JP6665552B2 - Image forming apparatus control apparatus, image forming apparatus control program, image forming apparatus control method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a control apparatus for an image forming apparatus, a control program for the image forming apparatus, and a control method for the image forming apparatus.

  In recent years, an image forming apparatus used for outputting digitized information has become an indispensable device. Among such image forming apparatuses, an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic method is known.

  When continuous printing is performed for a long time in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the temperature inside the image forming apparatus rises due to the fact that the developing device and the fixing device continue to be driven for a long time. This temperature increase may cause the toner to dissolve or agglomerate to cause a failure of the image forming apparatus or a decrease in print quality.

  Therefore, the temperature inside the image forming apparatus is controlled by a cooling fan, a duct, or the like so that the temperature inside the image forming apparatus does not exceed the predetermined temperature, or the temperature inside the image forming apparatus does not exceed the predetermined temperature by repeating the printing operation and the pause state. A technique for controlling the control is already known (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  However, if a large number of cooling fans are provided in order to suppress a rise in temperature inside the image forming apparatus, there are problems that the apparatus becomes large, initial costs and running costs increase, and noise is generated. .

  Further, when the control of repeating the printing operation and the pause state is performed, there is a problem that the printing cannot be performed during the pause state, so that the convenience is reduced. Such a problem can occur not only in an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic method but also in an image forming apparatus using an ink jet method or another method.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that suppresses an increase in an in-machine temperature with a simple configuration without reducing convenience.

In order to solve the above-described problem, one embodiment of the present invention provides a print-enabled state in which a print operation is performed to print a print amount up to a predetermined upper limit, and a predetermined pause time after the end of the print operation. a control device of an image forming apparatus capable of transition to a print mode is restricted mode repeatedly migration and hibernation Ru is stop the printing operation, the alternately to the image forming apparatus when said hibernation A print operation determining unit that determines whether or not to cause the image forming apparatus to perform a print operation based on a print amount according to the print operation execution request when a print operation execution request is received; And a print control unit that controls a printing operation of the image forming apparatus according to a determination result of whether or not to perform printing.

  According to the present invention, in an image forming apparatus, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus with a simple configuration that suppresses an increase in the internal temperature without lowering convenience.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present disclosure from a main scanning direction. FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a functional configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating print modes that the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention can take and print control in each print mode. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a transition condition between print modes in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention shifts between print modes. 6 is a flowchart for describing print control when the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention is in the restriction mode 2. 6 is a flowchart for describing print control when the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention is in the restriction mode 2. 1 is an example of a direct transfer type monochrome image forming apparatus.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, among image forming apparatuses used for outputting digitized information, an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic method will be described as an example.

  First, the overall configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment from a main scanning direction.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 moves from the upstream side in the transport direction of the transfer belt 136 along the transfer belt 136 laid over the drive roller 137, the driven roller 138, and the secondary transfer roller 139a. A plurality of image forming units, an image forming unit 129C, an image forming unit 129M, an image forming unit 129Y, and an image forming unit 129K are sequentially provided.

  The plurality of image forming units 129C, 129M, 129Y, and 129K have the same internal configuration except for the color of the toner image to be formed. The image forming unit 129C forms a cyan image, the image forming unit 129M forms a magenta image, the image forming unit 129Y forms a yellow image, and the image forming unit 129K forms a black image.

  The components of the image forming units 129M, 129Y, and 129K are the same as those of the image forming unit 129C. Therefore, in the following description, the image forming unit 129C will be specifically described. However, regarding each component of the other image forming units, M and M are replaced with C added to each component of the image forming unit 129C. Only the symbols distinguished by Y and K are displayed in the figure.

  The image forming unit 129C includes a photosensitive drum 130C as a photosensitive member, a charging device 131C, a developing device 132C, a static eliminator 133C, a toner collecting unit, and the like disposed around the photosensitive drum 130C.

  When forming an image, the image forming unit 129C is first uniformly charged by the charger 131C in the dark on the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 130C.

  Then, by writing light corresponding to the cyan image from the optical writing device 134C to the uniformly charged photoconductor drum 130C, writing is performed electrostatically, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the photoconductor drum 130C. I do. The image forming unit 129C forms a cyan toner image on the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 130C by visualizing this electrostatic latent image with cyan toner by the developing device 132C.

  The toner image is transferred onto the transfer belt 136 by pressing the primary transfer roller 135C against the photosensitive drum 130C. By this transfer, an image using cyan toner, that is, an intermediate transfer image of cyan is formed on the transfer belt 136.

  At this time, a transfer electric field is formed between the photosensitive drum 130C and the primary transfer roller 135C by the transfer bias applied to the primary transfer roller 135C. Then, the toner image is transferred from the photosensitive drum 130C to the transfer belt 136 by the action of the transfer electric field.

  When the formation of the cyan intermediate transfer image on the transfer belt 136 is completed, the toner remaining on the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 130C is collected by the toner collecting unit, and then the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 130C is neutralized by the neutralizer 133C. . Then, the image forming unit 129C prepares for the next image formation and stands by.

  The cyan intermediate transfer image transferred onto the transfer belt 136 as described above is formed next by the transfer belt 136 being moved by the drive motor, the drive roller 137, the driven roller 138, and the secondary transfer roller 139b. It is transported to the unit 129M.

  The image forming unit 129M forms a magenta toner image on the photosensitive drum 130M by a process similar to the image forming process in the image forming unit 129C. Then, the image forming unit 129M transfers the magenta toner image onto the transfer belt 136 in a manner superimposed on the already formed cyan intermediate transfer image. By this transfer, an image of magenta toner, that is, an intermediate transfer image of magenta, is formed on the transfer belt 136.

  The cyan and magenta intermediate transfer images formed on the transfer belt 136 are sequentially conveyed to the next image forming unit, the image forming unit 129Y, and the image forming unit 129K. Then, by the same operation, the yellow toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 130Y and the black toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 130K are superimposed on the already formed intermediate transfer image. The image is transferred onto the transfer belt 136.

  By this transfer, an image using yellow toner and an image using black toner, that is, an intermediate transfer image between yellow and black, is formed on the transfer belt 136. Thus, a full-color intermediate transfer image is formed on the transfer belt 136.

  When the full-color intermediate transfer image is thus formed on the transfer belt 136, the sheet S stored in the sheet supply tray 101 is supplied by the separation roller 102 and the sheet supply roller pairs 103, 104, and 105. Then, the supplied sheet S is sent out to the relay unit 106. The sheet supply trays 101a, 101b, and 101c store different types of sheets such as sheet size, sheet thickness, and sheet material.

  The relay unit 106 to which the sheet S has been conveyed is conveyed by the relay roller pair 107 toward the nip portion of the stopped registration roller pair 117 in the registration unit 116, so that the secondary transfer roller pair 139. Correct the inclination of the sheet with respect to. Then, the relay unit 106 conveys the sheet further downstream in the conveying direction.

  Then, the registration unit 116 conveys the sheet S whose inclination has been corrected toward the nip portion of the secondary transfer roller pair 139, that is, the secondary transfer position by the registration roller pair 117 in accordance with the conveyance timing of the transfer belt 136. .

  The secondary transfer roller pair 139 is a full-color image formed on the transfer belt 136 by simultaneously sandwiching the sheet S and the transfer belt 136 between the secondary transfer roller 139a and the secondary transfer roller 139b at the secondary transfer position. The intermediate transfer image is transferred to the sheet S. Thus, an image is formed on the sheet surface of the sheet S.

  The fixing unit 140 fixes the image by sandwiching the sheet S between the fixing roller 140a and the fixing roller 140b and applying pressure while heating.

  The branch roller pair 141 guides the sheet S on which the image is fixed toward the discharge roller pair 143 or guides the sheet S toward the reversing path entrance roller pair 144.

  When the branch claw 142 is switched to the reversing path, the reversing path entrance roller pair 144 conveys the sheet S toward the forward / reverse rotation roller pair 145. The forward / reverse rotation roller pair 145 reverses the rotation direction in anticipation of the reversal timing of the sheet S, thereby reversing the front and back of the sheet S. In this way, the sheet S whose side is reversed is sent out to the relay unit 106 by the pair of reversing rollers 146, 147, 148, and 149. Then, an image is formed on both sides of the sheet S that has been reversed and conveyed to the relay unit 106 by the same process.

  Further, the image forming apparatus 1 includes an in-machine cooling fan 150 for cooling the inside of the image forming apparatus, and an in-machine temperature thermistor 151 for measuring a temperature in the image forming apparatus (hereinafter, referred to as an in-machine temperature). The internal temperature thermistor 151 measures the internal temperature at predetermined time intervals.

  Next, a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 10, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 20, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 30, a HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 40, The dedicated device 50, the operation device 60, the display device 70, and the communication I / F 80 are connected via a bus 90.

  The CPU 10 is a calculation unit, and controls the operation of the entire image forming apparatus 1. The RAM 20 is a volatile storage medium capable of reading and writing information at high speed, and is used as a work area when the CPU 10 processes information. The ROM 30 is a read-only nonvolatile storage medium and stores programs such as firmware.

  The HDD 40 is a nonvolatile storage medium from which information can be read and written, and stores various data such as image data and various programs such as an OS (Operating System), various control programs, and application programs.

  The dedicated device 50 is hardware for realizing a dedicated function in the image forming apparatus 1. That is, the dedicated device 50 is hardware for implementing a dedicated function in a printer, facsimile, scanner, or copier. As described above, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes an imaging function, an image forming function, a communication function, and the like, so that an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral: MFP) that can be used as a printer, a facsimile, a scanner, or a copier. ).

  The operation device 60 is a user interface for inputting information to the image forming apparatus 1, and is realized by an input device such as a keyboard, a mouse, input buttons, and a touch panel.

  The display device 70 is a visual user interface for the user to check the state of the image forming apparatus 1, and is realized by a display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an output device such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode). .

  The communication I / F 80 is an interface for the image forming apparatus 1 to communicate with another apparatus, and is an Ethernet (registered trademark), a USB (Universal Serial Bus), a Bluetooth (registered trademark), a Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) ( (Registered trademark), FeliCa (registered trademark), PCIe (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express), IEEE (The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) interfaces, and the like.

  In such a hardware configuration, a program stored in a storage medium such as the ROM 30 or the HDD 40 is read out to the RAM 20, and the CPU 10 performs an operation according to the program loaded in the RAM 20, thereby forming a software control unit. A functional block that realizes the functions of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is configured by a combination of the software control unit configured as described above and hardware.

  Next, a functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes an in-machine temperature thermistor 151, a print engine 152, a display panel 153, operation buttons 154, a network I / F 155, and a controller 160.

  Further, the controller 160 includes an operation display control section 161, an input / output control section 162, a signal input control section 163, an engine control section 164, a setting information storage section 165, a print sheet count section 166, an elapsed time count section 167, a print control section. 168, and a print mode shift control unit 169.

  The internal temperature thermistor 151 is realized by the dedicated device 50 illustrated in FIG.

  The print engine 152 is an image forming unit that draws an image by executing image formation and output on a sheet. As a specific mode, the print engine 152 is an image forming mechanism using an electrophotographic method. The print engine 152 is realized by the dedicated device 50 shown in FIG.

  The display panel 153 is an output interface that visually displays the state of the image forming apparatus 1, and is used as a touch panel when a user directly operates the image forming apparatus 1 or inputs information to the image forming apparatus 1. It is also an interface. That is, the display panel 153 includes a function of displaying an image for receiving an operation by the user. The display panel 153 is realized by the operation device 60 and the display device 70 shown in FIG.

  The operation button 154 is an input interface when the user directly operates the image forming apparatus 1 or inputs information to the image forming apparatus 1. The operation button 154 is realized by the operation device 60 shown in FIG.

  The network I / F 155 is an interface for communicating with an information processing device such as a PC (Personal Computer) operated by a user. The network I / F 155 is realized by the communication I / F 80 shown in FIG.

  The controller 160 is configured by a combination of software and hardware. That is, the controller 160 includes a software control unit configured by the CPU 10 loading a program stored in a storage medium such as the ROM 30 or the HDD 40 into the RAM 20 and performing an operation according to the program, and hardware such as an integrated circuit. Is done. That is, in the present embodiment, the controller 160 functions as a control device of the image forming apparatus 1.

  The operation display control unit 161 displays information on the display panel 153 or notifies information input via the display panel 153 and the operation buttons 154 to each unit of the controller 160. The input / output control unit 162 notifies each unit of the controller 160 of the information input via the network I / F 155.

  The signal input control unit 163 notifies each unit of the controller 160 of the detection signal input from the internal temperature thermistor 151. The engine control unit 164 controls or drives the print engine 152. The setting information storage unit 165 stores various setting information required when the image forming apparatus 1 operates.

  The printed sheet count unit 166 counts the number of sheets printed by the image forming apparatus 1 during a certain period. That is, in the present embodiment, the print number counting unit 166 functions as a print amount measurement unit.

  The elapsed time counting section 167 counts the elapsed time from a certain timing. That is, in the present embodiment, the elapsed time counting unit 167 functions as an elapsed time measuring unit. The print control unit 168 controls the printing operation.

  The print mode transition control unit 169 controls transition between each print mode of the image forming apparatus 1. Here, the printing modes that the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment can take, the conditions for shifting between the printing modes, and the conditions for releasing the printing modes will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating print modes that the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment can take and print control in each print mode. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a transition condition between the print modes in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment shifts between the respective print modes.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment can take four print modes: a non-restricted mode, a restricted mode 1, a restricted mode 2, and a restricted mode 3. As shown in FIG. 5, an execution temperature and a release temperature are set for each print mode.

  When the internal temperature in a certain print mode becomes higher than the execution temperature set in the print mode, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment shifts to the print mode corresponding to the higher execution temperature.

  On the other hand, when the internal temperature in a certain print mode becomes lower than the release temperature set in the print mode, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment shifts to the print mode corresponding to the lower execution temperature.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the unrestricted mode is a print mode in which normal print control is performed, and a print mode in which a print operation is performed at a standard print speed.

  The restriction mode 1 is a print mode in which low-speed printing control is performed, and is a printing mode in which the printing operation is performed at a lower printing speed than in the non-restriction mode. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment can suppress an increase in the internal temperature by shifting from the non-restriction mode to the restriction mode 1.

  The restriction mode 2 is a mode for performing intermittent printing control, and is a printing mode in which a printing operation and a pause state are alternately and repeatedly performed. That is, when the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment shifts to the restriction mode 2, the predetermined number of prints is set as the maximum number of sheets that can be continuously printed (hereinafter, referred to as “the maximum number of continuous prints”). This is a state in which a printing operation can be performed (hereinafter, referred to as a “printable state”). Therefore, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment can suppress an increase in the internal temperature by shifting from the restriction mode 1 to the restriction mode 2.

  In such a printable state, when the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment receives a print job as a print operation execution request, the image forming apparatus 1 performs a print operation for the maximum number of continuous prints, and then shifts to a pause state. At this time, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment performs a printing operation under the same print control as in the restriction mode 1. Further, when the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is in the halt state, the power supply to the fixing heater of the fixing unit 140 is stopped in order to suppress an increase in the internal temperature.

  Then, when a predetermined time (hereinafter, referred to as “pause time”) has elapsed since the transition to the pause state, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment transitions to the printable state again.

  The restriction mode 3 is a print mode for performing a print operation stop control, and is a print mode for completely stopping the print operation. At this time, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment stops supplying power to the fixing heater of the fixing unit 140 in order to suppress an increase in the temperature inside the apparatus. Therefore, in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the transition from the restriction mode 2 to the restriction mode 3 can suppress an increase in the internal temperature.

  The execution temperature of the restriction mode 3 is such that when the internal temperature reaches the execution temperature, the melting and aggregation of the toner progresses to cause a failure of the image forming apparatus, a decrease in print quality, and a damage due to heat. Is set as a temperature at which a failure may occur. Therefore, the restriction mode 3 is executed as an emergency safe mode.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, when the print mode is in the non-restriction mode, if the in-machine temperature: Ts is lower than the execution temperature of the restriction mode 1, the non-restriction mode is continued.

  When the print mode is in the non-restriction mode, when the in-machine temperature: Ts rises and reaches the execution temperature of the restriction mode 1, the print mode shifts from the non-restriction mode to the restriction mode 1. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a rise in the internal temperature.

  When printing is performed at a low speed compared to printing at a normal speed, an increase in the internal temperature can be suppressed. However, the internal temperature increases when printing continues at a low speed or when the image forming apparatus is installed in a high-temperature environment. Even if the internal temperature rises in this way, if the internal temperature Ts in the restricted mode 1 is equal to or higher than the release temperature of the restricted mode 1 and lower than the execution temperature of the restricted mode 2, the restricted mode 1 is continued as it is.

  On the other hand, there is a case where the temperature in the machine is lowered due to a case where continuous printing is not performed at low speed printing, or a case where the image forming apparatus is installed in a low temperature environment. As described above, when the in-machine temperature: Ts decreases in the limited mode 1 and becomes lower than the release temperature of the limited mode 1, the mode shifts to the non-limited mode. As a result, since the printing is changed from the low-speed printing to the normal printing, a reduction in convenience can be suppressed.

  On the other hand, when the internal temperature continues to increase due to continuous printing at low speed printing or when the image forming apparatus is installed in a high-temperature environment, the internal temperature Ts increases in the restriction mode 1 and the restriction mode 2 When the temperature reaches the execution temperature, the mode shifts to the restriction mode 2. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment can suppress an increase in the temperature inside the apparatus by shifting from the restriction mode 1 to the restriction mode 2 as compared with the case where the restriction mode 1 is continued.

  Thereafter, when the internal temperature Ts is equal to or higher than the release temperature of the restriction mode 2 and lower than the execution temperature of the restriction mode 3 in the restriction mode 2, the restriction mode 2 is continued.

  On the other hand, when the in-machine temperature: Ts drops in the restriction mode 2 and becomes lower than the release temperature of the restriction mode 2, the mode shifts to the restriction mode 1. As a result, the hibernation state can be eliminated, so that a decrease in convenience can be suppressed.

  When the internal temperature Ts rises in the limit mode 2 and reaches the execution temperature of the limit mode 3, the mode shifts to the limit mode 3. By shifting from the restriction mode 2 to the restriction mode 3, it is possible to suppress an increase in the in-machine temperature as compared with the case where the restriction mode 2 is continued. In addition, it is possible to prevent a failure of the apparatus that may occur when the image forming apparatus operates while the execution temperature of the restriction mode 3 is maintained.

  In the present embodiment, the contents of the print control in each print mode shown in FIG. 4, the execution temperature and the release temperature set in each print mode shown in FIG. It is stored in the information storage unit 165 in advance. Then, the print control unit 168 controls the printing operation by referring to the information as needed.

  Next, print control when the print mode is the restriction mode 2 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining print control when the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is in the restriction mode 2. In the following, the pause time in the pause state is B seconds.

  As shown in FIG. 7, when the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is in the restriction mode 2, when the print job C is received by the input / output control unit 162 (S701), the print control unit 168 performs intermittent printing. It is determined whether or not the control is in a pause state (FIG. 4) (S702). It is assumed that the number of prints received by the print job C is C.

  If the print control unit 168 determines in the determination processing in S702 that the print job is not in the pause state (S702 / NO), the print control unit 168 controls the print operation so that the print job C is executed by the intermittent print control (S706).

  Thereafter, before the restriction mode 2 is released (S712 / NO), when the print control unit 168 receives a print job again (S713 / YES), the print control unit 168 performs the processing after S702. When the print job is not received again (S713 / NO), if the temperature is such that the restriction mode 2 can be released (S712 / YES), the restriction mode 2 is released (S716), and the print control in the restriction mode 2 is performed. To end. If the temperature is not the temperature at which the restriction mode 2 can be released (S712 / No), the print control ends in the state of the restriction mode 2.

  On the other hand, when the print control unit 168 determines in the determination process in S702 that the printer is in the pause state (S702 / YES), the print controller 168 determines the predetermined number of prints (hereinafter referred to as “set print number”). It is determined whether or not there is an unexecuted print job exceeding (hereinafter, referred to as “remaining print job”) (S703). Hereinafter, the set number of prints is assumed to be A.

  The set number of prints may be set to any number. However, if the number of prints is set to be equal to or less than the upper limit of the number of continuous prints, it is possible to more effectively suppress the rise in the internal temperature. In the present embodiment, the information on the set number of prints is stored in the setting information storage unit 165 in advance. Then, the print control unit 168 controls the printing operation with reference to this information as needed.

  If the print control unit 168 determines in the determination processing in S703 that there is a remaining print job (S703 / YES), the print control unit 168 maintains the pause state (S705).

  Then, when the pause state is released and the state shifts to the printable state (S714 / YES), the print control unit 168 controls the print operation so that the remaining print job and the print job C are executed by the intermittent print control ( S706), the processing of S713 is performed.

  On the other hand, when the print control unit 168 determines that there is no remaining print job in the determination processing in S703 (S703 / NO), it determines whether the number of printed sheets C is equal to or less than the set number of printed sheets A (S704). ). That is, in the present embodiment, the print control unit 168 functions as a print operation determination unit.

  If the print control unit 168 determines in the determination processing in S704 that the number of printed sheets C is not equal to or less than the set number of printed sheets A (S704 / NO), the print control unit 168 maintains the pause state (S705).

  Then, when the sleep state is released and the state shifts to the printable state (S714 / YES), the print control unit 168 controls the print operation so that the print job C is executed by the intermittent print control (S706). Perform processing.

  On the other hand, when the print control unit 168 determines in the determination processing in S704 that the number of printed sheets C is equal to or less than the set number of printed sheets A (S704 / YES), the print control unit 168 switches to the sleep state for B seconds and enters the sleep state. The difference from the elapsed time D seconds (hereinafter referred to as “remaining pause time”) is calculated (S707). Hereinafter, the remaining pause time is assumed to be B 'seconds. At this time, the elapsed time counting unit 167 counts the elapsed time D seconds.

  Then, the print control unit 168 controls the printing operation so that the print job C is executed although it is in the sleep state (S708), and the pause time B seconds is set as (B + B) as the pause time after the execution of the print job C is completed. ') Update to seconds (S709). Hereinafter, the pause time after the update is assumed to be B ″ seconds.

  As described above, when the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment receives a print job in the pause state in the restriction mode 2, if the number of prints by the print job is equal to or less than the set number of prints, the image forming apparatus 1 may be in the pause state. It is configured to execute the print job. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment can improve convenience.

  When the print job C is executed in the suspension state in the restriction mode 2, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment shifts the suspension time after the execution of the print job C is completed to the suspension state before shifting to the suspension state. The suspension time is configured to be updated in accordance with the elapsed time D seconds until C is executed, that is, in accordance with the remaining suspension time B ′. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment can suppress an increase in the machine temperature even when the print job C is executed in the suspension mode in the restriction mode 2.

  For example, in a conventional image forming apparatus, when a print job with only one print sheet is received 50 seconds after a transition to the sleep state in which the pause time is set to 60 seconds, the user prints one sheet. You just have to wait for 10 seconds.

  In such a case, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment executes the print job even in the pause state, and then enters a pause state of 70 seconds as the pause time after the update, thereby improving the convenience and the in-machine temperature. It is possible to achieve both the suppression of the increase in the number.

  Therefore, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment can achieve both convenience and suppression of an increase in the temperature inside the apparatus without adding a cooling device such as a cooling fan or a duct. As a result, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment can suppress an increase in the internal temperature of the apparatus with a simple configuration without reducing convenience.

  Thereafter, the print control unit 168 performs the processing of S702 and subsequent steps when the print job is received again (S715 / YES) before the pause time B ″ seconds elapse (S710 / NO). On the other hand, when the pause time B ″ second elapses and the pause state is released and the printer enters the printable state (S710 / YES), the print control unit 168 resets the pause time B ″ second to the initial pause time B second. Then (S711), the process of S713 is performed.

  As described above, when the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment receives a print job in the pause state in the restriction mode 2, if the number of prints by the print job is equal to or less than the set number of prints, the image forming apparatus 1 enters the pause state. Even so, the print job is configured to be executed. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment can improve convenience.

  Then, when the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment receives a print job in the pause state in the restriction mode 2, the image forming apparatus 1 shifts the pause time after the execution of the print job is completed to the pause state, and then executes the execution job. The suspension time is configured to be updated according to the elapsed time until the operation is performed, that is, according to the remaining suspension time. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment can suppress an increase in the internal temperature even when a print job is executed in the pause state in the restriction mode 2.

  Thus, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment can achieve both convenience and suppression of an increase in the temperature inside the apparatus without adding a cooling device such as a cooling fan or a duct. As a result, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment can suppress an increase in the internal temperature of the apparatus with a simple configuration without reducing convenience.

  In the present embodiment, when a print job is executed in the pause state, the pause time after completion of the execution of the print job is determined according to the elapsed time from the transition to the pause state to the execution of the execution job. That is, the pause time is updated (B + B ′) according to the remaining pause time.

  In addition, when a print job is executed in the pause state, the pause time after completion of the execution of the print job may be configured to be updated to a pause time longer than the initial pause time B seconds.

  Further, in the present embodiment, when a print job is executed in the pause state, the pause time after the execution of the print job is updated to (B + B ′) seconds, but the pause time is updated according to the number of prints by the print job. You may do it.

  That is, when the print job is executed in the pause state, the update may be performed so that the pause time becomes longer as the number of prints by the print job increases. This is because, as the number of prints increases, the internal temperature rises, so that the time required for the internal temperature to fall to a certain temperature after shifting to the rest state becomes longer.

  In the present embodiment, when a print job is received in the pause state, whether to execute the print job is determined based on the magnitude relationship between the number of prints of the print job and the set number of prints. May be in other forms.

  For example, instead of using the number of prints, the number of print pages, the drive amount and the drive time of each drive unit such as the image forming unit 129 and the photosensitive drum 130, and the like, the print amount related to the print operation is used, and the print job is May be determined.

  Further, in the present embodiment, an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic method has been described, but the present invention is similarly applicable to an image forming apparatus using an ink jet method or another method.

Embodiment 2 FIG.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining print control when the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is in the restriction mode 2.

  As illustrated in FIG. 8, when the print job C is received by the input / output control unit 162 in the restriction mode 2 (S801), the print control unit 168 determines whether or not the print job is in the sleep state (S802). ).

  If the print control unit 168 determines in the determination process in S802 that the print job is in the pause state (S802 / YES) and assumes that the print job C is to be executed, the print pace after shifting to the restriction mode 2 (hereinafter, referred to as “print mode C”). It is determined whether or not “the print pace after shift” exceeds the upper limit of the print pace in the restriction mode 2 (hereinafter, referred to as “upper limit print pace”) (S803). Here, the printing pace is the number of prints per unit time.

That is, when the print control unit 168 determines in the determination process in S802 that the print job is in the pause state (S802 / YES), and assuming that the print job C is executed, the print control unit 168 determines whether the following conditions are satisfied (S802). S803).
G / B ≧ (F + C) / E
G: Maximum continuous printing number (sheets)
B: Pause time (second)
F: Cumulative number of printed sheets (sheets) after shifting to limit mode 2
C: the number of prints (sheets) of the print job received in S801
E: Elapsed time after shifting to restriction mode 2

  Here, the elapsed time E second is counted by the elapsed time counting unit 167, and the accumulated number of printed sheets F is counted by the printed sheet counting unit 166 as the accumulated print amount. In the present embodiment, the print control unit 168 functions as a unit print amount calculation unit, and the number of prints per unit time is calculated as the unit print amount.

  Even if the print control unit 168 executes the print job C in S804, the post-migration print pace does not exceed the upper limit print pace. Therefore, when it is determined that G / B ≧ (F + C) / E is satisfied (S803 / YES), the printing operation is controlled so that the print job C is executed although the printer is in the sleep state (S804).

  Then, if the temperature is such that the restriction mode 2 can be released (S805 / YES), the print control unit 168 releases the restriction mode 2 (S810), and the elapsed time E from the transition to the restriction mode 2 and the restriction mode. 2 and clears the accumulated number F of prints to 0 (S806), and ends the print control in the restriction mode 2.

  Here, resetting E and F to 0 is because the intermittent printing control continues after the release of the restriction mode 2 and the printing control are repeated, and as a result, a large amount of printing is performed in the pause state, so that in-machine printing is performed. This is to prevent the temperature from rising.

  On the other hand, when the print control unit 168 determines in the determination process in S802 that the print job is not in the pause state (S802 / YES), the print control unit 168 controls the print operation so that the print job C is executed by the intermittent print control (S808). The processing of S805 is performed.

  In addition, in the determination processing in S803, if the print job C is executed, the print control unit 168 causes the post-migration print pace to exceed the upper limit print pace, ie, does not satisfy G / B ≧ (F + C) / E. (S803 / NO), the sleep state is maintained (S807).

  Then, when the sleep state is released and the state shifts to the printable state (S809 / YES), the print control unit 168 controls the print operation so that the print job C is executed by the intermittent print control (S808). Perform processing.

  As described above, when the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment receives a print job in the pause state in the restriction mode 2, the image forming apparatus 1 executes the print job only when the post-migration print pace is equal to or less than the upper limit print pace. Is configured. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment can suppress an increase in the machine temperature even when the print job C is executed in the suspension mode in the restriction mode 2.

  Therefore, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment can achieve both convenience and suppression of an increase in the temperature inside the apparatus without adding a cooling device such as a cooling fan or a duct. As a result, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment can suppress an increase in the internal temperature of the apparatus with a simple configuration without reducing convenience.

  In the present embodiment, the determination process of S803 is performed only in the pause state. However, the configuration may be such that the determination process of S803 is always performed when in the restriction mode 2 including the printable state. With this configuration, it is possible to more effectively suppress an increase in the internal temperature.

  Note that the image forming apparatus 1 is not limited to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 and may be an image forming apparatus of a type in which an image is directly formed on a sheet, that is, a direct transfer type. The image forming apparatus 1 is not limited to the color image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1, but may be a monochrome image forming apparatus.

  FIG. 9 is an example of a direct transfer type monochrome image forming apparatus. The components denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 indicate the same functions as those in FIG. 1, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

  A fan 150 takes in outside air, and sends the taken outside air into the duct 200. The sent airflow is discharged from the outlet of the image forming duct 200 toward the upper surface of the image forming unit 129K and the outer peripheral surface of the toner container 202. This makes it possible to suppress the melting of the toner due to a rise in the temperature inside the image forming unit 129K, and to suppress the melting of the toner inside the toner container 202 before the toner is sent to the image forming unit 129K.

  The image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 9 has a shorter reversing path than that of FIG. Therefore, when the number of sheets S on which images are formed on both sides increases, the area around the image forming unit 129K becomes warm due to the heat of the sheets S. Therefore, if the air volume of the fan is increased or the number of fans is increased, the area around the image forming unit 129K can be cooled, but noise and an increase in the size of the apparatus occur.

  Therefore, if the above-described embodiment is applied to the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 9, similarly, it is possible to suppress an increase in the temperature inside the apparatus with a simple configuration without reducing convenience.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 2 AC power supply 10 CPU
20 RAM
30 ROM
40 HDD
50 Dedicated device 60 Operation device 70 Display device 80 Communication I / F
90 Bus 101 Sheet supply tray 102 Separation roller 103 Sheet supply roller pair 104 Sheet supply roller pair 105 Sheet supply roller pair 106 Relay unit 107 Relay roller pair 116 Registration unit 117 Registration roller pair 129 Image forming unit 130 Photoconductor drum 131 Charger 132 Developing device 133 Static eliminator 134 Optical writing device 135 Primary transfer roller 136 Conveying belt 137 Driving roller 138 Follower roller 139 Secondary transfer roller pair 140 Fixing unit 141 Branch roller pair 142 Branch claw 143 Discharge roller pair 144 Inversion path entrance roller pair 145 Front Reverse rotation roller pair 146 Reverse roller pair 147 Reverse roller pair 148 Reverse roller pair 149 Reverse roller pair 150 Cooling fan 151 In-machine temperature thermistor 152 Print Engine 153 Display panel 154 Operation buttons 155 Network I / F
160 controller 161 operation display control section 162 input / output control section 163 signal input control section 164 engine control section 165 setting information storage section 166 print sheet count section 167 elapsed time count section 168 print control section 169 print mode transition control section

JP 2012-198495 A

Claims (13)

Alternating with printable state in which the printing operation for the printing of up to a predetermined upper limit can be printed, and a dormant state in which Ru is stop the printing operation at predetermined dwell time after the end the printing operation A control device of the image forming apparatus capable of shifting to a restriction mode, which is a printing mode that repeatedly shifts ,
When a print operation execution request to the image forming apparatus is received in the pause state, printing is performed to determine whether to cause the image forming apparatus to perform a print operation based on a print amount according to the print operation execution request. An operation determining unit;
A control device for an image forming apparatus, comprising: a print control unit that controls a printing operation of the image forming apparatus according to a result of determining whether or not the image forming apparatus performs a printing operation.   2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing operation determination unit determines that the image forming apparatus performs a printing operation when a printing amount according to the printing operation execution request is equal to or less than the printing amount. 3. Equipment control device. The print control unit, the printing of the after performing the printing operation in the image forming apparatus in the rest state, the image forming apparatus such that the long dormant than the previous down time of the pause time the print operation The control device for an image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation is controlled. The print control unit, after having caused the image forming apparatus to perform a printing operation in the pause state, the pause time is shifted to the pause state from the pause time before the print operation , and then the print operation is performed. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing operation of the image forming apparatus is controlled so as to be in a pause state that is longer by a difference between an elapsed time until the operation is performed and the pause time. 5. Equipment control device. An elapsed time measuring unit that measures an elapsed time since the image forming apparatus has shifted to the restriction mode,
A print amount measuring unit that measures an accumulated print amount of the image forming apparatus after the image forming apparatus shifts to the restriction mode;
Based on the measured elapsed time and the cumulative print amount, a unit print amount calculation unit that calculates a unit print amount that is a print amount per unit time after the image forming apparatus transitions to the pause state. Prepared,
The printing operation determining unit, based on the unit print amount calculated when the printing operation execution request is temporarily executed when the printing operation execution request is received while the image forming apparatus is in the pause state. 2. The control device for an image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein it is determined whether or not the image forming apparatus performs a printing operation.   The printing operation determination unit is configured such that, when the printing operation execution request is received while the image forming apparatus is in the pause state, the unit printing amount calculated assuming that the printing operation execution request is temporarily executed is 6. The control device for an image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein it is determined that the image forming apparatus performs a printing operation when the print amount is equal to or less than a predetermined unit print amount.   7. The image according to claim 5, wherein the print control unit clears the measured elapsed time and the accumulated print amount to zero when the image forming apparatus is released from the restriction mode. Control device for forming equipment.   The printing operation determining unit, based on the unit print amount calculated assuming that the printing operation execution request is temporarily executed when the printing operation execution request is received when the image forming apparatus is in the restriction mode. 8. The control device for an image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein whether the image forming apparatus performs a printing operation is determined. 9. The control device for an image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an operation of a fixing unit used for heating a printed material performed during the printing operation is stopped in the pause state. Alternating with printable state in which the printing operation for the printing of up to a predetermined upper limit can be printed, and a dormant state in which Ru is stop the printing operation at predetermined dwell time after the end the printing operation A control program for an image forming apparatus capable of shifting to a limited mode, which is a printing mode that repeatedly shifts,
A step of determining whether to cause the image forming apparatus to perform a printing operation based on a print amount according to the printing operation execution request when a printing operation execution request to the image forming apparatus is received in the pause state. When,
Control of the image forming apparatus, characterized in that to execute the steps of controlling the printing operation of the image forming apparatus depending on whether or not the judgment result to perform the printing operation in the image forming apparatus, to the image forming apparatus program. The control program for an image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein in the pause state, the image forming apparatus is caused to execute a step of stopping an operation of a fixing unit used for heating a printed material performed during the printing operation. . Alternating with printable state in which the printing operation for the printing of up to a predetermined upper limit can be printed, and a dormant state in which Ru is stop the printing operation at predetermined dwell time after the end the printing operation A control method of an image forming apparatus capable of shifting to a restriction mode, which is a print mode that repeatedly shifts,
When a print operation execution request to the image forming apparatus is received during the pause state, it is determined whether the image forming apparatus is to perform a print operation based on a print amount according to the print operation execution request,
A control method for an image forming apparatus, comprising: controlling a printing operation of the image forming apparatus according to a result of determining whether or not to cause the image forming apparatus to perform a printing operation. 13. The control method according to claim 12, wherein the operation of the fixing unit used for heating the printed material performed during the printing operation is stopped in the pause state.