JP2012252250A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus capable of shortening a warm-up period of a fixing part.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus comprises: a fixing part 60; a fixing power supply part 111 for supplying a part of a predetermined power to the fixing part 60; a rated power information storage part 81 for storing rated power information regarding respective rated powers of predetermined types of option devices; a load connection determination part 91 for determining whether any types of option devices are connected at the time of start of warm-up; and a fixing power control part 92 which, if it is determined that there is an option device which is not connected among the predetermined types of option devices, reads out the rated power of the option device which in not connected by referring to the rated power information stored in a storage part 80 and controls a fixing power supply part 111 so as to additionally supply a power of a value equal to the rated power or a value smaller than the rated power to the fixing part 60.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus including a fixing unit that fixes a toner image formed on a transfer material.

  An image forming apparatus such as a copier, a multifunction peripheral, or a printer includes an image forming unit that forms a toner image, a transfer unit that transfers a toner image formed by the image forming unit to a sheet as a transfer material, and a transfer unit. And a fixing unit that fixes the toner image transferred onto the paper by the printer. Among such image forming apparatuses, there is an image forming apparatus that adjusts the power supplied to the fixing unit in accordance with a secondary-side current that varies in accordance with an operation state (see Patent Document 1).

JP 2006-189744 A

  In general, when the operation on the secondary load (for example, an optional device) is determined from power-on to device stabilization and a short warm-up time is required, an image In the forming apparatus, the power supplied to the fixing unit is determined so as to satisfy the current standard (15 A in Japan) even when all the optional apparatuses are connected to the image forming apparatus.

  On the other hand, recent image forming apparatuses can be connected to various optional devices such as an automatic document feeder, a large-volume feeding device, a post-processing device having a bookbinding function, and the like. The current value of the secondary current of the image forming apparatus can take various values depending on the connection state of the optional device. For this reason, in the invention described in Patent Document 1, for example, it is difficult to obtain the secondary side current immediately after the power is turned on or immediately after returning from the sleep state. Therefore, the invention described in Patent Document 1 may increase the warm-up time of the fixing unit.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of shortening the warm-up time of a fixing unit.

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus to which a predetermined value of electric power is supplied and to which a predetermined type of option device can be connected, an image forming unit for forming a toner image, and a toner formed by the image forming unit A transfer unit that transfers an image to a transfer material, a fixing unit that fixes a toner image transferred to the transfer material by the transfer unit, and a fixing power supply that supplies a part of the predetermined power to the fixing unit An optional device connection determination that determines whether or not any type of optional device is connected at the start of warm-up And the optional device connection determination unit determine that there is an unconnected optional device among the predetermined types of optional devices By reading the rated power information stored in the storage unit, the rated power for the optional device determined not to be connected is read, and the same value as the rated power or a value smaller than the rated power And a fixing power control unit that controls the fixing power supply unit so that the additional power is supplied to the fixing unit.

  In addition, the image forming apparatus corrects the rated power read by the fixing power control unit based on the temperature and humidity measuring unit that measures temperature and humidity, and the temperature and humidity measured by the temperature and humidity measuring unit. A rated power correction unit, and the fixing power control unit is configured to supply the fixing power supply unit with the same value as the rated power corrected by the rated power correction unit. It is preferable to control.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of shortening the warm-up time of the fixing unit.

1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a multifunction peripheral according to an embodiment of an image forming apparatus. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the multifunction peripheral. FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the multifunction machine.

  Hereinafter, a multifunction peripheral according to an embodiment of an image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, the overall configuration of the multifunction machine 1 will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the overall configuration of a multifunction machine 1 according to an embodiment of an image forming apparatus.

  The multifunction device 1 is supplied with a predetermined value of power and can be connected to a predetermined type of optional device. The predetermined value for electric power is 1500 W in Japan.

The multifunction machine 1 includes an original document conveying device 10 which is an optional device, an original reading unit 20, a paper conveying unit 30, an image forming unit 40, a transfer unit 50, and a fixing unit 60.
The document feeder 10 is an ADF (Automatic Document Feeder). The document transport device 10 includes a document placement unit 11, a first feed roller 12, a guide 13, a timing roller pair 14, and a document discharge unit 15. The first feed roller 12 supplies the document G placed on the document placement unit 11 to the timing roller pair 14 one by one in order. The timing roller pair 14 is a timing at which the document reading unit 20 reads an image of the document G and a timing at which the document G is supplied to a position where the image of the document G is read by the document reading unit 20 (a position where the guide 13 is disposed). In order to match, the conveyance of the original G or the conveyance stop of the original G is performed. The guide 13 guides the conveyed document G to a first reading surface 21a described later. The document discharge unit 15 discharges the document G from which the image has been read by the document reading unit 20 (passed through the guide 13) to the outside of the multifunction machine main body 2.
A document stacking unit 16 is formed on the outside of the MFP main body 2 in the document discharge unit 15. In the document stacking unit 16, the documents G discharged from the document discharge unit 15 are stacked and stacked.

  The document reading unit 20 includes a first reading surface 21a and a second reading surface 22a. The first reading surface 21 a is formed along the upper surface of the first contact glass 21 disposed to face the guide 13 and serves as a surface for reading an image of the document G. The second reading surface 22a is disposed adjacent to the first reading surface 21a (in the case shown in FIG. 1, over the most right side of the first reading surface 21a). The second reading surface 22 a is used when reading an image of the original G without using the original conveying device 10. The second reading surface 22a is formed along the upper surface of the second contact glass 22 on which the document G is placed, and serves as a surface for reading an image of the document G.

  The document reading unit 20 includes an illumination unit 23, a first mirror 24, a second mirror 25, a third mirror 26, an imaging lens 27, and an imaging unit 28 inside the multi-function device main body 2. . The illumination unit 23 and the first mirror 24 move in the sub-scanning direction X, respectively. The second mirror 25 and the third mirror 26 are disposed on the left side of the illumination unit 23 and the first mirror 24 in FIG. Further, the second mirror 25 and the third mirror 26 are the first reading surface 21 a or the second reading surface 22 a through the first mirror 24, the second mirror 25, the third mirror 26, and the imaging lens 27. To the imaging unit 28 while moving in the sub-scanning direction X while keeping the distance (optical path length) constant.

  The illumination unit 23 is a light source that irradiates the original G with light. The first mirror 24, the second mirror 25, and the third mirror 26 are mirrors for guiding the light reflected by the document G to the imaging lens 27 while keeping the optical path length constant. The imaging lens 27 focuses the light incident from the third mirror 26 on the imaging unit 28. The imaging unit 28 is an imaging device for obtaining image data based on a formed optical image by converting incident light into an electrical signal. For example, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or a CMOS (Complementary) It is an image sensor such as Metal Oxide Semiconductor).

The paper transport unit 30 includes a second feed roller 31, a third feed roller 32, a registration roller pair 33, and a paper discharge unit 34. The second feed roller 31 supplies the transfer unit 50 with the paper T (transfer material) stored in the paper feed cassette 36. The third feed roller 32 supplies the paper T (transfer material) placed on the manual feed tray 37 to the transfer unit 50. The registration roller pair 33 performs the conveyance of the paper T or the conveyance stop of the paper T in order to match the timing when the toner image reaches the transfer unit 50 and the timing when the paper T is supplied to the transfer unit 50. Further, the registration roller pair 33 performs skew (oblique feeding) correction of the paper T. The paper discharge unit 34 discharges the paper T on which the toner image is fixed to the outside of the multi-function device main body 2.
A paper discharge stacking unit 35 is formed outside the multi-function device body 2 in the paper discharge unit 34. In the paper discharge stacking unit 35, the paper T discharged from the paper discharge unit 34 is stacked and stacked.

The image forming unit 40 forms a toner image. Specifically, the image forming unit 40 includes a photosensitive drum 41, a charging unit 42, a laser scanner unit 43, a developing device 44, a cleaning unit 45, a toner cartridge 46, a primary transfer roller 47, An intermediate transfer belt 48 and a counter roller 49 are provided.
The photoconductor drum 41 (41a, 41b, 41c, 41d) functions as a photoconductor or an image carrier in order to form toner images of black, cyan, magenta, and yellow, respectively. Around each photosensitive drum 41a, 41b, 41c, 41d, in order from the upstream side to the downstream side along the rotational direction of the photosensitive drum 41, a charging unit 42, a laser scanner unit 43, a developing device 44, A cleaning unit 45 is disposed. The charging unit 42 charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 41. The laser scanner unit 43 is arranged apart from the surface of the photosensitive drum 41 and scans and exposes the surface of the photosensitive drum 41 based on image data relating to the original G read by the original reading unit 20. As a result, the exposed portion of the charge is removed from the surface of the photosensitive drum 41 to form an electrostatic latent image. The developing device 44 forms a toner image by attaching toner to the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 41. The cleaning unit 45 removes toner and the like remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 41 after the surface of the photosensitive drum 41 is neutralized by a static eliminator (not shown).
The toner cartridge 46 stores toner of each color supplied to the developing device 44. The toner cartridge 46 and the developing device 44 are connected by a toner supply path (not shown).

  The primary transfer rollers 47 (47a, 47b, 47c, 47d) are arranged on the opposite sides of the intermediate transfer belt 48 from the photosensitive drums 41a, 41b, 41c, 41d, respectively. The intermediate transfer belt 48 is a belt that passes through the image forming unit 40 and the transfer unit 50. A part of the intermediate transfer belt 48 is sandwiched between the photosensitive drums 41a, 41b, 41c, and 41d and the primary transfer rollers 47a, 47b, 47c, and 47d, and the photosensitive drums 41a, 41b, 41c, and 41d. The toner image formed on the surface is primarily transferred. The opposing roller 49 is a driving roller that is disposed inside the intermediate transfer belt 48 having an annular shape, and advances the intermediate transfer belt 48 in the direction of arrow A shown in FIG.

  The transfer unit 50 transfers the toner image formed by the image forming unit 40 onto the paper T. Specifically, the transfer unit 50 includes a secondary transfer roller 51. The secondary transfer roller 51 is disposed on the opposite side of the intermediate transfer belt 48 from the opposing roller 49, and a part of the intermediate transfer belt 48 is sandwiched between the opposing roller 49. Further, the secondary transfer roller 51 secondarily transfers the toner image primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 48 onto the paper T.

  The fixing unit 60 fixes the toner image transferred to the paper T by the transfer unit 50. Specifically, the fixing unit 60 includes a heating rotator 61 and a pressure rotator 62. The heating rotator 61 and the pressure rotator 62 sandwich the paper T on which the toner image is secondarily transferred, melt and pressurize the toner, and fix the toner to the paper T.

  Such a multi-function machine 1 can be connected to other optional devices in addition to the document conveying device 10 as the optional device described above. Other optional devices include a large number of paper feeding devices that can accommodate a large amount of paper T and supply the paper T to the transfer unit 50 one by one, for example, a plurality of paper T on which toner images are fixed. A post-processing apparatus that performs bookbinding by combining them can be used. In the present embodiment, description will be made on the assumption that no other optional device (for example, a large-volume feeding device or a post-processing device) is connected to the multifunction device 1.

Next, the functional configuration of the multifunction device 1 will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the multifunction machine 1.
The multi-function device 1 includes the above-described components (the document conveying device 10, the document reading unit 20, the sheet conveying unit 30, the image forming unit 40, the transfer unit 50, and the fixing unit 60). The engine unit 3 is configured by the paper transport unit 30, the image forming unit 40, the transfer unit 50, and the fixing unit 60. Note that the description of the components described with reference to FIG. 1 is omitted.
Furthermore, in addition to the functional configuration described above, the multifunction device 1 includes an operation unit 70, a storage unit 80, a temperature / humidity sensor 100 as a temperature / humidity measurement unit, a power supply unit 110, and a control unit 90.

  The operation unit 70 includes a numeric keypad (not shown), a touch panel (not shown), a start key (not shown), and the like. The numeric keypad is operated to input numbers such as the number of copies to be printed. The touch panel displays a plurality of keys to which various functions (for example, a function for setting a print magnification and a function for allocating a plurality of pages to one sheet of paper T (such as 2 in 1)) are assigned. The keys displayed on the touch panel are operated to cause the multifunction device 1 to execute any of various functions. The start key is operated to execute printing. When any key is operated, the operation unit 70 supplies a signal indicating that this key has been operated to the control unit 90.

  The storage unit 80 includes a hard disk, a semiconductor memory, and the like. The storage unit 80 stores image data based on the document G read by the document reading unit 20. In addition, the storage unit 80 stores a control program used in the multifunction machine 1 and data used by the control program.

  The storage unit 80 includes a rated power information storage unit 81. The rated power information storage unit 81 stores rated power information related to the rated power of each of the predetermined types of optional devices. Specifically, the rated power information storage unit 81 stores rated power information related to the rated power of the document conveying device 10, the large-volume feeding device, the post-processing device, and the like.

The temperature / humidity sensor 100 measures the temperature and humidity inside the multifunction device 1.
The power supply unit 110 supplies a predetermined value of power supplied to the multifunction device 1 to the optional device (the document transport device 1) and each unit of the multifunction device 1 (for example, the document reading unit 20 and the paper transport unit 30). . The power supply unit 110 includes a fixing power supply unit 111. The fixing power supply unit 111 supplies a part of a predetermined value (1500 W in Japan) supplied from the outside to the fixing unit 60.

The control unit 90 controls the document conveying device 10, the document reading unit 20, the engine unit 3, the operation unit 70, and the like.
The control unit 90 further includes a load connection determination unit 91 as an optional device connection determination unit, a fixing power control unit 92, and a rated power correction unit 93.

The load connection determination unit 91 determines whether any type of optional device (load) is connected at the start of warm-up.
The warm-up is a state in which, for example, a toner image can be formed on the paper T after the power is turned on or after returning from the sleep mode. For example, the warm-up for the fixing unit 60 is to supply electric power (fixing power) to the fixing unit 60 and to set the temperature of the fixing unit 60 to a predetermined temperature.

  Further, the load connection determination unit 91 determines that the optional device is connected to the multifunction device 1 by receiving a predetermined signal from the optional device, for example, at the start of warm-up. As an example, when the load connection determination unit 91 receives a predetermined signal related to the document conveying device 10 transmitted from the document conveying device 10 at the start of warm-up, the document conveying device 10 is connected to the multifunction device 1. judge.

  On the other hand, the load connection determination unit 91 determines that the optional device is not connected to the multifunction device 1 when a predetermined signal is not received from the optional device at the start of warm-up. As an example, when the warm-up is started, the load connection determination unit 91 does not receive a predetermined signal related to the large-volume sheet feeding device from the large-volume sheet feeding device and does not receive a predetermined signal related to the post-processing device from the post-processing device Is determined not to be connected to the multi-function device 1.

  Note that the load connection determination unit 91 transmits a signal for determining whether or not an optional device is connected to the multifunction device 1 at the start of warm-up to each optional device, and receives a signal indicating a response to the signal. Based on the above, it may be determined whether or not the optional device is connected to the multifunction device 1. For example, when the load connection determination unit 91 receives a signal indicating a response from only the document conveying device 10 with respect to the signal transmitted to each option device, only the document conveying device 10 is connected to the multifunction device 1. It is determined that

  The fixing power control unit 92 is a rating stored in the rated power information storage unit 81 when the load connection determination unit 91 determines that there is an optional device that is not connected among predetermined types of optional devices (loads). By reading the power information, the rated power of the optional device determined not to be connected is read, and the power equal to or smaller than the rated power is added to the fixing unit 60. The fixing power supply unit 111 is controlled so as to be supplied.

  That is, when the multifunction device 1 performs warm-up, not only the fixing unit 60 but also each unit such as the engine unit 3 and the optional device perform warm-up. On the other hand, since there is an upper limit for the power supplied to the multifunction device 1, there is an upper limit for the power supplied to each part of the multifunction device 1 including the fixing unit 60 for warm-up. For this reason, if there is an optional device that is not connected to the multi-function device 1, the fixing power control unit 92 adds to the optional device in addition to the standard power supplied to the fixing unit 60 for warm-up. By additionally supplying the fixing unit 60 with the power that should have been supplied, the warm-up time of the fixing unit 60 is shortened.

  For example, when the load connection determination unit 91 determines that the large-volume sheet feeding device and the post-processing device are not connected to the multifunction machine 1, the fixing power control unit 92 stores the rated power stored in the rated power information storage unit 81. With reference to the information, the rated power of the large-volume feeding device and the rated power of the post-processing device are read out. Further, the fixing power control unit 92 converts the power of the same value as each read rated power or the power of a value smaller than each read rated power (a non-zero value) to the standard value power supplied to the fixing unit 60. In addition, it is supplied to the fixing unit 60. As a result, more electric power is supplied to the fixing unit 60, so that the time required to reach a predetermined temperature (warm-up time) is shortened.

The rated power correction unit 93 corrects the rated power read by the fixing power control unit 92 based on the temperature and humidity inside the multi function device 1 measured by the temperature / humidity sensor 100.
When the temperature is low and the humidity is low, the power consumed in the optional device or the like becomes large. Therefore, when the temperature and humidity are measured by the temperature / humidity sensor 100 and the measured temperature is relatively low and the measured humidity is relatively low, the power supplied to the optional device is relatively low. Therefore, the rated power correction unit 93 corrects the rated power read by the fixing power control unit 92 so as to increase.

  On the other hand, when the temperature inside the multifunction device 1 measured by the temperature / humidity sensor 100 is relatively high, and when the humidity measured by the temperature / humidity sensor 100 is relatively high inside the multifunction device 1, the optional device is used. Since the supplied power is relatively small, the rated power correction unit 93 corrects the rated power read by the fixing power control unit 92 to be small.

  When the rated power is corrected by the rated power correction unit 93, the fixing power control unit 92 causes the fixing unit 60 to supply power having the same value as the rated power corrected by the rated power correction unit 93.

  Next, the operation of the multifunction machine 1 in this embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the multifunction machine 1.

  In step ST1, the load connection determination unit 91 determines whether or not an activation operation or the like has been detected. That is, the load connection determination unit 91 determines whether or not it has been detected that the power-on operation has been performed by the user in order to turn on the power, and the return operation is performed by the user in order to return from the sleep mode. It is determined whether or not it is detected. When the activation operation or the like is not detected (No), the determination in step ST1 is performed again. If a startup operation or the like is detected (Yes), the process proceeds to step ST2.

  In step ST2, the load connection determination unit 91 determines whether there is an optional device (load) that is not connected. If there is no unconnected load (when all loads are connected: No), the process proceeds to step ST3. If there is an unconnected load (Yes), the process proceeds to step ST4.

  In step ST <b> 3, the fixing power supply unit 111 supplies standard power to the fixing unit 60.

  In step ST4, the fixing power control unit 92 reads the rated power of the unconnected load by referring to the rated power information stored in the rated power information storage unit 81.

  In step ST5, the rated power correction unit 93 corrects the rated power read in step ST4 according to the temperature and humidity measured by the temperature / humidity sensor 100.

  In step ST6, the fixing power control unit 92 causes the fixing unit 60 to supply power having the same value as the rated power corrected in step ST5 in addition to the standard value power. Note that the rated power control unit may cause the fixing unit 60 to supply power having a value smaller than the rated power corrected in step ST5 in addition to the standard value power. When the process of step ST5 is not performed, the fixing power control unit 92 causes the fixing unit 60 to supply power having the same value as the rated power read in step ST4.

As described above, according to the multifunction machine 1 of the present embodiment, the following effects are achieved.
That is, when there is an optional device that is not connected among the predetermined types of optional devices, the multifunction device 1 according to the present embodiment has the same power as the rated power for the optional device that is not connected or the rated power. A power having a smaller value is additionally supplied to the fixing unit 60. As a result, the multifunction device 1 can instantaneously optimize the fixing power used in the fixing unit 60 for any load capacity only by determining whether or not the optional device is connected. Part warm-up time can be shortened.

  In other words, the multifunction device 1 can supply the fixing unit 60 with the optimum fixing power in accordance with the connection status of the optional device since the power is turned on. Further, the multifunction device 1 uses a large amount of power (current) for heating the fixing unit 60 without exceeding a predetermined value of power (primary current standard) supplied to the multifunction device 1. This makes it possible to shorten the warm-up time from power-on to equipment stability.

  In addition, when the rated power is corrected by the rated power correction unit 93, the multifunction device 1 causes the fixing unit 60 to supply power having the same value as the corrected rated power. Thereby, the multifunction device 1 can correct the electric power in consideration of the surrounding environment.

In addition, this invention is not limited to embodiment mentioned above, It can implement with a various form.
The multifunction device 1 of the present embodiment is a color multifunction device, but is not limited to this form and may be a monochrome multifunction device.
In the multifunction device 1 of the present embodiment, the toner image is transferred to the paper T via the intermediate transfer belt 48 (indirect transfer method). The transferred toner image may be directly transferred to the paper T (direct transfer method).
Further, the MFP 1 according to the present embodiment is configured to print one side of the paper T, but is not limited thereto, and may be configured to print both sides of the paper.

Further, the image forming apparatus of the present invention is not limited to the above-described multifunction device 1. That is, the image forming apparatus of the present invention may be a copier, a facsimile machine, or a printer.
The transfer material on which the toner image is fixed by the image forming apparatus of the present invention is not limited to the paper T, and may be a film sheet such as an OHP (overhead projector) sheet.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Multifunction machine (image forming apparatus), 10 ... Document conveying apparatus, 40 ... Image forming part, 50 ... Transfer part, 60 ... Fixing part, 70 ... Operation part, 81 ... Rated power information storage part (storage part), 90 Control unit 91 Load connection determination unit (option device connection determination unit) 92 Fixing power control unit 93 Rating power correction unit 100 Temperature / humidity sensor (temperature / humidity measurement unit) 111 Fixing power supply unit

Claims (2)

An image forming apparatus to which a predetermined value of power is supplied and to which a predetermined type of optional device can be connected,
An image forming unit for forming a toner image;
A transfer unit for transferring the toner image formed by the image forming unit to a transfer material;
A fixing unit for fixing the toner image transferred to the transfer material by the transfer unit;
A fixing power supply unit that supplies a part of the predetermined value of power to the fixing unit;
A storage unit for storing rated power information related to the rated power of each of the optional devices of a predetermined type;
An optional device connection determination unit that determines whether or not any type of optional device is connected at the start of warm-up;
When the optional device connection determination unit determines that there is an optional device that is not connected among the optional devices of a predetermined type, the optional device connection determination unit is connected by referring to the rated power information stored in the storage unit. The rated power of the optional device determined not to be read is read, and the fixing power supply unit is controlled so that the same value as the rated power or a value smaller than the rated power is additionally supplied to the fixing unit. A fixing power control unit,
An image forming apparatus comprising: A temperature and humidity measuring unit for measuring temperature and humidity;
A rated power correction unit that corrects the rated power read by the fixing power control unit based on the temperature and humidity measured by the temperature and humidity measurement unit; and
2. The image formation according to claim 1, wherein the fixing power control unit controls the fixing power supply unit so as to additionally supply the fixing unit with power having the same value as the rated power corrected by the rated power correction unit. apparatus.

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