JP2019120743A - Image forming system - Google Patents

Abstract

To quickly reduce dust floating around an image forming apparatus.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus 1 comprises: a device communication unit 18 that communicates with an air cleaner 3; a dust event detection unit 191 that detects a dust event to be the cause of dust floating in the air; and a dust removal request unit 192 that, when the dust event is detected by the dust event detection unit 191, transmits, from the device communication unit 18, a dust removal request notification for requesting the air cleaner 3 to remove the dust. The air cleaner 3 includes a cleaner communication unit 33 that communicates with the image forming apparatus 1, and a cleaning operation control unit 351 that switches the strength of the air cleaning power of the air cleaning operation in a plurality of stages. When receiving the dust removal request notification from the cleaner communication unit 33, the cleaning operation control unit 351 switches the strength in a direction in which the air cleaning power is increased.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming system provided with an image forming apparatus and an air cleaner.

  Conventionally, a technique has been proposed in which an air purifier is integrally attached to an image forming apparatus and the air cleaning operation of the air purifier is controlled to be on / off in conjunction with power on / off of the image forming apparatus (for example, , Patent Document 1).

JP, 2011-27930, A

  However, in the prior art, when using the image forming apparatus, even if dust is scattered around the image forming apparatus, the dust is not reduced until the air cleaner detects the dust and enhances the air cleanliness. There was a problem that.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a technology capable of rapidly reducing dust flying around an image forming apparatus.

An image forming system according to the present invention is an image forming system including an image forming apparatus for performing an image forming operation and an air purifier for performing an air cleaning operation, wherein the image forming apparatus communicates with the air purifier. Device communication unit, a dust event detection unit that detects a dust event that causes dust to scatter in the air, and the air purifier removes dust when the dust event is detected by the dust event detection unit And a dust removal request unit for transmitting a required dust removal request notification by the device communication unit, wherein the air cleaner includes a cleaner communication unit for communicating with the image forming apparatus; and an air cleaning power of the air cleaning operation. And a cleaning operation control unit for switching strength in a plurality of steps, wherein the cleaning operation control unit is configured to increase the air cleanliness when the dust removal request notification is received by the purifier communication unit. And wherein the changing Ri.
In addition, the image forming apparatus includes a plurality of open / close detection sensors that detect opening / closing of the movable portion formed in the housing, and the dust event detection unit detects that the movable portion is opened by the open / close detection sensor. If it is detected, it may be detected as the dust event.
Further, the open / close detection sensor may be provided at a position at which the open / close of a cover used for maintenance is detected.
Further, the open / close detection sensor may be provided at a position at which the open / close of a sheet feeding cassette for storing the recording sheet is detected.
Further, the dust event detection unit may detect the dust event as a printing instruction to execute the image forming operation.
In the air cleaner, a dust detection sensor for detecting the amount of dust, and dust detected by the dust detection sensor after a specific time has elapsed since the air cleanliness is enhanced based on the dust removal request notification. And an abnormality notification unit that transmits a dust abnormality notification to the image forming apparatus by the purifier communication unit when the amount of the dust is equal to or greater than a specific threshold value, the image forming apparatus including the air cleaner May be provided with an abnormality notification unit that notifies the serviceman that the amount of dust is abnormal.
Further, the abnormality notification unit may be configured to send the image forming apparatus an error even when the amount of dust detected by the dust detection sensor is equal to or more than the specific threshold during the air cleaning operation not related to the dust removal request notification. The dust abnormality notification may not be sent.
Further, the cleaning operation control unit strengthens the air cleaning power with respect to the amount of dust detected by the dust detection sensor when the air cleaning power is started to be strengthened based on the dust removal request notification. If the amount of dust detected by the dust detection sensor has not increased before the elapse of the specific time, the enhancement of the air cleanliness may be stopped.
Further, the cleaning operation control unit may be configured to set the amount of dust detected by the dust detection sensor to a specific threshold value or more after a specific time has elapsed since the air cleanliness is enhanced based on the dust removal request notification. The time for strengthening the air cleanliness, the abnormality notification unit, the amount of dust detected by the dust detection sensor after the end of the time for strengthening the air cleanliness extended by the cleaning operation control unit When the threshold value is equal to or greater than a specific threshold value, the purifier communication unit may transmit a dust abnormality notification to the image forming apparatus.

  According to the present invention, dust flying around the image forming apparatus can be rapidly reduced.

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic block diagram of the image forming system shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of air cleaning operation | movement of the image forming system shown in FIG.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, the same reference numerals are given to the configurations showing the same functions.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an image forming system 100 according to the present embodiment includes an image forming apparatus 1 and an air cleaner 3 installed in the same room. The image forming apparatus 1 is a printer, a multifunction peripheral, or the like, and records an image on a recording sheet using an electrophotographic method, an inkjet method, or the like. Hereinafter, the case where the image forming apparatus 1 is an electrophotographic complex machine will be described as an example.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 1 is a multifunction peripheral, and includes a plurality of operation units 11, a document reading unit 13, a storage unit 14, an image processing unit 15, a printing unit 16, and a fax unit. And a device communication unit 18 and a control unit 19.

  The operation unit 11 is provided with a display unit and operation buttons. The user operates the operation unit 11 to input an instruction, thereby setting various settings of the image forming apparatus 1 and executing various functions such as image formation. The display unit displays the status of the image forming apparatus 1, displays the image formation status and the number of copies, and can perform various settings such as functions such as double-sided printing and black and white reversal, magnification settings, and density settings as a touch panel. It has become. The operation button includes a start button for instructing start of scan operation and image formation, a stop button for instructing cancellation of scan operation and image formation, and a reset button used to set various settings of image forming apparatus 1 in a default state. Is provided.

  The document feeding unit 12 is an ADF (Auto Document Feeder), and has a function of feeding the documents set in the document placement tray 121 one by one in order and feeding the document to the document reading unit 13.

  The document reading unit 13 emits light to a document fed by the document feeding unit 12 or a document placed on a platen glass by a user, and receives reflected light and the like to read a document image. It is a scanner.

  The storage unit 14 is a storage unit such as a semiconductor memory or a hard disk drive (HDD), and is a storage unit in which image data read by the document reading unit 13 and image data received by the device communication unit 18 are accumulated. is there. Further, the storage unit 14 stores various management information.

  The image processing unit 15 is means for performing predetermined image processing on image data. The image processing unit 15 performs, for example, image processing such as enlargement / reduction processing, density adjustment, and gradation adjustment.

  The printing unit 16 is a printing unit that prints based on the image data stored in the storage unit 14. The printing unit 16 forms, for example, a latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum based on the image data read from the storage unit 14, forms an image using the latent image as a toner image with toner, and records from the photosensitive drum The toner image is transferred onto paper, and the toner image is fixed on the recording paper by the fixing unit and discharged. Execution of the image forming operation by the printing unit 16 causes dust to move into the air due to conveyance of the recording paper, driving of a not-shown fan for exhausting toner dust, air inside the apparatus, abrasion, and the like. .

  The plurality of open / close detection sensors 17 are configured by micro switches or the like, and have a function of detecting the open / close of an openable / closable movable portion such as a cover formed on a casing of the image forming apparatus 1. The opening of the movable portion causes dust accumulated in the image forming apparatus 1 to move into the air.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the open / close detection sensor 17 opens / closes the maintenance cover 41 for performing toner replacement, waste toner replacement, etc., opens / closes the manual feed tray 42, opens / closes the paper feed cassette 43 in which recording paper is stored. Also, they are provided at positions where the opening and closing of the document feeding unit 12 are detected. The document feeding unit 12 functions as a document platen cover that opens and closes the document placement surface of the platen glass, and by opening upward, the upper surface of the platen glass is opened, and the document can be set on the platen glass. Become.

  The device communication unit 18 has a function of receiving image data to be printed from an external terminal via the network 2 such as a LAN (Local Area Network), and transmitting / receiving various data to / from the air cleaner 3. .

  The image forming apparatus 1 and the air cleaner 3 may communicate not only via the network 2 such as a LAN, but also via the Internet, or wireless such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or Bluetooth (registered trademark) It may communicate via communication.

  The control unit 19 is connected to the operation unit 11, the document feeding unit 12, the document reading unit 13, the storage unit 14, the image processing unit 15, the printing unit 16, the open / close detection sensor 17 and the device communication unit 18. The control unit 19 is an information processing unit such as a microcomputer including a central processing unit (CPU), a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), and the like. A control program for controlling the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 is stored in the ROM. The control unit 19 reads the control program stored in the ROM, develops the control program in the RAM, and executes the control program, thereby controlling the entire image forming apparatus 1. Also, the control unit 19 functions as a dust event detection unit 191, a dust removal request unit 192, and an abnormality notification unit 193.

  The dust event detection unit 191 has a function of monitoring the apparatus state of the image forming apparatus 1 and detecting a dust event that causes dust to fly in the air. For example, when the open / close detection sensor 17 detects that the movable portion of the image forming apparatus 1 is open, the dust event detection unit 191 receives a print instruction via the operation unit 11 or the device communication unit 18. , And may be detected as dust events, respectively. This is because dust may scatter in the air when the apparatus state of the image forming apparatus 1 changes.

  Further, the dust event detection unit 191 sets, as the dust event, a case where the open / close detection sensor 17 does not detect that the movable portion is opened for the second specific period when the image forming apparatus 1 is not used for the first specific period. Each may be detected. This is because dust may be accumulated in the image forming apparatus 1. The first specified period and the second specified period may be the same or different.

  The dust removal request unit 192 has a function of transmitting, when the dust event detection unit 191 detects a dust event, a dust removal request notification requesting the air cleaner 3 to remove dust via the device communication unit 18.

  When the abnormality notification unit 193 receives a dust abnormality notification from the air purifier 3 after transmitting the dust removal request notification via the device communication unit 18, it displays on the operation unit 11 that the dust amount is abnormal or The apparatus has a function of notifying the service person via the device communication unit 18 via the network 2 and performing a dust abnormality process to notify. Further, the abnormality notifying unit 193 may stop the image forming operation of the printing unit 16 as the dust abnormality processing when the dust abnormality notification is received. This is because the amount of dust may increase before the failure of the image forming apparatus 1.

  The air cleaner 3 includes an operation unit 31, a dust detection sensor 32, a purifier communication unit 33, an air cleaner 34, and a controller 35.

  The operation unit 31 is a user interface provided with a display unit and operation buttons. The user can switch the strength of the air cleanliness of the air purifier 3 to “weak”, “medium”, “strong” or the like via the operation unit 31.

  The dust detection sensor 32 is an optical sensor or the like, and has a function of detecting the amount of dust in the air sucked into the air cleaner 3 by a fan (not shown).

  The purifier communication unit 33 has a function of transmitting and receiving various data to and from the image forming apparatus 1 via the network 2 such as a LAN.

  The air cleaning unit 34 includes a fan for sucking air, a filter for filtering the air sucked by the fan, an ion generator for charging suspended matters in the air, and the like, and removes dust in the air. It has a function.

  The control unit 35 is an information processing unit such as a microcomputer provided with a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. A control program for controlling the operation of the air purifier 3 is stored in the ROM. The control unit 35 reads out the control program stored in the ROM, develops the control program in the RAM, and executes the control program to control the entire air purifier 3. Further, the control unit 35 functions as a cleaning operation control unit 351 and an abnormality notification unit 352.

  The cleaning operation control unit 351 is based on the operation instruction received by the operation unit 31, the dust removal request notification received from the image forming apparatus 1 by the purifier communication unit 33, the dust level detected by the dust detection sensor 32, and the like. , And has a function of controlling the strength of the air cleanliness of the air cleaning unit 34. For example, the cleaning operation control unit 351 sets the air flow rate of the fan to the air cleaning unit 34 according to the strength "weak", "medium", or "strong" of the air cleanliness selected through the operation unit 31. Control may be made to switch between "weak", "medium", and "strong", respectively. In addition, the cleaning operation control unit 351 is forcedly when the amount of dust in the air detected by the dust detection sensor 32 is large (more than a specific level) or when the dust removal request notification is obtained from the image forming apparatus 1 Alternatively, the air cleanliness of the air cleaner 34 may be switched to a specific time for enhancement. For example, the cleaning operation control unit 351 may switch at least the air volume of the fan with respect to the air cleaning unit 34 for a specific time “strong” to control.

  In the following, the case where the air cleaning unit 34 operates with the strength of the air cleanliness selected by the user via the operation unit 31 is referred to as “normal mode”, and the dust amount detected by the dust detection sensor 32 is specified The case where the air cleaning unit 34 operates by switching the strength of the air cleaning power to "strong" when the dust removal request notification is transmitted from the image forming apparatus 1 or higher is described as "strong mode". Do.

  The abnormality notification unit 352 detects an abnormality when the amount of dust detected by the dust detection sensor 32 is equal to or higher than a specific threshold (specific level or higher) after the air cleaning unit 34 operates in the “strong mode” for a specific time. The purifier communication unit 33 has a function of transmitting a dust abnormality notification to the image forming apparatus 1. When the air cleaning unit 34 is operated in the "strong mode" for a specific time because the amount of dust detected by the dust detection sensor 32 is equal to or higher than the specific level, that is, the mode is switched to the "strong mode" If the abnormality notification unit 352 detects an abnormality after the “strong mode” operation, the dust abnormality notification is not sent to the image forming apparatus 1. When the abnormality notification unit 352 detects an abnormality, the abnormality notification unit 352 may notify that effect by LED display of the operation unit 31 or the like.

  Next, the flow of processing in which the image forming apparatus 1 and the air cleaner 3 cooperate with each other to perform the air cleaning operation will be described with reference to FIG.

  The air cleaner 3 is operating in the normal mode (s11). Subsequently, the dust event detection unit 191 of the image forming apparatus 1 determines whether the open / close detection sensor 17 detects that the movable unit is open (s12). When the dust event detection unit 191 detects that the movable unit is opened via the open / close detection sensor 17 (s12: Yes), the dust event detection unit 191 detects a dust event and advances the processing to s15.

  On the other hand, the dust event detection unit 191 determines whether the image forming apparatus 1 is on standby (s13). If the image forming apparatus 1 is on standby (s13: Yes), the dust event is not detected, so the process returns to s12.

  If the image forming apparatus 1 is not on standby (s13: No), the dust event detection unit 191 determines whether a print instruction has been issued via the operation unit 11 or the apparatus communication unit 18 (s14). For example, the dust event detection unit 191 determines that a print instruction has been issued at the stage when the print setting screen for receiving the print setting displayed on the operation unit 11 is input (before the print execution button is pressed). Good. This is to increase the air cleanliness of the air cleaner 3 before the image forming operation by the printing unit 16 is performed. Further, when the image forming apparatus 1 has the FAX function, the dust event detection unit 191 may also determine that a print instruction has been issued even when the apparatus communication unit 18 receives a facsimile. This is because the received facsimile data is printed by the printing unit 16. If there is no print instruction (s14: No), the process returns to s12.

  If there is a print instruction (s14: Yes), the dust event detection unit 191 detects it as a dust event, and the dust removal request unit 192 transmits a dust removal request notification to the air cleaner 3 from the apparatus communication unit 18 (s15) .

  When the dust removal request notification from the image forming apparatus 1 is received by the purifier communication unit 33, the cleaning operation control unit 351 of the air purifier 3 operates the air cleaning unit 34 in the "strong mode" (s16). Subsequently, the cleaning operation control unit 351 stands by until the specific time passes while the air cleaning unit 34 is operated in the "strong mode" (s17, s17: No).

  When the specific time has elapsed (S17: Yes), the cleaning operation control unit 351 determines whether the dust level is normal via the dust detection sensor 32 (S18). If the dust level is normal (s18: Yes), the cleaning operation control unit 351 returns the operation mode of the air cleaning unit 34 to the “normal mode” (s19), and ends this processing.

  On the other hand, when the dust level is not normal (s18: No), the abnormality notification unit 352 detects an abnormality and the dust abnormality notification is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 1 via the purifier communication unit 33 (s20). When the abnormality notification unit 193 of the image forming apparatus 1 receives the dust abnormality notification by the device communication unit 18, the abnormality notification unit 193 displays that the amount of dust is abnormal on the operation unit 11, notifies the service person, or the like. Dust abnormality processing for stopping the image forming operation or the like is executed (s21), and this processing ends.

  The above process is repeated while the image forming apparatus 1 and the air cleaner 3 are turned on.

  As described above, the image forming system 100 according to the present embodiment is an image forming system 100 including the image forming apparatus 1 that executes an image forming operation and the air cleaner 3 that executes an air cleaning operation, The apparatus 1 has a dust event detected by the apparatus communication unit 18 communicating with the air purifier 3, a dust event detection unit 191 detecting a dust event that causes dust to scatter in the air, and a dust event detection unit 191 In this case, the apparatus communication unit 18 transmits a dust removal request notification that requests the air cleaner 3 to remove dust from the device communication unit 18, and the air cleaner 3 communicates with the image forming apparatus 1 Unit 33, and a cleaning operation control unit 351 that switches the strength of the air cleanliness of the air cleaning operation in a plurality of steps, and the cleaning operation control unit 351 receives the dust removal request notification by the purifier communication unit 33. When, characterized in that the switch in the direction of the air-cleaning ability is enhanced. As a result, by detecting the dust event by the dust event detection unit 191, the image forming apparatus 1 predicts the possibility that the dust will dance in the air, and the dust detection sensor 32 of the air cleaner 3 detects the dust. Before, the air cleanliness of the air purifier 3 can be enhanced. Therefore, dust flying around the image forming apparatus 1 can be reduced quickly.

  In the above embodiment, the abnormality notification unit 352 detects the amount of dust detected by the dust detection sensor 32 after the air cleaning unit 34 is operated in the “strong mode” for a specific time period triggered by the dust removal request notification. If it is above, the dust abnormality notification is immediately transmitted to the image forming apparatus 1, but the present invention is not limited to this.

  For example, the cleaning operation control unit 351 acquires the amount of dust at the start of operation from the dust detection sensor 32 when the air cleaning unit 34 is switched to the "strong mode" and triggered to start by using the dust removal request notification as a trigger. May be When the amount of dust detected by the dust detection sensor 32 during the “strong mode” operation does not increase from the amount of dust detected at the start of the operation, the cleaning operation control unit 351 detects The "strong mode" operation may be canceled and returned to the "normal mode" before the specific time has elapsed. On the other hand, if the amount of dust detected by the dust detection sensor 32 during the “strong mode” operation of the air cleaning unit 34 increases from the amount of dust detected at the start of the operation, the cleaning operation control unit 351 The air cleaning unit 34 may be operated in the "strong mode" until the specific time elapses.

  In addition, the cleaning operation control unit 351 operates the air cleaning unit 34 in the “strong mode” for a specific period of time with the dust removal request notification as a trigger, and then the amount of dust detected by the dust detection sensor 32 is at a normal level (specific threshold If the air cleaning unit 34 does not return to the lower), the time for operating the air cleaner 34 in the "strong mode" may be extended. When the amount of dust detected by the dust detection sensor 32 does not return to the normal level even after the extended time period, the abnormality notification unit 352 transmits a dust abnormality notification to the image forming apparatus 1. May be

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it goes without saying that various changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

Reference Signs List 1 image forming apparatus 2 network 3 air cleaner 11 operation unit 12 document feeding unit 13 document reading unit 14 storage unit 15 image processing unit 16 printing unit 17 opening / closing detection sensor 18 device communication unit 19 control unit 31 operation unit 32 dust detection sensor 33 purifier communication unit 34 air cleaning unit 35 control unit 41 maintenance cover 42 manual feed tray 43 paper feed cassette 100 image forming system 121 document placement tray 191 dust event detection unit 192 dust removal request unit 193 abnormality notification unit 351 cleaning operation control unit 352 anomaly notification unit

Claims (9)

An image forming system comprising an image forming apparatus for performing an image forming operation and an air purifier for performing an air cleaning operation, the image forming system comprising:
The image forming apparatus is
A device communication unit in communication with the air purifier;
A dust event detection unit that detects a dust event that causes dust to scatter in the air;
The apparatus communication unit transmits a dust removal request notification for requesting the air purifier to remove dust when the dust event is detected by the dust event detection unit,
The air cleaner is
A purifier communication unit in communication with the image forming apparatus;
And a cleaning operation control unit that switches the strength of the air cleanliness of the air cleaning operation in a plurality of stages,
The cleaning operation control unit
When the dust removal request notification is received by the purifier communication unit, the image forming system is switched to a direction in which the air cleanliness is enhanced. The image forming apparatus is
It has a plurality of open / close detection sensors that detect the open / close of the movable part formed in the housing,
The dust event detection unit
The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the dust event is detected when the open / close detection sensor detects that the movable portion is opened. The open / close detection sensor is
The image forming system according to claim 2, wherein the image forming system is provided at a position for detecting opening and closing of a cover used for maintenance. The open / close detection sensor is
The image forming system according to claim 2, wherein the image forming system is provided at a position for detecting the opening and closing of a sheet feeding cassette for storing the recording sheet. The dust event detection unit
The image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the dust event is detected when there is a print instruction to execute the image forming operation. The air cleaner is
A dust detection sensor that detects the amount of dust;
When the amount of dust detected by the dust detection sensor is equal to or greater than a specific threshold after a specific time has elapsed since the air cleanliness is enhanced based on the dust removal request notification, the image by the purifier communication unit And an abnormality notification unit that transmits a dust abnormality notification to the forming apparatus;
The image forming apparatus is
6. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising: an abnormality notification unit that notifies a serviceman that the amount of dust is abnormal when the dust abnormality notification is received from the air purifier. An image forming system according to claim 1. The abnormality notification unit
The dust abnormality notification is not transmitted to the image forming apparatus even if the amount of dust detected by the dust detection sensor is not less than the specific threshold during the air cleaning operation not related to the dust removal request notification. The image forming system according to claim 6, characterized in that The cleaning operation control unit
With respect to the amount of dust detected by the dust detection sensor when strengthening of the air cleaning power is started based on the dust removal request notification, the dust before the specific time elapses after the air cleaning power is strengthened The image forming system according to claim 6, wherein the enhancement of the air cleanliness is stopped if the amount of dust detected by the detection sensor has not increased. The cleaning operation control unit
The time to strengthen the air cleanliness when the amount of dust detected by the dust detection sensor is equal to or greater than a specific threshold after a specific time has elapsed since the air cleanliness was strengthened based on the dust removal request notification. Extend the
The abnormality notification unit
When the amount of dust detected by the dust detection sensor is equal to or greater than a specific threshold after the time for strengthening the air cleanliness extended by the cleaning operation control unit, the image forming apparatus by the purifier communication unit The image forming system according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein a dust abnormality notification is sent to the image forming apparatus.

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