JP2021018313A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an image forming apparatus that can prevent the occurrence of a malfunction even when a power supply environment is deteriorated.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus 100 comprises a first function unit 120, a second function unit 130, a detection unit 150, and a control unit 160. The first function unit 120 has a first function. The second function unit 130 has a second function different from the first function. The detection unit 150 detects an abnormality in a power supply voltage. When the number of times of detection of power failure in unit time is larger than a threshold, the control unit 160 controls such that the first function unit 120 and the second function unit 130 do not operate at the same time. For example, the first function unit 120 includes an image reading unit 10 and an ADF (automatic document feeder) 20, and the second function unit 130 includes an image forming unit 30 and a paper feeding unit 40.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

In the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1, when it is determined from the detection result of the zero cross signal width that the power supply is abnormal, the energization of the fixing heater is turned off.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-1984

The image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1 may malfunction due to deterioration of the power supply environment.

An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of suppressing the occurrence of malfunction even when the power supply environment deteriorates.

The image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a first functional unit, a second functional unit, a detection unit, and a control unit. The first functional unit has a first function. The second functional unit has a second function different from the first function. The detection unit detects an abnormality in the power supply voltage. The control unit controls so that the first function unit and the second function unit do not operate at the same time when the number of times the abnormality is detected within a unit time is larger than the threshold value.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of suppressing the occurrence of malfunction even when the power supply environment deteriorates.

It is the schematic which shows an example of the structure of the image forming apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the circuit structure of an image forming apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the circuit structure of the detection part. It is a signal waveform diagram which shows an example of the operation of a zero cross circuit. It is a signal waveform diagram which shows an example of the operation of a noise extraction circuit. It is a signal waveform diagram which shows the operation example of the zero cross circuit when the amplitude of a power supply voltage is excessive. It is a signal waveform diagram which shows the operation example of the zero cross circuit when the amplitude of a power supply voltage is too small. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the operation of a control part. It is a time chart which shows an example of the time zone in which simultaneous operation is prohibited.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals and the description is not repeated.

The image forming apparatus 100 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an example of the structure of the image forming apparatus 100. In FIG. 1, for convenience, the direction from the back to the front is defined as the positive direction of the X axis, the direction from right to left is defined as the positive direction of the Y axis, and the direction from bottom to top is defined as the positive direction of the Z axis.

As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 100 is a multifunction device and has a copy function, a print function, a fax transmission function, a fax reception function, and a scan function. The image forming apparatus 100 includes an image reading unit 10, an automatic document feeding unit (Auto Document Feeder: ADF) 20, an image forming unit 30, and a paper feeding unit 40.

The image reading unit 10 includes a first carriage 11, a first transfer mechanism 12, a second carriage 13, a second transfer mechanism 14, an imaging lens 15, and a charge-coupled device (CCD) 16. , A photo interrupter 17 and a document base 18 are provided.

A light source 11a, a first reflection mirror 11b, and a light-shielding plate 11c are mounted on the first carriage 11.

The first transfer mechanism 12 includes a pulley 12a and a pulley 12b, a first belt 12c, and a stepping motor 12d. The pulley 12a is attached to the main body of the image reading unit 10. The pulleys 12b are arranged at intervals in the sub-scanning direction (direction along the Y-axis) with respect to the pulley 12a, and are attached to the second carriage 13. The first belt 12c is stretched between the pulley 12a and the pulley 12b and is connected to the first carriage 11. The stepping motor 12d rotationally drives the pulley 12a to move the first carriage 11 in the sub-scanning direction and the second carriage 13 in the sub-scanning direction via the first belt 12c.

A second reflection mirror 13a and a third reflection mirror 13b are mounted on the second carriage 13. The light source 11a irradiates the scanned document M with white light. The first reflection mirror 11b changes the direction of the reflected light from the reading document M and guides it to the second reflection mirror 13a. The second reflection mirror 13a changes the direction of the reflected light from the first reflection mirror 11b and guides it to the third reflection mirror 13b. The third reflection mirror 13b changes the direction of the reflected light from the second reflection mirror 13a and guides it to the imaging lens 15.

The second transfer mechanism 14 includes a pulley 14a and a pulley 14b, and a second belt 14c. The pulleys 14a and 14b are arranged at intervals in the sub-scanning direction and are attached to the main body of the image reading unit 10. The second belt 14c is stretched between the pulley 14a and the pulley 14b and is connected to the second carriage 13.

The imaging lens 15 converges the reflected light from the third reflection mirror 13b and forms an image on the CCD 16. The CCD 16 converts the reflected light from the imaging lens 15 into an electric signal.

The photo interrupter 17 is fixed to the main body of the image reading unit 10 and includes a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit. The light-shielding plate 11c is arranged so as to pass between the light-emitting portion and the light-receiving portion of the photo interrupter 17. As the first carriage 11 moves, the light-shielding plate 11c passes between the light-emitting portion and the light-receiving portion of the photo interrupter 17.

The platen 18 is made of a transparent glass plate and is provided on the upper surface of the image reading unit 10.

The ADF 20 is used when scanning the scanned document M. The ADF 20 includes a document tray 21, a document retainer 22, an ADF reading glass 23, and a paper ejection tray 24. The scanned document M (shown by a solid line in FIG. 1) placed on the document tray 21 is automatically conveyed, passes between the document holder 22 and the ADF scanning glass 23, and is ejected to the paper output tray 24. .. In that case, the first carriage 11 is fixed below the ADF reading glass 23, and reads the image of the scanned document M when the scanned document M passes between the document holder 22 and the ADF reading glass 23. ..

The image forming unit 30 forms an image on the paper P as a recording medium by an electrophotographic method based on the image data of the scanned document M read by the image reading unit 10 or the image data input from an external device.

The image forming unit 30 includes a photoconductor drum 31, a charging unit 32, a developing unit 33, a toner container 34, a transfer unit 35, a static elimination unit 36, a fixing roller 37, a pressure roller 38, and a transport roller. It includes a group 39.

The charging unit 32 charges the outer peripheral surface of the photoconductor drum 31 to a predetermined potential. When a laser irradiator (not shown) irradiates the outer peripheral surface of the photoconductor drum 31 with a laser beam based on the image data, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image data is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the photoconductor drum 31. ..

The developing unit 33 supplies toner to the outer peripheral surface of the photoconductor drum 31 and develops an electrostatic latent image to form a toner image. Toner is supplied to the developing unit 33 from the toner container 34. The transfer unit 35 transfers the toner image on the photoconductor drum 31 onto the paper P. After that, the static elimination unit 36 eliminates the potential on the outer peripheral surface of the photoconductor drum 31.

The fixing roller 37 and the pressure roller 38 heat and pressurize the paper P on which the toner image is transferred to melt the toner image and fix it on the paper P. The transport roller group 39 transports the paper P supplied from the paper feed unit 40 toward the photoconductor drum 31.

The paper feed unit 40 includes a paper feed cassette 41 and a paper feed roller 42. The paper feed cassette 41 is detachably attached to and detachable from the paper feed unit 40, and stores a plurality of sheets P in a stacked state. The paper feed roller 42 takes out the paper P in the paper feed cassette 41 one by one and transfers it to the transport roller group 39.

Next, the circuit configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the circuit configuration of the image forming apparatus 100.

As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 100 includes an operation unit 110, a first function unit 120, a second function unit 130, a fax communication unit 140, a network communication unit 145, and a detection unit 150. It includes a control unit 160 and a storage unit 170.

The operation unit 110 is an input device for various user operations. The operation unit 110 includes a copy button, a fax transmission button, and a scan button.

The first functional unit 120 includes an image reading unit 10 and an ADF 20. The first functional unit 120 has a first function. The first function is a function of generating image data of the scanned document M.

The second functional unit 130 includes an image forming unit 30 and a paper feeding unit 40. The second functional unit 130 has a second function. The second function is a function of forming an image corresponding to the image data on the paper P.

The first function unit 120 and the second function unit 130 can cooperate with each other in response to pressing the copy button so as to realize the copy function.

The fax communication unit 140 is connected to a telephone line and realizes a fax transmission function and a fax reception function. The fax communication unit 140 can cooperate with the first function unit 120 to generate image data to be transmitted in response to pressing the fax transmission button. Further, the fax communication unit 140 can cooperate with the second function unit 130 in order to form an image corresponding to the image data received by the fax on the paper P.

The network communication unit 145 performs data communication with other devices via a LAN (Local Area Network). The network communication unit 145 can cooperate with the second function unit 130 to form an image corresponding to the image data received from another device on the paper P so as to realize the print function. Further, the network communication unit 145 can cooperate with the first function unit 120 to generate image data to be transmitted to another device so as to realize the scan function in response to the pressing of the scan button. ..

The detection unit 150 detects an abnormality in the power supply voltage VIN and outputs a detection signal SIG. The power supply voltage VIN is, for example, a commercial AC voltage having an effective value of 100 V and having a frequency of 50 Hz or 60 Hz.

The storage unit 170 includes a storage device. The storage device includes a main storage device (for example, a semiconductor memory) such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory), and may further include an auxiliary storage device (for example, a hard disk drive). The main storage device and / or the auxiliary storage device stores various computer programs executed by the control unit 160 and various data.

The control unit 160 includes a processor such as a central processing unit (CPU). The processor of the control unit 160 controls each element of the image forming apparatus 100 by executing a computer program stored in the storage device. Specifically, the processor of the control unit 160 receives the detection signal SIG from the detection unit 150, and of the operation unit 110, the first function unit 120, the second function unit 130, the fax communication unit 140, and the network communication unit 145. Control each operation.

Next, the details of the detection unit 150 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the circuit configuration of the detection unit 150.

As shown in FIG. 3, the detection unit 150 includes a zero cross circuit 151, a determination circuit 152, a noise extraction circuit 153, and an OR circuit 154.

The zero-cross circuit 151 detects the zero-cross signal width of the power supply voltage VIN. The output signal A of the zero-cross circuit 151 has a pulse width corresponding to the zero-cross signal width of the power supply voltage VIN.

The determination circuit 152 determines whether or not the pulse width of the output signal A is within a predetermined range. The output signal B of the determination circuit 152 includes a pulse indicating that the amplitude of the power supply voltage VIN is too large or too small.

The noise extraction circuit 153 detects the noise superimposed on the power supply voltage VIN. The output signal C of the noise extraction circuit 153 includes a pulse indicating that a large noise is superimposed on the power supply voltage VIN.

The OR circuit 154 outputs a logical sum signal of the output signal B of the determination circuit 152 and the output signal C of the noise extraction circuit 153 as a detection signal SIG.

Next, the operation of the zero-cross circuit 151 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. 4 is a signal waveform diagram showing an example of the operation of the zero-cross circuit 151 when the amplitude of the power supply voltage VIN is neither excessive nor too small.

As shown in FIG. 4, the power supply voltage VIN shows a sinusoidal waveform. The output signal A of the zero cross circuit 151 shows a high level only during the period when the power supply voltage VIN satisfies −V1 ≦ VIN ≦ + V1 with respect to the positive first predetermined value V1.

Next, the operation of the noise extraction circuit 153 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 5. FIG. 5 is a signal waveform diagram showing an example of the operation of the noise extraction circuit 153 when a large noise is superimposed on the power supply voltage VIN.

As shown in FIG. 5, the output signal C of the noise extraction circuit 153 is generated only during the period when the power supply voltage VIN satisfies VIN ≦ −V2 or + V2 ≦ VIN with respect to the positive second predetermined value V2 (> V1). Indicates a high level. Therefore, the pulse generated in the output signal C of the noise extraction circuit 153 indicates the occurrence of a power supply abnormality due to noise.

Next, the operation of the zero-cross circuit 151 will be further described with reference to FIGS. 3, 4, and 6. FIG. 6 is a signal waveform diagram showing an example of the operation of the zero-cross circuit 151 when the amplitude of the power supply voltage VIN is excessive.

As shown in FIG. 6, when the amplitude of the power supply voltage VIN is excessive, the pulse width of the output signal A of the zero cross circuit 151 becomes narrower than that in the case of FIG. As a result, the determination circuit 152 determines the power supply abnormality.

Next, the operation of the zero-cross circuit 151 will be further described with reference to FIGS. 3, 4, and 7. FIG. 7 is a signal waveform diagram showing an example of the operation of the zero-cross circuit 151 when the amplitude of the power supply voltage VIN is too small.

As shown in FIG. 7, when the amplitude of the power supply voltage VIN is too small, the pulse width of the output signal A of the zero cross circuit 151 becomes wider than that in the case of FIG. Further, when a momentary power failure occurs in the commercial power supply, the pulse of the output signal A of the zero cross circuit 151 is lost. As a result, the determination circuit 152 determines the power supply abnormality.

As described above, the detection unit 150 outputs the detection signal SIG indicating a power supply abnormality when a large noise is superimposed on the power supply voltage VIN. Further, the detection unit 150 outputs a detection signal SIG indicating a power supply abnormality even when the amplitude of the power supply voltage VIN is excessive or too small.

Next, the operation of the control unit 160 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the control unit 160.

Step S100: As shown in FIG. 8, the control unit 160 determines whether or not a power supply abnormality has been detected based on the detection signal SIG. When the control unit 160 determines that a power supply abnormality has been detected (Yes in step S100), the process of the control unit 160 proceeds to step S102. If the control unit 160 determines that no power supply abnormality has been detected (No in step S100), the process of the control unit 160 proceeds to step S106.

Step S102: The control unit 160 determines whether or not the number of times of detecting a power supply abnormality within a unit time is larger than the threshold value. When the control unit 160 determines that the number of times the power supply abnormality is detected within the unit time is larger than the threshold value (Yes in step S102), the process of the control unit 160 proceeds to step S104. When the control unit 160 determines that the number of times the power supply abnormality is detected within the unit time is not larger than the threshold value (No in step S102), the process of the control unit 160 proceeds to step S106.

Step S104: The control unit 160 sets a prohibition mode for simultaneous operation. When the process of step S104 is completed, the process of the control unit 160 is completed.

Step S106: The control unit 160 sets the permission mode for simultaneous operation. When the process of step S106 is completed, the process of the control unit 160 is completed.

In the simultaneous operation prohibition mode, the control unit 160 controls so that the first function unit 120 and the second function unit 130 do not operate at the same time when the copy function is requested. That is, the control unit 160 waits for the completion of the operations of the image reading unit 10 and the ADF 20 to start the operations of the image forming unit 30 and the paper feeding unit 40.

For example, if the first function unit 120 and the second function unit 130 operate at the same time when the amplitude of the power supply voltage VIN is too small, a voltage drop occurs due to a rapid increase in the load current, and the amplitude of the power supply voltage VIN further increases. Expected to be smaller. As a result, a malfunction of the image forming apparatus 100 may occur. Therefore, by controlling the control unit 160 so that the first function unit 120 and the second function unit 130 do not operate at the same time, the occurrence of malfunction is suppressed.

Further, in the simultaneous operation prohibition mode, the control unit 160 controls the network communication unit 145 and the second function unit 130 so that they do not operate at the same time when the print function is requested. That is, the control unit 160 waits for the completion of receiving the image data from the other device, and then starts the operation of the image forming unit 30 and the paper feeding unit 40. In this case, the network communication unit 145 corresponds to an example of the "first functional unit".

Further, in the simultaneous operation prohibition mode, the control unit 160 controls so that the first function unit 120 and the fax communication unit 140 do not operate at the same time when the fax transmission function is requested. That is, the control unit 160 waits for the completion of the operations of the image reading unit 10 and the ADF 20 to start the operation of the fax communication unit 140. In this case, the fax communication unit 140 corresponds to an example of the "second function unit".

Further, in the simultaneous operation prohibition mode, the control unit 160 controls the fax communication unit 140 and the second function unit 130 so that they do not operate at the same time when the fax reception function is requested. That is, the control unit 160 waits for the completion of the operation of the fax communication unit 140, and then starts the operation of the image forming unit 30 and the paper feeding unit 40. In this case, the fax communication unit 140 corresponds to an example of the first functional unit.

Further, in the simultaneous operation prohibition mode, the control unit 160 controls so that the first function unit 120 and the network communication unit 145 do not operate at the same time when the scan function is requested. That is, the control unit 160 waits for the completion of the operations of the image reading unit 10 and the ADF 20 to start the operation of the network communication unit 145. In this case, the network communication unit 145 corresponds to an example of the "second function unit".

In the simultaneous operation permission mode, the above-mentioned restrictions on the control unit 160 are released.

Next, the time zone control in which simultaneous operation is prohibited will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9. FIG. 9 is a time chart showing an example of a time zone in which simultaneous operation is prohibited.

As shown in FIG. 9, the control unit 160 stores the history of the number of times of detecting a power supply abnormality within a unit time in the storage unit 170. FIG. 9 illustrates a 24-hour history of a particular day. The control unit 160 obtains a time zone in which the number of detections of power supply abnormality is larger than the threshold value from the history stored in the storage unit 170, and sets a prohibition mode for simultaneous operation in the obtained time zone. The control unit 160 can set a prohibition mode for simultaneous operation even in the same time zone after the next day.

According to the embodiment, there is provided an image forming apparatus 100 capable of suppressing the occurrence of malfunction even when the power supply environment deteriorates. As a result, the downtime of the image forming apparatus 100 is reduced. In addition, the effect of suppressing the spread of adverse effects on other devices can also be obtained.

The embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be implemented in various aspects without departing from the gist thereof. In addition, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining the plurality of components disclosed in the above embodiments. For example, some components may be removed from all the components shown in the embodiments. The drawings are schematically shown mainly for each component for easy understanding, and the number of each component shown may differ from the actual one due to the convenience of drawing. Further, each component shown in the above embodiment is an example, and is not particularly limited, and various modifications can be made without substantially deviating from the effect of the present invention.

In the embodiment, the image forming apparatus 100 is an electrophotographic system. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the image forming apparatus 100 may be an inkjet method.

Further, in the simultaneous operation prohibition mode, the control unit 160 may control so that the drive times of the motors do not overlap when a function for driving a large number of motors is required. In this case, one motor corresponds to an example of the "first functional unit", and another motor corresponds to an example of the "second functional unit".

The present invention can be used in the field of image forming apparatus.

10 Image reader 20 ADF (Automatic document feeder)
30 Image forming unit 40 Paper feeding unit 100 Image forming device 120 1st function unit 130 2nd function unit 140 Fax communication unit 145 Network communication unit 150 Detection unit 151 Zero cross circuit 153 Noise extraction circuit 160 Control unit 170 Storage unit VIN Power supply voltage

Claims (10)

The first functional unit having the first function and
A second functional unit having a second function different from the first function,
A detector that detects abnormalities in the power supply voltage and
An image forming apparatus including a control unit that controls the first function unit and the second function unit so that they do not operate at the same time when the number of times the abnormality is detected within a unit time is larger than a threshold value. The first functional unit includes an image reading unit and an automatic document feeding unit.
The second functional unit includes an image forming unit and a paper feeding unit.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The first functional unit includes a network communication unit.
The second functional unit includes an image forming unit and a paper feeding unit.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The first functional unit includes an image reading unit and an automatic document feeding unit.
The second functional unit includes a fax communication unit.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The first functional unit includes a fax communication unit.
The second functional unit includes an image forming unit and a paper feeding unit.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The first functional unit includes an image reading unit and an automatic document feeding unit.
The second functional unit includes a network communication unit.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The detector is
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a zero-cross circuit for detecting the zero-cross signal width of the power supply voltage. The detector is
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a noise extraction circuit that extracts noise superimposed on the power supply voltage. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising a storage unit that stores a history of the number of times the abnormality is detected. According to claim 9, the control unit obtains a time zone in which the abnormality is detected frequently from the history, and controls the first function unit and the second function unit so as not to operate at the same time in the time zone. The image forming apparatus described.

Images