JP2020027149A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

To reduce waste of power supplied to a fixing unit, compared with a case where an image forming apparatus continues to supply power to the fixing unit even when image quality adjustment processing is not required.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus is started up at a predetermined first time and starts supply of power to a fixing unit, when image quality adjustment processing is required, starts image quality adjustment control at a second time later than the first time at which the supply of power to the fixing unit is started, and when the image quality adjustment processing is not required, stops the supply of power to the fixing unit at a third time including and subsequent to the second time.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art An image forming apparatus that forms a toner image on a sheet by forming a toner image, transferring the toner image onto the sheet, and fixing the toner image transferred onto the sheet onto the sheet by a fixing unit is known. I have.

  In this image forming apparatus, image quality adjustment processing is performed in order to maintain image quality such as color and gradation at a predetermined image quality. This image quality adjustment processing is performed, for example, for each predetermined number of sheets during continuous printing. In addition, this image quality adjustment processing automatically starts up the image forming apparatus at a time when it is considered that the image forming apparatus is not normally used, determines whether the image quality adjustment processing is necessary, and determines that the image quality adjustment processing is necessary. Done if done. The necessity of the image quality adjustment processing is determined by, for example, the elapsed time since the previous execution of the image quality adjustment processing or the environmental temperature and humidity changing by, for example, 10% or more compared to the environment temperature and humidity when the image quality adjustment processing was last executed. Information such as whether or not it is used is a criterion.

  Here, when starting up the image forming apparatus, it is required that the start-up be completed so that the image forming process can be executed in as short a time as possible after the start-up. It takes time for the fixing unit to reach a predetermined temperature, which is often the rate-limiting for startup. When the image quality adjustment processing is performed at the time of startup, the time may be a time after a lapse of a while from the time when the power supply to the fixing unit is started.

  Here, Patent Literature 1 discloses that power supply to the fixing unit is interrupted from the start of the image quality adjustment process to the end of the image quality adjustment process.

JP 2004-117738 A

  An object of the present invention is to reduce waste of power supplied to a fixing unit as compared with a case where power is continuously supplied to a fixing unit when image quality adjustment processing is not required.

Claim 1
A fixing unit that fixes the toner image transferred on the paper to the paper,
A control unit that performs control of power to be sent to the fixing unit, and image quality adjustment control for executing image quality adjustment processing of a toner image to be formed,
An activation unit that activates the control unit at a time that triggers the operation of the control unit;
An instruction unit for instructing start of an image forming process for forming an image on paper,
The control unit starts supplying power to the fixing unit in response to the activation by the activation unit, and supplies the power to the fixing unit when time elapses without an instruction to start the image forming process by the instruction unit. At a second time after the first time when the power supply is started, the image quality adjustment control is started when the image quality adjustment processing is required, and the image quality adjustment processing is unnecessary, and And stopping the power supply to the fixing unit at a third time after the second time including the second time in a case where the time further elapses without an instruction to start the image forming process by the instruction unit. An image forming apparatus characterized in that:

  3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein, even when the image quality adjustment processing is required, the control unit includes the second time when a time elapses without an instruction to start the image forming processing by the instruction unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the power supply to the fixing unit is stopped at a third time.

  A third aspect of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to the first or second aspect, wherein the third time is a time coincident with the second time.

  A fourth aspect of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to the first or second aspect, wherein the third time is a time later than the second time by a predetermined time.

Claim 5
A fixing unit that fixes the toner image transferred on the paper to the paper,
A control unit that performs control of power to be sent to the fixing unit, and image quality adjustment control for executing image quality adjustment processing of a toner image to be formed,
An activation unit that activates the control unit at a time that triggers the operation of the control unit;
An instruction unit for instructing start of an image forming process for forming an image on paper,
The control unit starts supplying power to the fixing unit in response to the activation by the activation unit, and supplies the power to the fixing unit when time elapses without an instruction to start the image forming process by the instruction unit. At a second time after the first time when the power supply is started, the image quality adjustment control is started when the image quality adjustment processing is necessary, and there is no instruction to start the image forming processing by the instruction unit. An image forming apparatus configured to stop supplying power to the fixing unit at a fifth time after the fourth time including the fourth time when the image quality adjustment processing is completed when the time has further elapsed. It is.

  A sixth aspect of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to the fifth aspect, wherein the fifth time is a time coincident with the fourth time.

  A seventh aspect of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to the fifth aspect, wherein the fifth time is a time later than the fourth time by a predetermined time.

Claim 8
A fixing unit that fixes the toner image transferred on the paper to the paper,
A control unit that performs control of power to be sent to the fixing unit, and image quality adjustment control for executing image quality adjustment processing of a toner image to be formed,
An activation unit that activates the control unit at a time that triggers the operation of the control unit;
An instruction unit for instructing start of an image forming process for forming an image on paper,
The control unit starts supplying power to the fixing unit in response to the activation by the activation unit, and supplies the power to the fixing unit when time elapses without an instruction to start the image forming process by the instruction unit. At a second time after the first time when the power supply is started, the image quality adjustment control is started when the image quality adjustment processing is necessary, and there is no instruction to start the image forming processing by the instruction unit. A difference between a fourth time at which the image quality adjustment processing is completed and a sixth time at which the temperature of the fixing unit is expected to reach a predetermined temperature when the image quality adjustment processing is completed. If the time is within a predetermined threshold time, the supply of power to the fixing unit is stopped at an eighth time after that, including a seventh time when the temperature of the fixing unit has reached the specified temperature. An image forming apparatus is characterized in that:

  A ninth aspect of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to the eighth aspect, wherein the eighth time is a time coincident with the seventh time.

  According to a tenth aspect, in the image forming apparatus according to the eighth aspect, the eighth time is a time later than the seventh time by a predetermined time.

  12. The control unit according to claim 11, wherein the control unit starts supplying the first power to the fixing unit at the first time in response to the activation by the activation unit, and the control unit starts supplying the power to the fixing unit at the second time. The power required for executing the image quality adjustment process is secured by switching the power supplied to the second power to the second power smaller than the first power. An image forming apparatus according to the item.

  According to the first aspect, when the image quality adjustment processing is unnecessary, wasteful power supply to the fixing unit after the third time is suppressed.

  According to the second aspect, even when image quality adjustment processing is required, useless power supply to the fixing unit after the third time is suppressed.

  According to the third aspect, wasteful power supply to the fixing unit can be suppressed as compared with a case where a time delayed from the second time is adopted as the third time.

  According to the fourth aspect, the convenience for the user is improved as compared with the case where the time corresponding to the second time is adopted as the third time.

  According to the fifth aspect, wasteful power supply to the fixing unit after the fifth time is avoided, and the power supply to the fixing unit is stopped at a time before the fifth time. Convenience is improved.

  According to the sixth aspect, wasteful power supply to the fixing unit can be suppressed as compared with a case where a time delayed from the fourth time is adopted as the fifth time.

  According to the seventh aspect, the convenience for the user is improved as compared with the case where the time corresponding to the fourth time is adopted as the fifth time.

  According to the eighth aspect, the convenience for the user is improved as compared with the case where the power supply to the fixing unit is stopped at a time before the eighth time.

  According to the ninth aspect, wasteful power supply to the fixing unit can be suppressed as compared with a case where a time delayed from the seventh time is adopted as the eighth time.

  According to the tenth aspect, the convenience for the user is improved as compared with the case where the time corresponding to the seventh time is adopted as the eighth time.

  According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a conventional control in which the supply of the first power to the fixing unit is started at a first time and the power required for executing the image quality adjustment processing is secured at a second time. Can be followed.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a copy machine corresponding to an embodiment of an image forming apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an operation sequence when the stopped copying machine is started up. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a startup time monitoring process for an image quality adjustment process. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a first half of a startup sequence executed in response to activation in step S02 in FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a first example of the latter half of the startup processing that is started at the time when the operation in FIG. 4 ends (time t2). FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an image quality adjustment processing routine. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a first example of a heating stop processing routine. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a second example of the heating stop processing routine. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a second example of the latter half of the startup processing. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a third example of the latter half of the startup processing.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a copying machine corresponding to an embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

  The copying machine 1 is a so-called tandem type color copying machine. An image reading unit 10 for reading an image from a document and a user interface (UI) 20 are provided above the copying machine 1.

  The image reading unit 10 has a built-in image reading sensor and reads an image of a document set on the image reading unit 10 to generate image data.

  The user interface (UI) 20 has a touch panel display screen, and accepts operation input from a user and displays various information to the user.

  The copying machine 1 includes a main control unit 30 that controls the operation of the entire copying machine 1. The main control unit 30 controls the power to be transmitted from the power supply 31 to the fixing unit 70 and controls the copy machine 1 to perform image formation engines 40C, 40M, 40Y, and 40K, which will be described later, in relation to the features of the present embodiment. Image quality adjustment control for executing the image quality adjustment process of the toner image formed by the above. Details will be described later. The main control unit 30 also has a function of obtaining image data from the image reading unit 10 and performing image processing on the image data.

  The copy machine 1 is an image representing an image of each color (here, for example, four colors of C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow), and K (black)) sent from the main control unit 30. Four image forming engines 40C, 40M, 40Y, and 40K for forming toner images of respective colors corresponding to the data, a transfer unit 50 for transferring the formed toner images onto paper P, and paper P on transport path X And a paper transport unit 60 that transports the paper along the paper.

  The image forming engines 40C, 40M, 40Y, and 40K form toner images by electrophotography. These four image forming engines 40C, 40M, 40Y, and 40K have the same structure. Therefore, hereinafter, for the description common to these four image forming engines 40C, 40M, 40Y, and 40K, the symbols of C, M, Y, and K representing the distinction of colors are omitted, and the image forming engine 40 is referred to. The same applies to each component of the image forming engine 40 and other components of the copying machine 1.

  The image forming engine 40 includes a cylindrical image holder 41 that rotates in the direction of arrow A. An electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the image holding member 41 while rotating, and the electrostatic latent image is developed with toner to form a toner image, and the toner image is temporarily held.

  Each image forming engine 40 includes a charger 42, an exposing unit 43, a developing unit 44, and a cleaner 45 around the image holding body 41.

  The charging device 42 is a charging roll that rotates in contact with the image holding member 41, and charges the surface of the image holding member 41 upon application of a charging bias.

  The exposure unit 43 receives the image data of the corresponding color from the main control unit 30, irradiates the image holding body 41 with exposure light modulated according to the received image data, and exposes the electrostatic latent image on the image holding body 41. Form an image.

  The developing device 44 includes a developing roll 441 and contains a developer containing a toner and a carrier. The developing roll 441 has a cylindrical shape and holds the developer contained in the developing device 44 on the surface thereof while rotating in the direction of arrow B, and carries the developer to the developing position facing the image holding member 41. Then, the developing roll 441 develops the electrostatic latent image on the image holding member 41 with the toner in the developer.

  Further, in the copying machine 1, a toner cartridge 91 containing toner is disposed. When the toner in the developing device 44 is consumed, the developing device 44 is replenished with the toner from the toner cartridge 91 containing the toner of the corresponding color.

  The electrostatic latent image formed on the image carrier 41 by the development with the developing roll 441 is transferred onto the conveyed sheet P by the operation of the transfer unit 50.

  The residual toner remaining on the image holding member 41 after the transfer is scraped off from the image holding member 41 by a blade 451 constituting the cleaner 45 and stored in a waste toner tank (not shown).

  The transfer unit 50 includes an endless transfer belt 51 that circulates in the direction of arrow C, a primary transfer device 52 that transfers a toner image from the image holding member 41 onto the transfer belt 51, and a transfer belt 51 that transfers the toner image onto the paper P. And a secondary transfer device 53 for transferring the toner image.

  At the lower part of the copying machine 1, two paper trays T are arranged, and each paper tray T stores paper P.

  The paper transport unit 60 includes, for each paper tray T, a pickup roll 61 that removes the paper P from the paper tray T, and a separation roll that separates the paper P extracted from the paper tray T and feeds only one sheet onto the transport path X. 62. The paper transport section 60 includes a number of transport rolls 63 that transport the paper P along the transport path X. Which one of the two paper trays T to take out the paper P is determined based on the size of a document set on the image reading unit 10 or a user operation on the UI 20.

  A fixing device 70 is provided on the transport path X of the copying machine 1. Further, a discharge tray 85 is provided at the end of the transport path X.

  The fixing device 70 includes a heating roll 71 having a built-in heat source 711 and a pressing roll 72 for pressing the paper P between the heating roll 71 and the heating roll 71. The fixing device 70 fixes the toner image on the paper P on the paper P by sandwiching the paper P with the transferred toner image between the heating roll 71 and the pressure roll 71 and applying heat and force. .

  The fixing device 70 includes a temperature sensor 73 that measures the temperature of the heating roll 71. The measured temperature value of the heating roll 71 measured by the temperature sensor 73 is sent to the main control unit 30. The main control unit 30 controls the power transmitted from the power supply 31 to the heat source 711 such that the temperature of the heating roll 72 is maintained at a temperature suitable for the fixing process.

  In the basic image forming operation of the copying machine 1, first, a user sets a document on the image reading unit 10 and operates the UI 20 to instruct the start of copying. Then, the image of the document is read by the image reading unit 10 under the control of the main control unit 30 to generate image data. The image data obtained by the reading is sent to the main control unit 30, and the main control unit 30 performs image processing required for image formation such as color separation processing and screen processing on the image data. The image data of each color that has undergone the image processing is sent from the main control unit 30 to the exposure device 43, and an electrostatic latent image corresponding to each color is formed on each image carrier 41, and further developed with toner to form a toner image. It is formed. The toner images formed on the respective image carriers 41 are sequentially transferred onto the transfer belt 51 so as to overlap each other, and a color toner image is formed. This color toner image is transferred onto the paper P transported by the paper transport unit 60. The paper P on which the color toner image has been transferred passes through the fixing device 70 by being conveyed along the conveyance path X, and the toner image is fixed by the fixing device 70 and is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 85. .

  The copy machine 1 is provided with an environment sensor 32 for measuring the temperature and humidity environment inside the machine. The temperature and humidity measured by the environment sensor 32 are transmitted to the main control unit 30.

  Further, the copying machine 1 is provided with an image quality adjustment sensor 33. The measurement result by the image quality adjustment sensor 33 is also input to the main control unit 30.

  In the copying machine 1, image quality adjustment processing is executed at several timings described later. When the image quality adjustment process is started, a toner image for image quality adjustment (for density adjustment and position shift adjustment) is formed on each image forming engine 40 and is transferred onto the transfer belt 51. The image quality adjustment sensor 33 measures the density of the density adjustment toner image and the position of the position adjustment toner image on the transfer belt 51, and sends them to the main controller 30. The main controller 30 controls the density adjustment of the toner image and the position adjustment of the toner image based on the measurement result by the image quality adjustment sensor 33 so that a high quality image is formed.

Here, in the copying machine 1, the following timings are set as timings for executing the image quality adjustment processing.
When the copy machine 1 is operating, the process is executed every time the number of copies reaches, for example, 100 sheets.

-Start the copy machine 1 at a predetermined time. As the start-up time, it is considered that the copy machine 1 is considered to be stopped, for example, 7:30 in the morning, 12:30 during lunch break, 18:00 after the scheduled time, etc., before the start time. .
Then, the time at which the previous image quality adjustment process was performed after startup is checked, and the process is executed when a predetermined time or more, for example, 6 hours or more has elapsed from the previous time.
-Or, if the current temperature and humidity environment is measured after startup, and the temperature has changed by, for example, 10 ° C or more, or the humidity has changed by, for example, 10% or more compared to the temperature and humidity environment at the time of the previous image quality adjustment processing. Execute.

  In the copying machine 1, the image quality adjustment processing is executed at the various timings described above so that a high-quality copy image is always obtained.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an operation sequence at the time of starting the stopped copying machine.

  When starting up the stopped copying machine 1, it is required that the start-up be completed so that the copying operation can be performed in as short a time as possible after the start-up. Here, it takes time for the fixing device 70 to reach a predetermined temperature, and this often becomes a rate-limiting factor that determines the time until completion of startup. For this reason, after starting the startup at the time t1, for a while (time until reaching the time t2 shown in FIG. 2), electric power is supplied to the fixing device 70 to the maximum extent, and the fixing device 70 is heated with full power. . During the full power heating, the main control unit 30 cannot start operation until time t2 because the main control unit 30 itself does not start up and does not receive sufficient power supply. When the time t2 is reached, the power sent to the fixing device 70 is slightly saved to perform power cutoff heating, and the main control unit 30 determines whether or not the image quality adjustment process is necessary at the present time. Then, if the image quality adjustment processing is required, the image quality adjustment processing is executed. Then, when the image quality adjustment processing ends at time t4 (time t3 and the like, times not shown in FIG. 2 will be described later), the mechanical operation for the image quality adjustment processing is stopped. At about the same time as the stop, at time t7, the temperature of the fixing device 70 reaches a predetermined fixing standby temperature. However, at the time t7 when the temperature of the fixing device 70 reaches the fixing standby temperature, the temperature of the fixing device 70 at the start of startup (the temperature of the fixing device 70 has been cooled down to room temperature or is in the process of cooling and is higher than room temperature). Etc.) and the current environmental temperature and humidity. When the temperature reaches the fixing standby temperature, the fixing device 70 is supplied with power for keeping the fixing standby temperature for a while. If there is no copy instruction even if the fixing standby temperature is maintained for a predetermined time, the heat retention is stopped. Thereafter, the fixing device 70 gradually cools down.

  Here, the fixing standby temperature in FIG. 2 corresponds to an example of the specified temperature according to the present invention. Further, the power in the full power heating and the power in the power cutoff heating correspond to one example of the first power and the second power, respectively, in the present invention.

  When the copy machine 1 is started up by a user for use, the operation sequence shown in FIG. 2 functions effectively. However, whether or not the user uses the copy machine 1 is unknown, but if the same operation sequence as that of FIG. 2 is adopted in the case of startup for confirming the necessity of the image quality adjustment processing, The power supplied to the fixing device 70 may be wasted. On the other hand, there is a possibility that a user who intends to use the copying machine 1 at the time of starting up may appear. Alternatively, if the start-up for the image quality adjustment processing can be performed at a time when the copy machine 1 is frequently used, not at a time when the copy machine 1 is not considered to be used, a user who wants to use the copy machine 1 The possibility of occurrence is increased, and waste of power supplied to the fixing device 70 at the time of startup is reduced.

  Therefore, in the copying machine 1 of the present embodiment, the following operation sequence is adopted as an operation sequence at the time of startup for image quality adjustment processing.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a startup time monitoring process for the image quality adjustment process.

  Here, it is monitored whether or not a set time set as a start time for the image quality adjustment processing has been reached (step S01), and when the set time t1 has been reached, the copy machine 1 is started (step S01). S02). This processing corresponds to an example of the activation unit according to the present invention. Although FIG. 3 has been described using the image of software, the processing in FIG. 3 is assembled as a sequence on hardware which is not controlled by the main control unit 30 shown in FIG.

  The copy machine 1 starts a copy operation when a user presses a start button (not shown) included in the UI 20 shown in FIG. The instruction to start the copy operation caused by pressing the start button corresponds to an example of the instruction unit according to the present invention.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the first half of the startup sequence executed in response to the startup in step S02 of FIG.

  FIG. 4 is also a diagram of the image of software, but the processing of FIG. 4 is also assembled as a sequence on hardware that is not controlled by the main control unit 30 shown in FIG.

  Here, first, full power heating of the fixing device 70 is instructed (step S11). The time when this full power heating is instructed is time t1 shown in FIG. Then, following the full power heating instruction at time t1, a timer for measuring the time until time t2 shown in FIG. 2 is started (step S12). When the timer reaches time t2 (step S13), the heating of the fixing device 70 is switched to power cutoff heating (step S14). That is, the power supplied to the fixing device 70 per unit time is reduced as compared with the full power heating.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a first example of the latter half of the startup process, which is started at the end of the operation in FIG. 4 (time t2). The latter half of the startup process is a process performed by executing software in the main control unit 30.

  The first half of the start-up sequence assembled as a sequence on hardware shown in FIG. 4 and the second half of the start-up sequence performed by execution of software in the main control unit 30 shown in FIG. , And a configuration in which processing in the main control unit 30 described later with reference to FIGS. 7 to 10 is combined, that is, processing configured on hardware and software in the main control unit 30 Is equivalent to an example of the control unit according to the present invention.

  In the latter half of the start-up process shown in FIG. 5, the main controller 30 compares the current temperature and humidity environment with the temperature and humidity environment at the time when the image quality adjustment process was performed last time, and the time when the image quality adjustment process was last performed. The elapsed time from is determined, and it is determined whether or not it is necessary to perform the image quality adjustment processing at the present time (step S21). Then, when the image quality adjustment processing is necessary, the image quality adjustment processing routine is started (step S22).

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an image quality adjustment processing routine.

  When the image quality adjustment processing routine is started in step S22 in FIG. 5, the image quality adjustment processing is executed (step S31). As described above, in this image quality adjustment process, a toner image for image quality adjustment (for density adjustment or position shift adjustment) is formed on each image forming engine 40 and is transferred onto the transfer belt 51. Then, the image quality adjustment sensor 33 measures the density of the density adjustment toner image and the position of the position adjustment toner image on the transfer belt 51, and sends them to the main control unit 30. The main controller 30 controls the density adjustment of the toner image and the position adjustment of the toner image based on the measurement result by the image quality adjustment sensor 33 so that a high quality image is formed.

  When the image quality adjustment processing ends (step S32), a heating stop processing routine is started (step S33). The time at which the image quality adjustment processing ends corresponds to time t4 shown in FIG.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a first example of a heating stop processing routine.

  Here, a timer for measuring the time from the time t4 to the heating stop time t5 of the fixing device 70 is started (step S41). When the timer expires (step S42), an instruction to stop heating the fixing device 70 is issued (step S43). Then, the power supply from the power supply 31 to the fixing device 70 is stopped.

  The reason why the user instructs to stop heating the fixing device 70 after waiting until time t5 is that the user may try to use the copier 1 during that time, and this is for the convenience of the user in that case. However, in a case where the power supply to the fixing device 70 is to be suppressed, the stop of the heating of the fixing device 70 is instructed at the timing (time t4) at which the image quality adjustment processing is completed without performing steps S41 to S42. Is also good.

  Here, in step S43 of FIG. 7, instead of stopping the heating of the fixing device 70, it is also possible to continue to supply the fixing device 70 with power lower than the power cutoff heating. Then, since the fixing device 70 is heated to some extent when the user tries to use the copying machine 1, the rise time can be shortened, and the convenience for the user can be improved.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a second example of the heating stop processing routine. The heating stop processing routine of the second example is a heating stop processing routine started in step S33 of FIG. 6 instead of the heating stop processing routine of the first example shown in FIG.

  As described above, the time when the temperature of the fixing device 70 reaches the fixing standby temperature (time t7 shown in FIG. 2) depends on whether the temperature of the fixing device 70 at the start of startup (it is in a state of cooling to room temperature or in the middle of cooling). The temperature is higher than normal temperature, etc.) and the current environmental temperature and humidity.

  Therefore, when the execution of the heating stop processing routine of FIG. 8 is started, the difference time from the current time t4 to the time t7 when the fixing device 70 reaches the fixing standby temperature is estimated (step S51). Here, by extrapolating the temperature rise curve of the fixing device 70 up to time t4 and estimating the time to reach the fixing standby temperature, the time t4 and the time t6 estimated to reach the fixing standby temperature are calculated. Is obtained.

  Then, it is determined whether or not the difference time is within a predetermined threshold time (step S52). If the difference time is within the threshold time, after waiting until the fixing device 70 actually reaches the fixing standby temperature (step S53), a timer for measuring a predetermined time is started (step S54). . When the timer expires (step S55), at time t8 when the timer expires, an instruction to stop heating the fixing device 70 is issued (step S56). Then, the power supply from the power supply 31 to the fixing device 70 is stopped (step S56).

  Here, without performing steps S54 to S55, an instruction to stop heating the fixing device 70 may be given at time t7 when the fixing device 70 reaches the fixing standby temperature. The reason for instructing the fixing device 70 to stop heating after waiting until time t7 when the fixing device 70 actually reaches the fixing standby temperature or after time t8 is that when the fixing device 70 starts up soon (within the threshold time). This is because waiting for the user to stand up improves user convenience.

  On the other hand, if the above difference time exceeds the threshold time in step S52, as in the case of the first example shown in FIG. 7, the time measurement from the time t4 to the heating stop time t5 of the fixing device 70 is performed. The timer is started (Step S57). When the timer times out (step S58), an instruction to stop heating the fixing device 70 is issued (step S56). Then, the power supply from the power supply 31 to the fixing device 70 is stopped.

  Although the description is duplicated with FIG. 7, the reason why the instruction to stop the heating of the fixing device 70 after waiting until the time t5 is that the user may try to use the copier 1 in the meantime, This is for convenience. However, in a case where the wasteful power supply to the fixing device 70 is to be suppressed, the heating of the fixing device 70 is not performed at the timing (time t4) at which the image quality adjustment processing is completed without performing steps S57 to S58. A stop instruction may be given.

  Note that, similarly to step S43 in FIG. 7, in step S56 in FIG. 8, instead of stopping the heating of the fixing device 70, the power lower than the power cutoff heating may be continuously supplied to the fixing device 70. . Then, since the fixing device 70 is heated to some extent when the user tries to use the copying machine 1, the rise time can be shortened, and the convenience for the user can be improved.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a second example of the latter half of the startup processing. The second example is a process performed by executing software in the main control unit 30 and started at the end of the operation in FIG. 4 (time t2) instead of the first example shown in FIG.

  In the second example of the latter half of the start-up processing shown in FIG. 9, as in the case of the first example shown in FIG. Is compared with the temperature and humidity environment, and the elapsed time from the previous time when the image quality adjustment processing was performed is checked, and it is determined whether the image quality adjustment processing needs to be performed at the present time (step S61). Then, when the image quality adjustment processing is necessary, the image quality adjustment processing routine is started (step S62).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S61 of FIG. 9 that the image quality adjustment processing at this time is unnecessary, the process proceeds to step S63, and a timer for measuring the time from time t2 to the time t3 when the fixing unit 70 stops heating is started. You. When the timer times out (step S64), an instruction to stop heating the fixing device 70 is issued (step S65). Then, the power supply from the power supply 31 to the fixing device 70 is stopped.

  The reason why the instruction to stop the heating of the fixing device 70 is issued after waiting until time t3 is that the user may try to use the copier 1 during that time, and this is for the convenience of the user in that case. However, if the idea is to minimize wasteful power supply to the fixing device 70 when the image quality adjustment processing is unnecessary, the image quality adjustment processing at the present time is unnecessary without steps S64 to S65. At the determined timing (time t2), an instruction to stop heating the fixing device 70 may be issued.

  Further, as shown in step S14 in FIG. 4, at time t2, the heating is switched from the full power heating to the power cutoff heating. However, in step S65 in FIG. The power which is lower than the cutoff heating may be continuously supplied to the fixing device 70. Then, since the fixing device 70 is heated to some extent when the user tries to use the copying machine 1, the rise time can be shortened, and the convenience for the user can be improved.

  Here, in the second example, when the image quality adjustment processing routine is started in step S62, an instruction to stop heating the fixing device 70 is not issued at this time. This is because the copy machine 1 is operating while performing the image quality adjustment processing. For this reason, if the power supply to the fixing device 70 is stopped, even if the user attempts to use the copying machine, it takes time to start up the fixing device 70 even though the copying machine 1 is operating. This may cause the user to wait a long time, make the user feel uncomfortable, and reduce the convenience for the user. When the image quality adjustment processing routine is started in step S62, the process proceeds to the image quality adjustment processing routine shown in FIG. 6, and the instruction to stop heating the fixing device 70 is made after the image quality adjustment processing is completed.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a third example of the latter half of the startup processing. This third example is implemented by executing software in the main control unit 30 started at the end of the operation in FIG. 4 (time t2) instead of the first example shown in FIG. 5 and the second example shown in FIG. This is the processing to be performed.

  In the third example of the latter half of the start-up processing shown in FIG. 10, the current temperature and humidity environment and the image quality adjustment processing at the time when the image quality adjustment processing was last performed by the main control unit 30 as in the first and second examples. The comparison with the temperature / humidity environment and the elapsed time from the previous time when the image quality adjustment process was performed are checked, and it is determined whether or not the image quality adjustment process needs to be performed at the present time (step S71). Then, when the image quality adjustment processing is necessary, the image quality adjustment processing routine is started (step S72). Thereafter, regardless of whether or not the image quality adjustment processing is necessary, a timer for measuring the time from the time t2 to the heating stop time t3 of the fixing device 70 is started (step S73). When the timer expires (step S74), an instruction to stop heating the fixing device 70 is issued (step S75). Thus, the power supply from the power supply 31 to the fixing device 70 is stopped.

  The reason why the instruction to stop the heating of the fixing device 70 is issued after waiting until time t3 is that the user may try to use the copier 1 during that time, and this is for the convenience of the user in that case. However, if the idea is to minimize wasteful power supply to the fixing device 70 regardless of whether the image quality adjustment processing is required or not, the steps S73 to S74 are omitted and the image quality adjustment processing is not necessary. The instruction to stop the heating of the fixing device 70 may be issued at the timing (time t2) when the presence or absence of the property is determined.

  Also, similarly to the step of instructing to stop the heating of the fixing device 70 in another example, in step S75 of FIG. 10, instead of stopping the heating of the fixing device 70, the electric power lower than the power cutoff heating is reduced. The supply to the fixing device 70 may be continued. Then, since the fixing device 70 is heated to some extent when the user tries to use the copying machine 1, the rise time can be shortened, and the convenience for the user can be improved.

  Further, in each of the above examples, when the execution of the copy operation by pressing the start button is instructed in the middle of the processing, the fixing device 70 by the full power heating or the power cutoff heating according to the timing. Move on to launch.

  According to each of the above examples, when starting up the stopped copying machine, the operation of the fixing device 70 is not performed as compared with the case where the same operation sequence is adopted regardless of whether the user intends to use the copying machine 1 or not. Useless power supply is suppressed.

  Further, of the above examples, after determining whether or not the image quality adjustment processing is necessary, an example in which the power supply to the fixing device 70 is delayed immediately without stopping the power supply to the fixing device 70 immediately According to this, harmony between improvement of convenience for a user who intends to use the copying machine 1 and suppression of useless power supply to the fixing device 70 can be achieved.

  Here, the case where the present invention is applied to the copy machine 1 shown in FIG. 1 has been described as an example. However, the present invention is directed to an image provided with a fixing device which needs to be heated in advance before a fixing operation. The present invention can be applied to general forming apparatuses.

1 Copying Machine 30 Main Control Unit 31 Power Supply 32 Environmental Sensor 33 Image Quality Adjusting Sensors 40, 40C, 40M, 40Y, 40K Image Forming Engine 70 Fixing Unit 71 Heating Roll 711 Heat Source 72 Pressing Roll 73 Temperature Sensor

Claims (11)

A fixing unit that fixes the toner image transferred on the paper to the paper,
A control unit that performs control of power to be sent to the fixing unit, and image quality adjustment control for executing image quality adjustment processing of a toner image to be formed,
An activation unit that activates the control unit at a time that triggers the operation of the control unit;
An instruction unit for instructing start of an image forming process for forming an image on paper,
The control unit starts supplying power to the fixing unit in response to the activation by the activation unit, and supplies the power to the fixing unit when time elapses without an instruction to start the image forming process by the instruction unit. At a second time after the first time when the power supply is started, the image quality adjustment control is started when the image quality adjustment processing is required, and the image quality adjustment processing is unnecessary, and And stopping the power supply to the fixing unit at a third time after the second time including the second time in a case where the time further elapses without an instruction to start the image forming process by the instruction unit. An image forming apparatus comprising:   Also in the case where the image quality adjustment processing is required, the control unit controls the third time after the second time including the second time when the time elapses without an instruction to start the image forming processing by the instruction unit. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein power supply to the fixing unit is stopped.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the third time is a time coincident with the second time.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the third time is a time later than the second time by a predetermined time. A fixing unit that fixes the toner image transferred on the paper to the paper,
A control unit that performs control of power to be sent to the fixing unit, and image quality adjustment control for executing image quality adjustment processing of a toner image to be formed,
An activation unit that activates the control unit at a time that triggers the operation of the control unit;
An instruction unit for instructing start of an image forming process for forming an image on paper,
The control unit starts supplying power to the fixing unit in response to the activation by the activation unit, and supplies the power to the fixing unit when time elapses without an instruction to start the image forming process by the instruction unit. At a second time after the first time when the power supply is started, the image quality adjustment control is started when the image quality adjustment processing is necessary, and there is no instruction to start the image forming processing by the instruction unit. An image forming apparatus configured to stop supplying power to the fixing unit at a fifth time after the fourth time including the fourth time when the image quality adjustment processing is completed when the time has further elapsed. . 6. The time according to claim 5, wherein the fifth time coincides with the fourth time.
An image forming apparatus according to claim 1.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the fifth time is a time later than the fourth time by a predetermined time. A fixing unit that fixes the toner image transferred on the paper to the paper,
A control unit that performs control of power to be sent to the fixing unit, and image quality adjustment control for executing image quality adjustment processing of a toner image to be formed,
An activation unit that activates the control unit at a time that triggers the operation of the control unit;
An instruction unit for instructing start of an image forming process for forming an image on paper,
The control unit starts supplying power to the fixing unit in response to the activation by the activation unit, and supplies the power to the fixing unit when time elapses without an instruction to start the image forming process by the instruction unit. At a second time after the first time when the power supply is started, the image quality adjustment control is started when the image quality adjustment processing is necessary, and there is no instruction to start the image forming processing by the instruction unit. A difference between a fourth time at which the image quality adjustment processing is completed and a sixth time at which the temperature of the fixing unit is expected to reach a predetermined temperature when the image quality adjustment processing is completed. If the time is within a predetermined threshold time, the supply of power to the fixing unit is stopped at an eighth time after that, including a seventh time when the temperature of the fixing unit has reached the specified temperature. An image forming apparatus comprising: 9. The device according to claim 8, wherein the eighth time is a time coincident with the seventh time.
An image forming apparatus according to claim 1.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the eighth time is a time later than the seventh time by a predetermined time.   The control unit starts supplying power of the first power to the fixing unit at the first time in response to the activation by the activation unit, and supplies the power to the fixing unit at the second time. The image according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein a power required for executing the image quality adjustment processing is secured by switching to a second power smaller than the first power. Forming equipment.

Images