JP2000039816A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device capable of correctly recognizing the wearing extent of a member in consequence of the image forming process. SOLUTION: As for this image forming device, a CPU 351 is, on referring to transfer mode information and the information classified for respective manuscript kind stored in a RAM 370, allowed to respectively measure the processing number of sheets for respective pattern of 3 kind namely, color image forming in a color print mode, monochrome image forming in a monochrome print mode, and monochrome image forming in a color print mode, with use of 3 kinds of counter in the count part 354. In such a manner, the wearing extent of the respective member such as a photoreceptor drum and a cleaner blade, and the state of toner consumption can be correctly recognized.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a color copying machine or a color printer, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus capable of switching between color image formation and single color image formation.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a full-color image forming apparatus having a high processing speed, there is a four-tandem type in which four photosensitive drums are arranged along a transfer belt. In this method, cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K) toner images are formed on each photosensitive drum, and the toner images are sequentially formed on one transfer material. This is a method of transferring a color image.

In the quadruple tandem system, even a full-color image can be obtained in a single pass as in the case of a monochrome image, so that high-speed color printing is possible. In addition to the photoconductor drums, cyan, magenta, and yellow photoconductor drums that are not necessary for the image forming operation are forced to rotate because the transfer material passes while being in contact with the transfer material. Members such as a drum and a cleaning blade provided by being pressed against the drum are consumed, and toner is also consumed to a small extent. Such unnecessary consumption and consumption increases the frequency of maintenance work such as replacement of members and toner replenishment, which is not preferable.

Therefore, as a conventional technique, a photosensitive drum for cyan, magenta, and yellow, which is not used at the time of monochrome image formation, and a transfer material transporting means are used for the purpose of prolonging the product life by avoiding unnecessary consumption of members. There is a method of keeping them apart (Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 3-288173,
8914, JP-A-6-102776). Here, a mode in which the transfer process is performed in a state in which the photosensitive drum and the transfer material transporting unit that are not used are separated from each other is referred to as a “single-color print mode”. Set the processing mode to "Color print mode".
That.

The degree of wear and toner consumption of members such as photoreceptor drums also serve as a guide for estimating the product life (replacement time) of members and setting usage charges (leasing fee, copy unit price) for the members. There has been a technology to monitor this. In monitoring, the number of copies is generally used as a guide. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-63048 discloses a technique for monitoring the degree of wear in an image forming apparatus that performs transfer processing in a tandem system. This is because, as described above, the number of copies in the color print mode and the number of copies in the single-color print mode are taken into account in that there is a difference in the degree of member consumption and toner consumption between the color print mode and the single-color print mode. Are separately counted, thereby trying to accurately grasp the degree of consumption and the state of toner consumption.

[0006]

However, in the transfer processing in the image forming apparatus in which the color print mode and the single-color print mode are selectively used, there are three types of image forming patterns having different degrees of member consumption and different amounts of toner consumption. That is, a pattern for forming a color image in the color print mode, a pattern for forming a monochrome image in the color print mode, and a pattern for forming a monochrome image in the single color print mode.

Table 1 below shows the wear of the members in each pattern,
Indicates whether toner is consumed.

[Table 1] As shown in the table, there is a difference between the color print mode and the single-color print mode in both the consumption of members and the consumption of toner. Even in the same color print mode, there is a difference in toner consumption between color image formation and monochrome image formation. Therefore, with the conventional measurement method that only distinguishes between the color print mode and the single-color print mode, it is not possible to accurately grasp the degree of member consumption and toner consumption.
As a result, problems may occur such that toner supply or replacement of a consumable member cannot be performed at an appropriate timing, or that a fee corresponding to the degree of consumption and toner consumption cannot be collected.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above-mentioned problems, the present invention relates to a tandem type image forming apparatus which employs a method of switching between a color print mode and a single color print mode during a transfer process. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus capable of accurately measuring consumption.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention writes images of different colors on a plurality of image carriers arranged along a transfer belt. In an image forming apparatus that forms an image by superimposing and transferring an image on an image carrier onto a transfer material, a color information acquisition unit that acquires color information of an image to be formed from input information, Two types, a color print mode in which an image is formed in a state in which all are in contact with the transfer belt, and a single-color print mode in which an image is formed by bringing a part of an image carrier necessary for image formation into contact with the transfer belt Mode switching means for switching the print mode by relatively separating a part of the image bearing member and the transfer belt; and a part of the color print mode based on the color information and the print mode. An image for determining whether image formation is performed in the first pattern in which image formation is performed with the support or in the second pattern in which image formation is performed with a part of the image support in the single-color print mode It is characterized by comprising a formation pattern discriminating means, and a load measuring means for separately measuring the number of times image forming processing is executed in each of the first pattern and the second pattern. The degree of consumption and the amount of toner consumption can be accurately measured. Further, for each image carrier, the number of times is determined for each of the following cases: when transferring an image by contacting the transfer belt, when contacting the transfer belt but not performing image transfer, and when not contacting the transfer belt and performing image transfer. The provision of the second load measuring means for measuring makes it possible to more accurately grasp the degree of wear of each image carrier.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to a tandem type digital color copying machine (hereinafter simply referred to as "copying machine"). (1) Overall Configuration of Copying Machine FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing the overall configuration of a copying machine 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the copying machine 1 is roughly divided into an automatic document feeder 10 for feeding a document, an image reader 20 for reading an image of the document, and processing of data of the read image and processing of each component. The control unit 30 includes a control unit 30 that performs control and a printer unit 40 that reproduces an image of a document on recording paper in accordance with image data. In addition, an operation panel 90 (shown in FIG. 9) not shown in FIG. 1 is provided on the upper surface of the main body of the copying machine 1. The operation panel 90 is for receiving settings such as the number of copies and the processing method from the operator, and will be described later in connection with the control contents of the control unit 30.

The automatic document feeder 10 is a device known as an automatic document feeder (ADF). After the set document is conveyed to a document reading position on the platen glass 170, the reading process by the image reader unit 20 is completed. , And the document is discharged to the document discharge tray 180.

The image reader unit 20 includes an exposure lamp 21
It comprises a scanner 210 having a mirror 1 and a mirror 212, a pair of reflection mirrors 220, a condenser lens 230, and a linear full-color sensor 240 (hereinafter, referred to as a CCD sensor 240). When the document is conveyed onto the platen glass 170 by the automatic document feeder 10, the scanner 210 is driven by the scanner motor M1 and performs exposure scanning of the document while moving in the direction of arrow Y1. The image of the original illuminated by the scanner 210 is reflected by a pair of reflecting mirrors 220, and then condensed by a condensing lens 230, and the CCD sensor 240
Incident on. The CCD sensor 240 photoelectrically converts the information of the incident image and outputs red (R), green (G), and blue (B) information.
And outputs the signal to the control unit 30.

The control unit 30 performs a correction process on the electric signals (image data) of the respective red (R), green (G), and blue (B) color components to obtain cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow ( After being converted into gradation data of each of the reproduced colors Y) and black (K) and temporarily stored in a memory, the image data of each reproduced color is sequentially read out from the memory, converted into a laser diode drive signal, and converted into a laser diode drive signal. Output to Further, the control unit 30 controls the transfer processing pattern by the printing unit 40 according to the color (color / monochrome) of the image data and the setting by the operator. The control unit 30 will be described later in detail.

The printer section 40 forms an image on recording paper by using a known electrophotographic technique, and includes an optical system 50, an image forming process system 60, and a supply / discharge system 70. Is done.

The optical system 50 includes a laser diode (not shown), a polygon mirror 510, and f-θ lenses 520C, 520M, 520Y, and 520K provided for each color.
Etc. The laser diode is modulated and driven according to a laser diode drive signal (image data) output from the control unit 30 and emits a laser beam. The emitted laser light is reflected by a polygon mirror 510 that is driven to rotate by a motor (not shown), and is then separated for each color into f-θ lenses 520C, 520M, 520Y, and 520Y.
After passing through 20K, the light is reflected by the return mirror, and the photosensitive drums 611C, 611M, and 6 of the image forming process system 60 respectively.
Exposure scanning is performed on the surfaces of 11Y and 611K (hereinafter, referred to as photosensitive drums 611C to 611K) in the main scanning direction to form an electrostatic latent image.

The image forming process system 60 develops the electrostatic latent images of the respective colors generated on the photosensitive drums 611C to 611K by the optical system 50 with toner, and then sequentially transfers and superimposes the images on a recording paper to superimpose the images. Reproduce. The image forming process system 60 will be described in further detail later.

The paper supply / discharge system 70 includes a paper feed cassette 710,
Pickup roller 720, timing roller 730,
It is composed of a conveyor belt 740 and the like. At the time of the copying process, the recording paper of the selected size is fed from the paper feed cassette 710 by the pickup roller 720 and
The sheet is conveyed to the transfer positions of the photoconductor drums 611C to 611K through the transfer member 40. Here, the recording paper on which the toner image has been transferred is further transported on a transport belt 740, and is discharged to a discharge tray 760 via a fixing device 750. In transferring the toner image onto the recording paper, the timing roller 730 performs adjustment so that the transfer positions of the images of the respective colors coincide.

(2) Structure of Image Forming Process System FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the structure of the image forming process system 60 of the copying machine 1. The image forming process system 60 includes image forming units 610C, 610M, 610Y, and 610K (hereinafter, collectively referred to as 610C to K) for each reproduced color, and a transfer unit 620.

First, the structure of the image forming units 610C to 610K will be described. Since all four units have the same structure, the image forming unit 610K will be described as an example. The imaging unit 610K is
A charger 612K, a developing device 613K, a transfer blade 614K, a cleaner 615K centering on the photosensitive drum 611K.
Are arranged. The surface of the photoconductor drum 611K is uniformly charged by the charger 612K, and the laser light emitted from the optical system 50 emits the laser beam.
An electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface. This electrostatic latent image is transferred to the developing device 6
The toner image is developed by 13K. This toner image is transferred to the transfer material by the transfer blade 614K of the transfer unit 620. The cleaner 615K removes the toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 611K even after the transfer process.

In the transfer unit 620, the transfer material transport belt 621 is stretched around a drive roller 622, a driven roller 624, and a tension roller 625.
Are arranged inside the transfer blades 614C to 614K.
The transfer material transport belt 621 rotates in the direction of the arrow due to the rotation of the drive roller 622, and transports the recording paper toward the image forming units 610C to 610K. The tension roller 625 is urged outward by a spring 627 to apply a constant tension to the transfer material transport belt 621.

The swing unit 630 includes a driven roller 624
The transfer blades 614C to 614K are attached to a frame 631 which is held so as to be able to swing up and down around the rotation axis of the transfer blade. The frame 631 is urged upward by a spring 627, and the peripheral surface of the cam 640 is in contact with the upper surface of the swing frame 631. The cam 640 is rotated by a driving device (not shown), whereby the swing unit 630 is swingably driven up and down. As a result, the transfer material transport belt 621 and three of the image forming units 610C to 610K except the image forming unit 610K come into contact with or separate from each other. The plate cam 6
The drive of 40 is controlled by the control unit 30.

FIG. 3 shows the state of the transfer material conveying belt 621 in the color print mode. Four imaging units 6
10C to 10K are all in contact with the transfer material transport belt 621. FIG. 4 shows the state of the transfer material transport belt 621 in the single-color print mode. The cam 640 is moved from the state of FIG.
It is rotated 80 degrees. Thereby, the swing unit 630
Is pressed down, only the image forming unit 610K of the image forming units 610C to 610K is in contact with the transfer material transport belt 621, and the other image forming units 610C, 610M, 61
0Y and the transfer material conveying belt 621 are separated from each other.

The effect of providing the single-color print mode as shown in FIG. 4 is exerted at the time of forming a monochrome image. When a monochrome image is generated in the color print mode (see FIG. 3), the actual transfer processing is performed only in black (K).
However, in all the image forming units 610C to 610K, the rotation of the photosensitive drums 611C to K and the rotational contact between the photosensitive drums 611C to 615K and the cleaners 615C to KT are performed. As a result, the surface of the photosensitive drum is worn. On the other hand, when a monochrome image is generated in the single-color print mode, the photosensitive drum and the cleaner member are not consumed in the image forming units 610C, 610M, and 610Y other than the image forming unit 610K.

However, switching between the color print mode and the single-color print mode according to the type of the original (color original / monochrome original) during continuous copying of the original may adversely affect the image quality of the copy result. Each time the two modes are switched, the swing unit 630 is moved up and down, so that the image transfer position on the recording paper becomes unstable, resulting in transfer misregistration and color misregistration. In order to prevent such a situation, it is necessary to control the waiting time by the timing roller 730 so that the image transfer to the recording paper is not performed while the swing unit 630 is moving up and down.

The timing roller 730 is connected to the sheet tray 7.
The recording paper continuously conveyed from 11 to 714 is fed to the transfer unit at regular intervals. This paper feed interval can be obtained by making the recording paper wait at the timing roller 730 for a predetermined time. The time during which the recording paper is kept on standby is referred to as a paper supply waiting time, and the interval between the recording papers can be adjusted by changing the paper supply waiting time. Therefore,
Up and down movement of the swing unit 630 (transfer mode switching)
In order to prevent the copy result image from being adversely affected by the above, it is necessary to increase the waiting time for feeding the recording paper to be supplied to the transfer unit 620 by the time required until the vertical movement of the swing unit 630 is completed. Good.

The procedure for adjusting the paper feed waiting time will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating information related to the paper feed waiting time adjustment. The transfer position 501K is a contact position between the photosensitive drum 611K and the recording paper. The transfer position 501C is a contact position between the photosensitive drum 611C and the recording paper. The interval between the transfer position 501K and the transfer position 501C is L2. The exposure position 502K is an exposure position on the photosensitive drum 611K, and the distance along the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 611K from the exposure position 502K to the transfer position 501K is L1. The meaning of these pieces of information and the purpose of reference will be described later with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the adjustment of the paper feed waiting time of the timing roller when switching from the color print mode to the single color print mode. FIG. 7A shows a transfer unit 620 that generates a color image in the color print mode.
The interval between the recording papers P1, P2, and P3 being conveyed on the top is X3. The shorter the interval between the recording sheets, the higher the productivity (the number of sheets processed per unit time), and the interval X3 is a value set so that the productivity is the highest. This X3 is the feeding waiting time of the timing roller 730 at t3.
It is realized by doing.

Here, in FIG. 2B, the recording paper P5
, A monochrome image is formed in the single-color print mode. In that case, for stable image formation,
After the switching to the monochrome printing mode is completed, the leading end of the recording paper P5 is moved to the transfer position 501 of the photosensitive drum 611K.
K must be reached. The interval between the recording papers P4 and P5 required for that is X1, and the photosensitive drum 6
Assuming that the distance from the exposure position 502K on the 11K surface to the transfer position 501K is L1 (see FIG. 5), the time required for separation is t, and the system speed is V, the interval X1 satisfies the following (Equation 1). Desired. X1> = L1 + V · t (Equation 1) A paper supply waiting time that satisfies this equation and minimizes X1 is defined as t1. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 3C, when a monochrome image is continuously formed on the recording sheets P6 and P7 in the single-color print mode, the recording sheet interval is returned to X3 (the paper supply waiting time is t3) again. It is.

FIG. 7 shows how the paper feed waiting time by the timing roller 730 is adjusted when switching from the single-color print mode to the color print mode. FIG. 6A shows a transfer unit 620 that generates a monochrome image in the single-color print mode. The recording paper interval is X3 as in FIG. This is realized by setting the paper feed waiting time to t3.

Here, in FIG. 7B, the recording paper P4
Is formed in the color print mode. In that case, for stable image formation,
After the end of the switching to the color print mode, the leading end of the recording paper P4 is moved to the transfer position 50 of the photosensitive drum 611C.
It must reach 1C. The interval between the recording sheets P3 and P4 necessary for this is set to X2, and the exposure position 502K on the surface of the photosensitive drum 611K is transferred to the transfer position 501K.
If the distance to the transfer position is L1 (see FIG. 5), the interval between the transfer position 501K and the transfer position 501C is L2, the time required for mode switching is t, and the system speed is V, the interval X2
Is required to satisfy the following (Equation 2). X2> = L1 + L2 + V · t (Equation 2) A paper supply waiting time that satisfies this equation and minimizes X2 is defined as t2. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 3C, when color images are continuously formed in the color print mode, the recording paper interval becomes X3 again (the paper supply waiting time is t3).
Is returned to. Three types of paper feed waiting times t1, t2, and t3
Are all calculated in advance and held in the control unit 30, and the control unit 30 switches.

Here, the relationship between transfer mode switching and productivity is considered. When transferring images continuously to recording paper,
If the recording paper feeding waiting time is t3, the productivity becomes the highest. However, when the transfer mode is switched due to the mixture of the color and black and white images, the feeding waiting time is adjusted (extended) by the timing roller 730, and the feeding waiting time is temporarily reduced to t1 or t2. become longer. Therefore, when copying a document in which the transfer mode switching frequently occurs (for example, a document in which color and black and white are mixed alternately),
The average of the paper feed waiting time is longer than t3, and the productivity is reduced. However, this is not a problem because the image quality is guaranteed instead of reducing productivity, and unnecessary consumption of the image forming unit and developer can be avoided.However, an operation that emphasizes productivity rather than avoiding consumption May feel dissatisfied. Therefore, in the copying machine 1, an operator can specify whether to emphasize productivity or to lengthen the product life by avoiding wear. Acceptance of designation from the operator is performed by the operation panel, and control according to the designation is performed by the control unit 30. Next, the process of the control unit 30 will be described.

(3) Configuration of the control unit 30 FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control unit 30. The control unit 30 includes an image signal processing unit 310, a document recognition unit 320, an image memory 330, a laser diode driving unit 340, a transfer control unit 350, an RO
M360, RAM370 and the like. ROM3
Each component except for the RAM 60 and the RAM 370 is a CPU.
It is mainly configured.

The image signal control unit 310 performs shading correction on the image data output from the CCD sensor 240 of the image reader unit 20, outputs the image data to the document recognition unit 320 for each document, and outputs four reproduction colors. The image data is converted into (C, M, Y, K) image data and stored in the image memory 330. However, when there is a special instruction from the operator (for details of “mono copy setting”, the main control unit 310
The image signal control unit 310 converts the image data of the color original into black (K) monochrome image data.

The document recognizing section 320 determines conditions relating to the document based on the image data. The main processing is to determine the orientation of the document and to determine whether the document is color or black and white. Automatic color selection (A
A known technique called CS) is used. This is because the three primary colors (R,
G, B), the components of the color difference signal are extracted from the image data and converted into a histogram, the ratio of chromatic color dots in the image data is obtained from the histogram, and if the ratio exceeds a certain value, the image is determined to be a color image. . Document recognition unit 32
0 outputs the determination result to the main control unit 300.

The image memory 330 includes a main controller 300
The image data to be processed is output to the laser diode driving section 340 in response to the instruction from The laser diode driving unit 340 converts the data of each reproduced color into a laser diode driving signal for monitoring, and modulates and drives the laser diode corresponding to each color.

The main control unit 300 receives an operator's designation from the operation panel 90 (FIG. 9), and controls the operations of the components of the control unit 30 based on the designation to realize a smooth copying process. . The following describes the contents that can be set for the operation panel 90 that receives the contents specified by the operator.
The processing of the main control unit 310 for the setting contents will be described.

FIG. 9 shows the operation panel 90. In the copy type setting area 91, a color copy key 911 and a mono copy key 912 are provided. Color copy key 911
Is a key for setting a color copy for reproducing the original color as it is, and a mono copy key 912 is a key for setting a mono copy for outputting a monochrome copy ignoring the original document color. It is. The main control unit 300 specifies the designation by these keys with the copy type information (color copy:
("1", mono copy "0") are stored in the RAM 370. The default value of the copy type information is color copy ("1"). When a mono copy is designated, the main control unit 300 instructs the image signal processing unit 310 to generate a copy of a color document as a mono image.

The transfer mode of the transfer unit 620 is initialized according to the setting in the copy type setting area 91. If the setting content is a color copy, the main control unit 300 controls the transfer control unit 350 to set the transfer unit 620 to the color print mode. And
Transfer mode information (color print mode: “1”, single color print mode: “0”) is stored in the RAM 370.

In the operation policy setting area 92, a productivity priority key 921 and a product life priority key 922 are provided. The productivity priority key 921 is a key for instructing to operate the copying machine 1 in a manner that prioritizes productivity over extending the product life, and the product life priority key 922 is used for product life even if the productivity is reduced. Is a key for instructing that a method of giving priority to extending the time is used.

The priority on the productivity means that the transfer processing in the color print mode is performed even when copying a monochrome original, and the paper feed waiting time is constant at t3, so that the productivity is high. To give priority to the product life is to switch the transfer mode between the color print mode and the single color print mode according to the type of the document (color / monochrome) as described above.

The main control unit 300 stores operation information (productivity priority: “1”, product life priority: “0”) according to the contents of the setting by these keys in the RAM 370. In addition,
The default value of the operation information is the product life priority (“0”). The operation information is referred to at the time of the transfer mode switching process during the copying process. The transfer mode switching will be described in detail in the description of the transfer control unit 350. Numeric input unit 93
Accepts an input of a numerical value such as the number of copies, and the main control unit 300 stores the value of the number of copies received by the numeric input unit 93 in the RAM 370. Display 94
Is a display for displaying a value of a numerical value, or a message indicating an incorrect specification, out of paper, or the like. The message and the information of the numerical image are stored in the ROM 360, read out by the main control unit 300 as needed, and output to the display unit 94.

The start key 95 is a key for designating the start of the copying process, and the stop key 96 is a key for designating the stop of the copying process. The main controller 300 receives the designation of these keys and issues a start / stop instruction to each component of the controller 30. Indicator lamp 97
a, 97b, 97c and 97d are copy type setting areas 9
1 and the contents of the setting in the operation policy setting area 92. The key next to the valid setting key is displayed in red.

The ROM 360 stores fixed information referred to by each component of the control unit 30.
The RAM 370 stores the operation panel 90
Stores information specified by the operator (copy type information, operation information, number of copies) received from the server, and information that needs to be temporarily stored, such as document type information, transfer mode information, and paper feed wait time information that is the result of ACS. I do.

(4) Configuration of Transfer Control Unit 350 FIG. 10 shows the configuration of the transfer control unit 350. The transfer control unit 350 includes a CPU 351, a counting unit 354, and
The transfer includes a cam drive circuit 352 that outputs a rotation drive signal to the cam 640 in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 351, a timing roller drive circuit 353 that outputs a drive / stop signal for the timing roller 730 in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 351, and the like. Mode switching processing and transfer processing sheet count processing for determining the degree of member consumption and the amount of toner consumption are performed.

The transfer control section 350 includes a timing roller 7
30 and controls the transfer mode (color print mode and monochrome print mode).
The number of processed sheets is counted in order to measure the degree of consumption of the transfer members (photosensitive drum and cleaner) and the amount of toner consumption. Switching of the transfer mode is performed based on the designation of the operator from the operation panel 90 and the result of the ACS by the image recognition unit 320.

The control of the paper feed waiting time of the timing roller 730 by the transfer control section 350 is as follows. First, when the end of the recording paper being conveyed on the transfer material conveying belt 621 passes a predetermined position, a sensor (not shown) detects
A signal is sent to 51. Upon receiving this signal, the CPU 351 instructs the timing roller driving circuit 353 to stop the timing roller 730, and selects a paper feed waiting time from t1, t2, and t3 according to the setting by the operator and the document type. After the elapse of the paper feed waiting time, the timing roller 730 is restarted, and the recording paper is provided to the transfer unit 620. The procedure for selecting the paper feed waiting time will be described together with the description of the transfer mode switching process.

Next, the process of switching the transfer mode by the transfer control unit 350 will be described. First, the CPU 351 sets the RA at the timing when the timing roller 730 is stopped.
The copy type information in M370 is referred to. If the content of the copy type information is a mono copy (“0”), a monochrome copy is generated regardless of whether the original is color or monochrome, so that the transfer process is performed only in the single-color print mode, and the transfer mode switching process is performed. Not required. CPU35
1 indicates that the paper feed waiting time is t3.

If the content of the copy type information is color copy ("1"), the transfer mode needs to be switched according to the original type (color / monochrome) and the operation information. Refer to operation information. When the content of the operation information is “productivity priority (“ 1 ”)”, the transfer process is always performed in the color print mode regardless of the document type (color / monochrome). is there.
The CPU 351 sets the paper feed waiting time to t3. If the content of the operation information is “life priority (“ 0 ”)”, it is necessary to switch the transfer mode according to the document type.
The PU 351 further refers to the document type (color / monochrome) information in the RAM 370.

Here, the document type information is color ("1").
If so, the CPU 351 further checks the current transfer mode with reference to the transfer mode information in the RAM 370.
If it is the color print mode ("1"), the transfer mode does not need to be switched, and the CPU 351 continues the process with the paper feed waiting time set to t3. If the transfer mode information indicates the single-color print mode (“0”), it is necessary to switch the transfer mode (single color-> color).
The instruction 351 instructs the cam drive circuit 352 to rotate the cam 640 to the state shown in FIG. 3, and switches the content of the transfer mode information in the RAM 370 to a value ("1") indicating the color print mode. At the same time, the CPU 351
Sets the paper feed waiting time to t2.

Even when the document type is monochrome (“0”), the CPU 351 refers to the transfer mode information in the RAM 370 to check the current transfer mode. If the printing mode is the single-color printing mode (“0”), the transfer mode switching is not necessary, and the CPU 351 sets the paper feed waiting time to t3.
And continue the process. In color print mode, it is necessary to switch the transfer mode (single color-> color)
The CPU 351 instructs the cam drive circuit 352 to output the cam 6
The transfer mode is switched by rotating the drive 40 to the state shown in FIG.
The value is switched to a value ("0") indicating the monochrome print mode.
At the same time, the CPU 351 sets the paper feed waiting time to t1.

Further, the transfer control unit 350 counts the number of processed sheets for calculating the degree of wear. At this time, the number of processed sheets is properly used for each transfer pattern to obtain information representing the degree of wear accurately. In the transfer process, there are three patterns with different degrees of wear depending on the transfer mode and the document type. -Full-color transfer: Transfers a color image in the color print mode. Bk transfer 1 transfers a monochrome image in the single-color print mode. Bk transfer 2 transfers a monochrome image in the color print mode. Table 1 shows the consumption of the transfer member and the consumption of the toner in each transfer pattern described above.

As means for accurately grasping the difference between the degree of consumption and the amount of toner consumption, the transfer control section 350 includes a counting section 354 having three types of counters, a first counter 355a, a second counter 355b, and a third counter 355c. And stores information on the number of processed sheets for each transfer pattern. The first counter 355a stores the number of copies in a full-color transfer pattern. The second counter 355b stores the number of copies in one Bk transfer pattern. The third counter 355c indicates that Bk transfer 2
This stores the number of copies in a pattern.

After the above-described transfer mode switching determination processing, the transfer control section 350 determines the transfer pattern by referring to the transfer mode information and the document type information, and counts up a counter corresponding to the determined transfer pattern by one. I do. Table 2 below shows the relationship between the transfer mode information, the document type information, and the counter to be counted up.

[Table 2]

These counters 355a, 355b, 35
Reference numeral 5c denotes a non-volatile memory for storing the contents even when the power of the copying machine 1 is turned off, since the information is referred to during the maintenance work. Also,
These contents can be referred to on the display unit 94 by inputting a password from the operation panel 90 by a service person. When the member is replaced, the counter value needs to be initialized (returned to 0). This can be executed by inputting a password from the operation panel.

(Operation of Transfer Control Unit 350) FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the flow of the process of the transfer control unit 350 in the transfer process for one recording sheet. Hereinafter, the operation of the transfer control unit 350 will be described with reference to the flowchart, focusing on the CPU 351.

The CPU 351 is activated by an instruction from the main control section 310 (S1101: Yes). Then, first, the copy type information is referred to. If the copy type is mono copy (S1102), the CPU 351 sets the paper feed waiting time to t3.
(S1114), and counts up the second counter 355b (S1121).

If the copy type is color copy (S110)
2), the CPU 351 further refers to the operation information. If the content of the operation information has priority on productivity (S1103), the CPU
351 sets the paper feed waiting time to t3 regardless of the document type (S1112, S1113). If the document type is color (S1105), the first counter 355a
(S1120), if the document type is monochrome (S11
05), the third counter 355c is counted up (S1119).

If the content of the operation information is the product life priority (S1103), the CPU 351 further refers to the document type information and the transfer mode information. The original is color (S
1104), if the transfer mode is the color print mode (S1107: Yes), only the process of setting the paper feed waiting time to t3 is performed (S1110). If the transfer mode is the single-color print mode, the CPU 351 sets the paper feed waiting time to t2 (S1111). Further, the color print mode is set by rotating the cam 640 to the state shown in FIG. 3, and the content of the transfer mode information in the RAM 370 is changed to a value ("1") indicating the color print mode (S1116). Then, the above processing (step S1)
When S1116) is completed from 107, the first counter 35
5a is counted up (S1118).

On the other hand, when the document type is monochrome (S11
04), the CPU 351 refers to the transfer mode information, and if the print mode is the single color print mode (S1106: Yes), sets the paper feed waiting time to t3 (S1108). If the transfer mode information is the color transfer mode (S1106: No), the paper feed waiting time is set to t1 (S1109). Further, the cam 640 is rotated to the position shown in FIG.
The single-color transfer mode is set, and the transfer mode information in the RAM 370 is changed to a value ("0") indicating the single-color transfer mode (S1115). Then, the above processing (step S1)
After finishing S1115) from 106, the third counter 35
5c is counted up (S1117). Then, after the elapse of the paper feeding waiting time (S1122: Yes), the timing roller 730 is driven to cause the transfer unit 620 to feed the recording paper (S1123). The CPU 351 repeats the above processing for the number of copies stored in the RAM 370,
The process ends (S1124).

As described above, in this embodiment, the transfer patterns are divided into three types based on the operator's designation and the document type, and the number of transfer processes for each pattern is separately counted. The degree and the state of toner consumption can be accurately grasped. As a result, it is possible to collect a usage fee according to the degree of consumption and toner consumption. An example of such a fee setting is shown in Table 3 below.

[Table 3] In the conventional method, there is only a distinction between a color image formation in the color print mode and a monochrome image formation in the single color print mode. Therefore, a fee specific to the BK2 mode for forming a monochrome image in the color print mode must be set. Could not. BK2 mode pricing is 3
This is made possible by providing different types of counters.

In this embodiment, the separation between the image forming units 610C to 610K and the transfer unit 620 is realized by moving the transfer unit 620 downward. May be moved upward to separate them.

In each of the image forming units 610C to 610K, when an image is formed on a recording sheet (when an image is formed using a full-color transfer pattern, a Bk transfer pattern 1 and a Bk transfer pattern 2), , The image was not formed (Bk transfer pattern 2 did not form an image), and it was separated from the recording paper and did not rotate (Bk transfer pattern 1 formed an image). If not performed), if a counter for counting the number of times is provided and the number of processed sheets is counted,
It is possible to more accurately grasp the degree of wear for each image forming unit.

In the present embodiment, the method of transferring an image on the recording paper conveyed by the transfer material conveying belt 621 is described. However, the image is recorded on the intermediate transfer belt after the image is transferred on the intermediate transfer belt. An intermediate transfer method of retransferring to paper may be used.

Although the present embodiment relates to a digital color copying machine, an image forming apparatus such as a color printer may be used instead of the copying machine.

[0065]

As is apparent from the above description, the present invention relates to an image for forming an image by superimposing and transferring images of different colors on a plurality of image carriers arranged along a transfer belt. A color printing mode for forming an image in a state in which all of the image carriers are in contact with the transfer belt, and an image forming apparatus in which a part of the image carriers required for image formation is brought into contact with the transfer belt. The two types of print modes, that is, the single-color print mode to be performed, are switched by relatively separating a part of the image carrier and the transfer belt. Based on the color information and the print mode, some print modes are used. A first pattern in which image formation is performed with an image carrier involved;
In the single-color print mode, it is determined which of the second patterns in which image formation is performed in which image formation is performed with some image carriers involved, and the number of times image formation processing is performed for each pattern is separately measured. Thus, it is possible to accurately grasp the degree of wear of members such as the photosensitive drum and the cleaner blade and the toner consumption state.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an entire configuration of a digital color copying machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view showing a configuration of a transfer unit in the copying machine.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a state of the transfer unit in a color print mode.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a state of the transfer unit in a single-color print mode.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating information related to a paper feed waiting time adjustment process in a transfer unit.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state of a transfer unit and a change in a recording paper interval following transfer mode switching (from a color print mode to a single color print mode).

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a state of a transfer unit and a change in a recording paper interval following transfer mode switching (from a color print mode to a single color print mode).

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control unit of the copying machine.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an operation panel.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a transfer control unit among the control units.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing of the transfer control unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Copier 30 Control part 310 Main control part 350 Transfer control part 351 CPU 352 Cam drive circuit 353 Timing roller drive circuit 354 Counter part 370 RAM 60 Image formation process system 610C, 610M, 610Y, 610K Image formation unit 611C, 611M, 611Y , 611K Photoconductor drum 620 Transfer unit 630 Swing unit 640 Cam

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2H027 DA44 DA45 DB01 DE07 EB04 ED24 ED30 FA02 FA22 FA28 FA35 FA37 FB19 2H030 AB02 AD07 AD17 BB44 BB46 BB56 BB63

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An image forming an image by writing images of different colors on a plurality of image carriers arranged along a transfer belt and superimposing and transferring the images on each image carrier on a transfer material. A color information acquisition unit configured to acquire color information of an image to be formed from input information, a color print mode for forming an image while all of the image carriers are in contact with the transfer belt, and an image forming apparatus. The two types of print modes, i.e., a single-color print mode for forming an image by bringing a part of the image carrier into contact with the transfer belt, are required to relatively separate a part of the image carrier and the transfer belt. A first pattern in which image formation is performed with a part of the image carrier in the color print mode based on the color information and the print mode. Image forming pattern determining means for determining which of the second patterns in which image formation is performed in which some image carriers are involved, and execution of image forming processing in each of the first and second patterns An image forming apparatus comprising: a load measuring unit that separately measures the number of times. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the image transfer is performed by contacting the transfer belt for each image carrier, contacting the transfer belt but not transferring the image, not contacting the transfer belt and not transferring the image. Count the number of times for each
2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising two load measuring means.