JP2006210176A - Power supply device, and electron/electric equipment and image forming apparatus using device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a power supply device and an electronic/electric equipment and an image forming apparatus using the same, wherein a stable electric power is supplied while an obstacle that happens at an abnormality can be evaded, without using a fossil fuel or atomic energy as an energy source to influence on a green house effect, and without using an auxiliary power source used only at an emergency of low frequency of causing such as a black-out or disconnection of a power plug. <P>SOLUTION: At a starting time, an electric power output from a capacitor 17 of an auxiliary power source unit 4 is supplied to an auxiliary machine 6, so as to let a power generation part 5 generate electric power, and when the generated electric power reaches to have a prescribed value, the electric power supplied to the auxiliary machine is switched to the generated electric power and the power generation unit 3 is switched to an independent power generation. After the power generation unit 3 is switched to the independent power generation, the generated electric power is output to the image forming device 2 in combination with the electric power output from the capacitor 17 in order to comply with load fluctuations of the image forming device 2. When a power generation voltage falls to a prescribed value or lower, an abnormality signal is generated and is output to the image forming device 2 to shut down the generated electric power output, so that the electric power output from the capacitor 17 is supplied to the image forming device 2 to stably supply an emergency electric power. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a power supply device that supplies power to drive units of various devices, and electronic / electric equipment and copiers, printer devices, facsimile devices, personal computers, and other image forming devices using the same, particularly when stable power supply and abnormal conditions occur. It is about avoiding the obstacles that occur.

  In recent years, image forming apparatuses such as copiers and printers are widely used in offices and homes for reasons of image reproducibility and stability. There is a need for such an image forming apparatus that can be carried in consideration of convenience, and the spread of the image forming apparatus is expected to be promoted. These portable image forming apparatuses are often used even in places where there is no commercial power source nearby, and secondary batteries such as lithium ion batteries and nickel metal hydride batteries are generally used as power sources. The secondary battery can be used temporarily, but if the remaining charge power is exhausted, power cannot be supplied to the image forming apparatus, and the image forming apparatus cannot be used. For this reason, it is necessary to charge a secondary battery with a commercial power supply suitably. Since the commercial power sources used to charge secondary batteries in this way use fossil fuels and nuclear power sources that affect global warming as energy sources, in recent years when energy consumption has become a problem, resource depletion and greenhouse gases As a result, it has been regarded as a problem rather than suppressing global warming.

  Therefore, a fuel cell is attracting attention as a power source as a power generation device replacing the secondary battery in consideration of continuous use time. When this fuel cell is used as a power source for a recording apparatus, if fuel is prepared, power can be supplied semipermanently, and image forming operations such as recording can be performed at any time and anywhere.

  Also, in the current office, commercial power is available everywhere, so it can be said that there is no inconvenience, but in recent years, wireless offices have appeared and there are situations where information is exchanged wirelessly. In such an environment where many office devices are connected by a LAN such as Ethernet (registered trademark), it is essential that the needs for a cordless (wireless) LAN in the future increase. At this time, if only power is supplied from a commercial power supply via a cord, the degree of freedom in layout is lowered. On the other hand, if a fuel cell is used as a power source, an office can be designed cordlessly.

  On the other hand, when an ink jet printer is used as the image forming apparatus, for example, the ink jet printer ejects ink droplets from the nozzles of the recording head and records image and text data on the recording member. When clogging due to dust or solidification of ink occurs, ink ejection characteristics deteriorate. In order to prevent this deterioration of the ink ejection characteristics, it has a capping function that covers the nozzle part of the recording head. When the recording operation is not performed for a certain period of time or when the power is turned off, recording is performed by the capping function. It is common practice to cover the nozzles of the head.

  However, if the commercial power supply that supplies power to the inkjet printer fails or the power plug is accidentally pulled out, the recording head stops at that position, and the capping function does not operate, thus protecting the nozzle. A situation that cannot be done occurs. As a countermeasure against this, the ink jet printer disclosed in Patent Document 1 operates a capping function by supplying power from a spare power source consisting of a battery and driving a maintenance mechanism that covers the nozzle portion when the supplied power is cut off. I try to let them.

  Further, the power supply control device disclosed in Patent Document 2 ensures that the power supply to the control circuit power supply and the power supply is not stopped when the main switch of the power supply is turned off during operation. The post-processing power required by the image forming apparatus is supplied from the power source by control to perform post-processing. In the case of an inkjet printer, the capping function is operated, and the power source is turned off after a predetermined timing. The control power supply is turned off.

  As described above, when a fuel cell is used as the power source of the image forming apparatus, the fuel cell has poor response to load fluctuations. On the other hand, the image forming apparatus does not have a constant load variation, and has a disadvantage that it cannot follow the load variation when a fuel cell is used as a power source.

  Further, as shown in Patent Document 1, when the power supply for supplying power to the inkjet printer is cut off, the maintenance mechanism that covers the nozzle portion by supplying power from the standby power supply is driven to operate the capping function. Then, it is necessary to provide a spare power supply means that is not always used but is used only in an emergency where the occurrence frequency is low, such as a power failure or a power plug being unplugged, and the spare power supply means is wasted.

Further, as shown in Patent Document 2, when the main switch of the power supply is turned off during operation, the necessary power supply to the control circuit power supply or the power supply for power supply is ensured without being stopped. However, there is a disadvantage that it is not possible to cope with an emergency such as a power outage or unplugged power plug.
JP-A-9-234879 JP 2000-133201 A

  The present invention improves the above disadvantages, does not use fossil fuels and nuclear power that affect global warming as energy sources, suppresses global warming due to resource depletion and greenhouse gases, and supplies stable power and does not always use it. Therefore, a power supply device that can avoid a failure that occurs in an abnormal situation without using a standby power supply means that is used only in case of an emergency such as a power failure or unplugged power supply, and electronic / electric equipment and images using the power supply device An object of the present invention is to provide a forming apparatus.

  The power supply apparatus of the present invention has an auxiliary power supply unit having a power generation unit and a capacitor, and the power generation unit includes a power generation unit configured by a fuel cell, an auxiliary device that supplies fuel to the fuel cell of the power generation unit, and a power generation unit control The power generation unit control unit supplies power output from the auxiliary power unit capacitor during startup to the auxiliary machine to generate power, and when the generated power reaches a preset specified value. The power supplied to the auxiliary machine is switched to the generated power output from the power generation unit to switch the power generation unit to self-sustained power generation. After the power generation unit switches to self-sustained power generation, the power generation output of the power generation unit is stored in the accumulator of the auxiliary power supply unit. In combination with the power output from the power supply device, the power supply device outputs the power.

  The power generation unit control unit generates an abnormal signal when the power generation output voltage of the power generation unit is equal to or less than a preset specified value and outputs the abnormal signal to the power supplied device. Shut off the power generation output of the power generation unit that is outputting.

  In addition, the power generation unit control unit charges the capacitor of the auxiliary power supply unit when the power generation output of the power generation unit is not output to the power supplied device.

  Further, the fuel cell of the power generation unit is a solid polymer type fuel cell, and it is desirable that the fuel supplied to the fuel electrode is alcohol and alcohol generated from biomass raw material.

  The electronic / electric equipment of this invention has the said power supply device, It is characterized by the above-mentioned. In addition, when the power generation unit generates a power generation output voltage that is lower than the preset specified value and an abnormal signal is output, the power output from the auxiliary power unit capacitor returns the set state and operating mechanism to the initial state. Let

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes the power supply device. In addition, when the power generation unit generates a power generation output voltage that is lower than the preset specified value and an abnormal signal is output, the power output from the auxiliary power unit capacitor returns the set state and operating mechanism to the initial state. Let

  When an ink jet printer is used as the image forming apparatus, when an abnormal signal is output from the power supply apparatus, the recording head is returned to the home position and the ink head portion is capped. When returning the recording head to the home position, it is desirable to move the recording head at a speed lower than the moving speed of the recording head during the image forming operation.

  The power supply device according to the present invention supplies the power output from the storage device of the auxiliary power supply unit to the auxiliary machine at the time of starting to generate the power generation unit, and supplies the generated power to the auxiliary machine when the generated power reaches a preset specified value. The generated power is switched to the generated power output from the power generation unit to switch the power generation unit to self-sustained power generation. After the power generation unit switches to self-sustained power generation, the power generation output of the power generation unit is output from the capacitor of the auxiliary power supply unit Since it is used together with electric power and output to an electronic / electrical device such as an image forming apparatus, it is possible to cope with load fluctuations when an operation is performed on the electronic / electrical device such as an image forming apparatus.

  In addition, since the power output from the power generation unit and the power output from the power storage unit of the auxiliary power supply unit are supplied to electronic and electrical equipment such as an image forming apparatus, it is not necessary to supply power from a commercial power source to the image forming apparatus. The forming apparatus or the like can be used at any time in any place, and for example, the degree of freedom of layout in the office can be increased.

  Furthermore, when the power generation output voltage of the power generation unit falls below a preset specified value, an abnormal signal is generated and output to the image forming apparatus, etc., and the power generation that is output to the image forming apparatus etc. when the abnormal signal occurs Since the power output of the auxiliary power unit is shut off and the output power of the auxiliary power supply unit is continuously supplied to the image forming apparatus, etc., the emergency power can be stably supplied to the image forming apparatus even when the power generation unit is abnormal. Can do.

  In addition, when the power generation output of the power generation unit is not output to the image forming apparatus or the like, the capacitor of the auxiliary power supply unit is charged, so that the charging voltage of the capacitor can be stably maintained, and the image is generated even when the power generation unit is abnormal. Emergency power can be stably supplied to the forming apparatus or the like.

  Further, by using a polymer electrolyte fuel cell as the fuel cell of the power generation unit, the advantages of low-temperature operation are utilized, and it has excellent startability with respect to an image forming apparatus that is repeatedly turned on / off. In the intervening electronic equipment, safety is also advantageous by not using a liquid material for the electrolyte.

  By using alcohol as a fuel to be supplied to the fuel electrode of this solid polymer fuel cell, the convenience of handling can be improved and the energy density per weight and volume can be increased to improve the energy efficiency.

  Further, by using alcohol generated from biomass raw material as alcohol supplied to the fuel electrode of the fuel cell as fuel, carbon dioxide can be circulated, and increase in carbon dioxide can be suppressed.

  Electronic and electrical equipment such as the image forming apparatus according to the present invention can cope with load fluctuations by using this power supply device, and can be used at any time in any place, improving convenience. be able to.

  In addition, when the power generation device generates a power generation output voltage below a predetermined value and an abnormal signal is output, power is output from the auxiliary power unit capacitor to return from the operation stop state to the initial state. It is possible to cancel damage caused by stopping and leaving electronic / electrical equipment such as an image forming apparatus halfway when the power generation unit is abnormal.

  In addition, when an abnormal signal is output from the power supply device, the recording head is returned to the home position and the ink head portion is capped, so that the discharge performance of the recording head can be prevented from being deteriorated, and high quality images and documents can be obtained. It can be formed stably.

  In addition, when returning the recording head to the home position, the amount of power supplied from the capacitor can be reduced by moving the recording head at a speed lower than the moving speed of the recording head during the image forming operation. Consumption of the generated power can be suppressed.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the power supply device of the present invention. As shown in the drawing, the power supply device 1 supplies power to an electronic / electrical device such as an image forming apparatus 2, and includes a power generation unit 3 and an auxiliary power supply unit 4. The power generation unit 3 includes a power generation unit 5 constituted by a fuel cell, an auxiliary machine 6, a power generation unit control unit 7, a power generation output switching unit 8, and a DC / DC converter 9. The types of fuel cells constituting the power generation unit 5 are roughly divided into five types depending on the difference in electrolyte. From the viewpoint of operating temperature and safety, as a fuel cell mounted on an electronic device, hydrogen is supplied to the anode electrode as fuel. A solid polymer type is suitable. In other words, the solid polymer type has an operating temperature from room temperature to about 100 ° C., and the advantage of low-temperature operation is achieved by not using liquid electrolyte, and it has excellent startability for electronic / electrical equipment that is repeatedly turned on and off. Moreover, in an electronic device with human intervention, safety is also advantageous by not using a liquid material for the electrolyte.

  As shown in the conceptual diagram of the single cell in FIG. 2, this polymer electrolyte fuel cell supplies hydrogen to the anode electrode as fuel and air (oxygen) to the cathode electrode. By the reaction shown, electricity is supplied to an external load to generate water. The single cells can be stacked to obtain a desired DC output.

Anode reaction; H ₂ → 2H ⁺ + 2e ⁻
Cathode reaction: 2H ⁺ + 1 / 2O ₂ + 2e ⁻ → H 2 O

  As is clear from this reaction formula, the fuel cell constituting the power generation unit 5 uses hydrogen and oxygen as fuel, so that the product becomes only water, and clean power can be generated. Thermal power generation and nuclear power generation In this way, it is possible to suppress the emission of carbon dioxide, which is a cause of resource depletion problems and greenhouse gas generation, and contribute to reducing the environmental load.

  In consideration of power generation efficiency, the power generation method of a commercial power source converts oil into water by burning oil or the like, and then turns the turbine with the energy of the steam to convert it into electricity. That is, heat energy is converted into motive energy, and motive energy is converted into electric power. On the other hand, the fuel cell is a so-called chemical cell that directly converts to electricity by a chemical reaction, and can be said to be a highly efficient power generation device. Furthermore, in general, commercial power is centralized power generation, and the generated power is transmitted to various places, causing transmission loss and lowering energy efficiency. Therefore, it is possible to generate power at the place of use, and to reduce power transmission loss as much as possible to increase energy efficiency.

  The auxiliary machine 6 of the power generation unit 3 supplies fuel to the fuel cell of the power generation unit 5. The power generation unit control unit 7 includes a main control unit 10, an input / output unit 11, a power generation output detection unit 12, an operation switching unit 13, an abnormality detection unit 14, and an output control unit 15. The main control unit 10 manages the operation of the entire power supply device 3 by a signal input from the image forming apparatus 2 such as an image forming apparatus via the input / output unit 11. The power generation output detection unit 12 detects the output voltage of the power generation unit 5. The operation switching unit 13 compares the power generation output voltage detected by the power generation output detection unit 12 with a preset specified value V1, and when the power generation output voltage is equal to or less than the reference value V1, the power output from the auxiliary power supply unit 4 is calculated. When the power generation output voltage reaches the reference value V1, the power supplied to the auxiliary machine 6 is switched to the generated power output from the power generation unit 5 when the power generation output voltage reaches the reference value V1, and the power generation unit 3 is set to self-sustained power generation. The abnormality detection unit 14 compares the power generation output voltage detected by the power generation output detection unit 12 with a predetermined value V2 (V2 <V1) set in advance. When the power generation output voltage becomes equal to or lower than the reference value V2, the abnormality detection unit 14 It is determined that the fuel supply is cut off or the fuel cell of the power generation unit 5 is abnormal, and an abnormal signal is generated. The output control unit 15 generates a power generation output signal after switching to independent power generation by the operation switching unit 13, and generates a power generation output stop signal when an operation end signal is input from the image forming apparatus 2 via the input / output unit 11. To the power generation output switching unit 8 and the auxiliary power unit 4. When the abnormality detection unit 14 detects an abnormality in the power generation unit 5, the output control unit 15 generates a power generation output stop signal and sends it to the power generation output switching unit 8 and the auxiliary power supply unit 4.

  The power generation output switching unit 8 connects the power generation unit 5 and the DC / DC converter 9 when a power generation output signal is sent from the output control unit 15, and the power generation output of the power generation unit 5 is imaged via the DC / DC converter 9. When the power generation output stop signal is sent from the output control unit 15 to the forming apparatus 2, the connection between the power generation unit 5 and the DC / DC converter 9 is cut off. The DC / DC converter 9 converts the voltage output from the power generation unit 5 and the auxiliary power supply unit 4.

  The auxiliary power supply unit 4 supplies power to the power generation unit 3 when the power generation unit 3 is started up and supplies power to the image forming apparatus 2 in combination with the power generation output of the power generation unit 5. It has a charge / discharge switching unit 18, a remaining power detection unit 19, and a charge / discharge control unit 20. The battery 16 is composed of an electric double layer capacitor or a secondary battery. When an electric double layer capacitor is used for the capacitor 16, the electric double layer capacitor has a large power capacity and can be charged / discharged quickly, so that it is suitable as a power supply source that requires quick start-up. In addition, rapid charging / discharging is possible, and the capacity reduction due to the passage of time may be small, and power supply by repeated charging / discharging is possible for frequent use of the image forming apparatus 2. Further, when a secondary battery such as a lead storage battery, a Ni-hydrogen battery, or a Li-ion battery is used for the capacitor 16, it is possible to increase the capacity and reduce the size, which is advantageous in terms of price.

  The charger 17 charges the battery 16 with the power generation output of the power generation unit 5. The charge / discharge switching unit 18 switches the connection between the battery charger 17 and the power generation unit 3 with respect to the battery 16. The remaining power detection unit 19 detects the remaining power amount of the battery 16. The charge / discharge control unit 20 switches the charge / discharge switching unit 18 according to the signal from the output control unit 15 of the power generation unit control unit 7 and the remaining power amount of the battery 16 detected by the remaining power detection unit 19.

  As shown in the block diagram of FIG. 3, the image forming apparatus 2 that supplies power from the power supply apparatus 1 includes a control unit 21 and a printing unit 22. The control unit 21 includes a CPU 23, an input unit 24 for inputting print data from a host device or the like, a memory 25 having a ROM and a RAM for temporarily recording a control program, print data, time data, and the like, and the passage of time. A timer 26 for measurement, an arithmetic circuit unit 27 for arithmetic processing of information data from the timer 26 and each sensor (not shown), a print control unit 28 for performing a printing operation of the printing unit 22 in response to a command from the CPU 23, and an operation display unit Each unit controller 29 has various functions such as. The CPU 23 performs processing based on the program and each data in the memory 25 and sends a control signal to each unit of the printing unit 22 via the internal bus to control the printing operation.

  When, for example, an ink jet printer is used as the image forming apparatus 2, the printing unit 22 has four ink cartridges 30 each containing ink of each color of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black, as shown in the configuration diagram of FIG. 4. A recording head 31 having a plurality of nozzles to which ink is supplied from each ink cartridge 30; a carriage 32 on which the ink cartridge 30 and the recording head 31 are mounted; and paper feed trays 33a and 33b storing recording paper; A conveyance roller 36 that conveys the recording paper from the table 34 to the printing area 35 and a discharge roller 38 that discharges the printed recording paper to the paper discharge tray 37 are provided. When printing the print data sent from the host device or the like on the recording paper, the carriage 32 scans the carriage guide roller 39 while scanning the carriage 32 on the recording paper sent to the printing area 35 by the transport roller 37. Ink is ejected from the nozzles according to the print data to record characters and images.

  The operation when supplying the power generated by the fuel cell of the power generation unit 5 of the power generation unit 5 and the power stored in the capacitor 16 to the image forming apparatus 2 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  When the image forming apparatus 2 is not operated, the control unit 21 of the image forming apparatus 2 and the power generation unit control unit 7 provided in the power generation unit 3 of the power supply device 1 store the power stored in the capacitor 16 of the auxiliary power supply unit 4. The power generation output switching unit 8 cuts off the connection between the power generation unit 5 and the DC / DC converter 9. When the main switch of the image forming apparatus 2 is turned on in this state, the CPU 23 of the control unit 21 sends a drive start signal to the power supply apparatus 4 (step S1). When the drive start signal is sent, the operation switching unit 13 of the power generation unit control unit 7 supplies the power output from the battery 16 to the auxiliary device 6 and drives the fuel supply pump and blower of the auxiliary device 6 to generate the power generation unit. Hydrogen and air, which are fuels, are supplied to the fuel cell 5 and power generation by the power generation unit 5 is started (step S2). The power generation output voltage of the power generation unit 5 is detected by the power generation output detection unit 12.

  The operation switching unit 13 of the power generation unit control unit 7 compares the power generation output voltage detected by the power generation output detection unit 12 with a predetermined value V1 set in advance by, for example, a comparator method, and the power generation output voltage is less than the reference value V1. At that time, the electric power output from the battery 16 is supplied to the auxiliary machine 6 (steps S3 and S2). Here, the setting of the specified value V1 can be realized by using a Zener diode. When the power generation output voltage reaches the reference value V1, the operation switching unit 13 takes in the power generation output of the power generation unit 5 into the power generation unit control unit 7, switches the power supplied to the auxiliary machine 6 to the power generation output, and generates the power generation unit control unit 7 The power storage unit 16 is disconnected from the auxiliary device 6 and the power generation unit 3 is switched to the independent operation (step S4). When the power generation unit 3 is switched to the self-sustained operation, the output control unit 15 generates a power generation output signal and connects the power generation unit 5 and the DC / DC converter 9 by the power generation output switching unit 8 together with the power output from the battery 16. The power generation output of the power generation unit 5 is supplied to the image forming apparatus 2 via the DC / DC converter 9 to enable the recording operation (step S5). In this state, the image forming apparatus 2 performs a recording operation (step S6). When the image forming apparatus 2 performs the recording operation, the output power of the battery 16 is supplied to the image forming apparatus 2 together with the power generation output of the power generation unit 5. Therefore, the load when the image forming apparatus 2 performs the recording operation Can cope with fluctuations. That is, the fuel cell of the power generation unit 5 has poor responsiveness to load fluctuations, but this is compensated by the output power of the capacitor 16 that is responsive to load fluctuations. Further, since power is supplied to the image forming apparatus 2 from the power supply apparatus 1 having the power generation unit 3 and the auxiliary power supply unit 4 and the recording operation is performed, it is not necessary to supply power from the commercial power source, and the image forming apparatus 2 can be arbitrarily set. It can be used at any time in a place, and for example, the degree of freedom of layout in an office can be increased.

  When the recording operation of the image forming apparatus 2 is completed and the main switch is turned off, the CPU 23 of the control unit 21 sends a drive end signal to the power supply apparatus 4 (step S7). When the drive end signal is sent, the output control unit 15 of the power generation unit control unit 7 generates a power generation output stop signal and sends it to the power generation output switching unit 8, and the power generation unit 5 and the DC / DC converter 9 by the power generation output switching unit 8. The connection is cut off, and a power generation output stop signal is sent to the charge / discharge switching unit 18 of the auxiliary power supply unit 4 (step S8). When the power generation output stop signal is sent, the charge / discharge switching unit 18 causes the remaining power detection unit 19 to detect the remaining power amount of the capacitor 16 (step S9), and the detected remaining power amount of the capacitor 16 and a preset reference value. (Step S10), and when the remaining power amount of the battery 16 is equal to or less than the reference value, the charge / discharge switching unit 18 is switched to the charger 17 side to connect the battery 16 to the charger 17, and the power generation unit 5 The battery 16 is charged with electric power (step S11). When the remaining power amount of the battery 16 exceeds the reference value due to this charging, the charge / discharge control unit 20 switches the charge / discharge switching unit 18 to connect the battery 16 to the power generation unit control unit 7 and the DC / DC converter 9. When power is input again from the capacitor 16, the operation switching unit 13 of the power generation unit control unit 7 switches the power generation output input to the power generation unit control unit 7 to power from the capacitor 16 and stops the power supply to the auxiliary machine 6. Then, the power generation of the power generation unit 5 is stopped (step S12). In this way, since the battery 16 is charged with the power generated by the fuel cell of the power generation unit 5 and does not need to be charged from a commercial power supply, the consumption of fossil fuel or the like that affects global warming can be reduced.

  When the image forming apparatus 2 performs a recording operation, the abnormality detection unit 14 compares the power generation output voltage detected by the power generation output detection unit 12 with a preset specified value V2 (V2 <V1). (Steps S7 and S13). When the power generation output voltage becomes equal to or lower than the reference value V2, the abnormality detection unit 14 determines that the fuel supply from the auxiliary machine 6 to the power generation unit 5 is cut off or that the fuel cell of the power generation unit 5 has an abnormality, and gives an abnormality signal. It is generated and sent to the image forming apparatus 2 via the input / output unit 11 and also sent to the output control unit 15 (step S14). When the abnormal signal is sent, the output control unit 15 switches the power generation output switching unit 8, disconnects the power generation unit 5 from the DC / DC converter 9, and stops the supply of the generated power of the power generation unit 5 to the image forming apparatus 2 (step S15). ).

  When an abnormal signal is sent from the power supply device 2, the CPU 23 of the control unit 23 of the image forming apparatus 2 stops the recording operation (step S <b> 16), and performs print control by an abnormality processing routine using the power supplied from the capacitor 16. The control unit 28 is controlled so that the printing unit 22 is set to an initial setting state when the printing operation is performed when the power is turned on, and the operation mechanism is moved to the initial position to return to the initial state (step S17). After stopping the recording operation in this way, the printing unit 22 is returned to the initial state by the abnormality processing routine, so that the damage can be released by stopping the recording operation halfway and leaving it to stand.

  For example, when an ink jet printer is used for the printing unit 22, the carriage 32 on which the ink cartridge 30 and the recording head 31 are mounted is moved along the carriage guide roller 39 by the driving unit 40 and the timing belt 41 as shown in FIG. If the printing operation is stopped while performing the scanning operation, the nozzles 42 of the recording head 31 are stopped in a bare state. If this state continues, dust adheres to the nozzle 42 or ink clogging occurs, causing the nozzle 42 to become clogged, which deteriorates the ejection performance and lowers the printing performance, and ultimately lowers the image quality. Normally, when a printing operation is not performed for a long time or the main switch is off, the ink jet printer is moved to the home position of the carriage 32 and the nozzle 42 of the recording head 31 is capped by the head cap portion 43. Protect. Therefore, when the CPU 23 of the control unit 23 receives an abnormality signal from the power supply device 2 to stop the printing operation and the nozzle 42 of the recording head 31 stops in an exposed state, as shown in FIG. When the carriage 32 is returned to the home position by the processing routine and it is confirmed that the carriage 32 has returned to the home position, the head cap portion 43 protects the nozzle 42 of the recording head 31 by capping, and dust adheres to the nozzle 42. Prevents clogging caused by ink drying. When the carriage 32 is moved to the home position by this abnormality processing routine, the print control unit 28 moves the carriage 32 with the moving speed of the carriage 32 lower than the printing operation speed. In this manner, in the abnormality processing routine, the amount of power supplied from the battery 16 can be reduced by moving the carriage 32 at a low speed, and the consumption of power stored in the battery 16 can be suppressed.

  In the above description, the case where the battery 16 is charged in accordance with the remaining power of the battery 16 after the printing operation of the image forming apparatus 2 is completed is described. However, power generation is started by the fuel cell of the power generation unit 5, and When the generated power reaches the specified value V1 and the power generation unit 3 is switched to the independent power generation, the battery 16 may be charged according to the remaining power of the battery 16. Further, the battery 16 may be charged according to the remaining power of the battery 16 either when the power generation unit 3 is switched to the self-sustained power generation or when the printing operation of the image forming apparatus 2 is finished.

  Further, in the above description, the case where hydrogen and air (oxygen) are supplied as fuel to the fuel cell of the power generation unit 5 has been described. However, from the downsizing of the device and the energy density per volume (weight) and the convenience of handling the fuel. A direct fuel cell that supplies alcohol to the anode electrode may be used. As the alcohol supplied as the fuel, it is desirable to use methanol or ethanol having oxidation activity on the electrode catalyst. For example, the number of electrons that can be extracted from the oxidation reaction of molecules is 2 for hydrogen, 6 for methanol, and 12 for ethanol, so the amount of coulomb that can be extracted from 1 mol of each molecule is (96500 × 2) coulomb as a theoretical value. (C), (96500 × 6) C, and (96500 × 12) C. When each density and molecular weight are taken into consideration, the energy density is about 14400 C / cc for methanol and 15200 C / cc for ethanol when converted to the amount of coulomb per cc. As shown in the following formula, methanol and ethanol require one and three water molecules, respectively, as shown by the following formula.

CH ₃ OH + H ₂ O → 6H ⁺ + 6e ⁻ + CO ₂ (methanol)
C ₂ H ₅ OH + 3H ₂ O → 12H ⁺ + 12e ⁻ + 2CO ₂ (ethanol)

  In consideration of environmental problems, most of the alcohol fuel supplied to the fuel cell is manufactured as a petroleum product. Oil is a depleted fuel and emits carbon dioxide, which is a greenhouse gas. From an environmental point of view, it can be replaced by oil and requires recyclable energy. Therefore, it is desirable to use alcohol produced from biomass raw material as the fuel supplied to the fuel cell. That is, if alcohol fuel is produced from biomass, carbon dioxide will circulate and there will be no increase or decrease in carbon dioxide. In addition, if alcohol fuel is produced from cereals and woody biomass, carbon dioxide, which was fixed at the time of growth, is generated at the anode when alcohol fuel is used, but cereal production and forest planting are continued. The carbon dioxide which circulates by doing and becomes a big factor of a greenhouse gas does not increase / decrease, but can suppress the increase in carbon dioxide with respect to the time of using fossil fuel.

  Further, in the above description, the ink jet printer has been described as the image forming apparatus 2 that uses the power supply device 1, but the power supply device 1 can be used in the same way for electrophotographic copying machines, printers, and the like. Further, the power supply device 1 can be used in the same manner for other electronic / electrical devices other than the image forming apparatus 2.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the power supply device of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the fuel cell which comprises an electric power generation part. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus. It is a block diagram of an inkjet printer. 3 is a flowchart illustrating operations of a power supply device and an image forming apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows the operation | movement which returns an inkjet printer to an initial state by abnormality processing routine.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1; Power supply device, 2; Image forming apparatus, 3; Power generation unit, 4; Auxiliary power supply unit,
5; power generation unit, 6; auxiliary machine, 7; power generation unit control unit, 8; power generation output switching unit,
9; DC / DC converter, 10; main control unit, 11; input / output unit,
12; Power generation output detection unit, 13; Operation switching unit, 14; Abnormality detection unit, 15; Output control unit,
16; battery, 17; charger, 18; charge / discharge switching unit, 19; remaining power detection unit,
20; charge / discharge control unit, 21; control unit, 22; printing unit, 23; CPU, 24; input unit,
25; Memory, 26; Timer, 27; Arithmetic circuit unit, 28; Print control unit,
29; each controller, 30; ink cartridge, 31; recording head,
32; carriage; 33; paper feed tray; 34; manual feed table; 35;
36; transport roller, 37; discharge tray, 38; discharge roller,
39; Carriage guide roller; 40; Drive unit; 41; Timing belt;
42; Nozzle, 43; Head cap part.

Claims (12)

Having an auxiliary power supply unit having a power generation unit and a capacitor;
The power generation unit includes a power generation unit configured by a fuel cell, an auxiliary device that supplies fuel to the fuel cell of the power generation unit, and a power generation unit control unit,
The power generation unit control unit supplies power output from the auxiliary power unit capacitor at startup to the auxiliary machine to generate power, and supplies the generated power to the auxiliary machine when the generated power reaches a preset specified value. Switch the generated power to the generated power output from the power generation unit, switch the power generation unit to self-sustained power generation, and after the power generation unit switches to self-sustained power generation, the power generation output of the power generation unit is output from the capacitor of the auxiliary power supply unit A power supply device that outputs power to a power-supplied device together with the power to be output.   The power generation unit control unit generates an abnormal signal when the power generation output voltage of the power generation unit is equal to or less than a preset specified value and outputs the abnormal signal to the power supplied device. The power supply device according to claim 1, wherein the power generation output of the power generation unit that is outputting is interrupted.   3. The power supply device according to claim 1, wherein the power generation unit control unit charges the capacitor of the auxiliary power supply unit when the power generation output of the power generation unit is not output to the power supply device.   4. The power supply device according to claim 1, wherein the fuel cell of the power generation unit is a polymer electrolyte fuel cell. 5.   5. The power supply device according to claim 4, wherein the fuel supplied to the fuel electrode of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell is alcohol.   The power supply apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the alcohol supplied as fuel to the fuel electrode of the fuel cell is alcohol generated from a biomass raw material.   An electronic / electrical device comprising the power supply device according to claim 1.   When the power generation output voltage of the power generation unit falls below a predetermined value set in advance in the power supply device and an abnormal signal is output, the set state and the operating mechanism are returned to the initial state by the power output from the capacitor of the auxiliary power supply unit. The electronic / electrical device according to claim 7.   An image forming apparatus comprising the power supply device according to claim 1.   When the power generation output voltage of the power generation unit falls below a predetermined value set in advance in the power supply device and an abnormal signal is output, the set state and the operating mechanism are returned to the initial state by the power output from the capacitor of the auxiliary power supply unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein when an abnormal signal is output from the power supply device, the recording head is returned to the home position and the ink head portion is capped.   12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein when the recording head is returned to the home position, the recording head is moved at a speed lower than a moving speed of the recording head during an image forming operation.

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