JP2019101342A - Image forming apparatus and sulfuration detection circuit - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an image forming apparatus and a sulfuration detection circuit that can monitor the degree of sulfuration, while reducing cost and maintaining productivity.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus comprises: a sulfuration detection circuit 101 that is provided on a substrate and detects the presence/absence of entry of a sulfurized gas into a housing; and a control unit 141 that outputs a result of detection performed by the sulfuration detection circuit 101. The sulfuration detection circuit 101 includes an electronic component 122, a temperature increasing unit 121 that increases the temperature of the electronic component 122, and a gas detection unit 123 that detects the presence/absence of entry of a sulfurized gas according to the amount of change in impedance of the electronic component 122 associated with the increase in temperature of the electronic component 122, the temperature increase performed by the temperature increasing unit 121.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

  The present disclosure relates to an image forming apparatus and a sulfide detection circuit.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, image forming apparatuses in which functions such as copying, network printing, faxing, and scanning are integrated have become widespread. In addition, conventionally, when the electronic component is exposed to sulfurized gas, the internal electrode of the electronic component is corroded to cause a case of disconnection. Therefore, depending on the surrounding environment, the internal electrodes of the electronic components on the substrate provided inside the image forming apparatus may be corroded by the influence of sulfurized gas. Then, what detects the sulfided gas on the board | substrate with which the electronic component was mounted is proposed (for example, refer patent document 1). Moreover, what detects the degree of sulfidation of an electronic component is also proposed (for example, refer patent document 2). In addition, the change in color of the exposed surface containing metallic silver is confirmed with a spectrodensitometer by using a color change of metallic silver when silver sulfide is generated by the reaction of metallic silver and a sulfur-containing compound. It has also been proposed to detect sulfur-containing compounds contained (see, for example, Patent Document 3).

JP 2002-257767 A JP, 2009-250611, A JP, 2014-089063, A

  However, the prior art as described in Patent Document 1 only detects sulfurized gas instantaneously, and can not detect the degree of sulfurization of electronic components over time. On the other hand, in the prior art as described in Patent Document 2, as the sulfurization of the sulfurization detector progresses, the color or resistance value of the sulfuration detector is changed, and the time-lapse of the sulfuration detector is utilized. By detecting the change, the degree of sulfurization of the electronic component is detected. Therefore, although the degree of sulfurization over time of the electronic component can be detected, there is not much time margin from the detection of the sulfurization to the disconnection of the circuit on the substrate. The prior art as described in Patent Document 3 is not suitable for detecting sulfuration in a place where direct visual confirmation can not be made, because it is necessary to confirm the change in color of the exposed surface containing metallic silver by a spectrodensitometer. Therefore, in the prior art as described in Patent Documents 1 to 3, even if it is intended to detect the influence of sulfurized gas received by the electronic component on the substrate inside the image forming apparatus, a dedicated member for sulfurization detection is mounted. , It is the situation where cost becomes high. Further, in the above-mentioned prior art, since it is not possible to monitor the degree of sulfurization while the image forming apparatus is in operation, productivity is lowered to monitor the degree of sulfurization.

  The present disclosure has been made in view of such a situation, and is intended to be able to monitor the degree of sulfurization while suppressing costs and maintaining productivity.

  An image forming apparatus according to a first aspect of the present disclosure is an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a sheet, and outputs a detection result of a sulfide detection circuit for detecting presence or absence of intrusion of sulfide gas and the sulfide detection circuit. The sulfurization detection circuit includes an electronic component, a temperature rising portion for raising the temperature of the electronic component, and an impedance of the electronic component caused by the temperature rising of the electronic component due to the temperature rising portion. And a gas detection unit for detecting the presence or absence of the intrusion of the sulfurized gas in accordance with the fluctuation amount of

  Furthermore, an exhaust duct for exhausting air, and an exhaust fan for supplying air toward the exhaust duct are further provided, and the electronic component is provided between the exhaust duct and the exhaust fan. A resistor, an internal electrode provided adjacent to the resistor, and an external electrode provided in a conductive state with the internal electrode, the internal electrode being made of a silver-based material, Is preferred.

  Further, a threshold voltage to be compared with the output voltage of the electronic component is set, the temperature rising unit is configured of a booster circuit that raises the input voltage of the electronic component, and the gas detection unit is When the output voltage of the electronic component is equal to or higher than the threshold voltage as the variation amount of the impedance of the electronic component, it is detected that there is an intrusion of the sulfurized gas, and the threshold voltage is the sulfurization of the electronic component It is preferable to set based on the state affected by the gas.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the said electronic component is comprised from a chip resistor.

  And an image forming unit that forms the image on the sheet, a fixing unit that fixes the image formed by the image forming unit on the sheet, the exhaust duct, and the exhaust fan. It is preferable that the electronic device further includes a drive control substrate that controls driving of the fixing unit, and the electronic component is provided on the drive control substrate.

  The electronic component further includes an intake port for taking in the outside air and an exhaust port for discharging the outside air taken in from the intake port, and the electronic component is in a path of the outside air flowing from the intake port to the exhaust port. Preferably, a plurality of these are provided.

  The temperature detection unit further includes a temperature detection unit that detects a temperature of the electronic component, and a voltage control unit that controls at least one of an input voltage of the electronic component and the threshold voltage. To lower at least one of the input voltage of the electronic component and the threshold voltage when the temperature of the electronic component detected by the electronic component exceeds the threshold temperature, and the threshold temperature is a temperature within the rating of the electronic component. Preferably, it is set.

  Preferably, the control unit stores the operating time of the image forming apparatus and the presence or absence of intrusion of the sulfurized gas as a database, and the database is configured to be referable via a network.

  Further, a sulfurization detection circuit according to a second aspect of the present disclosure is a sulfuration detection circuit for detecting intrusion of sulfurized gas into the inside of an image forming apparatus, and a temperature for raising the temperature of an electronic component and the electronic component And a gas detection unit that detects the presence or absence of the intrusion of the sulfided gas according to a change in impedance of the electronic component caused by the temperature rise of the electronic component caused by the temperature rise unit.

  According to the first and second aspects of the present disclosure, it is possible to monitor the degree of sulfurization while suppressing costs and maintaining productivity.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 according to a first embodiment to which the present disclosure is applied. FIG. 1 is a front view of a fixing unit 43 according to a first embodiment to which the present disclosure is applied, from an image forming apparatus 1; FIG. 2 is a view of a fixing unit 43 according to a first embodiment to which the present disclosure is applied, as viewed from the back of the image forming apparatus 1; FIG. 2 is a view of the fixing unit 43 according to the first embodiment to which the present disclosure is applied, as viewed from the side of the image forming apparatus 1; It is a figure which shows an example of the sulfuration detection circuit 101 provided in the drive control board | substrate 110 which concerns on Embodiment 1 to which this indication is applied. It is a block diagram showing an example of functional composition of sulfuration detection circuit 101 concerning Embodiment 1 to which this indication is applied. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the electronic component 122 which concerns on Embodiment 1 to which this indication is applied. FIG. 10 is a view of a control unit 141 according to a second embodiment to which the present disclosure is applied, as viewed from the back of the image forming apparatus 1; It is a block diagram showing an example of functional composition of a peripheral circuit of sulfuration detection circuit 101 concerning Embodiment 3 to which this indication is applied. It is a figure which shows an example of the image forming system which concerns on Embodiment 4 to which this indication is applied.

  Hereinafter, although an embodiment of the present invention is described based on a drawing, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiment.

Embodiment 1
FIG. 1 is a view showing an example of the overall configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 according to a first embodiment to which the present disclosure is applied. The image forming apparatus 1 includes a reading unit 11 and an image forming apparatus main body 19. The reading unit 11 includes an ADF 11A and a document reading unit 11B. The ADF 11A includes a document tray, a sheet passing path, a sheet discharge tray, a contact type image sensor, a density reference member, and the like. The density reference member is used at the time of shading correction of the ADF 11A. The document reading unit 11B includes a document illumination unit, a reflection mirror, a condenser lens, a sensor, a platen glass, and the like. The reading unit 11 separates the document set in the document tray one by one and feeds it out, conveys it in the sub-scanning direction along the sheet passing path where the contact type image sensor is disposed, and discharges it to the sheet discharge tray. To paper. The document illumination unit includes a lamp and a mirror. While the document is conveyed in the sub-scanning direction along the sheet passing path, the reading operation in units of lines in the main scanning direction is repeatedly performed by the document illumination unit, the reflection mirror, the condenser lens, and the sensor.

  The image forming apparatus main body 19 includes an image forming unit 41, a fixing unit 43, a sheet feeding unit 61, and the like. The image forming unit 41 includes an exposure device 51, a developing device 53, a photosensitive drum 55, and a transfer belt 57. The image forming unit 41 supplies toner of different color to the photosensitive drum 55 by the exposure device 51 based on the image data of the document read by the reading unit 11 and develops. The image forming unit 41 transfers the toner image developed on the photosensitive drum 55 by the transfer belt 57 to the sheet supplied from the sheet feeding unit 61. The image forming section 41 fuses the toner of the toner image transferred onto the sheet by the fixing section 43, whereby the color image is fixed on the sheet.

  FIG. 2 is a view of the fixing unit 43 according to the first embodiment to which the present disclosure is applied, as viewed from the front of the image forming apparatus 1. The fixing unit 43 includes a fixing roller 431, a fixing belt 432, a heating roller 433 and a pressure roller 435. The fixing belt 432 is wound around a fixing roller 431 and a heating roller 433. The heating roller 433 incorporates a heater 434. Thus, the heat of the heater 434 is transmitted to the fixing belt 432 via the heating roller 433. The fixing roller 431 is pressed against the pressure roller 435 through the fixing belt 432 to form a fixing nip. The pressure roller 435 incorporates a heater 436. Thus, the fixing nip transmits not only the heat of the heater 434 but also the heat of the heater 436. A conveyance path 438 is configured along the sheet conveyance direction, and a conveyance roller 437 is provided on the downstream side of the conveyance path 438.

  FIG. 3 is a view of the fixing unit 43 according to the first embodiment to which the present disclosure is applied, as viewed from the back of the image forming apparatus 1. FIG. 4 is a view of the fixing unit 43 according to the first embodiment to which the present disclosure is applied, as viewed from the side of the image forming apparatus 1. The drive motor 445 drives the pressure roller 435 via the drive unit 451. The heating roller 433 and the fixing roller 431 are supported by the drive unit 452 and driven together with the pressure roller 435. Below the drive motor 445, a drive control board 110 is provided. The drive control substrate 110 controls the drive of the fixing unit 43, and specifically controls the drive of the pressure roller 435. The drive control substrate 110 is provided with a sulfurization detection circuit 101. The sulfurization detection circuit 101 detects the presence or absence of intrusion of sulfurized gas. An exhaust duct 443 is provided above the drive control substrate 110. An exhaust duct 442 is provided above the exhaust duct 443. An exhaust duct 441 is provided above the exhaust duct 442. The exhaust ducts 441 to 443 exhaust air and are provided along the longitudinal direction of the heating roller 433, the fixing roller 431, and the pressure roller 435. An exhaust fan 444 is provided below the drive control board 110. The exhaust fan 444 supplies air toward the exhaust ducts 441 to 443. By driving the exhaust fan 444, air around the fixing unit 43 is exhausted toward the exhaust ducts 441 to 443. At least one of the exhaust ducts 441 to 443 and the exhaust fan 444 is provided at a position or a periphery facing an opening (not shown) in contact with the outside air. Therefore, since the drive control board 110 is provided between the exhaust duct 443 and the exhaust fan 444, the drive control board 110 can be exposed to the outside air.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the sulfurization detection circuit 101 provided on the drive control substrate 110 according to the first embodiment to which the present disclosure is applied. As shown in FIG. 5, the sulfurization detection circuit 101 and the normal circuit 103 are mounted on the drive control substrate 110. Since the sulfurization detection circuit 101 is for detecting sulfurized gas contained in the outside air, it is preferable that the sulfurization detection circuit 101 be mounted at a position where the outside air is touched. In the example of FIG. 5, since the sulfurization detection circuit 101 is provided on the drive control substrate 110, the sulfurization detection circuit 101 is disposed between the exhaust duct 443 and the exhaust fan 444 and is disposed at a position where it touches the outside air. The normal circuit 103 drives and controls the pressure roller 435. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the sulfurization detection circuit 101 according to the first embodiment to which the present disclosure is applied. The sulfurization detection circuit 101 includes an electronic component 122, a temperature rising unit 121, and a gas detection unit 123. The temperature raising portion 121 is for raising the temperature of the electronic component 122. The temperature raising unit 121 is configured of, for example, a step-up switching regulator. The temperature raising unit 121 boosts the input voltage of 3.3 V input to the drive control board 110 to 5 V and outputs it. That is, the temperature raising unit 121 is configured of a booster circuit that raises the input voltage of the electronic component 122.

  The electronic component 122 is composed of, for example, a chip resistor. In the electronic component 122, the input voltage is boosted and applied by the temperature raising unit 121, so the applied voltage becomes large and the temperature rises. Accordingly, temperature stress is applied to the electronic component 122, which makes the electronic component 122 susceptible to sulfurization. The gas detection unit 123 detects the presence or absence of the sulfide gas in accordance with the amount of change in the impedance of the electronic component 122 caused by the temperature rise of the electronic component 122 by the temperature raising unit 121. Specifically, when the output voltage of the electronic component 122 is equal to or higher than the threshold voltage, the gas detection unit 123 detects that sulfurized gas is intruding, as a variation of the impedance of the electronic component 122. The threshold voltage is to be compared with the output voltage of the electronic component 122, and is set based on the state in which the electronic component 122 is affected by sulfurized gas. For example, when the output voltage of the electronic component 122 is 6 V, the gas detection unit 123 outputs High. The control unit 141 includes a CPU, and outputs the detection result of the sulfurization detection circuit 101. The output destination is the own machine or the outside. Thereby, the detection result of the sulfuration detection circuit 101 can be monitored.

  FIG. 7 is a view showing a configuration example of the electronic component 122 according to the first embodiment to which the present disclosure is applied. The electronic component 122 is included in the sulfurization detection circuit 101 and functions as a sensor that detects sulfuration. Therefore, it is preferable that at least the electronic component 122 in the sulfurization detection circuit 101 be disposed in a place in contact with the outside air that may contain sulfurized gas, so for example, if only the electronic component 122 is provided on the drive control substrate 110 Good. In the above description, although the sulfide detection circuit 101 has been described as an example disposed at a place where it touches the outside air, at least the electronic component 122 may be disposed at such a place. That is, it is preferable that the electronic component 122 be provided between the exhaust duct 443 and the exhaust fan 444. The electronic component 122 includes a resistor 132, an internal electrode 133, and an external electrode 134. The resistor 132 is a metal-based mixed film or a metal film formed by sintering a mixture of metal oxide and glass on the top surface of the alumina substrate 131 at a high temperature. The internal electrode 133 is provided adjacent to the resistor 132 and is made of a silver-based material, and is, for example, a silver-based metal glaze thick film. The external electrode 134 is provided in electrical conduction with the internal electrode 133, and is made of, for example, Sn plating. The protective film 135 is formed on the top surface of the resistor 132.

  Therefore, if the sulfided gas intrudes from the gap between the protective film 135 and the external electrode 134 when the electronic component 122 is exposed to the outside air containing the sulfided gas, the internal electrode 133 is made of a silver-based material. Silver sulfide is formed on the electrode 133. Therefore, if the internal electrode 133 continues to be in contact with the sulfided gas as it is, the sulfided gas deeply penetrates the internal electrode 133, the reaction proceeds, and the amount of silver sulfide increases. The location where silver sulfide continues to increase is a cause of breakage because it corrodes. Therefore, if the presence or absence of sulfurized gas is detected according to the amount of change in the impedance of the electronic component 122 caused by the temperature rise of the electronic component 122, the impedance of the electronic component 122 is detected while the temperature of the electronic component 122 is increased. It is possible to simplify the configuration because it is only necessary. In addition, since the sulfidation is accelerated by raising the temperature of the electronic component 122, the degree of sulfidation over time can be predicted in advance. Therefore, the degree of sulfidation can be monitored while controlling costs and maintaining productivity. When the operation time of the image forming apparatus 1 is long, the temperature in the image forming apparatus 1 is high and the operation time of the exhaust fan 444 is also long. Therefore, more external air is contained in the image forming apparatus 1 It is taken in and the flow of air also increases. Therefore, if the outside air contains sulfurized gas, sulfurization is further accelerated.

  In addition, since the electronic component 122 uses a silver-based material for the internal electrode 133, silver sulfide is generated in the internal electrode 133 in an environment in contact with sulfurized gas, and the conduction path is narrowed. Therefore, depending on the environment in which the electronic component 122 is provided, the conduction path continues to be narrowed, and then the internal electrode 133 is broken. Also, the electronic component 122 is between the exhaust duct 443 and the exhaust fan 444. Therefore, the electronic component 122 is in a position where it touches the outside air. Therefore, if the sulfurized gas is contained in the outside air, the electronic component 122 can appropriately detect the degree of sulfurization of the electronic component 122 with time, so that the degree of sulfurization can be monitored at low cost. .

  In addition, the gas detection unit 123 detects, as the amount of fluctuation of the impedance of the electronic component 122, that there is intrusion of sulfurized gas when the output voltage of the electronic component 122 is equal to or higher than the threshold voltage. As the sulfidation of the electronic component 122 proceeds, the impedance of the electronic component 122 rises, so the output voltage of the electronic component 122 also rises. Therefore, the fact that the output voltage of the electronic component 122 is equal to or higher than the threshold voltage corresponds to the progress of sulfurization of the electronic component 122. Further, the output voltage of the electronic component 122 is a parameter that can be monitored without visual observation. Therefore, the degree of sulfurization of the electronic component 122 over time can be monitored at low cost.

  Also, the electronic component 122 is configured of a chip resistor. Chip resistors are inexpensive because they are general purpose products. Therefore, by using a chip resistor as a sensor for detecting sulfurization, it is possible to suppress cost and realize detection of sulfurization with a simple configuration.

  In addition, the electronic component 122 is provided on the drive control substrate 110. Since the drive control substrate 110 is provided between the exhaust duct 443 and the exhaust fan 444, the heat generated by the fixing unit 43 is easily transmitted to the electronic component 122. If the temperature of the electronic component 122 rises, it is likely to be sulfided, so that the sulfurization can be detected by acceleration. Therefore, since the sulfurization can be detected before the occurrence of a failure of the image forming apparatus 1, maintenance can be performed before the image forming apparatus 1 can not be used. Therefore, the countermeasure against sulfurization can be taken without causing inconvenience to the user who uses the image forming apparatus 1.

Embodiment 2
In the second embodiment, the description of the same configuration and function as those of the first embodiment will be omitted. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the sulfurization detection circuit 101 is mounted in addition to the drive control substrate 110. FIG. 8 is a view of the control unit 141 according to the second embodiment to which the present disclosure is applied, as viewed from the back of the image forming apparatus 1. In the example of FIG. 8, the control unit 141 is provided on the back side of the exposure apparatus 51 and configured as a system control box. The control unit 141 includes a main control board 151, an image processing board 152, and a print control board 153. The control unit 141 is provided with an intake port 162 on the upper side. An intake fan 163 is provided at a position facing the intake port 162. An opening (not shown) is formed in the housing of the image forming apparatus main body 19 at a position facing the intake fan 163. The control unit 141 is provided with an exhaust port 161 on the lower side. An exhaust fan 164 is provided at a position facing the exhaust port 161. Accordingly, since the flow of air from the intake port 162 toward the exhaust port 161 is formed by driving the intake fan 163 and the exhaust fan 164, the main control board 151, the image processing board 152, and the print control board 153 It is possible to prevent an excessive rise in temperature of each mounting component.

  However, among the main control board 151, the image processing board 152, and the print control board 153, there are those arranged so as to be overlapped by a connector. Also, the mounting components mounted on each of the main control board 151, the image processing board 152, and the print control board 153 have various heights. Therefore, the temperature inside the control unit 141 has unevenness. That is, since the temperature, the wind speed, etc. are different in each of the main control board 151, the image processing board 152, and the print control board 153, the sulfurization detection circuit is provided in each of the main control board 151, the image processing board 152, and the print control board 153. If 101 is implemented, sulfurization can be detected under more environmental conditions. Therefore, it is possible to accelerate and detect sulfuration under conditions in which sulfuration is more likely to occur among the main control substrate 151, the image processing substrate 152, and the print control substrate 153. It is to be noted that at least the electronic component 122 can be controlled by the main control board 151, the image processing board 152, and the print control without mounting the sulfurization detection circuit 101 itself on each of the main control board 151, the image processing board 152 and the print control board 153. It may be mounted on each of the substrates 153. That is, if a plurality of electronic components 122 are provided in the path of the outside air flowing from the intake port 162 to the exhaust port 161, sulfurization can be detected in more environments.

  From the above description, a plurality of electronic components 122 are further provided in the path of the outside air flowing from the intake port 162 to the exhaust port 161. Since a plurality of components having different functions are provided between the intake port 162 and the exhaust port 161, the electronic components 122 are provided in places where environmental conditions such as temperature are different. Therefore, in order to detect sulfidation under more environmental conditions, depending on environmental conditions, it is possible to accelerate and detect sulfidation under conditions in which sulfidation is more likely to occur.

Embodiment 3
In the third embodiment, the description of the same configuration and function as those of the first and second embodiments will be omitted. The third embodiment differs from the first and second embodiments in that the electronic component 122 is actively controlled within the rating based on the temperature of the electronic component 122. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of peripheral circuits of the sulfurization detection circuit 101 according to the third embodiment to which the present disclosure is applied. In the example of FIG. 9, the temperature detection unit 171 is provided around the electronic component 122 and detects the temperature of the electronic component 122. The voltage control unit 181 controls at least one of the input voltage and the threshold voltage of the electronic component 122. When the temperature of the electronic component 122 detected by the temperature detection unit 171 exceeds the threshold temperature, the voltage control unit 181 reduces at least one of the input voltage and the threshold voltage of the electronic component 122. The threshold temperature is set to a temperature within the rating of the electronic component 122. The voltage control unit 181 may execute control to lower at least one of the input voltage and the threshold voltage of the electronic component 122 until the temperature of the electronic component 122 detected by the temperature detection unit 171 falls below the threshold temperature. Specifically, since the input voltage of the electronic component 122 is controlled by the temperature raising unit 121, the voltage control unit 181 controls the temperature until the temperature of the electronic component 122 detected by the temperature detection unit 171 falls below the threshold temperature. The input voltage of the electronic component 122 to be raised by the raising portion 121 may be lowered. In addition, if the threshold voltage of the electronic component 122 is lowered, it is detected that there is an intrusion of sulfurized gas before the output voltage of the electronic component 122 is increased, so the load applied to the electronic component 122 can be reduced. .

  From the above description, when the temperature of the electronic component 122 detected by the temperature detection unit 171 exceeds the threshold temperature, the voltage control unit 181 compares the input voltage of the electronic component 122 and the output voltage of the electronic component 122 with each other. Decrease at least one of the voltages. The threshold temperature is set to a temperature within the rating of the electronic component 122. Therefore, the electronic component 122 is not subjected to a load exceeding the rating. Therefore, sulfurization can be promoted without being a stress test of the electronic component 122 itself.

Embodiment 4
In the fourth embodiment, the description of the same configuration and function as those of the first to third embodiments will be omitted. The fourth embodiment is different from the first to third embodiments in that the plurality of image forming apparatuses 1 can communicate with each other. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image forming system according to a fourth embodiment to which the present disclosure is applied. In the example of FIG. 10, a plurality of image forming apparatuses 1, a plurality of servers 3, and a terminal device 2 are connected via a network 4. The plurality of servers 3 can be configured as a cloud server. At least one of the plurality of image forming apparatuses 1 stores the operation time of the own apparatus and the presence or absence of the intrusion of sulfurized gas as a database. The database may be stored anywhere as long as it can be referred to via the network 4. For example, if stored in the server 3, each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses 1 can access the database by accessing the server 3.

  In other words, the control unit 141 stores, as a database, the operation time of the image forming apparatus 1 and the presence or absence of intrusion of sulfurized gas. The database is configured to be referable via the network 4. Therefore, since information on the operation time of the image forming apparatus 1 and the presence or absence of the intrusion of sulfurized gas can be stored in the database, failure prediction can be performed based on the stored information. Further, since the operating time of the image forming apparatus 1 and the presence or absence of the intrusion of sulfurized gas are stored as a database, the input voltage of the electronic component 122 is increased or the threshold value is generated when the image forming apparatus 1 in similar environment is sulfurized. By performing processing such as lowering the voltage, it is possible to change the conditions to be easy to detect sulfurization. Therefore, the risk of sulfurization can be prepared in advance. If the image forming apparatus 1 can not control the input voltage or the threshold voltage of the electronic component 122, the risk of sulfurization can be provided in advance by continuously monitoring it as the caution state.

  Although the image forming apparatus 1 to which the present disclosure is applied has been described based on the embodiment, the present disclosure is not limited to this, and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, in the present embodiment, an example in which the electronic component 122 is configured by a chip resistor has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, as long as the internal electrode 133 is configured by a silver-based material. Moreover, the temperature rising part 121 and the gas detection part 123 may be provided with two or more.

Reference Signs List 1 image forming apparatus, 2 terminal apparatus, 3 server, 4 network 11 reading unit, 11A ADF, 11B document reading unit 19 image forming apparatus main body 101 sulfurization detection circuit, 103 normal circuit, 110 drive control substrate 121 temperature rising unit, 122 electron Parts, 123 gas detection unit, 131 alumina substrate 132 resistor, 133 internal electrode, 134 external electrode, 135 protective film 141 control unit 151 main control substrate, 152 image processing substrate, 153 print control substrate 161 exhaust port, 162 intake port, 163 intake fan, 164 exhaust fan 171 temperature detection unit, 181 voltage control unit 41 image forming unit, 43 fixing unit, 431 fixing roller, 432 fixing belt 433 heating roller, 434 heater, 435 pressure roller 436 heater, 437 conveying roller, 438 Transportation Road 441 to 443 exhaust duct, 444 exhaust fan, 445 driving motor 451 driving section 51 exposure device 53 developing apparatus, 55 a photosensitive drum, 57 a transfer belt 61 the paper feed unit

Claims (9)

An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a sheet, wherein
A sulfide detection circuit that detects the presence or absence of sulfide gas intrusion;
A control unit that outputs a detection result of the sulfurization detection circuit;
Equipped with
The sulfurization detection circuit
Electronic parts,
A temperature rising portion that raises the temperature of the electronic component;
A gas detection unit that detects the presence or absence of intrusion of the sulfided gas according to the amount of change in impedance of the electronic component caused by the temperature rise of the electronic component by the temperature rising unit;
Equipped with
Image forming apparatus. An exhaust duct for exhausting air,
An exhaust fan for supplying air toward the exhaust duct;
And further
The electronic component is
Provided between the exhaust duct and the exhaust fan, wherein
With a resistor,
An internal electrode provided adjacent to the resistor;
An external electrode electrically connected to the internal electrode;
Equipped with
The internal electrode is
Composed of silver-based materials,
An image forming apparatus according to claim 1. A threshold voltage to be compared with the output voltage of the electronic component is set;
The temperature rising portion is
It is comprised from the booster circuit which raises the input voltage of the said electronic component,
The gas detection unit is
When the output voltage of the electronic component is equal to or higher than the threshold voltage as the fluctuation amount of the impedance of the electronic component, it is detected that the sulfide gas intrudes.
The threshold voltage is
The electronic component is set based on a state affected by the sulfurized gas,
An image forming apparatus according to claim 2. The electronic component is
Composed of chip resistors,
An image forming apparatus according to claim 3. An image forming unit that forms the image on the sheet;
A fixing unit that fixes the image formed by the image forming unit on the sheet;
A drive control substrate provided between the exhaust duct and the exhaust fan and controlling driving of the fixing unit;
And further
The electronic component is
Provided on the drive control board,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 3. An air intake for taking in outside air,
An exhaust port for exhausting external air taken in from the air intake port;
And further
The electronic component is
More than one are provided in the path of the outside air flowing from the intake port to the exhaust port,
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 5. A temperature detection unit that detects the temperature of the electronic component;
A voltage control unit that controls at least one of an input voltage of the electronic component and the threshold voltage;
And further
The voltage control unit
When the temperature of the electronic component detected by the temperature detection unit exceeds a threshold temperature, at least one of the input voltage of the electronic component and the threshold voltage is reduced.
The threshold temperature is
Set to a temperature within the rating of the electronic component,
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 6. The control unit
The operation time of the image forming apparatus and the presence or absence of the intrusion of the sulfurized gas are stored as a database.
The database is
Configured to be viewable via a network,
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7. A sulfide detection circuit for detecting intrusion of sulfide gas into the inside of an image forming apparatus, comprising:
Electronic parts,
A temperature rising portion that raises the temperature of the electronic component;
A gas detection unit that detects the presence or absence of intrusion of the sulfided gas according to the amount of change in impedance of the electronic component caused by the temperature rise of the electronic component by the temperature rising unit;
Equipped with
Sulfurization detection circuit.

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