JP2004354615A - High voltage power supply apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a high voltage power supply apparatus which can respond to a high-speed image forming apparatus by decreasing the load by serial communication during forming an image. <P>SOLUTION: The load by serial communication during forming an image is decreased by making such a configuration that: the apparatus receives a plurality of timing patterns for turning on/off a plurality of high voltage generating means in specified timing via serial communication and stores them in a non-volatile memory means in the high voltage power supply; receives a timing pattern selecting signal and an image forming start signal from a controlling means connected to the apparatus on starting the formation of an image; and selects a timing pattern based on the received timing pattern selecting number as well as forms the image selected based on the received image forming start signal. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a high-voltage power supply for an electrophotographic image forming apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, a technique of performing serial data communication between a power supply unit of the image forming apparatus and a CPU unit of a main controller has been disclosed.
(See Patent Document 1).
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-5-66625
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the related art, since the on / off timing and the control data are transmitted from the main control device to the power supply unit in accordance with the required timing by serial communication, if the print speed of the image forming apparatus increases, the print speed increases. However, the data communication time becomes relatively long, and it may be difficult to transmit the ON / OFF timing and the control data at the required timing in the serial communication.
[0005]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems of the related art, and has an object to reduce a serial communication load at the time of image formation, thereby enabling a higher-speed image forming apparatus to be supported. Is what you do.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
To achieve the above object, according to the present invention, a communication unit for communicating with a controller unit, a high-voltage power supply control unit for controlling a plurality of high-voltage generation units, and the high-voltage generation unit are provided at a predetermined timing. A high-voltage power supply comprising: storage means for receiving and storing a plurality of timing patterns to be operated by the controller means via the communication means from the controller means; and mode selecting means for selecting one of the plurality of timing patterns. In the apparatus, at the start of image formation, a mode selection signal is received from the controller means, and the mode selection means selects a timing pattern stored in the storage means according to the mode selection signal, and the selected The high-voltage power supply control unit controls the plurality of high-voltage generation units based on a timing pattern. That.
[0007]
Further, the invention according to claim 2 includes a communication means for communicating with the controller means, a high voltage power supply control means for controlling the plurality of high voltage generation means, a plurality of timing patterns for operating the high voltage generation means at a predetermined timing, and A plurality of control value patterns operated by the control value of the storage means for receiving and storing from the controller means via the communication means, and a first mode selection means for selecting any of the plurality of timing patterns A second mode selection means for selecting any one of a plurality of control value patterns for controlling the high voltage generation means, a first mode selection signal from the controller means at the start of image formation. And a second mode selection signal, and the first mode selection means stores the storage in accordance with the first mode selection signal. Selecting a timing pattern stored in a stage, the second mode selecting means selecting a control value pattern stored in the storing means in response to the second mode selecting signal, and selecting the selected one. The high-voltage power supply control means controls the plurality of high-voltage generation means based on a timing pattern and a control value pattern.
[0008]
Further, the invention according to claim 3 includes a communication unit that communicates with the controller unit, a high-voltage power supply control unit that controls a plurality of high-voltage generation units, and a plurality of timing patterns that operate the high-voltage generation unit at a predetermined timing. A high-voltage power supply device comprising: a storage unit that receives and stores from the controller unit via the communication unit; and a mode selection unit that selects any one of the plurality of timing patterns. Upon receiving a mode selection signal according to environment information output from the environment sensor means, at the start of image formation, the mode selection means selects a timing pattern stored in the storage means according to the mode selection signal. Based on the selected timing pattern, the high-voltage power supply control means Characterized in that the Gosuru.
[0009]
Further, according to the present invention, a communication means for communicating with the controller means, a high voltage power supply control means for controlling a plurality of high voltage generation means, a plurality of timing patterns for operating the high voltage generation means at a predetermined timing, and A plurality of control value patterns operated by the control value of the storage means for receiving and storing from the controller means via the communication means, and a first mode selection means for selecting any of the plurality of timing patterns And a second mode selecting means for selecting any one of a plurality of control value patterns for controlling the high voltage generating means, wherein environmental information output from environment sensor means via the controller means is provided. Receiving the first and second mode selection signals corresponding to the first and second modes, and at the start of image formation, the first mode selection means Selecting a timing pattern stored in the storage means in response to a mode selection signal, wherein the second mode selection means controls the control value pattern stored in the storage means in response to the second mode selection signal; And the high-voltage power supply control means controls the plurality of high-voltage generation means based on the selected timing pattern and control value pattern.
[0010]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0011]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a high-voltage power supply and a controller according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 1 denotes a CPU for controlling the inside of the high-voltage power supply. Inside the CPU 1, serial communication means 3 for performing serial communication with the controller means 9, ROM 4 for storing a high-voltage power supply control program, and RAM 5 for temporarily storing high-voltage control data and the like. And so on. Reference numeral 2 denotes an EEPROM which is a nonvolatile memory means 2 for writing and reading timing patterns and the like. Reference numeral 6 denotes a high-voltage control means 6 for controlling the power supply of various high-voltage generation means via the CPU 1, and an output of the high-pressure control means 6 is connected to a high-pressure generation means 7. In FIG. A plurality of outputs of the transfer output with the transfer cleaning high voltage superimposed thereon are supplied to each process element of the image forming apparatus. In the RAM 5, a mode is selected from a plurality of high-voltage output operation modes, and various modes such as start and stop of operation of a high-voltage output sequence are set in a RAM area for writing and reading to and from the controller 9 via the CPU 1 and serial communication means. It has as selection means 8.
[0012]
Hereinafter, the operation will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a timing pattern of a primary high voltage, a development high voltage, a transfer high voltage, and a transfer cleaning high voltage. Each high-voltage on / off pattern is represented by “1” and “0” signals at predetermined unit times on a horizontal axis as a time axis. In FIG. 2, "1" indicates a high voltage on state, and "0" indicates a high voltage "off" state. FIG. 2A shows an example of a timing pattern in which the start and end of printing of a single sheet are a series of sequences, but actually a plurality of patterns are received from the controller 9 via the serial communication unit 3 and the CPU 1. And stored in the nonvolatile memory 2.
[0013]
Although FIG. 2 shows an example of one-sheet printing, the timing pattern can be configured in the same way as an instruction for each sheet or a timing pattern in a sequence in which a plurality of printings is considered as a series of operations. 2B shows a timing pattern at the time of continuous printing as another example. At the time of continuous printing, the image at the time of continuous printing is shown at the high voltage of the image forming system such as the primary high voltage and the developing high voltage of FIG. 2B. The high voltage output timing is different from that in FIG. In the present embodiment, the plurality of timing patterns shown in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B are received not during the printing operation but during the power-on sequence or during the standby state during the non-printing operation, and It is stored in the EEPROM which is the non-volatile memory means 2.
[0014]
Next, details of the timing pattern reception and image forming operation described with reference to FIG. 2 will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a printing operation after the power is turned on, such as receiving a timing pattern when the high-voltage power supply is turned on, as a flowchart. When the power input to the high-voltage power supply is turned on, various initializations of the CPU 1 are performed, and after the initialization is completed, the state data in which the timing pattern can be received from the CPU 1 of the high-voltage power supply via the serial communication means 3. By transmitting the timing pattern request signal (S1), a plurality of timing patterns can be received from the controller 9. After completion of the reception of the plurality of timing patterns (S2), the CPU 1 sets a permission flag in the RAM 5 for permitting the write operation in the nonvolatile memory means 2, so that the nonvolatile memory means 2 is in the write mode (S3), and the write operation is performed. Starts (S4). When the write operation is completed, the write permission flag is lowered to set the write inhibit mode to prevent erroneous write during normal operation (S5).
[0015]
After the above operation is completed, the process at the time of starting the high voltage power supply is completed, and the process shifts to a standby mode for waiting for a print start signal or the like (S6). At the same time as receiving the print operation signal in the standby mode (S7), the sequence selection number is received from the controller 9 and the high-voltage power supply is selected from the plurality of timing patterns stored in the non-volatile memory 2. At the same time as selecting the timing pattern based on the number, the timing pattern is selected based on the received sequence start signal (S8), the sequence is started, and the high-voltage power supply output is set according to the data selected in each step according to a predetermined operation cycle. The printing operation is started by ON / OFF control (S9). Regarding the above-mentioned selection of the timing pattern, various timing patterns can be stored in the nonvolatile memory means 2 in advance from the controller means 9 via the serial communication means 3 according to various conditions such as one-sheet printing, continuous printing, and environmental conditions. Yes, it can be selected and switched for each print by the mode selection means 8 on the RAM 5.
[0016]
As described above, a plurality of timing patterns are sent to the high-voltage power supply device except for the printing operation such as when the power is turned on, and it is possible to control the high voltage only by selecting the timing pattern during the printing operation. The complicated communication for switching the output at each arbitrary timing is not only the communication for each sequence but also the arbitrary pattern selection by storing in the non-volatile memory means 2 a pattern combining various high voltage outputs. As a result, the load on the serial communication means 3 during the printing operation is reduced, and it is possible to cope with a high-speed device having a large number of prints.
[0017]
Further, by storing in the non-volatile memory means 2, it is possible to flexibly cope with individual correspondence, version upgrade, and the like according to the use conditions and environment of the user. In the above-described embodiment, the timing pattern is a combination of various high voltages. However, it is naturally possible to have a plurality of timing patterns for each high voltage output and to have a timing pattern for each high voltage by the mode selection means 8 on the RAM 5. The present invention can be implemented with the same configuration as described above.
[0018]
In the first embodiment, a plurality of timing patterns are received and a timing pattern is selected. However, as for the output control value of each high-voltage power supply, a set value stored in the ROM 4 inside the high-voltage power supply is Outputs according to the timing pattern conditions. However, when the control value is changed in accordance with various environmental conditions and printing conditions, it is necessary to individually control the control values depending on the conditions used for each image forming apparatus.
[0019]
Hereinafter, a method for changing a control value using a plurality of timing patterns and a control pattern for selecting a control value will be described as a second embodiment.
[0020]
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of a high-voltage power supply and controller means according to an embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 1 denotes a CPU for controlling the inside of the high-voltage power supply. Inside the CPU 1, serial communication means 3 for performing serial communication with the controller means 9, ROM 4 for storing a control program for the high-voltage power supply, and temporarily storing high-voltage control data and control program data. It is composed of a RAM 5 and the like for temporarily storing. 2 is an EEPROM which is a nonvolatile memory means 2 for writing and reading timing patterns and control patterns, etc., 6 is a high voltage control means 6 for controlling the power supply of various high voltage generating means via the CPU 1, and an output of the high voltage control means 6 is In FIG. 4, a plurality of outputs of a primary high voltage, a developing high voltage, and a transfer output obtained by superimposing a transfer cleaning high voltage on a transfer high voltage are supplied to each process element of the image forming apparatus in FIG. In the RAM 5, a mode selection means 8 for selecting a mode from a plurality of high-voltage output operation modes and holding information for selecting various modes such as start and stop of operation of a high-voltage output sequence, and a plurality of modes according to the high-voltage output sequence A mode selecting means 2 for holding information for selecting a high-voltage output value is shown as 10. Both the mode selecting means 8 and the mode selecting means 10 can be written and read from the controller means 9 via the CPU 1 and the serial communication means.
[0021]
Hereinafter, details of the operation will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a timing chart illustrating a timing pattern and a control pattern in a communication method of serial communication data. Examples of timing patterns at each of the primary high voltage, the development high voltage, the transfer high voltage, and the transfer cleaning high voltage are represented by “1” and “0” signals at predetermined unit times on the horizontal axis as a time axis. “1” indicates a high voltage on state, and “0” indicates a high voltage “off” state. The timing pattern indicates the timing pattern selected by the timing pattern selection signal stored in the EEPROM as the nonvolatile memory means 2 and held in the eight mode selection means on the RAM 5. FIG. 5 further shows control pattern examples for changing the control values of the primary high voltage, the development high voltage, and the transfer high voltage at each timing as control value selection signals for each high voltage. The control value pattern shown in FIG. 5 is stored in the EEPROM as the nonvolatile memory means 2 and is selected by the control value pattern selection signal held in the ten mode selection means 2 on the RAM 5. A signal development high voltage control value selection signal and a transfer high voltage control value selection signal are provided and represented as control value patterns at each timing. The numbers above each control value selection signal represent the table value associated with each high voltage output. When a predetermined control value pattern is selected by the primary high voltage control value selection signal, a plurality of primary high voltage selection signals and a plurality of primary high voltage selection signals stored in the ROM 4 in advance based on the selection signal in the control value pattern. An output value corresponding to the selected number is selected from the primary high voltage table to which the output value is related, and the voltage is controlled by the selected output value.
[0022]
In FIG. 5A, in the primary high voltage table, “0” corresponds to the output voltage “0 V”, “1” corresponds to the output voltage “−600 V”, “2” corresponds to the selection number such as the output voltage “−450 V”. The next higher voltage is associated. When a predetermined control value pattern is selected by the developing high-voltage control value selection signal, a plurality of pre-stored in the ROM 4 like the primary high-voltage control value selection signal based on the selection signal in the control value pattern. An output value corresponding to the selection number is selected from a developing high voltage table in which the selection signal is associated with a plurality of output values, and the voltage is controlled by the selected output value. In FIG. 5, the developing high voltage table is such that “0” corresponds to the output voltage “0 V”, “1” corresponds to the output voltage “−300 V”, “2” corresponds to the output voltage “−500 V”, and the like. Are related. Similarly, when a predetermined control value pattern is selected for the transfer high voltage control value selection signal, a plurality of selection signals and a plurality of output values stored in the ROM 4 in advance are determined based on the selection signal in the control value pattern. An output value corresponding to the selected number is selected from the associated transfer high voltage table, and the current is controlled by the selected output value. In FIG. 5, in the transfer high voltage table, “0” is associated with the output current “0 uA”, “1” is associated with the output current “−10 uA”, and the current output corresponding to the selected number.
[0023]
FIG. 5B is a diagram showing an example of a table of the various high-voltage outputs. A primary high-voltage control value, a development high-voltage control value, and a transfer high-voltage control value each have a plurality of control values, and a selection signal for each output and an output value corresponding to the selection signal are predetermined in the ROM 4 in the form of a table. Held at the address. In the above example of the various high-voltage output tables, the various high-voltage output tables in the ROM 4 are loaded on the RAM 5 at the time of startup, and the data is updated by reading and writing from the controller 9 via the CPU 1 and the serial communication means. In this case, it is possible to update the optimum conditions according to the operating conditions of the machine and the like each time.
[0024]
Next, the timing pattern and control pattern reception and image forming operation described with reference to FIG. 5 will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 6, a timing pattern and a control pattern are received when the power supply of the high-voltage power supply is turned on, and the operation flow from the start of the power supply to the start of the printing operation is represented as an operation flow. When the power supplied to the high-voltage power supply is turned on, various initializations of the CPU 1 are performed, and after the initialization is completed, a timing pattern and a control pattern request signal are transmitted from the CPU 1 of the high-voltage power supply via the serial communication unit 3. (S21) After receiving a plurality of timing patterns from the controller 9 and subsequently receiving a plurality of control patterns and temporarily saving them in the RAM 5 (S22), the CPU 1 performs a write operation to the nonvolatile memory. By setting a permission flag for permitting (S23), the nonvolatile memory means 2 enters the write mode, and the write operation starts (S24). When the write operation is completed, the write permission flag is lowered to set the write inhibit mode to prevent erroneous write during normal operation (S25). After the operation is completed, the process at the time of starting the high-voltage power supply is completed, and the process shifts to a standby mode for waiting for a print start signal or the like (S26). When a print operation signal is received in the standby mode (S27), a timing pattern selection number and a control pattern selection number are received from the controller means 9 (S28), and the mode selection means 8 and the mode selection means 10 on the RAM 5 are respectively provided. Mode selection means is held. The high-voltage power supply selects a corresponding timing pattern from a plurality of timing patterns and a plurality of control patterns stored in the non-volatile memory means 2 from a timing pattern selection number held in the mode selection means 8 on the RMA 5 and simultaneously sets a mode on the RMA 5 A corresponding control pattern is selected from the control pattern selection signals held by the selection means 10, and the timing pattern and the control pattern selected based on the received sequence start signal are started and executed according to a predetermined cycle (S29). Is started.
[0025]
Although FIG. 5 shows an example of a basic operation pattern, the selection of a timing pattern and a control pattern can be made according to environmental conditions and the like. In this case, a pattern corresponding to various environmental conditions is transmitted to the nonvolatile memory means 2 via the serial communication means 3 of the high-voltage power supply device in advance. In advance, environmental conditions such as temperature information and humidity information are obtained from environment sensor means connected to the control means 9, and the control means 9 determines the timing pattern based on both or one of the temperature information and the humidity information. It is also possible to perform a printing operation by selecting a control pattern selection signal.
[0026]
FIG. 7 shows a third embodiment in which a printing operation is performed according to environmental conditions. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration of a high-voltage power supply and a controller according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 1 denotes a CPU for controlling the inside of the high-voltage power supply. Inside the CPU 1, serial communication means 3 for performing serial communication with the controller means 9, ROM 4 for storing a control program for the high-voltage power supply, and temporarily storing high-voltage control data and control program data. It is composed of a RAM 5 and the like for temporarily storing. 2 is an EEPROM which is a nonvolatile memory means 2 for writing and reading timing patterns and control patterns, etc., 6 is a high voltage control means 6 for controlling the power supply of various high voltage generating means via the CPU 1, and an output of the high voltage control means 6 is In FIG. 4, a plurality of outputs of a primary high voltage, a developing high voltage, and a transfer output obtained by superimposing a transfer cleaning high voltage on a transfer high voltage are supplied to each process element of the image forming apparatus in FIG. In the RAM 5, a mode selection means 8 for selecting a mode from a plurality of high-voltage output operation modes and holding information for selecting various modes such as start and stop of operation of a high-voltage output sequence, and a plurality of modes according to the high-voltage output sequence A mode selecting means 2 for holding information for selecting a high-voltage output value is shown as 10. Both the mode selecting means 8 and the mode selecting means 10 can be written and read from the controller means 9 via the CPU 1 and the serial communication means. An environment sensor means 11 is connected to the controller means 9, and in this embodiment, temperature information and humidity information inside the machine are sent to the controller means 9 by the environment sensor.
[0027]
Hereinafter, details of the operation will be described with reference to FIG. 8 in combination with FIG. 7 described above. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a timing chart illustrating a timing pattern and a control pattern in the communication method of serial communication data. Examples of timing patterns at each of the primary high voltage, the development high voltage, the transfer high voltage, and the transfer cleaning high voltage are represented by “1” and “0” signals at predetermined unit times on the horizontal axis as a time axis. “1” indicates a high voltage on state, and “0” indicates a high voltage “off” state. The timing pattern indicates the timing pattern selected by the timing pattern selection signal stored in the EEPROM as the nonvolatile memory means 2 and held in the eight mode selection means on the RAM 5. Further, an example of a control pattern for changing the control values of the primary high voltage, the development high voltage, and the transfer high voltage at each timing is represented as a control value selection signal of each high voltage. The control value pattern is stored in an EEPROM which is a nonvolatile memory means 2, and a primary high pressure control value selection signal selected by a control value pattern selection signal held in ten mode selection means 2 on a RAM 5. A value selection signal and a transfer high voltage control value selection signal are provided and are represented as control value patterns at each timing. The numbers above each control value selection signal represent the table value associated with each high voltage output. When a predetermined control value pattern is selected by the primary high voltage control value selection signal, a plurality of primary high voltage selection signals and a plurality of primary high voltage selection signals stored in the ROM 4 in advance based on the selection signal in the control value pattern. An output value corresponding to the selected number is selected from the primary high voltage table to which the output value is related, and the voltage is controlled by the selected output value.
[0028]
In FIG. 8A, in the primary high voltage table, “0” corresponds to a selection number such as an output voltage “0 V”, “1” corresponds to an output voltage “−600 V”, and “2” corresponds to a selection number such as an output voltage “−450 V”. The next higher voltage is associated. When a predetermined control value pattern is selected by the developing high-voltage control value selection signal, a plurality of pre-stored in the ROM 4 like the primary high-voltage control value selection signal based on the selection signal in the control value pattern. An output value corresponding to the selection number is selected from a developing high voltage table in which the selection signal is associated with a plurality of output values, and the voltage is controlled by the selected output value. In the developing high voltage table, "0" corresponds to the output voltage "0V", "1" corresponds to the output voltage "-300V", "2" corresponds to the output voltage "-500V", and the like. I have. Similarly, when a predetermined control value pattern is selected for the transfer high voltage control value selection signal, a plurality of selection signals and a plurality of output values stored in the ROM 4 in advance are determined based on the selection signal in the control value pattern. An output value corresponding to the selected number is selected from the associated transfer high voltage table, and the current is controlled by the selected output value. In the transfer high voltage table, “0” is associated with the output current “0 uA”, “1” is associated with the output current “−10 uA”, and the current output corresponding to the selected number.
[0029]
FIG. 8B is a diagram showing an example of a table of the various high-voltage outputs. A primary high-voltage control value, a development high-voltage control value, and a transfer high-voltage control value each have a plurality of control values, and a selection signal for each output and an output value corresponding to the selection signal are predetermined in the ROM 4 in the form of a table. Held at the address. The operation flow at the time of receiving the timing pattern and the control pattern at the time of power activation of the controller 9 and the high voltage power supply device and the printing operation is the same basic operation as the operation of FIG. 6 of the second embodiment. Next, an operation when a control pattern is changed according to environmental conditions will be described. In the control means 9, it is possible to obtain temperature information and humidity information from the environment sensor means connected to the control means 9. The control means 9 obtains both or one of the temperature information and the humidity information. Thus, a control pattern optimal for the printing conditions is selected and transmitted as a control pattern selection signal via the serial communication means 3 of the high-voltage power supply device. In FIG. 8, the condition of −650 V represented by the control table selection value 3 of the primary high-voltage control value selection signal is based on the temperature information of the environment sensor unit 11, because the internal temperature condition of the machine is higher than a predetermined temperature. This is a set value for optimizing. Regarding the transfer high voltage control value selection signal, the condition of −20 uA represented by the control table selection value 3 is based on the humidity information of the environment sensor unit 11 and the transfer condition of the image forming apparatus is optimized because the humidity condition inside the machine is higher than a predetermined humidity. This is the set value for
[0030]
As described above, the environment conditions such as temperature information and humidity information are obtained from the environment sensor means, and the control means 9 previously stores a plurality of control value patterns or a plurality of timing patterns in accordance with the environmental conditions in the EEPROM which is the nonvolatile memory means 2. It is also possible to store the print data and perform an optimum print operation according to various environmental conditions at the time of the print operation.
[0031]
In the first, second, and third embodiments described above, a plurality of timing patterns are received by the serial communication unit and stored in the non-volatile memory unit. Can be stored in the ROM 4 inside the high-voltage power supply. Although an example has been shown in which the nonvolatile memory means 2 and the timing pattern are stored in the above embodiment, the timing pattern is stored in the ROM 4 inside the CPU 1 when the nonvolatile memory means 2 is not provided. It is also possible to operate by receiving a timing pattern selection signal from the controller means 9 via the serial communication means 3. When a plurality of timing patterns are changed in accordance with various environmental conditions and printing conditions, and it is necessary to customize the plurality of timing patterns depending on the conditions and environment used for each image forming apparatus, the timing patterns are read from the ROM 4. It is also possible to change the timing pattern held on the RAM 5 from the control means 9 via the serial communication means 3 by holding the information on the RAM 5 and entering a predetermined operation mode.
[0032]
Hereinafter, the above contents will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the configuration of the high-voltage power supply and the controller means according to the embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 1 denotes a CPU for controlling the inside of the high-voltage power supply. Inside the CPU 1, serial communication means 3 for performing serial communication with the controller means 9, ROM 4 for storing a high-voltage power supply control program, and RAM 5 for temporarily storing high-voltage control data and the like. And so on. Reference numeral 6 denotes a high-voltage control means 6 for controlling the power supply of various high-voltage generation means via the CPU 1, and an output of the high-pressure control means 6 is connected to a high-pressure generation means 7. In FIG. A plurality of outputs of the transfer output with the transfer cleaning high voltage superimposed thereon are supplied to each process element of the image forming apparatus. The RAM 5 includes mode selection means 8 for selecting a mode from a plurality of high-voltage output operation modes, holding state of various modes such as start and stop of operation of a high-voltage output sequence, and holding selection information of a timing pattern, and the like. It is connected to the external controller means 9 via the serial communication means 3.
[0033]
The reception and printing operation of the timing pattern selection signal in the configuration of FIG. 9 will be described. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation when the power is turned on to the high-voltage power supply device and at the time of printing. In the flowchart, various initial settings 1 are made when the power is turned on to the high-voltage power supply, and various initial settings for power operation of the high-voltage power supply are performed. The initial setting 1 includes an operation of loading a plurality of timing patterns stored in the ROM 4 onto the RAM 5. Further, an initial setting for communicating with the control means 9 via the serial communication means 3 is also performed (S31). In the next operation, it is determined whether or not the timing pattern is updated (S32). When the initial setting is completed, if the timing pattern needs to be updated, the controller unit 9 stores the timing pattern in the RAM 5 via the serial communication unit 3. It is possible to determine whether the timing pattern needs to be updated by setting the mode setting means 8 data update flag. Since the normal operation is not the update mode, "NO" is determined, the initial setting 3 is performed to make the print operation possible (S39), and the process proceeds to the print waiting routine.
[0034]
When the timing pattern needs to be updated, by setting a data update flag inside the mode setting means 8 on the RAM 5, a "YES" decision is made to enter the data update mode, and the data update mode is entered. Is performed (S33). In the initial setting 2, a timing pattern request signal is sent to the control means 9 via the serial communication means 3 in order to notify the control means 9 that the timing pattern can be received simultaneously with various initial settings. ing. Next, in order to make it possible to write the data of the timing pattern, the data write flag on the mode setting means 8 on the RAM 5 is set to the permission mode (S34). A plurality of timing patterns are sent from the control means 9 (S35). It is stored in the RAM 5 (S36). After receiving the timing pattern, the erroneous writing is prevented by inhibiting the data writing permission flag to prevent erroneous writing (S37). When the operation in the data update mode is completed, the timing pattern selectable flag is turned on to enable the selection of the timing pattern (S38). To standby mode for waiting for. In the standby mode (S40), at the same time as receiving a print operation signal (S41), a timing pattern selection number is received from the controller 9 (S42), and the high-voltage power supply is output from the received timing pattern from the plurality of timing patterns stored in the RAM 5. At the same time as selecting the timing pattern based on the selection number, the sequence is started based on the received print sequence start signal (S43), and the high-voltage power supply output is turned on / off according to the data selected in each step according to a predetermined operation cycle. Then, the image forming operation is started.
[0035]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, a plurality of timing patterns for turning on / off a plurality of high-voltage generating means at a predetermined timing are received by serial communication, and stored in a nonvolatile memory means inside the high-voltage power supply, At the start of image formation, a timing pattern selection signal and an image formation start signal are received from the connected controller means, and a timing pattern is selected based on the received timing pattern selection number, and at the same time, a timing pattern is selected based on the received image formation start signal. By performing the image formation, the serial communication load at the time of the image formation is reduced, so that it is possible to cope with a higher-speed image forming apparatus.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an inspection device and a high-voltage power supply according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a timing pattern example 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an inspection device and a high-voltage power supply according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5A is a timing pattern example 2 and a control pattern example according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
(B) It is an example of a table of various high voltage outputs in a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an inspection device and a high-voltage power supply according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8A is a timing pattern example 3 and a control pattern example 2 according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
(B) Table example 2 of various high voltage outputs according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an inspection device and a high-voltage power supply according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 High voltage power supply CPU1
2 EEPROM with non-volatile storage means
3 Serial communication means
4 ROM
5 RAM
6 High pressure control means
7 High pressure generating means
8 Mode selection means
9 Controller means

Claims (4)

Communication means for communicating with the controller means;
High-voltage power supply control means for controlling a plurality of high-voltage generation means,
Storage means for receiving and storing a plurality of timing patterns for operating the high-pressure generating means at a predetermined timing from the controller means via the communication means,
A mode selection means for selecting any one of the plurality of timing patterns,
At the start of image formation, receiving a mode selection signal from the controller means,
The mode selection means selects a timing pattern stored in the storage means according to the mode selection signal, and the high-voltage power supply control means controls the plurality of high-voltage generation means based on the selected timing pattern. High voltage power supply. Communication means for communicating with the controller means;
High-voltage power supply control means for controlling a plurality of high-voltage generation means,
Storage means for receiving and storing a plurality of timing patterns for operating the high-pressure generating means at a predetermined timing and a plurality of control value patterns for operating at a predetermined control value from the controller means via the communication means,
First mode selection means for selecting any of the plurality of timing patterns,
In a high-voltage power supply device configured with a second mode selection unit that selects any one of a plurality of control value patterns that control the high-voltage generation unit,
At the start of image formation, receiving a first mode selection signal and a second mode selection signal from the controller means,
The first mode selection unit selects a timing pattern stored in the storage unit according to the first mode selection signal,
The second mode selection means selects a control value pattern stored in the storage means according to the second mode selection signal, and selects the high-voltage power supply based on the selected timing pattern and control value pattern. The control means is a high-voltage power supply for controlling the plurality of high-voltage generating means. Communication means for communicating with the controller means;
High-voltage power supply control means for controlling a plurality of high-voltage generation means,
Storage means for receiving and storing a plurality of timing patterns for operating the high-pressure generating means at a predetermined timing from the controller means via the communication means,
A mode selection means for selecting any one of the plurality of timing patterns,
Receiving a mode selection signal corresponding to environment information output from the environment sensor means via the controller means,
At the start of image formation, the mode selection means selects a timing pattern stored in the storage means according to the mode selection signal, and the high-voltage power supply control means controls the plurality of high-voltage power supplies based on the selected timing pattern. A high-voltage power supply that controls the generating means. Communication means for communicating with the controller means;
High-voltage power supply control means for controlling a plurality of high-voltage generation means,
Storage means for receiving and storing a plurality of timing patterns for operating the high-pressure generating means at a predetermined timing and a plurality of control value patterns for operating at a predetermined control value from the controller means via the communication means,
First mode selection means for selecting any of the plurality of timing patterns,
In a high-voltage power supply device configured with a second mode selection unit that selects any one of a plurality of control value patterns that control the high-voltage generation unit,
Receiving first and second mode selection signals corresponding to environment information output from environment sensor means via the controller means, and at the start of image formation, the first mode selection means comprises Selecting a timing pattern stored in the storage means according to the selection signal;
The second mode selection means selects a control value pattern stored in the storage means according to the second mode selection signal, and selects the high-voltage power supply based on the selected timing pattern and control value pattern. The control means is a high-voltage power supply for controlling the plurality of high-voltage generating means.

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