JPS63168663A - Copying machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To set a copying machine to a usable state at the time when it should be actually used, by controlling the copying machine so that a power source is turned on at least a warm-up time before the time set by setting means. CONSTITUTION:The copying machine is so constituted that the power source is turned on at least the time, which is required for warm-up, before the time of actual use if this time of actual use is preliminarily set by setting means 80-89. Therefore, the copying machine is in the usable state at this time of actual use to eliminate the waiting time. Further, the variance of the time for warm-up due to the variance of ambient temperature is automatically corrected because the warm-up time is determined based on the temperature of a fixing roller detected by a temperature detecting means TH1, and the error between the time of use reservation and the time when the copying machine is actually set to the usable state is reduced, and accurate setting is possible.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to a copying machine that is ready for use at a time when use is reserved in advance.

(Prior Art and its Problems) Conventionally, there are known copying machines in which the power is automatically turned on when a preset reservation time arrives. For example, a copying machine described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 55-21020 is controlled so that a dew condensation prevention heater or a fixing auxiliary heater is turned on at a time set in advance on a timer. However, in such conventional copying machines, the 11 power sources are turned on at the time when the setting reservation is made, so the time it takes for the copying machine to warm up is before it can actually be used. , and had to wait during that time. Therefore, in order to reserve the time you actually want to use so that you do not have to wait, you must set the time taking into account the time required for warm-up. Because the temperature varies depending on the ambient temperature at the time, accurate settings cannot be made, resulting in waiting time and wasted time.

(Technical Means for Solving the Problems) In view of the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a copying machine in which the actual time of use is set in advance so that the copying machine becomes ready for use at that time. The technical means for this purpose include a setting means for setting a time for reservation of use, a temperature detection means for detecting the temperature of the fixing roller, and a warm temperature detection means based on the temperature detected by the temperature detection means. The device has warm-up time determining means for determining a warm-up time, and is controlled so that the power is turned on at least the warm-up time before the time set by the setting means.

(Example) Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a front sectional view showing the general structure of a copying machine A. FIG. In the figure, a photoreceptor drum l that can be driven to rotate counterclockwise is disposed approximately in the center of the copying machine body, and surrounding it are a main eraser lamp 2, a sub charger 3, a supply eraser lamp 4, main charger 5,
A developing device 6, a transfer charger 7, a copy paper separation charger 8, and a blade type cleaning device 9 are provided. The photoreceptor drum 1 has a photoreceptor layer provided on its surface, and this photoreceptor is sensitized and charged by passing through the eraser lamps 2 and 4 and the charger 3.5, and receives image exposure from the optical system IO. .

The optical system 10 is installed below the original glass 16 so as to be able to scan the original image, and includes a light source 11a, a movable mirror 11.
12, 13, a lens 14, and a mirror 15. The light source 11a and the movable mirror 11 move to the left at a speed of v/n (where n is the copying magnification) with respect to the circumferential speed of the photosensitive drum 1 (constant regardless of whether the magnification is the same or variable magnification), The movable mirror 12.13 is driven by a scan motor M3 so as to move to the left at a speed of V/2n. When changing the copying magnification, the lens 14 moves on the optical axis and the mirror 15 moves and swings, but such a magnification changing device is well known and will not be described in detail.

On the other hand, on the left side of the copying machine main body, a top picture paper section 20 and a bottom picture paper section 22 are installed, and the conveyance path of the copy paper is formed by a pair of rollers 24.
5, a pair of timing rollers 26, a conveyor belt 27, a fixing device 28, and a pair of discharge rollers 29.

Further, the main body of the copying machine is provided with a main switch SWI, a front door switch SW2, and a drum dry switch SW3.

FIG. 2 shows the arrangement of the operation keys on the operation panel of the copying machine A. The operation panel 70 includes a print key (71.7 segments) for starting the copying operation.
Numerical display device 72 configured with D and capable of displaying 4-digit numerical values
, 1, 2, respectively. ...Numeric keys 80 to 89 corresponding to the numerical value of 9°0, interrupt key 90 to specify interrupt copying
, a clear/stop key 91, a paper selection key 92 for specifying the copy paper of paper feed cassettes installed in multiple stages by size, and up and down keys 93 for specifying the copy image density in steps. 94 and copy magnification setting keys 100 to 103 are arranged. This magnification setting key 100. For jot, 102, and 103, the corresponding copying magnifications are stored in advance in a storage device, which will be described later. The copying operation is executed at the copying magnification α.

95 is a copy! This is a power-off time setting key for setting the time period for turning off the power of the aA. When setting the power off time period, first press the power off time setting key 95 and then input time data using the numeric keys 80 to 89. Then, power off time setting key 95 is pressed again.
Press to store this time data. 96 is a cancel key for canceling the power off state during this set time period.

Reference numeral 97 is a power-on time setting key for setting the time period for turning on the power of the copying machine. When setting the power-on time period, first press the power-on time setting key 97, and then input time data using the numeric keys 80-89. When the power-on time setting key 97 is pressed again, this time data is stored. 98 is a cancel key for canceling the power-on state during this set time period.

FIG. 3 shows the control circuit of copying machine A, and 201 is the first CP.
U, 202 is a second CPU, 203 is a battery-backed RAM, 204 is a switch matrix formed by keys on the operation panel, 205 is a drive circuit for a flow motor M3 for document scanning, and 206 is for zooming. In the driving circuit for the stepping motor M4, 207 is a decoder. Note that output terminals AI to A7 are connected to main motor M1, respectively.
, developing motor M2, timing roller clutch CL1,
It is connected to drive switching transistors (not shown) for the upper paper feed clutch CL2, the lower paper feed clutch CL3, the charger 5, and the transfer charger 7, and the output terminal A8 is connected to a power supply circuit for the copying machine. This output terminal A8 has
When the time period corresponding to the setting arrives, a signal (power off/on signal) for turning off or on the main power of the copying machine A is output under certain conditions as shown in a flowchart to be described later.

Various data for copying operation control is written in the RAM 203 or shifted from the ROM in the CPU and stored therein.
Corresponding to the storage units Ql, Q2. For example, when the selection key 100 is turned on, the storage section Q1 is read out, and when the selection key 101 is turned on, the storage section Q2 is read out. Also, R.A.
M2O3 stores time data of the power-off or on-time period set by the power-off time setting key 95, the power-on time setting key 97, and the numeric keys 80-89.

Reference numeral 208 is a clock IC, which is amplified by a battery bank, and once the time is set, it keeps time thereafter.

This clock IC 208 connects the first CP tJ to the data bus.
201, and the first C'P U2O5 inputs time data from this clock IC 208.

THI is a thermistor for detecting fixing temperature.

The thermistor THI is input to the analog port ANO of the first CPU 201, and is used as data for controlling the temperature of the heater and calculating the time when the power is actually turned on in the power-on reservation.

FIG. 4 shows the power supply circuit of copying machine A. Power is input from power supply input lines L and N, and contacts 2a1 of breaker CB1, nozzle filter NFI, and main relay RY2.
+ 2a2, secondary side load power supply unit PUI and 1
Connected to the next load (heater, lamp, etc.). It is connected to the power transformer TRI, which serves as a power source for microcomputers and sensors, without going through contacts 2a1.282, and a 5V power supply is supplied via the rectifier circuit RFI and the stabilizing circuit PU2. Each receives 24 ■ power supply via ICI. Main switch S
When WI is pressed, it is self-held by relay RYI. In this state, when the front door switch SW2 is on, the signal from the terminal A8 is off (1H" level in this case), and the transistor Ql is conducting, the main relay R
Y2 turns on.

Therefore, the signal from terminal A8 (power off/on signal)
is on (in this case, 3■, level 3), main relay RY2 is turned off and primary loads such as heaters and lamps are turned off, but depending on the time when the power is turned on, When the power off/on signal turns off at the scheduled time, the main relay RY2 turns on, power is supplied to the secondary load power supply unit PU1 and the primary load, and warm-up is started.

5 to 11 show the procedure of processing executed by the first CPU U2O5.

FIG. 5 schematically shows the overall configuration of the processing of the first CPU U2O5. When the program starts, first,
In step S1, a subroutine for initializing the CPU 2O5 and the copying machine A is executed.

This initial setting subroutine is as shown in Figure 6.
Set the number of copies to 1, the paper feed port to top feed, and the copy magnification to 1x. In step S2, the first CP
The internal timer of U2O5 is set and then step S
In step 3, input data for various switches inside the copying machine A. Then, in step S4, it is determined whether or not a copying operation is in progress. If the copying operation is not in progress, step S5.
S6. In S7, a temperature control routine, an operation processing routine, and a time theft routine are executed. Details of the temperature control routine, operation processing routine, and time setting routine are shown in FIGS. 7, 8, and 9, respectively.

In step S8, an auto-reset timer is determined. This auto-reset timer measures the time when setting data is reset to initial setting data when no operation is performed on the operating section of the copying machine for a predetermined period of time. When the auto-reset timer times up, an initial setting routine is executed in step S9, and then a copy prohibition flag is determined in step S10. If the copy prohibition flag is "0", a copy operation control routine is executed in step Sll. Then, an automatic power-off routine is executed in step S12, and an automatic power-on routine is executed in step 313. This copy operation control routine,
The details of the automatic power-off routine and the automatic power-on routine are shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, respectively. In step 514, one routine is ended after waiting for the internal timer to end.

FIG. 7 shows the temperature control routine. In step S31, it is determined whether the temperature of the fixing device 2 (FIG. 1) has risen to the set temperature. If the temperature has not risen, copying is prohibited in step S32. If the flag is set to “1” and the temperature is rising,
If drum dry switch SW3 is off, step S
At step S34, the copy prohibition flag is set to "01," and at step S35, an auto-reset timer is set. If the drum dry switch SW3 is on, the drum dry timer is set after the copy prohibition flag is set to "1." , turn on the main motor. Step S
When it is determined in step 39 that the drum dry timer has ended, the copy prohibition flag is set to "0", the auto-reset timer is set, and the main motor is turned off.

FIG. 8 shows the operation processing routine, in which step S4
1, it is determined whether a key on the operation panel 70 is turned on. If the key is turned on, the operation flag is set to "1" in step S42, and the auto-reset timer is set in step S44. If the key is not turned on, the operation flag is set to "O" in step 343.

FIG. 9 shows the time cent routine. Step S
At step 51, it is determined whether the power off time setting key 95 (FIG. 2) is on-edge, and when the key 95 is pressed and it is determined that the on-edge is on, at step 352, the power off time setting flag is determined, and this power off time setting is performed. If the flag is 0, the time will be set from now on, so the power off time setting flag is set to "l" in step S53.
In step S54, the numerical display device i! 72 7 segment 1
- Make the LED display blank. Also, step 35
If it is determined that the power off time setting flag is 11" in step 2, it means that the time setting has already been completed.
In step S55, the power off time setting flag is set to "0", and in step 356, the time data displayed on numerical display device 72 is stored in the memory of RAM 203 (FIG. 3). Then, in step S57, the numerical display device 72 is returned to displaying the number of copies and "1" is displayed.
Next, in steps 558 to S64, processing similar to that described in steps 351 to S57 above is performed. That is, in step S58, the power on time setting key 97 (
When the on edge of FIG. 2) is determined, the power on time setting flag is determined in step S59, and if the power on time setting flag is "0", the power on time setting flag is set to "11" in step S60. In addition, if it is determined in step S59 that the power-on time setting flag is "1", the time setting is made blank. Since the process has already ended, the power-on time setting flag is set to 0'' in step S82, and the process is completed in step S6.
3, the time data displayed on the numerical display device 72 is stored in the memory of RAM2O3 (FIG. 3). Then, in step S64, the numerical display device 72 is returned to displaying the number of copies and displays "1".

Then, in step S65, it is determined whether or not there is an input from the numeric keys 80 to 89 (FIG. 2).
If there is an input, the power off time setting flag is determined in step 36B and the power off time setting flag is set to 0
'', in step 36B, the power-off time data entered manually by the key is displayed on the numerical display device 72, and if the power-off time setting flag is "0", in step 5
In step 67, the data of the number of copies manually entered is set.

The flowchart in FIG. 10 shows a copying operation control routine for controlling the copying operation of the copying machine, and the timing chart in FIG. 13 shows the operating states of the main parts of the copying machine.

In block 10, by turning on the print key 71, the main motor M1 that drives the photosensitive drum 1, the developing motor M2 that drives the developing device e6, the charging charger 3.5, and the transfer charger 7 are operated. The copy flag, which means that copying is in progress, is set to 1', and the control timers T-A and T-B are set.
is started, and the clutch of the paper feed roller of the paper feed section selected from the top picture paper section and the bottom picture paper section is turned on.

In block 11, the end of the timer TA is determined and the paper feed clutch is turned off.

Block E2 determines the end of timer T-B,
The scan motor M3 that drives the scanning optical system 10 is turned on to start a scanning operation.

In block 13, when a timing switch (not shown) is actuated during the scan operation and a timing signal is output, processing is executed to turn on the clutch of the timing roller 26 and set the timer TC. The copy paper is conveyed by the timing roller 26 in synchronization with the image on the photosensitive drum 1.

In block 14, it is determined that the timer TC has ended, and the charger, scan motor, and timing roller franchise are turned off.

Note that the timer TC may be set variably depending on the size of the copy paper used.

In block 15, when the ζ optical system returns to the home position due to the return operation and the home position switch (not shown) is turned on, the developing motor and transfer charger are turned off, and the copy flag is set to "0". Also, timer T
-D is set.

In block 16, it is determined that the timer TD has expired, and the main motor is turned off. Block 17 performs processing for various outputs.

Note that the timer T-A-T-D, etc. explained in the above flowcharts and timing charts is programmed to be incremented by ``1'' in one routine of processing executed within the time specified by the internal timer. It is a digital timer with time-up time stored as numerical data.

FIG. 11 shows the automatic power off routine.

In step 371, it is determined whether the cancel key 96 (Fig. 2) is turned on, and if the cancel key 96 is turned off, in step 372, it is determined whether the current time is within the set time period for power off, and the current time is determined. If the time is within the set time period for power off, the copy prohibition flag in steps S73 to S376 is "01", that is, the temperature rise of the fixing device for two days has been completed, and the operation flag is "0", that is, the operation panel 70 If the above conditions are met: no key operation is being performed, main motor M1 is off, that is, copying is not in progress, and the auto-reset timer is not counting, a power off signal is output in step 378. In addition, if the above conditions are met, but it is determined in step 376 that the auto-reset timer is counting, wait for the auto-reset timer to finish counting in step S77, and then issue a power off/on signal with the switch 37B. Output and power off.

That is, in this control, if the temperature of the fixing device 28 is rising when the set time to turn off the power is reached, keys are being operated on the work panel 70 of the copying machine, or copying is in progress, the power is not turned off immediately. Then, after those operations are completed, wait for the auto-reset timer to finish counting, and then turn off the power automatically. Furthermore, if the temperature of the fixing device 28 is rising, the keys on the operation panel 70 are not being operated, or the copying operation is not in progress when the set time for power off is reached, the power is immediately turned off. Further, when the power is manually turned on and a copy is made during the set time period when the power is off, when the copy is completed, the power is automatically turned off after the auto-reset timer finishes counting. Further, if the cancel key 96 is pressed during the set time period for power off, this power off function is canceled.

In the flowchart of FIG. 11, the end time of the power-off set time period is set at 24:00, but this can be changed arbitrarily.

FIG. 12 shows the automatic power-on routine.

In step 381, the contents of the ON time memory, which have been entered in advance using the numeric keypad, are loaded into the A register.Next, in step S82, the predicted warm-up time calculated based on the temperature input from the thermistor TH1 is loaded into the B register. Load into.

For example, if the thermistor THI detects 0°C, it will be 6 minutes, if the temperature is 10°C, it will be 5 minutes 30 seconds, and if it is 20°C, it will be 5 minutes IO seconds, and these times will be loaded into the B register.

In step s83, a time that is earlier than the contents of the A register by the time of the contents of the B register is calculated, and the result of the 1 calculation is stored in the A register.

For example, the ON time memory is 8 o'clock and the thermistor is 10 o'clock.
℃, 7:54:30 is stored in the A register.

In step S84, the drum dry switch SW3
is on, and if it is on, then in step 385, the time before the time set in the drum dry timer is stored in the A register.0For example, if the drum dry time is 3 minutes, In the case of A, according to the above example, 7:51:30 is stored in the A register. Then, when the cancel key 98 is not on and the time stored in the A register comes, the power off/on signal that turns off the power is sent to l! TI! turn on the power.

In other words, the power-on time setting key 97 and the numeric keypad 80
When the warm-up time calculated based on the measured temperature is subtracted from the time set in steps 89 to 89, and the drum dry time is further subtracted if the drum dry switch SW3 is on, the copying machine A starts operating. The main power turns on. Therefore, a person who plans to use copying machine A can set the time at which he or she wishes to use copying machine A, so that the warm amplifier is terminated at the set time and copying cannot actually be performed using copying machine A. When setting the time, there is no need to take into account the time required for warm-up or drum drying.Moreover, the temperature of the fusing roller before warm-up is detected and the time required for warm-up is calculated. ,
The actual time at which warm-up is completed is accurate, and there is no waiting time or wasted time.

(Effects of the Invention) According to the present invention, by setting the actual time of use using the setting means, the power is turned on at a time at least earlier than the time when the time required for warm-up is calculated backwards. However, it is ready for use at the time you want to use it, and there is no waiting time.Moreover, the warm-up time is determined based on the temperature of the fusing roller detected by the temperature detection means. However, the time fluctuations due to warm-up due to fluctuations in ambient temperature are automatically corrected, and the error between the time when the reservation is made and the time when the device is actually ready for use is small, making it possible to make accurate settings. can. In addition, if you have selected to dry the drum using the drum dry switch, you can calculate the time required for drum drying backwards and turn on the power earlier by that amount, so that copies can be made at the time reserved for use. You can actually use the machine.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The drawings show an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a front cross-sectional view showing the general configuration of the copying machine, FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the configuration of the operation panel of the copying machine, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control device, FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram showing the power supply circuit of the copying machine, FIGS. 5 to 12 are flowcharts showing the processing procedure executed by the first CPU, and FIG. 3 is a timing chart showing operating states of main parts of the copying machine. THI...Thermistor (temperature detection means), A...Copy machine, 80-89...numeric keypad (setting means), 97.
...Power-on time setting key (setting means). Applicant Minolta Camera Co., Ltd. Niji 117 12

Claims (1)

[Claims] The apparatus includes a setting means for setting a time for reservation of use, a temperature detection means for detecting the temperature of the fixing roller, and a warm-up time determining means for determining the warm-up time based on the temperature detected by the temperature detection means. The copying machine is controlled so that the power is turned on at least the warm-up time before the time set by the setting means.