JP2007171899A - Image forming apparatus and switching circuit - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus capable of restraining the cost of a main power source from increasing, when coping with an incorporated auxiliary power source, and to provide a switching circuit. <P>SOLUTION: For the supply of power to a DC load 47c during a period, starting from the start-up of the apparatus to a predetermined time, the switching circuit 46 switches from a first power supply means (main power source) 42 to a second power supply means (auxiliary power source) 44, with the first power supply means supplying power to each load according to the control by a control means and the second power supply means being storable power. The switching circuit 46 uses FETs 71 to 74. This makes it possible to restrain a voltage decrease due to the addition of the switching circuit 46. Thus, the need for significant increase in the output accuracy of the first power supply means (main power source) 42 due to the incorporated second power supply means (auxiliary power source) 44 is eliminated, and accordingly, increase in the cost of the first power supply means (main power source) 42 can be restrained. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, and a combination machine combining these using an electrophotographic process, and a switching circuit, and more particularly, to supply power to a DC load by an auxiliary power source. The present invention relates to a power leveling technique for preventing power consumption from exceeding power that can be supplied from a power supply line.

  In recent years, image forming apparatuses using an electrophotographic process (for example, copiers, printers, facsimiles, and multifunction machines combining these) have become multi-functional, and accordingly, the structure becomes complicated and the maximum power consumption increases. Tend to.

  Also, supply to the fixing heater in order to reduce the waiting time until the start of the fixing device and the factors of the image forming apparatus itself, such as the temporary interruption of the operation due to a decrease in the fixing temperature during printing and copying operations, and the waiting time of the operator. Electric power is also increasing.

  On the other hand, since there is a limit to the power that can be supplied from a normal power supply line, this is a major limitation in designing the device.

  Therefore, in Patent Document 1, which is one of the prior arts for leveling load power, the consumed power is predicted, and when the predicted power consumption exceeds the suppliable power of the main power supply, some loads are applied by the auxiliary power supply. A power leveling technique is disclosed in which power is supplied to the power supply line so as not to exceed the maximum supplyable power of the power supply line.

JP 2004-236492 A

  However, according to the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to determine the output voltage specification of the main power supply device in consideration of the voltage drop due to the addition of the switching circuit. Also, when supplying a part of the DC load with the same input power specifications with auxiliary power, the output accuracy is higher than usual so that both the auxiliary power supply line and the non-supply line satisfy the input power specifications. It is necessary to provide high accuracy or to provide separate converters for the auxiliary power supply line and the non-supply line. In other words, the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a problem of increasing the cost of the main power supply device.

  In addition, even when the auxiliary power supply is made optional, the main power supply is changed depending on the presence or absence of the auxiliary power supply in consideration of the voltage drop due to the addition of the switching circuit as described above, or the output accuracy is high. It is necessary to mount a main power supply device, which increases the cost of the main power supply device.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus and a switching circuit capable of suppressing an increase in cost of a main power supply when accommodating the mounting of an auxiliary power supply.

  It is another object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus and a switching circuit that can prevent the system from being complicated by replacing the main power supply depending on the presence or absence of an auxiliary power supply.

  Furthermore, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus and a switching circuit that can increase the utilization efficiency of the power capacity of the auxiliary power supply to the apparatus.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the invention according to claim 1 is to supply power to each load in an image forming apparatus provided with a power supply system that supplies power for operating each load. First power supply means, second power supply means capable of storing power, power supply sources for some loads, the first power supply means and the second power Switching means for switching to the supply means, and controlling the switching means so that power is supplied to the partial load from the second power supply means for a period from when the apparatus is started up to a predetermined time. Control means, and the switching means includes a first power connection unit that connects the first power supply unit, a second power connection unit that connects the second power supply unit, and the part. A load connection for connecting the load of the load, and the load connection A first FET (Field-Effect Transistor) that turns ON / OFF the power supply from the first power supply unit via the first power connection unit to the load via the unit by the control of the control unit; A second FET that turns ON / OFF the power supply from the second power supply unit via the second power connection unit to the load via the load connection unit by the control of the control unit; Provided at the subsequent stage of the first FET, when supplying power to the load via the load connection portion by the second power supply means, current flow into the first power supply means is controlled by the control means. A third FET to be prevented and a second stage of the second FET, and when the first power supply unit supplies power to the load via the load connection unit, the control unit controls the control unit. And a fourth FET for preventing current from flowing into the second power supply means.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the first voltage comparison unit that compares the voltage of the first power supply unit with the voltage of the partial load; Second voltage comparison means for comparing the voltage of the second power supply means with the voltage of the partial load, and the voltage of the first power supply means is adjusted by the first voltage comparison means. If the comparison result indicates that the voltage is larger than the voltage of the partial load, the third FET is turned on, and the voltage of the second power supply means is set by the second voltage comparison means. If the comparison result indicates that the voltage is higher than the voltage of the partial load, the fourth FET is turned on.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, either the voltage of the first power supply unit or the voltage of the second power supply unit and the partial load. Voltage comparison means for comparing the voltage, and an inverted signal of the output signal corresponding to the comparison result between the voltage of one of the power supply means and the voltage of the partial load is provided on the other power supply means side. ON / OFF signal.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, the first FET, the second FET, the third FET, and the fourth FET are , P-channel FET.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, a capacitor is connected in parallel with the gate-source resistance of each of the first FET and the second FET. To do.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, an electrolytic capacitor is provided on the partial load side.

  The invention according to claim 7 is for supplying power to a part of the load according to the control by the control means for a period from the start-up of the apparatus to a predetermined time. In the switching circuit for switching from the first power supply means to the second power supply means capable of storing power, the first power connection section for connecting the first power supply means and the second power supply means are connected. Power from the first power supply unit via the first power connection unit for the load via the load connection unit, a load connection unit for connecting the partial load, Supply of the second power via the second power connection to the first FET (Field-Effect Transistor) that is turned on / off by the control means and the load via the load connection From the means The second FET that is turned ON / OFF by the control of the control means, and the power supplied by the second power supply means to the load via the load connection portion provided at the subsequent stage of the first FET. At the time of supply, a third FET that prevents current from flowing into the first power supply unit by the control of the control unit, and a second stage that is provided in the subsequent stage of the second FET, with respect to the load via the load connection unit And a fourth FET that prevents current from flowing into the second power supply unit under the control of the control unit when power is supplied by the first power supply unit.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the switching circuit according to the seventh aspect, the first voltage comparing means for comparing the voltage of the first power supply means with the voltage of the partial load, and the first And a second voltage comparison means for comparing the voltage of the second power supply means with the voltage of the partial load, and the voltage of the first power supply means by the first voltage comparison means. Is compared with the voltage of the partial load, the third FET is turned on, and the voltage of the second power supply means is turned on by the second voltage comparison means. When the comparison result indicates that the voltage is larger than the voltage of the partial load, the fourth FET is turned on.

  The invention according to claim 9 is the switching circuit according to claim 7, wherein either the voltage of the first power supply means or the voltage of the second power supply means and the voltage of the partial load are used. Voltage comparison means for comparing the voltage of one of the power supply means with the voltage of the part of the load, an inverted signal of the output signal in accordance with the comparison result of the other power supply means side / OFF signal.

  The invention according to claim 10 is the switching circuit according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the first FET, the second FET, the third FET, and the fourth FET are: It is a P-channel FET.

  According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the switching circuit according to any one of the seventh to tenth aspects, a capacitor is connected in parallel with the gate-source resistance of each of the first FET and the second FET. .

  According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the switching circuit according to any one of the seventh to eleventh aspects, an electrolytic capacitor is provided on the partial load side.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, for supplying power to a part of the load according to the control by the control means for the period from the start-up of the device to the predetermined time, Since the switching means for switching from the first power supply means to the second power supply means capable of storing power is configured using FETs, voltage drop due to the addition of the switching means can be suppressed, so that the second power It is not necessary to greatly increase the output accuracy of the first power supply means (for example, main power supply) in order to cope with the mounting of the supply means (for example, auxiliary power supply), and the first power supply means (for example, main power supply) There is an effect that an increase in cost can be suppressed. Further, it is possible to prevent the system from being complicated by replacing the first power supply means (for example, the main power supply) depending on the presence or absence of the second power supply means (for example, the auxiliary power supply). Furthermore, since the power consumed by the switching means is reduced by suppressing the voltage drop, the utilization efficiency of the power capacity of the second power supply means (for example, auxiliary power supply) to the apparatus can be increased.

  Further, according to the invention of claim 2, the voltage drop is suppressed as compared with the case where a normal diode is connected, and soft control is unnecessary as in the case where a normal diode is connected, so that the control can be simplified. The effect of becoming.

  Moreover, according to the invention concerning Claim 3, there exists an effect that the circuit structure can be simplified.

  According to the invention of claim 4, when an N-channel FET is used, it is necessary to mount a booster circuit for driving, which may complicate the circuit. There is an effect that the circuit configuration can be simplified.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the first FET and the second FET are slowly turned ON / OFF, and the gate voltage transition is moderated, thereby suppressing a rapid voltage fluctuation at the time of switching the load supply power. As a result, the stability of the load operation can be increased and the abnormality can be prevented.

  Further, according to the invention of claim 6, by providing the electrolytic capacitor on the load side, it is possible to moderate the voltage drop and reduce the voltage drop, so that the voltage drop at the time of switching the load supply power There is an effect that can be suppressed.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, power is supplied to some loads during the period from when the apparatus is started up to a predetermined time, and power is supplied to each load according to control by the control means. Since the switching circuit for switching from the first power supply means for switching to the second power supply means capable of storing power is configured using FETs, voltage drop due to the addition of the switching circuit can be suppressed, so that the second Therefore, it is not necessary to significantly increase the output accuracy of the first power supply means (for example, the main power supply), so that the first power supply means (for example, the main power supply) can be mounted. ) Can be suppressed. Further, it is possible to prevent the system from being complicated by replacing the first power supply means (for example, the main power supply) depending on the presence or absence of the second power supply means (for example, the auxiliary power supply). Furthermore, since the power consumed by the switching circuit is reduced by suppressing the voltage drop, the efficiency of using the power capacity of the second power supply means (for example, the auxiliary power supply) to the device can be increased. Play.

  Further, according to the invention according to claim 8, since the voltage drop is suppressed as compared with the case where a normal diode is connected, and soft control is not required as in the case where a normal diode is connected, the control can be simplified. The effect of becoming.

  Moreover, according to the ninth aspect of the invention, there is an effect that the circuit configuration can be simplified.

  According to the invention of claim 10, when an N-channel FET is used, the circuit may be complicated because it is necessary to mount a booster circuit for driving. There is an effect that the circuit configuration can be simplified.

  According to the invention of claim 11, the first FET and the second FET are slowly turned ON / OFF, and the gate voltage transition is moderated, thereby suppressing a rapid voltage fluctuation at the time of switching the load supply power. As a result, the stability of the load operation can be increased and the abnormality can be prevented.

  According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, since the electrolytic capacitor is provided on the load side, the voltage drop can be moderated and the voltage drop can be reduced. There is an effect that can be suppressed.

  Exemplary embodiments of an image forming apparatus and a switching circuit according to the present invention will be explained below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In this embodiment, as an image forming apparatus, a copy function, a facsimile (FAX) function, a print function, a scanner function, an input image (a document image read by a scanner function, an image input by a printer or a FAX function), etc. This is an example in which a so-called MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) that is a combination of the above is applied.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram schematically showing a digital multi-function peripheral according to an embodiment of the present invention. Such a digital multi-function peripheral can select a copying function, a printer function, and a facsimile function by sequentially switching with an application switching key of an operation unit (not shown). When the printer function is selected, the printer mode is selected. When the facsimile mode is selected, the facsimile mode is selected. Here, an example of the flow of image formation in the copy mode will be described with reference to FIG.

  A bundle of documents placed on a document table 2 of an automatic document feeder (hereinafter referred to as ADF (Auto Document Feeder)) 1 with a document image side up is a print key (not shown) on an operation unit (not shown). When (not shown) is pressed, the lowermost document is fed to a predetermined position on the contact glass 6 by the feeding roller 3 and the feeding belt 4. The digital multi-function peripheral has a counting function that counts up the number of documents every time a document is fed to a predetermined position on the contact glass 6.

  A document fed to a predetermined position on the contact glass 6 is read by the reading unit 50 as image data.

  Here, the reading unit 50 will be described in detail. The reading unit 50 includes a contact glass 6 on which an original is placed and an optical scanning system. The optical scanning system includes an exposure lamp 51, a first mirror 52, a lens 53, a CCD image sensor 54, and the like. The exposure lamp 51 and the first mirror 52 are fixed on a first carriage (not shown), and the second mirror 55 and the third mirror 56 are fixed on a first carriage (not shown). When reading a document image, the first carriage and the second carriage are mechanically operated at a relative speed of 2: 1 so that the optical path length does not change. This optical scanning system is driven by a scanner drive motor (not shown). The document image is read by the CCD image sensor 54, converted into an electrical signal, and processed.

  The document whose image data has been read by the reading unit 50 is discharged by the feeding belt 4 and the discharge roller 5.

  Further, when it is detected by the document set detection 7 that the next document is present on the document table 2, the next document is fed onto the contact glass 6 in the same manner as the previous document.

  The feeding roller 3, the feeding belt 4, and the discharging roller 5 described above are each driven by a transport motor 26 (see FIG. 4).

  On the other hand, the transfer sheets P stacked on the first tray 8, the second tray 9, and the third tray 10 are fed by the first sheet feeder 11, the second sheet feeder 12, and the third sheet feeder 13, respectively. Then, the sheet is conveyed to a position where it abuts on the photoconductor 15 by the vertical conveyance unit 14. The first tray 8, the second tray 9, and the third tray 10 constitute a paper feeding unit.

  The image data read by the reading unit 50 is written on the photosensitive member 15 by the laser beam output from the writing unit 57 and passes through the developing unit 27 to form a toner image. The writing unit 57 is composed of a laser output unit 58, an imaging lens 59, and a mirror 60. Inside the laser output unit 58, a polygon mirror (polygon) that rotates at a constant high speed by a laser diode and a motor as a laser light source. Mirror). Although not particularly illustrated, a beam sensor that generates a main scanning synchronization signal is disposed at a position where a laser beam near one end of the photoconductor 15 is irradiated.

  The toner image on the photoconductor 15 is transferred to the transfer paper P conveyed by the conveyance belt 16 at the same speed as the rotation of the photoconductor 15. Thereafter, the transfer paper P that has been transported to the fixing unit 17 and on which the image has been fixed is discharged by the paper discharge unit 18 to the finisher 100 that is a post-processing device.

  The finisher 100 of the post-processing apparatus can guide the transfer paper P conveyed by the paper discharge roller 19 of the paper discharge unit 18 by switching between the normal paper discharge roller 102 direction and the staple processing unit direction. More specifically, the finisher 100 as a post-processing device can discharge the transfer paper P to the normal paper discharge tray 104 side via the transport roller 103 by switching the switching plate 101 upward. By switching the switching plate 101 downward, the transfer paper P can be conveyed to the staple table 108 via the conveying rollers 105 and 107.

  The transfer paper P loaded on the staple table 108 is aligned by the paper jogger 109 each time it is discharged, and is bound by the stapler 106 upon completion of a partial copy. The group of transfer sheets P bound by the stapler 106 is stored in the staple completion discharge tray 110 by its own weight.

  On the other hand, the normal paper discharge tray 104 of the finisher 100 is a paper discharge tray that can move back and forth. The paper discharge tray 104 that can be moved back and forth moves forward and backward for each original document or for each copy section sorted by the image memory, and sorts copy paper that is simply discharged.

  The digital multifunction peripheral according to the present embodiment can form images on both sides of the transfer paper P. When images are formed on both sides of the transfer paper P, the path of the paper discharge unit 18 is switched without guiding the transfer paper P fed from each of the paper feed trays 8 to 10 to the paper discharge tray 104 side. By setting the branching claw 112 for the upper side to the upper side, the paper is once stocked in the duplex feeding unit 111. Thereafter, the transfer paper P stocked on the double-sided paper feeding unit 111 is re-fed from the double-sided paper feeding unit 111 in a reversed state in order to transfer the toner image formed on the photosensitive member 15 again, The paper is guided to the paper discharge tray 104 via the branching claw 112 set on the side. As described above, the duplex feeding unit 111 is used when images are created on both sides of the transfer sheet P. Further, the front and back sides of the transfer paper P can be changed using the double-sided paper feeding unit 111 when printing on the back surface of the transfer paper P on which an image is placed.

  Note that the above-described photosensitive member 15, conveyance belt 16, fixing unit 17, paper discharge unit 18, development unit 27, and finisher 100 are driven by a main motor (not shown), and each of the paper feeding devices 11 to 13 is a main motor. Are driven by a paper feed clutch (not shown). The vertical conveyance unit 14 is driven to transmit the drive of the main motor by an intermediate clutch (not shown).

  Next, the power supply system of the digital multi-function peripheral will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a power supply system of the digital multifunction peripheral. As shown in FIG. 2, the power supply system of the digital multi-function peripheral includes a main power SW 40, an AC line 41 that supplies AC power, a main power 42 that is a first power supply means, a capacitor charger 43, A capacitor 44 as a second power supply means, a capacitor converter 45, a switching circuit 46 as a switching means, a + 5V system load 47a, a + 24V system load 47b, a + 24V system load 47c, a fixing heating device 48, The control part 30 which is a control means is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 2, AC power supplied from the AC line 41 via the main power SW 40 is converted into DC power by an AC / DC converter 42a included in the main power 42, and some are + 24V system and + 5V system. Directly supplied as a power source for each of the loads 47b and 47a. The AC power is also input to the capacitor charger 43 and can be used to charge the capacitor 44.

  The capacitor 44 as an auxiliary power source is constituted by a large capacity capacitor such as an electric double layer capacitor. In addition to the electric double layer capacitor, various selections can be made. In the present invention, an electric double layer capacitor that can be charged and discharged in a short time and has a long life is used.

  By the way, in an electric double layer capacitor, terminal voltage will become low as it discharges. Therefore, the output voltage is made constant by disposing the capacitor converter 45 after the capacitor 44. Capacitor converter 45 uses any one of a boost converter, a step-down converter, and a step-up / down converter according to the charging voltage of capacitor 44 and the lower limit voltage specification.

  The switching circuit 46 controls a +24 V power source generated by the AC / DC converter 42 a based on the AC power source supplied from the AC line 41 and a +24 V power source generated through the capacitor converter 45 from the energy stored in the capacitor 44. It switches according to the control by the unit 30 and supplies it to the + 24V system load 47c.

  The control unit 30 controls the entire digital multi-function peripheral, and operates the loads 47a to 47c sequentially according to each operation mode. The control unit 30 also controls the charging / discharging of the capacitor 44. The capacitor converter 45 generates energy from the energy stored in the capacitor 44 during the start-up of the device and a period until the predetermined time after the start-up. The switching circuit 46 is switched to operate so as to supply the + 24V power supply to the + 24V system load 47c. At this time, the margin generated with respect to the power supplied from the AC line 41 controls the fixing heater driving circuit 42 b to increase the amount of power supplied to the fixing heating device 48. These will be described in detail later.

  Here, the configuration of the switching circuit 46 will be described in detail.

  FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram showing the switching circuit 46. The switching circuit 46 mainly includes a main power supply side output ON / OFF FET (Field-Effect Transistor) (hereinafter referred to as a first main power supply side FET) 71, an auxiliary power supply side output ON / OFF FET (hereinafter referred to as a FET). First auxiliary power supply side FET) 72, current flow prevention FET (hereinafter referred to as second main power supply side FET) 73 to the main power supply device when the auxiliary power supply is supplied, and capacitor 44 as an auxiliary power supply when supplying the main power supply Current flow prevention FET (hereinafter referred to as second auxiliary power supply side FET) 74, main power output connection 90 serving as the first power connection, auxiliary power output connection 91 serving as the second power connection, and load connection A DC load connection unit 92 is used. Here, the first main power supply side FET 71 is the first FET, the first auxiliary power supply side FET 72 is the second FET, the second main power supply side FET 73 is the third FET, and the second auxiliary power supply side The FET 74 is a fourth FET.

  When the digital multifunction peripheral is equipped with the capacitor 44 as an auxiliary power supply, the main power supply output connection section 90 is connected to the output of the main power supply 42, and the auxiliary power supply output connection section 91 is connected to the output of the capacitor converter 45. Is done. Then, the main power supply power or the auxiliary power supply is supplied from the DC load connection unit 92 to the DC load (+ 24V system load) 47c via the switching circuit 46.

  On the other hand, when the digital multi-function peripheral does not include the capacitor 44 as an auxiliary power supply, the main power supply output connection portion 90 and the DC load connection portion 92 are directly connected by a jumper line or the like, and the switching circuit 46 itself is connected to the auxiliary power supply device 70. As a part, it is configured to be removable from the system together with the capacitor 44 and the capacitor converter 45 as auxiliary power supplies.

  The first main power supply side FET 71 and the first auxiliary power supply side FET 72 are switch elements for turning ON / OFF the supply of the main power supply power and the auxiliary power supply to the DC load (+ 24V system load) 47c, respectively. FET. Other elements may be used as long as the output can be turned ON / OFF. However, when used for a power supply line of about 24V / 10A assumed as an auxiliary power supply line, the P-channel FET has a small voltage drop, It is suitable because it is inexpensive.

  As in the digital multi-function peripheral to which the present invention is applied, power is supplied to the DC load (+ 24V system load) 47c by the capacitor 44 as an auxiliary power source, and a margin for the power that can be supplied from the AC line 41 is set to the fixing heating device 48. In the case of a system that supplies power, it is necessary to use an auxiliary power source for a DC power source that consumes a certain amount of power, and the DC power source is assumed to be the largest voltage in the system. For this reason, when an N-channel FET is used, it is necessary to mount a booster circuit for driving, which may complicate the circuit. By using a P-channel FET, the circuit configuration can be simplified. it can.

  Since there is a parasitic diode in the first main power supply side FET 71 and the first auxiliary power supply side FET 72 used for the power supply ON / OFF element, the DC load side 47c to the power supply side even at the OFF time, Current will flow. Therefore, when the main power supply power is output, a current flows into the auxiliary power supply circuit, and the auxiliary power supply operation may become abnormal. Also, the main power supply power may increase, resulting in a system failure such as over 1500W. Furthermore, at the time of auxiliary power output, similarly, shortage of auxiliary power or a malfunction of the main power supply may be caused. In view of this, the second main power supply side FET 73 and the second auxiliary power supply side FET 74 are provided downstream of the first main power supply side FET 71 and the first auxiliary power supply side FET 72 as current flow preventing elements. At this time, considering the parasitic diode of the second main power supply side FET 73 itself, the drain terminal is set to the input side (first main power supply side FET 71 side), the source terminal is set to the output side (DC load side 47c side), and the first main power supply side is set. The FET 71 is connected in the opposite direction. As an element, a P-channel FET is used in the same manner as the first main power supply side FET 71.

  The ON / OFF drive of the first main power supply side FET 71 is performed via the transistors 80 and 81 by a switching control signal 93 from the control unit 30. The gate voltage transition during ON / OFF switching is as shown in FIG. 4, and the time from when the switching control signal 93 changes until the first main power supply side FET 71 changes to the OFF state changes to the ON state. It becomes longer than the time until. Therefore, if the switching control signal 93 opposite to the main power supply side and the auxiliary power supply side is input simultaneously, there is a section in which both FETs are turned on simultaneously as in section A, but there is no section in which both FETs are turned off. Even if it is time, continuous supply is possible without stopping the power supply to the DC load (+ 24V system load) 47c.

  In the circuit diagram shown in FIG. 3, an inverted signal of the control signal of the first main power supply side FET 71 is inputted as the control signal of the first auxiliary power supply side FET 72, and switching can be performed by one control signal. Yes.

  On the other hand, in the drive circuit for ON / OFF control of the second main power supply side FET 73, the voltage on the main power supply 42 side and the voltage on the DC load (+ 24V system load) 47c side are the operational amplifier 84 which is the first voltage comparison means. If the voltage on the main power supply 42 side is larger, the second main power supply side FET 73 is turned on via the transistor 82. Further, in the driving circuit for the second auxiliary power supply side FET 74, similarly to the main power supply 42 side, the voltage on the capacitor converter 45 side and the voltage on the DC load (+ 24V system load) 47c side are compared with the operational amplifier 85 as the second voltage comparison means. If the voltage on the capacitor converter 45 side is larger, the second auxiliary power supply side FET 74 is turned on via the transistor 83. As a result, the voltage drop is suppressed as compared with the case where a normal diode is connected, and soft control becomes unnecessary as in the case where a normal diode is connected, so that the control can be simplified.

  Here, the voltage comparison means (operational amplifiers 84 and 85) are provided on each of the main power supply 24 side and the capacitor 44 side as the auxiliary power supply, but this is not restrictive. For example, the voltage comparison means may be provided on one of the power supply sides, and the inverted signal of the output signal from one voltage comparison means may be connected as the ON / OFF signal on the other power supply side. As a result, the circuit configuration can be simplified.

  Next, the operation of the switching circuit 46 will be described in detail.

  First, the case where the output voltage of the capacitor converter 45 is higher than the output voltage of the main power supply 42 will be described. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a state of supply voltage transition to the DC load when the output voltage of the capacitor converter 45 is higher than the output voltage of the main power supply 42. As shown in FIG. 5, when the switching control signal 93 becomes HIGH at the system startup, the first main power supply side FET 71 is first turned ON. At this time, the voltage Z (see FIG. 3) on the DC load (+ 24V system load) 47c side is at the GND level, and the voltage X (see FIG. 3) on the main power source 42 side is higher. The power supply side FET 73 is also turned on. As a result, power supply from the main power source 42 to the DC load (+ 24V system load) 47c is started.

  Further, in the steady state after the start of power supply, the voltage drop on the second main power supply side FET 73 itself is slightly generated even during ON control, so the voltage X on the main power supply 42 side is a DC load (+ 24V system load). ) The voltage becomes higher than the voltage Z on the 47c side, and the second main power supply side FET 73 maintains the ON state. Thereby, the power supply from the main power supply 42 is continuously performed. At this time, the second auxiliary power supply side FET 74 has a higher voltage Z on the DC load (+ 24V system load) 47c side than the voltage Y on the capacitor 44 side as an auxiliary power supply (see FIG. 3). It becomes OFF.

  When the switching control signal 93 is switched from HIGH to LOW when the output voltage of the capacitor converter 45 is higher than the output voltage of the main power supply 42, the first auxiliary power supply side FET 72 is first turned ON as shown in FIG. To change. At this time, the voltage Z on the DC load (+ 24V system load) 47c side is the main power supply output voltage level (voltage lower than the main power supply output voltage by the voltage drop of the FET), and the voltage Y on the capacitor 44 side as the auxiliary power supply Since the voltage is naturally higher, the second auxiliary power supply side FET 74 is also turned ON following the ON of the first auxiliary power supply side FET72. As a result, the voltage on the DC load (+ 24V system load) 47c side rises to the output voltage level of the capacitor converter 45 (voltage lower than the output voltage of the capacitor converter 45 by the voltage drop of the FET), and is higher than the voltage of the main power supply 42. At the start of the rise, the second main power supply side FET 73 changes to OFF. Thereafter, when the ON / OFF time difference related to the gate voltage transition elapses, the first main power supply side FET 71 is turned OFF. Thus, power supply from the capacitor 44 as the auxiliary power source to the DC load (+ 24V system load) 47c is started.

  Next, a case where the output voltage of the capacitor converter 45 is lower than the output voltage of the main power supply 42 will be described. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a state of supply voltage transition to the DC load when the output voltage of the capacitor converter 45 is lower than the output voltage of the main power supply 42. As shown in FIG. 6, when the output voltage of the capacitor converter 45 is lower than the output voltage of the main power supply 42, when the switching control signal 93 is switched from HIGH to LOW, the first auxiliary power supply side FET 72 is first turned ON. To change. At this time, the voltage Z on the DC load (+ 24V system load) 47c side is the main power supply output voltage level (voltage lower than the main power supply output voltage by the voltage drop of the FET), and the voltage Y on the capacitor 44 side as the auxiliary power supply Since the voltage becomes lower, the second auxiliary power supply side FET 74 maintains the OFF state.

  After that, when the ON / OFF time difference related to the gate voltage transition elapses, the first main power supply side FET 71 is turned OFF, and the second main power supply side FET 73 is also turned OFF following that. As a result, the voltage on the DC load (+ 24V system load) 47c side starts to drop, but the second auxiliary power supply side FET 74 is turned on at the moment when it becomes lower than the voltage Y on the capacitor 44 side as the auxiliary power supply. The decrease stops at the output voltage level of the capacitor converter 45 (voltage lower than the output voltage of the capacitor converter 45 by the voltage drop of the FET). Thus, power supply from the capacitor 44 as the auxiliary power source to the DC load (+ 24V system load) 47c is started.

  That is, when the output voltage of the capacitor converter 45 is higher than the output voltage of the main power supply 42, when the switching control signal 93 is switched from LOW to HIGH, the output voltage of the capacitor converter 45 is lower than the output voltage of the main power supply 42. In this case, the operation is the same as the operation when the main power supply output and the auxiliary power supply output are considered in reverse when the switching control signal 93 is switched from HIGH to LOW.

  Further, when the output voltage of the capacitor converter 45 is lower than the output voltage of the main power supply 42 and the switching control signal 93 is switched from LOW to HIGH, the output voltage of the capacitor converter 45 is higher than the output voltage of the main power supply 42. In this case, the operation is the same as the operation when the main power supply output and the auxiliary power supply output are considered in reverse when the switching control signal 93 is switched from HIGH to LOW.

  In the present embodiment, capacitors 66 and 67 are connected in parallel with the gate-source resistances of the first main power supply side FET 71 and the first auxiliary power supply side FET 72 to make the gate voltage transition gentle so that the first main power supply The side FET 71 and the first auxiliary power supply side FET 72 are slowly turned ON / OFF. As a result, the method of increasing and decreasing the voltage on the DC load (+ 24V system load) 47c side at the ON / OFF timing of the first main power supply side FET 71 and the first auxiliary power supply side FET 72 in the above-described operation explanation is moderated. As a result, it is possible to suppress a rapid voltage fluctuation at the time of switching the load supply power, thereby increasing the stability of the load operation and preventing an abnormality.

  The dynamic input fluctuation specification of the DC load may be narrower than the input voltage range, and an abnormal operation may occur when a sudden voltage fluctuation occurs. For example, if it is a high-voltage power supply unit for charging, developing, transfer, etc., output voltage fluctuations will occur, and if it is a motor for driving the image forming unit, transfer belt, etc., rotation unevenness will occur. Or In order to prevent the occurrence of an abnormal image due to this abnormal operation, the above configuration is adopted.

  Thus, although the switching loss increases by slowly turning on / off the FET, the use interval of the auxiliary power supply is at least several minutes at the earliest and the switching interval is long, so there is no problem of the FET temperature.

  As described in the above operation, when switching from a power supply that outputs a relatively high voltage to a power supply that outputs a low voltage, the second main power supply side FET 73 or second The ON drive of the auxiliary power supply side FET 74 tries to start at the moment when the voltage on the DC load side becomes lower than the voltage on the power supply side, but actually the second main power supply side FET 73 or the second auxiliary power supply side FET 74 is turned on. There will be a time difference until Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, if the voltage drop is sudden, the amount of voltage drop during that period increases, and the input voltage specification of the DC load (+ 24V system load) 47c cannot be satisfied and an abnormal condition occurs. Therefore, an electrolytic capacitor 95 is connected to the DC load (+ 24V system load) 47c side (see FIG. 3), and the voltage drop is reduced by reducing the voltage drop, thereby reducing the voltage when switching the load supply power. It has a configuration that suppresses the decline.

  Next, control of the switching circuit 46 by the control unit 30 will be described.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a peripheral device related to control of image data by the control unit 30 and the control unit 30. As shown in FIG. 8, the control unit 30 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 31. The CPU 31 includes a program stored in a ROM (Read Only Memory) 32 and a nonvolatile RAM (Random Access Memory) 34. The digital multifunction peripheral and power supply system are controlled in accordance with the programs and data stored in. The RAM 33 is used as a work memory for the CPU 31. Further, the I / O control unit 35 controls the loads 47a to 47c based on the input of each sensor 36 of the digital multi-function peripheral.

  On the other hand, regarding the image data, when the document is supplied onto the contact glass 6 by the ADF 1, the image data is read by the reading unit 50. The read image data is subjected to MTF correction, scaling processing, quality correction, and the like by the image processing unit 37 in accordance with the mode set in the operation unit (not shown), and then the image RAM 38 and the HDD 20 are controlled. Is stored in the HDD 20 via the HDD controller 39 for the purpose.

  Here, images are stored in both the image RAM 38 and the HDD 20. The image RAM 38 has a capacity of about 5 sheets as an A4 document, but since the number of documents is not yet known at the start of copying, a plurality of sorts are performed. When copying, if the number of documents exceeds five, the sort operation is realized by copying the image data from the HDD 20 to the image RAM 38 and performing the copy operation when performing the second and subsequent copy operations. It is also used for a recovery operation when the paper is jammed. Then, writing is performed according to the timing of the sheets fed from the trays 8 to 10 by the writing unit 57. Note that each of these parts is a known technique and is not a characteristic part in the present invention, so a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  Next, auxiliary power supply timing control by the control unit 30 will be described.

  FIG. 9 is a graph showing the transition of power consumption when the apparatus is started up, with the horizontal axis representing time and the vertical axis representing the total power consumption of the apparatus. The dotted line is power that can be supplied from the AC line 41.

  In the fixing reload period (1) immediately after the main power supply SW 40 is turned on, the fixing unit 17 can be printed by supplying a larger amount of power to the fixing heating device 48 than usual in order to satisfy the start-up time required for the apparatus. Start up as quickly as possible to the correct temperature. At this time, power is supplied to the + 24V system load 47c by the capacitor 44 as an auxiliary power source, and a margin for the power that can be supplied from the AC line 41 can also be supplied to the fixing heating device 48. The raising time can be shortened.

  Also, during the period (2a) from the start of the printing operation to the lapse of a predetermined time after the fixing reload, power is supplied to the DC load (+ 24V system load) 47c by the capacitor 44 as an auxiliary power source as in the start-up. Once the fixing unit 17 reaches a temperature at which printing can be performed, the power supplied to the fixing heater may be smaller than that at the time of activation in order to maintain the temperature. That is, after the fixing reload is completed, the printing operation is started, the DC load increases due to the start of the motor or the like, and the total power including the fixing heater supply power exceeds the power that can be supplied from the AC line 41. However, the power supplied to the AC line 41 at that time is equal to or lower than the power that can be supplied, and the system failure can be prevented. Also, at the start of printing, the fixing temperature drops due to the passage of paper. Therefore, in a system where the power to the fixing heating device 48 needs to be increased from the normal time, an increase in power to the fixing heating device 48 is also anticipated. Electric power is supplied to a DC load (+ 24V system load) 47c by a capacitor 44 as a power source.

  Since the power stored in the capacitor 44 as an auxiliary power supply is limited and cannot be continuously supplied, the power to the DC load (+ 24V system load) 47c is not supplied to the main power supply when a predetermined time has elapsed. The power supply to the capacitor 44 serving as an auxiliary power supply is stopped. At this time, if the power supplied to the fixing heating device 48 is set larger than normal, the power is returned to the normal power.

  In the above description, the power supply stop timing of the capacitor 44 serving as the auxiliary power source is set to a predetermined time, but may be after the specified number of prints has elapsed. In this case, if the number of prints until the auxiliary power supply is stopped is determined as a variable value with parameters such as paper size and room temperature, the auxiliary power capacity can be utilized to the maximum.

  Up to this point, the two periods (1) and (2a) have been individually described. However, by installing them in the apparatus in combination, when the printing operation starts in the period (2a), the fixing temperature drop is suppressed. It is also possible to set the fixing reload low and further shorten the fixing rise time.

  Further, the fixing reloading period (1) in which a large amount of power is required for the fixing heating device 48 and the period (2a) after the fixing reloading until the elapse of a predetermined time have been described. The present invention can be applied in the same manner as long as it is a specified period requiring a large amount of power.

  Next, charge / discharge control of the capacitor 44 as an auxiliary power source by the control unit 30 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, the state of the apparatus is grasped, and immediately after the main power switch 40 is turned on or when returning from the off mode, and it is determined that the fixing reload operation needs to be executed (Yes in step S1), The power supply to the + 24V system load 47c is switched by the switching circuit 46 from the energy stored in the capacitor 44 as the auxiliary power supply to the + 24V power source produced through the capacitor converter 45 (step S2).

  Thereafter, the power that can be supplied to the fixing heating device 48 is increased (step S3), and the fixing reload operation is started (step S4).

  When the completion of the fixing reload operation is confirmed (Yes in step S5), the process proceeds to step S6 to determine whether or not there is a print instruction from the operator.

  When there is a print instruction and it is necessary to switch the fixing supply power to the power during fixing reload (Yes in step S6), the fixing supply power is adjusted to the power required at the start of printing (step S7), and the auxiliary power supply The printing operation is started while the power is being supplied to the + 24V system load 47c by the capacitor 44 (step S8).

  After starting the printing operation, a timer is started (step S9). When it is confirmed that a predetermined time has passed (Yes in step S10), the fixing supply power is switched to the supply power for normal printing (step S11), and then The power supply to the + 24V system load 47c is switched to the +24 power source generated by the AC / DC converter 42a of the main power source 42, and the capacitor converter 45 is stopped (step 12).

  On the other hand, if there is no print instruction after fixing reload (No in step S6), the auxiliary power supply stop operation is performed at the timing (step S11, step S12).

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the power supply to the DC load (+ 24V system load) 47c is supplied to each load according to the control by the control unit 30 during the period from the start-up of the apparatus to the predetermined time. The switching circuit 46 for switching from the main power source 42 for supplying power to the capacitor 44 as an auxiliary power source capable of storing power is configured to use an FET. As a result, the voltage drop due to the addition of the switching circuit 46 can be suppressed, so that it is not necessary to greatly increase the output accuracy of the main power source 42 in order to cope with the mounting of the capacitor 44, and the cost increase of the main power source 42 can be suppressed. There is an effect that can be done. Further, it is possible to prevent the system from being complicated by replacing the main power source 42 depending on the presence or absence of the capacitor 44 as an auxiliary power source. Further, by suppressing the voltage drop, the power consumed by the switching circuit 46 is also reduced, so that the utilization efficiency of the power capacity of the capacitor 44 as an auxiliary power supply to the device can be increased.

1 is a configuration diagram schematically illustrating a digital multifunction peripheral according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a power supply system of a digital multifunction peripheral. It is a circuit diagram which shows a switching circuit. It is explanatory drawing which shows the gate voltage transition at the time of ON / OFF switching of 1st main power supply side FET. It is explanatory drawing which shows the mode of the supply voltage transition to DC load in case the output voltage of a capacitor converter is higher than the output voltage of a main power supply. It is explanatory drawing which shows the mode of the supply voltage transition to DC load in case the output voltage of a capacitor converter is lower than the output voltage of a main power supply. It is explanatory drawing which shows the effect by the connection of an electrolytic capacitor. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the peripheral device which concerns on control of the image data by a control part and a control part. It is a graph which shows the transition of the power consumption at the time of starting of an apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of control of charging / discharging of a capacitor.

Explanation of symbols

30 Control means 42 First power supply means 44 Second power supply means 46 Switching means, switching circuit 47c Load 66, 67 Capacitor 71 First FET
72 second FET
73 Third FET
74 Fourth FET
84 1st voltage comparison means 85 2nd voltage comparison means 90 1st power connection part 91 2nd power connection part 92 Load connection part 95 Electrolytic capacitor

Claims (12)

In an image forming apparatus provided with a power supply system that supplies power for operating each load,
First power supply means for supplying power to each load;
A second power supply means capable of storing power;
Switching means for switching a power supply source for some loads to the first power supply means and the second power supply means;
Control means for controlling the switching means so as to supply power to the partial load from the second power supply means for a period from when the apparatus is started up to a predetermined time;
With
The switching means is
A first power connection unit for connecting the first power supply means;
A second power connection for connecting the second power supply means;
A load connecting part for connecting the part of the load;
A first FET (Field-Effect) that turns ON / OFF the power supply from the first power supply unit via the first power connection unit to the load via the load connection unit under the control of the control unit. Transistor)
A second FET that turns ON / OFF the power supply from the second power supply unit via the second power connection unit to the load via the load connection unit under the control of the control unit;
Current is supplied to the first power supply unit under the control of the control unit when power is supplied by the second power supply unit to the load via the load connection unit provided after the first FET. A third FET for preventing
Provided in the subsequent stage of the second FET, when power is supplied by the first power supply means to the load via the load connection portion, current to the second power supply means is controlled by the control means A fourth FET for preventing inflow;
have,
An image forming apparatus. First voltage comparison means for comparing the voltage of the first power supply means with the voltage of the partial load;
Second voltage comparison means for comparing the voltage of the second power supply means with the voltage of the partial load;
Further comprising
When the comparison result that the voltage of the first power supply means is larger than the voltage of the partial load is obtained by the first voltage comparison means, the third FET is turned on,
When the comparison result that the voltage of the second power supply means is larger than the voltage of the partial load is obtained by the second voltage comparison means, the fourth FET is turned on.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. Voltage comparison means for comparing either the voltage of the first power supply means or the voltage of the second power supply means with the voltage of the partial load;
An inverted signal of the output signal corresponding to the comparison result between the voltage of one of the power supply means and the voltage of the partial load is used as an ON / OFF signal on the other power supply means side.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The first FET, the second FET, the third FET, and the fourth FET are P-channel FETs.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. Capacitors are connected in parallel with the gate-source resistors of the first FET and the second FET, respectively.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. An electrolytic capacitor is provided on the part of the load.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. During the period from the start-up of the device to a predetermined time, power is supplied to some loads, and power is accumulated from the first power supply means for supplying power to each load according to control by the control means. In a switching circuit for switching to a possible second power supply means,
A first power connection unit for connecting the first power supply means;
A second power connection for connecting the second power supply means;
A load connecting part for connecting the part of the load;
A first FET (Field-Effect) that turns ON / OFF the power supply from the first power supply unit via the first power connection unit to the load via the load connection unit under the control of the control unit. Transistor)
A second FET that turns ON / OFF the power supply from the second power supply unit via the second power connection unit to the load via the load connection unit under the control of the control unit;
Current is supplied to the first power supply unit under the control of the control unit when power is supplied by the second power supply unit to the load via the load connection unit provided after the first FET. A third FET for preventing
Provided in the subsequent stage of the second FET, when power is supplied by the first power supply means to the load via the load connection portion, current to the second power supply means is controlled by the control means A fourth FET for preventing inflow;
A switching circuit comprising: First voltage comparison means for comparing the voltage of the first power supply means with the voltage of the partial load;
Second voltage comparison means for comparing the voltage of the second power supply means with the voltage of the partial load;
Further comprising
When the comparison result that the voltage of the first power supply means is larger than the voltage of the partial load is obtained by the first voltage comparison means, the third FET is turned on,
When the comparison result that the voltage of the second power supply means is larger than the voltage of the partial load is obtained by the second voltage comparison means, the fourth FET is turned on.
The switching circuit according to claim 7. Voltage comparison means for comparing either the voltage of the first power supply means or the voltage of the second power supply means with the voltage of the partial load;
An inverted signal of the output signal corresponding to the comparison result between the voltage of one of the power supply means and the voltage of the partial load is used as an ON / OFF signal on the other power supply means side.
The switching circuit according to claim 7. The first FET, the second FET, the third FET, and the fourth FET are P-channel FETs.
10. The switching circuit according to claim 7, wherein the switching circuit is any one of the above. Capacitors are connected in parallel with the gate-source resistors of the first FET and the second FET, respectively.
11. The switching circuit according to claim 7, wherein the switching circuit is any one of the above. An electrolytic capacitor is provided on the part of the load.
12. The switching circuit according to claim 7, wherein the switching circuit is any one of claims 7 to 11.

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