JP2003029518A - Toner replenishment controller and image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent an image formation from being inhibited at the time of forming an image after the replenishment of toner. SOLUTION: This toner replenishment controller is provided with a numerical value storing means C1 for discrimination to store a numerical value N for the discrimination with which the existence of supply toner is discriminated, a ceiling value storing means C2 to store a ceiling value NH, a lower limit value storing means C3 to store a lower limit value NL, an insufficiency recognition value storing means C4 to store a toner insufficiency recognition value NW, a numerical value increasing/decreasing means C6 to increase the numerical value N for the discrimination in a state that the toner exists and to decrease the numerical value N for the discrimination in a state that the toner ends and a discrimination numerical value rewriting means C7 to rewrite the numerical value N for the discrimination to a rewritten value Na satisfying NL<Na< NH at the time of detecting that the toner exists in the case that the numerical value N for the discrimination is smaller than the toner insufficiency recognition value NW. This image forming device is provided with the toner replenishment controller.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a toner replenishment control device for replenishing toner to a developing device in an image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine and a printer, and an image forming apparatus provided with the toner replenishment control device. In particular, the present invention relates to a toner replenishment control device that controls notification of toner replenishment and prohibition of image formation according to the value of a counter that increases and decreases according to the remaining amount of toner, and an image forming apparatus including the toner replenishment control device. INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be particularly suitably used for a toner replenishment control device having a supply container for temporarily storing toner in a part of a supply path and an image forming apparatus provided with the toner replenishment control device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, toner remaining in a toner supply path even when it is detected that toner in a toner supply container is exhausted (mainly toner in a supply container for storing toner provided in the toner supply path). ), A toner replenishment control device is known which notifies the user that the toner is exhausted before the toner in the supply path is exhausted. In the image forming apparatus provided with the toner replenishment control device, even if the toner in the toner replenishment container is used up, image formation can be continued by the toner remaining in the toner supply path, but the toner in the supply path is also exhausted. If image formation is performed at times, problems such as inability to form a high-density image or a load on the developing device may cause a failure of the image forming device. Therefore, image formation is performed until the amount of toner in the supply path reaches the set lower limit amount, but when the amount of toner reaches the lower limit amount, the image formation is controlled to be prohibited, and the toner is replenished. Then, the inhibition of the image formation is controlled so as to be released. The following technique (J01) is conventionally known as a method for grasping the amount of toner in the supply path and controlling the inhibition of image formation.

(J01) Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 3-267966. In this publication, the number of image recordings and the number of image signals performed while detecting that there is no toner in the toner supply container is added by a counter. Then, the counter is used to subtract the number of image recordings and the number of image signals performed while detecting the presence of toner in the replenishing container, thereby grasping the remaining amount of toner in the toner supply path. A technique for controlling the inhibition of image formation when the value of the counter reaches a set value is described.

[0004]

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention)
(1) Problem) In the technique of the related art (J01), the presence or absence of toner is detected by a toner sensor provided at a place where the supply container and the supply path are connected. The supply / conveyance member is configured to convey the toner to the developing device when the amount of toner in the developing device is insufficient, and the replenishment actuating member supplies the toner according to the detection result of no toner by the toner sensor provided in the supply path. To the supply path. Therefore, when a high-density image is formed during image formation, a large amount of toner in the supply path is conveyed, and the toner is replenished from the replenishing container after the detection result of no toner by the toner sensor. In the prior art (J01), when a high-density image is formed immediately after toner replenishment and when the value of the counter is near the set value for controlling the image formation inhibition,
There is a problem that the value of the counter becomes the set value and the image formation is prohibited while the detection result indicating that there is no toner is displayed. In addition, the unused toner immediately after being replenished by cartridge replacement or the like has poor fluidity, the toner is not smoothly transported from the replenishment container to the supply path, and the toner sensor may not be able to detect the presence of toner. At this time, if the value of the counter is close to the set value, the value of the counter also becomes the set value, and image formation is prohibited, which is a problem.

In order to solve this problem, a method of resetting (initializing) the value of the counter to a value (upper limit value) when the supply path is full of toner when toner replenishment is detected is also known. is there. However, when only a small amount of toner is replenished or when the toner is replaced with an empty replenishment container (that is, when toner is not replenished at all), only the lower limit amount of toner actually remains in the supply container. There is a contradiction that the value of is the value when the toner is filled in the supply path. When image formation is performed at this time, the image formation is executed because the counter value does not reach the set value (lower limit value) of image formation inhibition even when the amount of toner falls below the lower limit amount. If an image is formed without sufficient toner being supplied, a load is applied to the developing device, the transfer device, etc.
There arises a problem that a defect occurs or the image forming apparatus fails.

In view of the above-mentioned circumstances, the present invention relates to a toner replenishment control device for replenishing toner to a developing device and an image forming apparatus provided with the toner replenishment control device, and has the following contents (O01) and (O02). (O01) When the image formation is performed after toner supply (O01), the image formation should not be prohibited. (O02) Even if a small amount of toner is replenished or no toner is replenished at all, even if the toner replenishment is detected, a trouble should not occur in the developing device.

[0007]

Next, the present invention which has solved the above-mentioned problems will be described. In the description of the present invention, the reference numerals in parentheses after the constituent elements of the present invention indicate the constituent elements of the present invention. It is the code | symbol of the component of the corresponding Example mentioned later. The reason why the present invention is described in correspondence with the reference numerals of the constituent elements of the embodiments described later is to facilitate the understanding of the present invention and not to limit the scope of the present invention to the embodiments.

(Invention) The toner replenishment control device (CT) of the present invention is characterized by having the following constituent elements (A01) to (A09). (A01) The toner carried on the rotating surface is transferred to the image carrier (P
R), the developing roll (GR) conveyed to the developing area (Q2) is rotatably supported, and the developing roll (G).
R) has a developing container (V) for accommodating the toner to be supplied to the image bearing member (P) in the developing area (Q2).
R) a developing device (G) for developing an electrostatic latent image on the surface with a toner carried on the surface of the developing roll (GR) to form a toner image, (A02) a replenishing container containing toner to be replenished in the developing container (V) Toner supply path (2 + 26 + 31) connecting between (6) and the developing container (V), and the toner supply path (2 + 26 + 31) for detecting the presence / absence of supply toner in the toner supply path (2 + 26 + 31).
31), a supply toner sensor (SN), and a supply conveyance member (27 to 29, 27) for supplying the toner in the toner supply path (2 + 26 + 31) to the developing device (G).
32) and a supply driving device (M) for supplying the toner to the developing container (V) by driving the supply conveying members (27 to 29, 32) as the toner in the developing container (V) is consumed.
3) and a toner supply device (2 + 26 to 29 + 31)
+ 32 + SN), (A03) a replenishing container (6) containing toner to be replenished in the developing container (V), and a replenishing and conveying member (12) replenishing toner from the replenishing container (6) to the developing container (V). A replenishment drive device for driving the replenishment / conveyance member (12), and the supply toner sensor (SN) detects the presence of toner while the replenishment container (6) has toner. A toner replenishing device (Fk, Fy, Fm, Fc) for replenishing toner from the replenishing container (6) to the supply path (2 + 26 + 31), (A04) A determination numerical value N for determining the presence or absence of the supply toner. Numerical value storage means (C1) for storing, (A05) Upper limit value storage means (C2) for storing upper limit value NH of the numerical value for determination N,
(A06) Lower limit value storage means (C3) for storing the lower limit value NL of the judgment value N, and (A07) Toner shortage recognition value NW of the judgment value N set to satisfy the expression NL <NW <NH Insufficient recognition value storage means (C4), (A
08) When the supply toner is supplied while the supply toner sensor (SN) detects the presence of toner, the determination numerical value N is increased according to the supply time, and the supply toner sensor (SN) does not have toner. When the supply toner is supplied in the state of detecting the value, the determination numerical value N is decreased according to the supply time, and the determination numerical value N is increased or decreased by the numerical value increasing / decreasing means (C6), (A0
9) When the determination numerical value N is smaller than the toner shortage recognition value NW, the determination numerical value N is rewritten when the supply toner sensor (SN) detects the presence of toner.
a determination numerical value rewriting means (C7) for rewriting to a,
The rewriting value Na is set to satisfy the expression NL <Na <NH, and the determining numerical value rewriting means (C7).

In the toner replenishing device (Fk, Fy, Fm, Fc) of the present invention having the above constitutional requirements (A01) to (A09), while the toner is in the replenishing container (6), the toner sensor for supply is supplied. (SN) detects that toner is present, the toner supply path (2 + 26 +) from the replenishment container (6).
31) is replenished with toner, so depending on the supply time,
The numerical value increasing / decreasing means (C6) increases the judgment numerical value N to the upper limit value NH. When the toner in the replenishing container (6) is exhausted, the supply toner sensor (SN) detects the absence of toner, and the numerical value increasing / decreasing means (C6) makes the determination according to the supply time when the supply toner is supplied. Decrease the numerical value N. When the determination numerical value N is smaller than the toner shortage recognition value NW, when the supply toner sensor (SN) detects the presence of toner, it is determined that the toner is supplied to the supply container (6). , Numerical value rewriting means for judgment (C
In 7), the judgment numerical value N is rewritten to the rewriting value Na. The rewrite value Na is set so as to satisfy the expression NL <Na <NH. Conventionally, toner replenishing devices (Fk, Fy, F
When image formation is performed before the toner is conveyed from (m, Fc), the value of the determination numerical value N decreases to the lower limit value NL, and image formation is prohibited. In the present invention, since the judgment numerical value N is rewritten to the rewriting value Na larger than the lower limit value NL, even if the judgment numerical value N decreases, the judgment numerical value N does not reach the lower limit value NL. Formation is not prohibited. Further, conventionally, when only a small amount of toner is replenished or no toner is replenished in a state where image formation is prohibited, even if the amount of toner falls below the lower limit amount, image formation is not prohibited and the developing device ( G) had a problem. In the present invention, since the judgment numerical value N is rewritten to the rewriting value Na that is smaller than the upper limit value NH, the value of the judgment numerical value N is reduced to the lower limit value NL before a problem occurs in the developing device (G). However, the image formation is prohibited.

Further, the toner replenishment control device (C
T) is characterized by having the above-mentioned constituent elements (A01) to (A07) and the following constituent elements (A08 ') and (A09'). (A08 ′) When the supply toner sensor (SN) detects that toner is present and supplies the supply toner, the determination value N is decreased according to the supply time, and the supply toner sensor (SN) When the supply toner is supplied in the state that the toner is absent, the determination value N is increased according to the supply time, and the determination value N is increased.
The increase / decrease of the numerical value increasing / decreasing means (C6) which is performed above the lower limit
(A09 ′) The judgment numerical value N is the toner shortage recognition value N
When it is larger than W, the supply toner sensor (S
N) is a judgment numerical value rewriting means (C7) for rewriting the judgment numerical value N to a rewriting value Na when it detects the presence of toner, and the rewriting value Na satisfies the formula NL <Na <NH. The set judgment numerical value rewriting means (C
7).

In the toner replenishment control device (CT) of the present invention having the above-mentioned configuration, the toner supply path (2 + 26 + 31) from the replenishment container (6) is detected so that the supply toner sensor (SN) detects the presence of toner. Since the toner is replenished with the toner, the numerical value increasing / decreasing means (C6) decreases the judgment numerical value N to the lower limit value NL according to the supply time. When the toner in the replenishing container (6) is exhausted, the supply toner sensor (SN) detects that no toner is present, and the numerical value increasing / decreasing means (C6) is used.
Increases the determination value N according to the toner supply time. The judgment numerical value N is the toner shortage recognition value NW.
Supply toner sensor (SN)
When it is detected that toner is present, it is determined that the toner has been replenished to the replenishing container (6), and the judgment numerical value rewriting means (C7) rewrites the judgment numerical value N to the rewriting value Na.
The rewrite value Na is set so as to satisfy the expression NL <Na <NH. Therefore, since the judgment numerical value N is rewritten to the rewriting value Na smaller than the upper limit value NH, the judgment numerical value N does not reach the upper limit value NH even if the value of the judgment numerical value N increases, and image formation is not performed. Not prohibited. Further, since the judgment numerical value N is rewritten to the rewriting value Na that is larger than the lower limit value NL, the value of the judgment numerical value N increases to the upper limit value NL before a problem occurs in the developing device (G). Prohibit image formation.

Further, the toner replenishment control device (CT) of the present invention having the above-mentioned constitutions (A01) to (A09) or (A01) to (A07), (A08 '), (A09') has the following constitution ( A01
0) and (A011). (A010) Addition value storage means (C5) for storing the addition value NT at the time of replenishment of the determination value N, (A011) determination value N
To the above-mentioned rewriting value Na set to Na = N + NT.

In the toner replenishment control device (CT) of the present invention having the above-mentioned structure, since the judgment numerical value rewriting means (C7) rewrites the judgment numerical value N to Na = N + NT, the toner indicated by the judgment numerical value N is shown. Difference between the amount of toner and the amount of toner actually in the toner supply path (2 + 26 + 31) does not become large, and even when only a small amount of toner is replenished, image formation is performed before the developing device (G) becomes defective. Can be banned.
Further, since the addition value NT at the time of replenishment is added to the judgment value N, the toner replenishing device (Fk, Fy, Fm, F
Even if the toner in the toner supply path (2 + 26 + 31) is used before the toner is conveyed from c), the determination numerical value N does not immediately reach the lower limit value NL, so that image formation is not prohibited. . The addition value NT at the time of replenishment can be either positive or negative.
In the case of the toner replenishment control device (CT) having the configuration (A09),
The replenishment addition value NT takes a positive (+) value, and (A01)
In the case of the toner replenishment control device (CT) having the configurations of (A07), (A08 '), and (A09'), the replenishment addition value NT takes a negative (-) value.

A toner replenishment controller (CT) of the present invention having the above-mentioned constitutions (A01) to (A09) or (A01) to (A07), (A08 '), (A09') has the following constitution ( A01
2) and (A013) can be provided. (A012) Initial value storage means (C5 ') for storing the rewrite value Na set to a specific value, (A013) The determination value N is initialized to the rewrite value Na which is the specific value. Numerical value rewriting means (C7).

In the toner replenishment controller (CT) of the present invention having the above construction, the judgment numerical value rewriting means (C7) is
Since the judgment value N is initialized to the rewriting value Na of a specific value, the judgment value N is larger than the lower limit value NL and the upper limit value N.
It is rewritten to a value smaller than H. Therefore, before the toner is conveyed from the toner replenishing device (Fk, Fy, Fm, Fc), the toner supply path (2 + 26 + 31)
Even if the toner inside is used, image formation is not prohibited, and even when only a small amount of toner is replenished, the developing device (G)
Image formation can be prohibited before any trouble occurs.

Further, the toner replenishment control device (CT) of the present invention having the above-mentioned constitutions (A01) to (A09) or (A01) to (A07), (A08 '), (A09') has the following constitution ( A01
4) can be provided. (A014) The rewrite value Na is expressed by the formula NL <Na ≦ (NH +
NL) ÷ 2, the above-mentioned judgment numerical value rewriting means (C7).

In the toner replenishment controller (CT) of the present invention having the above construction, the judgment value N is (NH + NL) / 2.
Since the rewrite value Na is rewritten to a smaller value, the difference between the toner amount actually remaining in the toner supply path (2 + 26 + 31) and the determination value N does not become large. Therefore, even when only a small amount of toner is replenished, image formation can be prohibited before a problem occurs in the developing device (G). Further, since the judgment numerical value N is rewritten to the rewriting value Na larger than the lower limit value N, the toner supply path (2 + 26 + 31) before the toner is conveyed from the toner replenishing device (Fk, Fy, Fm, Fc). Even if the toner inside is used, image formation is not prohibited.

The toner replenishment controller (CT) of the present invention having the above-mentioned constitutions (A01) to (A09) has the following constitution (A).
015) and (A016). (A015) An error occurrence value NE which is a value of the determination numerical value N when the image formation of the developing device (G) is incomplete due to the lack of toner, and which is set smaller than the lower limit value NL. Error occurrence value storage means (C
5 ″), (A016) The rewritten value Na is expressed by the formula NL <Na ≦
The judgment numerical value rewriting means (C7) set so as to satisfy NL + (NL-NE).

In the toner replenishment controller (CT) of the present invention having the above-mentioned structure, the rewriting value Na is set to a value equal to or less than the value obtained by adding the difference between the lower limit value NL and the error occurrence value NE to the lower limit value NL. Therefore, even when a small amount of toner is replenished while image formation is prohibited, the judgment value N is the lower limit value NL before the developing device (G) becomes defective.
Therefore, the image formation can be prohibited. Further, since the rewriting value Na is set to a value larger than the lower limit value NL, the toner supply path (2 + 26 + 3) before the toner is conveyed from the toner replenishing device (Fk, Fy, Fm, Fc).
Image formation is not prohibited even if the toner in 1) is used.

Further, the above-mentioned configurations (A01) to (A07), (A
The toner supply control device (CT) of the present invention including 08 ') and (A09') can have the following configurations (A015 ') and (A016'). (A015 ′) The error occurrence value NE, which is the value of the judgment numerical value N when the image formation of the developing device becomes incomplete due to the shortage of the toner and is set larger than the upper limit value NH, is stored. Error occurrence value storage means, (A016 ′)
The rewritten value Na is expressed by the formula NH + (NH-NE) ≦ Na <N
The determination numerical value rewriting means set so as to satisfy H.

In the toner replenishment controller (CT) of the present invention having the above-mentioned structure, the rewriting value Na is a value obtained by adding the difference (NH-NE) between the upper limit value NH and the error occurrence value NE to the upper limit value NH. Since the above values are set, even when a small amount of toner is replenished while image formation is prohibited, the determination value N reaches the upper limit value NH before the developing device (G) malfunctions. Therefore, image formation can be prohibited. Also,
Since the rewrite value Na is set to a value smaller than the upper limit value NH, the toner replenishing device (Fk, Fy, Fm, F
Even if the toner in the toner supply path (2 + 26 + 31) is used before the toner is conveyed from c), the image formation is not prohibited.

Further, the toner replenishment control device (CT) of the present invention having the above-mentioned structural requirements (A01) to (A09) or (A01) to (A07), (A08 '), (A09') is as follows. A constituent requirement (A017) can be provided. (A017) A notifying means for notifying that the toner in the replenishing container (6) has run out when the determination value N reaches the toner shortage recognition value NW.

In the toner replenishment control device (CT) of the present invention having the above-mentioned configuration, the notifying means causes the toner in the replenishment container (6) when the judgment numerical value N reaches the toner shortage recognition value NW. Announce that the is gone. As the notification means, for example, there are means for lighting a red warning lamp, emitting a warning sound, and displaying a message on a display. Since it is announced that the toner in the supply container (6) has run out, the toner supply path (2 + 26 + 3)
The user can replace the replenishing container (6) with a new one or replenish the replenishing container (6) with toner before the toner in 1) runs out.

Further, the image forming apparatus (U1) of the present invention has the above-mentioned configuration (A01) to (A09) or (A01) to (A07),
The toner replenishment control device (CT) including (A08 ') and (A09') is provided. Since the image forming apparatus (U1) of the present invention having the above-mentioned configuration includes the toner replenishment control device (CT) having the above-mentioned configuration, the toner is conveyed from the toner replenishment device (Fk, Fy, Fm, Fc). Even if the image formation is performed before the image formation, the image formation is not prohibited. Even when a small amount of toner is supplied or no toner is supplied in a state where image formation is prohibited, a problem may occur in the developing device (G) and the like, or before the image forming device (U1) fails. , Image formation can be prohibited.

[0025]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Next, examples (embodiments) of embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the following examples. In order to facilitate understanding of the following description, in the drawings, the front-back direction is the X-axis direction, the left-right direction is the Y-axis direction, and the up-down direction is the Z-axis direction, and arrows X, -X, Y, -Y, The directions indicated by Z and -Z are indicated as front, rear, right, left, upper, lower, or front, rear, right, left, upper, lower. In addition, in the figure, "○" in "○" means an arrow from the back side of the paper to the front side, and "○"
What has "X" written inside means an arrow from the front to the back of the paper.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is an explanatory view of an image forming apparatus in which a toner cartridge of Embodiment 1 of a toner replenishment control device of the present invention is mounted. In FIG. 1, an automatic document feeder U2 is placed on the upper surface of the platen glass PG at the upper end of the image forming apparatus U1 constituted by a copying machine.
The automatic document feeder U2 has a document feed tray TG1 on which a plurality of documents Gi to be copied are stacked and placed. Each of the plurality of documents Gi placed on the document feed tray TG1 is configured to sequentially pass through the copy position on the platen glass PG and be discharged to the document discharge tray TG2. The automatic document feeder U2 is rotatable with respect to the copying machine U1 by a hinge shaft (not shown) extending in the left-right direction provided at a rear end portion (-X end portion) thereof,
The document Gi is rotated upward when the operator manually places it on the platen glass PG.

The image forming apparatus U1 has a UI (user interface) through which a user inputs and operates an operation command signal such as copy start. The IIT as an original reading device arranged below the transparent platen glass PG on the upper surface of the image forming apparatus U1 includes an exposure system registration sensor (platen registration sensor) Sp arranged at a platen registration position (OPT position) and an exposure optical system A. have. The exposure optical system A has an exposure system registration sensor S for moving and stopping.
It is controlled by the detection signal of p and always stops at the home position. Reflected light from the document Gi that has passed the exposure position on the upper surface of the platen glass PG by the automatic document feeder U2 or a document manually placed on the platen glass PG is transmitted through the exposure optical system A to a CCD (solid-state imaging device). It is converted into R (red), G (green), and B (blue) electric signals by the element.

The IPS (image processing system) converts the RGB electrical signals input from the CCD into K (black), Y (yellow), M (magenta), and C (cyan) image data, and temporarily. And outputs the image data to the laser drive circuit DL as image data for forming a latent image at a predetermined timing. Laser drive circuit D
L outputs a laser drive signal to ROS (latent image forming device) according to the input image data.

The photoconductor (image carrier) PR is rotating in the direction of arrow A, and its surface is uniformly charged by a charger (charge corotron) CC.
In FIG. 1, an electrostatic latent image is formed by exposure scanning with a laser beam L of the ROS (latent image forming device). When forming a full-color image, electrostatic latent images corresponding to four-color images of K (black), Y (yellow), M (magenta), and C (cyan) are sequentially formed, and in the case of a monochrome image, K is formed. Only the electrostatic latent image corresponding to the (black) image is formed.

The surface of the photoconductor PR on which the electrostatic latent image is formed rotationally moves and sequentially passes through the developing area Q2 and the primary transfer area Q3. The rotary type developing device G sequentially rotates K in the developing area Q2 as the rotation shaft GA rotates.
It has four color developing units GK, GY, GM and GC of (black), Y (yellow), M (magenta) and C (cyan). The developing devices GK, GY, GM, and GC of the respective colors have a developing roll GR that conveys toner to the developing area Q2, and the electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor PR passing through the developing area Q2 is a toner image. To develop.

Below the photoconductor PR, an intermediate transfer belt B, a belt driving roll Rd, a tension roll Rt,
A plurality of belt supporting rolls (Rd, Rt, Rw, Rf, T2a) including a walking roll Rw, an idler roll (free roll) Rf and a backup roll T2a.
It has a primary transfer roll T1 and a belt frame (not shown) that supports them. Further, the intermediate transfer belt B has the belt support rolls (Rd, Rt, R
It is rotatably supported by w, Rf, T2a).

When forming a full-color image, the electrostatic latent image of the first color is formed at the latent image writing position Q1, and the toner image Tn of the first color is formed in the developing area Q2.
The toner image Tn is electrostatically primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt B by the primary transfer roll T1 when passing through the primary transfer area Q3. Thereafter, in the same manner, the second image is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt B carrying the first color toner image Tn.
The toner images Tn of the colors, the third color, and the fourth color are sequentially superposed and primary-transferred, and finally a full-color multiple toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt B. When forming a monochromatic monocolor image, only one developing device is used, and the monochromatic toner image is primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt B. After the primary transfer, the surface of the photoconductor PR is destaticized by the static eliminator JR and the residual toner is cleaned by the photoconductor cleaner CL1.

Below the backup roll T2a, a secondary transfer roll T2b is provided with the backup roll T2.
It is movably arranged between a position separated from 2a and a position in contact therewith. The backup roll T2a
The secondary transfer roll T2b constitutes a secondary transfer device T2. The backup rolls T2a and 2
The secondary transfer area Q4 depends on the contact area of the secondary transfer roll T2b.
Are formed. A secondary transfer voltage having a polarity opposite to the charging polarity of the toner used in the developing device G is supplied from the power supply circuit E to the secondary transfer roll T2b, and the power supply circuit E is controlled by the controller C.

The recording sheets S accommodated in the paper feed tray TR1 or TR2 are taken out by the pickup roll Rp at a predetermined timing, separated one by one by the separation roll Rs, and are conveyed by the plurality of transport rolls Ra of the paper feed path SH1. Is conveyed to the registration roll Rr. The cash register roll Rr
The recording sheet S conveyed to the pre-transfer sheet guide S is timed to move the primary-transferred multiple toner image or single-color toner image to the secondary transfer area Q4.
The sheet is conveyed from G1 to the secondary transfer area Q4. In the secondary transfer area Q4, the secondary transfer device T2 electrostatically secondarily transfers the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt B onto the recording sheet S. The intermediate transfer belt B after the secondary transfer is a belt cleaner C.
The residual toner is removed by L2.

The secondary transfer roll T2b and the belt cleaner CL2 are arranged so as to be able to come into contact with (separate from and come into contact with) the intermediate transfer belt B, and when a color image is formed, the final color is undetermined. The toner image is separated from the intermediate transfer belt B until it is primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt B. The secondary transfer roll cleaner CL3
Moves to and from the intermediate transfer belt B together with the secondary transfer roll T2b.

The recording sheet S to which the toner image is secondarily transferred is transferred to the sheet guide SG2 and the sheet conveying belt B.
The sheet H is conveyed to the fixing area Q5. The fixing region Q5 is a region (nip) where the heating roll Fh and the pressure roll Fp of the fixing device F are in pressure contact with each other, and the recording sheet S passing through the fixing region Q5 is heated and fixed by the fixing device F. On the outer peripheral surface of the heating roll Fh, the oil for peeling the sheet is applied to the upstream side in the rotation direction of the fixing area Q5 by an oil applying device. A cleaning device for cleaning the surface of the heating roll Fh is arranged in contact with the heating roll Fh and the pressure roll Fp, on the downstream side in the rotation direction from the fixing region Q5.

In FIG. 1, a sheet discharging path SH2 and a sheet reversing path SH3 are provided on the downstream side of the fixing area Q5, and a switching gate G1 is provided at a branch point thereof. The recording sheet S conveyed to the sheet discharge path SH2 is
The sheet is conveyed to a sheet discharge roller Rh by a plurality of conveying rollers Ra, and is discharged to a sheet discharge tray TR3 from a sheet discharge port Ka formed at the upper end of the image forming apparatus U1. A sheet circulation path SH4 is connected to the sheet inversion path SH3, and a mylar gate GT2 formed of a sheet-shaped member is provided at the connection portion. The mylar gate GT2 allows the recording sheet S conveyed through the sheet inversion path SH3 from the switching gate G1 to pass through as it is, and the recording sheet S that has once passed and then switched back is directed to the sheet circulation path SH4 side. Dodge The recording sheet S conveyed to the sheet circulation path SH4 has the sheet feeding path S.
It is retransmitted to the transfer area Q4 through H1. The sheet conveying path SH is formed by the elements indicated by the reference signs SH1 to SH4.
Is configured.

(Rotary Developing Device) FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part of the rotary developing device of the image forming apparatus of FIG. A rotary shaft GA of a rotary developing device G is rotatably supported on a fixed frame of the image forming apparatus main body U1. The four sides of the rotation axis GA have four colors of K, Y,
The developing devices GK, GY, GM, and GC of M and C are respectively supported, and the developing devices GK, GY, GM, and GC are sequentially rotated to the developing position P1 as the rotation axis GA rotates. Has become. Developing devices GK, GY, GM, GC
Has a developing container V and a toner supply cylinder 1. Inside the developing container V, a toner, a developing roll GR that conveys the toner to the developing area Q2, a first stirring conveyer member R1 and a second stirring conveyer member R2 that stir and convey the toner are housed. . The toner replenishing cylinder 1 has a projecting portion projecting forward of the developing container V. The projecting portion has a toner replenishing path when the developing units GK, GY, GM, and GC move to the developing position. 2k to 2c (see FIGS. 2 and 3). Such a rotary developing device is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 12-
131942, JP-A-12-231250 and the like. The toner replenished to the toner replenishing cylinder 1 from the toner replenishing paths 2k to 2c is replenished to the inside of the developing container V by the toner conveying member 3 disposed inside the toner replenishing cylinder 1 and also to the toner container V. The deteriorated toner is discharged from the discharge path 4 formed inside the rotating shaft GA. The developer replenished in the toner container V can be composed of a one-component developer containing only toner or a two-component developer containing toner and carrier.

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the toner cartridge mounted in the cartridge mounting portion and the developing device at the developing position according to the first embodiment of the toner supply control device of the present invention. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the toner cartridge of the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the toner reserve container and the cartridge mounting portion of the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing a state in which the toner cartridge according to the first exemplary embodiment is mounted in the cartridge mounting portion.

In the following description, the four-color toner cartridges (toner replenishing devices) Fk, Fy, Fm, and Fc have the same structure, so only the K (black) toner cartridge Fk will be described. 3, 4, and 6
In, the cylindrical container 6 (supply container) made of a synthetic resin material has a cylindrical wall 7, a rear end wall (end wall) 8, and a front end wall (end wall) 9. A cylindrical wall 7 and a rear end wall 8 are integrally formed, and a driven-side connecting member insertion hole 8a and a cylindrical guide wall in which the front end side (rear end side) is slightly opened at the center of the rear end wall 8. A guide wall 8b is provided.
A plurality of reinforcing ribs 8c are radially formed from the guide wall 8b toward the cylindrical wall 7, and two positioning pins 8d are formed on the outer peripheral portion of the rear end wall 8. A strip plate-shaped rail portion 7a is fixed to the rear portion of the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical wall 7, and guide grooves 7b extending in the circumferential direction are formed at both axial ends of the rail portion 7a. A toner discharge port 7c is formed in the rail portion 7a and the cylindrical wall 7. The opening / closing lid 11 is slidably supported in the circumferential direction, and the opening / closing lid 11 (see FIG. 6) opens and closes the toner discharge port 7c. At the rear of the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical wall 7, an arrow 7d indicating the insertion direction is shown.
(See FIG. 4) are formed. A locking recess 7e is formed in the front portion (see FIG. 6) of the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical wall 7. A locked projection 7f is formed on the rear portion of the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical wall 7. The front end wall 9 has a disk 9a and a cylindrical wall portion 9b formed on the outer periphery thereof, and the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical wall portion 9b is locked in the locking recess 7e of the cylindrical wall 7. The locked projection 9c is formed. A shaft support hole 9d is formed in the center of the inner surface of the front end wall 9. The cylindrical container 6 is composed of the elements indicated by the reference numerals 7 to 9.

In FIGS. 4 and 6, the rotating member (toner stirring / conveying member, replenishing / conveying member) 12 has a rotating shaft 13, and a stirring member 14 and a conveying member 15 supported by the rotating shaft 13. The rotating shaft 13 has a cylindrical shape at the center, a conical shape at the front end, and a hexagonal shape at the rear end.
A transport member fixing hole 13a is formed in the front end portion. A notch 13b for supporting an agitating member is formed substantially in the center of the axial length of the rotating shaft 13. The stirring member 14 is formed by bending a wire having a circular cross section into a substantially Z shape, and both ends of the stirring member 14 are fixed to two annular connecting members 14 a supported by the rotating shaft 13, respectively. The conveying member (toner conveying member) 15 has a spiral portion 15a in which a wire having a circular cross section is spirally formed, and a base bent in the radial direction from the front end of the spiral portion 15a toward the rotary shaft 13. End 15
b and the rear end side end portion 15c constituted by the free end portion
And have. The base end portion 15b of the carrying member 15 is inserted and fixed in the carrying member fixing hole 13a of the rotary shaft 13. The spiral portion 15 of the transport member 15
The outer diameter of a is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the cylindrical wall 7 of the cylindrical container 6. The rotating shaft 13 and the stirring member 14 and the conveying member 15 fixed to the rotating shaft 13 are integrally connected, and the rotating member 12 is connected to the rotating shaft 1.
3, a stirring member 14 and a conveying member 15.

The driven side connecting member 16 housed in the driven side connecting member 8a includes a coupling support portion 16a and a circular plate-shaped coupling 16b which are integrally connected.
have. A fitting hole into which the hexagonal columnar portion of the rear end of the rotary shaft 13 is fitted is formed at the front end of the coupling support portion 16a, and four claws are formed at the rear surface of the coupling 16b. There is.

As shown in FIG. 6, in the cylindrical container 6 in which the projection 9c of the front end wall 9 is fitted in the recess 7e of the cylindrical wall 7 and the toner discharge port 7c is closed by the opening / closing lid 11, the rotating member 1 is provided.
The rear end of the second rotating shaft 13 is supported by a groove on the inner peripheral surface of the coupling support portion 16a of the driven side connecting member 16 inserted into the driven side connecting member insertion hole 8a of the rear end wall 8. The front end is supported by the shaft support hole 9d of the front end wall 9. The cylindrical container 6, the rotating member 12, and the driven side connecting member 1
The toner cartridge Fk is composed of 6 and the like.

In the following description, the four color cartridge mounting portions Hk, Hy, Hm and Hc have the same structure, so only the K (black) cartridge mounting portion Hk will be described. 3, 5, and 6, the cartridge mounting portion Hk has a cylindrical insertion portion 21 having a semi-cylindrical notch in the front portion and a circular plate-shaped end portion 22. A rectangular toner receiving hole 21a is formed at the rear of the arc-shaped bottom surface of the cartridge mounting portion Hk, and a guide groove 21b is formed extending from the front end to the rear toner receiving hole 21a. The guide groove 21b of the cartridge mounting portion Hk is formed in two steps of a shallow groove 21c and a deep groove 21d. The shallow groove 21c and the deep groove 21d connect the rail portion 7a of the toner cartridge Fk and the opening / closing lid 11, respectively. It is designed to guide you. Toner receiving hole 2
A guide surface 21e having the same depth as the shallow groove 21c is formed on the outer peripheral portion of 1a. The cartridge mounting portion Hk
When the toner cartridge Fk is rotated after the rail portion 7a of the toner cartridge Fk and the opening / closing lid 11 are inserted along the guide groove 21b, the opening / closing lid 11 does not rotate and the cylindrical container 6 and its rail portion 7a rotate. Then, the toner discharge port 7c is configured to overlap the toner receiving hole 21a. A locking recess 21b is formed at the upper end of the inner peripheral surface of the insertion portion 21. When the toner cartridge Fk is mounted in the cartridge mounting portion Hk, the locking recess 21b of the cartridge mounting portion Hk locks and locks the locked projection 7f of the toner cartridge Fk.

Two circular arc-shaped pin engaging holes 22a are formed in the outer peripheral portion of the circular end wall 22 fixed to the inserting portion 21.
(See FIG. 5) are formed. The positioning pin 8d of the toner cartridge Fk is inserted into one end of the pin engagement hole 22a, and rotates along the arc-shaped pin engagement hole 22a as the toner cartridge Fk rotates. The other end of the engaging hole 22a is locked. At this time, the rotation direction of the positioning pin 8d is set to be the same as the rotation direction of the rotary shaft 13. Therefore, when the rotary shaft 13 is rotated by a replenishing drive device (not shown), the positioning pin 8d of the toner cartridge Fk is
Is locked to the other end of the arcuate pin engaging hole 22a, so that the toner cartridge Fk is prevented from rotating.

In FIG. 6, a rotary shaft 24 is rotatably supported at the center of the circular end wall 22 via a bearing 23. A drive-side coupling 25 is integrally formed on the front end of the rotary shaft 24, and the drive-side coupling 25 is formed with four claws. A gear G4 is fixed to the rear end of the rotary shaft 24.
Meshed with 1. The insertion portion 21, the circular end wall 22, the bearing 23, the rotary shaft 24, the drive side coupling 25, the gear G4 and the like constitute a cartridge mounting portion Hk.

As shown in FIG. 3, each cartridge mounting portion Hy, Hm, Hc, Hk is connected to the upper end of a toner reserve container 26 (supply container) having the same structure. Since each reserve container 26 has the same configuration, the reserve container 26 below the cartridge mounting portion Hk will be described. 3 and 5, the toner reserve container 26
The inner lower part of the chamber is formed by a pair of partition walls 26a, 26a that are separated in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction) and extend in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction).
And a chamber for accommodating the toner discharge auger 29. At the rear of the toner reserve container 26, the toner receiving hole 2 of the cartridge mounting portion Hk
A toner receiving hole 26b is formed in line with 1a. Further, a front protruding chamber 26c (see FIG. 5) is formed in front of the chamber that houses the toner discharge auger 29. The pipe connection hole 2 is provided on the lower surface of the front end portion of the front protruding chamber 26c.
It is connected to 6d.

In FIG. 5, the rear end of the shaft of the first conveying member 27 is a gear G1, the rear end of the shaft of the second conveying member 28 is a gear G2, and the rear end of the shaft of the screw auger 29 is a gear G3. Are fixed respectively. The gear G1 is meshed with the gear G2 via the gear G3. The toner carrying directions of the first carrying member 27 and the second carrying member 28 are opposite to each other in the toner reserve container 26, and the toner is circulated and carried in the toner reserve container 26. The toner reserve container 26 includes the reference numerals 27 to 27.
It is composed of elements indicated by 29.

Each of the cartridge mounting portions Hy, Hm, H
Toner supply pipe 31 connected to the pipe connection hole 26d of the toner reserve container 26 connected to the lower surfaces of c and Hk
Each of the supply screws 32 is rotatably arranged therein. Gears G5y and G are rotatably driven on the shaft of each of the supply screws 32 by a toner supply / conveyance motor M3 (supply drive device) via a gear train, a clutch, and the like.
5m, G5c, G5k are attached. The rotating force of the rotating supply screw 32 is stored in the toner reserve container 26 by the gear G1 meshed with a gear (not shown) fixed to the shaft of the supply screw 32, the gear G3, and the gear G2. It is transmitted to the first transport member 27, the second transport member 28, and the screw auger 29.
The first transfer member 27, the second transfer member 28, the screw auger 29, and the supply screw 32 constitute a supply transfer member (27 to 29, 32). The amount of toner conveyed per unit time by the replenishment / conveyance member (a member that conveys toner from the toner cartridge Fk to the toner reserve container 26) is determined by the supply conveyance member (toner from the toner reserve container 26 to the developing device). Is set to be larger than the carrying amount of the member for carrying. If not set in this way, the amount of toner supplied to the toner reserve container 26 becomes smaller than the amount supplied from the toner reserve container 26, and the toner in the toner reserve container 26 runs out.

When new toner is supplied to the toner reserve container 26 by being conveyed and agitated by the rotating member 12 (see FIG. 6) in the toner cartridge Fk, the new toner is agitated and circulated in the toner reserve container 26. While using the screw auger 29, the pipe connection hole 26d
And is supplied to the toner supply pipe 31 via. The toner supplied to each of the toner supply pipes 31 is supplied to the developing device Gk via the toner supply path 2 by the supply screw 32. The toner reserve container 26, the toner supply pipe 31, and the toner supply path 2 constitute a toner supply path (2 + 26 + 31).

(Supply Toner Sensor) A supply toner sensor (supply toner sensor) SN is provided on the left side surface (-Y side surface) of the toner reserve container 26 downstream of the toner receiving hole 26b. The supply toner sensor SN
Is provided so as to project toward the inside of the toner reserve container 26 for detecting the presence or absence of toner. The supply toner sensor SN is connected to the toner receiving hole 26.
If the toner coming in from b is in contact with the detection portion, the presence of toner is detected, and if the toner is not in contact, the absence of toner is detected. When the supply toner sensor SN outputs the detection result of no toner, the toner is supplied from the toner cartridge Fk to the toner reserve container 26. Then, when the supply toner sensor SN outputs the detection result of the presence of toner, the replenishment from the toner cartridge Fk is stopped. The toner supply path (2 + 26
+31), the feeding and conveying member (27 to 29, 32) and the feeding toner sensor SN, the toner feeding device (2 + 2)
6 to 29 + 31 + 32 + SN) are configured.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a control portion of the first embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention, and is a block diagram (functional block diagram) showing each function of the control portion. In FIG. 7, the controller C stores an I / O (input / output interface) for inputting / outputting signals to / from the outside and adjusting the input / output signal level, a program and data for performing necessary processing, and the like. ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory) for temporarily storing necessary data, CPU (Central Processing Unit) that performs processing according to the program stored in the ROM, clock oscillator, etc. It is configured by a computer having a computer, and various functions can be realized by executing a program stored in the ROM.

(Signal Output Elements Connected to the Controller C) The controller C receives input signals from the UI (user interface), the toner supply sensor SN, a belt position sensor (not shown) and other signal output elements. ing. The UI includes a display UI1, a copy start key UI2, a copy number setting key UI3, a magnification setting key UI4, a ten key UI5, a sheet type designation key, and the like.

(Control Element Connected to Controller C) Further, the controller C includes an IPS, a main motor drive circuit D1, a fixing device drive circuit D2, a toner supply drive circuit D3, a power supply circuit E, and other control elements. And outputs their operation control signals. I
PS outputs image data to the laser drive circuit DL,
The laser drive circuit DL sends a laser drive signal to the ROS.
Output to. The main motor drive circuit D1 rotationally drives the main motor M1, and the main motor M1 drives the photoconductor (primary toner image carrier) PR, the charger CC, the developing device G, and the transfer device (primary transfer rolls T1 and T2). Next transfer device T
2) is driven. The fixing device driving circuit D2 rotationally drives the fixing device motor M2, and the fixing device F is driven by the fixing device motor M2. The toner supply / conveyance drive circuit D3 rotationally drives the toner supply / conveyance motor M3, and the toner supply / conveyance motor M3 supplies the supply / conveyance member (first conveyance member 27, second conveyance member 28, screw auger 29, and supply). The screw 32) for driving is driven.

(Function of Controller C) The controller C has a function of executing processing according to an input signal from the signal output element and outputting a control signal to each control element. That is, the controller C has the following functions. C0: Job Control Unit The job control unit C0 controls the IPS, the power supply circuit E, the main motor drive circuit D1, the fixing device drive circuit D2, and the supply toner transport drive circuit D3 to execute a job (image forming operation). . C1: Numerical value storage means for judgment The numerical value storage means for judgment C1 stores a numerical value N for judgment for judging the presence or absence of toner. C2: Upper limit value storage means The upper limit value storage means C2 stores the upper limit value NH of the judgment numerical value N.
Memorize In the first embodiment, the upper limit value NH = 200. C3: Lower limit value storage means Lower limit value storage means C3 is a lower limit value NL of the judgment numerical value N.
Memorize In the first embodiment, the lower limit value NL = 100.

C4: Shortage recognition value storage means The shortage recognition value storage means C4 stores the toner shortage recognition value NW of the judgment numerical value N set so as to satisfy the expression NL <NW <NH. In the first embodiment, the toner shortage recognition value NW = 175. C5: Addition value storage means The addition value storage means C5 stores the supplementary addition value NT of the determination numerical value N. In the first embodiment, the replenishment addition value N
Let T = 15. C6: Numerical value increasing / decreasing unit The numerical value increasing / decreasing unit C6 increases the judgment numerical value N according to the supply time when the supply toner is supplied while the supply toner sensor SN detects the presence of toner, and the supply toner sensor SN is supplied. When toner is supplied in a state where the toner is absent, the determination value N is decreased according to the supply time, and the determination value N is increased or decreased at the upper limit value NH (= 200) or less. C7: Numerical Value Rewriting Means for Judgment The numerical value rewriting means C7 for judgment has a numerical value judging means C7a. When the determination numerical value N is smaller than the toner shortage recognition value NW, the determination numerical value rewriting means C7 calculates the determination numerical value N by the formula NL <Na <when the supply toner sensor SN detects the presence of toner. Rewrite to a rewrite value Na set to satisfy NH. In this Example 1, Na
= N + NT. C7a: Numerical value discrimination means The numerical value discrimination means C7a has the numerical value N for judgment expressed by the formula N ≦ NW.
Or not.

FL1: Job Prohibition Discrimination Flag The job prohibition discrimination flag FL1 has an initial value of "0" and becomes "1" only during the period when the job (image formation) is prohibited, and the job prohibition is released. It becomes "0". FL2: Toner replacement notification flag The toner replacement notification flag FL2 has an initial value of "0" and becomes "1" only during the period when the toner in the toner cartridge Fk is exhausted and the user is notified of the toner replacement. It becomes “0” when it is detected that toner is supplied to Fk. The toner replenishment control device CT of the present invention includes the developing device G, the toner supply device (2+
26-29 + 31 + 32 + SN), toner replenishing device F
k, Fy, Fm, Fc, determination numerical value storage means C1, upper limit value storage means C2, lower limit value storage means C3, insufficient recognition value storage means C4, added value storage means C5, numerical value increasing / decreasing means C6 and determination numerical value rewriting means. It is composed of C7.

(Operation of Embodiment 1) In Embodiment 1 having the above-mentioned structure, the shallow groove 21c and the deep groove 21d of the guide groove 21b of the insertion portion 21 of the cartridge mounting portion Hk (see FIGS. 5 and 6) are provided. The rail portion 7a of the toner cartridge Fk filled with toner and the opening / closing lid 11 are inserted. The positioning pin 8d of the toner cartridge Fk is inserted into the pin engagement hole 22a of the circular end wall 22 of the insertion portion 21 to engage the passive coupling 16b with the driving coupling 25. Then, the toner cartridge Fk is rotated so that the cylindrical container 6 is inserted into the locking recess 21b of the insertion portion 21.
The locked protrusion 7f is aligned. At this time, the opening / closing lid 11 supported by the rail portion 7a of the cylindrical wall 7 is prevented from moving at the front and rear end portions of the toner receiving hole 21a, and the toner outlet 7c is communicated with the toner receiving hole 21a.

When the motor M3 (see FIG. 3) is driven,
The rotational force is transmitted to the drive side coupling 75 via the gears G1 to G4. The rotational force is transmitted to the passive side coupling 16b meshing with the drive side coupling 75, and the rotation of the rotary shaft 13 causes the transport member 15 and the stirring member 14 to rotate. The toner in the cylindrical container 6 is transported to the toner discharge port 7c by the transport member 15 and is stirred by the stirring member 14, and the toner agglomerates are destroyed, and the toner is discharged from the toner discharge port 7c to the toner receiving hole 21a. It When the toner supply from the toner cartridge Fk is continued in this way, the toner in the toner cartridge Fk decreases.

Next, the increase and decrease of the amount of toner supplied from the toner cartridge Fk to the toner reserve container 26 will be described with reference to the flowchart.

(Explanation of Flowchart of Judgment Numerical Value N Increase / Decrease Process) FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a main routine of the increase / decrease process of the judgment numerical value N of the image forming apparatus provided with the toner supply control device of the first embodiment. The processing of each ST (step) in the flowchart of FIG. 8 is started by turning on the copy start key and is performed according to the program stored in the ROM of the controller C. Further, this processing is executed by multitasking in parallel with other various processing of the image forming apparatus U1.

In ST (step) 1 of FIG. 8, it is determined whether or not the job prohibition flag FL1 is "0". If no (N), ST1 is repeatedly executed. If yes (Y), go to step 2. Job prohibition flag F
When L1 is "1", image formation is prohibited, and therefore the process of this flow accompanying the image forming operation is not performed until toner is replenished. In ST2, it is determined whether or not the value of the determination value N is smaller than the toner shortage recognition value NW (= 175). If no (N), move to ST3. If yes (Y), move to ST5. In ST2,
The judgment value N is smaller than the toner shortage recognition value NW, that is, it is judged whether or not there is sufficient toner in the toner reserve container 26. In ST3, it is determined whether or not the toner replacement notification flag FL2 is "1". If yes (Y), move to ST4. S for no (N)
Move to T5. In ST3, the toner replacement notification flag F
It is determined whether or not L2 is "1", that is, whether or not the user is informed of the replacement of the toner cartridge Fk. ST4
In step S5, the toner exchange notification flag FL2 is set to "0", and the process proceeds to ST5. Although it is determined in ST2 that the toner reserve container 26 has sufficient toner, the user is informed of the replacement of the toner cartridge Fk in ST3. Therefore, in ST4, F
The process of setting L2 to "0" is performed to stop notifying the user of the replacement of the toner cartridge Fk.

At ST5, it is determined whether the toner supply / conveyance member is operating. ST5 for no (N)
repeat. If yes (Y), move to ST6. ST
At 6, it is determined whether or not the signal from the supplied toner sensor SN indicates that toner is present. If no (N), the process moves to ST7. If yes, go to ST9. In ST7, it is determined whether or not the value of the determination numerical value N is the upper limit value NH = 200. If no (N), move to ST8. If yes (Y), return to ST1. Since the judgment value N increases or decreases below the upper limit value NH, if the judgment value N is NH, the process of ST8 is not performed. The upper limit value NH (= 2
The value of 00) indicates a state in which the toner is contained in the toner reserve container 26 up to the upper limit amount. In ST8, a process of adding 1 to the value of the judgment numerical value N is performed. Since the determination numerical value N is not the upper limit value NH, the process is performed so as to approach the upper limit value NH when the toner supply signal is output from the supply toner sensor. Therefore, when there is toner in the toner cartridge, the determination value N is set to the upper limit value NH.

In ST9, it is determined whether or not the value of the determination numerical value N is the lower limit value NL = 100. If yes (Y), the process moves to ST10, and if no (N), S
Move to T11. In ST10, the job prohibition flag FL1 is set to "1". Numerical value for judgment N
Is the lower limit value NL = 100, and therefore the toner amount in the toner reserve container is the lower limit amount, and there is a possibility that problems will occur if images are formed further. Specifically, even if an attempt is made to form a high-density image, an image with sufficient density cannot be formed, and an image with low density may be formed. This is because as the toner amount in the reserve container decreases, the toner amount that can be supplied to the developing device G per unit time decreases, which cannot keep up with the toner consumption in the developing device G. In ST11, it is determined whether the value of the determination numerical value N is smaller than the toner shortage recognition value NW = 175. ST1 if yes (Y)
If no (N), move to ST13. ST1
2, the value of the toner replacement notification flag FL2 is set to "1".
Then, the process proceeds to ST13. Since the value of the determination numerical value N is smaller than the toner shortage recognition value NW, the toner in the toner cartridge Fk is exhausted, and the amount of toner in the toner reserve container 26 is reduced and insufficient. , A process of setting a flag for notifying the user that the toner in the toner cartridge Fk has run out. As a means for notifying, a means for displaying on a UI, issuing an alarm sound, inhibiting an image forming operation, or the like can be adopted. In ST13, 1 from the value of the judgment numerical value N
The process of subtracting is performed. Since the supplied toner sensor SN does not detect the toner, it is detected that the amount of toner in the toner reserve container is decreasing by decreasing the determination value N.

In the process of increasing / decreasing the judgment value N, when the supply / conveyance member (2 + 26 + 31) is operated,
That is, only when the toner is conveyed from the toner reserve container 26 to the developing device G, the processing of the determination numerical value N is performed. Therefore, the value of the judgment value N also increases / decreases in conjunction with the increase / decrease in the amount of toner in the toner reserve container 26,
The amount of toner in the toner reserve container 26 can be grasped. Further, after the toner sensor SN detects the absence of toner, the toner reserve container 26 is removed from the toner cartridge Fk.
Since the toner is replenished in the toner cartridge Fk, the judgment value N
Is increasing or decreasing within a narrow range (for example, 195 to 200).
Therefore, when the value of the determination numerical value N falls below the toner shortage recognition value NW that is not included in the narrow range, it can be reliably determined that there is no toner in the toner cartridge Fk.

Next, the processing of the judgment value N when the toner cartridge Fk is replaced will be described with reference to a flowchart.

(Description of Flowchart of Toner Cartridge Replacement Process) FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the main routine of the toner cartridge replacement process of the image forming apparatus having the toner replenishment control device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
The processing of each ST (step) in the flowchart of FIG.
The operation is started according to a program stored in the ROM of the controller C, which starts when the power of the image forming apparatus U1 is turned on or a maintenance door (not shown) of the image forming apparatus U1 is closed. Further, this processing is performed by the image forming apparatus U.
It is executed by multitasking in parallel with other various processes of 1.

In ST21 of FIG. 9, it is determined whether or not the value of the determination value N is smaller than the toner shortage recognition value NW = 175. If no (N), the process of ST21 is repeated. If yes (Y), the process moves to ST22. In ST22, if the value of the determination value N is larger than the toner shortage recognition value NW, the determination value N is not processed even if the toner cartridge replacement is detected, and the processing is performed by the determination value N increase / decrease processing flow. I do. In ST22, it is determined whether or not the signal from the supplied toner sensor SN indicates that toner is present. If no (N), the process returns to ST21. If yes (Y), the process moves to ST23. In ST22, it is detected whether or not the toner reserve container 26 is replenished with toner. In ST23, the following process is performed and ST
Return to 21. (1) Addition value NT = 15 for replenishment to the value of the judgment numerical value N
Is added to rewrite Na = N + 15. (2) The job prohibition flag FL1 is set to "0". In ST23, since the toner in the toner cartridge Fk has run out and the supply toner sensor SN has detected the toner, it is determined that the toner cartridge Fk has been replaced, and a process of adding 15 to the value of the determination numerical value N is executed. To do. Further, since the toner cartridge Fk is replaced, the job (image forming operation) is possible (the job prohibition flag FL1 is set regardless of the job prohibited state (the value of the job prohibition flag FL1 = “1”) when the toner cartridge Fk is replaced). Value =
"0").

FIG. 10 is a graph showing the relationship between the presence / absence of toner in the supply toner sensor after replacement of a new toner cartridge, the drive / stop of the supply / conveyance member, and the increase / decrease in the determination numerical value. In FIG. 10, when the image formation is prohibited, that is, when the determination numerical value N = 100 (= NL), the empty toner cartridge Fk is replaced with a new toner cartridge Fk filled with toner. The processing of the determination numerical value N and the processing of the determination numerical value N of the present invention will be described. FIG. 10 shows two line graphs comparing the conventional process of the numerical value N for determination and the process of the present invention, and a graph showing the result of driving / stopping the supply / conveyance member and the detection result of the supply toner sensor. There is. Further, the horizontal axis of FIG. 10 shows the number of times of image formation since the toner was replaced with a new toner cartridge Fk filled with toner, and the vertical axis shows the value N for determination. As shown in FIG. 10, when the new toner cartridge Fk is replaced (the number of times of image formation is 0
Period) from the stop state to the driving state of the supply / conveyance member is the period ta1 and the period ta1.
The period from the end of the above to the supply toner sensor SN from the absence of toner to the presence of toner is termed period ta2. The period from the end of the period ta2 to the toner supply to the supply toner sensor SN being changed from the presence of toner to the absence of toner is defined as ta3, and the periods ta4, ta5, ...

In the process of increasing / decreasing the determination value N, the supply toner sensor SN detects the presence of toner during the period ta1 and the supply / conveyance member is not driven, so the value of the determination value N does not change. . During the period ta2, the supply toner sensor SN detects the absence of toner and the supply / conveyance member is driven, so the value of the determination numerical value N decreases. Similarly, the value of the determination value N increases during the period ta3, and the value of the determination value N decreases during the period ta4. In the case where the value of the judgment value N is not increased or decreased when the toner cartridge of the prior art is replaced, the value of the judgment value N falls below the lower limit value NL = 100 in the period ta2, as shown by the broken line in the lower part of FIG. Even immediately after the replacement with a new cartridge filled with toner, it is determined that there is no toner in the cartridge, and image formation is prohibited.
In the case of rewriting by adding the replenishment addition value NT = 15 to the value of the judgment numerical value N when replacing the toner cartridge according to the first embodiment of the present invention, as shown by the upper broken line in FIG.
The value of the judgment value N does not decrease to the lower limit value NL = 100, and the image formation is performed normally without inhibiting the image formation.
The toner is supplied to the toner reserve tank 26.
Even when the conventional method of initializing the value of the judgment numerical value N to the upper limit value when the toner cartridge is replaced is performed, the image formation is normally performed as in the case of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a graph showing the relationship between the presence / absence of toner in the supply toner sensor after the replacement of an empty toner cartridge, the increase / decrease in the judgment numerical value, and the number of times of image formation. Referring to FIG. 11, the conventional processing of the determination numerical value N and the processing of the determination numerical value N of the present invention when the toner cartridge Fk is replaced with a substantially empty toner cartridge Fk will be described. Figure 1
1 shows three line graphs comparing the conventional process of the judgment value N and the process of the present invention with the actual toner amount level in the toner reserve container 26, and the supplied toner sensor SN.
The graph showing the detection result of is described. It should be noted that the graph of driving / stopping the supply / conveyance member in FIG. Further, the horizontal axis of FIG. 11 shows the number of times of image formation after the toner cartridge Fk is replaced with a substantially empty toner cartridge Fk, and the vertical axis shows the value N for determination. Further, as shown in FIG. 11, the time when the detection result of the supply toner sensor SN indicates that there is no toner is time tb1, and the actual toner amount level in the toner reserve container 26 (toner reserve container 2
The time point tb2 is the time point at which the actual toner amount in 6 expressed by the judgment numerical value N: equivalent to the value when the judgment numerical value N is not processed when the cartridge is replaced) is 100. Further, the time when the value of the judgment numerical value N after the processing of the present invention decreases to 100 is time tb3, the time when the toner amount level reaches 80 is the time tb4, and the value of the conventional judgment numerical value N is changed to The time point when the value of the judgment numerical value N that has been initialized to the upper limit value becomes 100 is time point tb5.

In the case of the conventional process of initializing the value of the judgment numerical value N to the upper limit value NH = 200 when the toner cartridge Fk is replaced, the value of the judgment numerical value N immediately after the cartridge replacement is 200 as shown in FIG. (Upper limit value NH). However, since only the lower limit amount (toner amount level = 100) of toner remains in the toner reserve container 26 and the amount of toner supplied from the replaced empty cartridge is a little amount, the toner reserve is available until time tb1. Although the amount of toner (toner amount level) in the container 26 increases,
It decreases immediately and decreases to the lower limit amount at time tb2. However, the value of the judgment value N at time tb2 is 200 (the upper limit value N
Since the value is a little smaller than H), the job (image forming operation) is not prohibited. Therefore, in the conventional processing, the image forming apparatus U1 malfunctions at the time tb4 (while sufficient density is achieved even at low density image formation) until the determination numerical value N decreases to the lower limit value NL (time period from tb2 to tb5). Amount of toner (image cannot be formed) (the toner amount level = 8)
0: error occurrence value NE) more than toner reserve container 26
The amount of toner inside will decrease. In this case, in addition to the problem of image formation (a high-density image cannot be formed with a sufficient density), for example, the developer is a two-component developer (toner +
In the case of a carrier, the carrier may be reflected on the photoconductor PR, and the transfer device (T1 + T2), the fixing device F, etc. may be damaged.

On the other hand, when the toner cartridge according to the first embodiment of the present invention is replaced, the value N for judgment is added to the addition value NT during replenishment.
In the case of rewriting by adding 15, as shown by the broken line in the middle of FIG. 10, even if the toner amount level falls below 100 at the time point tb2, the determination numerical value N is the lower limit value NL = 1.
Since it is not 00, image formation is executed. But,
Before the toner amount level reaches 80 (time point tb4),
At the time point tb3, the value of the judgment numerical value N becomes 100,
Since image formation is prohibited, it is possible to prohibit image formation before the probability of failure of the image forming apparatus U1 increases.
Even when the conventional process in which the value of the determination value N is not added when the toner cartridge is replaced is performed, it is possible to prohibit the image formation before the probability of failure of the image forming apparatus U1 increases, as in the present invention. it can.

Therefore, in the image forming apparatus U1 equipped with the toner replenishment controller CT of the present invention, the replenishment addition value N
The problem of the conventional processing is solved by setting the value of T to 15 which is not so large and adding the supplementary addition value NT to the judgment value N. That is, when the toner cartridge is replaced with a new toner cartridge filled with toner, the image formation is performed without being prohibited, and
It is possible to prohibit a job (image forming operation) before it becomes impossible to form an image having a sufficient density when the toner cartridge is replaced with an empty toner cartridge, or before the probability of failure of the image forming apparatus U1 increases.

(Second Embodiment) In the description of the second embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the components corresponding to the components of the first embodiment, and the detailed description thereof will be omitted. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the following points,
The other points are the same as those in the first embodiment.

The toner replenishment control device CT of the second embodiment has a configuration in which the toner replacement notification flag FL2 provided in the controller C of the first embodiment is omitted, and the judgment numerical value different from that of the first embodiment. N increase / decrease processing is performed. In addition, in the first embodiment, when the toner cartridge Fk is replaced, the value N for determination is added to the additional value NT for replenishment, which is Na (=
However, in the second embodiment, the judgment value N is rewritten (initialized) to the set rewriting value Na without using the supplementary addition value NT. Therefore, the controller C is provided with an initial value storage means C5 'for storing the set rewrite value Na instead of the supplementary addition value NT storage means C5 of the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, the toner shortage recognition value NW = 150, the rewriting value Na = (NH + NL) / 2 (the upper limit value NH and the lower limit value N
(Intermediate value of L), and other values are set as in the first embodiment.

(Operation of Second Embodiment) FIG. 12 shows the second embodiment.
5 is a flowchart of a main routine of an increase / decrease process of the determination numerical value N of the image forming apparatus including the toner replenishment control device. In FIG. 12, the toner replenishment control device C of the second embodiment
In T, since the controller C is not provided with the toner replacement notification flag FL2, in the determination numerical value N increase / decrease processing flow of the first embodiment, control is performed without the processing of the toner replacement notification flag FL2. That is, in the determination numerical value N increase / decrease processing flow of the second embodiment, the determination numerical value N of the first embodiment is used.
ST2 to ST4, ST10, ST11 of the increase / decrease processing flow
Is not processed. The other processing and the start timing of the flow are the same as the determination numerical value N increasing / decreasing processing flow of the first embodiment. Therefore, the determination value N of the second embodiment
In the increase / decrease process flow, only the process of increasing / decreasing the judgment value N is performed. The toner cartridge F for the user
Another control system may notify the exchange of k, or a configuration in which the notification is not performed is possible. Compared with the first embodiment, the determination value N increasing / decreasing process flow of the second embodiment does not have the toner replacement notification flag FL2, so that the configuration and control are simple and the process can be performed at high speed.

FIG. 13 is a flow chart of a main routine of toner cartridge replacement processing of the second embodiment of the image forming apparatus equipped with the toner replenishment control device of the present invention. In FIG. 13, the toner cartridge replacement process flow of the second embodiment differs from the toner cartridge replacement process flow of the first embodiment in the following points, but the other processes and the start timing of the flow are the same. In the second embodiment, since the replenishment addition value NT storage means C5 is not provided, the toner cartridge replacement processing flow is the same as the first embodiment.
The following process is performed in ST23 'instead of ST23. (1) A process of rewriting the value of the judgment numerical value N to the set rewriting value Na = (NH + NL) / 2 = 150 is performed. (2) The job prohibition flag FL1 is set to "0". In ST23 ′, as in ST23, since the toner in the toner cartridge Fk is exhausted and the supply toner sensor SN has detected the presence of toner,
It is determined that the toner cartridge has been replaced, and a process of initializing the value of the determination numerical value N to 150 is performed. Further, the value of the job prohibition flag FL1 is set to "0", that is, the job is enabled. In the toner cartridge replacement processing flow of the second embodiment, the relationship between the toner shortage recognition value NW and the rewrite value Na is Na ≧ due to the nature of the processing.
NW is preferable. In the case of Na <NW, for example, when Na = 150 and NW = 170 are taken as an example, after the cartridge replacement, the judgment numerical value N is initialized to 150, and then the judgment numerical value N is increased or decreased by 151. When the process is performed again in the process flow at the time of cartridge replacement in the state where
This is because there is a problem that the value will be reset to 0 and will continue to be initialized to 150 forever.

Therefore, in the image forming apparatus U1 equipped with the toner replenishment controller CT of the second embodiment, the upper limit value NH = 20.
By initializing the rewrite value Na to 150, which is a value sufficiently smaller than 0, the problem of the processing of the conventional technique is solved, as in the first embodiment. That is, when the toner cartridge is replaced with a new toner cartridge filled with toner, the image formation is performed without being prohibited, and when the toner cartridge is replaced with an empty toner cartridge, an image having a sufficient density cannot be formed. A job (image forming operation) can be prohibited before the probability of failure of the image forming apparatus U1 increases. The toner replenishment control device CT of the second embodiment
In the determination numerical value N increasing / decreasing process flow, since the process of notifying the replacement of the toner cartridge is not performed, the user is not notified of the replacement of the toner cartridge Fk or is performed by another control system. When it is desired to control the notification of the cartridge replacement in the same manner as in the first embodiment, the notification of the cartridge replacement is possible by applying the processing flow at the time of the toner cartridge replacement of the second embodiment to the determination value N increasing / decreasing processing flow of the first embodiment. Is. Further, in FIG. 12, for example, it is possible to omit ST1 and ST5 and start the process from ST6 when the supply / conveyance member is actuated to perform only the increase / decrease process of the judgment value N.

(Third Embodiment) In the description of the third embodiment, constituent elements corresponding to those of the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. The third embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the following points,
The other points are the same as those in the first embodiment.

The toner replenishment control device CT of the third embodiment performs the same process and control as the first embodiment in the process of increasing and decreasing the judgment numerical value N. Further, in the first embodiment, the toner cartridge F
Although a process of rewriting to Na (= N + NT), which is a value obtained by adding the addition value NT at the time of replenishment to the determination numerical value N at the time of replacement of k, was performed in Example 3, the addition value NT at the time of replenishment was not used, and Using the value NL and the error occurrence value NE, the judgment numerical value N is rewritten (initialized) to the rewritten value Na = NE + (NE-NL). Therefore, the error occurrence value NE is replaced by the supplementary addition value NT storage means C5 of the first embodiment.
The controller C is provided with an error occurrence value storage means C5 ″ for storing

The error occurrence value NE is the lower limit value NL.
As described in the first embodiment, the value N is a smaller value than the determination value N and represents the amount of toner in the toner reserve container 26 when a problem occurs in the image forming apparatus U1.
Is the value of. As described above, even if the determination numerical value N is reduced to the lower limit amount NL, the image formation is not significantly affected unless a high-density image is formed. However, when the value of the judgment numerical value N becomes the error occurrence value NE, an image of sufficient density cannot be formed even if the above-mentioned high-density image is formed, and even if an image of low density is formed, it is sufficient. The density image is not formed. Therefore, the rewriting value Na, which is a value after initializing the value of the judgment numerical value N using the error occurrence value NE, is the difference between the error occurrence value NE and the lower limit value NL (NL-NE). ) Is set to a value between NL + (NL-NE) added to the lower limit value NL and the lower limit value NL. By setting in this way, even when the cartridge is replaced with an empty cartridge, the toner amount level is set to the error occurrence value N.
Before the value becomes E, the judgment value N can be reduced to the lower limit value NL to prohibit the job (image forming operation). In the third embodiment, the error occurrence value NE = 80 and the rewriting value Na = NL + (NL-NE) = 120 are set,
The other values are the same as those in the first embodiment.

(Operation of Third Embodiment) FIG. 14 is a flowchart of the main routine of the toner cartridge replacement process of the third embodiment of the image forming apparatus provided with the toner supply control device of the present invention. In FIG. 14, the process flow at the time of toner cartridge replacement of the third embodiment is different from the process flow at the time of toner cartridge replacement of the first embodiment in the following points, but the other processes and the start timing of the flow are the same.
In the third embodiment, the replenishment additional value NT storage means C5 of the first embodiment is not provided, so in the toner cartridge replacement process flow, the following process is performed in ST23 ″ instead of ST23 of the first embodiment. (1) The value of the judgment numerical value N is set to the rewriting value Na = NL.
The process of rewriting to + (NL-NE) = 120 is performed. (2) The job prohibition flag FL1 is set to "0". In ST23 ″, as in the case of ST23, since the toner in the toner cartridge Fk is exhausted and the supply toner sensor SN has detected the presence of toner,
It is determined that the toner cartridge Fk has been replaced, and the determination numerical value N is processed. Further, the value of the job prohibition flag FL1 is set to "0", that is, the job is enabled.

Therefore, the image forming apparatus U1 equipped with the toner replenishment control device CT of the third embodiment initializes the judgment numerical value N to the rewriting value Na = NL + (NL-NE) = 120, and thereby the first embodiment is obtained. Similarly, the problem of the conventional processing is solved. That is, when the toner cartridge is replaced with a new toner cartridge filled with toner, the image formation is performed without being prohibited, and when the toner cartridge is replaced with an empty toner cartridge, an image having a sufficient density cannot be formed. Before the image forming apparatus U1 has a high probability of failure, the job (image forming operation) is performed more reliably than in the first embodiment.
Can be banned.

(Fourth Embodiment) In the description of the fourth embodiment, constituent elements corresponding to those of the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. Example 4 is different from Example 1 in the following points,
The other points are the same as those in the first embodiment.

The controller C of the toner replenishment controller CT of the fourth embodiment has a configuration in which a toner amount recovery determination flag FL3 is added to the configuration of the controller C of the first embodiment. FL3: Toner amount recovery determination flag The toner amount recovery determination flag FL3 has an initial value of "0" and becomes "1" only during a period when the amount of toner in the toner reserve container 26 is increasing, and the toner reserve container FL3. It becomes “0” when it is detected that the toner amount of 26 is full. When the value of the toner replacement notification flag FL2 is “1” and the value of the toner amount recovery determination flag FL3 is “0”, the controller C displays the toner in the toner cartridge Fk on the UI (user interface). Announce that there is no more. Therefore, Example 1
In the above, the user is notified of the presence or absence of toner in the toner cartridge Fk by the value of the toner replacement notification flag FL2. Is announced. In the fourth embodiment, the upper limit value N
Each numerical value such as H is set similarly to the first embodiment.

(Operation of Embodiment 4) (Explanation of Flowchart of Numerical Value N Increase / Decrease Processing for Judgment) FIG.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a main routine for increasing / decreasing the determination value N of the image forming apparatus including the toner supply control device according to the fourth embodiment. In FIG. 15, the determination value N increasing / decreasing processing flow of the fourth embodiment is different from the determination numerical value N increasing / decreasing processing flow of the first embodiment in the following points, but the other processing and the start timing of the flow are the same. Is. In the fourth embodiment, since the toner amount recovery determination flag FL3 is added to the constituent elements of the controller C of the first embodiment as a constituent element, the toner replacement notification flag FL2 and the toner amount recovery in the process flow of increasing / decreasing the judgment value N Discrimination flag F
A control different from that of the first embodiment is performed on L3.
That is, the processes of ST3, ST11, and ST12 in the process of increasing / decreasing the determination value N of the first embodiment are not performed, but the processes of ST4-1 and ST7-1 are newly performed.

In ST2 of the processing flow for increasing / decreasing the judgment value N in FIG. 15, it is judged whether or not the judgment value N is smaller than the toner shortage recognition value NW (= 175). If no (N), the process moves to ST4. S for yes (Y)
Move to T4-1. In ST4-1, the value of the toner replacement notification flag FL2 is set to "1", and the process proceeds to ST5. In ST4, the value of the toner replacement notification flag FL2 is set to "0", and the process proceeds to ST5. Before the process of increasing / decreasing the numerical value N for determination, in ST4 and ST4-1, the value of the toner replacement notification flag FL2 is processed. The operation for the toner replacement notification flag FL2 is performed only here.

Further, in ST7 of the process for increasing / decreasing the judgment value N in FIG. 15, it is judged whether or not the value of the judgment value N is the upper limit value NH = 200. If no (N), move to ST8. If yes (Y), the process moves to ST7-1. In ST7-1, toner amount recovery determination flag FL
The value of 3 is set to "0", and the process returns to ST1. Since the value of the determination value N is the upper limit value NH, the amount of toner in the toner reserve container 26 is full. Therefore, by setting the value of the toner amount recovery determination flag FL3 to "0", it can be determined that the toner in the toner reserve container 26 has increased and become full after the cartridge replacement.

(Explanation of Flowchart of Toner Cartridge Replacement Process) FIG. 16 is a flowchart of a main routine of a process of replacing the toner cartridge Fk of the image forming apparatus including the toner replenishment controller of the fourth embodiment. In FIG. 16, the toner cartridge F of the fourth embodiment
The process flow at the time of replacing k is different from the process at the time of replacing the toner cartridge Fk of the first embodiment in the following points, but the other processes and the timing of starting the flow are the same. Since the toner amount recovery determination flag FL3 is provided in the fourth embodiment, the following process is performed in ST33 in place of ST23 in the first embodiment in the toner cartridge replacement process flow. (1) The value of the judgment numerical value N is the rewriting value Na = N +
Perform the process of rewriting to NT. (2) The job prohibition flag FL1 is set to "0". (3) The toner amount exchange determination flag FL3 is set to "1". In ST33, as in ST23, since the toner in the toner cartridge Fk is exhausted and the supply toner sensor SN detects the presence of toner, it is determined that the toner cartridge Fk is replaced,
The judgment value N is processed. Also, the job prohibition flag F
The value of L1 is set to "0" to enable the job. Then, the toner amount exchange determination flag FL3 is set to "1".
By setting the toner amount exchange determination flag FL3 to "1",
Toner reserve container 2 after the cartridge Fk is replaced
It can be seen that the amount of toner in 6 is in the process of increasing.

By the processing in ST4 and ST4-1, the value of the judgment numerical value N becomes the toner shortage recognition value NW =
If it is larger than 175, the value of the toner replacement notification flag FL2 is "0", and if the value of the judgment value N is smaller than 175, the value of the toner replacement notification flag FL2 is "1". In the first embodiment, when the value of the toner replacement notification flag FL2 becomes "1", the UI (user interface) is notified that the toner in the toner cartridge Fk is exhausted. However, in the fourth embodiment, the user is notified only when the value of the toner replacement notification flag FL2 is "1" and the toner amount recovery determination flag FL3 is "0". In the first embodiment, when the toner cartridge Fk is replaced, the value N of the judgment value after rewriting is smaller than 175 (NW). Thus, the toner replacement notification flag FL2 remains in the state of "1" until the value of the judgment value N becomes larger than 175 (= NW). That is, in fact,
Although there is enough toner in the toner cartridge Fk,
When the UI is displayed, it means that there is no toner in the toner cartridge Fk, and the UI displays to replace the toner cartridge Fk. However, as described above, since the image formation is not prohibited at this time, the object of the present invention is achieved.

In the fourth embodiment, in order to solve the problem of the first embodiment, the toner amount recovery determination flag FL3 is added to the constituent elements, and the value of the toner replacement notification flag FL2 and the toner amount recovery determination flag FL3 are used. It controls the display of the UI. The value of the toner replacement notification flag FL2 is "1", and the value of the toner amount recovery determination flag FL3 is "0".
This state can be judged to be a state in which the toner in the toner reserve container 26 has decreased from the time when the toner was full. Therefore, in this case, it is determined that the toner in the toner cartridge Fk has run out, and the UI is informed to replace the toner cartridge Fk. On the other hand, when the value of the toner replacement notification flag FL2 is "1" and the value of the toner amount recovery determination flag FL3 is "1", the toner in the toner reserve container 26 is increasing and is still full. It can be judged that it is not in the state. That is, it is determined that the toner has been replenished from the toner cartridge Fk, and that there is toner in the toner cartridge Fk. Therefore, in this case, although the judgment value N is smaller than 175 (NW), the UI does not indicate to replace the toner cartridge Fk. As a result, the problem of the first embodiment, that is, the toner cartridge Fk has a large amount of toner, but the UI prompts to replace the toner cartridge Fk, is solved.

Therefore, in each of the first and fourth embodiments, when the toner cartridge is replaced with a new toner cartridge filled with toner, the image formation is performed without inhibition and the toner cartridge is replaced with an empty toner cartridge. In this case, the job (image forming operation) can be prohibited before the image having a sufficient density cannot be formed or the probability that the image forming apparatus U1 breaks down becomes high. Furthermore, Example 4 has the same effects as Example 1, and Example 1
The problem of is solved.

(Modification) Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments.
Various design changes can be made without departing from the present invention described in the claims. A modified embodiment of the present invention is illustrated below. (H01) In each of the above-described embodiments, it is possible to use, as the developer, a one-component developer including only a toner or a two-component developer including a toner and a carrier (H02). The member 15 can be a wire made of metal such as stainless steel or synthetic resin. (H03) In each of the above embodiments, the numerical value N for determination increases when the supply toner sensor SN detects the presence of toner and decreases when there is no toner, but decreases when there is toner and increases when there is no toner. It can also be configured to do so. At this time, the handling of the upper limit value, the lower limit value, and the error occurrence value is the reverse of the case of each of the above-mentioned embodiments, and the addition value during replenishment also takes a negative (-) value. (H04) Each of the above embodiments can be applied to an image forming apparatus provided with a replenishing device other than the toner cartridge exchange type. (H05) In each of the above-described embodiments, not only the image forming apparatus having the rotary developing device but also the image forming apparatus having the tandem developing device or the retractor developing device can be applied.

[0095]

The toner replenishment control device of the present invention described above can achieve the following effects (E01) and (E02). (E01) When image formation is performed after toner supply, image formation can be prevented. (E02) Even when a small amount of toner is replenished or no toner is replenished, even when the toner replenishment is detected, it is possible to prevent a trouble in the developing device or the like.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an image forming apparatus in which a toner cartridge according to a first exemplary embodiment of a toner supply control device of the present invention is mounted.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part of a rotary developing device of the image forming apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the toner cartridge mounted in the cartridge mounting portion of the toner replenishing device according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the developing device at the developing position, and the like.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the toner cartridge according to the first exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a toner reserve container and a cartridge mounting portion of the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the toner cartridge according to the first exemplary embodiment is mounted in the cartridge mounting portion.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a control section of the first embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention, and is a block diagram (functional block diagram) showing each function provided in the control section.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a main routine for increasing / decreasing the determination numerical value N of the image forming apparatus including the toner replenishment control device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a main routine of toner cartridge replacement processing of the first embodiment of the image forming apparatus including the toner supply control device of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a graph showing the relationship between the presence / absence of toner in the supply toner sensor after replacement of a new toner cartridge, the drive / stop of the supply / conveyance member, and the increase / decrease in the determination numerical value.

FIG. 11 is a graph showing the relationship between the presence / absence of toner in the supply toner sensor after the replacement of an empty toner cartridge, the increase / decrease in the determination numerical value, and the number of times of image formation.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a main routine of an increase / decrease process of the determination numerical value N of the image forming apparatus including the toner supply control device of the second embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of a main routine of toner cartridge replacement processing of the second embodiment of the image forming apparatus including the toner supply control device of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of a main routine of toner cartridge replacement processing of the third embodiment of the image forming apparatus including the toner supply control device of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart of a main routine of an increasing / decreasing process of the determination value N of the image forming apparatus including the toner supply control device of the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of a main routine of a process when replacing the toner cartridge Fk of the image forming apparatus including the toner supply control device of the fourth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

2 + 26 + 31 ... Toner supply path, 2 + 26 to 29 + 3
1 + 32 + SN ... Toner supply device, 6 ... Supply container, 12
... Replenishing / conveying member, 27 to 29, 32 ... Supplying / conveying member, C
1 ... Numerical value storage means for determination, C2 ... Upper limit value storage means, C3
... Lower limit value storage means, C4 ... Shortage recognition value storage means, C5 ...
Addition value storage means, C5 '... Initial value storage means, C5 "... Error occurrence value storage means, C6 ... Numerical value increasing / decreasing means, C7 ... Numerical value rewriting means for judgment, CT ... Toner supply control device, Fk,
Fy, Fm, Fc ... Toner supply device, G ... Developing device, G
R ... Developing roll, M3 ... Supply driving device, PR ... Image carrier, Q2 ... Developing area, SN ... Supply toner sensor, U1
... image forming apparatus, V ... developing container.

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Tomio Onuki             Fuji Zero, 2274 Hongo, Ebina City, Kanagawa Prefecture             X Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Ryuji Hattori             Fuji Zero, 2274 Hongo, Ebina City, Kanagawa Prefecture             X Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Shigemi Murata             Fuji Zero, 2274 Hongo, Ebina City, Kanagawa Prefecture             X Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Akira Yukita             Fuji Zero, 2274 Hongo, Ebina City, Kanagawa Prefecture             X Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 2H027 DA38 DD02 DE01 DE07 DE09                       EA06 EC06 EC09 EC20 ED10                       EE01 EE04 EE07 EE08 GA30                 2H077 AA03 AA35 AB03 AC02 AD02                       AD06 BA02 DA12 DA16 DA32                       DA42 DA51 DB02 DB10 DB22                       DB25 GA13

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A toner replenishment control device comprising the following constituent requirements (A01) to (A09): (A01) Conveying toner carried on a rotating surface to a developing area facing an image carrier. A developing container that rotatably supports the developing roll and stores the toner to be supplied to the developing roll.
A developing device for developing an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the image bearing member into a toner image with toner carried on the surface of the developing roll in the developing area; (A02) a replenishing container containing toner to be replenished to the developing container and the developing device. A toner supply path connecting between the container and the container, a supply toner sensor provided in the supply path for detecting the presence or absence of the supply toner in the supply path, and the toner in the supply path by the developing device. A toner supply device for supplying the toner to the developing container by supplying the toner to the developing container by consuming the toner in the developing container and consuming the toner in the developing container; A replenishing container that contains toner to be replenished to the container; a replenishing conveying member that replenishes the developing container with toner from the replenishing container; and a replenishment driving device that drives the replenishing conveying member. A toner replenishing device for replenishing toner from the replenishment container to the toner supply path so that the supply toner sensor detects the presence of toner while toner is present in the replenishment container, (A04) for supply Numerical value storage means for storing a numerical value N for judging the presence / absence of toner, (A05) Upper limit value N of the numerical value N for judgment
An upper limit value storage means for storing H, (A06) a lower limit value storage means for storing a lower limit value NL of the judgment numerical value N, and (A07) the judgment numerical value N set so as to satisfy the expression NL <NW <NH. Insufficient recognition value storage means for storing the toner shortage recognition value NW, (A08) When the supply toner is supplied while the supply toner sensor detects the presence of toner, the determination value N is increased according to the supply time. Then, when the supply toner is supplied while the supply toner sensor detects the absence of toner, the determination numerical value N is decreased according to the supply time, and the determination numerical value N is increased or decreased within the upper limit value. Numerical value increasing / decreasing means for performing (A09) The judgment numerical value N when the supply toner sensor detects the presence of toner when the judgment numerical value N is smaller than the toner shortage recognition value NW. A book sort judgment numerical rewriting means rewriting value Na, the rewriting value Na of the formula NL <N
The determination numerical value rewriting means set to satisfy a <NH. 2. The following constituent requirements (A01) to (A07), (A
08 ′) and (A09 ′), a toner replenishment control device, (A01) rotatably supporting a developing roll that conveys toner carried on a rotating surface to a developing area facing a photoconductor. And a developing device having a developing container for accommodating the toner to be supplied to the developing roll, wherein the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photoconductor is developed into a toner image by the toner carried on the surface of the developing roll in the developing area. ) A toner supply path that connects a supply container containing toner to be supplied to the developing container and the developing container, and a toner supply path provided to detect the presence or absence of supply toner in the supply path. A supply toner sensor, a supply conveyance member that supplies the toner in the supply path to the developing device, and the supply conveyance member is driven as the toner in the developing container is consumed. A toner supply device having a supply drive device for supplying to the developing container; (A03) the replenishing container containing the toner to be replenished in the developing container; and a replenishing and conveying member for replenishing the developing container with toner from the replenishing container. A replenishment driving device for driving the replenishment / conveyance member, and the toner is supplied from the replenishment container to the toner supply path so that the supply toner sensor detects the presence of the toner while the replenishment container has the toner. A toner replenishing device for replenishing, (A04) a judging numerical value storage means for storing a judging numerical value N for judging the presence or absence of the supplying toner, (A04)
05) Upper limit value storage means for storing the upper limit value NH of the judgment numerical value N, (A06) Lower limit value storage means for storing the lower limit value NL of the judgment numerical value N, and (A07) Expression NL <NW <NH is satisfied. A shortage recognition value storage means for storing the toner shortage recognition value NW of the determination numerical value N set as described above, (A08 ′) is supplied when the supply toner is supplied while the supply toner sensor detects the presence of toner. The determination value N is decreased according to time, and when the supply toner is supplied with the supply toner sensor detecting the absence of toner, the determination value N is increased according to the supply time and the determination value is increased. A numerical value increasing / decreasing means for increasing / decreasing the usage numerical value N at or above the lower limit value. (A09 ′) When the judgment numerical value N is larger than the toner shortage recognition value NW, the supply toner sensor has toner. A judgment numerical value rewriting means for rewriting the judgment numerical value N to a rewriting value Na when detected, wherein the rewriting value Na is set so as to satisfy the expression NL <Na <NH. . 3. The toner replenishment control device according to claim 1, further comprising the following constituents (A010) and (A011), and (A010) the replenishment addition value NT of the judgment numerical value N. And (A011) the judgment value rewriting means for rewriting the judgment value N to the rewriting value Na set to Na = N + NT. 4. The toner replenishment control device according to claim 1, further comprising the following constituents (A012) and (A013), and (A012) a rewrite value Na set to a specific value. Initial value storage means for storing, (A013) The judgment numerical value rewriting means for initializing the judgment numerical value N to the rewriting value Na which is the specific value. 5. The toner replenishment control device according to claim 1, further comprising the following constitutional requirement (A014):
(H + NL) / 2, the determination numerical value rewriting means set so as to satisfy. 6. The toner replenishment control device according to claim 1 or claim 3, characterized in that the following constitutional requirements (A015) and (A016) are provided, and (A015) image formation by the developing device is performed. An error occurrence value storage means for storing an error occurrence value NE which is a value of the judgment numerical value N when the toner is incomplete due to lack of toner and which is set smaller than the lower limit value NL, (A016) the rewrite The value Na is the formula NL <Na
The determination numerical value rewriting means set so as to satisfy ≦ NL + (NL-NE). 7. The following constituent elements (A015 ′) and (A01
6. A toner replenishment control device according to claim 2, further comprising: 6 '), (A015') said numerical value N for judgment when image formation of said developing device is incomplete due to lack of said toner. Error generating value storage means for storing an error generating value NE set to a value larger than the upper limit value NH, and (A016 ′) the rewriting value Na is expressed by the formula NH +
The above-mentioned numerical value rewriting means for determination, which is set so as to satisfy (NH-NE) ≦ Na <NH. 8. The toner replenishment control device according to claim 1, further comprising the following constituent requirement (A017): (A017) The determination numerical value N is the toner shortage recognition value value NW. A notification means for notifying that the toner in the replenishing container has been exhausted. 9. An image forming apparatus comprising the toner replenishment control device according to claim 1.