JP2021096294A - Image forming apparatus, method for controlling image forming apparatus, and image forming system - Google Patents

Abstract

To remove a roll sheet at an optimal timing without requiring a user to stand by unnecessarily.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus 3 can form an image on a roll sheet P, and comprises: a sheet conveying unit 31 that conveys the roll sheet P placed on a conveyance path; an image forming unit 32 that forms a toner image on the roll sheet P; a fixing unit 33 that heats the roll sheet P to fix the toner image; and a control unit 6 that, when the image forming apparatus 3 is continuously used for the roll sheet P after the end of a print job, executes a conveyance and cooling mode for stopping heating of the fixing unit 33 while the roll sheet P is nipped and conveying the roll sheet P, and when the image forming apparatus 3 is not continuously used for the roll sheet P after the end of the print job, does not execute the conveyance and cooling mode.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, a control method of the image forming apparatus, and an image forming system.

Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus that forms an image on roll paper, in principle, the roll paper is always present in the fixing portion. The fixing portion heats the roll paper to fix the toner image, so that the temperature becomes high. Therefore, if the roll paper is stopped while the temperature of the fixing portion is high, the roll paper may be damaged by heat.

Therefore, if the temperature of the fixing portion is high after printing is completed, it is necessary to absorb the heat of the fixing roller by transporting the roll paper and stop the transport of the roll paper after the temperature of the fixing portion is lowered. there were.

For example, in a conventional image forming apparatus, in order to cool the fixing portion to a temperature at which the roll paper is not damaged, the roll paper is continuously conveyed after printing is completed and the fixing heater is turned off. As a result, the image forming apparatus causes the roll paper to absorb the heat of the fixing roller, and when the temperature of the fixing portion drops to a predetermined temperature, the fixing portion is separated from the fixing portion. Further, the image forming apparatus is controlled to wait until the temperature is not affected by the heat on the roll paper while reducing the amount of the roll paper that absorbs heat by slowing down the transport speed of the roll paper. Hereinafter, such control is referred to as a transport cooling mode.

Here, as a related image forming apparatus, an image forming apparatus including a control unit, wherein the control unit controls, for example, switching between a crimping state and a separation state of a fixing portion and a transfer speed of roll paper is disclosed. (See, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-90787

The image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 transports the roll paper at the first transport speed with the fixing portion crimped after printing, and separates the fixing portions at a predetermined timing from the first transport speed. The roll paper is transported at a low second transport speed. Then, the image forming apparatus stops the transfer of the roll paper when the temperature of the fixing portion becomes equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature.

As described above, in the image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, the temperature of the fixing portion is lowered to a safe temperature at which the roll paper set in the fixing portion is not deformed or damaged. As a result, the image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 can avoid deformation and breakage of the roll paper.

However, in order to remove the roll paper, the user needs to wait until the fixing portion cools to a safe temperature.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to remove the roll paper at an optimum timing without the user having to wait unnecessarily.

That is, the above problem of the present invention is solved by the following configuration.

(1) An image forming apparatus capable of forming an image on roll paper.
A paper transport unit that transports roll paper set in the transport path,
An image forming portion that forms a toner image on the roll paper,
A fixing portion that heats the roll paper to fix the toner image, and a fixing portion.
When the image forming apparatus is continuously used for the roll paper after the print job is completed, the transport cooling mode in which the heating of the fixing portion is stopped while the roll paper is nipped to convey the roll paper. When the image forming apparatus is not continuously used for the roll paper after the print job is completed, the control unit that does not execute the transfer cooling mode and
An image forming apparatus comprising.

(2) The case where the image forming apparatus is not continuously used for the roll paper after the end of the print job is the case where the roll paper is scheduled or predicted to be replaced or removed after the end of the print job. is there,
The image forming apparatus according to (1).

(3) The case where the roll paper is scheduled or predicted to be replaced is the case where the roll paper is requested to be taken out by a user operation.
The image forming apparatus according to (1) or (2).

(4) The control unit is
Enable the first setting unit that can accept the roll paper eject request before the end of the print job.
The image forming apparatus according to (3).

(5) Further provided with a remaining amount detecting unit for detecting the remaining amount of the roll paper.
The control unit
When the remaining amount of the roll paper detected by the remaining amount detection unit is equal to or less than a predetermined amount, the transport cooling mode is not executed.
The image forming apparatus according to any one of (1) to (4).

(6) The control unit is
It has a second setting unit that can be preset before executing the job so that the transport cooling mode is not executed at the end of the print job.
The image forming apparatus according to any one of (1) to (5).

(7) A cut detection unit for detecting the cut of the roll paper is provided.
The control unit
When the transport cooling mode is not executed at the end of the print job and the cut of the roll paper is detected by the cut detection unit, the roll paper located at the fixing unit is wound up.
The image forming apparatus according to any one of (1) to (6).

(8) The roll paper located at the fixing portion is wound by a paper feeding device provided upstream in the transport direction of the roll paper or a winding device provided downstream with respect to the image forming device.
The image forming apparatus according to (7).

(9) A cutting portion for cutting the roll paper is provided.
The control unit
When the transport cooling mode is not executed at the end of the print job and the roll paper is cut by the cutting portion, the roll paper located at the fixing portion is wound up by the paper transport portion.
The image forming apparatus according to any one of (1) to (8).

(10) A paper detection unit for detecting roll paper in the transport path is provided.
The control unit
When the transport cooling mode is not executed at the end of the print job and the roll paper is continuously detected in the transport path by the paper detection unit from the end of the print job until a predetermined time has elapsed, the transport cooling mode is used. To execute,
The image forming apparatus according to any one of (1) to (9).

(11) A control method for an image forming apparatus capable of forming an image on roll paper.
The step of transporting the roll paper set in the transport path by the paper transport unit,
A step in which the image forming portion forms a toner image on the roll paper,
A step in which the fixing portion heats the roll paper to fix the toner image,
When the image forming apparatus is continuously used for the roll paper after the print job is completed, the transport cooling mode in which the heating of the fixing portion is stopped while the roll paper is nipped to convey the roll paper. If the image forming apparatus is not continuously used for the roll paper after the print job is completed, the transfer cooling mode is not executed.
A method for controlling an image forming apparatus, which comprises.

(12) An image forming system capable of forming an image on roll paper.
A paper feed device that supplies roll paper to the transport path,
A paper transport unit that transports the roll paper set in the transport path, and a paper transport unit that transports the roll paper.
An image forming portion that forms a toner image on the roll paper,
A fixing portion that heats the roll paper to fix the toner image, and a fixing portion.
When the image forming apparatus is continuously used for the roll paper after the print job is completed, the transport cooling mode in which the heating of the fixing portion is stopped while the roll paper is nipped and the roll paper is conveyed is set. A control unit that does not execute the transfer cooling mode when the image forming apparatus is not used for the roll paper continuously after the printing job is completed.
An image forming system comprising.

(13) The roll paper located at the fixing portion is wound by a paper feeding device provided upstream in the transport direction of the roll paper or a winding device provided downstream with respect to the image forming device.
The image forming system according to (12).

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus, a control method of the image forming apparatus, and an image forming system capable of removing the roll paper at an optimum timing without the user having to wait unnecessarily. it can.

It is a figure explaining the structural example of the image formation system which concerns on this embodiment. It is a functional block diagram which shows the structure of the image forming apparatus in an image forming system. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the image formation operation which the image formation apparatus of an image formation system executes. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the image formation operation which the image formation apparatus of an image formation system executes. It is explanatory drawing which showed the example of the display screen displayed on the display part of the image forming apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which showed the example of the display screen displayed on the display part of the image forming apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing a process in which the control unit controls the heating roller, the pressurizing roller, the paper transport unit, and the cooling fan to be turned off at the same time in step 015. FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing a process in which the control unit controls the transfer and cooling by the heating roller, the pressurizing roller, the paper transfer unit, and the cooling fan in step 021. It is explanatory drawing which showed the cut position which cut | cut the roll paper by the cut part of the image forming apparatus of an image forming system. It is a timing chart which showed the process of restarting the transport speed of a paper transport section at a low speed, and naturally cooling, when the roll paper winding operation is not started even after a lapse of a predetermined time. 6 is a timing chart showing a process of performing forced cooling when the roll paper winding operation is not started even after a lapse of a predetermined time.

Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail. The embodiments described below are examples for realizing the present invention, and should be appropriately modified or changed depending on the configuration of the device to which the present invention is applied and various conditions. It is not limited to the embodiment of. In addition, a part of each embodiment described later may be appropriately combined and configured. The same members are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

<The present embodiment>
[Overall schematic configuration of the image forming apparatus]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image forming system 100 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming system 100 is a system that uses a roll paper (continuous paper) P as a recording medium and forms an image on the roll paper P.

As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming system 100 is configured by connecting the paper feeding device 1, the image forming device 3, and the winding device 5 from the upstream side along the conveying direction of the roll paper P.

The paper feed device 1 includes a paper feed adjustment unit 2. The paper feed device 1 feeds the roll paper P to the image forming device 3 via the paper feed adjusting unit 2. In the housing of the paper feed device 1, for example, as shown in FIG. 1, the roll paper P formed in a roll shape is wound around the support shaft 10 and held rotatably. In the paper feed device 1, the roll paper P wound around the support shaft 10 is conveyed to the paper feed adjusting unit 2 at a constant speed via a plurality of rollers.

The roll paper P does not necessarily have to be held in a roll shape, and may be a continuous paper that is folded and held.

The paper feed adjusting unit 2 conveys the roll paper P conveyed from the support shaft 10 of the paper feed device 1 to the image forming apparatus 3. As shown in FIG. 1, the paper feed adjusting unit 2 absorbs the speed difference between the transport speed of the roll paper P from the paper feed device 1 and the transport speed of the roll paper P in the image forming apparatus 3, as shown in FIG. P is slackened and held.

The image forming apparatus 3 has a function of forming an image on the roll paper P. The image forming apparatus 3 is installed on the downstream side of the paper feeding device 1 and on the upstream side of the winding device 5 in the transport direction of the roll paper P.

The take-up device 5 includes a take-up adjusting unit 4. The take-up device 5 winds up the roll paper P1 conveyed from the image forming apparatus 3 via the take-up adjusting unit 4.

The take-up adjusting unit 4 conveys the roll paper P2 conveyed from the image forming apparatus 3 to the take-up device 5. As shown in FIG. 1, the take-up adjusting unit 4 absorbs the speed difference between the transfer speed of the roll paper P2 from the image forming apparatus 3 and the transfer speed of the roll paper P1 in the take-up device 5, as shown in FIG. P1 is slackened and held.

The take-up device 5 is provided with a cutting portion 51 on the upper surface of the take-up device 5. The cutting portion 51 is provided with, for example, a cutting blade that is long in the width direction of the roll paper P1 and cuts the roll paper P1 at a predetermined position.

In the housing of the take-up device 5, as shown in FIG. 1, the roll paper P1 is wound around the support shaft 50 and held in a roll shape. In the take-up device 5, the roll paper P1 conveyed from the take-up adjustment unit 4 is exposed on the upper surface of the take-up device 5, cut by the cut portion 51, and then enters the inside of the take-up device 5 again. Then, it is wound around the support shaft 50 at a constant speed.

Further, the winding device 5 is installed away from the image forming device 3. Therefore, the roll paper P is carried out from the carry-out port 38 of the image forming apparatus 3 and is exposed to the outside. Then, the roll paper P2 is conveyed in a state where the lower surface is supported by the support plate 42 provided in the take-up adjustment unit 4, and the take-up adjustment unit 4 is conveyed from the carry-in inlet 41 provided in the take-up adjustment unit 4. It is carried inside.

Next, the configuration of the image forming apparatus 3 will be described in detail. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the image forming apparatus 3 in the image forming system 100.

As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 3 includes a paper conveying unit 31, an image forming unit 32, a fixing unit 33, a control unit 6, a display unit 61, an operation unit 62, a storage unit 63, and the like. It is configured to include cutting portions 34 and 341, a cutting detecting portion 35, a paper sensor 36, and a cooling fan 37.

The paper transport unit 31 transports the roll paper P set in the transport path of the image forming apparatus 3. The paper transport unit 31 transports the roll paper P conveyed from the paper feed adjusting unit 2 to the image forming unit 32 by, for example, a plurality of rollers, and the roll paper P2 that has passed through the image forming unit 32 and the fixing unit 33. Is conveyed to the take-up adjustment unit 4.

The image forming unit 32 forms a toner image on the roll paper P. The image forming unit 32 forms a toner image by an electrophotographic process and transfers it to a roll paper P to form a toner image (color image) in which layers of each color are superimposed.

The fixing portion 33 includes a heating roller 331 and a pressure roller 332. The heating roller 331 and the pressure roller 332 form a pair of rollers. The fixing portion 33 heats the roll paper P by the heating roller 331 to fix the toner image. As a result, the fixing unit 33 fixes the toner image transferred on the roll paper P.

The heating roller 331 is heated to a predetermined temperature by a fixing heater as a heating source. The pressure roller 332 is crimped or separated from the heating roller 331 at a predetermined timing under the control of the control unit 6.

Heat and pressure are applied to the roll paper P on which the toner image is transferred by passing through the nip portion of the heating roller 331 and the pressure roller 332, and the toner image is melted and fixed. A temperature sensor is provided near the outer peripheral surface of the pressure roller 332. The temperature sensor measures the temperature in the vicinity of the outer peripheral surface of the pressure roller 332 as the temperature of the fixing portion 33.

The control unit 6 is composed of, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) (not shown), a RAM (Random Access Memory) (not shown), or the like. The CPU of the control unit 6 reads out various programs and the like stored in the storage unit 63, develops them in the RAM, and executes various processes according to the expanded programs. The control unit 6 controls, for example, each unit constituting the image forming apparatus 3 to cool the fixing unit to a temperature at which the roll paper is not damaged, after printing is completed and the fixing heater is turned off. Continue transporting roll paper. As a result, the image forming apparatus 3 absorbs the heat of the fixing roller on the roll paper, and when the temperature of the fixing portion drops to a predetermined temperature, the image forming apparatus 3 separates the fixing portion (conveyed cooling mode, hereinafter referred to as a normal mode). Call.) Is executed.

Here, the "normal mode" is a mode set as a default. Specifically, the control unit 6 is set when the transport mode of the roll paper P is the default "normal mode", and the same roll paper is continuously used for the roll paper P after the print job is completed. When the same or other printing job is performed, the roll paper P is conveyed to the paper conveying unit 31 without operating the image forming unit 32 and the fixing unit 33. In this case, for example, after the end of a certain print job, the control unit 6 re-executes the print job of the same electronic data as the same print job, or executes the print job of different electronic data as another print job. .. Further, when the control unit 6 re-executes the print job of the same electronic data, the control unit 6 may execute the print job as another print job.

Further, executing the same print job or another print job on the same roll paper P means that the image forming apparatus 3 is continuously used by the print job, and the transport cooling mode is executed. In other words, when the image forming apparatus 3 is continuously used for the same roll paper P, the control unit 6 stops the heating of the fixing unit 33 with the roll paper P nipped, and causes the roll paper P to be heated. Execute the transport cooling mode to transport. When the image forming apparatus 3 is continuously used for the same roll paper P, not only the print processing by the subsequent print job (the same print job and another print job) but also the image by the print queue. The use of the forming apparatus 3 is also included.

On the other hand, if the control unit 6 does not execute the same print job or another print job on the same roll paper P in the "normal mode", the image forming apparatus 3 should not be continuously used by the print job. Means that the transport cooling mode is not executed. That is, if the image forming apparatus 3 is not continuously used for the roll paper P after the print job is completed, the control unit 6 does not execute the transport cooling mode. In this case, the case where the image forming apparatus 3 is not used for the roll paper P corresponds to the case where the roll paper P is scheduled or predicted to be replaced or removed after the print job is completed.

The storage unit 63 is composed of, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), a semiconductor non-volatile memory, or the like. The storage unit 63 stores various programs including a system program and a processing program executed by the control unit 6, and data necessary for executing these programs. For example, the storage unit 63 stores setting information necessary for executing the image forming operation. Specifically, for example, the storage unit 63 stores the transport mode of the roll paper P in the image forming operation set by the user using the setting screen of the display unit 61.

The display unit 61 includes a display screen as a setting unit, and displays various information on the screen. The operation unit 62 receives input of various instructions by the user. The operation unit 62 receives an input as a setting unit, for example, when changing the setting of the transport mode of the roll paper P in the image forming operation.

The cutting portions 34 and 341 cut the roll paper P. The cutting portions 34 and 341 cut the roll paper P, for example, at the cutting positions 1001 and 1002 described later in FIG. 9.

The cut detection unit 35 detects the cut of the roll paper P. The cut detection unit 35 detects, for example, that the roll paper P has been cut at the cut position 1001 (see FIG. 9) by the cut unit 34.

The paper sensor (paper detection unit) 36 detects the roll paper P in the transport path.

The cooling fan 37 is a fan that cools the fixing portion 33.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 6 comprehensively controls the entire image forming system 100, but each of the paper feeding device 1 and the winding device 5 controls the entire image forming system 100. It may be configured to include a part.

Further, the image forming apparatus 3 may be, for example, an MFP (Multi-Function Peripheral) having a copy function, a scanning function, a facsimile function, and the like in addition to the image forming function.

The remaining amount sensor (remaining amount detecting unit) 11 included in the paper feeding device 1 will be described later using the flowchart of FIG.

[Approximate operation of image forming apparatus]
Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 3 in the image forming system 100 in the present embodiment will be described. 3 and 4 are flowcharts showing the procedure of the image forming operation executed by the image forming apparatus 3 of the image forming system 100. As a premise of the image forming operation, the transport cooling mode (normal mode) of the roll paper P is set in advance.

First, when the control unit 6 of the image forming apparatus 3 receives the print job, the control unit 6 analyzes the print job and starts printing (printing) (step S001).

The control unit 6 determines whether or not the print job is finished before the predetermined time (step S003), and waits until the print job is finished before the predetermined time (No in step S003). When the predetermined time before the end of the print job (Yes in step S003), the control unit 6 sets the roll paper P eject request setting activation (step S005).

In this case, the control unit 6 enables the first setting unit before the predetermined time when the print job ends. The predetermined time can be, for example, 5 minutes before the end of the print job.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a display screen 71 displayed on the display unit 61 of the image forming apparatus 3 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 5 shows a selection screen for an operation of stopping the transfer of the roll paper P at the end of the print job. As an example of the first setting unit, a case where an item (roll paper take-out request) 715 that can be set so as not to execute the transport cooling mode is provided on the display screen 71 will be described.

In FIG. 5, on the display screen 71, item 711 indicates that printing (printing) can be continued in addition to the current print job. In addition, other items include a job, a replenishment / disposal member, paper, a print stop switching setting, and a roll paper take-out request item 715.

For example, in item 715 indicating the roll paper take-out request, the roll paper take-out request can be set, and the button 713 and the button 714 are provided in the area 712. The button 713 is a button for setting not to take out the roll paper P, and the button 714 is a button for taking out the roll paper P.

In step S005, when 5 minutes before the end of the print job (predetermined time), the control unit 6 pops up the item 715 constituting the first setting unit on the display screen 71 (step S005). As a result, the control unit 6 can make the user more aware of the user's selection of the roll paper take-out request. Then, the control unit 6 can receive the roll take-out request in the item 715, and processes according to the received contents.

The control unit 6 determines whether or not the print job is completed (step S007), and waits until the print job is completed (No in step S007). When the print job is completed (Yes in step S007), the control unit 6 determines whether or not there is a request to take out the roll paper P (step S009). Specifically, the control unit 6 determines whether or not the button 714 is turned on in the item 715 indicating the roll paper take-out request shown in FIG.

When the button 714 of FIG. 5 is selected (Yes in step S009), the control unit 6 proceeds to step S015 of FIG. 5 via the coupler A. On the other hand, when the button 713 is selected (No in step S009), the process proceeds to step S011.

As described above, the control unit 6 has an item 715 that can be set so that the transport cooling mode is not executed even when the print job is continuously executed after the print job being executed is completed.

Next, in step S011, the control unit 6 determines whether or not there is a stop setting for each job, and if there is a stop setting for each job (Yes in step S011), the figure is shown via the connector A. The process proceeds to step S015 of step 4.

Here, in step S011, the control unit 6 has a second setting unit that can preset a condition that the transport cooling mode is not executed each time the print job is completed. The second setting unit will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example displayed on the display screen 72 of the display unit 61 of the image forming apparatus 3 according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 6, item 721 indicating a condition for stopping the transport cooling mode at the end of the print job is displayed.

In item 721 indicating the condition for stopping the transport cooling mode, buttons 722 and 723 are displayed as an example of the condition for not executing the transport cooling mode at the end of the print job. Button 722 is a button instructing to stop the transport cooling mode each time one job is completed. Depending on the user, the roll paper P may be taken out or replaced for each job, and in such a case, the user presses a button in advance so that the roll take-out request operation shown in FIG. 5 does not have to be performed each time. At 722, the stop setting of the transport cooling mode is instructed. As a result, the user waiting in the vicinity of the image forming apparatus 3 can immediately move to the take-out or replacement work of the roll paper P as soon as each job is completed. Further, the button 723 is a button for instructing to stop the transport cooling mode when the remaining amount of paper is low.

In step S011 described above, the control unit 6 determines whether or not the button 722 constituting the second setting unit is selected. As described above, the button 722 is selected and the stop setting for each job is set. If there is (Yes in step S011), the transport cooling mode is stopped (step S015).

On the other hand, if there is no stop setting for each job (No in step S011), in step S017, the control unit 6 determines whether or not there is a remaining amount stop setting for the paper (roll paper P), and the paper If there is a remaining amount stop setting (Yes in step S017), the process proceeds to step S019 in FIG. 4 via the coupler C. On the other hand, when there is no setting for stopping the remaining amount of paper (No in step S017), the control unit 6 proceeds to step S021 in FIG. 4 via the coupler B.

In this case, in step S017, if the button 723 is selected in item 721 in FIG. 6, the control unit 6 determines that the remaining amount of paper is stopped (Yes in step S017). Then, the control unit 6 determines whether or not the remaining amount of printing paper is low (step S019), and if the remaining amount of printing paper is low (Yes in step S019), stops the transport cooling mode (step S015). ).

In this way, the control unit 6 determines the remaining amount of the roll paper P detected by the remaining amount sensor (remaining amount detecting unit) 12 even when the printing job is continuously executed after the printing job is completed. When the amount is less than the fixed amount, the transport cooling mode is not executed.

That is, in step S019, the control unit 6 determines whether or not the remaining amount of the roll paper P is equal to or less than the threshold value, and if the remaining amount of the roll paper P is equal to or less than the threshold value (Yes in step S019), the step S015 is performed. move on. On the other hand, when the remaining amount of the roll paper P is larger than the threshold value (No in step S019), the control unit 6 proceeds to step S021.

Here, the threshold value may be, for example, the remaining length of the roll paper P measured from the amount of the roll paper P printed by the remaining amount sensor 11 (see FIG. 2) of the paper feed device 1. Further, it may be the distance between the remaining amount sensor 11 and the support shaft 10.

In step S015, the control unit 6 stops the paper transport unit 31 without executing the transport cooling mode. That is, the control unit 6 stops the paper transport unit 31 without cooling the fixing unit 33 by the cooling fan 37.

FIG. 7 is a timing chart showing a process in which the control unit 6 controls the heating roller 331, the pressurizing roller 332, the paper transport unit 31, and the cooling fan 37 to be turned off at the same time in step 015.

As shown in FIG. 7, the control unit 6 controls the fixing heater of the heating roller 331 from ON to OFF at the timing (time t1) of step S015, and the pressurizing roller 332 controls the heating roller 331 with respect to the heating roller 331. Control from the crimped state to the separated state. Further, the control unit 6 changes the transport speed of the roll paper P of the paper transport unit 31 from “High” to “OFF” at time t1. That is, the control unit 6 stops the transfer of the roll paper P performed by the paper transfer unit 31. Further, the control unit 6 controls the operation of the cooling fan 37 from “ON” to “OFF” at time t1.

In this way, the control unit 6 stops the transport cooling mode of the image forming apparatus 3. As a result, the user can take out the roll paper P at the optimum timing without unnecessary waiting.

The explanation will be continued by returning to FIG. On the other hand, in step S021, the control unit 6 stops the paper transport unit 31 after reducing the transport speed of the paper transport unit 31 after performing fixing by the fixing unit 33 and cooling by the cooling fan 37 (step S021). .. In this case, the control unit 6 stops the paper transport unit 31 while turning off the fixing heater of the heating roller 331 of the fixing unit 33 and cooling the fixing unit 33 with the cooling fan 37.

FIG. 8 is a timing chart showing a process in which the control unit 6 controls the transfer and cooling by the heating roller 331, the pressure roller 332, the paper transfer unit 31, and the cooling fan 37 in step 021.

As shown in FIG. 8, the control unit 6 controls the fixing heater of the heating roller 331 from ON to OFF at the timing (time t1) at step S021. In this case, the pressurizing roller 332 maintains a crimping state with respect to the heating roller 331 and continues the paper transport by the paper transport unit 31, so that the roll paper P absorbs the heat of the heating roller 331. At the same time, the control unit 6 cools the heating roller 331 of the fixing unit 33 by the cooling fan 37.

When the temperature of the heating roller 331 of the fixing unit 33 drops to a predetermined temperature, that is, when the time t1 is changed to the time t2, the control unit 6 separates the pressure roller 332 from the crimping state with respect to the heating roller 331. The state is controlled, and the transport speed of the paper transport unit 31 is controlled from "High" to "Low". Then, the control unit 6 controls the cooling fan 37 fan from "ON" to "OFF".

In this case, if the paper transport unit 31 stops the paper transport, the control unit 6 may damage the roll paper P, so that the paper transport by the paper transport unit 31 is operated at a low speed. Further, when the cooling fan 37 is rotated in a state where the pressurizing roller 332 is separated from the heating roller 331, the control unit 6 stops the cooling fan 37 because hot air flows into the image forming unit 32. Then, it waits until the temperature drops naturally.

The control unit 6 controls the transfer speed of the paper transfer unit 31 from "Low" to "OFF" when the temperature drops to the extent that the roll paper P is not damaged (that is, when the time t2 changes to the time t3). And stop the paper transport. When the control unit 6 stops the paper transfer by the paper transfer unit 31 at the time t3, the control unit 6 ends this process.

Further, the image forming system 100 includes a cutting detection unit 35. The cut detection unit 35 detects the cut of the roll paper P (step S023). That is, in step S015, the control unit 6 determines whether or not the cutting of the roll paper P is completed after stopping the paper transport unit 31 (step S023).

The explanation will be continued by returning to FIG. When the control unit 6 does not execute the transfer cooling mode at the end of the print job and the roll paper P is cut by the cutting unit 34 (Yes in step S023), the roll paper located in the fixing unit 33 by the paper transfer unit 31 Wind up P (step S025).

FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing a cut position where the cutting portion 34 of the image forming apparatus 3 of the image forming system 100 cuts the roll paper P.

As shown in FIG. 9, the position for cutting the roll paper P is, for example, the cutting position 1001 when the cutting portion 34 is provided on the paper feeding side of the image forming apparatus 3. Further, when the cutting portion 341 is provided on the winding side of the image forming apparatus 3, the cutting portion 341 is cut at the cutting position 1002.

For example, when the next job uses different paper types at the end of the print job, it is necessary to replace the roll papers P and P1 of both the paper feed device 1 and the take-up device 5. Therefore, the roll papers P and P1 are cut at the cutting positions 1001 and 1002.

Generally, since the paper feeding device 1 cannot wind the roll paper P in the direction opposite to the paper feeding direction, the roll paper P is cut at the cut position 1001 and the winding device 5 cuts the roll paper P. Take up P1. If the paper feed device 1 has a mechanism for winding in a direction opposite to the paper feed direction, the paper feed device 1 may take up the paper at the cut position 1002.

Further, when the same roll paper P is used for the next print job at the end of the print job, only the roll paper P1 of the take-up device 5 needs to be replaced. After taking out the roll paper P1 of the winding device 5, the roll paper P2 is cut at the cut position 1002 in order to facilitate the resetting of the tip of the roll paper.

In this case, the roll paper P remains in the fixing unit 33, but when the paper feeding device 1 has the reverse winding function, the paper feeding device 1 winds the roll paper P to form the fixing unit. No roll paper P remains on 33.

In this way, when the roll papers P and P2 are cut by the cutting units 34 and 341 (Yes in step S023), the control unit 6 winds up the roll paper P located at the fixing unit 33 by the paper conveying unit 31 (Yes). Step S025), the roll papers P and P1 of the paper feeding device 1 and the winding device 5 can be immediately replaced. In this case, the control unit 6 ends this process.

The explanation will be continued by returning to FIG. On the other hand, when the cutting detection unit 35 detects that the roll paper P has not been cut by the cutting unit 34 (No in step S023), the control unit 6 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed (step S027). ). When the cutting detection unit 35 detects that the roll paper P has not been cut even after the lapse of a predetermined time (Yes in step S027), the control unit 6 executes the transport cooling mode (step S021).

In this case, the control unit 6 does not execute the transport cooling mode at the end of the print job, and continues the roll paper P in the transport path by the paper sensor (paper detection unit) 36 from the end of the print job until a predetermined time elapses. If it is detected, the transport cooling mode is executed (step S021).

In this case, the control unit 6 can execute two types of transport cooling modes different from those in FIG.

FIG. 10 shows a process in which when the winding operation of the roll paper P is not started even after a lapse of a predetermined time (Yes in step S027), the transport speed of the paper transport unit 31 is restarted at a low speed to allow natural cooling. It is a timing chart.

For example, in FIG. 7, the control unit 6 turned off all of the fixing heater of the heating roller 331, the crimping of the pressure roller 332, the transfer speed of the paper transfer unit 31, and the cooling fan 37 fan. In FIG. 10, when a predetermined time elapses from the time t1 and the time t11 is reached, the transport speed of the paper transport unit 31 is restarted at a low speed.

That is, when the winding operation of the roll paper P is not started even after a predetermined time (for example, from time t1 to t11) has elapsed and the fixing temperature that must be cooled is low, the control unit 6 is the paper transport unit 31. The transport speed is restarted at a low speed, and the fixing portion 33 is naturally cooled.

On the other hand, FIG. 11 is a timing chart showing a process of forcibly cooling the roll paper P when the winding operation of the roll paper P is not started even after a lapse of a predetermined time.

For example, in FIG. 10, the control unit 6 turns on only the paper transport unit 31, transports the roll paper P at a low transport speed, and naturally cools the roll paper P. In FIG. 11, when a predetermined time elapses from the time t1 and the time t12 is reached, the pressure roller 332 is brought into a crimping state and the paper transport unit 31 is restarted at high speed. Furthermore, the cooling fan 37 fan is also turned on and restarted.

After that, when a predetermined time elapses from the time t12 and the time t13 is reached, the control unit 6 separates the pressurizing roller 332 and sets the transport speed of the paper transport unit 31 to the low speed “Low”. Further, the cooling fan 37 is turned off.

Then, when a predetermined time elapses from the time t13 and the time t14 is reached, the control unit 6 sets the paper transport unit 31 from “Low” indicating the low speed transfer speed to “OFF” indicating the stop.

That is, in the case of the transport cooling mode shown in FIG. 11, if the winding operation of the roll paper P is not started even after a predetermined time (for example, from time t1 to t12) has elapsed, the pressure roller 332 is put into the crimping state again. The paper transport unit 31 is transported at a high speed, and the cooling fan 37 is turned on to perform forced cooling. After that, the control unit 6 separates the pressurizing rollers 332 to reduce the transfer speed of the paper transfer unit 31 and turns off the cooling fan 37 to allow natural cooling.

In this way, when the winding operation of the roll paper P is not started even after a predetermined time (for example, from time t1 to t12) elapses and the fixing temperature that must be cooled is high, the control unit 6 is used as the fixing unit. 33 is forcibly cooled.

As described above, the image forming apparatus 3 of the image forming system 100 according to the present embodiment includes a paper conveying unit 31, an image forming unit 32, a fixing unit 33, and a control unit 6. When the image forming apparatus 3 is continuously used for the roll paper P after the printing job is completed, the control unit 6 stops the heating of the fixing unit 33 with the roll paper P nipped to stop the heating of the roll paper P. If the transport cooling mode for transport is executed and the image forming apparatus 3 is not continuously used for the roll paper P after the print job is completed, the transport cooling mode is not executed.

As a result, the image forming apparatus 3 according to the present embodiment can remove the roll paper P at an optimum timing without the user having to wait unnecessarily.

100 Image forming system 1 Feeding device 3 Image forming device 5 Winding device 2 Feeding adjustment unit 10 Support shaft 4 Winding adjustment unit P, P1, P2 Roll paper 51 Cutting part 50 Support shaft 38 Carry-out port 42 Support plate 6 Control Unit 61 Display unit 62 Operation unit 63 Storage unit 34,341 Cutting unit 35 Cutting detection unit 36 Paper sensor (paper detection unit)
37 Cooling fan

Claims (13)

An image forming apparatus capable of forming an image on roll paper.
A paper transport unit that transports roll paper set in the transport path,
An image forming portion that forms a toner image on the roll paper,
A fixing portion that heats the roll paper to fix the toner image, and a fixing portion.
When the image forming apparatus is continuously used for the roll paper after the print job is completed, the transport cooling mode in which the heating of the fixing portion is stopped while the roll paper is nipped to convey the roll paper. When the image forming apparatus is not continuously used for the roll paper after the print job is completed, the control unit that does not execute the transfer cooling mode and
An image forming apparatus comprising. The case where the image forming apparatus is not continuously used for the roll paper after the end of the print job is a case where the replacement or removal of the roll paper is scheduled or predicted after the end of the print job.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The case where the roll paper is scheduled or predicted to be replaced is the case where the roll paper is requested to be taken out by a user operation.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. The control unit
Enable the first setting unit that can accept the roll paper eject request before the end of the print job.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 3. Further equipped with a remaining amount detecting unit for detecting the remaining amount of the roll paper,
The control unit
When the remaining amount of the roll paper detected by the remaining amount detection unit is equal to or less than a predetermined amount, the transport cooling mode is not executed.
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The control unit
It has a second setting unit that can be preset before executing the job so that the transport cooling mode is not executed at the end of the print job.
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5. It is provided with a cutting detection unit that detects the cutting of the roll paper.
The control unit
When the transport cooling mode is not executed at the end of the print job and the cut of the roll paper is detected by the cut detection unit, the roll paper located at the fixing unit is wound up.
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6. A paper feeding device provided upstream in the transport direction of the roll paper or a winding device provided downstream with respect to the image forming device winds the roll paper located at the fixing portion.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 7. A cutting portion for cutting the roll paper is provided.
The control unit
When the transport cooling mode is not executed at the end of the print job and the roll paper is cut by the cutting portion, the roll paper located at the fixing portion is wound up by the paper transport portion.
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8. A paper detection unit that detects roll paper in the transport path is provided.
The control unit
When the transport cooling mode is not executed at the end of the print job and the roll paper is continuously detected in the transport path by the paper detection unit from the end of the print job until a predetermined time has elapsed, the transport cooling mode is used. To execute,
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9. It is a control method of an image forming apparatus capable of forming an image on roll paper.
The step of transporting the roll paper set in the transport path by the paper transport unit,
A step in which the image forming portion forms a toner image on the roll paper,
A step in which the fixing portion heats the roll paper to fix the toner image,
When the image forming apparatus is continuously used for the roll paper after the print job is completed, the transport cooling mode in which the heating of the fixing portion is stopped while the roll paper is nipped to convey the roll paper. If the image forming apparatus is not continuously used for the roll paper after the print job is completed, the transfer cooling mode is not executed.
A method for controlling an image forming apparatus, which comprises. An image forming system that can form an image on roll paper.
A paper feed device that supplies roll paper to the transport path,
A paper transport unit that transports the roll paper set in the transport path, and a paper transport unit that transports the roll paper.
An image forming portion that forms a toner image on the roll paper,
A fixing portion that heats the roll paper to fix the toner image, and a fixing portion.
When the image forming apparatus is continuously used for the roll paper after the print job is completed, the transport cooling mode in which the heating of the fixing portion is stopped while the roll paper is nipped and the roll paper is conveyed is set. A control unit that does not execute the transfer cooling mode when the image forming apparatus is not used for the roll paper continuously after the printing job is completed.
An image forming system comprising. A paper feeding device provided upstream in the transport direction of the roll paper or a winding device provided downstream with respect to the image forming apparatus winds the roll paper located at the fixing portion.
The image forming system according to claim 12.

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