JP2006171420A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To save energy by collecting an external force generated by an image forming apparatus as electrical energy, without waste. <P>SOLUTION: A transducing means 20 transduces the external force F into electricity via vibration, the transduced electricity is supplied to an electrical means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a printer and a copying machine, and more particularly to an apparatus that converts external force into electricity.

  In general, an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a laser printer includes a latent image carrier that carries a latent image, and a developing device that visualizes the latent image as a developer image by applying a developer to the latent image carrier. A transfer unit that transfers the developer image from the developing device to a recording material conveyed in a predetermined direction, and a recording material that has received the transfer of the developer image by the transfer unit is heated and pressed under predetermined fixing processing conditions. And a fixing device for fixing the developer image onto the recording material.

By the way, in this type of apparatus, there are driving parts such as a cartridge provided with a fan and an image forming unit and a belt for conveying a recording material, and these parts serve as an external force generation source for generating an external force. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).
JP 05-027534 A

  However, conventionally, the energy from the external force generation source in the image forming apparatus is not used for a purpose other than the desired purpose, and part of the energy is wasted.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention includes an electric unit, and an image forming apparatus that forms a toner image on a recording material, further including a conversion unit that converts external force into electricity through vibration, and the conversion unit The converted electricity is supplied to the electric means.

  As a result, according to the present invention, it is possible to convert a part of the external force that has been wasted into electricity through vibration and reuse it in the image forming apparatus.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 10, the image forming apparatus 101 includes optical units 102Y, 102M, 102C, and 102K, cartridges 103Y, 103M, 103C, and 103K, and photosensitive drums 104Y, 104M, 104C, and 104K for each of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black. Transfer rollers 132Y, 132M, 132C, and 132K are provided, and further include a transfer belt 131, a driving roller 130 that drives the transfer belt, a paper cassette 120, a paper feed roller 121, a registration roller 122, and a fixing device 140 as a heating device. ing. FIG. 8A shows a main part inside the cartridge 103. In addition, since each color of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black is the same, Y, M, C, and K corresponding to each color will be omitted. Around the photosensitive drum 104, a charging member 105, a developing member 106, and a cleaning member 107 are disposed. Further, a toner container 108 and a developing container 109 are arranged as shown in the figure.

  After the surface of the photosensitive drum 104 is uniformly charged by the charging member 105, each color optical unit 102 exposes and scans the surface of each photosensitive drum 104 with a laser beam to form a latent image. Next, the toner 110 is developed by the developing member 106 with respect to the latent image.

  In the image forming apparatus 101, each color (yellow, magenta, cyan, black) developed on the photosensitive drum on the recording material fed by the paper feed roller 121 and corrected in skew by the registration roller 122 is adjusted. ) Toner images are sequentially superimposed and transferred. The recording material carrying the unfixed toner image is formed by pressing the fixing roller and the pressure roller constituting the fixing device 140 against each other, and passes through the temperature-controlled fixing nip portion to transfer the recording material. The toner image thus fixed is fixed on the recording material. The series of image forming operations are synchronized so that the toner image is transferred from a predetermined position on the recording material to be conveyed.

  The toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 104 after the toner transfer to the recording material is cleaned by the cleaning member 107. It has a drive power source (high voltage power source) 30 which is an electric means for controlling charging, developing and transfer biases necessary for the electrophotographic process.

  FIG. 2 shows a conversion means 20 that converts an external force, which is a characteristic part of the present embodiment, into electricity through vibration. 2A is a side view and FIG. 2B is a front view. The conversion means 20 includes the piezoelectric element 1 and the vibration member 2, and the piezoelectric element 1 includes electrodes a and b on both sides. A vibration member 2 that vibrates in response to an external force is attached to the piezoelectric element 1. The piezoelectric element 1 vibrates with a support portion which is a fixed end (not shown) as a node. At this time, a voltage is generated between the electrodes a and b.

  As shown in FIG. 1, electricity generated by the piezoelectric element 1 is supplied to the charging circuit → (charging element) → power supply circuit.

  FIG. 3 schematically shows a circuit for extracting electricity from the piezoelectric element 1. Diodes D1 and D2 and a resistor R1 are connected to the electrodes a and b attached to the piezoelectric element 1. As a result, the output voltage generated by the vibration of the piezoelectric element is rectified by the diodes D1 and D2, and further smoothed by, for example, the capacitor as a charging element (charging means), and electricity is output in the direction of the arrow.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, the fan 3 is attached to prevent the temperature rise in the image forming apparatus. Then, as shown in FIG. 4, the conversion means 20, that is, the piezoelectric element 1 with the vibration member 2 is arranged at the outlet of the fan 3. 4A is a perspective view, and FIG. 4B is a side view. The vibration member 2 attached to the piezoelectric element 1 has a sheet shape, and vibrates in response to an air flow F from the fan 3 that is an external force. The thickness and thickness of the sheet-shaped vibrating member can be selected from the material and thickness that vibrate upon receiving the airflow F from the fan 3.

  In this way, an alternating voltage can be generated from the piezoelectric element 1 by converting the air flow F from the fan 3 into the vibration of the vibration member 2, and can be taken out as electricity by the circuit described in FIG.

  The extracted electricity is supplied to the drive power supply 30 of the image forming apparatus, and the power of the drive power supply can be supplemented. Moreover, it can charge with a charging means. The charged electricity can be used as auxiliary power as needed.

  Also, more electrical energy can be obtained by providing a plurality of conversion means (piezoelectric elements and vibrating members).

  As described above, by converting the air flow that is an external force into vibration, energy that has been wasted in the past can be recovered as electrical energy, which can be used for energy saving.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted.

  In the present embodiment, the conversion means 20 in FIG. 11 is disposed between the registration roller 122 and the drive roller 130 in the middle of the conveyance path. When the recording material conveyed to the sheet-like vibrating member 2 hits, the vibrating member 2 vibrates, and an AC voltage is generated from the piezoelectric element 1 as in the first embodiment. And it can take out as electricity with the circuit demonstrated in FIG.

  As described above, also in the present embodiment, the external force generated by the conveyance of the recording material can be taken out as electric energy through vibration as in the first embodiment, and the same effect can be obtained.

[Third Embodiment]
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. The same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted.

  In this embodiment, the piezoelectric element 1 is provided on the support member 150 of the image forming apparatus in which the vibration of the image forming apparatus is concentrated in FIG. Specifically, when a rubber foot is used as the support member 150, the piezoelectric element 1 is provided with the converting means 20 piezoelectric element 1 between the bottom plate portion of the image forming apparatus 101 and the rubber foot, thereby vibrating the entire image forming apparatus. It can be converted into an alternating voltage by the conversion means 20, and can be taken out as electricity by the circuit described in FIG.

  As described above, also in this embodiment, the external force generated in the entire image forming apparatus can be taken out as electric energy through vibration in the same manner as in the first example, and the same effect can be obtained.

[Fourth Embodiment]
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, electricity generated by the piezoelectric element 1 of the converting means 20 that converts external force into electricity through vibration is supplied from the charging circuit to the light emitting element.

  FIG. 6 shows circuit means for discharging when electricity charged by the charging means reaches a predetermined amount.

  As shown in FIG. 6, diodes D <b> 1 and D <b> 2 are connected to the electrodes a and b attached to the piezoelectric element 1 of conversion means for converting external force into electricity through vibration. As a result, the voltage generated by the vibration of the piezoelectric element is rectified by the diodes D1 and D2, and further smoothed by the capacitor C1 to output a DC voltage. Up to this point, the configuration is the same as in the first embodiment, but in this embodiment, the (+) pole of the capacitor C1 is further connected to the anode of the LED via the current limiting resistor R2, and further switched from the cathode of the LED. It is connected to the anode of a thyristor that is an element. The cathode of the thyristor is connected to the (−) pole of the capacitor C1.

  Thereby, an LED lighting circuit using the capacitor C1 as a voltage source is formed. When the threshold voltage determined by the gates of R3, R4 and thyristor is exceeded, energization of the LED is started and the LED is turned on. The LED self-extinguishes when the current falls below a predetermined current, and the voltage of the capacitor C1 is initialized to a low value.

  While the piezoelectric element is vibrating, a series of operations are repeated until the LED is turned on from the vibration of the piezoelectric element described above and the voltage of the capacitor is initialized.

  In the present embodiment, an LED lighting circuit including the above-described piezoelectric element 1 is disposed in the cartridge 103 to assist the operation of imparting an appropriate charge amount to the toner.

  As described above, FIG. 8 explains the configuration of the cartridge 103 shown in FIG. Around the photosensitive drum 104, a charging member 105, a developing member 106, and a cleaning member 107 are disposed. Further, as shown in FIG. 8B, a toner container 108, a developing container 109, and a toner seal 10 are arranged as shown. In the initial state, the toner seal divides the toner container 108 and the developing container 109, and in a state before the toner seal is cut, the toner 110 is filled in the toner container 108, and when the toner seal 10 is cut, the toner is filled. 110 enters the developing container 109 and is in a state as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 9A is a perspective view of the cartridge 103, and FIG. 9B is a view cut at the approximate center thereof. A handle 11 is attached to the toner seal 10, and the toner seal is cut by pulling the handle 11 in the direction of the arrow.

  A vibration member 2 is attached to the piezoelectric element 1. The vibrating member 2 is fixed in the initial state, and the LED does not emit light due to vibrations such as transportation. It is possible to provide a mechanism for releasing the fixation of the vibration member 2 in conjunction with the operation of cutting the toner seal generally performed before setting the cartridge in the image forming apparatus. In this embodiment, the toner seal 10 and the vibration plate 2 are fixed on the side opposite to the handle 11, and the mechanism is released when the user cuts the toner seal 10.

  After the user cuts off the toner seal 10, an operation of having the user shake the cartridge a predetermined number of times as an external force is performed in order to increase the charge amount of the toner to a charge amount suitable for development. Here, the number of times of vibration of the piezoelectric element necessary for charging up to the threshold voltage set by the circuit shown in FIG. 6 or FIG. 7 is set to be approximately equal to the number of times that the user wants to shake. As a result, the LED emits light when the user shakes the cartridge the required number of times. As a result, it is possible to prevent the toner charge amount from being insufficient due to insufficient swinging and the excessive charge amount from being imparted to the toner due to excessive swinging, regardless of the difference in user swinging manner. As described above, according to the present exemplary embodiment, it is possible to stably apply an appropriate charge amount to the toner.

  As described above, by converting the inherent vibration of the image forming apparatus into electricity, it is possible to generate electricity according to the operation of applying vibration, even in the absence of electricity, and use the generated electricity. Therefore, a user-friendly device can be provided.

  In addition, even if the thyristor portion in the circuit on the right side from the capacitor C1 in FIG. 6 is replaced with a circuit made of transistors as indicated by a portion surrounded by a dotted line in FIG. As in the present embodiment, the circuit configuration shown in FIG. 7 can be configured at a lower cost in the function of lighting the LED.

  Other examples of converting vibration energy into electricity by disposing a conversion means in the vicinity of the vibration source generated in the image forming apparatus include, for example, an optical unit 102 that scans a laser as the vibration source, and an optical unit. Are attached to the support member, the cleaning member 107 of the photosensitive drum 104, the vicinity of the motor as the driving means, the loading / unloading operation of the paper cassette 120, the opening / closing operation of the door of the image forming apparatus, and the like. Conversion means for converting the electricity into electricity through vibration can be provided.

  Therefore, electricity can be taken out in the same manner as in the first embodiment by the conversion means for converting the external force arranged in the vicinity of these vibration sources into electricity through vibration, and the same effect can be obtained.

The block diagram which shows the flow which converts the external force used in 1st Embodiment of this invention into electricity through a vibration. The figure which shows the conversion means used in 1st Embodiment of this invention. The schematic diagram which converts the external force used in 1st Embodiment of this invention into electricity through a vibration. The figure which shows a mode that the vibration from the airflow as external force by 1st Embodiment of this invention is converted into electricity. The block diagram which shows the flow which converts the external force used in 2nd Embodiment of this invention into electricity through vibration, and also discharges. The schematic diagram which converts the external force used in 2nd Embodiment of this invention into electricity through a vibration. The schematic diagram which converts the external force used in 2nd Embodiment of this invention into electricity through a vibration. Sectional drawing of the cartridge used by embodiment of this invention. The perspective view of the cartridge used by embodiment of this invention. 1 is a diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus used in an embodiment of the present invention. The figure which shows 2nd Embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows 3rd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Piezoelectric element 2 Vibration member 3 Fan 10 Toner seal 20 Conversion means 101 Image forming apparatus 103 Cartridge 150 Support member

Claims (8)

In an image forming apparatus having an electric means and forming a toner image on a recording material,
An image forming apparatus, comprising: a conversion unit that converts external force into electricity through vibration, and the electricity converted by the conversion unit is supplied to the electric unit.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the conversion unit includes a piezoelectric element and a vibration member.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the external force is an air flow generated in the image forming apparatus.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the conversion unit is provided in a conveyance path of a recording material.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a cartridge that is detachably attached to the apparatus main body and includes an image forming unit, and wherein the conversion unit is provided in the cartridge.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a charging unit that charges the electricity converted by the conversion unit.   7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising circuit means for discharging when the electricity charged by the charging means reaches a predetermined amount.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a light emitting element for performing the discharge.

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