JP2002132029A - Cartridge, image forming device and an image forming system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To accurately detect the quantity of developer at any time, even if there is variation in the manufacture of a flat surface antenna itself or variation that is generated, in the manufacture of a cartridge due to displacement of the flat surface antenna inside a developer-storing container. SOLUTION: The detected value of the toner quantity by the flat surface antenna 6 is corrected, by storing an output value of the flat surface antenna 6 before a toner seal member S of a process cartridge B is removed to a storage means 20 of the process cartridge B.

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 using an electrophotographic system, a process cartridge mountable to the main body of the image forming apparatus, and a developing device formed into a cartridge. An image composed of a mounted storage unit and a display unit for detecting the remaining amount of the developer by using a developer amount detection unit provided inside the process cartridge or the developing device, and displaying the result. Related to the forming system.

Here, as an electrophotographic image forming apparatus,
For example, an electrophotographic copying machine, an electrophotographic printer (for example,
LED printers, laser beam printers, etc.), electrophotographic facsimile machines 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. At least one of the cleaning means for cleaning the body is configured to be detachable from the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. In particular, the process cartridge refers to a unit in which at least one of a charging unit, a developing unit, and a cleaning unit and an electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed, and which is detachable from an electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body.

[0004]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a laser beam printer forms a latent image by irradiating a photosensitive member with light corresponding to image information, and develops the latent image with developing means. An image is formed on the recording medium by supplying a developer (toner) as a recording material to visualize the image, and then transferring the image from the photoconductor to the recording medium. A developer accommodating container accommodating a developer is connected to the developing means, 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 and maintenance of consumables such as an electrophotographic photosensitive member and a developer. Developing means, charging means,
There is a process cartridge system in which a cleaning unit, a developer storage container, a developer storage container, and the like are integrated as a process cartridge, and are detachable from the image forming apparatus main body. According to this process cartridge system, maintenance of the apparatus can be performed by the user himself without relying on a serviceman, so that operability can be remarkably improved. Therefore, this process cartridge system is widely used in electrophotographic image forming apparatuses.

For example, in a color image forming apparatus having developing means of a plurality of colors, when the developing means of each color is different, the developing cartridge of each color is formed into a cartridge with the developing means of each color and the developer accommodating container. There is a printer which is detachable from the image forming apparatus and can be individually replaced.

In such a cartridge type image forming apparatus, the user can form an image again by replacing the cartridge when the developer runs out, for example. Therefore, such an image forming apparatus may include a unit for detecting when the developer is consumed and notifying the user, that is, a developer amount detecting device.

The developer amount detecting device detects the amount of the remaining developer in order to be able to know at any time how much developer remains in the cartridge for image formation. The detecting means is provided in the cartridge or the image forming apparatus main body.

[0009] In particular, there is an apparatus which not only notifies the user that the developer has run out but also detects and notifies the user of the amount of the developer one by one, thereby further improving the convenience of the user. In such an image forming apparatus, the percentage of the developer remaining when not used is calculated and reported to the user one by one, or the amount of the developer is reduced to such an extent that a predetermined quality image cannot be formed. May be displayed to warn the user that the developer is running low before an image defect occurs.

As one type of the developer amount detecting means, there is a flat antenna type (flat antenna type). The planar antenna is a pattern provided with a pair of conductive portions formed in parallel at a predetermined interval, and is arranged at a position in contact with the developer on the side surface of the developer container, and the development on the surface of the pattern is performed. It utilizes the fact that the capacitance changes depending on the presence or absence of the agent. By arranging the flat antenna so that the contact area between the developer and the flat antenna decreases as the developer in the developer storage container decreases, the remaining amount of the developer in the developer storage container and the flat antenna can be reduced. Correlation with the capacitance becomes possible, and the remaining amount of the developer in the developer container can be known at any time by measuring the capacitance of the planar antenna. The capacitance of the planar antenna can be known from a current flowing in the other conductive part when a constant AC bias is applied to one of the pair of conductive parts.

The developer amount detected by such a developer amount detecting means is displayed on a display means in order to notify the user. If the user sees this, the developer will soon run out, so it seems better to prepare the next cartridge,
Although we print a large amount, we can judge that there is enough developer, etc., we can carry out printing work efficiently,
Further, the cartridge can be used effectively.

[0012]

However, even if the developer amount detecting means capable of detecting the developer remaining amount level as described above is provided, the developer remaining amount in the developer accommodating container can be accurately detected. Otherwise, the user may be confused.

For example, when the electrode width and the distance between the electrodes of the planar antenna deviate from the design values, or when the position of the planar antenna in the developer container is deviated, the observed electrostatic capacitance is reduced. The relationship between the capacity value and the remaining amount of the developer differs. In other words, when the remaining amount of the developer is detected based only on the relationship between the preset capacitance value and the remaining amount of the developer, the display may be considerably different from the actual remaining amount of the developer.

[0014] If there is a deviation that it is detected that there is more developer for a certain remaining amount of developer, the estimated amount is more than the actual remaining amount of developer.
A blank image may occur. In this case, since the necessary image cannot be obtained, the user outputs the same image again, so that the recording medium, the power for forming the image, or the time for forming the image is wasted.

Conversely, if there is a shift in detecting that there is less developer for a certain remaining amount of developer, when the developer amount display indicates that there is no developer, the user replaces the process cartridge with a new one. Although the developer is replaced, the developer remains in the developer storage container, so that a large amount of the developer is wasted and resources are wasted.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing a cartridge due to a manufacturing variation of the developer amount detecting means itself and a variation caused by a displacement of the developer amount detecting means in the developer accommodating container. An object of the present invention is to provide a cartridge capable of accurately knowing the amount of developer at any time, an image forming apparatus in which the cartridge is detachable, and an image forming system including a display unit for displaying the amount of developer.

[0017]

The above object is achieved by a cartridge, an image forming apparatus, and an image forming system according to the present invention.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cartridge detachably mountable to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, in which at least a developer accommodating container and a developing means are unitized integrally, wherein the developer in the developer accommodating container is provided. Developer amount detecting means for detecting the amount, and information about the developer amount can be stored,
And a storage unit capable of transmitting the information to the electrophotographic image forming apparatus when the cartridge is mounted on the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. A developer sealing member that is sometimes opened, and the storage unit detects the amount of the developer in the developer storage container before the developer sealing member is opened by the developer amount detecting unit, or the detection value of the developer amount. A cartridge is provided, wherein the cartridge stores a corresponding value.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the developer amount detecting means for detecting the amount of the developer in the developer container, and the opening of the developer sealing member for sealing the developer in the developer container. A cartridge including a storage unit for storing information on the previous initial amount of the developer, in a detachable image forming apparatus,
Means for determining a developer amount from a detected value of the developer amount by the developer amount detecting means when the cartridge is mounted, and information on the initial developer amount stored in the storage means; And a transmitting means for transmitting the corresponding value to display means inside and outside the image forming apparatus.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming system capable of forming an image on a recording medium by using a cartridge detachably mountable to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body and displaying a developer amount in the cartridge. (A) a cartridge detachably mountable to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, in which at least a developer accommodating container and a developing means are unitized integrally, wherein a developer amount for detecting the amount of the developer in the developer accommodating container; A detecting unit, a storage unit capable of storing information on the amount of the developer, and transmitting the information to the electrophotographic image forming apparatus when mounted on the electrophotographic image forming apparatus; and a developer container for storing the developer. And a developer sealing member which is sealed when the cartridge is started to be used, and wherein the storage means stores the developer before opening the developer sealing member. A cartridge storing a value detected by the developer amount detecting means of the amount of developer in the container, or a corresponding value thereof; and (b) a value detected by the developer amount detecting means at the time of mounting the cartridge. And an image forming apparatus having means for determining a developer amount from information on the initial developer amount stored in the storage means,
(C) a display unit configured to transmit the amount of the developer determined by the image forming apparatus or a corresponding value thereof from the image forming apparatus and display the same, and the image forming system is provided.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the image forming apparatus includes a unit for detecting that a cartridge mounted on the image forming device is new, and a unit for detecting a developer amount of the cartridge. Means for judging deviation of the developer in the developer storage container from a detection result of the developer amount and information on an initial developer amount before opening the developer sealing member stored in the storage means of the cartridge; Means for transmitting the result of the deviation determination to display means inside and outside the image forming apparatus.

In each of the above inventions, according to another embodiment,
The storage means is a nonvolatile memory, a non-contact type nonvolatile memory, or a volatile memory provided with a power supply.

According to another embodiment, the storage means is an identification member provided on the outer periphery of the cartridge.

Further, according to another embodiment, a signal for displaying information on the detected remaining amount of the developer is transmitted to the display means and displayed.

Further, according to another embodiment, it is possible to communicate with a device having a display means, and to transmit a signal for displaying information on the detected remaining amount of the developer to the device having the display means.

According to still another embodiment, the cartridge further includes at least one of an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a charging unit for charging the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and a cleaning unit for cleaning the electrophotographic photosensitive member.

[0027]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a cartridge, an image forming apparatus and an image forming system according to the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

Embodiment 1 First, an embodiment of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus to which a process cartridge constructed according to the present invention can be mounted will be described with reference to FIGS.

In the present embodiment, the electrophotographic image forming apparatus is an electrophotographic laser beam printer A, which receives information from a host computer and performs a recording medium, for example, a recording paper, an OHP sheet by an electrophotographic image forming process. To form an image on a cloth or the like.

The laser beam printer A has a drum-shaped electrophotographic photosensitive member, that is, a photosensitive drum 1. The photosensitive drum 1 is charged by a charging roller 7 serving as a charging unit, and then a laser beam 11 corresponding to the image information is irradiated from a laser scanner 11 to form a latent image on the photosensitive drum 1 according to the image information. Is done. This latent image is developed by the developing device C to be a visible image, that is, a toner image.

The developing device C is formed adjacent to the developing chamber 19 and includes a developing roller 2 as a developer carrier and a developing means such as a developing blade 5 as a developer layer thickness regulating member. A developer storage container 4 as a developer storage unit, and the developer T in the developer storage container 4
9 are supplied to the developing roller 2. A stirring means 3 which rotates in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 2 is provided in the developer accommodating container 4, and when the stirring means 3 rotates, the developer T
Is supplied to the developing roller 2 while being loosened.

In this embodiment, an insulating magnetic one-component toner is used as a developer. Further, the developing roller 2 has a built-in fixed magnet, and the developer T is transported by rotating the developing roller 2, a triboelectric charge is applied by the developing blade 5, and a layer having a predetermined thickness is formed. Photoconductor drum 1
Is supplied to the developing area. The developer T supplied to the developing area is transferred to a latent image on the photosensitive drum 1, and
Form a toner image. The developing roller 2 is connected to a developing bias applying unit, 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 recording medium set in a sheet cassette (not shown) is conveyed to a transfer position via a pickup roller and conveying means in synchronization with the formation of the toner image. A transfer roller 12 as a transfer unit is disposed at the transfer position, and transfers a toner image on the photosensitive drum 1 to a recording medium by applying a voltage.

The recording medium to which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed to the fixing means 13 by the conveying means. The fixing unit 13 includes a fixing roller 13b including a heater 13a and a driving roller 13c, and applies heat and pressure to the recording medium passing therethrough to fix the transferred toner image on the recording medium.

The recording medium is transferred to the discharge tray 1 by the transport means.
It is discharged to 5. The discharge tray 15 is provided on the upper surface of the apparatus main body 14 of the laser beam printer.

After the transfer of the toner image onto the recording medium by the transfer roller 12, the developer remaining on the photosensitive drum 1 is removed by a cleaning unit, and then subjected to the next image forming process. . The cleaning means scrapes off the residual developer on the photosensitive drum 1 by an elastic cleaning blade 8 provided in contact with the photosensitive drum 1 and collects it in a developer storage container 9.

On the other hand, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG.
The process cartridge B is formed by welding a developer frame 16 having a developer container 4 and a stirring means 3 and a developing frame 17 holding developing means such as the developing roller 2 and the developing blade 5 to form a developing unit. (Developing device) C is formed, and a cleaning unit 18 such as a photosensitive drum 1, a cleaning blade 8, a developer storage container 9, and other cleaning means and a charging roller 7 are integrally connected to the developing unit C. It has been made into a cartridge.

The process cartridge B is removably mounted on a cartridge mounting means 30 provided on the image forming apparatus main body 14 by a user.

As shown in FIG. 3, the unused process cartridge is provided with a toner sealing member S as a developer sealing member between the developer frame 16 and the developing frame 17. The configuration is such that the developer T in the developer storage container 4 is not supplied to the developing chamber 19. And at the time of use,
After the toner seal member S is removed and the developer T in the developer accommodating container 4 can be supplied to the developing roller 2, the developer T is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body 14 and the process proceeds to the image forming process.

In this embodiment, a flat antenna (flat antenna) 6 as a developer amount detecting means as shown in FIG. 4 is arranged on one side surface in the developer container 4.

The planar antenna 6 is formed by forming two electrodes, that is, conductor patterns 21 and 22 on a generally used printed board 24 by etching, printing, or the like. In addition, an insulating protective film (not shown) is formed on the surface of the circuit figure to protect it. In the present embodiment, the two conductive patterns 21, 2
2 each having a width (W) of 300 μm and a conductive pattern 2
The interval (G) between 1 and 22 was set to 300 μm.

In the planar antenna 6 of this embodiment, an AC bias is applied between the electrodes 21 and 22 of each conductive pattern.
When 00 Vpp and 2000 Hz are applied, 20 pF when the developer is not touching the flat antenna 6, and 40 pF when the developer is touching the entire surface of the flat antenna 6.
, Different capacitance values were observed.

As the developer T in the developer container 4 decreases by repeating the image forming process, the contact area between the developer T and the planar antenna 6 decreases. The capacitance between the electrodes 21 and 22 also decreases. Therefore, by observing the capacitance, the amount of the developer in the developer container 4 can be known at any time.

However, in practice, even if the developer T in the developer storage container 4 gradually decreases, the measurement result may vary due to the developer remaining slightly adhered on the flat antenna 20. is there.

In order to remove the developer adhering to the surface, the antenna cleaning member 3a is attached to the end of the stirring means 3.
2 (see FIG. 2), the surface of the planar antenna 6 is cleaned with the rotation of the stirring means 3.

As shown in FIG. 4, a hole 23 is provided substantially at the center of the planar antenna 6, and the support shaft of the stirring means 3 is connected to the hole 23.
, And is rotatably supported by the developer accommodating container 4 or the like, so that substantially the entire area of the planar antenna 6 can be cleaned by the antenna cleaning member 3a.

According to the above configuration, the variation in the measurement result can be almost eliminated by the developer slightly adhered to the flat antenna 6, but the output of the flat antenna 6 fluctuates with the rotation cycle of the antenna cleaning member 3a. .

Therefore, in the present embodiment, statistical processing such as taking an average value of the antenna output or selecting the minimum value is performed a plurality of times in accordance with the rotation cycle of the antenna cleaning member 3a, and the developer remaining level is determined. Confirm.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a developer amount detecting device for detecting the amount of toner in the process cartridge according to the present embodiment.

When a predetermined AC bias is applied to the developer amount detecting means (flat antenna) 6 from the bias applying means 34, as described above, a current corresponding to the capacitance corresponding to the amount of toner covering the flat antenna 6 is generated. The developer amount is converted into a voltage value by the developer amount detecting unit 31. This value is calculated by the arithmetic control unit 3
2, the data is temporarily stored in the main body side storage means 35, and when it reaches a predetermined number of data, statistical processing is performed by the arithmetic control unit 32 as described above.

FIG. 6 shows the relationship between the toner amount and the determined toner amount value after the output of the planar antenna 6 has been statistically processed.
This graph shows the relationship when each setting is at the center of design. The process cartridge B is initially filled with 550 g of toner, and the output of the planar antenna 6 at that time is 0.5V. The toner amount and the output value are in a proportional relationship, and the output when the amount of toner is 50 g is 3.0 V.
It is. When the toner is reduced to 50 g or less, the toner does not come into contact with the flat antenna 6, so that the output is 3.0V.
It does not change. When the amount of toner becomes 50 g or less,
In some cases, the toner supply to the developing roller 2 becomes insufficient and an image is not formed.

The relationship between the toner amount and the output value of the flat antenna 6 is stored in the main body side storage means 35 in the form of a table or an expression, that is, an output value-toner amount conversion table. When the value is obtained, the arithmetic control unit 32 converts the value into a toner amount using the relation table (or formula), and transmits the toner amount to the display unit 33, an external system, a network, an apparatus 51, or the like.

In the present embodiment, the toner amount indicates the weight of the toner in the developer container in grams, but the transmission and display to the display means 33 and the external device 51 are based on the residual toner amount relative to the initial toner amount. May be shown as a percentage, or may be converted to another notation.

However, if the component tolerances and the like related to the developer amount detecting means are accumulated, an error that cannot be ignored in the toner amount measurement occurs. For example, the causes include deviation of the electrode width W and the electrode interval G of the planar antenna 6 from the design center value, variation in the thickness of the surface protective film, variation in the mounting position on the side surface of the developer container, and the like.

FIG. 7 is a graph showing an example of how the toner amount measurement shifts as a result. The solid line in FIG. 7 shows the relationship between the toner amount and the output value of the planar antenna 6 in the case of the design center value shown in FIG. On the contrary,
A broken line (1) in FIG. 7 indicates a case where the above-mentioned tolerances are accumulated and a large amount of toner is detected. For example, in the case of the design center value, the output value of 2.5 V of the planar antenna 6 corresponds to a toner amount of 150 g, and the relationship is stored in the main body side storage means 35, so that the toner amount is displayed and transmitted as 150 g. However, in the case of the main body and the process cartridge having the relationship indicated by the broken line (1), there is actually a toner amount of 200 g. Conversely, in the case of the main body and the process cartridge having the relationship indicated by the broken line (2), the toner amount is actually only 100 g.

Therefore, when a large amount of printing is desired, in the case of the broken line (1), it is determined that the toner is low, and the cartridge is replaced with a new process cartridge, and the toner is wasted or discarded. In the case of (2), if there is an error in the toner amount measurement, such as when the toner is insufficient during printing and an image is only partially printed, waste occurs.

Therefore, according to the present invention, the output value of the planar antenna 6 before the toner seal member S is removed is stored in advance in the storage means 20 of the process cartridge, and the detected toner amount of the process cartridge is corrected. This makes it possible to obtain a more accurate toner amount.

The details will be described below. First, the output value of the planar antenna 6 during the removal of the toner seal member S is stored in the storage unit 20 of the process cartridge B, which is performed by the process cartridge manufacturer.

In the process of manufacturing the process cartridge, as shown in FIG. 3, after assembling the process cartridge, that is, after a predetermined amount of toner T is filled in the developer container 4, The process cartridge B is supported in the same manner as the attitude in the image forming apparatus main body so that the toner T does not tilt. Next, a jig that can measure the amount of toner in the same manner as the measurement of the amount of toner in the image forming apparatus body is prepared, and the bias applied to the planar antenna 6 of the jig is adjusted to the design center value. Planar antenna 6
Measure the output. The measured value is stored in the storage unit 20 of the process cartridge B after the voltage value conversion. After that, the process cartridge is shipped. In the following,
The planar antenna measurement value stored in the process cartridge is called an FAF value.

At this time, the output of the planar antenna 6 when the toner seal member S is not opened and the output of the planar antenna after removing the toner seal member S are slightly different.
This is because the toner in the developer container 4 is supplied to certain developing means such as the developing roller 2 and the like.
This is because the height of the toner inside is reduced. In the present embodiment, the value was 0.1 V as a value after the voltage value conversion. Therefore, the FAF value stored in the storage means 20 of the process cartridge B is a value obtained by subtracting 0.1 V from the measurement result of the jig. There is. When using the developer amount detecting means in which the toner amount is the same and the developer amount detection result is the same after the toner seal is unopened and after the toner seal is removed, the measurement result of the jig is directly stored as the FAF value. Just do it.

By the way, in this embodiment, if all parts and the like can be assembled at the design value center value, the FAF value will be 0.1.
5V. However, due to the various variations as described above, 0.3
V or 0.75V. At that time, it is stored as the FAF value.

Here, the storage means 20 provided in the process cartridge B will be described.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the process cartridge B of the present embodiment has a storage means 2 in a developer container 4.
0, and the storage unit 20 also includes a transmission unit for exchanging signals with the image forming apparatus main body 14. The arithmetic control unit 32 of the main body also has a function as a transmission unit to the storage unit 20.

As storage means used in the present invention, F
There is no particular limitation on the method or form as long as the AF value or the corresponding value can be stored and transmitted to the image forming apparatus main body 14. An ordinary semiconductor electronic memory such as a combination of a nonvolatile memory and a backup battery may be used. In particular, in the case of a non-contact memory in which data communication for reading / writing data from / in the memory is performed by an electromagnetic wave, there is no possibility of a contact failure due to the mounting state of the cartridge, and highly reliable control can be performed.
In this embodiment, a non-contact type memory is used as the storage unit 20. The memory has a sufficient capacity to store necessary information. The memory 20 has a storage area that cannot be rewritten once data is stored. The FAF value is stored in a non-rewritable storage area once data is stored.

FIGS. 9 and 10 are flow charts showing the procedure for improving the accuracy of toner remaining amount detection using the FAF value according to the present invention.

First, in this embodiment, a bias is applied to the planar antenna 6 in synchronization with the driving of the stirring means 3, and the toner amount is measured. That is, when the main body operates (S10)
1) The toner amount is immediately measured (S102), and the result is stored in the main body storage means 35 (S103). In the configuration of the present embodiment, as described above, the toner amount is measured a predetermined number of times at a predetermined interval (S104), and the value is determined only after statistically processing them (S105). This determined value is stored in the main body side storage means 35 (S106). This flow is repeatedly performed until the main body stops, and the determined value is sequentially updated (S107).

On the other hand, in the flow of the toner amount display, as shown in FIG. 10, when an instruction to display the toner amount comes (S
111), F of the storage unit 20 of the process cartridge B
The AF value is read (S112) and stored in the main body side storage means 35 (S113). Then, the arithmetic control unit 32 determines the toner amount from the determined value of the toner amount measurement at that time and the read FAF value (S114), and transmits and displays the determined value to the display unit 33 (S115).

As a method of determining the toner amount from the toner amount determined value and the FAF value, in the present embodiment, the “toner amount determined value−FAF value” is associated with the toner amount. This relationship is shown in FIG. Since the solid line in FIG. 7 is the design center, the FAF value is 0.5 V, and the final value of the toner amount of 150 g is 2.5 V. Therefore, the toner amount final value−FAF value is 2 V. FIG.
In the case of the broken line (1), the FAF value is 0.75 V, and the final value of the toner amount 200 g is 2.5 V.
The FAF value is 1.75V. Also, the broken line (2) in FIG.
In this case, the FAF value is 0.25 V and the final value of the toner amount of 100 g is 2.5 V. Therefore, the toner amount final value−FAF value is 2.25 V.

By doing so, the broken line (1) in FIG.
And the error of the broken line (2) can be absorbed.
These lines are combined into one solid line as shown in FIG.
In other words, variations in process cartridges can be absorbed,
The detection error of the toner amount can be reduced.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, even if the toner amount detection value differs in each cartridge due to the manufacturing variation of the developer amount detecting means itself and the displacement of the developer detecting means in the developer collecting container, By correcting the toner amount detection value by the developer amount detection means using the unused toner amount measurement value stored in the cartridge in advance, it is possible to reduce variation and obtain a toner amount with less error. became.

In general, the toner in the developer accommodating container contains only about 40 to 80% in volume ratio even when it is not used. When the developer accommodating container is tilted, the toner in the developer accompanies. Therefore, it is unknown what the state of the toner in the developer container is when the user mounts the process cartridge on the main body. In such a state that the toner is offset in the developer accommodating container, a correct value cannot be obtained even if the amount of the developer is measured. In particular, the value
If the AF value is used as a reference for the toner amount, a large error occurs in the measurement of the toner amount. However, as in the present invention, by storing the measured value (FAF value) of the developer amount detecting means in the manufacturing process, FAF without toner bias
The value can be determined and used for accurate toner amount measurement.

Further, according to the present invention, the deviation of the toner in the developer container 4 can be detected. If the toner is biased, the toner is removed from the side with less toner even though the toner is sufficient, so that the occurrence of an image defect is quicker.

First, when the process cartridge B is mounted on the image forming apparatus for the first time and the toner amount is determined for the first time, the determined toner amount is compared with the initial toner amount stored in the storage unit 20. At this time, since the toner is hardly consumed, if there is a difference between the determined toner amount determined by the main body and the initial toner amount stored in the storage unit 20, it is determined that the toner in the developer container is It can be determined that there is a bias. In the case of the present embodiment, the developer amount detecting means 6
When the toner is biased to the side where there is no toner, the final value of the toner amount becomes 1.5 V, 2 V, or the value of the storage unit 20, and the toner amount becomes considerably small.

Therefore, when the first toner amount is determined, it is compared with the initial toner amount stored in the storage means. If there is a difference equal to or more than a predetermined value, it can be determined that the toner is offset. Uneven toner is difficult to fix without removing the process cartridge and shaking or tilting it.
When it is determined that the toner is offset, the user may be warned by displaying the fact on display means or the like.

In order to detect such toner deviation, the image forming apparatus needs to know that the determined amount of toner in the image forming apparatus is the first amount of toner determined for the attached process cartridge. . In this regard, for example, the process cartridge new information may be prepared in the storage unit 20 of the process cartridge B. Specifically, a bit of a new process cartridge is provided in a rewritable area in the storage means 20 which is a semiconductor memory, the bit is set to “1” at the time of manufacture and shipment, and the image forming apparatus reads the bit, It is set so that it is always rewritten to "0". And this bit is "1"
In this case, the deviation of the toner is detected, and this bit is rewritten to "0".

The relationship between the remaining amount of the developer and the detected voltage value greatly differs depending on the configuration of the cartridge, especially the configuration of the developing device and the arrangement of the remaining amount of the developer, and the relationship between the two as shown in FIG. Does not always have a linear relationship, and the variation does not always have the same slope. In that case,
A relational expression or a table that best represents the relationship between the two may be made to correspond. For example, the correction method using the FAF value may be such that the coefficient of the relational expression between the toner amount and the detected value is changed according to the FAF value. It is not limited to the method shown in
An image forming apparatus embodying the present invention. What is necessary is just to determine suitably according to the characteristic of a process cartridge.

Although the output value-toner amount conversion table is stored in the main body in this embodiment, it may be stored in the storage means of the process cartridge. By using a semiconductor memory as a storage unit as in the present embodiment,
It is possible.

The display method of the remaining amount of toner is not limited to (g) or (%). Other display methods include a method of outputting the remaining number of sheets in a more advanced form and various other display methods. Absent. As for the display, the gas gauge, the bar graph and the value display, the ratio to the full tank, that is, the remaining percentage may be displayed, and any display method may be used as long as the user can know the toner amount. It does not matter.

Further, the display of the toner amount is not limited to the display means 33 provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus, but may be a device such as a host computer communicably connected to the main body of the image forming apparatus. Display means 5 such as a screen
1 can be performed.

In this embodiment, the planar antenna system is used as the developer amount detecting means. However, the present invention is not limited to the toner remaining amount level detecting means of this system. The method does not matter.

Embodiment 2 Next, Embodiment 2 according to the present invention will be described. This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that an identification body, that is, an FA is used instead of a semiconductor memory as storage means in a process cartridge.
An FAF corresponding projection corresponding to the F value is provided on the process cartridge, and the projection is detected by the FAF detection unit on the main body side.
The measured toner amount is corrected accordingly.

Hereinafter, this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

The basic constructions of the developer amount detecting means of the process cartridge B and the main body of the image forming apparatus are the same as in the first embodiment. In the process of manufacturing the process cartridge, storing the FAF value in the process cartridge is the same as in the first embodiment.

As described in the first embodiment, the FAF value is 0.5 V for the design center value. However, it varies in the range of 0.0 V to 1.0 V due to each variation or the like. Therefore, in this embodiment, the FAF value is divided into five levels. That is,
Step 1: 0.0V to 0.2V, Step 2: 0.2V to 0.
4V, stage 3: 0.4V to 0.6V, stage 4: 0.6V
0.8 V, Step 5: 0.8 V to 1.0 V. or,
The positions of the FAF corresponding projections 41 of the process cartridge B, more specifically, the positions of the projections 41a, 41b, 41c, 41d, and 41e, and the five levels of FAF are respectively determined in advance.
Here, when the result of measuring the FAF value of the process cartridge is in the stage 2, as shown in FIG. 12, only the protrusion 41b corresponding to the stage 2 has other protrusions 41a and 41c.
~ 41e. Only this high protrusion 41b,
As shown in FIG. 13, by pressing the projection corresponding switch of the projection detection unit 42 prepared on the main body side when the main body is mounted on the main body, the main body is mounted on the FAF of the mounted process cartridge.
It can be determined that the value is in stage 2.

In this embodiment, the FAF-compatible projection is configured to be easily attached to the developer accommodating container by a snap-fit method, and once attached, it is prevented from coming off unless a large force is applied.

In the present embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, the FAF value is not read directly by the arithmetic and control unit 32, but as shown in FIG. It is detected whether there is, and the FAF representative value corresponding to the protrusion is stored in the storage means 35 of the main body. The five-step FAF representative values corresponding to the projections are defined as follows. That is, step 1: 0.1 V, step 2: 0.
3V, stage 3: 0.5V, stage 4: 0.7V, stage 5:
0.9V.

When the process cartridge B is mounted on the main body 14, or when an instruction to display the amount of toner comes, the FAF representative value corresponding to the projection is stored in the storage means 35. on the other hand,
The relationship between “toner amount determined value−FAF representative value” and the toner amount is stored in the storage unit 35. Then, when a toner amount display instruction is issued, the toner amount is determined as a determined value from the measured toner amount determined value and the stored FAF representative value.

With the above configuration, the measurement error can be reduced to about 1/5, and the accuracy of toner amount detection is improved. The toner amount determination flow is the same as that in FIG. 9 of the first embodiment. The toner amount determination flow is substantially the same as that of FIG.

In this embodiment, the FAF value is divided into five steps, but the number of steps is not limited. Also, the correspondence between the position and shape of the protrusion and the FAF stage may be any as long as the protrusion and the FAF stage can be determined and determined on a one-to-one basis. Instead of the number of projections, the shape and color of the projections may correspond to the FAF stage.

As in the case of the first embodiment, the correction method using the FAF value is not limited to the method described in the present embodiment, but may be adjusted according to the characteristics of the image forming apparatus and the process cartridge embodying the present invention. May be determined appropriately. Further, the notation method, display method, and developer amount detection means of the remaining toner amount are not limited to the method of this embodiment.

In this embodiment, the projection provided on the process cartridge is used as a method of storing the FAF. Therefore, in the manufacturing process of the process cartridge, whether the FAF value has already been stored is compared with the case where the FAF value is stored in the semiconductor memory. There is an advantage that it is easy to determine. In addition, the present embodiment has an advantage that a failure or a malfunction is less likely to occur than the case where a semiconductor memory is used because the configuration is simple.

Embodiment 3 FIG. 15 shows an embodiment of the developing device D in the form of a cartridge according to another embodiment of the present invention.

The developing device D of this embodiment includes a developing chamber 19 for holding developing means such as the developing roller 2 and the developing blade 5.
And a developer accommodating container 4 for accommodating a developer for supplying the developer to the developing means, are integrally formed by a plastic developer frame 16 and a developing frame 17 to form a cartridge. That is, the developing device D of the present embodiment is obtained by unitizing the developing device components of the process cartridge B described in the first embodiment.
Therefore, it can be considered that the photosensitive drum 1, the charging means 7, and the cleaning means 8 are integrated to form an integrated cartridge. Therefore, all the developing device components, the developer amount detecting device configuration, and the storage device configuration described in the first embodiment are also applied to the developing device of the present embodiment. Therefore, for the description of these configurations and operations, the description given in the first embodiment is cited.

In this embodiment, the same operation and effect as those of the first embodiment can be achieved.

Embodiment 4 FIG. 16 shows an embodiment of the developing device E in the form of a cartridge, which is another embodiment of the present invention.

The developing device E of this embodiment includes a developing chamber 19 for holding developing means such as the developing roller 2 and the developing blade 5.
And a developer accommodating container 4 for accommodating a developer for supplying the developer to the developing means, are integrally formed by a plastic developer frame 16 and a developing frame 17 to form a cartridge. That is, the developing device E according to the present embodiment is obtained by unitizing the developing device components of the process cartridge B described in the second embodiment.
Therefore, it can be considered that the photosensitive drum 1, the charging means 7, and the cleaning means 8 are integrated to form an integrated cartridge. Therefore, all the developing device components, the developer amount detecting means configuration, and the FAF corresponding projection configuration described in the second embodiment are also applied to the developing device of the present embodiment. Therefore, for the description of these configurations and operations, the description given in the second embodiment is cited.

In this embodiment, the same operation and effect as those of the second embodiment can be achieved.

[0098]

As described above, in the cartridge, the image forming apparatus and the image forming system of the present invention, the cartridge seals the developer in the developer accommodating container and opens when the cartridge starts to be used. A stop member, and a storage unit capable of storing information relating to the amount of developer and transmitting the information to the image forming apparatus when mounted on the image forming apparatus, wherein the storage unit includes the developer sealing member. Since the detection value of the developer amount in the developer storage container before the opening of the developer storage container by the developer amount detection unit or the corresponding value is stored, manufacturing variation of the developer amount detection unit itself, Thus, even if there is a variation in manufacturing the cartridge due to the displacement of the developer amount detecting means, the developer amount can be accurately known at any time.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

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

FIG. 3 is a view showing a state where the process cartridge of FIG. 2 is not used.

FIG. 4 is a diagram of a developer remaining amount detecting unit that can be mounted on a process cartridge according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of a developer amount detection configuration according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a graph showing a relationship between a toner amount and a toner amount final value in a design center state.

FIG. 7 is a graph illustrating an example of a relationship between a toner amount and a determined toner amount value when toner amount measurement is shifted;

FIG. 8 is a graph showing a relationship between a toner amount and “determined toner amount value−FAF value”.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a toner amount determination process.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a toner amount determination and display process.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view showing another embodiment of the process cartridge according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of a main part of the process cartridge of FIG. 1;

13 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus equipped with the process cartridge of FIG.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing another embodiment of the developer amount detecting structure according to the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a sectional view showing an embodiment of the developing device formed into a cartridge according to the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a sectional view showing another embodiment of the developing device formed into a cartridge according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 photosensitive drum (electrophotographic photosensitive member) 2 developing roller (developer carrier) 4 developer storage container 6 planar antenna (developer amount detecting means) 7 charging roller (charging means) 8 cleaning means 20 storage means 33 display means 41 FAF compatible projection (identifier / storage means) B Process cartridge C, D, E Developing device S Toner seal member (Developer sealing member)

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2H027 DA27 DD02 DE04 DE07 DE09 GB03 HB02 HB13 HB17 2H071 BA04 BA13 BA17 BA33 DA06 DA08 DA13 DA15 DA32 2H077 AA03 AA06 AA35 BA09 DA15 DA24 DA32 DA58 DA82 DA83 DB10 GA04

Claims (16)

[Claims] 1. A cartridge detachably mountable to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, wherein at least a developer accommodating container and a developing unit are unitized as a unit, and a developer for detecting a developer amount in the developer accommodating container. A cartridge comprising: an amount detection unit; and a storage unit capable of storing information relating to the amount of the developer, and capable of transmitting the information to the electrophotographic image forming apparatus when mounted on the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. A developer sealing member that seals the developer in the developer storage container and is opened at the start of use of the cartridge, wherein the storage unit stores the developer storage container before opening the developer sealing member. A cartridge storing a detected value of the amount of the developer by the developer amount detecting means or a corresponding value thereof. 2. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said storage means is a nonvolatile memory, a non-contact type nonvolatile memory, or a volatile memory provided with a power supply. 3. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the storage means is an identification body provided on an outer periphery of the cartridge. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising at least one of an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a charging unit for charging the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and a cleaning unit for cleaning the electrophotographic photosensitive member. 3 cartridge. 5. A developer amount detecting means for detecting a developer amount in a developer storage container, and an initial developer amount before opening a developer sealing member for sealing the developer in the developer storage container. And a storage unit for storing information about the amount of developer stored in the cartridge, the detection value of the developer amount by the developer amount detection unit when the cartridge is mounted, and the initial developer stored in the storage unit. An image forming apparatus, comprising: means for determining a developer amount from information on an amount; and transmission means for transmitting the determined developer amount or its corresponding value to display means inside and outside the image forming apparatus. 6. A means for detecting that a cartridge mounted on an image forming apparatus is new, a result of detection of a developer amount by a developer amount detecting means of the cartridge, and the information stored in a storage means of the cartridge. Means for judging deviation of the developer in the developer storage container from information on the initial amount of developer before opening the developer sealing member, and a result of the deviation judgment on display means inside and outside the image forming apparatus. 6. An image forming apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising: a transmitting unit. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the storage unit is a nonvolatile memory, a non-contact type nonvolatile memory, or a volatile memory provided with a power supply. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said storage means is an identification body provided on an outer periphery of said cartridge. 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein a signal for displaying information on the detected remaining amount of the developer is transmitted to the display unit and displayed. . 10. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said apparatus is communicable with a device having a display means, and transmits a signal for displaying information on the detected remaining amount of the developer to the device having said display means. 10. The image forming apparatus according to any one of Items 9 to 9, wherein 11. The cartridge according to claim 5, further comprising at least one of an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a charging unit for charging the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and a cleaning unit for cleaning the electrophotographic photosensitive member. -10
The image forming apparatus according to any one of the above. 12. An image forming system capable of forming an image on a recording medium using a cartridge detachable from a main body of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus and displaying an amount of a developer in the cartridge. A cartridge containing a developer container and a developing unit integrated as a unit, the cartridge being detachable from an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, wherein the developer amount detecting unit detects a developer amount in the developer container; A storage means capable of storing information on the amount of the agent, and when mounted on the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, capable of transmitting the information to the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and a developer sealed in the developer accommodating container, A developer sealing member that is opened at the start of use of the cartridge, and wherein the storage unit stores the developer amount in the developer accommodating container before opening the developer sealing member. A cartridge storing a value detected by the developer amount detection unit, or a corresponding value thereof,
(B) an image forming apparatus having means for determining a developer amount from a detected value of the developer amount by the developer amount detecting means when the cartridge is mounted and information on an initial developer amount stored in the storage means; An image forming system, comprising: an apparatus; and (c) a display unit that can display the amount of the developer determined by the image forming apparatus or its corresponding value transmitted from the image forming apparatus. 13. A means for detecting that a cartridge mounted on the image forming apparatus is new, a result of detection of a developer amount by a developer amount detecting means of the cartridge, and a result stored in a storage means of the cartridge. Means for determining the deviation of the developer in the developer container from information on the initial amount of the developer before opening the developer sealing member, and means for transmitting the result of the deviation determination to the display means; The image forming system according to claim 14, comprising: 14. The image forming system according to claim 14, wherein the storage unit is a nonvolatile memory, a non-contact type nonvolatile memory, or a volatile memory provided with a power supply. 15. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said storage means is an identification body provided on an outer periphery of said cartridge.
The image forming system according to 3 or 14. 16. The cartridge according to claim 14, further comprising at least one of an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a charging unit for charging the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and a cleaning unit for cleaning the electrophotographic photosensitive member. ~ 1
Item 6. The image forming system according to any one of Items 5.