuracy.

[0092] According to this embodiment, the main control unit 51 is further configured to perform frequency analysis on the time-series data of the speed V or the voltage command value U, and identify the cause of the abnormality in the image forming system 1. When the remaining life falls below a set value, the main control unit 51 identifies the cause of the abnormality in the image forming system 1 by comparing the frequency spectrum (the target spectrum) obtained by frequency analyzing the latest time-series data with a standard frequency spectrum (the standard spectrum) that is presumed to be free of abnormality.

[0093] That is, the main control unit 51 performs frequency analysis on the time series data of the speed V or voltage command value U during the constant speed period for the latest print job and the first print job among the multiple print jobs, and compares the frequency spectra of these two periods to identify the cause of the abnormality in the image forming system 1. The main control unit 51 further displays, via the user interface 90, information urging the user to perform maintenance according to the cause of the abnormality.

[0094] Therefore, the user can appropriately eliminate the cause of a failure before a future failure occurs by performing maintenance in accordance with the display from the image forming system 1. As a result, the image forming system 1 can effectively reduce downtime caused by failures.

[0095] [Second embodiment] Next, an image forming system 1 of a second embodiment will be described. However, the image forming system 1 of the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment only in the contents of the job-related processing and judgment-related processing executed by the main control unit 51. Therefore, in the following description of the image forming system 1 of the second embodiment, the contents of the job-related processing and judgment-related processing executed by the main control unit 51 will be selectively described. Except for the configuration described below, the image forming system 1 of the second embodiment may be understood to be configured similarly to the first embodiment.

[0096] In the second embodiment, the main control unit 51 executes the process of S155 instead of the process of S150 in the job-related process shown in Fig. 3. In S140, the frequency spectrum of the voltage command value U is generated based on the observation data.

[0097] In S155, the main control unit 51 identifies, as the index value Z, the peak of the spectrum intensity for each of a plurality of predetermined frequency bands based on the frequency spectrum of the voltage command value U obtained in S140.

[0098] 8, the main control unit 51 identifies a peak of the spectral intensity in a first frequency band of a predetermined bandwidth having a center frequency f1 as a first index value Z1, and identifies a peak of the spectral intensity in a second frequency band of a predetermined bandwidth having a center frequency f2 as a second index value Z2.

[0099] The main control unit 51 identifies the peak of the spectral intensity in a third frequency band of a predetermined bandwidth having a center frequency f3 as the third index value Z3. The main control unit 51 identifies the peak of the spectral intensity (in other words, the maximum value) in a fourth frequency band of a predetermined bandwidth having a center frequency f4 as the fourth index value Z4. However, with regard to the fourth frequency band, the average value of the spectral intensity in the fourth frequency band may be calculated as the fourth index value Z4.

[0100] Thereafter, the main control unit 51 registers the index values ​​Z1, Z2, Z3, and Z4 of the multiple frequency bands in a table for recording index values ​​as index values ​​Z. The main control unit 51 registers the index values ​​Z1, Z2, Z3, and Z4 in the table in S160 each time a print job is executed, thereby registering time-series data of the index values ​​Z1, Z2, Z3, and Z4 for each frequency band in the table.

[0101] That is, the main control unit 51 registers in the table time series data of the spectral intensity peak (Z1) in the first frequency band, time series data of the spectral intensity peak (Z2) in the second frequency band, time series data of the spectral intensity peak (Z3) in the third frequency band, and time series data of the spectral intensity peak or average value (Z4) in the fourth frequency band.

[0102] After executing such job-related processing, the main control unit 51 executes the determination-related processing shown in Fig. 9 instead of the determination-related processing shown in Fig. 5. When the determination-related processing shown in Fig. 9 starts, the main control unit 51 executes processing similar to S210 in the first embodiment in S410. In the following S420, the main control unit 51 determines whether the amount of change in the index value is equal to or greater than a reference value.

[0103] Specifically, the main control unit 51 compares the corresponding index value Z (i.e., the index value corresponding to the frequency band among the index values ​​Z1, Z2, Z3, and Z4) with the previous value for each frequency band. Then, for any index value Z, if the latest value of index value Z has changed from the previous value by more than a reference value, the main control unit 51 determines that the amount of change in index value is more than the reference value. If it determines that the amount of change in index value is more than the reference value (Yes in S420), the main control unit 51 executes the process of S500. On the other hand, if it determines that the amount of change in index value is less than the reference value (No in S420), the main control unit 51 executes the process of S430.

[0104] In S430, the main control unit 51 performs a smoothing process on the time series data of the corresponding index value Z for each frequency band, thereby generating smoothed time series data of the index value Z. The smoothing process may be a moving average process, as in the first embodiment.

[0105] Thereafter, the main control unit 51 calculates an approximate curve of the index value Z for each frequency band by function fitting to the time series data of the smoothed index value Z (S440). The graph shown in Fig. 10 is a graph in which the index value Z of each print job based on the time series data of the smoothed index value Z for each frequency band is plotted, and has the horizontal axis representing time T and the vertical axis representing the index value Z.

[0106] 10 illustrates an example in which an approximate curve of a linear function corresponding to a group of plot points is calculated by function fitting using a linear function. As another example, a quadratic function or an exponential function may be used instead of a linear function for function fitting. In this example, function fitting is performed using a predetermined number of index values ​​Z in reverse chronological order, including the most recent index value Z.

[0107] The first line graph G1 shown in FIG. 10 is based on the time series data of the smoothed first index value Z1. The second line graph G2 is based on the time series data of the smoothed second index value Z2. The third line graph G3 is based on the time series data of the smoothed third index value Z3. The fourth line graph G4 is based on the time series data of the smoothed fourth index value Z4.

[0108] In the next step S450, the main control unit 51 determines, for each frequency band, the remaining time until the index value Z on the approximation curve reaches the threshold value Z_TH as the remaining life. The threshold value Z_TH is determined individually for each frequency band. That is, for the first frequency band, a first threshold value Z_TH1 is determined for the first index value Z1. For the second frequency band, a second threshold value Z_TH2 is determined for the second index value Z2. For the third frequency band, a third threshold value Z_TH3 is determined for the third index value Z3. For the fourth frequency band, a fourth threshold value Z_TH4 is determined for the fourth index value Z4.

[0109] In the next step S460, the main control unit 51 determines the shortest remaining life among the remaining lives determined for each of the multiple frequency bands, and further determines whether the shortest remaining life is equal to or less than a set value. The remaining life determined for each frequency band is the remaining life of a component in the image forming system 1 corresponding to the frequency band, and the shortest remaining life corresponds to the remaining life of the image forming system 1. If the main control unit 51 determines that the remaining life is equal to or less than the set value (Yes in S460), it sets an abnormality flag for the frequency band corresponding to the shortest remaining life (S470).

[0110] In this embodiment, an abnormality flag is provided for each frequency band. The abnormality flag for each frequency band is reset in the initial state. In S470, the abnormality flag for the frequency band corresponding to the shortest remaining life is selectively set from among the multiple abnormality flags (S470).

[0111] The main control unit 51 further identifies the part corresponding to the frequency band that indicates the shortest remaining life as the cause of the abnormality (S480). For example, consider a case where the first frequency band is related to the operation of the CR motor 39, the second frequency band is related to the operation of the roller 311, the third frequency band is related to the operation of the belt mechanism 33, and the fourth frequency band is related to the operation of the linear encoder 40.

[0112] In this case, when the frequency band showing the shortest remaining life is the first frequency band, the main control unit 51 determines that the cause of the abnormality is the CR motor 39. When the frequency band showing the shortest remaining life is the second frequency band, the main control unit 51 determines that the cause of the abnormality is the roller 311. When the frequency band showing the shortest remaining life is the third frequency band, the main control unit 51 determines that the cause of the abnormality is the belt mechanism 33. When the frequency band showing the shortest remaining life is the fourth frequency band, the main control unit 51 determines that the cause of the abnormality is the linear encoder 40.

[0113] In the next S490, the main control unit 51 displays the remaining life of the parts corresponding to each frequency band determined in S450 to the user via the user interface 90, and also displays information urging the user to perform maintenance on the parts corresponding to the cause of the abnormality identified in S490 to the user via the user interface 90. Thereafter, the determination-related processing shown in Fig. 9 ends.

[0114] By executing this determination-related process, the main control unit 51 can prompt the user to perform maintenance at an appropriate time before the lifespan of each component of the image forming system 1 reaches its end and causes a breakdown in the image forming system 1. In S490, the main control unit 51 can output an alert sound through the user interface 90 in addition to displaying a message prompting the user to perform maintenance.

[0115] On the other hand, if the main control unit 51 determines in S420 that the amount of change in the index value is equal to or greater than the reference value (Yes in S420) or determines in S460 that the shortest remaining life is longer than the set value (No in S460), the process proceeds to S500. As another example, if the main control unit 51 makes a negative determination in S460, it may end the determination-related process without executing the processes of S500 and S510.

[0116] In S500, the main control unit 51 determines whether any of a plurality of abnormality flags corresponding to a plurality of frequency bands is set. If the main control unit 51 determines that none of the abnormality flags is set (No in S500), the determination-related process ends.

[0117] On the other hand, if the main control unit 51 determines that any of the plurality of abnormality flags is set (Yes in S500), it considers that the maintenance corresponding to the set abnormality flag has been completed, and resets the set abnormality flag while resetting data related to the set abnormality flag (S510). Thereafter, the main control unit 51 ends the determination-related processing.

[0118] For frequency bands for which the number of records of index value Z is less than the predetermined number due to the reset in S510, the frequency bands can be excluded from the processing targets of S420 to S460 in the determination-related processing to be executed thereafter until the number of records becomes equal to or greater than the predetermined number. Alternatively, the main control unit 51 may delete the records of all frequency bands from the table in S510.

[0119] According to the image forming system 1 of the second embodiment described above, the main control unit 51 performs frequency analysis on the time series data of the voltage command value U for the corresponding constant speed period for each print job, and identifies the component-specific index values ​​Z1, Z2, Z3, and Z4 for the multiple components corresponding to the multiple frequency bands as the index value Z of the image forming system 1 based on the frequency spectrum of the multiple frequency bands.

[0120] Specifically, the main control unit 51 identifies index values ​​Z1, Z2, Z3, and Z4 for each frequency band corresponding to the multiple components (specifically, the CR motor 39, roller 311, and belt mechanism 33) that make up the carriage moving mechanism 30 and the linear encoder 40.

[0121] The main control unit 51 determines the remaining life of the image forming system 1 by determining the remaining life of the part that will reach the end of its life soonest among the multiple parts based on the transition of the index values ​​Z1, Z2, Z3, and Z4 for each frequency band.

[0122] When the shortest remaining life falls below a set value, the main control unit 51 identifies the part corresponding to the shortest remaining life as the cause of the abnormality, and outputs information via the user interface 90 to prompt maintenance to address the cause of the abnormality.

[0123] Therefore, in this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the user can appropriately eliminate the cause of a failure before a failure that is predicted to occur in the future occurs. As a result, the image forming system 1 can effectively reduce downtime caused by failures.

[0124] [Other embodiments] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made. For example, in the first embodiment, the maximum value VP of the velocity V of the carriage 31 during the constant velocity period is identified as the index value Z. However, instead of the maximum value VP, the difference δ=|VP−Vr| between the maximum value VP and the target velocity Vr may be identified as the index value Z.

[0125] That is, the main control unit 51 can smooth the time series data of the difference δ and perform function fitting on the time series data of the difference δ after smoothing. The time point at which the approximation curve obtained by this function fitting reaches a threshold value is determined as the end of the life of the image forming system 1, and the remaining life can be determined.

[0126] Additionally, in the first and second embodiments, the main control unit 51 may execute the determination-related processes such that the processes of S270 and S470 are executed when the index value Z becomes equal to or greater than a warning value set less than a threshold value Z_TH, rather than when the remaining life becomes equal to or less than a set value. For example, the process of S260 may be replaced with a process of determining whether the index value Z is equal to or greater than the warning value. The process of S460 may be replaced with a process of determining whether any of the index values ​​Z1, Z2, Z3, and Z4 is equal to or greater than the warning value. The warning value may be determined for each frequency band.

[0127] Furthermore, part or all of the job-related processing and the determination-related processing executed by the image forming system 1 may be executed by an external server device 100, rather than by the image forming system 1. For this purpose, a computer program for causing the processor 110 of the server device 100 to execute part or all of the determination-related processing may be prepared and installed in the server device 100.

[0128] 11 is communicably connected to the image forming system 1 via a wide area network. The server device 100 includes a processor 110 and a memory 120. The processor 110 executes processing in accordance with a computer program stored in the memory 120, thereby functioning as an acquisition unit 111 and a related processing unit 113.

[0129] The acquisition unit 111 acquires, through communication with the image forming system 1, observation data that the image forming system 1 generates in S120 for each execution of a print job from the image forming system 1. The related processing unit 113 executes the processes of S140, S150, and S160 of the job-related processing shown in Fig. 3 and the determination-related processing shown in Fig. 5 or 9. However, in S290 or S490, the related processing unit 113 transmits information required for display to the image forming system 1 and causes the user interface 90 of the image forming system 1 to display the corresponding information. The server device 100 may be configured so that the user can check the corresponding information on a browser.

[0130] Additionally, in the above embodiment, the index value Z is identified for each print job, time-series data of the index value Z is generated, and the remaining life is determined based on this time-series data. However, the index value Z may be generated at predetermined intervals, such as every day, instead of every print job.

[0131] For example, the main control unit 51 may identify the maximum value for all speeds V or voltage command values ​​U during the constant speed period in print jobs executed in one day as the index value Z. The same thing can be achieved by identifying the index value Z for each print job, but also by summarizing the index values ​​Z of the time-series data by day in S230 and S430 of the judgment-related processing.

[0132] That is, the index value Z for each print job included in the time series data of the index value can be converted into a daily index value by statistical analysis or thinning. Thinning can be achieved, for example, by keeping the largest index value Z in a day and deleting the rest.

[0133] The index value Z can be identified not only for each print job or each day, but also for various periods such as each week, each month, or each time the image forming system 1 is started up. Additionally, the image forming system 1 of the above embodiment may be applied to inkjet printers other than garment printers.

[0134] Furthermore, a parameter other than the speed V or the voltage command value U as the manipulated variable described above may be used to identify the index value Z. The voltage command value U corresponds to the motor torque and the acceleration of the carriage 31. Therefore, instead of the speed V, the index value Z may be identified using the peak of acceleration as a physical quantity calculated from the speed V. The acceleration is the time derivative of the speed V and is related to the speed V. The observation data generated in S120 may include data in which the observed acceleration of the carriage 31 is arranged in time series. The acceleration may be an absolute value.

[0135] The function of one component in the above embodiments may be distributed among multiple components. The functions of multiple components may be integrated into one component. Part of the configuration of the above embodiments may be omitted. At least part of the configuration of the above embodiments may be added to or substituted for the configuration of another of the above embodiments. All aspects included in the technical idea identified from the wording of the claims are embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0136] [Technical idea disclosed in this specification] It can be understood that the present specification discloses the following technical idea. [Item 1] An image forming system, comprising: a print head configured to eject ink onto a print medium; a carriage movement mechanism including a carriage on which the recording head is mounted, a motor, and a power transmission system that converts rotational motion of the motor into translational motion of the carriage, thereby moving the carriage in a main scanning direction; a motor driver configured to drive the motor; an encoder configured to output an encoder signal corresponding to a position change of the carriage in a main scanning direction; a controller configured to control the movement of the carriage by inputting, to the motor driver, an operation amount for moving the carriage in the main scanning direction at a target speed based on the movement speed of the carriage detected from the encoder signal; and Equipped with the motor driver is configured to apply a drive power based on the operation amount to the motor to drive the motor; The controller identifying, for each of a plurality of periods, an index value relating to an abnormality in the image forming system based on time series data of the movement speed, the physical quantity related to the movement speed, or the manipulated variable observed by the movement control of the carriage during the corresponding period; The life or remaining life of the image forming system is determined based on the transition of the index value over the plurality of periods. An image forming system configured as follows. [Item 2] 2. The image forming system according to item 1, wherein the controller calculates an approximate curve relating to the change in the index value, and determines that the future point at which the index value reaches a threshold value on the approximate curve is the end of the life of the image forming system. [Item 3] 3. The image forming system according to item 2, wherein the controller calculates the approximation curve by performing function fitting on the index values ​​for the plurality of periods using a predetermined function. [Item 4] The image forming system according to any one of items 1 to 3, wherein the controller, for each of the periods, identifies, as a feature value for the corresponding period, the peak of the operation amount in the corresponding period, or the carriage movement speed at the time when the carriage movement speed deviates most from the target speed in the corresponding period, or the difference of the carriage movement speed from the target speed, and calculates the index value as a value obtained by smoothing the feature value in the time direction. [Item 5] 5. The image forming system according to any one of items 1 to 4, wherein the controller is further configured to perform frequency analysis on the time series data to identify a cause of an abnormality in the image forming system. [Item 6] when the index value or the remaining life satisfies a predetermined condition, the controller identifies a cause of the abnormality in the image forming system by comparing a frequency spectrum obtained by frequency analyzing the latest time-series data with a standard frequency spectrum; 6. The imaging system according to item 5, wherein the standard frequency spectrum is a frequency spectrum when the imaging system is normal. [Item 7] The image forming system according to any one of items 1 to 4, wherein the controller is further configured to identify a cause of an abnormality in the image forming system by performing frequency analysis on the time series data for each of at least two of the plurality of periods and comparing the frequency spectra of the at least two periods. [Item 8] the carriage movement mechanism is provided with a guide rail, the carriage has a connection portion between the guide rail and the carriage for running on the guide rail, and is configured to receive power from the motor through the power transmission system and run on the guide rail; The image forming system according to any one of items 5 to 7, wherein the controller identifies the cause of the abnormality by determining whether the abnormality is in the motor, the connection part, the power transmission system, or the encoder. [Item 9] The image forming system according to any one of items 1 to 5, wherein the controller performs frequency analysis on the time series data for the corresponding period for each of the periods, and identifies, based on the frequency spectra of each of a plurality of frequency bands, component-specific index values ​​related to abnormalities of a plurality of components constituting the encoder and the carriage moving mechanism, which correspond to the plurality of frequency bands, as the index values ​​of the image forming system. [Item 10] The image forming system according to item 9, wherein the controller determines the lifespan or remaining lifespan of the image forming system by determining the lifespan or remaining lifespan of the part among the plurality of parts that will reach the end of its life earliest based on the transition of the index values ​​for each part. [Item 11] the manipulated variable is a voltage command value, 11. The image forming system according to any one of items 1 to 10, wherein the motor driver is configured to apply a driving power based on the voltage command value to the motor to drive the motor. [Item 12] A method for determining a lifespan or remaining lifespan of an image forming system, comprising: The image forming system includes: a print head configured to eject ink onto a print medium; a carriage movement mechanism including a carriage on which the recording head is mounted, a motor, and a power transmission system that converts rotational motion of the motor into translational motion of the carriage, thereby moving the carriage in a main scanning direction; a motor driver configured to drive the motor; an encoder configured to output an encoder signal corresponding to a position change of the carriage in a main scanning direction; a controller configured to control the movement of the carriage by inputting, to the motor driver, an operation amount for moving the carriage in the main scanning direction at a target speed based on the movement speed of the carriage detected from the encoder signal; and Equipped with the motor driver is configured to apply a drive power based on the operation amount to the motor to drive the motor, The determination method includes: acquiring, for each of a plurality of periods, time series data of the movement speed, a physical quantity related to the movement speed, or the manipulated variable observed by the carriage movement control during the corresponding period, and identifying an index value related to an abnormality in the image forming system based on the time series data; determining a lifespan or remaining lifespan of the image forming system based on a transition of the index value over the plurality of periods; A determination method including: [Item 13] Item 13. The method of determining the lifespan or remaining lifespan of the image forming system, comprising: calculating an approximate curve relating to the change in the index value; and determining the future point at which the index value reaches a threshold value on the approximate curve as the lifespan of the image forming system. [Item 14] Item 14. The method according to item 13, wherein determining the end of the life of the image forming system includes calculating the approximation curve by performing function fitting on the index values ​​for the multiple periods using a predetermined function. [Item 15] The method of determining the index value according to any one of items 12 to 14 includes identifying, for each of the periods, the peak of the operation amount in the corresponding period, or the carriage movement speed at the time when the carriage movement speed deviates most from the target speed in the corresponding period, or the difference of the carriage movement speed from the target speed, as a feature amount for the corresponding period, and calculating the index value as a value obtained by smoothing the feature amount in the time direction. [Item 16] 16. The method according to any one of items 12 to 15, further comprising: performing frequency analysis on the time-series data to identify a cause of the abnormality in the image forming system. [Item 17] the carriage movement mechanism is provided with a guide rail, the carriage has a connection portion between the guide rail and the carriage for running on the guide rail, and is configured to receive power from the motor through the power transmission system and run on the guide rail; Item 17. The determination method according to item 16, wherein identifying the cause of the abnormality includes identifying the cause of the abnormality by identifying whether the abnormality exists in the motor, the connection part, the power transmission system, or the encoder. [Item 18] A computer program for causing a computer to execute the determination method according to any one of items 12 to 17. [Item 19] Item 19. A computer-readable recording medium for recording the computer program according to item 18. [Explanation of symbols]

[0137] 1...image forming system, 20...recording head, 30...carriage moving mechanism, 31...carriage, 311...roller, 33...belt mechanism, 35...guide rail, 39...CR motor, 40...linear encoder, 50...controller, 51...main control unit, 511...processor, 513...memory, 53...motor control unit, 60...signal processing circuit, 70...motor driver, 90...user interface, 95...communication interface, 100...server device, 110...processor, 111...acquisition unit, 113...related processing unit, 120...memory.

Claims

1. An image forming system, comprising: a print head configured to eject ink onto a print medium; a carriage movement mechanism including a carriage on which the recording head is mounted, a motor, and a power transmission system that converts rotational motion of the motor into translational motion of the carriage, thereby moving the carriage in a main scanning direction; a motor driver configured to drive the motor; an encoder configured to output an encoder signal corresponding to a position change of the carriage in a main scanning direction; a controller configured to control the movement of the carriage by inputting, to the motor driver, an operation amount for moving the carriage in the main scanning direction at a target speed based on the movement speed of the carriage detected from the encoder signal; and Equipped with the motor driver is configured to apply a drive power based on the operation amount to the motor to drive the motor; The controller identifying, for each of a plurality of periods, an index value relating to an abnormality in the image forming system based on time series data of the movement speed, the physical quantity related to the movement speed, or the manipulated variable observed by the movement control of the carriage during the corresponding period; The life or remaining life of the image forming system is determined based on the transition of the index value over the plurality of periods. An image forming system configured as follows.

2. 2. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the controller calculates an approximate curve relating to the transition of the index value, and determines a future point in time at which the index value reaches a threshold value on the approximate curve as the end of the life of the image forming system.

3. 3. The image forming system according to claim 2, wherein the controller calculates the approximate curve by performing function fitting on the index values ​​for the plurality of periods using a predetermined function.

4. The image forming system of claim 1, wherein the controller identifies, for each period, the peak of the operation amount during the corresponding period, or the carriage movement speed at the point in time when the carriage movement speed deviates most from the target speed during the corresponding period, or the difference between the carriage movement speed and the target speed, as a feature value for the corresponding period, and calculates the index value as a value obtained by smoothing the feature value in the time direction.

5. 2. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to perform frequency analysis on the time series data to identify a cause of an abnormality in the image forming system.

6. when the index value or the remaining life satisfies a predetermined condition, the controller identifies a cause of the abnormality in the image forming system by comparing a frequency spectrum obtained by frequency analyzing the latest time-series data with a standard frequency spectrum; 6. The image forming system according to claim 5, wherein the standard frequency spectrum is a frequency spectrum when the image forming system is normal.

7. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to identify a cause of an abnormality in the image forming system by performing frequency analysis on the time series data for each of at least two of the plurality of periods and comparing the frequency spectra of the at least two periods.

8. the carriage movement mechanism is provided with a guide rail, the carriage has a connection portion between the guide rail and the carriage for running on the guide rail, and is configured to receive power from the motor through the power transmission system and run on the guide rail; 6. The image forming system according to claim 5, wherein the controller identifies the cause of the abnormality by identifying whether the abnormality is occurring in the motor, the connection portion, the power transmission system, or the encoder.

9. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the controller performs frequency analysis of the time series data for the corresponding period for each of the periods, and identifies, based on the frequency spectra of each of the plurality of frequency bands, component-specific index values ​​relating to abnormalities in the plurality of components constituting the encoder and the carriage moving mechanism, which correspond to the plurality of frequency bands, as the index values ​​of the image forming system.

10. The image forming system according to claim 9, wherein the controller determines the lifespan or remaining lifespan of the image forming system by determining the lifespan or remaining lifespan of the part among the plurality of parts that will reach the end of its life earliest based on the trend in the index values ​​for each part.

11. the manipulated variable is a voltage command value, 11. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the motor driver is configured to apply a drive power based on the voltage command value to the motor to drive the motor.

12. A method for determining a lifespan or remaining lifespan of an image forming system, comprising: The image forming system includes: a print head configured to eject ink onto a print medium; a carriage movement mechanism including a carriage on which the recording head is mounted, a motor, and a power transmission system that converts rotational motion of the motor into translational motion of the carriage, thereby moving the carriage in a main scanning direction; a motor driver configured to drive the motor; an encoder configured to output an encoder signal corresponding to a position change of the carriage in a main scanning direction; a controller configured to control the movement of the carriage by inputting, to the motor driver, an operation amount for moving the carriage in the main scanning direction at a target speed based on the movement speed of the carriage detected from the encoder signal; and Equipped with the motor driver is configured to apply a drive power based on the operation amount to the motor to drive the motor, The determination method includes: acquiring, for each of a plurality of periods, time series data of the movement speed, a physical quantity related to the movement speed, or the manipulated variable observed by the carriage movement control during the corresponding period, and identifying an index value related to an abnormality in the image forming system based on the time series data; determining a lifespan or remaining lifespan of the image forming system based on a transition of the index value over the plurality of periods; A determination method including:

13. The method of claim 12, wherein determining the lifespan or remaining lifespan of the image forming system includes calculating an approximate curve relating to the progression of the index value, and determining the future point at which the index value on the approximate curve reaches a threshold value as the lifespan of the image forming system.

14. 14. The method according to claim 13, wherein determining the end of the life of the image forming system includes calculating the approximation curve by performing function fitting on the index values ​​for the plurality of periods using a predetermined function.

15. The determination method according to claim 12, wherein identifying the index value includes identifying, for each period, the peak of the operation amount in the corresponding period, or the carriage movement speed at the point in time when the carriage movement speed deviates most from the target speed in the corresponding period, or the difference of the carriage movement speed from the target speed, as a feature of the corresponding period, and calculating the index value as a value obtained by smoothing the feature in the time direction.

16. The method according to claim 12, further comprising: performing frequency analysis on the time series data to identify a cause of the abnormality in the image forming system.

17. the carriage movement mechanism is provided with a guide rail, the carriage has a connection portion between the guide rail and the carriage for running on the guide rail, and is configured to receive power from the motor through the power transmission system and run on the guide rail; 17. The determination method according to claim 16, wherein identifying the cause of the abnormality includes identifying the cause of the abnormality by identifying whether the abnormality exists in the motor, the connection portion, the power transmission system, or the encoder.

18. A computer program for causing a computer to execute the determination method according to any one of claims 12 to 17.

19. 20. A computer-readable recording medium for recording the computer program according to claim 18.

Images