JP2001282060A - Image forming device, cartridge, storage means and cartridge service limit informing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device, a cartridge, a storage means and a cartridge service limit informing system capable of easily informing a user of the service limit information on the cartridge, for example, that the cartridge comes to or near to the service limit without detaching the cartridge from a device main body again nor watching the package of the cartridge after attaching the cartridge to the main body. SOLUTION: In this image forming device A to/from which the cartridge B provided with a communication means 22 for communicating with the device main body 100 and the storage means 21 is attached/detached, data corresponding to the service limit of the cartridge B is stored in the storage means 21, and the main body 100 judges the service limit of the cartridge from the data corresponding to the service limit of the cartridge B stored in the storage means 21 of the cartridge B and performs control to inform the user of the service limit information on the cartridge B.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention generally relates to a method for forming an electrostatic latent image on an electrophotographic photosensitive member by an electrophotographic method or the like,
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that visualizes this electrostatic latent image with a developer, and a cartridge detachably mountable to the image forming apparatus. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, a cartridge having a built-in storage unit, a storage unit, and a cartridge expiration date notification system.

Here, examples of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus include an electrophotographic copying machine, an electrophotographic printer (for example, an LED printer, a laser beam printer, etc.), an electrophotographic facsimile machine, and the like.

The cartridge detachably mountable to the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes an electrophotographic photosensitive member, charging means for charging the electrophotographic photosensitive member, developing means for supplying a developer to the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and electrophotographic photosensitive member. This means at least one of the cleaning means for cleaning the body. In particular, a process cartridge is one in which at least one of a charging unit, a developing unit, and a cleaning unit, and an electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed into a cartridge, and this cartridge is detachable from an electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body. Or, it means that at least the developing means and the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed into a cartridge, and this cartridge is detachable from the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

[0004]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine or a laser beam printer has been used.
A latent image is formed by irradiating light corresponding to image information to the electrophotographic photosensitive member, a developing agent is supplied to the latent image using a developing means to visualize the latent image, and the image is transferred from the photosensitive member to a recording medium. Thus, an image is formed on the recording medium. A developer container for storing the developer is connected to the developing unit, and the developer is consumed by forming an image.

In such an image forming apparatus, an electrophotographic photosensitive member and a process means acting on the electrophotographic photosensitive member are used in order to facilitate replacement of consumables such as an electrophotographic photosensitive member and a developer and maintenance. There is a process cartridge system in which the developing means, the charging means, the cleaning means, the developer accommodating container and the waste developer container are integrated as a process cartridge and can be detachably attached to the image forming apparatus main body.

For example, in a color image forming apparatus having developing means of a plurality of colors, when the degree of wear of each developing means is different, a developing cartridge of each color in which the developing means of each color and a developer container are formed into a cartridge is used. There is also an image forming apparatus which is detachable from an image forming apparatus and can be individually replaced.

According to the cartridge system, the maintenance of the apparatus can be performed by the user himself without relying on a serviceman. The user replaces the cartridge when the developer runs out, for example, to form an image again. be able to. As described above, the cartridge system can greatly improve the operability of the apparatus, and is therefore widely used in electrophotographic image forming apparatuses.

Conventionally, for example, a non-volatile memory is built in a cartridge as a storage means, and data such as a use history of the cartridge and process conditions are recorded in the memory, and communication with the image forming apparatus main body is made in a contact or non-contact manner. A configuration has been proposed.

For example, since the quality of a photosensitive drum, which is a component of a process cartridge, gradually deteriorates, a manufacturer generally sets a certain expiration date (quality holding period) to guarantee good image formation. I have. Conventionally, this expiration date is described on the outer shell or packing box of the process cartridge.

[0010]

However, as described above, the expiration date of the conventional process cartridge is described only on the frame or the packing box of the process cartridge, and the user once mounts the process cartridge on the image forming apparatus main body. Then, it was not possible to confirm that the process cartridge had reached the expiration date or approached unless the user took it out of the image forming apparatus again or looked at the packing box.

Furthermore, if the user continues to use the process cartridge without knowing that the expiration date has passed,
Not only cannot the original performance of the process cartridge be exhibited, but also the image quality may be affected.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a user with simple information on the expiration date of a cartridge, for example, expiration date, without having to remove the cartridge from the apparatus main body or to look at the packaging of the cartridge after the cartridge is mounted on the main body. The present invention provides an image forming apparatus, a cartridge, a storage unit, and a cartridge expiration date notification system capable of notifying that the time limit has been reached or the expiration date is approaching.

[0013]

The above object is achieved by the image forming apparatus, cartridge, storage means and cartridge expiration date notification system according to the present invention. In summary,
According to the first aspect of the present invention, in an image forming apparatus in which a cartridge having a communication unit for communicating with the apparatus main body and a storage unit is detachable, the storage unit includes The corresponding data is stored, and the apparatus main body determines the expiration date of the cartridge from the data corresponding to the expiration date of the cartridge stored in the storage unit of the cartridge, and notifies the expiration date information of the cartridge. An image forming apparatus is provided which performs such control.

In the first aspect of the present invention, according to one embodiment, the apparatus main body is communicable with a device that stores clock data, and the expiration date of the cartridge stored in the storage means of the cartridge. The corresponding data,
The expiration date of the cartridge is determined by comparing the data with the clock data held by the device.

In the first aspect of the present invention, according to another embodiment, the apparatus main body further includes an information notification section, and notifies the expiration date information of the cartridge by the information notification section.

In the first aspect of the present invention, according to another aspect, the apparatus main body is further communicable with an apparatus having information notifying means, and transmits a signal for notifying expiration date information of the cartridge. Send to this device. Further, according to one embodiment, the device having the information notifying means is the same as the device holding the clock data.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in an image forming apparatus having a detachable cartridge having communication means for communicating with the apparatus main body and storage means, the storage means uses the cartridge. Data corresponding to the expiration date is stored, and the apparatus main body transmits the data corresponding to the expiration date of the cartridge stored in the storage unit of the cartridge to a device communicably connected to the image forming apparatus main body. There is provided an image forming apparatus characterized by transmitting.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in a cartridge having communication means for communicating with the apparatus main body and storage means, the cartridge being removable from the image forming apparatus main body, the storage means has A cartridge is provided, in which data corresponding to the expiration date of the cartridge is stored.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage unit provided in a cartridge detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus main body, wherein data according to a use period of the cartridge is stored. Is provided.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided (a) a cartridge detachably mountable to the main body of the image forming apparatus, comprising: communication means for communicating with the main body of the apparatus; and storage means. A cartridge in which data corresponding to the expiration date of the cartridge is stored in the storage means; and (b) the cartridge is detachable, and the data is stored in the storage means of the cartridge in accordance with the expiration date of the cartridge. (C) a device capable of communicating with the main body of the image forming device, the clock data held by the device, and the device read from the storage means of the cartridge by the image forming device. The expiration date of the cartridge is determined by comparing data corresponding to the expiration date of the cartridge with the expiration date of the cartridge. The distribution, cartridge expiration notification system characterized by having a device for broadcast by the information notification unit the device is provided is provided.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided (a) a cartridge detachably mountable to the main body of the image forming apparatus, comprising: communication means for communicating with the main body of the apparatus; and storage means. A cartridge in which data corresponding to the expiration date of the cartridge is stored in the storage means; (b) a device capable of communicating with the main body of the image forming apparatus and holding clock data; It is possible to determine the expiration date of the cartridge by comparing the data corresponding to the expiration date of the cartridge stored in the storage means of the cartridge and the clock data held by the device, A cartridge expiration date notification system is provided, wherein the expiration date information of the cartridge is notified by information notifying means provided in the image forming apparatus main body. It is.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the expiration date information indicates that the cartridge has reached the expiration date or the expiration date of the cartridge is approaching.

According to one embodiment of the present invention,
The cartridge includes at least one of an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a charging unit that charges the electrophotographic photosensitive member, a developing unit that supplies a developer to the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and a cleaning unit that cleans the electrophotographic photosensitive member. Have.

[0024]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The image forming apparatus, cartridge, storage means and cartridge expiration date notification system according to the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

Embodiment 1 First, with reference to FIG. 1, an embodiment of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus to which a process cartridge constructed according to the present invention can be attached and detached will be described. In the present embodiment, the electrophotographic image forming apparatus is an electrophotographic laser beam printer A, receives image information from a host computer such as a user's personal computer, and executes a recording medium by an electrophotographic image forming process. For example, an image is formed on a recording paper, an OHP sheet, a cloth, or the like.

The laser beam printer A has a drum-shaped electrophotographic photosensitive member, that is, a photosensitive drum 1. The photoreceptor drum 1 is charged by a charging roller 2 serving as a charging unit, and then irradiates a laser beam L corresponding to the image information from a laser scanner unit 3 to cause the photoreceptor drum 1 to have a latent image corresponding to the image information. Is formed. This latent image is developed by the developing device 4 by the developing unit 5 to form a visible image,
That is, the image is a toner image.

That is, the developing device 4 includes a developer container 6 serving as a developer accommodating portion, and a developing roller 5 serving as a developer carrier.
a, and the developer in the developer container 6 is supplied to the developing roller 5a. In the developer container 6, there is provided a stirring means 7 which rotates in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 1. By rotating the stirring means 7, the developer is loosened and supplied to the developing roller 5a. In this embodiment, an insulating magnetic one-component toner was used as the developer. Also, the developing roller 5a
Has a built-in fixed magnet 5b, the developer is conveyed by rotating the developing roller 5a, and a triboelectric charge is given by a developing blade 5c, which is a developer layer thickness regulating member, and the developer is developed to a predetermined thickness. The toner image is transferred to a latent image on the photosensitive drum 1 to form a toner image. The developing roller 5a is connected to a developing bias applying means (not shown), and is usually applied with a developing bias voltage in which a DC voltage is superimposed on an AC voltage.

On the other hand, the pickup roller 10 picks up the recording medium P stored in the sheet cassette 200, the sheet supply roller 11 sends out the recording medium P, and the conveying roller 12 conveys the recording medium P to the registration roller 14 further downstream.
Multi-purpose tray (MPT) for manual paper feed
An MPT paper feed roller 13 for feeding the recording medium P from a not-shown portion and transporting the recording medium P to the registration rollers 14 is provided. The registration roller 14 conveys the recording medium P to the transfer position in synchronization with the formation of the toner image on the photosensitive drum 1.

At a transfer position located downstream of the registration roller 14, a transfer roller 8 as a transfer unit is disposed opposite to the photosensitive drum 1, and a toner image on the photosensitive drum 1 is applied by applying a voltage. Is transferred to the recording medium P.

The recording medium P to which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed to the fixing device 15. The fixing device 15 includes the heater 1
Roller 10b and Drive Roller 10c Incorporating 5a
And applies heat and pressure to the recording medium P passing therethrough to fix the transferred toner image on the recording medium P.

The recording medium P on which the fixing process has been performed is sent further downstream by the fixing discharge roller 16 and is conveyed to the FD discharge tray 19 by the FD conveyance roller 17 and the FD discharge roller 18.

After the transfer of the toner image onto the recording medium P by the transfer roller 8, the developer remaining on the photosensitive drum 1 is removed by the cleaning device 9, and then subjected to the next image forming process. Is done. The cleaning device 9 scrapes off the residual developer on the photosensitive drum 1 with an elastic cleaning blade 9a provided in contact with the photosensitive drum 1 and collects the residual developer in a waste developer container 9b.

In the image forming apparatus A of this embodiment, the process cartridge B is detachably mounted via the cartridge mounting means 20 provided in the image forming apparatus main body 100.

As shown in FIG. 2, according to the present embodiment, the process cartridge B includes a photosensitive drum 1, which is an image carrier, a developer container 6 for storing a developer, and a developing roller 5a.
And a developing device 4 integrating the developing means 5 such as a developing blade 5c, a cleaning device 9 such as a cleaning blade 9a and a waste developer container 9b, and a charging roller 2. The cartridge 30 is integrally formed by the frame 30. ing.

Further, the process cartridge B has a nonvolatile memory (storage element) (hereinafter simply referred to as “memory”) 21 as a storage means, and a communication antenna 22 as a communication means connected to the memory 21. are doing. On the other hand, the main body 100 of the image forming apparatus is provided with a controller 24 as a control means for integrally controlling the image forming operation, and a main body side communication antenna 23 connected to the controller 24 as a main body side communication means.

When the process cartridge B is mounted on the main body 100 of the image forming apparatus, the communication antenna 22 connected to the memory 21 and the main body side communication antenna 23 connected to the controller 24 are arranged to face each other. As a result, power is supplied to the memory 21 and the controller 24
And the memory 21 can communicate with each other in a non-contact manner.

As the storage means 21, an ordinary semiconductor electronic memory such as a combination of a nonvolatile memory, a volatile memory and a backup battery can be used without any particular limitation. In particular, by using a non-contact memory in which data communication between the storage unit 21 and the image forming apparatus main body 100 is performed in a non-contact manner by using electromagnetic waves as in the present embodiment, contact failure due to the mounting state of the process cartridge B is reduced. The possibility is eliminated, and highly reliable control can be performed.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the process cartridge B incorporates the memory 21 as storage means, and records data such as the use history of the process cartridge and the process conditions in the memory 21 so that the non-contact The information stored in the memory 21 can be used on the image forming apparatus main body 100 side by communicating with the image forming apparatus main body 100 at.

Next, a method of informing the expiration date of the process cartridge using the memory 21 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 shows an outline of the data processing according to the present invention.

As described above, the process cartridge B has a fixed expiration date (quality retention period).
As before, the expiration date is described on the frame or packing box of the process cartridge B.

Further, in this embodiment, the process cartridge B is stored in the memory 21 built in the process cartridge B.
Data indicating the expiration date of the process cartridge B, in addition to the information such as the identification number of the
u is stored.

The controller 51 of the user's personal computer (hereinafter referred to as "user PC") 50.
Holds clock data D including the current time (date and time). Accordingly, the controller 24 of the image forming apparatus main body 100 compares the expiration date data Tu with the current date and time data (hereinafter simply referred to as “clock data”) D to determine whether the expiration date has passed. it can.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the data corresponding to the expiration date is stored in the memory 21 built in the process cartridge B, and after the user mounts the process cartridge B on the apparatus main body 100, Communicates with the process cartridge B and the user PC 50 to compare the data corresponding to the expiration date of the process cartridge B stored in the memory 21 with the clock data D of the user PC 50, and the process cartridge B reaches the expiration date. It is configured to notify the user when it is done.

Next, referring to the flowchart of FIG.
A series of processes related to the notification of the expiration date of the process cartridge B according to the present embodiment will be described.

An area for storing the expiration date of the process cartridge B is provided in the memory 21, and the expiration date data Tu is written in this area at the time of manufacturing or shipping. When the user mounts the process cartridge B on the image forming apparatus main body 100 (S101), the controller 24 of the image forming apparatus main body 100 reads the process cartridge B from the memory 21 of the process cartridge B.
The stored expiration date data Tu is read.

Next, a predetermined timing, for example, the number of image formations (the number of prints) is counted (S103).
Every time 000 sheets of an image are formed, the controller 51 of the user PC 50 changes the controller 24 of the image forming apparatus main body 100 to the controller 24.
Then, the clock data D is read (S104).

Then, the clock data D read from the user PC 50 is compared with the expiration date data Tu (S10).
5) If the clock data D is greater than the expiration date data Tu, it is determined that the process cartridge B has reached its expiration date (S107). Conversely, if the clock data D does not reach the expiration date data Tu, it is determined that the process cartridge B is within the expiration date (S106), and the next expiration date determination timing is waited.

When it is determined that the expiration date of the process cartridge B has been reached, the fact that the expiration date of the process cartridge B has been reached is notified on the screen of the display unit 40 provided as an information notification unit provided in the image forming apparatus main body 100. Is displayed (S108), and the process cartridge B is displayed to the user.
Prompt for replacement.

At this time, a signal for notifying that the process cartridge B has reached the expiration date is transmitted to a device such as a user PC 50 communicably connected to the apparatus main body 100, and the user PC 50 has a built-in signal. Under the control of the controller 51 and the printer driver, the notification can be made on the screen of the user PC 50 as information notifying means. Thereby, the user can recognize the expiration date information of the process cartridge B on the user PC 50, so that the expiration date information of the process cartridge B can be obtained more easily.

As described above, according to the present invention, the user attaches the process cartridge B to the image forming apparatus main body 100 and then removes the process cartridge B again.
Process cartridge B
You can know the expiration date.

Embodiment 2 Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described. Since the image forming apparatus and the process cartridge according to the present embodiment are basically the same as those according to the first embodiment, members having the same functions and configurations are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description is omitted.

In this embodiment, the data corresponding to the expiration date is stored in the memory 21 incorporated in the process cartridge B, and the user inserts the process cartridge B into the apparatus main body 10.
After the mounting, the apparatus main body 100 transmits data corresponding to the expiration date of the process cartridge B stored in the memory 21 of the process cartridge B to the user PC 50, and the user PC 50 compares the data with the clock data.
When the expiration date of the process cartridge B has expired, the fact is notified.

With reference to the flowchart of FIG. 5, a series of processes relating to the expiration date notification according to the present embodiment will be described.

As before, the process cartridge B has a fixed expiration date, and this expiration date is indicated on the frame or packing box of the process cartridge B. Further, according to the present embodiment, the process cartridge B
The non-volatile memory (memory) 21 serving as a storage means is provided with an area for storing the expiration date of the process cartridge B. The default date and time is early,
The pre-expiration date data Ta is written.

When the user mounts the process cartridge B on the image forming apparatus main body 100 (S201), the controller 24 of the image forming apparatus main body 100 reads the stored pre-expiration date data Ta from the memory 21 of the process cartridge B.

Next, the pre-expiration date data Ta is read into the printer driver of the user PC 50 (S202), and the pre-expiration date data Ta is compared with the PC built-in clock data D during image formation (S203). Here, when the clock data D is larger than the pre-expiration date data Ta (S20)
4) It is determined that the expiration date is approaching (S206). Conversely, when the clock data D built in the PC is less than the data Ta before the expiration date (S204), it is determined that it is within the expiration date (S205), and the next image forming operation is awaited.

When it is determined that the expiration date is approaching, information notifying that the expiration date is approaching is displayed on the screen of the user PC 50 as information notifying means (S207), and the user is prompted to replace the process cartridge B.

As described above, according to the configuration of the present embodiment, the user can easily attach the process cartridge B to the image forming apparatus main body 100 and then remove it again without looking at the package of the process cartridge 100. You can know that the expiration date is approaching. According to the present embodiment, since the user can recognize the expiration date information of the process cartridge B on the PC connected to the image forming apparatus, the expiration date information of the process cartridge B can be obtained more easily.

Embodiment 3 Next, still another embodiment of the present invention will be described. Since the image forming apparatus and the process cartridge of this embodiment are basically the same as those of the first embodiment, members having the same functions and configurations are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

With reference to the flowchart of FIG. 6, a series of processes relating to the expiration date notification according to the present embodiment will be described.

As before, the process cartridge B has a fixed expiration date, and this expiration date is described on the frame of the process cartridge B or the packing box. Further, according to the present embodiment, the process cartridge B
The non-volatile memory (memory) 21 as a storage means provided in the printer has an expiration date of the process cartridge B,
An area for storing the writing date and time is provided, and in this area,
The expiration date data Tu and the write date / time data Dw are written at the time of manufacture or shipping.

When the user mounts the process cartridge B on the image forming apparatus main body 100 (S301), the controller 24 of the image forming apparatus main body 100 reads the stored expiration date data T from the memory 21 of the process cartridge B.
u and the write date / time data Dw are read (S302).

Next, the clock data D is read from the user PC 50 to the controller 24 of the image forming apparatus main body 100 (S303), and the write date / time data Dw and the user PC 5 are read.
Compare with the clock data D read from 0 (S30)
4). Here, the writing date / time data Dw is the clock data D.
If this is the case (S305), it is determined that the expiration date data Tu cannot be used due to a failure in writing the write date / time data Dw to the memory 21 or a deviation of the clock data D (S306), and a function to notify the user of the expiration date in the future. To stop.

If the write date / time data Dw is smaller than the clock data D (S305), the expiration date data Tu
And the clock data D (S307). If the expiration date data Tu is smaller than the clock data D (S3
08), it is determined that the process cartridge B has reached the expiration date (S309). Conversely, if the expiration date data Tu is larger than the clock data D (S308), it is determined that the expiration date of the process cartridge B is within the expiration date (S311), and a predetermined timing, for example, the number of image forming sheets is counted (S3
3112) Each time 1000 images are formed, the user PC 50
Then, the clock data D is read into the controller 24 of the image forming apparatus main body 100 (S313). Thereafter, the expiration date data Tu and the clock data D are compared again (S30).
7).

When it is determined that the expiration date of the process cartridge B has expired, information notifying that the expiration date of the process cartridge B has expired is displayed on a screen of a display unit 40 provided in the image forming apparatus main body 100. Display (S31
0) Prompt the user to replace the process cartridge B.

It is to be noted that this information can be transmitted to the user PC 50 and notified on the screen. This allows
Since the user can recognize the expiration date information of the process cartridge B on the user PC 50, the expiration date information of the process cartridge B can be obtained more easily.

As described above, according to the configuration of the present embodiment, the user can easily attach the process cartridge B to the image forming apparatus main body 100 and then remove the cartridge again without looking at the package of the process cartridge B. You can know the expiration date. In particular, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to determine whether or not the expiration date data Tu has been normally written in the memory 21 of the process cartridge B, so that erroneous notification of the expiration date can be prevented.

Embodiment 4 FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of a developing device in the form of a cartridge according to another embodiment of the present invention.

The developing device in the form of a cartridge according to this embodiment includes a developing means 6 such as a developing roller 5a and a developing blade 5c, and a developer containing a developer therein for supplying the developing means 6 with the developer. The container 6 is integrally unitized to form a developing cartridge C detachable from the apparatus main body 100. That is, the developing cartridge C of the present embodiment is a cartridge obtained by converting the developing device 4 of the process cartridge B described in the first to third embodiments into a cartridge, that is, from the process cartridge B to the photosensitive drum 1, the charging roller 2,
It can be considered as an integrated cartridge except for the cleaning device 9. Accordingly, all the developing device components and the cartridge expiration date notification control described in the first to third embodiments are similarly applied to the developing cartridge C of the present embodiment. For the description of these configurations and operations, the above description in Examples 1 to 3 is cited.

As described above, according to the configuration of this embodiment, the same operation and effect as those of the first to third embodiments can be achieved.

In each of the above embodiments, the expiration date information is displayed on the display unit 40 provided in the image forming apparatus main body 100 or on the screen of a device communicably connected to the apparatus main body 100 such as the user PC 50. However, the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the expiration date information can be notified by a warning sound or voice via a speaker provided in the image forming apparatus main body 100 or the user PC 50. Further, the expiration date information can be recorded on a recording medium and output.

In each of the above embodiments, the expiration date data Tu and the pre-expiration date data Ta which is earlier than the expiration date written on the packing box of the process cartridge B by a predetermined date and time are used as the data corresponding to the expiration date. Of course, in the embodiment described using the expiration date data Tu, the fact that the expiration date is approaching is notified using the pre-expiration date data Ta, or the expiration date data is used in the embodiment described using the pre-expiration date data Ta. It is also possible to notify that the expiration date has been reached by using Tu. In addition, it is naturally possible to notify that the expiration date is approaching by calculation from the expiration date data Tu and the current date and time data. Furthermore, not only when the expiration date of the cartridge has been reached, or when the expiration date is approaching, but also as desired, the period until the expiration date is notified by calculating from the expiration date data and the current date and time data, or The configuration may be such that the expiration date itself is notified.

[0073]

As described above, the present invention relates to an image forming apparatus in which a cartridge having a communication unit for communicating with the apparatus main body and a storage unit is detachable, and the storage unit uses the cartridge. Data corresponding to the expiration date is stored, and the apparatus main body determines the expiration date of the cartridge from the data corresponding to the expiration date of the cartridge stored in the storage means of the cartridge, and performs control to notify cartridge expiration date information. According to the present invention, the information expiration information of the cartridge can be reported by the information reporting unit provided in the apparatus body and / or the information reporting means provided in the device communicably connected to the apparatus body. After installing the cartridge in the main unit, do not remove the cartridge from the main unit or look at the packaging of the cartridge. , Expiration date information of the cartridge in a simple user, for example, it is possible to notify that is approaching that or expiration date has reached the expiration date.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an embodiment of a cartridge and an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the cartridge of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram for explaining an outline of data processing according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a cartridge expiration date notification process according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing another embodiment of a cartridge expiration date notification process according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing still another embodiment of the cartridge expiration date notification process according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing one embodiment of a developing cartridge that can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 photosensitive drum (electrophotographic photosensitive member, image carrier) 2 charging roller (charging means) 3 laser scanner 5 developing means 6 developer container 8 transfer roller (transfer means) 9a cleaning means 9b waste developer container 15 fixing device 21 Storage Unit (Memory, Storage Element) 22 Communication Antenna (Communication Unit) 23 Main Unit Communication Antenna (Main Unit Communication Unit) 24 Controller (Control Unit) 50 User PC 100 Image Forming Apparatus Main Body 200 Paper Tray A Image Forming Apparatus B Process cartridge (cartridge) C Developing cartridge (cartridge) P Recording medium

Claims (16)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus having a detachable cartridge having a communication unit for communicating with an apparatus main body and a storage unit, wherein the storage unit stores data corresponding to the expiration date of the cartridge. The apparatus main body determines the expiration date of the cartridge from the data corresponding to the expiration date of the cartridge stored in the storage unit of the cartridge, and performs control to notify the expiration date information of the cartridge. Characteristic image forming apparatus. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the expiration date information indicates that the cartridge has reached the expiration date or that the expiration date of the cartridge is approaching. 3. The apparatus main body is capable of communicating with a device that stores clock data, and stores data corresponding to the expiration date of the cartridge stored in the storage unit of the cartridge, and clock data stored in the device. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the expiration date of the cartridge is determined by comparing the expiration dates. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus main body further includes an information notifying unit, and the information notifying unit notifies the expiration date information of the cartridge by the information notifying unit. 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus main body is further communicable with a device having information notifying means, and transmits a signal for notifying the expiration date information of the cartridge to the device. 5. The image forming apparatus according to any one of items 4. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the device having the information notifying unit and the device holding the clock data are the same. 7. The cartridge further includes an electrophotographic photosensitive member, charging means for charging the electrophotographic photosensitive member, developing means for supplying a developer to the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and cleaning means for cleaning the electrophotographic photosensitive member. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising at least one of the following. 8. An image forming apparatus having a detachable cartridge having a communication unit for communicating with the apparatus main body and a storage unit, wherein the storage unit stores data corresponding to the expiration date of the cartridge. Wherein the apparatus main body transmits data corresponding to the expiration date of the cartridge stored in the storage unit of the cartridge to a device communicably connected to the image forming apparatus main body. Forming equipment. 9. The cartridge further includes an electrophotographic photosensitive member, charging means for charging the electrophotographic photosensitive member, developing means for supplying a developer to the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and cleaning means for cleaning the electrophotographic photosensitive member. 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, comprising at least one of the following. 10. A cartridge having communication means for communicating with an apparatus main body and storage means, wherein said storage means has data corresponding to the expiration date of said cartridge. Is stored. 11. An electrophotographic photosensitive member, charging means for charging the electrophotographic photosensitive member, developing means for supplying a developer to the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and cleaning means for cleaning the electrophotographic photosensitive member. The cartridge of claim 10 having one. 12. A storage unit provided in a cartridge that is detachable from a main body of the image forming apparatus, wherein data according to the expiration date of the cartridge is stored. 13. The electrophotographic photosensitive member, a charging unit for charging the electrophotographic photosensitive member, a developing unit for supplying a developer to the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and a cleaning unit for cleaning the electrophotographic photosensitive member. 13. The storage means according to claim 12, comprising at least one of them. 14. (a) A cartridge detachable from the image forming apparatus main body, comprising communication means for communicating with the apparatus main body, and storage means, wherein the storage means uses the cartridge. A cartridge in which data corresponding to the expiration date is stored; and (b) an image forming apparatus in which the cartridge is detachable and which reads data corresponding to the expiration date of the cartridge stored in the storage means of the cartridge. (C) a device communicable with the image forming apparatus main body, the clock data held by the device, and the data according to the expiration date of the cartridge read from the storage unit of the cartridge by the image forming device. And determining the expiration date of the cartridge by comparing
A device for notifying the expiration date information of the cartridge by information notifying means provided in the device. 15. (a) A cartridge detachably mountable to the main body of an image forming apparatus, comprising communication means for communicating with the main body of the apparatus, and storage means, wherein the storage means uses the cartridge. A cartridge storing data corresponding to a time limit; (b) a device capable of communicating with the main body of the image forming apparatus and holding clock data; and (c) a removable cartridge, The data corresponding to the expiration date of the cartridge stored in the storage means and the clock data held by the device are compared to determine the expiration date of the cartridge, and the expiration date information of the cartridge is determined. A cartridge expiration date notification system, wherein the notification is made by information notification means provided in the image forming apparatus main body. 16. The cartridge expiration date notification system according to claim 15, wherein the expiration date information is notified that the cartridge has reached the expiration date or the expiration date of the cartridge is approaching. .