JP2020086361A - Image forming apparatus and image forming method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an image forming apparatus that can prevent the generation of odor.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus 100 forms an image on a recording medium P. The image forming apparatus 100 comprises a fixing unit 15, an adjustment unit 211, a humidity measuring unit S1, and a pixel number calculation unit 212. The fixing unit 15 heats the recording medium P to fix the image to the recording medium P. The adjustment unit 211 adjusts a fixing temperature of the fixing unit 15. The humidity measuring unit S1 measures the humidity HG of an environment in which the image forming apparatus 100 is installed. The pixel number calculation unit 212 calculates the number of pixels of the image formed on the recording medium P. The adjustment unit 211 adjusts the fixing temperature based on the humidity HG and the number of pixels.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an image forming method.

The image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1 includes an image forming unit, a fixing unit, and a filter. The image forming unit forms an electrostatic latent image on the image carrier according to the image data. The image forming unit forms a toner image based on the electrostatic latent image. The image forming unit transfers the toner image onto the recording medium. The fixing unit heats the toner image to melt the toner. When the toner image is heated in the fixing section, the toner produces an odor. The filter can eliminate or reduce the odor.

JP, 2007-147834, A

However, in the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1, the odor generated by the filter can be deodorized or mitigated, but the amount of odor generated cannot be reduced.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide an image forming apparatus and an image forming method that can reduce the amount of odor generated.

The image forming apparatus according to the present invention forms an image on a recording medium. The image forming apparatus includes a fixing unit, an adjusting unit, a humidity measuring unit, and a pixel number calculating unit. The fixing unit heats the recording medium to fix an image on the recording medium. The adjustment unit adjusts the fixing temperature of the fixing unit. The humidity measuring unit measures the humidity of the environment in which the image forming apparatus is installed. The pixel number calculation unit calculates the pixel number of the image formed on the recording medium. The adjustment unit adjusts the fixing temperature based on the humidity and the number of pixels.

The image forming method executed by the image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a measuring step, a calculating step, an adjusting step, and a fixing step. In the measuring step, the humidity of the environment in which the image forming apparatus is installed is acquired. In the calculating step, the number of pixels of the image formed on the recording medium is calculated. In the adjusting step, the fixing temperature when fixing the image on the recording medium is adjusted based on the humidity and the number of pixels. In the fixing step, the image is fixed on the recording medium at the fixing temperature.

According to the present invention, generation of odor can be suppressed.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control part which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the adjustment value table memorize|stored in the memory|storage part which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the flowchart of the process which the control part which concerns on this embodiment performs.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts will be denoted by the same reference symbols and description thereof will not be repeated. Further, in the embodiment of the present invention, the X axis, the Y axis, and the Z axis are orthogonal to each other, the X axis and the Y axis are parallel to the horizontal direction, and the Z axis is parallel to the vertical direction.

First, the configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of the image forming apparatus 100.

As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 100 includes an image forming unit 1, an image reading unit 2, a document conveying unit 3, an operation display unit 4, a control unit 21, and a storage unit 22. The image forming unit 1 forms an image on a recording medium. The image reading unit 2 reads the image formed on the document R and generates image data representing the image. The document conveyance unit 3 conveys the document R to the image reading unit 2.

The operation display unit 4 includes a touch panel and operation buttons. The touch panel includes a display device and a touch sensor. The display device displays various images. The display device is, for example, a liquid crystal display device (LCD). The touch sensor receives an operation from the user. Further, the operation button receives an operation from the user. The operation from the user is, for example, a print job. The print job is an instruction to form an image on a sheet based on the image data. The print job is an instruction to form an image on one sheet or an instruction to form an image on a plurality of sheets.

The image forming unit 1 includes a transport mechanism 11, a feeding unit 12, an image forming unit 14, a fixing unit 15, a discharge unit 16, and an exhaust unit 20. The image forming unit 1 has a conveyance path L.

The conveyance path L guides the paper P from the feeding unit 12 to the discharging unit 16. The transport path L extends from the feeding unit 12 to the discharging unit 16.

The transport mechanism 11 transports the paper P. Specifically, the transport mechanism 11 transports the paper P to the discharge unit 16 via the image forming unit 14 and the fixing unit 15.

The transport mechanism 11 includes a transport roller 111 and a registration roller 112.

The transport roller 111 transports the sheet P sent from the feeding unit 12 to the registration roller 112. The transport roller 111 is arranged on the transport path L.

The registration roller 112 adjusts the timing of conveying the paper P to the image forming unit 14. The registration roller 112 conveys the sheet P to the image forming unit 14 at a predetermined interval. The registration roller 112 is arranged in the transport path L. The registration roller 112 is arranged upstream of the image forming unit 14 in the transport direction of the paper P.

The feeding unit 12 feeds the paper P to the transport path L. The paper P is, for example, plain paper, copy paper, recycled paper, thin paper, thick paper, glossy paper, or OHP (Overhead Projector) paper. The paper P corresponds to an example of “recording medium”.

The image forming unit 14 forms an image on the paper P. Specifically, the image forming unit 14 forms a toner image on the paper P. The image forming unit 14 includes a transfer unit, an image carrier, a charging unit, an exposing unit, and a developing unit.

The image carrier has a drum shape and has a rotation axis. The image carrier rotates clockwise around the rotation axis. The image carrier has a photosensitive layer on the outer peripheral surface side. The image carrier is, for example, a photosensitive drum.

The charging unit charges the photosensitive layer of the image carrier to a predetermined potential. The exposure unit irradiates the photosensitive layer of the image bearing member with laser light for exposure. The exposure unit exposes the image carrier based on the image data. As a result, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the image carrier.

The developing unit develops the electrostatic latent image on the image carrier. The developing section has a developing roller. The developing roller supplies toner to the image carrier and develops the electrostatic latent image on the image carrier to form a toner image. As a result, a toner image is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the image carrier.

The transfer unit transfers the toner image formed on the outer peripheral surface of the image carrier to the paper P. As a result, the toner image is transferred to the paper P. The transfer unit includes a transfer roller.

The fixing unit 15 heats the paper P to fix the image on the paper P. Specifically, the fixing unit 15 heats and pressurizes the paper P to fix the image formed on the paper P to the paper P. The fixing unit 15 includes a heating roller 151 and a pressure roller 152. The heating roller 151 has a cylindrical shape having a rotation axis, and rotates about the rotation axis. The heating roller 151 is heated by a heating device.

The exhaust unit 20 exhausts the odor generated from the image forming apparatus 100 to the outside of the image forming apparatus 100. Specifically, the exhaust unit 20 exhausts the odor generated from the paper P and the odor generated from the toner heated by the fixing unit 15 to the outside of the image forming apparatus 100.

The odor generated from the paper P is generated from the paper P itself. For example, when the fixing unit 15 heats the paper P on which the chemicals used in the process of producing the paper P remain, the odor is generated from the paper P itself.

The odor generated from the toner is generated from the toner forming the toner image on the paper P. For example, the odor generated from the toner is generated when the toner forming the toner image on the paper P is heated in the fixing unit 15.

The heating device is, for example, a halogen heater. The heating device is arranged inside the heating roller 151. The heating device heats the heating roller 151 to a predetermined fixing temperature Tf, for example. The fixing temperature indicates the temperature at which the toner image formed on the paper P is fixed on the paper P. The fixing temperature Tf defined in advance is, for example, “160 degrees”. The preset fixing temperature Tf is an initial value determined based on experiments and/or experience.

The pressure roller 152 has a cylindrical shape having a rotation axis and rotates about the rotation axis. The rotation axis of the pressure roller 152 is substantially parallel to the rotation axis of the heating roller 151.

The heating roller 151 is pressed by the pressure roller 152, and a nip portion Nf is formed between the heating roller 151 and the pressure roller 152. The sheet P passes through the nip portion Nf between the heating roller 151 and the pressure roller 152. When the paper P passes through the nip portion Nf, the heating roller 151 contacts one of the both surfaces of the paper P on which the toner image is formed, and fixes the toner image on the paper P.

The ejection unit 16 ejects the sheet P to the outside of the image forming apparatus 100. After the fixing unit 15 fixes the toner image on the paper P, the transport mechanism 11 transports the paper P from the fixing unit 15 to the discharge unit 16. Then, the discharge unit 16 discharges the sheet P on which the toner image is fixed to the outside of the image forming apparatus 100.

The control unit 21 controls the operation of the image forming apparatus 100. The control unit 21 includes a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The storage unit 22 includes a storage device and stores data and computer programs. Specifically, the storage unit 22 includes a main storage device such as a semiconductor memory and an auxiliary storage device such as a semiconductor memory and/or a hard disk drive. The storage unit 22 may include removable media. The processor of the control unit 21 executes the computer program stored in the storage device of the storage unit 22 to transfer the transport mechanism 11, the feeding unit 12, the image forming unit 14, the fixing unit 15, the discharge unit 16, and the exhaust unit 20. , The image reading unit 2, the document conveying unit 3, and the operation display unit 4 are controlled.

The image forming apparatus 100 further includes a housing 10 and a humidity measuring unit S1. The housing 10 accommodates the transport mechanism 11, the feeding unit 12, the image forming unit 14, the fixing unit 15, the discharge unit 16, the exhaust unit 20, the control unit 21, and the storage unit 22. The housing 10 has an air inlet 101.

Air flows in from the air inlet 101. The air inlet 101 is arranged on the side surface of the housing 10. Specifically, the air inlet 101 is located near the feeding unit 12. The air inlet 101 includes, for example, a plurality of elongated holes. Each long hole penetrates the outside and the inside of the housing 10. Air from the outside flows into the inside of the housing 10 through each elongated hole.

The humidity measuring unit S1 measures the humidity HG. Specifically, the humidity measuring unit S1 measures the humidity HG of the environment in which the image forming apparatus 100 is installed. The humidity HG is the humidity of the air that has flowed in from the outside of the image forming unit 14 via the air inlet 101. The humidity HG detected by the humidity measuring unit S1 is stored in the storage unit 22. The humidity measuring unit S1 is located inside the housing 10. Specifically, the humidity measuring unit S1 is located inside the housing 10 in the vicinity of the air inlet 101.

Next, the configuration of the control unit 21 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control unit 21.

The control unit 21 includes an adjusting unit 211, a pixel number calculating unit 212, and a changing unit 213. Specifically, the processor of the control unit 21 functions as the pixel number calculation unit 212, the adjustment unit 211, and the change unit 213 by executing the computer program stored in the storage device of the storage unit 22.

The pixel number calculation unit 212 calculates the pixel number of the image formed on the paper P. Specifically, the pixel number calculation unit 212 calculates the pixel number from the image data indicating the image formed on the paper P. The image data is a set of a plurality of pixels. Each pixel includes data indicating density or brightness. The calculation result of the pixel number calculated by the pixel number calculation unit 212 is stored in the storage unit 22.

Hereinafter, the “number of pixels of the image formed on the paper P” may be referred to as the “pixel number PN”.

The adjusting unit 211 adjusts the fixing temperature of the fixing unit 15. Specifically, the adjusting unit 211 adjusts the fixing temperature based on the humidity HG and the pixel number PN. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to reduce the amount of odor generated when the fixing portion 15 heats the paper P.

The reason why the amount of odor generated can be reduced is as follows. That is, the higher the humidity HG, the more the water content of the paper P increases. Then, as the water content of the paper P increases, the odor generated when the paper P is heated by the fixing unit 15 increases. In other words, since the water content of the paper P is proportional to the humidity HG, the higher the humidity, the more the odor generated when the paper P is heated in the fixing unit 15 increases.

In addition, as the number of pixels PN increases, the amount of toner forming an image also increases. As the amount of toner increases, the odor generated when the toner on the paper P is heated by the fixing unit 15 increases. In other words, since the amount of toner is proportional to the number of pixels PN, the larger the number of pixels PN, the more the odor generated when the fixing portion 15 heats the toner on the paper P.

On the other hand, the higher the fixing temperature of the fixing unit 15, the greater the amount of odor generated.
Therefore, the amount of odor generated can be reduced by adjusting the fixing temperature of the fixing unit 15 based on the humidity HG and the number of pixels PN. For example, the higher the humidity HG, the lower the fixing temperature to suppress the amount of odor generated. For example, as the number of pixels PN increases, the fixing temperature is lowered to suppress the amount of odor generated.

In particular, in the present embodiment, the adjustment unit 211 lowers the fixing temperature of the fixing unit 15 with respect to the predetermined fixing temperature based on the humidity HG and the number of pixels PN. For example, the amount of odor generated from the paper P when the fixing temperature is “158 degrees” and the amount of odor generated from the toner are the odors generated from the paper P when the fixing temperature is “160 degrees”. It is small compared to the amount generated and the amount of odor generated from the toner. Therefore, by lowering the fixing temperature of the fixing unit 15 from the predetermined fixing temperature, it is possible to suppress the odor generated from the paper P and the odor generated from the toner.

After the print job is completed, the changing unit 213 changes the fixing temperature adjusted by the adjusting unit 211 to a predetermined fixing temperature Tf. Specifically, the changing unit 213 predefines the fixing temperature after the adjusting unit 211 adjusts after the fixing unit 15 fixes the toner image on the paper P at the fixing temperature after the adjusting unit 211 adjusts. Change to the fixing temperature Tf. That is, every time the print job is completed, the changing unit 213 changes the fixing temperature to the predetermined fixing temperature Tf and resets the fixing temperature.

Therefore, it is possible to prevent the fixing temperature of the fixing unit 15 from falling below the temperature at which the fixing unit 15 can fix the toner image on the paper P. If the changing unit 213 does not reset the fixing temperature, for example, the fixing temperature of the fixing unit 15 may continue to decrease for each print job. Therefore, the fixing temperature of the fixing unit 15 may be lower than the temperature at which the fixing unit 15 can fix the toner image on the paper P. Therefore, every time the print job is completed, the changing unit 213 changes the fixing temperature adjusted by the adjusting unit 211 to the predetermined fixing temperature Tf, thereby suppressing the fixing temperature from continuously decreasing. The present invention does not exclude a configuration in which the fixing temperature is not reset.

Further, the control unit 21 switches the operation mode of the image forming apparatus 100 between the first operation mode and the second operation mode based on the operation by the user. The first operation mode is a mode in which the fixing temperature is not adjusted. The second operation mode is different from the first operation mode. That is, the second operation mode is a mode in which the fixing temperature is adjusted. Since the image forming apparatus 100 has the first operation mode and the second operation mode, the user can operate the display operation unit to switch the operation mode between the first operation mode and the second operation mode. .. That is, the user can set a desired operation mode. As a result, user convenience is improved.

Next, the adjustment value table TR stored in the storage unit 22 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the adjustment value table TR stored in the storage unit 22.

The storage unit 22 shown in FIG. 2 stores the adjustment value table TR shown in FIG. The adjustment value table TR is a table in which a plurality of pieces of humidity information, a plurality of pieces of pixel number information, and a plurality of adjustment values are associated with each other.

As shown in FIG. 3, in the adjustment value table TR, the plurality of pieces of humidity information include humidity information of “0%” to “90%”. Each of the plurality of pieces of humidity information indicates the humidity HG. In the present embodiment, the humidity information of “X%” in the adjustment value table TR indicates the humidity HG of “X% or more and less than (X+10)%”. For example, the humidity information of “50%” in the adjustment value table TR indicates the humidity HG of 50% or more and less than 60%.

As shown in FIG. 3, in the adjustment value table TR, the plurality of pixel number information includes pixel number information from “0 dot” to “70,000,000 dots”. Each of the plurality of pieces of pixel number information indicates the number of pixels PN. In the present embodiment, the pixel number information of “Y dots” in the adjustment value table TR indicates the pixel number PN of “more than Y dots and less than (Y+7,000,000) dots”. For example, the pixel number information of “35,000,000 dots” in the adjustment value table TR indicates the pixel number PN of 35,000,000 dots or more and less than 42,000,000 dots.

As shown in FIG. 3, in the adjustment value table TR, the plurality of adjustment values include, for example, “0 degrees”, “2 degrees”, “3 degrees”, “4 degrees”, and “5 degrees”. The plurality of adjustment values are set based on experiment and/or experience. The adjustment value is set to a temperature at which the fixing unit 15 can fix the toner image on the paper P. It is preferable that the adjustment value does not fall below the temperature at which the fixing unit 15 can fix the toner image on the paper P. Therefore, the plurality of adjustment values are not limited to the values shown in FIG. Each adjustment value indicates an adjustment value for the fixing temperature Tf defined in advance. In the adjustment value table TR, a plurality of adjustment values are arranged in a matrix corresponding to a plurality of pieces of humidity information and a plurality of pieces of pixel number information. Therefore, in the adjustment value table TR, one adjustment value is uniquely determined from one humidity information and one pixel number information. For example, the adjustment value of "3 degrees" is uniquely determined from the humidity information of "50%" and the pixel number information of "35,000,000 dots". The adjustment value may be derived by calculation based on a function having the humidity HG and the number of pixels PN as variables.

Subsequently, the adjustment process of the adjustment unit 211 will be specifically described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. The adjustment process is executed when the image forming apparatus 100 is in the second operation mode. The adjustment process is a process in which the adjustment unit 211 adjusts the fixing temperature of the fixing unit 15. The adjustment process is executed when there is a large amount of odor generated when the fixing unit 15 fixes the image on the sheet P at the predetermined fixing temperature Tf.

When performing the adjustment process, the adjustment unit 211 acquires the humidity HG and the pixel number PN from the storage unit 22. Specifically, the adjustment unit 211 acquires the humidity HG and the number of pixels PN when the image forming apparatus 100 receives a print job.

Then, the adjusting unit 211 adjusts the fixing temperature based on the humidity HG and the pixel number PN. Specifically, the adjusting unit 211 uses the adjustment value table TR, the humidity HG measured by the humidity measuring unit S1, and the pixel number PN calculated by the pixel number calculating unit 212 to calculate one adjustment value from the adjustment value table TR. Select. Then, the adjusting unit 211 adjusts the fixing temperature based on the selected one adjustment value. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the fixing temperature can be easily adjusted by a simple process based on the adjustment value table TR.

In particular, in the present embodiment, the adjusting unit 211 subtracts one selected adjustment value from the preset fixing temperature Tf, and sets the subtraction result to the adjusted fixing temperature. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the amount of odor generated can be suppressed by lowering the fixing temperature according to the humidity HG and the number of pixels PN.

More specifically, when the adjustment unit 211 selects one adjustment value from the adjustment value table TR, the adjustment unit 211 determines the number of pixels including the column indicating the humidity information including the humidity HG and the pixel number PN of the image. The adjustment value at the position where the line indicating the information intersects is selected from the adjustment value table TR.

For example, when the humidity HG measured by the humidity measuring unit S1 is “55%” and the number of pixels calculated by the pixel number calculating unit 212 is “14,500,000 dots”, the humidity measured by the humidity measuring unit S1 is Based on the HG, the adjustment unit 211 refers to the adjustment value included in the column indicating the humidity information of “50%” from the adjustment value table TR. Next, based on the number of pixels calculated by the pixel number calculation unit 212, the adjustment value refers to the adjustment value included in the row indicating the pixel number information of “14,000,000 dots” from the adjustment value table TR. Then, the adjusting unit 211 selects, from the adjustment value table TR, the adjustment value at the position where the column indicating the humidity information of “50%” and the row indicating the pixel number information of “14,000,000 dots” intersect. The adjustment value at the position where the column indicating the humidity information of “50%” and the row indicating the pixel number information of “14,000,000 dots” intersect is “2 degrees”.

Further, the adjusting unit 211 lowers the fixing temperature of the fixing unit 15 based on the selected one adjustment value. For example, when the selected one adjustment value is “2 degrees”, the adjusting section 211 lowers the fixing temperature of the fixing section 15 from the predetermined fixing temperature Tf by “2 degrees”. Specifically, the adjusting unit 211 lowers the fixing temperature so that the fixing temperature “160 degrees” becomes “158 degrees”.

Then, the fixing unit 15 fixes the image on the paper P at the adjusted fixing temperature. After that, the paper P on which the image is formed is discharged from the discharge unit 16 to the outside of the image forming apparatus 100.

When the print job is completed, the changing unit 213 changes the adjusted fixing temperature to the predetermined fixing temperature Tf. For example, after the fixing unit 15 fixes the image on the paper P at “158 degrees”, the changing unit 213 changes the fixing temperature of “158 degrees” to the predetermined fixing temperature Tf of “160 degrees”.

Next, the processing executed by the control unit 21 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of processing executed by the control unit 21. The process executed by the control unit 21 includes steps S101 to S117.

In step S101, the control unit 21 receives a print job. For example, the control unit 21 receives a print job from the user via the operation display unit 4. Alternatively, for example, the control unit 21 receives a print job from an external computer. The process proceeds to step S103.

In step S103, the control unit 21 determines whether the image forming apparatus 100 is in the second operation mode. If image forming apparatus 100 is not in the second operation mode (No in step S103), the process proceeds to step S117. When image forming apparatus 100 is in the second operation mode (Yes in step S103), the process proceeds to step S105.

In step S105, the control unit 21 acquires the humidity HG from the storage unit 22. The storage unit 22 stores the humidity HG measured by the humidity measuring unit S1 when the print job is received. The process proceeds to step S107.

In step S107, the control unit 21 acquires the pixel number PN from the storage unit 22. The number of pixels is calculated by the pixel number calculation unit 212. The pixel number calculation unit 212 calculates the number of pixels of the image data included in the print job. The process proceeds to step S109.

In step S109, the adjustment unit 211 makes one adjustment from the adjustment value table TR based on the adjustment value table TR, the humidity HG measured by the humidity measurement unit S1, and the pixel number PN calculated by the pixel number calculation unit 212. Select a value. The process proceeds to step S111.

In step S111, the adjusting unit 211 adjusts the fixing temperature based on the selected one adjustment value. Specifically, based on one selected adjustment value, the adjustment unit 211 lowers the fixing temperature when the fixing unit 15 fixes the image on the paper P.

In step S113, the control unit 21 controls the image forming unit 14 so that the image forming unit 14 forms an image on the paper P. Specifically, the control unit 21 controls the fixing unit 15 so that the fixing unit 15 fixes the toner image on the paper P at the fixing temperature adjusted by the adjusting unit 211. The process proceeds to step S115.

In step S115, the changing unit 213 changes the adjusted fixing temperature to the predetermined fixing temperature Tf after the print job is completed. Specifically, the changing unit 213 changes the fixing temperature to a predetermined fixing temperature Tf after the fixing unit 15 fixes the image on the paper P at the adjusted fixing temperature. The process ends.

In the case of No in step S103, in step S117, the control unit 21 controls the image forming unit 14 so that the image forming unit 14 forms an image on the paper P. Since the image forming apparatus 100 is in the first operation mode, the fixing unit 15 fixes the image on the sheet P at the fixing temperature Tf defined in advance. The process ends.

The embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and can be implemented in various modes without departing from the scope of the invention. Further, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the above-described embodiments. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, the constituent elements of different embodiments may be combined appropriately. In order to facilitate understanding, the drawings mainly show each component, and the thickness, length, number, spacing, etc. of each component shown in the drawings may be different from the actual one for convenience of drawing. Is different. Further, the speed, material, shape, size, etc. of each constituent element shown in the above embodiment are examples, and are not particularly limited, and various changes may be made without departing from the configuration of the present invention. It is possible.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be used in the fields of image forming apparatuses and image forming methods.

15 fixing unit 22 storage unit 100 image forming apparatus 211 adjusting unit 212 pixel number calculating unit 213 changing unit HG humidity P paper S1 humidity measuring unit TR adjustment value table

Claims (6)

An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium,
A fixing unit that heats the recording medium to fix an image on the recording medium;
An adjusting unit for adjusting the fixing temperature of the fixing unit,
A humidity measuring unit that measures the humidity of the environment in which the image forming apparatus is installed,
A pixel number calculation unit that calculates the number of pixels of the image formed on the recording medium,
The image forming apparatus, wherein the adjusting unit adjusts the fixing temperature based on the humidity and the number of pixels. Further comprising a storage unit that stores an adjustment value table in which a plurality of pieces of humidity information, a plurality of pieces of pixel number information, and a plurality of adjustment values are associated with each other,
Each of the plurality of humidity information indicates humidity,
Each of the plurality of pixel number information indicates a pixel number,
The adjustment unit,
Based on the adjustment value table and the humidity measured by the humidity measuring unit and the number of pixels calculated by the pixel number calculating unit, select one adjustment value from the adjustment value table,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the fixing temperature is adjusted based on the one adjustment value. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment unit lowers the fixing temperature with respect to a predetermined fixing temperature based on the humidity and the number of pixels. After the fixing unit fixes the image on the recording medium at the fixing temperature adjusted by the adjusting unit, the changing unit changes the fixing temperature adjusted by the adjusting unit to a predetermined fixing temperature. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising: The image forming apparatus further has a first operation mode and a second operation mode different from the first operation mode,
The first operation mode indicates a mode in which the fixing temperature is not adjusted,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second operation mode indicates a mode in which the fixing temperature is adjusted. An image forming method executed by an image forming apparatus, comprising:
Acquiring the humidity of the environment in which the image forming apparatus is installed,
Calculating the number of pixels of the image formed on the recording medium,
Adjusting the fixing temperature when fixing the image on the recording medium based on the humidity and the number of pixels;
Fixing an image on the recording medium at the fixing temperature;
An image forming method including:

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