JP2011065072A - Image forming apparatus and controlling structure - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce recovery time from a power-saving state in an image forming apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: In the image forming apparatus, a power source unit 30 is provided with a main control section 300. The power source unit 30 supplies power to a replaceable image forming unit 10 for forming an image and a structure (a paper supply unit 40, ejection unit 50, reading unit 60, operation unit 70, and additional paper supply unit 80) for performing an operation relating to the image forming operation when image forming unit 10 and the structure are suitable for the power source unit 30. When the main control section 300 recognizes the length of the restoration time of the image forming unit 10 and structure based on information about restoration time stored in an NVM 304, and restores the image forming unit 10 and structure from a power saving state, the control section 300 determines, based on the length of the restoration time, the order of supplying power from the power supply section 350 to the image forming unit 10 and structure. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and a control structure.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-151867 describes an image forming apparatus in which an image forming subsystem having different performance and a sheet conveying subsystem having different specifications are detachable, and an image corresponding to specific information of the mounted image forming subsystem and the sheet conveying subsystem. Techniques for determining the operating specifications of the forming apparatus are described.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-228561 increases the power supplied to the image reading unit and the image forming processing unit when starting recovery from the power saving mode, and provides a scanner function on the operation panel before the warm-up of the fixing unit is completed. There is described an image forming apparatus that avoids unnecessary power consumption by interrupting power supply to an image forming processing unit when an input to be used is made.

JP 2007-102187 A JP 2008-244962 A

  An object of the present invention is to reduce the recovery time from a power saving state in an image forming apparatus.

The invention according to claim 1 includes an image forming structure having a functional element that performs an image forming operation, a structure that is assembled to the image forming structure and performs an operation related to the image forming operation, and a power supply unit. Control means for controlling power supply to the image forming structure and the structure;
A memory for storing information related to the image forming structure and a return time in the structure when the image forming structure and the structure are returned from the power saving state, which consumes less power than the operable state, to the operable state. And the control means recognizes the image forming structure and the length of the return time of the structure based on the information related to the return time stored in the storage means, and the image forming structure and the An image forming apparatus that determines the order of the image forming structure and the structure to start power supply based on the length of the return time when the structure is returned from the power saving state. .

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the storage unit further stores information relating to the image forming structure and power consumption consumed in the structure when returning from the power saving state to the operable state. And the control unit is configured to return the power-saving state to the operable state based on the information on the power consumption stored in the storage unit, and the total amount of power consumption of the image forming structure and the structure. Is determined to exceed the power supply capacity, the image forming structure or the structure that can reduce the power consumption is selected, and the amount of power supplied to the selected image forming structure or the structure is selected. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the total amount of power consumption is set to be equal to or less than a power supply capacity.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, the control unit selects the image for which the image forming structure having the longest return time or the amount of power to be returned at the return time equal to or shorter than the return time of the structure is the selected image. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image forming apparatus is controlled to be supplied to the forming structure or the structure.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the control means supplies power to the image forming structure and the structure so that the image forming structure and the structure return to the operable state at a predetermined time. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the supply is started.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, when the control unit determines that the total amount of power consumption of the image forming structure and the structure exceeds a power supply capability, the control unit selects the image forming structure, and the image 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the amount of power supplied to the fixing unit provided in the forming structure is set so that the total amount of power consumption is less than or equal to the power supply capability.
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming structure and the structure, electric power is supplied by being assembled to a power supply structure. An image forming apparatus.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a frame in which an image forming structure that performs an image forming operation and a structure that performs an operation related to the image forming operation in the image forming structure are assembled, and the frame is assembled to the frame The image forming structure and power supply means for supplying power to the structure, control means for controlling power supply from the power supply means to the image forming structure and the structure, and the image forming structure And an image forming structure when the body and the structure are returned from the power saving state, which consumes less power than the operable state, to the operable state, and storage means for storing information relating to the return time of the structure. The control unit recognizes the length of the return time of the image forming structure and the structure based on the information about the return time stored in the storage unit, and When returning the image forming structure and the structure from the power saving state, the order of the image forming structure and the structure starting from the power supply means is determined based on the length of the return time. This is a control structure characterized by the above.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, the storage unit further stores information on the image forming structure and power consumption consumed in the structure when returning from the power saving state to the operable state. And the control unit is configured to return the power-saving state to the operable state based on the information on the power consumption stored in the storage unit, and the total amount of power consumption of the image forming structure and the structure. Is determined to exceed the power supply capability of the power supply means, the image forming structure or the structure that can reduce the power consumption is selected, and the selected image forming structure or the structure is selected. 8. The control structure according to claim 7, wherein the amount of power to be supplied is set so that the total amount of power consumption is less than or equal to the power supply capability of the power supply means.
According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, the control unit is configured to select the image for which the image forming structure having the longest return time or the amount of power to be returned at the return time equal to or shorter than the return time of the structure is the selected image. 9. The control structure according to claim 8, wherein the control structure is controlled to be supplied to the forming structure or the structure.
According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, the control unit is configured to supply power to the image forming structure and the structure so that the image forming structure and the structure return to the operable state at a predetermined time. 9. The control structure according to claim 8, wherein the supply is started.
According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, when the control means determines that the total amount of power consumption of the image forming structure and the structure exceeds the power supply capability of the power supply means, the image forming structure is 9. The power amount to be selected and supplied to the fixing unit provided in the image forming structure is set so that the total amount of power consumption is equal to or less than the power supply capability of the power supply unit. Control structure.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the recovery time from the power saving state in the image forming apparatus constructed by assembling the structure as compared with the case where the present invention is not adopted.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the return process from being interrupted during the return process, resulting in a waiting time, or failure of the return process.
According to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the restoration time of the image forming apparatus from becoming unnecessarily long.
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the image forming apparatus can be returned from the power saving state in the shortest return time that can be set according to the type and configuration content of each structure.
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to set the total amount of power consumption to be equal to or less than the power supply capacity while suppressing the return time of the image forming apparatus from being unnecessarily long.
According to the invention of claim 6, in the image forming apparatus assembled to the power supply structure, the return time from the power saving state can be reduced as compared with the case where the present invention is not adopted.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the recovery time from the power saving state in the image forming apparatus constructed by assembling the structure as compared with the case where the present invention is not adopted.
According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the return process from being interrupted during the return process, resulting in a waiting time, or failure of the return process.
According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the return time of the image forming apparatus from becoming unnecessarily long.
According to the invention of claim 10, the image forming apparatus can be returned from the power saving state in the shortest return time that can be set according to the type and configuration content of each structure.
According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, the total amount of power consumption can be set to be equal to or less than the power supply capacity while suppressing the return time of the image forming apparatus from being unnecessarily long.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an image forming apparatus to which the exemplary embodiment is applied. (A), (b) is a figure for demonstrating the state by which the image forming unit was assembled | attached to the power supply unit and this power supply unit. It is a figure for demonstrating the discharge tray structure formed in the exterior top surface of an image forming unit. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an assembly structure of an image forming apparatus that is not provided with a reading unit and is used, for example, as a printer specification. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an assembly structure of an image forming apparatus that includes a reading unit and is used, for example, as a copying machine or a facsimile specification. It is a figure explaining the connection of a power supply unit and each structure. It is a figure explaining the power consumption of the operation mode set in an image forming apparatus. It is the figure which illustrated the description content of the "unit information table". FIG. 6 is a diagram for describing power supply timing to each structure that suppresses generation of useless time in the return time of the entire image forming apparatus, and the amount of power supplied to each structure at that time. FIG. 6 is a diagram for describing power supply timing to each structure that suppresses generation of useless time in the return time of the entire image forming apparatus, and the amount of power supplied to each structure at that time. It is the first half part of the flowchart which shows an example of the content of the operation control with respect to each structure which a main control part performs. It is the latter half part of the flowchart which shows an example of the content of the operation control with respect to each structure which a main control part performs.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
<Overall Description of Image Forming Apparatus>
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 to which the exemplary embodiment is applied. An image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 has an image forming unit 10 as an example of an image forming structure having functional elements for image formation, supplies power to each structure, and has a control function related to each structure. And a power supply unit 30 as an example of a power supply structure and a control structure. In addition, a sheet supply unit 40 as an example of a recording material conveyance structure that conveys a sheet as a recording material toward the image forming unit 10, and a discharge recording material conveyance structure that conveys and discharges the sheet after image formation. A discharge unit 50 as an example is provided. Furthermore, a reading unit 60 as an example of an image reading structure for reading a document is provided. In addition, an operation unit 70 is provided as an example of a user operation structure that has a so-called control panel and receives a user operation input. Furthermore, an expansion paper supply unit 80 is provided as an example of an expansion supply structure that is provided in the paper supply unit 40 so as to be expanded and supplies and conveys the paper. The image forming unit 10, the power supply unit 30, the paper supply unit 40, the discharge unit 50, the reading unit 60, the operation unit 70, and the additional paper supply unit 80, which are examples of these structures, are each an external appearance of the image forming apparatus 1. At least a part of. In the image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1, as shown in FIG. 2, which will be described later, the power supply unit 30 is assembled in a state in which the power supply unit 30 is in contact with the bottom surface of the image forming unit 10 and the back surface of FIG.

  The image forming apparatus 1 configured by these units (structures) functions as a so-called tandem type digital color printer, digital color copying machine, facsimile, or the like using, for example, an electrophotographic system. The image forming unit 10 includes, as functional elements for forming the image, an image carrier, an exposure unit, a charging unit, a developing unit, a transfer unit that transfers an image to a sheet, and a fixing unit that fixes the transferred image on the sheet. ing.

<Description of image forming unit>
The image forming unit 10 forms part of the external appearance of the image forming apparatus 1 when incorporated in the image forming apparatus 1. The external appearance that is the subject of the independent transaction as a single unit constitutes a part of the external appearance of the incorporated image forming apparatus 1 as it is.
The image forming unit 10 includes, for example, a plurality of image forming units that are provided for each color of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) and perform image formation. 20 (20Y, 20M, 20C, 20K), for example, an image processing unit 11 that performs predetermined image processing on image data received from the power supply unit 30, and an operation control unit 12 that controls the operation of the image forming unit 10. Yes. In addition, a laser exposure unit 13 is provided as an example of an exposure unit that performs an exposure process based on image data for each color for a plurality of image forming units 20. Each image forming unit 20 includes a photosensitive drum 21 as an image holding member, a charging roll 22 as an example of a charging unit, a developing unit 23 as an example of a developing unit, and a drum cleaner 24. The charging roll 22 uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 with a predetermined potential. The developing device 23 holds, for example, a two-component developer composed of each color toner and a magnetic carrier in each of the image forming units 20, and the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 21 is an example of a color material. Develop with each color toner. For example, the drum cleaner 24 brings a plate-like member into contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 to remove toner, paper dust, and the like attached on the photosensitive drum 21.

  Further, the image forming unit 10 is provided with a laser exposure unit 13 as an example of an exposure unit that exposes the photosensitive drum 21 disposed in each image forming unit 20. The laser exposure unit 13 acquires image data for each color from the image processing unit 11, and scans and exposes the photosensitive drums 21 of the image forming units 20 with laser light whose lighting is controlled based on the acquired image data. . Further, a paper transport belt 14 that moves while in contact with the photosensitive drum 21 of each image forming unit 20 to transport the paper is disposed. The paper transport belt 14 is formed of a film-like endless belt that electrostatically attracts paper. A transfer roll 15 as an example of a transfer unit is disposed at a position inside the paper transport belt 14 and facing each photosensitive drum 21. The transfer roll 15 forms a transfer electric field between the transfer drum 15 and the photosensitive drum 21, and sequentially transfers each color toner image formed by each image forming unit 20 onto a sheet. Further, a fixing device 16 as an example of a fixing unit that performs a fixing process by heat and pressure on an unfixed toner image on the paper is provided on the downstream side of the paper transport belt 14 in the paper transport direction.

  The image forming unit 10 having these functional elements is configured to be replaceable as a single image forming unit 10. In any image forming unit 20, for example, when the toner supplied to the developing device 23 is consumed and an image cannot be formed, the image forming unit 10 is pulled out and removed, for example, a new image forming unit 10. Are assembled as they are, the image forming unit 10 is replaced.

In the example shown in FIG. 1, four image forming units 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) are provided. There is also a form in which five image forming units 20 are provided in addition to the image forming unit 20 for printing a special color such as a color. In addition, in order to enhance the function of black (K), there is a form in which two black (K) engines are provided and five image forming units 20 are configured as a whole. Furthermore, it may be a form corresponding to a single color instead of multiple colors. In such a case, the number of image forming units 20 may be a single unit (for example, only the image forming unit 20K). There is also a form in which the image forming unit 10 constituting these is prepared as an exchange unit. Further, the image forming unit 10 may have a configuration in which the image processing unit 11 and the operation control unit 12 are not provided or only one of the image processing unit 11 and the operation control unit 12 is provided. .
Note that, regardless of the form of the image forming unit 10 incorporated in the image forming apparatus 1 as an image forming structure, the power supply unit 30 operates corresponding to the incorporated image forming unit 10. As a result, the power supply unit 30 is commonly used for any form of the image forming unit 10.

<Description of power supply unit>
The power supply unit 30 serves as a functional unit that realizes its main function with respect to each structure (the image forming unit 10, the paper supply unit 40, the discharge unit 50, the reading unit 60, the operation unit 70, and the additional paper supply unit 80). A power supply unit as an example of power supply means for supplying power is provided (see FIG. 6 at a later stage). The external configuration of the power supply unit 30 is shown in detail in FIG. In the power supply unit 30, the power supply unit receives, for example, AC 100 V from the commercial power supply, generates power of a predetermined voltage, and supplies power to the drive system and operation system of each structure (each unit). For this purpose, for example, a low voltage supply unit that generates low voltage power (for example, 24 V) for rotational driving of the photosensitive drum 21 or the like, or a high voltage supply unit that generates high voltage power (several KV) (see FIG. 6 in the subsequent stage). See). Electric power is supplied to each structure via a connector (see FIG. 2) as an example of connection means. The wiring means is configured such that, for example, each structure is assembled to the power supply unit 30 so that each structure and the power supply unit 30 are electrically connected.

  Further, the power supply unit 30 includes a main control unit (see FIG. 6 in the subsequent stage) as an example of a control unit that controls the operation of the entire image forming apparatus 1 and the power supplied to each structure. The main control unit also performs editing and accumulation of image data acquired from, for example, a personal computer (PC) and a reading unit 60 (not shown), and image processing for image data transferred to the image forming unit 10. As described above, when the image processing unit 11 and the operation control unit 12 are not provided in the image forming unit 10, these functions restricted (excluded) by the image forming unit 10 are provided in the power supply unit 30. It will be.

  Further, the power supply unit 30 includes a drive source such as a drive motor that drives each mechanism member of the image forming unit 10. That is, the image forming unit 10 is not provided with various drive sources. Then, when the image forming unit 10 is assembled to the power supply unit 30, the drive source of the power supply unit 30 and each mechanism member of the image forming unit 10 are mechanically coupled. For example, it is connected to the drive source of the power supply unit 30 by using a coupling which is a joint using a mechanism such as a ball joint in accordance with each photosensitive drum 21 or a mechanism member around each photosensitive drum 21. Further, according to the driving positions of the paper transport belt 14 and various transport rolls for paper transport, the mechanisms are connected individually or together with a drive source of the power supply unit 30 using a coupling. In this manner, since the image forming unit 10 is not provided with, for example, a drive source, the number of constituent parts of the replaceable image forming unit 10 is reduced.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the power supply unit 30 forms a part of the external appearance of the image forming apparatus 1. The power supply unit 30 serves as a reference structure for assembling the paper supply unit 40, the discharge unit 50, and the reading unit 60. Further, a reference structure for assembling the image forming unit 10 can be used. As will be described later, the operation unit 70 shown in FIG. 1 is attached to the reading unit 60. However, for example, when the reading unit 60 is not provided, the operation unit 70 is attached to the power supply unit 30 (see FIG. 4 in the subsequent stage). . A further configuration example of the power supply unit 30 will be described in detail later in the description of FIG.

<Description of paper supply unit>
The paper supply unit 40 conveys the paper toward the image forming unit 10. In the example illustrated in FIG. 1, the sheet contacts the outer bottom surface of the power supply unit 30 and conveys the sheet from one side of the image forming unit 10 toward the image forming unit 10. The paper supply unit 40 is provided with various rolls and the like for the paper supply, the paper feeding, and the conveyance. The paper supply unit 40 forms part of the external appearance of the image forming apparatus 1 when incorporated as the image forming apparatus 1, and at least one side surface of the image forming unit 10 as shown in FIG. The image forming unit 10 is disposed so as to cover one side surface of the image forming unit 10. However, if only a necessary mechanism portion is configured, the entire surface of this one side surface is not covered, and it is possible to make contact with only a part such as a height up to about the center portion. The paper supply unit 40 is provided with a paper storage unit 41 for storing paper as a recording material, and a transport path 42 for transporting the paper fed from the paper storage unit 41 toward the image forming unit 10. Yes. When the image forming unit 10 is incorporated in the image forming apparatus 1, the paper discharge port of the paper supply unit 40 continuing from the conveyance path 42 is aligned with the paper reception port of the image forming unit 10, and a path for conveyance. Are concatenated.

<Description of discharge unit>
The discharge unit 50 receives the sheet on which the image is formed by the image forming unit 10 and conveys the sheet toward the discharge port 55. The discharge unit 50 forms a part of the external appearance of the image forming apparatus 1 when incorporated as the image forming apparatus 1 and, as shown in FIG. 1, the other of the image forming unit 10 (on the side of the paper supply unit 40). Is disposed so as to cover the other side surface of the image forming unit 10. That is, the image forming unit 10 has a housing structure that extends upward from below on the other side surface. The discharge unit 50 includes a conveyance path 51 that conveys a sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming unit 10, and a plurality of sets of conveyance rolls 52 that are provided in the conveyance path 51 and convey the sheet. In addition, a discharge port 55 for discharging a sheet on which an image is printed by the image forming unit 10 and a discharge roll 53 for discharging the sheet from the discharge port 55 are provided. In the present embodiment, the upper portion (top surface) of the housing structure of the image forming unit 10 is a discharge tray on which discharged sheets are stacked.

<Description of reading unit>
The reading unit 60 functions as an image reading device that reads an image existing on a document such as a sheet material. The reading unit 60 forms a part of the external appearance of the image forming apparatus 1 when incorporated in the image forming apparatus 1. In the system configuration in which the reading unit 60 is added, the operation unit 70 is attached to a part of the reading unit 60. The reading unit 60 may include a configuration including a document conveying device that conveys a sheet-shaped document. In addition, a scan structure that scans the reading section, lamp, mirror, etc. by placing a thick document such as a book on a flat glass (platen glass), or does not have this scan structure, only the sheet document moving type It is also possible to adopt a configuration as a reading device. For example, the reading unit 60 is supported and fixed to the power supply unit 30 via a support member 61, and is also supported by the discharge unit 50. Then, the space of the discharge tray portion provided on the top surface of the image forming unit 10 is maintained, and the user (user) is placed in a position where the operability is not hindered. Further, when the image forming unit 10 is exchanged, the user (user) is arranged at a position where the user can work with the top surface of the image forming unit 10.

<Description of operation unit>
The operation unit 70 forms part of the external appearance of the image forming apparatus 1 when incorporated in the image forming apparatus 1. In the case of an apparatus configuration in which the reading unit 60 is incorporated in the image forming apparatus 1, the reading unit 60 is attached to or embedded in the reading unit 60. In the case of an apparatus configuration in which the reading unit 60 is not incorporated, for example, the reading unit 60 is incorporated in the power supply unit 30.

<Explanation of additional paper supply unit>
The extension paper supply unit 80 forms a part of the external appearance of the image forming apparatus 1 when incorporated in the image forming apparatus 1. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the outer appearance of the image forming apparatus 1 is in contact with the bottom surface of the paper supply unit 40 and the side surface of the image forming apparatus 1 following the bottom surface of the image forming apparatus 1. The additional paper supply unit 80 is provided with a paper storage portion 81 for storing paper as a recording material, and a transport path 82 for transporting the paper fed from the paper storage portion 81 toward the paper supply unit 40. It has been. Further, the additional paper supply unit 80 is provided with various rolls and the like for this paper supply, paper feeding and conveyance. The paper supply unit 40 is provided with a paper receiving port for receiving the paper supplied from the additional paper supply unit 80 and a slit-like transport path for transporting the paper. The sheet fed from the sheet storage unit 81 is supplied toward the image forming unit 10 via the conveyance path 82, the slit-shaped conveyance path of the sheet supply unit 40, and the conveyance path 42.

<Description of configuration common to each structure>
In addition, each structure (the image forming unit 10, the paper supply unit 40, the discharge unit 50, the reading unit 60, the operation unit 70, and the additional paper supply unit 80) is connected to the power supply unit 30 for power and electrical signal transmission paths. The connection means which forms is provided. Furthermore, each structure includes a storage unit that stores various types of information (for example, information on the type of structure, settings and configuration of the structure, etc.) related to each structure. When each structure is incorporated in the power supply unit 30, each structure and the power supply unit 30 are electrically connected by the connecting means, and the electric power from the power supply unit 30 and the transmission of electric signals between them are transmitted. It becomes possible. Thereby, the storage means provided in each structure is connected to the main control unit provided in the power supply unit 30. Thereby, the main control unit acquires various information about each structure from the storage means of each structure, and sets operation parameters when controlling the operation of each structure. Further, the main control unit adjusts the amount of power supplied to each structure.
Note that the storage means is constituted by a nonvolatile memory such as a flash memory, for example.

<External configuration of each structure and description of assembly example>
Next, the assembly configuration of each structure will be described.
FIGS. 2A and 2B are views for explaining the power supply unit 30 and a state in which the image forming unit 10 is assembled to the power supply unit 30. FIG. 2A shows the appearance of the power supply unit 30, and FIG. 2B shows the state where the image forming unit 10 is assembled to the power supply unit 30. FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, the power supply unit 30 includes, as a frame, an inner vertical surface 30a, an inner bottom surface 30b, a top surface 30c, one side surface (right side surface) 30d, the other side surface (left side surface) 30e, and an outer bottom surface. 30 f, one surface (front surface) 30 g, and the other surface (rear surface) 30 h, and the housing structure includes a connection mechanism with each structure to be connected. More specifically, a drive transmission mechanism 31 that transmits a driving force toward the image forming unit 10 on the inner vertical surface 30 a of the power supply unit 30 and a connection unit that forms a transmission path of electric power and electric signals between the image forming unit 10. And a connector 37 as an example. Further, the inner bottom surface 30b has a latch structure 33 that mechanically couples the image forming unit 10 to be mounted, and one surface (front surface) 30g has a latch button 34 as a latch release mechanism that releases the latch structure 33. have. The inner bottom surface 30b is provided with a sliding movement structure mechanism 38 such as a rail mechanism for incorporating the image forming unit 10 into the image forming apparatus 1 while sliding (sliding) the image forming unit 10.

  The top surface 30 c of the power supply unit 30 has a connection portion 35 that transmits electric power and electric signals to and from the reading unit 60 or the operation unit 70. In FIG. 2A, the operation unit 70 is incorporated in the connection portion 35. Further, a connector 36 is provided on one side (right side) 30d of the power supply unit 30 to transmit power and electric signals to and from the paper supply unit 40, and power to the discharge unit 50 is provided on the other side (left side) 30e. A connector 39 for transmitting electrical signals is also provided.

  As shown in FIG. 2B, the image forming unit 10 is coupled to the power supply unit 30 and attached to the image forming apparatus 1. The image forming unit 10 is provided on the bottom surface with a moving mechanism 19 that is provided corresponding to the sliding movement structure mechanism 38 of the power supply unit 30 and that is a rail mechanism that allows the image forming unit 10 to slide (slide). . Further, the image forming unit 10 has a latch recess 25 which is provided corresponding to the latch structure 33 of the power supply unit 30 and slides (slides). The latch recess 25 performs positioning and fixing using the latch structure 33 of the image forming unit 10.

  Further, the image forming unit 10 is provided on one side surface (one side surface) of the housing so as to face the paper discharge port of the paper supply unit 40 and correspond to the position of the paper discharge port. A paper receiving port 17 is provided. In addition, the image forming unit 10 is provided on the other side surface (other side surface) of the casing so as to face the paper receiving port of the discharging unit 50 and correspond to the position of the paper receiving port, and the sheet is fed toward the discharging unit 50. A paper discharge port 18 for discharging is provided. Further, when the image forming unit 10 slides (slides) in the assembling direction (arrow S direction) and is assembled to the power supply unit 30, the power supply unit 30 is connected to the power supply unit 30 on the side facing the inner vertical surface 30a (the back side). A transmission mechanism 26 coupled to the drive transmission mechanism 31 of the unit 30 and a connector 27 as an example of a connection means coupled to the connector 37 of the power supply unit 30 are provided.

  FIG. 3 is a view for explaining a discharge tray structure formed on the exterior top surface of the image forming unit 10. A rib 28 is provided on the exterior top surface of the image forming unit 10 in the same direction as the discharge direction of the paper discharged from the discharge port 55 of the discharge unit 50 described in FIG. Further, a handle 29 as an example of a lifting portion is provided at the center of the exterior top surface or at a position where the inclination of the image forming unit 10 does not interfere with the assembling work when the image forming unit 10 is lifted (for example, the center of gravity). Is formed. The handle 29 is formed, for example, as a recess in the exterior top surface so as not to hinder the conveyance of the discharged paper. The handle 29 uses a curved surface shape of the exterior top surface, and a hook portion 29a for hooking a user's (user) finger is formed. The structure of the handle 29 can be a pop-out shape that can be stored, and can protrude from the housing when the image forming unit 10 is inserted / removed, and can store the protruding portion when the paper is discharged.

<Printer specification assembly structure>
FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an assembly structure of the image forming apparatus 1 that is not provided with the reading unit 60 and is used, for example, as a printer specification. As shown in FIG. 4, the power supply unit 30, the paper supply unit 40, and the discharge unit 50 are assembled. In this state, the image forming unit 10 is not assembled. Then, in a state where the power supply unit 30, the paper supply unit 40, and the discharge unit 50 are assembled, the image forming unit 10 is slid and moved (slid) in the assembling direction (arrow S direction) in the figure. 10 can be assembled to the image forming apparatus 1.

The assembly of the paper supply unit 40 will be described.
The inner vertical surface 40a (see FIG. 4) of the paper supply unit 40 is in contact with one side surface (right side surface) 30d of the power supply unit 30 shown in FIG. 2A, and the outer bottom surface 30f of the power supply unit 30 (FIG. 2). The sheet supply unit 40 is assembled to the power supply unit 30 in a state where the inner bottom surface (not shown) of the sheet supply unit 40 is in contact with (see (a)). For example, a screw or a latch mechanism (not shown) can be used to fix both. When the paper supply unit 40 is assembled, the connector 45 (see FIG. 4) of the paper supply unit 40 is connected to the connector 36 (see FIG. 2A) of the power supply unit 30, and the power supply unit 30 connects to the paper supply unit 40. On the other hand, it is possible to supply electric power and transmit electric signals between them. In the example of the image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 4, the sheet supply unit 40 is one side of the image forming apparatus 1, a part of the front surface (the direction in which the image forming unit 10 is assembled), and the opposite surface to the front surface. A part of the back surface, a part of the top surface, and a bottom surface of the device are formed.

The assembly of the discharge unit 50 will be described.
The discharge unit 50 is in a state where the inner vertical surface 50a (see FIG. 4) of the discharge unit 50 is in contact with a part of the other side surface (left side surface) 30e and the top surface 30c of the power supply unit 30 shown in FIG. The power supply unit 30 is assembled. For example, a screw or a latch mechanism (not shown) can be used for fixing. Further, when the discharge unit 50 is assembled, the connector 56 (see FIG. 4) of the discharge unit 50 is connected to the connector 39 (see FIG. 2A) of the power supply unit 30, and the power supply unit 30 is connected to the discharge unit 50. It is possible to supply electric power and transmit electric signals between them. In the example of the image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 4, the discharge unit 50 is the other side surface of the image forming apparatus 1, a part of the front surface (the direction in which the image forming unit 10 is assembled), and the back surface opposite to the front surface. And a part of the upper surface of the apparatus are formed.

  In the mode in which the reading unit 60 is not assembled as shown in FIG. 4, the operation unit 70 is used by being inserted into the connection portion 35 of the power supply unit 30. In the aspect in which the reading unit 60 described in FIG. 5 is assembled, the operation unit 70 is removed from the power supply unit 30, and the support member 61 that is a part of the reading unit 60 is inserted into the connection portion 35. Transmission of electric power and electric signals to the reading unit 60 is performed.

  In a state where the power supply unit 30, the paper supply unit 40, and the discharge unit 50 are assembled as described above, the image forming unit 10 is assembled in a space formed by these structures (see FIG. 4). The image forming unit 10 is lifted by a handle 29 (see FIG. 3) and guided by the sliding movement structure mechanism 38 (see FIG. 2) of the power supply unit 30 so that the user (user) moves the front surface 10a of the image forming unit 10 over. By pushing, it is inserted into this space. When the assembly position is reached by insertion, as shown in FIG. 2, the latch structure 33 of the power supply unit 30 is fitted into the latch recess 25 of the image forming unit 10, and the image forming unit 10 is fixed by the latching operation.

  By assembling the image forming unit 10, the back surface 10 b of the image forming unit 10 shown in FIG. 4 comes into contact with and is fixed to the inner vertical surface 30 a of the power supply unit 30. Thereby, a connector 27 as an example of a connecting means provided on the back surface 10 b and forming a transmission path of electric power and electric signals with the power supply unit 30 is connected to the connector 37 of the power supply unit 30. Further, the one side surface 10 c is fixed in contact with the inner vertical surface 40 a of the paper supply unit 40. Further, the other side surface 10 d of the image forming unit 10 and a part of the top surface 10 e are in contact with the inner vertical surface 50 a of the discharge unit 50, and the bottom surface 10 f is in contact with and fixed to the inner bottom surface 30 b of the power supply unit 30. As described above, when the image forming unit 10 is assembled, in the example of FIG. 4, the image forming unit 10 is in contact in the 5 plane direction, that is, in at least the 3 plane direction. As shown in FIG. 2B, the fixed state is not stable in the two-surface direction, whereas in the form of FIG. 4, the stable fixed state in at least the three-surface direction is maintained.

When the image forming unit 10 is assembled, the paper receiving port 17 of the image forming unit 10 faces the paper discharging port 44 of the paper supply unit 40. Further, the paper discharge port 18 of the image forming unit 10 faces the paper receiving port 54 of the discharge unit 50. In this way, a paper conveyance path from the paper supply unit 40 to the image forming unit 10 and from the image forming unit 10 to the discharge unit 50 is formed.
The front surface 10 a of the image forming unit 10 forms a front surface portion that is a part of the appearance of the image forming apparatus 1.

  When the image forming unit 10 incorporated in the image forming apparatus 1 is taken out, the latch button 34 is pressed to release the latch structure 33 from the latch recess 25 of the image forming unit 10. The image forming unit 10 can be taken out by pulling out the image forming unit 10 in the direction opposite to the arrow S direction with the latch structure 33 released.

<Assembly structure of the specification with scanner>
FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an assembling structure of the image forming apparatus 1 provided with the reading unit 60 and used, for example, as a copying machine or a facsimile specification. In the image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 5, similarly to the image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 4, the paper supply unit 40 and the discharge unit 50 are assembled to the power supply unit 30, and the power supply unit 30 and the discharge unit 50 are combined. A reading unit 60 is assembled on the top. At this time, the operation unit 70 is removed from the connection portion 35 of the power supply unit 30 shown in FIG. 4, and a part of the support member 61 is attached to the connection portion 35. In addition to the function as a structure that supports the reading unit 60, the support portion 61 enables power supply from the power supply unit 30 and transmission of electrical signals to the power supply unit 30. The operation unit 70 is provided in a part of the reading unit 60.

  The assembly of the image forming unit 10 is the same as that described with reference to FIG. 4, but the image forming unit 10 can be assembled in a state where the reading unit 60 is further assembled with respect to the printer specifications of FIG. is there. That is, the image forming unit 10 can be assembled to the image forming apparatus 1 in a state where the power supply unit 30, the paper supply unit 40, the discharge unit 50, and the reading unit 60 are assembled. Also in this aspect, the assembled image forming unit 10 is brought into contact in at least three directions by the power supply unit 30, the paper supply unit 40, and the discharge unit 50, which are structural bodies, and a stable state is maintained. Assembly is realized.

<Explanation regarding transmission of electric power and electric signal between power supply unit and each structure>
Next, transmission of electric power and electric signals (control signals) between the power supply unit 30 and each structure will be described.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the connection between the power supply unit 30 and each structure. In the present embodiment, when each structure (the image forming unit 10, the paper supply unit 40, the discharge unit 50, the reading unit 60, the operation unit 70, and the additional paper supply unit 80) is assembled, Connection means forming a transmission path for electric power and electric signals (control signals) are coupled to each other. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, between the power supply unit 30 and the image forming unit 10, the connector 37 on the power supply unit 30 side and the connector 27 on the image forming unit 10 side are coupled to each other, and power (solid line in the figure). And a transmission path for the control signal (broken line in the figure) is formed. Further, between the power supply unit 30 and the paper supply unit 40, the connector 36 on the power supply unit 30 side and the connector 45 on the paper supply unit 40 side are coupled to form a transmission path for power and control signals. In addition, between the power supply unit 30 and the discharge unit 50, the connector 39 on the power supply unit 30 side and the connector 56 on the discharge unit 50 side are coupled to form a transmission path for power and control signals. In addition, the same applies between the power supply unit 30 and the reading unit 60, between the power supply unit 30 and the operation unit 70, and between the power supply unit 30 and the additional paper supply unit 80.

Thereby, the main control unit 300 of the power supply unit 30 is an example of a control unit, and controls the operation of each structure. In addition, various types of information (for example, “unit ID” in the subsequent stage) regarding each structure is acquired from the storage means (ROM) of each structure. Further, image processing (information processing) is performed on image data acquired from a personal computer (PC) or the reading unit 60. Further, power is supplied to each structure from the power supply unit 350 of the power supply unit 30 under the control of the main control unit 300.
As shown in FIG. 6, the main control unit 300 is used in a CPU 301 that performs arithmetic processing when performing operation control and information processing, a RAM 302 that is used as a work memory of the CPU 301, a program that is executed by the CPU 301, and the like. ROM 303 that stores data such as set values and tables that can be rewritten, and a non-volatile memory (NVM) 304 that is rewritable and that can retain data even when power supply is interrupted, such as a flash memory backed up by a battery. .
The CPU 301 of the main control unit 300 reads various programs such as an operating system and application software from an external storage unit (not shown) provided in the power supply unit 30 into the RAM 302, and supplies power to each structure from the power supply unit 350. Control, various processes for realizing the function of each structure, or operation control and information processing for each structure are executed.

  In addition, as another provision form regarding various programs such as the operating system and application software, there is a form in which the program is provided in a state stored in the ROM 303 in advance and loaded into the RAM 302. Further, when a rewritable ROM 303 such as an EEPROM is provided, only the program is installed in the ROM 303 and loaded into the RAM 302 after the CPU 301 of the main control unit 300 is set. Further, there is a form in which a program is transmitted to the main control unit 300 via a network such as the Internet, installed in the ROM 303 of the main control unit 300, and loaded into the RAM 302. Furthermore, there is a form in which the RAM 302 is loaded from an external recording medium such as a DVD-ROM or a flash memory.

<Explanation on motion control for structure by main controller>
Next, operation control for each structure performed by the main control unit 300 provided in the power supply unit 30 will be described.
The main control unit 300 has a function of controlling the operation mode of the image forming apparatus 1 in accordance with the reception status of image data from a PC (terminal device) or the reading unit 60, the instruction input from the user in the operation unit 70, and the like. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the power consumption in the operation mode set in the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7, the main control unit 300 has an “image forming operation mode” and a “standby mode” which are examples of the operable state as the operation mode, and a power saving state in which the power consumption is lower than the operable state. An example “sleep mode” is selectively set.

The “image forming operation mode” is set when the amount of power consumption is high and image data that has undergone image processing is transferred to the image forming unit 10. This is a state in which an upward image forming operation is being executed.
The “standby mode” is set, for example, when an image forming command (hereinafter, “print job”) is acquired from the PC or when an instruction is input from the user via the operation unit 70. The “standby mode” is a state in which the main control unit 300 immediately shifts to the “image forming operation mode” when image processing relating to all or part of the image data is completed. Furthermore, the “standby mode” may be set in a predetermined period after the end of the image forming operation. In the “image forming operation mode” or a “standby mode” equivalent thereto, power for operating the drive system and the control system is supplied from the power supply unit 350 of the power supply unit 30 to each structure that executes the print function and the copy function. Therefore, in the “standby mode”, a predetermined amount of power that is lower than that in the “image forming operation mode” is consumed.

  In the “sleep mode”, for example, even after the standby time T of a predetermined time after the image forming operation is finished and the “standby mode” is set, the print job is received again or the user at the operation unit 70 This state is set when there is no instruction input. In the “sleep mode”, the power supply unit 30 continues to operate, and the other structures stop operating. That is, in the “sleep mode”, the supply of control system power from the power supply unit 350 of the power supply unit 30 to the main control unit 300 is continued. On the other hand, the power for operating the drive system and the control system from the power supply unit 350 to each structure executing the printing function and the copying function in the image forming apparatus 1 is stopped. As a result, the power consumption in the “sleep mode” is reduced, and power saving of the image forming apparatus 1 is achieved.

For example, when the standby time T after the “standby mode” is set, the main control unit 300 does not receive a print job or input an instruction from the user at the operation unit 70. ”To“ sleep mode ”.
On the other hand, when the main control unit 300 receives, for example, a print job in a state where the “sleep mode” is set, the main control unit 300 restarts the power supply to each structure from the power supply unit 350 and prints from the “sleep mode”. Return to “standby mode” to wait for execution of the function or copy function.

<Explanation for returning from sleep mode>
In the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the structure to be assembled to the power supply unit 30 is arbitrarily selected except for the image forming unit 10, the paper supply unit 40, and the discharge unit 50. In addition, the image forming unit 10, the paper supply unit 40, and the discharge unit 50 can be selected in different configurations. As a result, the type and structure of the structure to be assembled to the power supply unit 30, and the type and structure of the structure that operates corresponding to the operation content (print function, copy function, etc.) executed by the image forming apparatus 1 are achieved. Depending on the content, the time required to return the image forming apparatus 1 from the “sleep mode” to the “standby mode” (hereinafter, “recovery time”) and the amount of power consumption vary.

  That is, each structure has a unique return time from the “sleep mode” to the “standby mode” according to the configuration content of each structure. For example, in the reading unit 60, the time for correcting the output variation caused by the illumination system and the detection system when reading the document and outputting it as image data, the white level of the document and the white level when outputting it as image data. Adjustment time for matching, adjustment time for matching the black level of the document with the black level when outputting as image data, and the like are required as the return time.

  For example, in the image forming unit 10, most of the return time and power consumption required for returning the image forming unit 10 are due to the fixing device 16 as an example of a fixing unit. In other words, in the image forming unit 10, the time for heating the fixing device 16 to the fixable temperature (so-called warm-up time) and the amount of power dominate the recovery time and the power consumption of the entire image forming unit 10. In a conventional fixing device using a halogen heater or the like, the warm-up time is as long as a few minutes to a few dozen minutes. Can be set short. Therefore, the return time of the image forming unit 10 is approximately the same as the return time of the reading unit 60 described above.

Further, in the image forming unit 10, the state of various components provided in the image forming unit 10 varies depending on internal factors such as the cumulative operating time of the image forming apparatus 1 and external factors such as a temperature and humidity environment. Therefore, a process for adjusting the setting conditions of each component (so-called setup process) may be necessary when returning from the “sleep mode” in order to stabilize the image quality. In that case, in addition to the warm-up time of the fixing device 16, the time and power for adjusting the setting conditions of each component are required as the return time and power consumption.
Therefore, the return time of the image forming unit 10 and the power consumption at that time also differ depending on whether or not the adjustment process of the setting conditions of each component is performed.

  In addition, in the paper supply unit 40, the discharge unit 50, and the additional paper supply unit 80, the time and power until the operation of the drive system is stabilized after receiving the return instruction from the “sleep mode” is the return time and the time. Is required as the amount of power consumption.

  In addition, some of such structures can change the return time by increasing or decreasing the amount of power supplied from the power supply unit 350. For example, in the image forming unit 10, even if the amount of power supplied from the power supply unit 350 to the fixing device 16 is reduced, the return time (warming-up time) becomes long, but it can be heated to a fixable temperature. . Therefore, in a structure such as the image forming unit 10, the return time and the power consumption at that time can be adjusted according to the amount of power supplied. Therefore, when the power consumption of the entire image forming apparatus 1 exceeds the power supply capability of the power supply unit 350 when returning from the “standby mode”, the power supply unit 350 supplies the power to the image forming unit 10. By reducing the amount of power, the recovery time of the image forming unit 10 becomes longer, but the power consumption of the entire image forming apparatus 1 can be suppressed within the range of the power supply capability of the power supply unit 350.

  On the other hand, when the power amount used when returning from the “standby mode” is for output variation correction processing or white level or black level adjustment processing, such as the reading unit 60, for example, A predetermined amount of power is required when returning from the “standby mode”. Therefore, the amount of power supplied from the power supply unit 350 to the reading unit 60 cannot be reduced. As described above, some structures such as the reading unit 60 cannot reduce the amount of power supplied from the power supply unit 350 when returning from the “standby mode”.

<Explanation regarding recognition of each structure assembled in power supply unit>
Therefore, when a main switch (not shown) of the image forming apparatus 1 is turned on, the main control unit 300 of the power supply unit 30 firstly has each structure (the image forming unit 10 and the paper supply unit) assembled to the power supply unit 30. Identification information (hereinafter referred to as “unit ID”) assigned to each structure is acquired from the storage means (ROM) of the 40, the discharge unit 50, the reading unit 60, the operation unit 70, and the additional paper supply unit 80 (see above). (See FIG. 6). As a result, the main control unit 300 recognizes the type and configuration content of each structural body assembled to the power supply unit 30 (the assembled structure of the image forming apparatus 1). The unit ID assigned to each structure is, for example, that the image forming unit 10 has four image forming units 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K and one that has one image forming unit 20K. A separate unit ID is assigned to each. Therefore, even in the same “image forming unit 10”, the difference in the configuration contents is recognized.

  At that time, the main control unit 300 determines the unit ID of each structure, the type and configuration content of the structure specified by the unit ID, the return time from the “sleep mode” and the power consumption in each structure. Are stored in advance in the NVM 304 as an example of a storage unit. Thereby, the main control unit 300, based on the unit ID acquired from each structure and the unit information table, the type and configuration content of each structure assembled to the power supply unit 30 (assembly structure of the image forming apparatus 1). Furthermore, the return time from the “sleep mode” and the power consumption at that time in each structure are recognized.

Here, FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the description content of the “unit information table” stored in the NVM 304. As shown in FIG. 8, in the unit information table, the unit ID of each structure is associated with the type and configuration content of the structure specified by the unit ID. In FIG. 8, the type and configuration content of the structure are substituted by the unit name. However, information indicating the type and configuration content of the structure is actually described. For example, the “image forming unit” associated with the unit ID “ID_005” describes various information including information indicating that the image forming unit 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K are included.
In the “unit information table”, the return time from the “sleep mode” of each structure and the power consumption at that time are described. In particular, in the “image forming unit”, the recovery time “time_A1” to “time_A5” when the electric power supplied to the fixing device 16 is set to “power_A1” to “power_A5” and the image forming unit 10 are provided. The amount of power “power_B0” and the return time “time_B0” for performing the process for adjusting the setting conditions of various components are described.

<Explanation on the return timing and power supply for each structure>
When the main control unit 300 executes the functions of the image forming apparatus 1 by returning the image forming apparatus 1 from the “sleep mode” on the premise of the difference in the characteristics of the structures described above, the image forming apparatus 1. The timing for supplying power to each structure that suppresses the occurrence of wasted time in the overall recovery time and the amount of power supplied to each structure at that time are determined.
Specifically, the main control unit 300 refers to the “unit information table” and extracts (sorts) the structures assembled in the power supply unit 30 in order from the longest recovery time. Then, with reference to the start time of the restoration process in the structure having the longest restoration time among the structures, the restoration process of each other structure is performed so that the restoration completion time of each structure matches. Determine the start timing.

  Next, when the main controller 300 starts (starts up) the restoration process of each structure, the amount of power consumed by the entire image forming apparatus 1 during the period until the restoration process is completed. It is determined whether or not a state occurs in which the total amount exceeds the power supply capability of the power supply unit 350. If it is determined that the total amount of power consumed by the entire image forming apparatus 1 is maintained below the power supply capability of the power supply unit 350, the main control unit 300 supplies the power supplied to each structure. The amount is determined by the power amount of each structure defined in the “unit information table”.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the total amount of power consumed by the entire image forming apparatus 1 exceeds the power supply capability of the power supply unit 350, the main control unit 300 includes the power supply unit in each structure. A structure that can reduce the amount of power supplied from 350 is selected. In general, when executing a print function or a copy function accompanied by an image forming process, the image forming unit 10 is included in the return target. Therefore, normally, the image forming unit 10 having the fixing device 16 that can reduce the amount of supplied power is selected. Then, the amount of electric power that can restore the image forming unit 10 within a range that does not exceed the return time of the structure (for example, the reading unit 60) having the longest return time among the structures is set to the image forming unit. 10 is determined as the amount of power to be supplied to 10.
That is, as shown in FIG. 8, the amount of power supplied to the image forming unit 10 is determined when the total amount of power consumed by the entire image forming apparatus 1 exceeds the power supply capability of the power supply unit 350. Therefore, the main control unit 300 corresponds to the power amount supplied to the image forming unit 10 in the “unit information table” stored in the NVM 304 and the return time of the image forming unit 10 when the power amount is supplied. Attached. The main control unit 300 does not exceed the recovery time of the structure (for example, the reading unit 60) having the longest recovery time among the structures, and the total amount of power supplied to each structure is the power supply unit 350. The start timing of the restoration process related to the image forming unit 10 and the amount of power supplied to the image forming unit 10 are determined using the “unit information table”.

  Note that when the image forming apparatus 1 performs a scan function (a function of reading and storing / outputting an image from a document) that is not accompanied by an image forming process, the image forming unit 10 having the largest power consumption is set as a return target. Not included. Therefore, in the restoration process in which the image forming unit 10 is not included in the restoration target, generally, the total amount of power consumed by the entire image forming apparatus 1 during the restoration process does not exceed the power supply capability of the power supply unit 350. Almost no. Therefore, in such a case, it is usually unnecessary to select a structure that can reduce the amount of power supplied from the power supply unit 350.

<Description of other examples related to the return timing and power supply amount in each structure>
FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the power supply timing to each structure that suppresses the occurrence of wasted time in the return time of the image forming apparatus 1 as a whole, and the amount of power supplied to each structure at that time. It is. In FIG. 9, the structure A (the image forming unit 10), the structure B (the reading unit 60), and the structure C (the paper supply unit 40 and the discharge unit 50) are selected as the structures to be returned from the “sleep mode”. It shall be assumed. When returning each structure from the “sleep mode”, the amount of power required by the structure A requires the amount of power P1 _A and the structure B for heating (warming up) the fixing device 16 to a fixable temperature. Assume that the amount of power P1 _{B to be used} , the amount of power P1 C required by the structure _C , and the power supply capability of the power supply unit 350 are W.

FIG. 9A illustrates a case where the total amount of power consumed by the entire image forming apparatus 1 is maintained below the power supply capability W of the power supply unit 350 in the middle of completion of the restoration process, that is, shows the case where _{P1 a + P1 B + P1 C} ≦ W. In this case, P1 _A , P1 _B , and P1 _C power amounts are allocated to the structure A, the structure B, and the structure C, respectively. In addition, power supply is started in order from the structure A, the structure B, and the structure C having the longest recovery time, and the structure A, the structure B, and the structure C are simultaneously released from the “sleep mode”. The power supply timing to each structure is set so as to complete the return. That is, the structure B with a long recovery time starts to supply power at time 0 (recovery processing starts), and then continues to the structure A with the next long recovery time at time T1, and then to the structure C at time T2. Supply of electric power is started for each. At time T3, the structures A, B, and C complete the restoration at the same time (0 <T1 <T2 <T3). As a result, the image forming apparatus 1 returns within the return time of the structure B (reading unit 60) required as the minimum return time, and generation of useless time when the image forming apparatus 1 is returned is suppressed. The

On the other hand, FIG. 9B illustrates a case where the total amount of power consumed by the entire image forming apparatus 1 exceeds the power supply capability W of the power supply unit 350 in the middle of completion of the restoration process. That is, the case where the state of P1 _A + P1 _B + P1 _C > W occurs is shown. In this case, it relates to a structure having a fixing device 16 which can reduce the supply amount of power A (the image forming unit _10), a _{P2 A + P1 B + P1 C} ≦ W, returning the return time of the structure A the amount of power P2 _a time is set shorter than the recovery time of the longest structures B, and determined using "unit information table". In this case, it is set so as to supply power amount P2 _A in the structure A, the recovery time of the structure A than to supply power amount P1 _A longer. Therefore, the power supply of the electric power amount P2 _A from the power supply is started T1 'in the structure A after (<T1) to the structure B is started. As a result, the state in which the total amount of power consumed by the entire image forming apparatus 1 is less than or equal to the power supply capability W of the power supply unit 350 is maintained until the restoration process is completed. Further, the return time of the image forming apparatus 1 as a whole can be suppressed within the return time of the structure B (reading unit 60) required as a minimum return time.

<Explanation of specific examples of return timing and power supply amount in each structure>
Next, FIG. 10 also illustrates the power supply timing to each structure that suppresses the generation of wasted time during the return time of the image forming apparatus 1 as a whole, and the amount of power supplied to each structure at that time. It is a figure to do. In the case of FIG. 10 as well, the structure A (image forming unit 10), the structure B (reading unit 60), and the structure C (paper supply unit 40 and discharge unit 50) are returned as the structures to be returned from the “sleep mode”. And are selected. In FIG. 10, it is assumed that a process (setup process) for adjusting the setting conditions of each structural member in the structure A is performed when returning from the “sleep mode”. In this case, the amount of power required by the structure A is the amount of power P4 _A for adjusting the setting conditions of each constituent member, and the amount of power for heating (warming up) the fixing device 16 to a fixable temperature. It is P3 _A (P4 _A <P3 _A ). In this case, it is assumed that warming-up is performed after the process of adjusting the setting conditions of each component is performed. Further, the amount of power P1 _B required by the structure _B , the amount of power P1 _C required by the structure _C , and the power supply capability of the power supply unit 350 are W as in the case of FIG. Suppose there is.

FIG. 10A illustrates a case where the total amount of power consumed by the entire image forming apparatus 1 is maintained below the power supply capability W of the power supply unit 350 in the middle of completion of the restoration process, The case where P3 _A (P4 _A ) + P1 _B + P1 _C ≦ W is shown. In this case, the structure body _A is assigned the power amount P4 _A when performing the process of adjusting the setting conditions of each constituent member, and the power amount P4 _A when warming up. In addition, the electric energy P1 _B and the electric energy P1 _C are allocated to the structures B and C, respectively. In addition, power supply is started in order from the structure A, the structure B, and the structure C having the longest recovery time, and the structure A, the structure B, and the structure C are simultaneously released from the “sleep mode”. The power supply timing to each structure is set so as to complete the return. Here, it is assumed that the structure A that performs the process of adjusting the setting conditions of each constituent member requires the longest return time. As a result, the supply of power to the structure A at time 0, the structure B with the next longest recovery time at time T4, and the structure C at time T5 is started (return processing is started). At time T6, the structures A, B, and C complete the restoration at the same time (0 <T4 <T5 <T6). Accordingly, the return time of the image forming apparatus 1 as a whole is within the return time of the structure A (image forming unit 10) that is necessary as a minimum return time in order to perform the process of adjusting the setting conditions of each component. , And useless time is suppressed when the image forming apparatus 1 is returned.

FIG. 10B illustrates a case where a state occurs in which the total amount of power consumed by the entire image forming apparatus 1 exceeds the power supply capability W of the power supply unit 350, that is, P3, until the return process is completed. _{The case where A} + P1 _B + P1 _C > W is shown. On the other hand, the total electric energy (P4) of the electric energy P4 _A supplied when the structure _A performs the process of adjusting the setting conditions of each component and the electric energy P1 _B required during the restoration process of the structure B It is assumed that _A + P1 _B ) is less than or equal to the power supply capability W of the power supply unit 350. Furthermore, it is assumed that the return time of the structure B is equal to or shorter than the time during which the structure A performs the process of adjusting the setting conditions of each component member. Therefore, in this case, the returning process of the structure B can be performed in parallel with the process of adjusting the setting condition of each component by the structure A.
Thereby, supply of electric power to the structures A and B at time 0 and the structure C at time T5 are started (return processing is started), and the structure B has a structure before time T6. The body A and the structure C complete the return at the same time T6. For this reason, the state in which the total amount of power consumed by the entire image forming apparatus 1 is less than or equal to the power supply capability W of the power supply unit 350 is maintained in the middle of completion of the return processing. The return time of the image forming apparatus 1 as a whole is within the return time of the structure A (image forming unit 10) required as the minimum return time because the process for adjusting the setting conditions of each component is performed. When the image forming apparatus 1 is restored and the image forming apparatus 1 is restored, generation of useless time is suppressed.

As described above, in the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, when the image forming apparatus 1 is returned from the “sleep mode” and the functions of the image forming apparatus 1 are executed, the structures of the respective structural bodies assembled in the power supply unit 30 are used. The power supply timing to each structure that suppresses the generation of wasted time in the return time of the image forming apparatus 1 as a whole, and the power supplied to each structure at that time, depending on the type and configuration content Set the amount and.
Thereby, the return time of the image forming apparatus 1 as a whole is suppressed within the return time of the structure required as the minimum return time, and the return time of the image forming apparatus 1 is reduced. Further, during the return process, the state in which the total amount of power consumed by the entire image forming apparatus 1 is less than or equal to the power supply capability W of the power supply unit 350 is maintained. Thereby, it is suppressed that the return process is interrupted and a waiting time occurs or the return process fails.

<Explanation regarding the contents of motion control for each structure by the main controller>
Next, FIG. 11A and FIG. 11B are flowcharts showing an example of the contents of the operation control for each structure executed by the main control unit 300 of the power supply unit 30.
First, as shown in FIG. 11A, when a “standby mode” is set by turning on a main switch (not shown) of the image forming apparatus 1 (step 101), the main control unit 300 of the power supply unit 30 is set. Acquires the unit ID of each structure from the storage means (ROM) of each structure assembled to the power supply unit 30 (step 102). Then, the main control unit 300 determines the type and configuration content of each structure (assembled structure of the image forming apparatus 1) assembled to the power supply unit 30 based on the unit ID and the unit information table acquired from each structure. Recognize (step 103).

After that, until a predetermined time elapses, a print job is received or an instruction input from the user is waited at the operation unit 70 (No in step 104, No in step 105). If a print job is received or an instruction is input from the user at the operation unit 70 before a predetermined time elapses (Yes in step 104), the main control unit 300 receives the print job or The function (print function, copy function, etc.) of the image forming apparatus 1 is executed in response to an instruction input from the user at the operation unit 70 (step 106). After executing the function of the image forming apparatus 1, the process returns to step 104, and the main control unit 300 waits for reception of a print job or an instruction input from the user at the operation unit 70.
On the other hand, when a predetermined time has elapsed without receiving a print job and no instruction input from the user via the operation unit 70 (No in step 104, Yes in step 105), the main control unit 300 displays “sleep”. Mode "is set (step 107).

  When “sleep mode” is set, the main control unit 300 waits for reception of a print job or instruction input from the user via the operation unit 70 (No in step 108). When receiving a print job or receiving an instruction input from the user via the operation unit 70 (Yes in Step 108), the process proceeds to FIG. 11B, and the main control unit 300 refers to the “unit information table” to turn on the power supply. Each structure assembled in the unit 30 is extracted (sorted) in order from the longest return time (step 109). Then, with reference to the start time of the return process in the structure with the longest return time among the structures, the return process of each other structure is matched so that the return completion time of each structure matches. The start timing is determined (step 110).

  Next, when the main controller 300 starts (starts up) the restoration process of each structure, the amount of power consumed by the entire image forming apparatus 1 during the period until the restoration process is completed. It is determined whether or not a state occurs in which the total amount exceeds the power supply capability of the power supply unit 350 (step 111). If it is determined that the state in which the total amount of power consumed by the entire image forming apparatus 1 is less than or equal to the power supply capability of the power supply unit 350 is maintained (No in step 111), the main control unit 300 causes each structure to The amount of power to be supplied to is determined based on the amount of power of each structure defined in the “unit information table” (step 112).

On the other hand, if it is determined that the total amount of power consumed by the entire image forming apparatus 1 exceeds the power supply capability of the power supply unit 350 (Yes in step 111), the main control unit 300 includes each structure. Then, a structure that can reduce the amount of power supplied from the power supply unit 350 is selected (step 113). Then, the main control unit 300 determines the electric energy that can be restored within the range that does not exceed the restoration time of the structure having the longest restoration time among the structures for the selected structure. The table is used for determination (step 114).
Then, the main control unit 300 restores each structure from the “sleep mode” based on the start timing of the restoration process determined in step 110 and the electric energy determined in step 112 or 114 (step 115).
In this way, the main control unit 300 maintains the total amount of power consumed by the entire image forming apparatus 1 in the restoration process below the power supply capability of the power supply unit 350, and the restoration time of the image forming apparatus 1 as a whole. Is executed within the restoration time of the structure that is required as the minimum restoration time.

  Thereafter, the main control unit 300 executes the functions (print function, copy function, etc.) of the image forming apparatus 1 in response to the reception of the print job or the instruction input from the user at the operation unit 70 (step 116). After executing the function of the image forming apparatus 1, the process returns to step 104, and the main control unit 300 waits for reception of a print job or an instruction input from the user at the operation unit 70.

As described above, in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, when the image forming apparatus 1 is returned from the “sleep mode” and the functions of the image forming apparatus 1 are executed, each structure assembled to the power supply unit 30 is used. Depending on the type and configuration of the body, the power supply timing to each structure that suppresses the generation of wasted time in the return time of the image forming apparatus 1 as a whole, and the supply to each structure at that time Set the amount of power to be used.
Thereby, the return time of the image forming apparatus 1 as a whole is suppressed within the return time of the structure required as the minimum return time, and the return time of the image forming apparatus 1 is reduced. Further, during the return process, the state in which the total amount of power consumed by the entire image forming apparatus 1 is less than or equal to the power supply capability W of the power supply unit 350 is maintained. Thereby, it is suppressed that the return process is interrupted and a waiting time occurs or the return process fails.
Of course, the power supply unit 30 may be incorporated in the image forming unit 10 to function as a power supply unit, or each unit is completely separated, for example, the image forming unit 10 is integrated with the paper supply unit 40. There is no need to make it possible.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image forming apparatus, 10 ... Image forming unit, 30 ... Power supply unit, 40 ... Paper supply unit, 50 ... Ejection unit, 60 ... Reading unit, 70 ... Operation unit, 80 ... Additional paper supply unit, 300 ... Main control part 350 ... Power supply unit

Claims (11)

An image forming structure having a functional element for performing an image forming operation;
A structure that is assembled to the image forming structure and performs an operation related to an image forming operation;
Control means for controlling power supply from the power supply means to the image forming structure and the structure;
A memory for storing information related to the image forming structure and a return time in the structure when the image forming structure and the structure are returned from the power saving state, which consumes less power than the operable state, to the operable state. Means and
The control means recognizes the length of the return time of the image forming structure and the structure based on the information related to the return time stored in the storage means, and removes the image forming structure and the structure. An image forming apparatus for determining the order of the image forming structure and the structure for starting power supply based on the length of the return time when returning from the power state. The storage means further stores information on the image forming structure and power consumption consumed in the structure when returning from the power saving state to the operable state,
The control unit is configured such that a total amount of power consumption of the image forming structure and the structure when returning from the power saving state to the operable state based on the information on the power consumption stored in the storage unit is power. When it is determined that the power supply capacity is exceeded, the image forming structure or the structure that can reduce the power consumption is selected, and the power supplied to the selected image forming structure or the structure is consumed. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the total amount of power is set to be equal to or less than a power supply capacity.   The control means supplies, to the selected image forming structure or the structure, the amount of power to be restored at the restoration time equal to or shorter than the restoration time of the image forming structure or the structure having the longest restoration time. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image forming apparatus is controlled so as to.   The control unit starts power supply to the image forming structure and the structure so that the image forming structure and the structure return to the operable state at a predetermined time. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2.   The control unit selects the image forming structure when it is determined that the total amount of power consumption of the image forming structure and the structure exceeds the power supply capacity, and the fixing unit provided in the image forming structure The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein an amount of power supplied to the image forming apparatus is set so that a total amount of the consumed power is equal to or less than a power supply capacity.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming structure and the structure are assembled with a power supply structure to be supplied with electric power. A frame in which an image forming structure that performs an image forming operation and a structure that performs an operation related to the image forming operation in the image forming structure are assembled;
Power supply means for supplying power to the image forming structure and the structure assembled to the frame;
Control means for controlling power supply from the power supply means to the image forming structure and the structure;
A memory for storing information related to the image forming structure and a return time in the structure when the image forming structure and the structure are returned from the power saving state, which consumes less power than the operable state, to the operable state. Means and
The control means recognizes the length of the return time of the image forming structure and the structure based on the information related to the return time stored in the storage means, and removes the image forming structure and the structure. An image forming structure for starting power supply from the power supply means and an order of the structure are determined based on the length of the return time when returning from the power state. The storage means further stores information on the image forming structure and power consumption consumed in the structure when returning from the power saving state to the operable state,
The control unit is configured so that a total amount of power consumption of the image forming structure and the structure when returning from the power saving state to the operable state based on the information on the power consumption stored in the storage unit is When it is determined that the power supply means exceeds the power supply capability, the image forming structure or the structure that can reduce the power consumption is selected and supplied to the selected image forming structure or the structure. 8. The control structure according to claim 7, wherein the amount of power is set so that the total amount of power consumption is equal to or less than the power supply capability of the power supply means.   The control means supplies, to the selected image forming structure or the structure, the amount of power to be restored at the restoration time equal to or shorter than the restoration time of the image forming structure or the structure having the longest restoration time. The control structure according to claim 8, wherein the control structure is controlled so as to perform the control.   The control unit starts power supply to the image forming structure and the structure so that the image forming structure and the structure return to the operable state at a predetermined time. The control structure according to claim 8.   The control unit selects the image forming structure when the total power consumption of the image forming structure and the structure exceeds the power supply capability of the power supply unit, and selects the image forming structure. 9. The control structure according to claim 8, wherein the amount of power supplied to the fixing unit provided is set such that the total amount of power consumption is less than or equal to the power supply capability of the power supply unit.

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