JP2004086092A - Printer device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printer device which uses toner and reduces power consumption while maintaining the fixing property of an image. <P>SOLUTION: The printer device is equipped with an ambient temperature detection means (first thermistor 12) for detecting ambient temperature, an image data amount decision means (print data lightness and heaviness decision part 31) for deciding the amount of image data to be printed out, a heating means (halogen heater 8d) for heating a fixing device for heating and fixing a toner image on transfer paper, and a heating temperature control means (fixing roller heating control part 34) for controlling the heating temperature of the heating means in accordance with the ambient temperature detected by the ambient temperature detection means and the amount of the image data decided by the image data amount decision means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a printer device, and more particularly, to a printer device that uses toner to reduce power consumption while maintaining image fixability.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, demands for energy saving (energy saving) have also increased for home electric appliances and ОA devices from the viewpoint of global environmental protection.
In an era where such demands for energy saving are strong (an energy saving era), it is a matter of course that energy saving (= reduction in power consumption) is also required for a printer device (printer) using a toner.
[0003]
By the way, the usage mode of the toner type printer includes a usage mode of a printer that consumes a large amount of power (high power mode) and a usage mode of a small amount of power consumption (an energy saving mode).
In the high power mode, for example, there are cases where an image having a strict fixation requirement such as a graphic image (photo image) having a large amount of image data (heavy image data) is printed out. In this case, printing is started after the fixing temperature is increased so as to sufficiently secure the fixing property to the image.
Conversely, in the energy-saving mode, for example, there is a case where an image that requires a relatively low fixing property such as a character image (character data) requiring a small amount of image data (light image data) is printed out.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, conventionally, when the printout of the graphic image (high power mode) is completed and the printout of the character image (energy saving mode) is completed, the fixing temperature for energy saving is maintained despite the completion of the processing of the image processing controller. Before long, they had to wait long.
[0005]
In order to achieve energy saving (= reduction in power consumption) for such a conventional toner type printer, the following measures can be considered.
(1) After using the printer in the high power mode, shift to the energy saving mode as soon as possible to realize energy saving.
{Circle around (2)} When using the printer in the high power mode after using the printer in the energy saving mode, the return time is shortened, the printout is completed early, and energy saving is realized.
[0006]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a printer device using a toner, in which power consumption is reduced while maintaining image fixability.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printer apparatus for heating a toner image transferred to a transfer sheet to fix the toner image on the transfer sheet.
An ambient temperature detecting means (first thermistor 12 in FIG. 1) for detecting an ambient temperature at which the printer device is used;
Image data amount determining means (the print data lightness determining unit 31 or the print data processing time determining unit 35 in FIG. 3) for determining the amount of image data to be printed out by the printer device;
Heating means (a halogen heater 8d in FIG. 2A) for heating a fixing device for heating the toner image to fix the image on the transfer paper;
Heating temperature control means for controlling the heating temperature of the heating means in accordance with the ambient temperature detected by the ambient temperature detection means and the image data amount determined by the image data amount determination means (fixing roller heating control unit 34 in FIG. 3) ).
[0008]
According to the configuration, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, the ambient temperature is detected, and when the temperature is equal to or higher than the normal temperature and the print data is light (small), the print data processing ends at a low temperature (eg, 145 ° C.). If so, the printing operation can be started. Therefore, after using in the high power mode (the ambient temperature is high), the mode can be quickly shifted to the energy saving mode, and energy saving can be performed.
[0009]
Next, according to a second aspect of the present invention, in the printer device according to the first aspect,
According to the image data amount determined by the image data amount determination means, the transfer paper is fixed at a low temperature when the data amount is small, and is fixed at a high temperature when the data amount is large.
According to the above-described configuration, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, fixing is performed at a high fixing temperature or a low fixing temperature according to the amount (light or heavy) of the print data amount. Fixing property can be secured and energy saving can be performed.
[0010]
Next, according to a third aspect of the present invention, in the printer device according to the first aspect,
When the temperature detected by the ambient temperature detecting means is low, the transfer paper is heated at a high temperature regardless of the amount of the image data.
According to the configuration, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, when the temperature is equal to or lower than the normal temperature, the printing operation is performed after the temperature of the fixing roller becomes sufficiently high, so that the fixing property of the image can be secured.
[0011]
Next, according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the printer device according to the first to third aspects,
Regardless of the detection result of the ambient temperature detecting unit, the fixing unit is provided with a manually set fixing temperature setting unit (fixing roller temperature setting unit 34 in FIG. 3) that heats the fixing device at a high temperature.
[0012]
According to the above configuration, the user who has checked the state of the special surface paper (such as cotton paper described later) manually sets the fixing roller temperature setting unit 34 so that the fixing roller temperature is adapted to the paper. For example, the temperature is set to 170 ° C. Then, as shown in FIG. 6, for example, when the ambient temperature is 18 ° C. or higher, the temperature becomes 170 ° C., and when the data processing is completed, the printing operation is started. If the ambient temperature is 18 ° C. or lower, the temperature becomes 175 ° C. If the data processing is completed, the printing operation is started. Therefore, since the image is fixed at a high fixing temperature suitable for the special paper, an image having good fixability can be printed out.
[0013]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on the illustrated embodiments.
FIG. 1 is a schematic side sectional view of a printer that implements the first and second embodiments, FIG. 2A is a side sectional view of a fixing device of the printer, and FIG. 2B is a second thermistor, a fixing roller and a fixing roller. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a control system according to the first and second embodiments.
[0014]
First, the configuration of the mechanical system will be described.
In FIG. 1, transfer paper conveyed from a paper feed cassette 1 is timed by registration rollers 2 and conveyed to a latent image carrier composed of a photoconductor 3.
The photoconductor 3 is driven to rotate clockwise. At this time, the surface of the photoconductor 3 is charged by the charging roller 4 and irradiated with laser light from the laser optical system 5 to form an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor. This latent image is visualized by toner when passing through the developing device 6, transferred to the transfer paper conveyed to the photoconductor 3 by the transfer roller 7, and the transfer paper in close contact with the photoconductor 3 is separated by curvature. . Thereafter, the transfer paper is conveyed to a fixing device 8 (described below), where the image is fixed, and is discharged to a paper discharge unit 9.
After the photosensitive member 3 is discharged by a discharge lamp (not shown), residual toner on the surface of the photosensitive member 3 is removed by the cleaning device 11, and the residual toner is collected.
[0015]
Further, the first thermistor 12 is provided near the optical unit (laser optical system 5), and the ambient temperature (room temperature) is measured. The first thermistor 12 measures the temperature of the use environment immediately after the power is turned on or at the time of return after receiving a print start signal during energy saving, and controls the measured temperature to control the current or voltage of the charging roller 4 or the like. Also used for.
[0016]
As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the fixing device 8 applies at least heat and pressure to the toner on the transfer paper 13 to fix the image. The fixing device 8 includes a fixing roller 8a that is heated by a halogen heater 8d and is driven to rotate, and a pressure roller 8b that is pressed against the fixing roller 8a and rotates with a driving force. Reference numeral 8c denotes a separation claw for separating the transfer paper from the fixing roller 8a, and 8e denotes a second thermistor for detecting the temperature of the fixing roller 8a.
[0017]
Next, the fixing roller 8a will be specifically described by taking a printer (A3 machine) having a linear velocity of 110 mm / s to 150 mm / s as an example.
The fixing roller 8a is a very thin roller having a diameter of φ22 to φ32 mm, a base material of an aluminum alloy, and a thinnest portion having a thickness of 0.2 to 0.45 mm and a length of 350 to 410 mm. The reason why the thickness is reduced in this way is to shorten the warm-up time of the fixing device 8. Further, in consideration of the power environment in which the printer is used, the fixing heater (halogen heater 8d) uses 650W to 800W.
The material of the fixing roller 8a is a manganese-based aluminum alloy (for example, CM10 (trade name of Sumitomo Light Metal Co., Ltd.)), and when the outer diameter φ is 30 mm, the thickness t1 of the thinnest portion of the paper passing portion is from 0.24 to 0.24. 0.45 mm, and thickness / outer diameter = 8/1000 to 15/1000.
[0018]
For the pressure roller 8b, a foaming sponge roller is used, and a tube of conductive fluororesin is covered on the surface layer.
The reason why the foamable sponge 使用 is used for the pressure roller 8b is as follows.
{Circle around (1)} The fixing roller 8a is thin, and the pressing roller 8b is pressed with a small pressing force to increase the necessary nip in order to prevent the roller from being deformed or damaged such as cracking.
{Circle around (2)} The amount of rubber used is smaller than that of a solid (a roller having a hard surface), an air layer is provided, and heat is prevented from being taken away by the pressure roller 8b. Further, this is to increase the temperature rise gradient of the fixing roller 8a and to prevent the temperature of the fixing roller 8a from dropping when the fixing roller 8a rotates.
[0019]
With such a configuration, the temperature rise gradient of the temperature of the fixing roller 8a is as extremely large as 12 deg / sec to 18 deg / sec for a roller having an outer diameter of φ30 and 18 deg / sec to 28 deg / sec for a roller having an outer diameter of 20 mm. It became possible to do.
[0020]
Next, the main configuration of the control system of the printer will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, the control system of the printer includes a memory 20, a control unit 30 including a CPU and the like, and a fixing roller temperature setting unit 40, wherein the first thermistor 12, the second thermistor 8e, It has a control relationship with the heater 8d.
The memory 20 stores data to be printed such as graphic images.
The control unit 30 includes a print data lightness determining unit 31, a fixing roller temperature determining unit 32, an ambient temperature determining unit 33, a fixing roller heating control unit 34, and a print data processing time determining unit 35.
[0021]
The print data lightness / judgment unit 31 determines the amount of print data consisting of graphic images, character images, and the like per transfer sheet, and determines whether the data is heavy or light.
The fixing roller temperature determining unit 32 determines the temperature detected by the second thermistor 8e (see FIG. 2A).
The ambient temperature determining unit 33 determines the ambient temperature detected by the first thermistor 12 (see FIG. 1).
[0022]
The fixing roller heating control unit 34 controls the temperature of the halogen heater 8d according to the temperatures detected by the first and second thermistors 12, 8e and the temperature manually set by the user.
The print data processing time determination unit 35 grasps the processing time per print sheet of the print data including the graphic image and the character image, and determines whether the processing time is long (heavy data) or short (light data). judge.
[0023]
By the way, as described in the prior art, the following points are required for a printer in the energy-saving era.
(1) After using the printer in the high power mode, you want to shift to the energy saving mode as soon as possible to contribute to energy saving.
{Circle around (2)} When using the printer in the high power mode after using the printer in the energy saving mode, we want to shorten the recovery time and finish the printout quickly.
[0024]
Therefore, in the present embodiment, the transition time to the energy saving mode in the above (1) can be set to 30 seconds, 1 minute, 5 minutes, 15 minutes, 30 minutes, and 60 minutes, and the factory setting is set to 5 minutes. Minutes. In addition, in the energy saving mode, the power consumption of the entire printer is very small, 1 W to 10 W without energizing the fixing heater.
Although the printer is energy-saving in this way, considering the actual usability of the user, the shorter the transition time of the energy-saving mode, the faster the warm-up time needs to be. , Improve performance (responsiveness).
[0025]
By the way, conventionally, for an image having a strict fixability such as a graphic image, printing is started after the fixing temperature is increased so that the fixability can be sufficiently secured. However, the fixing temperature of a character image or the like has been set to the same fixing temperature as that of a graphic image because sufficient fixing property can be secured even at a low fixing temperature. Therefore, even if the processing of the image processing controller is completed at the time of light data, it is necessary to wait until the fixing warm-up is completed.
[0026]
Although it depends on the user's usage, it is often the case that only a character document, which is light data, is printed in a use environment at room temperature or higher. Accordingly, in such a case, since the fixing can be sufficiently performed at a low fixing temperature, it is desirable to further shorten the warm-up time and improve the performance.
[0027]
(1) First Embodiment FIG. 4 is a flowchart of this embodiment, and FIGS. 5A and 5B are characteristic diagrams showing the relationship between the time required until the start of fixing and the fixing temperature in this embodiment. .
The present embodiment is for the “normal mode”. That is, this is a case in which the temperature of the fixing roller is automatically controlled according to the detected temperatures of the first and second thermistors 12 and 8e without setting the temperature by the user.
[0028]
As shown in FIGS. 4, 5A and 5B, first, the first thermistor 12 (see FIG. 1) is used immediately after the power is turned on or at the time of return when a print start signal is input during power saving. Is measured (step S1).
If the measured temperature is equal to or higher than the normal temperature (here, equal to or higher than 18 ° C.) (step S2: Yes), the weight of the print data such as a graphic image is determined (step S3).
[0029]
In the case of light data such as a character image (step S3: light), the fact that the temperature of the fixing roller 8a has reached the low fixing temperature (A = 145 ° C.) is notified by the second thermistor 8e (see FIG. 2A). ) Is detected (step S4: Yes). After detecting that the temperature has reached 145 ° C., data processing for printing is completed in the engine (step S5), and paper feeding is started to start a printing operation (step S6).
According to this configuration, since the data is light, the fixing property can be ensured even when the temperature of the fixing roller a is low (145 ° C.). In addition, it is possible to provide a printer which has good performance at the time of turning on the power supply and the energy saving recovery time (see FIG. 5A).
[0030]
If the print data is heavy in step S3, as shown in FIG. 5A, the fixing temperature is kept raised so that the fixing roller 8a has a higher fixing temperature B (= 170 ° C.) (step S7). . When the fixing temperature reaches 170 ° C. (Step S7: Yes) and the data processing is completed (Step S5: Yes), the printing operation is started (Step S6).
For example, for very heavy data, the temperature reaches 170 ° C., then the data processing is completed, and then the printing operation is started. In the case of medium weight data, the temperature is increased to 165 ° C. It is also possible to shift to a print operation start step after the data processing is completed after reaching the step.
According to this configuration, since the fixing temperature is set to be high before the start of printing, it is possible to provide a printer with sufficient fixing properties even for heavy data.
[0031]
Next, if the usage environment is at a temperature lower than room temperature, securing the fixability even for light data such as character images becomes stricter immediately after turning on the power or when returning after receiving a print start signal during energy saving, regardless of the data amount. Instead, printing is started at a fixing temperature (C = 175 ° C.) set at a temperature higher than the fixing temperature A ° C.
The fixing temperature C may be 170 ° C. for the domestic market where the paper surface property is good and the fixing property is relatively easy to secure, and 175 ° C. for the overseas market where the paper surface property is poor and the fixing property is difficult to secure.
[0032]
That is, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5B, when the use environment temperature is lower than the normal temperature (step S2: No) and is 15 ° C. or higher (step S8: Yes), regardless of the weight of the data, If the fixing temperature has reached 175 ° C. (step S9), and the data processing has been completed (step S5: Yes), the printing operation is started (step S6).
According to this configuration, it is possible to provide a printer with sufficient fixing properties even when the use environment is at a temperature lower than the normal temperature (15 ° C. or more and 18 ° C. or less).
[0033]
If the environmental temperature is not higher than 15 ° C. in step S8 (step S8: No), the printer is caused to idle for about 20 seconds (step S10), and the temperature of the fixing roller 8a is reduced to 175 ° C. If it does (Step S9: Yes), the printing operation is started after the completion of the data processing (Step S5: Yes) (Step S6).
[0034]
In the present embodiment, the lightness of the print data is determined to control the temperature of the fixing roller. However, for example, the print data processing time determination unit 35 shown in FIG. The temperature of the fixing roller may be controlled accordingly.
[0035]
(2) Second Embodiment This embodiment is a case of the “fixability up mode”. In other words, this is a case where the fixing temperature is set and the fixing property is secured when the user is a special surface paper (for example, a cotton paper having an uneven surface).
When the use environment is used at a normal temperature or higher, light data such as a character image and the like can be sufficiently fixed with a normal paper thickness. However, even if the paper thickness is not large, in the case of special surface paper, fixing properties may not be ensured in some cases.
[0036]
In such a case, the fixing temperature is 145 ° C. (A ° C.) irrespective of the amount of print data (or irrespective of the data processing time described above) at the time of return immediately after the power is turned on or when a print start signal is input during power saving. A) A mode for starting printing at a higher fixing temperature of 170 ° C. (B ° C.) was provided (see FIG. 7).
According to this configuration, since the user can select the mode, it is possible to provide a printer that can secure the fixing property even for paper having poor surface properties that can be understood only by the user who actually views the transfer paper.
[0037]
The fixing temperature of 145 ° C. (A ° C.) to 175 ° C. (C ° C.) set in the present embodiment uses a toner which can be fixed at 120 ° C. to 130 ° C. under normal temperature environment and domestic plain paper conditions. It shall be. As shown in FIG. 2B, the second thermistor 8e for detecting the temperature of the fixing roller 8a is located near the center of the fixing roller 8a (within a range of 40 mm left and right from the paper passing center). This is a condition, and if the temperature at which fixing is possible is lower, the fixing temperatures A and C are naturally set lower.
[0038]
FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of this embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 6, first, the temperature of the use environment is measured by the first thermistor 12 (see FIG. 1) immediately after the power is turned on or at the time of return after receiving the print start signal during power saving (step S11).
When the first thermistor 12 detects that the use environment is at normal temperature or higher (18 ° C. or higher) (Step S12: Yes), the temperature of the fixing roller 8a eventually becomes high regardless of the weight of print data such as graphic images. The second thermistor 8e (see FIG. 2A) detects that the fixing temperature (A = 170 ° C.) has been reached (Step S13: Yes). After detecting that the temperature has reached 170 ° C., data processing for printing is completed in the engine (step S14), and paper feeding is started to start a printing operation (step S15).
[0039]
If the use environment temperature is lower than the normal temperature (step S12: No) and is 15 ° C. or higher (step S16: Yes), the fixing temperature becomes 175 ° C. regardless of the data weight (step S17). If the data processing has been completed (step S14: Yes), the printing operation is started (step S15).
[0040]
If the environmental temperature is equal to or lower than 15 ° C. in step S16 (step S16: No), the printer is caused to idle for about 20 seconds to increase the temperature of the pressure roller 8b and the like (step S18). When the temperature of the fixing roller 8a reaches 175 ° C. (Step S17: Yes), the printing operation is started after the data processing is completed (Step S14: Yes) (Step S15).
According to the above description, in the case of special surface paper, and even when the use environment is at a temperature lower than room temperature, good performance with fast power-on and energy-saving recovery time is ensured while securing the fixing property. We can provide a printer.
[0041]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the following effects can be exerted.
According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the ambient temperature is detected and the temperature is equal to or higher than the normal temperature and the print data is light (small), the print operation is started if the print data processing is completed at a low temperature. can do. Therefore, after using in the high power mode (the ambient temperature is high), the mode can be quickly shifted to the energy saving mode, and energy saving can be performed.
[0042]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the image is fixed at a high fixing temperature or a low fixing temperature depending on the amount (light or heavy) of the print data amount, the fixing property of the image regardless of the amount (light or heavy) of the print data amount. And energy saving can be performed.
According to the third aspect of the invention, when the temperature is equal to or lower than the normal temperature, the printing operation is performed after the fixing roller has reached a sufficiently high temperature, so that the fixing property of the image can be secured.
[0043]
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the user who has checked the state of the special paper having the surface property sets the fixing roller temperature suitable for the paper, so that the fixing temperature is adjusted to the special paper. The image can be fixed, and an image with good fixability can be printed out.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of a printer embodying each embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 2A and 2B are views showing details in the respective embodiments, wherein FIG. 2A is a side sectional view of a fixing device of a printer, and FIG. 2B is a side plan view showing a positional relationship between a second thermistor and a fixing roller; It is.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a control system in each embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the first embodiment.
FIGS. 5A and 5B are characteristic diagrams showing the relationship between the time required until the start of fixing and the fixing temperature in the first embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the second embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a characteristic diagram showing a relationship between a time required until fixing starts and a fixing temperature in the second embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
PR printer 1 paper feed cassette 2 registration roller 3 photosensitive member 4 charging roller 5 laser optical system 6 developing device 7 transfer roller 8 fixing device 8a fixing roller 8b pressure roller 8c separation claw 8d ... Halogen heater 8e ... Second thermistor 9 ... Discharge unit 11 ... Cleaning device 12 ... First thermistor 13 ... Transfer paper 20 ... Memory 30 ... Control unit 31 ... Print data lightness determination unit 32 ... Fixing roller temperature determination unit 33: ambient temperature determination unit 34: fixing roller heating control unit 35: print data processing time determination unit 40: fixing roller temperature setting unit

Claims (4)

In a printer device for heating a toner image transferred to a transfer paper and fixing it to the transfer paper,
An ambient temperature detecting means for detecting an ambient temperature using the printer device;
Image data amount determining means for determining the amount of image data to be printed out by the printer device,
Heating means for heating a fixing device for heating the toner image to fix the image on the transfer paper;
A printer comprising: a heating temperature control unit that controls a heating temperature of the heating unit in accordance with the ambient temperature detected by the ambient temperature detection unit and the image data amount determined by the image data amount determination unit. apparatus. The printer device according to claim 1,
According to the image data amount determined by the image data amount determining means, the transfer paper is fixed at a low temperature when the data amount is small, and is fixed at a high temperature when the data amount is large. Printer device. The printer device according to claim 1,
A printer device, wherein when the temperature detected by the ambient temperature detecting means is low, the transfer paper is heated at a high temperature regardless of the amount of the image data. The printer according to claim 1, wherein
A printer device comprising a manually-set fixing temperature setting unit that heats the fixing device at a high temperature regardless of the detection result of the ambient temperature detection unit.

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