JP2019184815A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an image forming apparatus that can appropriately address a user's request.SOLUTION: A compound machine 11 comprises an interruption detection unit 31, a measurement unit 32, a first decision unit 33, a second decision unit 34 and a determination unit 35. When the interruption detection unit 31 detects zero cross interruption, the measurement unit 32 measures the zero cross period of an AC power supply. The first decision unit 33 decides whether a heater is energized by an energization unit 30. The second decision unit 34 decides whether a second zero cross period measured by the measurement unit 32 after the measurement of a first period is the same as a first period stored in a hard disk 17. When the first decision unit 33 does not decide that the heater 28 is energized, and the second decision unit 34 decides that the second period is not the same as the first period, the determination unit 35 determines that an environment to which an AC power is input is abnormal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

  In an image forming apparatus typified by a multi-function peripheral, after an image of a document is read by an image reading unit, light is irradiated on the photoconductor provided in the image forming unit based on the read image, and the photoconductor is irradiated on the photoconductor. An electrostatic latent image is formed. Thereafter, charged toner is supplied onto the formed electrostatic latent image to form a visible image, and then the toner is transferred and fixed on a sheet, and is output to the outside of the apparatus.

  Here, a technique related to a fixing device that fixes toner on a sheet is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2015-225125 (Patent Document 1).

  The image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 heats and fixes an image formed on a recording medium in accordance with an electrophotographic method using a fixing device. The image forming apparatus includes a heating unit that energizes and heats the heater of the fixing device by an AC power source, a measuring unit that measures a frequency of the AC power source, and a frequency measured by the measuring unit is within a predetermined range. Monitoring means for monitoring whether or not there is, and when the frequency is determined to be within the predetermined range by monitoring of the monitoring means, the heating means is operated to energize the heater, When it is determined that the frequency is out of the predetermined range, the energization of the heater by the heating unit is temporarily stopped, and the energization unit further stops the energization of the heater. When the number of times that the frequency determined by monitoring is determined to be outside the predetermined range is greater than or equal to a predetermined number of times, image formation and monitoring by the monitoring unit are stopped, Control means for controlling to continue monitoring by the monitoring means when the number of times the wave number is determined to be outside the predetermined range is less than the predetermined number of times. .

JP2015-225125A

  According to Patent Document 1, it is not possible to specify a factor as to whether or not the frequency is within a predetermined range. That is, it remains unclear whether the cause of the frequency being outside the predetermined range is due to the power supply environment input to the image forming apparatus or due to the effect of energizing the fixing heater. is there. In such a situation, for example, it is not possible to appropriately change the fixing control, which affects the fixing performance such as the occurrence of an offset.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of appropriately responding to user requests.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention forms an image on a sheet. The image forming apparatus includes a developing unit, a heat roller, a heater, an energization unit, an interrupt detection unit, a measurement unit, a storage unit, a first determination unit, a second determination unit, a determination unit, and a notification. A part. The developing unit forms a toner image on the paper. The heat roller contacts the paper on which the toner image is formed by the developing unit and fixes the toner image on the paper. The heater heats the heat roller. The energization unit energizes the heater. The interrupt detection unit detects a zero-crossing interrupt of the AC power supply when AC power is input to the image forming apparatus. If the interrupt detection unit detects a zero cross interrupt, the measurement unit measures the zero cross cycle of the AC power supply. The storage unit stores the first zero-cross cycle measured by the measurement unit. The first determination unit determines whether or not the heater is energized by the energization unit. The second determination unit determines whether the second cycle of the zero cross measured by the measurement unit after the measurement of the first cycle is the same as the first cycle stored in the storage unit. If the determination unit does not determine that the heater is energized by the first determination unit and the second determination unit determines that the first cycle and the second cycle are not the same, the environment for inputting AC power is abnormal. It is determined that An alerting | reporting part alert | reports the determination result by the determination part.

  According to such an image forming apparatus, when an abnormality occurs in the AC power supply, it can be determined whether it depends on the environment in which the AC power is input or whether it is due to the influence of the energization unit that supplies power to the heater. Then, it is possible to take an appropriate response according to the situation. Therefore, according to such an image forming apparatus, it is possible to appropriately respond to the user's request.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a multifunction peripheral when an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied to the multifunction peripheral. 2 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing when an image is formed on a sheet in the multifunction machine shown in FIG. 1. It is a graph which shows the relationship between the waveform of the input signal of AC power supply, and time. It is a figure which shows an example of a display screen. It is a figure which shows an example of a display screen.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. In the following drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will not be repeated.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a multifunction peripheral when an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied to the multifunction peripheral. Referring to FIG. 1, the multifunction machine 11 has a plurality of functions such as a copy function, a printer function, and a facsimile function regarding image processing. The multi-function device 11 is driven by an external AC (Alternating Current) power supply.

  The multifunction machine 11 includes a control unit 12, an operation unit 13, an image reading unit 14, an image forming unit 15, a paper feed cassette 16, a hard disk 17 as a storage unit, and a network interface for connecting to a network 23. Part 18. The control unit 12 includes a main memory 19 that temporarily stores data, and includes a processor, a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and the like. The main memory 19 also functions as a storage unit. The processor is a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an ASIC, an MCU, or the like. The control unit 12 functions as a first determination unit 32, which will be described later, and controls the entire multifunction device 11 when the control program stored in the ROM or the main memory 19 is executed by the processor. . In addition, each said component of the control part 12 may each be comprised by the hard circuit irrespective of the operation | movement based on the above-mentioned control program.

  The operation unit 13 receives input from the user regarding image formation, such as the number of image formations, that is, image formation conditions such as the number of copies to be printed and gradation. The operation unit 13 includes a display screen 21 as a display unit that displays information transmitted from the multifunction machine 11 side and user input contents. The display screen 21 also functions as a notification unit that notifies information by display. The image reading unit 14 includes an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) 22 as a document transport device that transports a document set at the set position to the read position. The image reading unit 14 reads an image of a document set on the ADF 22 or a mounting table on which the document is mounted. The paper feed cassette 16 can store a plurality of sheets therein. The image forming unit 15 includes a developing unit 24 that forms a toner image on the conveyed paper, and a fixing device 25 that fixes the toner image on the paper on which the toner image is formed by the developing unit 24. The image forming unit 15 forms an image on a sheet conveyed from the paper feed cassette 16 based on the image data of the original read by the image reading unit 14 or the image data transmitted via the network 23 and prints it. To do. The hard disk 17 stores data relating to image formation, such as image data received via the network 23 and input image formation conditions. The hard disk 17 also stores data of the first cycle of the zero cross of the AC power source measured by the measurement unit 32 described later. As will be described later, the zero cross period is periodically measured by the measuring unit 32, and the hard disk 17 updates and stores the latest zero cross period as the first period.

  Next, the configuration of the fixing device 25 will be briefly described. The fixing device 25 includes a heat roller 26, a pressure roller 27, a heater 28, a temperature detection unit 29, and an energization unit 30. The heat roller 26 has a hollow cylindrical shape and is rotatably provided. The pressure roller 27 has a solid cylindrical shape and is rotatably provided. The heat roller 26 and the pressure roller 27 are provided in contact with each other, and a sheet on which a toner image is not fixed is conveyed between the heat roller 26 and the pressure roller 27. Then, the toner image is fixed on the sheet by heating and pressurizing the rotating heat roller 26 and the pressure roller 27.

  A heater 28 is disposed inside the heat roller 26. The heater 28 is energized by the energization unit 30 and generates heat. The heater 28 is provided to heat from the inside of the heat roller 26. For example, a fixing heater lamp is used as the heater 28. The temperature detector 29 detects the temperature of the heat roller 26. As the temperature detector 29, for example, a thermistor or the like is used. The energization unit 30 energizes the heater 28. The energization unit 30 is composed of, for example, a low-voltage power supply board or a control board.

  The control unit 12 included in the multifunction machine 11 includes an interrupt detection unit 31, a measurement unit 32, a first determination unit 33, a second determination unit 34, a determination unit 35, a reception unit 36, and energization control. Part 37. When AC power is input to the multifunction machine 11, the interrupt detection unit 31 detects a zero-cross interrupt from the AC power. If the interrupt detection unit 31 detects a zero cross interrupt, the measurement unit 32 measures the zero cross cycle of the AC power supply. The measuring unit 32 periodically measures the zero crossing period of the AC power supply. The first determination unit 33 determines whether or not the heater 28 is energized by the energization unit 30. The second determination unit 34 determines whether the second cycle of the zero cross measured by the measurement unit 32 after the measurement of the first cycle is the same as the first cycle stored in the hard disk 17. If the first determination unit 33 does not determine that the heater 28 is energized and the second determination unit 34 determines that the first cycle and the second cycle are not the same, the determination unit 35 inputs AC power. It is determined that the environment to perform is abnormal. The determination unit 35 determines that the heater 28 has been energized by the first determination unit 33, and determines that the first cycle and the second cycle are not the same by the second determination unit 34, the energization unit 30. Is determined to be abnormal. The display screen 21 as a notification unit notifies the determination result by the determination unit 35. If the determination unit 35 determines that the energization unit 30 is abnormal, the reception unit 36 receives a change in energization control by the energization unit 30. The energization control unit 37 controls the energization unit 30 to perform energization control with the content of the change received by the reception unit 36. These configurations will be described later.

  Next, a description will be given of the flow of processing when an AC power is input to the multifunction device 11 to form an image on a sheet. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing when an image is formed on a sheet in the multifunction machine 11 shown in FIG.

  Referring also to FIG. 2, AC power is input to the multifunction device 11 by inserting an outlet provided in the multifunction device 11. When the multifunction device 11 detects the input of AC power, that is, power on (in FIG. 2, step S11, hereinafter “step” is omitted), the frequency of the AC power is monitored, and the interrupt detector 31 detects the zero cross interrupt. Is detected (S12). Here, the zero cross interrupt will be described.

  FIG. 3 is a graph showing the relationship between the waveform of the input signal of the AC power supply and time. The horizontal axis indicates the elapsed time, and the vertical axis indicates the input signal. In FIG. 3, a line 41 indicates an AC power input signal at a normal time, and a line 42 indicates a zero-cross signal at a normal time. In FIG. 3, the line 43 indicates the AC power input signal at the time of abnormality, and the line 44 indicates the zero cross signal at the time of abnormality.

The first zero-cross interrupt, appears at the timing _{B 1} in FIG. 3 (in S12, YES). Then, the measurement unit 32 starts measuring the zero-cross interrupt cycle (S13). Thereafter, zero cross interrupt appears again at the timing B _2. Time _{T 1} of the from the timing _{B 1} until timing _{B 2} becomes the cycle Zn. The period Zn is stored in the hard disk 17 as the first period. Thereafter, the measuring unit 32 periodically measures the zero crossing period of the AC power supply. The period Zn is periodically updated and stored in the hard disk 17.

  Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the heater 28 is energized (S14). That is, the first determination unit 33 determines whether or not the heater 28 is energized by the energization unit 30. Here, the energization by the energization unit 30 is performed when the energization unit 30 energizes, for example, when an image formation command is received from the user by the multifunction machine 11 and the image formation is performed using paper. Become. That is, in a state where a request for image formation on a sheet is not received, it is determined that the heater 28 is not energized (NO in S14).

  Thereafter, the measurement unit 32 measures the zero-cross cycle as the second cycle after the measurement of the first cycle. Then, the second determination unit 34 determines whether the second cycle of the zero cross measured by the measurement unit 32 after the measurement of the first cycle is the same as the first cycle stored in the hard disk 17. To do. In this case, if the second period is the period Zn, the first period is represented by the period Zn-1 stored in the hard disk 17. And it is judged whether Zn and Zn-1 are the same (S15).

  If it is determined by the second determination unit 34 that the first cycle and the second cycle are not the same, the determination unit 35 determines that the AC power input environment is abnormal as a first zero-cross abnormality ( In S15, NO, S16). That is, if the determination unit 35 does not determine that the heater 28 is energized by the first determination unit 33 and the second determination unit 34 determines that the first cycle and the second cycle are not the same, the AC power supply Is determined to be abnormal. This will be described.

Referring again to FIG. 3, when an abnormality occurs in the AC power supply, specifically, when there is noise 45 appearing in the waveform appearing on line 43, the zero-cross signal has a waveform appearing on line 44. A time T ₂ from timing B ₃ to timing B ₂ based on the noise 45 is a zero-cross cycle Zn. The time _{T 2} are shorter than the time _{T 1,} Zn and Zn-1 is not the same.

  Here, since energization by the energization unit 30 is not performed, the determination unit 35 determines that the environment in which the AC power is input is abnormal. Then, the fact is displayed on the display screen 21 as a notification unit (S17).

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the display screen 21 in this case. Referring to FIG. 4, a message 46 “The environment for inputting AC power is abnormal.” And a key 47 displayed as “OK” for transition to the next screen are displayed on the display screen 21. The Thereby, the user can grasp that the environment for inputting AC power is abnormal.

  Next, in S15, if the second determination unit 34 determines that the first cycle and the second cycle are the same (YES in S15), the determination unit until the energization unit 30 energizes the heater 28. The determination by 35 continues.

  When first determination unit 33 determines that heater 28 is energized by energization unit 30 (YES in S14), measurement of the zero-cross interrupt cycle starts (S18). The period Hn at which the measurement is started in this way is stored in the hard disk 17 as the first period.

  Thereafter, the measurement unit 32 measures the zero-cross cycle as the second cycle after the measurement of the first cycle. Then, the second determination unit 34 determines whether the second cycle of the zero cross measured by the measurement unit 32 after the measurement of the first cycle is the same as the first cycle stored in the hard disk 17. To do. In this case, assuming that the second period is the period Hn, the first period is represented by the period Hn−1 stored in the hard disk 17. And it is judged whether Hn and Hn-1 are the same (S19).

  If the second determination unit 34 determines that the first cycle and the second cycle are not the same, the determination unit 35 determines that the energization unit 30 is abnormal as a second zero cross abnormality (in S19, NO, S20). That is, the determination unit 35 determines that the heater 28 is energized by the first determination unit 33, and determines that the first cycle and the second cycle are not the same by the second determination unit 34, the energization unit 30. Is determined to be abnormal. And the display screen 21 as an alerting | reporting part displays that. In addition, a screen for changing energization control by the energization unit 30 is displayed.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the display screen 21 in this case. Referring to FIG. 5, the display screen 21 displays a message 48 “Energization unit is abnormal” and “Change energization control”, and changes energization control by detecting pressing. Key 49, “Maintain energization control” is displayed, key 50 that maintains energization control by detecting pressing, and key 51 that displays “OK” for transition to the next screen are displayed. The Thereby, the user can grasp that the energization unit 30 is abnormal. Further, it is possible to select fixing control, that is, change in energization control of the energization unit 30 energizing the heater 28.

  Thereafter, the accepting unit 36 accepts a change in energization control by the energizing unit 30 (S21). That is, if the determination unit 35 determines that the energization unit 30 is abnormal, the reception unit 36 receives a change in energization control by the energization unit 30 via the display screen 21. In this case, a change input from the user is received through the display screen 21. Specifically, an inquiry is made as to whether to change the energization control or to maintain the energization control as it is.

  If pressing of key 49 is detected and a change in energization control is accepted (YES in S21), energization control unit 37 controls energization unit 30 to perform energization control with the contents of the accepted change. In this case, the energization control by the energization unit 30 is changed to, for example, pseudo half-wave control (S22). The pseudo half-wave control is a control for turning on the power to the heater 28 at the same time when the remote signal is turned on. On the other hand, if a change to energization control is not accepted (NO in S21), that is, if the key 50 is detected and a request to maintain the energization control is accepted, the energization control unit 37 performs the energization control. The energization unit 30 is controlled without changing. That is, the phase control is maintained as it is (S23).

  If the second determination unit 34 determines that the first cycle and the second cycle are the same, the determination unit 35 continues the determination until printing is completed (YES in S19, S24). . In this case, if the determination unit 35 does not determine both an abnormality in the environment where the AC power is input and an abnormality in the energization unit 30, the printing process is terminated as it is.

  According to such a multi-function device 11, when an abnormality occurs in the AC power supply, it can be determined whether it depends on the environment in which the AC power is input or due to the influence of the energization unit. Then, it is possible to take an appropriate response according to the situation. Specifically, when it is determined that the environment for inputting AC power is abnormal, the user can grasp that there is no problem in the multifunction machine 11 itself. Then, the multifunction device 11 can be moved to a place where an environment where AC power can be appropriately input can be prepared, and image formation by the multifunction device 11 can be continued as it is. Further, even when it is determined that the energization unit 30 is abnormal, it is possible to accept a change in control by the energization unit 30 to prevent occurrence of offset in fixing and to reduce the influence on fixing performance. Moreover, it can be set as control which prevents the deterioration of noise terminal voltage noise, or can be set as control which prevents the deterioration of harmonic noise. These noise terminal voltage noises and harmonic noises may induce electrical problems to other electrical appliances. Therefore, according to such a multifunction machine 11, it is possible to appropriately respond to user requests.

  In this case, if the energization control unit 37 receives the change to the pseudo-half wave control by the accepting unit 36, the energization unit 30 is controlled by the pseudo half-wave control. Can be formed.

  In this case, the measurement unit 32 periodically measures the zero-cross cycle of the AC power supply, and the hard disk 17 updates and stores the latest zero-cross cycle as the first cycle, so that the accuracy is higher. Can be determined.

  In the above-described embodiment, the energization control unit 37 controls the energization unit 30 by the pseudo half-wave control if the energization control change is received by the receiving unit 36. Other control, for example, normal half-wave control may be employed.

  Moreover, in said embodiment, it is good also as a structure which does not provide the reception part 36 and the electricity supply control part 37, and only alert | reports the abnormality of the environment which inputs AC power, or the electricity supply part 30.

  In the above embodiment, an abnormality in the environment in which the AC power is input is notified by display on the display screen 21. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the multifunction machine 11 includes an audio generation unit, It is good also as notifying the abnormality of the environment which inputs AC power supply by the audio | voice by a generation | occurrence | production part. Furthermore, it is good also as alert | reporting both by an audio | voice and a display.

  In the above embodiment, the measurement unit 32 periodically measures the zero-cross cycle of the AC power supply. However, the measurement unit 32 is not limited thereto, and the measurement unit 32 may be, for example, a predetermined request requested by the user. It is good also as measuring the period of the zero crossing of AC power supply at a timing. Then, the hard disk 17 may update and store the latest zero-cross cycle as the first cycle.

  In the above embodiment, the determination unit is configured to input an AC power supply when the number of times that the second determination unit determines that the first period and the second period are not the same exceeds a predetermined number. Or you may make it determine with an electricity supply part being abnormal. By doing so, it is possible to take measures according to the user's request.

  It should be understood that the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and are not restrictive in any aspect. The scope of the present invention is defined by the scope of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the scope of the claims.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention is particularly effectively used when an appropriate response to a user request is required.

  11 MFP, 12 Control unit, 13 Operation unit, 14 Image reading unit, 15 Image forming unit, 16 Paper feed cassette, 17 Hard disk, 18 Network interface unit, 19 Main memory, 21 Display screen, 22 ADF, 23 Network, 24 developing unit, 25 fixing device, 26 heat roller, 27 pressure roller, 28 heater, 29 temperature detecting unit, 30 energizing unit, 31 interrupt detecting unit, 32 measuring unit, 33 first determining unit, 34 second determining unit, 35 Judgment unit, 36 reception unit, 37 energization control unit, 41, 42, 43, 44 wire, 45 noise, 46, 48 message, 47, 49, 50, 51 key.

Claims (6)

An image forming apparatus for forming an image on paper,
A developing unit for forming a toner image on paper;
A heat roller that contacts the paper on which a toner image is formed by the developing unit and fixes the toner image on the paper;
A heater for heating the heat roller;
An energization unit for energizing the heater;
If AC power is input to the image forming apparatus, an interrupt detection unit that detects a zero-crossing interrupt of the AC power;
If a zero-crossing interrupt is detected by the interrupt detection unit, a measuring unit that measures a zero-crossing period of the AC power source;
A storage unit for storing a first period of zero crossing measured by the measurement unit;
A first determination unit for determining whether the heater is energized by the energization unit;
A second determination unit that determines whether the second cycle of the zero cross measured by the measurement unit after the measurement of the first cycle is the same as the first cycle stored in the storage unit; ,
If the first determination unit does not determine that the heater is energized and the second determination unit determines that the first period and the second period are not the same, the environment for inputting the AC power supply A determination unit that determines that is abnormal,
An image forming apparatus comprising: a notification unit that notifies a determination result by the determination unit. If the determination unit determines that the heater is energized by the first determination unit, and the second determination unit determines that the first cycle and the second cycle are not the same, the energization unit The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is determined to be abnormal. If the determination unit determines that the energization unit is abnormal, a reception unit that receives a change in energization control by the energization unit;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising an energization control unit that controls the energization unit to perform energization control with the content of the change received by the reception unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the energization control unit controls the energization unit by pseudo-half-wave control when the energization control change is received by the reception unit. The determination unit is configured to input the AC power source or the energization unit when the number of times that the second determination unit determines that the first period and the second period are not the same exceeds a predetermined number. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image forming apparatus is determined to be abnormal. The measurement unit periodically measures the zero-cross cycle of the AC power source,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit updates and stores the latest cycle of the zero cross as the first cycle.