JP5045116B2 - Image forming apparatus and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer.

  In an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic system such as a copying machine or a printer, it is large for heating a fixing device for fixing a toner image to a predetermined fixing set temperature in a short time when the apparatus is started up. Requires power. However, if a large amount of power is supplied only by supplying power from a commercial power source, there are various restrictions from the viewpoint of power supply facilities. Accordingly, a power storage unit capable of storing sufficient power is provided in the image forming apparatus, and when the image forming apparatus is started up, the power from the power storage unit is supplied to the fixing device in addition to the power from the commercial power source. A method has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-282821 (page 3-4)

  An object of this invention is to aim at the effective utilization of the electric power accumulate | stored in the electrical storage means.

The invention according to claim 1 is a fixing unit that heat-fixes an unfixed image formed on a recording medium, a power supply unit that supplies power to the fixing unit, and a power from the power supply unit to the fixing unit. Power storage means for storing power for assisting the supply of power, first voltage conversion means for converting the power stored in the power storage means to power of a predetermined voltage, and power stored in the power storage means for a predetermined A second voltage converting means for converting the voltage into electric power and outputting the same to an external device; when the power from the power supplying means is stopped, the first voltage converting means is supplied with the power ; Output limiting means for limiting the output of the power to the external device by the voltage conversion means, and when the power from the power supply means stops, the first voltage conversion means and the second voltage conversion means Supply power in parallel That is an image forming apparatus characterized by comprising a switching means.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the output limiting unit selectively switches the power storage unit and the second voltage conversion unit between a connected state and a disconnected state. Features.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect, the output limiting unit includes the power storage unit, the second voltage conversion unit, and the like when the power from the power supply unit is stopped. Is switched to a connected state.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect, the output restriction unit restricts the output of the power to the external device when the power from the power supply unit is stopped. It is characterized by releasing.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, a residual power amount detection unit that detects a power amount remaining in the power storage unit, and a power amount output from the second voltage conversion unit. From the output power amount detection means for detecting the power, the power amount remaining in the power storage means detected by the residual power amount detection means, and the second voltage conversion means detected by the output power amount detection means Based on the output power amount, the calculation means for calculating the available time of the power storage means and / or the amount of power that can be supplied from the second voltage conversion means, and the power from the power supply means has stopped In such a case, the power is supplied from the first voltage conversion unit, and the display unit displays the usable time of the power storage unit calculated by the calculation unit and / or the amount of power that can be supplied from the second voltage conversion unit. Means, Further characterized by comprising.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fixing unit that heat-fixes an unfixed image formed on a recording medium, a power supply unit that supplies power to the fixing unit, and a power from the power supply unit to the fixing unit. Power storage means for storing power for assisting the supply of power, voltage conversion means for converting the power stored in the power storage means into power of a predetermined voltage and outputting it to an external device, and the external device by the voltage conversion means Output limiting means for limiting the output of the power to, and voltage conversion switching means for selectively switching the voltage conversion in the voltage conversion means to an operating state or a stopped state, the voltage conversion switching means, In the image forming apparatus, the voltage conversion unit controls the voltage conversion unit to stop when the voltage conversion unit continues a state where the current is equal to or lower than a predetermined value for a predetermined time.
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fixing unit that heat-fixes an unfixed image formed on a recording medium, a power supply unit that supplies power to the fixing unit, and a power supplied from the power supply unit to the fixing unit. Power storage means for storing power for assisting the supply of power, voltage conversion means for converting the power stored in the power storage means into power of a predetermined voltage and outputting it to an external device, and the external device by the voltage conversion means Output limiting means for limiting the output of the power to, and voltage conversion switching means for selectively switching the voltage conversion in the voltage conversion means to an operating state or a stopped state, the voltage conversion switching means, In the image forming apparatus, when the fixing unit is supplied with power from the power supply unit, the voltage conversion by the voltage conversion unit is controlled to stop.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer having a function of acquiring information related to a current amount flowing through a voltage conversion unit that converts voltage stored in a power storage unit that stores power into power of a predetermined voltage. Based on the information on the current amount, a function for determining whether or not the current amount is equal to or less than a predetermined value, and when it is determined that the current amount is equal to or less than a predetermined value, the voltage conversion in the voltage conversion unit is performed. It is a program characterized by realizing a function of controlling to stop.
The invention according to claim 9 is a function for acquiring information related to the amount of current flowing through the voltage conversion means for converting the electric power stored in the electric storage means for storing electric power into electric power of a predetermined voltage. A function for determining whether the current amount is equal to or greater than a predetermined value based on information on the current amount, and a power supply unit that supplies power to a fixing unit that heat-fixes an unfixed image formed on the recording medium. A function of controlling the voltage conversion unit to stop the voltage conversion when the electric power is supplied to the fixing unit and the current amount is determined to be equal to or greater than a predetermined value. It is a featured program.

According to claim 1 of the present invention, compared with the case where the present invention is not applied, the electric power stored in the power storage means can be effectively used.
Moreover, according to Claim 2 of this invention, it can utilize when the electric power of an electrical storage means is required.
Moreover, according to Claim 3 of this invention, it can set so that the electric power accumulate | stored in the electrical storage means at the time of a power failure can be utilized automatically.
Moreover, according to Claim 4 of this invention, the utilization of the electric power accumulate | stored in the electrical storage means at the time of a power failure can be aimed at.

According to claim 5 of the present invention, the electric power stored in the power storage means can be used in a planned manner.
According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to suppress the power loss of the power storage means compared to the case where the present invention is not adopted.
According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a situation in which sufficient power cannot be supplied to the fixing unit as compared with the case where the present invention is not adopted.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, compared to the case where the present invention is not adopted, it is possible to suppress the power loss of the power storage means when effectively using the power stored in the power storage means.
According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a situation in which sufficient power cannot be supplied to the fixing unit as compared with the case where the present invention is not adopted.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[Embodiment 1]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 to which the exemplary embodiment is applied. An image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 is a multi-function multifunction apparatus having a copy function, a facsimile function, and a printer function in combination, and controls the entire operation of the image forming apparatus 1 in accordance with a predetermined processing program. Control unit 10, operation panel 20 for displaying various types of information and receiving operation inputs from users (users), communication unit 30 including a LAN (Local Area Network) card or modem for controlling communication with a network, public A facsimile (FAX) function unit 40 that transmits and receives an image through a line is provided.
The image forming apparatus 1 includes an input unit 50 that acquires document data, image data, and the like output from an external device such as a personal computer (PC) or a digital camera, an image reading unit 60 that includes a scanner, and an input unit. 50, an image processing unit 70 that performs predetermined image processing on document data, image data, and the like acquired from the image reading unit 60, and a hard disk (Hard Disk Drive) that stores processing programs, document data, and the like. A main storage unit 80 is provided.

Further, the image forming apparatus 1 prints an image on a medium such as recording paper from an image forming process unit 90 realized by, for example, an electrophotographic method, a commercial power supply 300 (see FIG. 2 in the subsequent stage), and the image forming apparatus 1 A main power switch 200 for turning on / off the power supply to each unit is provided. Here, in a state where the main power switch 200 is turned on, the main power switch 200 serves as a power supply unit that supplies power to each unit in the image forming apparatus 1 (for example, the fixing device 100 in the image forming process unit 90). Function.
The operation panel 20, the communication unit 30, the FAX function unit 40, the input unit 50, the image reading unit 60, the image processing unit 70, the main storage unit 80, and the image forming process unit 90 are connected to the control unit 10, respectively. Yes.
Further, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a power failure mode control unit 11 that operates at the time of a power failure, and a power failure mode as an example of a display unit that displays various information and accepts an operation input from a user at the time of a power failure. The operation panel 21 includes an external supply interface 22 as an example of a power output unit that outputs power to the outside of the image forming apparatus 1 in the event of a power failure.

As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming process unit 90 includes four image forming units 91Y, 91M, 91C, and 91K (hereinafter also collectively referred to as image forming units 91) arranged in parallel at regular intervals. Is provided. The image forming unit 91 forms an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 93 that holds the toner image, the charger 94 that uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 93 at a predetermined potential, and the photosensitive drum 93. The image forming apparatus includes a developing unit 95 for developing the electrostatic latent image and a drum cleaner 96 for cleaning the surface of the photosensitive drum 93 after transfer.
Corresponding to each image forming unit 91, laser exposure devices 92Y, 92M, 92C, and 92K (hereinafter also referred to as laser exposure devices 92) that expose the photosensitive drum 93 based on document data from the image processing unit 70 and the like. Generically).
Here, each image forming unit 91 is configured in substantially the same manner except for the toner stored in the developing device 95. Each image forming unit 91 forms yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) toner images.

  Further, the image forming process unit 90 performs primary transfer of the intermediate transfer belt 99 to which the toner images of the respective colors formed on the photosensitive drums 93 of the respective image forming units 91 are multiplex-transferred, and the respective color toner images of the respective image forming units 91. A primary transfer roll 97 that sequentially transfers (primary transfer) to the intermediate transfer belt 99 at the portion T1, and a superposed toner image transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 99 as a recording material (recording paper) at the secondary transfer portion T2. A secondary transfer roll 98 that performs batch transfer (secondary transfer) to P, and a fixing device 100 as an example of a fixing unit that fixes the secondary transferred image on the paper P are provided.

  The image forming process unit 90 performs an image forming operation based on various control signals supplied from the control unit 10 during normal operation. That is, under the control of the control unit 10, document data and image data input from the input unit 50, the image reading unit 60, and the like are subjected to predetermined image processing by the image processing unit 70, and each color is transmitted through an interface (not shown). Each image component is supplied to each laser exposure device 92. In the yellow image forming unit 91Y, for example, the surface of the photosensitive drum 93 uniformly charged at a predetermined potential by the charger 94 is scanned and exposed by the laser exposure device 92Y, and a Y image component is formed on the photosensitive drum 93. An electrostatic latent image is formed. The electrostatic latent image relating to the Y image component formed on the photosensitive drum 93 is developed by the developing device 95 to form a yellow (Y) toner image. Similarly, magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) toner images are also formed in the image forming units 91M, 91C, and 91K.

The color toner images formed by the image forming units 91 are sequentially electrostatically attracted by the primary transfer roll 97 on the intermediate transfer belt 99 moving in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 1 to form a superimposed toner image. . The superimposed toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 99 is conveyed to a region (secondary transfer portion T2) where the secondary transfer roll 98 is disposed as the intermediate transfer belt 99 moves. When the superimposed toner image is conveyed to the secondary transfer unit T2, the sheet P is supplied from the sheet holding unit 101 to the secondary transfer unit T2 in accordance with the timing at which the toner image is conveyed to the secondary transfer unit T2. The superimposed toner images are electrostatically transferred collectively onto the conveyed paper P by the transfer electric field formed by the secondary transfer roll 98 in the secondary transfer portion T2.
Thereafter, the sheet P on which the superimposed toner image is electrostatically transferred is peeled from the intermediate transfer belt 99 and conveyed to the fixing device 100. The unfixed toner image on the paper P conveyed to the fixing device 100 is fixed on the paper P by being subjected to fixing processing by heat and pressure by the fixing device 100. Then, the paper P on which the fixed image is formed is conveyed to a paper discharge placement portion (not shown) provided in the discharge portion of the image forming apparatus 1.

Next, a configuration in which the main power switch 200 in the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is set to ON and power is supplied from the commercial power supply 300 to each unit in the image forming apparatus 1 will be described.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a part of a power supply system that supplies power from the commercial power supply 300 to each unit via the main power switch 200. As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a commercial power source 300 in an on state as a power supply system that supplies power from the commercial power source 300 to each unit such as the fixing device 100. Main power switch 200 as an example of a power supply unit that supplies power from the power source to each unit in the image forming apparatus 1, a power supply line L1 that directly supplies power (AC 100V) from the main power switch 200 to the fixing device 100, and an image. A secondary battery 110, a secondary battery 110 as an example of a power storage unit made of, for example, a lithium ion battery that supplies power to the fixing device 100 with assistance of power from the main power switch 200 when the forming apparatus 1 is started up. The relay 132 and the semiconductor switch 1 that selectively set the connection between the secondary battery 110 and the fixing device 100 to the connected state or the disconnected state. Switch unit 131 consisting of 3, and a low-voltage power supply 121 are supplied to each section such as the control unit 10 and the operation panel 20 or the like for example the 5V. Here, power is supplied from the main power switch 200 to the charging power supply 120 through the power supply line L2, and power is supplied from the main power switch 200 to the low voltage power supply 121 through the power supply line L3.

Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is provided with a power supply system for power failure mode that uses power stored in the secondary battery 110 in preparation for a power failure. That is, the power failure mode switches 153 and 2 as an example of switching means for selectively setting the connection between the secondary battery 110 and the first voltage converter 151 and the second voltage converter 152 in the subsequent stage to the connected state or the disconnected state. DC-DC conversion first voltage converter 151 as an example of voltage conversion means for converting DC 120V supplied from secondary battery 110 to DC 5V, for example, DC 120V supplied from secondary battery 110 to AC 100V, for example. A DC-AC conversion second voltage converter 152 is provided as an example of voltage conversion means for conversion.
When a power failure occurs, the above-described power failure mode operation panel 21 (see FIG. 1) is supplied with DC 5V from the first voltage converter 151 to display various information and input operations from the user. Accept. Further, the external supply interface 22 (see FIG. 1) supplies the AC 100 V converted by the second voltage converter 152 to an external device of the image forming apparatus 1. In that case, the power failure mode control unit 11 (see FIG. 1) is supplied with DC 5V from the first voltage converter 151 and controls the operation of each unit connected to the power failure system power supply system.

In this case, power is supplied from the secondary battery 110 to the first voltage converter 151 through the power supply line L4 to the power failure mode switch 153 and the power supply line L5 from the power failure mode switch 153. Further, power is supplied from the secondary battery 110 to the second voltage converter 152 through a power supply line L4 to the power failure mode switch 153 and a power supply line L6 from the power failure mode switch 153. Further, power is supplied from the first voltage converter 151 to the power failure mode operation panel 21 through the power supply line L8, and from the second voltage converter 152 to the external supply interface 22 through the power supply line L9. .
Further, the power failure mode control unit 11 is configured to be supplied with power through the power supply line L7 and to be driven with 5 V from the first voltage converter 151.

  Next, power supply to the fixing device 100 during the normal operation of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described. When the main power switch 200 of the image forming apparatus 1 is turned on, the image forming apparatus 1 further executes an image forming operation from a power saving (energy saving) state (referred to as “energy saving mode”) for reducing power consumption. When returning to the operating state (referred to as “image forming operation mode”), the power (AC 100 V) from the commercial power supply 300 is directly supplied from the main power switch 200 to the fixing device 100 through the power supply line L1. At the same time, the control unit 10 sets the switch unit 131 to the connected state through the signal line S1. Accordingly, the secondary battery 110 supplies the accumulated power (DC 120V) to the fixing device 100. That is, when the fixing device 100 is started up, the direct power from the commercial power supply 300 via the main power switch 200 and the power (DC 120V) from the secondary battery 110 are simultaneously supplied, thereby fixing the fixing device 100. The so-called warm-up time for increasing the temperature to a predetermined fixing temperature is shortened.

By the way, the user tends to hate that the return time to the image forming operation mode by setting the energy saving mode is long. Therefore, a setting change is made to increase the transition time from the standby state (referred to as “standby mode”) waiting for input of document data or the like from the FAX function unit 40, the image reading unit 60, an externally connected PC or the like to the energy saving mode. There are many cases of performing operations or prohibiting the transition to the energy saving mode. As a result, conventionally, the energy saving function of the energy saving mode has not always been effectively used.
However, in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, as described above, the power from the secondary battery 110 is supplementarily supplied by being superimposed on the direct power supply from the commercial power supply 300 via the main power switch 200. By doing so, the return time from the energy saving mode to the image forming operation mode can be shortened. As a result, even after the image forming operation is completed, even if the standby mode is shifted to the energy saving mode in a short time, the convenience for the user is reduced. Therefore, it can be expected that many settings for shifting to the energy saving mode in a short time are adopted in the image forming apparatus 1, and energy saving can be promoted.

  Subsequently, when the fixing device 100 reaches a predetermined fixing set temperature due to warming up, the control unit 10 sets the switch unit 131 to the cutoff state through the signal line S1. Here, FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the temperature (fixing temperature) of the fixing device 100 and the supply timing of power from the main power switch 200 and the secondary battery 110. As shown in FIG. 3, from the time when the fixing device 100 is turned on (time t0) until the time t1 when the fixing device 100 reaches the fixing set temperature, direct power from the commercial power supply 300 via the main power switch 200 is obtained. And power from the secondary battery 110 are supplied simultaneously. At time t1 when the fixing device 100 reaches the fixing set temperature, the power supply from the secondary battery 110 to the fixing device 100 is stopped by the interruption of the switch unit 131. Then, after the elapse of time t1, only the power from the commercial power supply 300 is supplied to the fixing device 100 via the main power switch 200. That is, after time t1, the temperature of the fixing device 100 is shifted to the temperature adjustment mode for maintaining the temperature of the fixing device 100 in the vicinity of the fixing set temperature. Is maintained.

  When the temperature control mode is entered at time t1 and the power supply from the secondary battery 110 is stopped, the charging power source 120 starts charging the secondary battery 110. Charging from the charging power source 120 to the secondary battery 110 is performed until the charging voltage of the secondary battery 110 reaches a predetermined value. Thereafter, the secondary battery 110 is not used until the next startup of the fixing device 100. Therefore, while the normal operation of the image forming apparatus 1 is continued, the secondary battery 110 is maintained in a state where the charging voltage is maintained at a predetermined value.

  In the example shown in FIG. 3, after the elapse of time t <b> 1, only power from the commercial power source 300 is supplied to the fixing device 100 via the main power switch 200, and power is supplied from the secondary battery 110. Shown for no case. In addition to this setting, after the elapse of time t1, in addition to the power from the commercial power supply 300 via the main power switch 200, the power from the secondary battery 110 is also supplied to the fixing device 100. It can also be configured. In that case, the charging from the charging power source 120 to the secondary battery 110 is performed before and after the supply timing of power from the secondary battery 110 to the fixing device 100. Moreover, it can also set so that it may carry out in the state in which the charge amount of the secondary battery 110 became below predetermined value.

Next, a case where a power failure occurs due to a disaster such as an earthquake or a typhoon will be described. The image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is configured so that the power supply system for power failure mode described above can be used when a power failure occurs.
Specifically, when a power failure occurs, the power supply from the commercial power supply 300 stops, so the power supply from the main power switch 200 stops. Therefore, the low-voltage power supply 121 and the charging power supply 120 that supply power to each unit. The power supply from the image forming apparatus 1 stops and the image forming apparatus 1 stops its operation. In this case, the user can set the secondary battery 110 and the power supply system for power failure mode to the connected state by turning on the power failure mode switch 153 disposed on the outer side surface of the image forming apparatus 1. it can.
When the secondary battery 110 and the power supply system for power failure mode are set to the connected state, the power charged in the secondary battery 110 is supplied from the power supply line L4 to the power failure mode switch 153 and the power failure mode switch 153. Is supplied to the first voltage converter 151 through the power supply line L5. Further, the power is supplied to the second voltage converter 152 through the power supply line L4 to the power failure mode switch 153 and the power supply line L6 from the power failure mode switch 153.

  The first voltage converter 151 converts, for example, direct current 120V supplied from the secondary battery 110 into direct current 5V. Then, 5 V DC is supplied to the power failure mode control unit 11 and the power failure mode operation panel 21. The power failure mode control unit 11 starts the power failure mode control system by being supplied with DC 5V from the first voltage converter 151. Further, the power failure mode operation panel 21 is supplied with 5V DC from the first voltage converter 151, thereby displaying various information and accepting operation input from the user under the control of the power failure mode control unit 11. I do.

On the other hand, the second voltage converter 152 converts, for example, direct current 120V supplied from the secondary battery 110 into alternating current 100V and supplies it to the external supply interface 22. The external supply interface 22 is disposed on the external side surface of the image forming apparatus 1, and is provided with a household AC 100V power outlet, for example. The user can connect, for example, a normal home appliance, information device, or the like to the external supply interface 22.
As described above, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment effectively uses the electric power stored in the secondary battery 110 even when the power supply from the commercial power supply 300 is interrupted, so that the normal home appliance And an information device can be used normally for a certain period of time.

  By the way, in recent years, a home power generation system using a fuel cell that generates power using hydrogen has been developed, and an image forming apparatus and the like in which a power generation unit including a fuel cell is built have been devised. However, the fuel cell is still very expensive, and the size of the apparatus is large and the weight is heavy. For this reason, it has not yet spread to general offices and homes, and a large risk is expected when power supply is interrupted due to a disaster or the like. On the other hand, in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the secondary battery 110 including the relatively inexpensive and relatively small lithium ion battery used in the image forming apparatus 1 is also used. There is a great merit that electric power in an emergency can be secured without imposing a large cost burden. Furthermore, since power can be supplied simply by connecting to the image forming apparatus 1 as it is, there is an advantage that there is almost no risk of electric shock and the handling is extremely easy.

Next, the function of the power failure mode control unit 11 will be described. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the power failure mode control unit 11. As shown in FIG. 4, the power failure mode control unit 11 includes, as function units, a second voltage converter current amount detection unit 111, a second voltage converter on / off switching control unit 112 as an example of voltage conversion switching means, A remaining charge detection unit 113 as an example of a residual power amount detection unit, a remaining charge calculation unit 114 as an example of a calculation unit, and an operation panel control unit 115 for power failure mode are provided.
The power failure mode control unit 11 monitors the amount of current flowing through the second voltage converter 152 when the secondary battery 110 and the power failure mode power supply system are set in a connected state when a power failure occurs. The current amount detection signal is obtained from the second voltage converter 152 through the signal line S2. Then, the second voltage converter current amount detection unit 111 of the power failure mode control unit 11 detects the current amount of the second voltage converter 152 based on the current amount detection signal acquired from the second voltage converter 152. .
Then, the second voltage converter on / off switching control unit 112 is configured such that the current amount of the second voltage converter 152 detected by the second voltage converter current amount detection unit 111 continues for a predetermined time and is equal to or less than a predetermined value. (For example, when it is about “0”), that is, when the power supply system for the power failure mode is not used, control is performed so that the voltage conversion processing in the second voltage converter 152 is turned off. Thereby, when the external supply interface 22 is not used, the loss of the power of the secondary battery 110 in the circuit in the second voltage converter 152 is suppressed.

At that time, the power failure mode operation panel control unit 115 of the power failure mode control unit 11 confirms that the voltage conversion process in the second voltage converter 152 is stopped through the signal line S3. The display is controlled on the panel 21. Thereby, the user can easily determine whether or not the external supply interface 22 is currently available.
Further, when the external voltage supply interface 22 is to be used when the voltage conversion process in the second voltage converter 152 is stopped, the user can use the power failure mode operation panel 21 to An operation input for forcibly starting up the voltage converter 152 can also be performed. When the start-up operation input from the power failure mode operation panel 21 is received, the power failure mode control unit 11 performs control so that the voltage conversion processing in the second voltage converter 152 is resumed, and the external supply interface 22 can be used.
In the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the power failure mode operation panel 21 is configured separately from the operation panel 20, but the operation panel 20 can also be used as the power failure mode operation panel 21. In that case, the power is supplied from the first voltage converter 151 to the operation panel 20 in the event of a power failure.

  Further, the remaining charge detection unit 113 of the power failure mode control unit 11 acquires a remaining charge detection signal for monitoring the remaining charge of the secondary battery 110 from the secondary battery 110 through the signal line S4. Then, the remaining charge detection unit 113 detects the remaining charge of the secondary battery 110 based on the acquired remaining charge detection signal. The power failure mode operation panel control unit 115 of the power failure mode control unit 11 controls the power failure mode operation panel 21 to display the detected remaining charge amount of the secondary battery 110 through the signal line S3.

  Furthermore, when the secondary battery 110 and the power supply system for the power failure mode are set to the connected state, the power failure mode control unit 11 can be connected from the viewpoint of the electric energy as the usage information regarding the secondary battery 110. The device is configured to display the corresponding usable time. That is, the remaining charge detection unit 113 of the power failure mode control unit 11 monitors the remaining charge of the secondary battery 110 at the same time when the secondary battery 110 and the power supply system for the power failure mode are set to the connected state. The remaining charge detection signal to be acquired is acquired from the secondary battery 110 through the signal line S4. Then, the remaining charge calculation unit 114 performs a predetermined calculation based on the remaining charge detected by the remaining charge detection unit 113, for example, “can be used for about 1 hour at a maximum of 300 W” or “ The usable time corresponding to the amount of power used is calculated as “3 hours usable”. The power failure mode operation panel control unit 115 performs control so that the calculation result is displayed on the power failure mode operation panel 21.

During operation of the power supply system for the power failure mode, the remaining charge calculation unit 114 performs a predetermined calculation from the current power consumption of the device actually used and the remaining charge of the secondary battery 110. Calculate the remaining usable time of the used device. Then, the power failure mode operation panel control unit 115 controls the power failure mode operation panel 21 to display the calculation result, for example, “available for 2 hours remaining”.
In this case, the current power consumption of the device actually used is detected by the second voltage converter current amount detection unit 111 based on the acquired current amount detection signal. That is, the 2nd voltage converter electric current amount detection part 111 here functions as an output electric energy detection means.

  In addition, each function part of the control part 11 for power failure modes is implement | achieved when software and hardware resources cooperate. Specifically, the CPU (not shown) of the power failure mode control unit 11 performs a second voltage converter current amount detection unit 111, a second voltage converter on / off switching control unit 112, a remaining charge calculation unit 114, and a power failure mode operation. A program for realizing each function of the panel control unit 115 is read from the main storage unit 80 into a RAM (not shown) or the like, and each process is performed. As another execution form of this program, for example, there is a form in which a program stored in a reserved area of a recording medium such as a DVD-ROM is loaded into the RAM and executed by the CPU. In addition, there is a form that is executed by the CPU in a state stored in the ROM in advance. In that case, when a rewritable ROM such as an EEPROM is provided, only the program may be provided and installed in the ROM after the power failure mode control unit 11 is assembled. Furthermore, a form in which the program is transmitted via a network such as the Internet and installed in the ROM is also conceivable.

  By the way, even at the time of a power failure, the user turns off the power failure mode switch 153 disposed on the external side surface of the image forming apparatus 1 and sets the secondary battery 110 and the power failure mode power supply system to a disconnected state. You can also keep it.

Next, the function of the control unit 10 will be described. The control unit 10 controls the power supply system for the power failure mode during the normal operation of the image forming apparatus 1 as part of its function. In other words, for example, a function of suppressing the occurrence of various problems that occur when the power failure mode switch 153 is set to ON during the normal operation of the image forming apparatus 1 due to, for example, a user operation error or the user's positive intention. I have.
Here, FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration for controlling the power supply system for power failure mode in the control unit 10. As shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 10 includes a voltage converter current amount detection unit 101 and a voltage converter on / off switching control unit 102 as an example of a voltage conversion switching unit as a control function unit of the power supply system for power failure mode. A remaining charge amount detection unit 103 as an example of a residual power amount detection unit, a remaining charge calculation unit 104 as an example of a calculation unit, and an operation panel control unit 105.

  In addition, each function part of the control part 10 is implement | achieved when software and hardware resources cooperate. Specifically, a CPU (not shown) of the control unit 10 includes a voltage converter current amount detection unit 101, a voltage converter on / off switching control unit 102, a remaining charge detection unit 103, a remaining charge calculation unit 104, and an operation panel control unit. A program that realizes each function of 105 is read from the main storage unit 80 into a RAM (not shown) or the like to perform each process. The execution form of the program is the same as that of the power failure mode control unit 11 described above.

The control unit 10 outputs a current amount detection signal for monitoring the amount of current flowing through each of the first voltage converter 151 and the second voltage converter 152 during the normal operation of the image forming apparatus 1 through the signal lines S5 and S6. It is configured to obtain from the converter 151 and the second voltage converter 152. Then, the voltage converter current amount detection unit 101 of the control unit 10 is based on the respective current amount detection signals acquired from the first voltage converter 151 and the second voltage converter 152, and the first voltage converter 151 and the first voltage converter 151. The amount of current flowing through each of the two voltage converters 152 is detected.
Then, the voltage converter on / off switching control unit 102 determines that the amount of current detected by the voltage converter current amount detection unit 101 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value in either the first voltage converter 151 or the second voltage converter 152 (for example, “ If the power is not supplied to the power supply system for the power failure mode from the secondary battery 110, the voltage conversion processing in the first voltage converter 151 and the second voltage converter 152 is turned off. Control to do. Accordingly, the power supply from the secondary battery 110 to the power supply system for the power failure mode is set not to be performed during the normal operation of the image forming apparatus 1, particularly when the image forming apparatus 1 is started up. As a result, the supply power from the secondary battery 110 becomes excessive, and the power supply to the original fixing device 100 is insufficient, so that the fixing property is suppressed from being lowered.

In this case, a movable shutter may be provided in the power outlet section of the external supply interface 22 so that the shutter is automatically closed during normal operation of the image forming apparatus 1. Even with such a configuration, the interface 22 for external supply cannot be used, so the secondary battery 110 during the normal operation of the image forming apparatus 1, particularly when the image forming apparatus 1 is started up, to the power supply system for power failure mode. To suppress the power supply.
In the present embodiment, when the amount of current flowing through each of the first voltage converter 151 and the second voltage converter 152 is detected and power is supplied from the secondary battery 110 to the power supply system for power failure mode. Is controlled to turn off the voltage conversion processing in the first voltage converter 151 and the second voltage converter 152, but the amount of current flowing through the second voltage converter 152 is larger than that in the first voltage converter 151. The power consumption through the second voltage converter 152 is overwhelmingly large. Therefore, only the amount of current flowing through the second voltage converter 152 is detected, and when power is supplied from the secondary battery 110 to the power supply system for the power failure mode, the voltage conversion process in the second voltage converter 152 is performed. It is also possible to control to turn off only.
In addition, the first voltage converter 151 and the second voltage converter 152 can detect the amount of current flowing through each of the first voltage converter 151 and the second voltage converter 152 and the first voltage converter 151 and the second voltage converter 152 can operate during normal operation of the image forming apparatus 1. It is also possible to control so that the voltage conversion process is always turned off.

  In addition, the remaining charge detection unit 103 of the control unit 10 outputs a remaining charge detection signal for monitoring the remaining charge of the secondary battery 110 at a predetermined timing, for example, when the image forming apparatus 1 is started up each time. And obtained from the secondary battery 110 through the signal line S7. Then, the remaining charge of the secondary battery 110 is detected based on the remaining charge detection signal. The operation panel control unit 105 of the control unit 10 controls the operation panel 20 to display the detected remaining charge of the secondary battery 110 through the signal line S8. Thereby, the user can know beforehand the abnormality of the secondary battery 110 and the usable time of the secondary battery 110 as management information regarding the secondary battery 110.

As described above, in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the power stored in the secondary battery 110 is converted into, for example, AC 100V, and the external supply provided with, for example, a household AC 100V power outlet is provided. It is configured so that it can be supplied to the interface 22 for use. Thereby, even when the power supply from the commercial power supply 300 is interrupted at the time of a power failure due to a disaster or the like, a normal home appliance can be used normally for a certain period of time.
Therefore, it is possible to quickly obtain accurate information necessary for risk avoidance in the event of a disaster by operating an information device such as a television or a personal computer. In addition, it is possible to cope with urgent power use during a disaster.

[Embodiment 2]
In the first embodiment, the configuration in which the electric power stored in the secondary battery 110 is converted into, for example, AC 100 V supplied from a household power outlet and supplied to the external supply interface 22 has been described. In the present embodiment, a configuration will be described in which the electric power stored in the secondary battery 110 is converted into, for example, DC 100 V supplied from a USB terminal and supplied to an external supply USB interface provided with a USB terminal. In addition, about the structure similar to Embodiment 1, the same code | symbol is used and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a part of a power supply system that supplies power from the commercial power supply 300 to each unit via the main power switch 200 in the image forming apparatus 2 of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, the image forming apparatus 2 according to the present embodiment is provided with three external supply USB interfaces 23a, 23b, and 23c provided with USB terminals as an example of power output means for outputting. ing. Further, as a power supply system for a power failure mode that uses power stored in the secondary battery 110 that can be used when a power failure occurs, for example, a voltage that converts 120 VDC supplied from the secondary battery 110 to 5 VDC, for example. A third voltage converter 154 for DC-DC conversion is provided as an example of the conversion means.

The third voltage converter 154 supplies 5V DC obtained by converting, for example, 120V DC of the secondary battery 110 to the external supply USB interfaces 23a, 23b, and 23c through the power supply lines L10, L11, and L12. . The external supply USB interfaces 23a, 23b, and 23c are arranged on the external side surface of the image forming apparatus 2, and, for example, one or a plurality of USB terminals are provided. The user can connect, for example, a mobile phone or a personal digital assistant (PDA) to the external supply USB interfaces 23a, 23b, and 23c. This makes it possible to use or charge a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), or the like.
As described above, the image forming apparatus 2 according to the present embodiment effectively uses the power stored in the secondary battery 110 even when the power supply from the commercial power supply 300 is interrupted. The terminal (PDA) or the like can be used or charged.

[Embodiment 3]
In the first embodiment, the configuration in which the secondary battery 110 and the power supply system for power failure mode are set to the connected state by the user turning on the power failure mode switch 153 has been described. In the present embodiment, a configuration will be described in which a power failure is detected and the secondary battery 110 and the power supply system for power failure mode are automatically set to a connected state. In addition, about the structure similar to Embodiment 1, the same code | symbol is used and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a part of a power supply system that supplies power from the commercial power supply 300 to each unit via the main power switch 200 in the image forming apparatus 3 of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7, in the image forming apparatus 3 according to the present embodiment, the control unit 10 sends a power amount detection signal for monitoring the amount of power output from the main power switch 200 to the main power switch through the signal line S13. It is comprised so that it may acquire from 200. Then, the control unit 10 outputs a control signal for turning on and off the power failure mode internal switch 155 to the power failure mode internal switch 155 through the signal line S14 based on the electric energy detection signal acquired from the main power switch 200. It is configured. The power failure mode internal switch 155 receives a control signal from the control unit 10 and turns on / off the connection between the secondary battery 110 and the first voltage converter 151 and the second voltage converter 152.

Here, FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration for controlling the power supply system for power failure mode in the control unit 10. As shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 10 according to the present embodiment includes a power failure detection unit 106 and a power failure mode use unit in addition to the functional units of the power supply system for power failure mode in the control unit 10 according to the first embodiment. A switch on / off switching control unit 107 is provided.
Furthermore, the control unit 10 is connected to, for example, a relatively large-capacity capacitor (not shown) used as a storage battery, and can be driven within a predetermined time by supplying power from the capacitor when a power failure occurs. It is configured. That is, even when the supply of 5V from the low-voltage power supply 121 is interrupted due to a power failure, the power is supplied from the capacitor within a predetermined time.

The power failure detection unit 106 of the control unit 10 determines that the amount of power output from the main power switch 200 is equal to or less than a predetermined value for a predetermined time based on the power amount detection signal for monitoring the amount of power output from the main power switch 200. In the case (for example, about “0”), it is determined that the power is not supplied from the commercial power source 300, that is, “power failure”. When the power failure detection unit 106 determines that there is a power failure, the power failure mode automatic switch on / off switching control unit 107 of the control unit 10 sends a control signal for turning on the power failure mode internal switch 155 through the signal line S14. Output to the power failure mode internal switch 155.
In this case, the control unit 10 is driven by the electric power from the capacitor.

  As a result, the secondary battery 110 and the power supply system for power failure mode are set in a connected state, and the power charged in the secondary battery 110 is supplied to the power supply line L4 to the internal switch 155 for power failure mode and the power supply system for power failure mode. The power is supplied to the first voltage converter 151 through the power supply line L5 from the switch 155. Further, the power is supplied to the second voltage converter 152 through the power supply line L4 to the power failure mode internal switch 155 and the power supply line L6 from the power failure mode internal switch 155. Then, for example, direct current 120V from the secondary battery 110 is converted into alternating current 100V and supplied to the external supply interface 22.

As described above, in the image forming apparatus 3 according to the present embodiment, when a power failure occurs, the power stored in the secondary battery 110 is converted to AC 100 V and automatically supplied to the external supply interface 22. Is done.
By the way, in the image forming apparatus 3 of the present embodiment, the configuration in which the control unit 10 is driven within a predetermined time by the power supplied from the capacitor when a power failure occurs is described. In addition to such a configuration, the control unit 10 may be configured to be supplied with power from the secondary battery 110 so that it can be temporarily driven by the power from the secondary battery 110. In such a configuration, the power failure mode control unit 11 supplies power from the secondary battery 110 to the control unit 10 after the switching of the power failure mode internal switch 155 is completed and the power failure mode control unit 11 starts driving. Will be controlled to stop.

  On the other hand, when the power failure is restored, normal power is output from the commercial power supply 300 via the main power switch 200. As a result, the image forming apparatus 3 is activated, 5 V from the low voltage power supply 121 is supplied, and the control unit 10 is also restored. Therefore, the control unit 10 can receive an electric energy detection signal for monitoring the electric energy output from the main power switch 200. Thereby, the power failure detection unit 106 of the control unit 10 determines that the power is supplied from the commercial power supply 300 based on the power amount detection signal, that is, the “normal state”. When the power failure detection unit 106 determines that the power failure detection unit 106 is in the normal state, the power failure mode automatic switch on / off switching control unit 107 of the control unit 10 outputs a control signal for turning off the power failure mode internal switch 155 to the signal line S14. Is output to the internal switch 155 for power failure mode.

  Thus, in the image forming apparatus 3 of the present embodiment, when the power failure is restored, the power failure mode internal switch 155 is automatically turned off, and the secondary battery 110 and the power failure mode power supply system are It is controlled so as to be set to the shut-off state. Thus, the power supply from the secondary battery 110 to the power supply system for the power failure mode is set not to be performed during the normal operation of the image forming apparatus 3, particularly when the image forming apparatus 3 is started up. For this reason, the supply power from the secondary battery 110 becomes excessive, and the power supply to the original fixing device 100 or the like becomes insufficient, so that the fixing property is prevented from deteriorating. Moreover, shortening the lifetime of the secondary battery 110 is suppressed by suppressing excessive use of the secondary battery 110.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an image forming apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a part of a power supply system that supplies power from a commercial power supply to each unit via a main power switch in the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a fixing device temperature (fixing temperature) and a supply timing of power from a main power source and a secondary battery. It is the block diagram which showed the function structure of the control part for power failure modes. It is the block diagram which showed the function structure which controls the power supply system for power failure modes in a control part. FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a part of a power supply system that supplies power from a commercial power source to each unit via a main power switch in the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a part of a power supply system that supplies power from a commercial power supply to each unit via a main power switch in a third embodiment. It is the block diagram which showed the function structure which controls the power supply system for power failure modes in a control part.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 2, 3 ... Image forming apparatus, 10 ... Control part, 11 ... Control part for power failure mode, 20 ... Operation panel, 21 ... Operation panel for power failure mode, 22 ... Interface for external supply, 23a, 23b, 23c ... External USB interface for supply, 100 ... fixer, 110 ... secondary battery, 120 ... charge power supply, 121 ... low voltage power supply, 131 ... switch unit, 151 ... first voltage converter, 152 ... second voltage converter, 153 ... power failure Mode switch, 154 ... third voltage converter, 155 ... Power failure mode content switch, 200 ... Main power switch

Claims (9)

Fixing means for heating and fixing an unfixed image formed on the recording medium;
Power supply means for supplying power to the fixing means;
Power storage means for storing power for assisting power supply from the power supply means to the fixing means;
First voltage conversion means for converting the power stored in the power storage means into power of a predetermined voltage;
Second voltage conversion means for converting the power stored in the power storage means into power of a predetermined voltage and outputting it to an external device;
When the power from the power supply means stops, power is supplied from the first voltage conversion means, and the output restriction means limits the output of the power to the external device by the second voltage conversion means ;
A switching means for supplying power in parallel to the first voltage conversion means and the second voltage conversion means when power from the power supply means is stopped;
An image forming apparatus comprising: The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output restriction unit selectively switches the power storage unit and the second voltage conversion unit to a connected state or a cut-off state. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the output restriction unit switches the power storage unit and the second voltage conversion unit to a connected state when power from the power supply unit is stopped.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the output restriction unit releases the restriction on the output of the power to the external device when the power from the power supply unit is stopped. Residual electric energy detection means for detecting electric energy remaining in the electric storage means;
Output power amount detection means for detecting the amount of power output from the second voltage conversion means;
Based on the amount of power remaining in the power storage means detected by the residual power amount detection means and the amount of power output from the second voltage conversion means detected by the output power amount detection means, Calculating means for calculating a usable time of the power storage means and / or an amount of electric power that can be supplied from the second voltage converting means;
When power from the power supply means is stopped, power is supplied from the first voltage conversion means, the usable time of the power storage means calculated by the calculation means and / or the second voltage conversion means. Display means for displaying the amount of power that can be supplied from ,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: Fixing means for heating and fixing an unfixed image formed on the recording medium;
Power supply means for supplying power to the fixing means;
Power storage means for storing power for assisting power supply from the power supply means to the fixing means;
Voltage conversion means for converting the electric power stored in the electric storage means into electric power of a predetermined voltage and outputting it to an external device;
Output limiting means for limiting the output of the power to the external device by the voltage conversion means;
And a voltage conversion switching means for switching selectively the operating state or stopped state the voltage conversion by the voltage conversion means,
The voltage conversion switching means controls to stop the voltage conversion in the voltage conversion means when a state where the current is not more than a predetermined value is continued for a predetermined time in the voltage conversion means. Image forming apparatus. Fixing means for heating and fixing an unfixed image formed on the recording medium;
Power supply means for supplying power to the fixing means;
Power storage means for storing power for assisting power supply from the power supply means to the fixing means;
Voltage conversion means for converting the electric power stored in the electric storage means into electric power of a predetermined voltage and outputting it to an external device;
Output limiting means for limiting the output of the power to the external device by the voltage conversion means;
And a voltage conversion switching means for switching selectively the operating state or stopped state the voltage conversion by the voltage conversion means,
The voltage conversion switching means controls the voltage conversion means to stop the voltage conversion when the fixing means is supplied with power from the power supply means. . On the computer,
A function of acquiring information relating to the amount of current flowing through the voltage conversion means for converting the power stored in the power storage means that has stored power into power of a predetermined voltage;
A function of determining whether the current amount is equal to or less than a predetermined value based on the acquired information on the current amount;
A program that realizes a function of controlling the voltage conversion means to stop the voltage conversion when it is determined that the current amount is equal to or less than a predetermined value. On the computer,
A function of acquiring information relating to the amount of current flowing through the voltage conversion means for converting the power stored in the power storage means that has stored power into power of a predetermined voltage;
A function for determining whether the current amount is equal to or greater than a predetermined value based on the acquired information on the current amount;
The power is supplied to the fixing unit from the power supply unit that supplies power to the fixing unit that heat-fixes the unfixed image formed on the recording medium, and the current amount is determined to be equal to or greater than a predetermined value. And a function of controlling the voltage conversion by the voltage conversion means to stop.

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