JP2001066975A - Image forming device and control method for the device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To actuate a dew condensation preventing heater for preventing the occurrence of dew condensation in an optical system for an image reading part in a state where an image forming device main body is made in a power saving state, or in a state where a prescribed power source for the image forming device main body is turned off by inputting the control, as to the image forming device which is constituted so that the image reading part can be separated from a printing part, and also, to suppress the power consumption in this case. SOLUTION: A part of DC power generated by the DC power generating part 106 of the printing part 102 is supplied as an operating power source from a 1st output part 109, a 2nd output part 110 and a 3rd output part 111 to the dew condensation preventing heater 103, a control/driving part 104 and a load 105 which are installed in the image reading part 101 through power supply lines 115, 116 and 117, and in the case of a low power mode, the supply of the DC power to the load 105 is stopped by a printing control part 107, and in the case of the power source off mode, the supply of the DC power to the control/driving part 104 and the load 105 is stopped by the printing control part 107.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus provided with a heater and the like for preventing dew condensation in the apparatus, and a control method thereof.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a heat source (hereinafter, referred to as a dew condensation prevention heater) for preventing dew condensation on a mirror or a lens is mounted on an image reading section of a copying machine. This dew condensation prevention heater uses a main power supply supplied to the copying machine body as a power supply.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a main part of a conventional image forming apparatus (copier).
Reference numeral 3 denotes a dew condensation prevention heater. The dew condensation prevention heater 503 is connected to an AC power source serving as a main power supply of the copying machine main body.
01, power is supplied via a power switch 502. 5
An AC load 04 is supplied with power by switching a power switch 502, and includes a fixing heater 505, a DC power supply unit 506 for generating DC power, and the like.

[0004]

By the way, in the case where the image reading device and the printing device are separated from each other as seen in a recent digital copying machine or multifunction machine (hereinafter collectively referred to as a digital copying machine), the image reading device is required. The power of the apparatus is supplied with DC power generated by a power supply in the printing apparatus. Since it is difficult to supply the main power supply via the printing apparatus due to noise and safety problems, the power supply for the dew condensation prevention heater on the image reading apparatus also uses the power supply for the load system (heater, etc.) of the DC power supply. use.

On the other hand, in order to save power, a function to reduce the power consumption by cutting off the DC power supply except for a part of the control system, if the operation is not performed for a certain period of time or longer, is required. It is also common to have. The power off state in which the power switch, which has recently become mainstream, is a soft switch is the same as the power saving state.

As described above, if the DC power supply is used as the power supply for the dew condensation prevention heater, the dew condensation prevention heater does not function when the power is turned off or the power switch is turned off. In the power saving mode, the display must simply disappear even if the power is not turned off or the power is turned off, which is a problem in the flow of promoting power saving.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an image in which a dew condensation prevention heater functions when a power saving state or when a power switch is turned off and power consumption at this time is suppressed. It is an object to provide a forming apparatus and a control method thereof.

[0008]

The image forming apparatus and the control method thereof according to the present invention are configured as follows.

(1) In an image forming apparatus having a structure in which an image reading section and a printing section are separable, a DC power supply generating means and a part of the DC power supply generated by the DC power supply generating means are operated in the printing section. A power supply unit for supplying power to the image reading unit as power for use, and a control unit for controlling power supply to the image reading unit of DC power generated by the DC power generation unit, and the image reading unit includes The image forming apparatus has a dew condensation preventing unit driven by a DC power supply supplied from a printing unit to prevent the occurrence of dew condensation in an optical system of the image reading unit. DC power is supplied to the dew-condensation prevention means in a state where a predetermined power is turned off.

(2) In the image forming apparatus of the above (1), control for supplying and stopping supply of DC power to the dew condensation preventing means and control for supplying and stopping supply of DC power to other loads. Was done independently.

(3) In the image forming apparatus of the above (2), when the image forming apparatus main body is in a power saving state and in a state other than a state in which a predetermined power of the image forming apparatus main body is turned off by an operation input, the dew condensation preventing means is turned on. Is controlled so as to stop the supply of DC power.

(4) In the image forming apparatus of the above (2), the supply of DC power to the dew condensation preventing means is controlled to be stopped in an operation state in which the power consumption of the image forming apparatus main body increases.

(5) In a control method of an image forming apparatus having a structure in which an image reading section and a printing section are separable, a part of the DC power generated by the DC power generating means of the printing section is used as an operation power supply, and The DC power source is supplied to the reading unit, and the DC power generated by the DC power generation unit is controlled to supply power to the image reading unit. The DC power supplied from the printing unit causes the dew condensation in the optical system of the image reading unit. To prevent the image forming apparatus main body from supplying DC power to the dew condensation preventing means when the image forming apparatus main body is in a power saving state and the image forming apparatus main body is turned off by a predetermined power by an operation input. did.

(6) In the control method of the image forming apparatus of (5), the control for supplying and stopping the supply of the DC power to the dew condensation preventing means and the supply and the stop of the supply of the DC power to the other loads are performed. The control is performed independently of the control to be performed.

(7) In the method for controlling an image forming apparatus according to the above (6), dew condensation occurs in a state other than a state where the image forming apparatus main body is in a power saving state and a state where a predetermined power supply of the image forming apparatus main body is turned off by an operation input. Control is performed so that the supply of DC power to the prevention means is stopped.

(8) In the control method of the image forming apparatus according to the above (6), the supply of DC power to the dew condensation preventing means is controlled to be stopped in an operation state in which the power consumption of the image forming apparatus main body increases. did.

[0017]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS (First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 101 denotes an image reading unit;
Reference numeral 102 denotes a printing unit. The image reading unit 101 and the printing unit 102 have a separable structure.
Electrical connection to the printing unit 102 is made by a connection cable (power supply means) 120 including signal lines 116 and 117 and a signal line (not shown).

The image reading unit 101 includes a control / drive unit 10
4, a motor 105 driven by the control / drive unit 104, a load 105 such as a lamp, a dew condensation prevention heater (dew condensation prevention means) 103, and the like. The control / drive unit 104 is supplied with DC power via a power supply line 117 as a control power supply, and is supplied with DC power via a power supply line 116 as a drive power supply, and controls each device of the image reading unit 101. . The dew condensation prevention heater 103 generates heat when DC power is supplied through the power supply line 115, and prevents the dew condensation due to a sudden change in the environment by heating the surrounding mirrors and lenses (not shown).

The printing section 102 forms an image based on print data from the image reading section 101 and the like, and
A DC power generation unit (DC power generation unit) 106 that converts AC power supplied via the power supply 08 into DC power and supplies the DC power to each unit, a print control unit 107 that controls the operation of the printing unit 102, and the like. ing. DC power generation unit 106
An output unit 109, a second output unit 110, a third output unit 111,
The fourth output unit 112 includes four DC power output units.

The first output unit 109 supplies (outputs) power to the dew condensation prevention heater 103 of the image reading unit 101 via a power supply line 115. The second output unit 110 controls and drives the image reading unit 101 via the power supply line 116.
Power is supplied to the load 04, the load 105, and the loads (not shown) of the printing unit 102. The third output unit 111 controls and drives the image reading unit 101 via the power supply line 117.
04 is supplied with control power.

The fourth output 112 supplies power of a control system to the print control unit 107 via a power supply line 118.

The second output unit 110 and the third output unit 111 are controlled and driven by the ON / OFF signals output from the print control unit (control means) 107 via the power output control lines 114 and 121, respectively. The power supply to the unit 104 and the load 105 is ON / OFF controlled.

The print control unit 107 detects the state of the power switch 113 by constantly monitoring the switch signal output from the power switch 113 via the signal line 119.
The print control unit 107 switches the ON / OFF state of the apparatus every time the ON of the power switch 113 is detected. In other words, the second output unit 110 and third output unit 111
Control is performed so as to switch N / OFF.

FIG. 2 is a timing chart showing signal waveforms corresponding to changes in each operation state of the image forming apparatus described above.

As shown in FIG. 2, the print control unit 107 outputs an “H” state indicating that both the power output control lines 114 and 121 are ON in the standby mode, which is operable at any time during the image forming operation, and the power supply line 115. , 116, 11
Control is performed so that power is supplied by all of the steps 7 and 118.

If there is no operation for a certain period of time in the standby mode, the operation first shifts to the low power mode. This low power mode is a mode in which the power of the load system is cut to suppress the power consumption. The low power mode has low power consumption but aims to quickly return to the standby mode. In the low power mode, the power supply from the second output unit 110 to the load 105 is stopped by setting the power output control line 114 to “L” indicating OFF and maintaining the power output control line 121 to “H”.

The OFF mode is a mode in which power consumption is emphasized, and both of the power output control lines 114 and 121 are "L".
In this state, the power supply other than the power supply to the control system of the print control unit 107 by the fourth output unit 112 and the power supply to the dew condensation prevention heater 103 by the first output unit 109 is stopped. This OFF mode is the same state as when the apparatus state is turned off using the power switch 113.

When the power switch 113 is operated in the OFF mode, and the print control unit 107 finds "H" on the signal line 119, the print control unit 107 turns on the power to set the apparatus state to the ON state, that is, the standby mode. Control line 1
14 and 121 are set to "H" to start power supply by all output units.

The power supply stop control in each operation state of the above-described image forming apparatus will be briefly described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a power supply stop control operation according to the first embodiment. This operation is executed by a CPU (not shown) based on a program stored in a ROM (not shown).

In step S101, if it is in the standby state, it is confirmed in step S102 whether there is an operation input for a certain period of time. If there is no operation input, the operation shifts to the low power mode and the power supply to the load 105 is stopped. In step S101, if the mode is the OFF mode, the control
The power supply to the driving unit 104 and the load 105 is stopped.

When the power supply is stopped, power is supplied to the dew condensation prevention heater 103 and the print control unit 107.

As described above, in this embodiment, the low power mode,
In the OFF mode, the above-described power supply is stopped, and in this case, the power supply to the dew condensation prevention heater 103 is not stopped.
In addition, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of dew condensation on the mirror and the lens and to save power.

(Second Embodiment) In the first embodiment, a case has been described where power is always supplied from the first output unit 109 of FIG. 1 to the dew condensation prevention heater 103 via the power supply line 115. In the embodiment, a case will be described in which the power supply to the dew condensation prevention heater 103 is stopped in the standby state and in the image forming state.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment. It is to be noted that the same reference numerals are given to components that perform the same functions as those in FIG. 1, and description thereof will be omitted.

In FIG. 4, reference numeral 201 denotes an inverter which inverts the ON / OFF signal output from the print control unit 107. This inversion signal is input to a first output unit 203 provided with an output control function via a power output control line 202, and the first output unit 203 controls the dew condensation prevention heater 103.
ON / OFF control of power supply to the power supply is performed.

FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing signal waveforms according to the second embodiment. Changes in each signal with respect to changes in each operation state of the image forming apparatus having the above-described configuration will be described.

Except for the power supply to the dew condensation preventing heater 103 by the first output unit 203 controlled by the power output control line 202, it is the same as the first embodiment, and the description is omitted. As shown in FIG. 5, in the standby mode, the power supply control lines 11
4 is controlled to the “H” state, the power supply control line 202 serving as an inverted signal thereof changes to the “L” state, and the first output unit 203
The power supply to the dew condensation prevention heater 103 is stopped. When the mode shifts to the low power mode and in the OFF mode, the power supply line 202 for controlling the power supply control line 114 to the “L” state is set to the “H” state, and the first output unit 203 supplies the power to the condensation prevention heater 103. Power is supplied.

As described above, the difference from the first embodiment is that the power supply to the dew condensation prevention heater 103 is always performed in the first embodiment. However, in the present embodiment, the power is supplied to the standby mode and the image forming state. It is to stop.

By controlling in this way, the power consumption of the dew condensation prevention heater can be eliminated during the standby mode or during image formation while maintaining the power consumption of the first embodiment. And the power consumption can be reduced.

(Third Embodiment) FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a third embodiment. FIG.
Is a modified example of the configuration of FIG. 4 described in the second embodiment, and the components having the same functions as those of FIG.
I omit the explanation.

In FIG. 6, reference numeral 301 denotes a selection unit which supplies power supplied from the second output unit 302 when the ON / OFF signal input via the power output control line 114 is in the "H" state. Supply to the load 105 via line 116;
In the “L” state, the power supplied from the second output unit 302 is supplied to the dew condensation prevention heater 103 via the power supply line 115.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the first output unit 203 of FIG. 4 described in the second embodiment is eliminated, and the power supplied from the second output unit 302 is selectively used by using the selection unit 301. Since the power is supplied to the dew condensation preventing heater 103 and the load 105, the same effect as that of the second embodiment can be obtained.

(Fourth Embodiment) In this embodiment, the output of the first output section 203 is controlled independently of the second embodiment by using an inverted signal of the power supply output control line 114, but independently. A case where control is performed by a power supply output control line that can be performed will be described.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the fourth embodiment. The components having the same functions as those in FIG. 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

In FIG. 7, reference numeral 401 denotes a print control unit, which outputs an ON / OFF signal to the first output unit 203 via a power supply control line 402.

FIG. 8 is a timing chart showing signal waveforms according to the fourth embodiment.

As in the second embodiment, except for the control of the power supply to the dew condensation preventing heater 103 by the first output section 203, the description is omitted because it is the same as the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 8, the print control unit 401 controls the power output control line 402 to the “H” state in the standby mode, the low power mode, and the OFF mode, and turns on the power via the power supply line 115. The heater 103 is supplied to make the dew condensation prevention heater 103 function. The print control unit 401 sets the power supply control line 402 to the “L” state only during image formation, and stops the supply of power to the dew condensation prevention heater 103.

By doing so, the dew condensation preventing heater 103 can be stopped when the power consumption during image formation is maximized, while maintaining the power saving of the first embodiment. Of the total capacity of the heater 103
Irrespective of the existence of the power supply, the required capacity is sufficient, and at times other than when the power supply is formed, the effect of the dew condensation prevention heater 103 is used, so that the effect can be maximized.

As described above, in the first to fourth embodiments,
The DC power supply to the dew condensation prevention heater can be supplied / stopped independently of other DC power supplies, and DC power is supplied to the dew condensation prevention heater in a power saving state and a power OFF state by software control. In the power saving state or when the power is turned off, the dew condensation prevention heater is operated, and the power consumption is suppressed as the power required for the dew condensation prevention heater increases as compared to when the dew condensation prevention heater is not used.

Further, the DC power supplied to the dew condensation prevention heater is controlled to be stopped in a state other than the power saving state and the power OFF state by software control by turning off the power switch, and the DC power is supplied to the dew condensation prevention heater. By controlling the DC power supply to stop the supply in an operation state in which the power consumption of the device is large, it is possible to suppress an increase in power consumption during operation due to the attachment of the dew condensation prevention heater.

[0054]

As described above, according to the present invention,
When the image forming apparatus main body is in a power saving state or when the image forming apparatus main body is turned off at a predetermined power by an operation input, DC power is supplied to the dew condensation preventing means. Alternatively, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of dew condensation in the optical system of the image reading unit when the predetermined power is turned off by the operation input of the image forming apparatus main body, and the power consumption is reduced when the dew condensation preventing unit is not used. There is an effect that the amount of power required for the prevention means is suppressed only by an increase.

Further, since the supply of DC power to the dew condensation preventing means is controlled to be stopped in an operation state in which the power consumption of the image forming apparatus main body becomes large, the consumption by driving the dew condensation preventing means at that time is controlled. There is an effect that an increase in power can be suppressed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a main configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a timing chart showing signal waveforms according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a power supply stop control operation according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a main configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing signal waveforms according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a main configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a main configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a timing chart showing signal waveforms according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a main part of a conventional image forming apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 101 Image reading unit 102 Printing unit 103 Dew condensation prevention heater (condensation prevention unit) 104 Control / drive unit 105 Load 106 DC power generation unit (DC power generation unit) 107 Print control unit (control unit) 108 Main power supply line 109 First output Unit 110 Second output unit 111 Third output unit 112 Fourth output unit 113 Power switch 114 Power output control line 115 Power supply line 116 Power supply line 117 Power supply line 118 Power supply line 119 Signal line 120 Connection cable (power supply means )

Claims (8)

[Claims] An image forming apparatus having a structure in which an image reading unit and a printing unit can be separated from each other, wherein the printing unit includes a DC power generation unit, and a part of the DC power generation generated by the DC power generation unit. A power supply unit that supplies the image reading unit as an operation power supply, and a control unit that controls power supply to the image reading unit of the DC power generated by the DC power generation unit. The image forming apparatus further includes a dew condensation preventing unit driven by a DC power supply supplied from the printing unit to prevent the occurrence of dew condensation in the optical system of the image reading unit. Wherein the DC power supply is supplied to the dew condensation preventing means in a state where a predetermined power supply is turned off. 2. The control for supplying and stopping supply of DC power to the dew condensation preventing means and the control for supplying and stopping supply of DC power to another load are performed independently. Item 2. The image forming apparatus according to Item 1. 3. The image forming apparatus is controlled to stop supplying DC power to the dew condensation preventing means in a state other than a power saving state and a state where a predetermined power of the image forming apparatus body is turned off by an operation input. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein control is performed so as to stop supply of DC power to the dew condensation preventing means in an operation state in which power consumption of the image forming apparatus main body increases. 5. A method for controlling an image forming apparatus having a structure in which an image reading unit and a printing unit are separable, wherein a part of a DC power generated by a DC power generation unit of the printing unit is used as an operating power. It supplies to the image reading unit, controls power supply of the DC power generated by the DC power generation unit to the image reading unit, and controls the power supply to the image reading unit by the DC power supplied from the printing unit. The dew condensation preventing means for preventing the occurrence is driven to supply DC power to the dew condensation preventing means when the image forming apparatus main body is in a power saving state and the image forming apparatus main body is turned off at a predetermined power by an operation input. A method for controlling an image forming apparatus, the method comprising: 6. The control for supplying and stopping supply of DC power to the dew condensation preventing means and the control for supplying and stopping supply of DC power to another load are performed independently. Item 6. A method for controlling an image forming apparatus according to Item 5. 7. The image forming apparatus is controlled to stop supplying DC power to the dew condensation preventing means in a power saving state and in a state other than a state where a predetermined power of the image forming apparatus body is turned off by an operation input. 7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the control is performed. 8. The control method for an image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein control is performed so as to stop supply of DC power to the dew condensation preventing means in an operation state in which power consumption of the image forming apparatus main body increases. .