JP6365234B2 - Power supply device and image forming apparatus having the same - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a power supply device and an image forming apparatus including the power supply device, and in particular, in a power supply device that performs on / off control of a plurality of power supply units using a dedicated CPU (Central Processing Unit), an abnormality in the power supply unit that supplies power to the CPU It is related with the technology to detect.

  In an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic system, it is necessary to supply power to many devices such as a charging unit, a developing unit, and a fixing unit. Therefore, the power supply device includes a plurality of power supply units, and each power supply unit is configured to be able to supply power suitable for an individual device. In addition, the power supply device includes a dedicated CPU (power supply control unit) that performs on / off control of a plurality of power supply units. By providing a dedicated CPU that performs on / off control of the power supply unit, power can be supplied only to devices that need to be supplied with power, and power consumption of the image forming apparatus can be suppressed.

  However, when an abnormality occurs in the power supply unit that supplies power to the CPU, the CPU does not start and power cannot be supplied to each device. In contrast, Patent Document 1 includes a power supply monitoring unit that monitors a power supply unit that supplies power to the CPU, and when the power supply monitoring unit detects an abnormality in the power supply unit, the power supply source for the CPU is the power supply unit. A technique for switching from a battery unit to a battery unit is disclosed.

JP 2002-73104 A

  However, in the above technique, a dedicated power supply unit that supplies power to the power supply monitoring unit is newly required, and the configuration of the power supply apparatus becomes complicated. Further, in order to keep driving the CPU by supplying power from the battery unit, a battery unit having a large capacity is required. Furthermore, when an abnormality occurs in the power supply unit that supplies power to the power supply monitoring unit, an abnormality in the power supply unit that supplies power to the CPU cannot be detected, and the power supply source for the CPU is changed from the power supply unit to the battery. Cannot switch to the department.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and even when an abnormality occurs in a power supply unit that supplies power to a dedicated CPU that performs on / off control of a plurality of power supply units, the abnormality of the power supply unit is present. It is an object of the present invention to be able to detect and to start up the CPU and supply power to each device.

  A power supply device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a main power source and a plurality of power source units driven by the main power source, wherein each power source unit is configured to be able to supply power suitable for an individual device. A power supply unit, a power supply control unit that performs on / off control of the plurality of power supply units, a battery unit configured to be able to supply power to the power supply control unit, and a switching unit that switches a power supply source for the power supply control unit, The plurality of power supply units include a normal power supply unit and a backup power supply unit configured to be able to supply power to the power supply control unit, and the battery unit is turned on when the main power supply is turned on. Supplying power to the power supply control unit to start the power supply control unit, the power supply control unit turns on the normal power supply unit at the time of startup, and when the normal power supply unit operates normally, The power supply in the switching unit When the power supply source for the control unit is switched from the battery unit to the normal power supply unit and the normal power supply unit does not operate normally, the power supply source for the power supply control unit is switched from the battery unit to the switching unit. It is a power supply device for switching to the backup power supply unit.

  An image forming apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention is an image forming apparatus including the power supply device described above and a plurality of devices that operate by power supply from the power supply device.

  According to the present invention, even when an abnormality occurs in a power supply unit that supplies power to a dedicated CPU that performs on / off control of a plurality of power supply units, the abnormality of the power supply unit can be detected, and The CPU can be activated to supply power to each device.

1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a structure of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of the power supply device concerning one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of operation | movement of the power supply device concerning one Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a warning screen displayed on the display unit of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of operation | movement of the power supply device concerning the modification of this invention.

  A power supply apparatus and an image forming apparatus including the power supply apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of an image forming apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. An image forming apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is a multifunction machine having a plurality of functions such as a copy function, a printer function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function. The image forming apparatus 1 includes an apparatus main body 11 that includes an image forming unit 12, a fixing unit 13, a paper feeding unit 14, a document feeding unit 6, a document reading unit 5, and the like.

  When the image forming apparatus 1 performs a document reading operation, the document reading unit 5 optically reads a document fed by the document feeding unit 6 or a document placed on the document placing glass 161, Generate image data. Image data generated by the document reading unit 5 is stored in a storage unit 15 including a large-capacity storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), a computer connected to a network, or the like.

  When the image forming apparatus 1 performs an image forming operation, an image is generated based on image data generated by a document reading operation, image data received from a network-connected computer, image data stored in the storage unit 15, or the like. The forming unit 12 forms a toner image on a recording paper P as a recording medium fed from the paper feeding unit 14.

  The magenta image forming unit 12M, the cyan image forming unit 12C, the yellow image forming unit 12Y, and the black image forming unit 12Bk of the image forming unit 12 are respectively a photosensitive drum 121, a developing device 122, and a developing device 122. A charging device 123, an exposure device 124, a primary transfer roller 126, and the like are provided. The developing device 122, the charging device 123, the exposure device 124, and the like are connected to a power supply device 10 (see FIG. 2) described later, and power is supplied from the power supply device 10. Each of the image forming units 12M, 12C, 12Y, and 12Bk forms a toner image on the photosensitive drum 121 by charging, exposing, and developing processes based on an image that includes each color component constituting image data. Then, the toner image is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 125 stretched around the driving roller 125A and the driven roller 125B by the primary transfer roller 126.

  The toner images of the respective colors transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 125 are superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 125 with the transfer timing adjusted to form a color toner image. The secondary transfer roller 210 conveys the color toner image formed on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 125 from the sheet feeding unit 14 through the conveyance path 190 at the nip N between the intermediate transfer belt 125 and the driving roller 125A. The recording sheet P is transferred. Thereafter, the fixing unit 13 fixes the toner image on the recording paper P to the recording paper P by thermocompression bonding. The recording paper P on which the color image has been formed after completion of the fixing process is discharged to a discharge tray 151.

  In addition, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a cleaning unit 70 provided at a position facing the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 125. The cleaning unit 70 electrically adsorbs and collects the toner remaining on the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 125.

  An operation unit 47 is provided on the front side of the image forming apparatus 1. The operation unit 47 includes a display unit 473 including a liquid crystal display (LCD) and an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display, and receives a user operation on a menu screen displayed on the display unit 473. .

  Next, the internal configuration of the power supply device 10 will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the power supply device 10. The power supply device 10 includes a main power supply 20 and a power supply unit 30. The power supply unit 30 is provided with a plurality of power supply units 32 to 39 that are driven by power supplied from the main power supply 20 on a substrate that is configured separately from the main power supply 20. The plurality of power supply units 32 to 39 are configured such that each power supply unit can supply power suitable for an individual device. The plurality of power supply units 32 to 39 are switched between an on state and an off state based on a power supply control signal output from a power supply control CPU 100 described later (on / off control).

  The fixing unit power supply unit 35 is connected to the fixing unit 13 and supplies power to a fixing heat source such as a halogen heater built in the fixing unit 13.

  The charging unit power supply unit 36 is connected to the charging unit 123 and supplies power to a charging member such as a charging roller or a corotron built in the charging unit 123.

  The cleaning unit power supply unit 37 is connected to the cleaning unit 70 and supplies power to a fur brush or the like built in the cleaning unit 70.

  The display power supply unit 38 is connected to the display unit 473 and supplies power to a liquid crystal display or the like built in the display unit 473.

  The storage unit power supply unit 39 is connected to the storage unit 15 and supplies power to the storage unit 15.

  The main CPU power supply unit 34 is connected to the main CPU 200 and supplies power to the main CPU 200. The main CPU 200 functions as a control unit 201 and a notification control unit 202 by executing a control program stored in a ROM (Read Only Memory) or the storage unit 15. In addition, the control part 201 and the alerting | reporting control part 202 may each be comprised by a hard circuit irrespective of the operation | movement based on the above-mentioned control program. The control unit 201 governs overall operation control of the image forming apparatus 1. The control unit 201 is connected to the fixing unit 13, the charging unit 123, the cleaning unit 70, the display unit 473, the storage unit 15, and the like. Send or receive signals or data. The notification control unit 202 causes the display unit 473 to display a predetermined warning screen when a power control CPU first power supply unit 32 described later does not operate normally.

  The first power supply unit 32 for power control CPU (normal power supply unit) is connected to the power control CPU 100 that performs on / off control of the plurality of power supply units 32 to 39 and supplies power to the power control CPU 100.

  Similarly to the first power supply unit 32 for power control CPU, the second power supply unit 33 for power control CPU (backup power supply unit) is connected to the power control CPU 100 and supplies power to the power control CPU 100. Supply. As will be described in detail later, when the first power supply unit 32 for power control CPU operates normally, the first power supply unit 32 for power control CPU becomes a power supply source of the power control CPU 100, while the first power control CPU first unit 32 is used. When the power supply unit 32 does not operate normally, the power supply control CPU second power supply unit 33 becomes a power supply source of the power supply control CPU 100.

  The plurality of power supply units 32 to 39 are examples of the plurality of power supply units included in the power supply device 10. For example, in addition to these power supply units 32 to 39, the power supply device 10 includes a communication module power supply unit that supplies power to a communication interface including a communication module such as a LAN chip, and a document that supplies power to the document reading unit 5. A reading unit power supply unit and the like may be provided.

  The power supply unit 30 further includes a battery unit 31 in addition to the plurality of power supply units 32 to 39 described above. The battery unit 31 is a rechargeable storage battery, and is connected to the power supply control CPU 100 in the same manner as the first power supply unit 32 for power control CPU and the second power supply unit 33 for power control CPU. Power is supplied to the CPU 100. Although details will be described later, when a main power switch provided in the image forming apparatus 1 is turned on and the main power supply 20 is turned on, power is first supplied from the battery unit 31 to the power control CPU 100. Thereafter, the power supply path of the power control CPU 100 is switched from the battery unit 31 to the first power supply unit 32 for the power control CPU or the second power supply unit 33 for the power control CPU by switching the power supply path by the switching circuit 40 described later. .

  The switching circuit 40 (switching unit) is interposed between the power supply unit 30 and the power supply control CPU 100, and includes a power supply path that connects the battery unit 31 and the power supply control CPU 100, the first power supply unit 32 for the power supply control CPU, and the power supply control. The power supply path that connects the CPU 100 and the power supply path that connects the power control CPU second power supply unit 33 and the power control CPU 100 can be switched. The power supply source of the power control CPU 100 is switched by switching the power supply path based on the control signal output from the power control CPU 100.

  The power supply control CPU 100 (power supply control unit) is provided separately from the main CPU 200 as a dedicated CPU that performs on / off control of the plurality of power supply units 32 to 39. By providing a dedicated CPU that performs on / off control of the plurality of power supply units 32 to 39, power can be supplied only to devices that need to be supplied with power, and the power consumption of the image forming apparatus 1 can be suppressed. For example, since it is not necessary to operate the cleaning unit 70 during non-image formation, the power control CPU 100 outputs a power control signal to turn off the cleaning unit power unit 37.

  The power supply control CPU 100 determines whether or not the power supply control CPU first power supply unit 32 operates normally in addition to the on / off control of the plurality of power supply units 32 to 39. Then, the power control CPU 100 causes the switching circuit 40 to switch the power supply circuit based on the determination result, and the power supply source of the power control CPU 100 is changed from the battery unit 31 to the first power supply unit 32 for the power control CPU or the power control CPU. The second power supply unit 33 is switched.

  Next, the operation of the power supply device 10 having the above configuration will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation flow of the power supply device 10.

  When the main power switch provided in the image forming apparatus 1 is turned on (YES in step S10), power is supplied from the battery unit 31 to the power control CPU 100 (step S11), and the power control CPU 100 is activated by the power supply. (Step S12).

  The power control CPU 100 outputs a power control signal to the plurality of power supply units 32 to 39 (step S13).

  The power supply control CPU 100 outputs the power supply control signal to turn on the power supply control CPU first power supply unit 32, and then obtains the output voltage of the power supply control CPU first power supply unit 32 (step S14). Then, the power supply control CPU 100 determines whether or not the power supply control CPU first power supply unit 32 is operating normally based on the acquired output voltage (step S15). Specifically, when the output voltage output from the first power supply unit 32 for power control CPU rises to a predetermined voltage value within a predetermined period, the power control CPU 100 first for the power control CPU. It is determined that the power supply unit 32 operates normally. On the other hand, when the output voltage output from the first power source 32 for power control CPU does not rise to a predetermined voltage value within a predetermined period, the power control CPU 100 first power source for CPU for power control CPU. 32 is determined not to operate normally and an abnormality has occurred.

  When power supply control CPU first power supply unit 32 operates normally (YES in step S15), power supply control CPU 100 outputs a control signal to switching circuit 40 to switch the power supply path, and the power of power control CPU 100 The supply source is switched from the battery unit 31 to the first power source unit 32 for power control CPU (step S16). Thereafter, the power control CPU 100 is supplied with power from the first power supply unit 32 for power control CPU instead of the battery unit 31.

  On the other hand, when the first power supply unit 32 for the power control CPU does not operate normally (NO in step S15), the power control CPU 100 outputs a control signal to the switching circuit 40 to switch the power supply path, and the power control CPU 100. Is switched from the battery unit 31 to the second power source unit 33 for power control CPU (step S17). Thereafter, the power control CPU 100 is supplied with power from the second power supply unit 33 for power control CPU instead of the battery unit 31.

  After the process of step S17, that is, after the switching circuit 40 switches the power supply source for the power control CPU 100 from the battery unit 31 to the second power supply unit 33 for the power control CPU, the notification control unit 202 displays the display unit 473 as a notification unit. A predetermined warning screen is displayed on the screen (step S18). FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the warning screen D1 displayed on the display unit 473. The warning screen D1 indicates that an abnormality has occurred in the power supply device 10 and that a serviceman should be requested for repair. In addition, a notification button d1 is provided on the warning screen D1. When the control unit 201 accepts the selection of the notification button d1 by a user operation using the operation unit 47, the control unit 201 predefines information indicating a repair request to a serviceman to a communication unit (not shown). Send to the communication destination. As a result, the user can request repair of the power supply device 10 with a simple operation when an abnormality has occurred in the power supply device 10.

  The notification operation by the power supply device 10 is not limited to performing the above warning display. For example, the notification control unit 202 may generate a predetermined warning sound from a sound source (notification unit) (not shown) instead of the above warning display process.

  As described above, according to the power supply device 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention, when the main power switch provided in the image forming apparatus 1 is turned on, the power control CPU 100 first receives power from the battery unit 31. Supplied. For this reason, even if an abnormality occurs in the first power supply unit 32 for the power supply control CPU, the power supply control CPU 100 does not start up and a situation in which power is not supplied to each device does not occur.

  In addition, while the power control CPU 100 is driven by the battery unit 31, the power control CPU 100 determines whether or not the power control CPU first power supply unit 32 is operating normally. Even if an abnormality occurs in one power supply unit 32, the power supply control CPU 100 can detect the abnormality.

  In addition, after the power control CPU 100 determines whether or not the first power supply unit 32 for the power control CPU is operating normally, the power control CPU 100 transfers the power supply source of the power control CPU 100 from the battery unit 31 to the power control CPU. A battery having a small capacity can be used for the battery unit 31 in order to switch to the first power supply unit 32 for power supply or the second power supply unit 33 for power control CPU.

  In addition to the first power supply unit 32 for power control CPU, a second power supply unit 33 for power control CPU is provided, and the power control CPU 100 determines that the first power supply unit 32 for power control CPU does not operate normally. Since the power control CPU 100 is driven by the second power supply unit 33 for power control CPU instead of the first power supply unit 32 for power control CPU, even if an abnormality occurs in the first power supply unit 32 for power control CPU, The image forming apparatus 1 can be continuously driven.

  The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of operations of the power supply apparatus 10 according to the modification. In addition, about the process of the same content as the process shown in FIG. 3, the same sign is attached | subjected and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  In the power supply device 10 according to the modification, the power supply control CPU 100 or the control unit 201 stores a power supply abnormality flag indicating that the power supply control CPU first power supply unit 32 does not operate normally after the warning notification processing in step S18. (Step S20). The power supply abnormality flag is displayed when the power supply control CPU first power supply unit 32 is repaired by a serviceman or the like and the abnormality of the power supply control CPU first power supply unit 32 is resolved. It is deleted from the storage unit 15 under the control of the unit 201.

  In the power supply device 10 according to the modification, the power supply control CPU 100 is activated (step S12), and after the power supply control CPU 100 outputs a power supply control signal to the plurality of power supply units 32 to 39 (step S13), the power supply control CPU100. Determines whether or not the power supply abnormality flag is stored in the storage unit 15 (step S21).

  When the power supply abnormality flag is not stored in the storage unit 15 (NO in step S21), the power supply control CPU 100 obtains the output voltage of the first power supply unit 32 for the power supply control CPU, similarly to the processing in the above embodiment. Then, it is determined whether or not the first power supply unit 32 for power control CPU is operating normally (step S14, step S15).

  On the other hand, when the power supply abnormality flag is stored in the storage unit 15 (YES in step S21), the power supply control CPU 100 does not acquire the output voltage of the first power supply unit 32 for the power supply control CPU, and does not acquire the output voltage of the first power supply control CPU. It is not determined whether the power supply unit 32 is operating normally. Then, similarly to the process of step S17, the power supply control CPU 100 outputs a control signal to the switching circuit 40 to switch the power supply path, and the power supply source of the power supply control CPU 100 is switched from the battery unit 31 to the power supply control CPU. The power supply unit 33 is switched (step S22). Thereafter, the notification control unit 202 displays a predetermined warning screen on the display unit 473 as the notification unit (step S23), similarly to the process of step S18.

  As described above, in the power supply device 10 according to the modification, when an abnormality occurs in the first power supply unit 32 for the power control CPU, the power supply control is performed every time the main power switch of the image forming apparatus 1 is turned on thereafter. It is possible to avoid a situation in which a process for determining whether or not the power control CPU first power supply unit 32 is operating normally by acquiring the output voltage of the CPU first power supply unit 32 is executed.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the power supply device according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied to the image forming apparatus is described. However, this is only an example, and the present invention is not necessarily limited to this case. The power supply device according to the present invention may be applied to various industrial machines other than the image forming apparatus.

  Moreover, the structure and process shown by said embodiment using FIG. 1 thru | or FIG. 5 are only one Embodiment of this invention, and are not the meaning which limits this invention to the said structure and process.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 10 Power supply device 20 Main power supply 30 Power supply unit 31 Battery part 32 Power supply control CPU 1st power supply part (normal power supply part)
33 Second power supply unit for power control CPU (power supply unit for backup)
34 Main CPU power supply unit 35 Fixing unit power supply unit 36 Charging unit power supply unit 37 Cleaning unit power supply unit 38 Display unit power supply unit 39 Storage unit power supply unit 40 Switching circuit (switching unit)
100 Power control CPU (Power control unit)
200 Main CPU
201 control unit 202 notification control unit

Claims (6)

A main power supply,
A plurality of power supply units driven by the main power supply, each power supply unit configured to be able to supply power suitable for an individual device; and
A power supply control unit that performs on / off control of the plurality of power supply units;
A battery unit configured to be able to supply power to the power control unit;
A switching unit that switches a power supply source for the power supply control unit,
The plurality of power supply units include a normal power supply unit and a backup power supply unit configured to be able to supply power to the power supply control unit,
When the main power source is turned on, the battery unit supplies power to the power source control unit to activate the power source control unit,
The power supply control unit turns on the normal power supply unit at start-up, and when the normal power supply unit operates normally, the power supply control unit supplies power to the power supply control unit from the battery unit to the normal switching unit. A power supply apparatus that switches to a power supply unit, and causes the switching unit to switch a power supply source for the power supply control unit from the battery unit to the backup power supply unit when the normal power supply unit does not operate normally. A notification power supply control unit for controlling a notification operation by the notification unit and the notification unit;
The power supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the notification power control unit causes the notification unit to perform a predetermined warning notification when the normal power supply unit does not operate normally.   The said notification power supply control part makes the said notification part perform the said warning notification, after the said switch part switches the electric power supply source with respect to the said power supply control part from the said battery part to the said backup power supply part. Power supply. A storage unit;
The power supply control unit stores a power supply abnormality flag indicating that the normal power supply unit does not operate normally in the storage unit when the normal power supply unit does not operate normally, and the normal power supply during the startup. After the power is turned on, it is determined whether or not the power supply abnormality flag is stored in the storage unit. When the power supply abnormality flag is stored in the storage unit, the normal power supply unit is 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the switching unit is configured to switch the power supply source for the power supply control unit from the battery unit to the backup power supply unit without determining whether or not to operate. 5. The power supply described. Before SL power control unit, when the output voltage outputted from the normal power supply unit rises to a predetermined voltage value within a predetermined time period, and that the power supply unit for the normal processed normally judgment, if the output voltage does not rise until the voltage value within the period, determines that the power supply unit for the normal does not operate normally, according to any one of claims 1 to 4 Power supply. The power supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
An image forming apparatus comprising: a plurality of devices that operate by supplying power from the power supply device.

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