Image forming apparatus

Abstract

An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of functional modules including a first functional module configured to fix a toner image to a sheet and a second functional module for forming the toner image on the sheet. The device obtains a power consumption value of a first functional module and a power consumption value of a second functional module, obtains an accumulated power consumption amount of the first functional module by accumulating the power consumption value of the first functional module along a time axis direction, and obtains an accumulated power consumption amount of the second functional module by accumulating the power consumption value of the second functional module along the time axis direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an image forming apparatus. Background Technology

[0002] Image forming apparatuses use multiple loads to form images on recording material. Examples of such loads include an image reader that reads images from documents, a motor that transports the recording material, a light source and a high-voltage power supply that generate a toner image on the recording material, and a heater that applies heat and pressure to fix the image onto the recording material. In recent years, there has been a public demand to reduce CO2 emissions by lowering the power consumption of image forming apparatuses. According to Japanese Patent Publication No. 2010-120205, the power consumption of the image forming apparatus is estimated based on the amount of print data for each user, and the power consumption is displayed on the user interface. Users can use the image forming apparatus within a pre-allocated permissible power range.

[0003] According to Japanese Patent Publication No. 2010-120205, a personal computer (PC) estimates power consumption based on the amount of print data and the monochrome / color printing settings. Therefore, the accuracy of the power consumption estimate is low. An image forming apparatus has multiple modules, and each module has a different power consumption (W) (also called a power consumption value) and a different power consumption amount (W·s) (also called a cumulative power consumption amount). Therefore, by acquiring the power consumption value of each module and accumulating the acquired power consumption values, the cumulative power consumption of the entire image forming apparatus can be accurately obtained. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This disclosure provides an image forming apparatus comprising: a plurality of functional modules, including a first functional module configured to fix a toner image onto a sheet and a second functional module configured to form a toner image on the sheet; a first acquisition unit configured to acquire power consumption values ​​of the first functional module and the second functional module, respectively; and a second acquisition unit configured to acquire a cumulative power consumption of the first functional module by accumulating the power consumption values ​​of the first functional module along a time axis, and to acquire a cumulative power consumption of the second functional module by accumulating the power consumption values ​​of the second functional module along a time axis.

[0005] Further features of the invention will become clear from the following description of exemplary embodiments (with reference to the accompanying drawings). Attached Figure Description

[0006] Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating an image forming system.

[0007] Figure 2A and Figure 2B This is a diagram showing a fixing device.

[0008] Figure 3This is a diagram showing the user interface.

[0009] Figure 4 This is a diagram illustrating a method for obtaining the cumulative power consumption of each functional module.

[0010] Figure 5 This is a diagram illustrating a method for obtaining the cumulative power consumption of each functional module.

[0011] Figure 6 This is a diagram illustrating the method used to accumulate power consumption values.

[0012] Figure 7 This is a diagram showing the controller.

[0013] Figure 8 This is a diagram showing the controller.

[0014] Figure 9 This is a diagram showing the controller.

[0015] Figure 10 This is a diagram illustrating an example of accumulating the power consumption values ​​of a fixing device.

[0016] Figure 11 This is a diagram illustrating a method for accumulating power consumption values ​​for functional modules other than the fixing device.

[0017] Figure 12 This is a diagram illustrating a method for obtaining power consumption values ​​for functional modules other than the fixing device.

[0018] Figure 13 This is a diagram showing the controller.

[0019] Figure 14 This is a flowchart illustrating the control method.

[0020] Figure 15 This is a flowchart illustrating the control method.

[0021] Figure 16 This is a diagram illustrating an image forming system. Detailed Implementation

[0022] The embodiments will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention. Multiple features are described in the embodiments, but the invention is not limited to requiring all of these features, and multiple features may be combined as appropriate. Furthermore, in the drawings, the same or similar configurations are given the same reference numerals, and repeated descriptions thereof are omitted.

[0023] 1. Image Forming System

[0024] like Figure 1As shown, the image forming system 100 is a copier or multifunction peripheral device having an image forming apparatus 10 and an image reader 20. Note that the image forming system 100 may be a printer that does not include the image reader 20. Note that the image reader 20 may be referred to as an image reading device or a document reading device.

[0025] 1-1. Image forming apparatus

[0026] The image forming apparatus 10 can be a color printer or a monochrome printer. Figure 1 In the example, the image forming apparatus 10 is a cascaded full-color printer that is capable of forming full-color images in an electrophotographic manner.

[0027] Image forming units 50y, 50c, 50m, and 50k form toner images in yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, respectively. Figure 1 In describing the common aspects of these four colors, the ymck character given at the end of the figure label is sometimes omitted.

[0028] The image forming unit 50 includes a photosensitive drum 1, a charging device 2, an exposure device 3, a developing device 4, and a primary transfer roller 5. The photosensitive drum 1 is a cylindrical image carrier that rotates counterclockwise.

[0029] The charging device 2 can be, for example, a corona charging device, which irradiates charged particles through corona discharge and charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 1. Therefore, the surface potential becomes a negative or positive dark potential. The charging device 2 can have rollers or wires for discharge. A high voltage, called the charging voltage or charging bias, can be applied to the charging device 2. The exposure device 3 has, for example, a semiconductor laser or an organic EL (electroluminescent) type light-emitting element as a light source, and scans light on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 according to input image data. Thus, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1. The developing device 4 includes: a container containing a developer comprising a toner and a carrier; and a developing roller that supplies the developer to the photosensitive drum 1. Thus, the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is developed to form a toner image. A high voltage, called the developing voltage or developing bias, is applied to the developing roller of the developing device 4.

[0030] The intermediate transfer belt 6 rotates while being tensioned around multiple rollers, including the opposing roller 11. The primary transfer roller 5 is positioned at the primary transfer location, facing the photosensitive drum 1. The primary transfer roller 5 is subjected to a primary transfer bias voltage as a high voltage and transfers the toner image carried on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 to the intermediate transfer belt 6. The toner images of the four color components are transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 6 in a superimposed manner (primary transfer), thereby forming a full-color toner image. The intermediate transfer belt 6 carries the full-color toner image and conveys it to the secondary transfer location. The opposing roller 11 and the secondary transfer roller 12 are positioned at the secondary transfer location.

[0031] Box 7 is a storage container for holding a stack of sheets. Figure 1 An embodiment of the image forming apparatus 10 is shown, comprising only one cartridge 7. However, the image forming apparatus 10 may be provided with multiple cartridges 7, which are capable of accommodating sheets S of different types (e.g., size, thickness, or with or without surface coating). The cartridge 7 may be an optional feed device connected to the image forming apparatus 10 as an optional cartridge base.

[0032] Feed roller 8 feeds the sheets S one by one from the stack of sheets S in box 7 onto the conveyor path. Conveyor roller 9a conveys the sheets S along the conveyor path and feeds the sheets S to the secondary transfer position. Secondary transfer roller 12 is applied with a secondary transfer bias voltage as a high voltage to transfer the full-tone toner image carried by the intermediate transfer belt 6 to the sheet S that has reached the secondary transfer position (secondary transfer).

[0033] The fixing unit 13 is located downstream of the secondary transfer position. The fixing unit 13 includes a fixing roller (or cylindrical heated film) and a pressing roller, and fixes the toner image onto the sheet S by heating and pressing the sheet S on which the toner image has been transferred. Conveyor rollers 9b to 9e convey the sheet S that has passed through the fixing unit 13 and discharge the sheet S to the discharge tray 15 or discharge tray 17 specified by the print job information. The discharge roller 14 discharges the sheet S conveyed by the conveyor roller 9d to the discharge tray 15 via the conveyor path 18. The discharge roller 16 discharges the sheet S conveyed by the conveyor roller 9e to the discharge tray 17 via the conveyor path 19.

[0034] 1-2. Image Reader

[0035] Image reader 20 includes a light source 23 that emits illumination light to a document 22 placed on a pressure plate glass 21, and an image sensor 24 that receives image light from the document 22 and generates image data. Although in Figure 1 The details have been omitted, but an automatic document feeder (ADF) that sends documents 22 one by one to the image reader 20 can be used.

[0036] 1-3. Controllers and power supply equipment

[0037] AC control unit 31 supplies AC power from external power source 30 (such as commercial AC power) to AC loads (e.g., the heating element of fixing device 13 and AC / DC conversion circuit 32). AC is an abbreviation for alternating current. DC is an abbreviation for direct current. DC control unit 33 supplies DC power generated by AC / DC conversion circuit 32 to DC loads (e.g., motors, exposure device 3, controller 40, image reader 20, charging device 2, developing device 4, primary transfer roller 5, and secondary transfer roller 12). AC / DC conversion circuit 32 may include multiple DC / DC conversion circuits to generate different DC voltages. Controller 40 controls image reader 20 to generate image data and controls image forming apparatus 10 to form an image on sheet S. Operation unit 41 provides a user interface to the user of image forming system 100. Operation unit 41 includes, for example, touch panel 42. Touch panel 42 includes a display device that displays images and information under the control of controller 40 and a touch sensor that accepts touch input from the user.

[0038] 1-5. Fixing equipment

[0039] like Figure 2A As shown, the fixing device 13 includes a fixing film 201, a pressing roller 202, a heater holder 261, and a pressing support 263. Arrow D1 indicates the conveying direction of the sheet S. Arrow R1 indicates the rotation direction of the pressing roller 202. Arrow R2 indicates the rotation direction of the fixing film 201.

[0040] The fixing film 201 is a flexible tubular (annular) film-like member. The pressing roller 202 includes a core metal and an elastic layer. A heater holder 261 is disposed inside the fixing film 201. The heater holder 261 serves as a holding member for holding the heater 200. The pressing support 263 is formed of a rigid member such as metal, and applies pressing force received from a spring (not shown) to the pressing roller 202 via the heater holder 261. By this pressing force, a fixing roller gap N2 with a predetermined area is formed between the fixing film 201 and the pressing roller 202.

[0041] Heater 200 is a plate-shaped heating element that rapidly heats the fixing film 201 while contacting its inner circumferential surface. Heater 200 is, for example, a ceramic heater. As a modification, a pressure plate without heating function can be used instead of heater 200 to form the fixing roller gap N2. In this case, a halogen heater or the like is provided in the fixing film 201 at a position away from its inner circumferential surface or in the pressing roller 202. A thermistor 262 is attached to heater 200. Thermistor 262 is a temperature sensing element (temperature sensor) that detects the temperature of heater 200.

[0042] The controller 40 regulates the power supplied from the external power supply 30 to the heater 200 via a semiconductor switching element (e.g., a triac switch), thereby bringing the temperature detected by the thermistor 262 close to the target temperature. When the fixing film 201 is driven to rotate by the pressing roller 202 and the temperature of the heater 200 reaches the predetermined target temperature, the sheet S with the toner image transferred is conveyed to the fixing roller gap N2. As the sheet S passes through the fixing roller gap N2, heat from the heater 200 is applied to the sheet S via the fixing film 201. That is, the unfixed toner image on the sheet S is heated and pressed, and fixed onto the sheet S. The sheet S, having passed through the fixing roller gap N2, is separated from the fixing film 201 and further conveyed.

[0043] like Figure 2B As shown, heater 200 may include heating element 205 and heating element 206. When the sheet S is plain paper (low basis weight), heating element 205 can be turned on and heating element 206 can be turned off. When the sheet S is thick paper (high basis weight), both heating element 205 and heating element 206 can be turned on. As described above, controller 40 can switch the amount of heat supplied from heater 200 to sheet S according to the basis weight of sheet S.

[0044] 2. Display of cumulative power consumption

[0045] The cumulative power consumption WA (W·s) of the image forming system 100 varies depending on how the image forming system 100 is used. Therefore, by displaying the cumulative power consumption WA to the user, the user will be able to determine the cumulative power consumption WA and select a printing mode with higher power saving effect.

[0046] Figure 3 An example of a user interface (UI) displayed on touch panel 42 is shown. Controller 40 can accumulate the electrical power consumed in image forming system 100 into a cumulative coverage as an arbitrary time period, such as hourly, daily, weekly, or monthly, and display the cumulative power consumption on touch panel 42. Furthermore, the variation in cumulative power consumption within any time period (such as a day, week, month, and year) can be displayed for all displayed time periods. Tab 301 is the UI used to display the cumulative power consumption WA for a month. In the graph shown in tab 301, the horizontal axis represents dates. The minimum value on the horizontal axis is the first day of each month. As a modification, a date approximately a predetermined number of days from the date of display (e.g., a date 30 days ago) can be the minimum value on the horizontal axis. The vertical axis of the graph in tab 301 represents the cumulative power consumption WA for each day corresponding to each date. Figure 3 This is an example of a line chart, which helps users understand transitions. Other types of charts, such as bar charts, can be used. Furthermore, numerical values ​​can be compared with... Figure 1The display is initiated. Note that the horizontal axis of the graph in tab 301 can be switched to weekly units, for example. In this case, the vertical axis represents the cumulative power consumption WA for each week. Here, an example as shown in the graph is described, but the values ​​can be displayed in tabular form. Tab 302 is the UI for displaying the cumulative power consumption WA for a week. Although not shown, in the graph displayed by selecting tab 302, for example, the horizontal axis represents the date, and the vertical axis represents the cumulative power consumption WA for each day. Tab 303 is the UI for displaying the cumulative power consumption WA for a day. In the graph displayed by selecting tab 303, for example, the horizontal axis represents the time, and the vertical axis represents the cumulative power consumption WA for each hour. Controller 40 activates the tab selected by the user in tabs 301 to 303. Furthermore, touch panel 42 can display the cumulative power consumption WA of the image forming system 100 obtained by accumulating power consumption values ​​after the image forming system 100 is installed in the customer's room. As mentioned above, the accumulation period can be selected by the user or can be predetermined. Note that the cumulative power consumption WA can be displayed separately for each module. For example, the cumulative power consumption WA of the fixing module 403 and the cumulative power consumption WA of the main module can be displayed in separate columns or as separate graphs.

[0047] 3. How to obtain the cumulative power consumption?

[0048] 3-1. Obtain and accumulate the power consumption values ​​of each module.

[0049] The image forming system 100 has multiple loads. Connecting power meters (power sensors) to each load increases the manufacturing cost of the image forming system 100. Therefore, it is necessary to reduce the number of power meters. For example, there may be methods to estimate the electrical force based on current values ​​obtained using a current detection circuit (current sensor), methods to estimate the electrical force based on voltage values ​​obtained using a voltage detection circuit (voltage sensor), or methods to estimate the electrical force without using both current and voltage detection circuits. Furthermore, it is also necessary to acquire the electrical force accurately and efficiently.

[0050] Therefore, in this embodiment, the image forming system 100 is classified into several functional modules, and the power consumption value Pm of each functional module is obtained, thereby accurately and efficiently acquiring the power consumption value Pm and the cumulative power consumption Wm. The operation of each functional module may vary depending on the state of the image forming system 100. Therefore, loads that tend to consume the same or similar power in various operating states can be classified into the same module. In this embodiment, the functional modules can be referred to as load groups, which include one or more loads for calculating the power consumption value Pm and the cumulative power consumption Wm.

[0051] Figure 4This diagram illustrates an example of multiple functional modules. The cumulative power consumption Wm of these modules can be obtained using different calculation methods. The reader module 401 is a functional module that includes the image reader 20. The cumulative power consumption of the reader module 401 is Wm1 (W·s). The cumulative power consumption Wm1 of the reader module 401 is the electrical force required to read one surface of the document 22, and therefore can be considered a fixed value for each surface. Therefore, the cumulative power consumption Wm1 can be obtained using a simple method without the need for a power meter.

[0052] The controller module 402 is a functional module that includes a controller 40 and an operation unit 41. The cumulative power consumption of the controller module 402 is Wm2 (W·s). The cumulative power consumption Wm2 of the controller module 402 can also be considered as a basically fixed value. Therefore, the cumulative power consumption Wm2 can be obtained by a simple method without the need for a power meter.

[0053] The fixing module 403 is a functional module that includes the fixing device 13. The cumulative power consumption of the fixing module 403 is Wm3 (W·s). The cumulative power consumption Wm3 of the fixing device 13 varies according to the initial temperature when transitioning from standby state to wake-up state (also known as preheating state). Therefore, the power consumption value can be accumulated for each control cycle of the heater 200. For example, the controller 40 determines the power value to be supplied to the heater 200 based on the temperature detected by the thermistor 262, and supplies AC power to the heater 200 with a control value (control duty cycle) corresponding to the power value. That is, the temperature is detected by the thermistor 262 for each control cycle, and the control value is determined. Therefore, the controller 40 calculates the power consumption for each control cycle. Thus, the power consumption of the fixing device 13 can be accurately obtained. DUTY is used below as a variable indicating the control value.

[0054] The main module 404 includes multiple loads that consume power primarily when the image forming system 100 is active. The cumulative power consumption of the main module 404 is Wm4 (W·s). For example, the main module 404 includes a motor M1, a charging power supply 411, an exposure device 3, a developing power supply 412, a primary transfer power supply 413, and a secondary transfer power supply 414. These include loads whose power consumption value Pm and cumulative power consumption Wm vary depending on the print job. The motor M1 is the drive source for rotating and driving the conveyor rollers 9a to 9e, the discharge rollers 14 and 16, the photosensitive drum 1, etc. The charging power supply 411 is part of the AC / DC conversion circuit 32 and is a power supply device that generates the charging voltage. The developing power supply 412 is part of the AC / DC conversion circuit 32 and is a power supply device that generates the developing voltage. The primary transfer power supply 413 is part of the AC / DC conversion circuit 32 and is a power supply device that generates the primary transfer voltage. The secondary transfer power supply 414 is part of the AC / DC conversion circuit 32 and is the power supply device that generates the secondary transfer voltage. The cumulative power consumption Wm4 of the main module 404 may vary depending on the print job. For example, the cumulative power consumption Wm4 when specifying an A4 size in a print job is different from the cumulative power consumption Wm4 when specifying an A3 size in a print job. Furthermore, the cumulative power consumption Wm4 when specifying a low processing speed PS1 (m / s) in a print job is different from the cumulative power consumption Wm4 when specifying a high processing speed PS2 (m / s) in a print job. The processing speed can be referred to as the conveying speed of the sheet S. The cumulative power consumption Wm4 during monochrome printing is different from the cumulative power consumption Wm4 during full-color printing. Therefore, a cumulative power consumption Wm4 is required for each image formed on the sheet S.

[0055] The feed device 70 and the post-processing device 80 are both optional devices. When an optional device is attached to the image forming apparatus 10, the power consumption value Pm and the cumulative power consumption Wm of the optional device can be obtained for each module. The optional device can be part of the main module 404. However, the optional device can be included in a module independent of the main module 404, as described below.

[0056] Optional module 405 includes a feed device 70 connected to the side or bottom surface of the image forming apparatus 10. The cumulative power consumption of optional module 405 is Wm5 (W·s). Note that the housing of the feed device 70 and the housing of the image forming apparatus 10 can be independent of each other.

[0057] Optional module 406 includes a post-processing unit 80 connected to the side surface of the image forming apparatus 10. The cumulative power consumption of optional module 406 is Wm6 (W·s). Note that the housing of the post-processing unit 80 can be independent of the housing of the image forming apparatus 10. The post-processing unit 80 includes an image inspection device, a sorting device, a stapler, a binding device, a punching device, etc.

[0058] The maximum current value (e.g., 15A, 20A, etc.) that can be supplied from a power outlet is regulated by law. Therefore, one power cable can be installed in the housing of the image forming apparatus 10, and another power cable can be installed in the housing of the optional equipment (feed device 70 and post-processing device 80).

[0059] The controller 40 sums the cumulative power consumption values ​​Wm1, Wm2, Wm3, and Wm4 to obtain the total cumulative power consumption WA of the entire image forming system 100. When the optional module 405 is present, the cumulative power consumption value Wm5 is also added to the total cumulative power consumption WA. When the optional module 406 is present, the cumulative power consumption value Wm6 is also added to the total cumulative power consumption WA.

[0060] The controller 40 displays the cumulative power consumption WA on the touch panel 42. Note that the controller 40 can record the cumulative power consumption WA daily. The controller 40 can determine the weekly, monthly, or yearly cumulative power consumption based on the daily recorded cumulative power consumption. The recorded cumulative power consumption WA can be stored... Figure 7 In the ROM region (e.g., hard disk drive, solid-state drive, etc.) of the memory 701 shown.

[0061] Figure 5 A method for accumulating power consumption values ​​is shown. The operating states of the image forming system 100 include a sleep state, a standby state, and a printing state (active state). The sleep state is the state of waiting to receive a print job and is the state with the lowest power consumption. The standby state is the state in which image forming can begin as soon as a print job is received. The printing state is the state in which the image forming system 100 forms an image on the sheet S.

[0062] Box 501 indicates the change in power consumption value Pm of the fixing device 13. When a print job is input, the fixing device 13 performs a wake-up operation (W-UP). The wake-up operation increases the temperature of the heater 200 to the target temperature. When the temperature of the heater 200 reaches the target temperature, the fixing device 13 enters the fixing state (PRINT), and the toner image can be fixed onto the sheet S. Note that the power consumption value (W) required for the wake-up operation is greater than the power consumption value (W) used to maintain the temperature of the heater 200 at the target temperature.

[0063] Box 502 indicates the change in the power consumption value Pm of the main module 404. The power consumption value Pm of the main module 404 is determined by the print job and is substantially constant in the printing state (active state).

[0064] Box 503 indicates the change in cumulative power consumption WA from the sleep state to the end of the printing state. Controller 40 accumulates and sums the power consumption values ​​Pm of all functional modules over time to obtain the cumulative power consumption WA. According to this embodiment, for each control cycle of the fixing device 13, controller 40 adds the cumulative power consumption Wm3 of fixing module 403 (fixing device 13) to the cumulative power consumption WA. Since the cumulative power consumption Wm3 is added to the cumulative power consumption WA for each control cycle of fixing device 13, the cumulative power consumption WA gradually increases in each control cycle. For each image, controller 40 can add the cumulative power consumption Wm1, Wm2, and Wm4 of reader module 401, controller module 402, and main module 404 to the cumulative power consumption WA.

[0065] In box 503, the sleep accumulation indicator is used to time the addition of the accumulated power consumption in sleep mode to the accumulated power consumption WA. The print accumulation indicator is used to time the start of the accumulation of the power consumption value Pm in print mode.

[0066] Figure 6 The power consumption values ​​Pm (W) of each module for each operating state of the image forming system 100 are shown. The power consumption value Pm and cumulative power consumption Wm in the sleep state are very small. However, loads operating in the sleep state (e.g., communication circuits, etc.) also operate in the printing state and standby state. When the image forming system 100 enters a copy job, the image forming system 100 transitions from the sleep state to the printing state. The image reader 20 reads the document 22. The power consumption value Pm and cumulative power consumption Wm during the reading of document 22 are indicated as RD. Note that loads operating in the standby state (e.g., operation unit 41, etc.) also operate in the printing state. The power consumption value Pm and cumulative power consumption Wm of such loads are indicated as STAND-BY. When the reading of document 22 is completed, the fixing device 13 is woken up. At this time, the power consumption value Pm and cumulative power consumption Wm are indicated as W-UP. When the waking up of the fixing device 13 is completed, image forming is performed on the sheet S. PRINT indicates the power consumption of the main module 404. PRINT (FIXING) indicates the power consumption value Pm and the cumulative power consumption Wm consumed by the fixing device 13. When a copy job is completed, the image forming system 100 transitions from the printing state to the standby state. Furthermore, in the standby state, when the length (time) of the period during which no subsequent job is entered exceeds a threshold, the image forming system 100 transitions from the standby state to the hibernation state.

[0067] The controller 40 accumulates (or integrates) the power consumption value Pm of each functional module along the time axis to obtain the cumulative power consumption Wm of each functional module, and then sums these values ​​to obtain the cumulative power consumption WA. This accumulation is very similar to, or in some cases equivalent to, performing a mathematical integration of the power consumption value Pm with respect to time (or over time). That is to say, Figure 6 The sum of the areas of the multiple square waves shown indicates the cumulative power consumption WA (W·s).

[0068] 3-2. Controller

[0069] Figure 7 The hardware constituting the controller 40 is shown. The CPU 700 performs various functions by executing control programs stored in the non-volatile region of the memory 701. The memory 701 is a storage device that includes at least read-only memory (ROM) and random access memory (RAM). The memory 701 can be a storage device that includes hard disk drives (HDDs) and solid-state drives (SSDs).

[0070] Individual acquisition unit 710 acquires the power consumption of each of the multiple functional modules. Wm1 acquisition unit 711 acquires the cumulative power consumption Wm1 by acquiring the power consumption value Pm1 of reader module 401 and accumulating the acquired power consumption values ​​Pm1. Wm2 acquisition unit 712 acquires the cumulative power consumption Wm2 by acquiring the power consumption value Pm2 of controller module 402 and accumulating the acquired power consumption values ​​Pm2. Wm3 acquisition unit 713 acquires the cumulative power consumption Wm3 by acquiring the power consumption value Pm3 of fixing module 403 and accumulating the acquired power consumption values ​​Pm3. Wm4 acquisition unit 714 acquires the cumulative power consumption Wm4 by acquiring the power consumption value Pm4 of main module 404 and accumulating the acquired power consumption values ​​Pm4. When an optional module 405 exists, Wm5 acquisition unit 715 acquires the cumulative power consumption Wm5 by acquiring the power consumption value Pm5 of optional module 405 and accumulating the acquired power consumption values ​​Pm5. When optional module 406 is present, Wm6 acquisition unit 716 acquires the cumulative power consumption Wm6 by acquiring the power consumption value Pm6 of optional module 406 and accumulating the acquired power consumption value Pm6. Optional modules 405 and 406 consume a constant electrical power for each sheet S. Therefore, the cumulative power consumption Wm5 and Wm6, which are fixed values, can be acquired from memory 701. Summation unit 720 sums the cumulative power consumption Wm1 to Wm6 acquired for the corresponding modules and acquires the cumulative power consumption WA. Display control unit 730 displays the cumulative power consumption WA on touch panel 42 according to the instruction input through operation unit 41.

[0071] Note that more optional devices can be connected to the image forming apparatus 10. In this case, the individual acquisition unit 710 can identify the optional device as the i-th functional module and acquire the cumulative power consumption Wmi.

[0072] Communication circuit 702 is a communication circuit (e.g., a wireless LAN circuit or a wired LAN circuit) for receiving print job information from an externally configured host computer. Communication circuit 702 can send display data (e.g., HTML data) for displaying the cumulative power consumption WA to the host computer and display the cumulative power consumption WA on the host computer's monitor.

[0073] 3-3. Calculation method used in fixing module

[0074] Figure 8 This is a diagram illustrating the functions involved in the method for obtaining the cumulative power consumption Wm3 of the fixing module 403. Figure 9 A detailed view of the Wm3 acquisition unit 713 is shown. The determination unit 802 uses a timer 801 to manage the measurement cycle of the temperature T of the heater 200. The measurement cycle and control cycle of the heater 200 are substantially synchronized. The determination unit 802 acquires the detected temperature T from the thermistor 262 for each control cycle. The determination unit 802 determines a control value DUTY such that the detected temperature T is close to the target temperature Ttg, and sets this control value in the drive circuit 803. The drive circuit 803 regulates the power supplied to the heater 200 by turning the switching element 805 on / off. Here, the control value can indicate the proportion of time (duty cycle) during which the switching element 805 is powered within one cycle of the AC power supplied from the external power source 30.

[0075] The current acquisition unit 901 of the Wm3 acquisition unit 713 acquires the current value I (RMS value) when the control value DUTY is 100%. This value can be pre-stored in the memory 701, or it can be detected by the current / voltage detection circuit 804. Alternatively, the current acquisition unit 901 can acquire the current value I based on the temperature T detected by the thermistor 262. The current / voltage detection circuit 804 is a current detection circuit that detects the current supplied from the external power supply 30 or a voltage detection circuit that detects the AC voltage. The current / voltage detection circuit 804 does not need to detect both current and voltage. By using the current / voltage detection circuit 804 or the thermistor 262, more accurate information corresponding to the current state can be obtained.

[0076] The maximum power acquisition unit 904 of the Wm3 acquisition unit 713 acquires the supply power value (maximum power value Pmax) based on the current value I acquired by the current acquisition unit 901.

[0077] Pmax=I^2×Rtemp···Equation 1

[0078] Here, Rtemp is the temperature-dependent resistance of heater 200. Note that the voltage acquisition unit 902 can acquire the AC voltage V (RMS) associated with 100% control value from memory 701, or via current / voltage detection circuit 804. Here, the maximum power Pmax is calculated according to the following equation.

[0079] Pmax=V^2 / Rtemp···Equation 2

[0080] In addition, the resistance value calculation unit 903 can calculate the resistance value Rtemp according to the following equation.

[0081] Rtemp = R0 + (R0 × (T-23)) × TCR ... Equation 3

[0082] Here, R0 is the resistance of heater 200 at 23°C. TCR indicates the rate of change of resistance with respect to temperature. Figure 8 As shown, the TCR memory 811 can be attached to the fixing device 13. In this case, the measured R0 and TCR of the fixing device 13 can be stored in the values ​​of the TCR memory 811. For this purpose, the values ​​of R0 and TCR can be read by the CPU 700. When the TCR memory 811 is not installed, a universal value is used instead of a unique value for each individual device.

[0083] The control power acquisition unit 905 of the Wm3 acquisition unit 713 acquires the control power value CP (W) based on the maximum power Pmax and the control value DUTY.

[0084] CP = Pmax × DUTY ... Equation 4

[0085] The power acquisition unit 906 obtains the cumulative power consumption Wm3' for each control cycle tp(s) using the following equation.

[0086] Wm3'=CP×tp···Equation 5

[0087] Furthermore, the power acquisition unit 906 acquires the cumulative power consumption Wm3 (W·s) by accumulating the Wm3' during the energization of the heater 200. That is, the power acquisition unit 906 acquires the cumulative power consumption Wm3 (W·s) by adding up multiple cumulative power consumption Wm3' acquired at different times.

[0088] Wm3=∑Wm3′...Equation 6

[0089] Here, although it is necessary to obtain the cumulative power consumption Wm3 for heater 200, it is also possible to obtain the cumulative power consumption Wm3 for heating element 205 and heating element 206 respectively, and the two obtained cumulative power consumption Wm3 can be summed.

[0090] Figure 10 Figure 1001 illustrates the transition of the cumulative power consumption Wm3, and Figure 1002 illustrates the transition of the control power value CP. (See Figure 1002.) Figure 10 As shown, during the period when the heater 200 is energized, the control power value CP is acquired and accumulated for each control cycle cp. Therefore, the cumulative power consumption Wm3 of the fixing device 13 can be accurately obtained without using a power meter.

[0091] 3-4. Calculation methods used for the main module

[0092] Figure 11 This is a diagram illustrating how the power consumption of the main module 404 is obtained. As an example, a method for obtaining the cumulative power consumption WA when images are continuously formed on four sheets S is described. The vertical axis indicates the power consumption value. The horizontal axis indicates time. The first and second sheets S are A4-sized plain paper sheets S. A processing speed PS1 (mm / s) is applied to them. The third sheet S is A3-sized plain paper sheet S. A processing speed PS1 (mm / s) is applied to it. The fourth sheet S is A4-sized thick paper sheet S. A processing speed PS2 (mm / s) is applied to it. Here, the value of PS1 is greater than the value of PS2.

[0093] Here, as the standard mode (reference printing mode), the combination of sheet S, color printing, and the output tray 15 for A4-sized plain paper is defined. Color, print color, and output port are specified by the print job information. In standard mode, the power consumption value (reference value) for each image is defined as P0. The size ratio SR indicates the ratio of the size of sheet S to the A4 size. Therefore, the size ratio SR for A4 size is 1.0. The size ratio SR for A3 size is 2.0.

[0094] The power consumption values ​​of other modes relative to the standard mode are calculated based on P0. For example, the power consumption value P when the processing speed is PS2 is calculated according to the following equation.

[0095] P = P0 × PSRp ... Equation 7

[0096] Here, PSRp is the power ratio (power scaling factor) of processing speed PS2 relative to standard mode (processing speed PS1). The transfer time of sheet S in standard mode is t0. Therefore, the cumulative power consumption W0 in standard mode can be calculated using the following equation.

[0097] W0=P0×t0···Equation 8

[0098] t0 = 60 / ppm ... Equation 9

[0099] Here, ppm indicates the number of sheets S that can be printed per minute in standard mode. The processing speed of A3-sized sheet S is PS1, and the power consumption is P0. Therefore, the cumulative power consumption W of A3-sized sheet S can be calculated according to the following equation.

[0100] W = W0 × SR ... Equation 10

[0101] Here, the time scaling factor SR for A3 size is 2.0.

[0102] like Figure 11 As shown, the fourth sheet S is an A4-sized sheet S, but PS2 is applied to it as the processing speed. Therefore, the transmission time t of the fourth sheet S can be calculated according to the following equation.

[0103] t=t0×SR×PSRt···Equation 11

[0104] Here, since A4 is the standard size, the time scaling factor SR is 1.0. PSRt indicates the scaling factor (time scaling factor) of the power consumption (transmission time) along the time axis.

[0105] PSRt=PS1 / PS2···Equation 12

[0106] Therefore, the cumulative power consumption W of the fourth sheet S can be calculated according to the following equation.

[0107] W = P0 × PSRp × t0 × SR × PSRt ... Equation 13

[0108] Figure 12 The method for obtaining the cumulative power consumption for each mode is shown. Box 1201 indicates the method for obtaining the cumulative power consumption W0 in standard mode. As mentioned above, the cumulative power consumption W0 is the product of the power consumption value P0 and the transmission time t0. Box 1202 indicates the method for obtaining the cumulative power consumption W in A3 mode. The cumulative power consumption W in A3 mode is twice the cumulative power consumption W0 in standard mode. Box 1203 indicates the method for obtaining the cumulative power consumption W in PS2 mode. When the processing speed PS decreases, the power consumption value P of the motor M1, etc., decreases. When the processing speed PS decreases, the transmission time t increases.

[0109] Box 1204 indicates how the cumulative power consumption W is obtained in the second discharge mode where the sheet S is discharged to the discharge tray 17. In the second discharge mode, the discharge roller 16 and the conveyor roller 9e need to be driven. Therefore, the power consumption value P increases by Px compared to P0. Here, it is assumed that the conveying time for discharging the sheet S to the discharge tray 17 is equal to the conveying time t0 for discharging the sheet S to the discharge tray 15. Therefore, the cumulative power consumption W in the second discharge mode can be calculated according to the following equation.

[0110] W = W0 + Wx ... Equation 14

[0111] Wx=Px×t0···Equation 15

[0112] Figure 13 A detailed view of the Wm4 acquisition unit 714 is shown. The analysis unit 1301 analyzes print job information received by the operation unit 41 or by the communication circuit 702, and acquires the print color (color / monochrome), basis weight (e.g., g / m^2, thin paper, plain paper, and thick paper), ejection port, processing speed PS, sheet size S, etc. Note that the analysis unit 1301 can specify the processing speed PS based on the basis weight. The memory 701 can store a table or database that associates the processing speed PS with the basis weight. The analysis unit 703 can obtain the processing speed PS associated with the basis weight by referring to a table, etc. As described above, the analysis unit 1301 may include a specifying unit for specifying the processing speed PS.

[0113] The correction value determination unit 1302 determines a correction value Px for the power consumption value P0 in standard mode based on at least one of the print color and the exit port. For example, when the print job information specifies monochrome printing, the correction value Px is determined to be -P1 (e.g., -45 (W)). When the print job information specifies the exit port as exit tray 17, the correction value Px is determined to be +P2 (e.g., +11 (W)).

[0114] The correction unit 1306 corrects the power consumption value P0 by adding the correction value Px to the power consumption value P0 in standard mode. The power consumption value P0 is then input to the power acquisition unit 1307.

[0115] The PSRp determination unit 1303 determines the power scaling factor PSRp based on the processing speed PS specified by the print job information. If the processing speed PS is PS1, then PSRp is determined to be 1.0. If the processing speed PS is PS2, then PSRp is determined based on both PS1 and PS2. The tables, equations, program functions, or program modules used to determine PSRp can be stored in the memory 701.

[0116] The PSRt determination unit 1304 determines the time scaling factor PSRt based on the processing speed PS specified by the print job information. The time scaling factor PSRt can be calculated using Equation 12.

[0117] The SR determination unit 1305 determines the time scaling factor SR based on the size of the sheet S specified in the print job information. Here, the time scaling factor SR for A4 size is 1.0. Here, the time scaling factor SR for A3 size is 2.0.

[0118] The power acquisition unit 1307 calculates the cumulative power consumption Wm4 for forming an image on a sheet S based on the power consumption value P0, the power scaling factor PSRp, the time scaling factor PSRt, and SR.

[0119] Wm4=(P0+Px)×PSRp×t0×SR×PSRt···Equation 16

[0120] 5. Flowchart

[0121] 5-1. Method for obtaining the power consumption of a fixing device

[0122] Figure 14 The control method executed by CPU 700 according to the control program is shown. When the image forming system 100 transitions from a sleep state to an active state, CPU 700 performs the following processing.

[0123] In step S1401, CPU 700 references timer 801 and determines whether the measurement timing has arrived. As described above, the measurement timing arrives at each control cycle tp. When the measurement timing arrives, CPU 700 proceeds processing from step S1401 to step S1402.

[0124] In step S1402, the CPU 700 (current acquisition unit 901) acquires the maximum current I. The maximum current I can be determined based on the control value DUTY, or it can be detected by the current / voltage detection circuit 804. The maximum voltage V can be obtained instead of the maximum current I.

[0125] In step S1403, the CPU 700 (resistance calculation unit 903) obtains the temperature T by using the thermistor 262.

[0126] In step S1404, the CPU 700 (resistance value calculation unit 903) obtains the rate of change TCR from the TCR memory 811.

[0127] In step S1405, the CPU 700 (resistance calculation unit 903) obtains the resistance value Rtemp based on the initial resistance value R0, temperature T, and rate of change TCR.

[0128] In step S1406, the CPU 700 (maximum power acquisition unit 904) acquires the maximum power value Pmax based on the maximum current I (or maximum voltage V) and the resistance value Rtemp.

[0129] In step S1407, the CPU 700 (control power acquisition unit 905) acquires the control value DUTY applied to the fixing device 13 at this time.

[0130] In step S1408, the CPU 700 (control power acquisition unit 905) acquires the control power value CP (W) based on the maximum power value Pmax and the control value DUTY.

[0131] In step S1409, the CPU 700 (electric power acquisition unit 906) acquires the cumulative power consumption Wm3' of each control cycle tp based on the control cycle tp and the control power value CP.

[0132] In step S1410, the CPU 700 (summing unit 720) adds the cumulative power consumption Wm3' to the cumulative power consumption WA of the entire image forming system 100.

[0133] In step S1411, the CPU 700 determines whether the print job has been completed based on the job information. If the print job has not been completed, the CPU 700 proceeds from step S1411 to step S1401 and waits for the next measurement timing. After the print job is completed, the CPU 700 switches the image forming system 100 from an active state to a standby state.

[0134] 5-2. Method for obtaining the power consumption of the main body

[0135] Figure 15 The control method executed by the CPU 700 according to the control program is shown. Here, it is assumed that the image forming system 100 is in a sleep or standby state.

[0136] In step S1501, CPU 700 (analysis unit 1301) determines whether the user has entered a print job. If a print job has been entered, CPU 700 proceeds the processing from step S1501 to step S1502.

[0137] In step S1502, the CPU 700 (analysis unit 1301) analyzes the print job information. Therefore, it can obtain information such as print color, sheet size S, basis weight, and processing speed PS. The processing speed PS can be determined based on the basis weight.

[0138] In step S1503, the CPU 700 (correction value determination unit 1302) determines a correction value Px based on printing color, output port, etc. Here, the correction value Px is a correction value for the power consumption value P0 in standard mode. The power consumption value P0 can be referred to as the reference power or initial power.

[0139] In step S1504, the CPU 700 (correction unit 1306) corrects the power consumption value P0 in standard mode based on the correction value Px.

[0140] In step S1505, the CPU 700 (PSRp determination unit 1303) determines the power scaling factor PSRp based on the processing speed PS.

[0141] In step S1506, the CPU 700 (power acquisition unit 1307) acquires the power consumption value P based on the corrected power consumption value P0 and the power scaling factor PSRp.

[0142] In step S1507, the CPU 700 (PSRt determination unit 1304) determines the time scaling factor PSRt based on the processing speed PS.

[0143] In step S1508, CPU 700 (SR determination unit 1305) determines the time scaling factor SR based on the size of sheet S.

[0144] In step S1509, the CPU 700 (cumulative unit 1308) obtains the cumulative power consumption W for each image based on the power consumption value P, the time scaling factor PSRt, and SR.

[0145] In step S1510, the CPU 700 (accumulation unit 1308) accumulates the accumulated power consumption W into the accumulated power consumption Wm4 of each print job.

[0146] In step S1511, CPU 700 determines whether there is a next page remaining based on the print job information. If there is a next page, CPU 700 proceeds from step S1511 to step S1502 and analyzes the print job information for the next page. Then, CPU 700 executes from step S1502 back to step S1511. If there is no next page remaining, CPU 700 proceeds from step S1511 to step S1512.

[0147] In step S1512, the CPU 700 (summing unit 720) adds the cumulative power consumption Wm4 of each job to the total cumulative power consumption WA.

[0148] 6. Supplement

[0149] Figure 16An example of an image forming system 100 with multiple optional devices is shown. The optional feed device 70 is a high-capacity feed device capable of accommodating a large number of sheets S. The feed device 70 feeds the sheets S into the image forming apparatus 10. The feed device 70 houses the sheets S within a housing 81a. The feed device 70 may have a power cable 82a that can be connected to an external power source.

[0150] The image forming apparatus 10 may include a housing 81b and a power cable 82b. The components housed within the housing 81b are already... Figure 1 As described in the text, it is omitted here. Power cable 82b is a power cable used to connect the external power supply 30 and the AC control unit 31.

[0151] The post-processing unit 80 has a housing 81c and performs post-processing on the sheet S discharged from the image forming apparatus 10. A conveyor roller 9h conveys the sheet S transferred from the image forming apparatus 10. Guide members 93a and 93b are baffles for switching the conveying destination of the sheet S. Guide member 93a can guide the sheet S to a tray 95a. Guide members 93a and 93b can guide the sheet S to a tray 95b. Furthermore, guide members 93a and 93b can guide the sheet S to a post-processing mechanism 94. The post-processing mechanism 94 bundles multiple sheets S to form a sheet stack, binds the sheet stack, or punches holes in the sheet S. The post-processed sheet S or sheet stack is discharged to the tray 95c.

[0152] The post-processing unit 80 receives power from an external power source 30 via power cable 82c. In this example, power cables 82a to 82c are independent, but this is only an example. Power can be supplied to the image forming apparatus 10, the feed device 70, and the post-processing unit 80 from a single power cable 82b. Alternatively, power can be supplied to the image forming apparatus 10 and the feed device 70 via power cable 82b, and to the post-processing unit 80 via power cable 82c.

[0153] As described above, the cumulative power consumption Wm of the image forming apparatus 10, the feed device 70, and the post-processing device 80, which are different modules, can be calculated. Alternatively, modules for determining the cumulative power consumption Wm can be considered for each power cable 82a to 82c. As described above, multiple modules may exist inside the image forming apparatus 10.

[0154] The fixing module 403 is an example of a first functional module for fixing a toner image onto the sheet S. The main module 404 is an example of a second functional module for forming a toner image on the sheet S. The control power value CP is an example of the power consumption value of the first functional module. The power consumption value P of the main module 404 is an example of the power consumption value of the second functional module. The CPU 700 and the power acquisition unit 906 can acquire the cumulative power consumption Wm3 of the first functional module by accumulating the power consumption value Pm of the first functional module along the time axis. The CPU 700 and the accumulation unit 1308 can acquire the cumulative power consumption Wm4 of the second functional module by accumulating the power consumption value Pm of the second functional module along the time axis. Therefore, the cumulative power consumption in the image forming apparatus 10 can be obtained more accurately.

[0155] The CPU 700 can sum (add) the cumulative power consumption Wm3 of the first functional module and the cumulative power consumption Wm4 of the second functional module to obtain the cumulative power consumption WA of the entire image forming apparatus 10. Therefore, the cumulative power consumption of the entire image forming apparatus 10 can be obtained more accurately.

[0156] CPU 700 can obtain individual power consumption values ​​Pm for multiple functional modules. CPU 700 can obtain the cumulative power consumption Wm for each of the multiple functional modules by accumulating the individual power consumption values ​​Pm along the time axis. Furthermore, CPU 700 can obtain the cumulative power consumption WA by summing the cumulative power consumption Wm1 to Wm6 for each of the multiple functional modules. As described above, by obtaining the power consumption value Pm for each module, the entire cumulative power consumption WA can be obtained more accurately.

[0157] The second functional module may include a document reading unit (e.g., image reader 20). The second functional module may include a control unit (e.g., controller 40). The second functional module may include an image forming unit (e.g., image forming unit 50) for forming a toner image on the sheet S. The second functional module may include a conveying unit (conveyor rollers 9a to 9e, motor M1) for conveying the sheet S.

[0158] The image forming system 100 may further include a first housing and a second housing, each having power cables. The first and second functional modules may be housed in the first housing (image forming apparatus 10). A third functional module (e.g., optional modules 405, 406) among the multiple functional modules may be housed in the second housing. The CPU 700 may acquire the power consumption value Pm of the third functional module, accumulate the power consumption value Pm along the time axis, and obtain the accumulated power consumption amounts Wm5 and Wm6.

[0159] The third functional module may include an optional device (e.g., a cartridge base) connected to the main body of the image forming apparatus 10.

[0160] like Figure 4 As shown, optional devices may include at least one of a post-processing device 80 that performs post-processing on the sheet S discharged from the image forming apparatus 10 and a feeding device 70 that feeds the sheet S into the image forming apparatus 10.

[0161] The first functional module may include a first heater (e.g., heating element 205) and a second heater (heating element 206). In this case, the CPU 700 can acquire the power consumption values ​​of the first heater and the second heater, respectively. Furthermore, the CPU 700 can calculate the cumulative power consumption by accumulating the power consumption value of the first heater along the time axis. Additionally, the CPU 700 can calculate the cumulative power consumption by accumulating the power consumption value of the second heater along the time axis.

[0162] CPU 700 can use different calculation methods to obtain the power consumption values ​​Pm of the first and second functional modules. Furthermore, CPU 700 can use different calculation methods to obtain the cumulative power consumption Wm of the first and second functional modules.

[0163] The CPU 700 can acquire the cumulative power consumption Wm1 of the reading unit as a fixed value. The CPU 700 can acquire the cumulative power consumption Wm2 of the control unit as a fixed value. The CPU 700 and the power acquisition unit 906 can accumulate the power consumption value Pm (control power value CP) acquired for each control cycle of the first functional module.

[0164] Thermistor 262 is an example of a temperature detection unit that detects the temperature T of the heating element of the first functional module. CPU 700 and determination unit 802 can determine a control value DUTY for controlling the temperature T detected by the temperature detection unit to a target temperature Ttg. Drive circuit 803 and switching element 805 can be used as a regulating unit to adjust the power supplied to the heating element according to the control value DUTY. CPU 700 can obtain the power consumption value Pm (control power value CP) of the first functional module based on the control value DUTY.

[0165] The current / voltage detection circuit 804 is an example of a current detection unit that detects the current supplied to the heating element of the first functional module. The CPU 700 can obtain the power consumption value Pm (control power value CP) of the first functional module based on the current I detected by the current detection unit. The current / voltage detection circuit 804 is also an example of a voltage detection unit that detects the voltage V supplied to the heating element of the first functional module. The CPU 700 can obtain the power consumption value Pm (control power value CP) of the first functional module based on the voltage V detected by the voltage detection unit. In this way, the power consumption value Pm can be obtained at low cost without using a power sensor.

[0166] Touch panel 42 is an example of a display unit that displays at least one of the cumulative power consumption Wm3 of the first functional module and the cumulative power consumption Wm4 of the second functional module. Touch panel 42 can display the cumulative power consumption (e.g., the cumulative power consumption WA of the image forming apparatus 10) based on the cumulative power consumption Wm3 of the first functional module and the cumulative power consumption Wm4 of the second functional module. Therefore, the user can visually confirm the cumulative power consumption. Consequently, the user will be able to take action to further reduce the cumulative power consumption.

[0167] The CPU 700 and the control power acquisition unit 905 acquire a power consumption value (e.g., a control power value CP) based on the detected temperature T, the control value DUTY, the current I supplied to the heating element, or the voltage V applied to the heating element. Here, the power consumption value (e.g., the control power value CP) is the power consumption value of the fixing module 403 during the period when the heating element generates heat. The CPU 700 and the power acquisition unit 906 can acquire the cumulative power consumption Wm3 of the fixing module 403 by accumulating multiple power consumption values ​​acquired at multiple times. Therefore, the cumulative power consumption Wm3 of the image forming apparatus 10 (fixing module 403) can be acquired more accurately.

[0168] The CPU 700 can acquire a control value DUTY for a predetermined period (e.g., control period tp) and acquire a power consumption value (control power value CP) based on the power supplied from the external power supply 30 to the heating element (e.g., Pmax) and the control value DUTY. The CPU 700 acquires the cumulative power consumption Wm3 of the fixing module 403 by accumulating the power consumption value during the time period in which the heating element generates heat. In this way, by acquiring the control value DUTY for a constant period, the power consumption value for a constant period can be accumulated.

[0169] The control value DUTY can be the ratio of the power consumption value (e.g., the control power value CP) to the power supply value (e.g., the power value Pmax). Specifically, the control value DUTY is what is required for the temperature regulation of heater 200. Therefore, by using the parameters required for temperature regulation, the power consumption value can be obtained in a simpler way.

[0170] CPU 700 can acquire the current supplied to the heating element (e.g., current I) based on a control value and calculate the supplied power value based on the current and the resistance value of the heating element (e.g., resistance value R0). CPU 700 can acquire the current supplied to the heating element based on a temperature T and calculate the supplied power value based on the current and the resistance value of the heating element. CPU 700 can acquire the supplied power value based on the resistance value of the heating element and the current detected by a current detection unit (e.g., current / voltage detection circuit 804). CPU 700 can acquire the supplied power value based on the resistance value of the heating element and the voltage detected by a voltage detection unit (e.g., current / voltage detection circuit 804). Memory 701 is an example of a storage unit storing the resistance value R0 of the heating element. The resistance value calculation unit 903 can be used as a correction unit that corrects the resistance value of the heating element based on the detected temperature T and the rate of increase of the resistance value relative to the temperature increment of the heating element (e.g., TCR).

[0171] The CPU 700 can acquire the power consumption values ​​of a functional module (e.g., the main module 404) that is different from the fixing module 403 among the multiple functional modules constituting the image forming apparatus 10. The CPU 700 can obtain the cumulative power consumption of other functional modules by accumulating the power consumption values ​​of other functional modules.

[0172] The CPU 700 and the summing unit 720 can obtain the total power consumption WA of the entire image forming apparatus 10 by summing the total power consumption Wm3 of the fixing module 403 with the total power consumption Wm1, Wm2, Wm4 to Wm6 of other functional modules.

[0173] Touch panel 42 is an example of a display unit that displays the cumulative power consumption Wm3 of the fixing module 403 or the cumulative power consumption WA based thereon.

[0174] The CPU 700, operation unit 41, and communication circuit 702 serve as a receiving unit that receives print job information for forming an image on the sheet S. The image forming unit 50 forms an image on the sheet S according to a print mode specified by the print job information among multiple print modes. The CPU 700 acquires the power consumption value P consumed in forming the image on a unit of operation of forming one image on the sheet S. The CPU 700 acquires a reference value (e.g., P0) of the power consumed in forming the image on the sheet S under a reference print mode as a reference among multiple print modes, as well as a scaling factor (e.g., power scaling factor PSRp) corresponding to the print job information. The CPU 700 can acquire the power consumption value P consumed in forming the image on the sheet S according to the print mode specified by the print job information based on the reference value and the scaling factor. The CPU 700 can acquire a power consumption value that indicates the power consumed when forming the image, on a unit of operation of forming one image on the sheet. The CPU 700 can obtain power consumption values ​​corresponding to the multiple printing modes specified by the print job information based on a reference value that estimates the power consumed when forming an image in a reference printing mode selected from multiple printing modes, and a scaling factor corresponding to the print job information. Therefore, the power consumption values ​​in the image forming apparatus 10 can be obtained more accurately.

[0175] The CPU 700 and the accumulation unit 1308 can obtain the cumulative power consumption Wm4 by accumulating multiple power consumption values ​​P. Therefore, the cumulative power consumption Wm4 in the image forming apparatus 10 can be obtained more accurately.

[0176] The CPU 700 can determine the power scaling factor PSRp based on the print job information and multiply the reference value by the power scaling factor PSRp to obtain the power consumption value P. The power scaling factor PSRp can be determined based on the base weight specified by the print job information. The power scaling factor can also be determined based on the conveying speed (processing speed PS) of the sheet S specified in the print job information.

[0177] The CPU 700 can determine the time scaling factor SR and PSRt based on the print job information, and multiply the power consumption value by the time scaling factor SR and PSRt to obtain the cumulative power consumption Wm4. The time scaling factor SR can be determined based on the size of the sheet S specified by the print job information. The time scaling factor PSRt can be determined based on the basis weight specified by the print job information. The time scaling factor PSRt can be determined based on the transport speed of the sheet S specified by the print job information. Each of these parameters affects the transport time of the sheet S.

[0178] Transport path 18 is an example of a first discharge path for discharging a sheet S on which an image is formed according to a reference printing pattern. Transport path 19 is an example of a second discharge path for discharging a sheet S on which an image is formed according to another printing pattern (e.g., a second discharge pattern) different from the reference printing pattern. When the print job information specifies another printing pattern, the CPU 700 and the correction unit 1306 can correct the reference value by adding a correction value (e.g., Px) associated with the second discharge path to the reference value.

[0179] The image forming unit 50 can perform full-color printing according to a reference printing mode, and can perform monochrome printing according to another printing mode different from the reference printing mode. When the print job information specifies another printing mode, the image forming apparatus 10 can correct the reference value by subtracting a correction value (e.g., 45W) associated with monochrome printing from the reference value.

[0180] The CPU 700 can obtain the power consumption value of the fixing module 403 independently of the power consumption value of the main module 404. The CPU 700 can accumulate the power consumption value of the fixing module 403 to obtain the cumulative power consumption of the fixing module 403 in Wm3.

[0181] The CPU 700 can obtain the power consumption value of the fixing module 403 based on the detected temperature T, the control value DUTY, the current I supplied to the heating element, or the voltage V applied to the heating element. The CPU 700 can obtain the cumulative power consumption Wm3 by accumulating the power consumption value of the fixing module 403 during the period when the heating element generates heat.

[0182] The touch panel 42 can display at least one of the cumulative power consumption Wm4 of the main module 404 and the cumulative power consumption WA of the entire image forming apparatus 10.

[0183] Other embodiments

[0184] One or more embodiments of the present invention can also be implemented by a computer of a system or apparatus that reads and executes computer-executable instructions (e.g., one or more programs) recorded on a storage medium (which may also be more fully referred to as a "non-transient computer-readable storage medium") to perform the functions of one or more embodiments of the present invention described above, and / or the system or apparatus includes one or more circuits (e.g., application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs)) to perform the functions of one or more embodiments of the present invention described above, and one or more embodiments of the present invention can also be implemented by a method performed by a computer of a system or apparatus, for example, by reading and executing computer-executable instructions from a storage medium to perform the functions of one or more embodiments of the present invention described above and / or controlling one or more circuits to perform the functions of one or more embodiments of the present invention described above. The computer may include one or more processors (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor unit (MPU)) and may include a network of separate computers or separate processors to read and execute computer-executable instructions. The computer-executable instructions may be provided to the computer, for example, from a network or storage medium. Storage media may include, for example, hard disks, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), storage devices for distributed computing systems, optical discs (such as CDs, DVDs, or Blu-ray discs). TM One or more of the following: flash memory devices, memory cards, etc.

[0185] Other embodiments

[0186] Embodiments of the present invention can also be implemented by providing software (including computer program products of computer programs) that performs the functions of the above embodiments to a system or device via a network or various storage media, and the computer (central processing unit (CPU) or microprocessor unit (MPU) of the system or device) reads and executes the computer program.

[0187] While the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the following claims should be given the broadest interpretation to cover all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus, characterized in that, The image forming apparatus includes: Multiple functional modules, including a first functional module configured to fix a toner image onto a sheet and a second functional module for forming the toner image on the sheet; and The first acquisition component is used to acquire the power consumption value of the first functional module and the power consumption value of the second functional module respectively. The second acquisition component is used to acquire the cumulative power consumption of the first functional module by accumulating the power consumption value of the first functional module along the time axis direction, and to acquire the cumulative power consumption of the second functional module by accumulating the power consumption value of the second functional module along the time axis direction.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein The second acquisition component sums the cumulative power consumption of the first functional module with the cumulative power consumption of the second functional module.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein The first acquisition component acquires the individual power consumption values ​​of the plurality of functional modules; The second acquisition component accumulates the individual power consumption values ​​of the plurality of functional modules along the time axis to obtain the cumulative power consumption of each of the plurality of functional modules, and obtains the cumulative power consumption of the image forming apparatus by summing the cumulative power consumption of each of the plurality of functional modules.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein The second functional module includes at least one of the following: A reading component, the reading component being used to read a document; A control component, the control component comprising the first acquisition component and the second acquisition component; An image forming component for forming the toner image on the sheet; or A conveying component for conveying the sheet.

5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: A first housing and a second housing, each having power cables. The first functional module and the second functional module are arranged in the first housing. The third functional module among the plurality of functional modules is arranged in the second housing. The first acquisition component acquires the power consumption value of the third functional module; The second acquisition component acquires the cumulative power consumption of the third functional module by accumulating the power consumption value of the third functional module along the time axis.

6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein The third functional module includes an optional device connected to the main body of the image forming apparatus.

7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein The optional device includes at least one of the following: A post-processing apparatus configured to perform post-processing on the sheet discharged from the image forming apparatus; or A feeding device configured to feed the sheet to the image forming apparatus.

8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein The first functional module includes a first heater and a second heater, and The first acquisition component acquires the power consumption value of the first heater and the power consumption value of the second heater, respectively.

9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein The first acquisition component uses different calculation methods to obtain the power consumption value of the first functional module and the power consumption value of the second functional module.

10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein The second acquisition component acquires the cumulative power consumption as a fixed value for the reading component.

11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein The second acquisition component acquires the cumulative power consumption of the control component as a fixed value.

12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein The second acquisition component accumulates the power consumption value of the first functional module at each control cycle acquired by the first acquisition component.

13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: A temperature detection component, used to detect the temperature of the heating element of the first functional module. A determining component, the determining component being used to determine a control value to control the temperature detected by the temperature detection component to a target temperature; as well as An adjusting component, the adjusting component being used to adjust the power supplied to the heating element according to the control value. The first acquisition component acquires the power consumption value of the first functional module based on the control value.

14. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: A current detection component is provided to detect the current supplied to the heating element of the first functional module. The first acquisition component acquires the power consumption value of the first functional module based on the current detected by the current detection component.

15. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: A voltage detection component, used to detect the voltage applied to the heating element of the first functional module. The first acquisition component acquires the power consumption value of the first functional module based on the voltage detected by the voltage detection component.

16. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: The display component is configured to display a cumulative power consumption based on the cumulative power consumption of the first functional module and the cumulative power consumption of the second functional module, or at least one of the cumulative power consumption of the first functional module and the cumulative power consumption of the second functional module.

Images