Selective Power Supply Control for Electronic Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Typical electronic devices, such as image forming apparatuses, face inefficiencies in power-saving due to the inability to individually control power supply to constituent units when the main power source is turned on without user selection, leading to unnecessary power consumption.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a control unit that manages power supply to individual units based on user-defined settings, including 'NOT USED', 'NOT USED IMMEDIATELY', and 'USED IMMEDIATELY' options, allowing for selective power distribution and automatic adjustments based on usage patterns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If electric power is supplied to all units when the main power source is turned on, then the electronic device can operate all functions, but power-saving efficiency is lowered due to unnecessary power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the power supply control into individual units rather than controlling all units collectively. The control unit independently manages power supply to each constituent unit (fixing unit, conveying unit, sheet supply unit, etc.) based on their specific operational needs, allowing selective activation of only necessary components when the main power source is turned on.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit performs preliminary determination of which units require power supply before actually activating them. By pre-assessing the operational status and power needs of each unit, the system activates only the necessary components, preventing unnecessary power consumption while ensuring all required functions are available.
2Ease of operation
If the electronic device enters a normal activation state with all units powered on, then all functions are available, but power-saving efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic power supply control where the system continuously monitors and adjusts power distribution to individual units based on real-time operational requirements. This dynamic approach allows the device to adapt between full operation mode and power-saving mode seamlessly, ensuring function availability only when needed while minimizing power consumption during idle periods.
Solution Approach 2:
Different power supply strategies are applied to different units based on their specific characteristics and operational needs. The control unit determines power supply requirements individually for each constituent unit (fixing unit, conveying unit, sheet supply unit, etc.), allowing optimized power distribution where each unit receives power according to its local requirements rather than a uniform approach.
3Device complexity
If the electronic device cannot individually control power supply to each constituent unit, then the control system is simpler, but power-saving efficiency is lowered
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into independent control modules that manage power supply to specific units. This modular approach allows the control unit to independently determine and control power supply to each constituent unit (fixing unit, conveying unit, sheet supply unit, etc.) without requiring complex centralized control logic for the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
Each constituent unit is equipped with the capability to report its own operational status and power requirements to the control unit. The units essentially self-identify when they need power, reducing the burden on the control system to continuously monitor and manage each unit's state, thereby simplifying the overall control architecture while enabling fine-grained power management.
Data Source
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AI summary
An electronic device (1) includes a power supply unit (20), a to-be-used function setting unit (100), and a function-specific power supply control unit (110). The power supply unit (20) is configured to supply electric power to a constituent unit (12, 15, 16, 17, 18, 42b, 44, 45) of the electronic device (1) from a main power source. The to-be-used function setting unit (100) configured to set functions to be used when the main power source is turned on. The function-specific power supply control unit (110) configured to control the power supply unit (20) to supply electric power to a constituent unit corresponding to a function that has been set by the to-be-used function setting unit (100) when the main power source is turned on, and configured to supply electric power to a constituent unit corresponding to a function that has not been set by the to-be-used function setting unit (100) when the function that has not been set is selected after turning the main power source. The invention further relates to a corresponding method for controlling power supply.