Printer

Abstract

To provide a printer which suppresses the maximum value of electric power required for an external power supply device.SOLUTION: A printer according to an embodiment includes a first motor, a printing unit, a second motor, and a charging circuit. The first motor feeds a sheet. The printing unit forms an image on a sheet. The second motor converts the applied rotational force into electric power when the rotational force is applied, and converts the applied electric power into the rotational force when the electric power is applied. The charging circuit holds the electric power converted by the second motor from the rotational force of the first motor and supplies the held electric power when the printing unit forms an image.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a printer. [Background technology]

[0002] Image forming apparatuses capable of regenerating energy are known. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-177730 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] One embodiment of the present invention provides a printer that limits the maximum power required from an external power supply. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A printer according to an embodiment includes a first motor, a printing unit, a second motor, and a charging circuit. The first motor feeds paper. The printing unit forms an image on the paper. The second motor converts applied rotational force into electric power when the rotational force is applied, and converts applied electric power into rotational force when electric power is applied. The charging circuit stores the electric power converted by the second motor from the rotational force of the first motor, and supplies the stored electric power when the printing unit forms an image. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the arrangement of a printer according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] 10 is a table showing the state of a switching unit of a printer according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining the arrangement of each part in the printer according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] 4 is a flowchart showing a printing operation of a printer according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] 6 is a table for explaining the operation of the charging circuit of the printer according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description, components having substantially the same functions and configurations are designated by the same reference numerals. The embodiments shown below are merely examples of technical ideas. The embodiments do not specify the materials, shapes, structures, arrangements, etc. of the components. Various modifications can be made to the embodiments.

[0008] <Configuration> FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a printer according to an embodiment. Printer 10 prints on printing paper based on information input from an external source, cuts the printing paper, and provides printed material. Printer 10 operates by receiving power from an external power supply via Power over Ethernet (PoE). Printer 10 includes a control circuit 110, a communication interface circuit 111, a power supply circuit 112, a first motor drive circuit 113, a second motor drive circuit 114, a charging circuit 115, a switching unit drive circuit 116, a printing unit drive circuit 117, a connection unit 120, a first motor 121, a second motor 122, a switching unit 123, a paper transport unit 124, a cutting unit 125, and a printing unit 126.

[0009] The control circuit 110, communication interface circuit 111, power supply circuit 112, first motor drive circuit 113, second motor drive circuit 114, charging circuit 115, switching unit drive circuit 116, and print unit drive circuit 117 are connected to each other by a bus. The bus includes signal lines for transmitting control signals, power lines for transmitting power supply voltage, etc.

[0010] The control circuit 110 controls the overall operation of the printer 10. The control circuit 110 is, for example, a computer. The control circuit 110 includes, for example, a processor, a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and an auxiliary storage device. The processor corresponds to the central part of the computer. The processor controls each part to realize various functions of the printer 10 in accordance with an operating system or application program. The processor is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The ROM is a non-volatile storage device. The ROM stores a preset operating system or application program, control data, etc. The RAM is a volatile storage device. The RAM is used as a work area where data is rewritten by the processor as appropriate. The RAM is also used as buffer memory for temporarily storing data. The auxiliary storage device corresponds to the auxiliary storage part of the computer. The auxiliary storage device stores data used by the processor in performing various processes, data created by the processor's processing, etc. The auxiliary storage device may also store the application program. Examples of auxiliary storage devices include an EEPROM (registered trademark) (Electric Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), and an SSD (Solid State Drive).

[0011] The communication interface circuit 111 exchanges information with the outside of the printer 10. The communication interface circuit 111 is, for example, an Ethernet (registered trademark) interface circuit.

[0012] The power supply circuit 112 supplies power to each component of the printer 10. The power supply circuit 112 converts, for example, a voltage supplied from outside the printer 10 into a voltage used inside the printer 10. For example, the power supply circuit 112 steps down a voltage of 52 V supplied by PoE to 24 V used inside the printer 10.

[0013] The first motor drive circuit 113 is a drive circuit that drives a first motor 121, which will be described later. The first motor drive circuit 113 is, for example, a drive circuit for a stepping motor.

[0014] The second motor drive circuit 114 is a drive circuit that drives a second motor 122, which will be described later. The second motor drive circuit 114 is, for example, a drive circuit for a DC motor.

[0015] The charging circuit 115 stores the power generated by the second motor 122 (described later) and supplies the stored power to the power line according to the load condition of the printer 10. The charging circuit 115 includes, for example, a capacitor.

[0016] The switching unit drive circuit 116 is a drive circuit that drives the switching unit 123, which will be described later. The switching unit drive circuit 116 is, for example, a drive circuit for a motor or a solenoid.

[0017] The printing unit drive circuit 117 is a drive circuit that drives the printing unit 126, which will be described later. The printing unit drive circuit 117 is, for example, a drive circuit for a thermal head.

[0018] The connection unit 120 connects the outside of the printer 10 with the inside of the printer 10. The connection unit 120 is connected to both the communication interface circuit 111 and the power supply circuit 112. The connection unit 120 includes, for example, an RJ45 connector. A LAN (Local Area Network) cable is connected from the outside to the connection unit 120, and communication via Ethernet (registered trademark) is transmitted to the communication interface circuit 111, and power supply via PoE is transmitted to the power supply circuit 112.

[0019] The first motor 121 is driven by the first motor drive circuit 113, and outputs a rotational force to a switching unit 123 (described later) and a paper transport unit 124. The first motor 121 is, for example, a stepping motor.

[0020] The second motor 122 is driven by the second motor drive circuit 114 and outputs a rotational force to a switching unit 123, which will be described later. The second motor 122 is rotated by the first motor 121 via the switching unit 123, which will be described later, and outputs the generated power to the charging circuit 115. The second motor 122 is, for example, a DC motor.

[0021] The switching unit 123 switches the connection of the second motor 122. Fig. 2 is a table showing the states of the switching unit of the printer according to the embodiment. As shown in Fig. 2, the switching unit 123 switches between a first state in which the rotational force of the first motor 121 is transmitted to the second motor 122, and a second state in which the rotational force of the second motor 122 is transmitted to the cutting unit 125. The switching unit 123 includes, for example, a gear for transmitting the rotational force, and a motor or solenoid for switching the gear.

[0022] Returning to the description with reference to Figure 1, the paper transport unit 124 transports print paper by receiving the rotational force of the first motor 121. The paper transport unit 124 is also called, for example, a platen roller.

[0023] The cutting unit 125 cuts the printing paper upon receiving the rotational force of the second motor 122. The cutting unit 125 includes a blade for cutting the printing paper.

[0024] The printing unit 126 forms an image on a printing sheet and is, for example, a thermal head.

[0025] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the arrangement of each part in a printer according to an embodiment. The printer 10 further includes a guide roller 131. The guide roller 131 aligns the direction of travel of the printing paper. Figure 3 shows a first motor 121, a second motor 122, a switching unit 123, a paper transport unit 124, a cutting unit 125, a printing unit 126, printing paper 130, and the guide roller 131.

[0026] The printing paper 130 is wound up in a roll and stored in the printer 10. The printing paper 130 is, for example, thermal paper. The printing paper 130 is pulled out from the roll, changes direction so that it follows the guide roller 131, passes between the paper transport unit 124 and the printing unit 126, and is pulled around past the cutting unit 125.

[0027] The rotational force of the first motor 121 is transmitted via gears to the paper transport unit 124. As the paper transport unit 124 rotates, the printing paper 130 is transported from the upstream side where it is wound into a roll to the downstream side where the cutting unit 125 is provided.

[0028] The paper transport unit 124 and the printing unit 126 sandwich the printing paper 130. At the sandwiched point, the printing unit 126 forms an image on the printing paper 130. As the paper transport unit 124 rotates, the printing unit 126 forms images one after another, thereby forming a desired image on the printing paper 130.

[0029] A part of the switching unit 123 is provided between the first motor 121 and the second motor 122. In the example shown in Fig. 3, the switching unit 123 is in a first state, and a gear that is a part of the switching unit 123 transmits the rotational force of the first motor 121 to the second motor 122. When the switching unit 123 is in a second state, the gear of the switching unit 123 shown by the solid line in Fig. 3 does not function, and the gear shown by the dashed line in Fig. 3 functions as a part of the switching unit 123 and transmits the rotational force of the second motor 122 to the disconnecting unit 125.

[0030] The cutting unit 125 is provided downstream of the paper transport unit 124 and the printing unit 126. After the printing unit 126 has completed forming an image on the printing paper 130, the cutting unit 125 receives the rotational force of the second motor 122, causing the built-in blade to move and cut the printing paper 130.

[0031] <Operation> The operation of the printer 10 will now be described. Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing the printing operation of the printer according to the embodiment. When the communication interface circuit 111 receives a print command, a series of processes shown in Fig. 4 is executed.

[0032] The printer 10 sets the switching unit 123 to the first state (ACT1). In detail, the control circuit 110 controls the switching unit drive circuit 116 to set the switching unit 123 to the first state.

[0033] The printer 10 drives the first motor 121, drives the printing unit 126, and activates the charging circuit 115 (ACT2). Specifically, the control circuit 110 controls the first motor drive circuit 113 to drive the first motor 121, controls the printing unit drive circuit 117 to drive the printing unit 126, and controls and activates the charging circuit 115. When the first motor 121 is driven, the paper transport unit 124, receiving the rotational force of the first motor 121, transports the print paper 130. Furthermore, the printing unit 126, driven by the printing unit drive circuit 117, forms an image on the print paper 130 transported by the paper transport unit 124. Furthermore, because the switching unit 123 is in the first state, the rotational force of the first motor 121 is transmitted to the second motor 122, and the second motor 122 generates electricity. The power generated by the second motor 122 is used by the operating charging circuit 115. The operation of the charging circuit 115 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

[0034] FIG. 5 is a table illustrating the operation of the charging circuit of the printer according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, when the load of the printing unit 126 is low, the charging circuit 115 charges the power generated by the second motor 122. On the other hand, when the load of the printing unit 126 is high, the charging circuit 115 supplies the power generated by the second motor and the stored power to the power line. Whether the load of the printing unit 126 is low or high indicates whether the power consumed by the printing unit drive circuit 117 when the printing unit 126 forms an image is low or high. For example, if the image formed by the printing unit 126 is a character string, the character string contains blank spaces, so the amount of power consumed by the printing unit drive circuit 117 is not very large. In other words, the load is low. On the other hand, if the image formed by the printing unit 126 is a solid ruled line, the amount of power consumed by the printing unit drive circuit 117 is high because the printed lines do not contain blank spaces. In other words, the load is high. In this way, the amount of power consumed by the print unit drive circuit 117 changes depending on the content of the image formed by the print unit 126. The charging circuit 115 switches its operation depending on the load of the print unit 126.

[0035] Returning to the explanation with reference to Figure 4, when the processing of ACT2 is completed, the printer 10 sets the switching unit 123 to the second state (ACT3). In detail, the control circuit 110 controls the switching unit drive circuit 116 to set the switching unit 123 to the second state.

[0036] The printer 10 drives the second motor 122 (ACT4). More specifically, the control circuit 110 controls the second motor drive circuit 114 to drive the second motor 122. Because the switching unit 123 is in the second state, the rotational force of the second motor 122 is transmitted to the cutting unit 125, and the cutting unit 125 cuts the printing paper 130.

[0037] When the processing of ACT4 is completed, the series of processes shown in Fig. 4 is completed. When the series of processes shown in Fig. 4 is completed, the printer 10 outputs the printing paper 130 on which an image has been formed based on the print command received by the communication interface circuit 111 and which has been cut.

[0038] <Effects> Power consumption when forming an image using a thermal head varies depending on the print content. Power consumption increases when printing entire lines, such as solid ruled lines. On the other hand, power consumption decreases when the printing area is small. When actually creating printed materials, power consumption during printing varies depending on the print content. For example, on printed materials with a focus on text, such as receipts, the ruled lines consume a large amount of power momentarily, while the text consumes less. Unless special measures are taken, the external power supply that supplies power to the printer must have a power supply capacity capable of handling maximum power consumption. However, power supplies capable of handling high power consumption, specifically those with high rated power or those capable of handling peak power, can be larger and more expensive than power supplies with low rated power or those that cannot handle peak power.

[0039] According to this embodiment, the printer 10 includes a second motor 122 that converts applied rotational force into electric power when the rotational force is applied and converts the applied electric power into rotational force when electric power is applied, and a charging circuit 115 that stores the electric power converted from the rotational force of the first motor 121 by the second motor 122 and supplies the stored electric power when the printing unit 126 forms an image. This allows the printer 10 according to this embodiment to reduce the maximum electric power required from an external power supply when the printing unit 126 forms an image. Therefore, even when power is supplied via PoE, which does not support peak power above the rated power, the printer 10 can operate stably with power consumption within the rated power.

[0040] Furthermore, according to the embodiment, the printer 10 further includes a cutting unit 125 that cuts the paper, and a switching unit 123 that switches between a first state in which the rotational force of the first motor 121 is transmitted to the second motor 122, and a second state in which the rotational force of the second motor 122 is transmitted to the cutting unit 125. This allows the printer 10 according to the embodiment to use the second motor 122 both for generating electricity and for driving the cutting unit, thereby reducing costs.

[0041] Furthermore, according to the embodiment, the switching unit 123 of the printer 10 maintains the first state while the printing unit 126 is forming an image. This allows the printer 10 to operate the power generation and charging circuit 115 by the second motor 122 at a time when power consumption may increase, thereby suppressing the maximum amount of power required from the external power supply device.

[0042] Furthermore, according to the embodiment, the first motor 121 is a stepping motor, and the second motor 122 is a DC motor. This allows the first motor 121 to accurately transport the printing paper 130 in synchronization with the formation of an image by the printing unit 126. The second motor 122 can be driven and generate electricity using a circuit that is simpler than an AC motor or the like.

[0043] <Other variations, etc.> In the above embodiment, the case where the print command is transmitted to the communication interface circuit 111 via the connection unit 120, i.e., the print command is input via a LAN cable, has been described as an example, but the print command may be input via other paths. For example, the printer 10 may further include another communication interface such as wireless communication, and may receive the print command via this other communication interface.

[0044] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents as defined in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0045] 10...printer, 110...control circuit, 111...communication interface circuit, 112...power supply circuit, 113...first motor drive circuit, 114...second motor drive circuit, 115...charging circuit, 116...switching unit drive circuit, 117...printing unit drive circuit, 120...connection unit, 121...first motor, 122...second motor, 123...switching unit, 124...paper transport unit, 125...cutting unit, 126...printing unit, 130...printing paper, 131...guide roller.

Claims

1. a first motor for feeding out printing paper; a printing unit that forms an image on the printing paper; a second motor that converts a rotational force applied thereto into electric power when the rotational force is applied thereto, and converts the applied electric power into a rotational force when electric power is applied thereto; a charging circuit that stores power converted from the rotational force of the first motor by the second motor and supplies the stored power when the printing unit forms an image; A printer comprising:

2. The printer of claim 1 further comprising a Power over Ethernet powered connection.

3. a cutting unit that cuts the printing paper; a switching unit that switches between a first state in which the rotational force of the first motor is transmitted to the second motor and a second state in which the rotational force of the second motor is transmitted to the cutting unit; The printer of claim 1 further comprising:

4. The printer according to claim 3 , wherein the switching unit maintains the first state while the printing unit forms an image.

5. 2. The printer of claim 1, wherein the first motor is a stepping motor and the second motor is a DC motor.

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