JP2005043587A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To ensure that the arrival time before a printable fixing temperature can be selected and set so as to permit the selection of whether a mode to prioritize an initial printing speed or a mode to prioritize low electric power consumption is to be employed. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus of an electrophotographic system equipped with a fixing unit 7 having a fixing heater 12 is equipped with an operation display means 15 having a function to set the arrival time before the printable fixing temperature at the time of turning on of a power source or a function to select the mode to emphasize the initial printing speed or the mode to emphasize the low electric power consumption and a main control means 11 for controlling the fixing unit 7 and the operation display means 15. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus provided with a fixing unit having a fixing heater, and more particularly to a technology for controlling a rise time of a fixing temperature and power consumption.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In order to improve the initial printing speed (the time from when the power is turned on until the first print is output) in the image forming apparatus, the fixing temperature (the temperature of the fixing heater, and hence the temperature of the fixing unit) is raised at an early stage. Is one of the best solutions. This is because the printing operation can be performed if the fixing temperature is raised early until the temperature at which the toner can be fixed on the sheet is reached and the mechanical initialization operation is completed at an early stage. This is disadvantageous in terms of reducing power consumption. However, in recent image forming apparatuses, since it is a proposition to suppress the power consumption as much as possible due to environmental problems, some users do not like the increase in power consumption by raising the fixing temperature early.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
If the fixing heater is slowly raised to the printable fixing set temperature, for example, the fixing heater is gradually turned on instead of being turned on, the warm-up time becomes longer. Therefore, the rise time of the machine has been increasing, which is in contradiction to the initial print speed up, which has been a user request.
According to the present invention, it is possible to select and set an arrival time until a printable fixing temperature, and to select a mode in which the initial print speed is prioritized or a mode in which low power consumption is prioritized. Objective.
In addition, in order to make it easy for the user to see and select a mode, it is an object to list and display several times until reaching the printable fixing temperature and all the power consumption.
[0004]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, in the electrophotographic image forming apparatus having a fixing unit having a fixing heater, an arrival time to a printable fixing temperature is set when power is turned on and an initial time is set. An image forming apparatus including an operation display unit having a function of selecting a mode for emphasizing print speed or a mode for emphasizing low power, and a main control unit for controlling the fixing unit and the operation display unit is the main. Features.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the operation display means displays an arrival setting time until the printable fixing temperature at power-on and is selectable. And
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the operation display means displays the power consumption up to the printable fixing temperature when the power is turned on and is selectable. To do.
[0005]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. There is a paper feed tray 1 at the bottom of the machine body, and a photosensitive belt 2 at the top. Around the photosensitive belt 2, a charging charger 3, a writing unit 4, a four-color developing device 5, and an intermediate transfer belt 6 are arranged. A fixing unit 7 is disposed on the downstream side of the intermediate transfer belt 6.
A full-color or mono-color toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 6 by a known electrophotographic process is transferred to a sheet fed from the sheet feeding tray 1 and fixed by a fixing unit 7.
FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. The main CPU (main control means) 11 is connected to the fixing heater 12 and the PSU 13 in the fixing unit 7, various driving units 14 such as various fans, motors, and clutches, and the operation unit 15. The fixing heater 12 is connected to the PSU 13. The PSU 13 supplies power to each unit, and performs ON / OFF control of the fixing heater 12 by a control signal from the main CPU 11. The various drive units 14 and the operation unit 15 are controlled by the main CPU 11.
[0006]
FIG. 3 is a first characteristic diagram when the fixing temperature is raised, and FIG. 4 is a second characteristic diagram. The time to reach the printable fixing temperature after power-on and the power consumption are predetermined and stored in the memory (by the way, it is a rough value because it varies depending on the environment). In the case of starting up early (see FIG. 3), it starts up at the time t1 until the fixing temperature 1.
Accordingly, the power consumption at this time is obviously less when compared with the power consumption until time t2 when the power is slowly started up (see FIG. 4) because of the relationship between temperature 1 and time. When the rising angle is steep, more power is consumed (the power consumption at the transition to t2 is the same).
Here, the start-up control of the fixing is performed by the lighting time of the fixing heater 12. It can be launched the fastest if all lights are on. If you turn it on and increase the lighting interval, the rise time will be delayed.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a display example of the operation unit (operation display means). Using the display showing the printable time and power consumption on the operation unit 15 as a clue, the user can select the arrival time to the fixing temperature at which printing can be performed and the total power consumption at that time, so that the power consumption increases, but the print output Image forming device that responds to the environmental issues that have become a problem in recent years. Can be provided.
That is, for example, if the increase in power consumption is sacrificed, the third 80 s / 100 w is selected if it is desired to start up early, and if the startup time can be longer, the second, 1 Select the th.
[0007]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the first aspect, the arrival time until the printable fixing temperature is set when the power is turned on, and the mode for emphasizing the initial print speed or the mode for emphasizing low power is selected. Therefore, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that meets the needs of the user. In addition, it is possible to provide an environment-friendly image forming apparatus.
According to the second and third aspects, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus in which the user can easily select the mode. In addition, it is possible to provide an environment-friendly image forming apparatus.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a first characteristic diagram when the fixing temperature is raised. FIG. 4 is a second characteristic diagram when the fixing temperature is raised.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a display example of an operation unit.
[Explanation of symbols]
7 Fixing unit 11 Main CPU (main control means)
12 Fixing heater 15 Operation section (operation display means)

Claims (3)

In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus having a fixing unit having a fixing heater, a mode in which an arrival time until a printable fixing temperature is set when power is turned on and an initial printing speed is emphasized or a mode in which low power is emphasized An image forming apparatus comprising: an operation display unit having a function of selecting whether or not; and a main control unit that controls the fixing unit and the operation display unit. 2. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the operation display means displays the arrival set time until the printable fixing temperature when the power is turned on, and is selectable. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation display means displays the power consumption up to the fixing temperature at which printing is possible when the power is turned on, and is selectable.

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