JP2007206285A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus capable of preventing useless power consumption even when a reception error occurs, and capable of attaining energy-saving. <P>SOLUTION: If the reception errors occurs in an NCU 14, at the same time when the reception error occurs in an NCU 14, a heater driving circuit 70 is controlled by a printer controller 34 so that the temperature of the heater 46 of a heating roller 68 may return to the same temperature as that before data is received by the NCU 14. Consequently, when the reception error occurs, such a failure is prevented that the power is uselessly supplied from the heater driving circuit 70 to the heater 46 of the heating roller 68, then, energy-saving is attained. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus provided with a heat roller incorporating a heater as a fixing device.

In the conventional image forming apparatus, the heater built in the heat roller of the fixing device is activated after all the data of the received original is received. For this reason, during this period, the image forming operation cannot be executed, and a waste time occurs. In order to solve this problem, techniques described in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 below are known.
JP-A-2-130075 JP-A-5-328075

  By the way, the above-mentioned patent documents do not disclose any control (control at the time of reception error) when reception of the data of the received manuscript is unsuccessful, and the heater is energized even after the reception error. In this case, the power is wasted even though the image cannot be formed (printed) on the paper.

  In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of preventing energy waste and realizing energy saving even when a reception error or the like occurs.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, a receiving unit that receives data, a transfer unit that transfers a toner image corresponding to the data received by the receiving unit to a sheet, and a temperature-controlled transfer unit that transfers the toner image to the sheet. A fixing unit that fixes the toner image; a power supply unit that supplies power to the fixing unit; and a control that controls power supply from the power supply unit to the fixing unit to perform temperature control of the fixing unit. An image forming apparatus comprising: a power supply unit that controls the power supply unit at the same time that data is received by the reception unit, and power is supplied from the power supply unit to the fixing unit; The power supply unit is controlled by the control unit so as to return to the temperature of the fixing unit before data is received by the reception unit at the same time when a reception error occurs in the unit.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the data is received by the receiving unit, the power supply unit is controlled by the control unit and power is supplied from the power supply unit to the fixing unit, and a reception error occurs in the receiving unit. At the same time, the power supply unit is controlled by the control unit so as to return to the temperature of the fixing unit before the data is received by the receiving unit. Thereby, when a reception error occurs, it is possible to prevent unnecessary power from being supplied from the power supply unit to the fixing unit, and energy saving can be realized.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, when a reception error occurs continuously a plurality of times in the reception unit, data is received at the reception unit after the last reception error occurs. The power supply unit is controlled by the control unit so as to return to the temperature of the fixing unit before the image is received.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, when a reception error continuously occurs a plurality of times in the reception unit, the temperature of the fixing unit before the data is received by the reception unit after the last reception error has occurred. The power supply unit is controlled by the control unit so as to return. As a result, when a reception error occurs continuously several times in the receiving unit, it is possible to prevent unnecessary power from being supplied from the power supply unit to the fixing unit after the last reception error occurs. Can be realized.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the fixing unit before data is received by the receiving unit within a predetermined time after a reception error in the receiving unit. The power supply unit is controlled by the control unit so as to return to a predetermined temperature.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the control unit controls the power supply unit to return to the temperature of the fixing unit before the data is received by the receiving unit within a predetermined time after the receiving error in the receiving unit. Is done. Thereby, more effective energy saving can be realized. In addition, since the temperature of the fixing unit before the data is received by the receiving unit is returned within a predetermined time after the receiving error in the receiving unit, the paper is quickly printed when the data is retransmitted to the receiving unit. Can do.

  In this specification, “within a predetermined time” means a normal return time (usually, normal image forming apparatus for returning to the temperature of the fixing unit before receiving data at the receiving unit after a receiving error in the receiving unit. Means an early recovery time shorter than 5 minutes). This early recovery time is preferably within 1 minute.

  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 fixing unit before data is received by the receiving unit is in a sleep mode or a preheating mode. The temperature is controlled as described above.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the temperature of the fixing unit before the data is received by the receiving unit is controlled so as to be the temperature of the sleep mode or the preheating mode. Thereby, temperature control of the fixing unit can be simplified.

  In this specification, the “temperature in the sleep mode” means a temperature in a state where no power is supplied to the fixing unit and the fixing unit is not activated. Further, the “temperature in the preheating mode” means a temperature in a standby state in which a predetermined power is supplied to the fixing unit and the heater of the fixing unit is heated to a predetermined temperature.

  According to the present invention, even when a reception error or the like occurs, waste of power can be prevented and energy saving can be realized.

  Next, an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 10 is configured as a so-called multi-function machine having a facsimile function and a copy function, and includes an MPU 12, an NCU (Network Control Unit) 14, a MODEM 16, a ROM 18, and a RAM 20. A printer I / F 32 to which an image memory (DRAM) 22, a CODEC (coder / decoder) 24, an operation unit 26, a scanner 28, and a personal computer 30 are connected.

  The MPU 12 controls each unit constituting this apparatus. The NCU 14 controls the connection with the telephone line network (PSTN), receives the data of the received manuscript, and detects the function of sending a dial signal corresponding to the telephone number (including the FAX number) of the other party and the incoming call. It has a function for. MODEM 16 is an ITU (International Telecommunication Union) -T recommendation T.30. 30 based on the facsimile transmission control procedure according to 17, V. 27ter, V.I. The transmission data is modulated and the received data is demodulated in accordance with 29. Alternatively, in addition to these, V.P. 34, modulation of transmission data and demodulation of reception data are performed.

  The ROM 18 stores a program for controlling this apparatus. The RAM 20 temporarily stores data and the like. The image memory 22 temporarily stores received data and image data read by the scanner 28. The CODEC 24 encodes (encodes) the read image data by the MH, MR, MMR method, etc., and decodes (decodes) the received image data. The operation unit 26 is used by the user to instruct FAX transmission / reception, printing, and the like. The scanner 28 reads image data of a document when performing FAX transmission.

  The printer of this apparatus includes a printer controller (control unit) 34 that controls each unit of the printer. The printer controller 34 has a built-in RAM 36. In the present embodiment, the printer controller 34 controls the heater driving circuit 70 based on a predetermined program stored in the RAM 36, and controls the temperature of the heater 46 of the heating roller 68.

  The RAM 36 receives the received original data at the NCU 14 and simultaneously controls the heater drive circuit 70 by the printer controller 34 to supply power from the heater drive circuit 70 to the heater 46 of the heating roller 68. The printer controller 34 causes the heater to return to the temperature of the heater 46 of the heating roller 68 (for example, the temperature in the sleep mode or the temperature in the preheating mode) before the data is received by the NCU 14 at the same time that the data reception error occurs. Program data for controlling the drive circuit 70 is stored.

  Further, in the RAM 36, when a reception error continuously occurs a plurality of times in the NCU 14, the temperature of the heater 46 of the heating roller 68 (before the data is received by the NCU 14 at the same time as the last reception error occurs) For example, program data for controlling the heater driving circuit 70 by the printer controller 34 so as to return to the temperature in the sleep mode or the temperature in the preheating mode is stored.

  Further, in addition to the above two program data, the RAM 36 stores the heater 46 of the heating roller 68 before the data is received by the NCU 14 within a predetermined time (for example, within 1 minute) after a reception error in the NCU 14. Program data for controlling the heater driving circuit 70 by the printer controller 34 so as to return to the temperature (for example, the temperature in the sleep mode or the temperature in the preheating mode) is stored.

  In each of the above programs, the temperature of the heater 46 of the heating roller 68 before the data is received by the NCU 14 is set to be the temperature in the sleep mode or the preheating mode.

  Inside the printer, a photosensitive drum 42 having a photoconductive film on its outer peripheral surface is disposed as a photosensitive member, and the photosensitive drum 42 is rotated by a drive source (not shown). Around the photosensitive drum 42, a charging brush 52 is disposed as a brush roller type charger, and a predetermined bias voltage is applied to the charging brush 52 by a charging bias application circuit 54. The charging brush 52 applied with the bias voltage uniformly charges the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 42 to about −750 V while rotating.

  An LED print head 50 serving as an exposure unit disposed around the photosensitive drum 42 includes a large number of LEDs arranged in parallel. The LED print head 50 irradiates light to the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 42 based on input image information. An electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image information is formed. Note that the output of the LED print head 50 is controlled by the printer controller 34.

  The developing device disposed around the photosensitive drum 42 includes a supply roller 58, a developing roller 48, a blade 60, a developing device bias application circuit 62, and the like. The supply roller 58 supplies toner from a toner case (not shown) containing toner to the developing roller 48 while charging the toner. A predetermined bias voltage (−) is supplied to the supply roller 58 by a developing device bias application circuit 62. 300V to -700V, preferably about -500V). A predetermined bias voltage (−300 V to −400 V, preferably −350 V) is applied to the developing roller 48 disposed in contact with the supply roller 58 and the photosensitive drum 42 by the developing device bias applying circuit 62. The developing device bias application circuit 62 is controlled by the printer controller 34.

  The blade 60 elastically contacts the outer peripheral surface of the developing roller 48 and makes the layer thickness of the toner adhering to the outer peripheral surface of the developing roller 48 uniform. A predetermined bias is applied to the blade 60 by a developer bias application circuit 62. The bias voltage (−300 V to −700 V, preferably about −400 V) is applied.

  Further, a transfer roller 40 serving as a transfer unit disposed around the photosensitive drum 42 is disposed so as to contact the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 42 with the sheet conveyance path interposed therebetween, and is rotated by a drive source (not shown). The A predetermined bias voltage (transfer bias) is applied to the transfer roller 40 by a transfer bias application circuit 38. When a bias voltage is applied to the transfer roller 40, an inflow current flows through the transfer roller 40. The inflow current of the transfer roller 40 is detected by the current detection unit 66, and the detected current value is stored in the RAM 36 of the printer controller 34. Saved in. The transfer bias application circuit 38 is controlled by the printer controller 34.

  The fixing device arranged on the paper delivery side of the paper conveyance path is configured by a heating roller 68 having a heater 46 such as a halogen lamp, a heater driving circuit 70, a press roller 72, and the like. The heater 46 of the heating roller 68 is heated to a predetermined temperature by the heater drive circuit 70. The heating roller 68 and the press roller 72 fix the toner image on the paper by heat-pressing the paper after the transfer by the transfer roller 40.

  In the image forming apparatus 10, a memory removal brush 74 is disposed around the photosensitive drum 42. The memory removal brush 74 is for removing a toner image (memory image) remaining on the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 42 along the contour of the image after transfer. The memory removal brush 74 includes a memory removal brush voltage application circuit. A predetermined bias voltage is applied by 76.

  The image forming apparatus 10 is provided with a temperature sensor 44 that detects the temperature. The detection result by the temperature sensor 44 can be output to the printer controller 34.

  In the image forming apparatus configured as described above, the printing operation is well known. However, in general, the photosensitive drum 42 is uniformly charged to about −750 V by the charging brush 52, and the LED print head 50 is applied to the photosensitive drum 42. As a result, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image information is formed, and the toner is attracted to the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 42 by the developing roller 48 to form a toner image on the photosensitive drum 42. Then, the toner image on the photosensitive drum 42 is transferred onto the paper by the transfer roller 40. After the transfer, the paper is heated and pressurized by the heating roller 68 and the press roller 72, and the toner image is fixed on the paper as a permanent image.

  Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 of this embodiment will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 2, when the data of the received document is received by the NCU 14, the heater controller 70 is controlled by the printer controller 34 simultaneously with the reception of the data, and the heater drive circuit 70 supplies power to the heater 46 of the heating roller 68. Is supplied. As a result, the printing time T on the paper can be greatly reduced as compared with the case where electric power is supplied from the heater drive circuit 70 to the heater 46 of the heating roller 68 after all the data of the received original is received. . In FIG. 2, after the printing is completed, the heater 46 of the heating roller 68 is controlled to the temperature of the preheating mode.

  As shown in FIG. 3, when a reception error occurs in the NCU 14, the printer controller returns to the temperature of the heater 46 of the heating roller 68 before data is received by the NCU 14 at the same time as the reception error occurs. 34 controls the heater driving circuit 70. Thus, when a reception error occurs, it is possible to prevent unnecessary power from being supplied from the heater drive circuit 70 to the heater 46 of the heating roller 68, and energy saving can be realized. In FIG. 3, after the reception error, the heater 46 of the heating roller 68 is controlled to the temperature of the sleep mode.

  Further, it is preferable that the temperature of the heater 46 of the heating roller 68 before the data is received by the NCU 14 is controlled to be the temperature of the sleep mode or the preheating mode. Thereby, the temperature control of the heater 46 of the heating roller 68 can be simplified. For the same reason, the temperature of the heater 46 of the heating roller 68 is preferably controlled so as to be in the sleep mode or the preheating mode after the end of printing and after the end of reception error.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 3, when a reception error occurs continuously a plurality of times in the NCU 14, the heater of the heating roller 68 before the data is received by the NCU 14 at the same time as the last reception error occurs. The heater drive circuit 70 is controlled by the printer controller 34 so as to return to the temperature 46. As a result, when a plurality of reception errors occur continuously in the NCU 14, it is possible that unnecessary power is supplied from the heater drive circuit 70 to the heater 46 of the heating roller 68 at the same time as the last reception error occurs. Therefore, energy saving can be realized.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, after the reception error in the NCU 14, the temperature of the heater 46 of the heating roller 68 before the data is received by the NCU 14 (for example, within one minute) (in the sleep mode) The heater drive circuit 70 is controlled by the printer controller 34 so as to return to (temperature). As a result, in a conventional image forming apparatus, after a reception error in the NCU 14, a normal return time B for returning to the temperature of the heater 46 of the heating roller 68 (in the sleep mode) before the data is received in the NCU 14 (in the sleep mode) (FIG. 5 (usually 5 minutes), the temperature of the heater 46 of the heating roller 68 can be returned to the temperature in the sleep mode earlier (in a short time), so that more effective energy saving can be realized. . In addition, after the reception error in the NCU 14, the data returns to the temperature of the heater 46 of the heating roller 68 before the data is received by the NCU 14 (in the sleep mode) within a predetermined time A (for example, within 1 minute). The printing process of the paper when it is retransmitted can be performed quickly.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a timing chart comparing a reception timing, a printing timing, and a heater driving timing when reception is good in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. 6 is a timing chart comparing a reception timing, a printing timing, and a heater driving timing when a reception error occurs a plurality of times in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. In the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, the reception timing, the printing timing, and the heater driving when returning to the temperature of the fixing unit before data is received by the receiving unit within a predetermined time after the receiving error in the receiving unit. It is a timing chart which compared timing. 6 is a timing chart comparing a reception timing, a printing timing, and a heater driving timing when returning to the temperature of the fixing unit before receiving data in the receiving unit after a receiving error in the receiving unit in the conventional image forming apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

10 Image forming apparatus 14 NCU (Receiver)
34 Printer controller (control unit)
40 Transfer roller (transfer section)
68 Heating roller (fixing part)
70 Heater drive circuit (power supply unit)

Claims (4)

A receiving unit that receives data, a transfer unit that transfers a toner image corresponding to the data received by the receiving unit to a sheet, and a fixing unit that fixes the toner image that is temperature-controlled and transferred to the sheet by the transfer unit An image forming apparatus including: a power supply unit that supplies power to the fixing unit; and a control unit that controls power supply from the power supply unit to the fixing unit to perform temperature control of the fixing unit. There,
At the same time that the receiving unit receives data, the control unit controls the power supply unit to supply power from the power supply unit to the fixing unit, and at the same time when a reception error occurs in the receiving unit, the receiving unit The image forming apparatus, wherein the power supply unit is controlled by the control unit so as to return to the temperature of the fixing unit before the data is received.   When a reception error occurs continuously a plurality of times in the receiving unit, the control unit returns the temperature of the fixing unit before the data is received by the receiving unit after the last reception error has occurred. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the power supply unit is controlled.   The power supply unit is controlled by the control unit so as to return to the temperature of the fixing unit before data is received by the reception unit within a predetermined time after a reception error in the reception unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the temperature of the fixing unit before data is received by the receiving unit is controlled so as to be in a sleep mode or a preheating mode. 5. .

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