JP2002351270A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electrophotographic image forming device beneficial to users by informing users constantly of a remaining printable number on the printer being currently in use. SOLUTION: The image forming device calculates the remains of expendable supplies by a memory means and a remaining expendable supplies detecting means, and informs users beforehand of a remaining printable number.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to guaranteeing the life of a consumable such as a detachable process cartridge in an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic system.

[0002] Here, an image forming apparatus forms an image on a recording medium using an electrophotographic image forming method. For example, an electrophotographic copying machine, an electrophotographic printer (for example, a laser printer, an LED printer, and the like), a facsimile machine, a word processor, and the like are included.

A process cartridge is a unit in which a charging unit, a developing unit or a cleaning unit and an electrophotographic photosensitive drum are integrally formed into a cartridge, and this cartridge is made detachable from an image forming apparatus main body. In addition, at least one of the charging unit, the developing unit, and the cleaning unit and the electrophotographic photosensitive drum are integrally formed into a cartridge so that the cartridge can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body. Further, it means that at least the developing means and the electrophotographic photosensitive drum are integrally formed into a cartridge so as to be detachable from the apparatus main body.

[0004]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic image process, an electrophotographic photosensitive member and a process means acting on the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed into a cartridge, and this cartridge is used as a main body of the image forming apparatus. A process cartridge system which can be attached to and detached from is used. According to this process cartridge system, the maintenance of the apparatus can be performed by the user himself without relying on a service person, so that the operability can be remarkably improved. Therefore, this process cartridge system is widely used in image forming apparatuses.

When using a copier, a laser printer, or the like that uses the process cartridge system, the user needs to replenish consumables, such as paper and cartridges, because he does not need a service person.

[0006] In the process cartridge system, since the cartridge is shorter than the life of the main body, the number of times of replacement of the cartridge is increased when used for a long period, and it is important for CS to notify the user of the replacement time.

Conventionally, in a laser printer or the like using a process cartridge system, as a means of notifying a user of the life of a process cartridge to a user, a toner residual detection using a change in capacitance using an antenna and a rotation of a photosensitive drum have been used. The photoconductor drum life was used from the number.

In the former method, the capacitance in the container, which varies with the amount of toner, is measured. When the toner reaches a certain level, a toner Low1 signal is issued to predict the life, and the difference in the capacitance of another level is detected. Is detected, and the second toner Low
2 to inform the end of life.

The latter uses a predetermined photosensitive drum CT
It utilizes the fact that the film thickness of the layer (charge transport layer) is scraped by the rotation of the photosensitive drum, and when the film thickness reaches a predetermined film thickness, a service life notice is issued, and the service life is set at the next film thickness level. Things.

[0010] The user starts ordering / purchasing consumables by receiving the service life notice.

[0011] Recently, in order to further improve the CS of the user, a successive toner remaining amount detection method with improved remaining amount detection accuracy is being implemented.

Various methods have been used for this, and proposals have been made such as detection of torque of toner agitation, and level sensing by arranging a piezo element in a toner container.

[0013]

However, the detection of the life of the process cartridge and the like shown in the above-mentioned prior art has the following problems.

For example, since the number of consumables such as paper can be counted, the number of remaining consumables can be clearly understood, and the number of remaining prints can be clearly understood at a glance.

However, when the toner, photoreceptor drum, waste toner, etc. contained in the process cartridge reaches the end of its life and becomes in a state in which copying or printing becomes impossible, the life detecting means described in the above-mentioned conventional example. It is difficult to predict even using

The reason is that the above-mentioned life detecting means can know the amount of remaining toner, the rotation time of the photosensitive drum, etc., but there are variations in the user's use of the laser printer or the like, specifically, the image printing ratio and the number of prints. Therefore, it is not possible to know how long each consumable item can be printed until it reaches the end of its life and becomes unusable.

That is, when performing large-capacity printing comparable to light printing with a color copier, a color laser printer, or the like, information indicating whether the target number of prints can be covered by the current consumables. Cannot be provided to the user, so that the user needs to always stock the consumables, and cannot improve CS.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a user with:
An object of the present invention is to provide an electrophotographic image forming apparatus and a process cartridge that are extremely useful to a user by always informing the user of the number of remaining prints that can be performed by a printer currently in use.

[0019]

That is, in order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides: (1) a first invention according to the present invention relates to an image carrier, and at least an electrostatic carrier formed on the image carrier. A process cartridge having a developing unit for developing a latent image using a developer, a process cartridge detachable from the image forming apparatus main body, a replenishing unit for supplying consumables to the process cartridge, and detecting a consumption amount of the consumables Means for storing information about the amount of consumables consumed, and the remaining amount of consumables is obtained from the amount of consumables consumed and the information stored in the storage means. By providing an image forming apparatus having means for notifying the number of images that can be formed, it is possible to inform the user of the remaining number of printable sheets from the remaining amount of consumables. So the next Useful information can be given to guarantee a print job, replenish consumables, and the like.

(2) In the second aspect of the present invention, the means for supplying consumables to the process cartridge is a supply cartridge detachable from the apparatus main body. By detecting the amount, and notifying the remaining number of images that can be formed from the remaining amount of the consumables, the consumption state of the toner cartridge can be known. Therefore, the remaining printable number is notified to the user from the remaining toner amount. Therefore, useful information can be given to guarantee the next print job, replenish the toner cartridge, and the like.

(3) In the third aspect of the invention, the means for supplying consumables to the process cartridge includes a supply cartridge detachable from the apparatus main body, and a consumable consumable included in each of the process cartridge and the supply cartridge. By detecting the amount and notifying the remaining number of images that can be formed from the remaining amount of consumables, the remaining amount of consumables necessary for image formation including not only the toner cartridge but also the process cartridge can be sequentially grasped. Therefore, useful information can be given to guarantee the next print job, replenish the toner cartridge and the process cartridge, and the like.

(4) In the fourth aspect of the present invention, each of the process cartridge and the replenishment cartridge has storage means for storing information on the amount of consumables consumed, so that the cartridge is removed from the main body in an unexpected situation. In this case, the remaining printable number can be notified to the user even when a cartridge of another main body is inserted, so that the CS can be further improved.

[0023]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First Embodiment FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of a color laser printer utilizing an electrophotographic process.

The color laser printer shown in FIG. 2 has a plurality of toner cartridges 5 and a process cartridge 7, and continuously performs multiple transfer to an intermediate transfer belt 8 as a second image carrier once to form a full-color print image. Get 4
This is a continuous drum type (in-line) laser printer. Its resolution is 600 dpi in the main / sub scanning direction.

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of the toner cartridge 5 and the process cartridge 7.

A description will be given below with reference to FIGS.

Four process cartridges (hereinafter referred to as process cartridges) 7 are arranged in series with the intermediate transfer belt 8 so as to correspond to each color.

Hereinafter, the process cartridge 7 will be described with reference to FIG.

The photosensitive drum 1 disposed in the process cartridge 7 for developing yellow toner has a diameter of 30 mm.
During the rotation process, the primary charging roller 2 uniformly charges the toner to a predetermined polarity and potential. Then, an image exposure means (not shown) (a color separation / image supply exposure optical system for a color original image, A first color component image (yellow component image) of the target color image by receiving image exposure 3 by a laser scanning scanning exposure system that outputs a laser beam modulated in accordance with the series electric digital pixel signal. Is formed.

Next, the electrostatic latent image is developed by a first developing device 4 (yellow developing device) with a first color yellow toner.

The developing device 4 is a two-component contact developing device (two-component magnetic brush developing device), and holds a developer composed of a carrier and toner on a developing sleeve 41 containing a magnet roller. The developing sleeve 41 is provided with a developer regulating blade 42 with a predetermined gap, and as the developing sleeve 41 rotates in the arrow C direction, the developing sleeve 41
A thin developer layer is formed thereon.

The developing sleeve 41 is arranged so as to have a predetermined gap from the photosensitive drum 1. At the time of development, the developer thin layer formed on the developing sleeve 41 is brought into contact with the photosensitive drum 1. It is set so that it can be developed. The toner used in this embodiment has an average particle size of 6.5.
μm negatively charged toner was used, and a magnetic carrier having a saturation magnetization of 205 emu / cm ^{3 and} an average particle diameter of 35 μm was used. A mixture of toner and carrier at a weight ratio (hereinafter, T / D ratio) of 6:94 was used as a developer. A toner supply screw 51 is provided in the toner cartridge 5, and controls the toner supply amount according to the number of rotations (rotation time).

The details of toner supply will be described later.
A stirring screw 4 for toner charging is also provided in the developing device 4.
3, which has a function of rotating in synchronization with the rotation of the sleeve and providing a predetermined charge to the supplied toner.

In FIG. 2, an endless intermediate transfer belt 8 is provided.
Is suspended by a driving roller 8a, a tension roller 8b, and a secondary transfer opposing roller 8c, and rotates in the direction of the arrow in the figure.

The yellow image formed on the photosensitive drum 1 enters a primary transfer nip with the intermediate transfer belt 8. The primary transfer residual toner is collected by the cleaner 6 and the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is cleaned to prepare for the next process. The waste toner capacity of the cleaner 6 is set to 50 g.

In the transfer nip portion between the photosensitive drum 1 and the intermediate transfer belt 8, a flexible electrode 9 is provided on the back side of the intermediate transfer belt 8.
Are in contact with each other. The flexible electrode 9 has primary transfer bias sources 9a to 9d so that a bias can be independently applied to each port. The intermediate transfer belt 8 first transfers yellow at the port of the first color, and then, through the same steps as described above, sequentially transfers multiple colors of magenta, cyan, and black from the photosensitive drum 1 corresponding to each color at each port.

The four-color full-color image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 8 is then collectively transferred to the transfer material P by the secondary transfer roller 10, and is fused and fixed by a fixing device (not shown) to obtain a color print image.

The secondary transfer residual toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 8 is blade-cleaned by the intermediate transfer belt cleaner 11 to prepare for the next image forming step.

The material for the transfer belt 8 is selected as follows.
In order to improve the registration at each color port, a material that expands and contracts is not desirable, and a resin-based or rubber belt containing a metal core or a resin + rubber belt is desirable.

In this embodiment, a resin belt in which carbon is dispersed in PI (polyimide) and the volume resistance is controlled to the order of 10 ⁸ Ωcm is used.

The thickness is 80 μm and the longitudinal direction is 320 m
m, the entire circumference is 942 mm.

As the flexible electrode 9, a carbon-dispersed high-density polyethylene having sufficient flexibility and abrasion resistance and capable of controlling low resistance was used. Its resistance is less than 10 ⁴ Ω,
The thickness is 500 μm, the longitudinal length is 315 mm, and leakage with the photosensitive drum 11 is avoided.

The image forming conditions will be briefly described below.

Dark potential on photoreceptor drum (non-image portion potential by primary charging): Vd = -600 V Bright potential (image portion potential by laser exposure): Vl = -150 V Developing method :: Non-magnetic two-component magnetic brush development Developing bias: Vdc = −400 V Vac = 1800 Vpp Frequency = 2300 Hz Process speed: 117 mm / sec Primary transfer bias: first color +400 V second color +400 V third color +400 V fourth color +400 V The plain paper throughput of the printer is A4 size horizontal (2
10 mm) feed / 24 ppm, and the image interval (paper interval) is 80 mm.

Next, a method of supplying toner from the toner cartridge 5 to the process cartridge 7 will be described.

First, the relationship between the rotation time of the toner supply screw and the amount of supplied toner will be described.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged schematic view of the toner cartridge 5 used in the present invention. The supply screw 51 is rotated by a screw driving motor controlled by a main body CPU (not shown), and toner is supplied from the supply port 52 to the process cartridge 7 (not shown). The toner cartridge 5 used in the present embodiment has a filling amount of 600 g and about 20,000.
Image (A4 printing ratio 5% conversion) printing is possible. Normally, the rotation of the toner supply screw for 1 second is 300
mg toner is controlled to be supplied to the process cartridge 7. Therefore, the rotation time of the toner supply screw indicates the amount of supplied toner.

Finally, when the toner supply screw 51 rotates for 2,000 seconds, the remaining amount of toner in the toner cartridge 5 becomes zero.

In this embodiment, toner is supplied based on the pixel count data and the T / D ratio in the developing device 4.

First, a description will be given of toner replenishment by the pixel count integration method of image information.

In FIG. 1, an image controller 23 is created by a host computer or the like (not shown), receives a signal described in a specific description language, and creates a latent image by the LD driver 22 of the image forming apparatus main body. The signal processing is performed, and a signal is transmitted to the laser driver 22.

The LD driver 22 converts an electric signal into an optical signal and irradiates the optical signal to a polygon mirror 24 attached to a polygon motor (not shown) which rotates at a high speed. The optical signal reflected by the polygon mirror 24 is reflected by a reflection mirror. Irradiated on the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 by 25.

In this embodiment, the LD lighting time count in the image controller 1 performed in the prior art is counted by the LD driver 22 and the print rate integrating circuit 21 in the engine unit. The image forming apparatus main body shown in FIG. 2 starts a printing operation when a printing operation start signal (not shown) is transmitted from the image controller 23 to the CPU 20.
Starts the polygon motor (not shown) and activates the polygon mirror 2
Rotate 4. At this time, the laser diode is turned on,
A BD signal is generated by an output of a horizontal synchronization position detection sensor (not shown). This BD signal is a signal generated one for each scan and is a signal serving as a reference for image formation. When the BD signal is input to the printing rate integrating circuit 21 in FIG. 1, the CPU 20 calculates the LD emission rate in one line by a measuring circuit (not shown). By repeating such operations, the lighting ratio of the laser diode in one page can be easily calculated, and the cumulative lighting time (pixel count) can be obtained. The CPU 20 has a storage unit 27 and stores the pixel count.

This value is a value representative of the toner consumption, which is obtained from the pixel count. The storage means 27 is provided on the main body side and uses a nonvolatile EEPROM.
The storage unit 27 has an area for storing data such as a toner color, an identification code, a use start date, a toner supply screw rotation integrated time, an average toner consumption time, and a photosensitive drum rotation time. .

Next, a method of replenishing toner by T / D ratio control will be described. In FIG. 1, an inductance sensor 122 for detecting the toner density in the two-component developing device is provided in the process cartridge 7. When the density ratio between the toner and the magnetic carrier changes, the output voltage of the sensor changes, and when the toner density is lower than a predetermined density, a signal is sent to the CPU 20 to replenish the toner. The CPU 20 receives the signal and operates the toner supply screw 5 in the toner cartridge 5.
A command is sent to the development drive circuit 26 so as to rotate a toner supply screw drive motor (not shown) that drives the drive unit 1.

In this embodiment, the inductance sensor 122 is located immediately downstream of the developing sleeve 41 and immediately upstream of the toner supply position. This is because when the toner near the developing sleeve 41 is consumed by the development, T
This is for replenishing the toner by detecting that the / D ratio has dropped.

If the toner replenishment sequence relies solely on pixel count control, toner replenishment can be performed in accordance with the amount of image information. However, if the relationship between the image pattern and the amount of toner used is not linear, there is a difference between the used amount and the replenished amount. Will occur. In general, the amount of toner used in a line pattern per unit area is larger than that in a solid pattern. Therefore, the pixel count and the amount of toner used do not have a linear relationship.

Therefore, T / D ratio control is used in combination with the developing device 4
It is effective to make a correction so that the T / D ratio of the developer inside is always at a constant level.

Conversely, if the toner replenishment sequence relies solely on T / D ratio control, replenishment is performed after a change in toner density is detected. This causes a time lag, and there is a risk that the toner supply to the sleeve cannot keep up.

In this case, when the pixel count control is used together, no time lag occurs, and thus effective correction can be made.

Although both have the effect, in the present embodiment, the former is mainly used for the pixel count control, and the T / D ratio control is used for the correction.

FIG. 3 shows a flowchart of a toner supply sequence used in the present laser printer.

When printing is started by the laser printer, the number of prints n is started to be integrated (step 1).
Next, integration of the pixel power count PC of the image pattern to be printed is started (step 2), and the toner supply screw rotates T [sec] to supply the toner corresponding to the pixel count (step 3).

When the started jobs are continuous (s
step 4), the number of prints is integrated (step 5),
Next, the pixel count PC of the image pattern to be printed is integrated (step 6), the toner supply screw rotates T [sec] to supply the toner corresponding to the pixel count, and the total time Ttotal [sec] of the rotation of the toner supply screw. Is obtained (step 7). Thereafter, the developer T / D is measured using the inductance sensor 122.
The ratio is determined (step 8), and if the measured result is lower than the target value, the toner is further supplied (step 9).

If printing is continuous, the above step
Repeat steps 4 to 9. If it is not continuous printing, the printing operation is terminated, but the toner supply sequence is activated, the T / D ratio of the developer is obtained using the inductance sensor 122 (step 10), and if the measurement result is lower than the target value, Further, toner is supplied. At this time, the accumulated time T of the rotation of the toner supply screw is
Total [sec] is obtained (step 11).

With such a sequence, pixel count control and T / D ratio control are appropriately performed in both single print and continuous print, and toner supply with high accuracy can be performed. Needless to say, the toner supply sequence is performed for each color.

Next, a method of notifying the remaining printable number, which is a feature of the present invention, will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method for informing the remaining number of prints in this embodiment.

The toner supply screw upper limit rotation time Tul and the toner supply screw accumulated rotation time T
total and average toner consumption Tav per sheet
e is set as follows.

Tul = 2000 sec: As described above, this value is a value in which the capacity of the toner cartridge 5 corresponds to the screw rotation time.

Ttotal = 0 sec: Time when the screw actually rotates. Initially 0 sec.

Tave = 0 sec / sheet: Initially 0 sec / sheet
(Step 0) Printing starts and enters a normal print sequence (step 1 to step 11). When the toner supply sequence described with reference to FIG.
The average toner consumption Ta per sheet in the current print job is calculated from the number n of prints in the current print job and the accumulated toner supply screw rotation time Time. Ta is obtained by Ta = Time / n. (Step 12) If the amount of toner consumed up to the current print job is replaced by the rotation time of the toner supply screw, Ttota
1 + Time [sec], and the average toner consumption Ta per sheet so far including the current print job
ve is obtained by Tave = (Tave + Ta) / 2. (Step 13) The remaining toner amount of the toner cartridge 5 is calculated from the toner supply screw upper limit rotation time Tul to the time Ttotal during which the toner supply screw is rotated until the current print job.
Tul-Ttotal [sec] can be substituted for the time obtained by subtracting. Therefore, the remaining printable number can be calculated by dividing the substitute remaining toner amount by the average toner consumption Tave per sheet.

That is, the remaining printable number Nlev
[Sheet] is obtained by Nlev = (Tul−Ttotal) / Tave. (Step 14) The CPU 20 stores Ttotal, Tav in the storage unit 27.
e is stored to prepare for a subsequent print job.

When this flow is repeated, the usage methods of various users who use the same laser printer are averaged, and the accuracy increases as the life of the toner cartridge 5 approaches. Furthermore, in this calculation method, the size of the image is also averaged, so that it is possible to notify the user of the actual remaining printable number of sheets in a random paper size usage state normally used by the user.

As a means for notifying the user, the result of the calculation can be transmitted to the user through the display means 28 on the laser printer. It can also be communicated to the user.

By practicing the present invention, the user can be informed of the remaining number of prints that can be made in the current state of use of the consumables, so that the CS can be significantly improved.

[Second Embodiment] The second embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the number of remaining prints is converted into an A4 image with a print ratio of 5% and the number of prints is indicated.

The outline of the laser printer and the toner replenishment sequence used in the present embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a method of calculating the number of remaining prints used in this embodiment.

The toner supply screw upper limit rotation time Tul and the toner supply screw cumulative rotation time T
Total and toner supply screw rotation time T required to supply toner for A4 image 5% printing ratio
_a45 is set as follows.

Tul = 2000 sec: As described above, this value is a value in which the capacity of the toner cartridge 5 is made to correspond to the screw rotation time.

Ttotal = 0 sec: Time during which the screw actually rotates. Initially 0 sec.

T _a45 = 0.1 sec / sheet: In the laser printer used in this embodiment, about 3% of the A4 image is printed at a printing ratio of 5%.
0mg toner consumption is expected.

The toner supply screw rotates 300 for 1 second.
Since mg toner is supplied, it is preferable that the toner is rotated for 0.1 sec in order to supply toner required for the A4 image 5% printing ratio. (Step 0) Printing starts and enters a normal print sequence (step 1 to step 11). When the toner supply sequence described with reference to FIG.
The following calculation is performed.

The toner amount consumed up to the current print job can be substituted by the rotation time of the toner supply screw, and the amount is Ttotal + Time [sec]. (Step 12) The remaining toner amount of the toner cartridge 5 is calculated from the toner supply screw upper limit rotation time Tul to the time Ttotal during which the toner supply screw is rotated until the current print job.
Tul-Ttotal [sec] can be substituted for the time obtained by subtracting. Therefore, this substitute residual toner amount is set to 5% for the A4 image.
The remaining printable number can be calculated by dividing by the average toner consumption time Tg5 of the image at the printing ratio.

That is, the remaining printable number N _a45 [sheets] of the A4 image with the 5% print ratio is obtained by N _a45 = (Tul−Ttotal) / T _a45 . (Step 13) The CPU 20 stores Ttotal, Tav in the storage unit 27.
e is stored to prepare for a subsequent print job.

In this embodiment, since the remaining toner amount can be calculated backward from the rotation time of the toner supply screw which substitutes for the toner consumption amount, it is possible to perform highly accurate sequential residual inspection, and the number of remaining prints that is close to the actual number can be determined. The user can be notified.

As a means for notifying the user, the result of the calculation can be transmitted to the user on a display device on a laser printer (not shown). If the printer and the host computer can communicate with each other, a printer driver can be used. You can also tell the user above.

By practicing the present invention, the user can be informed of the remaining number of prints that can be made in the current state of use of consumables, so that CS can be significantly improved.

In particular, in the present embodiment, the number of remaining prints is displayed in a standard pattern (5% printing ratio of A4 image). It is a target.

It is needless to say that it is more effective to prepare several types of standard patterns having different image sizes and printing ratios and to display the number of remaining prints in each case.

Further, on a display screen of a printer driver or the like,
The print ratio is displayed as sample patterns a, b, c,... When a pattern like a is printed, the print ratio is 5%.
Since the printing ratio is 10% for a pattern such as page and b, the remaining printable number is notified in the form of an A4 image of 1000 pages, so that it is possible to further improve CS.

In such a case, in particular, the print ratio of the image currently being printed is also obtained, so that it is possible to display the number of remaining prints possible with the print ratio of the image currently being printed. Presentation can be made to the user.

[Third Embodiment] In a third embodiment of the present invention, the remaining printable number is accurately notified by using the sequential remaining life detection of the process cartridge 7 together.
That is.

In the first and second embodiments, the number of remaining prints is notified by successive residual inspection of the toner cartridge 5.
Since the consumables include the process cartridge 7, it is desirable to give a notice of the remaining number of printable sheets in consideration of not only the remaining amount of toner but also the life of the process cartridge.

The factors that affect the life of the process cartridge include the deterioration of the photosensitive drum 1, the waste toner capacity of the cleaner 6 (full tank detection), poor cleaning due to the deterioration of the cleaner blade, the deterioration of the developing carrier, and the charging means. Dirt, and the like.

In particular, the life of the process cartridge is influenced by the deterioration of the image due to the change in the thickness of the photosensitive drum 1 and the detection of the full state of the cleaner 6.

When a large number of images having a low printing ratio are printed, the film thickness of the photosensitive drum becomes thin before the toner in the toner cartridge 5 is consumed, resulting in image deterioration. In addition, when printing with a high printing ratio is performed, the cleaner becomes full before the life of the photosensitive drum. Each of them is the life of the process cartridge 7.

The change in the film thickness of the photosensitive drum 1 cannot be known from the information on the amount of toner supplied from the toner cartridge 5, and it is necessary to measure the number of rotations of the drum. The detection of the full state of the cleaner 6 cannot be determined only by the number of rotations of the drum, but needs to be estimated from the full state detection sensor or the toner supply amount.

Therefore, in the present invention, the data of the number of rotations of the photosensitive drum is newly written in the storage means 27, and the data of the toner supply amount from the rotation time of the toner supply screw is always compared with the data to determine which one of the lifespan comes first. Judgment is made and the user is notified of the remaining printable number of sheets based on the data whose life becomes earlier.

FIG. 7 shows a flowchart of the notice of the remaining printable number in this embodiment.

In FIG. 7, the following parameters are set in the storage means 27 at the start of use of the main body.

Tul = 2000 sec: As described above, this value is a value in which the toner cartridge capacity of the toner cartridge 5 corresponds to the screw rotation time.

Ttotal = 0 sec: Time when the screw is actually rotated. Initially 0 sec.

T _a45 = 0.1 sec / sheet: In the laser printer used in the present embodiment, the A4 image has a printing ratio of 5% and is approximately 3%.
0mg toner consumption is expected.

The rotation of the toner supply screw for 1 second is 300
Since the toner supply is mg toner, the toner is rotated by 0.1 sec to supply toner required for the A4 image 5% printing ratio.

Tdu = 50,000: photosensitive drum 1
Is determined by image deterioration due to scraping of the surface charge transport layer. In the photosensitive drum 1 used in the present embodiment, 50,000
Since image defects occurred due to surface scraping beyond 0 rotation, this value was set as the upper limit of the number of rotations of the photosensitive drum.

Tdttl = 0: Number of actual rotations of the photosensitive drum. Initially 0 times.

T64 = 10: The number of rotations of the photosensitive drum necessary for single-printing one A4 image. In one-sheet intermittent printing, since the intermediate transfer belt 8 rotates by one station, a value obtained by dividing the intermediate transfer belt circumference 942 mm by the photosensitive drum circumference 30π.

T _da4c = 3: Number of rotations of the photosensitive drum necessary for continuously printing A4 images. In continuous printing, the value obtained by adding 80 mm between sheets to A4 horizontal size 210 mm is divided by the photosensitive drum circumference 30π.

PCul = 3520 sec: In the present invention, the pixel count is obtained by accumulating the laser lighting time.

In the case of A4 paper size, if the front and rear left and right margins are trimmed by 2 mm to form an A4 image, the laser lighting time for an A4 landscape image 100% printing ratio is 2 lasers.
176 seconds at 06 mm / 117 mm / sec.

In the case of a 100% printing ratio, the toner consumption per A4 size sheet is 30% for a 5% printing ratio.
Because it is mg, 600 mg.

The waste toner capacity of the cleaner 6 of the toner cartridge 7 of the present invention is set to 60 g. Since the primary transfer efficiency is almost 95%, the amount of the primary transfer residual toner at a printing ratio of 100% is 600 mg × 0.05 = 3.
0 mg.

Therefore, 60 g / 30 mg / image = 2
000 images / 100% printing ratio.

When this value is converted into the laser lighting time,
1.76 × 2000 = 3520 sec PCttl = 0: Time when the laser is actually turned on. Initially 0 sec.

PC_a4= 0.088: A4 image 5% mark
Laser lighting time for character ratio. (Step 0) Print signal from host computer (not shown)
In this embodiment, when the laser printer enters the printing operation,
First, the integration of the rotation time Td of the photosensitive drum 1 is started.
You. (Step 1) Next, steps such as charging, development, and transfer are performed.
When the lint sequence proceeds, the toner described in the first embodiment is used.
A supply sequence is performed. This operation is the same as in the first embodiment.
The explanation is omitted. (Step 2) When the toner supply sequence after the printing operation is completed,
The CPU 20 (not shown) uses the toner consumption Ttot up to now.
al and the photosensitive drum cumulative rotation time Tdttl are calculated.
Ask for. The amount of toner consumed is
The calculation of the rotation time has already been described, and a description thereof will be omitted. this
Hour CPU 20 stores the values of Ttotal and Tdttl
It is stored in the means 27. (Step 3) Next, the CPU 20 determines whether Ttotal previously calculated
From the time corresponding to the remaining toner amount in the toner cartridge (Tu
1-Ttotal), 5% printing ratio of A4 image
Time T corresponding to toner consumption in By dividing by 45
Remaining printable number of A4 images at 5% printing ratio
N_tonerIs calculated. (Step 4) Next, the CPU 20 calculates Tdttl from the previously calculated
Remaining rotation time of the photosensitive drum (Tdul−Tdtt)
1), and A4 image single print and continuous
The number of rotations of the photosensitive drum during printing, each T_da4sT, Td
A4 image, single group
Remaining printable number N after lint_{DR UMs}And continuous
Remaining printable number N after lint_DRUMcAsk for
You. (Step 5) Next, the CPU 20 discards the cleaner 6 previously calculated.
The free space (Tdu-
Tdttl), and the A4 image ratio at 5% printing ratio
User lighting cumulative time PC_a4A4 image by dividing by
Remaining print possible when printing at 5% print ratio
Number N_dnAsk for. (Step 7) CPU 20 is N_toner, N_DRUMs, N_DRUMc, N_dn,as well as
The remaining number of printable sheets is displayed and further stored in the storage means 27.
To prepare for the next print job. Set the above sequence
Long-term use test for laser printers
Was.

When a low print ratio pattern with an A4 image print ratio of less than 5% was printed, it was confirmed that the life of the photosensitive drum 1 was shorter than that of the toner cartridge 5 and the cleaner 6, and the remaining printable number of sheets was smaller. Depends on body drum life.

Conversely, it was confirmed that in the case of the high print ratio pattern, the remaining number of printable sheets is more influenced by the life of the toner cartridge or the full notice of the cleaner 6 than by the life of the photosensitive drum.

As described above, according to the present invention, the laser can receive the above information on the operation panel of the main body or on the printer drive, and can determine whether or not the next print job can be performed.

Further, since the consumption state of the consumables is notified one after another, useful information can be provided even at the time of purchasing spare consumables, and remarkable CS improvement is achieved.

[Fourth Embodiment] The feature of the fourth embodiment of the present invention resides in that the storage means 27 is provided not in the main body but in the toner cartridge and the process cartridge.

When the storage means is provided on the main body side, if the user removes the cartridge before the end of the life for some reason and inserts a different cartridge which is not new, it is impossible to calculate the number of remaining prints.

Therefore, by providing storage means on the cartridge side to store data unique to the cartridge, it is possible to cope with the above case.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of the toner cartridge 5 and the process cartridge 7 equipped with the storage means.

Since the basic configuration is the same as that of FIG. 1, the description of the overlapping configuration will be omitted.

The storage means 12 is provided in the toner cartridge 5.
1. The storage means 120 is provided in the process cartridge 7.

Storage means 120, 12 used in the present invention
1 is not particularly limited as long as it stores and holds signal information in a rewritable manner.
Electrical storage means such as a rewritable ROM, and magnetic storage means such as a magnetic recording medium, a magnetic bubble memory, and a magneto-optical memory are used.

The schematic structure of the storage means used in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 9, an operating power source is generated from an electromagnetic wave transmitted from the reader / writer 125 by combining an antenna 123 and a resonance circuit including a capacitor (not shown). Therefore, communication can be performed without requiring a power supply on the cartridge side.

A non-volatile memory is mounted on the toner cartridge and the process cartridge. In this embodiment, a ferroelectric nonvolatile memory (hereinafter referred to as FeRA
M) 120, 121 were used. The data transmitted from the main body side CPU 20 is transferred to the FeR using the reader / writer 125.
The information is stored in the AM 120 and the information in the FeRAM is sent to the main CPU 20.

In this embodiment, the toner supply screw rotation time data and pixel count are written in the FeRAM 121 of the toner cartridge 5, and the photosensitive drum rotation speed data and pixel count are written in the FeRAM 120 of the process cartridge 7. It is.

The laser printer having the above-described configuration was used in Embodiments 1 to 3.
Needless to say, the same effect can be obtained even if the sequence of the notice of remaining printable number of 3 is input. In addition, the capacity of the storage means on the main body side is increased by providing the storage means on the cartridge side. This eliminates the necessity, and can be handled as cartridge-specific information. Therefore, even when an unexpected replacement operation or the like is performed, a more reliable notice of the remaining printable number can be made, and the CS can be further improved.

[0133]

As described above, according to the present invention, (1) The first invention according to the present invention is directed to developing an image bearing member and developing at least an electrostatic latent image formed on the image bearing member. Having a developing means for developing an image using an agent, a process cartridge detachable from the image forming apparatus main body, a replenishing means for supplying consumables to the process cartridge, a means for detecting a consumption amount of the consumables, Storage means for storing information on the amount of consumables consumed, and obtaining the remaining amount of consumables from the amount of consumption of the consumables and the information stored in the storage means; Means for informing the user that the remaining number of prints can be notified to the user from the remaining amount of consumables. Of print jobs Useful information can be given to testimony and replenishment of consumables.

(2) In the second aspect of the present invention, the means for supplying consumables to the process cartridge is a replenishment cartridge detachable from the apparatus main body. By detecting the amount and notifying the remaining number of images that can be formed from the remaining amount of the consumables, the consumption state of the toner cartridge can be known. Since the notification can be made, useful information can be given to guarantee the next print job, replenish the toner cartridge, and the like.

(3) In the third aspect of the present invention, the means for supplying consumables to the process cartridge is a supply cartridge detachable from the apparatus main body. The amount of consumables contained in each of the process cartridge and the supply cartridge. Is detected and the remaining number of images that can be formed is notified from the remaining amount of consumables, whereby the remaining amount of consumables necessary for image formation including not only the toner cartridge but also the process cartridge can be sequentially grasped. Therefore, useful information can be given to guarantee the next print job, replenish the toner cartridge and the process cartridge, and the like.

(4) In the fourth aspect of the present invention, the process cartridge and the replenishment cartridge each have storage means for storing information on the amount of consumables consumed, so that the cartridge can be removed from the main body in an unexpected situation. The remaining printable number can be notified to the user even when the cartridge is inserted or when a cartridge of another main body is inserted, so that the CS can be further improved.

According to the present invention, the usage amount information of a plurality of consumable parts that determine the life of the process cartridge is compared, the life of the process cartridge, which varies depending on the usage status, is accurately determined, and the remaining printable number is sequentially provided to the user. Since the notification can be made, it is possible to provide an electrophotographic image forming apparatus which is extremely useful for the user.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart of a sequence for notifying the remaining printable number according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of a toner cartridge and a process cartridge.

FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view of a laser printer used in the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a toner supply sequence according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of the toner of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a notice of a remaining printable number according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a notice of a remaining printable number according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic sectional view of a toner cartridge with a memory and a process cartridge used in a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a cartridge memory writing / reading unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 photosensitive drum 2 charging roller 3 laser beam 4 developing device 5 toner cartridge 6 cleaner 7 process cartridge 8 intermediate transfer belt 9 primary transfer electrode 10 secondary transfer roller 11 intermediate transfer belt cleaner 12 renodist roller 20 CPU 30 laser printer body 120, 121 Ferroelectric nonvolatile memory (FeRAM) 125 Reader / writer

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G03G 15/08 114 G03G 15/08 114 21/18 15/00 556 (72) Inventor Yoichiro Maebashi Ota, Tokyo 3-30-2 Kushita Maruko F-term (reference) 2C061 AP01 AP02 AP03 AP04 AQ06 AR01 AS02 HH01 HJ10 HK11 HK15 HK18 HK19 HK23 HV14 HV26 2H027 DA15 DA38 DA41 DA42 DA45 DB01 DD02 DD07 DE04 DE07 EE08 HB13 ZA07 2H071 BA04 BA20 BA33 DA08 DA15 2H077 AA01 DA15 DA22 DA24 DA36 DA54 DB02 DB10

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A process cartridge detachable from an image forming apparatus main body, comprising: an image carrier; and developing means for developing at least an electrostatic latent image formed on the image carrier using a developer. Replenishing means for supplying consumables to the process cartridge; means for detecting the amount of consumables consumed; storage means for storing information on the amount of consumables consumed; and consumables and storage means for the consumables. Means for obtaining the remaining amount of consumables from the stored information and notifying the remaining number of images that can be formed from the remaining amount of consumables. 2. A replenishing cartridge, which is detachable from the apparatus main body, supplies consumables to the process cartridge, and detects a remaining amount of consumables in the replenishing cartridge from a replenishing unit of the replenishing cartridge. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the remaining number of images that can be formed is notified from the amount.
An image forming apparatus according to claim 1. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein a consumable amount of consumables included in each of the process cartridge and the replenishment cartridge is detected, and the remaining number of images that can be formed is notified from the remaining amount of the consumables. 3. The image forming apparatus according to 2. 4. The storage cartridge according to claim 1, wherein each of said process cartridge and said supply cartridge has storage means for storing information relating to the amount of consumables consumed.
An image forming apparatus according to claim 1.