Conveying device

Abstract

To provide a conveyance apparatus which prevents increase of a time related to conveyance while reducing conveyance failures.SOLUTION: A conveyance apparatus identifies a sheet type when a sheet is supplied and actively changes mechanical operation setting according to the result of the identification.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a conveying device. [Background Art]

[0002] In a recording apparatus that records an image on a recording medium, it is necessary to convey the recording medium to a position where recording is performed. In order to prevent the occurrence of dirt, scratches, and jams of the recording medium during conveyance, it is necessary to use a conveyance speed suitable for each type of recording medium, the suction strength of the recording medium on the platen, and the fixing strength of the recording medium by the conveyance rollers.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration that discriminates a paper type in advance before performing conveyance and controls the conveyance speed. [Prior Art Literature] [Patent Literature]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-32681 [Summary of the Invention] [Problem to be Solved by the Invention]

[0005] However, in Patent Document 1, since the type of the recording medium is discriminated before conveyance, there is a possibility that conveyance may take a long time.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above problem, and an object of the present invention is to prevent an increase in time related to conveyance while preventing conveyance defects. [Means for Solving the Problem]

[0007] The present invention comprises: a conveying means for conveying a sheet; a sensor that acquires data for specifying the type of the sheet during conveyance by the conveying means; A means for identifying the type of sheet based on the results of the sensor, and the type of sheet identified by the identification means and a control means that controls an operation with respect to the sheet based on, has Furthermore, if the type of sheet cannot be identified as a single type by the identification means, the control means controls the transport means based on the safest operation setting among the multiple candidate types of sheets identified by the identification means. characterized by [Effect of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent malfunctions during transport while also preventing an increase in the time required for transport. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] A block diagram showing the configuration of the recording device in this embodiment. [Figure 2] A schematic diagram showing the configuration of the recording device in this embodiment. [Figure 3] A schematic diagram showing a cross-section of the paper transport configuration of the recording device in this embodiment. [Figure 4] A schematic diagram showing the paper type identification sensor in this embodiment. [Figure 5] A flowchart illustrating the processing during the initial paper feed in this embodiment. [Figure 6] A flowchart illustrating the process for determining the mechanical operation settings in this embodiment. [Figure 7] Flowchart showing the processing for the second and subsequent paper feeds in this embodiment. [Figure 8] Flowchart showing the process of updating the paper type measurement result after paper feeding in this embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the components described in these embodiments are merely illustrative examples of the present invention and do not limit the scope of this invention to them alone.

[0011] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the recording device 1 in this embodiment.

[0012] The recording device 1 is controlled by the CPU 0101 and has a paper type identification unit 0102 that has the function of identifying the type of sheet-like medium (paper type). The ROM 0103 contains the control execution code (program) for the recording device. The RAM 0104 stores data measured from the paper as temporary records during the control execution of the recording device. The NVRAM 0105 is a non-volatile memory that stores various data necessary for the maintenance of the recording device, sensor values ​​used for paper type identification, and the paper type identification results. In this embodiment, the sheet-like medium can be paper, vinyl, cloth, etc., and is not limited to paper, but the following explanation will use paper as an example.

[0013] The recording device further includes a display unit and an operation unit 0107 with user interfaces such as an LCD, LED, keys, and a touch panel. The execution and setting operations of each function of the recording device are performed using these. The recording device controls the operation status and display content via a controller 0106.

[0014] The recording device also includes a LAN unit 0109 for connecting to a server via an interface with external devices and a network. Here, execution commands and data are exchanged with external devices and the server via a network driver 0108. For example, when recording from the printer unit 0110, image data is transferred from the external device via the network driver 0108.

[0015] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the recording device in this embodiment.

[0016] A roll of recording paper, called roll paper 0201, is attached to the recording device 1. The roll paper 0201 is held in place by the transport rollers 0204 from above and below. The rotation of the transport rollers 0204 performs the feeding operation (transporting towards the front of the drawing) and the rewinding operation (transporting towards the back of the drawing) of the roll paper 0201. The transport rollers 0204 are driven by a motor (not shown) that is installed on them. The roll paper 0201 is also supported from below by a platen 0205.

[0017] The carriage 0203 operates from the right side to the left side and from the left side to the right side in the figure. A recording head is mounted on the carriage 0203, and an image is recorded on a recording sheet by ejecting ink from the recording head.

[0018] The recording apparatus 1 further includes a cutter unit 0202. The cutter unit 0202 cuts the roll paper 0201 by moving from the right side to the left side in the figure.

[0019] When the roll paper 0201 is conveyed by the paper feeding operation, the roll paper 0201 is conveyed onto the platen 0205 after passing through the paper type identification sensor 0206. The paper type identification sensor 0206 acquires a sensor value to be used for identifying a paper type. The details of the paper type identification sensor will be described later.

[0020] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a cross-section of a paper conveying configuration of the recording apparatus according to the present embodiment.

[0021] More specifically, the conveying roller 0204 is composed of an upper conveying roller 0303 and a lower conveying roller 0304. The roll paper 0201 is vertically sandwiched and fixed between the upper conveying roller 0303 and the lower conveying roller 0304. The roll paper 0201 is conveyed from the right side to the left side in the figure by the rotation of the upper conveying roller 0303 and the lower conveying roller 0304. In addition, the roll paper 0201 is supported from a lower side by the platen 0205.

[0022] As also shown in FIG. 2, the recording apparatus 1 includes the carriage 0203 and the cutter unit 0202. A recording head is mounted on the carriage 0203, and printing is performed on a recording sheet by ejecting ink from nozzles 0301 provided to the recording head. Furthermore, a multi-sensor 0302 is attached to the carriage, and acquires a sensor value by emitting light from a provided LED and receiving reflected light.

[0023] Recording device 1 is equipped with a roll of paper 0305 that is different from roll paper 0201, and the user selects the roll of paper they want to use and feeds it. Even if roll paper 0201 is retracted and roll paper 0305 is fed, the result of the paper type identification sensor 0206 is saved in NVRAM 0105, so it is not necessary to perform paper type identification again when roll paper 0201 is fed next. The processing when refeeding will be described later.

[0024] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing the paper type identification sensor 0206 attached to the recording device in this embodiment.

[0025] The paper type identification sensor 0206 detects the surface properties and basis weight of the roll paper 0201. Surface properties are detected using a line sensor consisting of a white LED 0401 and a CMOS sensor 0402. Light emitted from the white LED 0401 is reflected by the roll paper 0201, and the reflected light is received by the CMOS sensor 0402 to obtain sensor values. The line sensor detects the height and length of irregularities and fiber orientation as surface properties. This line sensor is also used to determine whether the roll paper 0201 has been transported onto the paper type identification sensor 0206 and has reached a position where surface properties and basis weight can be detected. Since the amount of light reflected from the white LED 0401 differs depending on whether or not there is paper present, it is possible to determine whether or not the roll paper 0201 has reached a position where it can be detected by the sensor value of the CMOS sensor 0402.

[0026] On the other hand, basis weight is detected using an ultrasonic sensor. The ultrasonic sensor consists of an ultrasonic generating unit 0404 and an ultrasonic receiving unit 0403. Ultrasonic waves emitted from the ultrasonic generating unit 0404 are received by the ultrasonic receiving unit 0403, and the basis weight of the roll paper 0201 is measured from the degree of attenuation of the ultrasonic waves before and after the paper passes through. Paper type identification is performed from the surface properties and basis weight of the roll paper 0201 obtained by this paper type identification sensor, and the mechanical operation settings are adjusted based on the result. The surface properties and basis weight of each type of paper are set in advance and stored in the ROM 0103. The paper type is determined by comparing the stored values ​​with the paper type identification result obtained by the paper type identification sensor. The paper with the closest value may be determined as the paper for roll paper 0201. Alternatively, if the stored values ​​have a range, the paper type whose paper type identification result falls within that range may be determined as the paper type for roll paper 0201. In this case, multiple paper types may be candidates. Details of the process of adjusting the mechanical operation settings based on the paper type identification result will be described later.

[0027] In this embodiment, identification is performed by detecting the surface properties and basis weight of roll paper 0201, but the sensors used are not limited to this. Other sensors such as scanners, temperature and humidity sensors, and tactile sensors may also be used in combination. Furthermore, the method of identifying the paper type may not be limited to simple pattern matching using threshold processing, but may also be performed using data analysis techniques such as machine learning.

[0028] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the processing during the initial paper feed in this embodiment. This processing is performed by the CPU 0101 processing according to the program stored in ROM 0103 and controlling each unit.

[0029] The user loads a new roll of paper into the recording device and initiates paper feeding from the control panel, which initiates the paper feeding process step S1000. Alternatively, a sensor may be provided to detect when a roll of paper is loaded, and the system may automatically transition to the paper feeding process step S1000 when the sensor detects that the paper has been loaded.

[0030] First, the recording device transitions to processing step S1001, which reads the mechanical operation settings common to all paper types from ROM0103. The mechanical operation settings common to all paper types read here refer to the mechanical operation settings that are configured to minimize paper jams and other problems for all paper types that are expected to be used.

[0031] Next, the process transitions to processing step S1002, which transports the paper according to the mechanical operation settings read in processing step S1001. Processing step S1002 is repeated as long as processing step S1003, which determines whether the mechanical operation settings have been updated, determines that the mechanical operation settings have not been updated.

[0032] While processing steps S1002 and S1003 are repeated, processing step S1004, which determines whether the paper has passed the paper identification sensor 0206, is performed in parallel. If processing step S1004 determines that the paper has not passed the paper identification sensor 0206, the process returns to processing step S1004 and waits for the paper to pass. After processing steps S1002 and S1003 are repeated several times, the paper passes over the paper identification sensor 0206, and processing step S1004 determines that the paper has passed the paper identification sensor. Then the process returns to processing step S1005, which identifies the next paper type.

[0033] In processing step S1005, the paper type identification sensor 0206 shown in Figure 4 acquires sensor values ​​and identifies the type of paper currently being fed. Here, the identification result is not necessarily determined to be a single type; there may be multiple candidates for the most likely paper type. Hereafter, this identification result will be referred to as the paper type estimation result. Once the paper type estimation result is obtained, the process transitions to processing step S1006, which adjusts the mechanical operation settings. Processing step S1006 adjusts the mechanical operation settings to be suitable for the paper type based on the paper estimation result. Details of processing step S1006, which adjusts the mechanical operation settings, will be described later.

[0034] When processing step S1006 is executed, it is determined that the mechanical operation settings have been adjusted in processing step S1003, which was being processed in parallel. As a result, the process transitions to processing step S1007.

[0035] In processing step S1007, paper is transported based on the mechanical operation settings adjusted in processing step S1006. Processing step S1007 is repeated until processing step S1008, which determines whether the paper has been transported to the paper feed completion position, determines that the paper has not been transported to the paper feed completion position. Once processing step S1007 is repeated a certain number of times, the paper is transported to the paper feed completion position, and processing step S1008 determines that the recording paper has been transported to the paper feed completion position. In that case, the process transitions to paper feed completion step S1009, and the initial paper feed process is completed.

[0036] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the adjustment process for the mechanical operation settings in this embodiment. This process is performed in step S1006 of the initial paper feeding process shown in Figure 5, and in step S3002 of the second and subsequent paper feeding processes shown in Figure 7, which will be described later. When the adjustment process for the mechanical operation settings is started in each paper feeding process, the process transitions to the mechanical operation setting adjustment start step S2000.

[0037] In adjusting the mechanical operation settings, the first step S2001 is performed to determine if the estimated paper type result is fixed to one type. If the paper type identification result is one type, the process proceeds to step S2003, which determines that paper type to be used for paper feeding. On the other hand, if the paper type identification result in step S2001 is determined to be more than one type, step S2003 is performed to identify the paper type that requires the safest mechanical operation setting from among the candidates. A safe mechanical operation here refers to a mechanical operation that is less likely to cause paper jams, soiling, or damage to the paper. After that, step S2004 is performed to determine the identified paper type to be used for paper feeding.

[0038] The paper type determined in processing steps S2002 and S2004 is saved in NVRAM in processing step S2005, which saves the next paper type to NVRAM0105. This saving to NVRAM omits the process of selecting the paper type during subsequent paper feedings. In the case of a recording device that can hold two or more rolls of paper, the recording paper can be replaced without removing the rolls from the recording device, thus enabling multiple paper feedings without removing the rolls. Details of the paper feeding process from the second feeding onwards will be described later in Figure 7.

[0039] Once processing step S2005 is complete, processing step S2006 is performed to adjust the mechanical operation settings to correspond to the paper type being fed. After the adjustment is complete, the process transitions to the mechanical operation setting adjustment completion step S2007.

[0040] The mechanical operation settings adjusted in processing step S2006 are not common settings for all paper types, but rather settings adjusted for each paper type. Therefore, subsequent paper feeding based on these mechanical operation settings will be more optimal than before. An example of optimal paper feeding is that the transport speed is adjusted to take the paper type into consideration. Other possible adjustments include the tension of the paper roll, the strength of the paper suction at the platen, and the strength with which the transport rollers grip the paper. With the common mechanical operation for all paper types, the slowest speed is set, so depending on the paper, the transport speed may be faster, reducing the time required for paper feeding.

[0041] Figure 7 is a flowchart showing the processing during the second and subsequent paper feedings in this embodiment. This processing is performed by the CPU 0101 processing according to the program stored in ROM 0103 and controlling each unit.

[0042] When the user selects refeed from the recording device's control panel, the process transitions to the refeed start step S3000. First, processing step S3001 is performed to read the paper type to be fed from the NVRAM. The paper type read here is the one saved in processing step S2005 in Figure 6. Next, processing step S3002 is performed to adjust the mechanical operation settings explained in Figure 6 based on the read paper type.

[0043] Subsequently, processing step S3003 is performed to transport the paper using the mechanical operation settings adjusted in processing step S3002. After processing step S3003 is performed, the process transitions to processing step S3004, which determines whether the recording paper has been transported to the paper feed completion position. If it is determined that the paper has not been transported to the paper feed completion position, processing step S3003 is performed again. Processing steps S3003 and S3004 are performed multiple times until the paper is transported to the paper feed completion position. Then, processing step S3004 determines that the paper has been transported to the paper feed completion position, and the process transitions to re-feed completion step S3005, completing the re-feed process.

[0044] Figure 8 is a flowchart showing the process for updating the paper type measurement result after paper feeding in this embodiment. This process is performed by the CPU0101 processing and controlling each unit according to the program stored in ROM0103.

[0045] In this embodiment, paper type identification is performed during paper feeding, but it is conceivable that more precise paper type identification can be achieved by combining it with paper type identification by a multi-sensor after paper feeding and transport. Here, an embodiment is described in which paper type identification is performed by combining it with sensor values ​​obtained from a multi-sensor, but the sensors used are not limited to this.

[0046] The multi-sensor is installed on the carriage and can perform measurements to identify the type of paper after the paper feeding is complete.

[0047] When the recording device has finished feeding paper and the multi-sensor can measure, the process transitions to the paper type update start step S4000. First, the process step S4001 is performed to acquire sensor values ​​from the multi-sensor. After acquiring the sensor values ​​in process step S4001, the process transitions to the process step S4002, which identifies the paper type by combining them with the sensor values ​​of the paper type identification sensor that were acquired in advance. As a result, a paper type estimation result identified by combining the multi-sensor and the paper type identification sensor is obtained, and the process step S4003 is performed to determine if there is only one type of paper type estimation result. If it is determined that there is only one type of paper type estimation result, the process transitions to step S4004, which determines that paper type as the paper feed type. On the other hand, if there are multiple paper type estimation results, the process step S4005 is performed to identify the paper type that requires the safest mechanical operation setting from among the candidates. Then, the process transitions to step S4006, which determines the identified paper type as the paper feed type.

[0048] After the paper type is determined, the process transitions to step S4007, which determines whether the paper type has been updated compared to the paper type determined during the initial paper feed. If it is determined that the paper type has been updated, the process transitions to step S4008, which saves the newly determined paper type to NVRAM, and then to step S4009, which completes the paper type update. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S4007 that the paper type has not been updated, nothing is done and the process transitions to step S4009, which completes the paper type update.

[0049] Furthermore, although the above explanation used a recording device as an example, this embodiment can be applied to any conveying device that transports sheet-like media.

[0050] As described above, by implementing this embodiment, the mechanical operation settings for paper transport can be updated during transport, thus preventing an increase in transport time. Furthermore, since transport can be performed with mechanical operation settings according to the type of paper, malfunctions due to transport can be prevented. [Explanation of symbols]

[0051] 1. Recording device 0201 Roll paper 0204 Conveyor Roller 0205 Platen 0206 Paper type identification sensor

Claims

1. A conveying means for transporting sheets, A sensor that acquires data for identifying the type of sheet during transport by the transport means, A means for identifying the type of sheet based on the results of the sensor, A control means that controls the operation on the sheet based on the type of sheet identified by the identification means, It has, The conveying device is characterized in that, if the type of sheet cannot be identified as one type by the identification means, the control means controls the conveying means based on the safest operation setting among the multiple candidate types of sheet identified by the identification means.

2. The conveying device according to claim 1, characterized in that the control means controls the conveying speed of the sheet by the conveying means based on the results of the sensor.

3. The platen has a mechanism for suctioning and supporting the aforementioned sheet. The conveying device according to claim 1, characterized in that the control means controls the strength of the suction of the platen.

4. The conveying means conveys the sheet by clamping it with rollers, The conveying device according to claim 1, characterized in that the control means controls the strength with which the roller grips the sheet.

5. The transport device according to claim 2, characterized in that the control means controls the transport means such that the transport speed of the sheet becomes faster than before the data was acquired by the sensor.

6. A conveying means for transporting sheets, A sensor that acquires data for identifying the type of sheet during transport by the transport means, A control means for controlling the operation of the sheet based on the results of the sensor, A conveying device having, The aforementioned sheet is a roll-shaped sheet, and the roll-shaped sheet set in the conveying device, The device has a storage means for saving the settings of the operation when the roll-shaped sheet is transported for the first time after being set in the transport device. The conveying device is characterized in that the control means controls the operation according to the settings stored in the storage means when the rolled sheet is conveyed again after being conveyed for the first time, without the rolled sheet being removed from the conveying device.

7. The transport device according to claim 1, characterized in that it has recording means for recording an image on the sheet.

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