Electronic system and program

Abstract

To grasp the remaining life of a mechanical electromagnetic relay according to the actual state of use.SOLUTION: A CPU 31 calculates the remaining life of a mechanical electromagnetic relay 33, by using a contact actuation frequency that is the number of times a contact part 42 of a mechanical electromagnetic relay 33 is actuated in which connection of the contact part 42 is mechanically switched upon energization to a coil 41, and an index of applied power applied to the coil 41, and notifies a user of the calculated remaining life of the mechanical electromagnetic relay 33.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to electronic systems and programs. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a relay life prediction device that diagnoses the life of a relay based on the time from when current begins to flow through the relay or when current to the relay coil is stopped by the control unit to when opening and closing of the relay is actually detected. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-210546 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Mechanical electromagnetic relays, which mechanically switch contacts by energizing a coil, are used in various electronic systems. Because of their mechanical contacts, mechanical electromagnetic relays generally have a shorter lifespan than other components installed in electronic systems. Therefore, in order to extend the lifespan of the entire electronic system, it is necessary to replace the mechanical electromagnetic relay with a new one after a certain period of time. However, because the remaining lifespan of a mechanical electromagnetic relay installed in an electronic system is significantly affected by the actual usage conditions of the electronic system, it is difficult to uniformly determine when the mechanical electromagnetic relay should be replaced with a new one. Therefore, if the remaining lifespan of a mechanical electromagnetic relay can be determined based on the actual usage conditions, it would be possible to optimize the timing of replacing the mechanical electromagnetic relay with a new one for each electronic system.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an electronic system and a program that make it possible to grasp the remaining life of a mechanical electromagnetic relay according to the actual usage state. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The electronic system according to a first aspect of the present disclosure includes: a mechanical electromagnetic relay configured to mechanically switch contacts by energizing a coil; a processor; Equipped with The processor: Calculating the remaining life of the mechanical electromagnetic relay using the number of times the contacts of the mechanical electromagnetic relay are operated and an index of the power applied to the coil; The calculated remaining life of the mechanical electromagnetic relay is notified.

[0007] In a second aspect of the electronic system of the present disclosure, in the electronic system of the first aspect, the processor calculates the remaining life of the mechanical electromagnetic relay by multiplying the number of times the contacts of the mechanical electromagnetic relay have been operated by a coefficient determined by an index of the applied power applied to the coil, and comparing the result with the upper durability limit value of the number of times the contacts of the mechanical electromagnetic relay have been operated.

[0008] An electronic system according to a third aspect of the present disclosure is the electronic system according to the second aspect, wherein the index of the power applied to the coil is a cumulative value of the time that the coil is energized.

[0009] The electronic system of a fourth aspect of the present disclosure is the electronic system of the second aspect, further comprising a resistive element connected between the coil and ground, The processor: calculating the power applied to the coil using the potential across the resistive element, the value of the power supply voltage applied to the coil, and the resistance value of the resistive element; The calculated cumulative value of the power is used as an index of the power applied to the coil.

[0010] According to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an electronic system according to the first aspect, further comprising a temperature sensor for measuring an environmental temperature of the mechanical electromagnetic relay; The processor further uses temperature history information of the electromagnetic mechanical relay measured by the temperature sensor to calculate the remaining life of the electromagnetic mechanical relay.

[0011] An electronic system according to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure is the electronic system according to the fifth aspect, wherein the temperature history information of the mechanical electromagnetic relay is an average value of the environmental temperature of the mechanical electromagnetic relay.

[0012] An electronic system according to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure is the electronic system according to the fifth aspect, wherein the temperature history information of the mechanical electromagnetic relay is a maximum value or a minimum value of an environmental temperature of the mechanical electromagnetic relay.

[0013] The program according to an eighth aspect of the present disclosure includes a step of calculating a remaining life of a mechanical electromagnetic relay, the mechanical electromagnetic relay having a configuration in which a contact is mechanically switched by energizing a coil, using the number of times a contact has been operated and an index of power applied to the coil; and notifying the calculated remaining life of the mechanical electromagnetic relay. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the electronic system of the first aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to grasp the remaining life of a mechanical electromagnetic relay according to the actual usage state.

[0015] According to the electronic system of the second aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to know the remaining life of the mechanical electromagnetic relay according to the state of the power applied to the coil.

[0016] According to the electronic system of the third aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to know the remaining life of the mechanical electromagnetic relay according to the time that current is applied to the coil.

[0017] According to the electronic system of the fourth aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to know the remaining life of the mechanical electromagnetic relay according to the cumulative value of the power applied to the coil.

[0018] According to the electronic system of the fifth aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to know the remaining life of a mechanical electromagnetic relay according to the history of the environmental temperature in which it is used.

[0019] According to the electronic system of the sixth aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to know the remaining life of the mechanical electromagnetic relay according to the average value of the ambient temperature in which it is used.

[0020] According to the electronic system of the seventh aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to know the remaining life of the mechanical electromagnetic relay according to the maximum or minimum environmental temperature in which it is used.

[0021] According to the program of the eighth aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to grasp the remaining life of a mechanical electromagnetic relay according to the actual usage state. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the circuit configuration of a FAX module 18. [Figure 4] 10 is a diagram showing an example of a remaining life management table stored in the nonvolatile memory 32 by the CPU 31. FIG. [Figure 5] 10 is a diagram for explaining an example of calculating the remaining life of a mechanical electromagnetic relay 33. FIG. [Figure 6] 10 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the CPU 11 of the image forming apparatus 10, which has received a notification from the FAX module 18, recommends replacement of the FAX module through the UI device 15. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] Next, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0024] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the system configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0025] As shown in Fig. 1, an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes an image forming apparatus 10 and a terminal apparatus 20 interconnected by a network 30, and a telephone 40 connected to the image forming apparatus 10. The terminal apparatus 20 generates print data and transmits the generated print data to the image forming apparatus 10 via the network 30. The image forming apparatus 10 receives the print data transmitted from the terminal apparatus 20 and outputs an image on paper in accordance with the print data. The image forming apparatus 10 is a so-called multifunction device that has multiple functions, such as printing, scanning, copying, and facsimile functions.

[0026] Here, a telephone line 50 is connected to the image forming apparatus 10 for facsimile transmission and reception. In the system configuration shown in Fig. 1, one telephone line 50 is shared by a telephone 40 and the image forming apparatus 10, which is a facsimile device, so the telephone 40 is connected to the image forming apparatus 10.

[0027] Next, the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 in the image forming system of this embodiment is shown in FIG.

[0028] 2, the image forming apparatus 10 has a CPU 11, memory 12, a storage device 13 such as a hard disk drive, a communication interface (abbreviated as IF) 14 that transmits and receives data to and from external devices via a network 30, a user interface (abbreviated as UI) device 15 that includes a touch panel or liquid crystal display and a keyboard, a scan unit 16, an image forming unit 17, and a FAX module 18. These components are connected to one another via a control bus 19.

[0029] The FAX module 18 is connected to the telephone line 50 and the telephone 40, and performs facsimile transmission and reception via the telephone line 50, as well as processing to connect incoming calls from the telephone line 50 to the telephone 40 and to connect outgoing calls from the telephone 40 to the telephone line 50.

[0030] The CPU 11 is a processor that controls the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 by executing predetermined processes based on a control program stored in the memory 12 or the storage device 13. While the present embodiment describes the CPU 11 as reading and executing the control program stored in the memory 12 or the storage device 13, this is not limiting. The control program may be provided in a form recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. For example, the program may be provided on an optical disc such as a CD (Compact Disc)-ROM or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc)-ROM, or on a semiconductor memory such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory or a memory card. The control program may also be acquired from an external device via a communication line connected to the communication interface 14. The control program may be provided as standalone application software, or may be incorporated into the software of each device of the image forming apparatus 10 as a function of the image forming apparatus 10.

[0031] Next, the circuit configuration of the FAX module 18 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 3, the FAX module 18 in this embodiment includes a CPU 31, a nonvolatile memory 32, a mechanical electromagnetic relay 33, a precision resistor 34, a diode 35, a digital transistor 36, a FAX transmitter / receiver 37, a temperature sensor 38, an internal power supply circuit 39, and an off-hook detection circuit 43.

[0033] Mechanical electromagnetic relay 33 includes a coil 41 and a single-pole, double-throw contact 42. Mechanical electromagnetic relay 33 is configured so that the connection of contact 42 is mechanically switched by energizing coil 41. Specifically, when coil 41 is not energized, the line to telephone 40 is connected to telephone line 50, and when coil 41 is energized, the line to telephone 40 is connected to internal power supply circuit 39.

[0034] One end of the coil 41 is connected to the power supply voltage VDD5V, and the other end is connected to a digital transistor 36, which is a switching element, via a 22Ω precision resistor 34. The digital transistor 36 is connected between the precision resistor 34 and ground. Therefore, when the CPU 31 turns on the digital transistor 36, the other end of the coil 41 is connected to the ground potential via the precision resistor 34 and is in a conducting state. Here, the diode 35 is connected to absorb the back electromotive force that is generated when the coil 41 is conducting electricity.

[0035] In the normal state where neither a call is made by telephone 40 nor an incoming call is made from telephone line 50, CPU 31 turns digital transistor 36 on, disconnecting telephone 40 from telephone line 50 and connecting it to internal power supply circuit 39. When telephone 40 goes off-hook, this off-hook state is detected by off-hook detection circuit 43. When off-hook detection circuit 43 detects that telephone 40 has gone off-hook, CPU 31 turns digital transistor 36 off and energizes coil 41, connecting telephone 40 to telephone line 50.

[0036] Because such a mechanical electromagnetic relay 33 includes a mechanical contact 42, it generally has a shorter lifespan than other components installed in the image forming apparatus 10. Therefore, in order to extend the lifespan of the image forming apparatus 10 as a whole, it is necessary to replace the FAX module 18 equipped with the mechanical electromagnetic relay 33 with a new one after a certain period of time. However, the remaining lifespan of the mechanical electromagnetic relay 33 installed in the image forming apparatus 10 is significantly affected by the actual usage conditions of the image forming apparatus 10. For example, if a user has separate telephone lines dedicated to facsimiles and telephones, the number of times the contact 42 of the mechanical electromagnetic relay 33 operates will be reduced due to the use of the telephone. Therefore, it is difficult to uniformly determine when the FAX module 18 should be replaced with a new one. However, if the remaining lifespan of the mechanical electromagnetic relay 33 can be determined based on the actual usage conditions, it will be possible to optimize the timing of replacing the FAX module 18 with a new one for each image forming apparatus 10.

[0037] Therefore, in the FAX module 18 of the image forming apparatus 10 of this embodiment, the remaining life of the mechanical electromagnetic relay 33 according to the actual usage state can be grasped by the following method.

[0038] The CPU 31 calculates the remaining life of the mechanical electromagnetic relay 33 using the number of contact operations, which is the number of times the contact portion 42 of the mechanical electromagnetic relay 33 has been operated, and an indicator of the applied power applied to the coil 41, and notifies the user of the calculated remaining life of the mechanical electromagnetic relay 33.

[0039] The CPU 31 stores a remaining life management table such as that shown in FIG. 4 in the nonvolatile memory 32, and uses this remaining life management table to determine how much life the mechanical electromagnetic relay 33 has left and whether it is at the end of its life.

[0040] Specifically, in this remaining life management table, the number of times the contact unit 42 has been operated is stored as the number of contact operations, as shown in Fig. 4. One cause of failure in the mechanical electromagnetic relay 33 is contact welding of the contact unit 42, and the more the number of contact operations, the more likely this contact welding will occur. The CPU 31 outputs a signal to turn on the digital transistor 36, so it counts the number of times this signal is output as the number of contact operations and stores it in the remaining life management table.

[0041] 4 stores the cumulative value of the energization time of the coil 41 and the cumulative value of the power applied to the coil 41. The CPU 31 monitors the potential V1 at the connection point between the precision resistor 34 and the digital transistor 36, and the potential V2 at the connection point between the precision resistor 34 and the coil 41. The CPU 31 then counts the cumulative time during which the potential between V1 and ground is 0.3 V, using, for example, a timer IC, and stores this count in the remaining life management table as the energization time of the coil 41.

[0042] Furthermore, the CPU 31 uses the potential Vf between V1 and V2 to add up the cumulative value of the power applied to the coil 41 and stores the result in the remaining life management table. Specifically, the power P applied to the coil 41 is calculated as the product VI of the current I flowing through the coil 41 and the voltage V between both ends of the coil 41.

[0043] Here, if we ignore the voltage between the emitter and collector when the digital transistor 36 is on, the voltage V across the coil 41 is 5-Vf. The current I flowing through the coil 41 is calculated as I=Vf / 22 (Ω). Therefore, the power P applied to the coil 41 can be calculated using the following formula. P=VI=(5-Vf)·Vf / 22(W)

[0044] In this way, the CPU 31 uses the precision resistor 34, which is a resistive element connected between the coil 41 and the ground, to calculate the power applied to the coil 41. Specifically, the CPU 31 calculates the power applied to the coil 41 using the potential between both ends of the precision resistor 34, the value of the power supply voltage applied to the coil 41, and the resistance value of the precision resistor 34.

[0045] The CPU 31 stores the cumulative value of the power applied to the coil 41 calculated in this manner in the remaining life management table.

[0046] 4, the remaining life management table stores the following information: the number of contact operations is 60,000, the coil current application time is 2,500 (H), the cumulative value of the coil applied power is 180 (WH), and the temperature history information is an average of 25°C, a maximum of 41°C, and a minimum of 3°C. Note that the end of life flag in this remaining life management table means that the remaining life of the mechanical electromagnetic relay 33 is less than a preset value. A specific example of switching this end of life flag on / off will be described below.

[0047] Then, the CPU 31 multiplies the number of contact operations, which is the number of times the contacts of the mechanical electromagnetic relay 33 have been operated, by a coefficient determined by an index of the applied power applied to the coil 41, and compares the result with the upper durability limit value of the number of contact operations of the mechanical electromagnetic relay 33 to calculate the remaining life of the mechanical electromagnetic relay 33.

[0048] Here, the term "upper limit of the number of contact operations" refers to the average number of operations that can be performed before an abnormality such as a breakdown occurs when the contact unit 42 of the mechanical electromagnetic relay 33 is operated, and is the upper limit of the number of operations set by each manufacturer. For example, the following description will be given assuming that the upper limit of the number of contact operations of the mechanical electromagnetic relay 33 is 100,000 times.

[0049] Here, the indicator of the power applied to the coil 41 can be, for example, the cumulative value of the time that current is applied to the coil 41, as described above. Alternatively, the indicator of the power applied to the coil 41 can be the cumulative value of the power applied to the coil 41 calculated using the precision resistor 34 by the method described above.

[0050] Furthermore, the FAX module 18 is equipped with a temperature sensor 38 that measures the ambient temperature of the mechanical electromagnetic relay 33. Therefore, the CPU 31 may calculate the remaining life of the mechanical electromagnetic relay 33 by using temperature history information of the mechanical electromagnetic relay 33 measured by the temperature sensor 38 in addition to the information on the number of contact operations of the contact unit 42 and the indicator of the power applied to the coil 41.

[0051] Here, the temperature history information of the mechanical electromagnetic relay 33 may be an average value of the environmental temperature of the mechanical electromagnetic relay 33 or may be the maximum or minimum value of the environmental temperature of the mechanical electromagnetic relay 33 .

[0052] FIG. 5 shows an example of calculation of the remaining life of the mechanical electromagnetic relay 33 as described above.

[0053] 5, the explanation will be given assuming that the upper limit of the durability of the number of contact operations is 100,000, the current number of contact operations is 60,000, the coefficient based on the applied power to the coil is 1.3, and the coefficient based on the temperature history is 1.1.

[0054] The coefficient based on the power applied to the coil is a coefficient whose value increases (1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, etc.) as the indicator of the power applied to the coil, such as the time the coil is energized or the cumulative value of the power applied to the coil, increases. The coefficient based on the temperature history is a coefficient whose value increases as the average environmental temperature in which the mechanical electromagnetic relay 33 is used increases, or as the maximum or minimum environmental temperature in which the mechanical electromagnetic relay 33 is used increases. In other words, the higher the average environmental temperature in which the mechanical electromagnetic relay 33 is used, the more severe the environment in which the mechanical electromagnetic relay 33 is used, and therefore the larger the coefficient based on the temperature history. The higher the maximum or minimum environmental temperature in which the mechanical electromagnetic relay 33 is used, the more severe the environment in which the mechanical electromagnetic relay 33 is used, and therefore the larger the coefficient based on the temperature history. Furthermore, the higher the maximum or minimum environmental temperature in which the mechanical electromagnetic relay 33 is used, the more severe the environment in which the mechanical electromagnetic relay 33 is used, and therefore the larger the coefficient based on the temperature history.

[0055] In the calculation example shown in Fig. 5, the value 85,800 times is calculated using the formula 60,000 times x 1.3 x 1.1. Therefore, CPU 31 calculates how much of the lifespan of mechanical electromagnetic relay 33 has elapsed based on the usage history up to the present by, for example, dividing 85,800 times by 100,000 times, which is the upper durability limit for the number of contact operations. CPU 31 then calculates the remaining lifespan when the lifespan of mechanical electromagnetic relay 33 is set to 100%. Specifically, CPU 31 subtracts the 85.8% calculated above from 100%, which is the entire lifespan, to calculate a value of 14.2% as the remaining lifespan.

[0056] Here, for example, if the setting is such that the end of life flag is turned on when the remaining life is less than 20% of the total life period, the CPU 31 switches the end of life flag based on the calculated remaining life value. In the example of the remaining life management table shown in Figure 4, it can be seen that the end of life flag is turned on because the remaining life is 14.2%.

[0057] When the end-of-life flag based on the calculated remaining life is turned on, the CPU 31 notifies the CPU 11 on the main body side of the image forming device 10 via the control bus 19 that the remaining life of the FAX module 18 has become shorter and the value of the remaining life.

[0058] Then, the CPU 11 notifies the user via the UI device 15 that the remaining life of the FAX module 18 is getting short and that replacement will soon be necessary, as well as the remaining life, and recommends replacing the FAX module 18. For example, Fig. 6 shows an example of when the CPU 11 of the image forming apparatus 10, having received a notification from the FAX module 18, recommends replacing the FAX module via the UI device 15.

[0059] 6, it can be seen that the message "The remaining life of the FAX module is 14.2%. We recommend replacing the FAX module" is displayed on the operation panel of image forming device 10. Upon seeing this message, the user can know the remaining life of the FAX module installed in image forming device 10 and understand that the FAX module should be replaced.

[0060] In this embodiment, the case where the CPU 31 in the FAX module 18 estimates the remaining life of the mechanical electromagnetic relay 33 has been described, but it is also possible to store the remaining life management table shown in Fig. 4 in the main body of the image forming apparatus 10 and have the CPU 11 estimate the remaining life of the mechanical electromagnetic relay 33. However, by configuring the remaining life management table to be stored in the FAX module 18, it becomes possible to carry over history information relating to the usage state up to that point, even if the FAX module 18 is moved to another image forming apparatus.

[0061] In each of the above embodiments, the term "processor" refers to a processor in a broad sense, and includes general-purpose processors (e.g., CPU: Central Processing Unit, etc.) and dedicated processors (e.g., GPU: Graphics Processing Unit, ASIC: Application Specific Integrated Circuit, FPGA: Field Programmable Gate Array, programmable logic device, etc.).

[0062] Furthermore, the operations of the processor in each of the above embodiments may be performed not only by a single processor but also by multiple processors located at physically separate locations working together. Furthermore, the order of the operations of the processor is not limited to the order described in each of the above embodiments and may be changed as appropriate.

[0063] In this embodiment, the term "system" includes both a system made up of multiple devices and a system made up of a single device.

[0064] [Variations] In the above embodiment, an image forming system was described as an example of an electronic system equipped with a mechanical electromagnetic relay, but the present disclosure is not limited to this, and can be similarly applied to any electronic system equipped with a mechanical electromagnetic relay, such as an audio system, a video system, etc.

[0065] [Note] Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below.

[0066] (((1))) a mechanical electromagnetic relay configured to mechanically switch contacts by energizing a coil; a processor; Equipped with The processor: Calculating the remaining life of the mechanical electromagnetic relay using the number of times the contacts of the mechanical electromagnetic relay are operated and an index of the power applied to the coil; notifying the calculated remaining life of the mechanical electromagnetic relay; Electronic systems.

[0067] (((2))) the processor calculates the remaining life of the mechanical electromagnetic relay by multiplying the number of times the contacts of the mechanical electromagnetic relay have been operated by a coefficient determined by an index of the power applied to the coil, and comparing the result with a durability upper limit value of the number of times the contacts of the mechanical electromagnetic relay have been operated. The electronic system according to (((1))).

[0068] (((3))) The indicator of the applied power applied to the coil is the cumulative value of the time during which the current is applied to the coil. The electronic system according to (((2))).

[0069] (((4))) further comprising a resistive element connected between the coil and ground; The processor: calculating the power applied to the coil using the potential across the resistive element, the value of the power supply voltage applied to the coil, and the resistance value of the resistive element; The calculated cumulative value of the power is used as an index of the power applied to the coil. The electronic system according to (((2))).

[0070] (((5))) a temperature sensor for measuring an environmental temperature of the mechanical electromagnetic relay; the processor further uses temperature history information of the mechanical electromagnetic relay measured by the temperature sensor to calculate a remaining life of the mechanical electromagnetic relay. An electronic system according to any one of (((1))) to (((4))).

[0071] (((6))) The temperature history information of the mechanical electromagnetic relay is an average value of the environmental temperature of the mechanical electromagnetic relay. The electronic system according to (((5))).

[0072] (((7))) The temperature history information of the mechanical electromagnetic relay is a maximum value or a minimum value of an environmental temperature of the mechanical electromagnetic relay. The electronic system according to (((5))).

[0073] (((8))) a step of calculating a remaining life of a mechanical electromagnetic relay using the number of times a contact of the mechanical electromagnetic relay, which is configured to mechanically switch contacts by energizing a coil, has been operated and an index of the power applied to the coil; notifying the calculated remaining life of the mechanical electromagnetic relay; A program that causes a computer to execute the following.

[0074] The effects of the configuration described above will be described below.

[0075] According to the electronic system (((1))), it is possible to grasp the remaining life of a mechanical electromagnetic relay according to the actual state of use.

[0076] According to the electronic system (((2))), it is possible to grasp the remaining life of a mechanical electromagnetic relay according to the state of the power applied to the coil.

[0077] According to the electronic system (((3))), it is possible to grasp the remaining life of a mechanical electromagnetic relay according to the time that current is applied to the coil.

[0078] According to the electronic system (((4))), it is possible to grasp the remaining life of a mechanical electromagnetic relay according to the cumulative value of the power applied to the coil.

[0079] According to the electronic system of (((5))), it is possible to grasp the remaining life of a mechanical electromagnetic relay according to the history of the environmental temperature in which it is used.

[0080] According to the electronic system of (((6))), it is possible to grasp the remaining life of a mechanical electromagnetic relay according to the average value of the environmental temperature in which it is used.

[0081] According to the electronic system of (((7))), it is possible to know the remaining life of a mechanical electromagnetic relay according to the maximum or minimum value of the environmental temperature in which it is used.

[0082] According to the program (((8))), it is possible to grasp the remaining life of a mechanical electromagnetic relay according to the actual usage conditions. [Explanation of symbols]

[0083] 10 Image forming device 11 CPU 12 Memory 13 Storage device 14 Communication Interface 15 User Interface Device 16 Scan Unit 17 Image forming unit 18 FAX Module 19 Control Bus 20 Terminal equipment 30 Network 32 Non-volatile memory 33 Mechanical electromagnetic relay 34 Precision resistance 35 Diode 36 Digital Transistor 37 Fax sending and receiving section 38 Temperature Sensor 39 Internal power supply circuit 40 telephone 41 Coil 42 Contact point 43 Off-hook detection circuit 50 telephone lines

Claims

1. a mechanical electromagnetic relay configured to mechanically switch contacts by energizing a coil; a processor; Equipped with The processor: Calculating the remaining life of the mechanical electromagnetic relay using the number of times the contacts of the mechanical electromagnetic relay are operated and an index of the power applied to the coil; notifying the calculated remaining life of the mechanical electromagnetic relay; Electronic systems.

2. the processor calculates the remaining life of the mechanical electromagnetic relay by multiplying the number of times the contacts of the mechanical electromagnetic relay have been operated by a coefficient determined by an index of the power applied to the coil, and comparing the result with a durability upper limit value of the number of times the contacts of the mechanical electromagnetic relay have been operated. The electronic system of claim 1 .

3. The indicator of the applied power applied to the coil is the cumulative value of the time during which the current is applied to the coil. The electronic system of claim 2 .

4. further comprising a resistive element connected between the coil and ground; The processor: calculating the power applied to the coil using the potential across the resistive element, the value of the power supply voltage applied to the coil, and the resistance value of the resistive element; The calculated cumulative value of the power is used as an index of the power applied to the coil. The electronic system of claim 2 .

5. a temperature sensor for measuring an environmental temperature of the mechanical electromagnetic relay; the processor further uses temperature history information of the mechanical electromagnetic relay measured by the temperature sensor to calculate a remaining life of the mechanical electromagnetic relay. The electronic system of claim 1 .

6. the temperature history information of the mechanical electromagnetic relay is an average value of the environmental temperature of the mechanical electromagnetic relay; 6. The electronic system of claim 5.

7. The temperature history information of the mechanical electromagnetic relay is a maximum value or a minimum value of an environmental temperature of the mechanical electromagnetic relay.

6. The electronic system of claim 5.

8. a step of calculating a remaining life of a mechanical electromagnetic relay using the number of times a contact of the mechanical electromagnetic relay, which is configured to mechanically switch contacts by energizing a coil, has been operated and an index of the power applied to the coil; notifying the calculated remaining life of the mechanical electromagnetic relay; A program that causes a computer to execute the following.

Images