Paper feeder, image forming apparatus and program

Abstract

To provide a paper feeding device, an image forming device, and a program that can prevent failure of a driving mechanism in the paper feeding device, the image forming device, and the program which have a function to change the lifting speed of a paper feeding table by a user.SOLUTION: A paper feeding device 14 includes a storage part 80 that stores paper S, a paper feed table 20 that on which the paper S is placed in the storage part 80, and a control part 72. The control part 72 determines the elevation speed of a paper feeding tray 20 according to operation of users, and when the determined elevation speed of the paper feed table 20 cannot be realized, the elevation speed of the paper feed table 20 is controlled to be slower than the determined elevation speed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a paper feeder, an image forming apparatus, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent documents 1 and 2 disclose a paper loading device 30 that is provided with a biasing mechanism 50 that is provided on the side of the housing 31 at a height a predetermined distance below the re-raised position U of the tray 32 and biases the tray 32 upward, and this biasing mechanism 50 allows the tray 32 to descend beyond the point of the biasing mechanism 50 only when a load exceeding a predetermined load is applied to the tray 32.

[0003] Patent document 3 discloses a paper loading device 30 including a tray 32 arranged within a housing 31 so that it can be raised and lowered and on which paper P is placed, a lifting mechanism 40 that raises the tray 32 using power from a motor 14 and lowers it by gravity, and a stopping device 50 that engages with and locks the lifting mechanism 40 to stop the descent of the tray 32. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2009-113917 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2009-113918 A [Patent Document 3] JP 2009-203009 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] When replenishing paper in an image forming apparatus, there is a paper feeding device that feeds paper by raising and lowering a paper feed tray on which the paper is placed at a uniform lifting speed to a predetermined position. However, if the paper feed tray is raised and lowered at a uniform lifting speed, the time required to raise and lower the paper feed tray becomes longer than necessary, which results in a long replenishing time when replenishing paper.

[0006] In addition, there are paper feed devices that have a function for changing the lifting speed of the paper feed tray by user operation. However, if the lifting speed of the paper feed tray is increased when the load on the paper feed tray is heavy, a load is placed on the drive mechanism that lifts and lowers the paper feed tray, and the drive mechanism may break down.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide a paper feeding device, image forming device, and program that have the function of allowing the user to change the lifting and lowering speed of the paper feeding table, and that can prevent failure of the drive mechanism. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A paper feeding device of a first aspect of the present invention comprises a storage section for storing paper, a paper feed tray on which paper is placed within the storage section and which is controlled to rise and fall when paper is replenished, and a processor, wherein the processor determines a speed at which the paper feed tray is raised and lowered in response to user operation, and when the determined speed at which the paper feed tray is raised and lowered cannot be realized, controls the speed at which the paper feed tray is raised and lowered to be slower than the determined speed.

[0009] A second aspect of the paper feeding device of the present invention is the paper feeding device of the first aspect, further comprising a detection means for detecting the position of the paper feeding table within the storage unit, and the processor calculates a maximum lifting / lowering time, which is the time it takes for the paper feeding table to reach a predetermined position when the paper feeding table is moved from its current position at a determined lifting / lowering speed, and if the detection means does not detect that the paper feeding table has reached the predetermined position within the maximum lifting / lowering time, controls the lifting / lowering speed of the paper feeding table to be slower than the determined lifting / lowering speed.

[0010] A third aspect of the present invention is a paper feeding device according to the second aspect, wherein the processor recalculates the maximum lifting / lowering time when the lifting / lowering speed of the paper feeding table is changed while the paper feeding table is being raised or lowered.

[0011] A fourth aspect of the paper feeding device of the present invention is a paper feeding device of the third aspect, in which, when the lifting / lowering speed of the paper feeding table is changed while the paper feeding table is being raised or lowered, the processor calculates the current position of the paper feeding table from the lifting / lowering speed before the change and the operating time up to the present, and recalculates the maximum lifting / lowering time using the changed lifting / lowering speed.

[0012] A fifth aspect of the paper feeding device of the present invention is a paper feeding device of any one of the second to fourth aspects, wherein the processor controls the lifting and lowering speed of the paper feeding table to be gradually slowed down if the detection means does not detect the position of the paper feeding table within the maximum lifting and lowering time.

[0013] A sixth aspect of the paper feeding device of the present invention is a paper feeding device of any one of the second to fourth aspects, wherein, when the detection means does not detect the position of the paper feeding table within the maximum lifting / lowering time, the processor controls the lifting / lowering speed of the paper feeding table to be changed to a lifting / lowering speed that provides a greater driving force than that at a normal lifting / lowering speed.

[0014] A seventh aspect of the paper feeding device of the present invention is the paper feeding device of the sixth aspect, wherein the processor recalculates the maximum lift / lower time using a lift / lower speed which provides a driving force greater than the driving force at the changed normal lift / lower speed, and if the detection means does not detect the position of the paper feeding table within the recalculated maximum lift / lower time, controls the detection means to notify of an abnormality in the driving mechanism of the paper feeding table.

[0015] An image forming apparatus of an eighth aspect of the present invention comprises a storage section for storing paper, a paper feed tray on which paper is placed within the storage section and which is controlled to rise and fall when paper is replenished, a paper feed roller for feeding the paper placed on the top of the paper feed tray one sheet at a time, an image output section for outputting an image on the fed paper, and a processor, wherein the processor determines a speed at which the paper feed tray is raised and lowered in response to user operation, and when the determined speed at which the paper feed tray is raised and lowered cannot be realized, controls the speed at which the paper feed tray is raised and lowered to be slower than the determined speed.

[0016] A ninth aspect of the program of the present invention causes a computer to execute the steps of determining a lifting and lowering speed of a paper feed table in accordance with a user's operation, and, if the determined lifting and lowering speed of the paper feed table cannot be realized, controlling the lifting and lowering speed of the paper feed table to be slower than the determined lifting and lowering speed. Effect of the Invention

[0017] According to the sheet feeding device of the first aspect of the present invention, in a sheet feeding device having a function for allowing a user to change the lifting speed of the sheet feeding table, it is possible to prevent failure of the drive mechanism.

[0018] According to the sheet feeding device of the second aspect of the present invention, by utilizing the detection means for detecting the position of the sheet feeding table, it is possible to prevent breakdowns in the drive mechanism.

[0019] According to the sheet feeding device of the third aspect of the present invention, even if the lifting speed of the sheet feeding table is changed while the sheet feeding table is being lifted or lowered, it is possible to prevent a breakdown in the drive mechanism.

[0020] According to the sheet feeding device of the fourth aspect of the present invention, even if the lifting speed of the sheet feeding table is changed while the sheet feeding table is being lifted or lowered, it is possible to prevent a breakdown in the drive mechanism.

[0021] According to the sheet feeding device of the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the time required to raise and lower the sheet feeding table, and prevent breakdowns in the drive mechanism.

[0022] According to the paper feeder of the sixth aspect of the present invention, by utilizing a detection means for detecting the position of the paper feed table, it is possible to prevent breakdowns in the drive mechanism.

[0023] According to the sheet feeding device of the seventh aspect of the present invention, by utilizing the detection means for detecting the position of the sheet feeding table, it is possible to notify the user of an abnormality in the drive mechanism.

[0024] According to the eighth aspect of the image forming apparatus of the present invention, in an image forming apparatus having a function for allowing a user to change the lifting speed of the paper feed tray, it is possible to prevent failure of the drive mechanism.

[0025] According to the program of the ninth aspect of the present invention, in a program having a function for allowing a user to change the lifting speed of the paper feed tray, it is possible to prevent failure of the drive mechanism. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0026] [Figure 1] 1 is a side view illustrating an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 is a side view, partially in section, illustrating an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a control device used in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 4] 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 5] 5 is a diagram showing an example of data stored in a data storage unit of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention; FIG. [Figure 6] 1 is a partially see-through perspective view showing a paper feed device in an image forming apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 7] 6A to 6D are diagrams illustrating the lifting and lowering operation of the paper feed tray in the paper feeder according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 5 is a flowchart showing an operation of lifting and lowering the sheet feeding table in the sheet feeding device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] 5 is a flowchart for explaining an operation of determining a lifting / lowering speed and calculating a maximum lifting / lowering time of the sheet feeding device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] 6 is a flowchart for explaining an operation of changing the lifting speed of the sheet feeding device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of updating a travel distance of a paper feeder according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a recalculation operation of a maximum lifting / lowering time of the sheet feeding device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] 13A to 13C are diagrams illustrating the lifting and lowering operation of the paper feed table in the paper feed device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and are diagrams illustrating the operation when the lifting and lowering speed is changed during lifting and lowering. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0027] Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an image forming apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] 1, image forming apparatus 10 is composed of image forming apparatus main body 12, paper feeder 14, paper discharge section 16, and display operation section 18. Image forming apparatus main body 12 forms an image on recording medium such as paper. Paper discharge section 16 discharges and stacks the paper on which an image has been formed by image forming apparatus main body 12. Display operation section 18 has a display screen and is configured to perform settings for image forming apparatus 10.

[0029] The image forming apparatus main body 12 includes a paper feed roller 21 disposed above the paper feed device 14 when the paper feed device 14 is attached to the image forming apparatus main body 12. Also, above the paper feed device 14, an image forming section 22 is provided that forms an image on the paper fed from the paper feed device 14. The image forming apparatus 10 has, for example, two paper feed devices 14. Each of the paper feed devices 14 is configured to store a large volume of paper and to be able to store paper of different types and sizes. Paper placed on the top of the paper feed tray 20 of each of these paper feed devices 14 is fed one sheet at a time to the image forming section 22 by the paper feed roller 21.

[0030] The image forming section 22 includes an intermediate transfer belt 24. For example, six image forming units 26 are provided above the intermediate transfer belt 24. The image forming units 26 form images using toner selected from among basic color developers of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C) and black (K) as well as special color developers of gold, silver, transparent, white, orange, etc.

[0031] The image forming unit 26 is, for example, of a xerography type, and is composed of a photoconductor drum 28, a charging device as a charging means for uniformly charging the surface of the photoconductor drum 28, a developing device 32 for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor drum 28, and a cleaning device 34. The photoconductor drum 28 is a cylindrical image carrier for holding a toner image (developer image), and is uniformly charged by the charging device, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photoconductor drum 28 by a laser beam irradiated by an optical scanning device 36. The electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor drum 28 is developed with toner by the developing device 32. A primary transfer roll 38 is provided at a position facing the photoconductor drum 28 with the intermediate transfer belt 24 in between. The toner image developed by the developing device 32 is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 24 by the primary transfer roll 38. Note that residual toner and paper powder adhering to the photoconductor drum 28 after the toner image transfer process are removed by the cleaning device 34.

[0032] The toner image transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 24 by the image forming unit 26 is secondarily transferred by the secondary transfer roll 48 onto the paper fed from the paper feeder 14. The paper onto which the image has been transferred is sent to the fixing unit 50, where the image is fixed, for example, by heat and pressure. The paper onto which the image has been fixed is further cooled by a cooling unit 52. In addition, a reversing unit 54 is provided downstream of the cooling unit 52, and this reversing unit 54 reverses the paper and returns it to the secondary transfer roll 48 side, so that images can be formed on both sides of the paper.

[0033] Next, the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 of this embodiment is shown in FIG.

[0034] 3, the image forming apparatus 10 has a CPU 61, a memory 62, a storage device 63 such as a hard disk drive, a communication interface (abbreviated as IF) 64 for transmitting and receiving data to and from external devices via a network, a user interface (abbreviated as UI) device 65 including a touch panel or a liquid crystal display and a keyboard, and a print engine 66. These components are connected to each other via a control bus 67.

[0035] The print engine 66 prints an image on paper through processes such as charging, exposure, development, transfer, and fixing.

[0036] The CPU 61 is a processor that executes a predetermined process based on a control program stored in the memory 62 or the storage device 63, thereby controlling the operation of the image forming apparatus 10. Note that, in this embodiment, the CPU 61 is described as reading and executing the control program stored in the memory 62 or the storage device 63, but it is also possible to provide the program to the CPU 61 by storing it on a storage medium such as a CD-ROM.

[0037] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 realized by executing the above control program.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 4, the image forming apparatus 10 of this embodiment includes a print job receiving unit 71, a control unit 72, a display unit 73, a data storage unit 74, an operation input unit 75, an output unit 76, and a detection unit 77.

[0039] The print job receiving unit 71 receives a print job (an example of a print instruction) sent from a terminal device.

[0040] The control unit 72 generates image data to be print data based on the print job received by the print job receiving unit 71, and controls the output of the generated image data from the output unit .

[0041] The data storage unit 74 stores various data such as image data generated by the control unit 72.

[0042] 5, the data storage unit 74 stores the number of times or the pressing time of the lift button that determines whether the paper feed tray 20 is raised or lowered, in association with the lift speed of the paper feed tray 20. That is, the control unit 72 can change the lift speed of the paper feed tray 20 according to the number of times or the pressing time of the lift button. The control unit 72 can also calculate the current position of the paper feed tray 20, which will be described in detail later, according to the number of times or the pressing time of the lift button.

[0043] The output unit 76 functions as an image output unit that outputs an image onto a sheet of paper under the control of the control unit 72 .

[0044] The display unit 73 is controlled by the control unit 72, and displays various information on the display screen of the display operation unit 18, a terminal device, etc. The operation input unit 75 inputs various pieces of operation information performed by a user who is a user.

[0045] The detection unit 77 is provided at the upper and lower ends of the storage section of the paper feeder 14 that stores paper, and functions as a detection means that detects paper or the paper feed tray 20 within the storage section to detect the position of the paper feed tray 20.

[0046] Furthermore, the control unit 72 controls the paper feed tray 20 to rise and fall in response to pressing of the lift button when replenishing paper in the paper feed device 14. Furthermore, the control unit 72 controls the paper feed tray 20 to change its lift speed in response to the number of times the lift button is pressed and the duration of pressing. In other words, the control unit 72 determines the lift speed of the paper feed tray 20 in response to the user's operation.

[0047] Specifically, when the user presses the lift button once, the control unit 72 controls the lift speed of the paper feed tray 20 to be raised and lowered at a low speed, for example, 1.0 cm / sec. When the user presses the lift button twice, the control unit 72 controls the lift speed of the paper feed tray 20 to be raised and lowered at a medium speed, for example, 2.0 cm / sec. When the user presses the lift button for a predetermined period of time, for example, several seconds, the control unit 72 controls the lift speed of the paper feed tray 20 to be raised and lowered at a high speed, for example, 3.0 cm / sec.

[0048] In addition, when moving the paper feed tray 20 from its current position at the determined lifting / lowering speed, the control unit 72 calculates a maximum lifting / lowering time, which is the maximum time it takes for the paper feed tray 20 to reach the paper feed position, which is a preset position.

[0049] In addition, if the detection unit 77 does not detect that the paper feed tray 20 has reached the paper feed position within the calculated maximum lifting / lowering time, the control unit 72 controls the lifting / lowering speed of the paper feed tray 20 to be slower than the determined lifting / lowering speed.

[0050] In addition, if the detection unit 77 does not detect that the paper feed tray 20 has reached the paper feed position within the calculated maximum lifting / lowering time, the control unit 72 controls the lifting / lowering speed of the paper feed tray 20 to be gradually slower.

[0051] Furthermore, when the lifting speed of the paper feed tray 20 is changed while the paper feed tray 20 is being lifted or lowered, the control unit 72 performs control so as to recalculate the maximum lifting time.

[0052] In other words, when the lifting / lowering speed of the paper feed tray 20 is changed while the paper feed tray 20 is being raised or lowered, the control unit 72 calculates the current position of the paper feed tray 20 from the lifting / lowering speed before the change and the operating time up to the present, and recalculates the maximum lifting / lowering time using the changed lifting / lowering speed.

[0053] Furthermore, when the lifting / lowering speed of the paper feed tray 20 determined by the user's operation cannot be realized, the control unit 72 controls the lifting / lowering speed of the paper feed tray 20 to be slower than the determined lifting / lowering speed. Here, the state in which the determined lifting / lowering speed of the paper feed tray 20 cannot be realized includes, for example, a case in which the load of the papers loaded on the paper feed tray 20 is large, placing an excessive load on the drive mechanism, making it impossible to realize the determined lifting / lowering speed, and the detection unit 77 does not detect that the paper feed tray 20 has reached the paper feed position within the calculated maximum lifting / lowering time.

[0054] In addition, when the lifting / lowering speed of the paper feed tray 20 determined by the user's operation cannot be realized, the control unit 72 controls the lifting / lowering speed of the paper feed tray 20 to be gradually slower than the determined lifting / lowering speed.

[0055] In addition, if the detection unit 77 does not detect the position of the paper feed tray 20 within the calculated maximum lifting / lowering time, the control unit 72 controls the lifting / lowering speed of the paper feed tray 20 to be changed to a high-torque, ultra-slow lifting / lowering speed that provides a driving force greater than that at a normal lifting / lowering speed.

[0056] Specifically, for example, when the lifting speed of the paper feed tray 20 determined by the user pressing the lift button is high, if the position of the paper feed tray 20 is not detected within the maximum lifting time achieved when lifted at high speed, the control unit 72 determines that the state is such that lifting at high speed cannot be achieved and controls to change the speed to a medium speed slower than the high speed. Also, when the lifting speed of the paper feed tray 20 determined by the user pressing the lift button is medium, if the position of the paper feed tray 20 is not detected within the maximum lifting time achieved when lifted at medium speed, the control unit 72 determines that the state is such that lifting at medium speed cannot be achieved and controls to change the speed to a low speed slower than the medium speed. In addition, when the lifting / lowering speed of the paper feed tray 20 determined by the user pressing the lift button is low, if the position of the paper feed tray 20 is not detected within the maximum lifting / lowering time that can be achieved when lifted / lowered at the low speed, the control unit 72 determines that lifting / lowering at the low speed cannot be achieved, and controls the speed to be changed to an ultra-low speed that is slower than the low speed, for example 0.5 cm / sec.

[0057] When the lifting speed is changed to a high torque and extremely slow lifting speed, the control unit 72 recalculates the maximum lifting time using the changed lifting speed. When the detection unit 77 does not detect the position of the paper feed tray 20 within the recalculated maximum lifting time, the control unit 72 notifies the display operation unit 18, the terminal device, etc. of an abnormality in the drive mechanism of the paper feed tray 20 and controls the lifting to stop.

[0058] FIG. 6 is a partially see-through perspective view of the sheet feeding device 14. As shown in FIG. The paper feed device 14 includes a storage section 80 that stores paper S, and a paper feed tray 20 on which the paper S is placed within the storage section 80. The paper feed tray 20 is held substantially horizontally within the storage section 80 by a drive mechanism (not shown). The periphery of the paper feed tray 20 is covered by the storage section 80, and the position of the paper feed tray 20 cannot be seen from the front side.

[0059] The front of the paper feed device 14 is provided with an up button 82 and a down button 84, which are examples of up / down buttons that determine whether the paper feed tray 20 is raised or lowered. The up button 82 raises the paper feed tray 20 to a substantially horizontal position when operated by the user. The down button 84 lowers the paper feed tray 20 to a substantially horizontal position when operated by the user. That is, the paper feed tray 20 is configured to be able to be raised or lowered to a substantially horizontal position by pressing the up button 82 or the down button 84. The paper feed tray 20 is configured to be raised or lowered by changing the up / down speed depending on the number of times or the time the up button 82 or the down button is pressed. The paper feed tray 20 is configured to be able to be raised or lowered by changing the up / down speed depending on the number of times or the time the up / down button is pressed. The paper feed tray 20 is configured to be able to change the up / down speed by pressing the up / down button 82 or the down button 84 while the paper feed tray 20 is raised or lowered.

[0060] A detection unit 77a is provided at the upper end of the storage unit 80 to detect the paper S or the paper feed tray 20 and detect the position of the paper feed tray 20. A detection unit 77b is provided at the lower end of the storage unit 80 to detect the paper feed tray 20 and detect the position of the paper feed tray 20.

[0061] In other words, when the detection unit 77a detects paper S or the paper feed tray 20, the control unit 72 stops the paper feed tray 20, assuming that the paper feed tray 20 is at the upper end position within the storage unit 80 and is in a paper feed position where the paper S placed on the top of the paper feed tray 20 is fed one sheet at a time by the paper feed roller 21.

[0062] In addition, when the detection unit 77b detects the paper feed tray 20, the control unit 72 determines that the paper feed tray 20 is at the lower end position within the storage unit 80, that is, a supply position for replenishing paper S, and stops the paper feed tray 20.

[0063] Next, the lifting and lowering operation of the sheet feeding table 20 in the sheet feeding device 14 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0064] First, when the control unit 72 detects that the paper S to be fed to the image forming unit 22 by the paper feed roller 21 runs out on the paper feed tray 20 as shown in Fig. 7(A), the control unit 72 lowers the paper feed tray 20 as shown in Fig. 7(B) and stops the lowering when the detection unit 77b detects the paper feed tray 20. That is, the control unit 72 stops the paper feed tray 20 at the supply position, which is the lower end inside the storage unit 80. Also, the user can manually raise and lower the paper feed tray 20 using the up button 82 or the down button 84, and can adjust the stop position of the paper feed tray 20.

[0065] 7C, the user pulls out the sheet feeding device 14 from the image forming apparatus main body 12, sets the paper S thereon, and pushes the sheet feeding device 14 back into the image forming apparatus main body 12. As shown in FIG.

[0066] Then, when the up button 82 is pressed in step S101, the lifting speed of the paper feed tray 20 is determined in step S102, and the control unit 72 calculates the maximum time for lifting and lowering the paper feed tray 20.

[0067] That is, the lifting speed of the paper feed tray 20 is determined according to the number of times or the duration of time the lift button 82 is pressed by the user, and the maximum lifting time of the paper feed tray 20 is calculated.

[0068] 9 is a diagram for explaining the details of step S102. In the following, an example will be described in which the height inside the storage section 80, the length from the lower end to the upper end inside the storage section 80, and the length from the paper supply position to the paper feed position are 60 cm.

[0069] For example, when the up button 82 is pressed once in step S101, the control unit 72 controls the paper feed tray 20 to be raised at a low speed, for example, 1.0 cm / sec, stored in the data storage unit 74 in step S201. Then, the control unit 72 calculates the maximum time required for lifting and lowering from the current supply position to the paper feed position using the lifting and lowering speed in step S201 in step S204. That is, the maximum lifting and lowering time is calculated by dividing the length 60 cm from the current supply position to the paper feed position by the lifting and lowering speed 1.0 cm / sec to obtain 60 seconds.

[0070] Furthermore, if the up button 82 is pressed twice in step S101, the control unit 72 controls the lifting operation in step S202 to be at a medium speed, for example, 2.0 cm / sec, stored in the data storage unit 74. Then, in step S204, the control unit 72 calculates the maximum lifting time from the current supply position to the paper feed position using the lifting speed in step S202. That is, the maximum lifting time is calculated as 30 seconds, which is obtained by dividing the length from the current supply position to the paper feed position (60 cm) by the lifting speed of 2.0 cm / sec.

[0071] Furthermore, in step S101, if the up button 82 is pressed and held, for example for three seconds, the control unit 72 performs control in step S203 to move the paper feeder 82 up at a high speed, for example 3.0 cm / sec, stored in the data storage unit 74. Then, in step S204, the control unit 72 calculates the maximum time required for the paper feeder 82 to move up from the current supply position to the paper feed position using the up / down speed in step S203. That is, the maximum time required for the paper feeder 82 to move up is calculated as 20 seconds, which is calculated by dividing the length from the current supply position to the paper feed position (60 cm) by the up / down speed of 3.0 cm / sec.

[0072] Then, in step S103, the control unit 72 starts raising and lowering the elevator at the raising and lowering speed determined in step S102, and starts a timer.

[0073] Then, in step S104, if the detection unit 77a detects the paper S or the paper feed tray 20 within the maximum lifting / lowering time calculated in step S102 and before the maximum lifting / lowering time has elapsed, the control unit 72 controls the paper feed tray 20 to stop at the paper feed position, which is the upper end of the storage unit 80, as shown in Fig. 7(D). Note that the paper feed tray 20 may also be controlled to stop when the paper feed roller 21 detects the paper S placed on the top of the paper feed tray 20.

[0074] In steps S104 to S106, if the lift button is not operated within the maximum lift time calculated in step S102 and the maximum lift time has elapsed without the detection unit 77a detecting the paper S or the paper feed tray 20, the control unit 72 determines that the paper feed position has not been detected within the calculated maximum lift time, and in step S107 controls the lift speed of the paper feed tray 20 to be slower than the determined lift speed, for example, to a high torque and very slow speed, for example, 0.5 cm / sec, which provides a driving force greater than that at a normal lift speed. The control unit 72 may control the lift speed of the paper feed tray 20 to be slower in stages than the determined lift speed.

[0075] Then, in step S108, the control unit 72 recalculates the maximum ascent / descent time based on the changed ascent / descent speed, and resets the timer.

[0076] Specifically, for example, when the paper feed tray 20 is rising at a slow lifting speed of 1.0 cm / sec, if the paper S or paper feed tray 20 is not detected even after 60 seconds, which is the maximum lifting time from the supply position to the paper feed position, has elapsed, it is determined that the load of the papers stacked on the paper feed tray 20 is large, placing an excessive load on the drive mechanism, and the determined lifting speed cannot be realized, so the lifting speed is controlled to be changed to an ultra-slow speed of 0.5 cm / sec, which is slower than the slow speed, and the maximum lifting time is recalculated. At this time, the maximum lifting time is recalculated to 120 seconds, which is the current length from the supply position to the paper feed position, 60 cm, divided by the lifting speed of 0.5 cm / sec.

[0077] Then, in step S109, if the detection unit 77a detects the paper S or the paper feed tray 20 within the maximum lifting / lowering time recalculated in step S108 and before the maximum lifting / lowering time has elapsed, the control unit 72 controls the paper feed tray 20 to stop at the paper feed position.

[0078] Then, the control unit 72 executes the print job.

[0079] Furthermore, in steps S109 and S110, if the detection unit 77a does not detect the paper S or the paper feed tray 20 within the calculated maximum lifting / lowering time and the maximum lifting / lowering time has elapsed, the control unit 72 determines in step S111 that there is an abnormality in the drive mechanism, notifies the display / operation unit 18 or a terminal device, etc. of the abnormality, and controls the lifting / lowering of the paper feed tray 20 to stop.

[0080] Next, the operation of the sheet feeding device 14 when the lift button is operated during the lifting and lowering of the sheet feeding tray 20 in step S105 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 10 to 13. FIG.

[0081] When the lift button is operated while the sheet feed tray 20 is being raised or lowered, the control unit 72 performs a lift speed change operation in step S112. At this time, the control unit 72 acquires the operation time t before the lift button is operated and before the lift speed is changed.

[0082] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining details of the lifting speed changing operation in step S112.

[0083] First, when the lift button is operated while the paper feed tray 20 is being raised or lowered, in step S301, the control unit 72 determines whether the operation using the lift button is pressing the up button 82 or the down button 84, and determines whether the lift direction of the paper feed tray 20 is the same as the operation direction using the lift button.

[0084] Specifically, when the up button 82 is pressed while the paper feed tray 20 is rising, or when the down button 84 is pressed while the paper feed tray 20 is descending, the direction of rise and fall of the paper feed tray 20 and the direction of operation by the up and down button are the same, and it is determined that the operation directions are the same. Also, when the down button 84 is pressed while the paper feed tray 20 is rising, or when the up button 82 is pressed while the paper feed tray 20 is descending, the direction of rise and fall of the paper feed tray 20 and the direction of operation by the up and down button are different, and it is determined that the operation directions are different.

[0085] If it is determined in step S301 that the movement direction is the same, then in step S302, the control unit 72 controls the lifting speed of the sheet feed tray 20 to be one step faster than the current lifting speed.

[0086] Specifically, when the rise button 82 is pressed while the paper feed tray 20 is rising at a slow speed, the lifting / lowering speed of the paper feed tray 20 is changed to a medium lifting / lowering speed, when the rise button 82 is pressed while the paper feed tray 20 is rising at a medium speed, the lifting / lowering speed of the paper feed tray 20 is changed to a high lifting / lowering speed, and when the rise button 82 is pressed while the paper feed tray 20 is rising at a high speed, the paper feed tray 20 is controlled to rise and lower without changing the lifting / lowering speed.

[0087] Similarly, when the lowering button 84 is pressed while the paper feed tray 20 is descending at a low speed, the lifting speed of the paper feed tray 20 is changed to a medium lifting speed, when the lowering button 84 is pressed while the paper feed tray 20 is descending at a medium speed, the lifting speed of the paper feed tray 20 is changed to a high lifting speed, and when the lowering button 84 is pressed while the paper feed tray 20 is descending at a high speed, the lifting speed of the paper feed tray 20 is controlled to rise and fall without being changed.

[0088] If it is determined in step S301 that the movement direction is different, then in step S303, the control unit 72 controls the lifting speed of the sheet feed tray 20 to be slower by one step than the current lifting speed.

[0089] Specifically, when the lowering button 84 is pressed while the paper feed tray 20 is rising at a slow speed, the paper feed tray 20 is stopped; when the lowering button 84 is pressed while the paper feed tray 20 is rising at a medium speed, the lifting / lowering speed of the paper feed tray 20 is changed to a low lifting / lowering speed; when the lowering button 84 is pressed while the paper feed tray 20 is rising at a high speed, the lifting / lowering speed of the paper feed tray 20 is changed to a medium lifting / lowering speed.

[0090] Similarly, when the rise button 82 is pressed while the paper feed tray 20 is descending at a low speed, the paper feed tray 20 is stopped, when the rise button 82 is pressed while the paper feed tray 20 is descending at a medium speed, the lifting speed of the paper feed tray 20 is changed to a low lifting speed, and when the rise button 82 is pressed while the paper feed tray 20 is descending at a high speed, the lifting speed of the paper feed tray 20 is changed to a medium lifting speed.

[0091] Then, in step S113, the control unit 72 changes the ascent / descent speed v n and the vertical speed v n Based on the operation time t, the movement distance y from the supply position, which is the current position of the sheet feed tray 20, is calculated. n Update the time, reset the timer, and set t=0.

[0092] FIG. 11 shows the movement distance y of the sheet feed tray 20 in step S113. n 11 is a diagram for explaining details of an update operation.

[0093] In step S401, the control unit 72 calculates the moving distance y n = Distance traveled y nー1 +(Previous ascent / descent speed v n × operation time t), the current position of the sheet feed tray 20 is estimated, and the moving distance y n Here, the travel distance y nー1 is the lifting speed v n 13 shows the position of the sheet feed tray 20 when the sheet feed tray 20 starts to move.

[0094] Specifically, for example, as shown in Figures 13(A) to 13(C), if the timer is started at the supply position y=0, which is the lower end of the storage section 80, and 10 seconds after the start of rise at the lifting speed v1 of 1.0 cm / sec, the rise button 82 is pressed once to change the lifting speed to v2, which is 2.0 cm / sec, then 10 cm calculated by multiplying the lifting speed 1.0 cm / sec by the operating time of 10 seconds is updated as the movement distance y1 of the paper feed tray 20 at the time the rise button 82 was pressed.

[0095] Then, in step S402, the control unit 72 resets the timer to t=0.

[0096] Then, in step S114, the control unit 72 changes the lifting speed v n+1 Recalculate the maximum ascent and descent time.

[0097] FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining details of the recalculation operation of the maximum ascent / descent time in step S114.

[0098] That is, the travel distance y n is updated and the timer is reset, in step S501, the maximum moving distance and the moving distance y calculated in step S401 are compared. n Calculate the difference between the two and get the new ascent speed v n+1 Calculate the distance traveled by the n+1 Recalculate the maximum ascent / descent time by dividing by

[0099] Specifically, as shown in Figures 13(A) to 13(C), the maximum lifting / lowering time is recalculated to 25 seconds by dividing the difference between the maximum movement distance 60 cm, which is the length from the supply position to the paper feed position, and the updated movement distance y1 of 10 cm, which is 50 cm, by the changed lifting / lowering speed v2 of 2.0 cm / sec.

[0100] Then, the processing returns to step S104, and it is determined whether or not the detection unit 77a detects the paper S or the paper feed tray 20 within the recalculated maximum lift / lower time and before the recalculated maximum lift / lower time has elapsed. If the maximum lift / lower time has elapsed without the detection unit 77a detecting the paper S or the paper feed tray 20, then in the above-mentioned step S107, the lift / lower speed of the paper feed tray 20 is changed to an extremely slow speed, for example 0.5 cm / sec, which is a high-torque lift / lower speed that provides a greater driving force than the driving force at the normal lift / lower speed.

[0101] In the above embodiment, the control unit 72 raises the paper feed tray when the up button 82 is pressed. However, this is not limited to the above, and the present invention can also be applied to a case where the control unit 72 lowers the paper feed tray 20 when the down button 84 is pressed. [Explanation of symbols]

[0102] 10 Image forming device 12 Image forming device main body 14 Paper feeder 16 Paper ejection section 18 Display operation section 20 Paper feed tray 21 Paper feed roller 71 Print job receiving unit 72 Control section 73 Display section 74 Data Storage Unit 75 Operation input section 76 Output section 77a, 77b Detector 80 Storage unit 82 Up button (an example of an up / down button) 84 Down button (an example of an up / down button)

Claims

1. A storage section for storing paper; a paper feed tray on which paper is placed within the storage section and which is controlled to rise and fall when paper is replenished; a processor; The processor, determining a lifting speed of the sheet feed tray in response to a user operation; When the determined lifting / lowering speed of the paper feed table cannot be realized, the lifting / lowering speed of the paper feed table is controlled to be slower than the determined lifting / lowering speed. Paper feeding device.

2. a detection unit for detecting a position of the sheet feed tray in the storage unit; The processor, calculating a maximum lifting time, which is a time required for the paper feed tray to reach a preset position when the paper feed tray is moved from a current position at the determined lifting speed; When the detection means does not detect that the sheet feed tray has reached a preset position within the maximum lifting / lowering time, the lifting / lowering speed of the sheet feed tray is controlled to be slower than the determined lifting / lowering speed.

2. The paper feeder according to claim 1.

3. 3. The paper feeder according to claim 2, wherein the processor recalculates the maximum lifting / lowering time when the lifting / lowering speed of the paper feed table is changed while the paper feed table is being lifted or lowered.

4. 4. The paper feeding device according to claim 3, wherein when the lifting / lowering speed of the paper feed table is changed while the paper feed table is being raised or lowered, the processor calculates the current position of the paper feed table from the lifting / lowering speed before the change and the operating time up to the present, and recalculates the maximum lifting / lowering time using the lifting / lowering speed after the change.

5. The processor, When the position of the sheet feed table is not detected by the detection means within the maximum lifting / lowering time, the lifting / lowering speed of the sheet feed table is controlled to be gradually slowed down.

5. The paper feeder according to claim 2, wherein the paper feeder is a paper feeder having a paper feed mechanism.

6. The processor, When the position of the sheet feed table is not detected by the detection means within the maximum lifting / lowering time, the lifting / lowering speed of the sheet feed table is controlled to be changed to a lifting / lowering speed that can obtain a driving force larger than that at a normal lifting / lowering speed. The paper feeder according to any one of claims 2 to 4.

7. The processor, recalculating the maximum lift time using a lift speed at which a driving force greater than the driving force at the changed normal lift speed is obtained; 7. The paper feed device according to claim 6, wherein when the position of the paper feed table is not detected by the detection means within the recalculated maximum lifting time, the detection means is controlled to notify an abnormality in the drive mechanism of the paper feed table.

8. A storage section for storing paper; a paper feed tray on which paper is placed within the storage section and which is controlled to rise and fall when paper is replenished; a paper feed roller for feeding the paper placed on the top of the paper feed tray one by one; an image output unit for outputting an image onto the fed paper; a processor; The processor, determining a lifting speed of the sheet feed tray in response to a user operation; When the determined lifting / lowering speed of the paper feed table cannot be realized, the lifting / lowering speed of the paper feed table is controlled to be slower than the determined lifting / lowering speed. Image forming device.

9. determining a lifting speed of the sheet feed tray in response to a user operation; When the determined lifting / lowering speed of the sheet feed table cannot be realized, controlling the lifting / lowering speed of the sheet feed table to be slower than the determined lifting / lowering speed; A program for causing a computer to execute the following.

Images