JP2000250277A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To simplify actual operation of an insulation and pressure resistance testing process carried out in factories. SOLUTION: In this image forming device, an AC plug 180 feeding power to a heater driving part 175, a relay 173 installed in a path from the AC plug 180 to the heater driving part 175 and connecting and shutting off the feeding of power from the AC plug 180 to the heater driving part 175 by a mechanism that maintains state of connection for the power feeding from the AC plug 180 to the heater driving part 175 by having a specified current fed, a door switch 135 controlling the feeding of a specified current to the relay 173 in unison with opening/closing of a door 136 to make access to an image forming part and an outside interface connector 185 provided in parallel with the door switch, to feed specified current from an outside device to the relay 173, are provided.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus having an interlock mechanism for opening and closing an operation door.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional image forming apparatus, an operation door for handling a paper jam or the like is arranged in the apparatus, and the inside of the apparatus can be accessed by opening the door. And by opening the operation door,
When the operator can contact the AC power supply unit, the fixing of the AC power supply unit via a relay connected so as to be shut off by opening the door is performed to ensure the safety of the operator. An interlock mechanism for supplying / cutting power to a heater or the like is used.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the configuration. 132 is a power switch, 134 is a DC power supply, 135 is a door switch, 1
36 is an operation door, 173 is a relay, 174 is a fixing heater, 175 is a heater driving unit, 180 is an AC plug, 18
Reference numerals 2 and 183 denote relay connectors on the relay control path. Here, when a current is flowing through the coil portion,
It is a normally-off type relay that keeps the current contacts connected. A control signal from a not-shown apparatus sequence control section is connected to the heater driving section, and the heater driving section is configured by an SSR or the like for turning off and on the energization of the fixing heater in accordance with the apparatus control state.

[0004] AC power is supplied to the AC plug 180,
When the power switch 132 is in the connected (on) state, DC
The power supply 134 outputs a predetermined DC voltage. Here, a voltage that can operate the coil unit is output to a terminal connected to the coil unit of the relay 173 via the door switch 135. When the operation door 136 is closed, the door switch 135 is connected (ON), and a predetermined voltage is applied to the coil portion of the relay 173. As a result, a predetermined current flows through the coil unit, so that the current contact of the relay is in a connected state, an AC voltage is applied to the heater driving unit 175, and the fixing heater 174 can be driven. When the operation door 136 is opened, the door switch 135 is turned off and the relay 17
The energization to the coil part 3 is also cut off. As a result, the application of the AC voltage to the heater driving unit 175 and the fixing heater 174 is also shut off, and even if the vicinity of the fixing unit is touched during an operation such as a paper jam in the fixing unit, there is a danger that the operator may get an electric shock. Can be reliably avoided.

[0005]

In the production process of the image forming apparatus of the system shown in FIG. 3, there is a withstand voltage test process as a process that requires inspection. In this step, a predetermined high voltage is applied between one end of the AC plug and the device frame GND to check the insulation of the device, and is a test which is an essential item in each country's safety standards. At the time of this test, all primary circuits such as a power switch need to be in an on state.
In the device of the system shown in FIG.
One end of the C plug 180 is connected to the device GND, and a predetermined voltage is applied. At this time, the relay 173 needs to be turned on, but the DC power supply 134 cannot be operated. Therefore, the relay connectors 181 and 182 inserted in the relay control path are disconnected, an external power supply device is connected to the connector 181, and the test is performed with a predetermined voltage applied to turn on the relay coil. And other measures are needed. In such a process, after removing the exterior panel, pulling out the relay connector inside the device, attaching the exterior panel, connecting to external equipment and conducting a test,
The exterior panel is removed, the connector is reconnected, and the exterior panel is reassembled, resulting in a complicated work process.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to simplify the actual work of a dielectric strength test process performed in a factory or the like.

[0007]

According to the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus, comprising: a power supply unit for supplying power to an image forming drive unit; and a power supply unit provided in a path from the power supply unit to the image formation drive unit. A switch for connecting / disconnecting the power supply from the power supply unit to the image forming drive unit by a mechanism for maintaining the power supply from the power supply unit in a connected state by supplying a current; and accessing the image forming unit. Door switch means for controlling the supply of the predetermined current to the switch means in conjunction with opening and closing of the door for opening and closing, and the door switch means is provided in parallel with the door switch means, and the predetermined current is supplied from an external device to the switch means. It is characterized by having external interface means for supplying.

[0008]

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 2 shows an outline view of a color image forming apparatus showing an embodiment of the present invention. 20
Reference numeral 1 denotes an image scanner which reads a document and performs digital signal processing. Reference numeral 200 denotes a printer unit, which prints a document image read by the image scanner 201 or an image corresponding to image data sent from an external device such as a computer (not shown) in full color on paper.

In the image scanner unit 201, 20
Reference numeral 2 denotes a document pressing plate, and the document 20 on the platen glass 203
4 is pressed against the platen glass 203. Platen glass 20
3 is irradiated with light from a halogen lamp 205. The reflected light from the original is guided to mirrors 206 and 207, and a three-line sensor (hereinafter referred to as CC) is
D) Form an image on 210. The lens 208 is provided with a far-infrared cut filter 231.

The CCD 210 separates light information from a document into colors to obtain full-color information red (R), green (G),
The blue (B) component is read and sent to the signal processing unit 209. Note that 205 and 206 are speed V and 207 is １ ／.
The entire original is scanned by mechanically moving the line sensor in the vertical direction (hereinafter, the sub-scanning direction) with respect to the electrical operation direction of the line sensor (hereinafter, the main scanning direction).

Reference numeral 211 denotes a standard white plate, which generates correction data of read data by the R, G, and B sensors 210-1 to 210-3. The standard white plate has substantially uniform reflection characteristics from visible light to infrared light, and has a white color when visible. Using this standard white plate, R, G, B
The output data of the visible sensors of the sensors 210-1 to 210-3 is corrected (shading). Reference numeral 230 denotes an optical sensor, together with the flag plate 229, an image tip signal VTOP.
Generate

The image signal converted into an electric signal is transmitted to the image processing unit 2.
At 09, the following processing is performed according to the flow shown in FIG. The signal from the CCD is converted into digital data in the A / D & S / H section 410, and the shading correction section 411 and the input masking section 412 correct the image data. During the scaling operation, the scaling unit 413 performs the scaling process. Next, a LOG conversion unit 414 replaces the RGB data with magenta (M), cyan (C), and yellow (Y) data, and enters a compression / decompression unit 415 that compresses, stores, and decompresses image data. The stored image data is read out in synchronization with each color of a printer described later, and is subjected to a masking process by a masking / UCR unit 416. Then, the γ correction unit 417 and the edge enhancement unit 418 perform M, C, Y , Black (K) output image data,
To send to. Here, for one original scan in the image scanner unit 201, one component of M, C, Y, and K is sent to the printer unit 200, and one printout is completed by a total of four original scans. .

Next, the operation of the printer section 200 will be described. An image signal sent from an external device such as the scanner unit 201 or a computer (not shown) is sent to the image writing timing control circuit 101. The image writing timing control circuit 101 modulates and drives the semiconductor laser 102 in accordance with magenta (M), cyan (C), yellow (Y), and black (K) image signals. The laser light is reflected by the polygon mirror 103 rotating by the polygon motor 106, fθ corrected by the fθ lens 104 by the f-θ lens 104, and reflected by the return mirror 216.
And scans on the photosensitive drum 105. Since the photosensitive drum 105 is uniformly charged in advance by the primary charger 242, the photosensitive drum 10
5, an electrostatic latent image is formed. Magenta (M) 219, cyan (C) 220, yellow (Y) 221 and black (K) 222 developing units are provided around the photoconductor 105, and four developing units are provided while the photosensitive drum 105 rotates four times. Containers alternately contact the photosensitive drum 105,
Develop with toner corresponding to the M, C, Y, K electrostatic latent images formed above. On the other hand, the paper 9 fed and conveyed from the paper feeding units 224 and 225 is charged on the suction side by a suction charging blade 245 connected to a suction high pressure generating unit (not shown) at a timing synchronized with image formation on the photosensitive drum side. Is electrostatically attracted to the transfer drum 108 on which the transfer is performed. Then, at a transfer position 246, the photosensitive drum 10 is transferred by a transfer charging blade 240 connected to a transfer high-voltage generating unit (not shown).
The image is transferred by being charged so as to transfer the toner while being pushed up to the fifth side. After the image forming and transfer operations are repeated four times, the paper 9 separated from the transfer drum 108 is heated and fixed on the paper 9 by the fixing device 226 to be printed out. Here, the cleaner 241 cleans, from the photosensitive drum 105, residual toner that has not been completely transferred, or toner of various control specific patches that are formed on the photosensitive drum but do not transfer. Reference numeral 3010 denotes a reflective optical sensor for protecting the cleaner. The AC power supply line 131 is a power switch 1 for interrupting / connecting power supply from the AC.
32. A DC power supply 134 that converts the supplied AC power to DC power and supplies power is connected to each unit and supplies a predetermined current. Reference numeral 136 denotes a door, and by opening the door, it is possible to make contact with a movable mechanism such as the above-described paper feeding and conveying system and the image forming system. A door switch 135 that opens and closes by opening and closing the door is inserted in a power supply path from the DC power supply 134 to a control unit such as a drive source. 17
Reference numeral 4 denotes a fixing heater disposed inside the fixing device 226, and 175
Is a heater driving unit, and 173 is a relay that cuts off and connects current to the heater driving unit.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention. 132 is a power switch, 134 is a DC power supply, 135 is a door switch, 136 is an operation door, 173 is a relay, 174 is a fixing heater, 175 is a heater driving unit, 180 is an AC plug, 183 and 184 are rectifying elements, and 185 is This is an external I / F connector arranged on the exterior surface of the device. Reference numeral 189 denotes an external power supply device separate from the image forming apparatus. Here, the relay 173 is a normally-off type relay that keeps a current contact in a connected state when a current flows through the coil portion.
A control signal from a not-shown apparatus sequence control section is connected to the heater driving section, and the heater driving section is configured by an SSR or the like for turning off and on the energization of the fixing heater in accordance with the apparatus control state.

In a normal operation state, the AC plug 1
When AC power is supplied to 80 and the power switch 132 is in the connected (on) state, the DC power supply 134 outputs a predetermined DC voltage. Here, a voltage that can operate the coil unit is output to a terminal connected to the coil unit of the relay 173 via the door switch 135. When the operation door 136 is closed, the door switch 1
35 is connected (on), and a predetermined voltage is applied to the coil portion of the relay 173 via the rectifier 183. As a result, a predetermined current flows through the coil unit via the rectifying element 183, so that the current contact of the relay is connected, and an AC voltage is applied to the heater driving unit 175.
The driving of the fixing heater 174 becomes possible. Then, when the operation door 136 is opened, the door switch 135 is turned off, and the power supply to the coil portion of the relay 173 is also cut off. Thus, the application of the AC voltage to the heater driving unit 175 and the fixing heater 174 is also cut off. At this time, the external power supply 189 is not connected to the external I / F 185. Since no voltage is output to the external I / F 185 by the action of the rectifying element 184, it is possible to avoid the danger of accidental external short circuit and the like.

At the time of the withstand voltage test in the production process, the withstand voltage tester is connected to one end of the AC plug 180 and the device GBD, and applies a predetermined voltage. At this time, external I /
The external power device 189 is connected to F185. The external power supply 189 outputs a predetermined voltage for operating the relay coil between both terminals of the external I / F 185. When a predetermined current flows through the coil portion via the rectifying element 183, the current contact of the relay is connected. Thereby, the measurement of the dielectric strength test becomes possible. At this time, the rectifying element 183
By preventing the current from flowing into the DC power supply 134 side, the problem such as destruction of the DC power supply can be avoided.

In this embodiment, one set of the fixing heater and its driving circuit have been described as the AC load. However, the requirements of the present invention are not limited to this configuration. The same effect can be obtained in a configuration using a DC power supply other than the DC power supply 134.

(Second Embodiment) In the first embodiment, a system in which an external I / F connector is independently arranged for relay control has been described. In the second embodiment, an external I / F for connecting an existing device option is used. An example common to the F connector will be described.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a color image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. This is a system in which a paper deck 300 is connected as a paper feeding option to the apparatus described in detail in the first embodiment. Such an optional device is manufactured separately from the image forming apparatus main body 200, and is installed and connected by a service person at a user's site. A paper deck is a general device used to increase the number of supplied sheets. Is an optional device. Image forming apparatus main body 2
00 is the same as that described in detail in the first embodiment.

The configuration inside the paper deck 300 is 30
1 is a lifter, 302 is a sheet, 303 is a pickup roller, 304 is a pickup solenoid, 305 is a conveyance roller, 306 is a conveyance motor, 307 is a lifter motor,
Reference numeral 08 denotes a paper surface sensor, the control signals of which are transmitted to the deck side I / F connector 191 and the main body side I / F connector 1.
It is connected to a main body control sequence processing unit (not shown) via 91.

In the operation of the paper deck, the pickup solenoid 304 is driven in accordance with the sheet feeding timing in the other sheet feeding section, and the pickup roller 303 is brought into contact with the uppermost sheet 302 on which the pickup roller 303 is loaded. Transport motor 3
The pickup roller 303 to which the rotation drive is transmitted from 06 transfers the uppermost sheet 302 toward the transport roller 305. The sheet is transported in the direction of the transport roller 305 to which the rotation drive is transmitted from the transport motor 306. Transport motor 30
The transport roller 305 to which the rotation drive is transmitted from the transport roller 6 transports the transported paper 302 to the main body paper transport path, thereby enabling paper transport to the main body. Further, when the sheet surface detected by the sheet surface sensor 308 cannot be detected due to the lowering due to the sheet feeding operation, the lifter motor 307 is driven, the lifter 301 is raised, and the lifter motor 307 is detected when the sheet surface sensor 308 detects the sheet surface. 307 is stopped. This repetition enables a continuous paper feeding operation. These controls are performed by a main body control sequence processing unit (not shown) via the deck side I / F connector 191 and the main body side I / F connector 191.

FIG. 6 shows the configuration of the embodiment when the paper deck 300 is connected. 132 is a power switch, 134 is DC
Power supply, 135 is a door switch, 136 is an operation door, 1
73 is a relay, 174 is a fixing heater, 175 is a heater drive unit, 180 is an AC plug, 183 and 184 are rectifying elements, and 190 is an external I / F connector arranged on the exterior surface of the apparatus. 191 is an I / F connector on the deck side,
Reference numeral 300 denotes a paper deck. A control line of the paper deck via the deck side I / F connector 191 and the main body side I / F connector 190 is connected to a main body control sequence processing unit (not shown). The deck-side I / F connector 191 and the main-body-side I / F connector 190 use connectors that can be easily attached and detached. Here, in addition to the deck control signal, two signal lines connected to the rectifying element 184 and GND are connected to the main body side I / F connector 190. On the other hand, on the deck side I / F connector 191 side, the pins facing the two signal lines connected to the rectifying element 184 and GND are not connected. The operation of the relay by opening and closing the door at this time is the same as that described in detail in the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 shows the configuration of the embodiment when the external power supply 189 is connected. 132 is a power switch, 134 is a DC power supply, 135 is a door switch, 136 is an operation door, 17
3 is a relay, 174 is a fixing heater, 175 is a heater driving unit, 180 is an AC plug, 183 and 184 are rectifying elements,
Reference numeral 190 denotes an external I / F connector arranged on the exterior surface of the device. Reference numeral 192 denotes an I / F connector on the side of the external power supply, and 189 denotes an external power supply. The control line of the paper deck via the main body side I / F connector 190 is connected to a main body control sequence processing unit (not shown). External power supply device side I / F connector 192 and main body side I / F connector 19
1 uses a connector that can be easily attached and detached. Here, besides the deck control signal, two signal lines connected to the rectifying element 184 and GND are connected to the main body side I / F connector 190. On the other hand, I /
On the F connector 192 side, the pins facing the deck control signal lines are not connected. The operation of the relay by the external power supply at this time is the same as that described in detail in the first embodiment.

At the time of the withstand voltage test in the production process, the withstand voltage tester is connected to one end of the AC plug 180 and the device GND, and applies a predetermined voltage. At this time, external I /
The I / F connector 192 of the external power supply 189 is connected to the F connector 190. External power supply device 189 is external I / F
A predetermined voltage for operating the relay coil is output between both terminals 190 and 192. Rectifier element 183 in coil part
When a predetermined current flows through the relay, the current contact of the relay is connected. Thereby, the measurement of the dielectric strength test becomes possible. Further, at this time, by the action of the rectifying element 183, the current is prevented from flowing into the DC power supply 134 side, thereby avoiding a problem such as destruction of the DC power supply.

In this embodiment, a paper deck has been described as an example of an external optional device. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and may be connected to an image forming apparatus such as a document feeding option and a paper collating option. A similar effect can be obtained in a configuration using optional devices.

[0026]

According to the present invention, a power supply means for supplying power to the image forming drive section and a predetermined current are provided in a path from the power supply means to the image forming drive section. A switch for connecting / disconnecting power supply from the power supply unit to the image forming drive unit by a mechanism for maintaining the power supply unit in a connected state, and interlocking with opening and closing of a door for accessing the image forming unit. Door switch means for controlling the supply of the predetermined current to the switch means, provided in parallel with the door switch means,
By providing an external interface means for supplying the predetermined current to the switch means from an external device,
It is possible to simplify the actual work of the dielectric strength test process performed in a factory or the like.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the contents of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an outline of an apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a conventional example.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a flow of an image processing unit of the apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an outline of an apparatus according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an outline of an operation of the apparatus according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an outline of a device test of a second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 132 Power switch 134 DC power supply 135 Door switch 136 Operation door 173 Relay 174 Fixing heater 175 Heater driving unit 180 AC plug 183, 184 Rectifying element 185 External I / F connector arranged on the exterior surface of the device

Claims (7)

[Claims] A power supply unit for supplying power to the image forming drive unit; a power supply unit provided in a path from the power supply unit to the image formation drive unit; Switch means for connecting / disconnecting power supply from the power supply means to the image forming drive unit by a mechanism for maintaining the power supply in a connected state, and interlocking with opening and closing of a door for accessing the image forming unit, Door switch means for controlling supply of the predetermined current to the switch means; and external interface means provided in parallel with the door switch means for supplying the predetermined current from an external device to the switch means. Image forming apparatus. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the power switch is a relay. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said external interface means is detachable. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an external interface with another external device and the external interface unit are shared. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the external device is a paper feeding device. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the external device is a document supply device. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the external device is a paper collating device.