JP2012218348A - Power supply control device and image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a user from mistaking a failure so that an energy saving mode is executed while a switch is turned on.SOLUTION: A CPU 32 controls energization from a sub-power supply part 101 to an engine substrate 104 and energization from a main power supply part 102 to a control substrate 103, respectively, based on energization necessity to the engine substrate 104. The CPU set a first energy saving mode according to the non-necessity of energization to the engine substrate 104, and after the mode is set, the CPU detects whether a sub-SW 13 is operated to be turned off or not. When the off operation of the sub-SW 13 is not detected, and when the first energy saving mode is set, a sub-power supply RLY 11 is turned off to stop energization to the sub-power supply part 101, and the first energy saving mode is executed. Then, the CPU sets a second energy saving mode and resets an on-state of the sub-SW 13 to an off-state, and controls a main SW 12 to turn off to stop energization to the main power supply part 102 and execute the second energy saving mode.

Description

  The present invention relates to a power supply control apparatus and an image forming apparatus that are suitable for application to energy-saving power control of a printer, a copying machine, or a multi-function machine that automatically executes an energy-saving mode when the job is on standby or when the job ends. Is.

  In recent years, there have been color printers that form color images based on color image information, color copiers that have a scan function that reads an image of an original and outputs an image signal for color image reproduction, and multifunction devices. It has been increasingly used. For example, digital color printers that form color images based on red (R), green (G), and blue (B) image data from external devices such as personal computers are widely used.

  In this type of printer, according to a color printer that employs an electrophotographic system, yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (BK) after color conversion of RGB image data is performed. ) An image forming unit for forming a color toner image based on the color image data is provided. The image forming unit includes image forming units that share image forming output functions of Y, M, C, and BK colors, and image data is applied to a photosensitive drum uniformly charged by a charger for each image forming color. Based on the above, an electrostatic latent image is formed by a scanning exposure unit using a polygon mirror or the like.

  This electrostatic latent image is developed by a developing device for each image forming color. The color toner image formed on the photosensitive drum after being charged, exposed and developed in this manner is superimposed on, for example, an intermediate transfer belt, and the superimposed color toner image is transferred onto a sheet by a transfer unit. The The sheet is transported from the sheet feeding tray to the transfer section by the sheet feeding section. The toner image transferred onto the predetermined transfer material is fixed by the fixing unit. As a result, a color image based on the image data can be formed on a predetermined sheet.

  The above-described image forming unit, transfer unit, fixing unit, paper feeding unit, and the like are connected to a controlled power source unit. A fixing driving unit, a paper feeding driving unit, a control central processing unit (CPU), an image forming driving unit, a transfer driving unit, and the like are mounted on a controlled substrate (engine substrate or the like). The control board for controlling the controlled board is connected to a control power source. This type of control power supply unit and controlled power supply unit are often controlled by a power supply control device.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a power supply control system of a color printer 200 according to a conventional example. The color printer 200 includes a sub power supply unit 101, a main power supply unit 102, an engine board 104, and a power supply control device 500. In order to execute power supply control to the engine board 104, the power control device 500 performs a sub power relay switch (hereinafter referred to as sub power RLY11), a main power switch (hereinafter referred to as main SW 121), a sub power switch ( (Hereinafter referred to as sub SW 131) and a control board 103.

  The sub power supply RLY11 has one end connected to the load side of the main SW 121 and the other end connected to the sub power supply unit 101. The sub power supply RLY11 is connected to the control board 103 in addition to the sub power supply unit 101. The on / off control of the sub power supply RLY11 is performed based on the relay control signal S1 output from the control board 103. An electromagnetic coil 110 is provided inside the sub power supply RLY11. The electromagnetic coil 110 constitutes a solenoid that forcibly separates the switch contacts in the on state.

  The sub power source RLY11 is turned on when, for example, a high level relay control signal S1 is supplied to the electromagnetic coil 110. When the low-level relay control signal S1 is energized to the electromagnetic coil 110, the sub power supply RLY11 is turned off. Thereby, the sub power supply unit 101 can be controlled to be turned on / off in accordance with the on / off operation of the sub power supply RLY11.

  The sub power supply unit 101 has a power supply side connected to the sub power supply RLY11 and a load side connected to the engine board 104. The sub power supply unit 101 supplies power to the engine board 104 in accordance with the on / off operation of the sub power supply RLY11. For example, the sub power supply unit 101 generates a plurality of drive voltages Vi (i = 1 to n) from the AC voltage of the commercial power supply. The sub power supply unit 101 supplies driving power by applying a plurality of driving voltages Vi (i = 1 to n) to the engine board 104.

  One end of the main SW 121 is connected to a commercial power supply, and the other end is connected to the main power supply unit 102 and the above-described sub power supply RLY11. The main SW 121 is turned on / off by the user. The main power supply unit 102 has one end connected to the main SW 121 and the other end connected to the control board 103. The main power supply unit 102 supplies control power to the control board 103 in accordance with the on / off operation of the main SW 121. For example, the main power supply unit 102 generates the control voltage Vc from the AC voltage of the commercial power supply. The main power supply unit 102 applies control voltage Vc to the control board 103 to supply control power.

  A control board 103 is connected to the main power supply unit 102 and controls the engine board 104 according to the on / off operation of the sub SW 131. The control board 103 is provided with a control CPU 34. For example, in the control board 103, the CPU 34 turns on the sub power source RLY 11 in response to the on operation of the sub SW 131. On the other hand, in the control board 103, the CPU 34 controls the sub power supply RLY11 to be turned off in response to the turning off operation of the sub SW 131. The control board 103 controls the engine board 104 based on the necessity of energization from the sub power supply unit 101 to the engine board 104. The above-described sub SW 131 is connected to the control board 103, and the on / off operation of the sub SW 131 is performed by the user.

  When the power supply control device 500 controls energization to the sub power supply unit 101 and the main power supply unit 102, the CPU 34 corresponds to the on / off operation of the main SW 121 and the sub SW 131 and the main power supply unit 102 and the sub power supply unit 101. To control.

[Device startup sequence]
FIG. 8 is an operation flowchart illustrating an example of an apparatus activation sequence in the color printer 200. According to the device activation sequence example in the color printer 200, the main power supply unit 102 is turned on when the main SW 121 is turned on in step ST1 shown in FIG. When the main power supply unit 102 is turned on, the CPU 34 of the control board 103 is activated in step ST2.

  Thereafter, in step ST3, the CPU 34 waits for the sub SW 131 to be turned on. When the on operation of the sub SW 131 is detected, the CPU 34 permits the on operation of the sub power source RLY11 in step ST4. The sub power source RLY11 is allowed to be turned on. For example, when the high level relay control signal S1 is energized to the electromagnetic coil 110, the sub power source RLY11 is turned on in step ST5. When the sub power supply RLY11 is turned on, the sub power supply unit 101 is turned on in step ST6, and the engine board 104 is energized. Thereby, CPU55 of the engine board | substrate 104 starts by step ST7.

[Device stop sequence]
FIG. 9 is an operation flowchart illustrating an example of an apparatus stop sequence in the color printer 200. According to the example of the apparatus stop sequence in the color printer 200, it waits for the sub SW 131 to be turned off in step ST11 shown in FIG. When the sub SW 131 is turned off, in step ST12, the CPU 34 prohibits the operation of the sub power source RLY11.

  In step ST13, the on operation of the sub power supply RLY11 is not permitted. For example, when the low level relay control signal S1 is energized to the electromagnetic coil 110, the sub power supply RLY11 is turned off. The sub power supply unit 101 is turned off in step ST14 by the turn-off operation of the sub power supply RLY11. When the sub power supply unit 101 is turned off, the operation of the CPU 55 of the engine board 104 is stopped in step ST15 (first energy saving mode).

  Thereafter, in step ST16, the CPU 34 waits for the main SW 121 to be turned off. If an off operation of the main SW 121 is detected, the main power supply unit 102 is turned off in step ST17, and thus the CPU 32 of the control board 103 stops its operation (second energy saving mode) in step ST18.

  In relation to the above-described power supply control device, Patent Literature 1 discloses a power supply device. This power supply apparatus includes a power supply circuit, a reset switch, a plurality of operation detection units for detecting an abnormality, an abnormality monitoring unit, and a reset switch driving unit. The power supply circuit receives AC power and converts it into a DC voltage to generate power supplied to the load. The reset switch switches supply and stop of power to the power supply circuit. The operation detection units are installed at a plurality of positions corresponding to at least one of the power supply circuit and the load, and detect various abnormal states such as leakage, overcurrent, overvoltage, temperature, and the like. The abnormality monitoring unit executes abnormality determination processing based on the abnormality detection signal from the operation detection unit. Based on these assumptions, the reset switch driving unit drives the reset switch based on the control signal from the abnormality monitoring unit.

  Configuring the power supply device in this way ensures safety and eliminates the need to provide a separate power supply device for supplying power to the operation detection unit, abnormality monitoring unit, etc., thus realizing cost reduction and energy saving. It can be done.

  Further, in relation to the power supply control device described above, Patent Document 2 discloses a power supply device. According to this power supply device, when power is supplied to the load, the power supply device includes a plurality of power supply circuits, a reset switch, a plurality of switch elements, a plurality of operation detection units, an abnormality monitoring unit, a reset switch driving unit, and a switch control circuit. And each power supply circuit supplies power to a different load. The reset switch switches between supply and stop of power to the power supply device. Each of the switch elements performs switching between power supply and stop for each power supply circuit provided corresponding to each of the plurality of power supply circuits.

  Each of the operation detection units detects an abnormality installed at a plurality of positions of the power supply device. The abnormality monitoring unit executes abnormality determination processing based on the detection signal output from each operation detection unit. The reset switch driving unit drives the reset switch based on a control signal output from the abnormality monitoring unit. Based on this assumption, the switch control circuit selectively controls a plurality of switch elements based on a control signal that is output from the abnormality monitoring unit and identifies the switch elements. By configuring the power supply device in this way, the power supply stop process for each power supply circuit can be executed at high speed, so that more robust safety can be maintained.

  Furthermore, in relation to the above-described power supply control device, Patent Document 3 also discloses a power supply device. According to this power supply apparatus, a delay stop request power supply circuit, an early stop power supply circuit, a switch element, and a delay control unit are provided, and the delay stop request power supply circuit responds to a delay stop request load that requires delayed drive stop processing. Supply power. The early stop power supply circuit supplies power to a load that does not require delayed drive stop processing. The switch element is provided in front of the delay stop request power supply circuit, and performs switching between power supply and stop for the delay stop request power supply circuit.

  When controlling the switch element, the delay control unit receives drive power from both the delay stop request power supply circuit and the early stop power supply circuit, and executes control of the switch element based on the input power. Based on this assumption, after the power supply from the early stop power supply circuit is stopped by the delay control unit, the switch element is kept on based on the power supply from the delay stop request power supply circuit, and power is supplied to the delay stop request power supply circuit. The process to continue is executed. By configuring the power supply device in this way, even after the abnormal stop process, the supply of electric power that needs to be driven can be continuously and reliably performed based on the electric power supply from the existing power supply circuit.

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2004-274887 (FIG. 1 on page 8) JP 2004-274888 A (page 8 FIG. 1) JP 2004-280182 A (page 10 FIG. 1)

Incidentally, the color printer 200 including the power supply control device 500 according to the conventional example has the following problems.
i. According to the color printer 200 shown in FIG. 7, the sub SW 131 is turned off in step ST11 during the apparatus stop sequence after the job ends. In step ST12, when the operation of the sub power source RLY11 is not permitted by the CPU 34, the sub power source unit 101 is turned off in step ST14 by the off operation of the sub power source RLY11. When the sub power supply unit 101 is turned off, the operation of the CPU 55 of the engine board 104 is stopped in step ST15 (first energy saving mode).

  However, when the user directly (suddenly) turns off the main SW 121 without turning off the sub SW 131, the sub power supply unit 101 and the main power supply unit 102 are turned off, so that the sub SW 131 is turned on. There remains a problem that the CPU 32 of the control board 103 and the CPU 55 of the engine board 104 are shifted to the second energy saving mode in which both operations are stopped.

  ii. Therefore, in the main SW 121 and the sub SW 131 that can be visually determined on / off, the main SW 121 is in the off state and the sub SW 131 is in the on state, so that there is a problem that the user misunderstands that it is a failure. .

  iii. Incidentally, in the apparatus stop sequence after the end of the job, a method of driving the reset switch based on the control signal from the abnormality monitoring unit by the reset switch driving unit as seen in Patent Literature 1, or as shown in Patent Literature 2. With a switch control circuit, a method for selectively controlling a plurality of switch elements based on a control signal specifying the switch elements output from the abnormality monitoring unit, or a delay control unit as seen in Patent Document 3, After stopping the supply power from the early stop power supply circuit, the switch element is kept on based on the power supply from the delay stop request power supply circuit, and the process of executing the process of continuing the power supply to the delay stop request power supply circuit is adopted. Even so, there is concern about the problem ii.

  Therefore, the present invention solves the above-described problems, and enables the automatic shift to the energy saving mode after the job is completed, and executes the energy saving mode with the switch unit turned on. It is an object of the present invention to provide a power supply control device and an image forming apparatus that can prevent a user from misunderstanding the failure.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, a power supply control device according to claim 1 includes a first switch unit connected to a first power supply unit that supplies power to a controlled board and capable of on / off control, and a control board. A second switch unit connected to a second power supply unit for supplying power and capable of on / off operation and off control; an on / off operation and off control connected to the control board are possible; and A third switch part that can be visually instructed to be turned off; and a power supply to the controlled board from the first power supply part based on whether the controlled board needs to be energized, and the second board. A control unit that controls energization from the power supply unit to the control board, and an operation for stopping power supply from the first power supply unit to the controlled board to save power consumption is set as a first energy saving mode. 1 Stop energization from the power supply to the controlled board In addition, when the second power saving mode is set to stop the power supply from the second power supply unit to the control board and reduce power consumption, the control unit responds to the power supply to the controlled board. The first energy saving mode is set, and after the setting of the first energy saving mode, it is detected whether the third switch unit is turned off. When the off operation of the third switch unit is detected, The first switch unit is turned off to stop energization of the first power supply unit to execute the first energy saving mode, and when the off operation of the third switch unit is not detected, the first energy saving mode is If set, the first switch unit is turned off to stop energization of the first power supply unit, the first energy saving mode is executed, and then the second energy saving mode is set. Switch part ON state OFF state Resets, the second switching unit to turn off control, and is characterized in that the stop the power supply to the second power supply unit to execute the second power saving mode.

  According to the power supply control device of the first aspect, the first switch unit capable of on / off control is connected to the first power supply unit, and the first power supply unit supplies power to the controlled substrate. The second switch unit capable of ON / OFF operation and OFF control is connected to the second power supply unit, and the second power supply unit supplies power to the control board. The third switch portion that can be turned on / off and turned off and can be visually inspected to turn on / off is connected to the control board. The control unit is provided on the control board and controls energization from the first power supply unit to the controlled substrate and energization from the second power supply unit to the control board based on whether energization to the controlled substrate is necessary.

  The control unit detects whether or not the third switch unit is turned off. When the third switch unit is turned off, the control unit turns off the first switch unit and stops energization of the first power supply unit. The first energy saving mode is executed. When the off operation of the third switch unit is not detected and the first energy saving mode is set, the first switch unit is turned off to stop energization to the first power source unit, and the first energy saving mode After that, the second energy saving mode is set, the on state of the third switch unit is reset to the off state, the second switch unit is controlled to be off, the energization to the second power source unit is stopped, and the second power unit is turned off. 2 The energy saving mode is executed.

  With this configuration, when the second energy-saving mode is executed, the visually observable third switch part can be forcibly controlled to be off, so that the third switch part is not turned off, and the second switch part Is accidentally turned off, the second energy saving mode can be executed after resetting the on state of the third switch unit to the off state.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the power supply control device according to the first aspect is provided with a detection unit that detects whether or not the first power supply unit needs to be energized from the first power supply unit to the control unit. A necessity detection signal is output.

  The power supply control device according to a third aspect is the power supply control device according to the second aspect, wherein the control unit starts an energy saving timer based on an energization necessity detection signal output from the detection unit, and the count up of the energy saving timer is performed. The first energy saving mode is set.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the power source control device according to the third aspect, wherein the control unit sets the first energy saving mode when the operation of supplying power from the first power source unit to the controlled substrate is a normal operation mode. Is set, the return from the first energy saving mode to the normal operation mode is determined based on the energization necessity detection signal output from the detection unit.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the power supply control device according to the fourth aspect, the control unit sets the second energy saving mode based on a return determination from the first energy saving mode to the normal operation mode. Is.

  The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, a controlled substrate including an image forming unit that forms an image, a first power supply unit that supplies power to the controlled substrate, and the first power supply unit to the controlled substrate. 2. A control board that controls the image forming unit based on whether or not current supply is required, a second power supply unit that supplies power to the control board, and power supply to the first and second power supply units are controlled. Or a power supply control device according to claim 5.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the sixth aspect of the present invention, since the power supply control apparatus according to the present invention is provided, the visually observable third switch portion in the on / off state can be forcibly turned off when the second energy saving mode is executed. It becomes like this. Therefore, when the third switch unit is not turned off and the second switch unit is turned off by mistake, the second energy saving mode is executed after the third switch unit is reset to the off state. become able to.

  According to the power supply control device of the first aspect, the energization from the first power supply unit to the controlled substrate and the energization from the second power supply unit to the control board are controlled based on the necessity of energization to the controlled substrate, respectively. The control unit detects whether or not the third switch unit that can be turned on / off and can be controlled is turned off, and the third switch unit is turned off. If not detected and the first energy saving mode is set, the first switch unit is turned off to stop energization of the first power supply unit, the first energy saving mode is executed, and then the second energy saving mode is executed. Set the energy saving mode, reset the ON state of the third switch part to the OFF state, turn off the second switch part, stop the energization to the second power supply part, and execute the second energy saving mode is there.

  With this configuration, when the second energy-saving mode is executed, the visually observable third switch part can be forcibly controlled to be off, so that the third switch part is not turned off, and the second switch part Is accidentally turned off, the second energy saving mode can be executed after resetting the on state of the third switch unit to the off state. Therefore, after the job is completed, the user can automatically shift to the energy saving mode, and the user who has executed the energy saving mode while the second switch is on while the second energy saving mode is being executed. It will be possible to prevent the misunderstanding caused by.

  According to the power control device of the second aspect, the energy saving timer is activated based on the energization necessity detection signal output from the detector, and the first energy saving mode can be set after the energy saving timer is counted up.

  According to the power supply control device according to the third aspect, since the first energy saving mode is set, it is possible to stop energization from the first power supply unit to the controlled substrate and to save power consumption.

  According to the power supply control device of the fourth aspect, since the return from the first energy saving mode to the normal operation mode is determined based on the energization necessity detection signal, the mode is changed to the normal operation mode before shifting to the second energy saving mode. It will be possible to return.

  According to the power supply control device of the fifth aspect, since the second energy saving mode is set based on the return determination from the first energy saving mode to the normal operation mode, the second energy saving is performed when there is no request to return to the normal operation mode. The mode can be changed.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the sixth aspect of the present invention, since the power supply control apparatus according to the present invention is provided, the visually observable third switch portion in the on / off state can be forcibly turned off when the second energy saving mode is executed. It becomes like this. Therefore, when the third switch unit is not turned off and the second switch unit is turned off by mistake, the second energy saving mode is executed after the third switch unit is reset to the off state. become able to. As a result, it is possible to prevent a user from misunderstanding that the user is in the energy saving mode while the third switch unit is on during the second energy saving mode.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a power supply control system of a color printer 100 as an embodiment according to the present invention. 2 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a configuration example of a color printer 100. FIG. 6 is an operation flowchart illustrating an energy saving transition sequence example (part 1) in the color printer. 6 is an operation flowchart illustrating an energy saving transition sequence example (No. 2) in the color printer. 6 is an operation flowchart illustrating an energy saving transition sequence example (part 3) in the color printer. 6 is an operation flowchart illustrating an energy saving transition sequence example (part 4) in the color printer. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the power supply control system of the color printer 200 which concerns on a prior art example. 3 is an operation flowchart illustrating an example of an apparatus activation sequence in the color printer 200. 5 is an operation flowchart illustrating an example of an apparatus stop sequence in the color printer 200.

  Hereinafter, a power supply control device and an image forming apparatus according to embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. A color printer 100 shown in FIG. 1 constitutes an example of an image forming apparatus and has an energy saving function. The color printer 100 includes a power supply control device 50 according to the present invention, a sub power supply unit 101, a main power supply unit 102, and an engine board 104. The engine board 104 constitutes an example of a controlled board. In order to execute power supply control to the engine board 104, the power supply control device 50 includes a sub power supply relay switch (hereinafter referred to as sub power supply RLY11), a main power switch (hereinafter referred to as main SW12), a sub power switch ( (Hereinafter referred to as sub SW 13) and a control board 103.

  The sub power supply RLY11 constitutes an example of a first switch unit that can be controlled on / off, and one end is connected to the load side of the main SW 12, and the other end is connected to the sub power supply unit 101. The sub power supply RLY11 is connected to the control board 103 in addition to the sub power supply unit 101. The on / off control of the sub power supply RLY11 is performed based on the relay control signal S1 output from the control board 103. An electromagnetic coil 110 is provided inside the sub power supply RLY11. The electromagnetic coil 110 constitutes a solenoid that forcibly separates the switch contacts in the on state.

  The sub power source RLY11 is turned on when, for example, a high level relay control signal S1 is supplied to the electromagnetic coil 110. When the low-level relay control signal S1 is energized to the electromagnetic coil 110, the sub power supply RLY11 is turned off. Thereby, the sub power supply unit 101 can be controlled to be turned on / off in accordance with the on / off operation of the sub power supply RLY11.

  The sub power supply unit 101 is a controlled power supply and constitutes an example of a first power supply unit. The power supply side is connected to the sub power supply RLY11 and the load side is connected to the engine board 104. The sub power supply unit 101 supplies power to the engine board 104 in accordance with the on / off operation of the sub power supply RLY11.

  For example, the sub power supply unit 101 generates a plurality of drive voltages Vi (i = 1 to n) from the AC voltage of the commercial power supply 14. The drive voltage Vi includes a charging voltage V1, a developing voltage V2, a transfer voltage V3, a paper feeding voltage V4, a fixing voltage V5, and the like. The sub power supply unit 101 supplies driving power by applying a plurality of driving voltages Vi (i = 1 to n) to the engine board 104. The sub power supply unit 101 includes a transformer (not shown), a rectifier, a capacitor, a resistor, and the like, and includes a booster circuit, a voltage distribution circuit, and the like.

  An engine board 104 is connected to the sub power supply unit 101. The engine board 104 includes, for example, a fixing drive unit 17m, a paper feed drive unit 20m, a control CPU 55, an image formation drive unit 60m, a transfer drive unit 70m, a reverse drive unit 90m, and the like. Of course, in addition to the CPU 55 and these drive units, the fixing device 17 shown in FIG. 2, the paper feeding unit 20, the image forming unit 60, the secondary transfer unit 70, the ADU reversing unit 90, etc. are provided on the engine board 104. The mounted apparatus main body 105 may also be included (see FIG. 2).

  The fixing driving unit 17m drives the fixing device 17 based on the fixing driving data D17. The fixing driving data D17 is output from the CPU 55 to the fixing driving unit 17m. The fixing driving unit 17m decodes the fixing driving data D17 to generate a fixing driving signal S17, and outputs the fixing driving signal S17 to the fixing device 17. The fixing device 17 performs a fixing process based on the fixing drive signal S17.

  The paper feed drive unit 20m drives the paper feed unit 20 based on the paper transport data D20. The paper transport data D20 is output from the CPU 55 to the paper feed drive unit 20m. The paper feed driving unit 20m decodes the paper transport data D20 to generate a paper transport signal S20, and outputs the paper transport signal S20 to the paper feed unit 20. The paper feeding unit 20 executes a paper carrying process based on the paper carrying signal S20.

  The image forming drive unit 60m drives the image forming units 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K based on the image data D60. The image data D60 includes image data Dy for Y color image formation, image data Dm for M color image formation, image data Dc for C color image formation, and image data Dk for BK color image formation. The image data Dy, Dm, Dc, and Dk are respectively output from the CPU 55 to the image forming units 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K correspondingly.

  The transfer driving unit 70m drives the secondary transfer unit 70 based on the transfer driving data D70. The transfer drive data D70 is output from the CPU 55 to the transfer drive unit 70m. The transfer driving unit 70m decodes the sheet conveyance data D20 to generate a sheet conveyance signal S20, and outputs the sheet conveyance signal S20 to the secondary transfer unit 70. The secondary transfer unit 70 performs a transfer process based on the transfer drive signal S70.

  The inversion driving unit 90m drives the ADU inversion unit 90 based on the inversion driving data D90. The inversion drive data D90 is output from the CPU 55 to the inversion drive unit 90m. The inversion driving unit 90m decodes the inversion driving data D90 to generate an inversion carrier signal S90, and outputs the inversion carrier signal S90 to the ADU inversion unit 90. The ADU reversing unit 90 performs reversal processing based on the reversal carrier signal S90.

  In this example, after setting the first energy saving mode, the CPU 32 determines the return from the first energy saving mode to the normal operation mode based on the energization necessity detection signal S31 output from the detection unit 31. Here, the normal operation mode refers to an operation of supplying power from the sub power supply unit 101 to the engine board 104. When the return from the first energy saving mode to the normal operation mode is determined, it is possible to return to the normal operation mode before shifting to the second energy saving mode.

  The CPU 32 sets the second energy saving mode based on the return determination from the first energy saving mode to the normal operation mode. When there is a request to return to the normal operation mode, the operation returns to the normal operation mode without setting the second energy saving mode. Since the second energy saving mode is set when there is no request to return to the normal operation mode, the energization from the sub power supply unit 101 to the engine board 104 is stopped and the energization from the main power supply unit 102 to the control board 103 is stopped. As a result, power consumption can be saved.

  In this example, when the energization to the sub power supply unit 101 and the main power supply unit 102 is controlled, since the power supply control device 50 according to the present invention is provided, the main SW 12 is turned off without the sub SW 13 being turned off. Even in this case, the sub-SW 13 in the on state can be turned off and “reset” before the second energy saving mode can be entered. The main SW 12 is an example of a second switch unit that can be turned on / off and controlled, and is a switch unit that can be visually judged on / off.

  In this example, the switch means that can visually determine the on / off state is adopted for the sub power supply unit 101 and the main power supply unit 102, with two switch units (main SW12, sub SW13). At the time of transition to the energy saving mode provided with the above, the sub power supply unit 101 and the main power supply unit 102 are both turned off by the main SW 12 and the sub SW 13, and the user recognizes the mechanical state of the main SW 12 and the sub SW 13 in the off state. It is said. For example, one end of the main SW 12 is connected to the commercial power supply 14 and the other end is connected to the main power supply unit 102 and the above-described sub power supply RLY11. The main SW 12 is turned on / off by the user.

  An electromagnetic coil 120 is provided in the main SW 12, and a switch control signal S2 is supplied to the electromagnetic coil 120. For example, the main SW 12 can be forcibly turned off by supplying a low-level switch control signal S2 to the electromagnetic coil 120 of the main SW 12 that has been turned on. It has become.

  The main power supply unit 102 is a control power supply and constitutes an example of a second power supply unit. One end of the main power supply unit 102 is connected to the main SW 12 and the other end is connected to the control board 103. The main power supply unit 102 supplies control power to the control board 103 in accordance with the on / off operation of the main SW 12. For example, the main power supply unit 102 generates the control voltage Vc from the AC voltage of the commercial power supply 14. The main power supply unit 102 applies control voltage Vc to the control board 103 to supply control power. The main power supply unit 102 includes a transformer (not shown), a rectifier element, a capacitor, a resistor, and the like, and includes, for example, a constant voltage stabilizing circuit.

  A control board 103 is connected to the main power supply unit 102 and controls the engine board 104 in accordance with the on / off operation of the sub SW 13 and the off control. For example, in the control board 103, the sub power supply RLY11 is turned on in response to the turning on operation of the sub SW13. On the other hand, in the control board 103, the sub power supply RLY11 is controlled to be turned off in accordance with the turning-off operation or turning-off control of the sub SW13.

  Further, the control board 103 is based on the necessity of energization from the sub power supply unit 101 to the engine board 104, the fixing device 17, the paper feeding unit 20, the control CPU 55, the image forming unit 60, and the secondary transfer unit 70. The ADU inversion unit 90 and the like are controlled. In this example, the control board 103 is provided with a detection unit 31 and a central processing unit for control (hereinafter referred to as CPU 32).

  Although not shown, in addition to the detection unit 31, the CPU 32, and the energy saving timer 33, a RAM, a ROM, a fixed magnetic disk device (HDD), and the like are mounted on the control board 103. An operation & display unit 48 is connected to the control board 103. The operation & display unit 48 includes a monitor (not shown) and an input tool such as a touch panel.

  The above-described sub SW 13 constitutes an example of a third switch unit that can perform on / off operation and off control and can visually check on / off instructions, and is connected to the control board 103. The on / off operation of the sub SW 13 is performed by the user. An electromagnetic coil 130 is provided in the sub SW 13. The electromagnetic coil 130 constitutes a solenoid that forcibly separates the switch contact in the on state.

  The electromagnetic coil 130 is supplied with a switch control signal S3. For example, the sub SW 13 can be turned off by supplying a low-level switch control signal S3 to the electromagnetic coil 130 of the sub SW 13 that has been turned on so that the sub SW 13 can be forcibly turned off. It has become.

  The detection unit 31 detects the necessity of energization from the sub power supply unit 101 to the engine board 104 and outputs an energization necessity detection signal S31 to the CPU 32. For example, when the menu button is pressed on the operation screen of the operation & display unit 48 and some input is detected, or when any operation command is detected, the external input command for the image data is included. The case where it detects is included.

  The CPU 32 controls the main power supply unit 102 and the sub power supply unit 101 in response to operations of the main SW 12 and the sub SW 13. In this example, the CPU 32 supplies power from the sub power supply unit 101 to the engine board 104 and transfers power from the main power supply unit 102 to the control board 103 based on the first and second energy saving modes and whether power supply to the engine board 104 is necessary. Each energization is controlled. Here, the first energy saving mode refers to an operation of stopping power supply from the sub power supply unit 101 to the engine board 104 to save power consumption. The second energy saving mode is an operation of stopping power supply from the sub power supply unit 101 to the engine board 104 and stopping power supply from the main power supply part 102 to the control board 103 to save power consumption.

  In this example, the CPU 32 sets the first energy saving mode in response to whether the engine board 104 is energized. For example, the CPU 32 activates the energy saving timer 33 based on the energization necessity detection signal S31 output from the detection unit 31, and sets the first energy saving mode for the sub power supply unit 101 after the energy saving timer 33 is counted up. . The energy saving timer 33 outputs elapsed time information to the CPU 32 after activation.

  After the setting of the first energy saving mode, it is detected whether or not the sub SW 13 is turned off. When the sub SW 13 is turned off, the sub power supply RLY11 is turned off and the power supply to the sub power supply unit 101 is stopped. The first energy saving mode is executed. When the first energy saving mode is executed, power consumption in the engine board 104 can be saved.

  When the off operation of the sub SW 13 is not detected and the first energy saving mode is set, the CPU 32 turns off the sub power source RLY11, stops energization of the sub power source unit 101, and the first energy saving mode. Execute. By executing the first energy saving mode, power consumption in the engine board 104 can be saved.

  After executing the first energy saving mode, the CPU 32 sets the second energy saving mode, resets the on state of the sub SW 13 to the off state, controls the main SW 12 to be off, stops the energization of the main power supply unit 102, and performs the first operation. 2 Execute energy saving mode. When the second energy saving mode is executed, power consumption in the control board 103 can be saved.

  In this example, after setting the first energy saving mode, the CPU 32 determines the return from the first energy saving mode to the normal operation mode based on the energization necessity detection signal S31 output from the detection unit 31. Here, the normal operation mode refers to an operation of supplying power from the sub power supply unit 101 to the engine board 104. When the return from the first energy saving mode to the normal operation mode is determined, it is possible to return to the normal operation mode before shifting to the second energy saving mode.

  The CPU 32 sets the second energy saving mode based on the return determination from the first energy saving mode to the normal operation mode. When there is a request to return to the normal operation mode, the operation returns to the normal operation mode without setting the second energy saving mode. Since the second energy saving mode is set when there is no request to return to the normal operation mode, the energization from the sub power supply unit 101 to the engine board 104 is stopped and the energization from the main power supply unit 102 to the control board 103 is stopped. As a result, power consumption can be saved.

  In this example, when the energization to the sub power supply unit 101 and the main power supply unit 102 is controlled, since the power supply control device 50 according to the present invention is provided, the main SW 12 is turned off without the sub SW 13 being turned off. Even in this case, the sub-SW 13 in the on state can be turned off and “reset” before the second energy saving mode can be entered.

Next, a configuration example of the color printer 100 will be described with reference to FIG. A color printer 100 shown in FIG. The apparatus main body unit 105 includes an image forming unit 60 and a fixing device 17, and a secondary transfer unit 70, an ADU reversing unit 90 (Auto Duplex Unit), and the like are provided at substantially the center of the apparatus main body unit 105. The sheet feeding unit 20 is provided below the image forming unit 60.
The

  The color printer 100 includes a tandem type electrophotographic image forming apparatus. For example, when the single-sided printing mode is set, the image forming unit 60 forms a color toner image on the image carrier based on the image information. Thereafter, the color toner image is transferred from the image carrier to the predetermined paper P, and the recording paper after the color toner image is fixed by the fixing device 17 is discharged.

  The image forming unit 60 has an endless intermediate transfer belt 6 (image carrier) that is driven and controlled by the CPU 55 and the image forming drive unit 60m shown in FIG. In order to form a color toner image based on image information on the intermediate transfer belt 6, the image forming unit 60 includes, for example, an image forming unit 10Y having a photosensitive drum 1Y (image carrier) for yellow (Y) color, An image forming unit 10M having a photosensitive drum 1M for magenta (M), an image forming unit 10C having a photosensitive drum 1C for cyan (C), and a photosensitive drum 1K for black (K) color. And an image forming unit 10K.

  The image forming units 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K are driven and controlled by the CPU 55 and the image forming drive unit 60m shown in FIG. In the image forming unit 60, image formation processing is performed for each of the photosensitive drums 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K, and the toner images of the respective colors formed by the photosensitive drums 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K of the respective colors. Overlaying on the intermediate transfer belt 6, a color image is formed.

  In this example, the image forming unit 10Y includes a charger 2Y, an image writing unit 3Y, a developing unit 4Y, and a cleaning unit 8Y for the image forming body in addition to the photosensitive drum 1Y, and has a yellow (Y) color. Form an image. For example, the photosensitive drum 1Y is rotatably provided near the upper right side of the intermediate transfer belt 6 and forms a Y-color toner image. In this example, the photosensitive drum 1Y is rotated counterclockwise. A charger 2Y is provided on the lower right side of the photosensitive drum 1Y, and charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 1Y to a predetermined potential.

  An image writing unit 3Y is provided almost directly beside the photosensitive drum 1Y, and a predetermined intensity based on the Y-color image data Dy is applied to the previously charged photosensitive drum 1Y. Scanning exposure is performed using the laser beam. For example, a polygon mirror type laser exposure scanning device is used for the image writing unit 3Y. An electrostatic latent image for Y color is formed on the photosensitive drum 1Y.

  A developing unit 4Y is provided above the image writing unit 3Y, and operates to develop a Y-color electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 1Y. The developing unit 4Y has a developing roller for Y color. In the developing unit 4Y, a Y color toner agent and a carrier are stored.

  The Y-color developing roller has a magnet disposed therein, and rotates and conveys the two-component developer obtained by stirring the carrier and the Y-color toner agent in the developing unit 4Y to the opposite part of the photosensitive drum 1Y. The electrostatic latent image is developed with a color toner. Hereinafter, an image obtained by developing an electrostatic latent image with a toner agent is referred to as a toner image. The Y color toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 1Y is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 6 by operating the primary transfer roller 7Y (primary transfer). A cleaning unit 8Y is provided below the left side of the photosensitive drum 1Y, and operates to remove (clean) the toner agent remaining on the photosensitive drum 1Y in the previous writing.

  In this example, an image forming unit 10M is provided below the image forming unit 10Y. The image forming unit 10M includes a photosensitive drum 1M, a charger 2M, an image writing unit 3M, a developing unit 4M, and an image forming body cleaning unit 8M, and forms a magenta (M) color image. An image forming unit 10C is provided below the image forming unit 10M. The image forming unit 10C includes a photosensitive drum 1C, a charger 2C, an image writing unit 3C, a developing unit 4C, and a cleaning unit 8C for the image forming body, and forms a cyan (C) color image.

  An image forming unit 10K is provided below the image forming unit 10C. The image forming unit 10K includes a photosensitive drum 1K, a charger 2K, an image writing unit 3K, a developing unit 4K, and a cleaning unit 8K for the image forming body, and forms a black (BK) color image. An organic photoconductor (OPC) drum is used as the photoconductor drums 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K.

  Note that the function of each member of the image forming units 10M, 10C, and 10K can be applied by replacing Y with M, C, and K for the same reference numerals of the image forming unit 10Y, and thus the description thereof is omitted. A primary transfer bias voltage (transfer voltage V3 or the like) having a polarity opposite to that of the toner agent to be used (positive polarity in this embodiment) is applied to the primary transfer rollers 7Y, 7M, 7C, and 7K. .

  On the intermediate transfer belt 6, the toner images transferred by the primary transfer rollers 7Y, 7M, 7C and 7K are polymerized to form a color toner image (color image). The color image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 6 is conveyed toward the secondary transfer unit 70 as the intermediate transfer belt 6 rotates clockwise.

  The secondary transfer unit 70 is disposed below the image forming unit 60 and at the lowest position of the intermediate transfer belt 6. The secondary transfer unit 70 is driven and controlled by the CPU 55 and the transfer driving unit 70m shown in FIG. For example, when the normal operation mode is executed, the color toner images formed on the intermediate transfer belt 6 are collectively transferred onto the paper P (secondary transfer). A cleaning unit 8A is provided on the upper left side of the intermediate transfer belt 6 and operates to clean the toner agent remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 6 after the secondary transfer.

  A fixing device 17 is provided on the downstream side of the secondary transfer unit 70 to fix the paper P on which the color image has been transferred. The fixing device 17 is driven and controlled by the CPU 55 and the fixing driving unit 17m shown in FIG. The fixing device 17 includes, for example, a fixing unit 17A and a fixing cleaning unit 17B. The fixing unit 17A includes a fixing roller, a pressure roller, and a heating (IH) heater.

  In the fixing process, the paper P is heated and pressed by passing the paper P between a fixing roller heated by a heater and a pressure roller. The fixed recording paper P ′ is nipped by a paper discharge roller 24 and discharged onto a paper discharge tray 25 outside the apparatus. The fixing cleaning unit 17B operates to remove (clean) the toner agent remaining on the fixing roller or the like in the previous fixing.

  The color printer 100 includes a paper feeding unit 20 in addition to the image forming unit 60 and the fixing device 17. The paper feed unit 20 is driven and controlled by the CPU 55 and the paper feed drive unit 20m shown in FIG. A sheet feeding unit 20 is provided below the image forming unit 10K and includes a plurality of sheet feeding trays (not shown). A paper P of a predetermined size is accommodated in each paper feed tray.

  Conveying rollers 22A and 22B, a loop roller 22C, a registration roller 23, and the like are provided on a sheet conveying path from the sheet feeding unit 20 to the lower side of the image forming unit 10K. For example, the registration roller 23 receives a predetermined sheet P fed from the sheet feeding unit 20 via the conveyance rollers 22A and 22B and the loop roller 22C, and holds the sheet P in front of the secondary transfer unit 70. The image is sent to the secondary transfer unit 70 in accordance with the image timing. The secondary transfer unit 70 transfers the color image carried on the intermediate transfer belt 6 to a predetermined paper P whose paper conveyance is controlled by the registration roller 23.

  In this example, an ADU reversing unit 90 is provided on the downstream side of the fixing device 17. The ADU inversion unit 90 is driven and controlled by the CPU 55 and the inversion driving unit 90m shown in FIG. In the ADU reversing unit 90, when the duplex printing mode is set, the image forming unit 60 forms a color toner image on the image carrier based on the image information.

  In the secondary transfer unit 70, the color toner image is transferred from the intermediate transfer belt 6 to a predetermined paper P, and the recording paper after the color toner image is fixed by the fixing device 17 is conveyed to the ADU reversing unit 90. The ADU reversing unit 90 includes a circulation refeeding path 27A, a reversing transporting path 27B, and a refeeding transporting path 27C, and takes in the recording paper P ′ after forming an image on the first surface side (front surface). And used as a switchback path for reversing the transport direction of the recording paper P ′. Thus, the color printer 100 whose power is controlled by the power controller 50 is configured.

  Next, with reference to FIGS. 3 to 6, energy saving transition sequence examples (parts 1 to 4) in the color printer 100 will be described. In this example, the power supply control device 50 includes a sub power supply RLY11, a control board 103, a main SW12 and a sub SW13 that can be visually checked on / off, and controls the sub power supply unit 101 and the main power supply unit 102 to save energy. In the color printer 100 that realizes the function, the energy saving mode is executed by turning off the main SW 12, and it is assumed that the main SW 12 is turned off after the sub SW 13 is turned off when shifting to the energy saving mode. To do.

  Note that, for example, a high-level relay control signal S1 is output to the sub power source RLY11, the sub power source RLY11 is in an on state, and the sub power source unit 101 is in an energized state. Further, after the end of the job is detected, the first standby time is set when setting the first energy saving mode, and the second standby time is set when shifting from the first energy saving mode to the second energy saving mode. Take the case as an example.

  Under these preconditions, the CPU 32 of the control board 103 determines the end of the job related to the image forming process in step ST21 of the flowchart shown in FIG. As a criterion for determining the end of the job, the CPU 32 compares the job number Jb = 0 as a comparison reference with the job number Jx related to the image forming process registered in a storage unit (not shown), and the two are matched (Jb = Jx). This is done by detecting.

  If it is determined that the job is finished by detecting the coincidence of both, the CPU 32 starts (activates) the energy saving timer 33 in step ST22, and the CPU 32 counts the energy saving timer 33 in step ST23. The energy saving timer 33 outputs elapsed time information to the CPU 32 at the start.

In step ST24, the CPU 32 determines whether the set time of the first energy saving mode has been reached. At this time, the CPU 32 compares the elapsed time information input from the energy saving timer 33 with time information related to a preset first standby time. Here, the first standby time is the time from the time when the end of the job is detected (detection time) to the time when the first energy saving mode is set (set time). The count of the energy saving timer 33 is for determining whether or not the elapsed time has passed the first standby time. If the set time of the first energy saving mode has not been reached, the process returns to step ST23 and the CPU 32 continues to count the energy saving timer 33.

  If the elapsed time has passed the first standby time and the set time of the first energy saving mode has been reached, the CPU 32 sets the first energy saving mode in step ST25. In the setting of the first energy saving mode, the CPU 32 permits the sub power supply RLY11 to output an off command in step ST26. The off command to the sub power supply RLY11 permits, for example, the high level relay control signal S1 to fall to the low level.

  Thereafter, in step ST27 shown in FIG. 4, the CPU 32 branches the control in response to the on / off operation of the sub SW 13. When the sub SW 13 is turned off by the user, the CPU 32 turns off the sub power source RLY11 in step ST34. At this time, the low-level relay control signal S1 is output from the control board 103 to the sub power source RLY11. Thereby, in step ST35, the sub power source unit 101 is turned off to stop energization.

  If the sub SW 13 remains on, the CPU 32 turns off the sub power source RLY11 in step ST28. Also at this time, the low-level relay control signal S1 is output from the control board 103 to the sub power source RLY11. By this low level relay control signal S1, the sub power supply RLY11 is changed from the on state to the off state.

  Thereby, the sub power supply unit 101 is turned off in step ST29, and the CPU 55 for controlling the engine board 104 is stopped in step ST30 (first energy saving mode). When the first energy saving mode is executed, energization of the sub power supply unit 101 is stopped, so that power consumption in the engine board 104 can be saved.

  Thereafter, in step ST31, the CPU 32 counts the energy saving timer 33. The energy saving timer 33 outputs elapsed time information to the CPU 32 at the start. Further, in step ST32, the CPU 32 branches the control in accordance with whether or not the normal operation mode is restored. At this time, when returning to the normal operation mode, the user presses a menu button or the like on the operation screen of the operation & display unit 48, for example.

  The detecting unit 31 that detects the pressing operation, on the operation screen of the operation & display unit 48, for example, when a menu button is pressed and some input is detected or some operation command is detected, When an input command is detected, the necessity of energization from the sub power supply unit 101 to the engine board 104 is detected, and an energization necessity detection signal S31 is output to the CPU 32. When detecting the necessity of energization, the detection unit 31 outputs a high level energization necessity detection signal S31 to the CPU 32. When the energization is detected, a low level energization necessity detection signal S31 is output to the CPU 32.

  When not returning to the normal operation mode, since the low-level energization necessity detection signal S31 is output from the detection unit 31 to the CPU 32, the CPU 32 receiving the low-level energization necessity detection signal S31 It transfers to step ST33 and it is discriminate | determined whether it reached | attained the setting time of 2nd energy saving mode.

  At this time, the CPU 32 compares the elapsed time information input from the energy saving timer 33 with the time information related to the preset second standby time. Here, the second standby time is the time from the time when the end of the first energy saving mode is detected (detection time) to the time when the second energy saving mode is set (set time). The count of the energy saving timer 33 is for determining whether or not the elapsed time has passed the second standby time. If the set time of the second energy saving mode has not been reached, the process returns to step ST31 and the CPU 32 continues to count the energy saving timer 33.

  After that, when returning to step ST32 and not returning to the normal operation mode, when the elapsed time has passed the second standby time and has reached the set time of the second energy saving mode in step ST33, In step ST36 shown in FIG. 5, the CPU 32 sets the second energy saving mode.

  In this example, in step ST37, the CPU 32 branches the control in response to the on / off of the sub SW 13. When the sub SW 13 is in the off state, the process proceeds to step ST44, and the CPU 32 ends the power control without starting the sub power unit 101.

  If the sub SW 13 remains in the on state in step ST37, the process proceeds to step ST38, and the CPU 32 resets the sub SW 13 from the on state to the off state. At this time, the CPU 32 outputs a low-level switch control signal S3 from a switch control unit (not shown) of the control board 103 to the electromagnetic coil 130 in the sub SW 13. When the high-level switch control signal S3 falls to a low level, the electromagnetic coil 130 changes from the on-state to the off-state where the sub-SW 13 can be forcibly visually checked.

  Then, in step ST39, the CPU 32 waits for the reset process of the sub SW 13 and proceeds to step ST40 when the reset process of the sub SW 13 ends. In step ST40, the CPU 32 executes a reset process for turning the main SW 12 from on to off. At this time, the CPU 32 outputs a low-level switch control signal S2 from a switch control unit (not shown) of the control board 103 to the electromagnetic coil 120 in the main SW 12. When the high-level switch control signal S2 falls to a low level, the electromagnetic coil 120 is forced into an off state where the main SW 12 can be forcibly visually observed.

  In step ST41, the CPU 32 waits for the reset process of the main SW 12, and at the end of the reset process of the main SW 12, the main SW 12 is forcedly turned off from the on state so that the main power supply unit 102 is turned off in step ST42. To do. As a result, the control CPU 32 is stopped in step ST43, so that the power control ends (second energy saving mode). When the second energy saving mode is executed, power consumption in the control board 103 and power consumption in the engine board 104 can be saved.

  On the other hand, when returning to the normal operation mode in step ST32 shown in FIG. 4, the CPU 32 resets the energy saving timer 33 in step ST45 shown in FIG. Thereafter, in step ST46, the CPU 32 branches the control based on the on / off operation of the sub SW 13.

  When the sub SW 13 is turned off, the process proceeds to step ST44 shown in FIG. 5 and the CPU 32 ends the power control without starting the sub power unit 101. When the sub SW 13 is turned on in step ST46 described above, in step ST47, the CPU 32 issues an on command to the sub power source RLY11 and permits its operation. At this time, a high level relay control signal S1 is output from the control board 103 to the sub power source RLY11.

  When the sub power supply RLY11 to which the high-level relay control signal S1 is input in step ST48 is turned on, the sub power supply unit 101 is turned on and starts energization in step ST49. The sub power supply unit 101 generates a plurality of drive voltages Vi (i = 1 to n) from the AC voltage of the commercial power supply 14. The drive voltage Vi includes a charging voltage V1, a developing voltage V2, a transfer voltage V3, a paper feeding voltage V4, a fixing voltage V5, and the like. The sub power supply unit 101 supplies driving power by applying a plurality of driving voltages Vi (i = 1 to n) to the engine board 104.

  Thereafter, in step ST50, the CPU 32 activates the CPU 55 for controlling the engine board 104. The CPU 55 controls the fixing device 17, the paper feeding unit 20, the image forming unit 60, the secondary transfer unit 70, the ADU reversing unit 90, and the like based on energization from the sub power supply unit 101 to the engine substrate 104. Thereby, an image forming process based on the normal operation mode is executed.

  As described above, according to the color printer 100 as the embodiment, the power control device 50 of the present invention is provided, so that the visually observable sub-SW 13 is forcibly turned off when the second energy saving mode is executed. become able to. Therefore, when the sub SW 13 is not turned off and the main SW 12 is turned off by mistake, the second energy saving mode can be executed after the on state of the sub SW 13 is reset to the off state. As a result, after the job is completed, it becomes possible to automatically shift to the energy saving mode and to prevent the user from misunderstanding the failure during the execution of the second energy saving mode.

  The present invention is extremely suitable when applied to energy-saving power control of a printer, a copying machine, or a multifunction machine that automatically executes the energy-saving mode when a job is waiting or when the job is finished.

1Y, 1M, 1C, 1K Photosensitive drum 3Y, 3M, 3C, 3K Image writing unit (image forming unit)
4Y, 4M, 4C, 4K Development unit (image forming unit)
6 Intermediate transfer belt 8A, 8Y, 8M, 8C, 8K Cleaning unit 10Y, 10M, 10C, 10K Image forming unit (image forming unit)
11 Sub power supply RLY (first switch part)
12 Main SW (second switch part)
13 Sub SW (3rd switch part)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 17 Fixing device 17A Fixing part 17B Fixing cleaning part 17m Fixing drive part 20 Paper feeding part 20m Feeding drive part 23 Registration roller (conveyance member)
27A Circulation / refeed path 27B Reverse conveyance path 27C Refeed conveyance path 31 Detector 32, 55 CPU
33 Energy Saving Timer 48 Operation & Display Unit 60 Image Forming Unit 60m Image Forming Drive Unit 70 Secondary Transfer Unit 70m Transfer Drive Unit 90 ADU Inversion Unit 90m Inversion Drive Unit 100 Color Printer 101 Sub Power Supply Unit (First Power Supply Unit)
102 Main power supply (second power supply)
103 Control board 104 Engine board (controlled board)
105 Device body

Claims (6)

A first switch unit connected to a first power supply unit for supplying power to the controlled substrate and capable of on / off control;
A second switch unit capable of on / off operation and off control connected to a second power supply unit for supplying power to the control board;
A third switch unit connected to the control board, capable of on / off operation and off control, and on / off instruction visible;
Provided on the control board and controls energization from the first power supply section to the controlled board and energization from the second power supply section to the control board based on whether energization to the controlled board is necessary. A control unit,
The operation to stop energization from the first power supply unit to the controlled substrate and save power consumption is set as a first energy saving mode,
When stopping the energization from the first power supply unit to the controlled board and stopping the energization from the second power supply unit to the control board to save power consumption, the second energy saving mode is set.
The controller is
The first energy saving mode is set in response to the energization failure of the controlled substrate,
After setting the first energy saving mode, it is detected whether the third switch unit is turned off,
When an off operation of the third switch unit is detected, the first switch unit is turned off, energization to the first power supply unit is stopped, and the first energy saving mode is executed.
When the off operation of the third switch unit is not detected and the first energy saving mode is set,
Turn off the first switch unit, stop energization of the first power supply unit, and execute the first energy saving mode,
Thereafter, the second energy saving mode is set, the on state of the third switch unit is reset to the off state, the second switch unit is controlled to be off, and the energization to the second power source unit is stopped to A power supply control device that executes a second energy saving mode. A detection unit for detecting the necessity of energization from the first power supply unit to the controlled substrate;
The power supply control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an energization necessity detection signal is output from the detection unit to the control unit. The controller is
Start the energy saving timer based on the energization necessity detection signal output from the detection unit,
The power supply control device according to claim 2, wherein the first energy saving mode is set after the energy saving timer is counted up. The controller is
When the operation for supplying power from the first power supply unit to the controlled substrate is set to a normal operation mode,
4. The return from the first energy saving mode to the normal operation mode is determined based on an energization necessity detection signal output from the detection unit after the first energy saving mode is set. 5. Power supply control device. The controller is
5. The power supply control device according to claim 4, wherein the second energy saving mode is set based on a return determination from the first energy saving mode to the normal operation mode. A controlled substrate including an image forming unit for forming an image;
A first power supply for supplying power to the controlled substrate;
A control board that controls the image forming unit based on whether or not energization from the first power supply unit to the controlled substrate is necessary;
A second power supply for supplying power to the control board;
An image forming apparatus comprising: the power supply control device according to claim 1, which controls energization to the first and second power supply units.

Images