JP2001305917A - Image forming device and image forming method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device and an image forming method by which an operator can grasp the carrying state of recording material such as recording paper in the image forming device in the midst of image forming operation so as to easily eliminate a trouble such as jamming in a short time and by which a situation that the recording material in a paper supply tray has been used up and needless image forming operation is performed in a high- speed machine where the interval of the image forming operation is short is prevented from occurring. SOLUTION: In this image forming device, both the number of sheets (counted value of feeding) of recording material supplied from the paper supply tray and the number of sheets (counted value of ejection) of recording material ejected to a paper ejection tray are displayed, and the number of sheets of recording material remaining the image forming device at the time of jamming is calculated from the counted value of feeding and the counted value of ejection and displayed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile and the like, and an image forming method. The present invention relates to an image forming method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the number of recording sheets (the number of recording materials) is managed by counting the number of recording sheets fed from a sheet feed tray and displaying the number on a display panel, or The number of recording papers discharged to the paper discharge tray is counted and displayed on a display panel, or only one of them is available. In addition, when the image forming operation is stopped due to a trouble during the image forming operation such as a conveyance jam of the recording paper, the position of the recording paper remaining in the image forming apparatus is displayed on the display panel, and the operator is notified. The operator is prompted to remove the remaining recording paper, but since there is no information on how many recording papers remain in the image forming apparatus, the operator must wait until the display disappears. Many times, the removal process had to be repeated.

[0003] 2. On the other hand, in some image forming apparatuses, intervals between image forming operations are reduced as much as possible in order to achieve high productivity. That is, charging, exposure, development,
In order to shorten the interval from the end of one cycle of image forming operation of transfer and cleaning to the start of the next cycle of image forming operation, rather than starting feeding of the recording paper from the paper feed tray, The image forming operation is started at an early timing. In such a high-speed machine, even if the image forming operation is stopped when it is detected that the recording paper in the paper feed tray is empty, the image forming operation around the photoconductor has advanced considerably. In this case, since the toner image formed on the photoconductor becomes unnecessary,
Must be cleaned. Not only is the toner wasted, but also the blade as a cleaning means is worn, and the photoconductor is deteriorated due to unnecessary exposure. In many high-speed machines, there are multiple paper feed trays. In particular, in the case of the paper feed tray with the shortest transport distance of the recording paper to the transfer position (closest paper feed tray), the image forming operation starts This problem is not negligible, as it is much earlier than the start of the feed. In particular, in the case of a color copying machine called a color tandem system, after forming each color toner image on a photoconductor for each color (normally, four colors of black, cyan, magenta, and yellow), the respective color toner images are formed on an intermediate transfer body. Since the image forming operation includes two transfer processes of superimposing and further transferring from the intermediate transfer body to the recording paper, the high-speed machine makes the recording paper of the recording paper rather than start feeding the paper from the paper feed tray. Therefore, it is necessary to start the image forming operation at a very early timing, and the above problem appears remarkably.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide the following two.

[0005] 1. An image forming apparatus and an image forming apparatus in which an operator can grasp a conveyance state of a recording material such as a recording sheet in the image forming apparatus during an image forming operation, and can easily solve a trouble such as a jam in a short time. Method.

[0006] 2. An image forming apparatus and an image forming method in which a high-speed machine (especially a color tandem machine) having a narrow interval between image forming operations prevents a recording material in a sheet feeding tray from being used to prevent useless image forming operations.

[0007]

The above object of the present invention has been attained by the following constitutions.

(1) A photoreceptor for forming an electrostatic latent image, developing means for developing the formed electrostatic latent image with toner in a developer, and transferring the developed toner image to a recording material In an image forming apparatus having a transfer unit and a fixing unit that fixes a toner image transferred to the recording material, a conveyance that conveys the recording material from a recording material storage unit to a discharge unit via the transfer unit and the fixing unit. Means, feed count means for counting the number of recording materials fed from the recording material storage means, discharge counting means for counting the number of recording materials discharged to the discharge section, and feeding Image forming apparatus comprising: a count value display unit that displays a feed count value counted by a count unit and a discharge count value counted by the discharge count unit. The image forming method according to location and the image forming apparatus.

(2) The image forming apparatus and the image forming apparatus according to (1), wherein the feed count value and the discharge count value displayed on the count value display means are in units of one job. Image forming method.

(3) The image forming apparatus according to (2), wherein the feed count value and the discharge count value displayed on the count value display means can manage a plurality of jobs. An image forming method using an image forming apparatus.

(4) A photoreceptor for forming an electrostatic latent image, developing means for developing the formed electrostatic latent image with toner in a developer, and transferring the developed toner image to a recording material In an image forming apparatus having a transfer unit and a fixing unit that fixes a toner image transferred to the recording material, a conveyance that conveys the recording material from a recording material storage unit to a discharge unit via the transfer unit and the fixing unit. Means, feed count means for counting the number of recording materials supplied from the recording material storage means, discharge counting means for counting the number of recording materials discharged to the discharge section, and during image forming operation When the image forming operation is stopped due to the occurrence of the trouble, the feed count value counted by the feed count means and the discharge count counted by the discharge count means. An image forming apparatus comprising: a remaining number calculating unit that calculates the number of recording materials remaining in the image forming apparatus from a default value; and a remaining number displaying unit that displays the calculated remaining number. And an image forming method using the image forming apparatus.

(5) When the image forming operation is stopped due to the occurrence of a trouble during the image forming operation, a remaining position determining means for detecting a position of a recording material remaining in the image forming apparatus; The image forming apparatus according to (4), further including a remaining position display unit that displays a position of the recording material detected by the position determination unit, and an image forming method by the image forming device.

(6) A photoreceptor for forming an electrostatic latent image, developing means for developing the formed electrostatic latent image with toner in a developer, and transferring the developed toner image to a recording material In an image forming apparatus having a transfer unit and a fixing unit that fixes a toner image transferred to the recording material, a conveyance that conveys the recording material from a recording material storage unit to a discharge unit via the transfer unit and the fixing unit. Means, remaining amount detecting means for detecting that the amount of recording material stored in the recording material storing means has reached a predetermined remaining amount, and detecting that the remaining amount detecting means has reached the predetermined remaining amount. Then, there is provided a control means for controlling so as to stop the image forming operation, and an image forming method using the image forming apparatus.

(7) The image forming apparatus according to (6), wherein the control unit controls the image forming operation to be started before the recording material is fed from the recording material storage unit. And an image forming method using the image forming apparatus.

(8) A replenishment command display means for displaying a replenishment command of the recording material to the recording material storage means based on the stop of the image forming operation or the detection of the predetermined remaining amount. 6) or the image forming apparatus according to (7) and an image forming method using the image forming apparatus.

(9) The image forming apparatus according to any one of (6) to (8), wherein the stop of the image forming operation is at least a stop of development by the developing unit. An image forming method using an image forming apparatus.

(10) The image forming apparatus has a plurality of the recording material storage means, and stores the recording material in the recording material storage means having the shortest conveyance distance of the recording material to the transfer means among the plurality of recording material storage means. (6) to (6) to (6) to (6) to (6) to (6), wherein when the detected amount of the recording material reaches the predetermined remaining amount, the control unit controls to stop the image forming operation.
The image forming apparatus according to any one of (9) and an image forming method using the image forming apparatus.

(11) A photoreceptor for forming an electrostatic latent image, developing means for developing the formed electrostatic latent image with toner in a developer, and transferring the developed toner image to a recording material In an image forming apparatus having a transfer unit and a fixing unit that fixes a toner image transferred to the recording material, a conveyance that conveys the recording material from a recording material storage unit to a discharge unit via the transfer unit and the fixing unit. Means, remaining amount detecting means for detecting that the amount of recording material stored in the recording material storing means has reached a predetermined remaining amount, and detecting that the predetermined remaining amount has been reached by the remaining amount detecting means. Then, a feed count unit that counts the number of recording materials fed from the recording material storage unit, and stops the image forming operation when the feed count value counted by the feed count unit reaches a predetermined number. I will do it The image forming method by the image forming apparatus and the image forming apparatus characterized by comprising a control means for controlling, the.

(12) The image forming apparatus according to (11), wherein the control means controls the image forming operation to be started before the recording material is fed from the recording material storage means. And an image forming method using the image forming apparatus.

(13) A replenishment command display means for displaying a replenishment command of the recording material to the recording material storage means based on the stop of the image forming operation or the detection of the predetermined remaining amount. An image forming apparatus according to 11) or 12) and an image forming method using the image forming apparatus.

(14) The image forming apparatus according to any one of (11) to (13), wherein the stop of the image forming operation is at least a stop of development by the developing unit. An image forming method using an image forming apparatus.

(15) The image forming apparatus has a plurality of the recording material storage means, and stores the recording material in the recording material storage means having the shortest conveyance distance of the recording material to the transfer means among the plurality of recording material storage means. (11) wherein the control means controls to stop the image forming operation when detecting that the amount of the recording material to be used reaches the predetermined remaining amount.
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 14, and an image forming method using the image forming apparatus.

[0023]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of the image forming apparatus of the present invention. An image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an automatic document feeder 1 as a document feeder, an image reading unit 2 as an image reading unit, an image forming unit 3 for performing an image forming operation, and a part of the transfer unit. The paper feed path 5 and the discharge path 8 are provided, a paper feed tray 6 as a recording material storage unit, and a paper discharge tray 9 as a discharge unit.

The document is fed to the document feeder 1 of the automatic document feeder 1.
1 with the image surface facing upward, and a delivery roller 1
The sheet is sent out one by one by the operation of the registration roller 1
After being stopped once by 3 and trimmed, the paper is conveyed to the conveyance drum 14, and an image is read below the conveyance drum 14 in the process of conveying the document along the peripheral surface of the conveyance drum 14. Then, the sheet is separated from the transport drum 14 at a position substantially halfway around, and is discharged to a sheet discharge table 15. The automatic document feeder 1 may have a transfer function for double-sided reading in addition to the transfer function for single-sided reading, but this operation is omitted.

In the image reading section 2, a first mirror unit 23 having a light source 23a and a mirror 23b is stationary at a position directly below the transport drum 14, sequentially illuminates and reads the passing documents, and moves the documents. The light is reflected by a second mirror unit 24 having a mirror 24a and a mirror 24b arranged to be orthogonal to the direction, and forms an image on a linear imaging element 26 via an imaging lens 25 to be read. The image sensor 26 can read a color original by using an image sensor corresponding to, for example, R, G, and B primary colors, or by using an image sensor provided with a mosaic color filter. The document read in this way is discharged to the discharge tray 15. On the other hand, the image information of the document image read by the image reading unit 2 is temporarily stored in an image memory (not shown).

Next, the image forming section 3 will be described. The image forming section 3 forms a color image by superimposing toner images of respective colors sequentially formed on a photoreceptor, transferring the color toner image onto a recording material once by a transfer section, and fixing the color image. At least one of a series of operations performed by the image forming unit 3 described below is referred to as an image forming operation.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 31 denotes a drum-shaped photosensitive member, which is formed by applying an OPC photosensitive member (organic photosensitive member) on a drum base, is grounded, and rotates clockwise in the drawing. 32 is a scorotron charger (hereinafter referred to as a charger)
Thus, a uniform high-potential charge is applied to the peripheral surface of the photoconductor 31 by corona discharge. Prior to the charging by the charger 32, in order to eliminate the history of the photoconductor 31, exposure is performed by a static eliminator (PCL) 38 using a light emitting diode or the like, and the peripheral surface of the photoconductor 31 is neutralized.

After the photosensitive member 31 is uniformly charged, the image information stored in the above-mentioned image memory is read out, and the image writing section 33 performs image exposure based on the image information.
An electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photoconductor 31 (latent image forming step). The image writing unit 33 deflects light from a laser diode (not shown) by a rotating polygon mirror,
The lens is corrected by a lens and a cylindrical lens, and is incident on the photoconductor 31 via a reflection mirror to perform main scanning.
The sub-scan is performed by the rotation of, and an electrostatic latent image is formed.

On the periphery of the photosensitive member 31, yellow (Y),
A developing unit 4 including a plurality of developing units 4Y, 4M, 4C, and 4K each containing a two-component developer including magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) toners and a carrier is provided. (Developing means). These color developing units 4Y,
4M, 4C, and 4K have almost the same configuration, and perform the same operation.

First, the first color yellow is developed by the rotating developing sleeve 41Y. The developing sleeves 41Y, 41M, 41C, and 41K each have a built-in magnet, and are configured to rotate while holding the developer.

Each color developing sleeve 41 in the developing area
Is larger than the developer layer thickness by 0.5
mm to 1.0 mm, during which a developing bias in which an AC voltage and a DC voltage are superimposed is applied. The DC voltage has the same polarity as the electrostatic latent image, and reversal development is performed.

After the development of the first color, the image forming process for the magenta of the second color is started, and the uniform charging by the charger 32 and the exposure by the image writing section 33 are performed again to form the magenta electrostatic latent image. It is formed. At this time, the charge elimination by the PCL 38 performed in the image forming process of the first color is not performed because the toner attached to the image portion of the first color scatters due to a sudden drop in the surrounding potential. Then, a magenta toner image is formed by reversal development by the developing device 4M.

For the third color cyan and the fourth color black, the same image formation as that for the second color magenta is performed.
Four color toner images are formed on one circumferential surface (developing step).

The developing units 4Y, 4M, 4C, and 4K include:
The toner of each color is supplied from the toner cartridge 35 (Y, M, C, K).

In the transfer area, a transfer roller 36 as a transfer means for applying a voltage for transferring a toner image to the peripheral surface of the photoreceptor 31 in synchronization with the transfer timing is pressed and pressed, and the fed recording material is transferred. The four color toner images are transferred to the printer (transfer step).

Subsequently, the recording material is neutralized by the separation electrode 37, separated from the peripheral surface of the photoreceptor 31, and conveyed to a fixing device 324 as a fixing means, where a heat roller (upper roller) 341 and a pressure roller ( The toner transferred by the heating and pressing of the lower roller 342 is welded (fixing step),
The recording material on which the image has been formed is discharged onto the discharge tray 9 via the discharge roller pairs 81 and 82. After passing through the recording material, the transfer roller 36 retreats from the peripheral surface of the photoconductor 31, and
Prepare for image forming operation. The discharge path 8 in the conveying means extends from the time when the recording material passes through the heat roller 341 and the pressure roller 342 to the time when the recording material reaches the discharge tray 9.

On the other hand, the photoreceptor 31 from which the recording material has been separated is cleaned by pressing the blade 311 of the cleaning device 39, and the charge is removed again by the PCL 38 and the charger 32.
, And enters the next image forming operation cycle. The blade 311 moves immediately after cleaning the surface of the photoconductor 31 and retracts from the peripheral surface of the photoconductor 31.
The waste toner scraped into the cleaning device 39 by the blade 311 is discharged by the screw 312 and then stored in a waste toner collecting container (not shown).

The paper feed tray 6 is a recording material storage means for storing a plurality of recording materials in a stacked state. In the present embodiment, a plurality of paper feed trays 6, that is, a first paper feed tray 6A, a second paper feed tray 6B, and a third paper feed tray 6C are provided. It is arranged below the image forming unit 3 in multiple stages. Hereinafter, each paper feed tray 6A
Since the same applies to each of the constituent members corresponding to to 6C, the reference numerals A to C may be omitted.

As the recording material stored in the paper feed tray 6, there are media of various materials such as paper and OHP sheets (resin). The type of recording material is also different depending on the thickness of the recording material.
m), thin paper (80 μm), plain paper (110 μm), and the like.

In the present embodiment, the paper feed tray 6,
The pickup roller 51, the separation unit 52, and the pre-registration roller 53 are unitized as a unit 7. That is, the unit 7 is provided on the front surface of the image forming apparatus so as to be integrally pulled out. Therefore,
When the recording material runs out in the paper feed tray 6, the unit 7 can be pulled out to replenish the recording material. Further, when various types of recording materials are used, paper jams are likely to occur in the vicinity of feeding and separation. Therefore, when only the paper feed tray 6 is provided so as to be able to be pulled out, the jammed recording materials are pinched by the rollers. State, which complicates the processing at the time of pulling out. However, as in the present embodiment, the unit can be pulled out while being sandwiched by the rollers, thereby facilitating the processing of paper jams. It can be done reliably.

The pickup roller 51, the separation section 52 composed of the separation conveyance roller 521 and the separation retard roller 522, and the pre-registration roller 53 are provided with the same functions corresponding to the respective paper feed trays 6A to 6C. So that each first unit 7A
To the third unit 7C are independently provided so as to be drawn out to the image forming apparatus.

In this embodiment, near the photosensitive drum 31 between the photoconductor 31 and the registration roller 55, a pre-drum conveyance roller 56 for conveying the recording material sent from the registration roller 55 is provided. This contributes to an increase in the recording material conveyance force.

As described above, in the feeding path 5, the recording material stored in each of the paper feed trays 6 is transferred to the image forming unit 3 by the pickup roller 51, the separation unit 52, the pre-registration roller 53, and the registration roller 55. Conveyed.
The recording material conveyed to the image forming unit 3 is transferred with the toner image, is fixed, passes through the discharge path 8, and is discharged to the paper discharge tray 9 (conveying step).

In FIG. 1, S1, S2, S3, S4 and S
The sensor indicated by reference numeral 5 indicates that the paper feed tray 6
The detection of the passage of the recording material in the conveying means up to this point includes a photo sensor and a micro switch. The operation and role of each sensor will be described later.

The control of each component and the sequence control of the image forming operation are performed by a CPU serving as control means.
(Not shown). CPU is usually
The control board is provided at an appropriate place of the image forming apparatus.

First, the first to tenth aspects of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the components and functions thereof described in the image forming apparatus of FIG. The reference numerals are the same as those in FIG.

Sensor S1, sensor S2 and sensor S3
Are disposed near the exits of the paper feed trays 6A and 6B, and detect passage of the recording material fed from each paper feed tray. Whether the recording material has been fed from each paper feed tray 6 is determined by the sensor S1, the sensor S2, or the sensor S3.
Detection at the falling edge of the detection signal. The CPU receives the detection signal from the sensor S1, the sensor S2, or the sensor S3, and counts the number of recording materials fed from the paper feed tray 6 (feed count step as feed count means).

The sensor S6 is provided in the middle of the discharge path 8 in the vicinity of the paper discharge tray 9, and detects whether or not the recording material has been discharged to the paper discharge tray 9 based on the fall of the detection signal of the sensor S6. . Similarly, the CPU receives the detection signal from the sensor S6 and counts the number of recording materials discharged to the paper discharge tray 9 (a discharge counting step as discharge counting means).

The CPU causes the display means such as a liquid crystal panel to display the feed count value generated as the feed count means and the discharge count value generated as the discharge count means as a count value (count value display step). The liquid crystal panel at this time functions as count value display means. Although not shown in FIG. 1, the display means such as a liquid crystal panel is usually provided at a position such as the front of the image forming apparatus that is easy for the operator to operate.

At this time, it is preferable to reset the count value displayed on the display means for each job. One job is a command for image formation input by an operator (in a copying machine, usually, an operation of pressing a start button)
Is an image formation performed once. Even when the image formation in the interrupt mode is performed, it is preferable to display the job for which the image formation is being performed in real time.

When a trouble such as a jam occurs during the image forming operation, the CPU performs control to stop the image forming operation (a stopping step). Then, the CPU calculates the number of recording materials remaining in the image forming apparatus at the time of stoppage from the above-described feed count value and discharge count value (remaining number calculating means). The CPU causes the display means to display the calculated remaining number (remaining number display step). The display means at this time functions as remaining number display means.

Further, the CPU determines whether a jam, a development trouble,
When trouble occurs during image forming operation such as exposure trouble,
The image forming operation is stopped, and the position of the recording material remaining in the image forming apparatus at the time of the stop is determined. The determination of the position of the recording material is performed as follows based on the recording material detection signals from the sensors S1 to S6.

The sensors S4 and S5 are provided in the middle of the conveying means between the feeding path 5 and the discharging path 8, and similarly,
The passage of the recording material is detected at the fall of the detection signal. The sensors S1 to S3 and the sensor S6 are as described above. The CPU measures, based on the detection signals of the recording material sent from the sensors S1 to S6, the time required for the passage of the recording material from the start to the discharge of the recording material to the position where the respective sensors are provided in the conveying means. If the measured time is equal to or longer than the predetermined time, it is considered that a trouble such as a jam has occurred, and the remaining position of the recording material is determined (remaining position determining step by the remaining position determining means).

Then, the remaining position of the recording material remaining in the image forming apparatus is displayed on a display means such as a liquid crystal panel to urge the operator to perform a removing process (remaining position displaying step). The display means at this time functions as remaining position display means. By displaying the remaining position in addition to the above-mentioned count value or the remaining number, the operator can accurately grasp the conveyance state of the recording material remaining in the image forming apparatus, and accurately perform the jam removal processing. You can do it.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the feeding counting process described with reference to FIG. First, it is determined whether or not a sensor disposed near the exit of the paper feed tray has detected that the recording material has been fed (S11). If the sheet has not been fed (NO), the flow returns to the original state (return). If the sheet has been fed (YES), it is determined whether or not the job has been switched (S12). If there is no job switching (NO), the feeding count value is counted up based on the detection signal (S14). On the other hand, if the job is switched (YES), the feed count value is reset (S13), and the process returns to the beginning of the flow (return). In the present embodiment, the case where the feed count is performed for each job has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the discharge counting process described with reference to FIG. First, it is determined whether or not the sensor disposed in the discharge path near the paper discharge tray detects that the recording material has been discharged to the paper discharge tray (S2).
1). If the discharge has not been performed (NO), the flow returns to the beginning (return). If discharge is taking place (YE
S), it is determined whether or not the job has been switched (S2).
2). If there is no job switching (NO), the discharge count value is counted up based on the detection signal (S
24). On the other hand, if there is a job switch (YES),
The feed count value is reset (S23), and the flow returns to the beginning (return). In the present embodiment, the case where the feed count is performed in units of one job has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the count value display process described with reference to FIG. First, it is determined whether any job (image formation) is being executed (S31). If it is not being executed (NO), the process returns to the beginning of the flow (return). On the other hand, if the job is being executed, it is determined whether or not the count value has changed in the feeding counting step or the discharging counting step (S32). If there is no change in the count value (NO), the process returns to the beginning of the flow (return). If the count value changes (YE
S), the count value is displayed in real time on a count value display means such as a liquid crystal panel (S33).

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the remaining number calculation step and the remaining number display step described with reference to FIG. First, it is determined whether a trouble such as a jam has occurred during the image forming operation (S41). If there is no trouble (NO), the process returns to the beginning of the flow (return). If a trouble has occurred, the image forming operation is stopped, and a calculation of subtracting the feed count value from the discharge count value at the time of the stop is performed (S42). The number of recording materials remaining in the image forming apparatus obtained by the calculation, that is, the remaining number, is displayed on a remaining number display means such as a liquid crystal panel (S43). At the same time, the remaining position determination step and the remaining position display step are performed in parallel, and the process proceeds to trouble processing such as prompting the operator to remove the recording material remaining in the image forming apparatus (to trouble processing).

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the display of the remaining number by the remaining number display means described with reference to FIG.

Next, the invention of claims 11 to 30 will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram for explaining a case where the image forming section 3 in the image forming apparatus described with reference to FIG. 1 is changed to the color tandem type shown in FIG. The image forming unit 3 described with reference to FIG. 1 is a system in which four color toner images are directly superimposed on a drum-shaped photoconductor 31. The image forming unit 3 of the color tandem system in FIG. In this method, each color toner image formed on the photosensitive drum is transferred to an intermediate transfer member, overlapped, and further transferred to a recording material. In this method, it takes time to perform an image forming operation until a color toner image is transferred to a recording material. In a high-speed machine, it is necessary to start feeding of the recording material from a paper feed tray at a very early timing, so that transfer is not required. Large waste of toner image.

In the image forming section shown in FIG. 8, reference numeral 100 denotes a photoconductor which is a photoconductor for each color, 110 denotes a scorotron charger which is a charging means for each color, 120 denotes an image writing section for each color, and 130 denotes a image writing section for each color. A developing device 190, a cleaning device as a cleaning device for each color; and 140, an intermediate transfer belt as an intermediate transfer member, the photosensitive member 100, the scorotron charger 11, the developing device 1
And a cleaning device 190 for forming yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C) and black (K) toner images, respectively.
(Y), the magenta image forming means 300 (M), the cyan image forming means 300 (C), and the black image forming means 300 (K) are integrated and are arranged in parallel with the peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 140. Are located.

The photoreceptor 100 has a conductive layer, a-S on the outer periphery of a cylindrical metal base formed of, for example, an aluminum material.
A photosensitive layer such as an i-layer or an organic photosensitive layer (OPC) is formed, and is rotated counterclockwise as indicated by an arrow in FIG. 8 with the conductive layer grounded.

Scorotron charger 110 serving as charging means
Performs a charging action (negative charging in the present embodiment) by a corona discharge having the same polarity as the toner by the control grid and the corona discharge electrode, each of which is maintained at a predetermined potential, and applies a uniform potential to the photoconductor 100. give. As the corona discharge electrode of the scorotron charger 110, a sawtooth electrode or a needle electrode may be used.

The image writing section 120 determines that the exposure position on the photoconductor 100 is the same as that of the scorotron charger 11 for each color described above.
It is arranged around the photoconductor 100 so as to be located on the downstream side in the rotation direction of the photoconductor 100 with respect to 0. The image writing unit 120 includes, for example, an LED as a light emitting element of image exposure light arranged in the main scanning direction in parallel with the drum axis of the photoconductor 100.
This is an exposure unit including a linear exposure element in which a plurality of (light emitting diodes) are arranged in an array, and a light converging light transmitter (trade name: Selfoc lens array) as an imaging element. Other laser optical systems can be used as the image writing unit 120. The image writing unit 120 for each color performs image exposure on the photosensitive layer of the photoconductor 100 according to the image data of each color stored in the above-described memory, and forms an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor 100 for each color.

The developing device 130 serving as a developing means includes the photosensitive member 1
For example, a thickness of 0.5 to 1 mm, which rotates in the forward direction with respect to the rotation direction of the photoconductor 100 while maintaining a predetermined gap with respect to the peripheral surface of the photoconductor 100,
Having a cylindrical developing sleeve 131 made of non-magnetic stainless steel or aluminum material having an outer diameter of 15 to 25 mm,
A one-component or two-component developer of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) is accommodated therein according to the development color of each color. The developing device 130 is kept in a non-contact state with the photosensitive member 100 by a contact roller (not shown) with a predetermined gap, for example, 100 to 500 μm, and a developing bias in which a DC voltage and an AC voltage are superimposed on the developing sleeve 131. Is applied, non-contact reversal development is performed, and a toner image is formed on the photoconductor 100.

The intermediate transfer belt 140 as an intermediate transfer member has a volume resistivity of 10 ⁸ Ω · cm to 10 ¹⁶ Ω · cm, preferably 10 ⁹ Ω · cm.
It is an endless belt of 〜１０10 ¹² Ω · cm, for example, a modified polyimide, a thermosetting polyimide, an ethylene tetrafluoroethylene copolymer, a polyvinylidene fluoride, a conductive material dispersed in an engineering plastic such as a nylon alloy 0.1 to 0.1 thickness. This is a seamless belt having a two-layer structure in which a 1.0-mm semiconductive film substrate is coated with a fluorine coating having a thickness of 5 to 50 μm, preferably as a toner filming preventing layer. In addition, as the base of the intermediate transfer belt 140, a semiconductive rubber belt having a thickness of 0.5 to 2.0 mm in which a conductive material is dispersed in silicon rubber or urethane rubber can also be used. The intermediate transfer belt 140 is a driving roller 1 which is a roller member.
It is stretched around 40d, the earth roller 214k, and the driven roller 140e, and is rotated clockwise as shown by the arrow in FIG.
The drive roller 14 is driven by a drive motor (not shown).
Od rotates, and the intermediate transfer belt 140 is driven to rotate. The rotation of the intermediate transfer belt 140 causes the ground roller 214k and the driven roller 140e to be driven to rotate.

A transfer unit 160A as a transfer unit for each color
Are the photoconductors 10 for each color with the intermediate transfer belt 140 interposed therebetween.
The corona discharger is provided so as to face the transfer belt 0 and forms a transfer area for each color between the intermediate transfer belt 140 and the photoconductor 100 for each color. By applying a DC voltage of the opposite polarity (positive polarity in the present embodiment) to the transfer device 160A for each color and forming a transfer electric field in the transfer area, the toner image on the photoconductor 100 for each color is formed. Is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 140.

The fixing device 324 serving as a fixing means is composed of two roller-shaped fixing members, a heat roller 341 having a heater therein and a pressure roller 342.
The recording material is nipped and conveyed between the recording material and the pressure roller 342, and heat and pressure are applied to fix the toner image on the conveyed recording material.

Next, the image forming operation will be described. The photoconductor 1 of the yellow image forming unit 300 (Y) disposed at the most upstream position in the rotation direction of the intermediate transfer belt 140 by starting a photoconductor drive motor (not shown) at the start of image recording.
8 is rotated counterclockwise as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 8, and at the same time, the application of the potential to the K photoconductor 100 is started by the charging action of the Y scorotron charger 110.

After the electric potential is applied to the Y photoconductor 100, the Y exposure optical system 120 starts the image writing by the first color signal, that is, the electric signal corresponding to the Y image data, and the Y photoconductor 100 An electrostatic latent image corresponding to the Y image of the original image is formed on the surface of the document 100.

The latent image is reversal-developed in a non-contact state by the Y developing unit 130, and a yellow (Y) toner image is formed in accordance with the rotation of the Y photoconductor 100.

By the above-described image forming operation, the Y photoreceptor 1
The Y toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt is transferred onto an intermediate transfer belt 140 as an intermediate transfer member by a Y transfer unit 160A as a transfer unit in a Y transfer area.

Next, the intermediate transfer belt 140 is synchronized with the Y toner image, and the magenta color image forming means 300
By (M), a potential is applied by the charging action of the M scorotron charger 110, and the M exposure optical system 120 performs image writing with the second color signal, that is, an electrical signal corresponding to M image data. The M toner image formed on the M photoreceptor 100 by the non-contact reversal development by the developing device 130 is transferred to the Y toner image in the M transfer area by the M transfer device 160A serving as a transfer unit. Are formed on top of each other.

By the same operation, synchronization with the superposed toner images of Y and M is achieved, and the cyan image forming means 300
The C toner image corresponding to the C image data based on the third color signal, formed on the C photoconductor 100 by (C), is transferred to the C transfer unit 1 as a transfer unit in the C transfer area.
60A, the toner image of C is superimposed on the toner image of Y and M, and is further synchronized with the superposed toner image of Y, M and C.
The K toner image corresponding to the C image data based on the fourth color signal, formed on the C photoconductor 100 by 00 (K), is transferred to the K transfer unit 160A as a transfer unit in the K transfer area. As a result, a K toner image is superimposed on the Y, M, and C toner images, and a superposed color toner image of Y, M, C, and K is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 140.

The toner remaining on the peripheral surface of the photoreceptor 100 for each color after the transfer is removed by a cleaning device 190 as a cleaning means or by a blade made of a rubber material which is in contact with the photoreceptor 100.

With the formation of the K surface image on the K photoreceptor 100, the recording material is sent out from the recording material storage means.
The sheet is conveyed to the registration roller 56 and fed to the transfer area of the transfer device 36.

A color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 140 is transferred to the recording material by applying a voltage having a polarity opposite to that of the toner to the transfer device 36, and the recording paper P holding the color toner image is discharged by the separation electrode 37. The toner image is separated from the peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 140 and transported to the fixing device 324.
The toner is fixed by welding and is discharged via the roller 325.
On the other hand, the intermediate transfer belt 140 from which the recording material has been separated is cleaned by removing the residual toner in the cleaning device 240, and the process proceeds to a new image forming operation cycle.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing one embodiment of the remaining amount detecting means in the paper feed tray 6 of the image forming apparatus of FIG.
In the drawing, the reference numeral P is a recording material, 61 is a push-up plate for supporting the recording material P from below, 61 t is connected to an end of the push-up plate 61 on the far side in the figure, and is perpendicular to the plane of the push-up plate 61 , A push-up spring for urging the push-up plate 61 upward, and 63 a recording material P.
Is a photointerrupter as remaining amount detecting means for detecting a predetermined remaining amount of the recording material P by reducing the amount of the recording material P and raising the protrusion 61t by the urging of the push-up spring 62. FIG. 9B is a view of the photo interrupter 63 as viewed from the direction indicated by the arrow A. In the photo interrupter 63, 63E is a light emitting element, and 63R is a light receiving element.

When the amount of the recording material P (in this case, the amount refers to the thickness of the recording material P and is not necessarily the number of sheets) in the sheet feeding tray 6 is large, the push-up plate 61 is used for recording. Pressed down by the thickness of the material P,
Since t decreases, the optical path of the light emitting element 63E and the light receiving element 63R of the photo interrupter 63 is not blocked by the protrusion 61t. The light receiving element 63R receives light emitted from the light emitting element 63E and generates a light receiving signal. The CPU serving as the control means of the image forming apparatus receives this light receiving signal and determines that the amount of the recording material P in the paper feed tray 6 is still larger than a predetermined remaining amount.

Further, as the recording material P is fed one after another in the paper feed tray 6 and the amount of the recording material P decreases, the push-up plate 61 is pushed up by the urging of the push-up spring 62, and at the same time, , The protrusion 61t also rises. Then, the optical paths of the light emitting element 63E and the light receiving element 63R of the photo interrupter 63 are blocked by the protrusion 61t. When the light receiving element 63R does not receive the light emission from the light emitting element 63E, the CPU as the control means
Determines that the remaining amount of the recording material P in the paper feed tray 6 has fallen below a predetermined remaining amount.

In the present invention, the predetermined remaining amount of the recording material P in the paper feed tray 6 is a preset threshold, and when the CPU as the control means detects the predetermined remaining amount,
The amount of the recording material P that is used as a reference time (trigger) for stopping the image forming operation or starting to count the number of recording materials P fed from the paper feed tray 6 to a predetermined number. is there.

The predetermined remaining amount depends on the capacity of the paper feed tray 6 and the type of the recording material to be stored, but is about one eighth of the thickness when the paper feed tray 6 is full of the recording material P. Preferably, there is.

When the photo interrupter 63 as the remaining amount detecting means detects that the amount of the recording material P stored in the sheet feeding tray 6 has reached a predetermined remaining amount (remaining amount detecting step), the image is displayed. Either the forming operation is stopped (stopping step), or the sensor S1, S2 or S3 (see FIG. 1) is operated to start feeding count (feed count step as feed counting means).

When the CPU detects the predetermined remaining amount and stops the image forming operation, the recording material P is supplied to the operator by the feeding tray in conjunction with the detection of the predetermined remaining amount or the stop of the image forming operation. It is preferable that a replenishment command prompting replenishment to be displayed on a display means such as a liquid crystal panel (replenishment command display step). The display means at this time functions as a supplementary command display means.

After the CPU detects the predetermined remaining amount, if the process proceeds to the feeding counting step, the image forming operation is stopped when the feeding count value reaches the predetermined number, and the replenishment instruction displaying step is also performed. To prompt the operator to replenish the recording material P.

The predetermined number in this feeding counting step is:
It is preferable to set appropriately according to the material and thickness of the recording material P. The recording material P is a plain paper and is a sheet feeding tray 6 capable of storing up to 500 sheets, and about one eighth thereof is detected as a predetermined remaining amount. In the case, when the recording material P is plain paper, 60 sheets, when it is thin paper, 80 sheets, when it is thick paper, 30 sheets,
In the case of an OHP sheet, about 25 sheets is a preferable standard.

The predetermined remaining amount includes an error in the number of recording materials due to the relationship of detecting the thickness of the recording material P. In other words,
In a high-speed machine that starts an image forming operation before the recording material is fed from the paper feed tray 6, even if the image forming operation is stopped after the recording material in the paper feed tray 6 becomes empty, the photosensitive member It is an object of the present invention to solve the problem that the image forming operation in the surrounding area is considerably advanced and the toner is wasted. However, at this time, it is actually meaningful from the viewpoint of the image forming operation and the feeding of the recording material. One parameter is not the "amount" of the recording material but the "number". However, in the detection of the predetermined remaining amount (thickness), the number of recording materials varies even with the same predetermined remaining amount depending on the performance of the sensor and various conditions such as the thickness of each recording material. For this reason, the predetermined remaining amount is set to a larger value with a margin. By feeding and counting a predetermined number from the predetermined remaining amount with the margin, this error can be reduced by the number of sheets of the recording material P. Can be adjusted accurately, and the display judgment of the refill command can be delayed until the last minute. Then, there is an advantage that the frequency of the replenishment command is reduced and the burden on the operator can be reduced.

It is preferable that the stop of the image forming operation is at least the stop of the development by the developing means. This is because the amount of toner on the photoconductor that is discarded without being transferred can be reduced.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing another embodiment of the remaining amount detecting means in the paper feed tray 6 of the image forming apparatus of FIG. 9, reference numeral 61 denotes a push-up plate,
Is a push-up spring, and P is a recording material. E is an infrared light emitting unit, R is an infrared light receiving unit, and 61a is a push-up plate 61.
And a hole for passing infrared light from the infrared light emitting section E. Numeral 64a is an infrared light amount adjuster, and 64b is a comparator for comparing the amount of infrared light actually received by the infrared light receiving unit R with a threshold value for determining whether or not the recording material P has fallen below a predetermined remaining amount.

When the amount of the recording material P is large in the paper feed tray 6, the infrared light emitted from the infrared light emitting portion E
The recording material P cannot pass, or can pass only very little. Therefore, since the amount of infrared light received by the infrared light receiving unit R does not reach the threshold value, it is determined that the amount is not the predetermined remaining amount, and the image forming operation is continued.

On the other hand, when the amount of the recording material P in the paper feed tray 6 decreases, the amount of infrared light passing through the recording paper P increases, and the amount of infrared light received by the infrared light receiving unit R eventually reaches a threshold. Then, the CPU determines that the predetermined remaining amount has been reached, and stops the image forming operation or performs control for starting a predetermined number of sheet feeding counts.

After the CPU detects that the amount of recording material in the paper feed tray is the predetermined remaining amount, the process proceeds to the stop of the image forming operation and the case of starting the paper feed count is shown in FIG. It is the same as the description.

In a high-speed machine, even if the image forming operation is stopped after the recording material in the paper feed tray is emptied, the image forming operation around the photoreceptor proceeds considerably, and toner is wasted. The above-described problem is caused by the fact that the feeding distance (length of the feeding path 5) of the recording material from the plurality of feeding trays to the transfer means is shortest from the feeding tray (the feeding tray 6A in FIG. 1). Since the feeding is most remarkable, in the case of such a paper feeding tray, it is preferable to shift to the stop process or the paper feeding counting process, particularly after the predetermined remaining amount detecting process of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a case where a replenishment command is displayed on the display means of the image forming apparatus. FIG.
In the figure, reference numeral 70 is a liquid crystal touch panel as a display means, and 71 is a message window on which a replenishment command such as "please replenish paper in paper feed tray 1" is displayed. In addition, reference numeral 72 denotes a copy mode selection key for one-sided original to one-sided copying, 73 denotes a copy density selection key, 74 denotes an enlargement / reduction magnification selection key, and 75 denotes a recording material size selection key. In the present embodiment, the message is displayed on the liquid crystal panel. However, a warning lamp may be turned on to prompt the operator to replenish the recording material.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing one form of the flow from the remaining amount detecting step to the replenishment command displaying step.
First, the remaining amount of the recording material is detected in the recording material storage means (S51). Next, it is determined whether or not the amount of the recording material obtained by the remaining amount detection is equal to or less than a predetermined remaining amount (S52). When the amount of the recording material is larger than the predetermined remaining amount (NO), the process returns to the beginning of the flow (return). On the other hand, when the amount of the recording material has reached the predetermined remaining amount (YES), the image forming operation is stopped (S53), and a replenishment command is displayed on a replenishment command display such as a liquid crystal panel (S54).

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing another form of the flow from the remaining amount detecting step to the replenishment command displaying step. First, the remaining amount of the recording material is detected in the recording material storage means (S61). Next, it is determined whether the amount of the recording material obtained by the remaining amount detection is equal to or less than a predetermined remaining amount (S62). When the amount of the recording material is larger than the predetermined remaining amount (NO), the process returns to the beginning of the flow (return). On the other hand, if the amount of the recording material has reached the predetermined remaining amount (YES), a feeding count step is started, and the number of recording materials fed from the recording material storage means is counted (S).
63). It is determined whether or not the number has reached a preset number (S64). If the number has not reached (NO), the feeding count process is continued (S65). On the other hand, if the predetermined number has been reached in the feeding count step (S64) (YES), the image forming operation is stopped (S66), and a replenishment command is displayed on a replenishment command display means such as a liquid crystal panel (S67). ).

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the flow of comparison judgment in the CPU when the predetermined remaining amount or the predetermined number is appropriately changed according to the type of recording material stored in the recording material storing means when forming an image. Here, in order to determine the type of the recording material itself, an automatic determination may be performed by an infrared sensor or the like while the recording material is being conveyed. The method of inputting the type of the recording material to be stored is simple.

First, it is determined whether the type of recording material is thick paper (S71). If it is thick paper (YES), the CPU
A predetermined remaining amount or a predetermined number in the recording material storage means, which is set in advance in the case of thick paper and stored in a non-volatile memory such as a ROM, is read out (S72). The read predetermined remaining amount or predetermined number is stored in the comparison register (S
78) Thereafter, when the image forming operation is started and the remaining amount detecting step or the feeding count step described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9 is performed as appropriate, the predetermined remaining amount or the predetermined remaining amount stored in the comparison register, respectively. The number is read and the above-described control is performed. Similarly, it is determined whether the type of recording material is thin paper (S73) and whether the type of recording material is OHP (S75). If YES in each step, steps S74 to S78 are similarly performed. Or the flow proceeds from step S76 to step S78. If the type of recording material is not thick paper, thin paper, or OHP, it is determined that the recording material is plain paper, and a predetermined remaining amount or a predetermined number set in advance for plain paper is read, and the process similarly proceeds to step S78. Will be.

[0101]

According to the present invention, the operator can grasp the conveyance state of the recording material such as the recording paper in the image forming apparatus during the image forming operation, and can easily solve the trouble such as the jam in a short time. Image forming apparatus and image forming method, and an image forming apparatus that prevents a wasteful image forming operation by eliminating a recording material in a sheet feeding tray in a high-speed machine having a narrow interval between image forming operations. An image forming method can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of an image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating components and functions thereof described in the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a feeding count process described with reference to FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a discharge counting step described in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a count value display process described with reference to FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a remaining number calculation step and a remaining number display step described with reference to FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the display of the remaining number by the remaining number display means described in FIG. 2;

8 is a schematic diagram for explaining a case where the image forming unit 3 in the image forming apparatus described with reference to FIG. 1 is changed to the color tandem type shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating one embodiment of a remaining amount detection unit in a sheet feeding tray of the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating another embodiment of the remaining amount detection unit in the sheet feed tray of the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a case where a replenishment command is displayed on a display unit of the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing one form of a flow from a remaining amount detection step to a replenishment command display step.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing another form of the flow from the remaining amount detection step to the replenishment command display step.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a comparison determination in the CPU when a predetermined remaining amount or a predetermined number is appropriately changed according to the type of recording material stored in the recording material storage unit when forming an image.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 automatic document feeder 2 image reading unit 3 image forming unit 5 feed path 6 paper feed tray 7 unit 8 discharge path 9 discharge tray 61 push-up plate 61a hole 61t protrusion 62 push-up spring 63 photo interrupter 64a light intensity adjuster 64b comparison Instrument E Infrared light emitting section P Recording material R Infrared light receiving section S1-S6 Sensor

Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat II (Reference) G03G 15/00 526 G03G 15/00 526 (72) Inventor Kenji Izumimiya 2970 Ishikawacho, Hachioji-shi, Tokyo Konica Corporation ( 72) Inventor Ryuji Okutomi 2970, Ishikawacho, Hachioji-shi, Tokyo Konica Corporation (72) Inventor Shinobu Kishi 2970, Ishikawacho, Hachioji-shi, Tokyo Konica Corporation (72) Inventor Eiji Nishikawa Ishikawacho, Hachioji-shi, Tokyo 2970 Konica Corporation (72) Inventor Masahiro Shigetomi 2970 Ishikawacho, Hachioji-shi, Tokyo F-term (reference) 2H027 DA38 DA41 DC02 DC03 DC07 DC11 DE02 DE07 EE06 EF09 EK03 GA23 GB03 GB07 GB11 ZA07 2H072 AA02 AA09 AA12 AA16 AA17 AA24 AA29 AA36 AB07 AB28 BA03 BA13 EA01 3F048 AA01 AB01 BA14 BC04 BD01 CA05 CC01 DA06 EA01 EB21 3F343 FA02 FB01 FC08 HA37 MA24 MC21 MC26

Claims (30)

[Claims] 1. A photoreceptor for forming an electrostatic latent image, a developing means for developing the formed electrostatic latent image with toner in a developer, and a transfer for transferring the developed toner image to a recording material And a fixing unit for fixing the toner image transferred to the recording material, wherein the conveying unit conveys the recording material from the recording material storage unit to the discharge unit via the transfer unit and the fixing unit. Feed count means for counting the number of recording materials fed from the recording material storage means; discharge count means for counting the number of recording materials discharged to the discharge section; And a count value display means for displaying the feed count value counted by the means and the discharge count value counted by the discharge count means. . 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the feed count value and the discharge count value displayed on the count value display means are in units of one job. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the feed count value and the discharge count value displayed on the count value display means can manage a plurality of jobs. 4. A photoreceptor for forming an electrostatic latent image, developing means for developing the formed electrostatic latent image with toner in a developer, and transfer for transferring the developed toner image to a recording material And a fixing unit for fixing the toner image transferred to the recording material, wherein the conveying unit conveys the recording material from the recording material storage unit to the discharge unit via the transfer unit and the fixing unit. Feeding count means for counting the number of recording materials supplied from the recording material storage means; discharge counting means for counting the number of recording materials discharged to the discharge section; When the image forming operation is stopped due to occurrence of a trouble, the feed count value counted by the feed count means and the discharge count counted by the discharge count means. The value, the image forming apparatus characterized by comprising: a remaining number calculating means for calculating the number of recording material remaining in the image forming apparatus, a remaining amount display means for displaying the remaining number of the calculated. 5. A residual position determining means for detecting a position of a recording material remaining in the image forming apparatus when the image forming operation is stopped due to a trouble during the image forming operation, and the residual position. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising: a remaining position display unit that displays a position of the recording material detected by the determination unit. 6. A latent image forming step of forming an electrostatic latent image on a photoconductor, a developing step of developing the formed electrostatic latent image with a toner in a developer, and a step of developing the developed toner image. An image forming method comprising: a transfer step of transferring to a recording material; and a fixing step of fixing a toner image transferred to the recording material, wherein the recording material is discharged from a recording material storage unit through the transfer unit and the fixing unit. A feeding step of counting the number of the recording materials fed from the recording material storage means, and a discharge counting the number of the recording materials discharged to the discharge unit. A counting step; and a count value display step of displaying a feed count value counted in the feed count step and a discharge count value counted in the discharge count step. An image-forming method, comprising and. 7. The image forming method according to claim 6, wherein the feed count value and the discharge count value displayed in the count value display step are in units of one job. 8. The image forming method according to claim 7, wherein the feed count value and the discharge count value displayed in the count value display step can be managed by a plurality of jobs. 9. A latent image forming step of forming an electrostatic latent image on a photoconductor, a developing step of developing the formed electrostatic latent image with a toner in a developer, and An image forming method comprising: a transfer step of transferring to a recording material; and a fixing step of fixing a toner image transferred to the recording material, wherein the recording material is discharged from a recording material storage unit via the transfer unit and the fixing unit. A feeding step of counting the number of the recording materials fed from the recording material storage means, and a discharge counting the number of the recording materials discharged to the discharge unit. A counting step, wherein when the image forming operation is stopped due to occurrence of a trouble during the image forming operation, the feeding count value counted in the feeding counting step and the discharge counting step are performed. A remaining number calculating step of calculating the number of recording materials remaining in the image forming apparatus from the counted discharge count value; and a remaining number displaying step of displaying the calculated remaining number. Image forming method. 10. A remaining position determining step of detecting a position of a recording material remaining in the image forming apparatus when the image forming operation is stopped due to occurrence of a trouble during the image forming operation; 10. The image forming method according to claim 9, further comprising a remaining position displaying step of displaying the position of the recording material detected in the determining step. 11. A photoreceptor for forming an electrostatic latent image, developing means for developing the formed electrostatic latent image with toner in a developer, and transfer for transferring the developed toner image to a recording material And a fixing unit for fixing the toner image transferred to the recording material, wherein the conveying unit conveys the recording material from the recording material storage unit to the discharge unit via the transfer unit and the fixing unit. When the amount of recording material stored in the recording material storage unit reaches a predetermined remaining amount, the remaining amount detecting unit detects that the remaining amount has reached the predetermined remaining amount. And control means for controlling so as to stop the image forming operation. 12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the control unit controls the image forming operation to be started before the recording material is fed from the recording material storage unit. 13. A replenishment command display means for displaying a replenishment command of a recording material to the recording material storage means based on the stop of the image forming operation or the detection of the predetermined remaining amount. Or the image forming apparatus according to 12. 14. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the stop of the image forming operation is at least a stop of the development by the developing unit. 15. The image forming apparatus has a plurality of the recording material storage means, and is stored in the recording material storage means having the shortest conveying distance of the recording material to the transfer means among the plurality of recording material storage means. 15. The control unit controls the image forming operation to be stopped when it is detected that the amount of recording material reaches the predetermined remaining amount.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. 16. A photoreceptor for forming an electrostatic latent image, developing means for developing the formed electrostatic latent image with toner in a developer, and transfer for transferring the developed toner image to a recording material And a fixing unit for fixing the toner image transferred to the recording material, wherein the conveying unit conveys the recording material from the recording material storage unit to the discharge unit via the transfer unit and the fixing unit. When the amount of the recording material stored in the recording material storage unit reaches a predetermined remaining amount, the remaining amount detecting unit detects that the predetermined remaining amount has been reached by the remaining amount detecting unit. A feed count unit that counts the number of recording materials fed from the recording material storage unit, and stops the image forming operation when the feed count value counted by the feed count unit reaches a predetermined number. Like An image forming apparatus comprising: the Gosuru control means. 17. The image forming apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the control unit controls the image forming operation to be started before the recording material is fed from the recording material storage unit. 18. A replenishment command display means for displaying a replenishment command of a recording material to the recording material storage means based on the stop of the image forming operation or the detection of the predetermined remaining amount. Or an image forming apparatus according to item 17. 19. The image forming apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the stop of the image forming operation is at least a stop of the development by the developing unit. 20. The image forming apparatus includes a plurality of the recording material storage units, and the plurality of recording material storage units are stored in a recording material storage unit having a shortest conveyance distance of the recording material to the transfer unit. 20. The control device according to claim 16, wherein when the amount of the recording material to be detected reaches the predetermined remaining amount, the control unit controls to stop the image forming operation.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. 21. A latent image forming step of forming an electrostatic latent image on a photoreceptor, a developing step of developing the formed electrostatic latent image with a toner in a developer, and An image forming method comprising: a transfer step of transferring to a recording material; and a fixing step of fixing a toner image transferred to the recording material, wherein the recording material is discharged from a recording material storage unit through the transfer unit and the fixing unit. And a remaining amount detecting step for detecting that the amount of the recording material stored in the recording material storing means has reached a predetermined remaining amount, and the predetermined remaining amount in the remaining amount detecting step. And a stopping step of stopping the image forming operation when the amount has been detected. 22. The image forming method according to claim 21, wherein an image forming operation is started before a recording material is fed from said recording material storage means. 23. A recording apparatus according to claim 21, further comprising a replenishment command displaying step of displaying a replenishment command of the recording material to said recording material storage means in conjunction with said stopping step or said remaining amount detecting step. 2. The image forming method according to 1., 24. The image forming method according to claim 21, wherein said stopping step is at least before said developing step. 25. The method according to claim 25, wherein the conveying step includes feeding the recording material from a plurality of recording material storage units, and the stopping step includes conveying the recording material up to the transfer step among the plurality of recording material storage units. The image forming method according to any one of claims 21 to 24, wherein the image forming method is performed in conjunction with a remaining amount detection step in the recording material storage unit having the shortest distance. 26. A latent image forming step of forming an electrostatic latent image on a photoreceptor, a developing step of developing the formed electrostatic latent image with a toner in a developer, and An image forming method comprising: a transfer step of transferring to a recording material; and a fixing step of fixing a toner image transferred to the recording material, wherein the recording material is discharged from a recording material storage unit through the transfer unit and the fixing unit. And a remaining amount detecting step for detecting that the amount of the recording material stored in the recording material storing means has reached a predetermined remaining amount, and the predetermined remaining amount in the remaining amount detecting step. When it is detected that the amount has reached the amount, the feed count step of counting the number of recording materials fed from the recording material storage means; and the feed count value counted in the feed count step reaches a predetermined number. Then Image forming method characterized by having a stopping step of stopping the image forming operation. 27. The image forming method according to claim 26, wherein an image forming operation is started before a recording material is fed from said recording material storage means. 28. A replenishment command displaying step of displaying a replenishment command of a recording material to said recording material storage means in conjunction with said stopping step or said remaining amount detecting step. 2. The image forming method according to 1., 29. The image forming method according to claim 26, wherein said stopping step is at least before said developing step. 30. The transporting step in which the recording material is fed from a plurality of recording material storage means, and the stopping step includes transporting the recording material to the transfer step among the plurality of recording material storage means. The image forming method according to any one of claims 26 to 29, wherein the image forming method is performed in conjunction with a remaining amount detection step in the recording material storage unit having the shortest distance.