IC chip, print apparatus, and heat generation warning method
AssigneeSeiko Epson Corporation
InventorsHiroshi Shirotori, Masahiko Moriyama
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A printer (1) comprises a motor driver (34) for driving a carriage motor (20) and a paper feed motor (22). The motor driver (34) has a thermal shutdown circuit (43). If internal temperature T of the motor driver exceeds threshold value Ta, the thermal shutdown circuit shuts down the power of the motor driver. The motor driver has an internal temperature detection circuit (45). If the internal temperature T exceeds threshold value Tb (<Ta) before thermal shutdown processing operates, the internal temperature detection circuit outputs a HW signal. A CPU (29) executes heat generation stop processing based on the HW signal and controls the motor driver to stop the carriage motor and the paper feed motor for a predetermined time.
Claims14
An IC chip for outputting a drive signal responsive to an external control signal for driving drive unit, wherein when internal temperature of circuitry exceeds a first threshold value, output of the drive signal is shut down, the IC chip comprising:
- a temperature detection unit for detecting the internal temperature of the circuitry of the IC chip;
- and
- a signal output unit for outputting a signal to stop the drive unit if the temperature detected by said temperature detection unit exceeds a second threshold value set to a lower temperature than the first threshold value.
A print apparatus:
- a drive unit;
- a driver circuit for outputting a drive signal for driving the drive unit, wherein when internal temperature of the driver circuit exceeds a first threshold value, output of the drive signal is shut down;
- a temperature detection unit for detecting the internal temperature of the driver circuit;
- and
- a control unit for controlling the driver circuit to stop the drive unit based on determination information as to whether or not the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit exceeds a second threshold value set to a lower temperature than the first threshold value.
A heat generation warning method used with a print apparatus comprising drive unit and a driver circuit for outputting a drive signal for driving the drive unit, wherein when internal temperature of the driver circuit exceeds a first threshold value, output of the drive signal is shut down, the heat generation warning method comprising the steps of:
- detecting the internal temperature of the driver circuit by the temperature detection unit;
- and
- controlling the driver circuit to stop the drive unit based on determination information as to whether or not the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit exceeds a second threshold value set to a lower temperature than the first threshold value.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.