JP4470473B2 - Fixing device and image forming apparatus using the fixing device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention comprises a capacitor, for example, an electrophotographic copier using the fixing device and the fixing device using a heating equipment for heating various materials and devices, a printer, relates to an image forming apparatus such as a facsimile, in particular those The present invention relates to an improvement in the efficiency of capacitor utilization by the device.

  In an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, an image is formed on a recording medium such as plain paper or OHP, and an electrophotographic method is often employed because of high-speed image formation, image quality, cost, and the like. The electrophotographic method is a method in which a toner image is formed on a recording medium, and the formed toner image is fixed on the recording medium with heat and pressure. As the fixing method, the heat roller method is currently most frequently used from the viewpoint of safety and the like. In the heat roller method, a heat roller heated by a heat generating member such as a halogen heater and a pressure roller disposed opposite to the heat roller are pressed to form a mutual pressure contact portion called a nip portion, and a toner image is formed in the nip portion. Is heated and pressurized through the recording medium to which the toner has been transferred, thereby fixing the toner to the recording medium.

  In recent years, environmental problems have become important, and energy saving is also progressing in image forming apparatuses such as copying machines and printers. In considering the energy saving of this image forming apparatus, what cannot be ignored is the power saving of the fixing device for fixing the toner to the recording medium. Therefore, to reduce the power consumption of the fixing device during standby of the image forming apparatus, the temperature of the heating roller is kept at a constant temperature slightly lower than the fixing temperature during standby, and immediately rises to a usable temperature during use. Many methods are employed so that the user does not wait for the temperature of the fixing roller to rise. In the case of this method, a certain amount of power must be supplied even when the fixing device is not used, thereby consuming extra energy. This standby energy consumption is said to correspond to approximately 70% to 80% of the energy consumption of the devices constituting the image forming apparatus.

  Accordingly, it has been desired to reduce energy consumption during standby and to further save power, and there is a demand for zero power supply when not in use. However, if energy consumption is reduced to zero during standby, the heating roller of the fixing device mainly uses a metal roller such as iron or aluminum and has a large heat capacity, so that the temperature rises to a usable temperature of about 180 ° C. Requires a long heating time of several minutes to several tens of minutes. Such a waiting time deteriorates the usability of the user, so that a heating method that consumes as little power as possible while rapidly rising from the standby state is desired.

  In order to shorten the heating time of the heating roller, it is clear that it is better to increase the input energy per unit time, that is, the rated power. In fact, in an image forming apparatus called a high-speed machine with a high printing speed, In many cases, the power supply voltage is 200V. However, in general offices in Japan, the commercial power supply is 100V, 15A, and it is necessary to carry out special work on the power-related equipment at the installation site in order to make it compatible with 200V. It's not an ideal solution.

  That is, as long as a commercial power supply of 100 V and 15 A is used, the maximum input energy is determined by the power supply even when the temperature of the heating roller is to be raised in a short time. When the temperature of the fixing device becomes low, a voltage lower by a certain level is supplied to the heating roller to delay the temperature of the fixing device from dropping (for example, refer to Patent Document 1), or the secondary battery as an auxiliary power source is charged during standby of the fixing device, When the fixing device is started up, power is supplied from the main power supply device and the secondary battery or the primary battery to shorten the rising time (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

  However, the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-228561 is not sufficient power saving because it supplies a low voltage to the fixing device by a certain level even during standby. Moreover, the maximum supply power at the time of start-up is not mainly intended to be higher than the power supplied from the main power supply device. On the other hand, the fixing device disclosed in Patent Document 2 supplies power from a main power supply device and a secondary battery or a primary battery at the time of start-up. As a secondary power supply, a lead storage battery, a nickel cadmium battery, or a nickel metal hydride battery is generally used. I am using it. Such a secondary battery has a property that the capacity deteriorates and decreases when charging and discharging are repeated, and the life is shortened as discharging is performed with a large current. There is also a phenomenon of capacity reduction due to the memory effect. Even if it is generally considered to have a long life with a large current, the number of charge / discharge cycles is about 500 to 1000 times. If 20 cycles of charge / discharge are repeated per day, the battery life will be reached in about one month. It will end up. Therefore, the replacement frequency of the battery is increased, and it takes much labor, and the running cost such as the cost of the battery to be replaced increases. Furthermore, in lead storage batteries, liquid sulfuric acid is used as the electrolyte, which is undesirable for office equipment.

  In addition, the load on the heating circuit built in the heating roller increases due to a sudden current change or inrush power when starting or stopping the supply of large power, and input current is also applied to the peripheral circuits. There is also a problem that noise flows and flows. For this reason, it is not preferable to frequently turn on and off the power supply from the large-capacity auxiliary power supply. In addition, if a large amount of power is supplied at once, there is a possibility that the supply will be excessive and the temperature of the heating circuit will rise too much.

These points are improved to improve the power saving effect, reduce noise due to inrush current and sudden current change when supplying large power, shorten the rise time, and prevent the temperature from rising excessively. As the fixing device that can be used, a chargeable / dischargeable capacitor is used for the auxiliary power supply, the charger charges the capacitor of the auxiliary power supply with power supplied from the main power supply, and the switching device charges the auxiliary power supply. There has been proposed a device that switches power supply from an auxiliary power supply to an auxiliary heating element and adjusts the amount of power supplied from the auxiliary power supply to the auxiliary heating element (see, for example, Patent Document 3). As a basic function of the capacitor, the auxiliary heater is heated by the electric power supplied from the capacitor, and using this heat, the time for the heating roller to rise to a predetermined temperature is shortened, and the fixing temperature is prevented from lowering when passing paper. It is.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-10913 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-282821 JP 2002-184554 A

  By the way, as described above, in the case of using a capacitor to prevent a temperature drop, if it can be determined that the temperature does not drop or is small even without using a capacitor, the life of the apparatus, shortening the charging time, etc. Of course, it is preferable to refrain from using capacitors as much as possible.

The present invention can solve the above problems by improving the efficiency of the capacitors use, and an object thereof is to provide an image forming apparatus using the fixing device and the fixing device using a heating equipment.

A fixing device according to claim 1 of the present invention includes a main power supply device, an auxiliary power supply device, and a heating unit having a heating element,
A fixing device that generates heat from a heating element included in the heating unit by power supplied from the main power supply device or the auxiliary power supply device to the heating unit;
The auxiliary power supply device includes a chargeable / dischargeable power storage device,
Having information detection means for detecting information relating to the status of the fixing device;
According to the detection information obtained by the information detection means, the power supply amount variable means capable of changing the power supply amount per predetermined time from the auxiliary power supply to the heating element of the heating unit,
The information is an amount of power supplied to the heating unit of the main power supply device, and includes, as the information detection unit, power supply amount detection means for detecting the amount of power supplied to the heating unit of the main power supply device,
When necessary to prevent a decrease in temperature of the heating unit in accordance with a change in the detected amount of power supplied to the heating unit of the main power supply device, power is supplied from the power storage device to the heating element of the heating unit. When it is unnecessary to prevent an increase in temperature of the heating unit and to prevent a decrease in temperature of the heating unit, power can be reduced from the power storage device to the heating element of the heating unit,
In the fixing device, wherein the power supply amount detecting unit varies a power supply amount per predetermined time from the power storage device to the heating element according to a change in a power supply amount detection value to the heating unit of the main power supply device.
The power supply amount detection means includes:
Wherein when the fixing temperature during the sheet passing without using the power storage device can be determined not depress the minimizing the use of power storage devices, the heating unit feed and by its to the heating unit by the main power unit predetermined operation and, in order to link the power supply and operation of the heat generating body according to it to the heating element by the auxiliary power unit, of the heating element is the main power supply rather than the situation with fever full When the amount of power supplied to the heating unit per hour is smaller than a predetermined value, it is determined that there is a margin for the temperature drop in the temperature reduction of the heating unit, and the predetermined power from the power storage device to the heating element is determined. Reduce the amount of power supplied per hour,
It is characterized by that.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the fixing device of the first aspect,
The heating element includes a main heating element that generates heat when power is supplied from the main power supply device and an auxiliary heating element that generates heat when power is supplied from the power storage device, and the main heat generation per predetermined time of the main power supply device. when power supplied to the body is smaller than a predetermined value, the power supply amount variable means, characterized in that to reduce the amount of power supplied per predetermined time to the auxiliary heat generating element from said power storage device.

A device according to claim 3 includes a main power supply device, an auxiliary power supply device, and a heating unit having a heating element,
A fixing device that generates heat from a heating element included in the heating unit using electric power supplied from the main power supply device or the auxiliary power supply device;
The auxiliary power supply device includes a chargeable / dischargeable power storage device,
Having information detection means for detecting information relating to the status of the fixing device;
According to the detection information obtained by the information detection means, the power supply amount variable means capable of changing the power supply amount per predetermined time from the auxiliary power supply to the heating element of the heating unit,
The information is a voltage value of the main power supply device, and the information detection means includes a voltage detection means for detecting the voltage value of the main power supply device,
When necessary to prevent a temperature drop of the heating unit according to a change in the voltage value of the main power supply device, it is possible to increase power supply from the power storage device to the heating element of the heating unit, and When it is not necessary to prevent a temperature drop of the part, power can be reduced from the power storage device to the heating element of the heating part,
In the fixing device, wherein the voltage detection unit varies the amount of power supplied per predetermined time from the power storage device to the heating element according to a change in a voltage detection value of the main power supply device.
The voltage detection means includes
When it can be determined that there is no temperature drop during paper feeding without using the power storage device, the use of the power storage device is suppressed as much as possible, the power supply to the heating unit by the main power supply device and the operation of the heating unit thereby If, in order to cooperate with feeding and operation of the same according to the heat generating body to the heating element by the auxiliary power unit, the voltage value of the heating element is the main power supply rather than the situation with fever full Is less than a predetermined value, it is determined that there is a margin in the temperature drop in the temperature reduction of the heating unit, and the amount of power supplied per predetermined time from the power storage device is reduced,
It is characterized by that.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the fixing device of the third aspect,
The heating element includes a main heating element that generates heat when power is supplied from the main power supply device and an auxiliary heating element that generates heat when power is supplied from the power storage device, and the voltage value of the main power supply device is higher than a predetermined value. when high, the feeding amount variable means, characterized in that to reduce the amount of power supplied per predetermined time to the auxiliary heat generating element from said power storage device.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the fixing device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the power storage device is a capacitor.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fixing device of the fifth aspect , the capacitor is an electric double layer capacitor.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the fixing device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, the object to be heated is a recording medium that is in sliding contact with or in close proximity to the fixing unit heated by the heating unit. To do.

An image forming apparatus according to claim 8, comprising one of the fixing device according to claim 1 to 7, wherein the Rukoto.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the efficiency and optimization of the charging of the capacitor by making the usage rate of the capacitor variable so that the usage amount can be reduced.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view conceptually showing an image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine or printer according to the present invention. The image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment mainly includes a reading unit 11 that reads a document, an image forming unit 12 that forms an image, an automatic document feeder (ADF) 13, a document discharge tray 14 that stacks documents sent from the ADF 13, The sheet feeding unit 19 includes sheet feeding cassettes 15 to 18 and a sheet discharge unit (sheet discharge tray 20) for stacking recording sheets.

  Then, when the document D is set on the document table 21 of the ADF 13 and an operation on an operation unit (not shown), for example, a press operation of a print key is performed, the uppermost document D is sent out in the direction of the arrow B1 by the rotation of the pickup roller 22. Then, by the rotation of the document conveying belt 23, the paper is fed onto the contact glass 24 fixed to the image reading unit 11, and stops there. The image of the document D placed on the contact glass 24 is read by a reading device 25 located between the image forming unit 12 and the contact glass 24. The reading device 25 includes a light source 26 that illuminates the document D on the contact glass 24, an optical system 27 that forms an image of the document, a photoelectric conversion element 28 that includes a CCD that forms an image of the document, and the like. After the image reading is completed, the document D is transported in the direction of arrow B2 by the rotation of the transport belt 23 and discharged onto the paper discharge tray 14. In this way, the document D is fed one by one onto the contact glass 14 and the document image is read by the image reading unit 1.

  On the other hand, a photoreceptor 30 as an image carrier is disposed inside the image forming unit 2. The photosensitive member 30 is driven to rotate clockwise in the drawing, and the surface is charged to a predetermined potential by the charging device 31. Further, the writing unit 32 emits a laser beam L that is light-modulated in accordance with image information read by the reading device 25, and the surface of the charged photoreceptor 30 is exposed with the laser beam L, whereby the photoreceptor is exposed. An electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface 30. When the electrostatic latent image passes through the developing device 33, the electrostatic latent image is transferred to the recording medium P fed between the photosensitive member 30 and the transfer device 34 by the opposing transfer device 34. The surface of the photoconductor 30 after the toner image is transferred is cleaned by a cleaning device 35.

  A plurality of paper feed cassettes 15 to 18 arranged in the lower part of the image forming unit 2 contain recording media P such as paper, and the recording media P is fed from any of the paper feed cassettes 15 to 18 in the direction of arrow B3. The toner image formed on the surface of the photoreceptor 30 as described above is transferred onto the surface of the recording medium P. Next, the recording medium P is passed through the fixing device 36 in the image forming unit 2 as indicated by an arrow B4, and the toner image transferred onto the surface of the recording medium P by the action of heat and pressure is fixed. The recording medium P that has passed through the fixing device 36 is conveyed by the discharge roller pair 37, discharged to the discharge tray 20 as indicated by an arrow B5, and stacked.

  FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a fixing device 36 that heats and pressurizes the toner image transferred to the recording medium P and fixes the toner image to the recording medium. FIG. 3 shows one example of the heating device according to the present invention provided in the fixing device 36. It is a circuit diagram which shows the structure of embodiment.

  The illustrated fixing device 36 includes a fixing roller 40 and a pressure roller 41. The fixing roller 40 includes a heating unit 2 including, for example, a main heating element 2a including a halogen heater and an auxiliary heating element 2b. 40 and the pressure roller 41 form a nip portion N that passes and pressurizes and heats the recording medium P on which the toner T is placed.

  The heating device 1 of this embodiment includes a heating unit 2, a main power supply device 3, an auxiliary power supply device 4, a main switch 5, a charger 6, a switching device 7, and a control unit 8. In FIG. 3, the heating unit 2 composed of the main heating element 2a and the auxiliary heating element 2b is drawn outside the fixing roller 40. However, this is for convenience of illustration, and both the heating elements 2a, 2b Provided in the fixing roller 40.

  The heating unit 2 includes a main heating element 2a that generates heat by the electric power supplied from the main power supply device 3, and an auxiliary heating element 2b that generates heat by the electric power supplied from the auxiliary power supply device 4, and is a fixing roller that is a heated object. 40 is heated. Although not shown in detail, the main power supply device 3 is supplied with power from a commercial power supply in the image forming apparatus in which the heating device 1 is installed. The main power supply device 3 has a function of adjusting, for example, power supplied from an outlet or the like to a voltage corresponding to the heating unit 2. However, since the main power supply device 3 is well known, detailed illustration and description are omitted.

  The auxiliary power supply 4 has a chargeable / dischargeable capacitor C. As the capacitor C, for example, a module configuration in which 15 to 40 cells having a rated voltage of 2.5 V and a capacitance of about 400 to 1000 F are connected in series to obtain a predetermined rated voltage and procedure is desirable. A module configuration in which 15 to 40 cells having a rated capacity of 2.5 V and a capacitance of about 400 to 1000 F are connected in series to obtain a predetermined rated voltage and capacity is desirable. Further, for use in preventing a decrease in the fixing temperature during continuous paper feeding, for example, a heater having a rating of about 300 to 600 w, in which 18 to 22 cells of 500 to 700 F are connected in series, is suitable. This has sufficient capacity for power supply for about 1 to 2 minutes, and when all the stored power is supplied from a high temperature state due to a runaway control system, the power decreases as the voltage decreases, reducing the risk of ignition. This is because the capacity can be reduced. Another reason is that the voltage is about 50V and there is no danger of electric shock. In addition, for the purpose of supplying power at the time of start-up, for example, a heater with a rating of 800 to 1000 w is connected in parallel to the auxiliary power supply device to supply a total power of about 1600 to 2000 w. 44 connected in series is suitable. This is equipped with a capacity and voltage for supplying sufficient power for power supply for about 10 seconds, and a capacity capable of preventing a decrease in fixing temperature by using only one heater even when shifting during continuous paper feeding. It is for having. In actual operation, a voltage lower than the rated voltage is set as the charge target voltage because the reliability can be improved in consideration of variations in the voltage circuit and the durability of the capacitor cell. Also, a module configuration in which cells with lower capacitances of about 100 F are connected in parallel may be used. However, the number of electronic circuits required per cell can be reduced, and it is easy to detect when a failure occurs in the cell. It is desirable to connect the cells in series. The reason why the above configuration is adopted is that, unlike a secondary battery, a capacitor such as an electric double layer capacitor has excellent characteristics because it does not involve a chemical reaction.

  As described above, in the auxiliary power supply using a general nickel-cadmium battery as a secondary battery, it takes a long time of several tens of minutes to several hours even if rapid charging is performed. The device 4 can be charged quickly for several minutes, and when the standby state and the heating state are repeated within the same time, the auxiliary power supply device 4 using a capacitor is used to reliably assist when starting up the heating. Electric power can be supplied from the power supply device 4, and the heating unit 2 can be raised to a predetermined temperature in a short time. In addition, since the nickel-cadmium battery has an allowable number of repetitions of charge / discharge of about 500 to 1000 times, it has a short life as an auxiliary power source for heating, and the trouble and cost of replacement are problematic. Auxiliary power supply device 4 using a battery has an allowable number of repetitions of charge and discharge of several million times or more, and is less susceptible to deterioration due to repeated charge and discharge, and does not require liquid replacement or replenishment unlike lead-acid batteries. It requires little maintenance and can be used stably for a long time.

  An electric double layer capacitor does not have a dielectric, and uses the absorption and desorption reactions (charging and discharging) of the ion adsorbing layer of the electric double layer in which the charge of ions or solvent molecules formed at the solid electrode and solution interface is concentrated. Resistant to repeated charging / discharging, long life, no maintenance required, environmentally friendly, shorter charging time compared to other types of batteries, high charging / discharging efficiency, and easy detection of remaining power through voltage detection Recently, a large-capacity capacitor having an electrostatic capacity of tens of thousands of F and an energy density of several tens of Wh / kg has been developed, and the capacity is being further increased.

  The main switch 5 turns on / off the power supplied from the main power supply device 3 to the main heating element 2a, and the charger 6 is a voltage corresponding to the auxiliary power supply device 4 using the power supplied from the main power supply device 3. And the capacitor C is charged. The switching device 7 switches charging of the auxiliary power supply 4 and power supply from the auxiliary power supply 4 to the auxiliary heating element 2b.

  The control means 8 has a switch 9 and a CPU 10 and performs control to turn on / off the power supplied from the auxiliary power supply device 4 to the auxiliary heating element 2b under preset conditions described later. However, the configuration of the control means 8 shown in the drawing is merely an example showing only a portion that controls the heating unit 2, and various configurations such as a device that controls the entire image forming apparatus can be employed. Further, the connection form for controlling the auxiliary power supply 4 is not limited to the illustrated example. For example, various forms such as a configuration in which the switching device 7 is switched to perform on / off control or the like can be employed.

  The basic operation of such a heating device 1 will be described. First, at the time of standby, the switching device 7 is switched and the charger 6 is connected to the auxiliary power supply device 4 to charge the capacitor C of the auxiliary power supply device 4. When heating the heating unit 2 with the heating device 1 in this state, the main switch 5 is turned on to supply power from the main power supply device 3 to the main heating element 2a, and at the same time, the switching device 7 is switched and the auxiliary power supply device 4 is switched. Electric power is supplied to the auxiliary heating element 2b, and a large amount of electric power is supplied to the heating unit 2. Thus, when heating of the heating unit 2 is started, a large amount of power is supplied from both the main power supply device 3 and the auxiliary power supply device 4 to the heating unit 2, so that the heating unit 2 is brought to a predetermined temperature in a short time. Can be launched.

  Further, when a predetermined time elapses after the auxiliary power supply 4 supplies electric power to the auxiliary heating element 2b of the heating unit 2 and starts heating, the control means 8 receives auxiliary heating from the auxiliary power supply 4. The electric power supplied to the body 2b is cut off to prevent overheating of the heating unit 2 and maintained at a predetermined temperature. The power supplied from the auxiliary power supply 4 to the auxiliary heating element 2b decreases as time elapses after the supply is started. A time for cutting off the power supplied from the auxiliary power supply 4 to the auxiliary heating element 2b is determined according to the reduction amount of the supplied power, and when the supply power is reduced to some extent, the auxiliary power supply 4 changes to the auxiliary heating element 2b. When the supplied power is cut off, it is possible to prevent deterioration of each component of the surrounding circuit and electromagnetic noise that occur when cutting off in the state of supplying a large amount of power.

  The recording medium P to which the toner image T sent to the fixing device 36 having such a configuration is transferred is conveyed between the fixing roller 40 and the pressure roller 41, and the toner T is heated by the fixing roller 40 heated to a constant temperature. Is heated and melted and fixed on the recording medium P as a toner image. Therefore, power is supplied from the main power supply device 3 and the auxiliary power supply device 4 to the main heating element 2a and the auxiliary heating element 2b included in the heating unit 2 of the fixing roller 40, thereby increasing the temperature of the fixing roller 40 and the auxiliary power supply. By controlling on / off of the power supplied from the device 4, the temperature of the fixing roller 40 is prevented from becoming too high, and the fixing temperature is kept at a constant temperature or a desired temperature, or a required temperature change is shown. Thus, the toner T is stably heated and melted, and a good quality toner image T is fixed on the recording medium P. Further, since the power is supplied from the main power supply device 3 and the auxiliary power supply device 4 to the main heating element 2a and the auxiliary heating element 2b of the heating unit 2 built in the fixing roller 40, the temperature of the fixing roller 40 is raised. The surface temperature of the toner can be quickly raised to a predetermined fixing temperature.

  FIG. 4A is a diagram illustrating a change in power consumption of the image forming apparatus configured as described above, and FIG. 4B is a diagram illustrating a voltage change of the capacitor C. From the state in which less power is consumed during standby, the power consumption increases to the upper limit with the start of image formation, decreases slightly from the upper limit during image formation, and then returns to the standby state. In general, the capacitor C of the auxiliary power supply device 4 is charged by utilizing the fact that there is a power margin during image formation (indicated by X in FIG. 4). The output voltage of the capacitor C shows the maximum value during standby, decreases when supplying power for heating the fixing roller 40 during startup, and returns to the standby state when charged during image formation.

  In FIG. 4B, the solid line indicates charging when image formation is performed, and the alternate long and short dash line indicates charging immediately after image formation. Generally, charging is performed immediately after image formation. This is because, when image formation is performed immediately after the previous image formation is completed, if charging of the capacitor C is not completed, cpm (copy speed) decreases or charging waits. This is because time is generated and the function of the entire image forming apparatus is deteriorated. That is, when the power supplied from the auxiliary power supply 4 to the auxiliary heating element 2b is cut off, the auxiliary power supply 4 is not sufficiently charged. Therefore, when the temperature of the heating unit 2 is stable and relatively no power is consumed, the switching device 7 is switched to the charger 6 side, and the charger 6 is connected to the auxiliary power supply 4 to be supplied from the main power supply 3. The auxiliary power supply 4 is charged with electric power. When it is necessary to supply a large amount of power again to the heating unit 2, a large amount of energy is supplied to the heating unit 2 by supplying power from the auxiliary power supply device 4 together with the main power supply device 3. Further, FIG. 4C shows a case where the capacitor C is used for the purpose of preventing the fixing roller temperature from being lowered due to insufficient power supply during continuous paper feeding. In general, immediately after the start-up, the entire apparatus is cold, so that the power is likely to be insufficient. Therefore, power is supplied from the capacitor C during continuous paper feeding. As a result, it is possible to prevent a decrease in productivity such as cpm down or stop until the fixing roller temperature recovers during continuous paper feeding.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a temperature change of the fixing roller 40. At the time of standby, the temperature is low, and at the time of start-up, the heat generated by both the heat generating elements 2a and 2b rises to a predetermined fixing temperature (180 ° C. in the figure), and is maintained at a substantially fixing temperature during image formation. Take the process of gradually decreasing with the end. At this time, the temperature of the fixing roller 40 decreases to room temperature (the temperature at the place where the image forming apparatus is installed) or the temperature inside the image forming apparatus depending on environmental conditions.

  By the way, when the capacitor C is used in the configuration as described above, the operation of the heating device 1 is controlled using PID control or the like, that is, the drive control of the main power supply device 3 and the auxiliary power supply device 4 is often performed. Depending on the mode of control, there may occur a state in which the auxiliary heating element 2b is mainly responsible for heating the fixing roller 40.

For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the sampling time of power supply control to the main heating element 2a by the main power supply device 1 is 1 second (between t1: AC and AC in the figure), and the auxiliary power supply 4 supplies power to the auxiliary heating element 2b. The control sampling time is set to 0.3 seconds (specifically, 1/3 second: t2 in the figure: between AC to DC to DC to AC). First, the fixing roller 40 is fed by the main power supply 3 to the main heating element 2a. The temperature becomes a required value, and thereafter no heat is applied. Then, the temperature of the fixing roller 40 starts to decrease. Further, until the power supply control sampling by the main power supply device 3 after 1 second, there is no power supply to the main heating element 2a and no heat application to the fixing roller 40 due to the heat generation of the main heating element 2a. In this state, after 0.3 seconds, sampling for power supply control to the auxiliary heating element 2b by the auxiliary power supply 4 is performed, and if the temperature of the fixing roller 40 drops to a certain value, the auxiliary power supply 4 capacitor C is discharged, power is supplied to the auxiliary heating element 2b, and a similar heat application may be performed 0.3 seconds later. Then, at the time of sampling of power supply control by the main power supply 3 after 1 second, the temperature of the fixing roller 40 has returned to a required value (AC / DC off temperature in the figure), and the fixing roller due to the heat generated by the main heating element 2a. In some cases, it may be determined that application of heat to 40 is unnecessary. When this is repeated, the main power supply device 3 and the main heating element 2a that should operate primarily remain off, and only the auxiliary power supply apparatus 4 and the auxiliary heating element 2b contribute to heating and maintaining the temperature of the fixing roller 40. Can be. Such a configuration is not preferable for the capacitor and the auxiliary power supply device in consideration of the device life and the like. Life is also a long electric double layer capacitor.

  Therefore, in the present invention, when it can be determined that there is no drop in temperature even when the capacitor C is not used, the main heating element 2a by the main power supply device 3 is used so that the use can be avoided as much as possible. Power supply and the operation of the main heating element 2a thereby, and the power supply to the auxiliary heating element 2b by the auxiliary power supply device 4 and the operation of the auxiliary heating element 2b thereby are linked based on certain information.

<Example in which main power and auxiliary power control are linked>
Information serving as a condition for varying the amount of power supplied to the capacitor C can be the amount of power supplied to the main power supply device 3. Various known means may be employed as the power supply amount detection means for detecting the power supply amount of the main power supply device 3. The control means 8 varies the power supply amount per predetermined time of the capacitor C according to the change in the power supply amount of the main power supply device 3.

  Specifically, if the lighting rate status of the main heating element 2a is not full, it is determined that there is a margin in the temperature drop of the fixing roller 40, so that the lighting rate of the auxiliary heating element 2b can be made variable. Reduce usage. For example, when the power supply amount per predetermined time of the main power supply device 3 is smaller than a predetermined value, the power supply amount varying means reduces the power supply amount per predetermined time of the auxiliary power supply device 4. For example, the lighting rate of the auxiliary heating element 2b is lowered. As a result, even though the main power supply device 3 that is an AC power supply has stopped operating, the auxiliary power supply device 4 that is a DC power supply is activated and the capacitor C is discharged to light the auxiliary heating element 2b. Waste can be prevented. Further, if the discharge of the capacitor C can be suppressed, the charging time of the capacitor C can be saved.

  In order to change the lighting rate of the auxiliary heating element 2b, for example, the discharge power from the capacitor C is used after DC / AC conversion, or the lighting rate can be controlled by DC using a switching element. For the control in this case, various known control methods such as PWM control can be employed. Such control is possible regardless of whether the main power supply 3 is an AC power supply or a DC power supply. It should be noted that the predetermined value of the power supply amount may be appropriately determined by experiments or the like. In each of the embodiments described below, the predetermined value is the same as in this example.

<Example in which the voltage value of the main power supply device is linked>
Information serving as a condition for changing the amount of power supplied to the capacitor C can be the voltage value of the main power supply device 3. Various known means may be employed as voltage detecting means for detecting the voltage value of the main power supply device 3. The control means 8 varies the amount of power supplied per predetermined time of the capacitor C according to the change in the voltage detection value of the main power supply device 3.

  For example, when the voltage value of the main power supply device 3 is higher than a predetermined value, the amount of power supplied to the capacitor C per predetermined time is lowered. If the voltage of the main power supply 3 is high, it can be determined that the power supply amount of the main power supply 3 is large. In such a case, the amount of power supplied to the auxiliary heating element 2b by discharging the capacitor C may be small. Therefore, the discharge rate of the capacitor C is suppressed and the charging time is shortened by lowering the lighting rate of the auxiliary heating element 2b. In addition, when the voltage value of the main power supply device 3 is lower than a predetermined value, the amount of power supplied per predetermined time of the capacitor C is increased. If the voltage of the main power supply device 3 is low, it can be determined that the power supply amount of the main power supply device 3 is small. In such a case, if the lighting rate of the auxiliary heating element 2b due to the discharge of the capacitor C is not increased, the fixing roller 40 This is because the temperature does not rise sufficiently and a fixing failure of an image in the fixing device 36 may occur.

<Example in which the temperature of the pressure roller is linked>
Information serving as a condition for varying the amount of power supplied to the capacitor C can be the temperature of the pressure roller 41 that is a pressure member for the fixing roller 40. As temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the pressure roller 41, means such as various known temperature sensors may be employed. The control unit 8 varies the amount of power supplied per predetermined time of the capacitor C according to the change in the temperature of the pressure roller 41.

  For example, when the temperature of the pressure roller 41 is higher than a predetermined value, the power supply amount per predetermined time of the capacitor C is lowered. For example, when continuous image formation is performed by continuously passing paper through the image forming apparatus, the temperature of the pressure roller 41 becomes sufficiently high. In such a case, since the amount of heat from the fixing roller 40 taken away by the pressure roller 41 is small, the amount of power supplied to the auxiliary heating element 2b by the discharge of the capacitor C may be small. Therefore, by reducing the lighting rate of the auxiliary heating element 2b, the discharge of the capacitor C is suppressed and the charging time of the capacitor C is saved.

  Conversely, when the temperature of the pressure roller 41 is lower than a predetermined value, the amount of power supplied to the capacitor C per predetermined time is increased. When the temperature of the pressure roller 41 is low, unless the amount of power supplied to the auxiliary heating element 2b due to the discharge of the capacitor C is increased, the heat of the fixing roller 40 is consumed to increase the temperature of the pressure roller 41, and fixing. This is because the temperature of the roller 40 does not rise sufficiently and an image fixing failure in the fixing device 36 may occur.

<Examples linked to environmental temperature>
Information serving as a condition for changing the amount of power supplied to the capacitor C may be the environmental temperature of the heating device 1, the fixing device 36, and the image forming apparatus, for example, the nip temperature between the fixing roller 40 and the pressure roller 41. Of course, since the temperature of the nip portion N between the fixing roller 40 and the pressure roller 41 is difficult to measure, the environmental temperature in this embodiment is only the internal temperature of the heating device 1, the fixing device 36, or the image forming apparatus. In addition, the external temperature of these devices can also be targeted. In any case, it is possible to set information detection targets for all such temperatures that affect or are thought to affect image fixing in the fixing device 36, and the control means 8 can change the environmental temperature. Accordingly, the amount of power supplied to the capacitor C per predetermined time is varied.

  For example, when the environmental temperature is higher than a predetermined value, the amount of power supplied per predetermined time of the capacitor C is reduced to shorten the charging time, and when it is low, the amount of power supplied per predetermined time of the capacitor C is increased. If the environmental temperature is as described above, the power supply amount to the fixing roller 40 may be small if it is high, and if it is low, the power supply to the auxiliary heating element 2b by discharging the capacitor C in order to prevent fixing failure. Increase the amount. The reason for this is the same as in the previous example for the temperature of the pressure roller.

<Embodiment 1 for Linking to Contents of Image Forming Job>
Information serving as a condition for varying the amount of power supplied to the capacitor C can be the number of sheets to be fixed in the previous job in the fixing device 36. As a means for detecting the number of sheets that have been fixed, various known means such as a paper passing counter may be employed. The control unit 8 varies the amount of power supplied per predetermined time of the capacitor C according to the fixing sheet passing sheet value.

  For example, when the number of sheets passed in the previous job in the fixing device 36 is greater than a predetermined value, the amount of power supplied per predetermined time of the capacitor C is decreased. If the number of sheets passed in the previous job is large, the temperature of the pressure roller 41 is sufficiently high, so that the auxiliary heating element 2b due to the discharge of the capacitor C is discharged as in the previous example corresponding to the temperature of the pressure roller. Therefore, the amount of power supplied can be small, and wasteful discharge can be suppressed and the charging time can be shortened.

<Embodiment 2 for Linking to Contents of Image Forming Job>
Information serving as a condition for changing the amount of power supplied to the capacitor C can be a time interval between the previous job and the current job in the fixing device 36. Various known means such as a timer may be employed as means for detecting the time interval between jobs. The control means 8 varies the amount of power supplied per predetermined time of the capacitor C according to the job time interval. For example, when the job time interval is shorter than a predetermined value, the amount of power supplied per predetermined time of the capacitor C is lowered. If the job time interval is short, the temperature of the pressure roller 41 is high, and the amount of power supplied to the auxiliary heating element 2b due to the discharge of the capacitor C may be small as in the previous example corresponding to the temperature of the pressure roller. Therefore, it is possible to suppress useless discharge and shorten the charging time.

<Third embodiment linked to the contents of an image forming job>
Information serving as a condition for varying the amount of power supplied to the capacitor C can be the operation time of the previous job in the fixing device 36. Various known means such as a timer may be employed as means for detecting the job operating time. The control unit 8 varies the amount of power supplied per predetermined time of the capacitor C according to the operation time of the previous job. For example, when the previous job operating time in the fixing device 36 is longer than a predetermined value, the temperature of the pressure roller 41 is high, and this is also the case of the capacitor C as in the example corresponding to the temperature of the previous pressure roller. The amount of power supplied to the auxiliary heating element 2b by discharging may be small, and wasteful discharge can be suppressed and charging time can be shortened.

  The various corresponding embodiments described above can be implemented either alone or in combination with others. In each embodiment, the control unit 8 provided in the heating device 1 performs control for varying the amount of power supplied to the capacitor C. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the fixing device 36 or the same is provided. A control unit may be provided on the image forming apparatus side to control the amount of supplied power. In any case, a dedicated control unit for controlling the amount of supplied power may be provided, or other control may be performed. Any means may be used, and the means is not limited to the illustrated example.

  In the embodiment described above, the nip portion N is formed by two rollers, that is, the fixing roller 40 and the pressure roller 41. However, the fixing device of the present invention and the image forming apparatus using the same are as follows. The present invention is not limited to such a configuration, and there are various configurations such as a type in which the recording medium P is slidably in contact with or close to the heated body, such as a roller and belt, a belt and a belt forming a nip portion N, and the like. It can be adopted. The present invention is not limited to the illustrated type of image forming apparatus. For example, the photosensitive member is not a drum but a belt type, and a color image forming apparatus using an intermediate transfer belt. Applicable.

  Furthermore, the problem is more serious not only in the case of using a capacitor as an auxiliary power supply device but also in the case of using a secondary battery, and the solution can be achieved by the above configuration. Absent. Note that in the case of a device with a substantially constant output voltage such as a secondary battery, the vertical axis in FIGS. 4B and 4C is not the capacitor voltage but the remaining power storage amount.

1 is a conceptual cross-sectional view showing an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. 1 is a conceptual cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a fixing device according to an embodiment of the present invention used in the image forming apparatus of FIG. The circuit diagram which shows the structure of one Embodiment of the heating apparatus which concerns on this invention FIG. 1A shows a change in power consumption of the image forming apparatus in FIG. 1, and FIG. 2B shows a voltage change in a capacitor C. Diagram showing temperature change of fixing roller The figure which shows the relationship between the electric power feeding control to the main heating element by the main power unit, and the electric feeding control to the auxiliary heating element by the auxiliary power unit

Explanation of symbols

1: heating device 2: heating unit 2a: main heating element 2b: auxiliary heating element 3: main power supply device 4: auxiliary power supply device 5: main switch 6: charger 7: switching device 8: control means 9: switch 10: CPU
11: Reading unit 12: Image forming unit 13: Automatic document feeder (ADF)
14: Document discharge trays 15, 16, 17, 18: Paper feed cassette 19: Paper feed unit 20: Paper discharge tray 21: Document tray 25: Reading device 30: Photoconductor 31: Charging device 32: Writing unit 33: Development Device 34: Transfer device 35: Cleaning device 36: Fixing device 37: Discharge roller pair 40: Fixing roller 41: Pressure roller C: Capacitor D: Document P: Recording medium T: Toner N: Nip portion

Claims (8)

A heating unit having a main power supply device, an auxiliary power supply device and a heating element,
A fixing device that generates heat from a heating element included in the heating unit by power supplied from the main power supply device or the auxiliary power supply device to the heating unit;
The auxiliary power supply device includes a chargeable / dischargeable power storage device,
Having information detection means for detecting information relating to the status of the fixing device;
According to the detection information obtained by the information detection means, the power supply amount variable means capable of changing the power supply amount per predetermined time from the auxiliary power supply to the heating element of the heating unit,
The information is an amount of power supplied to the heating unit of the main power supply device, and includes, as the information detection unit, power supply amount detection means for detecting the amount of power supplied to the heating unit of the main power supply device,
When necessary to prevent a decrease in temperature of the heating unit in accordance with a change in the detected amount of power supplied to the heating unit of the main power supply device, power is supplied from the power storage device to the heating element of the heating unit. When it is unnecessary to prevent an increase in temperature of the heating unit and to prevent a decrease in temperature of the heating unit, power can be reduced from the power storage device to the heating element of the heating unit,
In the fixing device, wherein the power supply amount detecting unit varies a power supply amount per predetermined time from the power storage device to the heating element according to a change in a power supply amount detection value to the heating unit of the main power supply device.
The power supply amount detection means includes:
When said power storage device can be determined that there is no temperature drop at the time of paper passing without using the minimizing the use of power storage devices, power supply and the heating unit by it to the heating unit by the main power unit operation and the auxiliary in order to link the power supply and operation of the heat generating body according to it to the heating element by the power supply device, a predetermined time of the heating element is the main power supply rather than the situation with fever full When the amount of electric power supplied to the heating unit is smaller than a predetermined value, it is determined that there is a margin for the temperature drop in the temperature reduction of the heating unit, and the predetermined time from the power storage device to the heating element Reduce the amount of power supply per unit,
A fixing device.
The fixing device according to claim 1.
The heating element includes a main heating element that generates heat when power is supplied from the main power supply device and an auxiliary heating element that generates heat when power is supplied from the power storage device, and the main heat generation per predetermined time of the main power supply device. when power supplied to the body is smaller than a predetermined value, the power supply amount variable means reduces the amount of power supplied per predetermined time to the auxiliary heat generating element from said power storage device,
A fixing device. A heating unit having a main power supply device, an auxiliary power supply device and a heating element,
A fixing device that generates heat from a heating element included in the heating unit using electric power supplied from the main power supply device or the auxiliary power supply device;
The auxiliary power supply device includes a chargeable / dischargeable power storage device,
Having information detection means for detecting information relating to the status of the fixing device;
According to the detection information obtained by the information detection means, the power supply amount variable means capable of changing the power supply amount per predetermined time from the auxiliary power supply to the heating element of the heating unit,
The information is a voltage value of the main power supply device, and the information detection means includes a voltage detection means for detecting the voltage value of the main power supply device,
When necessary to prevent a temperature drop of the heating unit according to a change in the voltage value of the main power supply device, it is possible to increase power supply from the power storage device to the heating element of the heating unit, and When it is not necessary to prevent a temperature drop of the part, power can be reduced from the power storage device to the heating element of the heating part,
In the fixing device, wherein the voltage detection unit varies the amount of power supplied per predetermined time from the power storage device to the heating element according to a change in a voltage detection value of the main power supply device.
The voltage detection means includes
When it can be determined that there is no temperature drop during paper feeding without using the power storage device, the use of the power storage device is suppressed as much as possible, the power supply to the heating unit by the main power supply device and the operation of the heating unit thereby If, in order to cooperate with feeding and operation of the same according to the heat generating body to the heating element by the auxiliary power unit, the voltage value of the heating element is the main power supply rather than the situation with fever full Is less than a predetermined value, it is determined that there is a margin in the temperature drop in the temperature reduction of the heating unit, and the amount of power supplied per predetermined time from the power storage device is reduced,
A fixing device.
The fixing device according to claim 3.
The heating element includes a main heating element that generates heat when power is supplied from the main power supply device and an auxiliary heating element that generates heat when power is supplied from the power storage device, and the voltage value of the main power supply device is higher than a predetermined value. when high, the feeding amount variable means reduces the amount of power supplied per predetermined time to the auxiliary heat generating element from said power storage device,
A fixing device. 5. The fixing device according to claim 1 , wherein the power storage device is a capacitor . In Fixing device according to claim 5, the fixing device, wherein the capacitor is an electric double layer capacitor. In any of the fixing device of claims 1 to 6, the fixing device heating object, characterized in that it is a recording medium for fixing means and sliding contact or proximity passage is heated by the heating unit. An image forming apparatus comprising Rukoto comprise any fixing apparatus of claims 1 to 7.

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