JP3101110B2 - Facsimile machine - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention comprises fixing means for fixing a visible image formed on a recording paper by heating and melting the developed image formed on the recording paper by a heating element via a heat-resistant film. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus of a communication device such as a facsimile.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Heretofore, a recording paper heating apparatus for heating and fixing an image is formed by a heating roller maintained at a predetermined temperature and a pressure roller having an elastic layer and pressing against the heating roller. The heat roller method of heating while transporting is often used, and in communication equipment such as facsimile, since the temperature rise characteristic of the heating body is slow, it is necessary to always supply power to the heating body. In any state such as a standby state, a reception state, and a transmission state, the heating element is designed to maintain a constant temperature in a power supply state.

In recent years, a heating member (thermal heater, hereinafter referred to as a heater) fixedly supported and a pressing member for bringing recording paper into close contact with the heater via a heat-resistant film conveyed while being pressed against the heater are provided. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Sho 63-31318 discloses a fixing device having a system in which an unfixed image formed and supported on a recording paper surface is heated and fixed on the recording paper surface by applying heat of a heater to the recording paper via a film.
No. 2 proposes this.

In a film heating method using such a thin film, a low heat capacity heating element can be used as a heater. Therefore, it is possible to save power and shorten the wait time (quick start) as compared with the heat roller method which is a conventional contact heating method.

[0005] In addition, the method has an advantage that it can solve various disadvantages of the conventional heating method and is effective.

[0006]

However, in the heat roller system, it takes a considerable time to rise to a predetermined temperature, during which time the image forming operation is prohibited. That is, there is a wait time. Since heat capacity is required, large electric power is required. A special heat-resistant bearing is required because the temperature of the rotating roller is high. Due to the fixing temperature and the curvature of the roller, the recording paper is wrapped around the roller, and it is easy to cause troubles such as jamming of the recording paper. Since the temperature of the fixing point for fixing the toner on the recording paper is equal to the temperature of the separation point between the recording paper and the heat roller, high-temperature offset depending on the separation temperature is likely to occur, and the degree of image gloss depending on the separation temperature is low. I can't control it.

There are disadvantages as described above. In addition, copying machine
Or, unlike a printer, in a communication device such as a facsimile, recording is necessary only at the time of reception. However, since the fixing heater is turned on at the time of transmission and standby, it is very improper when the ratio of transmission to reception is high. It was an economy. In addition, since the temperature rise inside the machine becomes high, cooling must be performed by a fan or the like, and the apparatus becomes large.

In order to overcome the disadvantage, a heating device has been devised which includes a heating member fixedly supported, a film opposed to the heating member and a pressing member for heating the recording paper through the film. However, low
Even if the fuser has a heat capacity, it can be heated when the device is cold.
Immediately after the power is turned on,
No. Therefore, like a facsimile machine,
Call signal from the other party via the
Image formation cannot be started immediately after receiving the
Must be stored in a memory.
For this reason, a method for storing image data for at least one communication
It is necessary to use the moly, which increases the cost of the equipment.
Would .

[0009]

[0010]

[0011]

[0012]

[0013]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, data is transmitted and received via a communication line.
A network control unit that communicates, and a method for storing received image data.
Memory and an image to form an image on recording paper based on the image data.
Control the image forming means and maintain the target temperature during the fixing process.
The heating element to be controlled and the recording paper while sliding with the heating element
It has a moving film and receives heat from the heating element through the film.
Fixing means for heating and fixing the image on the recording paper.
In the facsimile machine, the network control unit is a communication line.
Image data after receiving the call signal via
Until the temperature of the heating element is detected.
Image data when the temperature is lower than the predetermined temperature that is lower than the target temperature
Pre-heating the heating element before receiving the image data
Larger heat generation during pre-heating to the above target temperature upon reception
If the detected temperature is higher than the specified temperature
Is the above target temperature with image data reception without preheating
The main heating is started until this time .

A network for transmitting and receiving data via a communication line
A control unit, a memory for storing the received image data, and an image
Image forming means for forming an image on recording paper based on image data
Is controlled to maintain the target temperature during the fixing process.
A heating element and a moving body that moves with the recording paper while sliding on the heating element.
Recording paper by heat of heating element through film with film
Fixing means for fixing the image by heating.
In the millimeter device, the network control unit makes a call via a communication line.
When the image data is received after receiving the output signal,
Temperature is detected and the detected temperature is lower than the target temperature.
If it is higher than the degree, the above film is being fixed from the beginning
Drive at the basic speed of, and if the detected temperature is lower than the predetermined temperature
Starts driving the above film at a speed lower than the basic speed.
And then drive at the basic speed .

[0015]

In the facsimile apparatus having the above configuration, heating is performed.
Preheating the body and performing the main heating at the start of the recording operation
To speed up the rise of the heating element and temporarily store the received image in memory
The image is recorded almost simultaneously with the start of image signal reception without storing.
The recording operation can also be ended .

[0016]

[0017]

If the preheating is performed when the ambient temperature of the fixing device is high or when the image is formed again after a short time after the image is formed, the temperature of the entire image forming apparatus rises, which adversely affects the image formation. By detecting whether to start the preheating or stop the preheating according to the set temperature of the temperature detecting means of the heating element, it is possible to improve the image formation and the durability of the device such as the fixing film.

[0019]

[0020]

Simultaneously with the start of image recording (a signal is emitted from a laser beam oscillator and image information is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum by a polygon mirror), the temperature of the heating body is detected, and the initial driving of the fixing film is performed according to the detected temperature. Set the speed. That is, when the temperature is low, the driving speed is set to a low speed, and the driving speed is accelerated in accordance with the temperature rise until the fixing device reaches a fixing point (a temperature at which the fixing can be performed at the basic speed). With this configuration, power consumption can be reduced. Also, the memory can be minimized. Also, no cooling means such as a fan is required.

[0022]

[0023]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First, referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an outline of a facsimile apparatus as an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. Document loading table 2 that can do
An optical reading system 3 for reading image information of the document S conveyed from the document table 2 is disposed at one end of the upper surface of the apparatus main body 1 (left side in FIG. 1). A recording system 4 composed of a laser beam printer is provided. A telephone 22, an operation panel 23 and the like are arranged on the upper surface of the apparatus main body 1.

The optical reading system 3 separates the originals S stacked on the original placing table 2 one by one by a preliminary transport roller 5b pressed against the preliminary transport pressing piece 5a and a separation roller 5d pressed against the separation pressing piece 5c. Further, a contact sensor (contact type sensor) is brought into pressure contact with the feed roller 5e and is contacted with the main transport roller 5f or the like.
After the document S is conveyed to the contact sensor 7 and the image information of the document S is read while pressing the document S against the contact type sensor 7 and brought into close contact therewith, the document S is discharged by the discharge roller 5h pressed against the discharge roller 5g. The paper tray 8 is configured to discharge the paper.

The contact type sensor 7 is an LED as a light source.
The image information is read by irradiating the image information surface of the original S with light from the reference numeral 7a and imaging the reflected light reflected from the image information surface on the photoelectric conversion element 7c by the short focus imaging lens 7b. In the facsimile mode in the recording unit of the other machine,
In the case of the copy mode, the data is transmitted to its own recording system 4.

The document table 2 is provided with a slider 2a slidable in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the document S is conveyed (the width direction of the document S). The slider 2a is stacked on the document table 2 by the slider 2a. Both sides of the document S can be aligned.

The recording system 4 includes the contact type sensor 7.
A modulation signal is emitted from the laser beam oscillator 9a based on the image signal of the above, and the modulated beam is irradiated on the photosensitive drum 10a of the image forming unit 10 with a scanning light by the polygon mirror 9b, and an image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 10a. After the information is formed, the image information is transferred and fixed to the recording paper P ′ fed from the paper feeding unit A to the image forming unit 10, and then the paper is discharged.

The photosensitive drum 10a includes a primary charger 10
b, developing roller 10c and cleaning blade 10d
In addition, it is integrally incorporated in the recording cartridge 10e, and is configured to be detachable from the apparatus main body 1.

The surface of the photoreceptor drum 10a is uniformly charged by a primary charger 10b. When the surface is irradiated with scanning light from the polygon mirror 9b, a latent image is formed, and the latent image is supplied from a developing roller 10c. The toner image is visualized by the applied toner.

The photosensitive drum 10a of the image forming section 10
A transfer charger 10f is disposed in the peripheral portion, and a fixing device 60 and a discharge roller 10h are disposed in a recording paper transport path downstream of the photosensitive drum 10a. After transferring the toner image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 10a to the recording paper P 'fed from the section A, the fixing device 60 fixes the toner image on the recording paper P'.
The paper is discharged to a paper discharge tray 12 which is detachably provided on one side surface (the left side in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2) of the apparatus main body 1 by a paper discharge roller 10h.

A loading tray 13 for manual recording paper is provided on one end surface of the apparatus main body 1 so as to be openable and closable.
When the loading tray 13 is tilted down to a nearly horizontal state to open the manual feed slot 13a, the recording paper P 'is stacked on the loading tray 13 and inserted into the manual feeding slot 13a, and the recording paper P' is pressed by the pressing member 13b. Are pressed against the larger diameter roller 11b of the pair of transport rollers 11a, separated one by one by the roller 11b, and then transported between the transfer charger 10f and the photosensitive drum 10a by the transport roller pair 11a. It is supposed to be.

An opening / closing cover 14 is provided at one end of the apparatus main body 1 so as to be openable and closable. The loading tray 13 is provided on the opening / closing cover 14 and the paper discharge tray 12 is detachably attached. .

By opening the cover 14, the recording cartridge 10e can be pulled out of the apparatus main body 1 and replaced.

The opening / closing lid 14 is connected to the recording cartridge 1.
The shutter 10i is provided in conjunction with the drum exposure prevention shutter 10i provided at 0e. The shutter 10i closes when the cover 14 is opened, and the shutter 10i opens when the cover 14 is closed.

Although not shown, the operation button of the release lever for releasing the lock of the opening / closing cover 14 is disposed in a recess provided on the front surface of the opening / closing cover 14, and the recess is provided integrally with the paper discharge tray 12. It is closed by the cover, and the lock of the opening / closing lid 14 cannot be released by the operation button unless the discharge tray 12 is removed from the opening / closing lid 14.

Therefore, it is possible to prevent the recording cartridge 10e from being damaged by exchanging the recording cartridge 10e in a half-open state in which the opening / closing cover 14 is not completely opened due to the sheet discharge tray 12 being in the way.

Further, the opening / closing lid 14 is half-opened, and in conjunction therewith, the drum exposure prevention shutter 10i is also half-opened, thereby preventing a situation in which the photosensitive drum 10a is exposed and the image quality is deteriorated.

The paper feeding section A separates recording paper P 'one by one from a paper feeding cassette 50 which is attached to the bottom of the apparatus main body 1 so as to be able to be pulled out from one end side by a paper feeding roller 36 having a partially circular shape. The leading end of the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 10a and the recording paper P 'are transferred to the recording paper P' by the pair of cassette transport rollers 38 as a pair of registration rollers.
The paper feed timing is set so that the leading ends of the transfer rollers 10a coincide with each other, and the paper is fed between the transfer charger 10f and the photosensitive drum 10a through the transport roller pair 11a.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the fixing device 60 described above.

Numeral 60a denotes a low-heat-capacity linear heating element fixedly supported on the apparatus 1, and an alumina substrate 60b having a thickness of 1.0 mm.
The resistive material 60c, which is a heating layer, is branched and applied in accordance with the width of each recording sheet, and is supplied with electricity from both ends in the longitudinal direction.

Fluorine-based lubricating grease is applied as a lubricant to the sliding surface of the heating element 60a with the fixing film 60e.

The current is supplied, for example, at a cycle of 100 V DC, 20 msec.
A pulse corresponding to a desired temperature and energy release amount controlled by a temperature detecting element 60d such as a thermistor is given by changing the pulse width. The approximate pulse width is 0.5 msec to 5 msec.

In this manner, the fixing film 60e is brought into contact with the heating element 60a whose energy and temperature are controlled in the direction of the arrow in FIG.
Moves. An example of the fixing film 60e is a heat-resistant film having a thickness of 20 μm, for example, a release layer formed by adding a conductive material to a fluororesin such as PTFE or PAF on at least the image contacting surface side of polyimide, polyetherimide, PES or PFA. It is a coated endless film. Generally, the total thickness is more than 100 μm, preferably 40 μm.
Less than.

The fixing film is driven by the driving roller 60f and the driven roller 60g, and moves without wrinkles in the direction of the arrow due to the tension. 60h is a pressure roller having a rubber elastic layer having good releasability, such as silicon rubber, with a total pressure of 4 to
The heating element 60a is pressurized via the fixing film 60e at a pressure of 10 kg, and rotates while being pressed against the fixing film 60e. Recording paper P '
The upper visible image is guided to the fixing unit 60 by the guide 60i, and a fixed image is obtained by the above-described heating.

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of a facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, reference numeral 61 denotes a reading unit which is a unit for reading a document at the time of transmission or copying, and an operation unit 62 is an operation unit for performing an operation for setting a transmission / reception operation. Reference numeral 63 denotes an NCU (network control device) for transmitting and receiving data via a communication line.

The modem 64 demodulates an analog signal sent from the NCU 63 into a digital signal, or modulates a digital signal into an analog signal and sends it to the NCU 63.

The recording section 65 is a section for receiving and recording an image signal from the control circuit 67 and recording.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

When a call signal is received, a call confirmation signal (automatic reception) is transmitted (step 1), and a digital identification signal (conveying the standard function of CCITT recommendation to the other party) is transmitted to transmit its own facsimile function. (Step 2) (for example, if the original on the transmitting side is A3 size, whether the facsimile on the receiving side has A3 size as a function, and if there is, the recording paper P 'is placed in the paper feed cassette 50 as a recording paper storage unit. The sending side informs the sending side of the presence of the document S. Based on the result, the sending side sends the original S at the same size or a B4 size or A
Decide whether to reduce the size to 4 and send it to the receiving side. ).

Then, a receiving command for instructing the receiving mode is received from the transmitting side (step 3), and the size of the recording paper on which the received document S is to be recorded is determined (step 4).

When the recording paper size is determined, the information is used to determine the power supply range to the heating element 60a, which is the heat source of the fixing device 60 as the fixing means (step 5).

At substantially the same time, the temperature of the heating element 60a is detected and compared with the temperature value set in the detecting means.
If the temperature of 0a is lower than the set value, a preheating start command for the heating element 60a is issued, and if it is higher, a preheating stop command for the heating element 60a is issued (step 6).

A heating element 60a which is a heat source of the fixing device 60 as a fixing means in accordance with a command from the fixing temperature detection control means.
Is started (step 7). A few seconds after the start of the preheating, the fixing film 60e is driven to make the temperature distribution in the fixing device 60 uniform (step 8).

Further, before transmitting an image via the line, a training check confirmation signal, which is a signal for checking whether the probability of occurrence of a transmission error by transmitting at the image transmission rate is small, is received (this signal is actually transmitted). (Modulated by the same modem as the image signal to be obtained) (step 9).

If there is no transmission error, a reception preparation acknowledgment signal is sent to inform the transmission side that the reception preparation has been completed (step 10).

At the same time as waiting reception is started until an image signal is received (step 11), a recording operation is started based on the received image signal almost simultaneously (step 1).
Along with 2), the main heating to the heating element 60a, which is the heat source of the fixing device 60 as the fixing means, is started (step 1).
3).

This apparatus does not have an image memory for one communication, but relays a buffer memory for storing several lines of image signals, and turns on and off the laser beam oscillator 9a of the recording unit based on the image signals to turn on the photosensitive drum. An electrostatic latent image is formed on 10a, and the latent image is visualized by a developing device. In the recording paper P ′ fed from the paper feed cassette 50 as a recording paper storage unit and conveyed to the registration roller position, the visible image on the photosensitive drum 10a is transferred onto the recording paper P ′ at the transfer position. After that, the sheet is conveyed to the fixing device 60 and heat-fixed.

Then, the reception of the image signal is completed (step 1).
4) Then, the end of the recording operation, which ends almost at the same time (step 15), turns off the power supply to the heating body 60a, which is the heat source of the fixing device 60 as the fixing means (step 16).

At the same time, the temperature of the heating element 60a is detected (step 17). If the temperature of the heating element 60a is higher than the set value, the observation is continued and the set temperature is reached. Then, the driving of the fixing film 60e is stopped (step 18).

When the temperature of the heating element 60a is detected after the end of energization (step 17), if the temperature is lower than the set value, the driving of the fixing film 60a is stopped (step 1).
8). As described above, the film driving time is changed according to the temperature of the heating body after the completion of the energization.

Then, it is determined whether or not a procedure end signal (indicating that one page has been transmitted and there is no next document) has been received (step 19). When the procedure signal has been received, an image has been normally received. A message confirmation signal indicating this is sent to the transmitting side (step 20), and the process ends when a line disconnection instruction is received (step 21).

When the procedure end signal is not received in step 19, it is determined whether or not the transmission of one page is completed and a multi-page signal indicating that the next original is present is received (step 22).

When the multi-page signal is received, a message confirmation signal (indicating that the image signal has been normally received and the next original can be received immediately) is transmitted to the other party (step 23).

Then, an image signal relating to the next document is received (step 24), and the process returns to No. 1.

FIG. 6 shows a heating element 6 which is a heat source of the fixing device 60.
0a shows an enlarged view.

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the maximum recording paper size width is A3 size. The maximum recording paper size width A
When the number 3 is received, a signal is sent from the fixing control unit to the heating element 60a, so that a voltage is applied to the electrodes 60L at both ends of the resistance material 60c, which is a heating layer, and electricity is supplied to the resistance material 60c, which is a heating layer. As a result, the resistive material 60c, which is the heat generating layer, generates heat at a predetermined amount of heat per unit length in each portion of the effective entire length region, and the visible image fixing process for the maximum recording paper size width is executed without any trouble.

Next, in the case of a small size width recording sheet, for example, A4 size width, a signal is sent from the fixing control means to the heating element 60a, and the electrodes 60L and the A4 size width at both ends of the resistive material 60c which is the heat generating layer. A voltage is applied to the electrodes 60M at both ends of the resistive material 60c-3, which is a branch heat generating layer that branches off from the portion of FIG.
When power is supplied to the sheet c, the portion of the resistive material 60c which is the heat generating layer corresponding to the paper passing portion, that is, the portion having the A4 size width generates heat with a predetermined heat generation amount per unit length, and the visible image fixing process for the small size width recording paper is performed. Be executed. In this case, the resistive material portion 60c which is a heat generating layer corresponding to the non-sheet passing portion includes a resistive material portion 60c which is a heat generating layer and a resistive material 60 which is a branch heat generating layer.
c-3 constitutes a parallel energizing circuit, and the current shunts to both.

As a result, the calorific value of the resistive material portion 60c, which is the heat generating layer corresponding to the non-paper passing portion, is lower than that of the resistive material portion 60c, which is the heat generating layer of the paper passing portion. Therefore, excessive heating of the non-sheet passing portion of the heating element 60a is suppressed.

FIG. 7 shows a heating element 6 as a heat source of the fixing device 60.
FIG. 4 shows an enlarged view of another embodiment of Oa. As in the description of FIG. 6, when the maximum recording paper size width A3 of the apparatus is received, a signal is sent from the fixing control unit to the heating element 60a, so that the electrodes A on both ends of the resistive material 60c, which is the heating layer. When a voltage is applied to the resistive material 60c, which is a heating layer, the resistive material 60c, which is a heating layer, generates heat at a predetermined amount of heat per unit length in each portion of the effective full length area, and the maximum recording paper size width is increased. Is performed without any trouble.

Next, in the case of a small-size width recording sheet, for example, A4 size width, a signal is sent from the fixing control means to the heating element 60a, so that a voltage is applied to the electrode point C on the resistance material 60c which is a heating layer to generate heat. Resistive material 60c as a layer
When the power is supplied to the non-sheet passing portion (A), the A4 size width portion generates heat with a predetermined heating value per unit length, and the visible image fixing process for the small size recording sheet width is executed without any trouble.
(Outside the size width region), no current flows, so no heat is generated and no excessive temperature rise occurs.

The heating element 60a is preheated for several seconds until the heating element 60a is completely heated, and the heating element 60a is fully heated at the same time as the image recording operation, and when the recording paper P 'enters the fixing device 60, the heating element 60a is heated. Is set to be the fixing processing temperature, thereby reducing the fixing energy and shortening the wait time (quick start), and simultaneously recording the received image without storing it in the memory while being a PPF (plain paper facsimile). I can do it.

Also, a few seconds after the start of the preheating, the fixing device 6
0 is being driven. This is because if the fixing film 60e is stopped, the heat of the heating element 60a is heated only at the heating element contact portion of the fixing film 60e. Becomes uneven. Therefore, the amount of heat generated by the preliminary heating is distributed throughout the fixing device 60 by driving the fixing film 60e, so that the temperature distribution in the fixing device 60 is always uniform.

The driving speed of the fixing film 60e may be the same as that during the recording operation. However, the driving speed of the preheating is smaller than that of the recording operation since the heat amount of the heating body 60e is about １ ／ compared with the main heating. There is no problem even if it is 2. The reason why the fixing film 60e is not driven at the same time as the start of the preheating is that the fixing film 60e has a large sliding resistance. This is to stabilize the running performance.

The heating element 60 for reducing the fixing energy
The preliminary heating of the heating element 60a is performed for several seconds until the main heating of a is performed.

The heating element 60a is set to a fixing processing temperature when the recording paper P 'enters the fixing device 60.

However, when the ambient temperature is high, or when the image is formed again after a short time after the image formation, the heating element 60a is already at a high temperature during the preheating, and the fixing process can be performed more quickly than during the main heating. turn into.
This is a waste of energy and raises the temperature of the image forming apparatus, adversely affecting image formation. In addition, the durability of the device such as the fixing film 60e is reduced. Therefore, it is controlled whether to perform the preheating or to proceed to the next step without performing the preheating according to the set temperature of the temperature detecting means of the heating body 60a.

If the driving of the fixing film 60e is stopped at the same time as the completion of the energization of the heating element 60a, a considerable amount of heat energy remains in the heating layer portion of the heating element 60a. Heating body 6
The temperature of the heating element 60a reaches the set temperature by the temperature detecting means of the heating element 60a because the heat is concentrated on the contact portion of the heating element 60a and the durability of the heating layer is shortened due to the heat loss of the heating layer and the durability of the fixing film 60e and the pressing member is decreased. By stopping the driving of the fixing film 60e until the operation is completed, the durability of the apparatus can be improved.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart of the facsimile apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The facsimile apparatus to which this flowchart is applied is the same as that shown in FIGS.
a is the same as that shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, ie, the first
The description is omitted because it is the same as the embodiment.

When a call signal is received, a call confirmation signal (automatic reception) is transmitted (step 1), and further, a digital identification signal (conveying the standard function of CCITT recommendation to the other party) is transmitted to transmit its own facsimile function. (Step 2) (for example, if the original on the transmitting side is A3 size, whether the facsimile on the receiving side has A3 size as a function, and if there is, the recording paper P 'is placed in the paper feed cassette 50 as a recording paper storage unit. The sending side informs the sending side of the presence of the document S. Based on the result, the sending side sends the original S at the same size or a B4 size or A
Decide whether to reduce the size to 4 and send it to the receiving side. Then, a receiving command for instructing the receiving mode is received from the transmitting side (step 3), and the recording paper size on which the received document S is to be recorded is determined (step 4).

When the recording paper size is determined, the information is used to determine the power supply range to the heating element 60a, which is the heat source of the fixing device 60 as the fixing means (step 5).

Further, before transmitting an image via a line, a confirmation signal of a training check, which is a signal for checking whether the probability of occurrence of a transmission error by transmitting at an image transmission rate is small, is received (this signal is actually transmitted). (Modulated by the same modem as the image signal to be obtained) (step 6).

If there is no transmission error, a reception preparation confirmation signal is transmitted to inform the transmission side that the reception preparation is completed (step 7).

Then, the waiting operation is started until the image signal is received (step 8). At substantially the same time, the recording operation is started based on the received image signal (step 9).
At the same time, energization of the heating element 60a, which is a heat source of the fixing device 60 as a fixing unit, is started (step 10).

At about the same time, the temperature of the heating element 60a is detected and compared with the temperature value set in the detecting means (step 11). Upon receiving a command from the detecting means, the drive control of the fixing film 60e corresponding to the detected temperature is started (step 12).

This apparatus does not have an image memory for one communication, but relays a buffer memory for storing several lines of image signals, and turns on / off the laser beam oscillator 9a of the recording unit 65 based on the image signals to turn on the photosensitive member. An electrostatic latent image is formed on the drum 10a, and the latent image is visualized by a developing device. A paper cassette 50 as a recording paper storage unit
The recording paper P ′ which has been fed to the registration roller position from the recording paper P ′ is transferred to the fixing device 60 after the visible image on the photosensitive drum 10a is transferred onto the recording paper P ′ at the transfer position, and is heated and fixed. Done.

Then, the reception of the image signal is completed (step 1).
3) Then, the end of the recording operation, which ends almost at the same time (step 14), turns off the power to the heating element 60a, which is the heat source of the fixing device 60 as the fixing means (step 15).

At the same time, the temperature of the heating element 60a is detected (step 16). If the temperature of the heating element 60a is higher than the set value, the observation is continued and the set temperature is reached. After that, the driving of the fixing film 60e is stopped (step 17).

When the temperature of the heating element 60a is detected after the end of energization (step 16), if the temperature is lower than the set value, the driving of the fixing film 60e is stopped (step 1).
7). As described above, the driving time of the fixing film is changed according to the temperature of the heating element after the end of the energization.

Then, it is determined whether or not a procedure end signal (indicating that one page has been transmitted and there is no next document) has been received (step 18). When the procedure signal has been received, an image has been normally received. Then, a message confirmation signal indicating this is sent to the transmitting side (step 19), and the process ends when a line disconnection instruction is received (step 20).

If the procedure end signal is not received in step 18, it is determined whether or not a multi-page signal indicating that one page has been transmitted and the next original S is present has been received (step 21).

When the multi-page signal is received, a message confirmation signal (indicating that the image signal is normally received and the next original can be received immediately) is sent to the other party (step 22).

Then, an image signal relating to the next document is received (step 23), and the process returns to No. 1.

Therefore, it is necessary to check the temperature of the fixing device 60 up to the fixing point at which the toner on the recording paper P 'is fixed before the image recording is started after receiving the receiving command. In recent years, the size of the apparatus has been reduced and the jam processing of the recording paper P 'has been facilitated, and the transport path from the paper feed port to the discharge port of the recording paper P' has been shortened. Even with the film heating type fixing device 60 of this embodiment using a thin film having higher thermal efficiency than the heat roller type, it takes several seconds from the start of energization to the temperature at the fixing point.

Then, when the receiving command is received, the heating element 60a
Of the heating element 60a simultaneously with the start of image recording
Another method has been proposed to reduce the wait time (quick start is possible) by starting the main heating of the steel. This embodiment is a further improvement of the above proposal.

Image recording starts (laser beam oscillator 9a)
Then, a signal is emitted, and image information is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 10a by the polygon mirror 9b. At the same time, the temperature of the heating element 60a is detected, and the initial driving speed of the fixing film 60e is determined according to the detected temperature. In other words, when the temperature is low, the speed is reduced to a low speed, and the film driving speed is accelerated in accordance with the temperature rise of the heating element 60a until the fixing device 60 reaches the fixing point. For example, even if the recording paper P ′ is conveyed into the fixing device 60 before the fixing temperature reaches the fixing point, the fixing can be performed without any problem.

[0097] In order to fix the toner on the recording paper P ', heat energy corresponding to the transport speed of the recording paper P' is required.

When the heat energy has reached the fixing point, driving the apparatus at the basic speed guarantees the fixing property. However, if the apparatus is driven at the basic speed when the heat energy has not reached the fixing point, the fixing property becomes poor. Therefore, when the thermal energy has not reached the fixing point, the fixing property can be guaranteed by decelerating the apparatus from the basic speed (by increasing the speed, the time for applying thermal energy per unit area is increased).

As described above, the fixing energy can be reduced and the wait time can be reduced (quick start), and the received image can be simultaneously recorded without being stored in the memory while being a PPF (plain paper facsimile).

If the driving of the fixing film is stopped at the same time as the completion of the energization of the heating element 60a, a considerable amount of heat energy remains in the heating layer portion of the heating element 60a, and the heat energy is transferred between the fixing film 60e and the heating element 60a. Since the heat is concentrated on the contact portion and the durability of the heating layer is reduced due to the heat loss, and the durability of the fixing film 60e and the pressing member is reduced, the temperature of the heating element 60a reaches the set temperature by the temperature detecting means. By not stopping the driving of the fixing film, the durability of the apparatus can be improved.

[0101]

As described above , according to the present invention, the communication line
Receives the call signal via, and then receives the image data
As soon as image formation can be started, low power consumption and
It is possible to shorten the wait time. Also, the memory capacity
The amount can be reduced and the cost of the apparatus can be reduced .

[0102]

[0103]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall vertical sectional view of a facsimile apparatus as an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the facsimile apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of a fixing device of the facsimile apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of the facsimile apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the facsimile apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a heating body that is a heat source of the fixing device of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of another heating element that is a heat source of the fixing device of FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for the facsimile apparatus of FIG. 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Apparatus main body 2 Document mounting table 3 Optical reading system 5 Recording system 10 Image forming part 26 Telephone 50 Paper feed cassette (recording system storage part) 60 Fixing device P 'Recording paper S Document

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. Transmission / reception of data via a communication line
A network control unit, a memory for storing the received image data,
Image forming means for forming an image on recording paper based on image data
Step and controlled to maintain target temperature during fusing process
Moves with the recording paper while sliding on the heating element and the heating element
Recording with the heat of the heating element through the film with the film
Fixing means for heating and fixing an image on paper.
In the similiar device, the network control unit receives a call signal via a communication line.
After receiving the image data, the
Detected, and the detected temperature is lower than the predetermined temperature lower than the target temperature.
If the temperature is too low, preheat the heating element before receiving image data.
Preheat to pre-set to the above target temperature upon receiving image data.
Main heating is started with a larger heating value than during
If the temperature is higher than the specified temperature, the image data is not
The main heating is started to the above target temperature upon reception.
Facsimile machine 2. Transmission / reception of data via a communication line.
A network control unit, a memory for storing the received image data,
Image forming means for forming an image on recording paper based on image data
Step and controlled to maintain target temperature during fusing process
Moves with the recording paper while sliding on the heating element and the heating element
Recording with the heat of the heating element through the film with the film
Fixing means for heating and fixing an image on paper.
In the similiar device, after the network control unit receives the call signal via the communication line,
When the image data is received, the temperature of the heating element is detected and detected.
If the temperature is higher than the predetermined temperature lower than the target temperature,
The above film is driven from the beginning at the basic speed during the fixing process
If the detected temperature is lower than the specified temperature,
Start driving at a speed lower than the basic speed, and then
A facsimile machine characterized by being driven by a facsimile .