JP2003271023A - Device and method for image formation - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To determine as accurately as possible that a waste toner container is full of waste toner. <P>SOLUTION: Pixels forming a toner image is counted by a dot counter 118. A CPU 111 starts integrating pixels when a stored waste toner quantitative sensor 83 detects that a quantity of stored waste toner exceeds a predetermined quantity. When the integration value reaches a predetermined value stored in a ROM 112, the CPU 111 determines that the quantity of stored waste toner has occupied the whole capacity. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electrophotographic image forming technique for printers, copiers, facsimile machines and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a charged photoconductor is exposed by an exposing means to form an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor, and toner is attached to the electrostatic latent image by developing means to form a toner image. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus is known in which a toner image is formed and transferred to a transfer paper to obtain a predetermined image, and in particular, as an apparatus that enables formation of a color image,
An image forming apparatus is known in which a toner image formed on a photoconductor is primarily transferred to an intermediate transfer medium, and the toner image transferred to the intermediate transfer medium is secondarily transferred to a transfer paper.
In this image forming apparatus, when forming a color image,
For example, a toner image of a plurality of colors is sequentially formed on the photoconductor, and primary transfer is performed on the intermediate transfer medium for each formation of the toner image of each color, thereby forming a color toner image on which the toner images of the plurality of colors are superimposed on the intermediate transfer medium. Then, the color toner image is secondarily transferred to a transfer paper to obtain a color image. In an image forming apparatus without an intermediate transfer medium, only the photoconductor has a function as an image carrier, and in an image forming apparatus with an intermediate transfer medium, the intermediate transfer medium also has a function as an image carrier. Have.

In these image forming apparatuses, the transfer efficiency from the image carrier to the transfer target (for example, the primary transfer efficiency from the photoconductor to the intermediate transfer medium and the secondary transfer efficiency from the intermediate transfer medium to the transfer paper) is improved. Since it is not 100%, the toner will remain on the image carrier after the transfer is completed.

Therefore, the conventional image forming apparatus is provided with a cleaning means for removing the residual toner on the image carrier and a waste toner container for containing the residual toner removed by the cleaning means as waste toner, and further, it is disposed. In many cases, a waste toner storage amount sensor such as an optical sensor for detecting that the waste toner storage amount stored in the toner container is full is provided.

[0005]

However, as the size of the apparatus main body is reduced in order to meet the demand for space saving of the image forming apparatus, the amount of waste toner stored in the waste toner storage sensor becomes full. Since it is very difficult to arrange such a position in a position where it can be detected accurately, even when the waste toner storage amount sensor detects that the waste toner is full, there is often a margin in the waste toner container. Therefore, the waste toner container cannot sufficiently exhibit its capacity and the frequency of replacement of the container by the user cannot be reduced, and the usability of the apparatus is not satisfactory.

The present invention has been made in view of the above,
An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus and method capable of determining the fullness of waste toner contained in a waste toner container as accurately as possible.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is an image forming apparatus for transferring a toner image formed on an image carrier to a transfer paper, wherein the image carrier is A waste toner container for storing the waste toner removed from the waste toner container, a storage amount detecting means for detecting whether or not the storage amount of the waste toner in the waste toner container is equal to or more than a predetermined amount set in advance less than full, and the toner. Dot counting means for counting the number of pixels forming an image, and the number of pixels counted by the dot counting means when the stored amount of waste toner is detected by the storage amount detecting means to be equal to or more than the predetermined amount. The present invention is characterized by comprising a full determination means for determining that the waste toner storage amount has reached full when the integration is started and the integrated value reaches a preset predetermined value.

According to this structure, it is detected whether or not the amount of waste toner stored in the waste toner container for storing the waste toner removed from the image carrier is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount set in advance to less than full, and the toner is detected. The number of pixels forming the image is counted. Then, when it is detected that the waste toner storage amount is equal to or larger than the predetermined amount, the accumulation of the counted number of pixels is started, and when the integration value reaches a preset predetermined value, the waste toner storage amount is It is determined that it is full. The amount of waste toner accommodated increases according to the amount of toner used, but the fullness of the amount of waste toner accommodated is determined using the integrated value of the number of pixels corresponding to the amount of toner used. Will be seen. The image carrier includes a photoconductor that carries the formed toner image, an intermediate transfer medium that temporarily carries the image between the photoconductor and the transfer paper, and the like.

Particularly, an intermediate transfer medium to which the toner image formed on the photosensitive member is primarily transferred, a secondary transfer means for secondarily transferring the toner image of the intermediate transfer medium onto a transfer paper, and after the secondary transfer. An intermediate transfer medium cleaning unit for removing toner remaining on the intermediate transfer medium is further provided, and the waste toner container is a waste toner removed by the intermediate transfer medium cleaning unit from the intermediate transfer medium as the image carrier. In the case of accommodating the toner (claim 2), since the residual toner on the intermediate transfer medium is relatively directly proportional to the toner usage amount,
The fullness of the waste toner storage amount will be determined more accurately.

Further, the fullness determining means may determine that the storage amount of waste toner is less than the predetermined amount by the storage amount detecting means after the start of the integration and before the integration value reaches the predetermined value. When detected, the integrated value may be reset to 0 to stop the integration (claim 3).

According to this configuration, even after the waste toner storage amount is detected to be equal to or greater than the predetermined amount and the integration of the number of pixels is started, the waste toner storage is again performed before the integrated value reaches the predetermined value. When it is detected that the amount is less than the predetermined amount, it is determined that, for example, the user shakes the waste toner container to average the unevenness of the stacked waste toner or replaces the waste toner container with a new one. be able to. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the situation in which the integration value is reset to 0 and the integration of the number of pixels is stopped, and the integration is continued as it is, and an erroneous determination as full is made.

Further, a container attachment / detachment detection means for detecting attachment / detachment of the waste toner container to / from the apparatus main body is further provided, and the fullness determination means is configured to detect the attachment / detachment of the waste toner container by the container attachment / detachment detection means after the integrated value reaches the predetermined value. When the removal of the waste toner container from the apparatus main body is detected, and then the reattachment of the waste toner container to the apparatus main body is detected, the storage amount detecting means determines the waste toner storage amount. When it is detected that the amount is equal to or more than the fixed amount, the determination that the waste toner storage amount has reached the full amount may be maintained (claim 4).

According to this structure, when the integrated value of the number of pixels reaches the predetermined value, it is determined that the waste toner storage amount has reached the full amount, but thereafter, the removal of the waste toner container from the apparatus main body is detected. In this case, if it is detected that the waste toner storage amount is equal to or larger than a predetermined amount when it is detected that the waste toner container is reattached to the apparatus main body, the waste toner container is not replaced with a new one. Since the determination can be made, it is possible to prompt the user to replace the waste toner container with a new one, for example, by maintaining the determination that the waste toner storage amount has reached full.

Further, container attachment / detachment detection means for detecting attachment / detachment of the waste toner container to / from the apparatus main body is further provided, and the fullness determination means is after the start of the integration and before the integration value reaches the predetermined value. When the removal / removal of the waste toner container from the apparatus main body is detected by the container attachment / detachment detection means, the accommodation amount detection means detects the reattachment of the waste toner container to the apparatus main body. When it is detected that the waste toner storage amount is equal to or more than the predetermined amount, the integration may be continued without resetting the integration value to 0 (claim 5).

According to this structure, when the removal of the waste toner container from the apparatus body is detected after the start of the integration of the number of pixels and before the integrated value reaches the predetermined value, the apparatus of the waste toner container is then detected. When it is detected that the waste toner storage amount is equal to or larger than the predetermined amount when the reattachment to the main body is detected, it can be determined that the waste toner container is not replaced with a new one, and thus the integrated value is set to 0. By continuing the integration without resetting, it becomes possible to accurately determine whether the waste toner storage amount is full.

Further, the fullness determining means, when the removal / removal of the waste toner container from the apparatus main body is detected by the container attachment / detachment detection means after the integrated value reaches the predetermined value, the waste toner is thereafter detected. When the waste toner storage amount is detected to be the predetermined amount or more by the storage amount detection means when the reattachment of the container to the apparatus main body is detected, the waste toner storage amount has reached full capacity. The determination may be maintained (claim 6).

According to this structure, when the integrated value of the number of pixels reaches the predetermined value, it is determined that the waste toner storage amount has reached the full amount, but thereafter, the removal of the waste toner container from the apparatus main body is detected. In this case, if it is detected that the waste toner storage amount is equal to or larger than a predetermined amount when it is detected that the waste toner container is reattached to the apparatus main body, the waste toner container is not replaced with a new one. Since the determination can be made, it is possible to prompt the user to replace the waste toner container with a new one, for example, by maintaining the determination that the waste toner storage amount has reached full.

In addition, when the waste toner storage amount is detected to be equal to or larger than the predetermined amount by the notification unit for notifying the user of the predetermined notification content and the storage amount detection unit, that effect is notified. A notification control means for notifying the user by the notification means may be further provided (claim 7).

According to this structure, when it is detected that the waste toner storage amount is equal to or more than the predetermined amount which is set to be less than the full amount in advance, the user is informed of the fact by using the notifying means, so The person can start preparation for filling the waste toner container, such as obtaining a new waste toner container at a stage less than full, and the usability of the apparatus is improved.

Further, an image forming control means may be provided to stop the image forming operation when it is determined by the fullness determining means that the waste toner storage amount has reached the full amount (claim 8).

With this configuration, when it is determined that the amount of waste toner stored has reached the full amount, the image forming operation is stopped, so that the waste toner stored in the waste toner container overflows. Will be prevented.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, the life of a plurality of device constituent elements arranged in the apparatus main body is determined based on an integrated value obtained by integrating the number of pixels counted by the dot counting means. And a threshold value storage means for storing a plurality of threshold values set to mutually different values corresponding to the respective device constituent elements, the life determination means, the integrated value and Each of the threshold values is compared with each other, and when the integrated value reaches each of the threshold values, it is determined that each corresponding device constituent element has reached the end of its life.

According to this structure, the integrated value obtained by integrating the number of pixels forming a toner image is compared with a plurality of threshold values set to different values corresponding to the components of the apparatus, and the integrated value is obtained. When the threshold value reaches each threshold value, it is determined that each corresponding device component has reached the end of life.
In particular, for device components whose life is proportional to the amount of toner used, life judgment can be performed with a simple configuration using a common pixel count integrated value.

Further, the life determining means adds the preset offset value to the number of pixels forming one toner image as the integrated value, and then compares the integrated value with each of the threshold values. By doing so (claim 10), it becomes possible to more accurately determine the life of each device component.

Further, there is further provided an offset value storage means for storing a plurality of offset values set to mutually different values corresponding to the respective constituent elements of the apparatus, and the life judgment means has one toner image as the integrated value. It is also possible to compare each integrated value obtained by adding the respective offset values to the number of pixels forming the respective ones and integrating with each corresponding threshold value (claim 11).

According to this configuration, a plurality of offset values set to mutually different values corresponding to the respective constituent elements of the apparatus are added to the number of pixels forming one toner image, and the respective integrated values are integrated. By comparing the corresponding threshold values with each other, by setting the offset value according to the characteristics of each device component, the life of each device component can be determined more accurately.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, an intermediate transfer medium on which a toner image formed on a photoconductor is primarily transferred, and a secondary image on which a toner image on the intermediate transfer medium is secondarily transferred onto a transfer paper. The image forming apparatus further includes a transfer unit, a photoconductor cleaning unit that removes toner remaining on the photoconductor after the primary transfer, and an intermediate transfer medium cleaning unit that removes toner remaining on the intermediate transfer medium after the secondary transfer. The plurality of apparatus components include a waste toner container that stores waste toner removed from the photoconductor as the image carrier by the photoconductor cleaning unit, and the intermediate transfer medium as the image carrier. A waste toner container for containing the waste toner removed by the intermediate transfer medium cleaning means is included.

According to this structure, the amount of waste toner stored in the waste toner container for storing the waste toner removed from the photoreceptor serving as the image carrier and the waste toner removed from the intermediate transfer medium serving as the image carrier. Since the waste toner storage amount of the waste toner container to be stored increases in accordance with the toner usage amount, the life of each waste toner container can be accurately determined by using the integrated value of the number of pixels forming a toner image. Will be possible.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in an image forming method for transferring a toner image formed on an image carrier to a transfer paper, a waste toner container for containing waste toner removed from the image carrier. Storage amount detecting step of detecting whether or not the waste toner storage amount of the toner is equal to or more than a predetermined amount set in advance less than full, a dot counting step of counting the number of pixels forming the toner image, and the storage amount detection When the waste toner storage amount is detected to be equal to or more than the predetermined amount by the process, the integration of the number of pixels counted by the dot counting process is started, and the integration value reaches a preset predetermined value. And a fullness determining step for determining that the waste toner storage amount has reached full capacity.

According to this structure, it is detected whether or not the amount of waste toner stored in the waste toner container for storing the waste toner removed from the image carrier is equal to or more than a predetermined amount set in advance to less than full, and the toner is detected. The number of pixels forming the image is counted. Then, when it is detected that the waste toner storage amount is equal to or larger than the predetermined amount, the accumulation of the counted number of pixels is started, and when the integration value reaches a preset predetermined value, the waste toner storage amount is It is determined that it is full. The amount of waste toner accommodated increases according to the amount of toner used, but the fullness of the amount of waste toner accommodated is determined using the integrated value of the number of pixels corresponding to the amount of toner used. Will be seen. The image carrier includes a photoconductor that carries the formed toner image, an intermediate transfer medium that temporarily carries the image between the photoconductor and the transfer paper, and the like.

[0031]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First, the configuration of a printer which is an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an internal configuration of the printer, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the printer, and FIG. 3 is a development view of an intermediate transfer belt.

This printer superimposes four color toners of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) to form a full-color image, for example, only black (K) toner. Is used to form a monochrome image. In this printer, when a print command signal including an image signal is given to the main control unit 100 from an external device such as a host computer, the engine control unit 110 causes each unit of the engine unit 1 to respond to the control signal from the main control unit 100. Is controlled to print out an image corresponding to the image signal on the transfer paper 4 conveyed from the paper feed cassette 3 arranged below the apparatus main body 2.

The engine unit 1 includes the photoconductor unit 1
0, a rotary developing unit 20, an intermediate transfer unit 30, a fixing unit 40, and an exposure unit 50. The photoconductor unit 10 includes a photoconductor 11, a charging unit 12, and a cleaning unit 13, and the rotary developing unit 20 includes
Yellow developing unit 2 containing yellow toner
Y, magenta developing unit 2M containing magenta toner, cyan developing unit 2 containing cyan toner
C, a black developing unit 2K containing black toner, and the like. The intermediate transfer unit 30 includes an intermediate transfer belt 31, a vertical synchronization sensor 32, a belt cleaner 33,
A gate roller pair 34, a secondary transfer roller 35, a photoconductor driving motor 36, and the like are provided. Above 7 units 1
Each of 0, 2Y, 2M, 2C, 2K, 30, and 40 is configured to be detachable from the apparatus body 2.

The photoconductor 11 of the photoconductor unit 10 includes the seven units 10, 2Y, 2M, 2C, 2K, 30,
In a state in which 40 is attached to the apparatus main body 2, it rotates in the direction of arrow 5 by the photoconductor driving motor 36, and is in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 31, and this contact position is in the primary transfer portion 14. It is set. Around the photoconductor 11, along the rotation direction 5, a charging unit 12, a rotary developing unit 20, and a cleaning unit 13 are arranged.

The charging section 12 is provided with a wire electrode to which a high voltage of a predetermined level is applied, and uniformly charges the outer peripheral surface of the photoconductor 11 by, for example, corona discharge. The cleaning unit 13 is arranged immediately upstream of the charging unit 12 in the rotation direction 5 of the photoconductor 11 and downstream of the primary transfer unit 14, and the primary of the toner image from the photoconductor 11 to the intermediate transfer belt 31. The toner remaining on the outer peripheral surface of the photoconductor 11 after the transfer is scraped off by the cleaning blade 15 to clean the surface of the photoconductor 11. The residual toner on the photoconductor 11 scraped off by the cleaning blade 15 is stored in the waste toner container 16 as waste toner.

The exposure unit 50 is reflected by a laser light source 51 formed of, for example, a semiconductor laser, a polygon mirror 52 that reflects the laser light from the laser light source 51, a polygon motor 53 that rotationally drives the polygon mirror 52, and a polygon mirror 52. Lens unit 5 for focusing the laser light
4, a plurality of reflection mirrors 55, a horizontal synchronization sensor 56, etc. are provided. Is reflected by the polygon mirror 52,
The laser beam 57 emitted through the lens unit 54 and the reflection mirror 55 scans the surface of the photoconductor 11 in the main scanning direction (direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 1), and the static light corresponding to the image signal is obtained. An electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photoconductor 11.
At this time, the horizontal synchronization sensor 56 obtains a synchronization signal in the main scanning direction, that is, a horizontal synchronization signal.

The polygon motor 53 is a polygon mirror 5
2 is a preset rotation speed, for example 30,000 rp
It is driven to rotate at a high speed of m (revolutions / minute). For example, it has a configuration capable of high-speed rotation by an oil bearing, and when the rotation speed reaches the above-mentioned set rotation speed by starting the drive, the CPU
A ready signal is sent to 111. The exposure unit 50 has a function as an exposure unit.

The rotary developing section 20 adheres the toner of each color to the electrostatic latent image and develops it. The yellow developing unit 2Y, the magenta developing unit 2M, the cyan developing unit 2C, and the black developing unit 2K of the rotary developing unit 20 are rotatably provided around the axis, and these developing units 2Y, 2M, 2C and 2K are predetermined. It is movably arranged at the plurality of positions, and is selectively arranged at the contact position and the separated position with respect to the photoconductor 11. Then, a developing bias in which a direct current component or a direct current component and an alternating current component are superimposed is applied, and the toner of the color is attached to the surface of the photoconductor 11 from the developing unit in the contact position with respect to the photoconductor 11. Rotary development unit 20
The (developing units 2Y, 2M, 2C, 2K) have a function as developing means.

Intermediate transfer belt 3 of intermediate transfer unit 30
1 is wound around a tension roller 31A, a drive roller 31B, a tension roller 31C and a driven roller 31D. The tension roller 31A is for surely bringing the intermediate transfer belt 31 into contact with the photoconductor 11. The drive roller 31B is rotationally driven together with the photoconductor 11 by the photoconductor drive motor 36.

As shown in FIG. 3, the intermediate transfer belt 31 is an endless belt formed by joining substantially rectangular sheet bodies at a joint 71. In FIG. 3, an arrow 72 indicates a rotation driving direction, and an arrow 73 indicates a rotation axis direction.

The intermediate transfer belt 31 has a rotational axis direction of 7
3 has a protruding portion 74 provided on one end side (upper side in FIG. 3) of 3, and has a transfer inhibition area 75 and a transfer permission area 76. The transfer prohibited area 75 is set in a range of predetermined dimensions on both sides of the seam 71 from one end to the other end in the rotation axis direction 73. Transfer permission area 76
Is a region other than the transfer inhibition region 75 and is set to a rectangular region excluding one end and the other end in the rotation axis direction 73, and the toner image is primarily transferred to the transfer permission region 76. The transfer permission area 76 has a size larger than the A3 size in the long side direction in the rotation drive direction 72, and the A3 size toner image 77 in the long side direction in the rotation drive direction 72 can be transferred.

The vertical synchronization sensor 32 is composed of, for example, a photo interrupter having a light emitting portion (for example, LED) and a light receiving portion (for example, photodiode) arranged to face each other, and one end side of the rotating intermediate transfer belt 31 in the rotation axis direction 73. And detects the passage of the protrusion 74 and outputs a detection signal. The detection signal output from the vertical synchronization sensor 32 is used as a vertical synchronization signal that serves as a reference for image formation control by the engine control unit 110. The vertical synchronization sensor 32 is arranged in the vicinity of the driven roller 31D, whereby the intermediate transfer belt 3 is
It is possible to reduce the influence of the bending and the swinging of No. 1 and to stably detect the protruding portion 74.

The belt cleaner 33 is in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 31 by the cleaner separation clutch (see FIG. 1).
The middle and solid lines) and the separated state (broken line in FIG. 1) are switchably arranged to scrape off the residual toner on the intermediate transfer belt 31 in the contact state. The contact and separation of the belt cleaner 33 is performed on the transfer prohibited area 75 of the intermediate transfer belt 31. The residual toner on the intermediate transfer belt 31 scraped off by the belt cleaner 33 is collected by the waste toner container 6 disposed immediately below the belt cleaner 33.
Is stored as waste toner.

The gate roller pair 34 is rotationally driven by the driving force of the conveying system driving motor 60 being transmitted when the gate clutch is turned on. The secondary transfer roller 35 is in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 31 (solid line in FIG. 1) and separated (broken line in FIG. 1) by the separation clutch for the secondary transfer roller.
Can be switched. A predetermined secondary transfer bias is applied to the secondary transfer roller 35 while being in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 31, and the intermediate transfer belt 3 is conveyed while conveying the transfer paper 4.
The toner image on No. 1 is secondarily transferred onto the transfer paper 4, and the contact position is set at the secondary transfer portion 37.

A roller-shaped bias applying member (not shown) is in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 31, and a predetermined primary transfer bias is applied to this bias applying member.
The toner image on the photoconductor 11 is primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 31 by the primary transfer bias.

The cleaning blade 15 corresponds to the photoconductor cleaning means, the photoconductor 11 and the intermediate transfer belt 31 correspond to the image carrier, the intermediate transfer belt 31 corresponds to the intermediate transfer medium, and the belt cleaner 33 corresponds to the intermediate transfer medium. The bias applying member, the secondary transfer roller 35, and the transfer bias generating circuit 116 (described later) correspond to the cleaning unit, and correspond to the secondary transfer unit.

The fixing unit 40 includes a heating roller 41 and a pressure roller 42, and the transfer paper 4 is made up of the rollers 41 and 42.
The toner on the transfer paper 4 is heated and melted to be fixed on the transfer paper 4 while being conveyed, and has a function as a fixing unit.

A half-moon-shaped pickup roller 61 extends upward from the front end (right end in FIG. 1) of the paper feed cassette 3,
The feed roller pair 62 is disposed, and the gate roller pair 3
4, the secondary transfer roller 35 and the fixing unit 40 are sandwiched, and a conveyance roller pair 63 and a discharge roller pair 64 are further provided, and a conveyance path for the transfer paper 4 (a chain line in FIG. 1) is formed by these. ing.

The pickup roller 61 is driven by a pickup solenoid. The feed roller pair 62, the gate roller pair 34, the secondary transfer roller 35, the heating roller 41 of the fixing unit 40, the conveyance roller pair 63, and the discharge roller pair 64 are the same conveyance system drive motor via the drive force transmission mechanism. It is connected to 60. The transport system driving motor 60 outputs a ready signal when it reaches a predetermined rotation speed. When the feed clutch is turned on, the feed roller pair 62 is rotationally driven by transmitting the driving force of the transport system driving motor 60. The transfer paper 4 has a paper discharge unit 7 provided on the upper portion of the apparatus main body 2 by a discharge roller pair 64.
Is discharged to.

An operation display panel 8 is provided on the upper surface of the apparatus main body 2.
Is provided. The operation display panel 8 is provided with a plurality of operation keys and a display unit made of, for example, a liquid crystal display. Engine unit 1 of device body 2
Further includes waste toner container sensors 81, 82 and waste toner storage amount sensors 83, 84. Each sensor 81-
Each of the reference numerals 84 is, for example, a photo interrupter.

The waste toner container sensor 81 (82) detects the attachment / detachment of the waste toner container 16 (6) and outputs the detection signal as CP.
When the waste toner container 16 (6) is mounted, for example, a high level signal is sent to the CPU 1.
11 and sends a low level signal to the CPU 111 when it is not mounted.

The waste toner storage amount sensor 83 (84) detects the waste toner storage amount of the waste toner container 16 (6) and sends a detection signal to the CPU 111. The waste toner storage amount is the first predetermined amount V1. When it is less than the (second predetermined amount V2), for example, a low level signal is sent to the CPU 111, and when it becomes the first predetermined amount V1 (second predetermined amount V2) or more, a high level signal is sent to the CPU 111.

The disposed position of the waste toner storage amount sensor 83 (84) is full when the detection level of the first predetermined amount V1 (second predetermined amount V2) is less than the full amount of the waste toner container 16 (6). It is set in advance to be a value close to.

The main control unit 100 includes a CPU 101, an interface 102 for exchanging control signals with an external device such as a host computer, and an image memory for storing image signals given via the interface 102. And 103. When the CPU 101 receives a print command signal including an image signal from an external device via the interface 102, the CPU 101 converts the job data into a job data in a format suitable for an operation instruction of the engine unit 1 and sends the job data to the engine control unit 110.

The engine control unit 110 includes a CPU 111,
The ROM 112 and the RAM 113 are provided. ROM
A RAM 112 stores a control program of the CPU 111, and a RAM 113 temporarily stores control data of the engine unit 1 and a calculation result by the CPU 111. The CPU 111 is sent from an external device via the CPU 101. Data relating to the image signal
To store.

The CPU 111 receives a vertical synchronization signal Vsync from the vertical synchronization sensor 32, a horizontal synchronization signal Hsync from the horizontal synchronization sensor 56, and the waste toner container sensors 81 and 82 as input signals from the engine unit 1.
From the waste toner storage amount sensors 83 and 84, respectively. Then, the CPU 111 controls the operation of each unit of the engine unit 1 based on these input signals and the control program.

That is, the CPU 111 sends a control signal to the motor drive circuit 114 for driving the photoconductor drive motor 36 to synchronously rotate the photoconductor 11 and the intermediate transfer belt 31. Further, the CPU 111 sends a control signal to the motor drive circuit 115 that drives the transport system drive motor 60 to control the transport of the transfer paper 4 from the paper feed cassette 3, and transfers the transfer paper 4 to the intermediate transfer belt. 31 peripheral speed S
Transport at the same speed as 1. Further, the CPU 111 controls the developing units 2Y, 2M, 2C, 2 of the rotary developing unit 20.
The operation of each unit such as K is controlled.

Further, the CPU 111 sends a control signal to a separation / engagement clutch drive circuit (not shown) for driving each separation / engagement clutch to separate and contact the belt cleaner 33 and the secondary transfer roller 35 with respect to the intermediate transfer belt 31. To control. Further, the CPU 111 sends a control signal to the transfer bias generation circuit 116 that generates a transfer bias to control the application of the primary transfer bias to the bias applying member and the application of the secondary transfer bias to the secondary transfer roller 35. The CPU 111 also controls the operation display panel 8
It receives the operation content of the operation key and controls the display content of the display unit.

Further, the CPU 111 controls the polygon motor 5
A control signal is sent to the motor drive circuit 117 for driving the motor 3 to control the driving of the polygon motor 53. Also, CP
The U 111 generates writing pixel data according to an image signal sent from an external device via the CPU 101, and sends the generated writing pixel data as a control signal to the laser light source 51 via the dot counter 118. The dot counter 118 is provided by the CPU 111 to the laser light source 51.
Is a logic circuit that counts the number of write pixels sent to the device in real time. The written pixel data forms a toner image on the photoconductor 11, and the written pixel number represents the dot number of the toner image.

Further, the CPU 111 detects by the waste toner storage amount sensor 83 (84) that the waste toner storage amount of the waste toner container 16 (6) is not less than the first predetermined amount V1 (second predetermined amount V2). Then, it is determined that it is almost full, and the fact is displayed on the operation display panel 8. Hereinafter, this display is referred to as "near end display".

Further, the CPU 111 detects by the waste toner storage amount sensor 83 (84) that the waste toner storage amount of the waste toner container 16 (6) is not less than the first predetermined amount V1 (second predetermined amount V2). Then, each time one toner image formation is completed and the count value by the dot counter 118 is determined,
The count value is added to a predetermined memory area of the RAM 113 and stored. That is, the CPU 111 integrates the number of written pixels and stores the integrated value in the RAM 113.

Then, when the integrated value reaches the preset first predetermined value N1 (second predetermined value N2), the CPU 111 reaches the full amount of waste toner stored in the waste toner container 16 (6). To determine. By this full judgment, the CPU
Reference numeral 111 determines that it is time to replace the waste toner container 16 (6) (that is, the life).

This first predetermined value N1 (second predetermined value N2)
Is the volume of the waste toner container 16 (6) and the first predetermined amount V1 (second predetermined amount V1) measured by the waste toner storage amount sensor 83 (84).
It is set in advance based on the margin from 2) to full, and is stored in the ROM 112 as a part of the control program. The first and second predetermined values N1 and N2 correspond to threshold values, and the ROM 112 corresponds to threshold value storage means. The first predetermined value N1 and the second predetermined value N2 may be the same value or different values.

Further, the CPU 111 starts the integration of the number of writing pixels and before the integrated value reaches the first predetermined value N1 (second predetermined value N2), the waste toner container sensor 81 (8).
If the removal of the waste toner container 16 (6) from the apparatus main body 2 is detected by 2), then the waste toner container 16 (6) is removed.
When the reattachment of (6) to the apparatus main body 2 is detected, the waste toner storage amount sensor 83 (84) detects that the waste toner storage amount is less than the first predetermined amount V1 (second predetermined amount V2). When the waste toner container 16 (6) is shaken by the user, the accumulated waste toner is averaged and falls below the detection level of the waste toner storage amount sensor 83 (84), or the waste toner is discharged. It is determined that the container 16 (6) has been replaced with a new one, the integrated value of the number of written pixels is reset to 0, and the integration is stopped.

Further, the CPU 111 starts the integration of the number of written pixels and before the integrated value reaches the first predetermined value N1 (second predetermined value N2), the waste toner container sensor 81 (8).
If the removal of the waste toner container 16 (6) from the apparatus main body 2 is detected by 2), then the waste toner container 16 (6) is removed.
When the reattachment of (6) to the apparatus main body 2 is detected, the waste toner storage amount sensor 83 (84) detects that the waste toner storage amount is equal to or more than the first predetermined amount V1 (second predetermined amount V2). When the waste toner container 16 (6) is shaken by the user, the waste toner accumulated is averaged, but the detection level of the waste toner storage amount sensor 83 (84) is still higher than the detection level. Judgment is made and the integration is continued as it is without resetting the integration value of the number of written pixels to zero.

Further, the CPU 111 causes the waste toner container sensor 81 (82) to detect the waste toner container 1 after the integrated value of the number of written pixels reaches the first predetermined value N1 (second predetermined value N2).
When the removal of the waste toner container 16 (6) from the apparatus main body 2 is detected, and then the reattachment of the waste toner container 16 (6) to the apparatus main body 2 is detected, the waste toner storage amount sensor 83 (8)
When it is detected by 4) that the waste toner storage amount is equal to or larger than the first predetermined amount V1 (second predetermined amount V2), it is not the case that the waste toner container 16 (6) has been replaced by a new user. The determination is made and the determination that the amount of waste toner accommodated has reached full is maintained.

Further, the CPU 111 causes the waste toner container sensor 81 (82) to detect the waste toner container 1 after the integrated value of the number of written pixels reaches the first predetermined value N1 (second predetermined value N2).
When the removal of the waste toner container 16 (6) from the apparatus main body 2 is detected, and then the reattachment of the waste toner container 16 (6) to the apparatus main body 2 is detected, the waste toner storage amount sensor 83 (8)
When it is detected by 4) that the waste toner storage amount is less than the first predetermined amount V1 (second predetermined amount V2), it is determined that the waste toner container 16 (6) has been replaced by a new one by the user,
The integrated value of the number of written pixels is reset to 0 and the integration is stopped.

Further, the CPU 111 uses the waste toner container 16
When it is determined that the waste toner storage amount of (6) has reached the full amount, the image forming operation is stopped.

The waste toner container sensors 81 and 82 correspond to the container attachment / detachment detecting means, the waste toner accommodation amount sensors 83 and 84 correspond to the accommodation amount detecting means, the operation display panel 8 corresponds to the notifying means, and the dot counter 118. Corresponds to a dot counting unit, and the CPU 111 includes a full determination unit, an image formation control unit,
Corresponds to the life determination means. Also, the ROM 112 and R
Although the AM 113 constitutes a memory section, the memory section may employ an EEPROM or another type of memory.

Next, the operation of the printer will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a timing chart showing the change over time of the state of each part of the engine unit 1.

When a print command signal including an image signal is given to the main control unit 100 from an external device such as a host computer, the engine control unit 110 causes each unit of the engine unit 1 to respond to the control signal from the main control unit 100. Start operation. At this time, if the size of the transfer paper 4 loaded in the paper feed cassette 3 does not match the size instructed by the print command signal, a message prompting the replacement of the paper feed cassette is displayed on the operation display panel 8. To do. In addition, in FIG.
Although the printer is provided with one sheet feeding cassette 3, the present invention is not limited to this and may be a printer having a plurality of sheet feeding cassettes.

Transfer paper 4 loaded in paper feed cassette 3
Is the same as the size instructed by the print command signal (or a cassette for accommodating the transfer paper 4 of the size instructed by the print command signal is included in the plurality of paper feed cassettes. ), The transport system drive motor 60 is first turned on at time t1 as shown in FIG. Then, when the ready signal is output from the transport system driving motor 60 at time t2, the driving of the photoconductor driving motor 36 is started, the intermediate transfer belt 31 is driven at a predetermined peripheral speed S1, and the vertical synchronization signal is output. The Vsync is periodically output and the driving of the polygon motor 53 is started. Then, when the ready signal is output from the polygon motor 53 at time t3, it is effectively accepted from the next vertical synchronization signal Vsync, the surface of the photoconductor 11 is uniformly charged by the charging unit 12, and the surface of the photoconductor 11 is received. , An electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image signal is formed by the laser beam 57 from the exposure unit 50, and the electrostatic latent image is developed by the rotary developing unit 20 to form a toner image. Primary transfer is performed on the intermediate transfer belt 31 in the next transfer unit 14.

That is, the intermediate transfer belt 31 is rotated by the driving of the photoconductor driving motor 36, and the times t4, t5, and
The vertical synchronization signal Vsync is output at t6 and t7, respectively. A predetermined time T from the falling edge of each vertical synchronization signal Vsync
After one time, the image request signal Vreq is output, and upon the falling of the image request signal Vreq, the formation of the electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image signal is started and the developing bias is turned on.

Then, the developing units of the rotary developing section 20 are switched at times t4, t5, t6, and t7, and toner images of respective colors are formed on the photoconductor 11 and sequentially primary-transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 31. It During this time, the secondary transfer roller 35 is separated from the intermediate transfer belt 31, so that the toner images of the respective colors are superposed on the intermediate transfer belt 31. The developing bias is at time t4, t5, t
It is turned off after a predetermined time T2, which is predetermined by the transfer paper size, from the falling point of each vertical synchronization signal Vsync of 6 and t7. As a result, the toner images Y, C, M and K are superimposed on the transfer permission area 76 of the intermediate transfer belt 31.

On the other hand, the uppermost transfer paper 4 of the transfer paper stack loaded in the paper feed cassette 3 is taken out by the pickup roller 61, conveyed at a predetermined speed by the feed roller pair 62, and nipped by the gate roller pair 34. It Then, the gate clutch is turned on in synchronization with the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 31, and the gate roller pair 3
The transfer paper 4 is conveyed from 4 to the secondary transfer unit 37.

Then, after a lapse of a predetermined time from the time t8 when the vertical synchronizing signal Vsync falls, the separation clutch for the secondary transfer roller is turned on, the secondary transfer roller 35 contacts the intermediate transfer belt 31, and Then, the application of the secondary transfer bias from the transfer bias generation circuit 116 to the secondary transfer roller 35 is turned on at a time t9 after a predetermined time from the time t8. As a result, the color toner image in which the toner images Y, C, M, and K that have been primarily transferred to the transfer permission area 76 of the intermediate transfer belt 31 are superimposed is transferred to the transfer paper 4.

The gate clutch is turned off after the transfer paper 4 is carried out, and the application time T3 of the secondary transfer bias is preset according to the size of the transfer paper 4. After the application of the secondary transfer bias is turned off, the separation clutch for the secondary transfer roller is turned on, and the secondary transfer roller 35 is separated from the intermediate transfer belt 31. Then, in the fixing unit 40, the toner image is fixed on the transfer paper 4 while the transfer paper 4 is being conveyed. The transfer paper 4 is further transported by the transport roller pair 63, and is discharged to the paper discharge unit 7 by the discharge roller pair 64.

After the completion of image formation, if the next print command signal is not input, the charging unit 12 is turned off at time t10, which is the falling point of the vertical synchronizing signal Vsync, and the primary transfer bias is passed after a predetermined time from time t10. Is turned off, then
At a time t11, which is a predetermined time after the time t10, the photoconductor drive motor 36 starts decelerating, and at the time t12 when the photoconductor drive motor 36 stops, the laser light source 51 is turned off and the transport system drive motor 60 is generated. Is turned off. The polygon motor 53 is turned off at time t13, which is a preset standby time T4 (for example, T4 = 30 seconds in the present embodiment) from time t12.

Next, referring to FIG. 5, the integration of the number of written pixels by the CPU 111 will be described. FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing the integration timing.

Since the dot counter 118 counts the number of writing pixels sent from the CPU 111 to the laser light source 51 in real time, the number of writing pixels is determined at the timing when writing of one image is completed. Therefore, the CPU 1 of the number of written pixels (count value by the dot counter 118)
The integration by 11 is performed for each image signal Y1, C1, M1, K
It is performed at the end of 1, K2 and K3. In FIG. 5, the integrated value reaches the first predetermined value N1 when the image signal K3 ends and the number of written pixels is integrated.

Next, with reference to FIG. 6, a procedure for determining the fullness of the waste toner container 16 by the CPU 111 will be described.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the same procedure. Although the full toner container 16 is determined here, the same procedure is used for the full toner container 6 determination.

First, it is judged from the detection result of the waste toner storage amount sensor 83 whether the waste toner storage amount V of the waste toner container 16 is the first predetermined amount V1 or more (# 10), and V <
If V1 (NO in # 10), this routine is ended, and if V ≧ V1 (YES in # 10), RAM 11
The integrated value of the number of written pixels stored in the predetermined area 3 is reset to 0 (# 12), and near-end display is performed on the operation display panel 8 (# 14).

Next, it is judged whether or not the count value of the dot counter 118 is fixed (# 16), and if it is not fixed (NO in # 16), the count value is fixed as described in FIG. Wait until you do.

When the count value of the dot counter 118 is confirmed (YES in # 16), the number of written pixels is integrated (# 18), and whether or not the integrated value N is the first predetermined value N1 or more. Is determined (# 20), and if N ≧ N1 (YES in # 20), a predetermined operation stop process is performed (# 22), and this routine ends.

On the other hand, if N <N1 (N in # 20,
O), it is determined from the detection result of the waste toner container sensor 81 whether or not the waste toner container 16 is once removed and reattached (# 24). If not, the waste toner container 16 is not reattached (NO in # 24), # 16. Return to.

On the other hand, if reattachment is detected (Y in # 24,
ES), based on the detection result of the waste toner storage amount sensor 83, it is again determined whether or not the waste toner storage amount V of the waste toner container 16 is the first predetermined amount V1 or more (# 26), and if V ≧ V1 (YES in # 26), and the process returns to # 16.

On the other hand, if V <V1 (N in # 26,
O), the integrated value of the number of written pixels stored in the predetermined area of the RAM 113 is reset to 0 (# 28), the near end display is turned off (# 30), and this routine is ended.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the waste toner storage amount sensors 83 and 84 detect that the waste toner storage amount is nearly full, the summation of the number of writing pixels is started, and the summed value thereof is started. Therefore, it is determined whether the amount of waste toner stored in the waste toner containers 16 and 6 is full.
Since the integrated value of the number of written pixels, which is a value corresponding to the toner usage amount, is used, the fullness can be accurately determined. As a result, the storage capacity of the waste toner containers 6 and 16 can be fully exerted, whereby the replacement frequency of the waste toner containers 6 and 16 can be reduced, and the usability of the apparatus can be improved.

In particular, since the waste toner on the intermediate transfer belt 31 accommodated in the waste toner container 6 is proportional to the amount of toner used with relatively high accuracy, the fullness of the waste toner container 6 can be accurately determined.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the near end display is displayed on the operation display panel 8 when the waste toner storage amount sensors 83 and 84 detect that the waste toner storage amount is nearly full. Therefore, the fullness of the waste toner containers 16 and 6 will not be displayed suddenly, and the usability of the apparatus can be improved.

Further, according to the present embodiment, when the removal and reattachment of the waste toner containers 16 and 6 are detected by the waste toner container sensors 81 and 82 during the integration of the number of writing pixels,
Since the detection results of the waste toner storage amount sensors 83 and 84 are reconfirmed and the integration procedure is changed according to the results, the fullness determination can be accurately performed.

That is, when toner is no longer detected by the waste toner storage amount sensors 83 and 84 at the time of remounting detection, the integrated value is reset to 0 and the integration is stopped, and when the toner is still detected, the integrated value is set to 0. Accumulation continues without resetting to.

Further, according to the present embodiment, when the removal and reattachment of the waste toner containers 16 and 6 are detected by the waste toner container sensors 81 and 82 after the integrated value of the number of written pixels reaches a predetermined value, The detection results of the waste toner storage amount sensors 83 and 84 are reconfirmed, and when the toner is still detected, the full determination is maintained, so that the waste toner can surely overflow from the waste toner containers 16 and 6. Can be prevented.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various changes can be made to the above without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, the following modification (1) )-(7) can be adopted.

(1) In the above embodiment, the count value of the number of written pixels by the dot counter 118 is integrated to determine the replacement time (life) of the waste toner containers 6 and 16. The invention is not limited to this, and the life determination of other device components, for example, the developing units 2Y, 2C, 2M, and 2K may be performed.

(2) In the above embodiment, the count value of the number of written pixels by the dot counter 118 is integrated as it is. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a preset offset value may be added. . The same offset value may be used for the waste toner containers 6 and 16. Further, different offset values set according to the volumes of the waste toner containers 6 and 16 and the positions of the waste toner storage amount sensors 83 and 84 may be used. In this case, for example, the offset value of the waste toner container 16 may be set in advance by measuring the toner consumption amount due to fogging of the photoconductor 11 and setting it according to the measurement result.

When the integrated value of the number of written pixels is used as another device constituent element for the life judgment of the developing units 2Y, 2C, 2M, 2K, the offset value may be set for each color. .

According to this modification, the accuracy is further improved,
It is possible to determine the fullness of the waste toner containers 6 and 16 and the life of each device component. In this modification, the preset offset value may be stored in the ROM 112 as a part of the control program, and the ROM 112 corresponds to the offset value storage means.

(3) In the above embodiment, the number of written pixels is directly counted by the dot counter 118, but the number of pixels is not limited to this, and is set for each type by discriminating according to the image type such as discrete dots or continuous dots. The coefficients may be multiplied and added, or different coefficients may be set for each color, and the number of written pixels of each color may be multiplied by the corresponding coefficient and added.

(4) In the above embodiment, the waste toner container sensors 81, 82 and the waste toner storage amount sensors 83, 84 are photo interrupters, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the waste toner container sensors 81, 82 may be replaced by the waste toner container sensors 81, 82. Other sensors may be used, such as a reflection type optical sensor or an electrostatic capacity sensor, or the waste toner storage amount sensors 83 and 84 are weight sensors. In addition, the waste toner container sensor 81,
Instead of directly detecting whether or not the waste toner containers 16 and 6 are mounted by 82, for example, a structure in which the outer lid of the apparatus main body 2 cannot be closed when the waste toner containers 6 and 16 are not mounted is adopted. At the same time, a control may be employed which includes a sensor for detecting the opening / closing of the outer lid, and reconfirms the detection results of the waste toner storage amount sensors 83, 84 when the opening / closing of the outer lid is detected.

(5) In the above embodiment, the number of written pixels is counted in real time by the dot counter 118, but the method of counting the number of written pixels is not limited to this. For example, the CPU 101 may scan the image signal stored in the image memory 103 to count the number of writing pixels, and send the counted value to the CPU 111. Further, in the above embodiment, the CPU 111 is the CPU
The data relating to the image signal sent via 101 is RA
It is stored in M113, but this RAM11
The number of written pixels may be counted by scanning the image signal in the state stored in 3. In these cases, CP
U101 or CPU111 corresponds to the dot counting means.

(6) In the above embodiment, the color printer is provided with one photosensitive member and the toners of four colors are superposed by rotating the intermediate transfer belt 31. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the intermediate transfer belt 31 may be used. A so-called tandem color printer having four photoconductors arranged side by side may be used.

(7) In the above embodiment, a printer that prints an image provided by an external device such as a host computer on a transfer paper is used for explanation, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a copying machine or a facsimile is used. The present invention can be applied to a general electrophotographic image forming apparatus including an apparatus.

[0104]

As described above, according to the inventions of claims 1 and 13, the amount of waste toner stored in the waste toner container for storing the waste toner removed from the image carrier is set to less than full. The number of pixels forming a toner image is counted by detecting whether or not the amount is equal to or more than a predetermined amount, and when the waste toner storage amount is detected to be equal to or more than the predetermined amount, integration of the counted number of pixels is started. However, since it is determined that the waste toner storage amount has reached the full amount when the integrated value reaches a preset predetermined value, the waste toner storage amount increases according to the toner usage amount. Since the fullness of the waste toner storage amount is determined using the integrated value of the number of pixels corresponding to the toner usage amount, the fullness determination can be accurately performed.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the waste toner container contains the waste toner removed from the intermediate transfer medium as the image carrier, the residual toner on the intermediate transfer medium uses toner. It is relatively well proportional to the quantity,
The fullness of the waste toner storage amount can be determined more accurately.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, if it is detected that the waste toner storage amount is less than the predetermined amount after the start of the integration of the number of pixels and before the integrated value reaches the predetermined value, Since the integrated value is reset to 0 and the integration is stopped, for example, the user shakes the waste toner container to average the bias of the stacked waste toner, or the waste toner container becomes a new one. Even in the case of replacement, it is possible to prevent the situation in which the integration is continued and is erroneously determined to be full.

According to the invention of claim 4, when the removal of the waste toner container from the apparatus body is detected after the integrated value of the number of pixels reaches a predetermined value, the waste toner container is then transferred to the apparatus body. When it is detected that the waste toner storage amount is equal to or larger than the predetermined amount when the re-mounting of the waste toner is detected, it can be determined that the waste toner container has not been replaced with a new one.
By maintaining the determination that the waste toner storage amount has reached the full capacity, for example, it is possible to prompt the user to replace the waste toner container with a new one, thereby improving usability.

Further, according to the invention of claim 5, when the removal of the waste toner container from the apparatus main body is detected after the start of the integration of the number of pixels and before the integration value reaches a predetermined value,
After that, when it is detected that the waste toner container is reattached to the apparatus body and the waste toner storage amount is detected to be equal to or larger than the predetermined amount, it can be determined that the waste toner container has not been replaced with a new one. By continuing the integration without resetting the integration value to 0, it is possible to accurately determine whether the waste toner storage amount is full.

According to the invention of claim 6, when the removal of the waste toner container from the apparatus body is detected after the integrated value of the number of pixels reaches a predetermined value, the waste toner container is then transferred to the apparatus body. When it is detected that the waste toner storage amount is equal to or larger than the predetermined amount when the re-mounting of the waste toner is detected, it can be determined that the waste toner container has not been replaced with a new one.
By maintaining the determination that the waste toner storage amount has reached the full capacity, for example, it is possible to prompt the user to replace the waste toner container with a new one, thereby improving usability.

According to the seventh aspect of the invention, when it is detected that the amount of waste toner accommodated is equal to or greater than the predetermined amount set in advance to less than full, the informing means informs the user of that fact. Therefore, the user can start preparation for filling the waste toner container, such as obtaining a new waste toner container at a stage when it is less than full, and the usability of the apparatus can be improved.

According to the eighth aspect of the invention, the image forming operation is stopped when it is determined that the amount of waste toner stored has reached the full amount. Therefore, the waste toner stored in the waste toner container is stopped. It is possible to prevent the situation where the water overflows.

Further, according to the invention of claim 9, an integrated value obtained by integrating the number of pixels forming a toner image and a plurality of threshold values set to mutually different values corresponding to the components of the apparatus are respectively set. By comparing, when the integrated value reaches each threshold value, it is determined that each corresponding device constituent element has a life. Therefore, especially for a device constituent element whose life is proportional to the toner usage amount. The life judgment can be performed with a simple configuration using the common pixel number integrated value.

According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, a value obtained by adding a preset offset value to the number of pixels forming one toner image and then integrating the value is compared with each threshold value. Therefore, it becomes possible to more accurately determine the life of each device component.

According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, a plurality of offset values set to mutually different values corresponding to the respective components of the apparatus are added to the number of pixels forming one toner image, and then integrated. Since each value is compared with each corresponding threshold value, by setting the offset value according to the characteristic of each device component, the life determination of each device component is performed more accurately. It will be possible.

According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, the amount of waste toner stored in the waste toner container for storing the waste toner removed from the photoconductor serving as the image carrier and the amount of the waste toner removed from the intermediate transfer medium serving as the image carrier. The waste toner storage amount of the waste toner container that stores the waste toner is increased according to the toner usage amount. Therefore, by using the integrated value of the number of pixels forming a toner image, the life of each waste toner container is determined. It can be accurately determined.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an internal configuration of a printer which is an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the printer.

FIG. 3 is a development view of an intermediate transfer belt.

FIG. 4 is a timing chart showing changes over time in states of various parts of the engine unit.

FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing the integration timing of the number of written pixels by the CPU.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure for determining whether the waste toner container is full by the CPU.

[Explanation of symbols]

6, 16 Waste toner container (apparatus component) 8 Operation display panel (informing means) 11 Photoconductor (image carrier) 15 Cleaning blade (photoconductor cleaning means) 31 Intermediate transfer belt (image carrier, intermediate transfer medium) 33 Belt cleaner (intermediate transfer medium cleaning means) 35 Secondary transfer roller (secondary transfer means) 51 Laser light sources 81, 82 Waste toner container sensor (container attachment / detachment detection means) 83, 84 Waste toner storage amount sensor (storage amount detection means) 110 Engine Control Unit 111 CPU (Fullness Determination Means, Notification Control Means, Lifetime Determination Means, Image Formation Control Means) 112 ROM (Threshold Value Storage Means, Offset Value Storage Means) 116 Transfer Bias Generation Circuit (Secondary Transfer Means) 118 Dot counter (dot counting means)

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    F-term (reference) 2H027 DA27 DA50 DD03 DE02 DE07                       DE10 EB04 EC06 ED24 ED28                       EE07 EE08 EF09 EK03 FD08                       GA30 GB07 HB02 HB12 HB17                 2H134 GA01 GA06 GB02 HD00 JB02                       JB07 KA07 KA25 KA26 KA28                       KA40 KB12 KB15 KG04 KH16                       KJ02                 2H200 FA11 FA12 GA23 GA34 GA44                       GA47 GA56 GB12 GB20 GB22                       GB43 GB44 HA02 HB12 HB22                       JA02 JB10 JC05 JC07 JC09                       JC12 LB02 LB09 LB13 LB17                       LB39 LB40 PA27 PB38 PB39

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus for transferring a toner image formed on an image carrier onto a transfer sheet, a waste toner container containing waste toner removed from the image carrier, and waste toner in the waste toner container. A storage amount detecting means for detecting whether or not the storage amount is equal to or more than a predetermined amount set in advance less than full, a dot counting means for counting the number of pixels forming the toner image, and the storage amount detecting means When it is detected that the waste toner storage amount is equal to or more than the predetermined amount, the integration of the number of pixels counted by the dot counting means is started, and when the integration value reaches a predetermined value set in advance, the An image forming apparatus comprising: a full determination unit that determines that the amount of waste toner accommodated has reached full. 2. An intermediate transfer medium to which a toner image formed on a photoconductor is primarily transferred, a secondary transfer means for secondarily transferring the toner image of the intermediate transfer medium onto a transfer paper, and after the secondary transfer. An intermediate transfer medium cleaning unit that removes toner remaining on the intermediate transfer medium is further provided, and the waste toner container stores the waste toner removed by the cleaning unit from the intermediate transfer medium as the image carrier. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: 3. The fullness determining unit determines that the waste toner storage amount is less than the predetermined amount by the storage amount detection unit after the start of the integration and before the integration value reaches the predetermined value. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, when detected, the integrated value is reset to 0 and the integrated operation is stopped. 4. A container attachment / detachment detection means for detecting attachment / detachment of the waste toner container to / from the apparatus main body, wherein the fullness determination means is configured to detect the attachment / detachment of the waste toner container by the container attachment / detachment detection means after the integrated value reaches the predetermined value. When the removal of the waste toner container from the apparatus main body is detected, and then the reattachment of the waste toner container to the apparatus main body is detected, the storage amount detecting means determines the waste toner storage amount. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when it is detected that the amount of waste toner is equal to or more than a predetermined amount, the determination that the amount of waste toner accommodated has reached full is maintained. 5. A container attachment / detachment detection means for detecting attachment / detachment of the waste toner container to / from the apparatus main body, wherein the fullness determination means is after the start of the integration and before the integration value reaches the predetermined value. When the removal / removal of the waste toner container from the apparatus main body is detected by the container attachment / detachment detection means, the accommodation amount detection means detects the reattachment of the waste toner container to the apparatus main body. 4. The integration according to claim 1, wherein the integration is continued without resetting the integration value to 0 when it is detected that the waste toner storage amount is equal to or more than the predetermined amount. Image forming apparatus. 6. The fullness determination means, when the removal / removal of the waste toner container from the apparatus main body is detected by the container attachment / detachment detection means after the integrated value has reached the predetermined value, the waste toner is then removed. When the waste toner storage amount is detected to be the predetermined amount or more by the storage amount detection means when the reattachment of the container to the apparatus main body is detected, the waste toner storage amount has reached full capacity. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the determination is maintained. 7. An informing unit for informing a user of predetermined notification contents, and when the storage amount detecting unit detects that the waste toner storage amount is equal to or more than the predetermined amount, a notification to that effect is given. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a notification control unit that notifies the user by the notification unit. 8. The image forming control means for stopping the image forming operation when the full toner determining means determines that the waste toner storage amount has reached the full amount. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims. 9. A life judging means for judging the life of a plurality of device constituent elements arranged in the apparatus main body based on an integrated value obtained by integrating the number of pixels counted by the dot counting means, and each of the devices. Further comprising a threshold value storage means for storing a plurality of threshold values set to mutually different values corresponding to the constituent elements, wherein the life determination means compares the integrated value with each threshold value, respectively. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the integrated value reaches each of the threshold values, it is determined that the corresponding device component has a life. 10. The life determination means adds the preset offset value to the number of pixels forming one toner image as the integrated value, and then compares the integrated value with each of the threshold values. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. 11. An offset value storage means for storing a plurality of offset values set to mutually different values corresponding to the respective constituent elements of the apparatus is further provided, and the life determination means has one toner image as the integrated value. 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein each integrated value obtained by adding the respective offset values to the number of pixels forming the pixel and integrating the respective integrated values is compared with each corresponding threshold value. 12. An intermediate transfer medium to which a toner image formed on a photoconductor is primarily transferred, a secondary transfer means for secondarily transferring the toner image of the intermediate transfer medium onto a transfer paper, and after the primary transfer. The apparatus further includes: a photoconductor cleaning unit that removes toner remaining on the photoconductor; and an intermediate transfer medium cleaning unit that removes toner remaining on the intermediate transfer medium after the secondary transfer. A waste toner container containing waste toner removed from the photoconductor as the image carrier by the photoconductor cleaning unit, and a waste toner container from the intermediate transfer medium as the image carrier removed by the intermediate transfer medium cleaning unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising: a waste toner container that stores waste toner. 13. An image forming method for transferring a toner image formed on an image carrier onto a transfer paper, wherein a waste toner container for storing waste toner removed from the image carrier is less than full in advance. The storage amount detecting step of detecting whether or not the predetermined amount is set to a predetermined amount, a dot counting step of counting the number of pixels forming the toner image, and the waste toner storage amount by the storage amount detecting step. When it is detected that the amount is equal to or more than a predetermined amount, the integration of the number of pixels counted by the dot counting step is started, and when the integrated value reaches a preset predetermined value, the waste toner storage amount is full. And a fullness determining step of determining that the image forming method has arrived.