JP6915581B2 - Image forming device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

In an image forming apparatus typified by a multifunction device, an image of a document is read by an image reading unit, and then light is applied to a photoconductor provided in the image forming unit based on the read image on the photoconductor. Form an electrostatic latent image. Then, a charged toner is supplied onto the formed electrostatic latent image to obtain a visible image, and then the toner is transferred to paper to be fixed and output to the outside of the apparatus.

Here, a technique relating to a fixing device for fixing toner on paper is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-225125 (Patent Document 1).

The image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 heats and fixes an image formed on a recording medium according to an electrophotographic method by a fixing device. The image forming apparatus includes a heating means for energizing the heater of the fuser with an AC power source to heat the heater, a measuring means for measuring the frequency of the AC power source, and a frequency measured by the measuring means within a predetermined range. When the monitoring means for monitoring whether or not the frequency is inside and the monitoring of the monitoring means determine that the frequency is within the predetermined range, the heating means is operated to energize the heater. When it is determined that the frequency is outside the predetermined range, the heating means temporarily stops the energization of the heater, and the monitoring means further stops the energization of the heater. When the number of times that the frequency is determined to be outside the predetermined range by monitoring is equal to or greater than the predetermined number, image formation and monitoring by the monitoring means are stopped, and the frequency is determined in advance. When the number of times determined to be out of the above range is less than a predetermined number of times, it is characterized by having a control means for controlling to continue monitoring by the monitoring means.

JP-A-2015-225125

According to Patent Document 1, it is not possible to specify the factor of whether or not the frequency is within a predetermined range. That is, it remains unclear whether the factors that cause the frequency to be outside the predetermined range are due to the power supply environment input to the image forming apparatus or the effect of energizing the fixing heater. be. In such a situation, for example, the fixing control cannot be changed appropriately, which affects the fixing performance such as the occurrence of offset.

An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of appropriately responding to a user's request.

The image forming apparatus according to the present invention forms an image on paper. The image forming apparatus includes a developing unit, a thermal roller, a heater, an energizing unit, an interrupt detection unit, a measuring unit, a storage unit, a first judgment unit, a second judgment unit, a judgment unit, and a notification. It has a part. The developing unit forms a toner image on the paper. The thermal roller comes into contact with the paper on which the toner image is formed by the developing unit and fixes the toner image on the paper. The heater heats the heat roller. The energizing unit energizes the heater. The interrupt detection unit detects a zero-cross interrupt of the AC power supply when the AC power supply is input to the image forming apparatus. If the interrupt detection unit detects a zero-cross interrupt, the measuring unit measures the zero-cross cycle of the AC power supply. The storage unit stores the first cycle of the zero cross measured by the measuring unit. The first determination unit determines whether or not the heater is energized by the energization unit. The second determination unit determines whether or not the second cycle of the zero cross measured by the measurement unit after the measurement of the first cycle is the same as the first cycle stored in the storage unit. If the judgment unit does not determine that the heater is energized by the first judgment unit and the second judgment unit determines that the first cycle and the second cycle are not the same, the environment for inputting the AC power supply is abnormal. Is determined to be. The notification unit notifies the determination result by the determination unit. The determination unit determines that the heater is energized by the first determination unit, and if the second determination unit determines that the first cycle and the second cycle are not the same, the determination unit determines that the energization unit is abnormal. .. If the determination unit determines that the energization unit is abnormal, the image forming apparatus energizes the reception unit that accepts the change of the energization control by the energization unit and the energization control according to the content of the change received by the reception unit. It further includes an energization control unit that controls the unit.

According to such an image forming apparatus, it is possible to determine whether it depends on the environment in which the AC power supply is input when an abnormality occurs in the AC power supply or due to the influence of the energizing unit that energizes the heater. Then, it is possible to take appropriate measures according to the situation. Therefore, according to such an image forming apparatus, it is possible to appropriately respond to the user's request.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the multifunction device when the image forming apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention is applied to the multifunction device. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the process at the time of forming an image on a paper in the multifunction device shown in FIG. It is a graph which shows the relationship between the waveform of the input signal of an AC power source, and time. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described. In the drawings below, the same or corresponding parts are given the same reference number and the explanation is not repeated.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a multifunction device when the image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied to the multifunction device. With reference to FIG. 1, the multifunction device 11 has a plurality of functions such as a copy function, a printer function, and a facsimile function in relation to image processing. The multifunction device 11 is driven by an input of an AC (alternating current) power supply from the outside.

The multifunction device 11 is a network interface for connecting the control unit 12, the operation unit 13, the image reading unit 14, the image forming unit 15, the paper feed cassette 16, the hard disk 17 as a storage unit, and the network 23. A unit 18 is provided. The control unit 12 includes a main storage memory 19 that temporarily stores data, and is composed of a processor, a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and the like. The main storage memory 19 also functions as a storage unit. The processor is a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an ASIC, an MCU, or the like. The control unit 12 functions as a first determination unit 32 or the like, which will be described later, by executing the control program stored in the ROM or the main storage memory 19 by the processor, and controls the entire multifunction device 11. .. It should be noted that each of the above-mentioned components of the control unit 12 may be configured by a hardware circuit, regardless of the operation based on the above-mentioned control program.

The operation unit 13 receives input from the user regarding image formation such as the number of image formation copies, that is, image formation conditions such as the number of print copies and gradation. The operation unit 13 includes a display screen 21 as a display unit that displays information transmitted from the multifunction device 11 side and user input contents. The display screen 21 also functions as a notification unit that notifies information by display. The image reading unit 14 includes an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) 22 as a document transporting device that transports a document set at a set position to a scanning position. The image reading unit 14 reads the image of the original set on the ADF 22 or the mounting table on which the original is placed. The paper cassette 16 can store a plurality of sheets of paper inside the paper cassette 16. The image forming unit 15 includes a developing unit 24 that forms a toner image on the conveyed paper, and a fixing device 25 that fixes the toner image on the paper on which the toner image is formed by the developing unit 24. The image forming unit 15 forms an image on the paper conveyed from the paper feed cassette 16 and prints it based on the image data of the original document read by the image reading unit 14 and the image data transmitted via the network 23. do. The hard disk 17 stores data related to image formation, such as image data received via the network 23 and input image formation conditions. The hard disk 17 also stores the data of the first cycle of the zero cross of the AC power supply measured by the measuring unit 32 described later. As will be described later, the zero-cross cycle is periodically measured by the measuring unit 32, and the hard disk 17 updates and stores the latest zero-cross cycle as the first cycle.

Next, the configuration of the fixing device 25 will be briefly described. The fixing device 25 includes a heat roller 26, a pressure roller 27, a heater 28, a temperature detection unit 29, and an energization unit 30. The heat roller 26 has a hollow cylindrical shape and is rotatably provided. The pressure roller 27 has a solid columnar shape and is rotatably provided. The heat roller 26 and the pressure roller 27 are provided in contact with each other, and paper having an unfixed toner image is conveyed between the heat roller 26 and the pressure roller 27. Then, the toner image is fixed on the paper by heating and pressurizing the rotating heat roller 26 and the pressure roller 27.

A heater 28 is arranged inside the heat roller 26. The heater 28 is energized by the energizing unit 30 and generates heat. The heater 28 is provided to heat from the inside of the heat roller 26. As the heater 28, for example, a fixing heater lamp is used. The temperature detection unit 29 detects the temperature of the heat roller 26. As the temperature detection unit 29, for example, a thermistor or the like is used. The energizing unit 30 energizes the heater 28. The energizing unit 30 is composed of, for example, a low-voltage power supply board, a control board, or the like.

Further, the control unit 12 provided in the multifunction device 11 includes an interrupt detection unit 31, a measurement unit 32, a first determination unit 33, a second determination unit 34, a determination unit 35, a reception unit 36, and energization control. A unit 37 is provided. When the AC power is input to the multifunction device 11, the interrupt detection unit 31 detects a zero-cross interrupt of the AC power. If the interrupt detection unit 31 detects a zero-cross interrupt, the measurement unit 32 measures the zero-cross cycle of the AC power supply. The measuring unit 32 periodically measures the zero-cross cycle of the AC power supply. The first determination unit 33 determines whether or not the heater 28 is energized by the energization unit 30. The second determination unit 34 determines whether or not the second cycle of the zero cross measured by the measurement unit 32 after the measurement of the first cycle is the same as the first cycle stored in the hard disk 17. If the determination unit 35 does not determine that the heater 28 is energized by the first determination unit 33 and the second determination unit 34 determines that the first cycle and the second cycle are not the same, the determination unit 35 inputs the AC power supply. Judge that the environment is abnormal. Further, if the determination unit 35 determines that the heater 28 is energized by the first determination unit 33 and the second determination unit 34 determines that the first cycle and the second cycle are not the same, the energization unit 30 Is determined to be abnormal. The display screen 21 as the notification unit notifies the determination result by the determination unit 35. If the determination unit 35 determines that the energization unit 30 is abnormal, the reception unit 36 receives a change in the energization control by the energization unit 30. The energization control unit 37 controls the energization unit 30 so as to perform energization control according to the content of the change received by the reception unit 36. These configurations will be described later.

Next, in this multifunction device 11, the flow of processing when an AC power source is input to the multifunction device 11 to form an image on paper will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a processing flow when forming an image on paper in the multifunction device 11 shown in FIG.

At the same time, referring to FIG. 2, AC power is input to the multifunction device 11 by inserting an outlet provided in the multifunction device 11 or the like. When the multifunction device 11 detects the input of the AC power supply, that is, the power is turned on (step S11 in FIG. 2, hereinafter, “step” is omitted), the frequency of the AC power supply is monitored, and the interrupt detection unit 31 monitors the zero cross interrupt. Is determined (S12). Here, the zero-cross interrupt will be described.

FIG. 3 is a graph showing the relationship between the waveform of the input signal of the AC power supply and time. The horizontal axis shows the elapsed time, and the vertical axis shows the input signal. In FIG. 3, the line 41 shows the input signal of the AC power supply in the normal state, and the line 42 shows the zero cross signal in the normal state. Further, in FIG. 3, the line 43 shows the input signal of the AC power supply at the time of abnormality, and the line 44 shows the zero cross signal at the time of abnormality.

The first zero-cross interrupt, appears at the timing _{B 1} in FIG. 3 (in S12, YES). Then, the measurement unit 32 starts measuring the cycle of the zero cross interrupt (S13). After that, the zero cross interrupt appears _{again at timing B 2.} Time _{T 1} of the from the timing _{B 1} until timing _{B 2} becomes the cycle Zn. Then, the period Zn is stored in the hard disk 17 as the first period. After that, the measuring unit 32 periodically measures the cycle of the zero cross of the AC power supply. The periodic Zn is periodically updated and stored in the hard disk 17.

After that, it is determined whether or not the heater 28 is energized (S14). That is, the first determination unit 33 determines whether or not the heater 28 is energized by the energization unit 30. Here, the energization by the energizing unit 30 means that, for example, when the image forming command from the user by the multifunction device 11 is received, the energizing by the energizing unit 30 is performed when the image is formed using paper. Become. That is, in the state where the request for image formation on the paper is not accepted, it is determined that the heater 28 is not energized (NO in S14).

After that, the measuring unit 32 measures the zero cross cycle as the second cycle after the measurement of the first cycle. Then, the second determination unit 34 determines whether or not the second cycle of the zero cross measured by the measurement unit 32 after the measurement of the first cycle is the same as the first cycle stored in the hard disk 17. do. In this case, assuming that the second cycle is the cycle Zn, the first cycle is represented by the cycle Zn-1 stored in the hard disk 17. Then, it is determined whether or not Zn and Zn-1 are the same (S15).

If the second determination unit 34 determines that the first cycle and the second cycle are not the same, the determination unit 35 determines that the environment for inputting the AC power supply is abnormal as a first zero cross abnormality (as a first zero cross abnormality). In S15, NO, S16). That is, if the determination unit 35 does not determine that the heater 28 is energized by the first determination unit 33, and the second determination unit 34 determines that the first cycle and the second cycle are not the same, the AC power supply Judge that the environment for inputting is abnormal. This will be described.

With reference to FIG. 3 again, when an abnormality occurs in the AC power supply, specifically, when there is noise 45 appearing in the waveform appearing in line 43, the zero-cross signal becomes the waveform appearing in line 44. Then, the time T _{2 from the timing B 3} to the timing B ₂ based on the noise 45 becomes the zero cross period Zn. Since this time T ₂ is shorter than the time T ₁ , Zn and Zn-1 are not the same.

Here, since the energization unit 30 is not energizing, the determination unit 35 determines that the environment for inputting the AC power supply is abnormal. Then, the display screen 21 as the notification unit displays that fact (S17).

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the display screen 21 in this case. With reference to FIG. 4, on the display screen 21, a message 46 stating "The environment for inputting AC power is abnormal" and a key 47 displaying "OK" for transitioning to the next screen are displayed. NS. As a result, the user can grasp that the environment for inputting the AC power supply is abnormal.

Next, in S15, if the second determination unit 34 determines that the first cycle and the second cycle are the same (YES in S15), the determination unit until the energization unit 30 energizes the heater 28. The determination by 35 continues.

When the first determination unit 33 determines that the heater 28 is energized by the energization unit 30 (YES in S14), the measurement of the zero cross interrupt cycle is started (S18). The cycle Hn at which the measurement is started in this way is stored in the hard disk 17 as the first cycle.

After that, the measuring unit 32 measures the zero cross cycle as the second cycle after the measurement of the first cycle. Then, the second determination unit 34 determines whether or not the second cycle of the zero cross measured by the measurement unit 32 after the measurement of the first cycle is the same as the first cycle stored in the hard disk 17. do. In this case, assuming that the second cycle is the cycle Hn, the first cycle is represented by the cycle Hn-1 stored in the hard disk 17. Then, it is determined whether or not Hn and Hn-1 are the same (S19).

If the second determination unit 34 determines that the first cycle and the second cycle are not the same, the determination unit 35 determines that the energization unit 30 is abnormal as a second zero cross abnormality (in S19, NO, S20). That is, if the determination unit 35 determines that the heater 28 is energized by the first determination unit 33 and the second determination unit 34 determines that the first cycle and the second cycle are not the same, the energization unit 30 Is determined to be abnormal. Then, the display screen 21 as the notification unit displays that fact. In addition, the energization control change screen by the energization unit 30 is displayed.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the display screen 21 in this case. With reference to FIG. 5, on the display screen 21, the message 48 "The energization unit is abnormal" and "Change the energization control" are displayed, and the energization control is changed by detecting the pressing. The key 49, the key 50 that maintains the energization control by detecting the pressing, and the key 51 that displays "OK" to transition to the next screen are displayed. NS. As a result, the user can grasp that the energizing unit 30 is abnormal. Further, it is possible to select the fixing control, that is, the change of the energization control of the energizing unit 30 that energizes the heater 28.

After that, the receiving unit 36 receives the change of the energizing control by the energizing unit 30 (S21). That is, if the determination unit 35 determines that the energization unit 30 is abnormal, the reception unit 36 receives the change of energization control by the energization unit 30 via the display screen 21. In this case, the display screen 21 accepts input of changes from the user. Specifically, inquire whether to change the energization control or maintain the energization control as it is.

If the pressing of the key 49 is detected and a change in the energization control is accepted (YES in S21), the energization control unit 37 controls the energization unit 30 so as to perform the energization control according to the contents of the accepted change. In this case, the energization control by the energizing unit 30 is changed to, for example, pseudo half-wave control (S22). The pseudo half-wave control is a control that turns on the energization of the heater 28 at the same time when the remote signal is turned on. On the other hand, if the change to the energization control is not accepted (NO in S21), that is, if the press of the key 50 is detected and the request to maintain the energization control is accepted, the energization control unit 37 performs the energization control. The energizing unit 30 is controlled without changing. That is, the phase control is maintained as it is (S23).

If the second determination unit 34 determines that the first cycle and the second cycle are the same, the determination unit 35 continues the determination until printing is completed (YES, S24 in S19). .. In this case, if the determination unit 35 does not determine both the abnormality of the environment in which the AC power is input and the abnormality of the energization unit 30, the printing process is terminated as it is.

According to such a multifunction device 11, it is possible to determine whether it depends on the environment in which the AC power supply is input when an abnormality of the AC power supply occurs, or whether it is due to the influence of the energized unit. Then, it is possible to take appropriate measures according to the situation. Specifically, when it is determined that the environment for inputting the AC power supply is abnormal, the user can grasp that there is no problem in the multifunction device 11 itself. Then, the multifunction device 11 can be moved to a place where the AC power can be appropriately input, and the image formation by the multifunction device 11 can be continued as it is. Further, even when it is determined that the energizing unit 30 is abnormal, it is possible to accept the change of control by the energizing unit 30 to prevent the occurrence of offset in fixing and to reduce the influence on the fixing performance. Further, the control can be used to prevent the deterioration of the noise terminal voltage noise or the control to prevent the deterioration of the harmonic noise. It should be noted that these noise terminal voltage noises and harmonic noises may induce electrical defects in other electric appliances. Therefore, according to such a multifunction device 11, it is possible to appropriately respond to the user's request.

In this case, if the receiving unit 36 accepts the change to the pseudo half-wave control, the energizing control unit 37 controls the energizing unit 30 by the pseudo half-wave control, so that the influence on the fixing is more easily mitigated and the image is displayed. Can be formed.

Further, in this case, the measuring unit 32 periodically measures the zero-cross cycle of the AC power supply, and the hard disk 17 updates and stores the latest zero-cross cycle as the first cycle, so that the accuracy is higher. It can be determined.

In the above embodiment, the energization control unit 37 controls the energization unit 30 by pseudo half-wave control if the receiving unit 36 accepts the change of the energization control, but the present invention is not limited to this. Other controls, such as normal half-wave control, may be employed.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the receiving unit 36 and the energizing control unit 37 may not be provided, and the configuration may be such that only an abnormality in the environment for inputting the AC power supply or an abnormality in the energizing unit 30 is notified.

In the above embodiment, the display on the display screen 21 is used to notify an abnormality in the environment in which the AC power is input. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the multifunction device 11 includes a voice generating unit and voice. An abnormality in the environment in which the AC power is input may be notified by voice from the generating unit. Further, the notification may be performed by both voice and display.

Further, in the above embodiment, the measuring unit 32 periodically measures the cycle of the zero cross of the AC power supply, but the measurement unit 32 is not limited to this, and the measuring unit 32, for example, has a predetermined value requested by the user. The zero-cross cycle of the AC power supply may be measured at the timing. Then, the hard disk 17 may update and store the latest zero-cross cycle as the first cycle.

In the above embodiment, the determination unit inputs the AC power supply when the number of times that the second determination unit determines that the first cycle and the second cycle are not the same exceeds a predetermined number of times. Alternatively, it may be determined that the energized portion is abnormal. By doing so, it is possible to respond more according to the user's request.

It should be understood that the embodiments disclosed here are exemplary in all respects and are not restrictive in any way. The scope of the present invention is defined by the scope of claims, not the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of claims.

The image forming apparatus according to the present invention is particularly effectively used when an appropriate response to a user's request is required.

11 multifunction devices, 12 control units, 13 operation units, 14 image readers, 15 image forming units, 16 paper cassettes, 17 hard disks, 18 network interface units, 19 main memory, 21 display screens, 22 ADF, 23 networks, 24 developing unit, 25 fixing device, 26 thermal roller, 27 pressure roller, 28 heater, 29 temperature detection unit, 30 energizing unit, 31 interrupt detection unit, 32 measurement unit, 33 first judgment unit, 34 second judgment unit, 35 Judgment unit, 36 reception unit, 37 energization control unit, 41, 42, 43, 44 lines, 45 noise, 46, 48 messages, 47, 49, 50, 51 keys.

Claims (4)

An image forming device that forms an image on paper.
A developing unit that forms a toner image on paper,
A thermal roller that comes into contact with the paper on which the toner image is formed by the developing unit and fixes the toner image on the paper.
A heater that heats the heat roller and
An energizing unit that energizes the heater and
When an AC power supply is input to the image forming apparatus, an interrupt detection unit that detects a zero-cross interrupt of the AC power supply and an interrupt detection unit.
If a zero-cross interrupt is detected by the interrupt detection unit, the measurement unit that measures the zero-cross cycle of the AC power supply and the measurement unit
A storage unit that stores the first cycle of the zero cross measured by the measurement unit, and a storage unit.
A first determination unit that determines whether or not the heater is energized by the energizing unit, and
A second determination unit for determining whether or not the second cycle of the zero cross measured by the measurement unit after the measurement of the first cycle and the first cycle stored in the storage unit are the same. ,
If it is not determined by the first determination unit that the heater is energized and the second determination unit determines that the first cycle and the second cycle are not the same, an environment for inputting the AC power supply. And the judgment unit that determines that is abnormal
It is provided with a notification unit for notifying the determination result by the determination unit .
If the determination unit determines that the heater is energized by the first determination unit and the second determination unit determines that the first cycle and the second cycle are not the same, the energization unit Is determined to be abnormal,
The image forming apparatus
If the determination unit determines that the energization unit is abnormal, the receiving unit that accepts the change of the energization control by the energization unit
An image forming apparatus further comprising an energization control unit that controls the energization unit so as to perform energization control according to the content of the change received by the reception unit. The power supply controller, if has accepted the change of the control current by the reception unit, to control the energization part pseudo half-wave control remote signal is a control to turn on the power supply to simultaneously the heater is turned on, wherein Item 1. The image forming apparatus according to item 1. If the number of times that the first cycle and the second cycle are determined not to be the same by the second determination unit exceeds a predetermined number, the determination unit is in an environment for inputting the AC power supply or the energizing unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the image forming apparatus is determined to be abnormal. The measuring unit periodically measures the zero-cross cycle of the AC power supply, and measures the cycle.
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the storage unit updates and stores the latest zero-cross cycle as the first cycle.

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