JP2013113874A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

The battery is appropriately charged according to the amount of electricity stored in the battery, and the power stored appropriately is used.
A switch 103 for switching power to be supplied to an image forming apparatus 10 from either an external power source or a battery 201, a stencil printing unit 1 for printing based on a print job, a normal mode, and an energy saving mode Among the mode setting unit 109b for setting any one of them and the normal amount necessary for executing the print job in the normal mode while calculating the storage amount of the battery 201 when power is supplied from the battery 201. Based on the mode set by the mode setting unit 109b, the calculation unit 109a that calculates the required power amount, the device control unit 109c that controls the stencil printing unit 1, and the power storage amount calculated by the calculation unit 109a is the normal required power. When the amount is smaller than the amount, the mode selection unit 109 causes the mode setting unit 109b to set the energy saving mode. And, equipped with a.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that appropriately charges and discharges when a planned power outage is scheduled.

  In general, there are many cases where an uninterruptible power supply is provided in a device or system that needs to operate even during a power failure, such as a server.

  Patent Document 1 proposes an image forming apparatus in which electric power generated by a solar panel is stored in a battery and an image forming operation is performed by supplying electric power from the stored battery.

Japanese Patent No. 3597967

  Immediately after the Great East Japan Earthquake, the power supply from electric power companies continued to be tight in East Japan. At this time, the electric power company called for power saving and implemented a planned power outage that divided power supply areas and planned power outages in units of areas. did. Such planned power outages may continue to be implemented depending on power demand forecasts.

  As described above, when a planned power outage is performed, the technique described in Patent Document 1 stops when the power supply amount to the image forming apparatus is insufficient during the power outage, or when the next planned power outage starts. In some cases, the image forming apparatus cannot be used effectively.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that appropriately charges a storage battery according to the amount of power stored in the storage battery and uses the appropriately stored power. To do.

  In order to achieve the above object, a first feature of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention is an image forming apparatus that includes an external power source and a power supply unit connected to a power storage unit that stores electric power. A switching unit that switches so that power is supplied to the image forming apparatus from any one of the power storage units, a printing unit that prints based on a print job, a normal mode that causes the printing unit to print with normal power consumption, and A mode setting unit that sets one of energy saving modes for reducing power consumption and causing the printing unit to print, and the power storage unit when power is supplied from the power storage unit by switching the switching unit And calculating means for calculating a normal required power amount necessary for executing the print job in the normal mode; Control means for controlling the printing means based on the mode set by the mode setting means, and when the amount of electricity calculated by the calculating means is less than the normal required power amount, And mode selection means for setting the mode.

  In order to achieve the above object, a second feature of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention is further provided with storage means for storing energization schedule information indicating a schedule of energization and non-energization from the external power supply, and the calculation means Calculates a de-energization end scheduled time when de-energization ends based on the energization schedule information, calculates a print time necessary for executing a print job in the normal mode as a normal required print time, and calculates the calculation Based on the scheduled non-energization end time and the normally required printing time, the printing time supplied from the electricity storage means when printing in the normal mode is calculated as the electricity storage supply printing time, and the mode selection means Is that the amount of electricity stored calculated by the calculating means is less than the normal required power amount, and the amount of electricity stored calculated by the calculating means is the storage amount. When the power consumption amount is less than the amount of power consumed within the supply printing time, the mode setting unit sets the energy saving mode, the power storage amount calculated by the calculation unit is less than the normal required power amount, and the calculation The mode setting means sets the normal mode when the power storage amount calculated by the means is larger than the power consumption amount consumed within the power storage supply printing time.

  In order to achieve the above object, the third feature of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention is that the printing unit can execute the printing unit based on the storage amount calculated by the calculation unit and the normal required power amount. Further, display control means for displaying a print job on the display panel is further provided.

  In order to achieve the above object, a fourth feature of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention is an image forming apparatus having an electric power supply unit connected to an external power source and a power storage unit that stores electric power. A storage unit that stores energization schedule information indicating a schedule of energization and de-energization, a switching unit that switches so that power is supplied to the image forming apparatus from either the external power source or the power storage unit, and a print job A mode setting unit that sets one of a normal mode in which the printing unit performs printing with normal power consumption and an energy saving mode in which the power consumption is reduced and printed on the printing unit. When the power is supplied from the power storage means by switching the switching means, the amount of power stored in the power storage means is calculated, and the normal And calculating the normal required power amount necessary for executing the print job, and storing the power storage means at the next energization start time based on the stored power amount, the normal required power amount and the energization schedule. A calculation means for calculating a next energization time based on the energization schedule and calculating a chargeable amount that can be charged during the energization time, and the mode setting means. Whether or not the power storage means is fully charged at the end of the energization time based on the control means for controlling the printing means based on the set mode, and the planned remaining power storage amount and the chargeable amount. And when the power storage means is not fully charged at the end of the energization time, the power storage means is controlled to be rapidly charged, or the mode setting means is In further comprising a mode selection means for setting the over-de, a.

  According to the first feature of the image forming apparatus of the present invention, when power is supplied from the power storage unit by switching the switching unit, the amount of power stored in the power storage unit is calculated and the print job is executed in the normal mode. A calculation means for calculating a normal required electric energy required to perform the control, a control means for controlling the printing means based on a mode set by the mode setting means, and a storage amount calculated by the calculation means is the normal required electric energy. Since the mode selection means for setting the energy saving mode to the mode setting means when there are fewer, it is possible to appropriately charge the storage battery and use the appropriately stored power according to the storage amount of the storage battery. it can.

  According to the second feature of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the calculating means calculates a non-energization end scheduled time at which the de-energization ends based on the energization schedule information, and executes the print job in the normal mode. The printing time required for printing is calculated as the normal required printing time, and the printing time supplied by the power storage means when printing in the normal mode is stored based on the calculated estimated non-energization time and the normal required printing time. Calculated as the supply printing time, and the mode selection means has a power storage amount calculated by the calculation means that is less than the normal required power amount and the power storage amount calculated by the calculation means is consumed within the power storage supply printing time. When the power consumption is smaller, the mode setting means sets the energy saving mode, the power storage amount calculated by the calculation means is less than the normal required power amount, and is calculated by the calculation means. When the amount of stored power is greater than the amount of power consumed within the storage power supply printing time, the mode setting means sets the normal mode. It is possible to print at an appropriate print density at a high printing speed as much as possible while reducing the possibility that printing by the printing means will stop due to the shortage.

  According to the third feature of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the print job that can be executed by the printing unit is displayed on the display panel on the basis of the power storage amount calculated by the calculating unit and the normal required power amount. The user can grasp an executable print job.

  According to the fourth aspect of the image forming apparatus of the present invention, when power is supplied from the power storage unit by switching the switching unit, the amount of power stored in the power storage unit is calculated and the print job is executed in the normal mode. Calculating the normal required power amount necessary to perform the calculation, and based on the power storage amount, the normal required power amount and the energization schedule, calculating the planned power storage remaining amount stored by the power storage means at the next energization start time, Control for calculating the next energization time based on the energization schedule, calculating the chargeable amount that can be charged during the energization time, and control for controlling the printing unit based on the mode set by the mode setting unit And determining whether the power storage means is fully charged at the end of the energization time, and determining whether the power storage means is fully charged at the end of the energization time. If it is not, the power storage means is controlled to be rapidly charged, or the mode setting means is provided with a mode selection means for setting the energy saving mode, so that the battery is fully charged at the end of the next energization time. ing. Therefore, in the subsequent non-energization time, it is possible to reduce the possibility that printing by the printing unit stops due to insufficient power supply.

1 is a configuration diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating a configuration of a power supply unit included in an image forming apparatus that is an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of low power consumption processing in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating calculation in a calculation unit of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of energy saving processing in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

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

  In one embodiment of the present invention, an image forming apparatus including a stencil printing unit and a power supply unit that supplies power to the stencil printing unit will be described as an example.

<Configuration of image forming apparatus>
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing the overall configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 10 supplies power to the stencil printing unit 1 for printing by press-contacting a printing medium to heat-spun stencil paper, and supplies power to the stencil printing unit 1 and controls printing. And a power supply unit 2. The image forming apparatus 10 is connected to the terminal 203 via the network 204 and receives planned power outage information that is a schedule of planned power outage from the terminal 203.

  The terminal 203 is accessible to a power company's Web server via a network (not shown), acquires planned power outage information indicating a planned power outage schedule from the power company's Web server, and stores the acquired planned power outage information in the network. The image data is supplied to the image forming apparatus 10 via 204.

  The power supply unit 2 is connected to an AC power source and a battery 201.

  The battery 201 is a battery that can be repeatedly charged and discharged, such as a lithium ion secondary battery, and supplies power to the power supply unit 2 when a power failure occurs, that is, when power supply from an external AC power supply is stopped. .

<Configuration of stencil printing unit 1>
As shown in FIG. 1, a stencil printing unit 1 included in an image forming apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a plate making unit 9, a printing unit 3, a paper feeding unit 4, a paper discharging unit 5, and a plate discharging unit. A unit 6 and an operation unit 7 are provided.

  The plate making unit 9 is disposed at a position opposite to the thermal head 93, a base paper storage unit 92 that stores the rolled long stencil sheet G, a thermal head 93 that is disposed downstream of the base paper storage unit 92, and the thermal head 93. A platen roll 94, a pair of base paper feed rolls 95 disposed downstream of the platen roll 94 and the thermal head 93, a light pulse motor 96 for rotating the platen roll 94 and the base paper feed roll 95, and a pair of A base paper cutter 97 disposed downstream of the base paper feed roll 95.

  The plate making unit 9 conveys the long stencil sheet G by the rotation of the platen roll 94 and the base paper feed roll 95, and each dot of the thermal head 93 based on the image data read by the image reading unit (not shown). When the heat generating element selectively generates heat, the stencil sheet G is thermally perforated to make a plate, and this stencil sheet G is cut with a base sheet cutter 97 to produce a stencil sheet G having a predetermined length.

  The printing unit 3 includes a drum 32 that rotates in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 1 by the driving force of the main motor 31, and a base paper clamp unit 33 that is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the drum 32 and clamps the front end of the stencil base paper G. ing.

  The printing unit 3 includes a base paper confirmation sensor 34 that detects whether or not the stencil paper G is wound around the outer peripheral surface of the drum 32, a reference position detection sensor 35 that detects the reference position of the drum 32, and a main motor And a rotary encoder 36 that outputs a pulse signal at a constant period in accordance with the rotation of 31. The rotational position of the drum 32 can be detected by detecting the pulse signal of the rotary encoder 36 based on the detection output of the reference position detection sensor 35.

  Further, the printing unit 3 includes a press roll 37 disposed at a position below the drum 32. The press roll 37 is pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the drum 32 by the driving force of the solenoid unit 38. It is configured to be able to change between a standby position separated from the outer peripheral surface. The press roll 37 is shifted from the standby position to the pressing position in synchronization with the sheet feeding operation from the sheet feeding unit 4, and is positioned at the pressing position only when the printing paper 41 passes through the lower part of the drum 32. It is positioned at the standby position.

  Then, the leading end of the stencil sheet G conveyed from the plate making unit 9 is clamped by the stencil sheet clamping unit 33, and the drum 32 is rotated in this clamped state so that the stencil sheet G is wound around the outer peripheral surface of the drum 32. Then, the printing paper 41 fed from the paper feeding unit 4 in synchronism with the rotation of the drum 32 is pressed against the stencil paper G wound around the drum 32 by the press roll 37, whereby the stencil paper G is applied to the printing paper 41. An image is printed by transferring ink from the perforations.

  The paper feed unit 4 includes a paper feed tray 42 on which the print paper 41 is stacked, primary paper feed rolls 43 and 44 that transport only the uppermost print paper 41 from the paper feed base 42, and the primary paper feed. Between the pair of secondary paper feed rolls 45 and a pair of secondary paper feed rolls 45 that convey the printing paper 41 conveyed by the rolls 43 and 44 between the drum 32 and the press roll 37 in synchronization with the rotation of the drum 32. A paper feed sensor 46 that detects whether or not the print paper 41 has been transported, and a paper presence sensor 48 that detects the print paper 41 stacked on the paper feed tray 42. The rotation of the main motor 31 is selectively transmitted to the primary paper feed rolls 43 and 44 via a paper feed clutch 47.

  The paper discharge unit 5 includes a paper separation claw 51 that separates the printed printing paper 41 from the drum 32, a separation fan 56 that separates the printing paper 41 from the drum 32 by wind power, and the paper separation claw 51 from the drum 32. A paper discharge roller 52 that conveys the spaced print paper 41, a paper discharge motor 55 that drives the paper discharge roller, and a paper jam detection that detects whether or not the print paper 41 passes over the paper discharge roller 52 A sensor 53 and a paper discharge tray 54 on which the print paper 41 discharged by the paper discharge roller 52 is placed.

  The paper discharge roller 52 is provided with a paper discharge fan 52 a that sucks the printing paper 41 toward the paper discharge roller 52 so that the paper discharge roller 52 can discharge the print paper 41.

  The paper jam detection sensor 53 detects whether or not the printing paper 41 printed by the printing unit 3 is correctly conveyed. If the paper jam detection sensor 53 does not detect the conveyance of the printing paper 41 even after a predetermined time has elapsed after printing, it is determined that the printing paper 41 remains in the printing unit 3.

  The stencil discharging unit 6 guides the leading end of the stencil sheet G that has been unclamped from the outer peripheral surface of the drum 32, and transports the guided stencil sheet G while being peeled off from the drum 32, and this stencil transporting unit. A stencil box 62 for storing the stencil sheet G conveyed by the means 61 and a stencil compression member 63 for pushing the stencil sheet G conveyed into the stencil box 62 by the stencil conveying means 61 into the stencil box 62 are provided. Have.

  The operation unit 7 includes a display / input panel (not shown), a start key for starting plate-making and printing, a stop key for stopping plate-making and printing, and a numeric keypad for inputting the number of prints (whichever And an operation signal based on a user operation is supplied to the control unit 109 of the power supply unit 2.

  The display / input panel of the operation unit 7 includes a pressure-sensitive or electrostatic transparent touch panel disposed on the front surface, and a liquid crystal display panel disposed on the back surface of the touch panel for displaying various display screens (both not shown). ). The user can select a print job to be executed from the displayed print jobs as described later by directly touching the surface of the touch panel with a finger or the like while looking at the display screen of the liquid crystal display panel.

<Configuration of power supply unit 2>
FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram illustrating a configuration of the power supply unit 2 included in the image forming apparatus 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the power supply unit 2 includes a noise filter 101, a transformer 102, a changeover switch 103, a DC / DC converter 106, an inverter 107, a storage unit 108, a control unit 109, and a charging unit. 110.

  The noise filter 101 removes noise of AC power supplied from an AC power source.

  The transformer 102 increases or decreases the voltage of the AC power. The transformer 102 also has an AVR (Automatic Voltage Regulator) function for stabilizing the output voltage.

  The changeover switch 103 is switched so that power is supplied from the AC power source or the battery 201 to the stencil printing unit 1. Specifically, the changeover switch 103 supplies power from the battery 201 to the stencil printing unit 1 when power supply from the AC power supply is stopped due to a power failure or the like.

  The DC / DC converter 106 boosts or steps down the DC voltage supplied from the battery 201.

  The charging unit 110 supplies the electric power supplied from the transformer 102 to the battery 201 and charges it.

  The inverter 107 converts the DC voltage supplied from the DC / DC converter 106 into an AC voltage.

  The storage unit 108 is configured of, for example, a nonvolatile semiconductor, and stores planned power outage information indicating the planned power outage schedule that the terminal 203 obtains from the power company and is provided from the terminal 203. The storage unit 108 stores printing conditions for each operation mode as printing condition information. Specifically, as an example of the operation mode, the printing speed and the printing pressure are associated with each other in the normal mode and the energy saving mode and stored as printing condition information. Here, the printing speed is a speed at which the stencil printing unit 1 performs printing. When the printing speed is changed, the rotational speed of the primary paper feed rolls 43 and 44 and the rotational speed of the secondary paper feed roll 45 are displayed. The rotational speed of the drum 32, the rotational speed of the paper discharge roller 52, and the like are changed. The printing pressure is a pressure when the press roll 37 is pressed against the drum 32. When the printing pressure is changed, the driving force of the solenoid unit 38 is changed.

  The control unit 109 performs central control of the stencil printing unit 1 and the power supply unit 2. The control unit 109 includes a calculation unit 109a, a mode setting unit 109b, a device control unit 109c, an input / output control unit 109d, and a mode selection unit 109e.

  The calculation unit 109a calculates the amount of electricity stored in the battery 201 when the power is supplied from the battery 201 by switching the changeover switch 103, and calculates the normal required power amount necessary for executing the print job in the normal mode. calculate.

  Further, the calculation unit 109a calculates a scheduled de-energization time at which de-energization ends based on the planned power outage information, and calculates a print time necessary for executing the print job in the normal mode as a normal necessary print time. Based on the calculated scheduled de-energization time and the normal required printing time, the printing time in which power is supplied from the battery 201 when printing in the normal mode is calculated as the electricity storage supply printing time.

  Further, the calculation unit 109a calculates the amount of power stored in the battery 201 when the power is supplied from the battery 201 by switching the changeover switch 103, and the normal necessary power necessary for executing the print job in the normal mode. Calculate the amount, and based on the planned power outage information, calculate the power storage scheduled remaining amount that the battery 201 is storing at the next energization start time based on the stored power amount, the normal required power amount, and the planned power outage information. The next energization time is calculated, and the chargeable amount that can be charged during the energization time is calculated.

  The mode setting unit 109b sets one of a normal mode for printing on the stencil printing unit 1 with normal power consumption and an energy saving mode for printing on the stencil printing unit 1 with reduced power consumption.

  The device control unit 109c controls the stencil printing unit 1 based on the mode set by the mode setting unit 109b. Specifically, the device control unit 109c, based on the operation mode such as the normal mode and the energy saving mode set by the mode setting unit 109b, the plate making unit 9, the printing unit 3, the paper feeding unit 4, and the paper discharge The printing process is executed by controlling the unit 5 and the plate discharging unit 6 or the charging unit 110 is charged.

  The input / output control unit 109d causes the display panel to display a print job that can be executed by the stencil printing unit 1 based on the amount of power stored and the normal required power amount calculated by the calculation unit 109a. Specifically, the input / output control unit 109d uses the amount of power stored in the battery 201 to display a list of print jobs for which print processing can be completed on the display / input panel of the operation unit 7.

  When the user performs a print job selection operation from the display / input panel of the operation unit 7, the input / output control unit 109d performs print processing on the device control unit 109c based on the selected print job. Let

  The mode selection unit 109e is configured when the power storage amount calculated by the calculation unit 109a is smaller than the normal required power amount and the power storage amount calculated by the calculation unit 109a is smaller than the power consumption consumed within the power storage supply printing time. The mode setting unit 109b sets the energy saving mode, the amount of power calculated by the calculation unit 109a is smaller than the normal required power amount, and the amount of power calculated by the calculation unit 109a is consumed within the power supply printing time If the amount of power is greater than the amount of power, the mode setting unit 109b is set to the normal mode.

  Further, the mode selection unit 109e determines whether or not the battery 201 is fully charged at the end of the energization time based on the scheduled remaining power storage amount and the chargeable amount, and the battery 201 is fully charged at the end of the energization time. If not, control is performed so that the battery 201 is quickly charged, or the mode setting unit 109b is set to the energy saving mode.

<Operation of Image Forming Apparatus>
Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  The image forming apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention mainly performs low power consumption processing and energy saving processing. Therefore, each process will be described in detail below.

≪Low power consumption processing≫
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of low power consumption processing in the image forming apparatus 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention. Note that the process shown in FIG. 3 is executed when the power supply unit 2 is supplied with power from the battery 201.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the calculation unit 109a of the control unit 109 of the power supply unit 2 determines whether or not a predetermined cycle time indicating a time interval for executing the low power consumption processing has been reached (step S101). ).

  In step S101, when it is determined that the cycle time has been reached (in the case of YES), the calculation unit 109a acquires planned power outage information (step S103). Specifically, the calculation unit 109 a reads planned power outage information from the storage unit 108.

  Then, the calculation unit 109a calculates the scheduled de-energization time (step S105).

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating calculation in the calculation unit 109a of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in case 1 in FIG. 4, the group that undergoes the planned power outage is divided into a first group to a fifth group based on the planned power outage information. For example, in the first group, a power failure between 6:20 to 10:00 and 16:50 to 20:50 is planned.

  Then, assuming that 8:00 is the current time 305, in the example of the first group, the calculation unit 109a calculates 10:00 when the planned power outage ends from the current time 305 as the scheduled de-energization time 308.

  Returning to FIG. 3, the calculation unit 109a calculates the normal required printing time (step S107). Specifically, when the normal mode is set by the mode setting unit 109b, the calculation unit 109a calculates the print time necessary for executing the print job as the normal required print time.

  Next, the calculation unit 109a calculates the electricity storage supply printing time (step S109). Specifically, the calculation unit 109a supplies power from the battery 201 when printing is performed in the normal mode based on the scheduled de-energization time calculated in step S105 and the normal required printing time calculated in step S107. The printing time to be calculated is calculated as the electricity storage printing time.

  In the example shown in case 1 of FIG. 4, the calculation unit 109 a calculates the printing time required to execute the print job as the normal required printing time 306, and calculates the time from the current time 305 to the scheduled de-energization time 308. Calculated as the electricity storage supply printing time 307.

  Then, the calculation unit 109a acquires the amount of power stored in the battery (step S111). Specifically, the calculation unit 109 a acquires the amount of power stored in the battery 201 via the DC / DC converter 106.

  Next, the mode selection unit 109e determines whether or not the power storage amount acquired in step S111 is smaller than the normal required power amount consumed within the normal required printing time calculated in step S107 (step S113). .

  When it is determined in step S113 that the amount of power storage is less than the normal required power amount (in the case of YES), the mode selection unit 109e determines that the power storage amount calculated in step S111 is the power storage supply printing time calculated in step S109. It is determined whether or not the power consumption is smaller than the power consumption (step S115).

  When it is determined in step S115 that the amount of stored electricity is smaller than the amount of consumed power consumed within the storage supply printing time (in the case of YES), the mode selection unit 109e selects the energy saving mode (step S119). The mode selection unit 109e causes the mode setting unit 109b to set the energy saving mode.

  Thereby, the device control unit 109c controls each device of the stencil printing unit 1 at a printing speed and a printing pressure corresponding to the energy saving mode. For example, the device control unit 109c reduces the rotational speed of the primary paper feed rolls 43 and 44, the rotational speed of the secondary paper feed roll 45, the rotational speed of the drum 32, and the rotational speed of the paper discharge roller 52 (60 sheets / minute). ), The solenoid 38 is controlled so that the printing pressure is reduced and the density is lowered.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S115 that the amount of stored electricity is equal to or greater than the amount of power consumed within the storage supply printing time (in the case of NO), the mode selection unit 109e selects the normal mode (step S119). ). Specifically, the mode selection unit 109e causes the mode setting unit 109b to set the normal mode.

  As shown in case 1 of FIG. 4, the amount of electricity stored is less than the amount of power consumed within the electricity storage supply printing time 307, that is, the amount of electricity stored in the battery 201 has been used up until the scheduled de-energization time. In such a case, the mode selection unit 109e causes the mode setting unit 109b to set the energy saving mode. Thereby, the possibility that printing by the stencil printing unit 1 is stopped due to insufficient supply power can be reduced.

  On the other hand, when the amount of electricity stored is larger than the amount of power consumed during the electricity supply / printing time 307, that is, when the charging can be started after reaching the scheduled de-energization time, the amount of electricity stored in the battery 201 is zero. Therefore, the mode selection unit 109e causes the mode setting unit 109b to set the normal mode. Thereby, it is possible to print at an appropriate printing density with a printing speed as fast as possible.

  As described above, according to the image forming apparatus 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the scheduled non-energization time at which the de-energization ends is calculated based on the planned power failure information, and the print job is executed in the normal mode. The printing time required for the printing is calculated as the normal required printing time, and the printing time that is supplied with power from the battery 201 when printing in the normal mode is calculated based on the calculated estimated non-energization time and the normal required printing time. The calculation unit 109a that calculates the power storage supply printing time, and the power consumption calculated by the calculation unit 109a is less than the normal required power amount, and the power consumption calculated by the calculation unit 109a is consumed within the power storage printing time When the amount of power is less than the amount of power, the mode setting unit 109b is set to the energy saving mode, and the amount of power calculated by the calculation unit 109a is equal to the normal required power amount. The battery is provided with a mode selection unit 109e that causes the mode setting unit 109b to set the normal mode when the storage amount calculated by the calculation unit 109a is smaller than the power consumption consumed within the storage power supply printing time. Depending on the amount of electricity stored in the battery 201, the battery 201 can be appropriately charged and the power stored appropriately can be used. In particular, when a planned power outage is planned, printing at an appropriate printing density is performed at a high printing speed as much as possible while reducing the possibility that printing by the stencil printing unit 1 will stop due to insufficient power supply during the power outage. Can do.

≪Energy saving process≫
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of energy saving processing in the image forming apparatus 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  As illustrated in FIG. 5, the calculation unit 109a of the control unit 109 of the power supply unit 2 determines whether or not a predetermined cycle time indicating a time interval for executing the energy saving process has been reached (step S201).

  In step S201, when it is determined that the cycle time has been reached (in the case of YES), the calculation unit 109a acquires planned power outage information (step S203). Specifically, the calculation unit 109 a reads planned power outage information from the storage unit 108.

  Next, the calculation unit 109a calculates the normal required power amount (step S205). Specifically, the calculation unit 109a calculates the amount of power necessary for executing the print job as the normal required power amount when the normal mode is set by the mode setting unit 109b.

  Then, the calculation unit 109a acquires the amount of power stored in the battery (step S207). Specifically, the calculation unit 109 a acquires the amount of power stored in the battery 201 via the DC / DC converter 106.

  Next, the calculation unit 109a calculates the scheduled remaining power storage (step S209). Specifically, the calculation unit 109a stores the battery 201 at the next energization start time based on the storage amount acquired in step S207, the normal required power amount calculated in step S205, and the planned power outage information. The remaining power storage plan is calculated.

  As shown in FIG. 4, for example, in the second group, a power failure between 9: 20-13: 00 and 18: 20-22: 00 is planned.

  As shown in case 2 of FIG. 4, when the current time is 406, the calculation unit 109a calculates the estimated remaining charge amount stored in the battery 201 at the energization start time 407 when the next energization starts. To do.

  Returning to FIG. 5, the calculation unit 109a calculates the next energization time based on the planned power outage information (step S211), and calculates the chargeable amount that can be charged during the energization time (step S213).

  As shown in case 2 of FIG. 4, the calculation unit 109a calculates the time (5h20m) from the time point 407 when the next energization starts to the time point 408 when the next energization ends as the next energization time 409. The chargeable amount that can be charged within the energization time 409 is calculated.

  Next, the mode selection unit 109e determines whether or not the battery 201 is fully charged at the end of the energization time, based on the scheduled remaining power storage calculated in step S209 and the chargeable amount calculated in step S213. Is determined (step S215).

  In step S215, when the battery 201 is not fully charged at the end of the energization time (NO), the mode selection unit 109e causes the mode setting unit 109b to set the energy saving mode (step S217).

  Thereby, the device control unit 109c controls each device of the stencil printing unit 1 at a printing speed and a printing pressure corresponding to the energy saving mode. For example, the device control unit 109c reduces the rotational speed of the primary paper feed rolls 43 and 44, the rotational speed of the secondary paper feed roll 45, the rotational speed of the drum 32, and the rotational speed of the paper discharge roller 52 (60 sheets / minute). ), The solenoid 38 is controlled so that the printing pressure is reduced and the density is lowered.

  Note that the mode selection unit 109e may cause the device control unit 109c to perform control so that the battery 201 is rapidly charged instead of causing the mode setting unit 109b to set the energy saving mode. Specifically, the mode setting unit 109b sets one of a normal charging mode in which the battery 201 is charged in a normal time and a quick charging mode in which the battery 201 is charged in a short time, and the mode selection unit 109e The mode setting unit 109b may be configured to set the quick charge mode. Accordingly, the device control unit 109c controls the charging unit 110 so that the battery 201 is rapidly charged.

  As described above, according to the image forming apparatus 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention, when power is supplied from the battery 201 by switching the changeover switch 103, the amount of power stored in the battery 201 is calculated and The normal required power amount required to execute the print job in the mode is calculated, and the remaining scheduled power storage amount stored in the battery 201 at the next energization start time is calculated based on the stored power amount, the normal required power amount, and the energization schedule. Based on the calculation unit 109a that calculates the next energization time based on the energization schedule, calculates the chargeable amount that can be charged during this energization time, and the estimated remaining charge and the chargeable amount Thus, it is determined whether or not the battery 201 is fully charged at the end of the energization time. The battery 201 is controlled so as to be quickly charged, or the mode setting unit 109b is provided with a mode selection unit 109e for setting the energy saving mode, so that the battery is fully charged at the end of the next energization time. ing. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the possibility that printing by the stencil printing unit 1 stops due to insufficient power supply during the subsequent power failure time.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the terminal 203 is configured to include the storage unit 108 that stores the planned power outage information that is obtained from the electric power company and is provided from the terminal 203. The planned power outage is not necessarily provided. Information need not be provided from the terminal 203. For example, the user may input the planned power outage information from the display / input panel of the operation unit 7 and store the input planned power outage information in the storage unit 108.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the image forming apparatus 10 including the stencil printing unit 1 and the power supply unit 2 that supplies power to the stencil printing unit 1 has been described as an example. The printing unit included in is not limited to the stencil printing method, but may be of another method such as an ink jet method or a laser method. However, since it is necessary to be able to operate with the power supplied by the power supply unit 2, a stencil printing unit with relatively low power consumption is suitable.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Stencil printing part 2 ... Power supply part 3 ... Printing part 4 ... Paper feed part 5 ... Paper discharge part 6 ... Plate discharging part 7 ... Operation part 9 ... Plate making part 10 ... Image forming apparatus 103 ... Changeover switch (switching means)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 108 ... Memory | storage part 109 ... Control part 109a ... Calculation part 109b ... Mode setting part 109c ... Equipment control part 109d ... Input / output control part (display control means)
109e ... Mode selection unit 110 ... Charging unit 201 ... Battery 203 ... Terminal

Claims (4)

An image forming apparatus having a power supply unit connected to an external power source and a power storage means for storing power,
Switching means for switching so that power is supplied to the image forming apparatus from either the external power source or the power storage means;
Printing means for printing based on the print job;
A mode setting means for setting one of a normal mode for printing on the printing means with normal power consumption and an energy saving mode for reducing power consumption and printing on the printing means;
When power is supplied from the power storage means by switching the switching means, the power storage amount of the power storage means is calculated, and the normal required power amount required to execute the print job in the normal mode is calculated. Calculating means for
Control means for controlling the printing means based on the mode set by the mode setting means;
Mode selection means for causing the mode setting means to set the energy saving mode when the amount of electricity calculated by the calculation means is smaller than the normal required power amount;
An image forming apparatus comprising: A storage means for storing energization schedule information indicating a schedule of energization and non-energization from the external power supply;
The calculating means includes
Based on the energization schedule information, a non-energization end scheduled time at which de-energization ends is calculated, a printing time required to execute a print job in the normal mode is calculated as a normal required printing time, and the calculated Based on the scheduled de-energization time and the normal required printing time, the printing time when power is supplied from the power storage means when printed in the normal mode is calculated as the power storage printing time.
The mode selection means includes
When the power storage amount calculated by the calculation means is less than the normal required power amount and the power storage amount calculated by the calculation means is less than the power consumption amount consumed within the power storage supply printing time, The mode setting means sets the energy saving mode, the power storage amount calculated by the calculation means is smaller than the normal required power amount, and the power storage amount calculated by the calculation means is consumed within the power storage supply printing time. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the normal mode is set by the mode setting unit when the power consumption is larger than the power consumption. Display control means for causing the display panel to display the print job that can be executed by the printing means, based on the storage amount calculated by the calculation means and the normal required power amount;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: An image forming apparatus having a power supply unit connected to an external power source and a power storage means for storing power,
Storage means for storing energization schedule information indicating a schedule of energization and non-energization from the external power source;
Switching means for switching so that power is supplied to the image forming apparatus from either the external power source or the power storage means;
Printing means for printing based on the print job;
A mode setting means for setting one of a normal mode for printing on the printing means with normal power consumption and an energy saving mode for reducing power consumption and printing on the printing means;
When power is supplied from the power storage means by switching the switching means, the power storage amount of the power storage means is calculated, and the normal required power amount required to execute the print job in the normal mode is calculated. Then, based on the power storage amount, the normal required power amount, and the energization schedule, a power storage scheduled remaining amount stored by the power storage means at the next energization start time is calculated, and based on the energization schedule, A calculation means for calculating a next energization time and calculating a chargeable amount that can be charged during the energization time;
Control means for controlling the printing means based on the mode set by the mode setting means;
Based on the scheduled remaining power storage amount and the chargeable amount, it is determined whether or not the power storage means is fully charged at the end of the energization time, and the power storage means is not fully charged at the end of the power supply time. A mode selection means for controlling the power storage means to be rapidly charged, or for causing the mode setting means to set the energy saving mode;
An image forming apparatus comprising:

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