JP2017126031A - Image forming apparatus and drive control program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To appropriately suppress a rush current generated in a heat source.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus having a fixing device fixing an image onto a recording medium mounted thereon comprises: a recognition part that recognizes a peripheral machine connected to the image forming apparatus and operation modes set to the peripheral machine; a storage part that stores drive control information indicating the details of control of a driving circuit driving a heat source of the fixing device respectively for the peripheral machine and the combinations of the operation modes of the peripheral machine; and a drive control part that, when causing the driving circuit to drive the heat source, controls the driving circuit on the basis of the drive control information corresponding to the peripheral machine and the combinations of the operation modes of the peripheral machine recognized by the recognition part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

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

  Some image forming apparatuses form a toner image and fix the formed toner image on a recording medium such as recording paper. This type of image forming apparatus is equipped with a fixing device for melting and fixing a toner image on a recording medium. In order to appropriately manage the temperature of the heat transfer medium such as the fixing roller employed in the fixing device, the image forming apparatus uses a heat source (heater or halogen lamp) used to supply heat to the heat transfer medium. Drive (energization) is controlled.

  Image forming apparatuses are strongly required to increase the printing speed. For this reason, the heat capacity of the heat transfer medium employed in the fixing device tends to increase. Accordingly, the resistance value of the heat source is decreasing.

  The smaller the resistance value of the heat source, the larger the inrush current generated when supplying power. Further, the ratio of the fixing device to the power consumption of the entire image forming apparatus is high. For this reason, the inrush current generated in the heat source is usually very large.

  A large inrush current may cause a voltage drop in an external power supply (for example, a commercial power supply) that supplies power to the image forming apparatus. The voltage drop generated in the external power supply may cause a phenomenon called flicker (specifically, blinking of the lighting device) in other devices connected to the external power supply. For this reason as well, it is highly undesirable to generate a voltage drop due to an inrush current in the external power supply. Thereby, in the image forming apparatus, inrush current generated in the heat source is suppressed.

  As a conventional image forming apparatus, a period for performing phase control (hereinafter referred to as “soft start control”) is provided within a control period that is a control period for driving the heat source, and when starting energization to the heat source, soft start control is performed. There is one that performs a predetermined energization (see, for example, Patent Document 1). As a result, this conventional image forming apparatus repeats energization for a short energization time intermittently at the start of energization to the heat source, and gradually raises the temperature of the heat source. When such energization control is performed, the maximum value (absolute value) of the inrush current can be suppressed, and the voltage drop generated in the external power supply can be avoided or suppressed.

  The conventional image forming apparatus divides the mode into a copy mode and a standby mode, and performs soft start control according to the current mode. Thereby, the heat source is driven with different control contents in the copy mode and the standby mode, and the inrush current generated in the heat source is suppressed.

  Currently, image forming apparatuses are becoming more and more multifunctional. There are also many image forming apparatuses in which various peripheral devices are prepared as optional products. Accordingly, there are many image forming apparatuses to which optional peripheral devices are connected.

  Among peripheral devices connected to the image forming apparatus, there are some peripheral devices that restrict the operation of the image forming apparatus main body. Most peripheral devices that process image-recorded recording media affect the operation of the image forming apparatus main body. This is because the processing time required for processing one recording medium is usually longer in the peripheral device than in the main body of the image forming apparatus. For this reason, when the peripheral device performs processing, the image forming apparatus main body is often limited to continuous image formation and operates intermittently.

  The temperature of the heat source at the start of drive control tends to depend on the operation mode of the image forming apparatus. For example, as the number of recording media to be printed per unit time (for example, the number of copies) increases, the amount of heat transfer from the heat transfer medium to the recording medium increases. For this reason, the non-drive time from the end of the heat source drive control to the start of the heat source drive control is shortened. The temperature of the heat source at the start of drive control increases as the non-drive time decreases.

  As described above, the soft start control in the conventional image forming apparatus is performed for each mode. This is because the temperature of the heat source at the start of drive control to be assumed depending on the mode, that is, the operation mode of the image forming apparatus is different. However, the operation mode of the image forming apparatus main body also changes depending on the presence of peripheral devices. Therefore, the conventional image forming apparatus has a problem that it is not always possible to appropriately suppress the inrush current generated in the heat source.

  In order to simply suppress the inrush current generated in the heat source, the soft start control period may be lengthened. However, the longer the soft start control period, the smaller the amount of heat per unit time that can be supplied to the heat transfer medium, so the printing speed decreases. In other words, productivity decreases. For this reason, it is considered that the suppression of the inrush current generated in the heat source needs to cope with the change in the operation mode according to the situation of the image forming apparatus.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and an object thereof is to more appropriately suppress an inrush current generated in a heat source.

  In order to solve the above problems, an aspect of the present invention is an image forming apparatus including a fixing device that fixes an image on a recording medium, the peripheral device connected to the image forming device, and the peripheral device A recognition unit for recognizing the operation mode set for the drive unit, and drive control information representing control contents for a drive circuit for driving a heat source of the fixing device, for each combination of the peripheral unit and the operation mode of the peripheral unit. When the heat source is driven by the storage unit and the drive circuit, the drive circuit is controlled based on drive control information corresponding to a combination of the peripheral unit recognized by the recognition unit and an operation mode of the peripheral unit. And a drive control unit.

  According to the present invention, the inrush current generated in the heat source can be more appropriately suppressed.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. It is a figure explaining the functional structure of the control part mounted in the image forming apparatus by this embodiment. It is a figure explaining the control content which drive control information represents. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation mode of an image forming apparatus main body assumed in the present embodiment and an operation mode of a peripheral device. FIG. It is a figure explaining the example of the content of the drive control information group. 6 is a flowchart showing fixing control processing. It is a flowchart showing an information update process.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the functional configuration of a control unit mounted on the image forming apparatus.

  The image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is, for example, a multifunction machine, and can perform copying, printing, facsimile transmission / reception, document storage, and the like. As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a main power switch (SW) 11, a DC (Direct Current) power generation circuit 12, an operation unit 13, a dedicated device group 14, a peripheral device 15, a fixing device 16, and an AC. (Alternating Current) A heater driving circuit 17 and a control unit 18 are provided. This configuration is an example, and the configuration of the image forming apparatus is not limited to this.

  The main power switch 11 is a device that opens and closes a power supply path from an external power source (for example, a commercial power source) 2. The power (AC power) from the external power supply 2 is supplied to the DC power generation circuit 12 and the AC heater drive circuit 17 via the main power switch 11.

  The DC power supply generation circuit 12 generates a power supply voltage Vcc having a predetermined voltage using AC power supplied via the main power switch 11. The DC voltage Vcc is applied to the operation unit 13, the control unit 18, the dedicated device group 14, and the peripheral device 15.

  The operation unit 13 is a device that can be used by the user for various instructions or data input, and corresponds to the input unit in the present embodiment. The operation unit 13 includes a touch panel using, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), various keys, and the like.

  The dedicated device group 14 performs processing necessary for image formation on a recording medium such as recording paper. The dedicated device group 14 includes, for example, an ADF (Automatic Document Feeder), a scanner unit, an exposure apparatus, a modem, and a transport unit.

  The peripheral unit 15 is an apparatus that is actually connected to the image forming apparatus 1 among optional products. Here, for convenience of explanation, as a peripheral device 15, a peripheral device (hereinafter referred to as “first peripheral device”) 15 capable of performing Z-folding and punching on an image-formed recording medium, Only three types of peripheral devices (hereinafter referred to as “second peripheral device”) 15 capable of cutting and peripheral devices capable of binding a plurality of recording media (hereinafter referred to as “third peripheral device”) 15 are available. Is assumed.

  In FIG. 1, the peripheral unit 15 is applied with the power supply voltage Vcc from the image forming apparatus 1. However, the peripheral unit 15 may be a type that is directly connected to the external power source 2 or may be a type that is indirectly connected, for example, a type that is mounted or connected to another device. Further, the number of peripheral devices 15 that can be added to the image forming apparatus 1 is not limited to one.

  The fixing device 16 is a device that melts and fixes the toner image on the recording medium by applying pressure and heat to the recording medium to which the toner image is transferred. One or more fixing heaters 21 are provided as a heat source for supplying heat to a heat transfer medium such as a fixing roller.

  The fixing device 16 includes one or more temperature sensors 22 for detecting the temperature of the heat transfer medium. The output signal of the temperature sensor 22 is input to the control unit 18 as a detection signal S3. The types of the fixing heater 21 and the temperature sensor 22 are not particularly limited.

  The AC heater driving circuit 17 drives the fixing heater 21 according to the control signal S1 output from the control unit 18, that is, energizes. The AC heater drive circuit 17 detects the zero cross point of the AC voltage applied via the main power switch 11 and activates the zero cross signal S2.

  The control unit 18 is a data processing device (computer) for controlling the entire image forming apparatus 1. When the temperature of the heat transfer medium specified by the detection signal S3 is equal to or lower than the predetermined temperature, the control unit 18 drives the fixing heater 21 to maintain the temperature of the heat transfer medium equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature.

  The zero cross signal S2 output from the AC heater drive circuit 17 is used by the control unit 18 to control the AC heater drive circuit 17. The control unit 18 determines a period for activating the control signal S1 with reference to the zero-cross signal S2, and activates the control signal S1 according to the determination. The AC heater drive circuit 17 energizes the fixing heater 21 while the control signal S1 is active.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the control unit 18 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 31, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 32, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 33, a hard disk device (HDD: Hard Disk Drive) 34, an I / O An F (InterFace) card 35 and a bus 36 are provided.

  The ROM 33 is a read-only nonvolatile storage medium and stores firmware and various data. The RAM 32 is a volatile storage medium capable of reading and writing information at high speed, and is used as a work area when the CPU 31 processes information.

  The hard disk device 34 is a storage device capable of reading and writing information. The installed hard disk 341 includes various programs such as an OS (Operating System), various control programs, and various application programs in addition to various data. Is stored. The hard disk device 34 is also used for temporarily storing image data such as a document.

  Various data stored in the hard disk 341 includes a drive control information group 342 for controlling the AC heater drive circuit 17. The various control programs include a fixing control program 343 for controlling the AC heater drive circuit 17 using the drive control information group 342. The fixing control program 343 is a drive control program according to the present embodiment. The various application programs include an information update program 344 that makes it possible to update arbitrary drive control information in the drive control information group 342.

  The I / F card 35 is a communication control device for communicating with each dedicated device constituting the dedicated device group 14, the peripheral device 15, the fixing device 16, and the network. Here, only one I / F card 35 is shown, but a plurality of I / F cards 35 may be mounted. Each input / output of the control signal S1, the zero-cross signal S2, and the detection signal S3 is performed using an I / F different from the I / F via the I / F card 35.

  The CPU 31 reads the firmware stored in the ROM 33 into the RAM 32 and executes it when the power is turned on. Thereafter, the OS and necessary programs are read from the hard disk device 34 onto the RAM 32 and executed. After starting up in this way, a process for responding to a user instruction via the operation unit 13 or an instruction via the network is performed. By executing the processing, the CPU 31 controls the entire image forming apparatus 1 to realize the functional configuration shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 18 includes a dedicated device control unit 201, a peripheral device control unit 202, a transport control unit 203, an operation input unit 204, a fixing control unit 205, and a main control unit 206 as functional configurations. .

  The dedicated device control unit 201 recognizes a dedicated device mounted on or connected to the image forming apparatus 1 and individually controls each dedicated device according to an instruction from the main control unit 206. The peripheral device control unit 202 recognizes the peripheral device 15 connected to the image forming apparatus 1 and controls it according to an instruction from the main control unit 206. The recognition of the dedicated device is performed, for example, by identification information output from the dedicated device when the power is turned on (started up). The same applies to the recognition method of the peripheral device 15. Identification information output from each dedicated device and the peripheral device 15 is stored in the hard disk device 34 by the CPU 31 as, for example, configuration information representing a system configuration (environment).

  The transport control unit 203 controls the transport unit and performs a process for dealing with an error or the like notified from the transport unit. The operation input unit 204 analyzes the user's operation content notified from the operation unit 13, interprets the user's instruction or input data, and passes the interpretation result to the main control unit 206. Further, the operation unit 13 is controlled in accordance with an instruction from the main control unit 206. As a result, the display content of the display device of the touch panel is updated as needed, and the operation mode of the main body of the image forming apparatus 1 or the operation mode of the peripheral device 15 is changed as necessary. Here, the operation mode is a general term for modes for performing some processing, and the standby mode (standby mode) is not included in the operation mode.

  The fixing control unit 205 controls the fixing device 16. Mainly, control for driving the fixing heater 21 through the AC heater driving circuit 17 is performed. The drive control of the AC heater drive circuit 17 is performed according to an instruction from the main control unit 206 when the temperature represented by the detection signal S3 is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the fixing control unit 205 has a storage unit 2051, a configuration recognition unit 2052, a mode recognition unit 2053, an information selection unit 2054, a drive control unit 2055, and a functional configuration for driving the fixing heater 21. An update unit 2056 is provided.

  The storage unit 2051 stores the drive control information group 342. In the configuration of the control unit 18 illustrated in FIG. 1, for example, the RAM 32 and the hard disk device 34 correspond. Everything else is realized by the CPU 31, RAM 32, ROM 33, hard disk device 34, I / F card 35, and bus 36. In all other cases, the CPU 31 uses the RAM 32 as a work area, executes programs stored in the ROM 33 and the hard disk device 34, and performs communication via the I / F card 35 as necessary. Because.

  The configuration recognition unit 2052 recognizes the type of the peripheral device 15 connected to the image forming apparatus 1. The mode recognition unit 2053 recognizes the operation mode of the main body of the image forming apparatus 1 and the operation mode of the peripheral device 15. In a narrow sense, the recognition unit in the present embodiment is realized by the configuration recognition unit 2052 and the mode recognition unit 2053.

  The information selection unit 2054 corresponds to the drive control information group 342 stored in the storage unit 2051 using the recognition result of the peripheral device 15 by the configuration recognition unit 2052 and the recognition result of the operation mode by the mode recognition unit 2053. The drive control information to be selected is selected (extracted).

  The selected drive control information is used to drive-control the AC heater drive circuit 17 that energizes the fixing heater 21. The drive control unit 2055 controls the AC heater drive circuit 17 using the selected drive control information to drive the fixing heater 21. The control of the AC heater driving circuit 17 is performed in such a manner that the timing and period for activating the control signal S1 are determined based on the time point when the zero cross signal S2 becomes active, and the control signal S1 is activated. The drive control unit in the present embodiment is realized in a narrow sense by the information selection unit 2054 and the drive control unit 2055.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the control contents represented by the drive control information. Here, the driving method of the fixing heater 21 via the AC heater driving circuit 17 based on the driving control information will be specifically described.

  In this embodiment, the inrush current to the fixing heater 21 is suppressed by soft start control (phase control). For this reason, the drive control information represents the contents of the soft start control.

  In FIG. 3, the waveform represents the AC voltage applied to the AC heater drive circuit 17. The control period is the entire period for driving the fixing heater 21 using the drive control information. In this embodiment, the control cycle is a parameter to be specified.

  The control cycle is roughly divided into a soft start period and a full drive period. The soft start period is a period provided to gradually increase the temperature of the fixing heater 21 when the energization of the fixing heater 21 is started. Here, the soft start control for changing the energization time once is actually performed. Done. The full drive period is a period following the soft start period. In the soft start period, the period during which the fixing heater 21 is energized is indicated by hatching.

  There are one or more partial periods (hereinafter referred to as “sub-start periods”) in the soft start period. In FIG. 3, three sub-start periods, the first to third sub-start periods, are shown.

  In this embodiment, the energization time for energizing the fixing heater 21 within a half cycle of the AC voltage is changed in units of sub-start periods, and the energization time is increased stepwise in units of sub-start periods. . Thereby, in the first to third sub-start periods, the energization time for energizing the fixing heater 21 within a half cycle of the AC voltage is basically different. Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, the energization time is used to mean the energization time within a half cycle of the AC voltage.

  The energization time FT in the first sub-start period located at the beginning of the soft start period is a reference for energization time in other sub-start periods excluding the last sub-start period (the third sub-start period in FIG. 3). It is time to become. In the present embodiment, the ratio is specified by the ratio (%) of the time during which the fixing heater 21 is energized in the half cycle of the AC voltage. The information indicating the ratio is hereinafter referred to as “first duty”.

  The energization time in the second sub-start period is obtained by adding an increment ΔT to the energization time FT in the half cycle in the first sub-start period. When the third sub-start period is not located at the end of the soft start period, the energization time of the third sub-start period is a time obtained by adding two increments ΔT to the energization time FT (= FT + 2ΔT). In the present embodiment, the increment ΔT is also specified as a percentage (%) of time based on a half cycle of the AC voltage. The information indicating the ratio is hereinafter referred to as “duty step”.

  The energization time ET of the sub-start period (the third sub-start period in FIG. 3) located at the end of the soft start period is a time specified individually as in the energization time FT. Similar to the energization time FT, it is specified by the ratio (%) of the time during which the fixing heater 21 is energized in the half cycle of the AC voltage. The information indicating the ratio is hereinafter referred to as “last duty”.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the energization of the fixing heater 21 is performed with a half cycle of the AC voltage as a minimum unit. Therefore, the length of each sub-start period is designated by the number of half cycles.

  Since the half cycle time is ½ period of the AC voltage, when the period is p, the length of each sub-start time = p · number of half cycles / 2. The number of half-cycles that specify the length of the sub-start period is hereinafter referred to as “repeat count”.

  The number of sub-start periods is determined using the first duty, the duty step, and the last duty. The number N of sub-start periods is a value obtained by adding 1 to the minimum integer M that satisfies the value of first duty + M · duty step value ≧ last duty.

  The full drive period is a period in which it is assumed that the fixing heater 21 is energized in every half cycle of the AC voltage. The full drive period is a time obtained by excluding the soft start period from the control cycle. The length of the soft start period is obtained by the length of each sub start time · (M + 1).

  As described above, the drive control information used by the drive control unit 2055 to control the AC heater drive circuit 17 depends on the recognition result of the peripheral unit 15 by the configuration recognition unit 2052 and the recognition result of the operation mode by the mode recognition unit 2053. Selected. This is because the drive control interval of the fixing heater 21 differs depending on the operation mode of the main body of the image forming apparatus 1, the peripheral unit 15 connected to the image forming apparatus 1, and its operation mode. This is because the tendency of the temperature of the fixing heater 21 at the start of drive control also changes. Here, the drive control interval is a time during which the fixing heater 21 is not driven by the drive control information.

  The drive control information is a parameter group representing the soft start control contents as shown in FIG. However, the drive control information is not limited to such a parameter group. Further, the driving method of the fixing heater 21 is not limited to the soft start control method. That is, as a control method, cycle control for controlling the energization time within the control cycle, or the like may be employed.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an example of the operation mode of the main body of the image forming apparatus 1 and the operation mode of the peripheral device 15 assumed in the present embodiment. Here, as described above, as the peripheral unit 15, the first peripheral unit 15 capable of Z-folding and punching holes on the image-formed recording medium, the second peripheral unit 15 capable of cutting the recording medium, In addition, only three types of third peripheral devices 15 capable of binding a plurality of recording media are assumed. Accordingly, for example, “main body + first peripheral device” represents a system configuration (environment) in which the first peripheral device 15 is connected to the main body of the image forming apparatus 1. Further, the operation modes of “main body + first peripheral device”, “main body + second peripheral device”, “main body + third peripheral device” all represent the operation mode of the peripheral device 15.

  For example, in the main body of the image forming apparatus 1, in the first operation mode (copy mode, document print mode, etc.) when continuous copying is possible and when document printing is possible, either single-sided or double-sided printing is performed at high speed. Since frequent printing processing is required, the frequency of supply of heat to the heat transfer medium is relatively high. Accordingly, the drive control interval during which the fixing heater 21 is not driven is relatively short, and the temperature of the fixing heater 21 at the start of the drive control for the AC heater drive circuit 17 is relatively high.

  On the other hand, in facsimile (FAX) reception (in the second operation mode (facsimile reception mode)), data is transmitted and received intermittently (indicated as “intermittent paper” in FIG. 4) for high-speed printing. Since no processing is required, the temperature of the fixing heater 21 at the start of drive control tends to be lower. When a document image is read by scanning or the like for document storage or facsimile transmission (in the third operation mode), no image is formed on the recording medium. Is not conveyed, the temperature of the fixing heater 21 at the start of drive control tends to be further lowered.

  As described above, the temperature of the fixing heater 21 at the start of drive control depends on the number of recording media per unit time passing through the fixing device 16, and tends to become lower as the number decreases. Therefore, in the present embodiment, in the case of a system configuration (environment) in which the assumed peripheral device 15 is not connected, it is assumed that soft start control is performed according to the operation mode of the image forming apparatus 1 main body. By changing the driving content of the fixing heater 21 in accordance with the operation mode of the main body of the image forming apparatus 1, it is possible to supply a sufficient amount of heat to the heat transfer medium while satisfying the requirements of the operation mode of the main body of the image forming apparatus 1. In addition, the inrush current generated in the fixing heater 21 can be more appropriately suppressed.

  As described above, the temperature of the fixing heater 21 at the start of drive control depends on the number of recording media per unit time (printing processing speed) that passes through the fixing device 16. The printing processing speed is also limited by the peripheral unit 15 connected to the image forming apparatus 1 and its operation mode.

  The processing time for one recording medium of the first peripheral device 15 is longer than the printing processing time required for the image forming apparatus 1 main body per recording medium. The processing time for one recording medium of the first peripheral device 15 is longer in the second operation mode in which punch punching is performed in addition to Z folding than in the first operation mode in which only Z folding is performed. long.

  The processing time for one recording medium of the second peripheral device 15 and the third peripheral device 15 is also longer than the processing time for the image forming apparatus 1 main body for one recording medium. The processing time of the second peripheral device 15 for one recording medium is shorter in the second operation mode in which cutting is not performed than in the first operation mode in which cutting is performed. The processing time for one recording medium of the third peripheral device 15 is more in the second operation mode in which the bookbinding of 10 pages or more is performed than in the first operation mode in which the bookbinding of less than 10 pages is performed. become longer.

  For this reason, in FIG. 4, the operation modes of “main body + first peripheral device”, “main body + second peripheral device”, “main body + third peripheral device” are all operation modes of peripheral device 15. Represents. This is because, in the situation where the peripheral unit 15 is used, there is a restriction on the operation of the main body of the image forming apparatus 1, and the main body of the image forming apparatus 1 operates in an operation mode according to the peripheral unit 15 and its operation mode. Because it becomes. Even if the main body of the image forming apparatus 1 is instructed to perform continuous copying, the operation form must be changed so that copying is performed intermittently.

  For this reason, the peripheral unit 15 that does not affect the printing speed of the main body of the image forming apparatus 1 is excluded here. This is because the peripheral unit 15 that does not affect the printing speed of the main body of the image forming apparatus 1 may consider the operation mode of the main body of the image forming apparatus 1. Further, when each of the plurality of peripheral devices 15 performs processing, basically, a combination of the peripheral device 15 and the operation mode having the longest processing time among the peripheral devices 15 may be considered.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an example of the contents of the drive control information group 342. Here, it is assumed that the operation mode of the main body of the image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 4, the peripheral unit 15 connected to the image forming apparatus 1, and a combination example of the operation modes.

  One drive control information, as described above, is expressed as a control cycle (ms), a first duty (indicated as “first duty” in FIG. 5; unit is%), and a duty step (indicated as “duty step” in FIG. 5). Is a data group (parameter group) including the number of repeats, and the last duty (indicated as “last duty” in FIG. 5; unit is%). This data group is stored in association with the operation mode of the main body of the image forming apparatus 1 or the combination of the peripheral device 15 and the operation mode. As a result, when the target peripheral unit 15 is not connected to the image forming apparatus 1, the corresponding drive control information is specified from the mode (either standby mode or operation mode) of the main body of the image forming apparatus 1. . When the target peripheral unit 15 is connected to the image forming apparatus 1, the corresponding drive control information is specified from the type of the peripheral unit 15 and its operation mode.

  In FIG. 5, a soft start period that is not included in the drive control information is also shown. This is to make it easier to understand the contents of control by each drive control information. The frequency of the AC voltage is assumed to be 50 Hz.

  In the example shown in FIG. 5, the assumed temperature of the fixing heater 21 at the start of drive control is highest when the image forming apparatus 1 main body is in the first operation mode, and then the second peripheral device 15 is in the second operation. It is a mode. Conversely, the lowest estimated temperature is when the main body of the image forming apparatus 1 is in the third operation mode, and the next time is when the third peripheral unit 15 is in the second operation mode.

  For this reason, as shown in FIG. 5, the control period and soft start period are shorter as the assumed temperature of the fixing heater 21 at the start of drive control is higher, in other words, as the assumed printing frequency is higher. The first duty is set to a high value. Thus, the inrush current to the fixing heater 21 is suppressed while the necessary amount of heat can be supplied to the heat transfer medium in a shorter time.

  The “standby mode” shown in FIG. 5 is shown separately from the operation mode of the main body of the image forming apparatus 1 and the operation mode of the peripheral unit 15. This is because the standby mode is a non-operation mode that does not assume that the main body of the image forming apparatus 1 can operate immediately. Therefore, the longest time is set for the control cycle.

  In the present embodiment, a drive control information group 342 as shown in FIG. 5 is prepared, and drive control information corresponding to the operation mode of the image forming apparatus 1 main body, or the connected peripheral unit 15 and the operation mode. Is used to drive the AC heater driving circuit 17. For this reason, in an environment where the peripheral unit 15 is not connected, the fixing heater 21 can be driven with a driving content that matches the operation mode of the main body of the image forming apparatus 1. In an environment in which the peripheral unit 15 is connected, the fixing heater 21 can be driven with a driving content suitable for the type of the peripheral unit 15 and its operation mode.

  In this way, since the fixing heater 21 is driven with a drive content that is more desirable for the actual operation mode (operation content) of the main body of the image forming apparatus 1, while avoiding or suppressing the occurrence of problems such as a decrease in productivity, The inrush current generated in the fixing heater 21 can be more appropriately suppressed. Since the inrush current generated in the heat source can be appropriately suppressed, flicker and the like can be avoided or suppressed more reliably.

  The drive control information is a parameter group representing soft start control contents as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5. However, the configuration of the drive control information is not limited to the parameter group. The drive control information may be configured to include, for example, information indicating the operation mode of the corresponding main body of the image forming apparatus 1 or the peripheral unit 15 and a combination of the operation modes. Further, the driving method of the fixing heater 21 is not limited to the soft start control method. That is, as a control method, cycle control for controlling the energization time within the control cycle, or the like may be employed.

  The storage unit 2051, the configuration recognition unit 2052, the mode recognition unit 2053, the information selection unit 2054, and the drive control unit 2055 shown in FIG. 2 are realized by the CPU 31 executing the fixing control program 343. Next, a fixing control process realized by the CPU 31 executing the fixing control program 343 will be described in detail with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG. The fixing control program 343 is executed when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 22 notified from the fixing device 16 is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature determined in the situation.

  When control is transferred to the fixing control program 343, the CPU 31 first reads the configuration information stored in the hard disk device 34 and checks the system configuration (environment) (S601). Next, the CPU 31 confirms the current mode of the main body of the image forming apparatus 1 or the operation mode of the peripheral device 15 according to the confirmation result of the system configuration (S602). Thereafter, the CPU 31 reads the drive control information group 342 from the hard disk device 34 (S603).

  After reading the drive control information group 342, the CPU 31 specifies corresponding drive control information from the drive control information group 342 using the system configuration confirmation result and the mode confirmation result (S604).

  Next, the CPU 31 determines whether or not the corresponding drive control information exists in the drive control information group 342 (S605). When the corresponding drive control information exists in the drive control information group 342, the determination in S605 is YES and the process proceeds to S606, and the CPU 31 controls the AC heater drive circuit 17 using the corresponding drive control information, and fixing. A soft start control process for driving the heater 21 is executed. After executing the soft start control process, the fixing control process ends.

  On the other hand, if the corresponding drive control information does not exist in the drive control information group 342, the determination in S605 is NO and the process proceeds to S607, and the CPU 31 performs a predetermined control method, for example, zero cross control or soft start control. The AC heater drive circuit 17 is used to control the normal heater control process for driving the fixing heater 21. After executing the normal drive control process, the fixing control process ends.

  In this embodiment, the drive control information group 342 is updated, that is, a change including deletion of arbitrary drive control information in the drive control information group 342, or new drive control information can be added. For this purpose, the fixing control unit 205 includes an update unit 2056. Further, there is a possibility that a peripheral device 15 that does not have corresponding drive control information is connected to the image forming apparatus 1. For this reason, the present embodiment assumes a situation where there is no corresponding drive control information.

  As described above, the fixing heater 21 is driven by the soft start control according to the mode of the main body of the image forming apparatus 1 or the operation mode of the peripheral unit 15. Since the fixing heater 21 is driven in a form desirable for the actual operation mode of the main body of the image forming apparatus 1, it is possible to more reliably avoid the occurrence of problems such as a decrease in productivity. Inrush current can be appropriately suppressed.

  The rating of the external power source 2 to which the image forming apparatus 1 is connected may vary depending on the user. The magnitude of the total load connected to the external power supply 2 is usually different for each user. In addition, the user may connect a new peripheral device to the image forming apparatus 1. Since such a situation on the user side or a change in the situation can be considered, in this embodiment, an update unit 2056 capable of updating the drive control information group 342 stored in the storage unit 2051 is prepared. . Thereby, it is possible for the user to avoid the occurrence of a problem and to suppress the inrush current generated in the fixing heater 21 in an optimum manner for the actual usage of the image forming apparatus 1.

  The update unit 2056 is realized by the CPU 31 executing the information update program 344. Next, an information update process realized by the CPU 31 executing the information update program 344 will be described in detail with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG. This information update program 344 is executed, for example, when the user operates the operation unit 13 and instructs to update the drive control information group 342.

  When control is passed to the information update program 344, the CPU 31 first displays an input screen for updating the drive control information group 342 on the touch panel of the operation unit 13 (S701).

  The drive control information group 342 is updated by, for example, specifying drive control information to be updated, that is, specifying the mode of the main body of the image forming apparatus 1 or the combination of the peripheral unit 15 and its operation mode + input + input of drive control information. This can be performed by specifying processing for the drive control information. The input screen is used for, for example, selecting the existing drive control information or inputting the mode of the main body of the image forming apparatus 1 in which the drive control information is newly registered, or the combination of the peripheral unit 15 and the operation mode. is there.

  Next, the CPU 31 executes a process according to the content of the user operation on the operation unit 13 (S702). By executing the process, the display content of the touch panel is updated as needed, and the user can perform various designations or data input.

  Subsequently, the CPU 31 determines whether or not the user has instructed to end the input of the drive control information (S703). When the user has not instructed the input end of the drive control information, the determination in S703 is NO and the process returns to S702. Thereby, the user can continue the input operation of the drive control information. On the other hand, when the user instructs to end the input of the drive control information, for example, when canceling the input of the drive control information or instructing the storage of the input drive control information, the determination in S703 is YES and the process proceeds to S704.

  In S704, the CPU 31 determines whether the user has instructed saving. When the user instructs saving, the determination in S704 is YES, and the process proceeds to S705. If the user has not instructed saving, that is, if the user has instructed updating or additional cancellation of drive control information, the determination in S704 is NO and the process proceeds to S707.

  In S707, the CPU 31 invalidates the user's previous input and deletes the data input by the user. Thereby, the information update process ends here without updating the drive control information group 342.

  On the other hand, in S705, the CPU 31 determines whether there is an item (parameter) that has not been input by the user in the drive control information. If there is an uninput item, the determination in S705 is YES, and the process returns to S702. Thereby, the user is prompted to input data of necessary items. On the other hand, if there is no uninput item, the determination in S705 is NO and the process proceeds to S706.

  In S <b> 706, the CPU 31 stores the drive control information group 342 including the drive control information input by the user in the hard disk device 34. If the user has selected to update the existing drive control information, the existing drive control information is replaced with the newly input drive control information, and if the user has selected a new registration, it has been input The drive control information is added to the existing drive control information group 342. After performing such storage, the information update process ends.

  Data input by the user operating the operation unit 13 is passed to the fixing control unit 205 via the operation input unit 204 and the main control unit 206. Therefore, the update unit in the present embodiment is realized by the operation input unit 204, the main control unit 206, and the update unit 2056 of the fixing control unit 205.

  The main control unit 206 controls the units 201 to 205. When the drive control information group 342 is updated, various screens including the input screen are displayed on the operation unit 13 via the operation input unit 204 to enable data input using the operation unit 13. In this way, the main control unit 206 enables the drive control information group 342 to be updated.

  In this embodiment, the operation mode of the main body of the image forming apparatus 1 basically assumes only an operation mode that can be set by a user or automatically set. However, the operation mode may be subdivided.

  For example, in document printing and copying using ADF, it is often possible to specify in advance whether or not to perform continuous printing. In some cases, the number of recording media to be continuously printed is known in advance. Therefore, the operation mode may be subdivided according to whether or not continuous printing is performed or the number of recording media to be continuously printed. In such a case, the heat source can be driven in a more appropriate manner. For convenience in subdividing the operation mode, it is desirable that the operation mode to be registered for the drive control information can be defined (set) separately from the drive control information.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 2 External power supply 13 Operation part 14 Dedicated device group 15 Peripheral machine 16 Fixing apparatus 17 AC heater drive circuit 18 Control part 21 Fixing heater 22 Temperature sensor 31 CPU
32 RAM
33 ROM
34 hard disk device 35 I / F card 36 bus 204 operation input unit 205 main control unit 206 fixing control unit 341 hard disk 342 drive control information group 343 fixing control program 2051 storage unit 2052 configuration recognition unit 2053 mode recognition unit 2054 information selection unit 2055 drive Control unit 2056 Update unit

JP-A-10-74023

Claims (6)

An image forming apparatus equipped with a fixing device for fixing an image on a recording medium,
A peripheral unit connected to the image forming apparatus, and a recognition unit for recognizing an operation mode set for the peripheral unit;
A storage unit that stores drive control information representing control contents for a drive circuit that drives a heat source of the fixing device for each combination of the peripheral unit and the operation mode of the peripheral unit;
A drive control unit that controls the drive circuit based on drive control information corresponding to the combination of the peripheral unit recognized by the recognition unit and the operation mode of the peripheral unit when the drive circuit drives the heat source When,
An image forming apparatus comprising: The recognition unit also recognizes the operation mode for the main body of the image forming apparatus,
The storage unit can store the drive control information for each operation mode of the main body,
The drive control unit controls the drive circuit based on drive control information corresponding to an operation mode of the main body when the peripheral unit is not recognized by the recognition unit. The image forming apparatus described in 1.   3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the drive control information is control content for gradually increasing a drive time in which the drive circuit drives the heat source once. 4. An input section for inputting data;
When the drive control information is input through the input unit together with a combination of the peripheral unit and the operation mode of the peripheral unit, the input drive control information is associated with the input combination and stored. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an update unit stored in the unit.   The update unit associates the input drive control information with the input operation mode of the main body when the drive control information is input through the input unit together with the operation mode of the main body. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the image forming apparatus is stored in a storage unit. In a data processing apparatus mounted on an image forming apparatus having a fixing device for fixing an image on a recording medium,
Recognizing a peripheral device connected to the image forming apparatus and an operation mode set for the peripheral device;
When driving the heat source to the drive circuit that drives the heat source of the fixing device, from the storage unit that stores the drive control information indicating the control contents for the drive circuit for each combination of the peripheral unit and the operation mode of the peripheral unit Reading the drive control information corresponding to the combination of the peripheral unit recognized in the step of recognizing and the operation mode of the peripheral unit, and controlling the drive circuit;
The drive control program characterized by performing this.