Paper feeding device and image forming apparatus with reduced power consumption
AssigneeToshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
InventorShinji Miwa
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
According to one embodiment, a paper feeding device includes a containing unit, a conveyance unit, a heater, a wiring, a thermostat, and a switch. The containing unit contains a sheet bundle. The conveyance unit conveys sheets from the sheet bundle contained in the containing unit one sheet by one. The heater heats the sheet bundle contained in the containing unit. The wiring supplies electric power to the heater. The thermostat controls a driving state of the heater. The switch is inserted in a middle of wiring and switches an ON state and an OFF state of the wiring in response to an input control signal.
Claims20
A paper feeding device, comprising:
- a containing component configured to contain a sheet bundle;
- a conveyance component configured to convey sheets from the sheet bundle contained in the containing component one sheet by one;
- a heater configured to heat the sheet bundle contained in the containing component;
- a wiring configured to supply electric power to the heater;
- a thermostat configured to control a driving state of the heater;
- a first switch insertable in a middle of the wiring and switchable between an ON state and an OFF state of the wiring in response to an input control signal;
- a second containing component configured to contain a second sheet bundle;
- a second heater configured to heat the second sheet bundle contained in the second containing component;
- a second wiring configured to supply electric power to the different heater;
- a second thermostat configured to control the second heater;
- and
- a second switch configured to be inserted in a middle of the second wiring and be capable of switching an ON state and an OFF state of the second wiring independently from the first switch in response to the control signal.
An image forming apparatus, comprising:
- a paper feeding device, comprising:
- a containing component configured to contain a sheet bundle;
- a conveyance component configured to convey sheets from the sheet bundle contained in the containing component one sheet by one;
- a heater configured to heat the sheet bundle contained in the containing component;
- a wiring configured to supply electric power to the heater;
- a thermostat configured to control a driving state of the heater;
- and
- a first switch insertable in a middle of the wiring and switchable between an ON state and an OFF state of the wiring in response to an input control signal;
- a printer configured to form an image on the sheet conveyed by the conveyance component from the containing component;
- a control panel configured to receive an input of information on whether the sheet is thick paper;
- and
- a controller configured to output the control signal based on the information input to the control panel;
- wherein the controller outputs the control signal for causing the first switch to be in an ON state if the sheet is a plain paper and causing the first switch to be in an OFF state if the sheet is thick paper thicker than the plain paper.
The image forming apparatus according to claim wherein the first switch is a relay,
- if the sheet bundle contained in the containing component is a plain paper, the first switch is in an ON state, and
- if the sheet bundle contained in the containing component is thick paper thicker than the plain paper, the first switch is in an OFF state.
A paper feeding device, comprising:
- a containing component configured to contain a sheet bundle;
- a conveyance component configured to convey sheets from the sheet bundle contained in the containing component one sheet by one;
- a heater configured to heat the sheet bundle contained in the containing component;
- a wiring configured to supply electric power to the heater;
- a thermostat configured to control a driving state of the heater;
- and
- a first switch insertable in a middle of the wiring and switchable between an ON state and an OFF state of the wiring in response to an input control signal,
- wherein the first switch is a relay,
- if the sheet bundle contained in the containing component is a plain paper, the first switch is in an ON state, and
- if the sheet bundle contained in the containing component is thick paper thicker than the plain paper, the first switch is in an OFF state.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.