JP6955359B2 - Moisture detection device and image forming device for recording materials - Google Patents

Moisture detection device and image forming device for recording materials Download PDF

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JP6955359B2
JP6955359B2 JP2017078477A JP2017078477A JP6955359B2 JP 6955359 B2 JP6955359 B2 JP 6955359B2 JP 2017078477 A JP2017078477 A JP 2017078477A JP 2017078477 A JP2017078477 A JP 2017078477A JP 6955359 B2 JP6955359 B2 JP 6955359B2
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light
recording material
value
amount
moisture
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JP2018180230A (en
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瑞樹 石本
瑞樹 石本
松井 伯夫
松井  伯夫
昌文 門出
昌文 門出
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Canon Inc
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Canon Inc
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Priority to JP2017078477A priority Critical patent/JP6955359B2/en
Priority to US15/943,842 priority patent/US10684218B2/en
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Priority to US16/871,298 priority patent/US11035787B2/en
Priority to US17/318,003 priority patent/US11415508B2/en
Priority to JP2021163721A priority patent/JP7297024B2/en
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Priority to US17/868,917 priority patent/US11815453B2/en
Priority to JP2023097240A priority patent/JP2023118752A/en
Priority to US18/378,719 priority patent/US20240044784A1/en
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本発明は、記録材に含まれる水分量に関する値を検知する水分検知装置及び当該水分検知装置を備えた画像形成装置に関する。 The present invention relates to a moisture detection device that detects a value related to the amount of moisture contained in a recording material, and an image forming apparatus including the moisture detection device.

特許文献1及び2は、被測定物に含まれる水分量を検知する構成を開示している。特許文献1では、水の吸収波長(1450nm)の光と、水の非吸収波長(1300nm)の光とを用いて記録材の内部散乱光を検知することで水分量を検知している。また、特許文献2では、水の吸収波長の光と、水の非吸収波長の光とを被測定物に照射し、被測定物からの透過光又は反射光を検知することで水分量を検知している。 Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose a configuration for detecting the amount of water contained in an object to be measured. In Patent Document 1, the amount of water is detected by detecting the internally scattered light of the recording material using the light having an absorption wavelength of water (1450 nm) and the light having a non-absorption wavelength of water (1300 nm). Further, in Patent Document 2, the water content is detected by irradiating the object to be measured with light having an absorption wavelength of water and light having a non-absorption wavelength of water and detecting transmitted light or reflected light from the object to be measured. doing.

特開2013−57513号公報Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2013-57513 特開平8−82598号公報Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 8-82598

しかしながら、特許文献1及び2の構成では、水の吸収波長である1450nmや1940nmの光を射出する光源と、これら波長において必要な受光感度が得られる受光素子を必要とする。具体的には、InGaAs(Indium Gallium Arsenide)を材料としたLEDやフォトダイオード等の高価な光学素子が必要となりコスト高となる。 However, the configurations of Patent Documents 1 and 2 require a light source that emits light having an absorption wavelength of water of 1450 nm or 1940 nm, and a light receiving element that can obtain the light receiving sensitivity required at these wavelengths. Specifically, an expensive optical element such as an LED or a photodiode made of InGaAs (Indium Gallium Arsenide) is required, which increases the cost.

本発明は、高価な光学素子を使用することなく記録材の水分量に関する値を検知できる水分検知装置及び画像形成装置を提供するものである。 The present invention provides a moisture detection device and an image forming apparatus that can detect a value related to the moisture content of a recording material without using an expensive optical element.

本発明の一態様によると、水分検知装置は、400nmから800nmの範囲に含まれるピーク波長をもつ第1の光を射出する第1光源と、前記第1の光のピーク波長よりも長く、800nmから1000nmの範囲に含まれるピーク波長をもつ第2の光を射出する第2光源と、400nmから1000nmの波長帯に受光感度を有し、前記第1光源が射出し、記録材を透過した前記第1の光を受光することで、前記第1の光が前記記録材を透過する度合いを示す第1検出値と、前記第2光源が射出し、前記記録材を透過した前記第2の光を受光することで、前記第2の光が前記記録材を透過する度合いを示す第2検出値と、を検出する検出手段と、前記第1検出値と前記第2検出値とに基づき前記記録材の水分量に関する値を判定する判定手段と、を備えていることを特徴とする。
According to one aspect of the present invention, the moisture detection device has a first light source that emits a first light having a peak wavelength in the range of 400 nm to 800 nm, and 800 nm, which is longer than the peak wavelength of the first light. A second light source that emits a second light having a peak wavelength included in the range of 1000 nm to 1000 nm, and a second light source that has light receiving sensitivity in the wavelength band of 400 nm to 1000 nm, and the first light source emits the light and transmits the recording material. by receiving the first light, the a first detection value first light indicates the degree that transmits the recording medium, the second light source is emitted, said second light transmitted through the recording material The recording is based on the detection means for detecting the second detection value indicating the degree to which the second light is transmitted through the recording material by receiving the light, and the first detection value and the second detection value. It is characterized in that it is provided with a determination means for determining a value related to the water content of the material.

本発明によると、高価な光学素子を使用することなく記録材の水分量に関する値を検知することができる。 According to the present invention, it is possible to detect a value related to the water content of a recording material without using an expensive optical element.

一実施形態による画像形成装置の構成図。The block diagram of the image forming apparatus by one Embodiment. 一実施形態による水分検知装置の構成図。The block diagram of the moisture detection apparatus by one Embodiment. 一実施形態による水分検知原理の説明図。Explanatory drawing of the moisture detection principle by one Embodiment. 一実施形態による水分判定情報の説明図。Explanatory drawing of moisture determination information by one Embodiment. 一実施形態による記録材の水分検知処理のフローチャート。The flowchart of the moisture detection processing of the recording material by one Embodiment. 一実施形態による水分判定情報の説明図。Explanatory drawing of moisture determination information by one Embodiment. 一実施形態による坪量判定情報の説明図。Explanatory drawing of basis weight determination information by one Embodiment.

以下、本発明の例示的な実施形態について図面を参照して説明する。なお、以下の実施形態は例示であり、本発明を実施形態の内容に限定するものではない。また、以下の各図においては、実施形態の説明に必要ではない構成要素については図から省略する。 Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The following embodiments are examples, and the present invention is not limited to the contents of the embodiments. Further, in each of the following figures, components that are not necessary for the description of the embodiment will be omitted from the drawings.

<第一実施形態>
図1は、本実施形態による水分検知装置を含む画像形成装置1の概略的な構成図である。画像形成装置1は、イエロー(Y)、マゼンタ(M)、シアン(C)、ブラック(K)の4色のトナー(現像材)それぞれで形成したトナー像を重ね合わせることでカラー画像を形成する。図1において、参照符号の末尾のY、M、C及びKは、対応する部材が形成に係るトナーの色がそれぞれ、イエロー、マゼンタ、シアン、ブラックであることを示している。なお、以下の説明においてトナーの色を区別する必要がない場合には、参照符号の末尾のアルファベットの除いた参照符号を使用する。
<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus 1 including a moisture detecting apparatus according to the present embodiment. The image forming apparatus 1 forms a color image by superimposing toner images formed of four color toners (developing materials) of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). .. In FIG. 1, Y, M, C, and K at the end of the reference numerals indicate that the toner colors of the corresponding members are yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, respectively. When it is not necessary to distinguish the toner colors in the following description, the reference code without the alphabet at the end of the reference code is used.

感光体11は、像担持体であり、画像形成時、図中の矢印の方向に回転駆動される。帯電ローラ12は、感光体11の表面を一様な電位に帯電させる。走査部13は、帯電された感光体11を光で走査・露光して感光体11に静電潜像を形成する。現像部14は対応する色のトナーを有し、現像ローラ15が出力する現像バイアスによりトナーを感光体11の静電潜像に付着させ、これによりトナー像を感光体11に形成する。一次転写ローラ16は、一次転写バイアスを出力して感光体11のトナー像を中間転写ベルト17に転写する。中間転写ベルト17は、画像形成時、駆動ローラ18の回転に従属して回転駆動される。各感光体11に形成されたトナー像を、回転駆動される中間転写ベルト17に重ねて転写することで多色のトナー像を形成することができる。また、中間転写ベルト17に転写されたトナー像は、中間転写ベルト17の回転により二次転写ローラ19の対向位置へと搬送される。 The photoconductor 11 is an image carrier, and is rotationally driven in the direction of the arrow in the drawing during image formation. The charging roller 12 charges the surface of the photoconductor 11 to a uniform potential. The scanning unit 13 scans and exposes the charged photoconductor 11 with light to form an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor 11. The developing unit 14 has toner of the corresponding color, and the toner is adhered to the electrostatic latent image of the photoconductor 11 by the development bias output by the developing roller 15, thereby forming the toner image on the photoconductor 11. The primary transfer roller 16 outputs a primary transfer bias to transfer the toner image of the photoconductor 11 to the intermediate transfer belt 17. The intermediate transfer belt 17 is rotationally driven depending on the rotation of the drive roller 18 at the time of image formation. A multicolored toner image can be formed by superimposing and transferring the toner image formed on each photoconductor 11 on the rotation-driven intermediate transfer belt 17. Further, the toner image transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 17 is conveyed to the opposite position of the secondary transfer roller 19 by the rotation of the intermediate transfer belt 17.

また、給紙カセット2の記録材Pは、給紙ローラ4により搬送路に給紙され、搬送ローラ対5及びレジストレーションローラ対6により二次転写ローラ19の対向位置へと搬送される。二次転写ローラ19は、二次転写バイアスを出力して、中間転写ベルト17のトナー像を記録材Pに転写する。トナー像が転写された記録材Pは、定着部20に搬送される。定着部20は、記録材Pを加熱・加圧してトナー像を記録材Pに定着させる。トナー像が定着された記録材Pは、排紙ローラ21により画像形成装置1の外部に排出される。図1において、参照符号40で示される点線内の部材は、記録材Pに画像を形成する画像形成部を構成している。 Further, the recording material P of the paper feed cassette 2 is fed into the transport path by the paper feed roller 4, and is conveyed to the position opposite to the secondary transfer roller 19 by the transport roller pair 5 and the registration roller pair 6. The secondary transfer roller 19 outputs a secondary transfer bias to transfer the toner image of the intermediate transfer belt 17 to the recording material P. The recording material P to which the toner image is transferred is conveyed to the fixing unit 20. The fixing unit 20 heats and pressurizes the recording material P to fix the toner image on the recording material P. The recording material P on which the toner image is fixed is discharged to the outside of the image forming apparatus 1 by the paper ejection roller 21. In FIG. 1, the member in the dotted line indicated by the reference numeral 40 constitutes an image forming portion for forming an image on the recording material P.

レジストレーションローラ対6より記録材の搬送方向の下流側には、記録材Pを検知するレジストレーションセンサ3が設けられている。また、搬送方向において、レジストレーションセンサ3の下流側、かつ、二次転写ローラ19の上流側には、記録材判別装置30が設けられている。記録材判別装置30は、送信部33と、受信部34とを有し、記録材Pの坪量を検知する坪量検知部31と、記録材Pの表面性を検知する表面性検知部32と、を備えている。さらに、搬送方向において、記録材判別装置30の下流側、かつ、二次転写ローラ19の上流側には、水分検知装置35が設けられている。水分検知装置35は、発光部37及び受光部38を有する水分検知センサ部36と、水分検知制御部39と、を備えている。 A registration sensor 3 for detecting the recording material P is provided on the downstream side of the registration roller pair 6 in the transport direction of the recording material. Further, in the transport direction, a recording material discriminating device 30 is provided on the downstream side of the registration sensor 3 and on the upstream side of the secondary transfer roller 19. The recording material discriminating device 30 has a transmitting unit 33 and a receiving unit 34, and has a basis weight detecting unit 31 for detecting the basis weight of the recording material P and a surface surface detecting unit 32 for detecting the surface property of the recording material P. And have. Further, in the transport direction, a moisture detection device 35 is provided on the downstream side of the recording material discrimination device 30 and on the upstream side of the secondary transfer roller 19. The moisture detection device 35 includes a moisture detection sensor unit 36 having a light emitting unit 37 and a light receiving unit 38, and a moisture detection control unit 39.

画像形成装置1の制御部10は、画像形成装置1全体の制御を行い、1つ以上のプロセッサと、プロセッサが使用するプログラムやデータを格納する不揮発性メモリと、プロセッサの作業領域として使用されるRAM等を備えている。制御部10は、例えば、記録材判別装置30により検知した記録材Pの種類に応じた印刷モードを決定して画像形成装置1の動作を一括して制御する。 The control unit 10 of the image forming apparatus 1 controls the entire image forming apparatus 1, and is used as one or more processors, a non-volatile memory for storing programs and data used by the processors, and a work area of the processors. It is equipped with a RAM and the like. The control unit 10 determines, for example, a print mode according to the type of the recording material P detected by the recording material discriminating device 30, and collectively controls the operation of the image forming device 1.

続いて、水分検知装置35について説明する。図2(A)は、水分検知装置35のブロック図である。水分検知センサ部36は、記録材Pの搬送路に対して互いに逆側に設けられる発光部37及び受光部38を有し、発光部37から射出される光を受光部38で受光する。ここで、水分検知センサ部36の主要部である発光部37及び受光部38の構成の詳細を図2(B)に示す。 Subsequently, the moisture detection device 35 will be described. FIG. 2A is a block diagram of the moisture detection device 35. The moisture detection sensor unit 36 has a light emitting unit 37 and a light receiving unit 38 provided on opposite sides to the transport path of the recording material P, and the light receiving unit 38 receives the light emitted from the light emitting unit 37. Here, the details of the configuration of the light emitting unit 37 and the light receiving unit 38, which are the main parts of the moisture detection sensor unit 36, are shown in FIG. 2 (B).

発光部37は、発光素子37a及び発光素子37bと、それらを駆動させるための駆動回路(不図示)から構成される。本実施形態において、発光素子37aは、ピーク波長が560nmである光を射出するLEDであり、発光素子37bは、ピーク波長が850nmである光を射出するLEDである。約400〜800nmの波長帯は、一般的に、可視光領域と呼ばれ、約800〜2500nmの波長帯は、一般的に、近赤外光領域と呼ばれる。よって、以下では、発光素子37aが射出する光を「可視光」と表記し、発光素子37bが射出する光を「近赤外光」と表記して区別する。なお、上述した、発光素子37a及び発光素子37bの波長は一例であり、可視光領域の波長及び近赤外光領域の波長であれば良い。 The light emitting unit 37 includes a light emitting element 37a and a light emitting element 37b, and a drive circuit (not shown) for driving them. In the present embodiment, the light emitting element 37a is an LED that emits light having a peak wavelength of 560 nm, and the light emitting element 37b is an LED that emits light having a peak wavelength of 850 nm. The wavelength band of about 400 to 800 nm is generally referred to as the visible light region, and the wavelength band of about 800 to 2500 nm is generally referred to as the near infrared light region. Therefore, in the following, the light emitted by the light emitting element 37a is referred to as "visible light", and the light emitted by the light emitting element 37b is referred to as "near infrared light" to distinguish them. The wavelengths of the light emitting element 37a and the light emitting element 37b described above are examples, and may be any wavelength in the visible light region and the wavelength in the near infrared light region.

発光素子37aが射出した可視光は、アパーチャ37cを介して記録材Pを照射する。同様に、発光素子37bが射出した近赤外光は、アパーチャ37dを介して記録材Pを照射する。アパーチャ37c及び37dは、記録材P表面の照射面積を制限し、記録材Pを透過した光を受光部38の所望の範囲で受光させるために設けられている。しかしながら、発光素子37a及び発光素子37bが指向性の高い光を射出する場合、アパーチャ37c及びアパーチャ37dを設けなくとも良い。 The visible light emitted by the light emitting element 37a irradiates the recording material P via the aperture 37c. Similarly, the near-infrared light emitted by the light emitting element 37b irradiates the recording material P via the aperture 37d. The apertures 37c and 37d are provided to limit the irradiation area on the surface of the recording material P and to receive the light transmitted through the recording material P in a desired range of the light receiving unit 38. However, when the light emitting element 37a and the light emitting element 37b emit light having high directivity, it is not necessary to provide the aperture 37c and the aperture 37d.

受光部38は、受光素子38a及び受光素子38bを備えている。受光素子38a及び受光素子38bは、それぞれ、光電変換素子であり、例えば、汎用のCMOSセンサである。なお、受光素子としては、半導体シリコンを用いたセンサ、例えば、Siフォトダイオード、Siフォトトランジスタ、CCDセンサ、NMOSセンサ等を使用することができる。また、受光面の形状が、エリア型やライン型のものも使用することもできる。これらの光電変換素子は、一般に約400〜1000nmの波長帯に受光感度を有する。つまり、受光素子38a及び受光素子38bは、発光素子37a及び発光素子37bのピーク波長を含む波長帯に受光感度を有する。 The light receiving unit 38 includes a light receiving element 38a and a light receiving element 38b. The light receiving element 38a and the light receiving element 38b are photoelectric conversion elements, respectively, and are, for example, general-purpose CMOS sensors. As the light receiving element, a sensor using semiconductor silicon, for example, a Si photodiode, a Si phototransistor, a CCD sensor, an NMOS sensor, or the like can be used. Further, the shape of the light receiving surface may be an area type or a line type. These photoelectric conversion elements generally have light receiving sensitivity in the wavelength band of about 400 to 1000 nm. That is, the light receiving element 38a and the light receiving element 38b have light receiving sensitivity in the wavelength band including the peak wavelengths of the light emitting element 37a and the light emitting element 37b.

記録材Pを透過した可視光及び近赤外光は、それぞれ受光素子38a及び38bにより受光される。なお、本実施形態では、2つの発光素子37a及び37bそれぞれに対応して2つの受光素子38a及び38bを使用している。しかしながら、各発光素子38a、38bが射出し、記録材Pを透過した透過光を区別して検出できれば良く、水分検知センサ部36の構成は図2(B)の構成に限定されない。例えば、発光素子37aと発光素子37bからの透過光が受光素子の異なる範囲を照射し、受光素子が、発光素子37aからの透過光と発光素子37bからの透過光それぞれの受光量を示す信号を個別に出力できれば、受光素子を1つとすることもできる。さらに、各発光素子38a、38bの発光タイミングを異ならせるといった制御を行えば、各発光素子38a、38bからの透過光の受光範囲が重複しても、受光量を個別に検出することができる。さらに、発光素子、アパーチャ、受光素子それぞれの距離や、光の射出角度は、記録材Pの透過光を受光可能であれば良く、例えば、記録材Pおよび受光面に対して光を斜めに射出する構成であっても良い。 Visible light and near-infrared light transmitted through the recording material P are received by the light receiving elements 38a and 38b, respectively. In this embodiment, two light receiving elements 38a and 38b are used corresponding to the two light emitting elements 37a and 37b, respectively. However, the configuration of the moisture detection sensor unit 36 is not limited to the configuration of FIG. 2B, as long as the transmitted light emitted from the light emitting elements 38a and 38b and transmitted through the recording material P can be detected separately. For example, the transmitted light from the light emitting element 37a and the light emitting element 37b irradiates different ranges of the light receiving element, and the light receiving element emits a signal indicating the amount of light received from each of the transmitted light from the light emitting element 37a and the transmitted light from the light emitting element 37b. If it can be output individually, the number of light receiving elements can be one. Further, if the light emitting timings of the light emitting elements 38a and 38b are controlled to be different, the light receiving amount can be individually detected even if the light receiving ranges of the transmitted light from the light emitting elements 38a and 38b overlap. Further, the distance between the light emitting element, the aperture, and the light receiving element and the light emission angle may be set as long as the transmitted light of the recording material P can be received. For example, the light is emitted obliquely to the recording material P and the light receiving surface. It may be configured to be used.

図2(A)に戻り、水分検知制御部39について説明する。水分検知制御部39は、発光部37に対して、発光部37の発光素子37a及び37bが射出する光のON/OFF制御と、その光量制御(光強度制御)を行う。なおこれらは、制御部10からの制御信号に基づいて行われる。発光素子37a及び37bの発光光量は、記録材Pの透過光が受光素子38a及び38bで受光できる大きさとなる様に制御される。なお、最適な発光光量は、発光素子及び受光素子の特性により異なる。また、LEDなどの発光素子では、駆動回路の電圧変動の影響で発光光量が時間的に変動する場合があり、これは水分量の検知精度を低下させる原因となる。この場合は、例えば定電流回路などで発光光量を安定させることができる。さらに、水分検知制御部39は受光部38に対して、受光タイミングを制御する制御信号を出力する。これにより、受光素子38a及び受光素子38bの受光時間が同等になるように制御される。 Returning to FIG. 2A, the moisture detection control unit 39 will be described. The moisture detection control unit 39 controls the light emitting unit 37 to turn on / off the light emitted by the light emitting elements 37a and 37b of the light emitting unit 37, and controls the amount of the light (light intensity control). These are performed based on the control signal from the control unit 10. The amount of light emitted by the light emitting elements 37a and 37b is controlled so that the transmitted light of the recording material P can be received by the light receiving elements 38a and 38b. The optimum amount of emitted light differs depending on the characteristics of the light emitting element and the light receiving element. Further, in a light emitting element such as an LED, the amount of emitted light may fluctuate with time due to the influence of voltage fluctuation of the drive circuit, which causes a decrease in the detection accuracy of the amount of water. In this case, the amount of emitted light can be stabilized by, for example, a constant current circuit. Further, the moisture detection control unit 39 outputs a control signal for controlling the light reception timing to the light receiving unit 38. As a result, the light receiving time of the light receiving element 38a and the light receiving element 38b is controlled to be the same.

また、水分検知制御部39は、受光部38から可視光及び近赤外光の受光光量を示す受光データを取得し、受光データに基づいて記録材Pの水分量(含水量)に関する値を算出する。そして、算出した水分量に関する値を示す含水データを制御部10に出力する。なお、水分検知制御部39は、特定用途向けの集積回路(ASIC)上で実現することができ、本実施形態では、ASIC上に水分検知制御部39を実現しているものとする。しかしながら、画像形成装置1の制御部10のプロセッサにプログラムを実行させることで水分検知制御部39を実現することもできる。 Further, the moisture detection control unit 39 acquires light receiving data indicating the amount of visible light and near-infrared light received from the light receiving unit 38, and calculates a value related to the water content (water content) of the recording material P based on the light receiving data. do. Then, the water content data indicating the calculated value regarding the water content is output to the control unit 10. The moisture detection control unit 39 can be realized on an integrated circuit (ASIC) for a specific application, and in the present embodiment, it is assumed that the moisture detection control unit 39 is realized on the ASIC. However, the moisture detection control unit 39 can also be realized by causing the processor of the control unit 10 of the image forming apparatus 1 to execute the program.

画像形成装置1の制御部10は、水分検知制御部39への制御信号の出力を行い、水分検知装置35から取得した含水データにより、画像形成条件を制御する。例えば、制御部10は、記録材Pの水分量に応じて二次転写ローラ19が出力する転写電圧である二次転写バイアスや、二次転写バイアスにより流れる転写電流を制御する。また、制御部10は、記録材Pの含水率に応じて定着部20の定着温度をする。具体的には、記録材Pの水分量が低いと、記録材Pの抵抗が大きくなるため、転写電流が大きくなるよう二次転写バイアスを高くする。また、記録材Pの水分量が高いと、定着不良が懸念されるため定着温度を上げる。 The control unit 10 of the image forming apparatus 1 outputs a control signal to the moisture detecting control unit 39, and controls the image forming conditions by the water content data acquired from the moisture detecting apparatus 35. For example, the control unit 10 controls the secondary transfer bias, which is the transfer voltage output by the secondary transfer roller 19, and the transfer current that flows due to the secondary transfer bias, according to the amount of water in the recording material P. Further, the control unit 10 sets the fixing temperature of the fixing unit 20 according to the water content of the recording material P. Specifically, when the water content of the recording material P is low, the resistance of the recording material P increases, so that the secondary transfer bias is increased so that the transfer current increases. Further, if the water content of the recording material P is high, there is a concern that fixing failure will occur, so the fixing temperature will be raised.

以下、記録材の水分量に関する値である含水率の算出について説明する。まず、発光素子37a及び37bが射出した光を、記録材Pを透過させることなく受光素子38a及び38bに受光させたときの受光量を以下では紙無受光量と呼ぶものとする。また、発光素子37a及び37bが射出した光を、記録材Pを透過させて受光素子38a及び受光素子38bに受光させたときの受光量を以下では紙有受光量と呼ぶものとする。このとき、発光素子37a及び37bそれぞれが射出した光の記録材Pの透過特性、つまり、記録材Pを光が透過する度合いを示す検出値は、例えば、以下の式(1)で求めることができる。
検出値=紙有受光量×係数/紙無受光量 (1)
つまり、記録材Pの透過特性を示す検出値は、紙有受光量と紙無受光量の比に係数を乗じたものである。ここで、係数は、発光素子37a及び37bの発光光量差や、受光素子38a及び38bの受光波長に対する受光感度の違い(分光感度特性)を補正し、正規化した紙有受光量を求めるためのものであり、予め求めて水分検知制御部39に格納しておく。よって、係数及び紙無受光量で正規化した紙有受光量は、発光素子37a及び37bを所定の発光強度で発光させたときに、記録材Pを透過する透過光量を示すものということもできる。このため、以下では、検出値を透過光量と呼ぶものとする。なお、例えば、発光素子37a及び37bの発光強度と、受光素子38a及び38bの感度を予め調整すれば、紙有受光量を透過光量とすることもできる。
Hereinafter, the calculation of the water content, which is a value related to the water content of the recording material, will be described. First, the amount of light received by the light emitting elements 37a and 37b when the light emitted by the light emitting elements 37a and 37b is received by the light receiving elements 38a and 38b without passing through the recording material P is hereinafter referred to as a paper non-light receiving amount. Further, the amount of light received when the light emitted by the light emitting elements 37a and 37b is transmitted through the recording material P and received by the light receiving element 38a and the light receiving element 38b is hereinafter referred to as the amount of received light with paper. At this time, the transmission characteristic of the light recording material P emitted by each of the light emitting elements 37a and 37b, that is, the detection value indicating the degree of light transmission through the recording material P can be obtained by, for example, the following equation (1). can.
Detected value = amount of light received on paper x coefficient / amount of light received on paper (1)
That is, the detected value indicating the transmission characteristic of the recording material P is the ratio of the amount of light received on paper and the amount of light received on paper multiplied by a coefficient. Here, the coefficient is used to correct the difference in the amount of light emitted between the light emitting elements 37a and 37b and the difference in the light receiving sensitivity (spectral sensitivity characteristic) with respect to the light receiving wavelength of the light receiving elements 38a and 38b, and to obtain the normalized amount of light received on paper. It is obtained in advance and stored in the moisture detection control unit 39. Therefore, it can be said that the light receiving amount on paper normalized by the coefficient and the light receiving amount on paper indicates the transmitted light amount transmitted through the recording material P when the light emitting elements 37a and 37b are made to emit light at a predetermined light emitting intensity. .. Therefore, in the following, the detected value will be referred to as the transmitted light amount. For example, if the emission intensity of the light emitting elements 37a and 37b and the sensitivity of the light receiving elements 38a and 38b are adjusted in advance, the amount of light received on paper can be used as the amount of transmitted light.

続いて、記録材Pの透過光量と、記録材Pの含水量との関係について説明する。図3(A)は、可視光及び近赤外光それぞれについて、水分を含んでいない乾燥時の記録材Pの透過光量を示している。光は波長が長くなるに従って記録材Pを透過しやすくなるため、近赤外光は可視光より透過光量が大きくなる。 Subsequently, the relationship between the amount of transmitted light of the recording material P and the water content of the recording material P will be described. FIG. 3A shows the amount of transmitted light of the recording material P at the time of drying, which does not contain water, for each of the visible light and the near infrared light. As the wavelength of light becomes longer, it becomes easier to pass through the recording material P, so that the amount of transmitted light of near-infrared light is larger than that of visible light.

一方、記録材Pが吸湿すると、記録材Pに含まれる水分により記録材Pの透過特性は変化する。この変化を与える要因の1つに、記録材P表面での乱反射特性の変化がある。具体的には、記録材Pに光を照射した場合、記録材Pの主成分である植物繊維の凹凸により記録材Pの表面で乱反射が生じる。ここで記録材Pに含まれる水分量が変化すると、記録材P表面の境界条件が変化し、記録材Pの表面での乱反射量が変化する。具体的には、記録材Pに含まれる水分量が多くなると、記録材Pの表面での乱反射量は減少し、よって、記録材Pの透過光量は大きくなる。なお、乱反射特性は波長依存性が少ない。よって、記録材Pに含まれる水分量の変化による乱反射特性の変化により、可視光及び近赤外光の透過光量は変化するが、その変化量は略同じである。 On the other hand, when the recording material P absorbs moisture, the permeation characteristics of the recording material P change due to the moisture contained in the recording material P. One of the factors giving this change is a change in the diffused reflection characteristics on the surface of the recording material P. Specifically, when the recording material P is irradiated with light, diffuse reflection occurs on the surface of the recording material P due to the unevenness of the plant fiber which is the main component of the recording material P. Here, when the amount of water contained in the recording material P changes, the boundary conditions on the surface of the recording material P change, and the amount of diffused reflection on the surface of the recording material P changes. Specifically, as the amount of water contained in the recording material P increases, the amount of diffused reflection on the surface of the recording material P decreases, and therefore the amount of transmitted light of the recording material P increases. The diffused reflection characteristic has little wavelength dependence. Therefore, the amount of transmitted light of visible light and near-infrared light changes due to the change in diffused reflection characteristics due to the change in the amount of water contained in the recording material P, but the amount of change is substantially the same.

また、記録材Pの透過特性に変化を与える要因の1つに、記録材Pに含まれる水分による光の吸収がある。水は、光を吸収する特性(吸光特性)を有するが、その吸収の程度は光の波長によって異なる。具体的には、波長が長くなると吸収量は増加する。ここで、記録材Pの含水量の増加による、吸光特性に基づく透過光量の減少量は、乱反射特性に基づく透過光量の増加量より小さい。つまり、記録材Pの含水量が増加すると、近赤外光及び可視光の透過光量は全体として増加するが、近赤外光の透過光量の増加量は、可視光の透過光量の増加量よりも小さい。この様子を図3(B)に示す。吸湿時の記録材Pの透過光量は、図3(A)に示す乾燥時と比較して増加する。ただし、増加量は、吸光特性の波長依存性により、近赤外光と比較して可視光の方が大きくなる。 Further, one of the factors that change the transmission characteristics of the recording material P is the absorption of light by the moisture contained in the recording material P. Water has the property of absorbing light (absorbency property), but the degree of absorption varies depending on the wavelength of light. Specifically, the absorption amount increases as the wavelength becomes longer. Here, the amount of decrease in the amount of transmitted light based on the absorption characteristics due to the increase in the water content of the recording material P is smaller than the amount of increase in the amount of transmitted light based on the diffused reflection characteristics. That is, when the water content of the recording material P increases, the amount of transmitted light of near-infrared light and visible light increases as a whole, but the amount of increase in the amount of transmitted light of near-infrared light is larger than the amount of increase in the amount of transmitted light of visible light. Is also small. This situation is shown in FIG. 3 (B). The amount of transmitted light of the recording material P at the time of absorbing moisture increases as compared with the time of drying shown in FIG. 3 (A). However, the amount of increase is larger in visible light than in near-infrared light due to the wavelength dependence of the absorption characteristics.

本実施形態では、可視光の透過光量と、近赤外光の透過光量との光量差を、記録材Pの含水量を評価するための評価値とする。なお、光量差は、以下の式(2)で求められる。
光量差=近赤外光の透過光量−可視光の透過光量 (2)
上述した様に、記録材Pの含水量が変化したときの、乱反射特性に基づく透過光量の変化には波長依存性が殆どないため、光量差の計算において乱反射特性に基づく透過光量の変化は相殺される。一方、記録材Pの含水量が変化したときの吸光特性に基づく透過光量の変化には波長依存性があり、よって、光量差は、記録材Pの含水量が変化すると変化する。
In the present embodiment, the difference in the amount of light between the amount of transmitted light of visible light and the amount of transmitted light of near-infrared light is used as an evaluation value for evaluating the water content of the recording material P. The difference in the amount of light is calculated by the following formula (2).
Difference in light intensity = transmitted light intensity of near-infrared light-transmitted light intensity of visible light (2)
As described above, when the water content of the recording material P changes, the change in the transmitted light amount based on the diffused reflection characteristic has almost no wavelength dependence, so that the change in the transmitted light amount based on the diffused reflection characteristic cancels out in the calculation of the light amount difference. Will be done. On the other hand, the change in the amount of transmitted light based on the absorption characteristics when the water content of the recording material P changes is wavelength-dependent, and therefore the difference in the amount of light changes as the water content of the recording material P changes.

図4は、記録材Pの含水率と光量差との関係を示している。なお、含水率とは、記録材Pの坪量に対する記録材Pの含水量の比率(%)であり、記録材Pの含水量を示す値である。なお、図4は、記録材Pとして坪量が60g/mの普通紙(60g紙)を用いた場合の、含水率と光量差との測定結果を示している。図3を用いて説明した様に、記録材Pの含水率が増加するに従い光量差は減少している。水分検知制御部39に、予め、図4の関係を示す式、テーブル等の水分判定情報を保持させておく。そして、水分検知制御部39は、水分判定情報と、評価値である光量差と、に基づき含水率を判定する。なお、本実施形態では、記録材Pの含水量を示す値として、含水率を使用するが、水分判定情報として、光量と含水量との関係を示すものを使用し、含水量を求める形態であっても良い。また、本実施形態では、可視光と近赤外光の透過光量の光量差を評価値としているが、含水量に相関のある値であれば光量差を評価値とする構成に本発明は限定されない。例えば、可視光の透過光量と近赤外光の透過光量との比を評価値としても良い。つまり、評価値として、以下の式(4)で示す光量比を使用する構成であっても良い。
光量比=近赤外光の透過光量/可視光の透過光量 (4)
FIG. 4 shows the relationship between the water content of the recording material P and the difference in the amount of light. The water content is a ratio (%) of the water content of the recording material P to the basis weight of the recording material P, and is a value indicating the water content of the recording material P. Note that FIG. 4 shows the measurement results of the water content and the difference in light intensity when plain paper (60 g paper) having a basis weight of 60 g / m 2 is used as the recording material P. As described with reference to FIG. 3, the difference in light intensity decreases as the water content of the recording material P increases. The moisture detection control unit 39 holds in advance moisture determination information such as an expression and a table showing the relationship shown in FIG. Then, the moisture detection control unit 39 determines the moisture content based on the moisture determination information and the light amount difference which is an evaluation value. In the present embodiment, the water content is used as the value indicating the water content of the recording material P, but the water content is obtained by using the water content indicating the relationship between the light amount and the water content as the water content determination information. There may be. Further, in the present embodiment, the difference in the amount of transmitted light between visible light and near-infrared light is used as the evaluation value, but the present invention is limited to a configuration in which the difference in the amount of light is used as the evaluation value if the value has a correlation with the water content. Not done. For example, the ratio of the amount of transmitted light of visible light to the amount of transmitted light of near-infrared light may be used as an evaluation value. That is, the evaluation value may be configured to use the light amount ratio represented by the following formula (4).
Light intensity ratio = transmitted light intensity of near-infrared light / transmitted light intensity of visible light (4)

図5は、本実施形態における含水率の判定処理のフローチャートである。画像形成の開始により、S101で、水分検知制御部39は、発光素子37a及び37bを発光させる。S102で、制御部10は、レジストレーションセンサ3により記録材Pの搬送位置を検知する。S102での記録材Pの検知後、S103で、制御部10は、所定時間だけ待機する。この待機時間は、記録材Pが、発光部37から受光部38への光路内の位置より上流側の所定位置に到達するまでの時間である。制御部10は、S103で所定時間が経過すると、水分検知制御部39を制御し、S104及びS204で、可視光及び近赤外光それぞれについて紙無受光量を測定させる。なお、記録材Pが発光部37から受光部38への光路内に到達する直前の位置で紙無受光量を測定するのは、紙無受光量と紙有受光量の測定時における、発光部37の発光強度の時間変動の影響を抑えるためである。紙無光量の測定後、S105及びS205で、制御部10は、紙有受光量を測定できる位置に記録材Pが到達するまでの所定時間だけ待機する。その後、S106及びS206で、制御部10は、水分検知制御部39を制御し、これにより、水分検知制御部39は、可視光及び近赤外光それぞれについて紙有受光量を測定する。 FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the water content determination process in the present embodiment. Upon the start of image formation, in S101, the moisture detection control unit 39 causes the light emitting elements 37a and 37b to emit light. In S102, the control unit 10 detects the transport position of the recording material P by the registration sensor 3. After the detection of the recording material P in S102, the control unit 10 waits for a predetermined time in S103. This standby time is the time until the recording material P reaches a predetermined position on the upstream side of the position in the optical path from the light emitting unit 37 to the light receiving unit 38. When a predetermined time elapses in S103, the control unit 10 controls the moisture detection control unit 39, and causes S104 and S204 to measure the amount of non-light received on paper for each of visible light and near-infrared light. It should be noted that the amount of paper non-light receiving is measured at the position immediately before the recording material P reaches the light path from the light emitting unit 37 to the light receiving unit 38 when the paper non-light receiving amount and the paper light receiving amount are measured. This is to suppress the influence of the time variation of the emission intensity of 37. After measuring the amount of non-light on paper, in S105 and S205, the control unit 10 waits for a predetermined time until the recording material P reaches a position where the amount of light received on paper can be measured. After that, in S106 and S206, the control unit 10 controls the moisture detection control unit 39, whereby the moisture detection control unit 39 measures the amount of light received on paper for each of the visible light and the near infrared light.

S107及びS207で、水分検知制御部39は、可視光及び近赤外光それぞれについて式(1)により透過光量を算出し、S108及びS208で、可視光及び近赤外光それぞれの透過光量を保存する。S109及びS209において、制御部10は、記録材Pが紙有受光量を測定できる位置を抜けたかを判定し、抜けていないと、水分検知制御部39を制御し、紙有受光量の測定と、透過光量の算出と保存を繰り返し行う。記録材Pが紙有受光量を測定できる位置を抜けると、水分検知制御部39は、S110及びS120において、可視光及び近赤外光それぞれについて測定した複数の透過光量の平均値を求める。S111で、水分検知制御部39は、可視光及び近赤外光それぞれの透過光量の平均値により評価値を算出する。そして、水分検知制御部39は、事前に設定された水分判定情報と、評価値とに基づき記録材Pの含水率を判定する。 In S107 and S2007, the moisture detection control unit 39 calculates the amount of transmitted light for each of the visible light and the near-infrared light by the equation (1), and in S108 and S208, the amount of transmitted light for each of the visible light and the near-infrared light is stored. do. In S109 and S209, the control unit 10 determines whether the recording material P has passed the position where the amount of received light received on paper can be measured, and if not, controls the moisture detection control unit 39 to measure the amount of received light received on paper. , Calculate and save the amount of transmitted light repeatedly. When the recording material P passes through a position where the amount of received light received on paper can be measured, the moisture detection control unit 39 obtains an average value of a plurality of transmitted light amounts measured for visible light and near-infrared light in S110 and S120. In S111, the moisture detection control unit 39 calculates the evaluation value from the average value of the transmitted light amounts of the visible light and the near infrared light. Then, the moisture detection control unit 39 determines the moisture content of the recording material P based on the preset moisture determination information and the evaluation value.

以上、本実施形態では、可視光及び近赤外光を射出する光源と、可視光及び近赤外光に感度を有する受光素子により記録材の含水量を示す値を算出する。つまり、水の吸収波長である1450nmや1940nmに受光感度を有する受光素子を使用することなく記録材の水分量を検知できる。なお、可視光及び近赤外光に感度を有する受光素子は一般的なものであり高価ではない。また、記録材Pは、その位置によって厚みや密度にばらつきがあるため、測定位置によって紙有受光量にばらつきが生じ得る。しかしながら、複数回、紙有受光量を検知し、それぞれの紙有受光量の平均値を使用して評価値を求めることで、測定位置による紙有受光量のばらつきを抑え、精度よく水分量に関する値を検出することができる。なお、紙有受光量の検知を複数回に渡り行うのではなく、エリア型センサを用いる等、受光素子38a及び38bの受光面積を広くする構成であっても良い。また、紙無受光量の測定と、紙有受光量の測定とを所定時間内に行うことで、発光素子37a、37bの発光強度の時間変動の影響を抑え、精度よく水分量に関する値を検出することができる。さらに、可視光及び近赤外光それぞれの紙無受光量の測定と、紙有受光量の測定とを並行して行うことで短い時間で精度よく水分量に関する値を検出することができる。 As described above, in the present embodiment, the value indicating the water content of the recording material is calculated by the light source that emits visible light and near-infrared light and the light receiving element that has sensitivity to visible light and near-infrared light. That is, the water content of the recording material can be detected without using a light receiving element having a light receiving sensitivity at 1450 nm or 1940 nm, which is the absorption wavelength of water. It should be noted that a light receiving element having sensitivity to visible light and near infrared light is general and not expensive. Further, since the thickness and density of the recording material P vary depending on its position, the amount of light received on paper may vary depending on the measurement position. However, by detecting the amount of received light received on paper multiple times and obtaining the evaluation value using the average value of the amount of received light received on paper, it is possible to suppress the variation in the amount of received light received on paper depending on the measurement position, and the water content is accurately related. The value can be detected. It should be noted that the light receiving area of the light receiving elements 38a and 38b may be widened by using an area type sensor or the like instead of detecting the amount of light received on paper a plurality of times. In addition, by measuring the amount of non-light received on paper and the amount of light received on paper within a predetermined time, the influence of time fluctuations in the light emitting intensity of the light emitting elements 37a and 37b is suppressed, and the value related to the water content is detected accurately. can do. Further, by measuring the amount of non-light received on paper and the amount of light received on paper in parallel for each of the visible light and the near-infrared light, it is possible to accurately detect the value related to the water content in a short time.

なお、本発明は、発光素子37aが可視光を射出し、発光素子37bが近赤外光を射出するものに限定されない。記録材Pの含水量の変化による透過光量の変化量が異なる2つの波長であれば、発光素子37a及び発光素子37b共に可視光、或いは、近赤外光を射出する構成とすることができる。 The present invention is not limited to those in which the light emitting element 37a emits visible light and the light emitting element 37b emits near infrared light. As long as the two wavelengths have different amounts of change in the amount of transmitted light due to the change in the water content of the recording material P, both the light emitting element 37a and the light emitting element 37b can be configured to emit visible light or near infrared light.

<第二実施形態>
続いて、第二実施形態について第一実施形態との相違点を中心に説明する。本実施形態では、記録材判別装置30が検知する記録材Pの坪量も水分量に関する値の判定に使用する。
<Second embodiment>
Subsequently, the second embodiment will be described focusing on the differences from the first embodiment. In the present embodiment, the basis weight of the recording material P detected by the recording material discriminating device 30 is also used for determining the value related to the water content.

図1に示す記録材判別装置30の坪量検知部31は、記録材Pの坪量を検知する超音波センサである。坪量検知部31は、記録材Pに超音波を送信する送信部33と、記録材Pを介した超音波を受信する受信部34とを有し、受信した音波の振幅値により記録材Pの坪量を検知する。なお、坪量検知部31は超音波センサを用いたものに限定されず、記録材の坪量を検知する他のタイプのセンサであっても、坪量と相関が高い記録材の厚み量等を検知するセンサであっても良い。 The basis weight detection unit 31 of the recording material discrimination device 30 shown in FIG. 1 is an ultrasonic sensor that detects the basis weight of the recording material P. The basis weight detecting unit 31 has a transmitting unit 33 that transmits ultrasonic waves to the recording material P and a receiving unit 34 that receives ultrasonic waves via the recording material P, and the recording material P is based on the amplitude value of the received sound waves. Detects the basis weight of. The basis weight detection unit 31 is not limited to the one using an ultrasonic sensor, and even if it is another type of sensor that detects the basis weight of the recording material, the thickness amount of the recording material having a high correlation with the basis weight, etc. It may be a sensor that detects.

図6は、記録材Pの坪量と、評価値である可視光と近赤外光の透過光量の差、つまり、光量差との関係を示している。図6は、含水率、約2%、約5%、約9%それぞれについて、坪量が60g/m(60g紙)、68g/m(68g紙)、75g/m(75g紙)の普通紙での関係を示している。図6の60g紙、68g紙、75g紙では、記録材Pの坪量の変化に伴い、光量差が変化している。そのため、坪量検知部31により記録材Pの坪量を検知し、坪量に応じた、評価値(光量差)と含水率との関係に基づき記録材Pの含水率を判定することでより精度よく含水率を判定できる。 FIG. 6 shows the relationship between the basis weight of the recording material P and the difference in the amount of transmitted light between visible light and near-infrared light, which is an evaluation value, that is, the difference in the amount of light. FIG. 6 shows the basis weights of 60 g / m 2 (60 g paper), 68 g / m 2 (68 g paper), and 75 g / m 2 (75 g paper) for each of the water content of about 2%, about 5%, and about 9%. Shows the relationship on plain paper. In the 60 g paper, 68 g paper, and 75 g paper shown in FIG. 6, the difference in the amount of light changes as the basis weight of the recording material P changes. Therefore, the basis weight detection unit 31 detects the basis weight of the recording material P, and determines the moisture content of the recording material P based on the relationship between the evaluation value (light amount difference) and the water content according to the basis weight. The water content can be determined accurately.

本実施形態における含水率の判定処理は、基本的には、図5に示す第一実施形態と同様である。ただし、本実施形態では、記録材Pが記録材判別装置30を通過する際に、記録材判別装置30により記録材Pの坪量を判定する。具体的には、送信部33より記録材Pを介して得られる音波を受信部34で受信し、その振幅値を測定する。記録材判別装置30は、予め設定されている振幅値と坪量との関係を示す情報に基づき坪量を判定する。そして、本実施形態において、水分判定情報は、図6に示す様な、記録材Pの各坪量について、評価値と含水率との関係を示すものとする。そして、水分検知制御部39は、図5のS112において、記録材判別装置30が検知した坪量に対応する水分判定情報と評価値とに基づき含水率を判定する。 The water content determination process in this embodiment is basically the same as that in the first embodiment shown in FIG. However, in the present embodiment, when the recording material P passes through the recording material discriminating device 30, the recording material discriminating device 30 determines the basis weight of the recording material P. Specifically, the receiving unit 34 receives the sound wave obtained from the transmitting unit 33 via the recording material P, and measures the amplitude value thereof. The recording material discriminating device 30 determines the basis weight based on the information indicating the relationship between the preset amplitude value and the basis weight. Then, in the present embodiment, the moisture determination information indicates the relationship between the evaluation value and the water content for each basis weight of the recording material P as shown in FIG. Then, the moisture detection control unit 39 determines the moisture content in S112 of FIG. 5 based on the moisture determination information and the evaluation value corresponding to the basis weight detected by the recording material discrimination device 30.

以上、本実施形態では、記録材の坪量を検知することで、坪量に基づいた高精度な記録材の水分検知が可能になる。なお、記録材判別装置30により坪量を検出するのではなく、ユーザによるタッチパネルやボタン操作等からの入力に基づき坪量を判定する構成であっても良い。 As described above, in the present embodiment, by detecting the basis weight of the recording material, it is possible to detect the moisture content of the recording material with high accuracy based on the basis weight. It should be noted that the recording material discriminating device 30 may not detect the basis weight, but may determine the basis weight based on the input from the touch panel, button operation, or the like by the user.

<第三実施形態>
続いて、本実施形態について、第一実施形態及び第二実施形態との相違点を中心に説明する。第二実施形態では、記録材判別装置30の坪量検知部31により記録材Pの坪量を検知していた。本実施形態では、水分検知センサ部36の発光素子37bが射出する近赤外光により、記録材Pの坪量の範囲を検知する。したがって、本実施形態においては、坪量検知部31を省略することができる。
<Third Embodiment>
Subsequently, the present embodiment will be described focusing on the differences between the first embodiment and the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, the basis weight detection unit 31 of the recording material discrimination device 30 detects the basis weight of the recording material P. In the present embodiment, the range of the basis weight of the recording material P is detected by the near-infrared light emitted by the light emitting element 37b of the moisture detection sensor unit 36. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the basis weight detecting unit 31 can be omitted.

図7は、近赤外光を記録材Pに照射したときの透過光量と坪量との関係を示している。記録材Pの坪量と近赤外光の透過光量には相関があり、坪量の増加に従い、透過光量は減少する。なお、透過光量は、記録材Pの含水率に応じて増減するものの、坪量の差に起因する増減幅より比較的小さい。そのため、近赤外光の透過光量により記録材Pの坪量の凡その値(範囲)を特定できる。 FIG. 7 shows the relationship between the amount of transmitted light and the basis weight when the recording material P is irradiated with near-infrared light. There is a correlation between the basis weight of the recording material P and the amount of transmitted light of near-infrared light, and the amount of transmitted light decreases as the basis weight increases. Although the amount of transmitted light increases or decreases depending on the water content of the recording material P, it is relatively smaller than the amount of increase or decrease due to the difference in basis weight. Therefore, the approximate value (range) of the basis weight of the recording material P can be specified by the amount of transmitted light of the near infrared light.

本実施形態における含水率の判定処理は、基本的には、図5に示す第一実施形態と同様である。ただし、本実施形態では、水分検知制御部39に、近赤外光の透過光量と坪量の関係を示す坪量判定情報を予め設定しておく。そして、水分検知制御部39は、坪量判定情報と、図5のS210で求めた近赤外光の透過光量の平均値により坪量を判定する。また、水分検知制御部39には、記録材Pの各坪量について、評価値と含水率との関係を示す水分判定情報を設定しておく。そして、水分検知制御部39は、S112において、近赤外光の透過光量に基づき判定した坪量での水分判定情報に基づき含水率を判定する。 The water content determination process in this embodiment is basically the same as that in the first embodiment shown in FIG. However, in the present embodiment, the moisture detection control unit 39 is set in advance with the basis weight determination information indicating the relationship between the amount of transmitted light of near infrared light and the basis weight. Then, the moisture detection control unit 39 determines the basis weight based on the basis weight determination information and the average value of the transmitted light amount of the near infrared light obtained in S210 of FIG. Further, the moisture detection control unit 39 is set with moisture determination information indicating the relationship between the evaluation value and the water content for each basis weight of the recording material P. Then, the moisture detection control unit 39 determines the water content in S112 based on the moisture determination information at the basis weight determined based on the transmitted light amount of the near infrared light.

以上、本実施形態でも、第二実施形態と同様に、記録材の坪量を考慮することで、精度よく記録材の水分量に関する値を検知できる。また、本実施形態では、坪量検知部31を不要とすることができる。なお、本実施形態では、近赤外光の透過光量に基づき記録材Pの坪量を判定したが、可視光の透過光量に基づき記録材Pの坪量を判定することもできる。 As described above, also in the present embodiment, as in the second embodiment, by considering the basis weight of the recording material, it is possible to accurately detect the value related to the water content of the recording material. Further, in the present embodiment, the basis weight detection unit 31 can be eliminated. In the present embodiment, the basis weight of the recording material P is determined based on the amount of transmitted light of near infrared light, but the basis weight of the recording material P can also be determined based on the amount of transmitted light of visible light.

[その他の実施形態]
本発明は、上述の実施形態の1以上の機能を実現するプログラムを、ネットワーク又は記憶媒体を介してシステム又は装置に供給し、そのシステム又は装置のコンピュータにおける1つ以上のプロセッサがプログラムを読出し実行する処理でも実現可能である。また、1以上の機能を実現する回路(例えば、ASIC)によっても実現可能である。
[Other Embodiments]
The present invention supplies a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiment to a system or device via a network or storage medium, and one or more processors in the computer of the system or device reads and executes the program. It can also be realized by the processing to be performed. It can also be realized by a circuit (for example, ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

37:発光部、38:受光部、39:水分検知制御部 37: Light emitting unit, 38: Light receiving unit, 39: Moisture detection control unit

Claims (15)

400nmから800nmの範囲に含まれるピーク波長をもつ第1の光を射出する第1光源と、
前記第1の光のピーク波長よりも長く、800nmから1000nmの範囲に含まれるピーク波長をもつ第2の光を射出する第2光源と、
400nmから1000nmの波長帯に受光感度を有し、前記第1光源が射出し、記録材を透過した前記第1の光を受光することで、前記第1の光が前記記録材を透過する度合いを示す第1検出値と、前記第2光源が射出し、前記記録材を透過した前記第2の光を受光することで、前記第2の光が前記記録材を透過する度合いを示す第2検出値と、を検出する検出手段と、
前記第1検出値と前記第2検出値とに基づき前記記録材の水分量に関する値を判定する判定手段と、
を備えていることを特徴とする水分検知装置。
A first light source that emits first light having a peak wavelength in the range of 400 nm to 800 nm, and
A second light source that emits a second light having a peak wavelength in the range of 800 nm to 1000 nm, which is longer than the peak wavelength of the first light.
Has a light-receiving sensitivity from 400nm to the wavelength band of 1000 nm, the first light source is emitted, and by receiving the first light transmitted through the recording material, the degree to which the first light is transmitted through the recording material and a first detection value indicated, the second light source is emitted, the recording medium and by receiving the transmitted second light to the second indicating the degree to which the second light is transmitted through the recording material The detected value, the detection means for detecting, and
A determination means for determining a value relating to the water content of the recording material based on the first detection value and the second detection value, and
Moisture detection device characterized by being equipped with.
前記判定手段は、前記第1検出値と前記第2検出値との差、或いは、比に基づき前記記録材の水分量に関する値を判定することを特徴とする請求項1に記載の水分検知装置。 The moisture detection device according to claim 1, wherein the determination means determines a value relating to the moisture content of the recording material based on the difference or ratio between the first detection value and the second detection value. .. 前記第1検出値と前記第2検出値との差、或いは、比と、前記記録材の水分量に関する値と、の関係を示す判定情報を保持する保持手段をさらに備えており、
前記判定手段は、前記判定情報と、前記検出手段が検出した前記第1検出値と前記第2検出値との差、或いは、比とに基づき、前記記録材の水分量に関する値を判定することを特徴とする請求項1又は2に記載の水分検知装置。
Further provided is a holding means for holding determination information indicating the relationship between the difference or ratio between the first detected value and the second detected value and the value related to the water content of the recording material.
The determination means determines a value relating to the water content of the recording material based on the determination information and the difference or ratio between the first detection value and the second detection value detected by the detection means. The moisture detection device according to claim 1 or 2.
前記記録材の坪量を検知する検知手段をさらに備えており、
前記判定手段は、さらに、前記記録材の坪量に基づき前記記録材の水分量に関する値を判定することを特徴とする請求項1又は2に記載の水分検知装置。
It is further equipped with a detection means for detecting the basis weight of the recording material.
The moisture detection device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the determination means further determines a value relating to the moisture content of the recording material based on the basis weight of the recording material.
記録材の坪量と、前記第1検出値と前記第2検出値との差、或いは、比と、前記記録材の水分量に関する値と、の関係を示す判定情報を保持する保持手段をさらに備えており、
前記判定手段は、前記判定情報と、前記検知手段が検知した前記記録材の坪量と、前記検出手段が検出した前記第1検出値と前記第2検出値との差、或いは、比とに基づき、前記記録材の水分量に関する値を判定することを特徴とする請求項4に記載の水分検知装置。
Further, a holding means for holding determination information indicating the relationship between the basis weight of the recording material, the difference or ratio between the first detected value and the second detected value, and the value related to the water content of the recording material. I have
The determination means is based on the determination information, the basis weight of the recording material detected by the detection means, and the difference or ratio between the first detection value and the second detection value detected by the detection means. The moisture detection device according to claim 4, wherein the value relating to the moisture content of the recording material is determined based on the present invention.
前記検知手段は、前記第1検出値又は前記第2検出値に基づき前記記録材の坪量を検知することを特徴とする請求項4又は5に記載の水分検知装置。 The moisture detection device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the detection means detects the basis weight of the recording material based on the first detection value or the second detection value. 前記検出手段は、前記第1光源が射出した前記第1の光を、前記記録材を透過させることなく受光したときの第1受光量と、前記第1光源が射出した前記第1の光を、前記記録材を透過させて受光したときの第2受光量と、に基づき前記第1検出値を検出し、前記第2光源が射出した前記第2の光を、前記記録材を透過させることなく受光したときの第3受光量と、前記第2光源が射出した前記第2の光を、前記記録材を透過させて受光したときの第4受光量と、に基づき前記第2検出値を検出することを特徴とする請求項1から6のいずれか1項に記載の水分検知装置。 It said detecting means, said first light the first light source is emitted, a first light receiving amount when the receiving without transmitting the recording material, the first light the first light source is emitted the recording material is transmitted by detecting the second light amount when the light, the first detection value based on, the second light and the second light source is emitted, thereby transmitting the recording material without a third light amount when the light, the second light and the second light source is emitted, and a fourth light receiving amount when the received by transmitting the recording medium, the second detection value based on The moisture detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the moisture detection device is characterized by detecting. 前記第2受光量は、前記第1光源が射出し、前記記録材を透過させた前記第1の光を、前記記録材を搬送させながら、複数回、測定した各受光量の平均値であり、
前記第4受光量は、前記第2光源が射出し、前記記録材を透過させた前記第2の光を、前記記録材を搬送させながら、複数回、測定した各受光量の平均値であることを特徴とする請求項7に記載の水分検知装置。
Said second amount of light received, the first light source is emitted, it said that by transmitting the first light to the recording medium, while conveying the recording material, there a plurality of times, the average value of the light receiving amount measured ,
The fourth light receiving amount, the second light source is emitted, said that was transmitted second light to the recording medium, while conveying the recording material, is several times the average value of the light receiving amount measured The moisture detection device according to claim 7.
前記第1検出値は、前記第1受光量と前記第2受光量との比に基づく値であり、
前記第2検出値は、前記第3受光量と前記第4受光量との比に基づく値であることを特徴とする請求項7又は8に記載の水分検知装置。
The first detected value is a value based on the ratio of the first received light amount and the second received light amount.
The moisture detection device according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the second detection value is a value based on the ratio of the third light reception amount to the fourth light reception amount.
前記第1受光量の測定と、前記第2受光量の測定は、所定の時間内に行われることを特徴とする請求項7から9のいずれか1項に記載の水分検知装置。 The moisture detection device according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the measurement of the first light receiving amount and the measurement of the second light receiving amount are performed within a predetermined time. 前記第1受光量の測定と、前記第3受光量の測定は、並行して行われ、
前記第2受光量の測定と、前記第4受光量の測定は、並行して行われることを特徴とする請求項7から10のいずれか1項に記載の水分検知装置。
The measurement of the first light receiving amount and the measurement of the third light receiving amount are performed in parallel.
The moisture detection device according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the measurement of the second light receiving amount and the measurement of the fourth light receiving amount are performed in parallel.
前記第1の光は可視光であり、
前記第2の光は近赤外光であることを特徴とする請求項1から11のいずれか1項に記載の水分検知装置。
The first light is visible light ,
The moisture detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the second light is near-infrared light.
請求項1から12のいずれか1項に記載の水分検知装置と、
前記記録材に画像を形成する画像形成手段と、
前記水分検知装置の判定手段が判定した前記記録材の水分量に関する値に基づき前記記録材に画像を形成する際の画像形成条件を制御する制御手段と、
を備えていることを特徴とする画像形成装置。
The moisture detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 12,
An image forming means for forming an image on the recording material,
A control means for controlling an image formation condition when an image is formed on the recording material based on a value related to the water content of the recording material determined by the determination means of the moisture detection device.
An image forming apparatus characterized in that the image forming apparatus is provided.
前記画像形成手段は、前記記録材に画像を転写する転写手段を備え、
前記制御手段は、前記記録材の水分量に関する値に基づき、前記転写手段が前記記録材に画像を転写する際の転写電圧又は転写電流を制御することを特徴とする請求項13に記載の画像形成装置。
The image forming means includes a transfer means for transferring an image to the recording material.
The image according to claim 13, wherein the control means controls a transfer voltage or a transfer current when the transfer means transfers an image to the recording material based on a value related to the water content of the recording material. Forming device.
前記画像形成手段は、前記記録材に画像を定着させる定着手段を備え、
前記制御手段は、前記記録材の水分量に関する値に基づき、前記定着手段が前記記録材に画像を定着させる際の定着温度を制御することを特徴とする請求項13又は14に記載の画像形成装置。
The image forming means includes a fixing means for fixing an image on the recording material.
The image forming according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the control means controls a fixing temperature when the fixing means fixes an image on the recording material based on a value related to a water content of the recording material. Device.
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