Image Forming Apparatus Power Supply Priority Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses in low-power consumption mode continue to use high output power, leading to inefficiencies in energy saving, as they rely heavily on commercial power supplies even when self-generation power is available, and stored power is not utilized effectively.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates a system with a self-generation power supply and a power storage unit, prioritizing the use of self-generated and stored power over commercial power, with a control unit managing the switching between these power sources based on availability and demand to minimize commercial power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a charging unit serving as an auxiliary power supply is provided and electric power stored in that charging unit is used in the low-power consumption mode, then energy saving is achieved, but if electric power stored in the charging unit is not enough, a commercial power supply needs to be used
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple power supply sources (commercial power supply, self-generation power supply, and power storage unit) into a unified power supply system. The control unit integrates these diverse power sources and manages their coordination, allowing the system to merge available power resources to ensure both energy saving and reliable power supply when any single source is insufficient.
Solution Approach 2:
The power supply system is designed with multi-functionality to handle various operating conditions. The control unit can selectively draw power from different sources based on availability and demand, making the system adaptable to different scenarios (sufficient stored power, insufficient stored power, self-generation availability) while maintaining consistent power supply to the functional unit.
2Reliability
If electric power is supplied from a power supply circuit in the low-power consumption mode, then the control system circuit continues to operate, but the DC power supply supplies high output of about 80% of rated power while only about 30% of rated power is required, leading to energy waste
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic power supply management where the control unit continuously monitors power availability and demand. Instead of maintaining a fixed high output from the power supply circuit, the system dynamically adjusts power delivery by selectively using stored power from the power storage unit and self-generation power supply to match the actual lower power requirements during low-power consumption mode, thereby reducing energy waste while ensuring control system operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the power supply parameters by switching between different power sources based on operational mode. During low-power consumption mode, the control unit modifies the power delivery parameters by prioritizing stored power and self-generation sources, effectively changing the power supply configuration from high-output commercial power to optimized mixed-power delivery that matches actual consumption needs.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach achieves further energy savings by efficiently utilizing self-generated and stored power, reducing the reliance on commercial power and minimizing energy wastage in low-power consumption modes.
Implementation Method 1
a power storage unit storing electric power and a charging circuit charging the power storage unit upon receipt of supply of electric power from at least one of the commercial power supply and the self-generation power supply
Implementation Method 2
a second power supply circuit including a self-generation power supply and supplying electric power to the functional unit from the self-generation power supply
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a functional unit, a first power supply circuit supplying electric power to the functional unit from a commercial power supply, a second power supply circuit including a self-generation power supply, and a third power supply circuit including a power storage unit storing electric power and a charging circuit charging the power storage unit upon receipt of supply of electric power from at least one of the commercial power supply and the self-generation power supply. In accordance with the amount of power supply from the self-generation power supply, higher priority is given to supply of electric power to the functional unit from at least one of the second and third power supply circuits than to supply of electric power from the first power supply circuit.