JPH0375672A - Light quantity controller - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To operate an OA appliance in a stable stat by controlling an energizing current in such a manner that the light quantity of a light source attains a prescribed value and displaying the output value of the control signal from a main control means on an output display means when a mode switching means turns on. CONSTITUTION:A fluorescent lamp control section 2a is connected to a body control section 1a. This fluorescent lamp control section 2a is connected via a fluorescent lamp stabilizer 4 to the fluorescent lamp 3. The detection signal of a light control sensor 9 which detects the light quantity of the fluorescent lamp 3 is inputted via an amplifier 10 to the fluorescent lamp control section 2a. A scanner driving section 13, other output system 15, the mode switching means 7, other input system 16, and an operation section 5 are connected to the body control section 1a. The office automation (OA) appliance makes the stable operation under specified conditions at the prescribed light quantity. The characteristic state of the light source is displayed on a display means 6 by operating the mode switching means 7. The OA appliance is operated in the stable state in this way.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a light amount control device, and in particular, a light amount control device that controls the light amount of a light source of office automation (hereinafter referred to as OA) equipment such as a copying machine to a predetermined value. The present invention relates to a light amount control device that can control the amount of light and display the state of deterioration of a light source.

[Prior Art] Office automation equipment, such as copying machines, usually uses a fluorescent lamp as a light source for performing an exposure operation in an exposure section.

Fluorescent lamps generally do not have very good light intensity rise characteristics,
It is also known that the light quantity characteristics change depending on the temperature. Therefore, in a copying machine, it is required to perform exposure by operating a fluorescent lamp as a light source under optimal operating conditions.

In response to this request, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 102659/1983 discloses a control means that detects the amount of light from when the fluorescent lamp is turned on, and starts the copying process at a predetermined timing when the amount of light reaches a predetermined value. A control method for a copying machine equipped with the following has been proposed.

According to the control method according to this proposal, high-quality copied images can be obtained by always performing exposure in the exposure section of the copying machine with a constant amount of light.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, the method according to the above-mentioned proposal does not take into account changes in the light intensity characteristics due to aging of fluorescent lamps, so if the light intensity characteristics of fluorescent lamps change due to aging, it will be difficult to copy. Processes start to run slowly.

Therefore, the operator takes into account the operating status of the copying machine and
Fluorescent lamps must be replaced at the appropriate time.

However, such maintenance methods depend on the operator's judgment in many parts, and it is difficult to say that appropriate maintenance is always performed.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to control the current flowing through the light source so that the OA equipment operates with the light amount of the OA equipment light source at a preset value, and to provide a light amount that can display the state of deterioration of the characteristics of the light source. The purpose is to provide a control device.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a light amount control device for controlling the light amount of a light source used in OA type equipment, including a light amount detection means for detecting the light amount, and a light amount detection means for detecting the light amount. a main control means for outputting a control signal whose phase is controlled based on the detection signal; a light source control means for controlling a current flowing through the light source according to the control signal; and an output display means for displaying an output value of the control signal. Each of these means is connected to a mode switching means for switching the copy mode, and during normal operation, the light source control means controls the flow so that the amount of light from the light source becomes a predetermined value, and the mode switching means is turned on. To become and,
The output display control means displays the output value of the control signal from the main control means on the output display means.

[Operation] In the present invention, during normal operation, the light amount of the light source is detected by the light amount detection means, and a phase-controlled control signal is output from the main control signal based on the detection signal of the light amount detection means. Then, the light source control means controls the current flowing through the light source according to the control signal from the main control means so that the amount of light from the light source becomes a predetermined value.

Further, when the mode switching means is turned on, the output value of the control signal of the main control means is displayed on the output display means.

In this way, during normal operation, the light source control means controls the normal current of the light source so that the light intensity of the light source becomes a predetermined value, so that the OA type equipment can operate stably under constant conditions under a predetermined light intensity. By operating the mode switching means and displaying the characteristic state of the light source on the display means, failure of the light source or replacement time can be accurately grasped.

[Example 1] Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the embodiment. In the figure, 3 is a fluorescent lamp, 1a is a main body control section, 5 is an operating section, 6 is a display section, and 7 is a mode changeover switch. Main body control section 1a
The fluorescent lamp controller 2a is connected to the fluorescent lamp l1lI.
A control unit 2 a is connected to the fluorescent lamp 3 via a fluorescent lamp ballast 4 .

Further, a dimming sensor 9 for detecting the amount of light from the fluorescent lamp 3 is provided, and a detection signal from the dimming sensor 9 is inputted to the fluorescent lamp controller 2a via an amplifier 10.

The main body control section 1a includes a scanner drive section 13, other output systems 15, a mode changeover switch 7 as a mode changeover means, a fixing section 12, other input systems 16, and an operation section 5.
The operation section 5 is provided with a start key 41b1, a stop key 41c, and a display section 6.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of light amount control in the embodiment, in which the light control sensor 9 detects the light amount of the fluorescent lamp 3, and the light control sensor 9 sends a detection signal that is proportional to the light amount and has a peak value of approximately 2V when turned on. The light is emitted and input to the main body control section 1a via the amplifier 10 and the fluorescent lamp control section 2a shown in FIG.

The main body control section 1a is configured to specify a target light amount from the operation section 5, and the body control section 1a forms a phase-controlled control signal corresponding to the specified target light amount. This control signal is transmitted to the fluorescent lamp control section 2a shown in FIG.
A lighting signal based on the control signal is input to the fluorescent lamp 3 from the fluorescent lamp ballast 4, and the light intensity of the fluorescent lamp 3 is controlled so as to reach the target light intensity. It has become.

As shown in FIG. 2, the control signal in this case has a period of T(
1±O, 1m5) and duration T, (0,15~0.
95m5), and the lighting signal is a signal that controls the current in response to this phase control signal so that the light intensity of the fluorescent lamp 3 becomes the target light intensity during the duration T. .

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the operation section and display section of the copying machine to which the embodiment is applied. In the figure, the operation section 5 is provided in the lower part, and the display section 6 is provided in the upper part. There is. The display section 6 is provided with a warning display 42a, a copy density display 42b, a number of sheets display 42c, etc., and an output display section 42d that displays the output value of the control signal.The operation section 5 is also provided with a key part. Keys such as a light amount setting key 41a, a start key 41b, a stop key 410, density adjustment keys 4id and 41e, and a copy number setting key are arranged in a part of this key.

FIG. 5 is a book diagram of the unit #a of the embodiment, in which 3 is a fluorescent lamp, 42d is an output display section, and 11 is a main body control section 1.
This is a 1-chip CPU installed in a. An output display section 42d is connected to the output terminal OUT of this one-chip CPU II, a copy mode switching means 7 for switching the copy mode such as paper size and magnification is connected to the input port INP, and a fluorescent lamp ballast is connected to the output port OUT. 4 is connected. The output display section 42d displays the value of T1.

Further, a fluorescent lamp 3 is connected to the output terminal of the fluorescent lamp ballast 4, and a dimming sensor 9 for detecting the amount of light is connected to the fluorescent lamp 3.
is disposed close to and opposite to the fluorescent lamp 3, and furthermore, the output terminal of the dimming sensor 9 is connected to a one-chip CPU via an amplifier 10.
It is connected to the AD input terminal ADI of II.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a copying machine to which the embodiment is applied. In the figure, 1 is an exposure section, 3 is a fluorescent lamp, 2 is a developing section, and 12 is a fixing section.

As shown in FIG. 3, an original platen 35 having a contact glass 8 is provided on the upper surface of the case 17, and an exposure portion l is provided in the case 17 adjacent to the contact glass 8. Fluorescent lamps 3 are installed in the area. Further, rollers 4a, 4b, 4c are provided close to and opposite to this exposure section 1.
A photoreceptor belt 36 is provided which is driven by a photoreceptor belt 36, and a developing section 2 is provided near the roller 4b. Developing section 2
includes a developing roller 37 and a toner cartridge 38.

A transfer charger 25 is provided near and opposite the roller 4c, and a cassette 19 is provided at one end of the case 17.
From there, the fixing section 12 provided on the other end side of the case 17
A transfer paper transport path 33 passing through the transfer charger 25 portion is formed between the two. A copy receiver 34 is provided at the end of the case 17 on the fixing unit 12 side.

Further, a toner collection section 39 is provided near the roller 4a.

Next, the operation of the embodiment will be explained.

When the target light intensity is set on the operation unit 5 and the power is turned on, the fluorescent lamp 3 lights up and the light intensity is detected by the dimming sensor 9 6
Next, the detection signal from the dimming sensor 9 is amplified by the multiplier 10, and is input to the 1-chip CPU of the main body control section 1a via the fluorescent lamp control section 2a.

FIG. 6 is a light quantity characteristic diagram of the fluorescent lamp in the example. As the cumulative lighting time of the fluorescent lamp becomes longer, the characteristic curve changes over time from the state shown in CI to the state shown in C8 and then to the state shown in C3. Therefore, the light intensity I
To obtain O, initially T, /T was T1, but
In curve C2, τ, (>τ,), and in curve C1, T3
(=lOO%<τ,).

Assuming that the light intensity characteristic curve of the fluorescent lamp currently in use is shown by curve C1 shown in Fig. 6, one chip CPU
In I, based on the detection signal of the dimming sensor 9, T, /T=
The control signal obtained by calculating τ is inputted to the fluorescent lamp ballast 4 via the fluorescent lamp control section 2a.

Then, the fluorescent lamp ballast 4 gives a lighting signal corresponding to this control signal to the fluorescent lamp 3, and the fluorescent lamp 3 has a light intensity of 1.
゜That's how it turned out 1! Current is controlled.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the embodiment. When the source is turned on in step Sit"?, the current is controlled so that the light intensity of the fluorescent lamp 3 is 1° as described above. In step S2, it is determined whether the mode changeover switch 7 is turned on.The determination in step S2 is N.

If so, it is a normal operation state, and the process advances to step S3, where a copying operation is performed in the normal copy mode.

During inspection work by the operator, the mode changeover switch 7 is turned on, and when the mode changeover means 7 is turned on, the display signal of the current control signal τ, =T, /T is output from the 1-chip CPU II on the display section 42d. is input to the output display section 4.
The value of τ1 is displayed in 2d. 1 chip CPU II is
Calculations are performed in hexadecimal, but the output display [i'1r42d
The display is performed by converting it into a decimal number. This display is the fourth
Except for the display, which is performed in step S4 in the figure, the copying operation in the control copy mode described above is performed in the same manner as when no display is performed.

Therefore, the operator checks the display on the output display section 42d, determines whether or not the fluorescent lamp 3 needs to be replaced, and replaces the fluorescent lamp 3 if necessary. For example, TI/T=90
%, the fluorescent lamps 3 will be replaced under the same conditions, and the copying machine will be able to form high-quality copied images.

As described above, according to the above embodiment, the fluorescent lamp 3 of the copying machine always performs exposure at a preset target light amount.
The copier produces stable, high quality reproduced images.

In addition, by simply operating the mode selector switch 7, the light intensity characteristics of the fluorescent lamp 3 in use can be displayed on the display unit 6 as T1/T, allowing you to judge whether the fluorescent lamp 3 is malfunctioning or when it is time to replace it. decisions are made accurately.

Although the above embodiment describes the case where the present invention is applied to a copying machine, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment and can be applied to various office automation equipment having a light source.

[Effect of yJ'FX brightness] As explained above, according to the present invention, the light source's current f1!
Since the current is controlled, the OA equipment can be operated in a stable state. Furthermore, since it is possible to display the light intensity characteristics of the light source, it is possible to accurately determine whether the light source is out of order or when to replace it.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIGS. 1 to 7 are for explaining the present invention in detail. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration, FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of light amount control, and FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation, FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the control unit, FIG. 6 is a light amount characteristic diagram of a fluorescent lamp,
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the operation section of the copying machine to which the embodiment is applied. l... Exposure section, la... Main body control section,
2...Development section, 3...Fluorescent lamp, 4...
...Fluorescent lamp ballast, 4a. 4b, 4c...Roller, 5...Operation section, 6...Display section, 7...Mode selection switch, 8...Contact Glass, 9...
...Dimmer sensor, 10...Amplifier, 11...
... l chip CPU, 12 ... fixing section, 13
... Scanner drive unit, 15 ... Other output systems, 16 ... Other input systems, 17 ...
...Case, 19...Cassette, 25...
...Transfer charger, 33...Transfer paper transport path, 34...Copy receiver, 35...Original platen, 36...Photoreceptor, 37 ...Developing roller, 38... Toner cartridge, 39.
...Toner collection unit, 41a...Light intensity setting key, 41b...Start key, 41c...
...Stop key, 41d, 41e...Density adjustment key, 42a...Warning display, 42b...
... Copy density display, 42c... Number of copies displayed. 4 1 Figure 91 Figure 4 Figure 5 Figure 6 Figure 7 41041d 41e 4/f 1C 1D

Claims (1)

[Claims] A light amount control device for controlling the light amount of a light source used in office automation equipment includes a light amount detection means for detecting the light amount, and a main control means for generating a control signal whose phase is controlled based on a detection signal of the light amount detection means. , a light source control means for controlling the current flowing through the light source according to the control signal, an output display means for displaying the output value of the control signal, a mode switching means for switching the copy mode, a light amount detection means for these, and a main control means. , a light source control means, a display means, and a mode switching means are connected, and during normal operation, the light source control means controls the energizing current so that the amount of light from the light source becomes a predetermined value, and the mode switching means is turned on.
A light amount control device comprising: output display control means for displaying a control signal from the main control means on the output display means when the output power reaches N.