JPH09297493A - Copying device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a copying device capable of making operation easy, saving energy and shortening a stand-by time. SOLUTION: The device is provided with a thermal fixing device 1 having a fixing roller 2 and plural heating means 4 and 5 for each of heating regions 2a and 2b obtained by sectioning the fixing roller 2 in its axial direction and can allow a passable paper sheet to vertically and horizontally pass through. At this time, the device is provided with detecting means 6a and 6b for detecting the temperatures of the respective regions, a mode switching means 9 for selecting a normal mode or an energy saving mode, a control means 7 which controls the temperatures of the respective regions to fixed ones and to which the command signal of the mode switching means 9 and the detection outputs of the detecting means 6a and 6b are inputted and a paper selecting means 10. When the energy saving mode is selected, the control means 7 generates heat only in the heating means corresponding to the smaller size of the vertically or horizontally passable paper and inhibits the passage of the paper of the size exceeding the smaller size.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a copying machine having a heat fixing device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional heat fixing device of a copying apparatus is constructed in the same manner as that of the first embodiment of the present invention, so that it will be described with reference to FIGS. It has a fixing roller 2 and a pressure roller 3 in pressure contact with the fixing roller 2,
The fixing roller 2 includes a plurality of central heaters 4 and an end heater 5 that generate heat when energized to independently heat the central area 2a and the end area 2b that are divided in the axial direction. The copying apparatus has a heating unit, and the copying apparatus is provided with, for example, A3, A4, B4, B
A plurality of paper feeding cassettes are provided in a paper feeding unit (not shown) so that the paper can be passed vertically or horizontally with a size smaller than 5, such as the central region 2 of the fixing roller.
a, detection means 6a, 6b for detecting the temperature of each part of the end region 2b, and control for controlling the temperature of each part to a predetermined temperature at which fixing is possible based on the detection output of the detection means 6a, 6b The means 7 and the mode switching means 9 for selecting the normal mode or the energy saving mode, which is composed of a switch provided on the operation panel 8 of the machine (not shown), are provided. In addition, 10 and 11 are provided on the operation panel 8 side by side, a paper selecting means for selecting a paper to be passed, a display means for displaying a necessary output of the control means 7, and a 12 is a control means 7.
Based on the output of the center heater 4 and the end heater 5
Is a solid state switch (SSR) for turning on / off the energization of the fixing roller 2, 13 is a protective element (temperature fuse) for preventing excessive temperature rise of the fixing roller 2, and 14 is a sheet conveyance guide member.

In such a case, when the energy saving mode such as standby is desired with respect to the temperature at which the fixing roller 2 can be normally fixed (for example, 180 ° C. to 185 ° C.), the temperature is lower than that (for example, 180 ° C. to 185 ° C.). A so-called residual heat state (about 100 ° C.) is provided, the energy saving mode is selected by the mode switching means 9, the temperature is switched to the low temperature, and the power consumption is suppressed to save energy.

[0003]

In the copying machine as described above, when the energy saving mode is selected, if the temperature of the fixing roller is once low, the user can normally fix from that state when he / she wants to use it. Even if it is returned to, it takes time to reach the temperature at which it can be used, and during that time it is extremely uncomfortable for the user and the workability is poor, so the energy saving mode is not selected and There is a problem that the effect does not increase.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to solve the problems of the conventional copying apparatus as described above and to simplify the operation.
An object of the present invention is to provide a copying apparatus which is energy-saving and can shorten the waiting time.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention according to claim 1 is such that the temperature of each area of the fixing roller in the copying apparatus as described above is controlled. Detecting means for detecting, mode switching means for selecting a normal mode or an energy saving mode, control means for controlling the temperature of each region to a predetermined temperature, and a command signal of the mode switching means and a detection output of the detecting means are input. When,
When a paper selection means is provided and the energy saving mode is selected,
The control means heats only the heating means corresponding to the smaller size of the paper that can be passed vertically or horizontally,
It is characterized in that the passing of a paper having a size larger than the small size is prohibited. According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, when the energy-saving mode is selected by the mode switching unit, the sheet selection unit selects a sheet for which passage is prohibited, The control means is characterized in that the heating means for heating the area corresponding to the area having a size exceeding the small size is caused to generate heat, and the prohibition of the sheet passing is released. The third aspect of the present invention is the first aspect.
In the invention described in (3), when the normal mode is selected and the unused state for the set time is maintained, the control means switches from the normal mode to the energy saving mode. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the copying apparatus as described above, detection means for detecting the temperature of each area of the fixing roller, and controlling the temperature of each area to a predetermined temperature, the detection output of the detection means. Control means for inputting,
A means for displaying the output of the control means and a paper selection means are provided, and while the heating means rises from room temperature, the area corresponding to the smaller size of the paper that can be passed, either vertically or horizontally, precedes the other areas. It is selected so that it will rise to a predetermined temperature that allows copying, and
It is characterized in that the control means selects a sheet corresponding to the previously raised area to enable copying, and displays on the display means that copying is possible with the selected sheet.

[0006]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIGS.
In FIG. 2, the same parts as those of the above-mentioned conventional device are referred to by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted, and different parts will be mainly described. In the first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the central heating means 4 provided with a central heater having a total length of 210 mm and the left and right sides of the fixing roller 2 are symmetrical with respect to the center of the sheet passing. An edge heating means 5 provided with an edge heater of 55 mm symmetrically is provided in the fixing roller 2, and the surface of the fixing roller 2 is detected to detect the temperature of the central area 2a heated by the central heating means 4. Means 6a and detection means 6b for detecting the temperature of the end region 2b heated by the end heating means 5 are provided, and the temperature detection means 6a, 6b are provided.
The control means 7 for inputting the output of the above is provided, and the operation panel 8 of the machine (not shown) is provided with the mode switching means 9, which is a switch for selecting the normal mode or the energy saving mode, the paper selection means 10, and the display means 11. Is.

As shown in FIG. 3, the time required for the central area 2a of the fixing roller 2 to become copyable is faster than the time required for the areas 2b at both ends to become copyable.
The central heating means 4 is selected to have a larger heat generation capacity than the heating means 5 at both ends.

The outputs of the temperature detecting means 6a, 6b are input to the control means 7, which controls the temperature detecting means 6a, 6b.
Corresponding to the output of the central heating means 4 and the end heating means 5
The temperature of each area on the surface of the fixing roller 2 is independently controlled to a predetermined temperature by controlling the energization of. The heating range of each heating means 4 and 5 is the central heating means 4
Is 210 mm in the center and the heating means 5 is 55 m at both ends.
m, which is 320 mm as a whole, the central heating means 4
Is a small size up to 210 mm which is the vertical width of A4 (B5 vertical,
For A5 portrait, A5 landscape, postcards, etc., the edge heating means 5 has a larger size (A3 portrait (297 mm), A4 landscape, B)
It is designed to heat the end portion which cannot be completely covered in the central portion in the case of a sheet of 5 horizontal, B 4 vertical, etc.).

The command signal of the normal mode or the energy saving mode selected by the mode switching means 9 is input to the control means 7.

In such a case, the operation is shown in FIG.
When the user selects the energy saving mode by the mode switching means 9 as in the flow shown in (4)
-2), the control means 7 to which the command signal is input stops the energization of the end heating means 5 (step 4-4), and accordingly, among the plurality of paper feed cassettes of the paper feed section (not shown). Then, if the end heating means 5 is not used, it is determined whether or not the sheet cannot be fixed (step 4-5). If there is the sheet that cannot be fixed (step 4-5NG), only the sheet is fixed. The sheet cannot be passed (step 4-6), and the user is informed of the fact on the display means 11. For example,
In the case of papers (A4, B5) that can be passed in both directions on the display means 11, a message of "direction confirmation" is displayed (step 4-7),
In the case of a sheet (A3, B4, etc.) that cannot be passed unless both are heated, the "sheet size" is displayed (step 4-8).

In the second embodiment, when the user selects the energy saving mode by the mode switching means 9 in the first embodiment and the size of the paper selected by the paper selecting means 10 is the energy saving mode, the paper cannot be passed (selected). If the size of the sheet is not allowed), the control means 7 automatically cancels the energy-saving mode, and controls so that even if a sheet of that size is selected by the sheet selection means 10, the sheet can be passed and copied. is there.

In such a case, the operation is shown in FIG.
When the energy saving mode is selected (step 5-2) and the end heating means 5 is turned off (step 5-4), the control means 7 automatically prohibits the passage of paper. If you want to use the existing paper (Step 5-
4NG), the paper selection means 10 selects the passage of the paper,
The control means 7 releases the energy saving mode (step 5-
6) The end heating means 5 is turned on to enable copying.

In the third embodiment, in the second embodiment, when the energy-saving mode is off (normal standard mode), the timer provided in the control means 7 is preset with a time such as 5 minutes, and the control means is set in advance. 7 is for performing control so as to automatically switch from the energy-saving mode off to the energy-saving mode after a set time has elapsed from the end of the preceding copying operation.

In such a case, the operation is shown in FIG.
When the energy-saving mode is off (step 6-2 NO), the copying operation in the energy-saving mode off is completed, and then the process is on standby within the set time (step 6-2).
If the energy saving mode is turned off as “Yes”, and the unused state continues for more than the set time (step 6−)
6; T ≧ 300), turn on the energy saving mode (step 6)
-7). This can reduce power consumption.

The fourth embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that
The central area 2a heated by the central heating means 4 while the fixing roller 2 is heated from the room temperature to the fixable temperature.
Will rise earlier than the end region 2b heated by the end heating means 5 with a time difference Δt ₁ as shown in FIG.
A sheet of a size corresponding to a can be copied first. Therefore, when the temperature rises from room temperature, the control means 7 selects a sheet corresponding to the area that has risen earlier to control copying, and displays on the display means that copying is possible with the selected sheet. is there.

In such a case, the operation flow is as shown in FIG. 7, and full-size copying is impossible in the middle of rising (steps 7-2, 7-5), but at the center. When the temperature of the copy reaches the temperature at which fixing is possible (step 7-5 Yes), the control means 7 controls the central area 2a.
Paper of a size that can be fixed in, for example, A4 portrait, B5
Copying is enabled from those set vertically (step 7-5 Yes), and paper set in A4 portrait or B5 portrait is selected by the paper selecting means 10 to display that copying is possible (steps 7-8, 7-8). 7-9). As a result, the apparent waiting time can be shortened and energy saving can be achieved.

[0017]

The present invention is as described above, and the invention according to claim 1 is the copying apparatus as described above.
Detecting means for detecting the temperature of each area of the fixing roller, mode switching means for selecting the normal mode or the energy saving mode, and controlling the temperature of each area to a predetermined temperature, and a command signal and detecting means of the mode switching means. When the energy saving mode is selected, the control means provides only the heating means corresponding to the smaller size of the paper that can be passed, either vertically or horizontally, when the energy saving mode is selected. In addition to generating heat, it is prohibited to pass paper of a size larger than the small size.
While the commonly used sheets (A4, B5, etc.) can be used, the sheets placed in the proper orientation can be automatically passed and copied, and the operation is easy. In addition, it is possible to suppress wasteful power consumption and shorten the standby time.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, when the sheet selection means selects a sheet for which sheet passing is prohibited while the energy saving mode is selected by the mode switching means, the control means controls the small size. Since the heating means for heating the area corresponding to the area exceeding the size is heated and the prohibition of the sheet passing is released, the sheet of the size desired by the user can be passed and the copying can be performed. There is.

According to the third aspect of the invention, when the normal mode is selected and the unused state for the set time is maintained, the control means switches from the normal mode to the energy saving mode.
There is an effect that further energy saving can be achieved.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the copying apparatus as described above, the detecting means for detecting the temperature of each area of the fixing roller and the detecting means for controlling the temperature of each area to a predetermined temperature. Is provided with a control means for inputting the detection output of, a means for displaying the output of the control means, and a paper selection means, and while the heating means rises from room temperature,
It is selected to raise the area corresponding to the smaller size of the paper that can be passed vertically or horizontally to the predetermined temperature that allows copying earlier than other areas.When starting from room temperature, the control means starts up first. The sheet corresponding to the selected area is selected to enable copying, and the fact that the selected sheet can be copied is displayed on the display means, so that a wasteful waiting time can be shortened and copying can be performed quickly. The effect is that it can be done.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic vertical sectional view of a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic side sectional view of the above-described first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a characteristic diagram showing a temperature rising state of a central portion and an end portion of the fixing roller according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an operation flowchart of the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an operation flowchart of the second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an operation flowchart of the third embodiment of the above.

FIG. 7 is an operation flowchart of the fourth embodiment of the above.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Heat Fixing Device 2 Fixing Roller 3 Pressure Roller 4 Central Heating Means 5 End Heating Means 6a, 6b Temperature Detecting Means 7 Control Means 9 Mode Switching Means

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A thermal fusing device having a fusing roller,
In the copying apparatus, wherein the fixing roller has a plurality of heating means for heating respective areas divided in the axial direction of the fixing roller, and which can pass the paper which can be passed vertically or horizontally. Detecting means for detecting the temperature of each area, mode switching means for selecting the normal mode or energy saving mode, the temperature of each area is controlled to a predetermined temperature, the command signal of the mode switching means and the detection output of the detecting means When the energy saving mode is selected, the control means causes only the heating means corresponding to the smaller size of the paper that can be passed through the paper to generate heat. A copying apparatus characterized in that a paper having a size larger than the small size is prohibited from being passed. 2. The control means controls the area size larger than the small size when the paper selection means selects a paper for which paper passage is prohibited while the energy saving mode is selected by the mode switching means. 2. The copying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the heating means for heating the corresponding area is caused to generate heat, and the prohibition of sheet passing is released. 3. The copying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control means switches from the normal mode to the energy saving mode when the normal mode is selected and the unused state for the set time is maintained. 4. A thermal fusing device having a fusing roller,
In the copying apparatus, wherein the fixing roller has a plurality of heating means for heating respective areas divided in the axial direction of the fixing roller, and which can pass the paper which can be passed vertically or horizontally. Detection means for detecting the temperature of each area, control means for controlling the temperature of each area to a predetermined temperature, the detection output of the detection means is input, means for displaying the output of the control means, and paper selection Means is provided, and the heating means is selected such that the area corresponding to the smaller size of the paper that can be passed through the paper, either vertically or horizontally, rises to a predetermined temperature at which copying can be performed before other areas while the heating means rises from room temperature. When the temperature rises from the normal temperature, the control means selects the paper corresponding to the area previously raised so that the copy is possible, and the display means that the selected paper can be copied. A copying machine and displaying.