JP4695127B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Image forming apparatus Download PDF

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JP4695127B2
JP4695127B2 JP2007286915A JP2007286915A JP4695127B2 JP 4695127 B2 JP4695127 B2 JP 4695127B2 JP 2007286915 A JP2007286915 A JP 2007286915A JP 2007286915 A JP2007286915 A JP 2007286915A JP 4695127 B2 JP4695127 B2 JP 4695127B2
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power supply
image forming
forming apparatus
auxiliary
heating element
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JP2008102532A (en
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和人 岸
泰久 加藤
政己 岡本
誉唯 月岡
啓正 高木
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Ricoh Co Ltd
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Description

本発明は、キャパシタを備え、例えば各種材料や装置を加熱する加熱装置と、これを用いた定着装置及びこの定着装置を用いた電子写真方式の複写機、プリンタ、ファクシミリ等の画像形成装置に関し、特にこれら装置によるキャパシタ利用の効率化を図ったものに関する。   The present invention relates to a heating device including a capacitor, for example, heating various materials and devices, a fixing device using the same, and an image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine, a printer, and a facsimile using the fixing device. In particular, the present invention relates to an improvement in the efficiency of capacitor utilization by these devices.

複写機等の画像形成装置には、普通紙やOHP等の記録媒体上に画像を形成するが、画像形成の高速性や画像品質、コスト等から電子写真方式が多く採用されている。電子写真方式は、記録媒体上にトナー像を形成し、形成したトナー像を熱と圧力で記録媒体に定着する方法である。定着方式としては、安全性等の面からヒートローラ方式が現在最も多く採用されている。ヒートローラ方式は、ハロゲンヒータ等の発熱部材により加熱する加熱ローラと、加熱ローラに対向配置する加圧ローラを圧接してニップ部と称される相互圧接部を形成し、このニップ部にトナー像が転写された記録媒体を通して加熱、加圧するもので、これによりトナーを記録媒体に定着させる。   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.

近年、環境問題が重要となり、複写機やプリンタ等の画像形成装置も省エネルギ化が進んでいる。この画像形成装置の省エネルギを考えるに当たって無視できないのは、トナーを記録媒体に定着する定着装置の省電力である。そこで、画像形成装置の待機時における定着装置の消費電力の低減としては、待機時には加熱ローラの温度を定着温度よりやや低い一定の温度に保っておき、使用時に直ちに使用可能温度まで立ち上げ、使用者が定着ローラの昇温を待つことがないようにする方式が多く採用されている。この方式の場合、定着装置を使用していないときにもある程度の電力を供給しておかなければならず、それによって余分なエネルギを消費するようになっている。この待機時の消費エネルギは、画像形成装置を構成する機器の消費エネルギの約7割から8割に該当すると言われている。   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.

したがって、待機時の消費エネルギを削減し、より省電力化を図ることが望まれるようになってきており、未使用時には電力供給をゼロにすることが求められている。しかしながら、待機時にエネルギ消費をゼロにすると、定着装置の加熱ローラは鉄やアルミ等の金属ローラを主に使用していて熱容量が大きいため、約180℃前後の使用可能温度にまで昇温するには数分から十数分という長い加熱時間が必要になる。このような待ち時間は、使用者の使い勝手を悪化させてしまうので、消費電力が極力小さく、その一方で待機状態からの立ち上がりが速い加熱方式が望まれている。   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.

加熱ローラの昇温時間を短くするためには、単位時間の投入エネルギ、すなわち定格電力を大きくすると良いことは明らかであり、実際に、プリント速度が速い高速機と称される画像形成装置には、電源電圧を200Vにして対応しているものも多い。しかしながら、日本国内の一般的なオフィスでは、商用電源は100V、15Aであり、200Vに対応させるには設置場所の電源関連設備に特別な工事を施す必要があり、200Vへの対応化はあまり一般的な解決法とはいえない。   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.

すなわち、100V、15Aの商用電源を使用するかぎり、加熱ローラを短時間で昇温させようとしても、最大投入エネルギが電源により決まってしまうので、これを改善するために、定着装置が待機状態になったときに一定レベルだけ低い電圧を加熱ローラに供給して定着装置の温度が下がることを遅らせたり(例えば特許文献1参照)、定着装置の待機時に補助電源である二次電池を充電し、定着装置を立ち上げたときに主電源装置と二次電池や一次電池から電力を供給して立ち上がり時間を短縮するようにしたり(例えば特許文献2参照)している。   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).

しかし、特許文献1に示された技術は、待機時においても定着装置に一定レベルだけ低い電圧を供給しているため、十分な省電力とはいえないものとなっている。また、立ち上げ時の最大供給電力を主電源装置から供給する電力より高めることを主にしたものではない。一方、特許文献2に示された定着装置は、立ち上げ時に主電源装置と二次電池や一次電池から電力を供給しており、二次電源としては一般に鉛蓄電池、ニカド電池、ニッケル水素電池を使用している。このような二次電池は、充放電を繰り返すと容量が劣化して低下していき、大電流で放電するほど寿命が短いという性質を持つ。またメモリ効果による容量低下という現象もある。一般的に大電流で長寿命とされているものでも、充放電の繰り返し回数は約500〜1000回程度であり、一日に20回の充放電を繰り返すと一ヶ月程度で電池の寿命が来てしまうことになる。したがって電池の交換頻度が多くなり、そのぶん手間がかかり、交換する電池代等のランニングコストもかさむ。さらに鉛蓄電池では電解液に液体の硫酸を使用する等、オフィス用機器としては好ましくない点もある。   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.

また、大電力の供給を開始したり停止したりする際の急激な電流変化や突入電力等により加熱ローラが内蔵している加熱用回路への負荷が増大するとともに、周辺回路にも投入電流が流れてノイズが発生するという問題もある。このため、大容量の補助電源からの電力供給を頻繁にオン、オフさせることは好ましくない。また、大容量の電力を一度に供給すると供給過剰になり、加熱用回路の温度が上昇しすぎる可能性もある。   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.

このような点を改善し、省電力効果を高めるとともに、大電力を供給する際の突入電流や急激な電流変化によるノイズを低減させ、かつ立ち上がり時間を短縮し、温度が上がりすぎることを防止することができる定着装置として、補助電源装置に充放電可能なキャパシタを使用し、充電器は主電源装置から供給される電力で補助電源装置のキャパシタを充電し、切替装置は補助電源装置の充電と補助電源装置からの補助発熱体に対する電力供給を切り替え、補助電源装置から補助発熱体に供給する電力量を調整する装置が提案されている(例えば特許文献3参照)。キャパシタの基本機能としては、キャパシタから供給する電力によって補助ヒータを発熱させ、この熱を用いて加熱ローラが所定温度まで立ち上る時間を短縮すること、及び通紙時の定着温度の低下を防止することである。
特開平10−10913号公報 特開平10−282821号公報 特開2002−184554号公報
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

ところで上述のように、温度低下防止のためにキャパシタを使用する構成の場合、キャパシタを使用しなくても温度の落込みが無いか小さいと判断できる場合には、装置寿命や充電時間の短縮等を考慮すれば極力キャパシタの使用を控えることが好ましいことはもちろんである。   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.

本発明は、キャパシタ利用の効率化を図ることによって上記従来の問題点を解決できる定着装置を用いた画像形成装置を提供することを目的とする。
The present invention aims to provide an image forming apparatus using a Ru constant wearing location can solve the above problems by improving the efficiency of the capacitors used.

本発明に係る画像形成装置は、主電源装置と、
充放電可能な蓄電装置を備える補助電源装置と、
前記主電源装置から電力を供給される主発熱体と、
前記補助電源装置から電力を供給される補助発熱体と、
前記主発熱体と前記補助発熱体により加熱される加熱部材を有した定着装置を備える画像形成装置において、
前記主発熱体及び補助発熱体への給電制御は、
所定の時間間隔により前記加熱部材の温度を検知して該温度をサンプリングすると共に、
該サンプリングした温度に基づいて前記主発熱体及び前記補助発熱体への電力供給を制御するものであって
記加熱部の温度を検知してサンプリングする時間間隔として、
前記主電源装置による前記定着装置の前記主発熱体への給電を制御するサンプリング時間間隔、前記補助電源装置による前記定着装置の前記補助発熱体への給電を制御するサンプリング時間間隔と、を有し、
前記主発熱体への給電を制御するサンプリング時間間隔は、前記補助発熱体への給電を制御するサンプリング時間間隔よりも長くない画像形成装置であって、
記加熱部材の温度が所定の値より高い場合に、前記補助電源装置の所定時間あたりの供給電力量を低減させる制御を行うものである
ことを特徴とする。
An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a main power supply device,
An auxiliary power supply device comprising a chargeable / dischargeable power storage device;
A main heating element to which electric power is supplied from the main power supply device;
An auxiliary heating element supplied with power from the auxiliary power supply,
In an image forming apparatus comprising a fixing device having a heating member heated by the main heating element and the auxiliary heating element,
The power supply control to the main heating element and the auxiliary heating element is as follows:
Detecting the temperature of the heating member at a predetermined time interval and sampling the temperature,
A controls the power supply to the main heating element and said auxiliary heating element based on the temperature the sampling,
As the time interval for sampling by detecting the temperature of the pre-Symbol heating member,
And the sampling time interval for controlling the power supply to the main heating element of the fixing device by the main power supply, and the sampling time interval for controlling the power supply to the auxiliary power unit fixing equipment said auxiliary heating element according to the Have
A sampling time interval for controlling power feeding to the main heating element is an image forming apparatus not longer than a sampling time interval for controlling power feeding to the auxiliary heating element ,
When the temperature of the pre-Symbol heating member is higher than a predetermined value, wherein the performs control to reduce the supply power amount per predetermined time of the auxiliary power unit.

請求項2に係るものは、請求項1の画像形成装置において、前記定着装置加圧部材の温度が所定の値よりい場合に、前記給電量可変手段が、前記補助電源装置の所定時間あたりの供給電力量を増加させることを特徴とする。
Pertaining to claim 2 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, when the temperature of the pressure member prior Symbol fixing device had lower than a predetermined value, said power supply amount variable means, the predetermined said auxiliary power unit It is characterized by increasing the amount of power supplied per hour.

請求項3に係るものは、請求項1または2の画像形成装置において、環境温度を検出する環境温度検知手段を備え、前記環境温度検知手段による環境温度検出値に応じて前記補助電源装置の所定時間あたりの供給電力量を可変する給電制御を行うことを特徴とする。
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the image forming apparatus further includes an environmental temperature detection unit that detects an environmental temperature, and the auxiliary power supply device has a predetermined value according to an environmental temperature detection value by the environmental temperature detection unit. It is characterized in that power supply control is performed to vary the amount of power supplied per hour.

請求項4に係るものは、請求項の画像形成装置において、前記環境温度検出値が所定の値よりい場合に、前記補助電源装置の所定時間あたりの供給電力量を低減させる給電制御を行うことを特徴とする。
Pertaining to claim 4 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 3, when the ambient temperature detection value is not higher than a predetermined value, the power supply control to reduce the supply power amount per predetermined time of the auxiliary power unit It is characterized by performing.

請求項5に係るものは、請求項の画像形成装置において、前記環境温度検出値が所定の値より低い場合に前記給電量可変手段が、前記補助電源装置の所定時間あたりの供給電力量を増加させる給電制御を行うことを特徴とする。
Those according to claim 5, in the image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the environmental temperature detection value is the feeding amount varying unit is lower than a predetermined value, the supply power amount per a predetermined time before Symbol auxiliary power unit and performing Ru feed control increases.

請求項6に係るものは、請求項1または2の画像形成装置において、前記定着装置における前回のジョブでの定着通紙枚数を検知する定着通紙枚数検知手段を備え該定着通紙枚数検知手段で得た検知情報に応じて前記補助電源装置の所定時間あたりの供給電力量を可変とする給電制御を行うことを特徴とする。
Those according to claim 6, in the image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, a fixing sheet feeding quantity detecting means for detecting a fixing sheet passing number of the previous job in the fixing device, the fixing sheet passing number detection and performing you variable power supply control supply power amount per predetermined time of the auxiliary power unit in accordance with the detection information obtained by means.

請求項7に係るものは、請求項の画像形成装置において、前記前回ジョブにおける通紙枚数が所定の値より多い場合に、前記補助電源装置の所定時間あたりの供給電力量を低減させる給電制御を行うことを特徴とする。
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus of the sixth aspect , when the number of sheets to be passed in the previous job is greater than a predetermined value, the power supply control for reducing the amount of power supplied per predetermined time of the auxiliary power supply device It is characterized by performing.

請求項8に係るものは、請求項1または2の画像形成装置において、前記定着装置における前回ジョブと今回のジョブとの時間間隔を検知するジョブ時間間隔検知手段を備え、ジョブ時間間隔検知手段で得た検知情報に応じて前記補助電源装置の所定時間あたりの供給電力量を可変とする給電制御を行うことを特徴とする。
According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus of the first or second aspect , the image forming apparatus further comprises job time interval detecting means for detecting a time interval between the previous job and the current job in the fixing device , and the job time interval detecting means. According to the detection information obtained in step 1, power supply control is performed to vary the amount of power supplied per predetermined time of the auxiliary power supply device.

請求項9に係るものは、請求項8の画像形成装置において、前記ジョブ時間間隔が所定の値より短い場合に、前記補助電源装置の所定時間あたりの供給電力量を低減させる給電制御を行うことを特徴とする。
Pertaining to a ninth aspect, in the image forming apparatus according to claim 8, when the job time interval is had shorter than a predetermined value, performs the power supply control to reduce the supply power amount per predetermined time of the auxiliary power unit It is characterized by that.

請求項10に係るものは、請求項1または2の画像形成装置において、前記定着装置における前回ジョブの稼働時間を検知するジョブ稼働時間検知手段を備え、該ジョブ稼働時間検知手段で得た検知情報に応じて前記補助電源装置の所定時間あたりの供給電力量を可変とする給電制御を行うことを特徴とする。
A tenth aspect of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to the first or second aspect , further comprising job operating time detecting means for detecting the operating time of the previous job in the fixing device, and detection information obtained by the job operating time detecting means. In accordance with the power supply control, power supply control is performed to vary the amount of power supplied per predetermined time of the auxiliary power unit.

請求項11に係るものは、請求項10の画像形成装置において、前記前回ジョブ稼働間が所定の値よりい場合に、前記補助電源装置の所定時間あたりの供給電力量を低減させる給電制御を行うことを特徴とする。
Pertaining to Claim 11 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein if during the previous job operation is not longer than the predetermined value, the power supply control to reduce the supply power amount per predetermined time of the auxiliary power unit It is characterized by performing.

請求項12に係るものは、請求項1ないし11のいずれかの画像形成装置において、前記蓄電装置がキャパシタであることを特徴とする。
According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to eleventh aspects, the power storage device is a capacitor .

本発明は、主電源装置から主発熱体への電力供給が停止しているにもかかわらず、補助電源装置から補助発熱体に電力が供給されるような無駄な放電を抑制ることができる。 The present invention, despite the power supply to the main heating element from the main power supply is stopped, the auxiliary heating element from the auxiliary power supply and Turkey to suppress wasteful discharge as power is supplied it can.

以下本発明を実施するための最良の形態を、図に示す実施例を参照して説明する。   The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings.

以下本発明の実施の形態を図面を参照して説明する。   Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

図1は、本発明に係る電子写真方式の複写機やプリンタ装置等の画像形成装置を概念的に示す断面図である。本実施形態の画像形成装置は主に、原稿を読み取る読み取りユニット11、画像を形成する画像形成部12、自動原稿搬送装置(ADF)13、ADF13から送り出される原稿をスタックする原稿排紙トレイ14、給紙カセット15ないし18を備える給紙部19、記録用紙をスタックする排紙部(排紙トレイ20)により構成してある。   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.

そして、ADF13の原稿台21上に原稿Dをセットして図示せぬ操作部での操作、例えばプリントキーの押下操作をすると、最上位の原稿Dがピックアップローラ22の回転により矢印B1方向へ送り出され、原稿搬送ベルト23の回転により、画像読み取りユニット11に固定されたコンタクトガラス24上へ給送され、そこで停止する。コンタクトガラス24上に載置された原稿Dの画像は、画像形成部12とコンタクトガラス24の間に位置する読み取り装置25によって読み取る。読み取り装置25は、コンタクトガラス24上の原稿Dを照明する光源26、原稿画像を結像する光学系27、原稿画像を結像させるCCD等からなる光電変換素子28等を有している。画像読み取り終了後、原稿Dを搬送ベルト23の回転により矢印B2方向へ搬送して排紙トレイ14上へ排出する。このように、原稿Dを1枚ずつコンタクトガラス14上へ給送して原稿画像を画像読み取りユニット1によって読み取る。   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.

一方、画像形成部2の内部には、像担持体である感光体30が配置してある。感光体30は、図において時計方向に回転駆動し、帯電装置31によって表面を所定の電位に帯電させる。また、書き込みユニット32からは、読み取り装置25によって読み取った画像情報に応じて光変調したレーザ光Lを照射し、帯電させた感光体30の表面をこのレーザ光Lで露光し、これによって感光体30の表面に静電潜像を形成する。この静電潜像は、現像装置33を通るとき、対向する転写装置34によって感光体30と転写装置34の間に給送された記録媒体Pに転写する。トナー像転写後の感光体30の表面は、クリーニング装置35によって清掃する。   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.

画像形成部2の下部に配置した複数の給紙カセット15ないし18には、紙等の記録媒体Pを収容してあり、いずれかの給紙カセット15ないし18から記録媒体Pを矢印B3方向へ送り出し、その記録媒体Pの表面に、上述のように感光体30の表面に形成したトナー像を転写する。次に、記録媒体Pを矢印B4で示すように画像形成部2内の定着装置36を通し、熱と圧力の作用によって記録媒体Pの表面に転写されたトナー像を定着させる。定着装置36を通った記録媒体Pを排出ローラ対37によって搬送し、矢印B5で示すように排紙トレイ20へ排出し、スタックする。   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.

図2は、記録媒体Pに転写されたトナー像を加熱、加圧して記録媒体に固着させる定着装置36の一例を示す断面図、図3は定着装置36が備える本発明に係る加熱装置の一実施形態の構成を示す回路図である。   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.

図示の定着装置36は、定着ローラ40と加圧ローラ41を有し、定着ローラ40には、例えばハロゲンヒータからなる主発熱体2aと補助発熱体2bからなる加熱部2を内蔵し、定着ローラ40と加圧ローラ41とで、トナーTが載った記録媒体Pを通過させて加圧、加熱するニップ部Nを形成している。   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.

また本実施形態の加熱装置1は、加熱部2、主電源装置3、補助電源装置4、メインスイッチ5、充電器6、切替装置7及び制御手段8を有する。なお図3では主発熱体2aと補助発熱体2bからなる加熱部2を定着ローラ40の外側に位置させて描いてあるが、これは図示の都合によるものであり、両発熱体2a、2bは定着ローラ40内に設ける。   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.

加熱部2は、主電源装置3から供給される電力により発熱する主発熱体2aと、補助電源装置4から供給される電力により発熱する補助発熱体2bを有し、被加熱体である定着ローラ40を加熱するようになっている。主電源装置3は、詳細な図示は省略するが、加熱装置1を設置した画像形成装置内において商用電源から電源供給を受ける。主電源装置3は、例えばコンセント等から供給される電力を、加熱部2に応じた電圧に調整する等の機能を有するが、周知であるので詳細な図示及び説明は省略する。   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.

補助電源装置4は、充放電可能なキャパシタCを有する。キャパシタCとしては、例えば定格2.5Vで400〜1000F程度の静電容量を備えるセルを15〜40個直列に接続し、所定の定格電圧と要領を得るモジュール構成が望ましい。定格2.5Vで400〜1000F程度の静電容量を備えるセルを15〜40個直列に接続し、所定の定格電圧と容量を得るモジュール構成が望ましい。さらに連続通紙時の定着温度低下防止用途には、例えば定格300〜600w程度のヒータを用いるために500〜700Fセルを18〜22個直列に接続しているものが適する。これは、1〜2分程度の給電には十分な容量を備えるとともに、制御系の暴走で高温状態から全蓄電電力を給電した際にも電圧の低下とともに電力が低減し、発火の危険性を低減できる程度の容量となるためである。また、電圧が50V程度と感電の危険がないことも適する理由である。また、立上時に電力を供給する用途には、例えば定格800〜1000wのヒータを補助電源装置に並列に接続して合計で1600〜2000w程度の電力を供給するため、500〜700Fセルを36〜44個直列に接続しているものが適する。これは、10秒程度の給電には十分な電力を供給する容量と電圧を備えるととともに、連続通紙時に移行した際にも片方のヒータだけを使用して定着温度の低下を防止できる容量を有するためである。実稼働状態では、定格電圧よりも低い電圧を充電目標電圧としているが、これは電圧回路のバラツキやキャパシタセルの耐久性などを考慮して信頼性を向上できるためである。また、100F程度のより低い静電容量のセルを並列に接続したモジュール構成としてもよいが、セル一つあたりに必用な電子回路を減らせると共にセルに不具合が発生した際に検知しやすいため全セルを直列に接続することが望ましい。上記構成をとるのは、電気二重層キャパシタ等のキャパシタは、二次電池とは異なり、化学反応を伴わないために優れた特徴を有するためである。   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 the actual operation state, a voltage lower than the rated voltage is set as the charging 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.

既に述べたように、二次電池として一般的なニッケル−カドミウム電池を用いた補助電源装置では、急速充電を行っても数十分から数時間という長い時間を要するが、キャパシタを用いた補助電源装置4では数分程度の急速な充電が可能であり、同一時間内で待機状態と加熱状態を繰り返した場合、キャパシタを用いた補助電源装置4を使用することにより、加熱立ち上げ時に確実に補助電源装置4から電力を供給することができ、加熱部2を短時間で所定の温度に立ち上げることができる。また、ニッケル−カドミウム電池は充放電の許容繰り返し回数が500回から1000回程度であるため、加熱用の補助電源としては寿命が短く、交換の手間やコストが問題となるが、電気二重層キャパシタを用いた補助電源装置4は充放電の許容繰り返し回数が数100万回以上であるとともに、充放電の繰り返しによる劣化も少なく、さらに、鉛蓄電池のように液交換や補充なども必要がないため、メンテナンスをほとんど必要とせず、長期間安定して使用することができる。   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.

なお電気二重層キャパシタは、誘電体がなく、個体電極と溶液界面にできるイオンまたは溶媒分子の電荷が集中した電気二重層のイオン吸着層の吸、脱着反応(充、放電)を利用するもので、繰り返し充放電に強くて寿命が長く、メンテナンスの必要がなく、環境にやさしく、しかも他の種のバッテリに比べて充電時間が短く、充放電効率が高く、しかも電圧の検知により残電力がわかりやすい等の優れた特徴を有し、最近では静電容量が数万F、エネルギ密度が十数Wh/kgという大容量のものも開発され、一層の大容量化が図られつつある。   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.

メインスイッチ5は、主電源装置3から主発熱体2aに供給する電力をオン/オフするものであり、充電器6は、主電源装置3から供給される電力で補助電源装置4に応じた電圧に調整しかつ交流から直流へ整流する等の機能を有し、キャパシタCを充電する。また切替装置7は、補助電源装置4の充電と補助電源装置4からの補助発熱体2bに対する電力供給を切りえ替るものである。   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.

制御手段8は、スイッチ9とCPU10を有し、予め設定された後述する条件で補助電源装置4から補助発熱体2bに供給する電力をオン/オフ等させる制御を行う。ただし、図示の制御手段8の構成は、加熱部2の制御を行う部分だけを示す単なる一例であって、画像形成装置全体の制御を行う装置で兼用する等の種々の構成を採用できる。また補助電源装置4に対する制御のための接続形態等も図示の例に限定されない。例えば切替装置7を切り替えてオン/オフ等の制御を行う構成等々種々の形態を採用できる。   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.

このような加熱装置1の基本的な動作を説明する。まず待機時には、切替装置7を切り替えて補助電源装置4に充電器6を接続し、補助電源装置4のキャパシタCを充電しておく。この状態で加熱装置1で加熱部2を加熱するときは、メインスイッチ5をオンにして主電源装置3から主発熱体2aに電力を供給し、同時に切替装置7を切り替えて補助電源装置4から補助発熱体2bに電力を供給し、加熱部2に大容量の電力を供給する。このように加熱部2の加熱を開始するときに、主電源装置3と補助電源装置4の両方から大容量の電力を加熱部2に供給するから、加熱部2を短時間で所定の温度に立ち上げることができる。   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.

また、補助電源装置4で加熱部2の補助発熱体2bに電力を供給して加熱を開始してから予め定めた所定の時間が経過したときに、制御手段8は補助電源装置4から補助発熱体2bに供給している電力を遮断して加熱部2の過熱を防止して所定の温度に維持する。補助電源装置4から補助発熱体2bに供給する電力は、供給を開始してから時間が経過するにつれて低減する。この供給電力の低減量に応じて、補助電源装置4から補助発熱体2bに供給している電力を遮断する時間を定め、供給電力がある程度低減したときに補助電源装置4から補助発熱体2bに供給している電力を遮断すると、大電力を供給している状態で遮断するときに発生する周囲回路の各部品の劣化や電磁ノイズを防止することができる
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.

このような構成の定着装置36に送られたトナー像Tが転写された記録媒体Pは、定着ローラ40と加圧ローラ41の間に搬送され、一定温度に加熱された定着ローラ40によりトナーTを加熱溶融し、記録媒体Pにトナー像として定着させる。そのため定着ローラ40の加熱部2が有する主発熱体2aと補助発熱体2bには主電源装置3と補助電源装置4から電力を供給し、それにより定着ローラ40の温度を上昇させ、かつ補助電源装置4から供給する電力をオン/オフ制御することにより、定着ローラ40の温度が高くなりすぎることを防止して、定着温度を一定温度あるいは所望の温度に保ち、または所要の温度変化を示すように制御することにより、トナーTを安定して加熱溶融させ、良質なトナー像Tを記録媒体Pに定着させる。また、定着ローラ40に内蔵した加熱部2の主発熱体2aと補助発熱体2bに主電源装置3と補助電源装置4から電力を供給して定着ローラ40の温度を上昇させるので、定着ローラ40の表面温度を所定の定着温度まで迅速に上昇させることができるようになっている。   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.

図4は上記のように構成した画像形成装置の使用電力の変化を示す図(A)とキャパシタCの電圧変化を示す図(B)及び(C)である。待機時にあまり電力を消費していない状態から、画像形成の開始とともに使用電力は上限値まで増大し、画像形成時は上限値から少し少なくなり、その後に待機時の状態へと戻る。一般的には、画像形成時に電力的に余裕がある(図4中にXで示す)ことを利用して補助電源装置4のキャパシタCを充電している。キャパシタCの出力電圧は、待機時に最高値を示し、立ち上げ時に定着ローラ40の加熱のために電力を供給することによって下がり、画像形成時に充電を受けることによって待機時の状態へと復帰する。   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.

図4(B)において、実線で示すのは画像形成中に充電した場合、一点鎖線で示すのは画像形成直後に充電した場合である。一般的には画像形成直後に充電するが、これは、直前の画像形成を終えた直後に画像形成を行うときにキャパシタCの充電が完了していないとcpm(コピー速度)の低下や充電待ち時間が発生し、画像形成装置全体としての機能が低下するためである。すなわち、補助電源装置4から補助発熱体2bに供給している電力を遮断したとき、補助電源装置4には十分に充電されていない状態となる。そこで加熱部2の温度が安定して比較的電力を消費しないときに、切替装置7を充電器6側に切り替えて補助電源装置4に充電器6を接続して主電源装置3から供給される電力で補助電源装置4を充電しておく。そして加熱部2に再度多量の電力を供給する必要があるとき、主電源装置3とともに補助電源装置4から電力を供給して加熱部2に多量のエネルギを供給する。さらに図4(C)は、連続通紙中の電力供給が不足して定着ローラ温度が低下するのを防ぐ用途にキャパシタCを使用した場合である。一般的には立上直後には装置全体が冷えているため電力が不足しやすいため、連続通紙中にキャパシタCからの給電を行う。これにより、連続通紙中に定着ローラ温度が回復するまでのcpmダウンや停止などの生産性低下を防ぐことが可能となる。   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.

図5は、定着ローラ40の温度変化を示す図である。待機時には低温で、立ち上げ時には上述のような両発熱体2a、2bの発熱によって所定の定着温度(図では180℃)まで上昇し、画像形成中はほぼ定着温度に保たれ、画像形成動作の終了とともに徐々に低下していくという過程をとる。このとき、定着ローラ40の温度は環境条件によって室温(画像形成装置を設置した場所の温度)または画像形成装置内温度にまで低下する。   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.

ところで、上述のような構成でキャパシタCを利用する場合、PID制御等を使用して加熱装置1の動作を制御、すなわち主電源装置3と補助電源装置4の駆動制御をすることが多いが、制御の態様によっては、定着ローラ40の加熱を主として補助発熱体2bが担ってしまう状態が生じることがある。   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.

例えば図6に示すように、主電源装置3による主発熱体2aへの給電制御のサンプリング時間が1秒(図のt1:AC〜AC間)、補助電源装置4による補助発熱体2bへの給電制御のサンプリング時間が0.3秒(詳細には1/3秒:図のt2:AC〜DC〜DC〜AC間)とし、まず主電源装置3による主発熱体2aへの給電によって定着ローラ40の温度が所要の値になり、その後は熱の印加がない状態になったとする。すると、定着ローラ40の温度は低下を始める。また1秒後の主電源装置3による給電制御のサンプリングまでは主発熱体2aへの給電、主発熱体2aの発熱による定着ローラ40への熱印加はない。この状態で、0.3秒後には補助電源装置4による補助発熱体2bへの給電制御のためのサンプリングが行われ、定着ローラ40の温度が或る値まで降下していれば、補助電源装置4のキャパシタCが放電し、補助発熱体2bへの給電が行われ、またさらに0.3秒後に同様の熱印加が行われる可能性がある。すると、1秒後の主電源装置3による給電制御のサンプリング時には、定着ローラ40の温度が所要の値(図のAC/DCオフ温度)に復帰していて、主発熱体2aの発熱による定着ローラ40への熱印加が不要と判断され得る状態が生じることがある。これが繰り返されると、本来は主として動作するはずの主電源装置3、主発熱体2aがオフのままで、補助電源装置4、補助発熱体2bだけが定着ローラ40の加熱、温度維持に寄与する状態になり得る。このような形態は、装置寿命等を考慮すればキャパシタ、補助電源装置にとって好ましくないものである。寿命が長い電気二重キャパシタであっても同様である。 For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the sampling time of power supply control to the main heating element 2 a by the main power supply device 3 is 1 second (between t1: AC and AC in the figure), and the auxiliary power supply 4 supplies power to the auxiliary heating element 2 b. 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. Suppose that the temperature becomes a required value and then no heat is applied. Then, the temperature of the fixing roller 40 starts to decrease. Further, until the sampling of power supply control 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 after 0.3 seconds. Then, at the time of sampling of power supply control by the main power supply device 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. There may be a state in which 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 view of the device life and the like. Life is also a long electric double layer capacitor.

そこで本発明は、キャパシタCを使用しなくても通紙時の温度落込みが無いと判断できる場合は、極力使用を控えることができるようにするために、主電源装置3による主発熱体2aへの給電とそれによる主発熱体2aの動作と、補助電源装置4による補助発熱体2bへの給電とそれによる補助発熱体2bの動作を或る情報に基づいて連携させるものである。   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.

<主電力と補助電力の制御を連携させる実施例>
キャパシタCの供給電力量を可変させる条件となる情報としては、主電源装置3の供給電力量とすることができる。主電源装置3の供給電力量を検出する給電量検出手段としては公知の種々の手段を採用すればよい。制御手段8は、主電源装置3の供給電力量の変化に応じてキャパシタCの所定時間あたりの供給電力量を可変させる。
<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.

具体的には、主発熱体2aの点灯率状況がフルでなければ定着ローラ40の温度の落込みに余裕が有ると判断することにより、補助発熱体2bの点灯率を可変にしてキャパシタCの使用量を減らす。例えば、主電源装置3の所定時間あたりの供給電力量が所定の値より小さい場合には給電量可変手段が補助電源装置4の所定時間あたりの供給電力量を低減させる。例えば補助発熱体2bの点灯率を下げる。これにより、AC電源である主電源装置3が動作を停止しているにもかかわらず、DC電源である補助電源装置4が作動してキャパシタCが補助発熱体2bを点灯させるために放電するという無駄を防ぐことができる。また、キャパシタCの放電を抑えられれば、キャパシタCの充電時間を節減できる。   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.

なお補助発熱体2bの点灯率を変えるには、例えばキャパシタCからの放電電力をDC/AC変換して使用したり、あるいはスイッチング素子を用いてDCでも点灯率を制御可能とする。この場合の制御には、PWM制御等の種々公知の制御方法を採用可能である。またこのような制御は、主電源装置3が交流電源であるか、直流電源であるかにかかわらず可能である。またなお、供給電力量の所定の値は実験等により適宜定めるようにすればよい。以下に説明する各実施例においても所定の値については本例と同様である。   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.

<主電源装置の電圧値に連携させる実施例>
キャパシタCの供給電力量を可変させる条件となる情報としては、主電源装置3の電圧値とすることができる。主電源装置3の電圧値を検出する電圧検出手段としては公知の種々の手段を採用すればよい。制御手段8は、主電源装置3の電圧検出値の変化に応じてキャパシタCの所定時間あたりの供給電力量を可変させる。
<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.

例えば、主電源装置3の電圧値が所定の値より高い場合にはキャパシタCの所定時間あたりの供給電力量を下げる。主電源装置3の電圧が高ければ主電源装置3の給電量が大きいと判断できる。そのような場合にはキャパシタCの放電による補助発熱体2bへの給電量は小さくても良い。そこで、補助発熱体2bの点灯率を下げることにより、キャパシタCの放電を抑え、また充電時間を短縮する。なお主電源装置3の電圧値が所定の値より低い場合には、キャパシタCの所定時間あたりの供給電力量を上げる。主電源装置3の電圧が低ければ主電源装置3の給電量が小さいと判断できるので、そのような場合にはキャパシタCの放電による補助発熱体2bの点灯率を上げないと、定着ローラ40の温度が十分に上昇せず、定着装置36における画像の定着不良が発生し得るためである。   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.

<加圧ローラの温度に連携させる実施例>
キャパシタCの供給電力量を可変させる条件となる情報としては、定着ローラ40に対する加圧部材である加圧ローラ41の温度とすることができる。加圧ローラ41の温度を検出する温度検出手段としては公知の種々の温度センサ等の手段を採用すればよい。制御手段8は、加圧ローラ41の温度の変化に応じてキャパシタCの所定時間あたりの供給電力量を可変させる。
<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.

例えば、加圧ローラ41の温度が所定の値より高い場合にはキャパシタCの所定時間あたりの供給電力量を下げる。例えば画像形成装置に連続通紙を行って連続的に画像形成を行った場合、加圧ローラ41の温度も十分に高くなる。そのような場合には、定着ローラ40の熱が加圧ローラ41に奪われる量が少ないため、キャパシタCの放電による補助発熱体2bへの給電量は小さくても良い。そこで、補助発熱体2bの点灯率を下げることにより、キャパシタCの放電を抑え、キャパシタCの充電時間を節減する。   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.

また逆に、加圧ローラ41の温度が所定の値より低い場合にはキャパシタCの所定時間あたりの供給電力量を上げる。加圧ローラ41の温度が低い場合にはキャパシタCの放電による補助発熱体2bへの給電量を大きくしないと、定着ローラ40の熱が加圧ローラ41の温度を上昇させるために消費され、定着ローラ40の温度が十分に上昇せず、定着装置36における画像の定着不良が発生し得るためである。   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.

<環境温度に連携させる実施例>
キャパシタCの供給電力量を可変させる条件となる情報としては、加熱装置1、定着装置36、画像形成装置の環境温度、例えば定着ローラ40と加圧ローラ41のニップ温度等とすることができる。もちろん、定着ローラ40と加圧ローラ41のニップ部Nの温度は計測しにくい面もあるので、本実施例での環境温度とは、加熱装置1、定着装置36あるいは画像形成装置の内部温度だけでなく、これら装置の外部温度も対象とすることができる。いずれにしても、そのような温度が定着装置36における画像の定着に影響を与える、あるいは与え得ると考えられるものすべてを情報検知の対象とすることができ、制御手段8は、環境温度の変化に応じてキャパシタCの所定時間あたりの供給電力量を可変させる。
<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.

例えば、環境温度が所定の値より高い場合にはキャパシタCの所定時間あたりの供給電力量を下げて充電時間を短縮し、低い場合にはキャパシタCの所定時間あたりの供給電力量を上げる。環境温度が上述のようなものであれば、それが高ければ定着ローラ40への給電量が小さくても良く、低ければ定着不良を防止するためにキャパシタCの放電による補助発熱体2bへの給電量を大きくする。なおその理由については、先の加圧ローラの温度対応の例と同様である。   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.

<画像形成ジョブの内容に連携させる実施例1>
キャパシタCの供給電力量を可変させる条件となる情報としては、定着装置36における前回のジョブでの定着通紙枚数とすることができる。定着通紙枚数を検知する手段としては通紙カウンタ等の公知の種々の手段を採用すればよい。制御手段8は、定着通紙枚数値に応じてキャパシタCの所定時間あたりの供給電力量を可変させる。
<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.

例えば、定着装置36における前回のジョブにおける通紙枚数が所定の値より多い場合にはキャパシタCの所定時間あたりの供給電力量を下げる。前回ジョブでの通紙枚数が多ければ、加圧ローラ41の温度も十分に高くなっているので、先の加圧ローラの温度対応の例と同様に、キャパシタCの放電による補助発熱体2bへの給電量は小さくても良く、無駄な放電の抑止と充電時間の短縮が図れる。   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.

<画像形成ジョブの内容に連携させる実施例2>
キャパシタCの供給電力量を可変させる条件となる情報としては、定着装置36における前回ジョブと今回ジョブとの時間間隔とすることができる。ジョブ間の時間間隔を検知する手段としてはタイマー等の公知の種々の手段を採用すればよい。制御手段8は、ジョブの時間間隔に応じてキャパシタCの所定時間あたりの供給電力量を可変させる。例えば、ジョブ時間間隔が所定の値より短い場合にはキャパシタCの所定時間あたりの供給電力量を下げる。ジョブ時間間隔が短ければ加圧ローラ41の温度が高くなっていて、先の加圧ローラの温度対応の例と同様に、キャパシタCの放電による補助発熱体2bへの給電量は小さくても良く、無駄な放電の抑止と充電時間の短縮が図れる。
<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.

<画像形成ジョブの内容に連携させる実施例3>
キャパシタCの供給電力量を可変させる条件となる情報としては、定着装置36における前回ジョブの稼働時間とすることができる。ジョブ稼働時間を検知する手段としてはタイマー等の公知の種々の手段を採用すればよい。制御手段8は、前回ジョブの稼働時間に応じてキャパシタCの所定時間あたりの供給電力量を可変させる。例えば、定着装置36における前回ジョブ稼働時間が所定の値より長い場合には加圧ローラ41の温度が高くなっていて、これも先の加圧ローラの温度対応の例と同様に、キャパシタCの放電による補助発熱体2bへの給電量は小さくても良く、無駄な放電の抑止と充電時間の短縮が図れる
<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.

なお上述してきた各種の対応実施例については、単独であっても他と組み合わせてもいずれでも実施できる。また各実施例においては、キャパシタCの供給電力量を可変させる制御を加熱装置1が備える制御手段8により行うようにしているが、本発明はこれに限定されず、定着装置36あるいはこれを備える画像形成装置側に制御手段を備えて、これによって供給電力量の制御を行っても良く、またいずれの場合についても供給電力量制御のための専用の制御手段を備えても、あるいは他の制御手段を兼用するようにしても、いずれでもよく、図示の例には限定されない。   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.

またなお、以上説明してきた実施例では、二つのローラ、すなわち定着ローラ40と加圧ローラ41によってニップ部Nを形成しているが、本発明の定着装置及びこれを用いた画像形成装置は、このような構成に限定されず、ローラとベルト、ベルトとベルトによりニップ部Nを形成するもの等、記録媒体Pが被加熱体と摺接または近接して通過するタイプ等種々の構成のものが採用可能である。また、本発明が図示のタイプの画像形成装置に限定されるものではなく、例えば感光体がドラム状ではなくベルトタイプのもの、中間転写ベルトを用いるカラー画像形成装置等々の種々のタイプの装置に適用可能である。   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.

さらには、補助電源装置としてキャパシタを用いたものだけでなく、二次電池を用いたものでも前記課題がより深刻であるとともに、前記構成により解決が図れるため、キャパシタ補助電源装置に限定するものではない。なお、二次電池のように出力電圧がほぼ一定のデバイスの場合は、図4(B)、(C)の縦軸はキャパシタ電圧でなく、残蓄電量となる。   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.

本発明に係る画像形成装置の実施形態を示す概念的断面図1 is a conceptual cross-sectional view showing an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. 図1の画像形成装置に用いる本発明の実施形態に係る定着装置の構成を示す概念的断面図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. 本発明に係る加熱装置の一実施形態の構成を示す回路図The circuit diagram which shows the structure of one Embodiment of the heating apparatus which concerns on this invention 図1の画像形成装置の使用電力の変化を示す図(A)とキャパシタCの電圧変化を示す図(B)、(C)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. 定着ローラの温度変化を示す図Diagram showing temperature change of fixing roller 主電源装置による主発熱体への給電制御と補助電源装置による補助発熱体への給電制御の関連を示す図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

符号の説明Explanation of symbols

1:加熱装置
2:加熱部
2a:主発熱体
2b:補助発熱体
3:主電源装置
4:補助電源装置
5:メインスイッチ
6:充電器
7:切替装置
8:制御手段
9:スイッチ
10:CPU
11:読み取りユニット
12:画像形成部
13:自動原稿搬送装置(ADF)
14:原稿排紙トレイ
15、16、17、18:給紙カセット
19:給紙部
20:排紙トレイ
21:原稿台
25:読み取り装置
30:感光体
31:帯電装置
32:書き込みユニット
33:現像装置
34:転写装置
35:クリーニング装置
36:定着装置
37:排出ローラ対
40:定着ローラ
41:加圧ローラ
C:キャパシタ
D:原稿
P:記録媒体
T:トナー
N:ニップ部
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 (12)

主電源装置と、
充放電可能な蓄電装置を備える補助電源装置と、
前記主電源装置から電力を供給される主発熱体と、
前記補助電源装置から電力を供給される補助発熱体と、
前記主発熱体と前記補助発熱体により加熱される加熱部材を有した定着装置を備える画像
形成装置において、
前記主発熱体及び補助発熱体への給電制御は、
所定の時間間隔により前記加熱部材の温度を検知して該温度をサンプリングすると共に、
該サンプリングした温度に基づいて前記主発熱体及び前記補助発熱体への電力供給を制御するものであって
記加熱部の温度を検知してサンプリングする時間間隔として、
前記主電源装置による前記定着装置の前記主発熱体への給電を制御するサンプリング時間間隔、前記補助電源装置による前記定着装置の前記補助発熱体への給電を制御するサンプリング時間間隔と、を有し、
前記主発熱体への給電を制御するサンプリング時間間隔は、前記補助発熱体への給電を制御するサンプリング時間間隔よりも長くない画像形成装置であって、
記加熱部材の温度が所定の値より高い場合に、前記補助電源装置の所定時間あたりの供給電力量を低減させる制御を行うものである
ことを特徴とする画像形成装置。
A main power supply;
An auxiliary power supply device comprising a chargeable / dischargeable power storage device;
A main heating element to which electric power is supplied from the main power supply device;
An auxiliary heating element supplied with power from the auxiliary power supply,
In an image forming apparatus comprising a fixing device having a heating member heated by the main heating element and the auxiliary heating element,
The power supply control to the main heating element and the auxiliary heating element is as follows:
Detecting the temperature of the heating member at a predetermined time interval and sampling the temperature,
A controls the power supply to the main heating element and said auxiliary heating element based on the temperature the sampling,
As the time interval for sampling by detecting the temperature of the pre-Symbol heating member,
And the sampling time interval for controlling the power supply to the main heating element of the fixing device by the main power supply, and the sampling time interval for controlling the power supply to the auxiliary power unit fixing equipment said auxiliary heating element according to the Have
A sampling time interval for controlling power feeding to the main heating element is an image forming apparatus not longer than a sampling time interval for controlling power feeding to the auxiliary heating element ,
When the temperature of the pre-Symbol heating member is higher than a predetermined value, the image forming apparatus, characterized in that performs a control to reduce the supply power amount per predetermined time of the auxiliary power unit.
請求項1の画像形成装置において
記定着装置加圧部材の温度が所定の値よりい場合に、前記給電量可変手段が、
前記補助電源装置の所定時間あたりの供給電力量を増加させることを特徴とする画像形成装置。
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 .
When the temperature of the pressure member prior Symbol fixing device had lower than a predetermined value, said power supply amount variable means,
An image forming apparatus, wherein the amount of power supplied per predetermined time of the auxiliary power supply device is increased .
請求項1または2の画像形成装置において、
環境温度を検出する環境温度検知手段を備え、
前記環境温度検知手段による環境温度検出値に応じて前記補助電源装置の所定時間あたりの供給電力量を可変する給電制御を行う
ことを特徴とする画像形成装置。
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 ,
Equipped with an environmental temperature detection means for detecting the environmental temperature,
An image forming apparatus, wherein power supply control is performed to vary a power supply amount per predetermined time of the auxiliary power supply device in accordance with an environmental temperature detection value by the environmental temperature detection means .
請求項の画像形成装置において、
前記環境温度検出値が所定の値よりい場合に、
前記補助電源装置の所定時間あたりの供給電力量を低減させる給電制御を行うことを特徴とする画像形成装置。
The image forming apparatus according to claim 3 .
If the ambient temperature detection value is not higher than a predetermined value,
An image forming apparatus, wherein power supply control is performed to reduce a power supply amount per predetermined time of the auxiliary power supply device.
請求項の画像形成装置において、
前記環境温度検出値が所定の値より低い場合に前記給電量可変手段が、
記補助電源装置の所定時間あたりの供給電力量を増加させる給電制御を行うことを特徴とする画像形成装置。
The image forming apparatus according to claim 4 .
When the environmental temperature detection value is lower than a predetermined value, the power supply amount varying means is
Image forming apparatus characterized by performing a pre SL is not Ru feed control increasing the supply power amount per predetermined time of the auxiliary power unit.
請求項1または2の画像形成装置において、
前記定着装置における前回のジョブでの定着通紙枚数を検知する定着通紙枚数検知手段を備え
該定着通紙枚数検知手段で得た検知情報に応じて前記補助電源装置の所定時間あたりの供給電力量を可変とする給電制御を行う
ことを特徴とする画像形成装置。
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 ,
A fixing sheet passing number detecting means for detecting the number of sheets passing through the previous job in the fixing device ;
Image forming apparatus and performing you variable power supply control supply power amount per predetermined time of the auxiliary power unit in accordance with the detection information obtained by fixing paper feed quantity detecting means.
請求項の画像形成装置において、
前記前回ジョブにおける通紙枚数が所定の値より多い場合に
前記補助電源装置の所定時間あたりの供給電力量を低減させる給電制御を行うことを特徴とする画像形成装置。
The image forming apparatus according to claim 6 .
When the number of sheets passed in the previous job is greater than a predetermined value ,
An image forming apparatus, wherein power supply control is performed to reduce a power supply amount per predetermined time of the auxiliary power supply device.
請求項1または2の画像形成装置において、
前記定着装置における前回ジョブと今回のジョブとの時間間隔を検知するジョブ時間間隔検知手段を備え、
ジョブ時間間隔検知手段で得た検知情報に応じて前記補助電源装置の所定時間あたりの供給電力量を可変とする給電制御を行う
ことを特徴とする画像形成装置。
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 ,
Job time interval detection means for detecting the time interval between the previous job and the current job in the fixing device ,
An image forming apparatus, wherein power supply control is performed to vary a power supply amount per predetermined time of the auxiliary power supply device in accordance with detection information obtained by the job time interval detection means.
請求項8の画像形成装置において、
前記ジョブ時間間隔が所定の値より短い場合に、
前記補助電源装置の所定時間あたりの供給電力量を低減させる給電制御を行う
ことを特徴とする画像形成装置。
The image forming apparatus according to claim 8.
If the job time interval is had shorter than a predetermined value,
An image forming apparatus, wherein power supply control is performed to reduce a power supply amount per predetermined time of the auxiliary power supply device.
請求項1または2の画像形成装置において、
前記定着装置における前回ジョブの稼働時間を検知するジョブ稼働時間検知手段を備え、
該ジョブ稼働時間検知手段で得た検知情報に応じて前記補助電源装置の所定時間あたりの供給電力量を可変とする給電制御を行う
ことを特徴とする画像形成装置。
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 ,
Job operation time detection means for detecting the operation time of the previous job in the fixing device,
An image forming apparatus, wherein power supply control is performed to vary a power supply amount per predetermined time of the auxiliary power supply device according to detection information obtained by the job operating time detection means.
請求項10の画像形成装置において、
前記前回ジョブ稼働間が所定の値よりい場合に、
前記補助電源装置の所定時間あたりの供給電力量を低減させる給電制御を行う
ことを特徴とする画像形成装置。
The image forming apparatus according to claim 10.
If the between the previous job operation is not longer than a predetermined value,
An image forming apparatus, wherein power supply control is performed to reduce a power supply amount per predetermined time of the auxiliary power supply device.
請求項1ないし11のいずれかの画像形成装置において、前記蓄電装置がキャパシタであることを特徴とする画像形成装置。
The image forming apparatus of claims 1 to 11, an image forming apparatus wherein the electrical storage device is a capacitor.
JP2007286915A 2007-11-05 2007-11-05 Image forming apparatus Expired - Fee Related JP4695127B2 (en)

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Citations (3)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2002091231A (en) * 2001-08-27 2002-03-27 Kyocera Mita Corp Temperature control device for fixing device
JP2002174988A (en) * 2000-09-29 2002-06-21 Ricoh Co Ltd Fixing device
JP2002184554A (en) * 2000-10-04 2002-06-28 Ricoh Co Ltd Heating device and fixing device as well as image forming device using it

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH0336579A (en) * 1989-07-04 1991-02-18 Canon Inc Heating device for fixing device
JPH0869207A (en) * 1994-08-30 1996-03-12 Canon Inc Image forming device
JP3509437B2 (en) * 1996-12-02 2004-03-22 株式会社リコー Image forming device
JPH10282821A (en) * 1997-04-03 1998-10-23 Canon Inc Device and method for forming image
JP4008130B2 (en) * 1997-11-27 2007-11-14 株式会社沖データ Fixing device control device and image recording device

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2002174988A (en) * 2000-09-29 2002-06-21 Ricoh Co Ltd Fixing device
JP2002184554A (en) * 2000-10-04 2002-06-28 Ricoh Co Ltd Heating device and fixing device as well as image forming device using it
JP2002091231A (en) * 2001-08-27 2002-03-27 Kyocera Mita Corp Temperature control device for fixing device

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