JP2000238392A - Imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain an imaging apparatus in which the use condition of a light deflecting means is counted accurately depending on the use mode of an imaging apparatus. SOLUTION: A detecting means 52 detects the use mode of an imaging apparatus 10 and a count means 54 counts as the time pulse signals transmitted from a pulse transmitter 60. A count section 56 counts the time for each use mode of a light deflector 40 based on the time counted by the count means 54 and a use mode detected by the detecting means 52, stores the operating time corresponding to the use mode in a memory 58 and updates the data by adding the time calculated at the count section 56.

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, and more particularly, to an image forming apparatus using light deflecting means used for a printer, a facsimile, a copying machine, and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, recycling and reuse (recycling) have been progressing due to environmental problems and regulations of each country. However, the conventional method for judging whether recycling is possible is generally based on the date of manufacture of a product. I was In other words, if the date of manufacture exceeds the specified period when the product is returned due to repair or failure, it is discarded, and if it does not exceed the specified period, replace or repair the failed part. Had been reused.

[0003] For this reason, although the date of manufacture exceeds a predetermined period of time, items that have been used for a short period of time or have little use may be discarded even though they are still fully usable, and resources and materials may be discarded. It was not used effectively.

To solve this problem, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
In No. 61913, in an I / O device such as an office computer, a workstation, a terminal device, etc., the number of power on / off, total power-on time, access time, command execution time and the like are stored in a non-volatile memory, and a predetermined limit is set. It is disclosed that the life of an I / O device is managed by comparing the value with a value.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 7-130378 discloses that a means for accumulating the use time of a component is provided, and the remaining life is estimated by comparing with a preset remaining life rate.

As a method of recycling parts and the like that change with time, the performance of the parts is checked at the time of shipment, and the performance of the parts is checked again at the time of return and compared with the data at the time of shipment. Others make a determination as to whether or not they can be used.

[0007]

However, in the case of an apparatus such as an image forming apparatus having a large number of modes such as a print mode, a standby mode, and an energy saving mode, a user having a large number of prints and a user having a small number of prints are required. Depending on the state of use, the light deflecting means and the like have a considerable gap at the end of their life. In such a case, when the life is determined from the energization time, the rotation time of the light deflecting means, and the like as in the related art, the use state and the load state in each mode of the unit or component whose life is to be determined are different.
Although they can be used, they may be discarded, making it difficult to use resources and materials effectively. In particular, in the case of a laser printer, when the resolution is switched or the copier has a standby mode, the laser printer,
The light deflecting means mounted on a copying machine or the like may have a plurality of rotation speeds used as described above, and in such a laser printer or copying machine, only the total rotation time and the total energizing time, etc. There is a problem that it is difficult to judge the life by grasping the actual use state.

For example, in a laser copying machine, the print rotation speed is 20,000 rpm and the standby rotation speed is 10,000 rpm.
Assuming that there is a motor included in the light deflecting unit of m, if the rotation time is the same, the print mode is set to 1800
In the case where the standby mode is 2,000 hours at 0 hours and the case where the print mode is 2,000 hours and the standby mode is 18000 hours, the rotation time is 20,000 hours even though the load due to rotation is completely different. Will be regarded as being used in the same way, and will be discarded together.

Although the rotation speed of the light deflecting means is one, there is a difference in the activation state of the fan in the image forming apparatus between the time of printing and the time of standby. Even in different cases, since the load on the circuit board and the like differs depending on the use state, it is difficult to judge the life by simply grasping the actual use state only by the total rotation time and the energization time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and has as its object to provide an image forming apparatus that accurately counts the use state of light deflecting means according to the use mode of the image forming apparatus.

[0011]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a light deflecting means for deflecting light from a light source for emitting light, and controlling the light deflecting means. An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit that performs a plurality of modes including a plurality of driving modes set by a difference in deflection speed of the light deflecting unit and a plurality of operation modes set by a use state of the light deflecting unit. Detecting means for detecting a used mode of the plurality of modes, detecting means for detecting at least a use state of components constituting the light deflecting means, and detecting by the detecting means A memory for storing and updating the use state as data according to the use mode.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the light from the light source is deflected by the light deflector. Further, the control unit controls the light deflecting means, and a plurality of driving modes such as a deflection speed which varies depending on a resolution set by a difference in the deflection speed of the light deflecting means, and a print mode and a standby mode which are set according to a use state of the light deflecting means. A plurality of mode controls including a plurality of operation modes such as modes are performed. For example, by controlling the number of revolutions of the rotating polyhedron in the light deflecting means, control of a drive mode for switching resolution and the like, and operation modes such as a standby mode and a print mode which vary depending on the use state of the light deflecting means are performed. Further, the detecting unit detects the used mode among the plurality of modes. The detecting means detects at least a use state of components constituting the light deflecting means, for example, a rotation time, a temperature, a current value, and the like of the rotating polyhedron in the light deflecting means in each use mode. The memory stores and updates the use state of the detection as data corresponding to the use mode.

As described above, since the memory is stored and updated as data corresponding to the use mode, by reading the data of the memory, the use state of the components constituting the light deflection means at the time of reading the memory can be accurately determined. You can figure out. In addition, the remaining life and the remaining usage period of the components constituting the light deflecting means can be accurately grasped from the use state, and it can be accurately determined whether or not it can be reused.

[0014] The invention described in claim 2 is the first invention.
Wherein the detecting means measures or counts at least the use state of each of the plurality of modes in each use mode.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the detecting means may measure or count at least the use state of each of the plurality of modes in each use mode by the counting means.

[0016] The invention according to claim 3 provides the invention according to claim 1.
In the invention described in (1), the data in the use state detected by the detection unit is weighted according to each of the plurality of modes, and the data is updated in the memory. .

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the data of the use state detected by the detecting means, for example, the rotation time of the light deflecting means in each of the above-mentioned use modes is changed to the use mode detected by the detecting means. Weighting may be performed accordingly, and the data may be stored and updated in the memory.

The invention described in claim 4 is the first invention.
4. The invention according to claim 3, wherein the use state data stored in the memory is compared with a reference value for the use state data stored in the memory, and at least the light is used. It is characterized by further comprising determining means for determining at least a remaining use period, availability, and reusability of components constituting the deflecting means.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the apparatus may further include a determination unit, and the determination unit may compare the use state data stored in the memory with a reference value for the use state. .

The invention described in claim 5 is the same as the invention in claim 4.
In the invention according to the above, by performing an operation input, at least an operation unit for performing selection input of the plurality of modes,
Display means for displaying at least a control state of the control unit and an input input to the operation unit, and by performing a predetermined input to the operation unit, at least the data of the use state and the remaining use period. , And the determination result of the reusability is displayed on the display means.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, there is further provided an operation unit for selecting and inputting a plurality of modes, and display means for displaying at least a control state of the control unit and an input to the operation unit. By performing a predetermined input to the operation unit, at least the data of the use state, the remaining use period,
You may make it display on a display means, such as a determination result of the usability or reusability.

The invention according to claim 6 is the first invention.
5. The memory according to claim 1, wherein the memory is provided in the light deflecting unit or a unit including the light deflecting unit.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the memory may be provided in the light deflecting means or a unit including the light deflecting means.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the data stored in the memory is rotated at least by the driving means for rotationally driving the deflecting means. It is characterized by the degree of failure calculated from the drive time, temperature rise, and steady-state current value for each number.

According to the seventh aspect of the invention, the data stored in the memory is calculated from at least the driving time, the temperature rise, the steady-state current value, and the like for each rotation speed of the driving means for driving the deflecting means. The degree of failure of the deflecting means may be used.

[0026]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. First Embodiment FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a main part of an image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, an image forming apparatus 10 includes a photosensitive drum 20 as an image carrier.
Are arranged, and the photosensitive drum 20 is indicated by an arrow Q in the figure.
In the direction at a predetermined angular velocity. Also, the photosensitive drum 2
A charging device 22, a developing device 24, a transfer device 26, and a cleaning device 28 are sequentially arranged along the outer periphery in the vicinity of the outer periphery of the zero. An optical scanning device 30 that scans the surface of the photosensitive drum 20 with laser light modulated according to digital image data of an image to be formed is disposed above the photosensitive drum 20. The optical scanning device 30
Is set between the charging position by the charging device 22 and the developing position by the developing device 24.

The surface of the photosensitive drum 20 charged by the charging device 22 is scanned and exposed by a laser beam from the optical scanning device 30 modulated according to digital image data.
An electrostatic latent image is formed. Further, this electrostatic latent image is developed by the developing device 24, and a toner image corresponding to the electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 20.

On the other hand, the paper P is conveyed along a predetermined path to a nip portion between the photosensitive drum 20 and the transfer device 26 in synchronization with the formation of the toner image. A predetermined transfer bias voltage is applied to the transfer device 26 at the timing when the sheet P is conveyed to the nip portion, and the transfer bias voltage is applied and the photosensitive drum 20 of the sheet P is transferred by the transfer device 26.
, The toner image on the photosensitive drum 20 is transferred to the paper P.

The paper P after the transfer is conveyed to the fixing device 18,
The toner image formed on the sheet P is fixed on the sheet P.
The fixed sheet P is conveyed in the direction of arrow W and discharged to a discharge tray (not shown).

Next, the optical scanning device 30 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the optical scanning device 30 includes a semiconductor laser light source 32 and an optical deflector 40 (see FIG. 3) configured to include a rotary polygon mirror 38.
A collimator lens 34, a cylindrical lens 36, and a rotating polygon mirror 38 are arranged in this order on the optical path of the light beam emitted from the semiconductor laser light source 32. The rotating polygon mirror 38 is driven to rotate by a driving unit (not shown), and the light beam incident on the rotating polygon mirror 38 is deflected.

An fθ lens 42 and a cylindrical mirror 44 are arranged on the optical path in the order from the one closer to the rotary polygon mirror 38.
The light beam reflected by 4 passes through the transmission glass, and then irradiates the photosensitive drum 20.

Here, the direction scanned by the deflection of the laser beam by the rotation of the optical deflector 40 is defined as the main scanning direction,
A direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction is called a sub-scanning direction.

In the above-described optical scanning device 30, a reflection mirror 46 is disposed at a predetermined position before a position where a light beam is first irradiated on an image-formable area of the photosensitive member. An SOS sensor 48 is disposed at a position where the light beam reflected by the reflection mirror 46 travels.

Subsequently, the image forming apparatus 10 of the first embodiment
Will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment includes a control unit 50, an optical scanning device 3
0, detecting means 52, counting means 54, counting section 56, memory 58, and pulse transmitter 60.

The controller 50 controls the modulation of the laser beam emitted from the semiconductor laser light source 32 and the number of rotations of the rotating polygon mirror 38 of the optical deflector 40 in accordance with the digital image data. The signal input to the optical deflector 40 is a signal representing the start / stop of the optical deflector 40 and the switching of the number of rotations, and is a 2-bit high / low signal.

The detecting means 52 detects the operating state of the optical deflector 40 (in this embodiment, two use modes, a print mode and a standby mode) from a 2-bit signal output from the control unit 50. Yes, for example, the optical deflector 4
When the signal output to 0 is a low signal and the rotation speed signal is a high signal, it is detected that the optical deflector 40 is being driven at the rotation speed in the print mode.

The pulse transmitter 60 generates pulse signals in the image forming apparatus 10 at predetermined constant intervals, and counts the number by the counting means 54 to convert it into time. The counting unit 56 counts the time for each use mode of the optical deflector 40 based on the time counted by the count unit 54 and the use mode detected by the detection unit 52.

The memory 58 stores an operation time according to the operation state of the optical deflector 40. Also, the memory 5
The time counted by the counter 56 is added to the old data of the operation time corresponding to the operation state of the optical deflector 40 stored in 8 as needed, and is stored and updated as new data. Also, the memory 5
Reference numeral 8 generally denotes a non-volatile memory 58 that retains data stored in the memory 58 even when the power is turned off, and is readable as needed.

Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described.

The optical scanning device 30 of the image forming apparatus 10 operates the optical deflector 40 by outputting a 2-bit signal indicating start / stop and rotation speed from the control unit 50 to the optical deflector 40. . Further, a signal for modulating the laser light in accordance with the digital image data is output to the semiconductor laser light source 32 by the control unit 50, and the laser light (light beam) is emitted from the semiconductor laser light source 32 according to the signal. The light beam emitted from the semiconductor laser light source 32 is
The light enters a rotating polygon mirror 38 of an optical deflector 40 via a collimator lens 34 and a cylindrical lens 36. The light beam incident on the rotating polygon mirror 38 of the optical deflector 40 is deflected by the rotating polygon mirror 38 and is applied to the photosensitive drum 20 via the fθ lens 42 and the cylindrical mirror 44.

The scanning is performed in the main scanning direction by the rotation of the rotary polygon mirror 38 of the optical deflector 40, and the scanning in the sub-scanning direction is performed by the rotation of the photosensitive drum 20, so that a latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 20. You.

The start / stop and rotation speed switching signals of the optical deflector 40 output from the control unit 50 are transmitted to the detection unit 5.
The operation state (print mode, standby mode, etc.) of the optical deflector 40 is detected by the detection means 52. The operating state of the optical deflector 40 detected by the detecting means 52 is output to the counting unit 56. Also, the pulse signal transmitted from the transmitter at predetermined intervals is counted by the counting means 54.
The signal which has been counted and changed in time by the
6 is output.

In the counting section 56, the operating state of the optical deflector 40 detected by the detecting means 52 and the counting means 54
The time is counted for each use mode based on the signal of the time counted by. Further, the time for each use mode in which the previous counting was performed is read out from the memory 58, and the data of the currently counted time is added to the previously counted time data to calculate the total time data. The time data is stored and updated in the memory 58 as new data.

Here, as a method of using the memory 58,
For example, when the limit value of the number of prints is predetermined, the rotation time of the optical deflector 40 in the print mode corresponding to the number of prints can be calculated.
The rotation time of the print mode described above can be checked, for example, when the image forming apparatus is returned due to a failure of a component other than the above. This makes it possible to easily determine whether or not the light deflector 40 can be reused, and to periodically check the state of the light deflector 40 for maintenance or the like to determine whether or not the light deflector 40 should be replaced. The optical deflector 40 can be replaced beforehand. Further, since the light deflector 40 can be replaced before the failure, there is no need to worry about a decrease in productivity.

In the first embodiment, the light deflector 40
The number of rotations of the fan is two speeds. However, in the case where the fan rotates for a predetermined time and the fan stops even if printing is completed at only one speed, the fan ON / OFF signal is sent to the detecting means 52. May be entered,
When the resolution is switched by a laser printer or the like, the print mode may be set, and the number of rotations of the print mode may be checked to determine whether the optical deflector 40 can be reused or whether it is time to replace it.

In the case where the optical deflector 40 having a ball bearing type bearing is used, since the limit rotation time of the bearing is roughly determined, the rotation time is calculated by calculating the sum of the print mode and the standby mode. Alternatively, it may be determined whether or not the light deflector 40 is to be replaced. Further, in an optical deflector 40 using a ball bearing type or a fluid bearing type bearing, the current and the temperature change with time due to the friction of the bearing. May be.

As described above, by setting each of the judgment and counting targets and the reference value of the judgment according to the usage of the image forming apparatus and the type of the bearing of the optical deflector 40, the invention can be applied to various cases.

As described above, in the first embodiment,
By storing each use state of the light deflector 40 according to the use mode of the image forming apparatus 10 in the memory 58, the use state of the light deflector 40 can be accurately counted according to the use mode. . Further, by comparing the use state stored in the memory 58 with the reference value, the remaining life and remaining usable period of the optical deflector 40 can be accurately grasped, and whether or not the optical deflector 40 can be reused can be accurately determined. Can be determined. [Second Embodiment] The configuration of the main part of the image forming apparatus 11 of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted. Regarding the electrical configuration of the image forming apparatus 11 of the second embodiment, the same components as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the image forming apparatus 11 of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the electrical configuration of the image forming apparatus 11 of the second embodiment
The electrical configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the embodiment has a configuration in which a temperature rise measurement unit 62, a steady current measurement unit 64, an operation unit 66, a display unit 68, and a comparison unit 70 are added.

The temperature rise measuring means 62 measures the temperature rise in the optical scanning device 30 by a predetermined measuring method, and outputs the temperature rise data to the counting section 56. The stationary current measuring unit 64 measures the stationary current in the optical scanning device 30 by a predetermined measuring method, and outputs the stationary current data to the counting unit 56.

The operation unit 66 is used to operate the image forming apparatus 11 and to input an operation for reading out the operation time and the like for each use mode stored in the memory 58. The operation content of the image forming apparatus 11 input to the operation unit 66, the operation state of the image forming apparatus, the operation time for each operation mode stored in the memory 58, and the like are displayed. The comparing unit 70 calculates the failure rate of the optical deflector 40 according to a preset calculation formula (described later).

The above formula for calculating the failure rate is represented by the following formula (1).

FIT (T2) = A × exp ((1 / (273 + T1) −1 / (273 + T2)) × E / K) F (T2) = FIT (T2) × 10 ⁻⁹ × h × 100 (%) (1) T1: Set temperature (° C.) in a reliability test of a driving circuit element performed by a component maker or the like A: FIT number at T1 ° C. E: 1 (eV) K: 8.62 × 10 −5 (eV / K) T2: Junction temperature of the failure rate calculation target (part) = (part temperature) + (applied voltage) × (part thermal resistance) ×
(Steady current value) h: Usage time.

For example, in the case where the rotation speed, the steady current value, and the temperature rise in each use mode are as shown in Table 1, T1
= 150 ° C., FIT number at temperature T1 is 4536.7
, The applied voltage is 24 (V), and the thermal resistance of the component is 6.25 (A /
In the case of V), if the drive is performed for the same 20,000 hours, the failure rate in each use mode is as shown in Table 2, and it can be seen that a large difference occurs depending on the rotation speed, the temperature rise value, and the steady current value.

[0056]

[Table 1]

[0057]

[Table 2]

The failure rate is, in this example, what percentage of the target sample number will fail in 20,000 hours. That is, it may be a numerical value indicating the degree of failure.

As described above, in the optical deflector 40 having a large difference in the degree of failure depending on the use mode, it is difficult to simply predict the life of the optical deflector 40 by using only the rotation time and the energization time as in the related art. In addition, the normal user can use the print mode,
Since the standby mode and the stop mode are used in a mixed manner, it is even more difficult to determine the service life. Therefore, the expression (1) may be used for a component whose degree of failure greatly differs depending on the use mode of the optical deflector 40.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, when the image forming apparatus 11 is started in step 100 and the rotation driving of the optical deflector 40 is started, the process proceeds to step 102, and in step 102, the use when the image forming apparatus 11 is started is used. The mode is determined by the detecting means 52, and the process proceeds to step 104. In step 104, the predetermined pulse signal transmitted from the pulse transmitter 60 is counted by the counting means 54, the time of the use mode determined by the detecting means 52 is measured, and the process proceeds to step 106. In step 106, the temperature rise data of the optical scanning device 30 measured by the temperature rise measuring unit 62 is output to the counting unit 56, and the process proceeds to step 108. In step 108, the steady-state current value measured by the steady-state current measuring unit 64 is output to the counting unit 56, and the process proceeds to step 108. In step 108, the failure rate is calculated from the temperature rise data, the steady-state current value, and the above equation (1), and the total usage time in the current usage mode is calculated. In step 110, the failure rate calculated in step 108 and the total use time in the use mode are stored and updated in the memory 58, and
Move to 2. In step 112, it is determined whether or not the use mode has been switched. If it is determined in step 112 that the use mode has been switched, step 10
2, the above-described steps 102 to 112 are repeated. That is, the failure rate and the total number of hours of use for each use mode are updated in the memory 58 as needed.

If it is determined in step 112 that the mode has not been switched, the process proceeds to step 114. In step 114, it is determined whether or not a command for reading data stored in the memory 58 has been input to the operation unit 66.

If it is determined in step 114 that no command has been input, the process returns to step 102 and the above steps 102 to 114 are repeated.

If it is determined in step 114 that a command has been input, the process proceeds to step 116. Step 11
In step S6, a comparison is made between the reference value data preset in the comparing means and the data stored in the memory 58.
Move to 18. In step 118, step 116
In the comparison performed in step 2, it is determined whether or not the reference value (limit value) is exceeded. If it is determined in step 118 that the value exceeds the limit value, the process proceeds to step 120. In step 120, a display prompting the display means 68 to replace the optical deflector 40 is displayed.

If it is determined in step 118 that the limit value has not been exceeded, the routine proceeds to step 122, where the remaining use period is calculated by the comparing means 70, and the flow proceeds to step 124.
Move to. In step 124, the remaining use period calculated in step 122 is displayed on the display means 68.

As described above, the latest information is always stored in the memory 58, and by reading out this information, the load state of the optical deflector 40 at that time can be monitored, and whether or not the optical deflector 40 can be replaced or reused can be used. It is possible to determine whether or not it is possible.

For example, assuming that T1, the number of FITs, the applied voltage, the thermal resistance, the number of revolutions, the temperature rise value, and the steady-state current value are as shown in Table 1 above, the user A has five years
0 hours) is set to 20000 hours for printing, 0 hours for standby, 23800 hours for stopping power supply, and user B prints 1000 hours.
0 hours, standby 10000 hours, power off 23800 hours, user C print 2000 hours, standby 1800
Table 3 shows the respective failure rates (sum of the respective failure rates at the time of printing, at the time of standby, and at the time of stoppage) when used at a rate of 0 hours and 23800 hours of power supply stop.

[0068]

[Table 3]

Here, if it is considered that the exchange is performed on the basis of 1%, it is understood that the user A has 1.12% for 5 years and does not have the exchange for 5 years. The user A becomes 1% when considering that there is relatively little variation in the use state for 5 years.
12 = 4.46 years. In such a case, if the memory is periodically checked by regular maintenance or the like and the optical deflector 40 or a unit including the optical deflector 40 is replaced, the image is given to the user. It is possible to prevent a decrease in user productivity due to a stoppage of the function without impairing the function of the forming apparatus 11.

In the second embodiment, the temperature rise value and the steady-state current value are measured by a predetermined measuring method, and the failure rate is calculated by using the above equation (1). It is not necessary to perform, for example, in the case of using an air bearing type optical deflector, the bearing loss is negligible for a ball bearing type optical deflector, and Since there is little change with time, the measuring means can be simplified by storing the temperature rise value and the steady-state current value in advance.

As described above, by setting the temperature rise value and the steady-state current value in advance, it is possible to eliminate the need to perform calculations when switching between use modes. That is, if only the rotation speed data from the time of shipment of the image forming apparatus 11 to the time of checking is stored in the memory 58 as data, the failure rate can be calculated by the above equation (1). In this case, if only the rotation time is stored in the memory 58 even if the mode is switched many times until the command or the like is input to the operation unit 66, when the command or the like is input to the operation unit 66, 1 The degree of failure at that time can be ascertained by the calculations.

In the second embodiment, the failure rate is calculated by the equation (1).
In some cases, the formula (1) does not apply. In such a case, the failure rate may be calculated using a calculation formula indicating the reliability of the component.

As described above, in the second embodiment,
The use state of each of the optical deflectors 40 according to the use mode of the image forming apparatus 11 is stored in a memory 58, and this memory 5
By comparing the use state stored in 8 with the reference value, the remaining life of the optical deflector 40, the remaining usable period, and the like can be accurately grasped, and it is accurately determined whether the optical deflector 40 can be reused. Can be. [Third Embodiment] The configuration of the main part of the image forming apparatus 13 of the third embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment and the second embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted. In the electrical configuration of the image forming apparatus 13 of the third embodiment, the same components as those of the first embodiment and the second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the image forming apparatus 13 of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, the electrical configuration of the image forming apparatus 13 of the third embodiment is
In the electrical configuration of the image forming apparatus 11 of the embodiment, a temperature rise measuring unit and a steady current measuring unit are omitted.

In the second embodiment, in the use mode of each optical deflector 40, the temperature rise value, the steady-state current value, and the rotation time are measured or counted, and the calculation represented by the expression (1) is performed. The life can be determined more accurately than when the life is determined based on the rotation time, energization time, and number of times the power is turned on / off, and the apparatus can be simplified by setting the temperature rise value and the steady-state current value in advance. However, in the third embodiment, weighting is performed instead of the temperature rise measurement unit and the steady-state current measurement unit to further simplify the device.

In this embodiment, when the failure rate is calculated by the counting section 56, the failure rate can be easily calculated by multiplying the weighting coefficient.

That is, as shown in Table 2 above, when driving is performed for the same 20,000 hours, a large difference occurs in the degree of failure, but if the degree of failure in the print mode is assumed to be 1, the remaining two Table 4 shows the degree of failure in the use mode.

[0078]

[Table 4]

The calculation in the counting section 56 is further simplified by using this weighting coefficient.

For example, when a total of 20,000 hours have elapsed, the print mode is 2,000 hours, and the standby mode is eight hours.
When the stop mode is 10,000 hours and the stop mode is 10,000 hours, 1.118 / 20,000 × (2000 + 8000 × 0.558 + 10000 × 0.0011) = 0.137% (2) Thus, by using the weight coefficient, and
If the temperature rise value and the steady-state current value are known in advance, the failure rate can be calculated very easily.

In this embodiment, the failure rate is calculated each time the use mode is switched, and the result is stored and updated in the memory 58. However, the present invention is not limited to this. When only the rotation time in each use mode is accumulated and the memory 58 is checked for maintenance or the like, the memory 58 may be collectively performed as in Expression (2).

Further, by comparing the above-mentioned failure rate data with a preset limit failure rate, it is determined whether or not replacement is possible, and the total energization data is counted, or the usage time of each of the above-mentioned usage modes is used. If the use state (use mode) of the user does not significantly change before and after the check by calculating the sum of the remaining use periods, the remaining usable period can be easily calculated.

Since the above-mentioned check is performed only at the time of periodic maintenance, it is not necessary for the user to know the check, and it is desirable to monitor by inputting a predetermined command to the operation unit 66. Image forming apparatus 13 due to failure of other parts, etc.
When the unit is returned, the command can be input to the operation unit 66 to easily determine whether or not the unit including the optical deflector 0 or the optical deflector 40 can be reused. The usage status can be checked without inquiring about.

As described above, in the third embodiment,
By multiplying by a weighting coefficient according to the use mode of the image forming apparatus 13, there is no need to measure a characteristic value that must be measured with a complicated configuration such as temperature and current.
The failure rate can be calculated by an easy calculation. Further, it is possible to easily determine whether or not replacement and reusability are possible by comparing with a preset determination criterion, and it is possible to check the use state without inquiring the user of the use state. [Fourth Embodiment] The configuration of the main part of the image forming apparatus of the fourth embodiment is the same as that of the third embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted. The memory 58 having the electrical configuration of the third embodiment is stored in the image forming apparatus 1.
3, the image forming apparatus according to the fourth embodiment has a configuration in which the memory 58 is provided in an optical deflector or a unit including the optical deflector.

Next, the operation of the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, when the image forming apparatus is started in step 200 and the rotation driving of the optical deflector 40 is started, the process proceeds to step 202, and in step 202, the use mode when the image forming apparatus is started is changed to the use mode. The process proceeds to step 204 after being determined by the detecting means 52. Step 2
In step 04, a predetermined pulse signal transmitted from the pulse transmitter 60 is counted by the counting means 54, the time of the use mode determined by the detecting means 52 is measured, and the routine proceeds to step 206. Step 2
At 06, the failure rate is calculated by the counting unit 56 using the weighting factor corresponding to the predetermined use mode, and the total use time in the current use mode is calculated, and the process proceeds to step 208. , The calculated failure rate is stored and updated in the memory 58, and step 21 is executed.
Move to 0. In step 210, it is determined whether or not the use mode has been switched.
When it is determined that the use mode has been switched in step 202, the process returns to step 202, and the above-described steps 202 to 2 are performed.
10 is repeated. That is, the failure rate and the total number of hours of use for each use mode are updated in the memory 58 as needed.

If it is determined in step 210 that the use mode has not been switched, the process proceeds to step 212.

Here, the case where the unit including the optical deflector 40 in the image forming apparatus returns due to a failure or the like after step 212 will be described.

In step 212, when the unit including the optical deflector 40 returns, the process proceeds to step 214. In step 214, the data stored in the memory 58 provided in the unit including the optical deflector is read, and the reference value data is read. And the process proceeds to step 216. In step 216, it is determined whether or not the optical deflector 40 can be reused as a result of comparison with the reference value data. If it is determined that the optical deflector 40 can be reused, the process proceeds to step 218 and reuse is performed.

If it is determined in step 216 that the optical deflector 40 cannot be reused, the process proceeds to step 220, where the optical deflector 40 is discarded without reuse.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the memory 58 is provided in the optical deflector 40 or the unit including the optical deflector 40 so that the optical deflector can be removed even when the unit is removed from the image forming apparatus, such as when the unit is returned. It is possible to grasp the use state of the device 40 and easily determine whether or not it can be reused.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the time is converted into a time by using the ON / OFF signal of the optical deflector 40 and the pulse signal generated at a predetermined constant interval from the pulse transmitter 60. However, it is not limited to this. For example, depending on the method of using the image forming apparatus, a pulse signal output from the SOS sensor 48 provided in the optical scanning apparatus 30 may be counted as the rotation time by turning on / off the image forming apparatus.

[0093]

As described above, according to the present invention, the use state of the light deflecting means can be accurately counted by storing the use state of the light deflecting means for each use mode of the image forming apparatus. . Further, by comparing the counted use state with the reference value, the remaining life and the remaining use period of the light deflecting means can be accurately grasped, and it can be accurately determined whether or not the light deflecting means can be reused. This has the effect.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating a configuration of an optical scanning device.

FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation in the second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an operation according to a fourth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 image forming apparatus 11 image forming apparatus 13 image forming apparatus 38 rotating polygon mirror 40 optical deflector 50 control unit 52 detecting means 54 counting means 56 counting unit 58 memory 62 temperature rise measuring means 64 steady current measuring means 66 operating unit 68 display means 70 Comparison means

Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2C061 AP03 AP04 AQ06 HH01 HK15 HK23 HV26 2C362 BA32 BA81 DA43 EA25 2H027 DA01 DA11 DA39 DA40 EE08 HB01 HB02 HB16 HB17 2H045 AA01 DA46 5C072 AA03 BA20 HA02 HA13 HB UA

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A light deflecting means for deflecting light from a light source for emitting light, and a plurality of drive modes and a plurality of driving modes set by a difference in deflection speed of the light deflecting means for controlling the light deflecting means. A control unit that performs a plurality of modes including a plurality of operation modes set according to a use state of the deflection unit;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a detecting unit configured to detect a used mode of the plurality of modes; a detecting unit configured to detect a use state of at least a component included in the light deflecting unit; A memory that stores and updates the use state detected by the detection unit as data corresponding to the use mode;
An image forming apparatus, further comprising: 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detecting unit measures or counts at least the use state of each of the plurality of modes in each use mode. 3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the use state data detected by the detection means is weighted according to each of the plurality of modes, and the data is updated in the memory. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: 4. A comparison between the data of the use state stored in the memory and a reference value for the data of the use state stored in the memory, and at least the remaining use of components constituting the light deflecting means. Period, availability,
4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a determination unit configured to determine whether the image forming apparatus can be reused. 5. 5. An operation unit for selecting at least the plurality of modes by performing an operation input, and a display unit for displaying at least a control state of the control unit and an input input to the operation unit. By providing a predetermined input to the operation unit, at least the data of the use state, the remaining use period, the availability, and
5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the reusability determination result is displayed on the display unit. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the memory is provided in the light deflecting unit or a unit including the light deflecting unit. 7. The data stored in the memory is at least a driving time for each rotation speed of the driving means for rotating the deflection means, a temperature rise, and a degree of failure calculated from a steady current value. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: