JP2005024772A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the convenience of a user by storing data (current data) used at a printing time in the case that the external power source for an image forming apparatus is interrupted. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus is provided with memories 12a and 13a to temporarily store the data used at the printing time, a nonvolatile storing part 17 having at least the total storage capacity of the memories 12a and 13a, a data storage processing part 16 to store the data stored in the memories 12a and 13a in the nonvolatile storing part 17, a secondary battery 20 and a power source controlling part 22 using the electric power of the secondary battery 20 in the storing operation of the data stored in the memories 12a and 13a in the case that power supply from a commercial power source 100 is interrupted. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, and a facsimile machine.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, environmentally friendly clean energy has been attracting attention for the protection of the global environment. As a conventional image forming apparatus, an apparatus that uses a power generated from light energy such as sunlight using a solar cell together with power supplied from a commercial power source is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). ). In this image forming apparatus, surplus power that is not consumed among the power generated by the solar battery is stored in the secondary battery, and is used when the power generation capacity of the solar battery is low, such as at night.
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 7-271249 A (2nd page, FIG. 1)
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional image forming apparatus described above, when power supply from the commercial power supply is interrupted due to a power failure or the like, the secondary battery can operate for a certain period, but the battery may run out during printing. If the battery runs out during printing, the current data stored in the print execution memory will disappear, so the user must reset the print data and print format after the commercial power supply is restored. There is a problem that it is not easy to use.
[0005]
The present invention has been made in consideration of such circumstances, and the object of the present invention is to save and use data (current data) used at the time of printing when the power supply outside the apparatus is cut off. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of improving the convenience of the user.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, an image forming apparatus according to claim 1 temporarily stores data used when printing is performed in an image forming apparatus that operates by receiving power from an external power supply. First storage means, non-volatile second storage means having at least the storage capacity of the first storage means, and data stored in the first storage means are saved in the second storage means Data storage processing means, electrical storage means for storing electrical energy, and storage operation of data stored in the first storage means when the power supply from the power supply outside the device is cut off And a power supply control means used in the above.
[0007]
According to this configuration, when power supply from the power supply external to the apparatus is interrupted, data (current data) used at the time of printing can be stored in the nonvolatile storage unit by the power stored in the power storage unit. . As a result, when the power supply outside the apparatus is restored, printing can be resumed using the current data stored in the non-volatile storage means, improving the convenience for the user.
[0008]
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: a heating element that generates heat during operation of the image forming apparatus; and a thermoelectric conversion element that converts thermal energy emitted from the heating element into electrical energy. The means stores the electrical energy output from the thermoelectric conversion element.
According to this configuration, the thermal energy generated in association with the operation of the image forming apparatus is converted into electric energy by the thermoelectric conversion element and stored in the power storage unit, so that it is not necessary to charge using the power supply outside the apparatus. Good. Thereby, it is possible to save the power of the power supply outside the apparatus and contribute to resource saving.
[0009]
The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a monitoring unit that monitors a power storage amount of the power storage unit, wherein the power control unit is configured to supply the power storage amount when power is supplied from a power source outside the device. Is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount required for the data storage operation, the power of the power storage means is used.
According to this configuration, since the power required for the current data storage operation is stored in the power storage unit, the power of the power storage unit can be applied to the power consumed by the image forming apparatus, thereby further saving the power of the power supply outside the apparatus. It becomes possible to do.
[0010]
Further, in the image forming apparatus according to claim 4, the power supply control unit determines whether the power storage amount and the print execution status are in the middle of printing when the power supply from the power supply outside the apparatus is cut off. Based on this, it is determined whether or not the printing can be continued and the data can be saved by the power of the power storage means, and if possible, the data saving is executed after the printing is completed.
According to this configuration, if the power supply from the power supply external to the apparatus is cut off and printing is in progress, the current data can still be saved even if printing continues with the amount of power stored in the power storage means. Since the printing is continued and the current data is saved after the printing is completed, the amount of unprinted can be reduced. In addition, since the amount of data to be saved is reduced, consumption of the power storage means can be saved.
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 includes an image forming unit 11, a communication unit 12, a main control unit 13, a machine driving unit 14, a fixing unit 15, a data storage processing unit 16, a nonvolatile storage unit 17, a thermoelectric conversion element 18, A charging device 19, a secondary battery 20, an inverter circuit 21, and a power supply control unit 22 are provided. A commercial power supply 100 is connected outside the apparatus.
[0012]
The image forming unit 11 forms a non-fixed toner image (unfixed image) by transferring a toner image onto a sheet using a photoconductor. Paper, plastic, or the like can be used as the material of the sheet.
The communication unit 12 performs data communication by connecting to a communication network. The communication unit 12 includes a memory 12a that temporarily stores received data. The memory 12a temporarily stores data received via the communication network, for example, print data.
The main control unit 13 controls the entire image forming apparatus 1. The main control unit 13 also includes a memory 13a that temporarily stores data used during printing. The memory 13a temporarily stores print data or print format data.
The memories 12a and 13a function as a print execution memory in which data (current data) used during print execution is stored.
[0013]
The mechanical drive unit 14 drives mechanical parts such as sheet feeding, paper discharge, and conveyance.
The fixing unit 15 fixes the unfixed image on the sheet by the image forming unit 11. The fixing unit 15 fixes the unfixed image by heating and pressing the sheet. Further, the fixing unit 15 maintains heat generation required for fixing an unfixed image even during standby. Thereby, it is possible to cope with an immediate start of image formation without warming up.
[0014]
The data storage processing unit 16 stores current data stored in the memories 12a and 13a. The data storage processing unit 16 receives the power-off signal A2 from the power control unit 22. When the data storage processing unit 16 receives the power-off signal A2, the data storage processing unit 16 reads the current data from the memories 12a and 13a and writes it in the nonvolatile storage unit 17.
[0015]
The nonvolatile storage unit 17 has a total storage capacity of at least the memories 12a and 13a. The nonvolatile storage unit 17 requires power for reading and writing data, but does not require power for data retention. Therefore, the current data written in the nonvolatile storage unit 17 is retained even when the power is turned off. Examples of the nonvolatile storage unit 17 include a writable nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM) and a flash memory, a hard disk device, a magneto-optical disk device, a portable recording medium, and a recording medium read / write device. Is available.
[0016]
The thermoelectric conversion element 18 converts thermal energy into electrical energy. As the thermoelectric conversion element 18, an element (Seebeck element) that generates a thermoelectromotive force by a known Seebeck effect due to a temperature difference between the two can be used. As the Seebeck element, for example, a pn type semiconductor thermoelectric element is known.
[0017]
The charging device 19 performs floating charging of the secondary battery 20 with the electric power output from the thermoelectric conversion element 18. In addition, a capacitor | condenser etc. can also be utilized as an electrical storage means which stores the electric power generated by the thermoelectric conversion element 18. FIG.
[0018]
The inverter circuit 21 converts AC power supplied from the commercial power supply 100 into DC power. The inverter circuit 21 is supplied with power from the secondary battery 20. The inverter circuit 21 supplies the power from the commercial power supply 100 and the power from the secondary battery 20 to the units 11 to 17 via the power control unit 22. Further, the inverter circuit 21 outputs a power supply state signal A1 indicating a power supply state from the commercial power supply 100 to the power supply control unit 22. The power supply state signal A1 indicates whether power is supplied from the commercial power supply 100.
[0019]
The power supply control unit 22 performs power supply destination selection control. The power supply control unit 22 can determine whether power is supplied from the commercial power supply 100 based on the power supply state signal A1 from the inverter circuit 21. Then, the power supply destination in the apparatus 1 is selected according to whether power is supplied from the commercial power source 100. Further, when the power supply control unit 22 determines that the power supply from the commercial power supply 100 is cut off based on the power supply state signal A1, the power supply control unit 22 outputs a power supply cut-off signal A2 to the data storage processing unit 16.
[0020]
Next, the installation position of the thermoelectric conversion element 18 will be described.
In the image forming apparatus 1, there are generally a large number of parts (heating elements) that generate heat when the apparatus 1 operates. For example, a CPU provided in the main control unit 13, a motor provided in the mechanical drive unit 14, a heater provided in the fixing unit 15, and the like. Therefore, the thermoelectric conversion element 18 is disposed at a position where the heat energy emitted from these heating elements is conducted. As a result, it is possible to generate power by the thermoelectric conversion element 18 using the thermal energy generated by the operation of the image forming apparatus 1. The number of thermoelectric conversion elements 18 may be singular or plural.
[0021]
FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram for explaining an installation example of the thermoelectric conversion element 18. The embodiment of FIG. 2 is for the case where thermal energy generated from a heater provided in the fixing unit 15 is used. The heater of the fixing unit 15 is a large-scale heat source in the image forming apparatus 1. FIG. 2 shows a photosensitive drum 31, a transfer roller 32, a heating roller 33 and a pressure roller 34 as a pair of fixing rollers, a guide plate 35, a thermoelectric conversion element 18, and a sheet 41.
[0022]
A toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 31. The transfer roller 32 is for transferring the toner image on the photosensitive drum 31 to a sheet. As a result, the toner image on the photosensitive drum 31 is transferred onto the sheet 41 that passes between the photosensitive drum 31 and the transfer roller 32. At this stage, the toner image on the sheet 41 is not fixed. The sheet 41 that has passed between the photosensitive drum 31 and the transfer roller 32 is guided to the fixing roller pair by the guide plate 35.
[0023]
A heater (not shown) is provided inside the heating roller 33. This heater generates heat up to a predetermined temperature required to fix the unfixed toner image on the sheet by heating. The pressure roller 34 presses a sheet passing between the heating roller 33 and the pressure roller 34 to fix an unfixed toner image. As a result, the unfixed toner image on the sheet 41 passing between the heating roller 33 and the pressure roller 34 is fixed.
[0024]
As shown in FIG. 2, the thermoelectric conversion element 18 is attached to the guide plate 35. This attachment position is a position that does not hinder the sheet guidance. In the example of FIG. 2, it is attached to the surface opposite to the seat side. The material of the guide plate 35 is a heat conductor. For example, iron, aluminum and other metals can be used as the material of the guide plate 35. Thereby, the thermal energy emitted from the heater inside the heating roller 33 is efficiently conducted to the thermoelectric conversion element 18. As a result, the utilization efficiency of heat energy is improved.
[0025]
When a Seebeck element is used as the thermoelectric conversion element 18, one of the two surfaces giving the temperature difference of the Seebeck element is attached so as to be in contact with the guide plate 35, and the other surface is not in contact with the guide plate 35. . Thereby, a thermoelectromotive force is generated due to a temperature difference between the guide plate 35 and its surroundings. Furthermore, it is preferable to attach a heat radiating means (heat radiating fin, heat radiating plate, etc.) to the surface not in contact with the guide plate 35 because a larger temperature difference can be given to the thermoelectric conversion element 18 (Seebeck element). In order to increase the power generation efficiency of the thermoelectric conversion element 18 (Seebeck element), a cooling fan may be provided. However, a cooling fan whose power consumption is less than the increase in power generation efficiency of the thermoelectric conversion element 18 is used.
[0026]
Next, with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, an operation related to storage of data (current data) used at the time of execution of printing will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a power supply method when power supply from the commercial power supply 100 is cut off.
First, in a state where power is supplied from the commercial power supply 100, the power supply control unit 22 supplies power to the units 11 to 17 in FIG. Next, when power supply from the commercial power supply 100 is cut off due to a power failure or the like, the power supply control unit 22, as shown in FIG. 2, each unit 12, 13, 16 required for storing the current data stored in the memories 12 a and 13 a. And 17 only. Thereby, the electric power of the secondary battery 20 is used for the saving operation of the current data stored in the memories 12a and 13a.
[0027]
Further, when the power supply from the commercial power supply 100 is cut off, the power supply control unit 22 outputs a power cut-off signal A2 to the data storage processing unit 16. In response to the power-off signal A2, the data storage processing unit 16 stores the current data stored in the memories 12a and 13a in the nonvolatile storage unit 17.
[0028]
According to the first embodiment described above, when the power supply from the commercial power supply 100 is cut off, the non-volatile storage unit 17 stores the data (current data) used at the time of printing by the power stored in the secondary battery 20. Can be saved. As a result, when the commercial power supply 100 is restored, printing can be resumed using the current data stored in the non-volatile storage unit 17, and the convenience for the user is improved.
[0029]
Further, since the heat energy generated with the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 is converted into electric energy by the thermoelectric conversion element 18 and stored in the secondary battery 20, it is not necessary to charge using the commercial power source 100. . Thereby, the electric power of the commercial power source 100 can be saved and it can contribute to resource saving. Further, since the thermoelectric conversion element 18 can be provided inside the image forming apparatus 1, it is not necessary to provide a space outside the image forming apparatus like a solar cell, and can be realized with space saving and cost saving.
[0030]
Next, a second embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 4, parts corresponding to those in FIG. 1 are given the same reference numerals, and explanation thereof is omitted. The image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 4 includes a monitoring unit 51 in addition to the configuration shown in FIG. The monitoring unit 51 monitors the amount of electric power (storage amount) stored in the secondary battery 20. Then, the monitoring unit 51 notifies the power supply control unit 22 of the charged amount of the secondary battery 20.
[0031]
The power control unit 22 is notified of the print execution status C from the main control unit 13. For example, the fact that print data is being received, the number of remaining sheets of the document being printed, the remaining print amount of the sheet being printed, etc. are notified.
[0032]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of power control processing in the image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. The operation of the image forming apparatus 1 in FIG. 4 will be described with reference to FIG.
First, as a steady operation, the monitoring unit 51 monitors the charged amount of the secondary battery 20 and notifies the power supply control unit 22 of the charged amount.
In FIG. 5, the power supply control unit 22 determines whether or not power is supplied from the commercial power supply 100 (step S1). Next, if there is power supply from the commercial power supply 100 (the determination result in step S1 is YES), the power supply control unit 22 determines whether or not the storage amount of the secondary battery 20 is greater than or equal to a predetermined amount required for the current data saving operation. Is determined (step S2). Next, if the storage amount is equal to or greater than the predetermined amount (YES in step S2), the power supply control unit 22 gives permission to use the power of the secondary battery 20 to the inverter circuit 21 (step S3). Specifically, the battery use permission signal B shown in FIG. 4 is output to the inverter circuit 21. Thereby, the power of the secondary battery 20 can be applied to the power consumed by the image forming apparatus 1 while storing the power required for the current data storage operation in the secondary battery 20.
[0033]
On the other hand, when power is supplied from the commercial power source 100, when the amount of power stored in the secondary battery 20 is less than the predetermined amount required for the current data saving operation (the determination result in steps S1 and S2 is NO), The secondary battery 20 is not used.
[0034]
Next, when the power supply from the commercial power supply 100 is cut off (the determination result of step S1 is NO), the power supply control unit 22 is printing in the middle of printing based on the print execution status C from the main control unit 13 (print data It is determined whether or not (including during reception) (step S4). Next, if printing is in progress (the determination result in step S4 is YES), the power supply control unit 22 continues printing with the power of the secondary battery 20 and current data based on the print execution status and the amount of power stored in the secondary battery 20. It is determined whether or not saving is possible (step S5). Next, if printing can be continued and current data can be saved (YES in step S5), the power supply control unit 22 continues printing using the power of the secondary battery 20 (step S6). Next, when printing is completed, the power supply control unit 22 switches to the same power supply system as in FIG. 3 and outputs a power-off signal A2 to the data storage processing unit 16 to store the current data in the nonvolatile storage unit 17. (Steps S7 and S8).
[0035]
For example, if the number of remaining sheets of a document in the middle of printing is 10, and the amount of power stored in the secondary battery 20 is a value that allows current data storage even after printing up to 5 sheets, Five sheets are printed, and the current data is saved after the printing of the five sheets is completed.
[0036]
On the other hand, when the power supply from the commercial power supply 100 is cut off (the determination result of step S1 is NO), when printing is not in progress (the determination result of step S4 is NO), the printing is continued by the power of the secondary battery 20 and the current. When the data cannot be stored (the determination result in step S5 is NO), the printing is interrupted (step S9), and the current data is stored in the nonvolatile storage unit 17 using the power of the secondary battery 20. Is executed (step S8).
[0037]
According to the second embodiment described above, the power of the secondary battery 20 can be applied to the power consumed by the image forming apparatus 1 while the power required for the current data saving operation is stored in the secondary battery 20. Further, the power of the commercial power supply 100 can be further saved.
[0038]
In addition, when the power supply from the commercial power supply 100 is cut off and printing is in progress, the printing can be performed on the condition that the current data can still be saved even if the amount of power stored in the secondary battery 20 continues printing. Since the current data is saved after printing is completed, the amount of unprinted data can be reduced. Further, since the amount of data to be saved is reduced, the consumption of the secondary battery 20 can be saved.
[0039]
Note that the image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile machine, and the like. Furthermore, it is assumed to include an apparatus having a plurality of functions of the image forming apparatus. For example, a printer having a copying function, a facsimile apparatus having a copying function, an apparatus having a copying function, a printer function, and a facsimile function are also included in the image forming apparatus of the present invention.
[0040]
The embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and includes design changes and the like within a scope not departing from the gist of the present invention.
[0041]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, when power supply from a power source (for example, commercial power source) outside the apparatus is cut off, the power stored in the power storage means (for example, the secondary battery) is used at the time of printing execution. Data (current data) can be stored in a nonvolatile storage means (for example, a hard disk device). As a result, when the power supply outside the apparatus is restored, printing can be resumed using the current data stored in the non-volatile storage means, improving the convenience for the user.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram for explaining an installation example of a thermoelectric conversion element 18;
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a power feeding method according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of power control processing in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image forming apparatus, 11 ... Image forming part, 12 ... Communication part, 13 ... Main control part, 14 ... Machine drive part, 15 ... Fixing part, 16 ... Data storage process part, 17 ... Nonvolatile memory part, 18 ... Thermoelectric conversion element, 19 ... charging device, 20 ... secondary battery, 21 ... inverter circuit, 22 ... power control unit, 31 ... photosensitive drum, 32 ... transfer roller, 33 ... heating roller, 34 ... pressure roller, 35 ... Guide plate, 41 ... sheet, 51 ... monitoring unit, 100 ... commercial power supply

Claims (4)

In an image forming apparatus that operates by receiving power supply from a power source outside the apparatus,
First storage means for temporarily storing data used when executing printing;
Non-volatile second storage means having at least the storage capacity of the first storage means;
Data storage processing means for storing data stored in the first storage means in the second storage means;
Power storage means for storing electrical energy;
A power supply control means for using the power of the power storage means for the operation of saving the data stored in the first storage means when the power supply from the power supply outside the device is cut off;
An image forming apparatus comprising: A heating element that generates heat during operation of the image forming apparatus;
A thermoelectric conversion element that converts thermal energy emitted from the heating element into electrical energy;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the power storage unit stores the electrical energy output from the thermoelectric conversion element. Comprising monitoring means for monitoring the amount of electricity stored in the electricity storage means;
The power supply control means uses power of the power storage means when the power storage amount is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount required for the data storage operation when power is supplied from a power supply external to the apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. When the power supply from the power supply outside the apparatus is in the middle of printing when the power supply from the power supply outside the apparatus is interrupted, the power control means continues printing with the power of the power storage means and stores the data based on the power storage amount and the print execution status 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein it is determined whether or not printing is possible, and if possible, the data storage is executed after printing is completed.

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