JP4421529B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a fixing unit that fixes toner onto a recording sheet by heat.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, an auxiliary power source (capacitor, secondary battery, etc.) that can be charged in order to raise a fixing unit that fixes toner onto a recording paper by heat to a fixing temperature in a short time. ) And a rise time is shortened by flowing a large current to the fixing heater by using power from both a commercial power source (external power source) and an auxiliary power source. In such an image forming apparatus, the storage amount of the auxiliary power supply is detected when the main power supply is turned on. When the storage amount of the auxiliary power supply does not reach the specified value, the auxiliary heater supplies power to the fixing heater. In addition, there has been proposed one that heats a fixing unit by supplying electric power only from a commercial power source to a fixing heater (see Patent Document 1 below).
JP 2003-257590 A

  However, in the case of the image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, when the amount of power stored in the auxiliary power source is insufficient, the fixing unit heats the fixing unit by supplying power from only the commercial power source to the fixing heater. It takes a long time to reach the possible temperature. Also, during printing, the heat of the fixing roller may be lost to the recording paper and the fixing temperature may drop, so it is preferable to supply auxiliary power to the fixing heater as an auxiliary power. If the fixing unit is started up when the amount of electricity stored is not sufficient, the auxiliary power supply is supplied to the fixing heater immediately after the fixing unit reaches the fixable temperature, even if the fixing temperature falls during printing. Can not do it.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and performs start-up control of the fixing unit according to the amount of power stored in the auxiliary power source, while effectively utilizing the power stored in the auxiliary power source. The purpose is to ensure the convenience of operation.

The invention according to claim 1 is an auxiliary power supply for supplying power supplementarily for heating the fixing unit for fixing the toner to the recording paper;
A first fixing heater for heating the fixing unit with electric power from the auxiliary power source;
A second fixing heater for heating the fixing unit with electric power from an external power source;
Charging control means for controlling whether or not the auxiliary power source is charged by the external power source;
Power storage for determining whether or not the auxiliary power source has reached a predetermined power storage amount that is an amount of power required for driving the first fixing heater when the fixing unit is rapidly started up by charging by the charge control means A quantity discriminating means;
When the main power switch of the image forming apparatus is turned on, when the power storage amount determining unit determines that the auxiliary power source has not reached the predetermined power storage amount, the first fixing heater and the first fixing heater (2) When the auxiliary power source is charged by the charging control means without driving the fixing heater, and the auxiliary power source is determined to have reached the predetermined power storage amount by the power storage amount determining means, Control means for controlling the first fixing heater and the second fixing heater to be driven to rapidly start up the fixing unit ;
The power storage amount determining means is a power supplied from the auxiliary power source to the first fixing heater during image recording by the recording means before the image recording operation by the recording means for recording an image on recording paper is started. Determine if the amount has been reached,
If it is determined by the storage amount determination means that the storage amount of the auxiliary power source has reached the amount of power supplied to the first fixing heater during the image recording before the start of the image recording operation, the control The means heats the fixing unit by the second fixing heater, and sets the fixing unit to be heated by the first fixing heater with the electric power supplied from the auxiliary power source during the image recording. When the determining means determines that the amount of power stored in the auxiliary power source has not reached the amount of power supplied to the first fixing heater during the image recording, the control means uses the second fixing heater to fix the fixing. And an image forming apparatus that controls to reduce the image recording speed of the recording unit to a speed at which heating of the fixing unit by the first fixing heater is unnecessary .

  In this configuration, when the main power switch of the image forming apparatus is turned on, if the auxiliary power supply has not reached the predetermined electric storage amount by the electric storage amount determination unit, the control unit causes the first fixing heater to If the auxiliary power source is charged by the charge control means without driving the second fixing heater and the auxiliary power source has reached a predetermined power storage amount by the power storage amount determination means, the control is performed. When the main power switch of the image forming apparatus is turned on by controlling the first and second fixing heaters to be driven by the means, the first fixing heater according to the amount of power stored in the auxiliary power source And drive control of the second fixing heater.

Further, in this configuration, when the main power switch of the image forming apparatus is turned on, the amount of power stored in the auxiliary power source reaches the amount of power necessary for driving the first fixing heater when the fixing unit is rapidly started up. The control unit causes the charge control unit to charge the auxiliary power source. If the amount of power stored in the auxiliary power source has reached the amount of electric power, the control unit controls the first fixing heater and the second fixing heater to be driven. .

  Then, the control means performs further control according to whether or not the amount of power stored in the auxiliary power source has reached the amount of power supplied to the first fixing heater during image formation before the image forming operation is started. When the amount of power stored in the auxiliary power source reaches the amount of power supplied to the first fixing heater during image formation before the start of the image forming operation, the control means uses the power supplied from the auxiliary power source during image formation. When the fixing unit can be heated by the fixing heater, but the amount of power stored in the auxiliary power source does not reach the amount of power supplied to the first fixing heater during image formation, the image forming speed of the recording unit is set to Control is performed so that heating of the fixing unit by the first fixing heater is reduced to an unnecessary speed.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an auxiliary power source that supplies power auxiliaryly for heating the fixing unit that fixes the toner to the recording paper.
A first fixing heater for heating the fixing unit with electric power from the auxiliary power source;
A second fixing heater for heating the fixing unit with electric power from an external power source;
Charging control means for controlling whether or not the auxiliary power source is charged by the external power source;
The amount of power stored in the auxiliary power source by charging by the charge control unit is the amount of power necessary for driving the first fixing heater when the fixing unit is rapidly started up, and image recording by a recording unit that records an image on a recording sheet. A storage amount determining means for determining whether or not a sum total of the amount of power supplied to the first fixing heater is reached.
When the main power switch of the image forming apparatus is turned on, if the power storage amount determination unit determines that the power storage amount of the auxiliary power source has reached the sum, the first fixing heater and the first fixing heater (2) The fixing heater is driven to control the fixing section so that the fixing section is quickly started up. During the image recording operation, the fixing section is driven by the first fixing heater with the power supplied from the auxiliary power source during the image recording. Control means for performing control to be heated,
The control means includes
When the main power switch of the image forming apparatus is turned on, the storage amount of the auxiliary power source does not reach the total value by the storage amount determination unit, but the first fixing at the time of rapid startup of the fixing unit If it is determined that the amount of power required for driving the heater has been reached, control is performed to drive the first fixing heater and the second fixing heater,
Thereafter, before the start of the image recording operation, the amount of power supplied from the auxiliary power source to the first fixing heater during the image recording by the recording unit for recording the image on the recording paper by the storage amount determination unit. When it is determined that the temperature has reached, the fixing unit is heated by the second fixing heater, and the fixing unit is heated by the first fixing heater with power supplied from the auxiliary power source during the image recording. State
When it is determined in the determination by the storage amount determination means before the start of the image recording operation that the storage amount of the auxiliary power source has not reached the amount of power supplied to the first fixing heater during the image recording. The image forming apparatus performs control to heat the fixing unit by the second fixing heater and to reduce the image recording speed of the recording unit to a speed at which heating of the fixing unit by the first fixing heater is unnecessary. .

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect , when the main power switch of the image forming apparatus is turned on, the control unit performs the auxiliary power supply by the storage amount determining unit. When it is determined that the amount of stored power does not reach the amount of power required for driving the first fixing heater at the time of rapid startup of the fixing unit, the first fixing heater and the second fixing heater are driven. Without charging, the auxiliary power source is charged by the charging control means.

In these configurations, when the main power switch of the image forming apparatus is turned on, the storage amount of the auxiliary power supply, and the amount of power needed to drive the first fixing heater during rapid start-up of the fixing unit, the recording when us sum obtained by summing the amount of power supplied to the first fixing heater during image formation by the recording means for forming an image on the paper, the control means, the first fixing heater and the second fixing heater is driven Thus, the fixing unit can quickly reach the fixable temperature, and immediately after the fixing unit reaches the fixable temperature, the auxiliary power supply is controlled against a drop in fixing temperature during image formation. Electric power can be supplied to the fixing heater to assist heating.

  When the main power switch of the image forming apparatus is turned on, the control means records the amount of power stored in the auxiliary power source, the amount of power necessary for driving the first fixing heater when the fixing unit is rapidly started up, and the recording. Even if the sum of the amount of power supplied to the first fixing heater during image formation by the recording means for forming an image on paper is less than the total value, the first fixing heater can be driven when the fixing unit is rapidly started up. If the required amount of power has been reached, control is performed so that the first fixing heater and the second fixing heater are driven. Then, before the image formation, the control means performs further control according to whether or not the amount of power stored in the auxiliary power supply reaches the amount of power supplied to the first fixing heater during the image formation before the image forming operation is started. The fixing unit can be heated by the first fixing heater with the electric power supplied from the auxiliary power source during image formation, or the image forming speed of the recording unit is set to the fixing unit by the first fixing heater. Control is performed so that heating is reduced to an unnecessary speed.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the display unit displays a message for the operator.
The control unit controls the first fixing heater and the second fixing heater not to be driven until it is determined by the storage amount determination unit that the auxiliary power source has reached the predetermined storage amount. In this case, the display device further includes display control means for causing the display means to display a message indicating that the auxiliary power source is being charged.

  In this configuration, if the first fixing heater and the second fixing heater are not driven until the auxiliary power reaches a predetermined amount of charge, a message indicating that the auxiliary power is being charged is displayed on the display means. The operator of the image forming apparatus is made to recognize that the auxiliary power supply is being charged.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, by controlling whether the first fixing heater and the second fixing heater are driven or the charging control unit is charged with the auxiliary power source according to the amount of power stored in the auxiliary power source, It is possible to ensure user convenience while effectively utilizing the power stored in the auxiliary power source.

In addition, it is possible to reduce the waiting time until the fixing unit is started up when the main power switch is turned on, and at the time of image formation, it is possible to ensure an optimal image forming operation according to the amount of power stored in the auxiliary power source. it can.

According to the second and third aspects of the present invention, the fixing unit can rapidly reach the fixable temperature, and immediately after the fixing unit reaches the fixable temperature, the fixing temperature during image formation can be adjusted. In response to the drop, the auxiliary power supply can be supplied to the fixing heater to assist heating. In addition, at the time of image formation, it is possible to ensure an optimal image forming operation corresponding to the amount of power stored in the auxiliary power source.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, when control is performed not to drive the first fixing heater and the second fixing heater until the charged amount of the auxiliary power source reaches a predetermined charged amount, the operation of the image forming apparatus is performed. A person can be made aware that the auxiliary power source is being charged.

  Embodiments according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a multi-function peripheral which is an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. In particular, a fixing heater control mechanism for controlling on / off of a fixing heater for heating a fixing roller is mainly shown. FIG. FIG. 2 shows each state type of the multifunction device 1 (initial start-up state, first print state, second print state, ready state, sleep state, charge state, and quick start-up state) and from each state to another state. This is state transition information indicating the type of event that triggers the transition. In the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus according to the invention will be described as, for example, a printer, a copier, a facsimile machine, or the above-described multifunction machine having these functions. However, it is not intended that the image forming apparatus according to the present invention be limited to only a multifunction peripheral.

  The external power source 2 is a so-called commercial power source, for example, and is an AC (alternating current) power source by an electric power company. The power supply control circuit 21 controls whether or not the power from the external power supply 2 is supplied to each part of the apparatus in response to turning on or off of a main switch (main power switch) 22 that is a main power switch for starting the multifunction device 1. To do.

  The multifunction device 1 includes a recording unit 11, an instruction receiving unit 12, a timer 13, a fixing roller temperature sensor 14, a control unit 15, a first fixing heater 17, a heater ON / OFF control circuit 18, and an electric double layer capacitor (auxiliary power source) 19. A charging ON / OFF control circuit 25, a second fixing heater 26, a second fixing heater driving circuit 27, a storage amount detecting unit 28, and a display unit 29.

  The recording unit 11 records a toner image on recording paper, and the multifunction device 1 operates in response to a print instruction when, for example, a copy function, a printer function, or a facsimile reception function is executed. The recording unit 11 includes a scanner unit 111, an image forming unit 112, and a fixing unit 113.

  The scanner unit 111 includes a document irradiation lamp, a CCD, and the like, and reads an image described on a document to be copied. The image forming unit 112 includes, for example, a photosensitive drum, a charging device, an exposure device, a transfer device, and the like, and is a mechanism that forms an image on recording paper by an electrophotographic method. The fixing unit 113 includes a fixing roller (not shown) including a heat roller and a pressure roller, and nips the recording paper on which the toner image is transferred by the photosensitive drum with the heat roller and the pressure roller, and the toner is generated by heat and pressure. The image is fixed on the recording paper.

  The instruction receiving unit 12 receives various operation execution instructions from the user or the like with respect to the multifunction machine 1, and receives, for example, execution instructions for a copy function, a printer function, and a facsimile reception function. Each instruction to the instruction receiving unit 12 is input as follows. For example, the copy function execution instruction is input to the multifunction device 1 by the user from the operation panel (not shown) of the multifunction device 1. The printer function execution instruction is transmitted to the multifunction device 1 from, for example, a PC (personal computer) connected to the multifunction device 1 via a network or the like. The facsimile reception execution instruction is transmitted to the multifunction device 1 from a facsimile transmission device connected to the multifunction device 1 through a public line or the like. Note that the print instruction is an execution instruction for an operation for recording an image on a recording sheet by the operation of the recording unit 11 and is included in the execution instruction for a copy function, a printer function, a facsimile reception function, or the like.

  The timer 13 measures the elapsed time and the current time from when the instruction is received from the state determination unit 152. The fixing roller temperature sensor 14 measures the temperature of the fixing roller and outputs it to the fixing roller temperature control unit 151.

  The first fixing heater 17 and the second fixing heater 26 are heaters for heating the fixing roller. In the present embodiment, the first fixing heater 17 and the second fixing heater 26 are halogen heaters. The first fixing heater 17 is a DC (direct current) heater of 1300 to 1800 W, for example, and the second fixing heater 26 is an AC (alternating current) heater of 1200 W, for example. The first fixing heater 17 uses a large power consumption in order to heat rapidly by flowing a large current. The first fixing heater 17 and the second fixing heater 26 are installed adjacent to each other.

  The electric double layer capacitor 19 functions as an auxiliary power source for driving the first fixing heater 17. The electric double layer capacitor 19 can be charged and discharged with a large current. Although the electric double layer capacitor 19 has a relatively long charge / discharge life (for example, on the order of several hundred thousand times), the electric power (voltage) is rapidly reduced when the electric charge is discharged. The charging time of the electric double layer capacitor 19 is, for example, several tens of seconds.

  The heater ON / OFF control circuit 18 controls whether or not the first fixing heater 17 is driven by the electric power from the electric double layer capacitor 19. That is, the heater ON / OFF control circuit 18 switches and controls whether or not the first fixing heater 17 is heated by the electric power from the electric double layer capacitor 19.

  The charging ON / OFF control circuit (charging control means) 25 switches whether to charge the electric double layer capacitor 19 by switching whether to supply the electric power from the external power source 2 to the electric double layer capacitor 19. Switch.

  The second fixing heater drive circuit 27 functions as a switch for switching whether to drive the second fixing heater 26 using the external power source 2 as a power supply source, that is, whether to heat the second fixing heater 26. When the switch is turned on, the second fixing heater 26 is driven, and when the switch is turned off, the second fixing heater 26 is stopped.

  The control unit 15 controls the overall operation of the multifunction machine 1, and includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that executes a program, a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores the program, and a temporary storage area when the program is executed. It is comprised from RAM (random access memory) etc. which are used as. The control unit (control unit) 15 includes an operation control unit 150, a fixing roller temperature control unit 151, a state determination unit 152, a switch control unit 153, and a display control unit 154.

  The operation control unit 150 controls the operation of each unit of the multifunction machine 1 and controls the operation of the recording unit 11 and the like based on execution instructions such as a copy function and a print function received by the instruction receiving unit 12. The operation control unit 150 also performs fixing roller rotation speed control of the fixing unit 113 in a second print state described later. In the present embodiment, the control unit 15 corresponds to the control means in the claims (however, the control means is not limited to the configuration).

  The state determination unit (power storage amount determination unit) 152 indicates that the current state of the MFP 1 is the initial startup state, the first print state, the second print state, the ready state, the sleep state, the charge state, and the rapid startup. It is to determine which of the states. The state determination unit 152 detects whether the main switch 22 sent from the power supply control circuit 21 is on or off, that the print instruction is not input from the instruction reception unit 12 for a predetermined time, and is further detected by the storage amount detection unit 28. On the basis of the amount of electricity stored in the electric double layer capacitor 19 or the like, it is determined which of the above states the multifunction device 1 is in.

  The initial startup state is a predetermined first temperature range in which the temperature of the fixing roller can be fixed (for example, around 180 ° C., for example) from the time when the multifunction device 1 is turned on (after the main switch 22 is turned on). This is the state up to).

  The ready state is a state where the input of the print instruction is waited and the fixing roller can be immediately raised to the first temperature range if there is a print instruction. In this ready state, the temperature of the fixing roller is maintained in a second temperature range (for example, around 90 ° C.) lower than the first temperature range.

  The sleep state is a state in which the first fixing heater 17 and the second fixing heater 26 are turned off to save power. The amount of electricity stored in the electric double layer capacitor 19 detected by the electricity storage amount detection unit 28 is the amount of power P1 required to drive the first fixing heater 17 for rapidly starting up the fixing unit 113, and image recording on the recording paper. During the image recording by the recording unit 11 to be performed, the total electric power P2 required to drive the first fixing heater 17 in order to compensate for the decrease in the fixing roller surface temperature due to the recording paper passing through the fixing roller. When the amount is reached and no print instruction is input for a certain time, the ready state is shifted to the sleep state.

  In the first printing state, when the amount of electricity stored in the electric double layer capacitor 19 has reached a predetermined value (described later), driving / non-driving of the first fixing heater 17 is controlled to set the fixing roller temperature to the above-mentioned first temperature. A state in which an image recording operation is performed within a temperature range.

  In the second print state, when the amount of electricity stored in the electric double layer capacitor 19 has not reached a predetermined value, the recording operation (particularly the fixing operation) is performed even when the surface temperature of the fixing roller is less than the first temperature range. It means a state where the image recording operation is performed at a lower speed than the recording operation speed in the first print state so as to be possible.

  The rapid start-up state refers to a state in which, when a print instruction is received in the sleep state, the temperature of the fixing roller rises to the first temperature range in which the fixing roller can be fixed.

  The charged state is a state in which the electric double layer capacitor 19 is charged without driving the first fixing heater 17 and the second fixing heater 26.

  The state determination unit 152 stores the state transition information shown in FIG. 2 in advance, and determines the current state (transition source state) and the state (transition destination state) that makes the next transition from the generated event. The state determination unit 152 should be executed by the multifunction device 1 based on the on / off state of the main switch 22 sent from the power supply control circuit 21 or the absence of a print instruction from the instruction receiving unit 12 for a predetermined time. One of the above states is determined. The state determination unit 152 sends information indicating the determined state to the switch control unit 153.

  The fixing roller temperature control unit 151 drives and controls the heater ON / OFF control circuit 18 and the second fixing heater driving circuit 27 so that the temperature of the fixing roller falls within the first temperature range in the first printing state. Thus, on / off of the first fixing heater 17 and the second fixing heater 26 is controlled. The fixing roller temperature control unit 151 controls on / off of the second fixing heater 26 so that the temperature of the fixing roller is within a predetermined second temperature range in the ready state. Each control by the fixing roller temperature control unit 151 is performed via the switch control unit 153.

  The switch control unit 153 includes a heater ON / OFF control circuit 18 and a charge ON for each current state of the multi-function device 1 determined by the state determination unit 152 or based on an instruction from the fixing roller temperature control unit 151. The switching of the / OFF control circuit 25 and the second fixing heater driving circuit 27 is controlled.

  The display control unit (display control means) 154 controls the operation of the display unit 29 and manages display contents (such as various messages for the operator) displayed on the display unit 29.

  The storage amount detection unit (functioning as a part of the storage amount determination means) 28 detects the storage amount of the auxiliary power source composed of the electric double layer capacitor 19. The storage amount detection unit 28 sends the detected storage amount to the state determination unit 152 and the operation control unit 150.

  The display unit (display unit) 29 includes an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or the like, and displays various messages for the operator under the control of the display control unit 154.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing states of the heater ON / OFF control circuit 18, the charging ON / OFF control circuit 25, and the second fixing heater driving circuit 27 in each state of the multifunction machine 1. Switching control of the heater ON / OFF control circuit 18, the charging ON / OFF control circuit 25, and the second fixing heater drive circuit 27 corresponding to each state of the multifunction machine 1 is performed by the switch control unit 153. The switch control unit 153 may store the states of the heater ON / OFF control circuit 18, the charging ON / OFF control circuit 25, and the second fixing heater drive circuit 27 corresponding to each state of the multifunction machine 1. The information may be stored in a storage unit (not shown) and read by the switch control unit 153 as necessary. In the power supply control by the charging ON / OFF control circuit 25 and the second fixing heater driving circuit 27, the case where power is supplied is turned on, and the case where power is not supplied is turned off.

  In the initial startup state and the quick startup state, the charging ON / OFF control circuit 25 is turned off. The first fixing heater 17 is turned on by the heater ON / OFF control circuit 18, and the second fixing heater 26 is turned on by the second fixing heater driving circuit 27.

  In the ready state, the heater ON / OFF control circuit 18 turns off the first fixing heater 17 and turns on the charging ON / OFF control circuit 25. Further, the second fixing heater 26 is turned on by the second fixing heater driving circuit 27.

  In the sleep state, the first fixing heater 17 is turned off by the heater ON / OFF control circuit 18. The charge ON / OFF control circuit 25 is turned off, and the electric double layer capacitor 19 is not charged. The second fixing heater 26 is also turned off by the second fixing heater driving circuit 27.

  In the first printing state, the heater ON / OFF control circuit 18 switches on or off the first fixing heater 17 based on the temperature value of the fixing roller input from the fixing roller temperature sensor 14 to the switch control unit 153. The temperature of the fixing roller is maintained in the first temperature range. The charging ON / OFF control circuit 25 is turned off. The second fixing heater 26 is turned on by the second fixing heater driving circuit 27.

  In the second printing state, the heater ON / OFF control circuit 18 turns off the first fixing heater 17 and the charging ON / OFF control circuit 25 is also turned off. However, the second fixing heater 26 is turned on by the second fixing heater driving circuit 27.

  In the charged state, the first fixing heater 17 is turned off by the heater ON / OFF control circuit 18 and the second fixing heater 26 is also turned off by the second fixing heater driving circuit 27. However, the charging ON / OFF control circuit 25 is Turned on.

  Next, a circuit image of the fixing heater control mechanism in the multifunction machine 1 according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram showing a circuit image (outline) of the fixing heater control mechanism.

  The external power source (AC) 2 is connected to the second fixing heater 26 via the second fixing heater driving circuit 27. The external power supply 2 is connected to the first fixing heater 17 side via a diode 41 that rectifies AC current into DC current. As a result, a DC current flows through the first fixing heater 17 and an AC current flows through the second fixing heater 26. The first fixing heater 17 and the second fixing heater 26 constitute a fixing heater 30.

  A charge ON / OFF control circuit 25, an electric double layer capacitor 19, and a heater ON / OFF control circuit 18 are connected to a circuit to which the first fixing heater 17 is connected. The charging ON / OFF control circuit 25 switches whether or not the electric double layer capacitor 19 is connected to be charged with power from the external power source 2. The current from the diode 41 is supplied to the electric double layer capacitor 19 through the charging ON / OFF control circuit 25.

  The electric double layer capacitor 19 is charged with electric power from the external power source 2. The electric double layer capacitor 19 is also connected to the first fixing heater 17 so as to supply electric power of the electric double layer capacitor 19 to the first fixing heater 17. A heater ON / OFF control circuit 18 is connected between the electric double layer capacitor 19 and the first fixing heater 17, and whether or not the first fixing heater 17 is driven by electric power from the electric double layer capacitor 19. Can be controlled.

  The circuit on the second fixing heater 26 side is connected to the external power source 2 and the second fixing heater 26. A second fixing heater driving circuit 27 is connected between the external power source 2 and the second fixing heater 26, and the second fixing heater driving circuit 27 uses the power from the external power source 2 to generate the second fixing heater. Whether or not to drive 26 can be controlled.

  Next, a description will be given of a first embodiment regarding processing at the time of fixing heater driving control in the multifunction machine 1. FIGS. 5 and 6 are flowcharts showing the first embodiment of the process during the fixing heater driving control in the multifunction device 1, and FIG. 7 is an operation state of the multifunction device 1, power consumption in each operation state, and storage of the auxiliary power source. It is a figure which shows the relationship with quantity.

  When the power control circuit 21 detects that the main switch 22 (main power switch) of the multifunction device 1 is turned on (YES in S1), the power control circuit 21 indicates that the main switch 22 is turned on. The signal is sent to the state determination unit 152 and the storage amount detection unit 28. When receiving the signal from the power supply control circuit 21, the storage amount detection unit 28 detects whether the storage amount of the electric double layer capacitor 19 has reached a predetermined amount.

  Here, the “predetermined amount” refers to the amount of power P1 required to drive the first fixing heater 17 for rapidly starting up the fixing unit 113 and the image recording by the recording unit 11 that records an image on recording paper. In addition, the amount of electric power is a sum of electric power P2 required to drive the first fixing heater 17 in order to compensate for a decrease in the surface temperature of the fixing roller due to the recording paper passing through the fixing roller.

  Subsequently, the state determination unit 152 determines whether or not the amount of electricity stored detected by the amount of electricity detection unit 28 has reached P1 + P2 (S2). When the amount of electricity detected by the amount of electricity detection unit 28 has reached the above P1 + P2 (YES in S2), the state determination unit 152 determines the state of the multi-function device 1 as the initial startup state, and this device state Is sent to the switch control unit 153.

  If the stored amount detected by the stored amount detection unit 28 has not reached P1 + P2 (NO in S2), the state determination unit 152 does not shift the state of the multifunction device 1 to the initial startup state. The display control unit 154 displays a message such as “Auxiliary power is being charged. Please wait for a while” on the display unit 29 (S23). Then, the state determination unit 152 determines that the state of the multi-function device 1 is the charged state when the amount of storage detected by the storage amount detection unit 28 has not reached P1 + P2, and the switch control unit 153 determines whether the heater ON / OFF The first fixing heater 17 is turned off by the OFF control circuit 18, the charging ON / OFF control circuit 25 is turned on, the second fixing heater 26 is turned off by the second fixing heater drive circuit 27 (S24), and the electric double layer capacitor 19 is turned on. Is charged with the power of the external power source 2.

  Upon receiving the signal indicating the initial startup state, the switch control unit 153 turns off the charging ON / OFF control circuit 25, turns on the first fixing heater 17 by the heater ON / OFF control circuit 18, and further performs the second fixing. The heater driving circuit 27 turns on the second fixing heater 26 (S3). That is, the fixing unit 113 is started up using the power of both the external power supply 2 and the electric double layer capacitor 19. This fixing unit start-up operation is performed until the fixing roller temperature control unit 151 and the switch control unit 153 detect that the temperature of the fixing roller obtained from the fixing roller temperature sensor 14 has reached the first temperature range described above. Continue (S4). As a result of the fixing unit start-up operation, the amount of electricity stored in the electric double layer capacitor 19 is reduced from P1 + P2 by the amount of power P1 consumed when starting up the fixing unit as shown in FIG. .

  When the temperature of the fixing roller reaches the first temperature range by the fixing roller temperature sensor 14 (YES in S4), the state determination unit 152 determines whether a signal indicating that a print instruction has been received from the instruction receiving unit 12 has been input. Judgment is made (S5). As described above, this print instruction is an execution instruction for an operation for recording an image on recording paper by the operation of the recording unit 11, and the multifunction apparatus 1 is instructed to execute a function with a print operation (for example, an operator In response to a copy function execution instruction, a print output execution instruction from an externally connected personal computer, a received data print output instruction when receiving facsimile data from an external facsimile machine, and the like. Accepted.

  When a signal indicating that a print instruction has been received is input from the instruction receiving unit 12 (YES in S5), the state determination unit 152 determines that the state of the multi-function device 1 is the first print state, and this apparatus state Is sent to the switch control unit 153. The switch control unit 153 turns off the charging ON / OFF control circuit 25 and maintains the state where the second fixing heater driving circuit 27 turns on the second fixing heater 26, but the heater ON / OFF control circuit 18 includes Based on the temperature information sent from the fixing roller temperature sensor 14, the first fixing heater 17 is switched on / off in a timely manner so that the temperature of the fixing roller maintains the first temperature range (S6). . During printing, depending on the state of paper passing through the fixing roller, the heating of the fixing roller may be taken away by the recording paper only by heating by the second fixing heater 26, so that the temperature of the fixing roller is reduced. This is to keep the temperature of the fixing roller constant. The operation control unit 150 causes the recording unit 11 to execute a recording operation (S7). During this recording operation, the amount of electricity stored in the electric double layer capacitor 19 is P2, as shown in FIG. 7, so that the surface temperature of the fixing roller decreases due to the recording paper passing through the fixing roller during the recording operation. It is possible to supply the first fixing heater 17 with the amount of power P2 required to drive the first fixing heater 17 to compensate. After this recording operation, the amount of electricity stored in the electric double layer capacitor 19 decreases from P2 by the supplied amount.

  When printing is completed by the recording operation of the recording unit 11 (YES in S8), the state determination unit 152 determines that the state of the multifunction device 1 is in a ready state, and sends a signal indicating the device state to the switch control unit. Send to 153. The switch control unit 153 turns on the charging ON / OFF control circuit 25, turns off the heater ON / OFF control circuit 18, turns off the first fixing heater 17, turns on the second fixing heater driving circuit 27, and turns on the second. The fixing heater 26 is set in a driving state (S9). At this time, since the electric double layer capacitor 19 is charged, the amount of electricity stored in the electric double layer capacitor 19 increases with time and approaches P1 + P2, as shown in FIG.

  Even when the signal indicating that the print instruction is received from the instruction receiving unit 12 in S5 is not input to the state determining unit 152 (NO in S5), the state determining unit 152 sets the state of the multifunction device 1 to the ready state. The switch control unit 153 performs the process of S9.

  When the state determination unit 152 determines that the state of the multifunction device 1 is the ready state, the state determination unit 152 performs the process of S9 and measures the time elapsed from the time when the state of the multifunction device 1 is determined as the ready state. Start (S10).

  When a print instruction is received by the instruction receiving unit 12 during the elapsed time measurement by the timer 13 (YES in S11), the storage amount detection unit 28 determines that the storage amount of the electric double layer capacitor 19 is an image recording by the recording unit 11. In order to compensate for the decrease in the surface temperature of the fixing roller due to the recording paper passing through the fixing roller, it is detected whether the amount of electric power P2 required to drive the first fixing heater 17 has been reached.

  Here, when the state determination unit 152 determines that the amount of power of the electric double layer capacitor 19 detected by the storage amount detection unit 28 has reached the power amount P2 (YES in S18), the state determination unit 152 It is determined that the state of the multifunction device 1 is the first print state, and a signal indicating this device state is sent to the switch control unit 153. The switch control unit 153 turns off the charging ON / OFF control circuit 25 and maintains the state where the second fixing heater driving circuit 27 turns on the second fixing heater 26, but the heater ON / OFF control circuit 18 includes Based on the temperature information sent from the fixing roller temperature sensor 14, the first fixing heater 17 is switched on / off in a timely manner so that the temperature of the fixing roller is maintained within the first temperature range (S19). . At this time, the operation control unit 150 sets the operation speed of the recording unit 11 (such as the image forming unit 112 and the fixing unit 113) to the normal speed (S20).

  If the power amount P2 has not been reached (NO in S18), the state determination unit 152 determines that the state of the multifunction device 1 is the second print state, and sends a signal indicating the device state to the switch control unit. Send to 153. The switch control unit 153 turns off the heater ON / OFF control circuit 18 to turn off the first fixing heater 17 and turns off the charging ON / OFF control circuit 25. However, the switch controller 153 turns on the second fixing heater driving circuit 27 and drives the second fixing heater 26 (S21). At this time, the operation control unit 150 sets the operation speed of the recording unit 11 (such as the image forming unit 112 and the fixing unit 113) to a low speed (S22).

  Here, the “normal speed” refers to the control of the heater ON / OFF control circuit 18 by the switch control unit 153 to switch the first fixing heater 17 on / off so as to maintain the first temperature range. 1 is an image recording speed when image recording is performed while the fixing roller 17 is heated by the fixing heater 17. On the other hand, the “low speed” means an image recording speed at which the toner can be fixed onto the recording paper without being heated by the first fixing heater 17. By slowing the rotation speed of the fixing roller and increasing the contact time between the recording paper and the surface of the fixing roller, the toner is fixed to the recording paper without the heating by the first fixing heater 17. Therefore, when “normal speed” is compared with “low speed”, “low speed” is slower than “normal speed”.

  As described above, after setting the operation speed of the recording unit 11 to “normal speed” or “low speed”, the operation control unit 150 causes the recording unit 11 to perform an image recording operation (S7). Thereafter, the process proceeds to S8.

  Further, when the multifunction device 1 is in the ready state and the print instruction is not accepted by the instruction accepting unit 12 (NO in S11), the charged amount of the electric double layer capacitor 19 has reached P1 + P2 (in S12). YES), and when a predetermined time (for example, 1 minute) has elapsed since the multifunction device 1 entered the ready state (YES in S13), the state determination unit 152 sets the state of the multifunction device 1 to the sleep state. Then, a signal indicating this device state is sent to the switch control unit 153.

  The switch control unit 153 stops the first fixing heater 17 by turning off the heater ON / OFF control circuit 18 and stops charging the electric double layer capacitor 19 by turning off the charging ON / OFF control circuit 25. Further, the switch control unit 153 also turns off the second fixing heater drive circuit 27 and puts the second fixing heater 26 in a stopped state (S14). Thus, by setting both the first fixing heater 17 and the second fixing heater 26 to the stop state, the printer waits for a further print instruction with reduced power consumption.

  When a signal indicating that a print instruction has been received is input from the instruction receiving unit 12 to the state determining unit 152 in the sleep state (YES in S15), the state determining unit 152 determines that the state of the multifunction device 1 is rapid. It is determined that the device is in the start-up state, and a signal indicating the device state is sent to the switch control unit 153. In this rapid start-up state, the switch controller 153 turns off the charging ON / OFF control circuit 25, further turns on the first fixing heater 17 by the heater ON / OFF control circuit 18, and the second fixing heater driving circuit. 27, the second fixing heater 26 is turned on (S16). If it is detected that the temperature of the fixing roller obtained from the fixing roller temperature sensor 14 has reached the above-mentioned first temperature range (YES in S17), the process returns to S6, and the processes of S6 to S17 are repeated.

  Note that if it is detected that the main switch 22 is turned off at any point in the process after S2, the process returns to S1.

  Next, a second embodiment of the process at the time of fixing heater driving control by the multifunction machine 1 will be described. FIGS. 8 and 9 are flowcharts showing a second embodiment of the process at the time of fixing heater driving control by the multifunction machine 1. Note that the same processes as those of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

  In the second embodiment, when the main switch 22 of the multifunction machine 1 is turned on (YES in S1), the storage amount detection unit 28 detects the storage amount of the electric double layer capacitor 19, and based on the detection result. Thus, the state determination unit 152 determines whether the power amount P1 necessary for driving the first fixing heater 17 for rapidly starting up the fixing unit 113 has been reached (S31). If the amount of electricity stored in the electric double layer capacitor 19 has reached the amount of electric power P1 (YES in S31), even if the amount of electric power is less than P1 + P2, which is the reference for transition to the initial startup state in the first embodiment. Then, the state determination unit 152 determines that the state of the multifunction device 1 is the initial startup state, sends a signal indicating the device state to the switch control unit 153, and starts up the fixing unit 113. (S3). In addition, when the storage amount detected by the storage amount detection unit 28 has not reached the amount of power P1 (NO in S31), the message display (S23) on the display unit 29 and the charging of the electric double layer capacitor 19 (S24) Is done.

  In addition, when the temperature of the fixing unit 113 reaches the fixable temperature (YES in S4) and then a signal indicating that a print instruction has been received from the instruction receiving unit 12 (YES in S5), the second As one embodiment, the processing after S18 shown in FIG. 6 is performed.

  In addition, when the MFP 1 is in the sleep state and the signal indicating that the print instruction is received from the instruction receiving unit 12 (YES in S15), the fixing unit 113 is rapidly started up ( S16) When the fixing roller reaches the fixable temperature (YES in S17), the process proceeds to S19, and the processes after S19 are performed.

  Next, a description will be given of a third embodiment regarding processing at the time of fixing heater driving control in the multifunction machine 1. FIGS. 10 and 11 are flowcharts showing a third embodiment of the processing at the time of fixing heater driving control in the multifunction machine 1. Note that illustration and description of the same processing as in FIG. 9 is omitted, and in FIGS. 10 and 11, the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 and the second embodiment shown in FIGS. Processes similar to those of the embodiment are given the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  In the third embodiment, both processes shown in the first embodiment and the second embodiment are performed according to conditions. When the power control circuit 21 detects that the main switch 22 (main power switch) of the multi-function device 1 is turned on (YES in S1), and the storage amount detection unit 28 receives the signal from the power control circuit 21. The storage amount detection unit 28 detects whether the storage amount of the electric double layer capacitor 19 has reached a predetermined amount.

  Then, the state determination unit 152 first determines whether or not the amount of electricity stored detected by the amount of electricity detection unit 28 has reached P1 + P2 (S2). When the state determination unit 152 determines that the above-mentioned P1 + P2 has been reached (YES in S2), the switch control unit 153 sets the multifunction device 1 to the initial startup state. If there is a print instruction after the fixing roller reaches the fixing possible temperature (YES in S3, S4, YES in S5), the operation control unit 150 immediately receives the heating assistance from the first fixing heater 17 at a normal speed. The image recording operation to be performed is executed (S19, S20, S7).

  Further, in S2, when the power storage amount detected by the power storage amount detection unit 28 does not reach the P1 + P2 (NO in S2), but the state determination unit 152 determines that it has reached P1 (YES in S31), even if the operation control unit 150 is instructed to print after the fixing roller reaches the fixable temperature (YES in S41, S42, YES in S43), 1 The image recording operation performed at the normal speed is not executed while receiving the heating assistance from the fixing heater 17. Only when the state determination unit 152 determines that the amount of power of the electric double layer capacitor 19 detected by the storage amount detection unit 28 has reached the amount of power P2 (YES in S18), the operation control unit 150 1 An image recording operation performed at a normal speed is performed while receiving heating assistance from the fixing heater 17 (S19, S20, S7). When the state determination unit 152 determines that the amount of power of the electric double layer capacitor 19 detected by the storage amount detection unit 28 has not reached the amount of power P2 (NO in S18), only the second fixing heater 26 is driven. The low-speed recording operation is performed by the operation control unit 150 (S21, S22, S7).

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the thing of the said embodiment, The aspect described below can be employ | adopted further. For example, in each of the embodiments described above, the electric double layer capacitor 19 is used as an auxiliary power source. However, the electric double layer capacitor 19 is merely an example, and other types may be used.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the determination of the storage amount of the auxiliary power source in S2 of FIG. 5, S31, S18 of FIG. 8, and the like is based on the storage amount of the electric double layer capacitor 19 detected by the storage amount detection unit 28. Although it is assumed that the state determination unit 152 performs, for example, as an auxiliary power source, a lithium ion battery is provided instead of the electric double layer capacitor 19, and based on the charged amount of the lithium ion battery detected by the charged amount detection unit 28. Thus, the state determination unit 152 may perform the above-described determination.

  Further, as an auxiliary power source, in addition to the electric double layer capacitor 19, a lithium ion battery is further provided, and the storage amount detection unit 28 detects the respective storage amounts of the electric double layer capacitor 19 and the lithium ion battery, and the combined storage amount. Based on the above, the state determination unit 152 may perform the above-described determination.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the DC current flows through the first fixing heater 17 and the AC current flows through the second fixing heater 26. However, in the present invention, the current flowing through each fixing heater is the same. It is not limited to using AC or DC.

  Further, the configuration and processing shown in FIGS. 1 to 11 are merely one embodiment of the present invention, and the configuration and processing of the present invention are not limited thereto.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of a multifunction peripheral that is an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention, and particularly a functional configuration centering on a fixing heater control mechanism that controls on / off of a fixing heater that heats a fixing roller; FIG. This is state transition information indicating each state type of the MFP and an event type that triggers transition from each state to another state. 6 is a diagram illustrating states of a heater ON / OFF control circuit, a relay switch, a charging ON / OFF control circuit, and a second fixing heater driving circuit in each state of the multifunction peripheral. FIG. It is a circuit diagram which shows the circuit image (outline) of a fixing heater control mechanism. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a first embodiment of processing during fixing heater driving control by the multifunction peripheral. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a first embodiment of processing during fixing heater driving control by the multifunction peripheral. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the operation state of a multifunctional device, the electric power used in each operation state, and the storage amount of an auxiliary power supply. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a second embodiment of processing at the time of fixing heater driving control by the multifunction peripheral. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a second embodiment of processing at the time of fixing heater driving control by the multifunction peripheral. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a third embodiment of processing during fixing heater driving control by the multifunction peripheral. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a third embodiment of processing during fixing heater driving control by the multifunction peripheral.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Multifunctional device 2 External power supply 11 Recording part 112 Image forming part 113 Fixing part 14 Fixing roller temperature sensor 15 Control part 150 Operation control part 151 Fixing roller temperature control part 152 State determination part 153 Switch control part 154 Display control part 17 1st fixing Heater 18 Heater ON / OFF control circuit 19 Electric double layer capacitor 25 Charging ON / OFF control circuit 26 Second fixing heater 27 Second fixing heater drive circuit 28 Storage amount detection unit 29 Display unit 30 Fixing heater

Claims (4)

An auxiliary power supply for supplying power to heat the fixing unit for fixing the toner to the recording paper;
A first fixing heater for heating the fixing unit with electric power from the auxiliary power source;
A second fixing heater for heating the fixing unit with electric power from an external power source;
Charge control means for controlling whether or not the auxiliary power supply is charged by the external power supply;
Power storage for determining whether or not the auxiliary power source has reached a predetermined power storage amount that is an amount of power required for driving the first fixing heater when the fixing unit is rapidly started up by charging by the charge control means A quantity discriminating means;
When the main power switch of the image forming apparatus is turned on, when the power storage amount determining unit determines that the auxiliary power source has not reached the predetermined power storage amount, the first fixing heater and the first fixing heater (2) When the auxiliary power source is charged by the charging control means without driving the fixing heater, and the auxiliary power source is determined to have reached the predetermined power storage amount by the power storage amount determining means, Control means for controlling the first fixing heater and the second fixing heater to be driven to rapidly start up the fixing unit ;
The power storage amount determining means is a power supplied from the auxiliary power source to the first fixing heater during image recording by the recording means before the image recording operation by the recording means for recording an image on recording paper is started. Determine if the amount has been reached,
If it is determined by the storage amount determination means that the storage amount of the auxiliary power source has reached the amount of power supplied to the first fixing heater during the image recording before the start of the image recording operation, the control The means heats the fixing unit by the second fixing heater, and sets the fixing unit to be heated by the first fixing heater with the electric power supplied from the auxiliary power source during the image recording. When the determining means determines that the amount of power stored in the auxiliary power source has not reached the amount of power supplied to the first fixing heater during the image recording, the control means uses the second fixing heater to fix the fixing. And an image forming apparatus that controls to reduce the image recording speed of the recording unit to a speed at which heating of the fixing unit by the first fixing heater is unnecessary . An auxiliary power supply for supplying power to heat the fixing unit for fixing the toner to the recording paper;
A first fixing heater for heating the fixing unit with electric power from the auxiliary power source;
A second fixing heater for heating the fixing unit with electric power from an external power source;
Charge control means for controlling whether or not the auxiliary power supply is charged by the external power supply;
The amount of power stored in the auxiliary power source by charging by the charge control unit is the amount of power necessary for driving the first fixing heater when the fixing unit is rapidly started up, and image recording by a recording unit that records an image on a recording sheet. A storage amount determining means for determining whether or not a sum total of the amount of power supplied to the first fixing heater is reached.
When the main power switch of the image forming apparatus is turned on, if the power storage amount determination unit determines that the power storage amount of the auxiliary power source has reached the sum, the first fixing heater and the first fixing heater (2) The fixing heater is driven to control the fixing section so that the fixing section is quickly started up. During the image recording operation, the fixing section is driven by the first fixing heater with the power supplied from the auxiliary power source during the image recording. Control means for performing control to be heated,
The control means includes
When the main power switch of the image forming apparatus is turned on, the storage amount of the auxiliary power source does not reach the total value by the storage amount determination unit, but the first fixing at the time of rapid startup of the fixing unit If it is determined that the amount of power required for driving the heater has been reached, control is performed to drive the first fixing heater and the second fixing heater,
Thereafter, before the start of the image recording operation, the amount of power supplied from the auxiliary power source to the first fixing heater during the image recording by the recording unit for recording the image on the recording paper by the storage amount determination unit. When it is determined that the temperature has reached, the fixing unit is heated by the second fixing heater, and the fixing unit is heated by the first fixing heater with power supplied from the auxiliary power source during the image recording. State
When it is determined in the determination by the storage amount determination means before the start of the image recording operation that the storage amount of the auxiliary power source has not reached the amount of power supplied to the first fixing heater during the image recording. An image forming apparatus that controls the heating of the fixing unit by the second fixing heater and reduces the image recording speed of the recording unit to a speed at which heating of the fixing unit by the first fixing heater is unnecessary . When the main power switch of the image forming apparatus is turned on, the control unit drives the first fixing heater when the storage amount of the auxiliary power source is determined by the storage amount determination unit when the fixing unit is rapidly started up. 3. The image according to claim 2 , wherein when it is determined that the amount of electric power required for the charging is not reached, the auxiliary power source is charged by the charging control unit without driving the first fixing heater and the second fixing heater. Forming equipment. Display means for displaying a message to the operator;
The control unit controls the first fixing heater and the second fixing heater not to be driven until it is determined by the storage amount determination unit that the auxiliary power source has reached the predetermined storage amount. in this case, the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the auxiliary power is further provided with a display control means for displaying on the display means a message is being charged.

Images