EP0604377B1 - Bilderzeugungsvorrichtung mit einem Mechanismus zur Verhinderung von Taubildung - Google Patents

Bilderzeugungsvorrichtung mit einem Mechanismus zur Verhinderung von Taubildung Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0604377B1
EP0604377B1 EP19930830514 EP93830514A EP0604377B1 EP 0604377 B1 EP0604377 B1 EP 0604377B1 EP 19930830514 EP19930830514 EP 19930830514 EP 93830514 A EP93830514 A EP 93830514A EP 0604377 B1 EP0604377 B1 EP 0604377B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
hour
image forming
forming apparatus
timer
time
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP19930830514
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0604377A2 (de
EP0604377A3 (de
Inventor
Michiro C/O Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Koike
Hiroshi C/O Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Ogawa
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Canon Inc
Original Assignee
Canon Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Canon Inc filed Critical Canon Inc
Publication of EP0604377A2 publication Critical patent/EP0604377A2/de
Publication of EP0604377A3 publication Critical patent/EP0604377A3/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0604377B1 publication Critical patent/EP0604377B1/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
    • G03G15/50—Machine control of apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern, e.g. regulating differents parts of the machine, multimode copiers, microprocessor control
    • G03G15/5004—Power supply control, e.g. power-saving mode, automatic power turn-off
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J29/00—Details of, or accessories for, typewriters or selective printing mechanisms not otherwise provided for
    • B41J29/377—Cooling or ventilating arrangements
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G21/00—Arrangements not provided for by groups G03G13/00 - G03G19/00, e.g. cleaning, elimination of residual charge
    • G03G21/20—Humidity or temperature control also ozone evacuation; Internal apparatus environment control
    • G03G21/203—Humidity

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an image forming apparatus utilizing the electrostatic transfer process, such as an electrostatic copying machine, an electrophotographic printer and the like.
  • a dew sensor is provided, even when the dew is added to the elements of the image forming apparatus in a condition that the power source is turned OFF in the night, after the power source is turned ON, if the dew is detected by the dew sensor, heat devices are operated, and a copying operation is indibited until the dew is eliminated.
  • a waiting time period from a time when the power source is turned ON to a time when the dew is disappeared cannot be exactly grasped, unlike to the warming-up time for heating a fixing roller in the typical image forming apparatus.
  • JP-A-55 021 020 describes a heater control circuit in copying machines in which the period and time for supplying electric power to a heater circuit, having anti-dewing heaters and to a heater circuit having an auxiliary fixing heater, are conntrolled by controlling a timer control circuit in order to open and close the timer switches of the circuits. This enables a saving of power in the non-use periods of the heaters and prevention of fire risk and degradation of performance.
  • An object of the present invention is to reduce the electric power consumption by disconnecting or interrupting a power source from a dew preventing heater means when an image forming apparatus is not being used.
  • the other object of the present invention is to facilitate the operation for saving the electric power.
  • the present invention provides an image forming apparatus having a dew preventing mechanism, comprising: an electrophotographic photosensitive member; heat generating means for applying heat to said photosensitive member; a power source for powering the apparatus; control means for controlling an operation of said heat generating means; an operation panel for setting an operation hour of said control means; timer means to control said heating generating means by setting a time period in said timer means (54) extending from the turning OFF at the job closing hour to the turning ON at the next job starting hour of the power source of the image forming apparatus, comprising a MPU unit having a clock function which controls the turning ON of said heating generating means (16), and
  • Fig. 1 shows an internal construction of a microprocessor unit for controlling a copying apparatus according to the present invention.
  • the microprocessor unit (MPU) 50 includes an operating portion (CPU) 51 having calculation and judgement functions, a treatment program storing read only memory (ROM) 52, a data storing random access memory (RAM) 53, and input and output ports for sending and receiving signals with respect to external devices. Further, a timer IC 54 is incorporated in the MPU 50 so that the timer can be set by command. Since the fundamental operation of the MPU 50 is already known, the explanation thereof will be omitted.
  • Fig. 2 shows a flow chart for general copying machines.
  • the initialization such as main switch ON reset and the setting of an operation mode of the MPU 50, and then the initial check routine is carried out.
  • this initial check routine first of all, the presence/absence of toner, a transfer sheet and the like is checked, and then, if a mirror support and a sheet supply deck are not positioned in a predetermined condition, the mirror support and the sheet supply deck are set to the initial condition by driving motors, clutches and the like.
  • a waiting condition is continued until the fixing means reaches a predetermined temperature, and, by detecting the temperature and humidity, a voltage applied to a charge means and bias potential for a photosensitive member are set.
  • the number of copy sheets and a copy mode are set, and, when a start switch is turned ON, a copy process including the known charging, exposure, transferring, electricity removal and fixing is performed, during which the abnormity in the copy sequence control, sheet jam, opening/closing of a safety switch and the like are always checked.
  • the copy process is completed, the counter date is checked.
  • the program is returend to the initial check routine for preparing for the next copy start.
  • the operation of heat devices for the photosensitive drum and mirrors, lens and the like are controlled by the CPU 51 and the program timer 54. That is to say, as the heat devices, a cylindrical face-shaped heater mounted in the photosensitive drum and a cement resistor arranged in the proximity of the mirrors and lens are used and are appropriately arranged.
  • the photosensitive drum 3 comprises a cylinder 10, left and right flanges 12L, 12R secured to both ends of the cylinder 10 and interconnected by an inner stay 11, and left and right bearings 15L, 15R attached to left and right shafts 13L, 13R protruded from the flanges 12L, 12R, and is rotatably supported by a process unit by fitting the bearings 15L, 15R into left and right support plates 6L, 6R of a case 2 of the process unit.
  • a face-shaped heater 16 is arranged along an inner peripheral surface of the cylinder 10 of the photosensitive drum 3, and a temperature control substrate 17 which receives the electric power via an electrode 19 is connected to the face-shaped heater 16.
  • Sliding end portions 19a, 19b protruded from the electrode 19 are slidingly contacted with two rings 7a, 7b of a slip ring 7 (Figs. 6A and 6B) secured to the process unit so that the electric power can be applied to the heater 16 even when the photosensitive drum 3 is being rotated.
  • an operation panel portion of the copying apparatus is provided with various set keys (as in the conventional copying machine), a timer set key 95 for setting a time period so that the heat device is turned ON again after a predetermined time period (t1) from OFF of the main switch is elapsed, a seven segment display device 72 capable of displaying a numeral value and English characters and adapted to display a timer set time, as well as the number of copy sheets (as in the conventional copying machine), and up and down keys 96, 97 for altering and/or designating the timer set value and the like.
  • the MPU 50 sends the command to the program timer IC 54, thereby setting the timer function.
  • Fig. 3 is a timing chart showing the operation timing of the copying apparatus as mentioned above.
  • the operator before the copying apparatus is stopped for a long time from the closing hour, the operator, by using the operation panel, sets a time period (t 1 ) in fig. 3, to be elapsed from the present hour, such that the heat device is turned ON a predetermined time period (t 2 in fig. 3) before the next starting hour (for example the tomorrow hour).
  • This time period t 2 is appropriately a time period longer than the time period during which the dew (if generated) is disappeared in the copying apparatus by action of the heating device.
  • the operator can obtain copies with correct images in a shorter time with respect to the time to wait for having the dew eliminated.
  • the heat device for the photosensitive drum can be turned OFF, unlike to conventional copying machines. This considerably improves the saving of energy and ensures high safety, since the heat device is not being operated when monitoring is lacking.
  • the time period is input elapsing from the job closing hour to immediately before the next starting hour.
  • Such input operation May effected as follows.
  • the operator can set the timer by previously inputting to the operation panel the next jop starting hour before the main switch is turned OFF at the job closing hour.
  • a time period is set to the timer which is obtained by subtracting from the above time difference an appropriate time period longer than a minimum time period extended from when the heat device is turned ON to when the dew has disappeared, and that this is input in the memory of the MPU, the same technical effect can achieved as that of the first embodiment.
  • the operator since the initiation of the operation of the heat device can be inputted on terms of hour, which is unlike to the first described embodiment, the operator does not have to set the timer on the basis of a quantity expressed as time period extended from the job closing hour to the next starting hour. This improves operability. Further, in this embodiment, by arranging so that the contents set in the timer are inputted to the RAM of the MPU, it is not necessary to input every time the hour when the heat device is to be turned ON, since it is sufficient that only the timer set key 95 is actuated.
  • the heater for removing humidity and preventing dew is turned OFF substantially at the same time as is turned OFF the main switch of the image forming apparatus, and since there is provided an operation key for setting the hour for starting the operation of the heater, and since further the heater is controlled by means of the operation key to be turned ON again after the predetermined time period, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus of high safety and in which it is possible to avoid wasting of electric power for driving the heater by night.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Atmospheric Sciences (AREA)
  • Biodiversity & Conservation Biology (AREA)
  • Ecology (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Environmental Sciences (AREA)
  • Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
  • Control Or Security For Electrophotography (AREA)
  • Accessory Devices And Overall Control Thereof (AREA)

Claims (6)

  1. Bilderzeugungsgerät mit einem Mechanismus zum Verhindern von Tau mit folgendem:
    einem elektrofotografischen lichtempfindlichen Element (3);
    einer Wärmeerzeugungseinrichtung (16) zum Aufbringen von Wärme auf das lichtempfindliche Element;
    einer Energiequelle zum Betreiben des Geräts;
    einer Steuereinrichtung (50) zum Steuern eines Betriebs der Wärmeerzeugungseinrichtung, wobei die Steuereinrichtung eine Zeitabstimmungseinrichtung (54) hat, um die Wärmeerzeugungseinrichtung (16) durch ein Festsetzen einer Zeitdauer in der Zeitabstimmungseinrichtung (54) zu steuern, die sich von dem Abschalten zu dem Beendigungszeitpunkt eines Auftrags bis zu dem Anschalten zu dem nächsten Startzeitpunkt des Auftrags der Energiequelle des Bilderzeugungsgeräts erstreckt;
    einem Bedienfeld (70) zum Festsetzen eines Betriebszeitpunkts der Steuereinrichtung;
    dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Steuereinrichtung eine MPU Einheit (52) mit einer Taktfunktion hat, die das Anschalten der Wärmeerzeugungseinrichtung (16) steuert, wobei
    a) zu einem gegenwärtigen Zeitpunkt, bevor die Energiequelle zu dem Beendigungszeitpunkt des Auftrags abgeschaltet wird, der nächste Startzeitpunkt des Auftrags in die MPU Einheit (52) eingegeben werden kann, wobei der nächste Startzeitpunkt auf einer Anzeige (72) auf dem Bedienfeld anzeigbar ist; und
    b) in der Zeitabstimmungseinrichtung (54) eine erste Zeitdauer mit einer Länge festsetzbar ist, die sich von dem gegenwärtigen Zeitpunkt zu einem Zeitpunkt erstreckt, der um eine zweite Zeitdauer vor dem nächsten Startzeitpunkt liegt, wobei die zweite Zeitdauer ausreichend ist, um ein Verschwinden von Tau vor dem nächsten Startzeitpunkt zu erzeugen, so daß das Festsetzen der Zeitabstimmung und das Eingeben des nächsten Startzeitpunkts durch eine Betätigung von dem Bedienfeld ausgeführt werden.
  2. Bilderzeugungsgerät nach Anspruch 1, bei dem das Festsetzen der Zeitabstimmung durch die MPU bei einem Drücken der Zeitabstimmungstaste auf dem Bedienfeld durch die Betriebsabläufe bewirkt wird, bei denen die erste zeitlänge und dann die Differenz errechnet wird, die durch ein Subtrahieren der zweiten vorbestimmten Zeitlänge (t2) von der ersten Zeitlänge erhalten wird, und die Differenz der Zeitabstimmung eingegeben wird.
  3. Bilderzeugungsgerät nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, bei dem ein Startzeitpunkt der Wärmeerzeugungseinrichtung (16) als eine Festsetzzeit auf dem Bedienfeld (70) festgesetzt wird, bevor die Energiequelle des Bilderzeugungsgeräts für eine lange Ruhezeit abgeschaltet wird, wodurch die Steuereinrichtung (50) mit dieser Zeitabstimmung betrieben und keine elektrische Energie der Wärmeerzeugungseinrichtung zugeführt wird, nachdem die Energiequelle abgeschaltet ist.
  4. Bilderzeugungsgerät nach einem der vorangegangenen Ansprüche, wobei der Zeitpunkt, zu dem der Betrieb der Wärmeerzeugungseinrichtung gestartet wird, durch ein Festsetzen des Zeitpunkts durch das Bedienfeld festgesetzt wird, wenn das Bilderzeugungsgerät verwendet wird.
  5. Bilderzeugungsgerät nach einem der vorangegangenen Ansprüche, wobei das Bedienfeld einen Anzeigeabschnitt hat, um den Zeitpunkt anzuzeigen, zu dem der Betrieb der Wärmeerzeugungseinrichtung gestartet wird.
  6. Verfahren nach Anspruch 5, bei dem der Anzeigeabschnitt eine numerische Flüssigkeitskristallanzeige ist.
EP19930830514 1992-12-25 1993-12-21 Bilderzeugungsvorrichtung mit einem Mechanismus zur Verhinderung von Taubildung Expired - Lifetime EP0604377B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP4346713A JPH06194902A (ja) 1992-12-25 1992-12-25 画像形成装置
JP346713/92 1992-12-25

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0604377A2 EP0604377A2 (de) 1994-06-29
EP0604377A3 EP0604377A3 (de) 1995-02-08
EP0604377B1 true EP0604377B1 (de) 1999-05-26

Family

ID=18385312

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19930830514 Expired - Lifetime EP0604377B1 (de) 1992-12-25 1993-12-21 Bilderzeugungsvorrichtung mit einem Mechanismus zur Verhinderung von Taubildung

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0604377B1 (de)
JP (1) JPH06194902A (de)
DE (1) DE69325084T2 (de)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2334232A (en) * 1998-02-17 1999-08-18 Hewlett Packard Co Heated air circulation in copiers

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS5521020A (en) * 1978-08-01 1980-02-14 Ricoh Co Ltd Heater control circuit in copying machine
JPS578552A (en) * 1980-06-19 1982-01-16 Canon Inc Image forming apparatus
JPS57168262A (en) * 1981-04-09 1982-10-16 Canon Inc Electrophotographic copying machine control system
JPS6163860A (ja) * 1984-09-04 1986-04-02 Fuji Xerox Co Ltd 複写機の結露防止装置

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE69325084T2 (de) 1999-11-18
EP0604377A2 (de) 1994-06-29
JPH06194902A (ja) 1994-07-15
DE69325084D1 (de) 1999-07-01
EP0604377A3 (de) 1995-02-08

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