JPH05333636A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Purpose] To further reduce standby power consumption. [Configuration] Image forming-related equipment and ADF, excluding the fixing device 10, the input board 150, and the input reading control unit 100,
A relay contact piece is inserted between an external device such as a sorter and the power output end of the power supply circuit, and the relay contact piece is opened in response to an energy saving instruction. Separate the relay from the power circuit and mount it on the relay board. [Effect] In the standby state, control power for responding to an operation instruction to a device that does not need power supply is also saved. By using the relay board, installation of the power supply circuit,
Connection between equipment and power supply becomes easy.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a facsimile, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus having a mode for saving power consumption.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an image forming apparatus having a mode for saving power consumption in a standby state (hereinafter referred to as a preheating mode), when the preheating mode is set, the operation state of the apparatus is displayed except for the means for displaying the preheating mode. It is known that the power consumption can be saved by turning off the display means for turning off the display means and lowering the temperature of the fixing means for heating and fixing the toner image formed on the transfer paper (for example, JP-A-59-2010).
No. 78).

[0003]

However, in the standby state, the control power for responding to the operation instruction is supplied to the peripheral machine, the motor control plate, and the like that do not require control. Saving power consumption is not sufficient simply by turning off the display means and lowering the temperature of the fixing means by setting.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus which further saves power.

[0005]

An image forming apparatus of the present invention comprises an input device (150) including a means (151) for inputting an image forming instruction, and means (100, 15) for generating an energy saving instruction.
7), latent image forming means (3, 20) for forming a latent image on the photoconductor (20),
Developing means (5) for developing the latent image, transfer means (6) for transferring the image developed by the development onto recording paper, paper feeding means (11-14) for supplying the recording paper to the transfer means (6), A fixing means (10) for fixing the transferred image on the recording paper, controlling the operation of each means for forming an image in response to the image forming instruction, and responding to the energy saving instruction of the fixing means (10). Control means (100) for suppressing power consumption, energy saving release means (100,157),
And an image forming apparatus including the input device (150) and a power supply circuit (106) for supplying operating power to each means, in the various means, a means unnecessary for energy saving cancellation and the power supply circuit ( 106) switching means (RC1 to 4, RS) inserted between the power outputs, and control means (100) for turning off the switching means (RC1 to 4, RS) in response to the energy saving instruction. , Are provided.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the means for generating an energy-saving instruction starts timing when the image formation is completed and newly starts timing when the input device (150) is operated to measure the time value. When (T) reaches the set value (To), the timer means (100) generates an energy saving instruction, and further,
The relay board (107) is provided between the power supply circuit (106) and the unnecessary means for canceling the energy saving, and the relay board is equipped with the normally open type relay (RS, RC1 to 4). Then, each of the relay contact pieces is inserted between each means unnecessary for energy saving cancellation and the power supply circuit (106).

[0007]

[Operation] When an energy saving instruction is issued, the control means (100)
In response to this, turns off the switching means (RC1 to 4, RS) interposed between the means unnecessary for canceling the energy saving and the power output of the power supply circuit (106). As a result, the power supply to all means unnecessary for canceling the energy saving is cut off, and the power saving effect is improved.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the timer means (100) automatically generates an energy saving instruction unless the input device (150) is operated within a set time (To) after the image formation is completed. Therefore, even if the user forgets to input the energy-saving instruction, the above-described effect is brought about. Further, since the relay board is provided, when an external device such as an ADF (automatic document feeder), a sorter, and an optional external paper feeding device is added, the power supply line may be connected to the relay board. The power saving of the device can be easily realized. Furthermore, since the switching means (RC1 to 4, RS) is a normally open relay, there is virtually no leakage current when it is turned off to save energy, and the switching means (especially the relay coil RS) is There is no power consumption and the power saving effect is high. Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments with reference to the drawings.

[0009]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 shows the structure of a mechanical section of a copying machine of one type for carrying out the present invention. This will be described with reference to FIG. An automatic document feeder (ADF) 50 is provided at the top of the copying machine to automatically convey a document from the document table to a predetermined image reading position and further to a document discharge port.

A transparent contact glass 1 is arranged at an image reading position below the automatic document feeder 50.
An optical scanning system 20 is arranged below it. The document placed on the contact glass 1 is exposed by the illumination lamp 21, and the reflected light from the document is reflected by the first mirror 22, the second mirror 23, the third mirror 24, the lens 25, and the fourth mirror 2.
An image is formed on the surface of the photoconductor drum 2 arranged in the printer section via the sixth and fifth mirrors 27 and the like.

Around the photosensitive drum 2, a charging charger 3, an eraser 4, a developing unit 5, a transfer charger 6, a separation charger 7, a cleaning unit 8 and the like are provided. The photoconductor drum 2 is cleaned by the cleaning unit 8 and then charged by the charging charger 3.
The surface is uniformly charged to a predetermined high potential by the corona discharge from. When the charged surface of the photoconductor drum 2 is irradiated with the reflected light from the document, the surface potential of the photoconductor drum 2 changes according to the intensity of the irradiated light, and the potential distribution corresponding to the light and shade distribution of the document image. That is, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 2. When this electrostatic latent image passes through the developing unit 5, it attracts toner according to the potential distribution and forms a visualized toner image.

On the other hand, any one of the three paper feed systems 30 each having the paper feed cassettes 11, 12 and 13 feeds the transfer paper on the paper feed cassette one by one, and the registration rollers 14 cause Transfer the fed transfer paper to the photosensitive drum 2
The transfer paper is fed so as to overlap the toner image on the photosensitive drum 2 in time with the above image forming timing. Also,
The toner image is transferred onto the overlapping transfer paper by the bias of the transfer charger 6. The transfer paper on which the toner image has been transferred is further separated from the photoconductor drum 2 through the separation charger 7, and after the toner image is fixed through the fixing device 10, the stack or sorting process is performed toward a predetermined paper discharge path. The paper is discharged to the sorter 40 to be applied. In the double-sided copying process, the transfer sheet after the single-sided copying process is re-fed by the double-sided conveyance section 50.

When the transfer and separation of the toner image is completed,
The surface of the photoconductor drum 2 is cleaned again by the cleaning unit 8 to prepare for the next copying process.

FIG. 2 shows a part of the external appearance of the operation unit 150 provided on the front portion of the upper surface of the copying machine. Each key and display will be described. Reference numeral 151 is a print start key for inputting a copy start instruction, 152 is a ten-key for inputting the number of copy sets, etc., 153 is a stop / clear key for inputting instructions such as clearing the number of copy sets and interruption of copying, and 154 is an original set. 7-segment display for number of sheets, 155 for 7-segment display for number of copies processed, 156 for display panel of device status, 157
Indicates a preheat mode key for preheating the device.

When the preheat mode key 157 related to the implementation of the present invention is pressed while the copying machine is not in the preheat mode, the preheat mode is set and the light emitting diode 157a displays the ON state. After setting the preheat mode, preheat mode key 157
When is pressed, the preheat mode is cleared. Panel 15
As shown in the figure, "6" displays "Ready to copy" and "Please wait" and the power switch of the device (not shown)
"Please wait" is displayed for the time until the fixing roller provided in the fixing device 10 rises to a predetermined temperature by turning on, and "Ready to copy" is displayed when the fixing roller reaches a predetermined temperature. It should be noted that, on the operation board 150, there are various other keys and indicators such as a density key for adjusting the density and a scaling key for setting the reduction or enlargement, but they are omitted here.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic structure of an electric component of the copying machine shown in FIG. The overall control of the copying machine is processed by the main control unit 100 having a microcomputer built therein. The main control unit 100 includes a scanner control unit 101 for controlling the paper feeding unit 30, sorter 40, ADF 50, and scanner motor 102, an image forming unit 103 for forming an image by the image forming process described with reference to FIG. Device 10, operation unit 150, various clutches and solenoid 10
4, the sensor unit 105, and a DC power supply unit 106 that supplies DC power to each unit and the like.

FIG. 4 shows an outline of the configuration of the DC power supply unit 106. The DC power supply unit 106 attenuates both external noise and noise generated by the AC line filter 201,
A rectifying / smoothing circuit 202 including a rectifying bridge 202a for rectifying and smoothing an input (AC) current, a smoothing capacitor C, and an inrush prevention resistor R, and turns on / off a rectified and smoothed DC to supply a stable voltage to an output. Main switching circuit 203, main switching circuit 203
A voltage suppression circuit (for example, a snubber circuit) 204 for suppressing a surge voltage applied between the collector and the emitter of the upper switching transistor 204, a secondary side rectifying diode D for rectifying and smoothing a secondary side current, and a smoothing circuit 205a 2
The secondary side rectifying / smoothing circuit 205, the voltage detecting circuit 506 that detects the output voltage and keeps the stable output voltage by following the light amount of the LED of the photocoupler 507 according to the change of the voltage, and the normally open relay (relay coil RS And relay contacts RC1 to RC4) and the like. When not in the preheating mode, the main control unit 100 energizes the relay coil RS, and the relay contacts RC1 to RC4 are all closed (switch on). When entering the preheat mode, the main controller 1
00 stops the energization of the relay coil RS. As a result, all the relay contact pieces RC1 to RC4 are opened, and the substrate (device) unnecessary for canceling the energy saving, that is, the ADF 50, the sorter 4
0, paper feed unit 30, scanner control unit 101, scanner 10
2 and the energization output end to the image forming unit 103 are opened (switch off). However, the circuits required for canceling the energy saving of the main control unit 100 and the operation unit 150 include
The main output switch for connecting the AC input end of the DC power supply unit 106 to the commercial AC, regardless of whether the relay is open or closed, because the constant output end of the DC power supply unit is connected without the relay contact piece. As long as (not shown) is closed, the DC output voltage of the DC power supply unit 106 is always applied.

5 and 6 show the operation contents of the main control section 100. Please refer to FIG. When the power is turned on, initialization is executed (step 1: hereinafter, the word "step" is omitted in parentheses). Then, the timer T used in the preheating mode control (7) described later is turned on (2), and the input from the operation unit 150 (FIG. 2) is read (3).
When a copy start instruction is given in the copy enabled state (4), the relay coil RS is energized (5a), the fixing temperature is raised to the target temperature (5b), and then the normal copying operation is performed (6). When the designated number of copies are completed, the process returns to step 2. If there is no start instruction in step 4, that is, if it is in a standby state, preheat mode control for saving power consumption is executed (7). The timer T is restarted if there is any input in the input reading (3).

The contents of the preheating mode control (7) will be described with reference to FIG. In this process, first, the operation unit 150
It is checked whether or not the upper preheat mode key 157 is pressed (71). When the preheat mode key 157 is pressed, it is checked whether there is a preheat mode flag indicating the preheat mode state (set or reset) (7
3). Since the preheat mode flag is initially reset in the initialization (1), the timer T in operation is turned off (74), and the following preheat mode setting process is performed (75a to 75d).

That is, the main control unit 100 outputs a control signal to the operation unit 150 to turn on the light emitting diode 157a indicating that the preheating mode is in effect and turn off the other indicators (75a). Then, the control signal is output to the DC power supply unit 106, and the relay coil RS
The energization to (Fig. 4) is stopped (75b). This allows
Electric power is not supplied to peripheral devices such as the scanner control unit 101, the image forming unit 103, the ADF 50, the sorter 40, and the paper feeding unit 30 that do not require electric power in the standby state. Next, fixer 1
A control signal is output to 0 to lower the target fixing temperature (75c), the preheating mode flag is set to store that the preheating mode is being executed, and the process returns (75d).

When the preheat mode key 157 is pressed (cleared) again (71) and the preheat mode flag is set (7)
3), turning off the light emitting diode 157a and turning on the other indicators, energizing the relay coil RS to raise the fixing target temperature, reset the preheating mode flag to release the preheating mode, and return (76a to 76d). ..

In step 71, the preheat mode key 157
There is checked whether it is in the step 2 if it is off the value of the timer started by the timer T is the set time T ₀ (for example, one minute) or more (72), but returns is less than T _0, the waiting time Preheat mode key 1 especially when the temperature is over T ₀
Even if 57 is not pressed, the preheating mode is automatically set (72, 74, 75a to 75d). Then, when the preheat mode key 157 is pressed (71), the preheat mode is released (73, 76a to 76d).

FIG. 7 shows a modification around the DC power supply unit 106. In this case, a substrate (device) unnecessary for canceling the energy saving, that is, the ADF 50, the sorter 40, the paper feeding unit 30, the scanner control unit 101, the scanner 102, and the image forming unit 10
Normally open relay that supplies power to 3 (relay coil RS
And relay contacts RC1 to RC4) are removed from the DC power supply unit and mounted on the relay board 107.
7 is arranged at a position suitable for connecting external devices (50, 40), and the ADF 50 and the sorter 4 are provided on the relay board 107.
0, paper feed unit 30, scanner control unit 101, scanner 10
2 and the image forming unit 103 are connected. According to this, it is not necessary to provide a plurality of outputs of the same voltage from the DC power supply unit 106, and the DC power supply unit 106 can be arranged at the most suitable position as the internal power supply of the apparatus. In addition, the electrical connection of the external device (50, 40) becomes easy.

[0024]

[Effects of the Invention] In the standby state, a peripheral unit that does not need power supply, a motor control plate, and other parts that do not require control
Since the supply of control power for responding to the operation instruction is also cut off, the power saving effect is improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view showing an outline of a mechanical section of a copying machine that is an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an operation unit unit 1 provided in the copying machine shown in FIG.
It is a top view which shows a part of 50.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an electric component section of the copying machine.

4 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a DC power supply unit 106 shown in FIG.

5 is a flowchart showing the operation contents of the main control unit 100 shown in FIG.

6 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of preheating mode control (7) shown in FIG.

7 is a block diagram showing a modified example around the DC power supply unit 106 shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

5: Developing unit 6: Transfer charger 10: Fixing device 20: Optical scanning system 30: Paper feeding system 40: Sorter 50: Automatic document feeder (ADF) 100: Main control unit 101: Scanner control unit 103: Image forming unit 106 : DC power supply unit 107, 108:
Relay control unit 150: Operation unit unit 157: Preheating mode key 157a: Light emitting diode RS: Relay coil RC1 to RC4: Relay contact piece

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An input device including means for inputting an image forming instruction, means for generating an energy saving instruction, latent image forming means for forming a latent image on a photoconductor, developing means for developing the latent image, and developing. A transfer means for transferring the image appearing on the recording paper, a paper feeding means for supplying the recording paper to the transfer means, a fixing means for fixing the transferred image on the recording paper, and an image forming operation in response to the image forming instruction. Control means for controlling the operation of each of the above means and suppressing the power consumption of the fixing means in response to the energy saving instruction, an energy saving canceling means, and a power supply for supplying operating power to the input device and each means An image forming apparatus including a circuit, a switching means interposed between a means unnecessary for canceling energy saving of the various means and a power output of the power supply circuit, and the energy saving instruction. An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit that responds to turn off the switching unit. 2. A means for generating an energy-saving instruction starts timing when image formation is completed and newly starts timing when an input device is operated, and saves energy when a measured value reaches a set value. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, which is a timer unit that generates an energy instruction. 3. The switching means includes a plurality of switching elements each interposed between each means unnecessary for canceling energy saving and the power output of the power supply circuit.
The image forming apparatus described. 4. An input device including means for inputting an image forming instruction, means for generating an energy saving instruction, latent image forming means for forming a latent image on a photoconductor, developing means for developing the latent image, and developing. A transfer means for transferring the image appearing on the recording paper, a paper feeding means for supplying the recording paper to the transfer means, a fixing means for fixing the transferred image on the recording paper, and an image forming operation in response to the image forming instruction. Control means for controlling the operation of each of the above means and suppressing the power consumption of the fixing means in response to the energy saving instruction, an energy saving canceling means, and a power supply for supplying operating power to the input device and each means An image forming apparatus including a circuit, a relay board provided between the power supply circuit and a means unnecessary for canceling energy saving among the various means, and a means not necessary for canceling energy saving and the power supply circuit. An image forming apparatus comprising: a switching unit interposed between the switching unit and the relay substrate; and a control unit that turns off the switching unit in response to the energy saving instruction. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the switching means is a relay. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the contact of the relay is a normally open type.