JP4080385B2 - Image forming apparatus, power supply control method, computer program, and recording medium - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a fan for cooling and removing ozone air, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus having the fan in consideration of energy saving.
[0002]
[Prior art]
The invention disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known as an image forming apparatus considering energy saving. The present invention stores image data in an image memory, and backs up the image memory with a backup battery (secondary battery) only when the voltage value of the main power supply falls below a predetermined value, thereby preventing the backup battery from deteriorating. It is intended to prevent.
[0003]
In addition, the invention disclosed in Patent Document 2 or Patent Document 3 is also known as related to reduction of standby power consumption of the image forming apparatus. In the present invention, ozone in the machine is removed by a fan or temperature rise is prevented.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent No. 2885873 [0005]
[Patent Document 2]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-63011
[Patent Document 3]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-40892
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, in the invention disclosed in Patent Document 1, the image memory is backed up by the backup battery (secondary battery) only when the voltage value of the main power supply falls below a predetermined value, and the deterioration of the backup battery is prevented. However, in the invention disclosed in Patent Document 2, the mode is shifted to the energy saving mode when the host power is on.
[0008]
By the way, recently, as the memory has become cheaper, there is one in which a large amount of image data is stored in the memory in the copying machine in units of files. Such an apparatus or machine does not require high power consumption operations such as scanner reading and block output. For example, in the case of an image transfer operation via a LAN or a FAX reception operation at night, only an accumulation operation in a memory is performed. So you only have to supply power to some units. In addition, it is desirable not to use commercial power as much as possible when the machine is rarely used such as at night. Even in such a situation, in order to realize high-speed processing, there are many cases that involve heat generation of parts. When such an electrical component is used, it is necessary to suppress an increase in the in-machine temperature.
[0009]
However, the invention disclosed in Patent Document 3 discloses a technology for removing ozone in the machine by a fan or preventing a temperature rise in the machine, but in this technique, when the commercial power supply is turned off. It was not possible to remove ozone in the machine or prevent temperature rise in the machine. Further, there are restrictions such as ozone removal and temperature rise as conditions for shifting to the energy saving mode, and it is not possible to immediately shift to the energy saving mode even when image formation is not performed.
[0010]
In the energy saving mode, it is necessary to reduce the power as much as possible and to dissipate heat appropriately. Basically, the temperature is gradually lowered by shutting off the power supply, but if the fan dissipates heat before shutting off the power supply, but the fan stops suddenly, the temperature rises temporarily due to residual heat. In some cases, it was difficult to set fan stop conditions.
[0011]
The present invention has been made in view of the actual situation of the prior art as described above. The purpose of the present invention is to reduce the power consumption in the energy saving mode and to have a low heat-resistant temperature even when the residual heat is generated immediately after the power is turned off. The purpose is to ensure the maintenance of parts and to properly discharge ozone.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the first means is an apparatus for cooling and / or ozone in an image forming apparatus which receives supply of power supplied from a power supply circuit, executes control of each part including an engine part, and forms an image. A fan for discharging, a control means for performing drive control of the fan, and a power storage means for driving the fan, wherein the control means is configured to turn on the power when in a power off state or an energy saving mode state. Power is supplied from the circuit to the driving means of the fan to drive the fan, and when the power is turned off or in the energy saving mode, power is supplied from the power storage means to the driving means of the fan to drive the fan. When the exterior part is opened, the power supply to the fan is released.
[0014]
The second means is characterized in that, in the first means, means for selecting an output destination of the power storage means is provided, and only the control of the corresponding unit or the fan provided in the vicinity of the device unit requiring cooling is performed. .
[0015]
A third means is characterized in that, in the second means, the fan is detachably attached to the device.
[0017]
According to a fourth means, in the first means, the control means includes a step-down means for stepping down a DC power supply of the power supply circuit, a means for monitoring an output voltage of the DC power supply, and a supply voltage to the fan. Switching means for switching between the power source whose pressure is stepped down by the step-down means and the power storage means, and when the output voltage falls below a preset value by the monitoring means, the supply voltage to the fan is reduced. characterized Rukoto such a power-off state or energy saving mode is switched to the accumulator unit.
[0018]
A fifth means includes a charging means for charging the power storage means in the fourth means, and the control means determines whether or not the power storage means can be charged based on an operation history of a fan. To do.
[0019]
A sixth means is a power supply control method of an image forming apparatus that receives power supplied from a power supply circuit, executes control of each unit, and forms an image. The image forming apparatus includes cooling and / or ozone discharge. And a power storage unit for driving the fan . The power supply control performed in the image forming apparatus is controlled by the power supply circuit from the power supply circuit to the fan driving unit when the power supply is not in the power-off state or the energy-saving mode. Power is supplied to drive the fan, and when the power is turned off or in the energy saving mode, power is supplied from the power storage means to the fan driving means to drive the fan. The power supply to is canceled.
[0020]
The seventh means is characterized in that, in the sixth means, charging of the power storage means is performed based on the driving history of the fan.
[0021]
The eighth means is characterized in that the computer program includes a procedure for causing the computer to execute the power supply control method for the image forming apparatus according to the sixth or seventh means.
[0022]
The ninth means is characterized in that the computer program according to the eighth means is read by a computer and recorded on a recording medium in an executable manner.
[0023]
In the following embodiments, the power supply circuit is the PSU 70, the engine unit is the engine unit 20, each unit is the scanner 40, the plotter, the FAX unit 80, and the ADF 60, the fan is the fan 17c, and the control means is the power supply control unit 17 and The selection means corresponds to the relay 76, the step-down means corresponds to the regulator 73, the means for monitoring the output voltage of the DC power supply corresponds to the voltage detection IC 75, and the switching means corresponds to the CPU 15 and the relay 76.
[0024]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[0025]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of the electrical configuration of a digital multi-function peripheral (image forming apparatus) called MFP (Multi function Peripheral) according to an embodiment of the present invention. When the main SW is turned off, the fan is turned on. The example of the power supply state in the case of starting is shown.
[0026]
In FIG. 1, the MFP basically includes a controller unit 10, an engine unit 20, an operation unit 30, a scanner 40, a plotter 50, an ADF (Automatic Documennt Feeder) 60, a PSU (Power Supply Unit) 70, and a FAX unit 80. ing. A scanner 40 and a plotter 50 are connected to the engine unit 20, an operation unit 30, an engine unit 20, an ADF 60, and a FAX unit 80 are connected to the controller 10, and these units are powered from the PSU 70 via the controller 10. Have been supplied.
[0027]
The controller unit 10 has a function of controlling the entire MFP MFP and controlling drawing, communication, and input from the operation unit 30, and is connected to a PSU 70 for supplying DC power from each AC power source to each unit.
[0028]
The engine unit 20 is connected to a scanner 40 and a plotter 50, and is provided with an ASIC 22 including an image processing unit 21 that performs image processing such as error diffusion and γ conversion, a CPU 23, and a ROM 24. The CPU controls the engine unit 20 and the scanner 40 and the plotter 50 connected to the engine unit 20, and a program for the control is stored in the ROM 24.
[0029]
The controller 10 includes a system memory (ROM) 11, various data storage memories (volatile memory 12 a and nonvolatile memory 12 b) 12, a control ASIC 13, a CPU 14, an energy saving CPU 15, an NVRAM 16 for storing control data, and a power supply control unit 17. Has been.
[0030]
The FAX unit 80 includes a CPU 81 that performs FAX control, a ROM 82 that stores a program for the CPU 81, an ASIC 83 for communication control to which a network control NCU 85 is connected, and a volatile memory 84 that stores FAX image data. ing. The FAX unit 80 is PCI-connected to the controller 10.
[0031]
The power supply control unit 17 is connected with a temperature sensor 17a, a fan driving battery 17b, a cooling and ozone discharge fan 17c, and an energy saving CPU 15. The energy saving CPU 15 monitors the state of the AC power switch 71 of the PSU 70. This monitoring is performed by the energy saving CPU 15 monitoring the state of the flag of the AC power switch 71 as will be described later. In this embodiment, the energy saving CPU 15 is used. However, the CPU 14 of the controller 10 has two or more supply power sources, for example, one is supplied from the PSU 70 and the other is supplied from the battery. However, the energy saving CPU 15 may be used instead. Furthermore, it is more efficient if an A / D conversion unit is provided in the energy saving CPU 15 and control is performed to measure the temperature of the heat generating unit.
[0032]
In the case where there are parts with low heat-resistant temperatures at locations apart from the FAX unit 80, the controller unit 10, and the engine unit 20, an optional configuration may be adopted in which a control CPU 15 is provided for each fan 17c. In some cases, a fan for exhausting ozone from the apparatus can be provided.
[0033]
The AC power switch 71 can be operated by an operator from the outside. When the power supply control unit 17 determines to supply power from the battery 17b, a battery power supply flag is set. For example, this flag may be stored in the nonvolatile NVRAM 16 and added.
[0034]
The CPU 15 periodically monitors the state of each battery 17b connected to the power supply control unit 17, the energy saving mode setting set by the operator, and the state of the battery power supply flag. If there is no battery power supply flag and the voltage drops, the AC power supply It is determined that the switch has been turned off.
[0035]
In the example of FIG. 1, power is supplied from one power supply circuit to each unit. However, when the energy saving mode is shifted, a DC power supply (the power supply 3 is further connected to the power supplies 1 and 2 in FIG. Can be generated separately and supplied for each necessary unit or device.
[0036]
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an outline of the mechanical configuration of the MFP according to this embodiment.
[0037]
In the figure, the MFP basically comprises a facsimile main body 100, an ADF (automatic document feeder) 200, and an additional paper feeder 300. The facsimile main body 100 includes a contact glass 101, a photosensitive drum 102, a conveyance belt 103, and first and second paper feed trays 104 and 105, and an electrophotographic image forming (not shown) is performed along the outer periphery of the photosensitive drum 102. The element is placed. Since the electrophotographic image forming element and the image forming process are configured in the same manner as a known electrophotographic image forming apparatus, detailed description thereof is omitted.
[0038]
The ADF 200 includes a document feeding table 201, a document feeding mechanism including a conveyance belt 203 that guides a document from the document feeding table 201 to the contact glass 101, and a document fed and read on the contact glass 101. And a discharge mechanism that discharges the paper onto the paper discharge tray 202.
[0039]
The additional sheet feeding device 300 is provided with third to fifth sheet feeding trays 301, 302, and 303, and the photosensitive drum 102 is made of a sheet picked up from one of the sheet feeding trays 301, 302, and 303 along the vertical conveyance path. Then, the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 102 is transferred by a transfer unit (not shown), and the image is fixed by a fixing unit and discharged to a discharge tray 400. The paper is automatically fed from one of the first to fifth paper feed trays 104, 105, 301, 302, and 303 according to the paper size.
[0040]
The state of the battery 17b is calculated by counting the number of transitions from the fully charged state to the past energy saving mode and the history of power-off during fan rotation. When the count value exceeds a certain standard, the charging is controlled to start when the energy saving mode is canceled. As the battery, not only a rechargeable secondary battery but also a primary battery can be used as a spare battery. In addition, a switch circuit may be configured so that a plurality of battery groups arranged in parallel are connected in series, and the level may be converted to a desired voltage value, or temporarily using a regulator or a DC / DC converter. It can also be configured to obtain a desired voltage value by outputting a high voltage.
[0041]
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the PSU 70, the power supply control unit 17, and the power source 17b of the MFP according to the present embodiment. In this embodiment, the power source 1 connected to the DC power source 72 of the PSU 70 is stepped down by the regulator 73 to be the power source 2 and the power source 2 ′ that drives the fan 17 c through the diode 74. On the other hand, the power source 1 is led to the CPU 15 via the voltage detection IC 75. The voltage detection IC 75 monitors the voltage of the power source 1, and when the detected voltage (predetermined low voltage) is reached, the CPU 15 turns on the relay 76, and the power source 2 'is switched from the power source 2 to the output of the battery 17b. At the same time, the CPU 15 controls to supply the necessary power to the fan 17c for a specified time based on the input data immediately before sampling periodically. The battery 17b is connected to the power source 2 via a charging circuit 77 and is charged at a predetermined timing or condition. A diode 78 is also provided on the downstream side of the battery 17b to prevent a reverse current flow as in the case of the diode 74. Although not shown here, the power source for driving the CPU 15 and the relay 76 is also supplied from the battery when shifting to the energy saving mode or when the main SW is turned off.
[0042]
The control procedure of the power supply circuit configured as described above is shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4, and the control timing is shown in the timing chart of FIG.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure for charging the battery 17b and controlling the fan 17c in the energy saving mode. In this example, first, the operation history of the fan 17c is calculated with reference to the count value (step S101). When the calculated value does not reach a certain value (reference count value) (step S102-no), the energy saving CPU 15 samples various data (step S106). When the voltage detection IC 75 detects that the power source 1 has dropped to a predetermined value and has become a low voltage (step S107-yes), the CPU 15 supplies power to the fan 17c by the relay 76 from the DC power source 72 side of the PSU 70 to the battery 17b. (Step S108). Then, the mode is shifted to the energy saving mode or the power is turned off (step S109), and when the specified time has elapsed (step S110), the power supply to the fan 17c is stopped (step S111). The specified time in step S110 is a predetermined time after the fan 17c is driven and the fan 17c is stopped after entering the energy saving mode. It's time. This time is counted by the CPU 15 and is switched by switching the profit relay 76 to the DC power source 2 side. At this time, since the DC power source 72 is at a low voltage, the fan 17c is not driven.
[0043]
On the other hand, if the operation history of the fan 17c is greater than or equal to the reference count in step S102 (step S102-yes), the battery 17b is depleted, so the charging circuit 17 sets the battery 17c to a preset time (reference time). ) Charging (step S104), when the reference time elapses and the charging is completed, the operation history count value of the fan 17c is initialized (step S105), and then the processing after step S106 is repeated.
[0044]
The timing at this time is detected by the voltage detection IC 75 when the voltage of the DC power source 1 decreases as shown in FIG. 5 (step S107). The power supply 2 decreases with the voltage drop of the power supply 1. On the other hand, when detecting that the voltage of the power source 1 has dropped, the CPU 15 turns on the relay output and switches the relay 76 to the battery 17b output side. Thereby, the battery output rises (step S108), the relay 76 is turned off when the specified time has elapsed by the CPU 15, the power source 2 'is turned off (step S111), and the fan 17c stops.
[0045]
In the case where there are a plurality of fans, the power source 2 ′ may be further branched, and the control may be performed for each fan.
[0046]
As described above, in this embodiment, when the energy saving mode is shifted or when the main SW is turned off, the power for driving the CPU 15 and the relay 76 is also supplied from the battery 17b. Therefore, after turning the fan 17c for a specified period, the battery 17b By cutting off the power supply, the drive power supply (power supply 2 ') for the CPU 15 and the relay 76 itself is eliminated, so that unnecessary battery consumption is eliminated.
[0047]
In this way, by driving the fan in the energy saving mode that is realized with the minimum power by using the battery 17b as a separate power source and controlling it separately, the energy saving mode can be realized with the minimum necessary power consumption.
[0048]
In addition, even when there is a heat generating component in the electrical component during the energy saving mode, power supply to the fan 17c is maintained by the power supply control component 17, so that an increase in the internal temperature can be suppressed without using a commercial power source, Can ensure the maintenance of low-cost parts.
[0049]
In this embodiment, since the diodes 74 and 78 are provided in the output stage, the backflow of current can be prevented. Further, by slightly lowering the output value from the battery 17b, it becomes possible to maintain control even if outputs coexist.
[0050]
Further, it is known that the battery 17c has a longer discharge time as the temperature is higher. Therefore, in this embodiment, since the temperature sensor 17a is provided in the vicinity of the battery 17c, it is possible to perform power supply switching in consideration of temperature control and perform more efficient fan control in the energy saving mode. . What is important in this control is not to keep the fan 17c running, but to turn on the fan 17c only for a preset time only when it is used, for example, when ozone is expected to be discharged or when the temperature is high. . Therefore, when the charging operation is not performed immediately before, it is not necessary to turn the fan 17c to discharge ozone.
[0051]
When the temperature sensor 17a can detect the in-machine temperature in this way, the CPU 15 continues to periodically update the fan and the time to be started after the supply power is changed to the battery 17c based on the data from the temperature sensor 17a. Then, at the same time when the power supply to the fan 17c is switched to the battery 17c, control is performed so as to determine the drive time of the fan 17c to be activated based on the immediately preceding input data.
[0052]
In addition, when the service person removes the exterior cover for periodic inspections and the like, it is dangerous for the fan to turn despite the power being off, so the output of the sensor 17a is input to the CPU 15 and the temperature drops. When the CPU 15 determines that the exterior cover has been removed, the power supply of a part or all of the fan 17c is shut off to stop the fan 17c, thereby preventing the serviceman from being exposed to a dangerous state. You can also. That is, it is possible to shut off a part or all of the power supply of a dangerous fan by using the exterior cover as a trigger to ensure safety. In addition, since the temperature inside the apparatus is lowered by opening the exterior part, it is possible not only to ensure the safety but also to prevent wasteful battery consumption during maintenance.
[0053]
In the above-described embodiment, the CPU 15 executes the control using a RAM (not shown) as a work area according to a program stored in a ROM (not shown) or a program downloaded to a storage medium such as an HDD provided separately. To do. The downloading is performed by a program from a server via a network or a recording medium such as a CD-ROM.
[0054]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, when the exterior portion is removed, the fan is not driven even in the power-off state or the energy saving state, and safety can be ensured .
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an outline of an electrical configuration of a digital multifunction peripheral (image forming apparatus) called an MFP according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an outline of a mechanical configuration of the MFP according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a PSU, a power supply control unit, and a power source of the MFP according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure for charging a battery and controlling a fan when the MFP according to the present embodiment is in an energy saving mode.
FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing the timing when the fan is driven in the energy saving mode of the MFP according to the present embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Controller 15 (Energy saving) CPU
17 Power supply control unit 17a Sensor 17b Battery 17c Fan 70 PSU
72 DC power supply 73 Regulator 75 Voltage detection IC
76 Relay

Claims (9)

In an image forming apparatus that receives power supplied from a power supply circuit, executes control of each unit including an engine unit, and forms an image.
A fan for cooling and / or ozone discharge;
Control means for controlling drive of the fan;
Power storage means for driving the fan;
With
The control means includes
When the non-power-off state or energy saving mode, performs the driving of the fan and power supply from said power supply circuit to the drive means of said fan,
When it is powered off or energy saving mode performs driving of the fan and power supply from the storage means to the drive means of said fan,
An image forming apparatus, wherein power supply to the fan is canceled when an exterior portion of the apparatus is opened. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a unit that selects an output destination of the power storage unit, and only controlling a corresponding unit or a fan provided near a device unit that needs to be cooled.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the fan is detachably attached to the device. , The control means includes step-down means for stepping down a DC power supply of the power supply circuit,
Means for monitoring the output voltage of the DC power supply;
A switching means for switching the supply voltage to the fan to either the power supply or the power storage means in which the pressure is stepped down by the step-down means;
The provided, characterized Rukoto such a supply voltage to the fan in the power off state or energy saving mode is switched to the storage means when the output voltage falls below a preset value by means of the monitoring The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.   5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a charging unit that charges the power storage unit, wherein the control unit determines whether or not the power storage unit can be charged based on an operation history of the fan. In the power supply control method of the image forming apparatus that receives the supply of power supplied from the power supply circuit, executes control of each unit, and forms an image.
The image forming apparatus includes:
A fan for cooling and / or ozone discharge and a power storage means for driving the fan,
The power supply control performed in the image forming apparatus is
When the power supply is not in the power off state or the energy saving mode, the fan is driven by supplying power from the power supply circuit to the fan driving means,
When the power-off state or the energy-saving mode state is entered, power is supplied from the power storage means to the fan drive means to drive the fan,
A power supply control method for an image forming apparatus, wherein power supply to the fan is canceled when an exterior portion of the apparatus is opened.   The power supply control method for an image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the power storage unit is charged based on an operation history of the fan.   8. A computer program comprising a procedure for executing the power supply control method for an image forming apparatus according to claim 6 or 7 by a computer.   9. A recording medium, wherein the computer program according to claim 8 is read by a computer and recorded to be executable.

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