JPS6033579A - Toner fixing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To predict a defect in a fixing processing by generating a warning after a specific time is elapsed corresponding to the photoelectric time of a charge and discharge capacitor for flash discharge, and stopping the warning when the charging voltage attains a specific value. CONSTITUTION:When fixing processing by a flash from a flash emitting lamp 3 is completed, the potential at the connection point E of a voltage detecting circuit 5 drops to reset the timer IC1 of the integrating circuit 81 of a warning generating circuit 8, and the charge time of the capacitor 2 for the flash emitting lamp 3 is integrated. When the integrated time attains the specific value, the output of a comparng circuit 82 is inverted to a high level and its inverted signal is outputted as a warning signal from a terminal Q. On the other hand, if the capacitor 2 is charged up to the charging voltage before the specific time and the potential at a terminal E of the circuit 5 rises, the timer IC1 is reset through the stopping circuit 6 for the warning signal generating circuit and the circuit 8 does not generate the warning signal. Thus, a defect in fixing processing is predicted excellently and securely to prevent unnecessary fix processing.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] The present invention relates to a toner fixing device.

In recent years, toner fixing devices for facsimile or copying machines? Flash discharge lamps have come into use because they are capable of high-speed fixing and do not require waiting time. In such a fixing device, the toner is melted and fixed by the energy generated by the flash of the flash discharge lamp.

Therefore, when fixing is to be performed on the door, it is necessary to reliably generate the desired flash, that is, a flash of sufficient energy to fix the toner.

Fig. 1 shows an example of a conventional toner fixing device using a flash discharge lamp. 1 is a charging circuit connected to an AC power source AC, and a charging/discharging capacitor 2 is connected between the terminals of this charging circuit 1. is connected to n, and a flash discharge lamp 3 is connected to both ends of this charging/discharging capacitor 2. This is a trigger electrode arranged along the tube wall of a 31Fi flash head discharge lamp 3, and a trigger circuit 4 is connected to this trigger electrode 31. P is an input terminal for a trigger circuit drive signal for operating the trigger (3) circuit 4, and this input terminal P is connected to a support such as paper on which the toner to be fixed is attached. A trigger circuit drive signal is input in synchronization with the loading into the fixing device.

According to this toner fixing device, the charging/discharging capacitor 2 is charged by the charging circuit 1 to a predetermined voltage, that is, a predetermined voltage of 0 to 1 that can obtain the flash energy required for fixing the toner. Fru. When a trigger circuit drive signal is input to the input terminal P in this state, the trigger circuit 4 is activated, which applies a high voltage to the trigger electrode 31, and the insulation between the discharge electrodes of the flash discharge lamp 3 is destroyed. As a result, the charge in the charging/discharging capacitor 2 is instantly released and a flash of light is generated.

This flash energy melts and fixes the toner on the support.

The toner is fixed in this way.
If the flash discharge lamp 3 is still in a glow discharge state for some reason even though the flash discharge lamp 3 is in a glow discharge state, the voltage across the charging/discharging capacitor 2 is not required even if the trigger circuit drive signal is input in this state. Since the predetermined voltage vO has not been reached, a flash of sufficient energy is not generated, and therefore the toner cannot be fixed on the support.

Alternatively, if the trigger circuit drive signal is input in an insufficient state where both g#a voltages of the photodischarge capacitor 2 do not increase due to a failure of the charging circuit 1, the same result as described above will occur.

The present invention has been developed based on the above-mentioned circumstances, and it is possible to detect in advance if the voltage across the charging/discharging capacitor is insufficient and to perform the necessary fixing. The purpose of this device is to provide a toner fixing device that can be fully understood, and its features include: a foot-worn flash discharge lamp having a trigger electrode; A charging and discharging capacitor, a charging circuit that supplies charge to the charging and discharging capacitor, a trigger circuit that supplies a trigger voltage to the trigger electrode of the flash discharge lamp, and a voltage detection device (5) across the photodischarge capacitor. ) a voltage detection circuit that operates when a predetermined period of time has elapsed from a reference time corresponding to the start of photoelectric charging of the charging/discharging capacitor; The present invention further includes an alarm signal generation circuit stop circuit which stops the operation of the alarm signal generation circuit when the horizontal voltage of the alarm signal generation circuit reaches a certain level.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory circuit diagram showing one embodiment of the present invention,
1 is a charging circuit, 2Fi photodischarge capacitor, 3TJ flash discharge lamp, and 4 is a trigger circuit.
This is the same device as shown in the figure.

The voltage detection circuit 5 is composed of voltage dividing resistors R9 and RIO connected in series to both ends of the charging/discharging capacitor 2. Voltage dividing resistor RI
A voltage corresponding to the voltage across the charging/discharging capacitor 2 appears at both ends of O.

6 is an alarm signal generation circuit stop circuit (hereinafter simply "stop circuit")
The stop circuit 6#'i, the first comparator circuit 61, and the reference voltage source 62 (6) constitute the stop circuit 6#'i. The first comparison circuit 61 includes a comparator IC3, a resistor R12 and a resistor Rta connected to one input terminal and the other input terminal of the comparator IC3, respectively, and an output terminal of the comparator IC3. The resistor R12 is connected to the connection point E between the resistor R9 and the resistor RIO of the voltage detection circuit 5. 62 is comparator ■C3
This reference voltage source 62 is a reference voltage source for supplying a reference voltage VngrI to the other input terminal of the DC power supply DCK. nt'c connected to both ends of
The sliding contact F of the variable resistor VR2 is connected to the resistor R13 of the first comparator circuit 61.
connected to.

A resistor R14 and a pace of a transistor Tr3 are connected in this order to the anode of the Zener diode ZD4.fL%
The collector of this transistor Tr3 is connected to the positive side of the DC power supply DC through a resistor R15.
The emitter of is connected to the negative (7) side of the DC power supply.

In the first comparator circuit 61, the voltage V at the connection point E is
If g exceeds the reference voltage VREFI Y,'t! A "low level" signal, that is, a signal (hereinafter simply referred to as "stop signal") that stops the operation of the alarm signal generation circuit 8, which will be described later, is output from the connection point H with the high resistor R15; At times, the output of the output terminal G becomes "low level" and no stop signal is output from the connection point H.

This is an 8Fi alarm signal generation circuit, and this alarm signal generation circuit 8 has an integration circuit 81, a second comparison circuit 82, and a reference voltage source 8:s. is being completed. Integrating circuit 81
are the timer circuit ICI, the NFC resistor R2 and transistor Trl connected in series with the DC power supply C, the resistor R1 connected between the pace emitter of this transistor Tri, and the DC power supply DC' in series. Connected resistor R
The connection point between the resistor R2 and the collector of the transistor Tri is connected to the input terminal aK of the timer circuit IC1, and the connection point B between the resistor Ra and the capacitor C1 is the output terminal of the timer circuit ICi. The reset terminal C of the timer circuit ICI is connected to the connection point H between the transistor Tr3 and the resistor Ri5, and the pace of the transistor Tr1 is connected to the force proboscis P at the connection point AiCj'j. ing. The timer circuit IC
When a signal is input to input terminal a of I, γL, an integral waveform of the input signal appears at connection point BK. At this time, the timer circuit IC
When a "low level" signal, that is, a stop signal, is input from the connection point H to the reset terminal C of I, the voltage Vn of the connection point B is input to the reset terminal C of I.
becomes zero. As the timer circuit IC1, for example, "NE5
55J (manufactured by Signetix) or the like.

The second comparator circuit 82 is composed of a converter IC2, and resistors R5 and R6 connected to one input terminal and the other input terminal of the converter IC2, respectively. ll configuration, and the resistor R5 is connected to the integrating circuit 81? The connection point BK is connected. An alarm signal generation terminal (9) Q is connected to the output terminal of the second comparison circuit 82. 83 is a reference voltage source for supplying the reference voltage VRKF2 to the other input terminal of the converter IC2, and this reference voltage source 83 is connected to the DC power supply D.
A resistor R4 and a variable resistor VR1 connected in series with CK,
The variable resistor VRt has a sliding contact C connected to the resistor R6 of the second comparison circuit 82.

In the second comparison circuit 82, the voltage V at the connection point B is
An alarm signal is output when n exceeds the reference voltage VREF by 2, and conversely, when it does not exceed the reference voltage VREF, the output becomes zero and an alarm signal is generated.

11 is a trigger circuit drive signal disappearance circuit, and this trigger circuit drive signal disappearance circuit 11 is a photocoupler P.
The anode of the light emitting diode LED of the photocoupler PH is connected to the DC power supply DC.
The collector of transistor Tr 2 is connected to the cathode of 5 light-emitting diode L[4I] through resistor R8' and the emitter of transistor Tr 2 is connected to the positive side of transistor Tr 2.
It is connected to the negative side of the direct current power supply DC via Z. The anode of the photothyristor PHT of the photocoupler PH is connected to the transmission path of the trigger circuit drive signal, and the cathode of the photothyristor PHT is connected to the negative side of the DC power supply DC.

The magnitude of the reference voltage VRBFI from the reference voltage source 62 is, for example, about 86% with respect to a predetermined voltage 0 at which the voltage across the charging/discharging capacitor 2 can obtain the flash energy required for fixing the toner. %, it is set to a constant level that matches the detected voltage by 8, that is, the voltage VW at the connection point E at that time. In this way, the reference voltage V
Is the size of REF1 set to a level equal to the detection voltage corresponding to about 80% of the predetermined voltage vO of the charging/discharging capacitor 2? If so, the charging/discharging capacitor 2 is in a charged state such that the detected voltage exceeds the above-mentioned certain level. Since the voltage is reliably photoelectrically charged at a predetermined voltage of 0 to 1, it is sufficient to detect the state of charge. The magnitude of the reference voltage VRKF2 from the reference voltage source 83 is determined by, for example, the emission of flash (1
1) In the case of periodic intervals of approximately 0.5 seconds,
The generation time of the trigger circuit drive signal is set as a reference time, for example, about 60% of 0.5 seconds from this reference time, or about 0.3 seconds.
After a second, the voltage is set to a value equal to the magnitude of the voltage appearing at the connection point B under the condition that no stop signal is input.

In other words, in this example: When the trigger circuit drive signal is input to the input terminal P, if there is no failure, a flash of light immediately occurs and the voltage across the charging/discharging capacitor 2 becomes almost zero, and Immediately thereafter, charging starts again, so the time at which this trigger circuit drive signal is input to the input terminal P is taken as the reference time corresponding to the start of charging of the charging/discharging capacitor 2.

The alarm signal from the alarm signal generating terminal Q is supplied to, for example, an evaporator lamp or a buzzer to generate an alarm, or is used as a signal to stop the operation of the toner fixing device.

According to the above embodiment, when the voltage across the charging/discharging capacitor 2 reaches the predetermined voltage vO, as shown in FIG.
As shown in (a) to (e), the input terminal PK is activated at the reference time t□.
:)! When the J-gar circuit drive signal is input, the voltage VB at the connection point E of the voltage detector 5 becomes the reference voltage VREF1.
(VF ), the output signal of the first comparator circuit 61, that is, the voltage VG of the output terminal G is at a "high level", and this "high level" signal causes the transistor Tr3 to
Since Fi is in the ON state and a "low level" signal, that is, a stop signal, is input from the connection point H to the reset terminal C of the timer circuit ICI of the integrating circuit 81, the output from the output terminal is zero and P, Therefore, the output of the second comparison circuit 82 is zero, no alarm signal is generated, and the trigger circuit drive signal disappearing circuit 11 also does not operate, and as a result, the trigger circuit drive signal is input to the trigger circuit 4. A flash of energy occurs and the toner is fixed.

Due to the occurrence of this flash, the voltage across the charging/discharging capacitor 2 decreases, and accordingly, the voltage VK at the connection point E decreases and becomes smaller than the reference voltage VREFI (VF).
Therefore, the output from the first comparator circuit 61, that is, the voltage VG at the connection point G becomes a "low level", and this (13) signal turns off the transistor Tr3, and a "high level" signal from the connection point H is output to the timer. When the reset terminal C of the circuit C1 is input, the reset state of the timer circuit ICI is released. On the other hand, input the reference time toKl.
A portion of the trigger circuit drive signal is input from the connection point A to the circuit 81 for 8t, turning on the transistor Tr1, and the signal is input to the input terminal a of the timer circuit C1. This input signal - @Fi timer circuit ICl, resistor R
3 and capacitor C1 convert the waveform into an integral waveform f
A signal with an integral waveform of the lever is output from connection point B. Immediately after the occurrence of the flash, at time t1, the charging/discharging capacitor 2 becomes photoelectrically charged again, and the voltage Vg at the connection point E of the voltage detector 5 reaches time t. At time t2, before a certain period of time T has elapsed, the reference voltage VRgr1 (VF)
When Y exceeds Y, a "high level" signal is generated from the connection point G of the first comparator circuit 61, and this signal causes the transistor Tr to
3 becomes on state, and the connection point H to p timer circuit IC
, 1, a "low level" signal, ie, a stop signal, is input to the reset terminal C of n, and the output of the reading point B becomes zero (14). Therefore, the output from the output terminal of the second comparison circuit 82 becomes zero, and as a result, no alarm signal is generated and the trigger circuit drive signal disappearance circuit 11 becomes inactive. Therefore, when the next trigger circuit drive signal is input to the input terminal P at the next reference time t3, this trigger circuit drive signal is input to the trigger circuit 4, and a flash of the desired energy is generated, and the toner is fixed. will be carried out.

Due to the occurrence of this flash, the voltage V)C at the connection point E decreases, and the reset state of the timer circuit 2C1 is released.

On the other hand, part #'i of the IJ gir circuit drive signal inputted at reference time 15 is inputted to the integration circuit 81, and a signal with an integral waveform is output from the connection point B. Charge/discharge capacitor 2i
j Nine flashes were lost [later, at time t4, charging started again n
However, for example, what happens if the voltage Vx at the connection point E of the voltage detector 5 decreases at time t5 when a certain period of time T has elapsed after the generation of the trigger circuit drive signal due to a failure in the charging circuit l? Reference voltage VuhF
1(VF)', the voltage Vo at the connection point G of the first comparison circuit 61 is at a "low level" and no stop signal (15) is generated from the connection point H. Therefore, the timer circuit IC1 is not in the reset state, and an integrated waveform signal is continuously output from the connection point B. This integral waveform signal is the reference voltage VRKF
2 (Vc) At time t5, a signal is output from the output terminal of the second comparator circuit 82, and this signal causes an alarm signal to be generated from the alarm signal generation terminal Q, and a trigger circuit drive signal. In the vanishing circuit 111jg, the transistor Tr2 is turned on and the photo cutter P is turned on.
H is activated, and as a result, the transmission path of the trigger circuit drive signal is short-circuited to the ground, and the trigger circuit drive signal lt' inputted to the input terminal P at the n1th reference time t6 does not reach the trigger circuit 4 and a flash occurs. will be stopped.

In this way, a certain period of time T has elapsed since the reference time corresponding to the start of charging of the charging/discharging capacitor 2, that is, the time when the trigger circuit drive signal was input! If the detected voltage of the photodischarge capacitor 2 has already reached a certain level, no alarm signal is generated and a flash of the desired energy is generated to fix the toner. , if the detected voltage of the charging/discharging capacitor 2 has not reached the level of 1 foot by the time the predetermined time T has elapsed from the reference time, an alarm signal is generated from the alarm signal generation circuit 8 and the alarm signal is generated. It is possible to detect whether toner is left on the ground, which is convenient for managing and maintaining the device.

When an alarm signal is generated, the subsequent trigger circuit drive signal is erased by the trigger circuit drive signal erasing circuit 11, so it is possible to stop the flash from occurring in a state where there is insufficient energy, and the energy is It helps to prevent waste.

As described above, the present invention provides a constant-wearing flash discharge lamp equipped with a trigger electrode, and an electrode connected to both ends of the flash discharge lamp.
An fc source discharging capacitor, a charging circuit that supplies photoelectric charge to this charging and discharging capacitor, a trigger circuit that supplies a trigger voltage to the trigger electrode of the flash discharge lamp, and a voltage detector that detects the voltage across the charging and discharging capacitor. an alarm signal generating circuit that operates when a certain period of time has elapsed from a reference time corresponding to the start of charging of the charging/discharging capacitor; The toner fixing device is characterized by an alarm signal generation circuit stop circuit that stops the operation of the alarm signal generation circuit when the detected voltage reaches a certain level. If the voltage across the capacitor can be determined by the amount of light, it is possible to detect the voltage in advance and know that the required voltage will not be reached.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory circuit diagram showing a conventional toner fixing device, FIG. 2 is an explanatory circuit diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
Figures (A) to (E) are explanatory diagrams showing voltage waveforms at points A to G for explaining the operation of the apparatus shown in FIG. 2. l...Photoelectric circuit AC...AC power supply 2...Charging/discharging capacitor 3...Flash discharge lamp 4...Trigger circuit 5...Voltage detection circuit 6...Alarm signal generation circuit stop circuit 61 ...First comparison circuit 62...Reference voltage source 8.
・Alarm signal generation circuit 81...Integrator circuit (18)

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1) A fixed-wear flash discharge lamp equipped with a trigger electrode;
A charging/discharging capacitor connected to both ends of the flash discharge lamp, a charging circuit supplying charge χ to the charging/discharging capacitor, a trigger circuit supplying a trigger voltage to the trigger electrode of the flash discharge lamp, and a charging/discharging capacitor connected to both ends of the flash discharge lamp. a voltage detection circuit that detects the voltage across the capacitor for charging and discharging; an alarm signal generation circuit that operates when a certain period of time has elapsed from a reference time corresponding to the start of charging of the charging/discharging capacitor; Inspection of the charging/discharging capacitor at 1 t.
1. A toner fixing device comprising: an alarm signal generation circuit stop circuit that stops the operation of the alarm signal generation circuit when the voltage reaches a certain Vpel. 2) A trigger circuit drive signal dissipation circuit that dissipates the trigger circuit drive signal when an alarm signal is received from the alarm signal generation circuit is further added.