JP3559662B2 - Image forming device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copier, a printer, and a facsimile, and more particularly, to an image forming apparatus that drives a fixing device by a servomotor.
[0002]
[Prior art]
An unfixed image (an image formed with a heat-fusible resin or other toner) transferred to a recording medium such as a transfer paper, which is attached to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, or a facsimile, is recorded by heating. As a fixing device for fixing on a medium, a fixing roller (heating roller) and a pressure roller are brought into pressure contact with each other, a recording medium is passed between the rollers, and heat and pressure are applied to the unfixed toner image on the recording medium. A heat roller type fixing device for performing fixing is well known.
[0003]
Generally, in a heat roller type fixing device, release oil such as silicone oil is applied to the surface of the fixing roller to prevent the toner from being offset to the fixing roller, protect the surface of the fixing roller, or remove paper. It prevents the toner from being wound around the surface of the fixing roller.
[0004]
However, it is difficult to completely prevent toner offset, and a small amount of offset toner stagnates on the fixing roller little by little. Therefore, a fixing device having a fixing roller and a cleaning roller has been put to practical use. In many cases, such a fixing device is configured such that a blade member is brought into contact with a cleaning roller to scrape off toner adhered to the cleaning roller (offset toner cleaned by the cleaning roller).
[0005]
When the fixing heater is energized, the offset toner on the fixing roller and the cleaning roller is in a dissolved state, but is fixed when the power is off for a long time. For example, at the beginning of use of the apparatus in the morning, even when the power is turned on, the offset toner on each roller does not immediately dissolve. In particular, at the contact portion between the cleaning roller and the blade member, the distance from the fixing heater is large, and the amount of heat is transmitted via the fixing roller and the cleaning roller. Even when the temperature reaches a set temperature at which the fixing sequence can be executed), the fixed offset toner cannot be dissolved again. That is, the offset toner behaves like an adhesive to the cleaning roller and the blade member, and increases the starting torque of the drive mechanism.
[0006]
By the way, the servo motor that drives the fixing device starts driving at the set rotation speed when the start signal becomes active. When the rotation speed detecting means is provided, the LOCK signal is set active when the motor rotation speed reaches within a predetermined range of the set rotation speed.
[0007]
In addition, the rising characteristics of the servomotor are defined under a predetermined rated load condition. FIG. 10 is a graph showing the relationship between the load and the start time of an example of the servomotor. For example, if a motor is used under a load condition of 500 gf · cm with a startup constant set to reach the rated speed within 400 msec at a rated load of 200 gf · cm, it takes a long time to start and reaches the rated speed. Takes 800 msec. That is, the LOCK signal of the servomotor cannot be activated within a regular rise time (400 msec in the example in the figure) after the start signal is input.
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The CPU that controls the system sequence of the image forming apparatus monitors the LOCK signal of the servo motor. If the LOCK signal does not become active within a set time (hereinafter referred to as a LOCK signal establishment time), it is determined that the servo motor is abnormal. I will judge. Therefore, in the conventional apparatus, the LOCK signal establishment time is set as a value that allows for a considerable time margin in addition to the motor's original rise time. In a configuration in which the cleaning of the fixing roller is performed by the cleaning roller and the blade member, the load due to the offset toner is large, and it is necessary to expect a considerably long time for establishing the LOCK signal. During the LOCK signal establishment time, there is a problem that the CPU continues to ignore the state of the servomotor.
[0009]
For example, in a device that uses a servo motor that reaches the rated rotation speed in 0.4 seconds, if a LOCK signal is monitored from 1 second after a margin of 0.6 seconds with a margin of 0.6 seconds, it will be 0.4 seconds from the start. Some abnormality may occur within one second after the motor starts rotating. Even in such a case, if the LOCK signal is not monitored (masked by software) until 1 second from the start, an abnormality of the motor during that time cannot be detected. Therefore, when the state of the servomotor cannot be monitored (ignored), stable fixing drive cannot be achieved.
[0010]
The present invention solves the above-described problem in the conventional image forming apparatus, removes a time margin in anticipation of an increase in the load due to offset toner, and reduces the time for the CPU to ignore the state of the servo motor as much as possible to achieve a stable operation. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus capable of performing the above-described fixing drive.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to the present invention, there is provided, according to the present invention, a servo motor having means for detecting that a rotation speed is a predetermined rotation speed, a fixing roller driven by the servo motor, and a circumferential roller adjacent to the fixing roller. In the image forming apparatus having a fixing device having a cleaning roller for cleaning the surface of the fixing roller and a cleaning blade for contacting the cleaning roller and cleaning the surface of the cleaning roller, the input current of the servo motor is detected. Means, and control means for performing control by means for detecting that the rotation speed of the servomotor is a predetermined rotation speed after the input current detected by the detection means is stabilized. You.
[0012]
Further, the present invention proposes, in order to solve the above-mentioned problem, to stop the driving of the servomotor when the input current detected by the input current detecting means is not stabilized within a predetermined time.
[0013]
Further, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a method for stopping the driving of the servo motor when the input current detected by the input current detecting means is not stabilized within a predetermined time, and thereafter, at least once the servo motor , The input current at the time of restarting is detected by the input current detecting means, and if the detected input current is not stabilized within a predetermined time, the driving of the servomotor is proposed to be stopped.
[0014]
Further, in order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the present invention compares the detected value with a predetermined value when the input current detected by the input current detecting means is stabilized within a predetermined time, and the detected value is If it is larger than a predetermined value, it is proposed to stop the driving of the servo motor.
[0015]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a fixing device of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The overall configuration of the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment is the same as that of a conventionally known electrophotographic apparatus, and a description will be given focusing on a fixing device according to the present invention.
[0016]
In the fixing unit shown in FIG. 1, a pressing roller 2 is pressed against a fixing roller 1 driven by a driving mechanism described later. The fixing roller 1 has a built-in fixing heater 3, and the pressure roller 2 has a built-in pressure heater 4.
[0017]
An application roller 5 for applying release oil is provided in contact with the fixing roller 1. An oil supply roller 6 is provided in contact with the application roller 5, and an application felt 7 is provided in contact with the oil supply roller 6. Oil is applied onto the fixing roller 1 via these oil supply members 5 to 7. Further, a fixing thermistor 8 and a fixing cleaning roller 9 are provided in contact with the fixing roller 1. A cleaning blade 10 is pressed against the cleaning roller 9. Below the cleaning blade 10, a cleaning roller oil pan 11 for receiving oil scraped by the blade 10 is arranged. Further, a fixing temperature fuse 12 is provided near the fixing roller 1. On the other hand, the pressure roller 2 is provided with a pressure cleaning roller 13 and a pressure thermistor 14. A pressure temperature fuse 15 is provided near the pressure roller 2.
[0018]
In this figure, a transfer sheet (not shown) enters the fixing nip from the right side of the figure, is conveyed between the fixing roller 1 and the pressure roller 2 from right to left in the figure, and is transferred onto the transfer sheet by heat and pressure. Is fixed. The transfer paper discharged from the fixing device is discharged to the left in the drawing.
[0019]
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a driving mechanism before and after the fixing device in the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment. As shown in this figure, the driving of each part of conveyance, fixing and paper discharge is performed by a servo motor 21 via a gear train. The driving force of the servomotor 21 causes the transport belt 23 to travel via the transport drive gear 22. The recording paper onto which the toner image formed by the image forming unit (not shown) is transferred by the transport belt 23 to the fixing device 20. The driving force of the servo motor 21 is transmitted to the fixing device via the fixing drive gear 24, and rotates the fixing roller 1, the pressure roller 2, the fixing cleaning roller 9, and the pressure cleaning roller 13. Further, the driving force of the servo motor 21 rotates the discharge roller 26 via the fixing drive gear 24 and the discharge drive gear 25. As a result, the recording paper on which the toner image has been thermally fixed is discharged from the fixing device 20.
[0020]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control circuit of the servo motor 21. The start signal is input to the drive circuit 32 via the control unit 31. That is, when the start signal is activated, the servo motor 21 starts driving at the rotation speed set by the OSC circuit 33. When an FG pulse is input due to the rotation of the rotor, an error is calculated by the speed discrimination (identification) circuit 34 and the PLL circuit 35, and the drive output on-duty of the drive circuit 32 is changed in accordance with the speed error. It is controlled to be the number of rotation. When the rotation speed of the servo motor 21 reaches within ± 6.25% of the set rotation speed, the LOCK signal is set active by the LD circuit 36.
[0021]
When the fixing heater 3 and the pressure heater 4 (FIG. 1) are energized, the toner (hereinafter referred to as offset toner) transferred onto the fixing roller 1 and the cleaning roller 9 is in a dissolved state. When the power is turned off for a long time, the offset toner is fixed. As described above, in the contact portion between the cleaning roller 9 and the cleaning blade 10, the distance from the fixing heater 3 is large, and the amount of heat is transmitted via the fixing roller 1 and the cleaning roller 9. Even when the surface temperatures of the fixing roller 1 and the pressure roller 2 reach a set temperature at which the fixing sequence can be executed), the fixed offset toner cannot be dissolved again. Therefore, the offset toner behaves like an adhesive and increases the starting torque of the servomotor 21. If the CPU of the apparatus sets a margin for ignoring the state of the servomotor 21 in anticipation of the load increase due to the offset toner, stable fixing drive cannot be achieved.
[0022]
Therefore, in the present invention, the LOCK signal establishment time is shortened as much as possible. Hereinafter, the fixing drive control according to the present embodiment will be described.
In the present embodiment, the load torque and the input current of the servomotor 21 (current input to the servomotor 21) are in a proportional relationship, and the proportional constant is constant depending on the motor circuit configuration. The current is detected by a detection circuit, and when the detected value falls within a certain fluctuation range (input current is stabilized), a LOCK signal is observed.
[0023]
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a sequence control unit including a servo motor input current detection circuit according to the present embodiment. As shown in this figure, the sequence control section of the image forming apparatus is mainly composed of a CPU 41, a ROM 42, a RAM 43, an A / D converter 44, a timer 45, an OSC (oscillation) circuit 46 and the like. Drive electric power or a start signal or the like is sent to the servo motor 21 via a connector 47.
[0024]
In the present embodiment, the voltage drop of the detection resistor 49 inserted in series with the power supply line to the servomotor 21 is detected by the detection circuit 48, and the value is A / D-converted by the A / D converter 44, and the value is sent to the CPU 41. Input. Instead of the voltage drop of the resistor, the magnetic field generated in the power supply line may be detected and converted to a voltage level, and then A / D converted and input to the CPU 41.
[0025]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the LOCK signal detection processing by the CPU 41. As shown in this figure, the counter is reset (S1), and a start signal instructing the start of the servomotor 21 is activated (ON) (S2). Then, a change in the servo motor input current Vi detected by the detection circuit 48 and A / D converted by the A / D converter 44 is detected (S3), and the range of the change (| ΔVi |) is a predetermined value (standard value). It is determined whether or not it is within (S4). If | ΔVi | is within the standard value, it is determined whether or not the count value has reached a predetermined value (S5), and a LOCK signal is detected (S6). If | ΔVi | does not fall within the standard value in S4, the counter is reset (S7) and | ΔVi | is detected again. On the other hand, if the count value has not reached the predetermined value in S5, the counter is incremented (S8), and detection of | ΔVi | is continued.
[0026]
The case where | ΔVi | is larger than the standard value is a state where the load torque is increased, that is, a state where the offset toner interposed between the cleaning roller 9 and the cleaning blade 10 is fixed and the torque of the drive mechanism is increased. On the other hand, when | ΔVi | is within the standard value, it means that the load torque is small, and it can be determined that the offset toner has peeled off.
[0027]
When the value of the detected input current of the servo motor 21 falls within a certain range of fluctuation (| ΔVi | is within the standard value), an unnecessarily large time margin is set by observing the LOCK signal. The LOCK signal can be detected (observed) without the need to perform the operation, and the time during which the CPU 41 ignores the state of the servomotor 21 can be reduced as much as possible. Accordingly, it is possible to accurately detect whether the rotation of the servo motor 21 is stable in a state where the influence of the offset toner is eliminated, and it is possible to achieve stable fixing drive control.
[0028]
When the value of the detected input current of the servo motor 21 does not fall within a certain range of fluctuation (| ΔVi | does not fall within the standard value), the above-described case of the driving mechanism using the offset toner is used. It is conceivable that the increase in torque is larger than expected, or that the cleaning blade 10 has been involved, or that some abnormality has occurred in the gears of the drive system (see FIG. 2). In any case, if the servo motor 21 continues to be driven as it is, heat generated by the rotor (not shown) of the servo motor 21 and the driver circuit 32 increases, which may lead to breakage of the servo motor 21. Further, there is a possibility that the gears of the drive system may be damaged.
[0029]
Therefore, the input current of the servomotor 21 is detected by a detection circuit, and if the detected value does not fall within the set swing range within a predetermined time (the input current is not stabilized), the servomotor 21 Turning off the start signal and stopping the driving is proposed as another embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the embodiment will be described.
[0030]
The configuration of the device of this embodiment is the same as that of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, and different control parts will be described with reference to FIG.
In the flowchart shown in FIG. 6, first, the counter is reset (S1), the timer is started (S2), and the start signal for instructing the start of the servomotor 21 is activated (ON) (S3). Then, it is determined whether or not a timeout has occurred (whether or not a timer has reached a predetermined time) (S4). If not, a change in the servo motor input current Vi is detected (S5), and the range of the change (S5). | ΔVi |) falls within a predetermined value (standard value) (S6). If | ΔVi | is within the specified value, it is determined whether or not the count value has reached a predetermined value (S7), a LOCK signal is detected (S8), and the timer is stopped (S9). finish. If | ΔVi | does not fall within the standard value in S6, the counter is reset (S10). If the count value does not reach the predetermined value in S7, the counter is incremented (S11), and the process returns to S4 to return to the timeout. Make a decision.
[0031]
If a timeout has occurred in S4, the process proceeds to S12, in which the servo motor start signal is turned off to stop the timer (S13).
As described above, when the input current detection value of the servo motor 21 does not fall within the set swing range within a predetermined time, the servo motor 21 is immediately turned off and the driving is stopped. Damage to the driver circuit of the motor and gears of the drive system can be avoided.
[0032]
Next, still another embodiment of the present invention will be described. The configuration of the device of this embodiment is the same as that of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, and different control portions will be described.
[0033]
As described above, the case where the detected value of the input current of the servomotor 21 does not fall within a certain range of fluctuation (| ΔVi | does not fall within the standard value) means that the torque of the drive mechanism due to the offset toner It is conceivable that the increase is larger than expected, or that the cleaning blade 10 is involved, or that some abnormality has occurred in the gear of the drive system. In the case where the torque increase of the drive mechanism due to the offset toner is larger than expected, unlike other mechanical abnormalities, the offset toner is reduced by a series of processes of starting the servo motor 21 → detecting the input current → turning off the start signal. It may have been possible to transition to a state where it is relatively easy to peel off.
[0034]
Therefore, in the present embodiment, the servo motor 21 is started again (or a plurality of times) to detect the input current, and if the detected value does not fall within the set swing range within a predetermined time, the servo motor 21 is started. Is turned off to stop the drive, and a serviceman call is displayed on the operation unit of the apparatus. This provides a condition that the offset toner is peeled off (the offset toner stuck to the cleaning roller and the blade is relatively easily peeled off by a single rotation of the cleaning roller), and the servo motor 21 is a mechanical abnormality. This can reliably avoid damage to the driver circuit of the servomotor and the gears of the drive system.
[0035]
FIG. 7 shows processing in the present embodiment. In this flowchart, first, a counter or register n for counting the number of starts of the servo motor 21 is reset (S1). The following processes from S2 to S14 are the same as the processes from S1 to S13 in FIG.
[0036]
In the present embodiment, after the servo motor start signal is turned off due to a time-out and the timer is stopped, the count counter or register n for starting the servo motor is incremented (S15), and the number of starts is set to a predetermined number (here, two times, That is, it is determined whether or not (initial startup + one restart) has been performed (S16). If the number has not reached the predetermined number, the process returns to S2. If the number has reached the predetermined number, a serviceman call is displayed (S17), and the process ends.
[0037]
As can be seen from the flowchart, when the input current detection value does not fall within the specified value within a certain period of time during the first motor startup, the motor is started again (or a plurality of times) and the input current is detected each time. Will be done. For example, when the number of restarts is set to two, the determination in S16 is divided into n = 3, but if the detected value does not fall within the standard value at the time of the first motor startup, n becomes 1 in S15, Returning from S16 to S2, the input current is detected again. Then, if the value falls within the standard value, the process proceeds to S9, where the LOCK signal is observed. If the value does not fall within the standard value even in the second detection (first restart), n becomes 2 in S15, and the process returns to S2 to perform the third (second restart) detection. If the value falls within the standard value, the LOCK signal is observed. If the value does not fall within the standard value, n is set to 3 in S15, and a serviceman call is displayed.
[0038]
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
In the present embodiment, even if the detected value of the servo motor input current falls within a certain range of fluctuation within a certain time, if the detected value is larger than a predetermined value, the drive of the servo motor is started. To stop.
[0039]
Even when the detected value of the servo motor input current falls within a certain range of fluctuation within a certain period of time (| ΔVi | falls within a standard value), it is said that the detection value is larger than a predetermined value. This is because the driving mechanism (see FIG. 2) can be normally operated by the driving force of the servo motor 21 even when the cleaning blade 10 is involved. In this case, if the rotation speed of the servo motor 21 becomes abnormal, the LOCK signal becomes inactive, and the CPU can determine the abnormality of the fixing device. However, when the torque characteristics of the servo motor have a relatively large margin, the rotation speed of the servo motor 21 is normal, and the LOCK signal indicates an active state. Such a state may occur when the cleaning blade is initially entangled (early at the start of use from a new state of the apparatus) or when the cleaning blade is entangled (when the fixing roller is manually turned) during a jam processing. As a phenomenon, if left as it is, the amount of the cleaning blade involved increases, and in the worst case, other supporting members may be damaged.
[0040]
Therefore, in the present embodiment, as described above, even when the detected value of the servo motor input current falls within a certain range of fluctuation within a certain time, the detected value is larger than a predetermined value. In such a case, the drive of the servomotor is immediately stopped. Hereinafter, the description of the present embodiment will be continued with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9.
[0041]
FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a sequence control unit including a servo motor input current detection circuit in the present embodiment. The configuration of the control unit shown in this figure is the same as that of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 except that a comparator 50 is added. The input current of the servomotor is detected by the detection circuit 48, the value is A / D-converted and input to the comparator 50. The output Vcom of the comparator 50 becomes active (Low level) when the detected value is equal to or less than a preset threshold value. When the detected value is larger than the threshold value, the output Vcom becomes inactive (High level).
[0042]
As described above, as the threshold value of the comparator 50, the load torque and the input current of the servomotor 21 are in a proportional relationship, and the proportional constant is constant depending on the motor circuit configuration. Since the input current value is a unique value, this value (the input current value corresponding to the rated speed determined by the circuit configuration of the motor) may be used. The CPU 41 monitors the output of the comparator 50 for a certain period of time, and if the output does not become active, the start signal of the servomotor 21 may be turned off.
[0043]
FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating the processing according to the present embodiment. In this flowchart, the processing of S1 to S7 and S11 and S12 is the same as the processing of S1 to S7 and S10 and S11 of the flowchart shown in FIG.
[0044]
By the way, in this embodiment, when | ΔVi | falls within the standard value within a certain period of time, the process proceeds from S7 to S8 to determine whether or not the detected input current value is equal to or smaller than a predetermined value (standard value). (Vcom is at L level = normal or not) is determined. If the detected value is equal to or less than the standard value, the output Vcom of the comparator 50 becomes active, the LOCK signal is detected (S9), and the timer is stopped (S10).
On the other hand, if Vcom is at the H level in S8 (and if | ΔVi | does not fall within the standard value within a fixed time), the process proceeds to S13 to turn off the servo motor start signal and stop the timer (S14). .
[0045]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, when the input current value of the servo motor is detected and the detected value falls within a predetermined range, the rotation state (LOCK signal) of the motor is observed. Accordingly, the LOCK signal can be detected (observed) without setting an unnecessarily large time margin, and the time during which the CPU ignores the state of the servomotor can be reduced as much as possible. This makes it possible to accurately detect whether the rotation of the servo motor is stable in a state where the influence of the offset toner is eliminated, and to achieve stable fixing drive control.
[0046]
If the detected value does not fall within the predetermined range within a predetermined time, the servomotor is immediately stopped to avoid damage to the servomotor, the motor driver circuit, and the gears of the drive system. it can.
[0047]
If the detected value does not fall within the predetermined range within a certain period of time, the servomotor is started again (or a plurality of times) to detect the input current, and the detected value becomes within the predetermined range within a certain period of time. If it does not fit, the drive of the servomotor is stopped and a serviceman call is displayed to provide conditions for dissolving the offset toner and to avoid damage to the servomotor, motor driver circuit, and gears of the drive system. be able to.
[0048]
Further, even if the detected value of the servo motor input current falls within a predetermined range within a certain time, if the detected value is larger than the predetermined value, the drive of the servo motor is immediately stopped. Accordingly, it is possible to minimize the damage of the fixing device, particularly the damage caused by the initial cleaning blade entanglement.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a fixing device of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a driving mechanism before and after the fixing device.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a control circuit of a servo motor for driving the fixing device.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a sequence control unit including a servo motor input current detection circuit in the present embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a LOCK signal detection process performed by a CPU.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating control according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating control according to still another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a sequence control unit including a servo motor input current detection circuit according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating control in the embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a graph showing a relationship between a load and a start time of an example of a servomotor.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Fixing roller
2 Pressure roller
9 Fixing cleaning roller
10 Cleaning blade
20 Fixing device
21 Servo motor
24 Fusing drive gear
32 Motor driver circuit
41 CPU
47 Input current detection circuit
49 Detection resistor
50 comparator

Claims (4)

A fixing motor driven by the servo motor; and a cleaning device that rotates adjacent to the fixing roller and cleans the surface of the fixing roller. An image forming apparatus including a fixing device having a roller and a cleaning blade that abuts on the cleaning roller to clean the surface of the cleaning roller;
A means for detecting the input current of the servomotor and a means for detecting that the number of revolutions of the servomotor is a predetermined number of revolutions after the input current detected by the detection means is stabilized are controlled. An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the input current detected by the input current detection unit is not stabilized within a predetermined time, the driving of the servomotor is stopped. 3. When the input current detected by the input current detection means is not stabilized within a predetermined time, the drive of the servomotor is stopped, and then the drive of the servomotor is started at least once, and the input current at the time of restart is reduced by the input current. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the driving of the servomotor is stopped when the detected input current is not stabilized within a predetermined time, detected by input current detecting means. When the input current detected by the input current detecting means is stabilized within a predetermined time, the detected value is compared with a predetermined value, and when the detected value is larger than the predetermined value, the drive of the servomotor is stopped. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

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