Optional device, image forming system and electronic device

Abstract

To reduce power consumption of an option device in an energy-saving mode.SOLUTION: An option device comprises: a drive circuit unit 202 that operates upon supply of AC voltage; a relay 208 that enters a conduction state and supplies the AC voltage to the drive circuit unit 202, and enters a non-conduction state and cuts off the supply of the AC voltage to the drive circuit unit 202; and a control unit 201 that operates by DC voltage 302 generated by a DCDC converter 112 included in a printer 100 and controls the relay 208. During transition from a first mode to a second mode, the control unit 201 controls to cause the relay 208 to enter the non-conduction state and to stop the operation of the drive circuit unit 202.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an optional device, an image forming system, and an electronic device, and more particularly to a technique for reducing power consumption in an energy-saving mode in an optional device and an image forming device that include a heating device with a built-in heater. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there are printer systems that include an optional device and an image forming device to which the optional device is connected. For such printer systems, a method has been proposed in which the optional device includes a heating device with a built-in heater, thereby reducing the cost and installation area of ​​the image forming device while outputting optimal printed matter according to the user's intended use (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-241707 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the heater drive circuit that drives the heater built into the heating device has the problem of consuming standby power even when the heater is not being driven, which has led to a demand for further reduction in power consumption in energy-saving mode.

[0005] The present invention has been made under these circumstances, and has as its object to reduce the power consumption of optional devices in an energy-saving mode. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention has the following configuration. (1) An optional device that can operate in a first mode in which a predetermined operation is performed or in a second mode in which power consumption is reduced compared to the first mode, and that operates in cooperation with an image forming apparatus having a power supply unit, a heating section for heating a recording material; and a detecting means for detecting the temperature of the heating section; Operates by supplying AC voltage a drive circuit for driving the heating unit; Then, the conduction state is established. Drive circuit The AC voltage is supplied to the Drive circuit a first switching unit that cuts off the supply of the AC voltage to the power supply unit; and a control unit that operates by a DC voltage generated by the power supply unit included in the image forming apparatus and controls the first switching unit, wherein the control unit brings the first switching unit into the non-conductive state when transitioning from the first mode to the second mode, Drive circuit Control to stop the operation of and when the temperature of the heating unit detected by the detecting means is outside a predetermined range, the first switching unit is controlled to be in the non-conductive state. An optional device characterized by: (2) An image forming system including an image forming apparatus having a power supply unit and forming an image on a recording material, and an optional device operating in cooperation with the image forming apparatus, wherein the image forming apparatus and the optional device are capable of operating in a first mode in which a predetermined operation is performed or in a second mode in which power consumption is reduced compared to the first mode, and the optional device is a heating section for heating a recording material; and a detecting means for detecting the temperature of the heating section; Operates by supplying AC voltage a drive circuit for driving the heating unit; Then, the conduction state is established. Drive circuit The AC voltage is supplied to the Drive circuit a first switching unit that cuts off the supply of the AC voltage to the power supply unit; and a control unit that operates by a DC voltage generated by the power supply unit included in the image forming apparatus and controls the first switching unit, wherein the control unit brings the first switching unit into the non-conductive state when transitioning from the first mode to the second mode, Drive circuit Control to stop the operation of and when the temperature of the heating unit detected by the detecting means is outside a predetermined range, the first switching unit is controlled to be in the non-conductive state. An image forming system comprising: (3) An electronic device that can operate in a first mode in which a predetermined operation is performed or in a second mode in which power consumption is reduced compared to the first mode, and that operates in cooperation with other electronic devices having a power supply unit, a heating unit; and a detection means for detecting the temperature of the heating unit; Operates by supplying AC voltage a drive circuit for driving the heating unit; Then, the conduction state is established. Drive circuitThe AC voltage is supplied to the Drive circuit a control unit that operates by a DC voltage generated by the power supply unit of the other electronic device and controls the switching unit, and the control unit brings the switching unit into the non-conductive state when transitioning from the first mode to the second mode, Drive circuit Control to stop the operation of When the temperature of the heating unit detected by the detecting means is outside a predetermined range, the switching unit is controlled to be in the non-conductive state. An electronic device characterized by: [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the power consumption of optional devices in the energy saving mode. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] Schematic diagram of the printer system of Examples 1 and 2 [Figure 2] Circuit configuration diagram of the printer and options of the first embodiment [Figure 3] Circuit configuration diagram of the printer and options of the second embodiment DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. [Example]

[0010] [Printer System] (Printer) FIG. 1 shows an example of the schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus and optional devices included in a printer system 1, which is an image forming system according to a first embodiment. A laser beam printer 100 (hereinafter referred to as printer 100) includes a photosensitive drum 101, a charging unit 102, and a developing unit 103. The photosensitive drum 101 is an image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image is formed. The charging unit 102 uniformly charges the photosensitive drum 101. The developing unit 103 forms a toner image by developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 101 with toner. The toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 101 (image carrier) is transferred by a transfer unit 105 to a sheet P, which serves as a recording material, supplied from a cassette 104, and the unfixed toner image transferred to the sheet P is fixed by a fixer 106. The photosensitive drum 101, charging unit 102, developing unit 103, and transfer unit 105 constitute an image forming unit. The fixed sheet P is discharged to either a tray 107 or an optional discharge device 200 (hereinafter referred to as option 200) by a flapper 110 that switches the discharge destination of the sheet P. The printer 100 also includes a power supply device 108, which supplies power to a control unit 201 (described later) that the printer 100 and option 200 have. The control unit 109 includes a CPU 109a, a ROM 109b, and a RAM 109c. The CPU 109a controls the image forming operation by the image forming unit, the conveying operation of the sheet P, etc., in accordance with various programs stored in the ROM 109b, while using the RAM 109c as a working area.

[0011] (option) The option 200 is connected to the printer 100 and ejects the sheet P conveyed from the printer 100 onto a tray 207. The option 200 also includes a control unit 201, a drive circuit unit 202, and a heating unit 203 incorporating a heater unit 204. The drive circuit unit 202 controls the power supplied to the heater unit 204 incorporated in the heating unit 203. The control unit 201 includes a CPU 201a, a ROM 201b, and a RAM 201c. The CPU 201a controls the conveyance operation of the sheet P within the option 200 and the operation of the drive circuit unit 202, in accordance with various programs stored in the ROM 201b and using the RAM 201c as a working area. The heating unit 203 includes a built-in heater unit 204, a fixing roller 205 that transfers heat from the heater unit 204, and a pressure roller 206 that forms a nip portion with the fixing roller 205. The heating unit 203 uses a heater unit 204, a fixing roller 205, and a pressure roller 206 to apply heat and pressure to the sheet P conveyed from the printer 100, thereby adjusting the glossiness and the like of the sheet P and conveying the sheet P to a tray 207. Note that the image forming apparatus to which the optional device of the present invention can be applied is not limited to the configuration exemplified in FIG.

[0012] [Printer system circuit configuration] FIG. 2 shows a circuit configuration diagram of the printer 100 and the option 200 of the first embodiment. An AC voltage input from an AC power supply 111 is input to a power supply device 108 of the printer 100 and the option 200. The power supply device 108 is an AC-DC converter that converts the input AC voltage into a DC voltage 301. Hereinafter, the power supply device 108 will be referred to as the ACDC converter 108. The DC voltage 301 is supplied to a drive unit (not shown) such as a motor of the printer 100, and is also supplied to a DC-DC converter 112. The ACDC converter 108 and the DC-DC converter 112 are included in a power supply unit provided in the image forming apparatus. The DC-DC converter 112 is a step-down DC-DC converter that converts the input DC voltage 301 into a DC voltage 302 that is lower than the DC voltage 301. The DC voltage 302 is supplied to the control unit 109 and also to the control unit 201 of the option 200. That is, the control unit 109 operates on a DC voltage generated by a power supply unit provided in the image forming apparatus. A switch 113 is connected to a line along which the DC voltage 302 is supplied to the control unit 201. The switch 113 is in a closed state to supply the DC voltage 302 to the control unit 201, and in an open state to cut off the supply of the DC voltage 302 to the control unit 201. The control unit 109 controls the switching of the switch 113 between an open state and a closed state. The control unit 109 communicates with the control unit 201 via a signal line 401.

[0013] The AC voltage input to the option 200 is connected to a drive circuit unit 202 (drive circuit) via a relay 208. The drive circuit unit 202 is an operating unit that operates when supplied with AC voltage. The control unit 201 sends a signal to the relay 208 via a signal line 402 and controls the relay 208 by controlling whether the relay 208 is conductive or non-conductive. When the relay 208 is conductive, AC voltage is input to the drive circuit unit 202. The relay 208 is a first switching unit that supplies AC voltage to the operating unit when in a conductive state and cuts off the supply of AC voltage to the operating unit when in a non-conductive state. The drive circuit unit 202 is a switching circuit including a bidirectional thyristor (hereinafter referred to as a triac) and the like, and supplies power to a heater unit 204 of the heating unit 203 by switching the AC voltage input to the drive circuit unit 202. The control unit 201 sends a signal to the drive circuit unit 202 via a signal line 403 to control the switching operation of the drive circuit unit 202. The control unit 201 controls the power input to the heater unit 204 via the signal line 403 to control the temperature of the heater unit 204 to a predetermined value.

[0014] The printer 100 and the option 200 can operate in three modes, for example: a print mode in which a print operation is performed; a standby mode in which the printer is on standby and ready to immediately perform a print operation; and an energy-saving mode in which the printer is on standby and consumes less power. Here, the print mode and the standby mode are first modes in which predetermined operations are performed. The energy-saving mode is a second mode in which power consumption is reduced compared to the first mode. The control units 109 and 201 transition the printer 100 and the option 200 to their respective modes based on the status of the printer 100 and the option 200, instructions from the user, etc.

[0015] When the printer 100 receives a print instruction from a user, the control unit 109 switches the printer 100 to print mode and sends the print instruction to the control unit 201 via signal line 401. When the control unit 201 receives the print instruction, it transitions the option 200 to print mode. When a predetermined time has elapsed since the print operation was completed, the control units 109 and 201 transition the printer 100 and the option 200 to standby mode. When a predetermined time has elapsed after transitioning to standby mode, the control units 109 and 201 check the status of the printer 100 and the option 200. If the control units 109 and 201 determine that no error or the like has occurred and that it is possible to transition to energy saving mode, they transition the status of the printer 100 and the option 200 to energy saving mode.

[0016] When the control unit 109 transitions the printer 100 to the energy-saving mode, it cuts off the DC voltage 301 supplied to the drive units, such as the motors, of the printer 100 using a load switch (not shown), thereby reducing the power consumed by the printer 100. When the control unit 201 transitions the option 200 to the energy-saving mode, it switches the relay 208 to a non-conductive state via a signal line 402. When the relay 208 is in a conductive state, even if the switching operation of the drive circuit unit 202 is stopped, standby power continues to be generated by the internal resistance of the drive circuit unit 202 and capacitors (not shown) between the AC lines, etc. Therefore, when transitioning to the energy-saving mode, the control unit 201 makes the relay 208 non-conductive and cuts off the supply of AC voltage to the drive circuit unit 202 itself. In this way, when transitioning from the standby mode to the energy-saving mode, the control unit 201 makes the relay 208 non-conductive and stops the operation of the drive circuit unit 202. This makes it possible to reduce the power consumption generated on the load side of the relay 208, including the standby power generated in the drive circuit unit 202.

[0017] In the first embodiment, the option 200 is further provided with a relay 208, and the control unit 201 controls the relay 208. This reduces the cost of the printer 100 compared to a configuration in which the printer 100 is provided with a relay or the control unit 109 of the printer 100 controls the relay 208 of the option 200. Note that, in order to achieve further energy savings in the option 200, the control unit 109 may open the switch 113 to cut off the supply of the DC voltage 302 to the control unit 201.

[0018] As described above, according to the first embodiment, when in the energy saving mode, the control unit 201 makes the relay 208 non-conductive, thereby reducing the power consumption generated on the load side of the relay 208. This makes it possible to reduce the power consumption of the option 200 and the printer system 1 while suppressing an increase in the cost of the printer 100. Note that in the first embodiment, the relay 208 may be configured with a triac or other switching element. Furthermore, the transition of the option 200 to the energy saving mode may be controlled by the control unit 201 receiving an instruction to transition to the energy saving mode from the control unit 109 via the signal line 401, so that the option 200 transitions to the energy saving mode.

[0019] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to an optional device. For example, it can be applied to an electronic device capable of operating in a first mode for performing a predetermined operation or a second mode consuming less power than the first mode. This electronic device operates in cooperation with another electronic device having a power supply unit. This electronic device includes an operating unit, a switching unit, and a control unit. The operating unit operates by receiving an AC voltage. The switching unit is in a conductive state to supply the AC voltage to the operating unit and in a non-conductive state to cut off the supply of the AC voltage to the operating unit. The control unit operates using a DC voltage generated by a power supply unit of the other electronic device and controls the switching unit. The control unit of an electronic device having such a configuration switches the switching unit to a non-conductive state and stops the operation of the operating unit when transitioning from the first mode to the second mode. This reduces the power consumption of the electronic device in the second mode. Here, the optional device corresponds to the electronic device, and the image forming apparatus corresponds to the other electronic device.

[0020] As described above, according to the first embodiment, it is possible to reduce the power consumption of the optional device in the energy saving mode. [Example]

[0021] [Printer system circuit configuration] A printer system 1 of the second embodiment will be described. The main parts will be described in the same manner as in the first embodiment, and the same components as in the first embodiment will be assigned the same reference numerals and will not be described again. Only the parts that are different from the first embodiment will be described here.

[0022] FIG. 3 shows a circuit configuration diagram of the printer 100 and option 200 of the second embodiment. The option 200 of the second embodiment includes a power supply 501, a relay 502, a thermistor 503, a signal line 404 from the control unit 201 to the relay 502, and a signal line 405 from the thermistor 503 to the control unit 201. The power supply 501 is a converter that converts AC voltage into DC voltage. The AC voltage input to the option 200 is connected to the power supply 501 via the relay 502 via a path separate from the path to the relay 208. The control unit 201 sends a signal to the relay 502 via the signal line 404 to control the conduction or non-conduction of the relay 502. When the relay 502 is conductive, AC voltage is input to the power supply 501. The relay 502 is a second switching unit that is in a conductive state to supply AC voltage to the power supply 501 and is in a non-conductive state to cut off the supply of AC voltage to the power supply 501.

[0023] The power supply device 501 is, for example, an AC / DC converter, and converts the input AC voltage into a DC voltage 303. The DC voltage 303 is supplied to a drive unit (not shown), such as a motor, inside the option 200. The drive unit performs operations such as conveying the sheet P inside the option 200. The thermistor 503 is a detection unit that detects the temperature of the heater unit 204. The control unit 201 monitors the temperature detected by the thermistor 503, which is input via a signal line 405. The control unit 201 controls the switching operation of the drive circuit unit 202 based on the temperature detected by the thermistor 503. Furthermore, if the thermistor 503 detects a temperature outside a predetermined set temperature range, the control unit 201 determines that an abnormal state has occurred in the heater unit 204, stops the switching operation of the drive circuit unit 202, and sets the relay 208 to a non-conductive state. In this way, when the temperature of the heater unit 204 detected by the thermistor 503 falls outside a predetermined range, the control unit 201 controls the relay 208 to be in a non-conductive state. As a result, the control unit 201 executes a protective operation to stop the supply of power to the drive circuit unit 202 and the heater unit 204.

[0024] Here, if the AC voltage path to the power supply device 501 is branched and connected downstream of the relay 208, the relay 502 can be eliminated. However, when the temperature of the heater unit 204 becomes abnormal, the relay 208 becomes non-conductive, and AC voltage is no longer input to the power supply device 501. As a result, the power supply device 501 also stops, and the drive units such as motors inside the option 200 that were supplied with power from the power supply device 501 also stop operating. In other words, if the temperature of the heater unit 204 becomes abnormal during printing, the drive units also stop operating, and the conveyance operation of the sheet P also stops, causing a jam in which the sheet P becomes stuck inside the option 200.

[0025] In the second embodiment, a relay 502 is provided in addition to the relay 208, and the path of the AC voltage to the power supply device 501 is branched from upstream of the relay 208 and connected via the relay 502. As a result, even if the temperature of the heater unit 204 becomes abnormal during a printing operation and the relay 208 becomes non-conductive, the relay 502 can maintain a conductive state. As a result, the conveyance operation of the sheet P can be continued, and the sheet P can be discharged to the tray 207 even if an abnormality occurs in the heater unit 204. This prevents the user from performing jam handling, such as opening a jam handling door (not shown) to handle the sheet P that has stopped during conveyance, and thus prevents unnecessary jam handling.

[0026] Similar to the drive circuit unit 202 in the first embodiment, even when the switching operation of the power supply device 501 is stopped, standby power continues to be generated in a control circuit such as a power supply control IC that controls the switching operation of the power supply device 501. For this reason, in the energy saving mode, the relay 502 is made non-conductive in addition to the relay 208, thereby cutting off the supply of AC voltage to the power supply device 501. In the second embodiment, when transitioning from the sleep mode to the energy saving mode, the control unit 201 makes the relay 502 non-conductive and stops the operation of the power supply device 501. As a result, in the second embodiment as well, it is possible to reduce the power consumption generated on the load side of the relay 502, including the standby power generated in the power supply device 501.

[0027] As described above, according to the second embodiment, a relay 502 is provided in the AC voltage path branching off from upstream of the relay 208, separate from the relay 208, and the relay 502 maintains a conductive state even if the temperature of the heater unit 204 becomes abnormal. This reduces power consumption in the energy saving mode, and prevents the user from having to deal with unnecessary jams even if an abnormality occurs in the heater unit 204 during printing.

[0028] In the second embodiment, the relay 502 may be configured with a triac or other switching element. The thermistor 503 may be configured with a temperature sensor using a semiconductor or resistor. In the first and second embodiments, the printer 100 and the option 200 each have a plug connected to the outside of the device, and the AC power supply 111 is connected to each plug via an AC cable. In this manner, the AC voltage may be input to the printer 100 and the option 200. Furthermore, the AC voltage input from the AC power supply 111 to the option 200 may be branched within the option 200 and supplied from the option 200 to the printer 100.

[0029] In addition, in the first and second embodiments, the option 200 has been described as an optional discharge device, but is not limited to this and may be other optional devices such as an optional paper feed device or a double-sided printing device.

[0030] As described above, according to the second embodiment, it is possible to reduce the power consumption of the optional device in the energy saving mode. [Explanation of symbols]

[0031] 100 printers 200 optional equipment 201 Control Unit 202 Drive circuit section 208 Relay

Claims

1. An optional device that can operate in a first mode in which a predetermined operation is performed or in a second mode in which power consumption is reduced compared to the first mode, and that operates in cooperation with an image forming apparatus having a power supply unit, a heating section for heating the recording material; A detection means for detecting the temperature of the heating unit; a drive circuit that is supplied with an AC voltage and operates to drive the heating unit; a first switching unit that is in a conductive state to supply the AC voltage to the drive circuit and is in a non-conductive state to cut off the supply of the AC voltage to the drive circuit; a control unit that operates using a DC voltage generated by the power supply unit included in the image forming apparatus and controls the first switching unit; Equipped with The control unit controls the first switching unit to the non-conductive state and stops operation of the drive circuit when transitioning from the first mode to the second mode, and controls the first switching unit to the non-conductive state when the temperature of the heating unit detected by the detection means falls outside a predetermined range.

2. a conversion unit that converts the AC voltage into a DC voltage; a second switching unit that is provided in a path of the AC voltage branched from upstream of the first switching unit, and that is in a conductive state to supply the AC voltage to the conversion unit and in a non-conductive state to cut off the supply of the AC voltage to the conversion unit; Equipped with 2. The optional device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the second switching unit to the non-conductive state and stops operation of the conversion unit when transitioning from the first mode to the second mode.

3. an image forming apparatus that includes a power supply unit and forms an image on a recording material; an optional device that operates in cooperation with the image forming apparatus; wherein the image forming apparatus and the optional apparatus are capable of operating in a first mode in which a predetermined operation is performed or in a second mode in which power consumption is reduced compared to the first mode, The optional device is a heating section for heating the recording material; A detection means for detecting the temperature of the heating unit; a drive circuit that is supplied with an AC voltage and operates to drive the heating unit; a first switching unit that is in a conductive state to supply the AC voltage to the drive circuit and is in a non-conductive state to cut off the supply of the AC voltage to the drive circuit; a control unit that operates using a DC voltage generated by the power supply unit included in the image forming apparatus and controls the first switching unit; and The control unit controls the first switching unit to the non-conductive state and stops operation of the drive circuit when transitioning from the first mode to the second mode, and controls the first switching unit to the non-conductive state when the temperature of the heating unit detected by the detection means falls outside a predetermined range.

4. The optional device includes a conversion unit that converts the AC voltage into a DC voltage, and a second switching unit that is provided in a path of the AC voltage branching off from upstream of the first switching unit, and that is in a conductive state to supply the AC voltage to the conversion unit and is in a non-conductive state to cut off the supply of the AC voltage to the conversion unit; 4. The image forming system according to claim 3, wherein the control unit controls the second switching unit to the non-conductive state and stops operation of the conversion unit when transitioning from the first mode to the second mode.

5. An electronic device that can operate in a first mode in which a predetermined operation is performed or in a second mode in which power consumption is reduced compared to the first mode, and that operates in cooperation with another electronic device having a power supply unit, A heating unit; A detection means for detecting the temperature of the heating unit; a drive circuit that is supplied with an AC voltage and operates to drive the heating unit; a switching unit that is in a conductive state to supply the AC voltage to the drive circuit and is in a non-conductive state to cut off the supply of the AC voltage to the drive circuit; a control unit that operates using a DC voltage generated by the power supply unit of the other electronic device and controls the switching unit; Equipped with The control unit controls the switching unit to the non-conductive state and stops operation of the drive circuit when transitioning from the first mode to the second mode, and controls the switching unit to the non-conductive state when the temperature of the heating unit detected by the detection means falls outside a predetermined range.

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