JP4283241B2 - Cooling fan control device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a cooling fan control device that controls a cooling fan used for cooling an apparatus.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image forming apparatus incorporates devices serving as a heat source such as a fixing device, and a cooling fan is provided for cooling these devices. Since the fan motor that rotates the fan serves as a noise generation source, the generation of noise is suppressed by reducing the rotation speed during standby to be lower than the rotation speed during image formation. For example, in Patent Document 1, the rotational speed of the cooling fan is controlled by connecting a resistor in series to the energization path and reducing the voltage supplied to the cooling fan.
JP 2002-341730 A

  By the way, it is known that when the cooling fan deteriorates, the current flowing through the entire circuit increases even when the same voltage is applied due to deterioration of the armature that constitutes the motor that rotates the fan. As described above, when the current consumption of the cooling fan increases, the voltage consumption of the resistors connected in series increases and the voltage supplied to the cooling fan decreases. Therefore, when the cooling fan is deteriorated, a desired rotation speed cannot be obtained. In addition, the cooling fan has a specified driving voltage range, and if it falls below this driving voltage range, the cooling fan may stop.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a cooling fan control device that can prevent a decrease in the rotational speed due to a change in the cooling fan over time.

  A cooling fan control apparatus according to the present invention is a cooling fan control apparatus that controls a cooling fan used for cooling an apparatus, and includes a cooling fan that cools an apparatus and a plurality of resistance elements connected to the cooling fan. A voltage supply means for changing the drive voltage supplied to the cooling fan in accordance with the number of the resistance elements, and whether or not the drive voltage supplied by the voltage supply means has reached a predetermined voltage. A detecting means for detecting and a voltage for reducing the number of the resistance elements connected to the cooling fan and increasing the drive voltage supplied to the cooling fan when the detection means detects that the predetermined voltage has been reached. Control means.

  According to this configuration, the voltage supply means includes the plurality of resistance elements connected to the cooling fan, and the drive voltage supplied to the cooling fan is changed according to the number of resistance elements. Further, it is detected by the detection means whether or not the drive voltage supplied by the voltage supply means has reached a predetermined voltage. When the detection means detects that the predetermined voltage has been reached, the voltage control means reduces the number of resistance elements connected to the cooling fan and increases the drive voltage supplied to the cooling fan.

  Therefore, the drive voltage is lowered by a plurality of resistance elements to drive the cooling fan, and the drive voltage supplied to the cooling fan is reduced when the drive voltage reaches a predetermined voltage due to the aging of the cooling fan. Since the voltage is increased, it is possible to prevent the rotation speed from being lowered due to the change of the cooling fan with time, and to control the cooling fan stably.

  In the cooling fan control device, the voltage supply unit includes a plurality of resistance elements, and is included in the first voltage supply unit that supplies a driving voltage to the cooling fan, and the first voltage supply unit. And a second voltage supply means for supplying a driving voltage to the cooling fan, wherein the detection means includes a plurality of resistance elements included in the first voltage supply means. The voltage control means detects whether or not the voltage across one of the resistance elements has reached a predetermined voltage, and the voltage control means drives the cooling fan using the first voltage supply means. It is preferable to supply a driving voltage to the cooling fan using the second voltage supply means when a voltage is supplied and the detection means detects that the predetermined voltage has been reached.

  According to this configuration, the driving voltage is supplied to the cooling fan by the first voltage supply unit including a plurality of resistance elements, and a smaller number of resistance elements are included than the resistance elements included in the first voltage supply unit. A driving voltage is supplied to the cooling fan by the second voltage supply means. Further, it is detected by the detection means whether or not the voltage at both ends of one of the plurality of resistance elements included in the first voltage supply means has reached a predetermined voltage. When the voltage control means detects that the drive voltage is supplied to the cooling fan using the first voltage supply means and the detection means has reached the predetermined voltage, the second voltage supply means is used for cooling. A driving voltage is supplied to the fan.

  Therefore, by switching between the first voltage supply means and the second voltage supply means, the number of resistance elements connected to the cooling fan can be reduced, and as a result, the drive voltage supplied to the cooling fan can be easily achieved. Can be raised.

  In the cooling fan control device, the first voltage supply means is connected in series between the first switching means connected to the cooling fan, and between the first switching means and the cooling fan. The second voltage supply means includes second switching means connected to the cooling fan, the second switching means, and the cooling fan. And the first resistance element connected in series between the first resistance element and the detection means, wherein the voltage across the second resistance element included in the first voltage supply means is predetermined. Detecting whether or not the voltage has been reached, the voltage control means turns on the first switching means, supplies a driving voltage to the cooling fan, and detects that the predetermined voltage has been reached by the detection means. When , Together it turns off the first switching means, by turning on the second switching means, it is preferable to supply a driving voltage to the cooling fan.

  According to this configuration, the first voltage supply means includes the first switching means connected to the cooling fan, and the first resistance element connected in series between the first switching means and the cooling fan. And a second resistance element. The second voltage supply means includes a second switching means connected to the cooling fan, and a first resistance element connected in series between the second switching means and the cooling fan. . Then, the detection means detects whether or not the voltage across the second resistance element included in the first voltage supply means has reached a predetermined voltage. Subsequently, the first switching means is turned on by the voltage control means, the drive voltage is supplied to the cooling fan, and the first switching means is turned off when the detection means detects that the predetermined voltage has been reached. At the same time, the second switching means is turned on, and the driving voltage is supplied to the cooling fan.

  Therefore, the number of resistance elements connected to the cooling fan can be reduced by the simple configuration of the switching means, and as a result, the drive voltage supplied to the cooling fan can be easily increased.

  According to the present invention, the cooling fan is driven by lowering the driving voltage by a plurality of resistance elements, and when the driving voltage reaches a predetermined voltage due to the aging of the cooling fan, the number of resistance elements is reduced, Since the supplied drive voltage is increased, it is possible to prevent the rotation speed from being lowered due to the change of the cooling fan with time, and to control the cooling fan stably.

  Hereinafter, a cooling fan control device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a cooling fan control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. A cooling fan control device 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a cooling fan 10, a first voltage supply circuit 20, a second voltage supply circuit 30, a voltage detection circuit 40, and a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 50. . Note that the voltage supply circuit 35, which is an example of a voltage supply means, includes a first voltage supply circuit 20 and a second voltage supply circuit 30.

  The cooling fan control device 1 controls a cooling fan used for cooling internal devices of an image forming apparatus such as a printer, a facsimile machine, a scanner, a copier, and a multifunction machine having these functions. The cooling fan control device 1 is applicable not only to an image forming apparatus but also to any apparatus provided with a cooling fan such as a personal computer.

  The cooling fan 10 is configured by, for example, a commercially available printer or a DC fan built in a personal computer. The cooling fan 10 is driven by being supplied with the voltage VDD from the power supply 11, and cannot be driven when the drive voltage is less than a predetermined value. Therefore, in order to drive the cooling fan 10, a driving voltage higher than a predetermined value must be applied.

  The first voltage supply circuit 20, which is an example of a first voltage supply unit, includes a plurality of resistance elements and supplies a driving voltage to the cooling fan 10. Specifically, the first voltage supply circuit 20 includes a first switching circuit 21, a first resistance element R1, and a second resistance element R2. The first resistance element R 1 and the second resistance element R 2 are connected in series between the cooling fan 10 and the first switching circuit 21.

  The first switching circuit 21, which is an example of the first switching means, includes a transistor Q1 having a collector connected to the second resistor element R2 and an emitter grounded, and a resistor connected between the base and emitter of the transistor Q1. An element R3 and a resistance element R4 having one end connected to the base of the transistor Q1 and the other end connected to the CPU 50 are provided. The transistor Q1 is an NPN bipolar transistor. The resistive element R3 and the resistive element R4 are bleeder resistors for stabilizing the base voltage of the transistor Q1 when the transistor Q1 is off.

  The second voltage supply circuit 30, which is an example of the second voltage supply means, includes a smaller number of resistance elements than the resistance elements included in the first voltage supply circuit 20, and supplies a driving voltage to the cooling fan 10. . Specifically, the second voltage supply circuit 30 includes a second switching circuit 31 and a first resistance element R1. The first resistance element R <b> 1 is connected in series between the cooling fan 10 and the second switching circuit 31.

  The second switching circuit 31 as an example of the second switching means includes a transistor Q2 having a collector connected to the first resistance element R1 and an emitter grounded, and a resistor connected between the base and emitter of the transistor Q2. An element R5 and a resistance element R6 having one end connected to the base of the transistor Q2 and the other end connected to the CPU 50 are provided. The transistor Q2 is an NPN bipolar transistor. Resistor element R5 and resistor element R6 are bleeder resistors for stabilizing the base voltage of transistor Q2 when transistor Q2 is off.

  The voltage detection circuit 40, which is an example of detection means, detects whether or not the drive voltage supplied by the first voltage supply circuit 20 has reached a predetermined voltage. Specifically, the voltage detection circuit 40 includes a transistor Q3 having a collector connected to the transistor Q4, an emitter connected to the first resistor element R1, one end connected to the second resistor element R2, and the other end connected to the transistor. A resistor element R7 connected to the base of Q3, a collector connected to the resistor element R8 and the CPU 50, an emitter connected to the ground Q4, one end connected to the power source 41, and the other end connected to the collector of the transistor Q4 and the CPU 50 And a connected resistance element R8.

  The transistor Q3 is a PNP bipolar transistor. The transistor Q4 is an NPN bipolar transistor. Resistor element R7 is a bleeder resistor for stabilizing the base voltage of transistor Q3 when transistor Q3 is off. The resistive element R8 is a pull-up resistor.

  The transistor Q3 is switched by the voltage across the second resistance element R2. That is, the transistor Q3 is in an off state until the voltage across the second resistor element R2 reaches a predetermined voltage value, and when the voltage across the second resistor element R2 reaches the predetermined voltage value, Turns on when current flows.

  The transistor Q4 converts the switching state of the transistor Q3 into an input voltage of the CPU 50. That is, when the transistor Q3 is turned on, the base current flows and the transistor Q4 is turned on. When the transistor Q4 is in an off state, an H level CPU input signal is input to the CPU 50. However, when the transistor Q4 is in an on state, an L level CPU input signal is input to the CPU 50. Therefore, the CPU 50 detects that the CPU input signal output from the voltage detection circuit 40 has changed from the H level to the L level, so that the voltage across the second resistance element R2 has reached a predetermined voltage value. I can recognize that.

  The CPU 50, which is an example of a voltage control unit, reduces the number of resistance elements connected to the cooling fan 10 when the voltage detection circuit 40 detects that the predetermined voltage has been reached, and the driving voltage supplied to the cooling fan 10. To raise. Specifically, the CPU 50 outputs the control signal 1 to the transistor Q1, thereby causing the base current to flow through the transistor Q1 to turn it on, and drive the cooling fan 10. In addition, when the CPU input signal output from the voltage detection circuit 40 changes from the H level to the L level, the CPU 50 stops the output of the control signal 1 to the transistor Q1, and turns off the transistor Q1 without flowing the base current. The control signal 2 is output to the transistor Q2. The CPU 50 outputs the control signal 2 to the transistor Q2, thereby causing the base current to flow through the transistor Q2 to turn it on, thereby driving the cooling fan 10.

  Here, the operation of the cooling fan control device 1 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. First, the CPU 50 outputs the control signal 1 to the transistor Q1, and supplies a base current to the transistor Q1 to turn it on. When the transistor Q1 is turned on, a driving voltage is supplied to the cooling fan 10 and the cooling fan 10 is driven. At this time, the voltage applied to both ends of the cooling fan 10 is the difference between the power supply voltage VDD and the voltage applied to each of the first resistance element R1 and the second resistance element R2.

  In general, the fan motor of the cooling fan 10 has a feature that current consumption increases with time. Therefore, when the cooling fan 10 is continuously driven using the transistor Q1, the voltage applied to the first resistance element R1 and the second resistance element R2 connected in series due to an increase in current consumption of the cooling fan 10 Increases, and the drive voltage applied to both ends of the cooling fan 10 gradually decreases. In addition, the fan motor is regulated in the drive voltage range in which the fan can be driven. In the vicinity of the low voltage portion of the drive voltage range, the rotational speed is remarkably reduced, and in the worst case, the fan motor may stop. .

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, it is detected whether or not the drive voltage has reached a predetermined voltage set in advance, and if it is detected that the drive voltage has reached a predetermined voltage, the resistance element connected to the cooling fan 10 is detected. The number is reduced and the drive voltage supplied to the cooling fan 10 is increased.

  When the consumption current increases due to the time-dependent change of the cooling fan 10, the voltage across the second resistance element R2 that is a series resistance also increases as a result. The transistor Q3 is turned on when base voltage flows when the voltage at both ends reaches a predetermined voltage. When the transistor Q3 is turned on, a base current flows through the transistor Q4 and is turned on, and the input voltage (CPU input signal) to the CPU 50, which is normally at the H level, is reversed to the L level.

  In the present embodiment, the predetermined voltage applied to both ends of the second resistance element R2 is the same as that of the second resistance element R2 when the voltage applied to both ends of the cooling fan 10 is lower than a specified voltage. The voltage applied to both ends is set. Specifically, the predetermined voltage applied to both ends of the second resistance element R2 is preset to 0.6 V, for example. Therefore, the transistor Q3 is turned on when the voltage at both ends reaches about 0.6 V because the base current flows. As described above, when the drive voltage applied to both ends of the cooling fan 10 becomes near the lower limit of the specified voltage range due to the change over time, the CPU 50 can know that fact. Specifically, when the CPU input signal input to the input port of the CPU 50 changes from the H level to the L level, it can be detected that the state is present.

  Then, the CPU 50 stops the control signal 1 output to the transistor Q1, turns off the transistor Q1 without supplying the base current, and stops the driving of the cooling fan 10 using the first voltage supply circuit 20. Thereafter, the CPU 50 outputs the control signal 2 to the transistor Q2, turns on the transistor Q2 by supplying a base current, and drives the cooling fan 10 using the second voltage supply circuit 30. At this time, the voltage applied to both ends of the cooling fan 10 is the difference between the power supply voltage VDD and the voltage applied to the first resistance element R1. In this case, the resistance element connected in series with the cooling fan 10 is only the first resistance element R1, and the voltage applied to both ends of the cooling fan 10 is a second resistance compared to the first voltage supply circuit 20. The voltage increases by the voltage across the element R2, and the state of driving near the lower limit of the driving voltage range of the cooling fan 10 is improved.

  Thus, the voltage supply circuit 35 includes a plurality of resistance elements R1 and R2 connected to the cooling fan 10, and the drive voltage supplied to the cooling fan 10 is changed according to the number of resistance elements. Further, the voltage detection circuit 40 detects whether or not the drive voltage supplied by the voltage supply circuit 35 has reached a predetermined voltage set in advance. When the voltage detection circuit 40 detects that the predetermined voltage has been reached, the CPU 50 reduces the number of resistance elements connected to the cooling fan 10 and increases the drive voltage supplied to the cooling fan 10. .

  Accordingly, the cooling fan 10 is driven by lowering the driving voltage by a plurality of resistance elements, and the number of resistance elements is reduced and supplied to the cooling fan 10 when the driving voltage reaches a predetermined voltage due to the aging of the cooling fan 10. Since the drive voltage to be increased is increased, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the rotational speed due to a change with time of the cooling fan 10 and to control the cooling fan 10 stably.

  In addition, the driving voltage is supplied to the cooling fan 10 by the first voltage supply circuit 20 including a plurality of resistance elements, and the number of resistance elements is smaller than the number of resistance elements included in the first voltage supply circuit 20. The driving voltage is supplied to the cooling fan 10 by the second voltage supply circuit 30. In addition, the voltage detection circuit 40 detects whether or not the voltage across one resistance element of the plurality of resistance elements included in the first voltage supply circuit 20 has reached a predetermined voltage. The When the CPU 50 detects that the driving voltage is supplied to the cooling fan 10 using the first voltage supply circuit 20 and reaches the predetermined voltage by the voltage detection circuit 40, the second voltage supply circuit 30 is changed. In use, a driving voltage is supplied to the cooling fan 10.

  Therefore, by switching between the first voltage supply circuit 20 and the second voltage supply circuit 30, the number of resistance elements connected to the cooling fan 10 can be reduced, and as a result, supplied to the cooling fan 10. The drive voltage can be easily increased.

  Further, the first voltage supply circuit 20 includes a first switching circuit 21 connected to the cooling fan 10 and a first resistor connected in series between the first switching circuit 21 and the cooling fan 10. An element R1 and a second resistance element R2 are included. The second voltage supply circuit 30 includes a second switching circuit 31 connected to the cooling fan 10 and a first resistor connected in series between the second switching circuit 31 and the cooling fan 10. And element R1. Then, the voltage detection circuit 40 detects whether or not the voltage across the second resistor element R2 included in the first voltage supply circuit 20 has reached a predetermined voltage. Subsequently, when the CPU 50 turns on the first switching circuit 21, the driving voltage is supplied to the cooling fan 10, and the voltage detection circuit 40 detects that the predetermined voltage has been reached, the first switching circuit 21. Is turned off, the second switching circuit 31 is turned on, and a driving voltage is supplied to the cooling fan 10.

  Therefore, the simple configuration of the switching circuit can reduce the number of resistance elements connected to the cooling fan 10, and as a result, the drive voltage supplied to the cooling fan 10 can be easily increased.

  In the present embodiment, the first voltage supply circuit 20 includes two resistance elements R1 and R2 connected in series, and the second voltage supply circuit 30 includes only one resistance element R1. However, the present invention is not particularly limited thereto, and the first voltage supply circuit 20 includes three or more resistance elements connected in series, and the second voltage supply circuit 30 includes two or more resistors. An element may be included as long as the voltage supplied by the second voltage supply circuit 30 is higher than the voltage supplied by the first voltage supply circuit 20.

  In the present embodiment, the first voltage supply circuit 20 that connects the two resistance elements R1 and R2 in series and drives the cooling fan 10 using the two resistance elements R1 and R2, and one resistance Although the second voltage supply circuit 30 that drives the cooling fan 10 is switched using only the element R1, the present invention is not particularly limited to this. For example, three or more resistance elements may be connected in series, and three or more voltage supply circuits may be provided, and the voltage supply circuit may be switched each time the voltage applied to the cooling fan 10 reaches a predetermined voltage.

  Furthermore, although the cooling fan control device 1 in the present embodiment has been described only in the so-called low-speed mode in which a resistance element is connected in series to the driving line of the cooling fan 10, the present invention is not particularly limited to this and is driven. The present invention can also be applied to a so-called high-speed mode in which no resistive element is interposed in the line.

  In an image forming apparatus such as a printer or a copying machine, the inside of the apparatus becomes hot during printing. Therefore, the cooling fan 10 is driven in the high speed mode during printing. On the other hand, when the image forming apparatus is on standby, the cooling fan 10 is driven in the low speed mode because the inside of the apparatus does not become as hot as during printing.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a cooling fan control device in a modification of the present invention. The cooling fan control device 1 ′ shown in FIG. 2 includes a cooling fan 10, a first voltage supply circuit 20, a second voltage supply circuit 30, a voltage detection circuit 40, a CPU 50, and a third voltage supply circuit 60. Is done. In addition, about the same structure as FIG. 1, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and description is abbreviate | omitted. In the following description, a case where the cooling fan control device 1 ′ is used in an image forming apparatus will be described.

  The third voltage supply circuit 60 includes a third switching circuit 61. The third switching circuit 61 includes a transistor Q5 whose collector is connected to the cooling fan 10, an emitter grounded, a resistance element R9 connected between the base and emitter of the transistor Q5, and one end connected to the base of the transistor Q5. The other end of which is connected to the CPU 50. The transistor Q5 is an NPN bipolar transistor. Resistor element R9 and resistor element R10 are bleeder resistors for stabilizing the base voltage of transistor Q5 when transistor Q5 is off.

  The CPU 50 determines whether to drive the cooling fan 10 in the high speed mode or in the low speed mode depending on the presence or absence of a print instruction. That is, when there is a print instruction, the CPU 50 determines that the cooling fan 10 is driven in the high speed mode. When there is no print instruction, the CPU 50 determines that the image forming apparatus is in the standby state and is driven in the low speed mode.

  When the cooling fan 10 is driven in the high speed mode, the CPU 50 stops the control signal 1 or the control signal 2 and outputs the control signal 3 to the transistor Q5, thereby causing the base current to flow through the transistor Q5 to turn it on. 10 is driven. In this case, since there is no resistance element between the cooling fan 10 and the transistor Q5, the power supply voltage VDD is applied to the cooling fan 10 and more than the first voltage supply circuit 20 and the second voltage supply circuit 30. The driving voltage applied to the cooling fan 10 can be increased, and the fan can be rotated faster than the first voltage supply circuit 20 and the second voltage supply circuit 30. The operation in the low speed mode is the same as the operation of the cooling fan control device 1 described with reference to FIG.

  In addition, although bipolar transistors are used as the transistors Q1 to Q5 in this embodiment, the present invention is not particularly limited to this, and field effect transistors may be used, and various other switching elements. May be used.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the cooling fan control apparatus by one embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the cooling fan control apparatus in the modification of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Cooling fan control apparatus 10 Cooling fan 11,41 Power supply 20 1st voltage supply circuit 21 1st switching circuit 30 2nd voltage supply circuit 31 2nd switching circuit 35 Voltage supply circuit 40 Voltage detection circuit 50 CPU
60 Third voltage supply circuit 61 Third switching circuit Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4, Q5 Transistor R1 First resistance element R2 Second resistance element R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, R9, R10 Resistance element

Claims (3)

A cooling fan control device for controlling a cooling fan used for cooling equipment,
A cooling fan for cooling the equipment,
A voltage supply unit that includes a plurality of resistance elements connected to the cooling fan, and that changes a driving voltage supplied to the cooling fan according to the number of the resistance elements;
Detecting means for detecting whether or not the driving voltage supplied by the voltage supplying means has reached a predetermined voltage set in advance;
Voltage detecting means for reducing the number of the resistance elements connected to the cooling fan and increasing the drive voltage supplied to the cooling fan when the detection means detects that the predetermined voltage has been reached. Cooling fan control device characterized by. The voltage supply means includes a plurality of resistance elements, and includes a first voltage supply means for supplying a driving voltage to the cooling fan, and a smaller number of resistance elements than the resistance elements included in the first voltage supply means. And a second voltage supply means for supplying a driving voltage to the cooling fan,
The detection means detects whether or not the voltage across one resistance element of the plurality of resistance elements included in the first voltage supply means has reached a predetermined voltage,
The voltage control means supplies a driving voltage to the cooling fan using the first voltage supply means, and when the detection means detects that the predetermined voltage has been reached, the second voltage supply means The cooling fan control device according to claim 1, wherein a driving voltage is supplied to the cooling fan. The first voltage supply means includes a first switching means connected to the cooling fan, a first resistance element connected in series between the first switching means and the cooling fan, and a second Including a resistive element,
The second voltage supply means includes: second switching means connected to the cooling fan; and the first resistance element connected in series between the second switching means and the cooling fan. Including
The detection means detects whether or not the voltage across the second resistance element included in the first voltage supply means has reached a predetermined voltage,
The voltage control means turns on the first switching means to supply a driving voltage to the cooling fan. When the detection means detects that the predetermined voltage has been reached, the voltage control means turns on the first switching means. 3. The cooling fan control device according to claim 2, wherein the cooling fan control device is turned off and the second switching means is turned on to supply a driving voltage to the cooling fan.

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