JP2000330433A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To eliminate a disadvantage which, shortly after the replacement of one part, hinders use of the device due to the lives of other parts, by altering the informing manner for replacement according to the remaining life of the detected second part until its end. SOLUTION: The amount Y of remaining yellow toner, the amount M of remaining magenta toner, the amount C of remaining cyan toner, and the amount K of remaining black toner are judged as to whether they are none or not. In the case where usable toner still exists, a process proceeds. However, in the case where the amount of yellow toner is none, for example, the operation of an image forming device is inhibited and Y-replacement display for urging the replacement of an image forming cartridge 1Y is provided. At the same time as the display for the Y replacement, the amount of remaining magenta toner, the amount of remaining cyan toner and the amount of remaining black toner are judged whether they are, for example, less than 20% or not. Further, in the case where the amount of magnet toner is 5% or less, M-replacement display for urging the replacement of an image forming cartridge 1M is provided. Also, in the case where the amount of remaining toner is 20% or less among the colors except the magenta, display for its replacement is provided.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a plurality of replaceable parts.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a laser printer or an ink jet printer, parts for storing consumables such as toner and ink are formed in a cartridge, and when toner or ink in the cartridge runs out or becomes low, parts are replaced. There are many things. In some color laser printers, cartridges have image forming means for forming toner images of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black. A photosensitive member,
A charging device, a developing device and a cleaning device are incorporated.The life of such a cartridge depends not only on the remaining amount of toner, but also on the life of the developer, the life of the photoconductor, and the residual toner capacity of the cleaning device. Is determined.

In a color ink jet printer, four ink cartridges containing yellow, magenta, cyan and black inks are mounted as replacement parts, and the remaining amount of ink is detected for each cartridge to detect each ink. The life of the cartridge is detected.

[0004] In addition to a color image forming apparatus, in a single color image forming apparatus for forming a black-and-white image, various parts are configured to be replaceable as a result of pursuing easy handling.
The number of replacement parts is increasing. Further, a detection means for detecting the life of each component is provided, so that management for constantly operating each component normally can be easily performed.

[0005]

In the conventional image forming apparatus, the life of each replacement part is individually detected and the replacement is performed individually. Therefore, as the number and types of replacement parts increase, the ease of use increases. However, it is not always satisfactory in terms of ease of handling.

For example, when the life of a certain component is detected and replaced and the device is started to be used, there are many cases where the life of another component is soon detected and the device cannot be used, thus causing inconvenience to the user. Will be.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems in the conventional image forming apparatus. The purpose of the invention described in each claim is as follows.

According to the first and second aspects of the present invention, since the user can grasp not only a component whose life has expired but also a component near the end of its life, the replacement of a certain component and the use of the apparatus due to the life of the other component soon after. Eliminate inconveniences that may cause problems.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, when the parts reach the end of their life, the operation of the apparatus is prohibited, and the quality of the image is maintained at a certain level or higher.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the device from suddenly becoming unusable.

According to the fifth, sixth, eighth and ninth aspects of the present invention, an image having an appropriate density is always maintained.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, it is possible to reliably replace parts whose deterioration progresses depending on the number of times of image formation, such as an image carrier, so that high image quality is always maintained.

[0013]

The objects of the present invention are as follows: (1) a first replacement part, a second replacement part, a first detecting means for detecting the life of the first replacement part, When the life of the first replacement part or the state near the life thereof is detected by the second detection means for detecting the life and the first detection means, notification of replacement is performed, and the second detection part detected by the second detection means. An image forming apparatus that changes the mode of notification of the replacement according to the remaining life until the life of the two components, and (2) the image forming apparatus detects the replacement until the life of the second component detected by the second detection unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the remaining life is shorter than a predetermined value, the notifying unit notifies the user of the replacement of the first replacement part and the replacement of the second part. (3) the notification of the replacement is transmitted to the image forming apparatus. Wherein the of including the prohibition of operation (1) or (2) an image forming apparatus according to claim,
(4) The image forming apparatus according to (1) or (2), wherein the image forming apparatus can be operated even after the notification of the replacement by the notifying unit is performed. )
The first and second replacement parts contain toner, and the first and second detection means detect the remaining amount of toner to detect the life of the first and second replacement parts. The image forming apparatus according to any one of (1) to (4), and (6) the image forming apparatus according to (2), wherein the predetermined value is a remaining amount of toner. (7) The method according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the first detection means and the second detection means detect the life of the component by detecting an integrated value of the number of times of image formation. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein (8) the first and second replacement parts contain ink, and the first and second detection units detect the remaining amount of ink, thereby detecting the first and second replacement parts. The method according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the life of the second replacement part is detected. Image forming apparatus, and is achieved by an image forming apparatus, according to (2), characterized in that the (9) wherein the predetermined value is a remaining amount of ink.

[0014]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS (1) First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a color laser printer according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Reference numeral 1Y denotes an image forming cartridge for forming a yellow toner image, which is detachably provided to the printer main body. The image forming cartridge 1Y includes the photosensitive member 2,
It has a charger 3, a developing device 5, a cleaning device 8, and a toner container 9. 1M is an image forming cartridge for forming a magenta toner image, 1C is an image forming cartridge for forming a cyan toner image, and 1K is an image forming cartridge for forming a black toner image. Although not shown, each of the image forming cartridges 1M, 1C, and 1K includes a photoconductor 2, a charger 3, a developing unit 5, a cleaning device 8, and a toner container 9, similarly to the image forming cartridge 1Y.

In the exposure device 4 having a semiconductor laser as a light source, reference numerals are given only to those for forming a yellow toner image, but four exposure devices for forming a magenta toner image, a cyan toner image and a black toner image are provided. Is provided on the printer body. The recording paper P stored in the cassette 10
, And is conveyed by a conveyance belt 12 stretched over rollers 13, and is discharged to a paper discharge tray 16 via a conveyance roller 14, a fixing device 7 and a paper discharge unit 15. In the image forming cartridges 1 </ b> Y, 1 </ b> M, 1 </ b> C, and 1 </ b> K, charging by the charger 3, image exposure by the exposure device 4, and development by the developing device 5 are performed, and a yellow toner image, a magenta toner image, A cyan toner image and a black toner image are formed. The conveyance of the recording paper P and the formation of the four color toner images are performed in synchronization with each other. When the recording paper P passes under each image forming cartridge, the transfer roller 6 (only the image forming cartridge 1Y has a code , But the same applies to other image forming cartridges).
A toner image is formed on the recording paper by the fixing device 7. The residual toner on the photoconductor 2 after the transfer of the toner image is removed and collected by the cleaning device 8.

The toner consumed by the development is supplied to the developing device 5 from a toner container 9 by a well-known toner replenishing means, and the toner concentration of the developer in the developing device 5 is always kept constant. Although the reference symbol S is attached only to the remaining toner sensor for the toner container 9 for yellow toner, a remaining toner sensor S for detecting the remaining toner in each of the magenta, cyan, and black toner containers 9 is provided. As the toner remaining amount sensor S, a known sensor such as a sensor that performs optical detection and a sensor that performs detection by ultrasonic waves is used.

The toner remaining amount sensor S detects the following four levels. The remaining amount of toner that can be used is 20% or more but less than 20% and 5% or more and less than 5%.

The above-mentioned level of usable toner indicates a state in which the minimum amount of toner necessary for normal operation of the apparatus is in the toner container 9. The level remaining amount 0 does not mean that the toner remaining amount is physically 0, that is, a state in which no toner is present, but an amount in which the toner remaining amount is lower than an amount that can guarantee normal operation of the image forming apparatus. . The percentage display of the remaining amount is also a display based on such a remaining amount of zero.

The control of replacement of the image forming cartridges 1Y, 1M, 1C and 1K in relation to the remaining amount of toner in the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

As described above, the remaining amount detection is performed at four levels of the presence and absence of the toner whose remaining amount is 20% or more, less than 20%, 5% or more and less than 5%. When the remaining amount is 20% or more, the display of the cartridge replacement is not performed, and the image forming apparatus can be operated. When the remaining amount is less than 20% and 5% or more, the cartridge replacement display prompting replacement of the image forming cartridges 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K is performed only when the other cartridges are less than 5%, but the image forming apparatus operates. It is possible. When less than 5% of usable toner is present, a cartridge replacement display prompting replacement of the image forming cartridges 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K is displayed, but the image forming apparatus is operable. If there is no remaining amount, a cartridge replacement display is performed and the operation of the image forming apparatus is prohibited.

First, it is determined whether the remaining amount Y of the yellow toner, the remaining amount M of the magenta toner, the remaining amount C of the cyan toner, and the remaining amount K of the black toner are "none" (F1 to F1).
F4). If there is toner that can be used, the process proceeds to the next step. However, the case of “none” will be described with respect to an example of the yellow toner. Exchange display is performed (F11). Magenta toner,
It is determined whether the remaining amounts of the cyan toner and the black toner are less than 20% (F12, F14, F16), and the process ends.

When there is no magenta toner, an M exchange display (F21) for prompting replacement of the image forming cartridge 1M is displayed together with the replacement display when the remaining amount of toner other than magenta toner is less than 20%. We (F23, F2
5, F27), when there is no cyan toner, a C replacement display urging replacement of the image forming cartridge 1C is displayed, and when the remaining amount of the toner other than cyan is less than 20%,
The exchange display is performed (F33, F35, F37),
When there is no black toner, a K exchange display prompting replacement of the image forming cartridge 1K is displayed, and when the remaining amount of toner other than black toner is less than 20%, the exchange display is performed (F43, F45). , F47).

When the remaining amount of any of the yellow toner, magenta toner, cyan toner and black toner is "none", the operation of the image forming apparatus is prohibited in any of F5 to F8.

Next, it is determined whether the remaining amount of the toner of each color of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black is less than 5% by F51 to F51.
The determination is made in F54. Each of these remaining amounts is 5
If it is not less than 5%, the control of the exchange and the stop of the apparatus is ended, but if it is less than 5%, the following exchange display is performed.

The case of yellow toner will be described. If the remaining amount of the yellow toner is less than 5% (F51),
A Y replacement display urging replacement of the image forming cartridge 1Y is performed (F11), and it is determined whether the remaining amount of each of the magenta, cyan, and black toners other than the yellow toner is less than 20% (F12, F14, F16). If there is less than 20%, an exchange display is performed (F
13, F15, F17).

If the amount of magenta toner is less than 5% (F52), an M replacement display is displayed to prompt replacement of the image forming cartridge 1M (F21), and the remaining amount of the toner other than magenta is less than 20%. If so, the exchange display is performed (F23, F25, F27). If the amount of the cyan toner is less than 5% (F53), a C replacement display urging replacement of the image forming cartridge 1C is displayed (F31), and the remaining amount of the toner other than cyan is less than 20%. If there is, the exchange display is performed (F3
3, F35, F37). Further, when the black toner is less than 5% (F54), a K replacement display for prompting replacement of the image forming cartridge 1K is displayed (F41), and the remaining amount of the toner other than black is less than 20%. If there is, the exchange display is performed (F43, F45, F47).

(2) Embodiment 2 FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration of an ink jet printer according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

In this embodiment, a serial head 30 for printing a color image and a line head 4 dedicated to printing a monochrome image are used.
0 is provided. The color serial head 30 includes four heads provided on a carriage 31, that is, a yellow image printing head 32Y, a magenta image printing head 32M, a cyan image printing head 32C, and a black image printing. Head 32K. Each head has an ink cartridge 60Y, 60M, 60
C and 60K are connected by a flexible tube 54, and each head has an ink cartridge 60K.
Ink is supplied from each of Y, 60M, 60C, and 60K. The carriage 31 is guided by two guide rods 55, driven by the belt 52, and reciprocates right and left in FIG. 7 to perform printing. A motor 51 drives a toothed belt 52 stretched around a gear 53. The recording paper P is transported by the transport roller 23, moves upward in FIG. 7, and is transported by the platen roller 22 as indicated by an arrow A. When printing is performed by the serial head 30 and the line head 40, the recording paper
It takes place between two. In the present embodiment, the ink cartridges 60Y, 6OM, 60C, and 60K and the ink cartridge 70 dedicated to printing a black and white image are provided detachably with respect to the image forming apparatus main body. Replaceable with a new one.

When a monochrome image is formed, the motor 21
By driving the platen roller 22, the recording paper P is transported as shown by the arrow A, and the line head 40 is driven, the ink is ejected from the line head 40 onto the recording paper P to form an image.

When forming a color image, the recording paper P
The carriage 31 is reciprocated by driving the toothed belt 52 by operating the motor 51 in synchronization with the conveyance indicated by the arrow A, and the heads 32Y, 32M, 32C,
32K is driven to form an image on the recording paper P.

As shown in FIG. 8, the ink cartridge 6
An ink remaining amount detecting means 80 is provided in the ink storage section 60YA having a reduced width of 0Y. The ink remaining amount detecting means 80 includes three light emitting elements 81, 82, 83 and three light receiving elements 8
4, 85 and 86. Light receiving elements 84, 85, 8
6, it is detected that the remaining amount of ink is 20% or more, less than 20%, 5% or more and less than 5 (there is a usable amount), and none. Similarly, the ink cartridges 60M, 60C, 60K, and 70 are also provided with ink remaining amount detecting means 80 for detecting the ink remaining amount in four stages from 20% to none.

[0033]

[Table 1]

Also in the second embodiment, each of the ink cartridges 60Y, 60M, 60C, 60K, and 7K corresponding to the remaining ink amount is basically the same as in the first embodiment.
Control of exchange notification for prompting exchange of 0 is performed. However, in the second embodiment, in the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 2 to 6, the determination of the detection result of the remaining amount of toner in the ink cartridge 70 and the notification of the replacement are added.

[0035]

According to the first and second aspects of the present invention,
Since the user can grasp the parts near the end of life as well as the parts whose life has expired, the inconvenience of hindering the use of the device due to the life of other parts shortly after the replacement of a certain part is eliminated.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, when the life of the component has reached the end of its life, the operation of the apparatus is prohibited, and the image quality is maintained at a certain level or higher.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the device from suddenly becoming unusable.

According to the fifth, sixth, eighth and ninth aspects of the present invention, an image having an appropriate density is always maintained.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, it is possible to reliably replace a component such as an image carrier which deteriorates depending on the number of times of image formation, thereby always maintaining high image quality.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a laser printer according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of control for replacing an image forming cartridge according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of exchange control of an image forming cartridge according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of exchange control of the image forming cartridge according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of image forming cartridge replacement control according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of image forming cartridge replacement control according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an inkjet printer according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an ink cartridge according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1Y, 1M, 1C, 1K Image forming cartridge 60Y, 60M, 60C, 60K, 70 Ink cartridge 80 Ink remaining amount detecting means

Continued on the front page F-term (reference) 2C056 EA29 EB20 EB52 EC26 EC67 2H027 DA45 DD02 DE07 EC06 EC09 EF01 EK03 GA30 GA54 GB10 GB11 HB02 HB13 2H077 DA15 DA32 DA34 DA62 DA74 DA82 DB10 GA04

Claims (9)

[Claims] A first replacement part, a second replacement part, a first detector for detecting a life of the first replacement part, a second detector for detecting a life of the second replacement part, and the first detector. When the life of the first replacement part or the state near the life thereof is detected, notification of replacement is performed, and the life of the second part detected by the second detection means is reached according to the remaining life until the life of the second part is reached. An image forming apparatus that changes a mode of notification of replacement. 2. If the remaining life up to the life of the second component detected by the second detection means is shorter than a predetermined value, the notification means replaces the first replacement part with the second part. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein notification of replacement of a replacement part is provided. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the notification of the replacement includes prohibition of operation of the image forming apparatus.
An image forming apparatus according to claim 1. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus can be operated even after the notification of the replacement by the notifying unit is performed. 5. The first and second replacement parts contain toner, and the first and second detectors detect the remaining amount of toner to extend the life of the first and second replacement parts. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detection is performed. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined value is a remaining amount of toner. 7. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first detection unit and the second detection unit detect the life of the component by detecting an integrated value of the number of times of image formation. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1. 8. The first and second replacement parts contain ink, and the first and second detectors detect the remaining amount of ink to extend the life of the first and second replacement parts. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detection is performed. 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined value is a remaining amount of ink.