JP5339963B2 - Image forming apparatus and control method thereof - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and a control method thereof, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus having a plurality of power cables and a control method thereof.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image forming system in which one or a plurality of peripheral devices are connected to an image forming apparatus according to specifications or user demands is known. Peripheral devices include a paper feeding device that supplies recording paper to the image forming apparatus one by one, a post-processing device that performs post-processing such as stapling on the recording paper ejected from the image forming apparatus, and the like.

  In such an image forming system, there are roughly two methods for supplying power to peripheral devices.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the first method is a method of supplying power to the peripheral device from the same commercial power source as that of the image forming apparatus. In FIG. 10, the image forming apparatus 300 is connected to the post-processing apparatus 301 via a signal line 306 and a power supply line 303. Further, the image forming apparatus 300 is connected to the sheet feeding device 302 via a signal line 307 and a power line 304. The image forming apparatus 300 includes a power cable 305 that can be plugged into a commercial power outlet. The image forming apparatus 300 is supplied with power from a commercial power source via a power cable 305. Further, the post-processing device 301 and the paper feeding device 302 are supplied with electric power from a commercial power supply via the image forming device 300. In the first method, the power consumption during operation of the peripheral device is designed so that the power supply load capacity is not exceeded even if the peripheral device and the image forming apparatus are operated simultaneously.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the second method is a method of supplying power to the peripheral device independently from a commercial power source different from the commercial power source to which the image forming apparatus is connected. In FIG. 11, an image forming apparatus 400 is connected to a post-processing apparatus 401 and a sheet feeding apparatus 402 via signal lines 403 and 404, respectively. The image forming apparatus 400, the post-processing apparatus 401, and the sheet feeding apparatus 402 have power cables 405, 406, and 407 that can be plugged into independent commercial power outlets. The image forming apparatus 400, the post-processing apparatus 401, and the sheet feeding apparatus 402 are supplied with power from independent commercial power sources via power cables 405, 406, and 407. The second method is employed when power consumption during operation of the peripheral device is large and it is necessary to supply power to the peripheral device from a commercial power supply independent of the image forming apparatus.

  As described above, in an image forming system in which a plurality of peripheral devices are connected to an image forming apparatus, the power consumption of the entire image forming system increases when the operation timing of each apparatus overlaps. Therefore, depending on the power supply environment in which the image forming system is used, the power supply voltage may drop due to an inrush current during the operation of the image forming system, which may cause a jam or a system down. In addition, a sudden drop in the power supply voltage may affect the surrounding environment such as flickering of the indoor lamp.

  Therefore, a technique for managing the power load capacity of the entire image forming system by monitoring the mounting state and operating state of peripheral devices connected to the image forming apparatus and controlling the fixing power of the image forming apparatus according to the state is disclosed. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1). This technique is effective in an image forming system composed of an image forming apparatus and a plurality of peripheral devices in a specification for supplying power to the peripheral apparatus from the same commercial power source as the image forming apparatus.

JP-A-6-242644

  However, in the above conventional technique, if a peripheral device having a specification for supplying power from a commercial power supply independent of the image forming apparatus is mistakenly connected to the same commercial power supply as the image forming apparatus, the user is inappropriate. It is hard to notice that it is a connection.

  Peripheral devices with specifications that supply power from an independent commercial power supply generally consume a large amount of power during operation, so if you accidentally connect and operate the same peripheral device as the image forming device, jamming will occur due to insufficient power supply capacity. Etc. will occur. In addition, since the image forming system is managed within a smaller power load capacity than expected, an operation that satisfies the assumed specifications cannot be performed. Furthermore, a sudden drop in the power supply voltage due to an inrush current at the start of the operation of the image forming system may affect the surrounding environment, such as flickering in the room where the image forming system is installed.

  In places where there are few commercial power outlets provided on the wall and many power extension cords such as table taps are used, there is a high possibility that such an inappropriate connection will be made. In particular, in a small office or the like, even if there are a plurality of outlets provided on the wall, the commercial power supply may be the same, and it is difficult for the user to notice a visually inappropriate connection.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of detecting an inappropriate connection of a power cable and informing a user thereof, and a control method thereof.

In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention supplies a plurality of loads including a fixing device for fixing a toner image to a recording sheet and other loads different from the fixing device, and the fixing device. An image forming apparatus comprising a first power cable for inputting power to be input and a second power cable for inputting power to be supplied to the other load, via the second power cable. Detection means for detecting the voltage value of the input power, holding means for holding the voltage value detected by the detection means when the fixing device is stopped, and voltage detected by the detection means when the fixing device is operating and the first power supply cable and the second power cable is determined to be connected to the same power supply when the difference value of the voltage value held in the value and the holding means exceeds a predetermined threshold value And another unit, characterized in that it comprises a notifying means for performing notification when said first power cable and the second power cable is determined to be connected to the same power supply.

In order to achieve the above-described object, a method for controlling an image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a fixing unit that fixes a toner image on a recording sheet, a plurality of loads including other loads different from the fixing unit, and the fixing unit. In the method for controlling an image forming apparatus, comprising: a first power cable for inputting power to be supplied to the second power cable; and a second power cable for inputting power to be supplied to the other load. A detecting step for detecting a voltage value of electric power input via a power cable of the battery by a detecting unit, a holding step for holding the voltage value detected by the detecting unit when the fixing device is stopped in a holding unit, and the fixing wherein said first power cable when the voltage value sensed by said sensing means during operation of the vessel and the differential value of the voltage values held in the holding means exceeds a predetermined threshold value When the second power supply cable is determined that the determination step of determining that it is connected to the same power source, and the first power supply cable and the second power supply cables are connected to the same power supply A notification step of performing notification.

  According to the present invention, the input unit for inputting the power to be supplied to the load excluding the fixing unit and the input unit for inputting the power to be supplied to the fixing unit based on the voltage value detected during the operation of the fixing unit are the same. Notification is made when it is determined that the power supply is connected. As a result, an inappropriate connection of the power cable can be detected and notified to the user.

1 is a diagram illustrating an internal configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a method for detecting inappropriate connection of a power cable in the image forming apparatus 100 of FIG. 1. It is a flowchart of the detection process of the improper connection performed with CPU201 in FIG. It is a figure explaining the detection method of the improper connection in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart of the detection process of the improper connection performed with CPU201 in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of the image forming apparatus which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of the image forming apparatus which concerns on the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart of the detection process of the inappropriate connection performed with CPU201 in FIG. It is a figure which shows the structure of the conventional image forming system. It is a figure which shows the structure of the conventional image forming system.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[First embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an internal configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, an image forming apparatus 100 as an image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive drum (hereinafter simply referred to as “photosensitive body”) 1 as an image carrier in an image forming unit. The photoreceptor 1 is provided so as to rotate in the direction of arrow A by a motor (not shown). Around the photosensitive member 1, a pre-exposure lamp 90, a primary charger 7, an exposure device 8, a rotary developer 13, a density sensor 91, a transfer device 10, and a cleaner device 12 are arranged.

  The rotating developer 13 includes developing devices 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13K for four colors for full-color development. The drive motor 42 is a stepping motor that rotates the rotary developer 13. The solenoid 43 operates a lock mechanism for fixing the position of the rotary developer 13. The photo interrupter lock detection sensor 72 detects the operation of the lock mechanism. The rotary developer HP sensor 60 detects the position of the rotary developer 13 by detecting a position detection flag 73 attached to the rotary developer 13. The toner concentration detection sensor 92 optically detects the toner concentration of the developer carried on the developing sleeve of the developing device.

  The developing devices 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13K develop the latent images on the photoreceptor 1 with Y, M, C, and K toners, respectively. When developing toner of each color, the rotating developer 13 is rotated in the direction of arrow R by driving the motor 42. The position detection flag 73 laid on the rotary developer 13 is detected by the rotary developer HP sensor 60 to detect the reference position of the rotary developer 13 and rotate the rotary developer 13 to a predetermined rotational position. As a result, the developing device for the color is aligned so as to contact the photoreceptor 1.

  The toner images of the respective colors developed on the photosensitive member 1 are sequentially transferred to the belt 2 as an intermediate transfer member by the transfer device 10, and the four color toner images are superimposed. The belt 2 is stretched around rollers including a tension roller 18 and a backup roller 19. The drive roller 17 functions as a drive roller that is coupled to a drive source (not shown) and drives the belt 2. The tension roller 18 functions as a tension roller that adjusts the tension of the belt 2. The backup roller 19 functions as a backup roller for the transfer roller 21 as a secondary transfer device.

  The belt cleaner 22 is provided so as to be in contact with or separated from a position facing the driving roller 17 with the belt 2 interposed therebetween, and residual toner on the belt 2 after the secondary transfer is scraped off by a cleaner blade.

  The recording paper disposed in the recording paper cassette 23 is pulled up to a position where it contacts the pickup roller 24 by the operation of the lifter motor 40. The recording paper drawn from the recording paper cassette 23 to the conveyance path by the pickup roller 24 is fed to a nip portion, that is, a contact portion between the transfer roller 21 as a secondary transfer device and the belt 2 by a pair of rollers 25 and 26. The The toner image formed on the belt 2 is transferred onto the recording paper at the nip portion, is thermally fixed by the fixing device 5, passes through the outer paper discharge roller 59, and is discharged outside the device.

  In the case of double-sided forming operation, the flapper 32 is operated and the recording paper is conveyed in the direction of the conveying roller 27. After the conveyance roller 28 conveys until it exceeds the flapper 33, the conveyance roller 28 is rotated in the reverse direction and the flapper 33 is operated to convey the recording paper toward the conveyance roller 29. Further, the recording paper is transported by the transport rollers 30 and 31 and joined to the transport path from the recording paper cassette 23, thereby enabling image formation on the surface opposite to the first surface.

  In the image forming apparatus 100 configured as described above, an image is formed as follows. First, a voltage is applied to the primary charger 7 to uniformly negatively charge the surface of the photoreceptor 1 with a predetermined charged portion potential. Subsequently, exposure is performed by an exposure device 8 formed of a laser scanner so that a charged image portion on the photosensitive member 1 has a predetermined exposure portion potential, thereby forming a latent image. The exposure device 8 forms a latent image corresponding to the image by turning on and off the exposure based on the image signal generated by the image control unit 38.

  The image forming timing of the image forming apparatus 100 is controlled based on a signal ITOP with a predetermined position on the belt 2 as a reference. The belt 2 is stretched around rollers including a driving roller 17, a tension roller 18, and a backup roller 19, and a predetermined tension is applied by the tension roller 18. Between the tension roller 18 and the backup roller 19, a reflective position sensor 36 for detecting a reference position is disposed.

  A developing bias set in advance for each color is applied to the developing sleeve of the developing device 13Y and the like, and the latent image is developed with toner when passing through the position of the developing roller and visualized as a toner image. The toner image is transferred to the belt 2 by the transfer device 10 and further transferred to a recording sheet by a transfer roller 21 as a secondary transfer device, and then fed to the fixing device 5. In full-color printing, toners of four colors are superimposed on the belt and then transferred onto the recording paper. The toner remaining on the photosensitive member 1 is removed and collected by the cleaner device 12, and finally, the photosensitive member 1 is uniformly discharged to near 0 volts by the pre-exposure lamp 90 to prepare for the next image forming cycle.

  The paper surface height sensor 50 detects the paper surface height in the recording paper cassette 23. The conveyance sensors 51 to 58 are arranged on the conveyance path and detect the presence / absence of recording paper at each point or the conveyance timing of the recording paper. The sensor 80 measures the moisture content of the paper transported along the transport path. The rotary developer HP sensor 60 detects the position of the rotary developer 13. The cassette attachment / detachment sensor 70 detects attachment / detachment of the recording paper cassette 23. The door opening / closing switch 71 operates in response to opening / closing of the door 41 that allows access to the inside of the main body. By shutting off / connecting the power supply to the driving load with the door opening / closing switch 71, it is possible to prevent an unexpected malfunction when the operator contacts the inside of the image forming apparatus 100.

  During image density adjustment, the latent image, development, and primary transfer are repeated as in the normal double-sided image formation described above, and the toner image is secondarily transferred to the recording paper that has been conveyed to the secondary transfer unit. The recording paper that has been secondarily transferred is fixed by the fixing device 5, drives the flapper 32, is reversed by the conveying roller 28 via the reversing path, and is sent to the duplex conveying path.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 of FIG.

  In FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a CPU 201, a fixing device 202, other loads 205, voltage sensors 204 and 208, power cables 203 and 207, and an operation unit 206. The image forming apparatus 100 is designed to operate by inputting power from an independent commercial power source through two power cables 203 and 207. For example, an image forming apparatus with a high printing speed requires a large amount of electric power, and thus may have such a configuration.

  The CPU 201 controls the operation of the entire image forming apparatus 100. The power cable 203 is connected to the fixing device 202 via the voltage sensor 204 and inputs power to be supplied to the fixing device 202. The power cable 207 is connected to other loads 205 excluding the fixing device 202 via the voltage sensor 208, and inputs power to be supplied to the other loads 205.

  The power cables 203 and 207 function as input units that respectively input power to be supplied to the fixing device 202 and power to be supplied to other loads 205 (for example, a motor) other than that from different commercial power sources. The voltage sensors 204 and 208 detect the voltage values input from the power cables 203 and 207, respectively, and notify the CPU 201 of them. The operation unit 206 functions as a notification unit for notifying an error or alarm of the image forming apparatus 100 to a user or a service person under the control of the CPU 201.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a method for detecting inappropriate connection of the power cable in the image forming apparatus 100 of FIG.

  When the image forming apparatus 100 is turned on, the CPU 201 transmits a fixing device control signal to the fixing device 202. When the fixing device control signal is received from the CPU 201 and the fixing device 202 starts to operate, the power supply voltage of the commercial power source to which the image forming apparatus 100 is connected drops due to the inrush current to the fixing device 202 as shown in FIG. To do.

At this time, when the power cables 203 and 207 connected to the other loads 205 and the fixing device 202 are respectively connected to independent commercial power supplies, the voltage value detected by the voltage sensor 208 connected to the power cable 207. change in V _B should not.

On the other hand, when the power cables 203 and 207 are mistakenly connected to the same commercial power source, as shown in FIG. 3, the voltage value V of the voltage sensor 208 connected to the other load 205 when the operation of the fixing device 202 is started. A drop of _B is detected. When the voltage value V _B becomes smaller than the predetermined threshold value V _{TH — 1} due to this voltage drop, the CPU 201 determines that the power cables 203 and 207 are connected to the same commercial power source. Then, the CPU 201 notifies the user or service person of the possibility that the power cable is improperly connected to the user or the service person, and prompts improvement.

For example, when the operation guarantee voltage range of the image forming apparatus 100 is 85 to 110 V in a 100 V / 15 A environment in Japan, the threshold V _{TH — 1} may be set to 90 V.

  Next, the detection method will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an inappropriate connection detection process executed by the CPU 201 in FIG.

In FIG. 4, the CPU 201 sends a fixing device control signal to the fixing device 202 at the timing of starting the operation of the image forming apparatus 100 and starts the operation of the fixing device 202 (step S <b> 100). At this time, the voltage value V _B is detected by the voltage sensor 208 connected to the other load 205 (step S101). CPU201 is the voltage value _{V B} is compared with a predetermined threshold value _{V TH_1,} the voltage value _{V B} is determined whether the threshold _{V TH_1} is smaller than (step S102).

If it is determined in the step S102, when the voltage value _{V B} is the threshold value _{V TH_1} more (NO in step S102), CPU 201 determines that the power supply cable 203, 207 is connected to a separate commercial power supply, the The process ends.

If it is determined in step S102, when the voltage value _{V B} less than the threshold _{V TH_1} (YES in step S102), CPU 201 determines that the power supply cable 203 and 207 are connected to the same commercial power supply, Proceed to step S103. In step S <b> 103, the CPU 201 notifies the user or service person that there is a possibility that the power cable is improperly connected to the user or the service person, and ends this processing.

According to the present embodiment, when the voltage value V _B is smaller than the threshold value V _{TH — 1} , the CPU 201 determines that the power cables 203 and 207 are connected to the same commercial power source, and there is a possibility of inappropriate connection. The user or service person is notified by the operation unit 206. As a result, an inappropriate connection of the power cable can be detected and notified to the user.

[Second Embodiment]
In the first embodiment, improper connection is detected based on the voltage value when the fixing device 202 is operated, but in this embodiment, not the absolute value of the voltage value but the fixing device 202. Inappropriate connection is detected based on the difference between the voltage value during stop and during operation.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an inappropriate connection detection method according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 5, first, the voltage value V _{B_OFF} at the time of stop before the fixing device 202 operates is detected by the voltage sensor 208, and the voltage value V _{B_OFF} is held in a RAM or the like built in the CPU 201. Next, when the fixing device 202 starts operating, the voltage sensor 208 detects the voltage value V _{B_ON} when the fixing device 202 is operating.

Next, CPU 201 calculates a difference value ΔV of the stop of the voltage value _{V B_OFF} voltage value _{V B_ON} a fixing device 202 which is held in the RAM incorporated in CPU 201 during operation of the fixing device 202.

  At this time, when the power cables 203 and 207 connected to the other load 205 and the fixing device 202 are connected to an independent commercial power source, the voltage value detected by the voltage sensor 208 connected to the other load 205. There should be no change.

On the other hand, when the power cables 203 and 207 are mistakenly connected to the same commercial power source, the voltage value of the voltage sensor 208 connected to the other load 205 at the start of the operation of the fixing device 202 is shown in FIG. A descent is detected. When the difference value ΔV exceeds the predetermined threshold value V _{TH — 2} due to this voltage drop, the CPU 201 determines that the power cables 203 and 207 are connected to the same commercial power source. Then, the CPU 201 informs the user or the service person that there is a possibility of inappropriate connection, and prompts improvement.

  Next, the detection method will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an inappropriate connection detection process executed by the CPU 201 in FIG.

In FIG. 6, the CPU 201 first detects the voltage value V _{B_OFF} when the fixing device 202 is stopped by the voltage sensor 208 of the other load 205 (step S200). Next, the detected voltage value _{VB_OFF} is held in a RAM built in the CPU 201 (step S201). The CPU 201 sends a fixing device control signal to the fixing device 202 at the timing of starting the operation of the image forming apparatus 100, and starts the operation (step S202). At this time, the voltage value V _{B_ON} during operation of the fixing device 202 is detected by the voltage sensor 208 of the other load 205 (step S203). CPU201 calculates the difference value ΔV between the stop of the voltage value _{V B_OFF} Operations of the voltage value _{V B_ON} a fixing device 202 which is held in the RAM of the fixing unit 202 (step S204).

Next, the CPU 201 compares the difference value ΔV with a predetermined threshold value V _{TH_2} and determines whether or not the difference value ΔV exceeds the threshold value V _{TH_2} (step S205).

As a result of the determination in step S205, when the difference value ΔV is _{equal to} or _smaller than the threshold value V _{TH_2} (NO in step S205), the CPU 201 determines that the power cables 203 and 207 are connected to an independent commercial power source, and this processing Exit.

On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S205, when the difference value ΔV exceeds the threshold value _{VTH_2} (YES in step S205), the CPU 201 determines that the power cables 203 and 207 are connected to the same commercial power source. The process proceeds to step S206. In step S <b> 206, the CPU 201 notifies the user or service person that there is a possibility of inappropriate connection, and ends the process.

According to the present embodiment, when the difference value ΔV exceeds the threshold value V _{TH — 2} , the CPU 201 determines that the power cables 203 and 207 are connected to the same commercial power source, and can be connected inappropriately. The operation unit 206 notifies the user or service person that there is a possibility. As a result, an inappropriate connection of the power cable can be detected and notified to the user.

[Third Embodiment]
In the first and second embodiments, an example in which inappropriate connection between a plurality of power cables having a single image forming apparatus is detected has been described. In the present embodiment, the connection to the main body of the image forming apparatus is performed. An example in which an inappropriate connection of a power cable included in a peripheral device is detected will be described.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 7, the peripheral device 500 is connected to the image forming apparatus 100. The peripheral device 500 is a paper feeding device that supplies recording paper to the image forming apparatus one by one, or a post-processing device that performs post-processing such as stapling on the recording paper discharged from the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus 100 includes a CPU 201, a fixing device 202, a voltage sensor 204, a power cable 203, and an operation unit 206. The peripheral device 500 includes another load 501, a power cable 502, and a voltage sensor 503.

  The image forming apparatus 100 and the peripheral device 500 are configured to operate by obtaining power from an independent commercial power source from the two power cables 203 and 502.

  The CPU 201 controls the operation of the entire image forming apparatus 100. The power cable 203 is connected to the fixing device 202 and other loads 205 in the image forming apparatus via a voltage sensor 204. The power cable 502 is connected to a load 501 other than the fixing device 202 via a voltage sensor 503.

  The power cables 203 and 502 supply power from a separate commercial power source to the fixing device 202, the other load 205 except the fixing device 202, and the load 501 (for example, a motor) of the peripheral device 500, respectively. The voltage sensors 204 and 503 detect the voltage values input from the power cables 203 and 502, respectively, and notify the CPU 201 of them. The operation unit 206 is a notification unit that notifies an error or alarm of the image forming apparatus 100 to a user or a service person.

  The CPU 201 detects improper connection between the power cable included in the image forming apparatus 100 and the power cable included in the peripheral device 500 by executing an improper connection detection process similar to that in the first and second embodiments. can do. That is, when a drop in the voltage value detected by the voltage sensor 503 is detected during the operation of the fixing device 202, the CPU 201 determines that the power cables 203 and 502 are connected to the same commercial power source. The CPU 201 notifies the user or service person of the possibility of inappropriate connection through the operation unit 206.

  According to the present embodiment, when a drop in the voltage value detected by the voltage sensor 503 is detected during the operation of the fixing device 202, the CPU 201 has the power cables 203 and 502 connected to the same commercial power source. Judge. Accordingly, it is possible to detect and notify the user of an inappropriate connection between the power cable included in the image forming apparatus main body and the power cable included in the peripheral device connected to the image forming apparatus main body.

[Fourth Embodiment]
In the first to third embodiments, when it is determined that the two power cables are connected to the same commercial power source, the operation unit may indicate that there is a possibility of inappropriate connection of the power cables. Or it was notified to the service person. However, even if the two power cables are connected to the same commercial power source, the connection is not inappropriate if the power cables are originally to be connected to the same commercial power source.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, input unit information indicating to which load each power cable is connected to supply power is stored in advance in a ROM serving as storage means. Similar to the first to third embodiments, when the power cable connected to the same commercial power source is detected based on the voltage value, the connection is inappropriate with reference to the input unit information stored in the ROM. It is determined whether to perform the notification.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 8, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a CPU 201, a fixing device 202, other loads 205, voltage sensors 204 and 208, power cables 203 and 207, an operation unit 206, and a ROM 209.

  Input unit information indicating in which load each power cable is connected to supply power is stored in the ROM 209 in advance. When the power cable connected to the same commercial power source is detected based on the voltage value as in the first to third embodiments, the CPU 201 refers to the input unit information stored in the ROM 209. To determine whether or not to report inappropriate connection.

  That is, when the power cables 203 and 207 are not connected to the same commercial power source, the CPU 201 determines that there is a possibility of improper connection, and that there is a possibility of improper connection. The operation unit 206 informs the user or service person. On the other hand, when the power cables 203 and 207 are connected to the same commercial power source and used, the CPU 201 determines that the connection is not improper and does not notify the operation unit 206.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart of an inappropriate connection detection process executed by the CPU 201 in FIG.

In FIG. 9, the CPU 201 sends a fixing device control signal to the fixing device 202 at the timing of starting the operation of the image forming apparatus 100, and starts the operation of the fixing device 202 (step S300). At this time, the voltage value V _B is detected by the voltage sensor 208 connected to the other load 205 (step S301). CPU201 is the voltage value _{V B} is compared with a predetermined threshold value _{V TH_1,} the voltage value _{V B} is determined whether the threshold _{V TH_1} is smaller than (step S302).

Is determined in the step S302, when the voltage value _{V B} is the threshold value _{V TH_1} more (NO in step S302), CPU 201 determines that the power supply cable 203, 207 is connected to a separate commercial power supply, the The process ends.

If it is determined in step S302, when the voltage value _{V B} less than the threshold _{V TH_1} (YES in step S302), CPU 201 determines that the power supply cable 203 and 207 are connected to the same commercial power supply, Proceed to step S303. In step S <b> 303, the CPU 201 refers to the input unit information stored in the ROM 209. As a result of referring to the input unit information, the CPU 201 determines whether or not the power cables 203 and 207 have specifications for use by connecting to the same commercial power supply (step S304).

  As a result of the determination in step S304, when the power cables 203 and 207 are not specifications to be used by connecting to the same commercial power supply (NO in step S304), the CPU 201 determines that there is a possibility of inappropriate connection, Proceed to step S305. In step S <b> 305, the CPU 201 notifies the user or service person that there is a possibility of inappropriate connection by using the operation unit 206, and ends this process.

  On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S304, when the power cables 203 and 207 are specifications to be used by connecting to the same commercial power supply (YES in step S304), the CPU 201 determines that the connection is not inappropriate. This process is terminated without notification. That is, the CPU 201 refers to the input unit information stored in the ROM 209 to determine whether the connection is really inappropriate, and determines whether to notify the inappropriate connection.

  According to the present embodiment, by referring to the input unit information stored in the ROM 209, it is determined whether or not the connection is really inappropriate, and whether or not to report inappropriate connection is determined. . Thereby, it is possible to detect the inappropriate connection of the power cable more accurately and notify the user.

  In the process of FIG. 9, improper connection is detected based on the voltage value when the fixing device 202 is operated, but it is not the absolute value of the voltage value, but when the fixing device 202 is stopped and operating. An inappropriate connection may be detected based on the difference value of the voltage value.

  In the processing of FIG. 9, an example in which inappropriate connection between a plurality of power cables having a single image forming apparatus is detected has been described. However, a connection with a power cable included in a peripheral device connected to the image forming apparatus main body is described. It is also possible to detect inappropriate connections.

  In the first to fourth embodiments, the image forming apparatus having two power cables has been described. However, the present invention can also be applied to an image forming apparatus having two or more power cables. That is, it is possible to detect the possibility of improper connection of the plurality of power cables by detecting the power supply voltages of the plurality of power cables by the voltage sensor when the fixing device is operated.

  The object of the present invention is achieved by executing the following processing. That is, a storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus, and a computer (or CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or apparatus is stored in the storage medium. This is the process of reading the code.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the program code and the storage medium storing the program code constitute the present invention.

  The following can be used as a storage medium storing the program code. For example, floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-ROM, DVD-RAM, DVD-RW, DVD + RW, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM or the like. Alternatively, the program code may be downloaded via a network.

  Further, the present invention includes a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by executing the program code read by the computer. In addition, an OS (operating system) running on the computer performs part or all of the actual processing based on an instruction of the program code, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing. Is also included.

  Furthermore, a case where the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized by the following processing is also included in the present invention. That is, the program code read from the storage medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer. Thereafter, based on the instruction of the program code, the CPU or the like provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing.

100 Image forming apparatus 201 CPU
202 Fixing device 203, 207 Power cable 204, 208 Voltage sensor 205 Other load 206 Operation unit

Claims (4)

A plurality of loads including a fixing device for fixing a toner image on a recording sheet and other loads different from the fixing device; a first power cable for inputting power to be supplied to the fixing device; An image forming apparatus including a second power cable for inputting power to be supplied to a load;
Detecting means for detecting a voltage value of electric power input via the second power cable;
Holding means for holding a voltage value detected by the detecting means when the fixing device is stopped;
The first power cable and the second power source when a difference value between a voltage value detected by the detecting means during operation of the fixing device and a voltage value held in the holding means exceeds a predetermined threshold value. a determining means for the cable is determined to be connected to the same power source,
Informing means for informing when it is determined that the first power cable and the second power cable are connected to the same power source;
An image forming apparatus comprising: The image forming apparatus includes a peripheral device connected to a main body of the image forming apparatus, the first power cable is provided to the main body of the image forming apparatus, and the second power cable is provided to the peripheral device. the image forming apparatus according to claim 1 Symbol mounting, characterized in that it is. A storage means for storing information;
Refer to the input unit information stored in the storage unit when the determining unit determines that the first power cable and the second power cable are connected to the same power source. As a result, when the first power cable and the second power cable are not of a specification used by being connected to the same commercial power source, the notification means performs the notification. Or the image forming apparatus of 2. A plurality of loads including a fixing device for fixing a toner image on a recording sheet and other loads different from the fixing device; a first power cable for inputting power to be supplied to the fixing device; In a control method of an image forming apparatus comprising a second power cable for inputting power to be supplied to a load,
A detection step of detecting a voltage value of power input via the second power cable by a detection means ;
A holding step of holding the voltage value detected by the detecting unit when the fixing unit is stopped in the holding unit;
The first power cable and the second power source when a difference value between a voltage value detected by the detecting means during operation of the fixing device and a voltage value held in the holding means exceeds a predetermined threshold value. a determining step of the cable is determined to be connected to the same power source,
An informing step for informing when it is determined that the first power cable and the second power cable are connected to the same power source;
An image forming apparatus control method comprising:

Images