JP7452083B2 - Electronic equipment, image forming apparatus and control method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an electronic device, an image forming apparatus, and a control method.

Various techniques are already known for detecting wire harness breaks. As a technique for detecting such a disconnection, a technique has been disclosed that detects a disconnection in a wire harness by transmitting a pulse signal to the electric wire to be detected and measuring the time difference between the transmitted wave and the reflected wave (for example, Patent Document 1).

However, the technology described in Patent Document 1 requires a measuring device such as a synchro slope to measure the time difference between the transmitted wave and the reflected wave, and in order to perform stop control regardless of the abnormal state. There was a problem in that the system was brought down uniformly, resulting in long downtime.

The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device, an image forming device, and a control method that can reduce downtime of the device.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the objects, the present invention includes a detection section that detects a voltage divided by a thermistor disposed in a device and a first resistor for pulling up, and at least a determining unit that determines the state of the wiring connected to the thermistor; and a control unit that switches control of the device based on the determination result of the determining unit, and the downstream side of the thermistor and a second grounded a resistor, and the determining unit determines, by the detecting unit, a value obtained by dividing the power supply voltage pulled up by the first resistor by the sum of the resistance value of the first resistor and the resistance value of the thermistor. , when a value indicated by the product of the thermistor and the resistance value of the thermistor is detected, it is determined that grounding has occurred in the wiring between the thermistor and the second resistor, and the control unit Temperature detection using first correspondence information that associates the voltage on the downstream side of the first resistor with the temperature of the environment in which the thermistor is placed, assuming that grounding occurs in the wiring between the second resistor and the second resistor. It is characterized by switching to action .

According to the present invention, downtime of the device can be reduced.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of main parts of an MFP according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of functional blocks of the control ASIC according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of abnormality detection processing of the MFP according to the embodiment.

EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Hereinafter, an electronic device, an image forming apparatus, and a control method according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Further, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments, and the constituent elements in the following embodiments include those that can be easily conceived by a person skilled in the art, those that are substantially the same, and those that are within the so-called equivalent range. is included. Furthermore, various omissions, substitutions, changes, and combinations of constituent elements can be made without departing from the gist of the following embodiments.

(Main part configuration of MFP)
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of main parts of an MFP according to an embodiment. The main configuration of an MPF (Multifunction Peripheral) 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1.

As shown in FIG. 1, an MFP 1 is an example of an image forming apparatus (an example of an apparatus), and is a multifunction peripheral that forms an image and prints out based on a print job or the like. Note that a multifunction device is a device that has at least two functions among a copy function, a printer function, a scanner function, and a fax function. As shown in FIG. 1, the MFP 1 includes an IOB 10 and a thermistor R2. Note that although FIG. 1 shows an MFP 1 as an example of a device, the device is not limited to this, and examples of the device include an inkjet printer, an electronic blackboard, a conference terminal device, a PC (Personal Computer), a smartphone, etc. An information processing device or the like is also assumed to be the device. In this embodiment, an MFP 1 will be described as an example of the device.

IOB10 is a controller version that performs I/O control. The IOB 10 includes a control ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 11 and resistors R1 and R3.

The control ASIC 11 is an electronic circuit that controls the operation of the IOB 10.

The resistor R1 (first resistor) is a resistor for pulling up the upstream side of the thermistor R2 to a power supply voltage of 5 [V]. Note that the power supply voltage pulled up by the resistor R1 is not limited to 5 [V]. It is connected to a thermistor R2 via a resistor R1 and a connector CN. The wiring between the resistor R1 and the connector CN is connected to the control ASIC 11, and the voltage on the wiring is converted into a digital value by an ADC (Analog to Digital Converter) in the control ASIC 11 and detected as a detection voltage.

The resistor R3 (second resistor) is a resistor for grounding the downstream side of the thermistor R2. Resistor R3 is connected to thermistor R2 via connector CN.

Thermistor R2 is a member whose resistance value changes depending on temperature. Therefore, by detecting the resistance value of thermistor R2 directly or indirectly (for example, when detecting the voltage of a component including thermistor R2), it is possible to detect the environmental temperature where the thermistor R2 is placed. In the case of the MFP 1, the thermistor R2 detects, for example, the temperature of a heater of a fixing unit that fixes toner, or the temperature of an image forming unit.

Note that the electronic device according to the present invention can be regarded as the control ASIC 11, the IOB 10 including the control ASIC 11, and furthermore, the MFP 1 equipped with the IOB 10.

Here, as shown in FIG. 1, when the wiring connected from the connector CN to the thermistor R2 outside the IOB 10 is pinched by each component placed inside the MFP 1, the coating of the wiring breaks and the wiring connects to the thermistor R2 outside the IOB 10. It may come in contact and become grounded. Specifically, the pinching may occur at least at a location A of the wiring upstream of the thermistor R2 or a location B of the wiring downstream of the thermistor R2. Therefore, the detection voltage detected by the control ASIC 11 changes due to pinching at location A, pinching at location B, or disconnection of connector CN. The abnormality detection device according to this embodiment changes its operation according to the change in the detected voltage. This change in behavior will be discussed in detail below.

(Configuration of control ASIC functional block)
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of functional blocks of the control ASIC according to the embodiment. The configuration of the functional blocks of the control ASIC 11 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 2.

As shown in FIG. 2, the control ASIC 11 includes a detection section 111, a determination section 112, a control section 113, and a notification section 114.

The detection unit 111 is a functional unit that detects the voltage of the wiring connecting the resistor R1 and the connector CN (that is, the voltage on the downstream side of the resistor R1). That is, the detection unit 111 detects the voltage divided by the thermistor R2 and the pull-up resistor R1. As mentioned above, the resistance value of the thermistor R2 changes depending on the temperature, so the detection unit 111 detects the voltage when the MFP 1 is started, that is, the internal temperature of the MFP 1 (the temperature of the environment in which the thermistor R2 is placed) ≒ the outside temperature of the MFP 1. It will be done at the timing of. The detection unit 111 is realized by the above-mentioned ADC included in the control ASIC 11.

The determining unit 112 determines the phenomenon that is occurring based on the voltage detected by the detecting unit 111 (detected voltage). Specifically, the determining unit 112 determines whether or not pinching occurs at location A, pinching occurs at location B, or disconnection of connector CN occurs. For example, when the temperature detected by the detection unit 111 is 0 [V], the judgment unit 112 determines that grounding has occurred at point A due to pinching (that is, a voltage drop of 5 [V] has occurred only in the resistor R1). It is determined that there is a Possible ways in which grounding occurs at location A include the fact that the coating of the wiring at location A is torn due to pinching by surrounding components, and the metal wire within the wiring comes into contact with the surrounding components, causing grounding. Further, the determining unit 112 determines that if the voltage detected by the detecting unit 111 is 5/(R1+R2)×R2 [V], grounding has occurred due to pinching at point B (that is, only the resistor R1 and thermistor R2 It is determined that a voltage drop of [V] has occurred. The manner in which grounding occurs at point B is similar to the manner in which grounding occurs at point A described above. Further, when the voltage detected by the detection unit 111 is 5 [V], the determination unit 112 determines that a disconnection has occurred due to disconnection of the connector CN (connector disconnection) or pinching at the location A or location B (i.e., It is determined that no current flows through the resistor R1 and no voltage drop occurs. Further, if the voltage detected by the detection unit 111 is 5/(R1+R2+R3)×((R2+R3), the determination unit 112 determines that there is no problem due to pinching at locations A and B, and that there is no disconnection of the connector CN. to decide.

The control unit 113 is a functional unit that changes the operation of the MFP 1 according to the determination result by the determination unit 112. Specifically, when the determining unit 112 determines that grounding has occurred due to pinching at the location A, the control unit 113 determines that temperature detection by thermistor R2 is impossible, and stops the operation of the MFP 1. In addition, when the determining unit 112 determines that grounding has occurred due to pinching at the location B, the control unit 113 allows the temperature detection by the thermistor R2 to continue, and creates a voltage-temperature conversion table based on the resistor R1 and thermistor R2. Switch to temperature detection operation using (voltage-temperature conversion table at R1/R2) (an example of first correspondence information). Here, the voltage-temperature conversion table at R1/R2 refers to the voltage on the downstream side of resistor R1 and the temperature of the environment where thermistor R2 is placed, assuming that grounding occurs due to pinching at point B. This is a table for mapping.

In addition, if the determining unit 112 determines that the connector CN has come off (connector disconnected) or that a disconnection has occurred due to pinching at location A or location B, the control unit 113 determines that temperature detection by thermistor R2 is impossible. Then, the operation of the MFP 1 is stopped. In addition, if the determining unit 112 determines that there is no problem due to pinching at locations A and B, and that the connector CN has not come off, the control unit 113 controls the resistor R1, thermistor R2, and resistor R3 as normal operation. The temperature detection operation is controlled using a voltage-temperature conversion table based on the voltage-temperature conversion table (voltage-temperature conversion table for R1/R2/R3) (an example of second correspondence information). Here, the voltage-temperature conversion table for R1/R2/R3 is based on the assumption that there are no defects due to pinching at locations A and B, and that connector CN is not disconnected, that is, the situation is normal. This is a table that associates the voltage on the downstream side of the resistor R1 with the temperature of the environment in which the thermistor R2 is placed.

The notification unit 114 is a functional unit that notifies an external service person or the like under the control of the control unit 113 when the determination unit 112 determines that grounding due to entrapment has occurred at the location B. The notification unit 114 may, for example, send a notification via email containing information indicating the abnormal state via the network I/F of the MFP 1, and perform operations such as lighting an abnormality lamp of the MFP 1 to notify the abnormality. It can also be used as a thing. Note that even when the operation of the MFP 1 is stopped by the control unit 113 based on the determination by the determination unit 112, the notification unit 114 may notify the outside to that effect.

Note that the determination unit 112, the control unit 113, and the notification unit 114 are not limited to being implemented by the control ASIC 11, but may be implemented by executing a program on a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or the like. Good too.

(MFP abnormality detection processing)
FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of abnormality detection processing of the MFP according to the embodiment. Anomaly detection processing of the MFP 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 3.

<Step S11>
If the MFP 1 has started (step S11: Yes), the process moves to step S12, and if the MFP 1 has not started (step S11: No), the process waits until it starts.

<Step S12>
The detection unit 111 detects the voltage of the wiring connecting the resistor R1 and the connector CN (that is, the voltage on the downstream side of the resistor R1) using the ADC function. Then, the process moves to step S13.

<Step S13>
When the temperature detected by the detection unit 111 is 0 [V] (step S13: Yes), the process moves to step S16, and when it is not 0 [V] (step S13: No), the process moves to step S14.

<Step S14>
If the detected voltage by the detection unit 111 is 5/(R1+R2)×R2 [V] (step S14: Yes), the process moves to step S17, and if it is not 5/(R1+R2)×R2 [V] (step S14: No). ), the process moves to step S15.

<Step S15>
If the voltage detected by the detection unit 111 is 5 [V] (step S15: Yes), the abnormality detection process is ended, and if it is not 5 [V] (step S15: No), the process moves to step S18.

<Step S16>
The determining unit 112 determines that when the temperature detected by the detecting unit 111 is 0 [V], grounding has occurred due to pinching at location A (that is, a voltage drop of 5 [V] has occurred only in the resistor R1). I judge that. If the determination unit 112 determines that grounding has occurred due to pinching at the location A, the control unit 113 determines that temperature detection by the thermistor R2 is impossible, and stops the operation of the MFP 1. Then, the abnormality detection process ends.

<Step S17>
The determining unit 112 determines that if the voltage detected by the detecting unit 111 is 5/(R1+R2)×R2 [V], grounding has occurred due to pinching at location B (that is, the voltage is 5 [V] only at the resistor R1 and thermistor R2). It is determined that a voltage drop of ] has occurred. Then, when the determining unit 112 determines that grounding has occurred due to pinching at location B, the control unit 113 allows the temperature detection by thermistor R2 to continue, and uses the voltage-temperature conversion table at R1/R2. Switch to temperature detection operation. Further, when the determining unit 112 determines that grounding due to entrapment has occurred at the location B, the notification unit 114 notifies an external service person or the like under the control of the control unit 113. Then, the abnormality detection process ends.

<Step S18>
The determining unit 112 determines that when the voltage detected by the detecting unit 111 is 5 [V], disconnection of the connector CN (connector disconnection) or disconnection has occurred due to pinching at the location A or location B (that is, the resistance R1 It is determined that no current flows and no voltage drop occurs. Then, if the determining unit 112 determines that the connector CN is disconnected (connector disconnected) or that a disconnection has occurred due to pinching at location A or location B, the control unit 113 determines that temperature detection by thermistor R2 is impossible. Then, the operation of the MFP 1 is stopped. Then, the abnormality detection process ends.

The abnormality detection process is executed through the flow of steps S11 to S18 described above.

As described above, in the MFP 1 according to the present embodiment, the detection unit 111 detects the voltage divided by the thermistor R2 and the pull-up resistor R1, and the determination unit 112 detects the voltage that is connected to at least the thermistor R2. The state of the wiring is determined, and the control unit 113 switches the control of the MFP 1 based on the determination result. As a result, even if a problem occurs in the state of the wiring connected to the thermistor R2, the operation of the MFP 1 is continued if the temperature can be detected by the thermistor R2. Therefore, downtime of the MFP 1 as a device can be reduced.

1 MFP
10 IOB
11 Control ASIC
111 Detection unit 112 Judgment unit 113 Control unit 114 Notification unit CN Connector R1, R3 Resistor R2 Thermistor

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9-189740

Claims (10)

a detection unit that detects a voltage divided by a thermistor placed in the device and a first resistor for pulling up;
a determination unit that determines the state of at least the wiring connected to the thermistor;
a control unit that switches control of the device based on the determination result of the determination unit;
Equipped with
A downstream side of the thermistor and a grounded second resistor are connected,
The determining unit determines, by the detecting unit, a value obtained by dividing the power supply voltage pulled up by the first resistor by the sum of the resistance value of the first resistor and the resistance value of the thermistor, and the resistance value of the thermistor. If a value indicated by the product of is detected, it is determined that grounding has occurred in the wiring between the thermistor and the second resistor,
The control unit associates a voltage downstream of the first resistor with a temperature of an environment in which the thermistor is arranged, assuming that grounding occurs in the wiring between the thermistor and the second resistor. An electronic device that switches to temperature detection operation using first correspondence information . a detection unit that detects a voltage divided by a thermistor placed in the device and a first resistor for pulling up;
a determination unit that determines the state of at least the wiring connected to the thermistor;
a control unit that switches control of the device based on the determination result of the determination unit;
Equipped with
an upstream side of the thermistor and the first resistor are connected via a connector,
An electronic device in which a downstream side of the thermistor and a grounded second resistor are connected via the connector. The determining unit determines that grounding occurs in the wiring between the thermistor and the first resistor when the detecting unit detects that the voltage is 0,
The electronic device according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the control section stops the operation of the device. The determining unit determines that when the detecting unit detects the power supply voltage pulled up by the first resistor, the connector is disconnected or a disconnection occurs in the wiring between the thermistor and the connector. It is determined that there is
The electronic device according to claim 2 , wherein the control section stops the operation of the device. The determining unit determines, by the detecting unit, a value obtained by dividing the power supply voltage pulled up by the first resistor by the sum of the resistance value of the first resistor and the resistance value of the thermistor, and the resistance value of the thermistor. If a value indicated by the product of is detected, it is determined that grounding has occurred in the wiring between the thermistor and the second resistor,
The control unit associates a voltage downstream of the first resistor with a temperature of an environment in which the thermistor is arranged, assuming that grounding occurs in the wiring between the thermistor and the second resistor. The electronic device according to claim 2 or 4, wherein the electronic device switches to a temperature detection operation using the first correspondence information. 6. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a notification section that notifies an external party when the determination section determines that grounding occurs in the wiring between the thermistor and the second resistor. electronic equipment. The determining unit determines, by the detecting unit, a value obtained by dividing the power supply voltage pulled up by the first resistor by the sum of the resistance value of the first resistor, the resistance value of the thermistor, and the resistance value of the second resistor. and the sum of the resistance value of the thermistor and the resistance value of the second resistor. It is determined that no problem has occurred,
The control unit is configured to control the voltage downstream of the first resistor and the arrangement of the thermistor, assuming that the connector is not disconnected and there is no problem with the wiring between the thermistor and the connector. The electronic device according to claim 2 , 4, or 5, which performs a temperature detection operation using second correspondence information that associates the electronic device with the temperature of the environment. 8. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the detection section detects a voltage divided by the thermistor and the first resistor when the device is started. the thermistor disposed in the image forming apparatus as the device;
the first resistor;
The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
An image forming apparatus equipped with a detection step of detecting a voltage divided by a thermistor placed in the device and a first resistor for pulling up;
a determination step of determining the state of at least the wiring connected to the thermistor;
a control step of switching control of the device based on the determination result in the determination step;
has
A downstream side of the thermistor and a grounded second resistor are connected,
In the judgment step, the value obtained by dividing the power supply voltage pulled up by the first resistor in the detection step by the sum of the resistance value of the first resistor and the resistance value of the thermistor is determined by the resistance value of the thermistor. If the value indicated by the product is detected, it is determined that grounding has occurred in the wiring between the thermistor and the second resistor,
In the control step, a voltage on the downstream side of the first resistor is associated with a temperature of an environment in which the thermistor is arranged, assuming that grounding occurs in the wiring between the thermistor and the second resistor. A control method for switching to temperature detection operation using first correspondence information .

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