Printer carriage jam detector using sensed motor current
US6722754B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 3, 2003 |
| Grant date | Apr 20, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 13, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB41J29/46
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
There is provided a method for monitoring paper or other jams of a carriage in a printer by monitoring the current waveshape in a first winding of a stepper motor at or near the time when a second winding of the stepper motor commutates. The current waveshape is received from a low-value sensing resistor, typically within an integrated circuit stepper motor driver device. Changes in the current waveshape during this time window may be interpreted and accurate deductions may be made concerning the loading of the stepper motor. In the case where the stepper motor is the drive motor for a printer carriage, the loading information may be used to detect a paper jam or similar problem in the printer carriage.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.