JP2000098787A - Image forming device and method for controlling it - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device and a controlling method by which the operation rate of a device is improved by accurately controlling the feed rate of a web member, preventing the occurrence of a defective image due to the soiling of a fixing roller and extending the exchange time of the web member. SOLUTION: This image forming device is provided with a winding roller 51 on which the web member 54 abutting on the fixing roller 37a is wound, a take-up roller 54 taking up the web member, a pinch roller 55 abutting on the winding roller and rotating in accordance with the rotation of the winding roller, and an encorder 56 detecting the number of rotation of the pinch roller 55, a pulse motor 58 driving the take-up roller and a controlling part 57 controlling a driving means based on the number of rotation of the pinch roller detected. The feed rate of the web member is controlled so as to be at a specified rate. The residual amount of the web member is detected by counting a pulse number inputted to the pulse motor 58. Also, the trailing end of the web member is detected by detecting the current value of the pulse motor 58.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus having at least one of functions such as a copying machine, a printer, and a facsimile, and a method of controlling the image forming apparatus. And the control of the web member.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An image forming apparatus such as a copying machine of the electrophotographic type is provided with a fixing device including a pair of fixing rollers for fixing a toner image formed on a recording sheet. The fixing is performed by the recording paper passing through the fixing roller pair. At this time, toner adheres to the fixing roller, and in order to remove the toner, the surface of the fixing roller is cleaned by feeding the rotating fixing roller while applying a web impregnated with silicon oil or the like to the rotating fixing roller. ing. In this case, the feeding of the web was controlled by rotating the winding axis of the web by a certain angle at certain intervals (the number of copies). Alternatively, the feed amount of the web is controlled by detecting the change amount of the outer diameter of the web roll (for example, see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 58-182667).

However, according to the means of rotating the web take-up shaft for a certain period of time at a certain interval (number of copies) as described above, the web is stationary until the web take-up shaft next rotates. Therefore, the fixing roller is cleaned on the same web surface, and the cleaning ability is reduced.
There is a high possibility that image defects such as image contamination will occur. In particular, when the total copying progresses, the contamination of the fixing roller also progresses, and the tendency becomes remarkable, which is not preferable.

According to the means for controlling the web feed amount in accordance with the outer diameter change amount of the web roll, the web is soft, and the outer diameter is easily changed by the pressing force of the outer diameter detecting means. It is difficult to detect a large change in outer diameter. Also, if the outer diameter of the web roll is increased due to the waving of the web or the removed toner, the web feed amount is increased, the web is wasted, the replacement life is shortened, and it becomes economically disadvantageous. In addition, the operation rate of the device is reduced due to the replacement, and the productivity is reduced. In addition, if the web feed amount is reduced due to variations in the sheet thickness of the web and variations in the winding torque, the cleaning ability of the web is reduced.

[0005] Further, in order to detect the used amount of the web and to detect the remaining amount, the web is notched or marked at predetermined intervals, and the used amount of the web is detected by detecting the position. . Further, the notch of the web is detected by a photo sensor, and the remaining amount of the web is detected based on the number of times of detection (for example, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 5-905).
No. 05).

However, in the means for detecting the remaining amount of the web based on the number of times the web sensor detects the notch of the web,
The configuration of the fixing device and the circuit becomes complicated, which leads to an increase in the cost of the entire device, which is not preferable. Also, providing notches, markings, and the like at predetermined intervals on the web increases the manufacturing cost of the web. Further, when a notch is formed in the web, when a load is applied to the web due to the web winding torque applied during use of the web, stress may concentrate on the notch and the web may be avoided.

Further, in order to detect the end of the web during use, notches, markings, and the like formed on the web are provided.
The end of the web is detected by detecting the winding diameter or the like of the conductive portion or the web with a photo sensor or a contact, and the winding of the web is stopped or the stop is displayed. 58-132770).

However, as described above, forming notches, markings, conductive portions, and the like on the web requires special processing of the web, increases the manufacturing cost of the web, and increases the cost of the notched portion. When forming the stress, stress concentration occurs due to the load during use, and the web may be torn. Further, if a web end detecting means such as a photo sensor or a contact is provided in the running range of the web, there is a problem that assembling of the fixing device becomes extremely difficult, and the production efficiency is reduced.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A first object of the present invention is to maintain the cleaning ability of a web by accurately controlling a web feed amount and to prevent the occurrence of an image defect due to contamination of a fixing roller. Another object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus and a control method of the image forming apparatus, which can extend the time for replacing the web and improve the operation rate of the apparatus.

A second object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus capable of reliably detecting the remaining amount of a web with a simple structure, and improving the operation rate of the apparatus by replacing the web at an appropriate time. An object of the present invention is to provide a method for controlling a forming apparatus and an image forming apparatus, and to realize a reduction in web manufacturing cost and an improvement in strength.

A third object of the present invention is to detect the end of the web reliably, and to replace the web at an appropriate time, thereby improving the operation rate of the apparatus and improving the assemblability. To provide an image forming apparatus and a control method for the image forming apparatus, and to realize a reduction in web manufacturing cost.

[0012]

In order to achieve the first object, a first image forming apparatus of the present invention comprises a pair of fixing rollers for fixing a toner image carried on an image carrier. A web member that contacts at least one fixing roller of the fixing roller pair, a winding roller that winds the web member, a winding roller that winds the web member sent from the winding roller, Abuts the web member,
A rotating roller that rotates in accordance with the movement of the contacted web member, and a detecting unit that detects the number of rotations of the rotating roller,
A drive unit that drives the winding roller; and a control unit that controls the drive unit based on the detected rotation speed of the rotating roller.

According to the first image forming apparatus of the present invention, since the outer diameter of the rotating roller is constant without change, the total arc length (distance) at a certain number of rotations is always constant. Therefore, the moving distance of the web member can be detected by detecting the number of rotations of the rotating roller which comes into contact with the web member and rotates with the movement of the web member by means of an encoder or the like. For example, since the winding roller and the take-up roller rotate according to the movement of the web member, if the rotation roller is brought into contact with the web member on the winding roller and the number of rotations is detected, the distance due to the rotation of the rotation roller becomes the web. It is the moving distance of the member sent out from the winding roller, and this relationship does not change even if the outer diameter of the winding roller changes. By controlling the rotation of the winding roller by the driving means such as a pulse motor based on the number of rotations of the rotating roller detected by the detecting means, the feed amount of the web member can be accurately kept constant. As a result, the web member can be efficiently used without wasteful use while maintaining the cleaning capability of the web member, and the fixing roller can be reliably cleaned of dirt, thereby preventing image defects from occurring. Further, since the replacement time of the web member can be extended, the operation rate of the apparatus can be increased. Further, when a pulse motor is used as the driving means, the rotation angle of the pulse motor can be controlled by a signal from the detecting means based on the number of pulses output to the pulse motor based on the detected rotation number.

Another configuration of the first image forming apparatus of the present invention is a fixing roller pair for fixing a toner image carried on an image carrier, and a fixing roller of at least one of the fixing roller pair. A web member that abuts the web member, a winding roller that winds the web member, a winding roller that is fed from the winding roller and winds the web member, and a web member that abuts the web member and moves the web member. A rotating roller, a rotating roller that contacts at least one of the winding roller, the winding roller, and the roller, and rotates according to the rotation of the contacted roller; and detects a rotation speed of the rotating roller. The control device includes a detection unit, a driving unit that drives the winding roller, and a control unit that controls the driving unit based on the detected rotation speed of the rotation roller. According to the present invention, the above-described first object can be achieved. According to the present invention, the amount of movement of the web member can be detected by arranging the rotating roller so as to rotate with the movement of the web member via the roller. For example, the roller may be a backup roller that is disposed to face the fixing roller and rotates with the passage of the web member, and the web member may be configured to pass while being sandwiched between the fixing roller and the backup roller. When the backup roller is arranged facing the fixing roller in this way,
A rotating roller may be brought into contact with the backup roller.

Further, the control unit controls the driving amount of the web member to be wound around the winding roller by the driving means based on the detected rotation speed, so that the feeding amount of the web member is controlled. It can always be kept constant. In addition, the apparatus further includes a display unit that detects the remaining amount of the web member based on the detected rotation speed of the rotating roller and that displays the remaining amount of the web member, based on the detected rotation speed of the rotating roller. Since the length of the web member that has been moved and taken up by the take-up roller is known, the remaining amount of the web member can be detected from this length, and by displaying this, the user can know the remaining amount of the web member. Can be.

[0016] Further, by further comprising an urging means for urging the rotating roller toward the web member with which the rotating roller contacts, even if the outer diameter of the winding roller and the winding roller changes, the rotating roller can be reliably secured. Can be brought into contact with the roller.

According to a first control method of the present invention, there is provided a fixing roller pair for fixing a toner image carried on an image carrier, and a web member abutting at least one of the fixing roller pair. And a winding roller that winds the web member, a winding roller that winds the web member sent from the winding roller, and abuts on the web member, and rotates according to the movement of the abutted web member. A method of controlling an image forming apparatus including a rotating roller that detects the number of rotations of the rotating roller, and controlling the driving of the winding roller based on the detected number of rotations of the rotating roller. And controlling the amount of winding the web member around the winding roller based on the detected rotation speed. According to the present invention, the above-described first object can be achieved. Also,
The method further includes the step of detecting the remaining amount of the web member based on the number of rotations detected by the rotating roller, and displaying the remaining amount of the web member.

Further, in order to achieve the above-mentioned second object,
A second image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a fixing roller pair for fixing a toner image carried on an image carrier, a web member contacting at least one of the fixing roller pairs, and the web member. A winding roller for winding the member,
Driving means for driving the winding roller by inputting a pulse, counter means for counting the number of pulses output to the driving means, and a remaining means for detecting the remaining amount of the web member based on the counted number of pulses. Volume detection means.

According to the present invention, the take-up roller is driven by a driving means such as a pulse motor which is driven to rotate in accordance with the number of pulses, and the number of pulses manually applied to the driving means is counted, whereby the winding of the web member is performed. Since the take-up amount (the amount of feeding of the web member from the winding roller) can be detected, the usage amount and the remaining amount of the web member can be detected. Thereby, the replacement time of the web member can be reliably known, so that the web member can be replaced at an appropriate time, and the operation rate of the apparatus can be improved. Further, it is not necessary to provide a web remaining amount detecting means such as a photo sensor as in the related art, which simplifies the configuration of the apparatus and contributes to a reduction in the cost of the entire apparatus. Further, since it is not necessary to process notches or markings at predetermined intervals on the web member, it is possible to achieve a reduction in the manufacturing cost of the web member, and there is no possibility that the web member will be avoided from the notch of the web member. .

Further, the apparatus further comprises display means for displaying the remaining amount of the web member based on information from the remaining amount detecting means, so that the user can easily know the remaining amount of the web member, The proper replacement time of the web member is known.

Further, in the second image forming apparatus, a winding roller wound around the web member, a rotating roller abutting on the web member, rotating according to the movement of the abutted web member, and a rotating roller And a control unit for controlling the driving unit based on the detected rotation speed of the rotating roller, so that the web member is formed in the same manner as the first image forming apparatus. The feed amount of the web member can always be kept constant, and the feed amount of the web member can be accurately detected, so that the usage amount and the remaining amount of the web member can be accurately detected, and the remaining amount of the web member can be detected. The display becomes accurate.

According to a second control method of the present invention, there is provided a fixing roller pair for fixing a toner image carried on an image carrier, and a web member contacting at least one of the fixing roller pair. And a winding roller that winds the web member, and a method of controlling an image forming apparatus including a driving unit that drives the winding roller by inputting a pulse, wherein the number of pulses output to the driving unit is Counting and detecting the remaining amount of the web member based on the counted number of pulses. According to the present invention, the above second object can be achieved.

In order to achieve the third object, a third image forming apparatus according to the present invention comprises a fixing roller pair for fixing a toner image carried on an image carrier, and a fixing roller pair. A web member that contacts at least one of the fixing rollers, a driving unit that drives the web member to be wound up, and a current / voltage detection unit that detects a current value flowing through the driving unit or a voltage value applied to the driving unit. And a control unit that controls to stop winding the web member based on the detected current value or voltage value.

According to the present invention, when the web member is wound around the winding roller by the rotation of the driving means and the web member is wound to the end, the torque applied to the shaft of the winding roller changes abruptly. Therefore, since the current value or voltage value of the driving means also changes, by detecting this current value or voltage value, the end of the web member can be reliably detected, and the web member can be replaced at an appropriate time. The operation rate of the image forming apparatus can be improved, and an image forming apparatus and a control method of the image forming apparatus which are excellent in assemblability can be realized since detecting means such as a photo sensor and a contact as in the related art is unnecessary. Further, since it is not necessary to process a notch or the like in the web member, it is possible to achieve a reduction in the manufacturing cost of the web member, and there is no possibility that the web member is avoided from the notch in the web member. Further, according to the present invention, when a problem occurs in the web member or the take-up roller during running of the web member, and the current value or the voltage value changes, the winding is stopped, whereby the web member is stopped. It is possible to prevent running defects and image defects from occurring.

[0025] The web member may further include a winding roller on which the end of the web member is fixed, and the control unit may control the web member when the detected current value or the detected voltage value exceeds a reference value. Can be stopped. According to this, when the web member reaches the end of the winding roller, since the end is fixed to the winding roller, the torque applied to the rotating shaft of the winding roller sharply increases. Alternatively, since the detected voltage value exceeds the reference value, the end of the web member can be reliably detected.

Further, when the winding of the web member is stopped, it is displayed that the replacement of the web member is necessary, so that the user can easily know the necessity of the replacement of the web member.

According to a third control method of the present invention, there is provided a fixing roller pair for fixing a toner image carried on an image carrier, and a web member contacting at least one of the fixing roller pair. A method for controlling an image forming apparatus comprising: a driving unit configured to drive the web member to wind the web member, wherein a step of detecting a current value flowing through the driving unit or a voltage value applied to the driving unit. Stopping the winding of the web member based on the detected current value or voltage value. The third object can be achieved by the present invention.

[0028]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First, second and third embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a view schematically showing an entire image forming apparatus according to the first to third embodiments of the present invention.

First, the image forming apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. This image forming apparatus can be applied to a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, or the like that forms an image on a sheet-shaped recording medium, and an automatic document feeder 1 that automatically feeds a document to read the image. And a writing unit 20 that writes the read image information on the photosensitive drum 31 as scanning light.
And an image forming unit 30 for forming an image on a recording sheet based on the image information, and a paper feed cassette unit 40 for storing and feeding the recording sheet.

The automatic document feeder 1 feeds a sheet-shaped document on the document feeder 9 and discharges the document sent by the transport rollers 6 and the like to a document discharger 9a. The optical reading unit 10 includes a slit glass 11 or a platen glass 13
A light source 11A for irradiating the document with light, a first mirror member 11B for reflecting light reflected from the document, a second mirror member 12A for reflecting light from the first mirror member 11B, A third mirror member 12B for reflecting light from the mirror member 12A,
A lens 14 to which the light from B is incident, and a photodetector 15 composed of a CCD or the like, which receives the light from the lens 14 and performs photoelectric conversion.

A writing unit 20 is a polygon mirror 22 that deflects and scans a laser beam generated from a laser light source (not shown) based on a signal from the light detection unit 15, and a lens on which light from the polygon mirror 22 is incident. 23, a mirror 25 for reflecting light from the lens 23 toward the photosensitive drum 31 is provided.

The image forming section 30 has a photosensitive drum 31 having a photoconductive photosensitive layer formed on its outer peripheral surface as a photosensitive member, and uniformly charges the photoconductive photosensitive layer as the photosensitive drum 31 rotates. A charger 32; a developing device 33 for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 31 by optical scanning of the writing unit 20 to form a toner image; and a paper feed cassette unit for transferring the toner image on the photosensitive drum 31 A transfer pole 34 for transferring the recording sheet conveyed at a timing from 40, a cleaner 35 for removing the residual toner on the photosensitive drum 31 after the transfer, and a conveyance belt for conveying the recording sheet on which the toner image has been transferred. 36, a fixing device 37 for fixing the toner image transferred to the recording sheet, a discharge roller 39 for discharging the recording sheet having the fixed toner image out of the apparatus, and the discharged recording sheet Provided with that paper output tray 39a.

The fixing device 37 includes a pair of fixing rollers 37a,
37b, a winding roller 51 wound around a web member 54 made of an elongated ribbon-shaped nonwoven fabric impregnated with silicon oil or the like for cleaning the outer peripheral surface of the fixing roller 37a, and a winding roller for winding the web member 54 The fixing device includes a take-up roller 52 and a backup roller 53 that is disposed to face the fixing roller 37a and that is disposed between the fixing roller 37a and the web member 54 so as to pass therethrough.
A heater 50a is built in the fixing roller 37a, and heats the fixing roller 37a to fix the toner image on the recording sheet.

The paper feed cassette section 40 includes a cassette 41 for accommodating a large number of recording sheets P such as paper, and a paper feed roller 42 for feeding the recording sheets P from the cassette 41 toward the image forming section 30. The recording sheet sent by the paper feed roller 42 is conveyed to the lower part of the photosensitive drum 31 at appropriate timing through the paper feed rollers 43a and 43 and the registration roller 44.

The operation of the above-described image forming apparatus will be described. For example, the optical reading unit 10 reads an image from a document placed on the platen glass 13, and a laser beam is emitted from the writing unit 20 based on the image information. An electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive layer on the outer peripheral surface 31 a of the photosensitive drum 31 which is irradiated onto the rotating photosensitive drum 31 and uniformly charged by the charger 32. This electrostatic latent image is
3, the toner image is transferred by the transfer pole 34 to the recording sheet conveyed in a timely manner from the sheet cassette 40. After the toner image is transferred to the recording sheet, the toner image is fixed by the fixing device 37, and then the discharge tray 39 provided outside the apparatus housing 101.
is discharged to a.

<First Embodiment> FIG. 2 is a view showing a driving system and a control system of a web member of the fixing device 37 of FIG. 1 according to a first embodiment. As shown in the figure, the driving system and the control system of the web member are opposed to the winding roller 51 and are urged by a spring member 59 as an urging means to the web member existing on the peripheral surface of the winding roller 51. A pinch roller 55 arranged so as to rotate in contact with the rotation of the winding roller 51, an encoder 56 as a detecting means for detecting the number of rotations of the pinch roller, and a winding roller for winding the web member 54 A pulse motor 58 as a driving means for rotationally driving the motor 52;
And a controller 57 for controlling the pulse motor 58 based on the number of rotations of the web member 54 and the amount of rotation of the web member 54 to be controlled based on the number of rotations detected by the pinch roller 55. If the web member 54 is impregnated with silicone oil and the pinch roller 55 is likely to slip, the outer peripheral surface of the pinch roller 55 that contacts the web member 54 may be roughened to cause such slip. Can be prevented, and the pinch roller 55 can be surely rotated with the movement of the web member 54, and the detection accuracy is improved. Further, as shown in FIG. 6 described later, the outer peripheral surface of the pinch roller 55 may be formed in a gear shape, and each end thereof may have a sharp shape.

The winding roller 51 includes a web member 54.
Is wound to have a large diameter before use of the web member, but the diameter decreases with use, while the winding roller 52 has a small diameter before use, but the diameter increases with use. .
The end of the web member 54 is fixed to a winding roller.

The operation of the web member drive system / control system shown in FIG. 2 will be described. When the fixing roller 37a rotates in the rotation direction r for fixing, the pulse motor 58 rotates by a rotation angle proportional to the pulse number by inputting a predetermined number of pulses from the control unit 57, and drives the winding roller 52 to rotate. Then, the winding roller 52 rotates in the rotation direction p. The rotation of the winding roller 52 causes the winding roller 5 to rotate.
1 rotates in the rotation direction p ′, and the web member 54 is fed in the direction f, passes through the outer peripheral surface 50b of the fixing roller 37a and the backup roller 53 while being sandwiched therebetween, and is wound around the winding roller 52. Taken.

As described above, the outer peripheral surface 5 of the fixing roller 37a
The outer peripheral surface 50b of the fixing roller 37a is cleaned by the web member 54 that moves while abutting on the toner image 0b, the remaining toner and the like are removed, and toner contamination on the toner image forming surface of the recording sheet can be prevented. The rotation direction r of the fixing roller 37a and the moving direction f of the web member are opposite to each other, and the cleaning efficiency by the web member 54 is enhanced, which is preferable.

By the rotation of the winding roller 51 as described above, the pinch roller 55 urged by the spring member 59 against the outer peripheral surface of the winding roller 51 is simultaneously rotated in the rotation direction q. The rotation speed of the pinch roller 55 is detected by the encoder 56, and the control unit 57 outputs a pulse to the pulse motor 58 based on the detected rotation speed. The pulse motor 55 drives the winding roller 52 to rotate based on the number of output pulses. The spring member 59 is
Even if the outer diameter of the winding roller 51 is reduced, the pinch roller 55 is urged so that the contact direction of the pinch roller 55 with respect to the outer periphery of the winding roller 51 does not change.

In such control, the pinch roller 5
Since the outer diameter of 5 is constant without change, the total arc length (distance) due to the rotation can be known if the number of rotations is known. Then, the winding roller 51 rotates by the length of the fed web member 53 while feeding the web member 54, so that the number of rotations of the pinch roller 55 corresponds to the length of the fed web member 53. Therefore, the encoder 5
The length (distance) of feeding the web member 54 from the winding roller 51 according to the number of rotations of the pinch roller 55 detected in Step 6
Can be detected. Therefore, by controlling the number of pulses output from the control unit 57 to the pulse motor 58 based on the rotation number detected by the pinch roller 55, the pulse motor 5
8 can be changed so that the length of the web member 54 sent out from the winding roller 51 is constant.

The outer diameter of the winding roller 51 decreases during use, and the outer diameter of the winding roller 52 increases. Therefore, if the number of pulses is constant, the rotation angle of the pulse motor 58 becomes constant, and The length (per unit rotation angle) of the web member 54 sent out from the rotation roller 51 and taken up by the take-up roller 52 increases, but according to the control of the present embodiment, the web member 54 The feed amount (winding amount) of the cylinder 54 can be accurately and constantly controlled. Further, even if the outer diameter of the winding roller 51 is reduced during use, the pinch roller 55 is urged by the spring member 59 and is always in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the winding roller 51. The pinch roller 55 rotates.

As described above, since the feed amount (winding amount) of the web member 54 can be always kept constant, the web member is wound up quickly while maintaining the cleaning ability of the web member 54. It can be used efficiently without wasteful use. Therefore, it is possible to reliably clean the fixing roller, prevent the occurrence of image defects, and extend the replacement time of the web member, thereby increasing the operation rate of the apparatus.

<Second Embodiment> Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The driving system and the control system of the web member shown in FIG. 3 are obtained by adding a pulse counter, a web remaining amount detecting means and a web remaining amount displaying means to the configuration of FIG. With
The description is omitted.

The driving system and the control system for the web member shown in FIG. 3 are similar to those shown in FIG.
Counter 6 for counting the number of pulses input to
1, web remaining amount detecting means 62 for detecting the remaining amount of the web member 54 from the rotation angle of the pulse motor 58 based on the counted number of pulses, and web remaining amount displaying means for displaying the web remaining amount. Prepare.

The operation of an additional portion in the drive system and control system of the web member shown in FIG. 3 will be described. The pulse motor 58 is
By rotating at a rotation angle corresponding to a predetermined number of pulses output from the control unit 57, the winding roller 52 is driven to rotate, and the web member 54 is wound around the winding roller 52. The member 54 is sent out. Then, as described in the first embodiment, the number of input pulses of the pulse motor 58 is controlled so that the feed amount of the web member 54 is detected and detected by detecting the rotation speed of the pinch roller 55. Therefore, each time a pulse is output from the control section 57, the pulse number is counted by the pulse counter 61, and the web member winding amount (the winding roller 51) is calculated by the web remaining amount detecting means 72 based on the counted pulse number. From the web member).
Then, the remaining amount of the web member is displayed on the web remaining amount display means 63 based on the detected remaining amount of the web. Thereby, the usage amount of the web member is known, and the remaining amount is known.

As described above, by detecting the usage amount and the remaining amount of the web member, the replacement time of the web member can be known with certainty. Therefore, the web member can be replaced at an appropriate time, and the operation rate of the apparatus can be improved. Can be improved. Further, since there is no need to provide a web remaining amount detecting means such as a photo sensor as in the related art, the configuration of the apparatus is simplified, and the cost of the entire apparatus is reduced. In addition, since it is not necessary to process notches or markings at predetermined intervals on the web member, it is possible to achieve a reduction in the manufacturing cost of the web member, and there is no possibility that the web member is avoided from the notch of the web member. .

Third Embodiment Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. The driving system and the control system of the web member shown in FIG. 4 are obtained by adding a current detecting means 65 for detecting a current value flowing through the pulse motor 58 to the configuration of FIG. For this reason, the other parts are denoted by the same reference numerals as in FIG. 2 and the description thereof is omitted.

The operation of the driving system and the control system of the web member shown in FIG. 4 will be described with reference to FIG. The pulse motor 58 is
Driven by a pulse input, the normal web member 54
5, the current flowing through the pulse motor 58 slightly changes near the current value h1 as shown by the curve a as shown in FIG. When the web member 54 is used and reaches the end of the winding roller 51, the end of the web member 54 is fixed to the rotating shaft of the winding roller 51, so that the torque applied to the rotating shaft of the winding roller 52 sharply increases. And the current flowing through the pulse motor 58 is also represented by the curve b in the figure.
As shown by, the current value h3 increases sharply and is considerably large.
Reach a degree. Therefore, as shown in FIG.
The reference current value h2 is set in the middle between the reference current value and the reference current value h3, the current flowing through the pulse motor 58 is detected by the current detection means 58, and it is detected that the detected current has exceeded the reference current value h2. The end of the member 54 can be reliably detected, and the driving of the pulse motor 58 can be stopped to stop the winding operation of the web member 54.
Further, since the reference current value h2 at the time of the stop is higher than the current value h1 at the time of the normal operation, the winding does not stop unexpectedly due to the variation of the current value at the time of the normal operation.

As described above, since the end of the web member 54 can be reliably detected, the web member can be replaced at an appropriate time, and the operation rate of the apparatus can be improved.
Since a detecting unit such as a photo sensor or a contact is unnecessary as in the related art, the assemblability of the image forming apparatus is improved. Further, since it is not necessary to process a notch or the like in the web member, it is possible to achieve a reduction in the manufacturing cost of the web member, and there is no possibility that the web member is avoided from the notch in the web member.

If a problem occurs in the web member or the take-up roller during running of the web member and the current value of the pulse motor 58 increases, the web member is stopped by stopping the winding of the web member. It is possible to prevent defects and image defects from occurring. When a DC motor or the like is used as the driving means, the voltage applied to this motor is detected, and in the same manner as in FIG. 5, the end of the web member is detected based on the detected voltage value, and winding is stopped. Can be.

As described above, the present invention has been described by the embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to these, and various modifications can be made within the technical idea of the present invention. For example, the pinch roller may be arranged at another position where the web member runs, for example, it may be arranged at a winding roller or a backup roller, or may contact another roller arranged at a position other than the position of the backup roller. The same effect can be obtained. Further, as shown in a modified example of FIG. 6, a pinch roller 55a may be arranged at the position of the other roller so as to abut on the web member 54. The position of the pinch roller may be a position indicated by 55b. The pinch roller 55a is formed in a gear shape, and each tip 55c is formed in a sharp shape. Sharp tip 5 with pinch roller 55a
By having 5c, when the web member 54 comes into contact with the web member 54, the web member 54 can be surely rotated with the movement of the web member 54 without slipping, which is preferable because the detection accuracy is improved.

[0053]

According to the first image forming apparatus and the control method of the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the feeding amount of the web member can be accurately controlled, and the cleaning ability of the fixing roller by the web member can be maintained. In addition to preventing the occurrence of image defects due to contamination of the fixing roller, the web member can be replaced at an appropriate time by extending the replacement time of the web member and detecting and displaying the remaining amount of the web member. In addition, the operation rate of the device can be improved.

According to the second image forming apparatus and the control method of the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the remaining amount of the web member can be reliably detected with a simple configuration, and the web can be replaced at an appropriate time. In addition, the operation rate of the device can be improved. Further, it is possible to reduce the manufacturing cost and improve the strength of the web member.

Further, according to the third image forming apparatus and the control method of the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the end of the web member can be reliably detected, and by replacing the web at an appropriate time, the operation rate of the apparatus can be improved. Can be improved, and the assemblability of the device can be improved. Further, it is possible to reduce the manufacturing cost of the web member.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an entire image forming apparatus according to each embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a driving system and a control system of the web member according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a drive system and a control system of a web member according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a driving system and a control system of a web member according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a relationship between a current value flowing through the pulse motor of FIG. 4 and time.

FIG. 6 shows a first example in which the shape and position of the pinch roller are changed.
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a modification of the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

37 Fixing Device 37a, 37b Fixing Roller 51 Winding Roller 52 Winding Roller 53 Backup Roller 54 Web Member 55, 55a Pinch Roller (Rotating Roller) 56 Encoder (Detecting Means) 57 Control Unit 58 Pulse Motor (Drive Means) 61 Pulse Counter (Counter means) 62 Web remaining amount detecting means 63 Web remaining amount displaying means 65 Current detecting means

Claims (20)

[Claims] 1. A fixing roller pair for fixing a toner image carried on an image carrier, a web member contacting at least one fixing roller of the fixing roller pair, and a winding around the web member A winding roller, a winding roller that winds the web member sent from the winding roller, a rotating roller that contacts the web member, and rotates according to the movement of the contacted web member, and rotation of the rotating roller. An image forming apparatus, comprising: a detecting unit that detects the number; a driving unit that drives the winding roller; and a control unit that controls the driving unit based on the detected rotation speed of the rotating roller. 2. A fixing roller pair for fixing a toner image carried on an image carrier, a web member in contact with at least one of the fixing roller pairs, and a winding around the web member A winding roller, a winding roller fed from the winding roller and winding the web member, a roller that abuts on the web member and rotates by moving the web member, and the winding roller and the winding roller. A rotating roller that contacts at least one of the rollers and rotates according to the rotation of the contacted roller, a detecting unit that detects the number of rotations of the rotating roller, a driving unit that drives the winding roller, A control unit that controls the driving unit based on the detected number of rotations of the rotating roller. 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the controller controls the amount of the web member wound around the winding roller by the driving unit to be constant based on the detected rotation speed.
Or the image forming apparatus according to 2. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising display means for detecting a remaining amount of said web member based on a detected rotation speed of said rotating roller and displaying the remaining amount of said web member. Or the image forming apparatus according to 3. 5. A fixing roller pair for fixing a toner image carried on an image carrier, a web member in contact with at least one of the fixing roller pairs, and a winding member formed by winding the web member. An image forming apparatus comprising: a rotation roller; a winding roller that winds the web member sent from the winding roller; and a rotation roller that contacts the web member and rotates according to the movement of the contacted web member. A step of detecting the number of rotations of the rotating roller; and controlling the driving of the winding roller based on the detected number of rotations of the rotating roller. A method for controlling an image forming apparatus, comprising: controlling an amount of winding the web member around the winding roller based on the number of the web members. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a step of detecting a remaining amount of the web member based on a detected rotation speed of the rotating roller and displaying the remaining amount of the web member. How to control the device. 7. A fixing roller pair for fixing a toner image carried on an image carrier, a web member in contact with at least one of the fixing roller pairs, and a take-up for winding the web member Roller, driving means for driving the winding roller by inputting a pulse, counter means for counting the number of pulses output to the driving means, and the remaining amount of the web member based on the counted number of pulses. An image forming apparatus comprising: a remaining amount detecting unit that detects a remaining amount. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising display means for displaying a remaining amount of said web member based on information from said remaining amount detecting means. 9. A winding roller that winds the web member, a rotating roller that abuts on the web member and rotates according to the movement of the abutted web member, and a detecting unit that detects the number of rotations of the rotating roller. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising: a control unit configured to control the driving unit based on the detected rotation number of the rotation roller. 10. A fixing roller pair for fixing a toner image carried on an image carrier, a web member in contact with at least one of the fixing roller pairs, and a winding-up device for winding the web member A method for controlling an image forming apparatus, comprising: a roller; and a driving unit that drives the winding roller by inputting a pulse, wherein the step of counting the number of pulses output to the driving unit; Detecting the remaining amount of the web member based on the number of pulses. 11. The method according to claim 10, further comprising the step of displaying the detected remaining amount of the web member. 12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said detecting means comprises an encoder. 13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: urging means for urging the rotating roller toward the web member with which the rotating roller contacts. 14. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said driving means comprises a pulse motor. 15. A fixing roller pair for fixing a toner image carried on an image carrier, a web member abutting at least one of the fixing roller pairs, and a web member wound around the web member. A driving unit for driving; a current / voltage detecting unit for detecting a current value flowing to the driving unit or a voltage value applied to the driving unit; and winding the web member based on the detected current value or voltage value. A control unit for controlling to stop,
An image forming apparatus comprising: 16. The web member further comprises a winding roller wound around the end of the web member, wherein the control unit is configured to control the web member when the detected current value or the detected voltage value exceeds a reference value. The image forming apparatus according to claim 13, wherein winding of the image is stopped. 17. The image forming apparatus according to claim 15, wherein when the winding of the web member is stopped, an indication that the web member needs to be replaced is displayed. 18. A fixing roller pair for fixing a toner image carried on an image carrier, a web member in contact with at least one fixing roller of the fixing roller pair, and a web member wound around the web member. A driving unit that drives the image forming apparatus, comprising: a step of detecting a current value flowing through the driving unit or a voltage value applied to the driving unit; and Stopping the winding of the web member on the basis of the control method of the image forming apparatus. 19. The method according to claim 18, further comprising the step of stopping winding of the web member when the detected current value or the detected voltage value exceeds a reference value. 20. The control method for an image forming apparatus according to claim 18, further comprising a step of displaying that the web member needs to be replaced when the winding of the web member is stopped.