JP2007065597A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus capable of preventing wasteful consumption of power and performing a speedy recording operation. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus includes: a recording mode to perform a recording operation for forming an image on a recording medium by an image forming means and fixing the image to the recording medium by a fixing means; and an operation mode setting means to set operation modes including non-recording modes to perform non-recording operations other than the recording operation. When the operation mode is set to the recording mode by the operation mode setting means, the temperature of a heating section is adjusted by a temperature adjustment section. When the operation mode is set to any one of the non-recording modes, the adjustment of the temperature of the heating section by the temperature adjustment section is stopped. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus in which a recording medium is heated by a fixing unit to fix an image, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus that performs a plurality of operations including a recording operation.

  As a conventional technique, Patent Document 1 discloses a multi-function machine that can change the temperature rise start timing of a fixing device that fixes toner on a recording sheet, reflecting the user's intention or the user's usage environment. . The multifunction machine includes a copy function and a facsimile function, and includes a heater control unit that controls the temperature of a heater that heats the fixing unit, and a document sensor that detects that a document is set on a document feed tray.

  In the multifunction device, the A mode in which the heater temperature rise start timing is immediately after the document sensor detects the document, and the copy key for starting the copy operation of the multifunction device is pressed as the heater temperature rise start timing. And B mode immediately after. The A mode or B mode is set by a user's manual operation or automatic setting. In the automatic setting, based on the past usage history of the MFP, the A mode is set when the copy function is frequently used, and the B mode is set when the facsimile function is frequently used.

  When the MFP is set to A mode, the temperature of the heater is raised at the same time as the document is set on the document feed tray. Therefore, since the temperature of the heater is increased before the user presses the copy key for starting copying, the time from when the document is set to when the first printing is started (hereinafter referred to as “first copy standby time”). May be shortened). Also, when the B mode is set and the facsimile transmission function is used, it is possible to suppress wasteful power consumption by not energizing the heater even when a document is set. it can.

  As another conventional technique, in Patent Document 2, when the operation mode is set to the copy mode, the heater is always energized, the fixing device is maintained at a temperature at which toner can be fixed, and the facsimile mode is set. In the image forming apparatus, the temperature of the heater is raised to a fixable temperature after data is received.

JP 2004-260815 A JP-A-10-340026

  The mode setting of the multi-function device is to set the temperature rise start timing of the heater, and not to set an operation mode such as a copy operation or a facsimile operation of the multi-function device. Therefore, for example, when the multifunction device is set to the A mode, the heater is heated when the user places a document to perform facsimile transmission. Thus, even in an operation that does not require the heater to be raised as in facsimile transmission, the heater may be energized, causing a problem of wasteful power consumption.

  The mode setting of the multifunction device does not set the copying operation or facsimile operation of the multifunction device. Therefore, when the user sets the mode by manual operation, the heater temperature rise start timing suitable for the operation by the user's erroneous operation is set. May not be set. Further, when the mode of the multifunction device is set by automatic setting, the mode is set based on the past usage history of the multifunction device, and therefore, an undesired mode may be set. In such a case, for example, even when an original is placed for copying, the heater does not rise in temperature, and the temperature rise start time of the heater is delayed, which causes a problem that the first copy standby time becomes longer.

  When the image forming apparatus is set to the copy mode, the heater is energized to maintain the fixing device at a temperature at which the toner can be fixed even when copying is not required. There is a problem of doing.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of preventing unnecessary power consumption and performing a recording operation quickly.

The present invention includes an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium;
A fixing unit that includes a heating unit and a temperature adjusting unit that adjusts a temperature of the heating unit, and that fixes the image on the recording medium by heating the recording medium on which the image is formed by the image forming unit;
A recording mode for executing a recording operation in which an image is formed on a recording medium by an image forming unit and an image is fixed on the recording medium by a fixing unit, and a non-recording mode for executing a non-recording operation other than the recording operation. An operation mode setting means for setting an operation mode including:
Based on the operation mode set by the operation mode setting means, when the operation mode is set to the recording mode, when the temperature adjustment unit adjusts the temperature of the heating unit, and when the operation mode is set to the non-recording mode, An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit that stops temperature adjustment of the heating unit by the temperature adjustment unit.

  According to the present invention, the temperature adjustment of the heating unit of the fixing unit is controlled by the control unit based on the operation mode set by the operation mode setting unit. The operation mode includes a recording mode for executing a recording operation using the image forming unit and the fixing unit, and a non-recording mode for executing a non-recording operation other than the recording operation. Accordingly, the temperature of the heating unit of the fixing unit can be adjusted so as to match the operation mode. Therefore, when the recording mode using the fixing unit is set, the temperature of the heating unit of the fixing unit is adjusted according to the recording mode, and the recording operation can be performed quickly. Further, when the non-recording mode is set in which it is not necessary to use the fixing unit, the temperature adjustment of the heating unit of the fixing unit can be stopped to prevent wasteful power consumption.

The present invention also includes a reading means for reading an image of a document placed at a reading position;
Document detecting means for detecting whether or not the document is arranged at the reading position,
The recording mode includes a copy mode for executing a copy operation in which an image of a document read by the reading unit is formed on the recording medium by the image forming unit and fixed on the recording medium by the fixing unit,
When the operation mode is set to the copy mode and the temperature of the heating unit of the fixing unit is not adjusted, the control unit determines whether or not the document is disposed at the reading position, and the document is disposed at the reading position. The temperature adjustment unit is allowed to start temperature adjustment of the heating unit only when the temperature adjustment unit is on.

  According to the present invention, when the operation mode is set to the copy mode and the heating unit is not temperature adjusted, it is determined whether or not the document is placed at the reading position, and only when the document is placed at the reading position. Then, temperature adjustment of the heating unit of the fixing unit is started. As described above, when the copy mode is set, the temperature adjustment of the heating unit is started after the document is placed at the reading position. As a result, even when the operation mode is set to the copy mode, when the document is not placed at the reading position, the heating unit is not temperature-adjusted, and wasteful power consumption can be prevented. In addition, when the document is placed at the reading position, the temperature adjustment of the heating unit is started, so the time from when the document is placed at the reading position until the image forming operation is started (hereinafter referred to as “first copy standby time”). ) Can be shortened. Therefore, it is possible to realize an apparatus capable of quickly copying while preventing wasteful power consumption.

The present invention further includes input means for inputting image formation instruction information for instructing image formation on a recording medium by the image forming means,
When the control unit determines that the duration of the state in which the image formation instruction information is not input after the start of the temperature adjustment of the heating unit of the fixing unit is longer than a predetermined set time, the control unit causes the heating unit to The temperature adjustment is stopped.

  According to the present invention, once the temperature adjustment of the heating unit is started, the temperature adjustment of the heating unit can be stopped when the image forming instruction information is left without being input. Therefore, wasteful power consumption can be prevented.

  Further, according to the present invention, when the operation mode is set to an operation mode other than the copy mode, and the operation mode is changed to the copy mode in a state where the document is arranged at the reading position, the temperature adjusting unit The temperature adjustment of the heating unit is started.

  According to the present invention, when the operation mode is set to an operation mode other than the copy mode and the original is placed at the reading position and the operation mode is changed to the copy mode, temperature adjustment of the heating unit starts. Is done. As a result, the first copy standby time can be shortened.

  According to the present invention, the temperature of the heating unit of the fixing unit can be adjusted so as to match the operation mode. Therefore, when the recording mode using the fixing unit is set, the temperature of the heating unit of the fixing unit is adjusted according to the recording mode, and the recording operation can be performed quickly. Further, when the non-recording mode is set in which it is not necessary to use the fixing unit, the temperature adjustment of the heating unit of the fixing unit can be stopped to prevent wasteful power consumption.

  According to the present invention, when the copy mode is set, the temperature adjustment of the heating unit is started after the document is placed at the reading position. As a result, even when the operation mode is set to the copy mode, when the document is not placed at the reading position, the heating unit is not temperature-adjusted, and wasteful power consumption can be prevented. In addition, when the document is placed at the reading position, the temperature adjustment of the heating unit is started, so the time from when the document is placed at the reading position until the image forming operation is started (hereinafter referred to as “first copy standby time”). ) Can be shortened. Therefore, it is possible to realize an apparatus capable of quickly copying while preventing wasteful power consumption.

  According to the present invention, even if temperature adjustment of the heating unit is once started, temperature adjustment of the heating unit can be stopped when the image forming instruction information is left without being input. Therefore, wasteful power consumption can be prevented.

  Further, according to the present invention, when the operation mode is set to an operation mode other than the copy mode, and the operation mode is changed to the copy mode in a state where the document is arranged at the reading position, the temperature adjustment of the heating unit is performed. Be started. As a result, the first copy standby time can be shortened.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a multifunction machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The multifunction device 1 is an image forming apparatus that has at least a copy function, and further has functions such as a facsimile function and a printer function. The multifunction device 1 according to the present embodiment includes a communication unit 2, a reading unit 3, an image memory 4, an operation unit 5, a temperature monitoring unit 6, an image forming unit 7, a fixing unit 8, and a document detection unit 9. A device information memory 10 and a control unit 11.

  The communication unit 2 includes a public line interface connected to a telephone line, a modem, and the like, transmits a predetermined signal or image data to another facsimile apparatus or the like via the telephone line, and the image data transmitted from the other facsimile apparatus. Receive. The communication unit 2 includes a network interface and transmits image data to a personal computer connected to the multi function device 1 via a LAN (Local Area Network) cable or the like, or receives image data from the personal computer. . The received image data is stored in the image memory 4.

  The reading unit 3 is an example of a reading unit, and reads an image of a document placed at a document reading position. The reading unit 3 reads an image according to an instruction from the control unit 11, and the read image data of the document is stored in the image memory 4.

  The image memory 4 stores an image of a document read by the reading unit 3. The image memory 4 stores image data received by the communication unit 2. The stored image data is given to the image forming unit 7 in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 11.

  The operation unit 5 is composed of, for example, an operation panel having various keys, and receives instructions from the operator. The operation unit 5 notifies the control unit 11 of the received instruction. The operation unit 5 is provided with an operation mode setting key that is an example of an operation mode setting unit that selects an operation mode of the multifunction device 1. The operation mode setting key includes a copy mode key, a facsimile (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “FAX”) transmission mode key, and the like, and sets the operation mode of the multifunction device 1.

  In the multifunction device 1, the operation mode is set to the copy mode when the copy mode key is pressed by the operator. When the FAX transmission mode key is pressed by the operator, the operation mode is set to the FAX transmission mode. The operation unit 5 is provided with a start key. The operation of the set operation mode is started by pressing the start key by the operator. The start key has a function of input means for inputting image formation instruction information.

  An image forming unit 7, which is an example of an image forming unit, forms an image on a recording medium based on image data stored in the image memory 4. Specifically, an image is formed on a recording medium using toner. In the present embodiment, for example, a paper medium (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “recording paper”) is used as the recording medium.

  The fixing unit 8 as an example of a fixing unit includes a fixing roller 30 as an example of a heating unit and a heater 12 as an example of a temperature adjustment unit. The heater 12 heats the fixing roller 30 in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 11. The temperature monitoring unit 6 is configured by a thermistor, for example, and notifies the control unit 11 of temperature information indicating the surface temperature of the fixing roller 30. The fixing unit 8 fixes the toner image on the recording paper by heating the toner image transferred onto the recording paper by the fixing roller 30.

  An original detection unit 9 which is an example of an original detection unit includes a sensor or the like, and detects that an original is placed at a reading position. The document detection unit 9 gives a signal to the control unit 11 indicating that the document has been placed at the reading position. When the document is taken out from the reading position after the document is placed at the reading position, a signal indicating that the document has been taken out from the reading position is given to the control unit 11. The device information memory 10 stores information indicating the state of the multifunction machine 1. Specifically, the information indicating the state of the multifunction device 1 includes information indicating the set operation mode and temperature information of the fixing unit 8.

  The control unit 11, which is an example of a control unit, includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 13 and a ROM (Read Only Memory) 14, and controls the operation of the multifunction machine 1 by executing a program stored in the ROM 14. The timer 15 measures a predetermined set time after the temperature adjustment of the fixing roller 30 is started. For example, specifically, the timer 15 is realized by the CPU 13 executing a program stored in the ROM 14, and a predetermined set time is stored in the ROM 14.

  The multifunction device 1 according to the present embodiment includes, as operation modes, a recording mode for executing a recording operation in which an image is formed on a recording sheet by the image forming unit 7 and an image is fixed on the recording sheet by the fixing unit 8; And a non-recording mode for executing a non-recording operation other than the above. The recording mode includes at least a copy mode for executing a copy operation, a printer mode for further executing a printer operation, and a FAX reception mode for executing a FAX reception operation. The non-recording mode is, for example, a FAX transmission operation. Including a FAX transmission mode for executing.

  Based on the operation mode set by the operation mode setting key, the control unit 11 causes the heater 12 to adjust the temperature of the fixing roller 30 when the operation mode is set to the recording mode, and the operation mode is set to the non-recording mode. When set, the temperature adjustment of the fixing roller 30 by the heater 12 is stopped. Specifically, when the operation mode is set to the copy mode and the temperature of the fixing roller 30 of the fixing unit 8 is not adjusted, the control unit 11 determines whether or not a document is placed at the reading position, and the reading position Only when the document is placed on the heater 12, the heater 12 is caused to start adjusting the temperature of the fixing roller 30. If the controller 11 determines that the duration of the state in which the image formation instruction information is not input after the start of the temperature adjustment of the fixing roller 30 of the fixing unit 8 is equal to or longer than a predetermined set time, the heater 12 Then, the temperature adjustment of the fixing roller 30 is stopped.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the multifunction machine 1. The reading unit 3 is realized by, for example, the flat bed scanning device 16. The flat bed scanning device 16 includes a document placing table 17 that includes a transparent glass plate, a pressure plate 18 that can be opened and closed with respect to the document placing table 17, a scanner unit, and the like. The flatbed scanning device 16 optically reads an image of a document placed on the document placement table 17 and outputs image data to the image memory 4. In this embodiment, the flatbed scanning device 16 is provided with an ADF (Automatic Document Feeder) 19 that supplies a document to the document table 17.

  The ADF 19 conveys the originals placed on the original tray 20 of the ADF 19 one by one to the original placement table 17. The conveyed original is stopped by the pressure plate 18 and is carried out to the paper discharge tray 28 when the image reading of the original is completed.

  Specifically, in the present embodiment, the document detection unit 9 is provided on the document tray 20 of the ADF 19 and is provided on the document placement table 17 and the document detection sensor 21 that detects whether or not the document is placed on the document tray 20. The open / close sensor 22 detects the open / close state of the pressure plate 18. Each sensor 21 and 22 is realized by, for example, a contact sensor.

  When a document is placed on the document tray 20, the document detection sensor 21 gives a signal indicating that the document is placed to the control unit 11. When a document is taken out from the document tray 20, a signal indicating that the document has been taken out is given to the control unit 11. When the pressure plate 18 is closed, the open / close sensor 22 gives a signal indicating that the pressure plate 18 is closed to the control unit 11. In addition, when the pressure plate 18 is opened, the open / close sensor 22 gives a signal indicating that the pressure plate 18 has been opened to the control unit 11.

  When the control unit 11 receives a signal indicating that the document is placed from the document detection sensor 21 and a signal indicating that the pressure plate 18 is closed from the opening / closing sensor 22, the control unit 11 determines that the document is placed at the reading position. To do. If at least one of the signal indicating that the document is taken out and the signal indicating that the pressure plate 18 is opened is received, it is determined that the document is not arranged at the reading position.

  The scanner unit includes a first scanning unit, a second scanning unit, an optical lens, and a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), and reads an image of a document placed on the document placing table 17 by line scanning. The first scanning unit includes a line-shaped light source that illuminates the document placed on the document placing table 17, a reflection mirror that reflects reflected light of the document toward the second scanning unit, and the like. Move in. The second scanning unit includes a reflection mirror that reflects the light from the first scanning unit toward the optical lens, and moves so as to follow the first scanning unit. The optical lens forms an image of light from the second scanning unit on the imaging surface of the CCD. The CCD has a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements, converts a document image into an analog signal line by line, and further converts the document image into digital image data by an AD converter. Digital image data is stored in the image memory 4.

  Specifically, the image forming unit 7 includes a laser writing unit (LSU), an electrophotographic process unit, and the like. The image forming unit 7 forms an image on a recording sheet based on image data included in facsimile reception data, read data read by the reading unit 3, data received from an external device, and the like. The laser writing unit has a laser light source, a polygon mirror, a scanning lens, etc., and scans a laser beam modulated based on the image data in a line shape to form an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum of the electrophotographic process unit. Form. The electrophotographic process section is composed of a photosensitive drum and a charger, a developing device, a transfer device, a peeling device, a cleaning device, a static eliminator, and the like arranged along the periphery of the drum. The image is developed with toner, the toner image is transferred to recording paper, and an unfixed toner image is formed on the recording paper.

  Specifically, the fixing unit 8 is realized by the fixing device 23. The fixing device 23 fixes the unfixed toner on the recording paper by heating the recording paper on which the unfixed toner image is formed. The fixing device 23 is realized by, for example, a heat roller fixing type fixing device, and includes a fixing roller 30 and a pressure roller. The fixing roller 30 includes the heater 12. By energizing the heater 12, the surface temperature of the fixing roller 30 can be raised and adjusted to a temperature at which toner can be fixed (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “fixing temperature”).

  The operation unit 5 is realized by an operation panel 24 provided in the main body of the multifunction device 1 and receives an instruction from an operator. The operation unit 5 notifies the control unit 11 of the received instruction. The operation unit 5 is provided with an operation mode setting key 25 for selecting an operation mode of the multifunction device 1 and a start key 26 for starting an operation corresponding to the set operation mode.

  The FAX operation includes a FAX transmission operation and a FAX reception operation. In the FAX transmission operation, for example, an image of a document placed on the document tray 20 of the ADF 19 is read by the reading unit 3, the image data of the document is stored in the image memory 4, and the stored digital image data is connected to the communication unit 2. The image data of the manuscript is transmitted to another facsimile machine through a public line.

  Further, in the FAX reception operation and printer operation of the multifunction device 1, the data received by the communication unit 2 via the public line or the LAN cable is stored in the image memory 4. The image forming unit 7 reads the image data stored in the image memory 4. The recording paper is transported from the paper feed tray 27 by the transport mechanism, a toner image is formed on the recording paper by the image forming unit 7, and the toner image is fixed by the fixing device 23. The recording paper on which the fixed image is formed is discharged to the paper discharge tray 28. At this time, the temperature adjustment of the fixing roller 30 may be started immediately after the communication unit 2 detects data reception, or may be configured to start temperature adjustment immediately after the start key 26 is pressed.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the temperature adjustment operation of the fixing roller 30 by the control unit 11. In FIG. 3, Si (i = 1, 2, 3,...) Indicates a step. The control unit 11 executes this flow. This flow starts when the operation mode setting key 25 of the multifunction device 1 is operated and the operation mode of the multifunction device 1 is set.

  In step S1, it is determined whether the set operation mode is a copy mode or an operation mode other than the copy mode. When it is determined that the operation mode is set to the copy mode, the process proceeds to step S2. In the present embodiment, when power is supplied to the multifunction device 1 after the power supply to the multifunction device 1 is cut off, the operation mode set when the power supply is cut off is continuously set. Is done.

  In step S2, based on the signals from the document sensor 21 and the open / close sensor 22, it is determined whether or not the document is arranged at the reading position (hereinafter, the arrangement at the reading position may be simply referred to as “set”). In this embodiment, the state where the document is set refers to a state where the document is placed on the document tray 20 of the ADF 19 and the pressure plate 18 is closed. If it is determined that no document is set, the process waits until the document is set. When it is determined that the document is set, the process proceeds to step S3.

  In step S3, temperature adjustment of the fixing roller 30 is started. When the temperature adjustment of the fixing roller 30 is started, the state is changed to a state in which the temperature of the fixing roller 30 is adjusted. The state in which the temperature of the fixing roller 30 is adjusted refers to the surface temperature of the fixing roller 30 by energizing the heater 12 and turning off the energization of the heater 12 based on the temperature information given from the temperature monitoring unit 6. Is a state in which a preset temperature is set in advance. The set temperature in this embodiment is a fixing temperature. At this time, a predetermined set time is counted by the timer 15.

  In step S <b> 4, it is determined whether or not the duration time during which no image formation instruction information is input after the start of temperature adjustment of the fixing roller 30 is equal to or longer than a predetermined set time. Specifically, the image formation instruction information is input when the operator presses the start key 26. If it is detected in step S4 that the start key 26 is pressed within the preset time, the process proceeds to step S5. Within the predetermined set time is less than the predetermined set time.

  In step S5, when it is determined that the start key 26 is pressed when the surface temperature of the fixing roller 30 is equal to or higher than the fixing temperature, the recording paper is picked up from the paper feed tray 27 at the same time as the start key 26 is pressed. The image forming unit 7 forms an unfixed toner image on the recording paper. The recording paper on which the unfixed toner image is formed is heated by the fixing unit 23 to fix the toner, and then discharged to the paper discharge tray 28. When it is determined that the start key 26 is pressed when the surface temperature of the fixing roller 30 is lower than the fixing temperature, the recording paper is picked up from the paper feed tray 27 when the surface temperature of the fixing roller 30 reaches the fixing temperature. Then, the recording paper on which the unfixed toner image is formed is heated by the fixing device 23 to fix the toner, and then discharged onto the paper discharge tray 28. When the copy operation is completed in step S5, the process proceeds to step S6, temperature adjustment is stopped, and this flow is ended. When the temperature adjustment is stopped, the fixing roller 30 is shifted to a state where the temperature is not adjusted. The state where the temperature is not adjusted refers to a state where the heater 12 is not energized regardless of the temperature information given from the temperature monitoring unit 6.

  If it is determined in step S1 that the set operation mode is an operation mode other than the copy mode, the process proceeds to step S7. In step S7, it is determined whether or not a document is set. When it is determined that no document is set, this flow ends. If it is determined that the document is set, the process proceeds to step S8.

  In step S8, it is determined whether or not the operation mode has been changed to the copy mode setting. When it is determined that the mode has not been changed to the copy mode, this flow ends. If it is determined that the copy mode has been changed, the process proceeds to step S3, and temperature adjustment of the fixing roller 30 is started.

  If the start key 26 is not pressed within the preset time set in step S4, the process proceeds to step S9. In step S9, the temperature adjustment of the fixing roller 30 is stopped.

  In step S10, it is determined whether the document set is maintained. Specifically, at least one of a signal indicating that the document is taken out from the document tray 20 and the document detection sensor 21 indicates that the document is taken out, and a signal indicating that the pressure plate 18 is opened and the open state sensor 22 indicates the opened state are provided. If given, it is determined that no document is set, and this flow is terminated. If it is determined that the document set is maintained, the process proceeds to step S11.

  In step S11, it is determined whether or not the setting has been changed from the copy mode to a mode other than the copy mode. When it is determined in step S11 that the setting has been changed, this flow ends. When the setting has not been changed in step S11, the process proceeds to step S12.

  In step S12, it is determined whether or not the start key 26 has been pressed. When the start key 26 is not pressed, the process proceeds to step S10. When the start key 26 is pressed, the process proceeds to step S13, temperature adjustment of the fixing roller 30 is started, and the process proceeds to step S5. In step S5, the recording paper on which the unfixed toner image is formed is heated by the fixing device 23 to fix the toner, and then discharged to the paper discharge tray 28. When the copying operation is completed, the process proceeds to step S6, temperature adjustment of the fixing roller 30 is stopped, and this flow is finished.

  According to the multifunction device 1 of the present embodiment, the temperature adjustment of the fixing roller 30 of the fixing device 23 is controlled by the control unit 11 based on the operation mode set via the operation mode setting key 25. The operation modes include a recording mode for executing a recording operation using the image forming unit 7 and the fixing device 23, and a non-recording mode for executing a non-recording operation other than the recording operation. As a result, the temperature adjustment of the fixing roller 30 can be started so as to match the operation mode. Therefore, when the recording mode using the fixing device 23 is set, temperature adjustment of the fixing roller 30 is started according to the recording mode, and the recording operation can be performed quickly. Further, when the non-recording mode in which the fixing device 23 is not required is set, the temperature adjustment of the fixing roller 30 can be stopped to prevent wasteful power consumption.

  According to the MFP 1 of this embodiment, when the operation mode is set to the copy mode and the temperature of the fixing roller 30 is not adjusted, it is determined whether or not the document is placed at the reading position, and the document is read. Only when it is disposed at the position, temperature adjustment of the fixing roller 30 is started. As described above, when the copy mode is set, the temperature adjustment of the fixing roller 30 is started after the document is placed at the reading position. As a result, even when the operation mode is set to the copy mode, when the document is not placed at the reading position, the temperature of the fixing roller 30 is not adjusted, and wasteful power consumption can be prevented. In addition, when the document is placed at the reading position, the temperature adjustment of the fixing roller 30 is started, so that the first copy standby time can be shortened. Therefore, it is possible to realize an apparatus capable of quickly copying while preventing wasteful power consumption.

  According to the multifunction machine 1 of the present embodiment, even if the temperature adjustment of the fixing roller 30 is started, the temperature adjustment of the fixing roller 30 is stopped when the image forming instruction information is left without being input. Therefore, wasteful power consumption can be prevented.

  Further, according to the multifunction device 1 of the present embodiment, the operation mode setting key 25 for the operator to set the operation mode of the multifunction device 1 is provided, and the fixing roller is based on the operation mode set by the operation mode setting key 25. The start timing of 30 temperature adjustments is controlled. Therefore, compared to the case where a unit for setting only the temperature adjustment start timing of the fixing roller 30 is provided, the multifunction device 1 can be configured with a simple configuration, and thus an increase in production cost of the multifunction device 1 is suppressed. be able to. Further, there is no need for an operation for setting the operation mode by the operator, and further no operation for setting a mode for determining the timing for starting the temperature adjustment of the fixing roller 30, and the operation mode and the temperature of the fixing roller 30 can be performed by a single operation. Since the start time of the adjustment can be set, the labor of the operator can be saved.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the temperature adjustment operation of the fixing roller 30 by the control unit 11 of the multifunction machine according to another embodiment of the present invention. Since the multifunction machine of the present embodiment is similar to the multifunction machine 1 described above, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, overlapping description is omitted, and only different components will be described. In FIG. 4, Ai (i = 1, 2, 3,...) Indicates a step. The control unit 11 executes this flow. This flow starts when the operation mode setting key 25 of the multifunction device is operated to set the operation mode of the multifunction device. Steps A1 and A2 are the same as steps S1 and S2 in FIG. 3, and steps A7 and 8 are the same as steps S7 and S8.

  In step A3, temperature adjustment for adjusting the surface temperature of the fixing roller 30 to a preset temperature is started based on the temperature information given from the temperature monitoring unit 6. The set temperature set in step A3 is the fixing temperature. At this time, a predetermined set time is counted by the timer 15.

  In Step A4, it is determined whether or not the duration time during which no image formation instruction information is input after the start of temperature adjustment of the fixing roller 30 is equal to or longer than a preset time. If it is detected in step A4 that the start key 26 is pressed within the preset time, the process proceeds to step A5.

  In step A5, when it is determined that the start key 26 is pressed when the surface temperature of the fixing roller 30 is equal to or higher than the fixing temperature, the recording paper is picked up from the paper feed tray 27 at the same time as the start key 26 is pressed. The image forming unit 7 forms an unfixed toner image on the recording paper. The recording paper on which the unfixed toner image is formed is heated by the fixing unit 23 to fix the toner, and then discharged to the paper discharge tray 28. When it is determined that the start key 26 is pressed when the surface temperature of the fixing roller 30 is lower than the fixing temperature, the recording paper is picked up from the paper feed tray 27 when the surface temperature of the fixing roller 30 reaches the fixing temperature. Then, the recording paper on which the unfixed toner image is formed is heated by the fixing device 23 to fix the toner, and then discharged onto the paper discharge tray 28. When the copying operation is completed in step A5, the process proceeds to step A6, temperature adjustment of the fixing roller 30 is stopped, and this flow is finished. If the start key 26 is not pressed within the preset time set in step A4, the process proceeds to step A9.

  In step A9, the set temperature is changed from the fixing temperature to the standby temperature, and the surface temperature of the fixing roller 30 is adjusted to the standby temperature. Specifically, the standby temperature is a temperature lower than the fixing temperature and higher than the surface temperature of the fixing roller 30 before the temperature adjustment of the fixing roller 30 is started.

  In step A10, it is determined whether or not a document set is maintained. When it is determined that no document is set, the process proceeds to step A6, temperature adjustment of the fixing roller 30 is stopped, and this flow is ended. If it is determined that the document set is maintained, the process proceeds to step A11.

  In step A11, it is determined whether or not the setting has been changed from the copy mode to a mode other than the copy mode. When it is determined in step A11 that the setting has been changed, the process proceeds to step A6, temperature adjustment of the fixing roller 30 is stopped, and this flow is ended. When the setting is not changed in step A11, the process proceeds to step A12.

In step A12, it is determined whether or not the start key 26 has been pressed. When the start key 26 is not pressed, the process proceeds to step A10. The temperature adjustment of the fixing roller 30 in a state where the set temperature is changed to the standby temperature is maintained until the start key 26 is pressed if the document is set and the copy mode is set. When the start key 26 is pressed, the process proceeds to step A13.
In step A13, the set temperature is changed from the standby temperature to the fixing temperature, and the process proceeds to step A5. In step A5, the recording paper on which the unfixed toner image is formed is heated by the fixing device 23 to fix the toner, and then discharged to the paper discharge tray 28. When the copying operation is completed, the process proceeds to step A6, temperature adjustment of the fixing roller 30 is stopped, and this flow is finished.

  According to the MFP of the present embodiment, when the start key 26 is not pressed within a predetermined set time after the temperature adjustment of the fixing roller 30 is started, the set temperature is changed from the fixing temperature to the standby temperature, and the fixing is performed. The surface temperature of the roller 30 is adjusted to the standby temperature. As a result, in order for the operator to execute the copying operation on the multifunction device, the surface temperature of the fixing roller 30 is set to the temperature in a state where preparation for causing the multifunction device to perform the copying operation, such as setting of the operation mode and document setting, is completed. Since it is higher than the surface temperature of the fixing roller 30 before the start of adjustment, the time from when the start key 26 is pressed until the surface temperature of the fixing roller 30 reaches the fixing temperature can be shortened. Further, since the standby temperature is lower than the fixing temperature, useless power consumption can be prevented. Further, the state in which the temperature adjustment for adjusting the surface temperature of the fixing roller 30 to the standby temperature is canceled when the operator cancels the preparation for the MFP to execute the copy operation, so the copy operation needs to be performed. The temperature adjustment is stopped when there is no more power, and wasteful power consumption can be prevented. As described above, in the MFP according to this embodiment, whether or not to continue the temperature adjustment for adjusting the surface temperature of the fixing roller 30 to the standby temperature is controlled according to whether or not the preparation for executing the copying operation is performed. Therefore, useless power consumption can be prevented and the first copy standby time can be shortened.

  As a multi-function machine according to still another embodiment of the present invention, the multi-function machine 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 and the multi-function machine shown in FIG. 18 is closed, but only the placement of the document on the document tray 20 may be set as the document setting condition.

  As a multifunction machine according to still another embodiment of the present invention, document detection means for detecting that a document is placed on the document placement table 17 is provided, and the document is placed on the document placement table 17 of the multifunction machine. The control unit 11 may determine that a document is set.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of a multifunction machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a perspective view of a multifunction machine 1. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a temperature adjustment operation of the fixing roller 30 by the control unit 11. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a temperature adjustment operation of the fixing roller 30 by the control unit 11 of the multifunction machine according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Multifunction device 2 Communication part 3 Reading part 4 Image memory 5 Operation part 7 Image formation part 8 Fixing part 9 Document detection part 10 Apparatus information memory 11 Control part 12 Heater 25 Operation mode setting key 26 Start key 30 Fixing roller

Claims (4)

Image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium;
A fixing unit that includes a heating unit and a temperature adjusting unit that adjusts a temperature of the heating unit, and that fixes the image on the recording medium by heating the recording medium on which the image is formed by the image forming unit;
A recording mode for executing a recording operation in which an image is formed on a recording medium by an image forming unit and an image is fixed on the recording medium by a fixing unit, and a non-recording mode for executing a non-recording operation other than the recording operation. An operation mode setting means for setting an operation mode including:
Based on the operation mode set by the operation mode setting means, when the operation mode is set to the recording mode, when the temperature adjustment unit adjusts the temperature of the heating unit, and when the operation mode is set to the non-recording mode, An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit that stops temperature adjustment of the heating unit by the temperature adjustment unit. Reading means for reading an image of a document placed at a reading position;
Document detecting means for detecting whether or not the document is arranged at the reading position,
The recording mode includes a copy mode for executing a copy operation in which an image of a document read by the reading unit is formed on the recording medium by the image forming unit and fixed on the recording medium by the fixing unit,
When the operation mode is set to the copy mode and the temperature of the heating unit of the fixing unit is not adjusted, the control unit determines whether or not the document is disposed at the reading position, and the document is disposed at the reading position. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the temperature adjustment unit starts temperature adjustment of the heating unit only when the temperature adjustment unit is on. An input unit for inputting image formation instruction information for instructing image formation on the recording medium by the image forming unit;
When the control unit determines that the duration of the state in which the image formation instruction information is not input after the start of the temperature adjustment of the heating unit of the fixing unit is longer than a predetermined set time, the control unit causes the heating unit to The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the temperature adjustment of the image forming apparatus is stopped.   When the operation mode is set to an operation mode other than the copy mode and the original is placed at the reading position and the operation mode is changed to the copy mode, the control means sets the temperature of the heating unit to the temperature adjustment unit. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein adjustment is started.

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