JP4995532B2 - Heating system, image forming device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a heating system for heating a fixing device and an image forming apparatus including the heating system, and more particularly to charge / discharge control for an auxiliary power source that supplies auxiliary power to a fixing heater.

In image forming devices such as copiers, the temperature of the fixing roller can be fixed at the initial start-up or when returning from the energy-saving mode that waits for printing while the power supply to the fixing heater is stopped to return to the normal operation mode. In order to shorten the time required to reach the temperature, there is an image forming apparatus that heats the fixing roller by supplying a large current to the fixing heater by both a commercial power source and an auxiliary power source (for example, an electric double layer capacitor). In such an image forming apparatus in which the fixing heater is driven by the power of both the commercial power supply and the auxiliary power supply, as shown in the following Patent Document 1, the state of the storage battery is always fully charged and completely discharged. There is one that extends the life of the auxiliary power supply.
JP 2002-162852 A

  In a fixing heater drive type image forming apparatus using a conventional commercial power supply and auxiliary power supply, immediately before the image forming apparatus enters the power saving mode from the normal operation mode, immediately after the main power switch of the image forming apparatus is turned off, etc. The auxiliary power supply is controlled to be fully charged. However, in general, when an auxiliary power source composed of a capacitor or the like is maintained in a charged state, there is a case where the storage performance is deteriorated due to the gradual deterioration of the electrostatic capacity and the life is shortened. The image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 aims to extend the life of the storage battery, but extends the life of the storage battery by protecting the state of the storage battery from full charge and complete discharge. However, this does not solve the problem of shortening the life of the auxiliary power source.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems. In a heating system in which a fixing device is started up to a fixing temperature with power from a commercial power source and an auxiliary power source, the auxiliary power source including a capacitor is maintained in a charged state. The purpose is to solve the problem of short-lived life.

The invention according to claim 1 is an auxiliary power source including a capacitor capable of storing electric power from a commercial power source;
Charging / discharging means for charging / discharging the auxiliary power source;
A first fixing heater driven by electric power from a commercial power source and a second fixing heater driven by electric power from the auxiliary power source, and the toner is fixed on the recording paper by the heat generated by the first and second fixing heaters; Fixing means,
Timer means for measuring time;
Time input means for inputting a desired time zone from the user;
When the time measured by the timer means reaches the start time of the time zone input to the time input means, the charge / discharge means discharges the auxiliary power source, and the time zone input to the time input means ends. And a control unit that prohibits charging of the auxiliary power source by the charging / discharging unit until time comes.

  According to the present invention, when the time measured by the timer means becomes the start time of the time zone input from the user to the time input means, the control means causes the auxiliary power source composed of the capacitor to be discharged to the charge / discharge means, and the time Since charging of the auxiliary power supply by the charging / discharging means is prohibited until the end time of the time zone input to the input means, the auxiliary power supply is maintained in a state in which the amount of charge is reduced in the time zone desired by the user. This can extend the life of the auxiliary power supply. In addition, since the auxiliary power source is discharged only during a user-desired time period, the discharge can be performed without affecting the heating of the fixing unit by the second fixing heater.

  Invention of Claim 2 is the heating system of Claim 1, Comprising: The said control means WHEREIN: The time measured by the said timer means is the start time of the time slot | zone input into the said time input means. In this case, the charging / discharging means completely discharges the auxiliary power source.

  According to the present invention, the control means causes the charging / discharging means to completely discharge the auxiliary power source so that the auxiliary power source is not charged at all during the time period desired by the user. It can be maintained in a further reduced state, and the life of the auxiliary power supply can be further extended.

  Invention of Claim 3 is a heating system of Claim 1 or Claim 2, Comprising: The said control means is the said control means. The time measured by the said timer means is the said time input by a user. The charging / discharging means prohibits charging of the auxiliary power source when a predetermined time has passed before the start time of the time zone input to the means.

  According to the present invention, the control means does not cause the charging / discharging means to charge the auxiliary power source when the predetermined time zone before the start time of the time zone input by the user to the time input means is reached. The amount of charge of the auxiliary power supply is maintained in a small state in a stage before the time zone input by the user. As a result, it is possible to reduce the amount of power discharged from the auxiliary power supply, and to save power.

Invention of Claim 4 is a heating system of Claim 1 or Claim 2, Comprising: The charge amount detection means which detects the charge amount of the said auxiliary power supply is further provided,
In the control means, the charge amount of the auxiliary power source is lost by the charge amount detection means in a predetermined time zone before the start time of the time zone input by the user to the time input means. If detected, the charging / discharging unit is charged / discharged with the auxiliary power source from the time when it is detected that the charging amount of the auxiliary power supply is lost until the end time of the time zone input to the time input unit. It is forbidden.

  According to the present invention, when the charge amount of the auxiliary power source is exhausted when the predetermined time zone before the start time of the time zone input by the user to the time input unit is reached, Since the auxiliary power supply is not charged by the means, it is possible to reach a time period during which the auxiliary power source desired by the user is discharged with the charge amount of the auxiliary power supply already empty. As a result, it is possible to reduce the amount of power discharged from the auxiliary power supply, and to save power.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the heating system according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the control unit is configured to input the time input to the time input unit by the timer unit. When the time calculated by calculating back the time required to fully charge the auxiliary power source is measured from the end time of the belt, the charging / discharging means starts charging the auxiliary power source.

  According to the present invention, when the timer means measures the time calculated by the time required to fully charge the auxiliary power from the end time of the time zone input by the user to the time input means, the control means is charged. Since the discharge means starts charging the auxiliary power supply, the amount of charge of the auxiliary power supply is reduced in almost the entire time zone desired by the user to extend the life of the auxiliary power supply. The fixing unit can be heated by electric power.

Invention of Claim 6 is the heating system in any one of Claim 1 thru | or 5,
Image forming means for forming an image by applying a toner image on a recording paper,
The fixing unit is an image forming apparatus that performs a fixing operation on a recording sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming unit.

  According to this configuration, in the heating of the fixing unit in the image forming apparatus, it is possible to obtain the same effect as that of the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the auxiliary power supply can be maintained in a state where the amount of charge is reduced in a user desired time zone. This can be avoided, and the life of the auxiliary power supply can be extended. In addition, since the auxiliary power source is discharged only during a user-desired time zone, the heating of the fixing unit by the second fixing heater is hindered when the user wants to start up the fixing unit using the power of the auxiliary power source. Without this, it becomes possible to perform discharge for extending the life of the auxiliary power source.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the auxiliary power source is not charged at all in a time zone desired by the user, the auxiliary power source can be maintained in a state in which the amount of charge is further reduced. The life of the power supply can be further extended.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the charging of the auxiliary power source is restricted before the start time of the time zone input by the user to the time input means arrives, the auxiliary power source is discharged when the time zone comes. This can lead to a reduction in the amount of power that is generated, and can save power.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since it is possible to reach the time zone for discharging the auxiliary power source desired by the user in a state where the charge amount of the auxiliary power source has already been emptied, the power to be discharged from the auxiliary power source. The amount can be reduced, and power saving can be achieved.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the amount of charge of the auxiliary power supply is reduced in almost the entire area of the user-desired time zone to extend the life of the auxiliary power supply. Thus, the fixing unit can be heated.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the same effect as that of any of the first to fifth aspects can be obtained in heating the fixing unit in the image forming apparatus.

  Hereinafter, a heating system and an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a side view schematically showing an internal configuration of an image forming apparatus including a heating system according to an embodiment of the present invention. An MFP 1 as an example of an image forming apparatus including a heating system according to an embodiment of the present invention has functions such as a copy function, a printer function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function. The multi-function device 1 includes a main body 2, a stack tray 3 disposed on the left side of the main body 2, an image reading unit 5 disposed on the upper part of the main body 2, and an image reading unit 5. And a document feeding unit 6 disposed.

  An operation unit (instruction input means) 47 is provided on the front part of the multifunction machine 1. The operation unit 47 displays a start key 471 for a user to input a print execution instruction, a ten key 472 for inputting the number of copies to be printed, operation guide information for various copying operations, and the like. A display unit 473 formed of a liquid crystal display or the like having a touch panel function, a reset key 474 for resetting setting contents set in the display unit 473, and a stop key for stopping a printing (image forming) operation being executed 475 and a function switching key 477 for switching between a copy function, a printer function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function.

  The image reading unit (image reading unit) 5 includes a scanner unit 51 including a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) sensor and an exposure lamp, and a document table 52 and a document reading slit 53 made of a transparent member such as glass. The scanner unit 51 is configured to be movable by a drive unit (not shown). When reading a document placed on the document table 52, the scanner unit 51 is moved along the document surface at a position facing the document table 52, and the document image is scanned. The image data acquired while scanning is output to the control unit 103 (FIG. 2). Further, when reading a document fed by the document feeding unit 6, the document is moved to a position facing the document reading slit 53 and synchronized with the document feeding operation by the document feeding unit 6 via the document reading slit 53. The image of the original is acquired, and the image data is output to the control unit 103.

  The document feeding unit 6 includes a document placing unit 61 for placing a document, a document discharge unit 62 for discharging a document whose image has been read, and a document placed on the document placing unit 61. A document transport mechanism 63 including a paper feed roller (not shown), a transport roller (not shown) and the like for feeding the paper one by one to a position facing the document reading slit 53 and discharging it to the document discharge section 62 is provided. The document conveyance mechanism 63 further includes a sheet reversing mechanism (not shown) that reverses the document and reversely conveys the document to a position facing the document reading slit 53, and scans both sides of the document through the document reading slit 53. 51 can be read.

  The document feeding unit 6 is provided so as to be rotatable with respect to the main body unit 2 so that the front side thereof can move upward. By moving the front side of the document feeder 6 upward to open the upper surface of the document table 52, the user can place a read document, such as a book in a spread state, on the upper surface of the document table 52. ing.

  The main body 2 includes a plurality of paper feeding cassettes 461, a paper feeding roller 462 that feeds recording paper from the paper feeding cassette 461 one by one and transports it to the image forming unit 40, and a recording paper transported from the paper feeding cassette 461. And an image forming unit 40 for forming an image.

  The image forming unit (image forming unit) 40 outputs a laser beam or the like based on the image data acquired by the scanner unit 51 to expose the photosensitive drum 43, and a toner image on the photosensitive drum 43. The developing unit 44 to be formed, the transfer unit 41 for transferring the toner image on the photosensitive drum 43 to the recording paper, and the fixing device (fixing) for fixing the toner image to the recording paper by heating the recording paper to which the toner image has been transferred. Means) 45, and transport rollers 463, 464, etc. that are provided in the paper transport path in the image forming unit 40 and transport the recording paper to the stack tray 3 or the discharge tray 48.

  When forming images on both sides of the recording paper, after the image is formed on one side of the recording paper by the image forming unit 40, the recording paper is nipped by the conveyance roller 463 on the discharge tray 48 side. To do. In this state, the conveyance roller 463 is reversed to switch back the recording paper, and the recording paper is sent to the paper conveyance path 49 to be conveyed again to the upstream area of the image forming unit 40, and the image forming unit 40 forms an image on the other side. After the formation, the recording paper is discharged to the stack tray 3 or the discharge tray 48.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the multifunction machine 1. The multifunction machine 1 includes a control unit 10, a heating unit 20, a fixing device 45, an operation unit 47, an image reading unit 5, and an image forming unit 40 (the image forming unit 40 includes the fixing device 45).

  The control unit 10 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and a dedicated hardware circuit, and controls the entire multifunction device 1 and includes a mode setting unit 101, a timer 102, and a control unit 103. The heating unit 20 includes a rectifying circuit 21, a charging circuit 22, an AC heater driving circuit 23, an electric double layer capacitor 24, and a discharging circuit 26.

  The rectifier circuit 21 includes, for example, a diode bridge circuit and a smoothing capacitor. The rectifier circuit 21 is connected between the power supply terminal T1 and the power supply terminal T2 of the commercial power supply 70, and full-wave rectifies the AC voltage supplied from the commercial power supply 70. The rectified AC voltage is smoothed to generate a DC voltage, which is output to the charging circuit 22.

  The charging circuit (an example of the charge amount detection means) 22 is constituted by, for example, a DC / DC converter, and boosts or reduces the DC voltage output from the rectifier circuit 21 to a DC voltage of a level suitable for charging the electric double layer capacitor 24. The voltage is stepped down and the electric double layer capacitor 24 is charged. In addition, the charging circuit 22 includes a control unit when the charge amount of the electric double layer capacitor 24 is insufficient, such as immediately before the mode setting unit 101 switches the operation mode of the multifunction device 1 from the normal operation mode to the power saving mode. Under the control of 103, charging of the electric double layer capacitor 24 is started. The normal operation mode will be described later.

  Further, the charging circuit 22 measures the voltage between the terminals of the electric double layer capacitor 24, and the measured voltage between the terminals reaches a predetermined full voltage value indicating that the remaining capacity of the electric double layer capacitor 24 is full. When it is determined that the electric double layer capacitor 24 is in a fully charged state, the supply of the DC voltage from the rectifier circuit 21 to the electric double layer capacitor 24 is interrupted to protect the electric double layer capacitor 24 from overcharging. The charging circuit 22 detects the amount of charge of the electric double layer capacitor 24 based on the inter-terminal voltage measured as described above. The charging circuit 22 sends information indicating the measured voltage across the terminals of the electric double layer capacitor 24 to the control unit 103.

  The AC heater drive circuit 23 is composed of, for example, an AC / AC converter, and is connected between the power supply terminals T1 and T2. The AC voltage from the commercial power supply 70 is changed to an AC voltage at a level suitable for driving the first fixing heater 451. This is converted and output to the first fixing heater 451 to cause the first fixing heater 451 to generate heat.

  The electric double layer capacitor (an example of the auxiliary power source) 24 is charged by the DC voltage output from the charging circuit 22, outputs the charged voltage to the second fixing heater 452, and causes the second fixing heater 452 to generate heat.

  The discharge circuit 26 is a circuit that discharges the electric power (charge) of the electric double layer capacitor 24. The discharge circuit 26 is composed of, for example, a constant voltage circuit, generates a constant voltage at a level suitable for driving the second fixing heater 452 from the discharge voltage output from the electric double layer capacitor 24, and outputs the constant voltage to the second fixing heater 452. Has the function of

  The fixing device 45 includes a fixing roller 450 including a pressure roller and a heat roller, and includes a fixing heater including a first fixing heater 451 and a second fixing heater 452 for heating the heat roller. The first fixing heater 451 is a heater driven by electric power supplied from the commercial power supply 70. The second fixing heater 452 is a heater that is driven by electric power supplied by the discharge of the electric double layer capacitor 24.

  The control unit 10 will be described. The mode setting unit 101 sets an operation mode of the multifunction machine 1 and has a normal operation mode and a power saving mode as the operation mode. In the normal operation mode, the image reading unit 5 reads an original in the multifunction device 1, and the image forming unit 40 forms an image on a recording sheet with the read original or print data received from a personal computer by a receiving unit (not shown). In this mode, the MFP 1 can perform normal operation. In the power saving mode, heating of the fixing roller 450 by the first fixing heater 451 and the second fixing heater 452 is interrupted in the fixing device 45, the backlight of the display unit 473 in the operation unit 47 is turned off, and the like. By shutting off the power supply to some of the units constituting the multifunction device 1, the normal operation in the multifunction device 1 is limited, and the power consumption of the multifunction device 1 is lower than the consumption amount in the normal operation mode. It is a mode to do.

  The mode setting unit 101 shifts the operation mode from the normal operation mode to the power saving mode when the operation unit 47 does not accept an operation command from the user for a certain period of time when the operation mode is set to the normal operation mode. Further, the mode setting unit 101 shifts the operation mode from the power saving mode to the normal operation mode when the operation unit 47 is set to the power saving mode, or when the operation unit 47 receives an operation command from the user. .

  A timer (timer means) 102 measures the current time. Information on the time measured by the timer 102 is sent to the control unit 103.

  The control unit (control unit) 103 is responsible for overall operation control of the multifunction machine 1. In the multifunction device 1, when the temperature information of the fixing roller 450 obtained from the temperature detection unit 80 indicates that the fixing temperature has not been reached, for example, when switching from the power saving mode to the normal operation mode, the multifunction device In addition to supplying power from the commercial power supply 70 to the first fixing heater 451 by controlling the AC heater drive circuit 23 and the discharge circuit 26 by the control unit 103 when the main power switch 1 is turned on. By supplying the electric power of the electric double layer capacitor 24 to the second fixing heater 452, the fixing device 45 is rapidly started up (the fixing roller 450 is rapidly reached the fixing temperature).

  In addition, the electric double layer capacitor 24 basically uses the electric power from the commercial power supply 70 by driving control of the charging circuit 22 by the control unit 103 when the electric power charged in the electric double layer capacitor 24 is consumed. Charged. Also, the control unit 103 charges the electric double layer capacitor 24 in the charging circuit 22 immediately before the operation mode of the multifunction device 1 enters the power saving mode from the normal operation mode or after the main power switch of the multifunction device 1 is turned off. The electric double layer capacitor 24 is fully charged.

  The temperature detection unit 80 includes, for example, a thermistor, and detects the temperature of the fixing roller 450 in the fixing device 45 and sends it to the control unit 103.

  In addition, a desired time zone is input from the user to the operation unit (time input means) 47. The operation unit 47 sends the input time zone to the control unit 103. When the input time zone arrives, the control unit 103 performs control such as causing the discharge circuit 26 to discharge the electric double layer capacitor 24 and prohibiting charging of the electric double layer capacitor 24 by the charging circuit 22. The charge amount of the double layer capacitor 24 is reduced (details will be described later).

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen that is displayed on the display unit 473 of the operation unit 47 and accepts input of a desired time zone by the user. In the multifunction device 1, the control unit 103 receives information indicating the time measured by the timer 102, information indicating the charge amount of the electric double layer capacitor 24 detected by the charging circuit 22, and input to the operation unit 47 from the user. The driving of the charging circuit 22 and the discharging circuit 26 is controlled based on the determined time zone, thereby controlling the charging of the electric double layer capacitor 24 and the discharging of the electric double layer capacitor 24 (charging for extending the life) Discharge control). Specifically, the control unit 103 prohibits charging of the electric double layer capacitor 24 by the charging circuit 22 and / or the electric double layer to the discharging circuit 26 in a time zone input from the operation unit 47 by the user. By discharging the electric power stored in the capacitor 24, the charge amount of the electric double layer capacitor 24 in the time zone is reduced. The charging / discharging mechanism including the charging circuit 22 and the discharging circuit 26 is an example of charging / discharging means in the claims.

  The time period during which the electric double layer capacitor 24 is not charged is maintained by the user's operation on the display unit 473 of the operation unit 47. As shown in FIG. 3, the time zone setting screen on the display unit 473 includes a day designation unit 81 for designating a day of the week to be set and a time zone designation unit 82 for designating a time zone.

  The display unit 473 according to the present embodiment has a touch panel function, and when the day designation unit 81 presses the left triangle 81a or the right triangle 81b, the operation unit 47 receives the pressing operation. Then, an operation signal generated by the pressing operation is output to the control unit 103, and the control unit 103 raises or lowers the setting day of the week in response to the operation signal.

  In the time zone designating part 82, “ALL” indicating a setting in which the electric double layer capacitor 24 is not charged with power is maintained throughout the day, and the vicinity of the display area 82a displaying the time when the time is designated. When one of them is pressed, the operation unit 47 receives the pressing operation and outputs an operation signal to the control unit 103. The control unit 103 receives the operation signal. The time zone is set to be all day or to be the time zone from the time specified by the user to the time. When the circle mark 82 b provided in the vicinity of the display area 82 a is pressed, the operation unit 47 sends information indicating the time input by the operation of the numeric keypad 472 by the user to the control unit 103. The control unit 103 displays the time indicating the time information on the display area 82a. When the user presses the OK button 83 displayed on the display unit 473, the operation unit 47 receives the pressing operation, outputs an operation signal to the control unit 103, and performs control based on reception of the operation heart signal. The unit 103 stores information indicating the input time and day of the week in the storage unit 1031 (FIG. 2).

  The storage unit 1031 of the control unit 103 stores time zones set for each day of the week in a table format as shown in FIG. The table shown in FIG. 4 is a setting in which, for example, on Wednesday, the control unit 103 performs the charge / discharge control of the electric double layer capacitor 24 described above in the time zone from 18: 00 to 7:30 (next morning). Sunday indicates that the control unit 103 performs the charge / discharge control for extending the life of the electric double layer capacitor 24 described above throughout the day. The control unit 103 takes in the date / time information indicating the current date / time from the timer 102 and compares it with the time information indicating the time zone stored in the storage unit 1031, so that the current time is the time of the set time zone. It is determined that the start time and end time are reached.

  The control unit 103 performs charge / discharge control for extending the life of the electric double layer capacitor 24 by the charging circuit 22 and the discharging circuit 26 according to the time zone set for each day of the week stored in the storage unit 1031. . For example, when the information indicating the current time taken from the timer 102 indicates 18:00 on Tuesday, the control unit 103 determines whether the electric double layer capacitor 24 is charged based on the time zone stored in the storage unit 1031. Since it coincides with the start time of the time zone in which the discharge control is to be performed, the charge / discharge control for extending the life of the electric double layer capacitor 24 is started. Further, when the information indicating the current time taken from the timer 102 indicates 12:00 on Sunday, the time zone to be set is “ALL” based on the time zone stored in the storage unit 1031. Therefore, the control unit 103 performs charge / discharge control for extending the life of the electric double layer capacitor 24 throughout the day.

  Next, a first embodiment of charge / discharge control of the electric double layer capacitor 24 based on the time zone set by the user will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a first embodiment of charge / discharge control of the electric double layer capacitor 24 based on a time zone set by a user.

  In the multifunction device 1, as described above, when the temperature of the fixing roller 450 does not reach the fixing temperature, the main power switch of the multifunction device 1 is turned on when switching from the power saving mode to the normal operation mode. At this time, the control unit 103 causes the first fixing heater 451 and the second fixing heater 452 to heat the fixing roller 450 so that the fixing device 45 is started up rapidly. In addition, the electric double layer capacitor 24 basically uses the electric power from the commercial power supply 70 by driving control of the charging circuit 22 by the control unit 103 when the electric power charged in the electric double layer capacitor 24 is consumed. The electric double layer capacitor 24 is fully charged immediately after being charged and immediately before the operation mode enters the power saving mode from the normal operation mode, or immediately after turning off the main power switch of the multifunction machine 1 ( Hereinafter, the charge / discharge control of the electric double layer capacitor 24 is referred to as basic charge / discharge control of the electric double layer capacitor 24).

  During such charge / discharge control of the electric double layer capacitor 24, the control unit 103 always acquires information indicating the current time from the timer 102 (S1). When the user-desired time zone is input to the operation unit 47 (YES in S2), the control unit 103 determines the time when the current time indicated by the current time information acquired from the timer 102 is input by the user. It is determined whether or not it is the start time of the band (S3).

  When it is determined that the current time indicated by the current time information is the start time of the time zone (YES in S3), the control unit 103 performs charge / discharge control of the electric double layer capacitor 24 for extending the life. The discharging circuit 26 discharges all the electric power of the electric double layer capacitor 24 (S4), prohibits the charging circuit 22 from charging the electric double layer capacitor 24 (S5), and the electric double layer capacitor 24 is charged with electric power. It is assumed that it has not been done. Further, the control unit 103 continues to monitor the current time information obtained from the timer 102, and when the current time indicated by the current time information is the end time of the time zone input by the user (in S6). YES), the charging circuit 22 is charged with the electric double layer capacitor 24 (S7). As a result, when the power saving mode is switched to the normal operation mode, when the main power switch of the multi-function device 1 is turned on, the fixing device 45 is powered by both the commercial power supply 70 and the electric double layer capacitor 24. Can be launched. In S4, the control unit 103 causes the discharge circuit 26 to discharge all the electric power of the electric double layer capacitor 24. However, a predetermined amount (for example, 1/3 or 1/2 of the fully charged state) is set. It is also possible to discharge only a certain state of charge).

  In S2, when the control unit 103 determines that the user has not input the time period (NO in S2), the control unit 103 does not perform the processing of S2 to S7, and does not perform the basic process described above. The charge / discharge control of the electric double layer capacitor 24 is performed.

  Note that even when the time has entered the time zone, the power of the electric double layer capacitor 24 is supplied to the second fixing heater 452 in the case where the image forming unit 40 has been performing a copy operation before that time. If necessary, the control unit 103 may prevent the electric double layer capacitor 24 from being discharged.

  Next, a second embodiment of charge / discharge control of the electric double layer capacitor 24 based on a time zone set by the user will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a second embodiment of the charge / discharge control of the electric double layer capacitor 24 based on the time zone set by the user. Note that the same processes as those in the first embodiment shown in FIG.

  In the second embodiment, when the time is a predetermined time before the start time of the time zone input by the user (YES in S11), the control unit 103 causes the electric double layer capacitor 24 to Even if is not fully charged, charging to the electric double layer capacitor 24 is prohibited (S12). For example, even if it is a time before the start time of the time zone input by the user, the standby time during which the operation mode of the multifunction device 1 is switched to the energy saving mode (a certain time, when the operation unit 47 is not operated by the user, If the operation mode is changed from the normal operation mode to the energy saving mode for a certain time (less than the predetermined time) until the start time, the above-mentioned time even if the electric double layer capacitor 24 is charged. Since there is a high possibility of discharging after the band start time arrives, the control unit 103 prevents the charging circuit 22 from charging the electric double layer capacitor 24. As a result, the amount of power that is wasted due to the discharge of the electric double layer capacitor 24 after the start time of the time period has arrived can be reduced. Note that the predetermined time in S11 is not limited to the standby time.

  Next, a third embodiment of charge / discharge control of the electric double layer capacitor 24 based on a time zone set by the user will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a third embodiment of charge / discharge control of the electric double layer capacitor 24 based on a time zone set by the user. The same processes as those in the first and second embodiments shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  In the third embodiment, the control unit 103 is a time that is a predetermined time (for example, the standby time or the like) before the time zone start time input by the user ( If the electric double layer capacitor 24 is not charged with power (YES in S11) (YES in S21), the electric circuit 2 is charged by the charging circuit 22 until the end time of the time zone input by the user arrives. Charging of the multilayer capacitor 24 is prohibited (S5, S6). The control unit 103 remains in a state where the electric double layer capacitor 24 is charged (NO in S21), and when the start time of the time zone input by the user has arrived (YES in S3). As in the first and second embodiments, the electric double layer capacitor 24 is discharged to the discharge circuit 26 (S4). It should be noted that the state in which the electric double layer capacitor 24 is not charged in S21 is a state in which the electric double layer capacitor 24 is not charged at all, even if the electric double layer capacitor 24 is not charged at all. A state in which electric power remains in the electric double layer capacitor 24, such as a state of a charge amount of about 1/3 or 1/2, may be used.

  According to this, even before the start time of the time zone input by the user, the electric double layer capacitor 24 is not charged with power in a situation where there is only a time enough to cut a predetermined time. If it is in the state, since the subsequent charging is not performed, it is possible to further reduce the amount of electric power that is wasted due to the discharge of the electric double layer capacitor 24 after the start time of the time period.

  Next, a fourth embodiment of charge / discharge control of the electric double layer capacitor 24 based on a time zone set by the user will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a fourth embodiment of the charge / discharge control of the electric double layer capacitor 24 based on the time zone set by the user. Note that the same processes as those in the first embodiment shown in FIG.

  In the fourth embodiment, even if the end time of the time zone input by the user has not arrived, the control unit 103 is configured to fully charge the auxiliary power source composed of the electric double layer capacitor 24 from the end. When the time that is the time required for the current time arrives (YES in S51), the charging circuit 22 is made to start charging the electric double layer capacitor 24 (S7). Thereby, as soon as the end time of the time zone input by the user arrives, the electric double layer capacitor 24 can be brought into a state in which power can be supplied from the second fixing heater 452.

  Note that the time that is the time required to fully charge the electric double layer capacitor 24 is, for example, a state in which the electric double layer capacitor 24 is not charged at all, or the electric double layer capacitor 24. From the state where the amount of charge of the battery is 1/3, 1/2 of the fully charged state, etc., only the time required to bring the electric double layer capacitor 24 to the fully charged state is before the end time. Time. It should be noted that the electric double layer capacitor 24 is charged with a certain amount of power as in the state where the charge amount of the electric double layer capacitor 24 is 1/3, 1/2 of the fully charged state, etc. When the electric double layer capacitor 24 is fully charged in S7 from the state, the control unit 103 provides information indicating the charge amount of the electric double layer capacitor 24 from the charging circuit 22 within the time zone input by the user. The time necessary for obtaining the electric double layer capacitor 24 to be fully charged is calculated, and the time that is necessary to make the electric double layer capacitor 24 full charge at that time is the previous time. Sometimes, the charging circuit 22 may start charging the electric double layer capacitor 24.

  Further, the processes of S51 and S7 shown in the fourth embodiment can be applied to the first to fourth embodiments instead of the processes of S6 and S7 shown in each embodiment.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the thing of the said embodiment. For example, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention is not limited to the multifunction machine 1 and may be other image forming apparatuses. The configuration and processing shown in FIGS. 1 to 8 are merely one embodiment of the present invention. However, the configuration and processing of the present invention are not limited to these.

1 is a side view schematically showing an internal configuration of an image forming apparatus including a heating system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a multifunction machine. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen which receives the input of the desired time slot | zone by the user displayed on the display part of an operation part. It is a figure which shows the table memorize | stored in the table memory | storage part. It is a flowchart which shows 1st Embodiment of charging / discharging control of the electric double layer capacitor based on the time slot | zone set by the user. It is a flowchart which shows 2nd Embodiment of charging / discharging control of the electric double layer capacitor based on the time slot | zone set by the user. It is a flowchart which shows 3rd Embodiment of charging / discharging control of the electric double layer capacitor based on the time slot | zone set by the user. It is a flowchart which shows 4th Embodiment of charging / discharging control of the electric double layer capacitor based on the time slot | zone set by the user.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Multifunction device 10 Control unit 101 Mode setting part 102 Timer 103 Control part 1031 Memory | storage part 20 Heating part 21 Rectification circuit 22 Charging circuit 23 Heater drive circuit 24 Electric double layer capacitor 26 Discharge circuit 40 Image formation part 45 Fixing device 450 Fixing roller 451 First fixing heater 452 Second fixing heater 70 Commercial power supply 81a Triangle mark 81b Triangle mark 81 Day of the week designation portion 82 Time zone designation portion 82a Display area 83 OK button

Claims (6)

An auxiliary power source composed of a capacitor capable of storing electric power from a commercial power source;
Charging / discharging means for charging / discharging the auxiliary power source;
A first fixing heater driven by electric power from a commercial power source and a second fixing heater driven by electric power from the auxiliary power source, and the toner is fixed on the recording paper by the heat generated by the first and second fixing heaters; Fixing means,
Timer means for measuring time;
Time input means for inputting a desired time zone from the user;
When the time measured by the timer means reaches the start time of the time zone input to the time input means, the charge / discharge means discharges the auxiliary power source, and the time zone input to the time input means ends. A heating system comprising control means for prohibiting charging of the auxiliary power source by the charge / discharge means until time comes.   2. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein when the time measured by the timer unit reaches a start time of a time zone input to the time input unit, the charge / discharge unit completely discharges the auxiliary power source. Heating system.   When the time measured by the timer means comes to a time that is a predetermined time before the start time of the time zone input by the user to the time input means, the control means uses the charge / discharge means The heating system according to claim 1, wherein charging of the auxiliary power source is prohibited. A charge amount detecting means for detecting a charge amount of the auxiliary power supply;
In the control means, the charge amount of the auxiliary power source is lost by the charge amount detection means in a predetermined time zone before the start time of the time zone input by the user to the time input means. If detected, the charging / discharging unit is charged / discharged with the auxiliary power source from the time when it is detected that the charging amount of the auxiliary power supply is lost until the end time of the time zone input to the time input unit. The heating system according to claim 1 or 2, which is prohibited.   The control means measures the charging time when the timer means measures the time calculated by calculating the time required to fully charge the auxiliary power source from the end time of the time zone input to the time input means. The heating system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the discharge unit starts charging the auxiliary power source. A heating system according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
Image forming means for forming an image by applying a toner image on a recording paper,
An image forming apparatus in which the fixing unit performs a fixing operation on a recording sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming unit.

Images