JP2001282054A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enhance energy saving in an image forming device where the temperature of a fixing roller and recording paper feed timing are controlled so that the temperature of the fixing roller reaches fixing temperature higher than reload temperature in a period from the time of starting the feed of the recording paper from a paper feeding tray to the time the recording paper reaches the fixing roller. SOLUTION: The recording paper in a direction where the reload temperature becomes lower is selected from the recording paper fed from the paper feeding tray 19A, 19B, 19C or 19D and fed, and a toner image is transferred to the recording paper and fixed by a fixing device 55.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus for forming a toner image on recording paper fed from a recording paper stacking section of a paper feeding means by an image recording means and fixing the toner image by a fixing device. About.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Electronic copiers, printers, facsimile machines,
Alternatively, an image forming apparatus of the above-described type configured as a multifunction peripheral having at least these two functions has been conventionally known. In an image forming apparatus of this type, a fixing member is provided as a fixing device, and the temperature of the fixing member is set to
2. Description of the Related Art Apparatuses of a type that controls a toner image on recording paper by the action of heat and pressure by controlling based on a detection result of a temperature detecting unit are widely used.

In order to achieve energy saving of such an image forming apparatus, various configurations have been proposed or put into practical use. For example, after starting from a low power mode in which the temperature of the fixing member is kept lower than that during the fixing operation, or after starting up by turning on the power of the image forming apparatus, feeding of the recording paper first fed from the recording paper stacking unit is performed. From the start, before the recording paper reaches the fixing member, image forming for controlling the timing of starting feeding of the recording paper and the temperature of the fixing member so that the temperature of the fixing member becomes a fixing temperature at which fixing can be performed. An apparatus has been proposed (see JP-A-6-202396 and JP-A-6-318010). After the image forming apparatus is started, the temperature of the fixing member when the recording paper is first sent out from the recording paper stacking section of the paper feeding means is referred to as a reload temperature, and the reload temperature is a value when the toner image is fixed. It is set lower than the fixing temperature.

The above publications disclose a method of switching the reload temperature in accordance with the size of the recording paper and the orientation of the recording paper when the recording paper is conveyed, for the purpose of further reducing energy. .

However, it is difficult to achieve sufficient energy saving only with the above-mentioned configuration proposed conventionally.

Further, for the purpose of achieving energy saving of the image forming apparatus, the fixing member is fixed so that the temperature of the fixing member at the time of fixing the toner image becomes the target temperature corresponding to the size and the direction of the recording paper. An image forming apparatus for controlling the temperature of a member is also known. For example, the temperature of the fixing member is set such that the temperature of the fixing member when fixing the toner image on the small-size recording paper is lower than the temperature of the fixing member when fixing the toner image on the large-size recording paper. Control it. This makes it possible to reduce the power consumed by the fixing device. However, with this configuration alone, the effect of reducing power consumption is limited, and it is difficult to achieve sufficient energy saving.

Further, as a result of studies by the present inventor, when recording paper is continuously fed, it is better to transport the recording paper vertically depending on the number of sheets when the recording paper is continuously fed than to transport the recording paper horizontally. It was also found that there were cases where the power consumption of the fixing device could be reduced, and cases where the power consumption increased. Therefore, the employment of each of the above-described conventional configurations alone has a limit in achieving energy saving.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A first object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus which starts feeding of recording paper when the fixing member reaches a reload temperature, and which can achieve further energy saving. An object of the present invention is to provide a forming apparatus.

A second object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus which sets a target temperature of a fixing member at the time of fixing a toner image in accordance with the size and orientation of a recording sheet, and which can achieve further energy saving. An object of the present invention is to provide a forming apparatus.

A third object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of achieving energy saving even when the number of continuous sheets passed is large or small.

[0011]

In order to achieve the first object, the present invention has a storage means for storing at least one page of image data, and a plurality of recording paper loading sections on which recording paper is loaded. And a paper feeding unit for feeding the recording paper from the recording paper stacking unit, and the image data read from the storage unit is recorded as a toner image on the recording paper fed from the recording paper stacking unit. Image recording means, a fixing member for fixing the toner image formed on the recording paper to the recording paper by the action of heat and pressure, a temperature detection means for detecting the temperature of the fixing member,
Temperature control means for controlling the temperature of the fixing member based on the detection result of the temperature detection means, wherein the recording sheet reaches the fixing member from the start of feeding of the recording sheet from the recording sheet stacking section. In the meantime, the temperature of the fixing member is controlled so that the temperature of the fixing member rises to a fixing temperature at which fixing can be performed, which is higher than the reload temperature at the start of feeding of the recording paper. In an image forming apparatus in which a reload temperature corresponding to at least the size and the direction of the recording paper loaded on the recording paper loading unit is set, the reload temperature is selected from among the recording paper of the size to be fed from the paper feeding unit. Means for selecting and determining the recording paper in the direction in which the temperature becomes low, and image data from the storage means so that a toner image of one page in the same direction as that direction is formed on the selected recording paper. When reading It proposes an image forming apparatus characterized by comprising converting means for converting the saw out address (claim 1).

In order to achieve the second object, the present invention has a storage means for storing at least one page of image data, and a plurality of recording paper loading sections on which recording paper is loaded. Paper feed means for feeding recording paper from the recording paper stacking section, and image recording means for recording image data read from the storage means on the recording paper fed from the recording paper stacking section as a toner image. , The toner image formed on the recording paper,
A fixing member for fixing the recording paper by the action of heat and pressure;
A temperature detecting unit that detects the temperature of the fixing member; and a temperature control unit that controls the temperature of the fixing member based on a detection result of the temperature detecting unit. An image forming apparatus that controls the temperature of the fixing member so that the target temperature corresponds to the size and orientation of the recording sheet fed to the fixing member; Means for selecting and determining, from among the recording papers, a recording paper in a direction in which the target temperature is low,
A conversion unit that converts a read address when reading image data from the storage unit so that a toner image of one page in the same direction as that of the selected recording paper is formed on the selected recording paper. A characteristic image forming apparatus is proposed (claim 2).

Further, in order to achieve the third object, the present invention has a storage means for storing at least one page of image data, and a plurality of recording paper loading sections on which recording paper is loaded. Paper feed means for feeding recording paper from the recording paper stacking section, and image recording means for recording image data read from the storage means on the recording paper fed from the recording paper stacking section as a toner image. , The toner image formed on the recording paper,
A fixing member for fixing the recording paper by the action of heat and pressure;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a temperature detection unit configured to detect a temperature of the fixing member; and a temperature control unit configured to control a temperature of the fixing member based on a detection result of the temperature detection unit.
Means for selecting and determining the direction of the recording paper according to the continuous number of recording papers, from among the recording papers of the size to be fed from the paper feeding means; and So that a one-page toner image in the same direction as
A conversion device for converting a read address when reading image data from the storage device is proposed (claim 3).

In the image forming apparatus according to the third aspect, when the continuous number of sheets is equal to or less than a predetermined number, the short side of the recording sheet is orthogonal to the conveying direction of the recording sheet. When the number of continuous paper passing is greater than the predetermined number, the long side of the recording paper is selected such that the long side of the recording paper is orthogonal to the conveying direction of the recording paper. It is advantageous if it is configured (claim 4).

[0015]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

First, the configuration and operation of an image forming apparatus common to each specific configuration example of the present invention described later will be clarified. FIG. 1 is a schematic vertical sectional view showing an example of an image forming apparatus having functions of a copier, a printer, and a facsimile. The image forming apparatus shown here has an image forming apparatus main body 1 that houses units and devices to be described later, and an automatic document feeder 100 mounted thereon.

The automatic document feeder 100 sends a document (not shown in FIG. 1)
The sheets are fed one by one onto a contact glass 10 located at the top of the image forming apparatus main body 1, and after reading the image of the original,
The document is discharged onto the discharge tray 105.

The document on the document feed table 101 is aligned in the width direction by a side fence (not shown), separated from the lowermost document by a feed roller 102, and fed onto the contact glass 10 by a transport belt 103. Paper. A document width detection sensor 108 and a document length detection sensor 109 are provided in a transport section 107 for transporting a document sent out from the document feeder table 101. The size of the document sent from the paper unit 101 to the contact glass 10 and its orientation are detected. The original whose image has been read on the contact glass 10 is conveyed to the transport belt 103 and the discharge roller 1.
The sheet is ejected onto the sheet ejection tray 105 by the button 04.

As shown in FIG. 2, the automatic document feeder 10
Numeral 0 is rotatably supported by the image forming apparatus main body 1 via a pair of hinges 81 and 82, and a pawl 83 is provided on the upper surface of the image forming apparatus main body 1 near the hinge 81.
Further, the automatic document feeder 100 is provided with a lift-up detection sensor 85 and a document detection timing sensor 86,
The lift-up detection sensor 85 is connected to the automatic document feeder 10
When 0 is closed as shown in FIG. 1, the claw 83 is detected and turned on, and as shown in FIG. 2, it is turned off when the automatic document feeder 100 is open. On the other hand, the document detection timing sensor 86 is provided to control the timing of detecting the size of a document on the contact glass 10 by a document size detection sensor described later, and the opening angle of the automatic document feeder 100 is set to a predetermined angle. When the distance is within the range, the claw 83 is detected and turned on.
This predetermined angle is a slight angle, and when the operator opens the automatic document feeder 100 by hand, both the lift-up detection sensor 85 and the document detection timing sensor 86 are turned off.

The automatic document feeder 100 can be opened as shown in FIG. 2, and the document D can be placed and set on the contact glass 10 by a manual operation as indicated by a chain line. At this time, the document D can be positioned on the contact glass 10 by applying the edge of the document D to the end face scales 87 and 88.

As shown in FIG. 3, the contact glass 10
Document size detection sensors 91, 92, and 93 are provided below the document size sensors.
Represents one of them, as is evident from FIG.
The light emitted from the light emitting diodes 91a is dispersed into three beams, and only the reflected light transmitted through the contact glass 10 and reflected on the original surface on the contact glass 10 is received by each of the three light receiving elements 91b. It is configured as a type sensor. Document size detection sensors 91 and 9
Reference numerals 2 and 93 are constantly operating, and each of the light receiving elements is turned on when a document on the contact glass 10 is detected, and is turned off when no document is detected. For example, when the original D indicated by a chain line in FIG.
The light reflected on the original surface is incident on the light receiving elements of the two original size detection sensors 92 and 93, whereby the existence of the original on the contact glass 10, the size of the original (A4 size in the example of FIG. 3) and the The orientation can be detected.

As shown in FIG. 1, an image forming apparatus main body 1 is provided with a scanner 2 having the above-mentioned contact glass 10 and an optical scanning system.
1, first mirror 12, second mirror 13, third mirror 1
4, a lens 15, and a photoelectric conversion device including a full-color CCD 16. Exposure lamp 11 and first mirror 1
2 moves in the sub-scanning direction, that is, rightward in FIG. 1 at a constant speed by a stepping motor (not shown) when reading the original image.
The image of the original on the contact glass 10 is illuminated by the light from The second mirror 13 and the third mirror 14
Also, the light from the original is moved in the sub-scanning direction at half the speed of the exposure lamp 11 and the first mirror 12 by the stepping motor, and the light from the original is mirrored.
The light is reflected at 14 and passes through a lens 15, whereby an original image is formed on the light receiving surface of the full-color CCD 16 and is photoelectrically converted.

The image signals separated into red, green, and blue by the full-color CCD 16 are converted into A signals as described later.
After the / D conversion, various types of image processing are performed.

In the main body 1 of the image forming apparatus, an image recording means 3 for recording a toner image on a recording sheet, a fixing device 55
Are provided, and the image recording means 3 of this example is configured as follows.

The image recording means 3 includes a photosensitive member 30 as an example of an image carrier, a writing unit 4, and a photosensitive member 30.
And various units provided around the device.
The writing unit 4 includes a laser output unit 20, fθ
A laser output unit 2 having a lens 21 and a mirror 22
Although not shown in the figure, 0 has a laser diode as an example of a laser light source, a polygon mirror, and a polygon motor.

On the other hand, the photoreceptor 30
1 is rotated clockwise in FIG. 1, and at this time, the surface of the photoreceptor is uniformly charged to a predetermined polarity by the charging device 5. The laser output unit 20 emits a laser beam of a black signal light-modulated in accordance with the image information read by the scanner 2, and irradiates the charged photoconductor surface as described above. Thereby, the photosensitive member 30
An electrostatic latent image is formed thereon.

This electrostatic latent image is visualized as a black toner image by the black developing device 32. Also, around the photoreceptor, an LED for writing a red signal image
A writing unit 31 is provided, and the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor is visualized as a red toner image by a red developing device 33. The toner image formed on the photosensitive member in this manner is transferred onto a recording sheet fed from a sheet feeding unit described below by an operation of a transfer device (not shown). The recording paper onto which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed to the fixing device 55 by the conveyance device 54. The transfer residual toner adhering to the photoreceptor after the transfer of the toner image is removed by the cleaning device 6, and the potential of the photoreceptor surface is initialized by a not-shown static eliminator.

Next, the fixing device 55 includes a fixing roller 7 which is an example of a fixing member, a pressure roller 8 which extends in parallel with the fixing roller 7 and is in pressure contact with the fixing roller 7, and a fixing device 7. The fixing device includes a heater 17 provided, and a thermistor 9 constituting a temperature detecting unit for detecting the temperature of the fixing member. The thermistor 9 contacts the peripheral surface of the fixing roller 7, and the fixing roller 7 is heated by the heater 17. You. The fixing roller 7 and the pressure roller 8 are driven to rotate in directions indicated by arrows in FIG. 1, respectively. A recording sheet carrying a toner image passes between the rollers 7 and 8, and at this time, the toner image , Heat and pressure are applied to the toner image, whereby the toner image is fixed on the recording paper. The recording paper that has passed through the fixing device 55 is discharged onto a discharge tray 200 outside the main body of the image forming apparatus while being conveyed by the discharge rollers 56.
The temperature of the fixing roller 7 at the time of fixing the toner image is controlled so as to be maintained at a fixing temperature at which the toner image can be fixed, which will be described later. As described above, the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment includes the fixing member that fixes the toner image formed on the recording paper to the recording paper by the action of heat and pressure, and the temperature detection unit that detects the temperature of the fixing member. Have.

At the lower part of the main body 1 of the image forming apparatus, a paper feeding means 18 is provided.
To fourth paper feed trays 19A, 19B, 19C, 19D
And a plurality of recording paper stacking sections each having different sizes or set orientations are stacked on the respective paper feed trays. One of the recording papers stacked on each paper feed tray is selected, and the feed roller 23 in contact with the upper surface of the selected recording paper is driven to rotate, whereby the topmost paper of the selected recording paper is rotated. It is sent out from the paper feed tray. At this time, when a plurality of recording papers are sent out at the same time, the uppermost recording paper is separated from other recording papers by the action of the separation roller pair 24, and only the uppermost recording paper is moved in the direction of arrow A. Will be sent out. As described above, the paper feeding unit 18 has a plurality of recording paper loading units on which recording papers are loaded, and feeds recording paper one by one from one of the selected recording paper loading units. Make

The recording paper sent out from the paper feed tray is conveyed upward in FIG. 1, and a predetermined time after the leading edge of the recording paper is detected by the registration sensor 52, the recording paper abuts against the registration roller pair 53 and stops there. . Next, when the registration roller pair 53 starts rotating in synchronization with the sub-scanning effective period signal, the recording paper is conveyed toward the photoconductor 30, and the toner image on the photoconductor 30 is transferred onto the recording paper.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are diagrams for explaining the orientation of the recording paper, and FIG.
FIG. 5B shows a state in which the A4 size recording paper P is set in the landscape orientation on B, and FIG.
This shows a state in which a recording paper P of a size is set in a vertical direction. As can be seen from this figure, the long side P1 of the recording paper is perpendicular to the transport direction A of the recording paper, and the direction of the recording paper P is horizontal, and the short side P2 of the recording paper is the transport direction A of the recording paper.
Is perpendicular to the recording paper P. FIG.
In the example shown in FIG. 2, the second and third paper feed trays 19B, 1
As described above, the A4 size recording paper is stacked on each of the recording papers 9C, the B5 size recording paper P is set vertically on the first paper supply tray 19A, and the A3 size paper is loaded on the fourth paper supply tray 19D. It is assumed that recording paper P of a size is set in a portrait orientation.

The direction of the original is completely the same, and the long side of the original conveyed by the automatic document feeder 100 is orthogonal to the conveying direction, and the short side of the original is the horizontal direction. The direction of the document perpendicular to the direction is vertical.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, each of the sheet feeding trays 19A to 19D has a pressing member 26 having a notch 25.
Are provided, and the position of the notch 25 of each pressing member 26 differs depending on the size and the orientation of the recording paper P stacked on each paper feed tray. On the other hand, a plurality of push switches 27 are provided on the image forming apparatus main body side. When the sheet feeding tray is set in the image forming apparatus main body, the pressing members other than the push switches matching the cutouts 25 of the pressing member 26 are provided. The switch is turned on by being pressurized by 26 and retracted. The push switch corresponding to the notch 26 remains off. At this time, the size and the orientation of the recording paper P set in each paper feed tray are detected by the combination of ON and OFF of the push switch.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a control system of the image forming apparatus. Referring to FIG.
0 denotes a liquid crystal or L provided on the outer surface of the image forming apparatus main body.
The system controller 50 controls the display unit 511 including the ED and controls input of various keys of the input unit 512.
Reference numeral 1 denotes feeding and conveyance of recording paper, fixing temperature control of a fixing roller, process control, and the like. The image processing controller 502 performs image control and reading control of the scanner 2 described below, and the ADF controller 503 controls the automatic document feeder 100. Further, the paper feed tray controller 504 controls the paper feed tray, the FAX controller 505 manages facsimile transmission and reception, and file management, and the printer controller 506 manages printer data reception and file management.

FIG. 9 shows an example of a temperature control means for controlling the temperature of the fixing member comprising the fixing roller 7. The system controller 501 controls the temperature from the temperature detecting means comprising the thermistor 9 which comes into contact with the surface of the fixing roller 7. An on / off signal of the heater 17 is output to the switching element 28 based on the detection signal. And the switching element 2
8 controls whether or not the current from the commercial AC power supply 29 is supplied to the heater 17, that is, on / off of the current supply. The heater 17 generates heat by energizing the heater 17,
The fixing roller 7 is heated. Thus, the heater 17
, Switching element 28 and system controller 5
Reference numeral 01 denotes an example of a temperature control unit that controls the temperature of the fixing roller 7 that is an example of a fixing member based on a detection result of the thermistor 9 that is an example of a temperature detection unit. With this temperature control means, the temperature of the fixing roller 7 at the time of fixing the toner image is maintained at a fixing temperature at which the toner image can be fixed, and after the image forming apparatus is started, the temperature of the fixing roller 7 is reduced as described later. Controlled.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing details of the image processing controller 502. As described above, the document D set on the contact glass 10 by the operation of the automatic document feeder 100 or by manual operation is:
Illuminated by the exposure lamp 11, the reflected light
The document image is read on the CD 16 and read. Next, the analog image signal separated into red, green and blue is amplified by the color CCD 16 by the signal processing circuit 601 to correct the light amount, and is converted to a digital image signal by the AD converter 602, and the shading correction circuit 603.
, And is sent to the image processing unit 604.

The image processing unit 604 performs image processing such as MTF correction, γ correction, black image generation, binary processing, and multi-value processing, and outputs black data and color data to the selector 605. In the selector 605, the destination of the image signal is
The mode is switched to the scaling unit 606 or the image memory controller 608. The image signal that has passed through the scaling unit 606 is scaled in accordance with the scaling factor, and
Sent to The image memory controller 608 and the selector 605 are configured to be able to input and output image signals in both directions. The CPU 6 controls settings to the image memory controller 608 and the like and controls a reading unit and a writing unit.
09 and a ROM 6 for storing the programs and data
10, and a RAM 611. Further, the CPU 60
9 can write and read data in the image memory 612 via the image memory controller 608.

The image information sent to the image memory controller 608 is compressed by an image compression device in the controller
12 is sent. By performing image compression, a limited image memory can be used effectively. Further, since a large amount of image data can be stored at one time, the stored image image data can be output in page order. in this case,
When outputting the image data, the image data is output while sequentially expanding the data in the image memory 612 by the expansion device in the image memory controller 608. The output image data is sent to the writing units 4 and 31, and light corresponding to the data is emitted from the writing units 4 and 31 as described above.
As a result, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photoconductor, and the latent image is visualized as a toner image.

On the other hand, at the time of facsimile transmission, the selector 605 transfers the black data read from the image memory 612 to the FAX image memory 613. Also, at the time of facsimile reception, after the received data is demodulated and decompressed from the line and then expanded in the facsimile image memory 613, the data is sent to the writing units 4 and 31 by the selector 605, and the light is emitted from the unit for a predetermined static. An electrostatic latent image is formed on the photoconductor, and this is visualized as a toner image.

Further, upon receiving the printer data, after the data is expanded in the printer image memory 614, the write unit 4
An electrostatic latent image is formed on the photoreceptor by light emitted from the unit and emitted from the unit, and the latent image is visualized as a toner image.

The image memory stores at least one image data.
The image recording means described above constitutes an example of a storage means for storing pages, and the image recording means reads the image data read from the storage means onto the recording paper fed from the recording paper loading section as described above. It is used for recording as a toner image.

By the way, when the toner image on the recording paper is fixed by the fixing device 55 as described above, the fixing roller 7 is maintained at a fixing temperature suitable for fixing the toner image. On the other hand, in the low power mode in which the image forming operation is not performed, the fixing roller 7 is controlled by the above-described temperature control unit.
Is maintained at a standby temperature lower than the fixing temperature. After startup from such a low power mode or after startup of the image forming apparatus when the power is turned on, the temperature of the fixing roller 7 is raised to the fixing temperature, and after the temperature of the fixing roller 7 reaches the fixing temperature, the fixing is performed. The recording paper P is passed between the roller 7 and the pressure roller 8 to fix the toner image.

The above is the configuration and operation of the image forming apparatus common to each specific configuration example of the present invention described below.

Here, in the first specific configuration example,
After the image forming apparatus is started, the temperature of the fixing roller 7 is lower than the fixing temperature after the image forming apparatus is started, in order to save energy after starting the image forming apparatus and to reduce a waiting time until the feeding of the recording paper is started. Even when the reload temperature is low
Any of the paper feed trays 19A, 19B, 19C or 19
D starts feeding the recording paper P, and when the recording paper reaches the fixing roller 7, the feeding start timing of the recording paper P and the fixing roller 7 are adjusted so that the temperature of the fixing roller 7 reaches the fixing temperature. Is controlled. After the start of the image forming apparatus, the temperature of the fixing member is changed from the start of feeding of the recording sheet first sent out from the recording sheet stacking section to the time when the recording sheet reaches the fixing member. The feeding start timing of the recording paper is controlled so that the fixing temperature rises to a fixing temperature higher than the reload temperature at the start of feeding, and the temperature of the fixing member is controlled by the temperature control unit.

At this time, each paper feed tray 19A, 19B, 1
Setting the reload temperature for each recording sheet according to the size and orientation of the recording sheet fed from 9C and 19D is effective for further energy saving and shortening the waiting time.

For example, a large-size recording paper P is fixed to the fixing device 5.
In the case where the toner image is fixed by passing through the fixing roller 55 and the case where the toner image is fixed by passing the small-sized recording paper P through the fixing device 55, the amount of heat taken by the recording paper from the fixing roller 7 is the latter. Less is. Accordingly, when feeding small-sized recording paper from the paper feeding means 18, the reload temperature is set lower than when feeding large-sized recording paper, and feeding of the small-sized recording paper is started. Even if the timing is advanced, the toner image can be fixed without any trouble. When feeding small-size recording paper, setting the same reload temperature as that for feeding large-size recording paper wastes energy and increases the waiting time more than necessary.

Further, each paper feed tray 19A, 19B, 19
Since the recording paper conveyance path length from C and 19D to the fixing roller 7 is different, when the recording paper is fed from the paper feeding tray far away from the fixing roller 7, the recording paper is fed from the paper feeding tray close to the fixing roller 7. Even when the reload temperature is set lower than when paper is fed, and the recording paper feeding start timing is advanced, the toner image can be fixed without any trouble. The time required for the recording paper fed from the paper feed tray far from the fixing roller 7 to reach the fixing roller 7 is the time required for the recording paper fed from the paper feeding tray near the fixing roller 7 to reach the fixing roller 7. Therefore, when the recording paper is fed from the former paper feed tray, the reload temperature can be set lower than when the recording paper is fed from the latter paper feed tray.

Further, as shown in FIG. 11, for example, even when a toner image is fixed on a recording sheet of the same A4 size,
When the recording paper is conveyed in the vertical direction and when the recording paper is conveyed in the horizontal direction, the position in the longitudinal direction of the fixing roller at which each end in the width direction of each recording paper passes on the peripheral surface of the fixing roller 7 is determined. In contrast, when the sheet is conveyed in the horizontal direction, the widthwise end of the recording paper passes near the longitudinal end of the fixing roller 7. In addition, since the degree of heat radiation increases as the length of the fixing roller 7 increases in the longitudinal direction, a longer time is required to increase the temperature as the position approaches the end of the fixing roller 7.
Therefore, when the recording paper is transported in the vertical direction, the reload temperature is set lower than in the case where the recording paper is transported in the horizontal direction, so that the feeding start timing of the vertical recording paper can be advanced.

Lines T1 and T2 in FIG. 11 show the temperature distribution in the longitudinal direction of the fixing roller 7 when the reload temperature is set high and when the reload temperature is set low, respectively.
When the recording paper of the size is conveyed in the horizontal direction, the reload temperature is set high, and when the recording paper reaches the fixing roller 7, as shown by the line T <b> 1, the fixing roller is brought into contact with the widthwise end of the recording paper. It is necessary that the temperature of the portion also reaches the fixing temperature at which the toner image can be fixed. On the other hand, when the same A4 size recording paper is conveyed vertically, even if the reload temperature is lowered and the feeding start timing is advanced,
When the recording sheet reaches the fixing roller 7, the temperature of the portion of the fixing roller 7 with which the recording sheet contacts as shown by the line T2 can be set to a fixing temperature at which fixing is possible.

Further, the reload temperature can be set in consideration of the temperature in the image forming apparatus main body in which each paper feed tray is arranged. For example, if the temperature of the inside of the image forming apparatus main body provided with the first paper feed tray 19A is higher than the temperature of the inside of the image forming apparatus main body provided with the second paper feed tray 19B, the first supply Since the temperature of the recording paper stacked on the paper tray 19A is higher than the temperature of the recording paper stacked on the second paper feeding tray 19B, the recording paper on the first paper feeding tray 19A is fed. The reload temperature of the second
By setting the temperature lower than the reload temperature at the time of feeding the recording paper in the paper feed tray 19B, the timing to start feeding the recording paper can be advanced.

In view of the above, in the image forming apparatus of this embodiment, the first to fourth paper feed trays 19A to 19A
The reload temperature at the time of feeding the recording paper stacked on D is set as shown in Table 1.

[0052]

[Table 1]

In the example shown in Table 1, the size and orientation of the recording paper stacked on each paper feed tray, the length of the recording paper transport path from each paper feed tray to the fixing roller 7, that is, each paper feed tray The reload temperature when feeding the recording paper stacked in each paper tray is set taking into account the position of the paper and the temperature in each paper tray. To set the reload temperature. In short, the reload temperature corresponding to at least the size and the direction of the recording paper stacked on each recording paper stacking section is set.

The values of the reload temperature shown in Table 1 are as follows:
The temperature in the paper tray and the fixing roller 7 from each paper tray
When the temperature of the fixing roller 7 reaches the reload temperature shown in Table 1 after the start of the image forming apparatus, the recording paper is fed from the paper feed tray corresponding to the temperature. When the recording paper is fed and reaches the fixing roller 7, the temperature of the fixing roller 7 is a fixing temperature at which the toner image can be fixed.

The size and direction of a document set on the contact glass 10 from which an image is read are detected by the sensors 108 and 109 or 91, 92 and 93 as described above. In A4, when the orientation is landscape, in the case of the conventional image forming apparatus, the recording paper stacked on the second paper feed tray 19B having the same size and the same orientation as the original is fed and transmitted. The toner image is transferred. However, in the case of the example shown in Table 1, the size of the recording paper stacked on the second paper tray 19B is the same as that of the recording paper stacked on the second paper tray 19B, but the direction of the recording paper stacked on the third paper tray 19C is different. The reload temperature when feeding the paper is lower than the reload temperature when feeding the recording paper in the second paper feed tray 19B. Therefore, in this case, the third sheet feeding tray 19 in which the reload temperature becomes low
By feeding the recording paper P loaded on C, energy consumption can be reduced, and the waiting time until the start of feeding of the recording paper can be shortened.

Therefore, in the image forming apparatus of this embodiment,
If there is no special instruction from the operator, from among the recording papers of the size to be fed first from the paper feeding unit after the image forming apparatus is started, a recording paper in a direction in which the reload temperature is low is selected. The selected recording paper is fed, a toner image is transferred to the selected recording paper, and the toner image is then transferred to the fixing device 5.
5 to fix the image. In the example above,
Since the size of the document detected by the sensors 108, 109 or 91, 92, 93 is A4 and the direction is landscape, the recording paper of the size to be fed is the second paper tray 19B and the third paper. A4 loaded on the paper feed tray 19C
The recording paper of the size is selected. Of these recording papers, the recording paper in the direction in which the reload temperature becomes low, that is, the vertical recording paper stacked on the third paper feed tray 19C is selected. When the recording paper reaches the reload temperature corresponding to the selected recording paper, feeding of the recording paper starts.

In the example shown in the figure, the system controller 501 shown in FIG. 8 selects and determines, from among the recording papers of the size to be fed from the paper feeding means, the recording paper in the direction in which the reload temperature becomes low. This constitutes an example of the means.

At this time, in the example described above, the read A
The direction (horizontal direction) of the four-size document and the direction (vertical direction) of the fed A4 size recording paper are different. When the orientation of the original is different from the orientation of the selected recording paper, the toner image formed on the photoconductor 30 is formed so as to be rotated by 90 degrees or 270 degrees in page units. Next, the read address for reading the image data from the storage unit including the image memory 612 shown in FIG. 10 is converted. As a result, the toner image of one page in the same direction as that direction is transferred to the selected recording paper (in the above example, the A4 size vertically-fed recording paper). The image memory controller 608 is a conversion unit that converts a read address when reading image data from the storage unit so that a one-page toner image in the same direction as the selected recording paper is formed on the selected recording paper. An example is configured. in this way,
A configuration in which the stored image data is output in the order of pages, and the image is rotated for each number of copies and output on recording paper is disclosed in detail in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-46065.

A more specific example of the first specific configuration example will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG.

In the flow of FIG. 12, the presence or absence of the designation of the paper feed tray is checked by the image recording condition check immediately after the image forming apparatus is started by turning on the power or immediately after the start from the low power mode (S1). . When the size and direction of the recording sheet are designated by the operator, the recording sheet having that size and direction is selected, and the temperature of the fixing roller 7 is changed to the reload temperature (Table 1) corresponding to the recording sheet.
At this point, the recording paper is fed from the paper feed tray containing the recording paper, and the above-described image forming operation, that is, image output is executed (S2, S3).

If the recording paper size and its direction are not specified by the operator, the reload temperature shown in Table 1 is checked (S2, S4), and the reload temperature is determined from the recording paper of the size to be fed. Is selected and determined (S5).

Next, it is checked whether or not the orientation of the read document matches the orientation of the selected recording paper (S6). If they match, the temperature of the fixing roller 7 is selected. When the reload temperature corresponding to the size and direction of the recording paper is reached, the feeding of the recording paper is started, and the above-described image forming operation, that is, the image output is executed (S7).
If the directions do not match, the toner image on the photoreceptor 30 is 9
An image rotation process is performed so that the image is formed by rotating by 0 degrees or 270 degrees (S8). When the temperature of the fixing roller 7 reaches the reload temperature, the feeding of the recording paper is started, and the image forming operation is performed. Is executed (S7).

As described above, it is possible to save energy and shorten the waiting time until the start of feeding of the recording paper.

By the way, the temperature of the fixing roller at which the toner image can be fixed when fixing the toner image, that is, the fixing temperature, generally depends on the size of the recording paper and the direction in which it is conveyed. The fixing device 55
When the toner image is fixed on a large-size recording sheet, the temperature of the fixing roller that can be fixed is higher than when the toner image is fixed by passing through the fixing roller. Also, when the recording paper is conveyed horizontally, rather than conveyed vertically,
The temperature of the fixing roller 7 capable of fixing becomes high. Therefore, in the second specific configuration example, the temperature of the fixing member at the time of fixing the toner image, that is, the fixing temperature, is determined by the above-described temperature control unit in the size and orientation of the recording paper fed to the fixing member. Is controlled so that the temperature of the fixing member is controlled so as to be a target temperature corresponding to the temperature. Table 2 shows specific examples.

[0065]

[Table 2]

In the low power mode of the image forming apparatus, the temperatures in the respective paper feed trays may be different from each other, and when the recording paper stored in the high temperature paper feed tray is fed, the fixing property of the toner image may be reduced. Therefore, the target temperature of the fixing roller 7 can be lowered. For this reason, also in Table 2, the target temperature of the fixing roller 7 is a function of the temperature in the paper feed tray, but at least corresponds to the size and the direction of the recording paper loaded on each recording paper loading unit. What is necessary is just to set the set target temperature.

After setting the target temperature of the fixing roller as described above, after the image forming apparatus is started by turning on the power or after starting from the low power mode, the temperature of the fixing roller 7 is set to the recording paper to be fed. Is controlled so as to be a target temperature corresponding to the size and direction of the toner image, and after it is detected that the temperature of the fixing roller 7 has reached the target temperature at which the toner image can be fixed,
The recording paper is passed through the fixing device 55 to fix the toner image carried on the recording paper.

In this case as well, the recording paper in the direction in which the target temperature is lowered is selected from the recording paper of the size to be fed from the paper feeding means 18 and fed. For example, if the size and orientation of the document set on the contact glass 10 is A4 landscape, as in the above-described example, the size of the recording paper to be fed is also A4. When there is no paper, the recording paper in the direction in which the target temperature of the fixing roller 7 becomes low, that is, the A4 portrait recording paper stored in the third paper feed tray 19C is selected.

At this time, the feeding of the recording paper may be started after the temperature of the fixing roller 7 reaches the target temperature corresponding to the selected recording paper. Similarly to the example, when the temperature of the fixing roller 7 becomes the reload temperature lower than the target temperature, the feeding of the recording paper from the paper feed tray may be started.

In the illustrated example, the system controller 501 shown in FIG. 8 selects, from among the recording papers of the size to be fed from the paper feeding means, the recording paper in the direction in which the target temperature of the fixing member becomes low. This constitutes an example of the means for determining the value.

At this time, also in the case of the above-described example, the direction (horizontal direction) of the read A4 size document and the A
Although the orientation (vertical orientation) of the 4 size recording paper is different,
When the orientation of the original is different from the orientation of the selected recording paper, the toner image formed on the photoreceptor 30 is changed by 9 pages, as in the first specific configuration example.
A read address for reading image data from the storage unit including the image memory 612 shown in FIG. 10 is converted so that the image data is formed in a state of being rotated by 0 degrees or 270 degrees. As a result, the toner image of one page in the same direction as that direction is transferred to the selected recording paper (in the above example, the A4 size vertically-fed recording paper). In this case as well, the image memory controller 608 converts the read address when reading the image data from the storage means so that one page of the toner image in the same direction is formed on the selected recording paper. This constitutes an example of a converting means.

A more specific example of the above-described second specific configuration example will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

In the flow of FIG. 13, the presence or absence of the designation of the paper feed tray is checked by the image recording condition check immediately after the image forming apparatus is started by turning on the power or immediately after the start from the low power mode (S1). When the size and orientation of the recording paper are specified by the operator, the recording paper of that size and orientation is selected, and the temperature of the fixing roller 7 is reduced.
After it is detected that the target temperature corresponding to the recording paper has been reached (see Table 2), the recording paper from the paper feed tray containing the recording paper is moved so that the recording paper passes through the fixing device 55. Feeding is started, and the above-described image forming operation, that is, image output is executed (S2, S3).

If the recording paper size and its direction are not specified by the operator, the target temperature of the fixing roller 7 shown in Table 2 is checked (S2, S4), and the recording paper of the size to be fed is checked. Then, the recording paper in the direction in which the target temperature becomes the lowest, that is, the paper feed tray accommodating the recording paper is selected and determined (S5).

Next, it is checked whether or not the orientation of the read document matches the orientation of the selected recording paper (S6). If they match, the temperature of the fixing roller 7 is selected. After it is detected that the target temperature corresponding to the size and direction of the recording paper has been reached, the recording paper is fed from the paper feed tray containing the recording paper so that the recording paper passes through the fixing device 55. Is started, and the above-described image forming operation, that is, image output is executed (S7). If the orientations do not match, an image rotation process is performed so that the toner image on the photoconductor 30 is rotated by 90 degrees or 270 degrees (S
8) After detecting that the temperature of the fixing roller 7 has reached the target temperature, feeding of the recording paper is started so that the recording paper passes through the fixing device 55, and the image forming operation is performed. (S7).

As described above, also in the second specific configuration example, it is possible to save energy and shorten the waiting time until the start of feeding of the recording paper.

In the image forming apparatuses according to the first and second specific configuration examples described above, the effect of energy saving can be obtained when the number of continuous paper feeds for continuously feeding and conveying the recording paper is small. Can be increased. However, if the number of continuous papers increases and the number exceeds a certain number, the energy saving effect may be reversed depending on the direction in which the same size recording paper is conveyed.

FIG. 14 shows the relationship between the number of sheets continuously fed and the fixing power consumption of the fixing device when the A4 size recording paper is continuously transported vertically and continuously transported horizontally. An example of the relationship is shown. As described in the first and second specific configuration examples, the reload temperature and the target temperature of the fixing roller 7 when the A4 size recording paper is fed vertically and the recording paper of the same size are set horizontally. When the number of continuous papers is smaller than N sheets, it is better to feed A4 size paper in portrait orientation when it is up to N sheets. The fixing power consumption is smaller than in the case where the sheet is fed sideways.

However, transporting A4 size recording paper in landscape orientation is more effective than transporting it in portrait orientation.
Because the recording paper length in the recording paper transport direction is shorter,
The time required for one recording sheet to pass through the fixing device is shortened, and the fixing power consumption per sheet is reduced. For this reason, when the number of continuous paper passes increases, and when the number exceeds N, the recording paper is fed in a landscape orientation, and in the case of transporting the recording paper, the same size recording paper is fed in a portrait orientation. The fixing power consumption is lower than in the case. The same applies to recording paper of a size other than the A4 size, and specific examples are shown in Table 3. The number of energy-saving branches in Table 3 can be known through experiments and the like.

[0080]

[Table 3]

From the above-described viewpoint, in the third specific configuration example, if there is no special instruction from the operator, the recording paper of the size to be fed from the paper feeding means 18 after the image forming apparatus is started up. Among them, according to the number of continuous recording papers, a recording paper in a direction in which the fixing power consumption is reduced is selected, the selected recording paper is continuously passed, and a toner image is formed on each of the recording papers. At the same time, the respective toner images are fixed on the recording paper by the fixing device 55.

For example, if the size and orientation of the original set on the contact glass 10 is 4A horizontal as in the previous example, the size of the recording paper to be fed is also A4.
However, at this time, if there is no special instruction from the operator, and if the continuous number of sheets is 70 sheets or less as shown in Table 3, the A4 size vertical recording paper,
The recording paper stored in the paper feed tray 19C is selected. Conversely, when the continuous number of sheets is larger than 70 sheets, the second
A4 size recording paper accommodated in the paper feed tray 19B is selected. One of the recording papers thus selected
When the first recording sheet is fed, the feeding of the recording sheet from the sheet feed tray is started at the same timing as in the first or second specific configuration example, and another recording sheet is continuously fed. The toner is continuously fed, a toner image is formed on each of the recording papers, and the toner image is fixed by the fixing device 55. In this way, energy saving can be reliably achieved.

Prior to the start of the feeding of the recording paper from the paper feed tray, for example, a plurality of originals are sequentially fed onto the contact glass 10 by the automatic original feeder 100 and the images are read. From the total number of originals and the number of copies from each original, that is, the number of repeats, before starting to feed the recording paper from the paper feed tray,
The number of continuous sheets of recording paper can be known.

Also in the case of the third specific configuration example, the system controller 501 shown in FIG. 8 determines the size of paper to be fed from the paper feeding means in accordance with the number of continuous recording paper sheets. An example of a unit configured to select and determine the direction of the recording paper that reduces the fixing power consumption is configured.

Also, in this example, when the orientation of the original on the contact glass 10 and the orientation of the selected recording paper are different, the toner image formed on the photoreceptor 30 becomes 90 degrees per page. Alternatively, the read address at the time of reading the image data from the storage unit including the image memory 612 shown in FIG. 10 is converted so as to be formed in a state of being rotated by 270 degrees. As a result, a one-page toner image in the same direction as that direction is transferred to each of the selected recording sheets. Also in this case, the image memory controller 608
Constitutes an example of a conversion unit that converts a read address when reading image data from the storage unit such that a toner image of one page in the same direction as that direction is formed on the selected recording paper. ing.

As can be seen from FIGS. 5 and 14 and Table 3, when the continuous number of sheets is equal to or less than the predetermined number, the short side P2 of the recording sheet P is moved in the transport direction A of the recording sheet. Is selected, and if the continuous number of sheets is larger than the predetermined number, the long side P of the recording sheet P is selected.
1 is configured to select the recording paper P in the horizontal direction perpendicular to the transport direction A of the recording paper P, whereby the effect of energy saving can be surely achieved.

A more specific example of the third specific configuration example will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

In the flow of FIG. 15, the presence or absence of the designation of the paper feed tray is checked by the image recording condition check immediately after the image forming apparatus is started by turning on the power or immediately after the start from the low power mode (S1). . When the size and direction of the recording paper are designated by the operator, the recording paper of that size and direction is selected, and when the temperature of the fixing roller 7 reaches the reload temperature corresponding to the recording paper, The recording paper is fed one by one from the paper feed tray containing the recording paper, and the above-described image forming operation, that is, the image output is executed (S2, S3).

If there is no designation of the size of the recording paper and its direction by the operator, the size of the recording paper to be fed and the number of continuous papers are checked. (S2, S4), and among the recording papers of the size to be fed, the recording paper with the lowest fixing power consumption, that is, the recording paper is stored. The selected paper feed tray is selected and determined (S5).

Next, it is checked whether or not the orientation of the read document matches the orientation of the selected recording paper (S6), and if they match, the temperature of the fixing roller 7 is selected. When the reload temperature corresponding to the size and orientation of the recording paper is reached, the recording paper is fed one by one and the above-described image forming operation, that is, image output is executed (S
7). If the orientations do not match, an image rotation process is performed so that the toner image on the photoconductor 30 is rotated by 90 degrees or 270 degrees (S8), and the temperature of the fixing roller 7 reaches the reload temperature. Then, the feeding of the recording paper is started, and the image forming operation is executed (S7).

As described above, energy saving can be achieved.

The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above-described embodiment, but can be modified in various ways, and can be widely applied to image forming apparatuses other than the image forming apparatus of the illustrated type. It is. For example, the present invention can be applied to an image forming apparatus that forms a full-color image, an image forming apparatus that forms a single-color image, an image forming apparatus that uses an intermediate transfer member, and the like without any trouble.

[0093]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the recording paper is selected so that the reload temperature becomes lower, and the recording paper is fed, so that the energy saving of the image forming apparatus can be further enhanced. .

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the recording paper is selected so that the target temperature of the fixing member at the time of fixing the toner image becomes low, and the recording paper is fed, so that the energy saving of the image forming apparatus can be achieved. It can be even higher.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to select a recording paper in a direction in which the fixing power consumption is reduced and feed the recording paper according to the number of continuous papers. Can be further enhanced.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the above-mentioned effect provided by the image forming apparatus according to the third aspect can be further ensured.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic vertical sectional view showing an example of an image forming apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the image forming apparatus when the automatic document feeder is opened.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a sensor for detecting the size and orientation of a document.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing details of one of the sensors shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view illustrating the orientation of a recording sheet.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a paper feed tray.

FIG. 7 is a partially enlarged perspective view of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a control system of the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a temperature control unit that controls the temperature of the fixing roller.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating details of an image processing controller.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a temperature distribution in a longitudinal direction of the fixing roller.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a first specific configuration example.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of a second specific configuration example.

FIG. 14 is a graph showing an example of a relationship between the number of continuous recording sheets and fixing power consumption.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart of a third specific configuration example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 3 Image recording means 18 Paper feeding means A Transport direction P Recording paper P1 Long side P2 Short side

Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat II (reference) G03G 15/20 109 G03G 15/20 109 21/20 21/00 534 F term (reference) 2H027 DA12 DA46 DC19 DC20 EA12 EC20 ED17 ED25 EE07 EE08 EF06 FA04 FA05 FB05 FB14 FD00 FD08 2H033 AA29 BA07 BA30 BA59 BB01 BB28 CA04 CA05 CA07 CA17 CA19 CA30 CA35 CA48 3F343 FA02 FB02 GA01 GB01 GC01 GD01 JA01 LC04 MA03 MA26 MB03 H13H23H34

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A paper feeder, comprising: storage means for storing at least one page of image data; and a plurality of recording paper loading units on which recording paper is loaded, wherein the recording paper is fed from the recording paper loading unit. Means, image recording means for recording the image data read from the storage means as a toner image on recording paper fed from the recording paper stacking section, and heat and pressure on the toner image formed on the recording paper. A fixing member for fixing to the recording paper by the action of the above, a temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the fixing member, and a temperature control means for controlling the temperature of the fixing member based on the detection result of the temperature detecting means. During the period from the start of feeding of the recording paper from the recording paper stacking section to the time when the recording paper reaches the fixing member, the temperature of the fixing member is lower than the reload temperature at the start of feeding of the recording paper. To increase the fixing temperature even higher An image forming apparatus in which a temperature of the fixing member is controlled and a reload temperature corresponding to at least a size and a direction of the recording paper stacked on each of the recording paper stacking units is set; Means for selecting and determining the recording paper in the direction in which the reload temperature is low from among the recording papers of the size to be fed, and providing one page of toner in the same direction as the selected recording paper. A conversion unit for converting a read address when reading image data from the storage unit so that an image is formed. 2. A paper feeder, comprising: storage means for storing at least one page of image data; and a plurality of recording paper loading sections on which recording paper is loaded, wherein the recording paper is fed from the recording paper loading section. Means, image recording means for recording the image data read from the storage means as a toner image on recording paper fed from the recording paper stacking section, and heat and pressure on the toner image formed on the recording paper. A fixing member that fixes the recording paper by the action of the above, a temperature detecting unit that detects the temperature of the fixing member, and a temperature control unit that controls the temperature of the fixing member based on the detection result of the temperature detecting unit. An image forming apparatus that controls the temperature of the fixing member so that the temperature of the fixing member at the time of fixing the toner image becomes a target temperature corresponding to the size and orientation of the recording paper fed to the fixing member. Should be fed from the paper feeding means. Means for selecting and determining the recording paper in the direction in which the target temperature becomes lower from among the recording papers of the size, and forming a one-page toner image in the same direction as that direction on the selected recording paper. And a conversion unit for converting a read address when reading image data from the storage unit. 3. A paper feeder, comprising: storage means for storing at least one page of image data; and a plurality of recording paper loading sections on which recording paper is loaded, wherein the recording paper is fed from the recording paper loading section. Means, image recording means for recording the image data read from the storage means as a toner image on recording paper fed from the recording paper stacking section, and heat and pressure on the toner image formed on the recording paper. A fixing member that fixes the recording paper by the action of the above, a temperature detecting unit that detects the temperature of the fixing member, and a temperature control unit that controls the temperature of the fixing member based on the detection result of the temperature detecting unit. Means for selecting and determining the direction of the recording paper according to the continuous number of recording papers, from among the recording papers of the size to be fed from the paper feeding means, On the recording paper, the same orientation As the toner image for one page is formed,
An image forming apparatus comprising: a conversion unit configured to convert a read address when reading image data from the storage unit. 4. When the number of continuous papers is equal to or less than a predetermined number, a vertically oriented recording paper whose short side is perpendicular to the conveying direction of the recording paper is selected. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein when the number of sheets is larger than the predetermined number of sheets, a long side of the recording sheet is selected to be a horizontal recording sheet perpendicular to a conveying direction of the recording sheet.