JP2003287994A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To secure an excellent image and carrying property by preventing dew condensation at the time of shipping a product or at the time of starting to use an image forming apparatus again under different environment from a state where a power source plug socket is pulled out for a while in the image forming apparatus having a dew condensation preventing heater such as a copying machine or a printer. <P>SOLUTION: When an AC power source is applied to the power source plug socket 21, an AC relay 24 is operated, and the input signal level of a main control part 26 is changed from L to H. Thereafter, when a main switch 22 is turned on, the time of keeping the L level, that is, the time (t) when the AC power source is not applied to the socket 21 is confirmed by a CPU 27, and if the AC power source is not inputted in the socket 21 for a fixed long time (T) or more (t>T), control to remove the dew condensation is performed. The dew condensation is removed by stopping an exhausting fan provided near a fixing part or turning on the dew condensation preventing heater provided near a drum unit or an image reading unit. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a dew condensation heater, and more particularly, it is applied to a copying machine, a printer, and other electronic equipment installed in an office, and is used as a power outlet at the time of product shipment or for a while. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus capable of preventing dew condensation at the time of restarting use from a state in which it is removed, and maintaining good images and transportability.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, as in the image forming apparatus described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-319796, a sheet in a supply tray is prevented from absorbing moisture or is provided in a reading section. An AC heater of about 5 to 20 W (hereinafter, referred to as a dew condensation prevention heater) may be installed to prevent dew condensation on parts such as a mirror. As a method of installing the dew condensation prevention heater, when the power is turned off by the relay, or when the power is supplied only to the main control section called the energy saving mode (off mode),
The method of energizing is often seen. In addition, JP-A 2000
There is a method in which a temperature sensor is provided inside and outside the apparatus to raise the internal temperature of the apparatus when the power is turned on, as in the image forming apparatus described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 267550.

[0003]

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION Problems to be Solved by the Invention
Like the image forming apparatus such as a copying machine described in Japanese Patent No. 319796, an AC heater of about 5 to 20 W for preventing moisture absorption of paper in the supply tray or dew condensation of parts such as mirrors in the reading unit. Although it is effective to control the energization by installing, etc., if the main switch is turned on immediately after the power outlet is plugged in when the product is shipped or when it is used again after the power outlet has been unplugged for a while, dew condensation will occur. Dew condensation cannot be removed by the prevention heater, and when the machine is in the dew condensation state, the warm-up operation and the copy operation are performed in the dew condensation state. , If the water adheres to the photoconductor, the toner will not adhere due to poor charging, and even if it adheres, the water on the surface of the photoconductor Image abnormality may occur, such as is distorted. In addition, a paper jam may occur due to a paper separation defect caused by a water adhesion of the paper due to the dew condensation of the transport path or a leak due to the dew condensation of the charging device for the paper separation. Especially when such a phenomenon occurs during product shipment,
This leads to suspicion of consumers and leads to a decline in the image of the product. As a method of removing dew condensation, there is a method in which a temperature sensor is installed inside and outside the device to raise the internal temperature of the device when the power is turned on. There is a possibility that the decision as to whether or not to make a mistake may be wrong. Also, mounting a plurality of temperature sensors and humidity sensors increases the cost.

Therefore, in the image forming apparatus of the first aspect, when the AC power is not input to the power outlet for a long time and the dew condensation preventing heater is not turned on, the first main switch is turned on after the power outlet is inserted. For a certain period of time after that, by controlling to forcibly raise the temperature inside the image forming apparatus, condensation is prevented when the product is shipped or when it is used again after the power outlet has been unplugged for a while. The purpose is to ensure good images and transportability.

In the image forming apparatus of claim 2, as a means for temporarily raising the temperature inside the apparatus in the image forming apparatus of claim 1, control is performed to stop the exhaust fan for a certain period of time, and at the time of product shipment or for a while. Prevents condensation when starting to use again after the power outlet is unplugged,
The purpose is to ensure good images and transportability.

In the image forming apparatus of claim 3, as a means for temporarily raising the temperature inside the apparatus in the image forming apparatus of claim 1, a dew condensation preventing heater which is normally turned off when the main power is turned on is kept on for a certain period of time. The purpose is to prevent dew condensation when the product is shipped or when it is used again after the power outlet has been unplugged for a while, and to secure good images and transportability.

In the image forming apparatus of claim 4, as a means for temporarily raising the temperature inside the apparatus in the image forming apparatus of claim 1, the exhaust fan is stopped for a certain period of time and the dew condensation preventing heater is turned on for a certain period of time. The purpose is to prevent dew condensation when the product is shipped or when it is used again after the power outlet has been unplugged for a while, and to secure good images and transportability.

The image forming apparatus according to claim 5 is the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
In the image forming apparatus of, after inserting the power outlet,
If a certain period of time elapses until the main switch is turned on for the first time, the temperature inside the machine will rise due to the dew condensation prevention heater and the condensation will be removed.Therefore, by not performing the above control, the temperature inside the machine will rise abnormally. To prevent dew condensation and turn on the dew condensation prevention heater after the main switch is turned on.
By not doing so, it is intended to reduce power consumption.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and the image forming apparatus according to claim 1 is an image forming apparatus having a dew condensation preventing heater, wherein the power outlet is fixed. When the AC power is not input and the dew condensation prevention heater is not energized,
After the AC power is input to the power outlet, the internal temperature of the apparatus is forcibly increased for a certain period of time after the main switch is first turned on.

An image forming apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the means for forcibly raising the temperature inside the apparatus main body stops the exhaust fan provided inside the apparatus main body. Characterize.

An image forming apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the means for forcibly raising the temperature inside the apparatus main body energizes the dew condensation preventing heater.

An image forming apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the means for forcibly raising the temperature inside the apparatus main body is to stop the exhaust fan and energize the prevention dew condensation heater. Is characterized by.

The image forming apparatus according to claim 5 is the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the temperature inside the apparatus main body is not forcibly raised when a certain time elapses after the AC power is input to the power outlet until the main switch is first turned on.

[0014]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG.
It demonstrates based on the Example shown in-8. FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an image forming apparatus for carrying out the present invention,
1A shows a schematic configuration of a color image forming apparatus, and FIG. 1B is a block diagram showing an outline of a control unit of the color image forming apparatus. The color image forming apparatus of this embodiment is
In the image reading unit 2, the original placed on the original table is illuminated by the light source, the original is scanned, the reflected light from the original is read by the 3-line CCD sensor, and the image data is sent to the image processing unit 3. . In the image processing unit 3, the image writing unit 4 receives the image data that has undergone image processing such as scanner γ correction, color conversion, main scanning scaling, image separation, processing, area processing and gradation correction processing.
Send to. The image writing unit 4 modulates driving of an LD (laser diode) according to image data.

In the drum unit 8, a latent image is written on a uniformly charged and rotated photosensitive drum by a laser beam from an LD, and a developing unit 10 attaches toner to make the image visible. The image formed on the photosensitive drum is retransferred onto the transfer belt of the intermediate transfer unit of the intermediate transfer unit 9. In the case of a full-color copying machine, four color toners (Bk, C, M, Y) are sequentially stacked on the intermediate transfer belt. In the case of a full-color copying machine, the transfer paper is fed from the paper feeding unit 11 at the timing when the four-color image forming / transferring process of Bk, C, M, and Y is completed, and the paper is transferred. In this section, the toners are simultaneously transferred from the intermediate transfer belt onto the transfer paper in four colors. The transfer sheet on which the toner has been transferred is sent to the fixing section 12 via the conveying section, is thermally fixed by the fixing roller and the pressure roller, and is discharged. An exhaust fan is installed near the fixing unit, and plays a role of preventing the temperature inside the machine from rising.

Further, the copy mode and the like set by the user are input by the operation unit 5. The operation mode such as the set copy mode is sent to the system control unit 1, and the system control unit 1 performs a control process for executing the set copy mode. At this time, from the system control unit 1, the image reading unit 2, the image processing unit 3, the image writing unit 4,
A control instruction is given to a unit such as the image display unit 7. In a general image forming apparatus, a dew condensation preventing heater is installed near the drum unit 8 or the image reading unit 2 in order to prevent dew condensation, and when the main power is turned off, the dew condensation preventing heater is energized to turn on the drum unit 8 and the image. Condensation is prevented by preventing the temperature inside the reading unit 2 from falling below the external temperature.

Next, the characteristic part of the present invention will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a dew condensation preventing heater and an exhaust fan controller of the image forming apparatus. AC power from a power outlet 21 is input to a PSU (power supply unit) 23 via the main switch 22 and converted into DC power, which is then supplied to each control board and each load. The AC power from the power outlet 21 is connected to the ON / OFF AC relay 24. Further, a dew condensation prevention heater 28 using an AC power source is connected via a normally closed relay 25. The main control unit 26 and the CPU 27 are configured to be able to control the whole or a part of the lithium battery or the like even when the AC power is not input. The relay 25, as shown in FIG.
For example, the power outlet 21 is connected to the commercial AC power source so as to be at the L level when not inserted and at the H level when inserted, so that the main control unit CPU 27 can confirm the level.

(Explanation of Claim 1) When the above-mentioned settings are made, the image forming apparatus of Claim 1 carries out the following control. First, the main control unit 26 uses the AC
Even if the power is not input, it is possible to control whether or not the AC power is turned on from at least the power outlet 21 with a lithium battery or the like. FIG. 3 is a time chart showing a relationship between insertion of a power outlet and an input signal to the main control unit. Figure 3
As shown in FIG. 5, when the power outlet 21 is inserted into the AC power source, the AC relay 24 operates and the main control unit 26
The input signal level of is changed from L to H. After that, when the main switch 22 is turned on, the CPU 27 confirms the L level time, that is, the time (t) when the AC power is not turned on to the power outlet 21, and confirms for a certain long time (T).
When the AC power is not input to the power outlet as described above (t> T), the control for removing the dew condensation is executed.

(Explanation of Claim 2) In the image forming apparatus of Claim 2, as a means for removing the dew condensation, the exhaust fan for discharging the heat of the fixing unit is stopped temporarily for a preset period of time. Condensation is removed by increasing the temperature inside the image forming apparatus as a whole. After that, the exhaust fan shifts to a normal control state. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the control for stopping the exhaust fan for a certain period of time to raise the temperature inside the machine. That is, when AC power is applied to the power outlet 21 (step 1), AC power is detected by the main controller 26 (step 2). After that, the main switch 22
When is turned on (step 3), the CPU 27 checks the time (t) during which the power outlet 21 is unplugged and the AC power is not input (step 4), and t is a preset long duration time. Compared with (T), t> T
If so (step 5-yes), turn off the exhaust fan.
Then, the image forming apparatus is started up (step 6), and the exhaust fan is turned on after a certain period of time (step 7). If t> T in step 5 (step 5-n
o), a normal start-up operation is performed (step 8).

(Explanation of Claim 3) In the image forming apparatus of Claim 3, the control of Claim 1 is carried out, and in the control for removing the dew condensation, the OF is normally turned off when the main switch is ON.
By keeping the dew condensation prevention heater that is performing F control ON for a certain period of time, the drum unit 8 and the reading unit 2 which have a large defect when dew condensation occurs in addition to warming up due to warming up of the image forming apparatus By increasing the temperature with particular emphasis, the influence of dew condensation can be reduced. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a control for keeping the dew condensation prevention heater ON for a certain period of time. That is, when AC power is turned on to the power outlet 21 (step 11), the dew condensation prevention heater is turned on for a certain time (step 12), and after a certain time has passed, the AC power is detected by the main controller 26 (step 13). ). After that, when the main switch 22 is turned on (step 1
4), turn on the dew condensation prevention heater (step 15), CP
U27 checks the time (t) when the AC outlet is not turned on by disconnecting the power outlet 21 (step 1).
6), t is compared with a preset constant long time (T),
If t> T (step 17-yes), a normal start-up operation is performed (step 18), and the dew condensation prevention heater is turned off after a lapse of a certain time (step 19). Step 1
7 is not t> T (step 17-no),
The dew condensation prevention heater is turned off (step 20), and a normal start-up operation is performed (step 21).

(Explanation of Claim 4) In the image forming apparatus of Claim 4, in the control for carrying out the control of Claim 1 to remove the dew condensation, an exhaust fan for discharging the heat of the fixing unit is preset. By stopping for a certain period of time, the temperature inside the aircraft is temporarily raised overall, and further,
By keeping the dew condensation prevention heater, which is normally controlled to turn off when the main switch is on, for a certain period of time, the drum unit 8 is not only warmed up by warming up the image forming apparatus but also has a large problem when dew condensation occurs. The dew condensation can be more surely removed by increasing the temperature of the or reading unit 2 particularly intensively. FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing control for stopping the exhaust fan for a certain period of time and keeping the dew condensation prevention heater ON for a certain period of time to raise the temperature inside the machine. That is, when AC power is supplied to the power outlet 21 (step 3
1), turn on the dew condensation prevention heater (step 32), AC
Power-on is detected by the main controller 26 (step 3
3) After that, when the main switch 22 is turned on (step 34), the CPU 27 checks the time (t) during which the power outlet 21 is unplugged and the AC power is cut off (step 35), and t is set in advance. Compared with the fixed duration time (T), if t> T (step 36-y
es), the exhaust fan is turned off, the startup operation is performed (step 37), and the dew condensation prevention heater is turned off after a certain period of time.
Then, the exhaust fan is turned on (step 38) (step 39). If t> T is not satisfied in step 36 (step 36-no), the dew condensation prevention heater is turned off (step 40), and the normal startup operation is performed (step 4).
1).

(Explanation of Claim 5) FIG. 4 is a time chart showing the relationship among input signals to the power outlet, the dew condensation preventing heater, and the main controller. According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the third and fourth aspects, when the main switch is turned on, the input signal of the main control unit 26 shown in FIG. Time (t)
Then, the CPU confirms the time (s) from when the power outlet is turned on to when the main switch is turned on, and when AC power is not input to the power outlet for a certain duration (T), a certain time (S) When the AC power is turned on and the dew condensation heater is on, the temperature inside the machine rises and it is determined that the dew condensation has been removed, and the dew removal control is not performed thereafter. By performing such control, it is possible to prevent the temperature inside the machine from rising abnormally, and it is possible to suppress unnecessary power consumption of the dew condensation prevention heater after the main switch is turned on. Figure 8
It is a flow chart which shows control at the time of turning on a dew condensation prevention heater from the time of turning on a power outlet until the main switch is turned on. That is, the power outlet 21
When the C power is turned on (step 51), the dew condensation prevention heater is turned on (step 52), the AC control is detected by the main control unit 26 (step 53), and then the main switch 22 is turned on (step 53). Step 54), CPU2
7 checks the time (t) when the power outlet 21 is not inserted into the AC power supply, and also checks the dew condensation prevention heater ON time (s) (step 55). Then, t is compared with a preset constant duration (T),
If t> T (step 56-yes), s is compared with a preset fixed time (S), and if s> S is not (step 57-no), the exhaust fan is turned off and the start-up operation is performed. (Step 58), the dew condensation prevention heater is turned off after a predetermined time (step 59), and the exhaust fan is turned on (step 60). If t> T is not satisfied in step 56 (step 56-no) or if s> S is satisfied in step 57 (step 57-yes), the dew condensation prevention heater is turned off (step 61), and the normal startup operation is performed. Perform (step 62).

[0023]

According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, when the AC power is not input to the power outlet for a certain period of time and the dew condensation preventing heater is not turned on, the first main switch after the power outlet is inserted. By controlling to forcibly raise the internal temperature of the device for a certain period after turning on, it is possible to prevent dew condensation when the product is shipped or when it is used again after the power outlet has been unplugged for a while. It is possible to secure good images and transportability.

In the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect, as a means for temporarily raising the temperature inside the apparatus according to the first aspect, control is performed to stop the exhaust fan for a certain period of time, and when the product is shipped or the power outlet is unplugged for a while. It is possible to prevent dew condensation at the time of restarting the use from the existing state, and to secure good images and transportability.

In the image forming apparatus of the third aspect, as a means for temporarily raising the temperature inside the apparatus according to the first aspect, the dew condensation preventing heater which is normally turned off when the main power source is turned on is controlled to remain on for a certain period of time. In addition, it is possible to prevent dew condensation at the time of product shipment or when the device is used again after the power outlet has been unplugged, and good images and transportability can be secured.

In the image forming apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, as a means for temporarily increasing the temperature inside the apparatus according to the first aspect, the exhaust fan is stopped for a certain period of time, and the dew condensation prevention heater is kept on for a certain period of time. By doing so, it is possible to prevent dew condensation when the product is shipped or when it is used again after the power outlet has been unplugged for a while, and good images and transportability can be secured.

In the image forming apparatus according to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the first to fourth aspects, when a certain time elapses from the insertion of the power outlet to the turning on of the first main switch, the dew condensation heater raises the temperature inside the machine to cause dew condensation. Since it is removed, it is possible to prevent the temperature inside the machine from rising abnormally by not executing the control according to the first to fourth aspects. In addition, power consumption can be reduced by not unnecessarily turning on the dew condensation heater after turning on the main switch.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an outline of an image forming apparatus that implements the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a dew condensation prevention heater and an exhaust fan controller of the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a time chart showing the relationship between power outlets and input signals to the main controller.

FIG. 4 is a time chart showing a relationship between input signals to a power outlet, a dew condensation preventing heater, and a main control unit.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing control for stopping the exhaust fan for a certain period of time to raise the temperature inside the machine.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a control for keeping a dew condensation prevention heater on for a certain period of time.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing control for stopping the exhaust fan for a certain period of time and keeping the dew condensation prevention heater on for a certain period of time to raise the temperature inside the machine.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a control when the dew condensation prevention heater is turned on from the time when the power outlet is turned on to the time when the main switch is turned on.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... System control unit, 2 ... Image reading unit, 3 ... Image processing unit, 4 ... Image writing unit, 5 ... Operation unit unit, 6 ... Copier mechanism unit, 7 ... Image display unit, 8 ... Drum unit, 9 ... Intermediate Transfer part,
10 ... Developing unit, 11 ... Paper feeding unit, 12 ... Fixing unit, 2
1 ... Power outlet, 22 ... Main switch, 23 ... P
SU, 24 ... AC relay, 25 ... Relay, 26 ... Main control unit, 27 ... CPU, 28 ... Dew condensation prevention heater, 29 ...
Exhaust fan.

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus having an anti-condensation heater, wherein AC power is input to the power outlet when AC power is not input to the electrical outlet for a certain duration and the anti-condensation heater is not energized. After that, the image forming apparatus is characterized in that the temperature inside the apparatus body is forcibly raised for a certain period of time after the main switch is first turned on. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
The image forming apparatus, wherein the means for forcibly raising the temperature inside the apparatus main body stops an exhaust fan provided inside the apparatus main body. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
The image forming apparatus, wherein the means for forcibly increasing the temperature inside the apparatus main body energizes the dew condensation preventing heater. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
The image forming apparatus, wherein the means for forcibly raising the temperature inside the apparatus main body stops the exhaust fan and energizes the prevention dew condensation heater. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, forcibly forcibly when a predetermined time elapses from when AC power is input to the power outlet until the main switch is first turned on. An image forming apparatus, wherein the temperature inside the apparatus body is not raised.