JP2004045640A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To correctly estimate, at a low cost, the remaining life of an image forming apparatus recovered from a market. <P>SOLUTION: Based upon information about the surrounding temperatures of electrical components on printed boards 50a to 54n detected by temperature sensors 54a to 54n, a control unit 58 estimates temperature changes involved in conditions for the image forming operations of the electrical components. Further, based upon the information about the estimated temperature changes, the control unit 58 estimates temperature changes involved in conditions for the image forming operations of electrical components on the printed boards on which temperature sensors are not disposed thereon among all the printed boards. Based upon the information about the estimated temperature changes, the remaining lives of all the printed boards on which the electrical components are mounted are correctly calculated. Accordingly, a rate of the image forming apparatus to be reshipped as a reuse product at a low cost can be increased. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer that forms an image by an electrophotographic method or the like.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, image forming apparatuses such as copiers and printers have generally been collected and discarded after being used in the market. However, due to the recent increase in environmental protection awareness and the like, products such as copying machines and printers used in the market are being collected and reused without being discarded.
[0003]
Collected products, such as copiers and printers, which can be reused according to their use in the market, are re-shipped as reused products through processes such as disassembly, cleaning, readjustment, and reassembly. At this time, the determination criterion depends on the number of image formations, that is, the counter value integrated according to the number of image formation (printing). That is, if the value obtained by subtracting the actually used counter value from the counter value assumed as the initial life is sufficient, the remaining life can be used as the guaranteed life.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, conventionally, the ratio of products that can be reshipped as reused products with respect to collected products such as copying machines and printers is low, and many collected products are discarded.
[0005]
The reason is that the counter value assumed as the initial life is designed on the assumption that the operating conditions, operating environment, etc. were adverse conditions, but the product used in the market (copier , Printers, etc.) in the individual markets, the operating conditions, operating environment, etc., are unknown, so it was not possible to accurately determine how long the service life actually remains. For this reason, the remaining life is calculated under the condition of being used under bad conditions, and only a shorter life than actual life can be guaranteed.
[0006]
As a result, the ratio of products that can be re-shipped as reused products decreases.
[0007]
Therefore, the present invention aims to increase the ratio of products that can be re-shipped as reused products by enabling the remaining life of image forming apparatuses (copiers, printers, etc.) collected from the market to be accurately and at low cost. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus capable of performing the following.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus which transfers a developer image formed on an image carrier directly or via an intermediate transfer member to a transfer material to form an image. And a plurality of substrates or / and units on which the electric components arranged on the substrate are mounted, and an environment for detecting at least a temperature environment around the electric components on some of the substrates or / and units of all the substrates or / and units Based on the temperature information around the electric component detected by the detection means and the environment detection means, predicts a temperature change accompanying an image forming operation condition of the electric component, and further based on the predicted temperature change information, Predicting a temperature change associated with an image forming operation condition of an electric component on a board or / and unit on which the environment detecting means is not arranged among a plurality of boards or / and units; Based on the reduction information, it is characterized by and a control means for calculating the remaining life of the electrical component mounted on the all substrates and / or units.
[0009]
Further, each prediction of the temperature change associated with the image forming operation condition of the electric component is performed using a data table stored in advance in a storage unit.
[0010]
Further, each prediction of a temperature change accompanying the image forming operation condition of the electric component is performed using a data table stored in advance in a storage unit and a setting operation condition at the time of the image forming operation of the image forming apparatus. Features.
[0011]
Further, the data table is characterized by using data representing a temperature distribution according to an image forming operation condition of the electric component.
[0012]
Further, as the data table, data representing the temperature distribution at the time of saturation with the image forming operation condition of the electric component, and the data until the temperature distribution at the time of the saturation with the image formation operation condition of the electric component is reached. It is characterized by using a constant.
[0013]
Further, the control means is provided outside the image forming apparatus via a transmission means electrically connected to each of the environment detection means.
[0014]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on the illustrated embodiments.
[0015]
<Embodiment 1>
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The image forming apparatus of the present embodiment is an electrophotographic full-color digital copying machine.
[0016]
The image forming apparatus includes a digital full-color image reader unit (hereinafter, referred to as a reader unit) A at an upper part and a digital full-color image printer unit (hereinafter, a printer unit) B at a lower part.
[0017]
In the reader section A, the original 30 is placed on an original platen glass 31 and is exposed and scanned by an exposure lamp 32 so that a reflected light image from the original 30 is condensed on a full-color CCD sensor 34 by a lens 33 and color separation is performed. Obtain an image signal. The color-separated image signal (image signal) is processed by a video processing unit (not shown) through an amplifier circuit (not shown), and is sent to a printer unit B.
[0018]
In the printer section B, the photosensitive drum 1 as an image carrier is rotatably supported in an arrow direction (clockwise direction). Around the photosensitive drum 1, a corona charger (primary charger) 2, an exposure device (laser exposure optical unit) 3, and four colors (yellow, cyan, magenta, and black) are arranged along the rotation direction. Developing devices 4y, 4c, 4m, 4Bk, a transfer device 5, a cleaning device 6, and the like are provided.
[0019]
The exposure device 3 receives the image signal from the reader unit A, converts the image signal into an optical signal at a laser output unit (not shown), and then rotates the laser beam converted into the optical signal at a high speed. The light is reflected by the mirror 3a, and the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is subjected to image exposure E via the lens 3b and the mirror 3c.
[0020]
During image formation, the printer unit B rotates the photosensitive drum 1 in the direction of the arrow (clockwise), removes electricity from the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 with a pre-exposure lamp (not shown), and then uses the corona charger 2 to provide a predetermined polarity. It is uniformly charged to a potential. Then, the exposure device 3 performs image exposure E corresponding to the image information of the document 30 for each of the separation colors (yellow, cyan, magenta, and black), and forms an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1.
[0021]
Then, the developing units 4y, 4c, 4m, and 4Bk are sequentially operated for each separation color to develop the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 1, and the respective colors (yellow, cyan, magenta, and black) are formed on the photosensitive drum 1. ) Are sequentially formed. Each of the developing units 4y, 4c, 4m, and 4Bk selectively comes closer to the photosensitive drum 1 in accordance with each separation color by the operation of the eccentric cams 24y, 24c, 24m, and 24Bk.
[0022]
Then, the recording material P such as paper is fed from the cassette 48a or 48b by the feed rollers 46a, 47a, 47b or 46b, 47c, 47d in synchronization with the above-described image forming timing, and is conveyed to the transport rollers 44, 42, 40, The toner image on the photosensitive drum 1 is transferred to the recording material P conveyed to the position (image transfer position) where the transfer device 5 and the photosensitive drum 1 are opposed to each other through the recording material conveyance path 49 by 27 and 28.
[0023]
The transfer device 5 includes a transfer drum 5a, a transfer charger 5b, an adsorption charger 5c for electrostatically adsorbing the recording material P, an adsorption roller 5g opposed thereto, an inner charger 5d, and an outer charger 5e. A recording material carrying sheet 5f made of a dielectric material is integrally stretched in a cylindrical shape in a peripheral opening area of the transfer drum 5a which is axially supported so as to be driven to rotate. In this embodiment, a dielectric sheet such as a polycarbonate film is used as the recording material supporting sheet 5f.
[0024]
By rotating the drum-shaped transfer drum 5a, the toner image on the photosensitive drum 1 is transferred onto the recording material P carried (electrostatically attracted) on the recording material carrying sheet 5f by the transfer charger 5b. In this manner, the toner images of the respective colors (yellow, cyan, magenta, and black) are sequentially superimposedly transferred onto the recording material P conveyed by being electrostatically attracted to the recording material carrying sheet 5f, thereby forming a full-color image.
[0025]
When the transfer of the four color toner images is completed in this manner, the recording material P is separated from the transfer drum 5a by the functions of the separation claw 8a, the separation push-up roller 8b, and the separation charger 5h. The separated recording material P is conveyed to the fixing device 9 and heated and pressed by a fixing nip between the fixing roller 9a and the pressure roller 9b of the fixing device 9 to fix a full-color image on the surface. The recording material P on which the full-color image is fixed is discharged to the discharge tray 26 via the conveyance path switching guide 19.
[0026]
On the other hand, the transfer residual toner and the like remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 after the transfer of the toner image is removed by the cleaning device 6 and used for the next image formation.
[0027]
When images are formed on both sides of the recording material P, the conveyance path switching guide 19 is driven immediately after the recording material P passes through the fixing device 9, and the image is fixed on one surface as described above. After the recording material P is once guided to the reversing path 21a via the transport vertical path 20, the reversing of the reversing roller 21b causes the rear end of the fed recording medium to be the leading end and retreats in a direction opposite to the direction of the feeding. Then, the sheet is conveyed to the double-sided conveyance path 21c in a state where it is turned upside down. Then, after an image is formed on the other surface again by the image forming step described above from the re-feeding roller 29, the image is discharged to the discharge tray 26.
[0028]
The surface of the recording material carrying sheet 5f of the transfer drum 5a is contaminated by scattering and adhesion of powder such as toner, adhesion of oil on the recording material P, etc., but the fur brush 5m and the recording material carrying sheet The cleaning is carried out by the action of the back fur brush 5j opposed via 5f, and the action of the oil removing roller 5n and the backup brush 5k opposed thereto via the recording material carrying sheet 5f.
[0029]
In the present embodiment, the eccentric cam 5p and the cam follower 5i are provided outside the transfer drum 5a, and the eccentric cam 5p is rotated to operate the cam follower 5i integrated with the transfer drum 5a. The gap between the recording material carrying sheet 5f on the surface of the transfer drum 5a and the photosensitive drum 1 can be set arbitrarily. The transfer drum 5a is separated from the photosensitive drum 1 except during image formation.
[0030]
In the image forming apparatus (full-color digital copying machine) according to the above-described embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of semiconductor integrated circuits 51, AL electrolytic capacitors 52, and semiconductor elements (such as transistors and diodes) A plurality of printed circuit boards 50 and units (not shown) on which are mounted a resistor (not shown), a control device (CPU) 53 for controlling these operations, and the like (not shown). Further, a temperature sensor 54 such as a thermistor is mounted on the printed circuit board 50 near the AL electrolytic capacitor 52.
[0031]
As shown in FIG. 3, one terminal of the temperature sensor 54 is connected to the reference voltage Vref, and the other terminal is grounded by a resistor 56 and is input to an A / D converter 55. The output of the A / D converter 55 is read by the above-described control device (CPU) 53 mounted on the same printed circuit board 50, and the temperature change near the AL electrolytic capacitor 52 on the printed circuit board 50 is maintained for a certain period of time. It is detected every time. The detected temperature information (temperature data) and the accumulated time are stored (stored) in a memory 57 mounted on the same printed circuit board 50.
[0032]
As the data configuration in the memory 57, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, the cumulative time (0033 in the figure) in which the temperature was 25 ° C. to 30 ° C. is stored at the address *** 1, and the address ** * Cumulative time during which the temperature was between 30 ° C and 35 ° C (0145 in the figure) is stored at address 2, and cumulative time during which the temperature was between 35 ° C and 40 ° C (0A03 in the figure) is stored at address *** 3. ) Is stored, and the accumulated time (0113 in the figure) during which the temperature was 40 ° C. to 45 ° C. is sequentially recorded at address **** 4, and a histogram is created.
[0033]
Based on the temperature transition data, the temperature of the device (semiconductor integrated circuit 51, AL electrolytic capacitor 52, semiconductor element such as a transistor or a diode) whose life varies depending on the temperature on the printed circuit board 50 in each of the above temperature ranges. It is possible to calculate the remaining life from the consumption life.
[0034]
Various devices (semiconductor integrated circuit 51, AL electrolytic capacitor 52, semiconductor elements such as transistors and diodes, etc.) are mounted on the printed circuit board 50. Among them, the temperature environment and the life of the AL electrolytic capacitor 52 are included. Is considered. It is known that the life of the AL electrolytic capacitor 52 is doubled when the ambient temperature is reduced by 10 ° C. (hereinafter referred to as 10 ° C. double rule). Also, in the design stage, parts are selected so as to extend the product life, assuming the worst conditions (in this case, the maximum operable temperature) as the actual operating environment.
[0035]
In the above-described image forming apparatus, the temperature at the place where the apparatus is installed is the maximum operable temperature, and when the image is continuously formed (printed), the ambient temperature of the AL electrolytic capacitor 52 on the printed circuit board 50 is the maximum. , And it is natural that the design is made with that time in mind.
[0036]
However, in each image forming apparatus (copier, printer, etc.) in the actual market, the temperature of the installation environment of the apparatus, the frequency of the image forming operation, etc. are different, and the AL electrolytic capacitor 52 on the printed circuit board 50 in each image forming apparatus is different. Ambient temperature will be device specific. For example, one user installs and uses it in an air-conditioned environment, and another user uses it under conditions where the frequency of continuous image formation is low. Under these use conditions, the ambient temperature of the AL electrolytic capacitor 52 can be sufficiently lower by 10 ° C. or more than under the worst installation environment and the worst operating conditions (in that case, it is more common).
[0037]
Under the above-described conditions, the life of the AL electrolytic capacitor 52 is about twice as long as the worst installation environment and the worst operating conditions. Therefore, the life of the image forming apparatus (copier, printer, etc.) collected from the market is reduced. The AL electrolytic capacitor can be sufficiently reused.
[0038]
That is, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the ambient temperature of the AL electrolytic capacitor 52 is measured by the temperature sensor 54, and the accumulated time of the temperature change is stored in the memory 57 by the A / D converter 55 and the control device (CPU) 53. Remember. Then, the consumed life (consumed life) calculated by applying the above-mentioned double rule of 10 ° C. based on the accumulated time at each temperature (see FIG. 4) configured in the memory 57 is calculated. , And the remaining life is calculated from the result.
[0039]
Further, the remaining life can be accurately estimated by subtracting the consumption life from the initial remaining life of each electric component or each unit on each printed circuit board in the image forming apparatus (copier, printer, etc.). . Then, the estimated remaining life is stored in a storage device such as a memory or a hard disk provided inside or outside the image forming apparatus, and is used as a reference for determining whether or not the product can be reused at the time of product recovery.
[0040]
As a result, the image forming apparatus that can be reshipped as a reused product can be determined, and the ratio of reusable products can be increased.
[0041]
By the way, in the configuration for estimating the remaining life of the image forming apparatus as described above, it is assumed that the image forming apparatus has temperature sensors for measuring the temperatures of the electric components and units on all the printed circuit boards in the image forming apparatus. It has become. However, measuring the temperature environment of all the electric components having a long life requires an enormous number of temperature sensors and a device for processing sensor output data, which is very disadvantageous in cost.
[0042]
Therefore, in the first embodiment of the present invention, without measuring the temperatures of the electrical components on all the printed boards in the image forming apparatus, the temperature data of the electrical components on a small number of the printed boards are used to measure the temperature of the electrical components on all the printed boards. By accurately predicting a temperature change of an electric component, the remaining life of the image forming apparatus can be accurately estimated at low cost.
[0043]
Hereinafter, a method of estimating a temperature change of an electric component on a printed circuit board on which direct temperature detection is not performed in the present embodiment will be described.
[0044]
The setting operation conditions of the image forming apparatus include black-and-white image output / color image output, the size (A3, A4, etc.) of a recording material (recording medium) on which an image is printed, the type of recording material (thick paper, thin paper, etc.), one-sided There are printing / double-sided printing, paper feed / discharge location, ambient temperature, and the like. When these conditions are determined, the temperature distribution in the image forming apparatus converges toward a known temperature distribution in accordance with the printing continuation time (the number of prints).
[0045]
Further, the above set operation conditions do not necessarily exist innumerably, and the temperature distribution characteristics (the temperature at the time of saturation) of each of the set operation conditions can be stored in a storage device in advance.
[0046]
FIG. 5 shows a temperature change at an arbitrary location (point A) of an electric component or unit on a printed circuit board directly detecting the temperature by the temperature sensor, and a dotted line represented by F (A) indicates: A temperature change prediction line that can be calculated from the initial temperature (measurable) and the temperature at saturation (data stored in the storage device) determined by the above set operation conditions of the image forming apparatus, and a solid line represented by G (A). Represents measured temperature data (change in measured temperature) at the above-mentioned arbitrary location (point A).
[0047]
As shown in FIG. 5, when the value of F (A) (temperature change) at a certain time is a and the value of G (A) (temperature change) is a ′, the two do not completely match. Examples of the factors include the following cases.
[0048]
That is, since there is no data of the type of recording material (thick paper, thin paper, etc.) actually used in the image forming apparatus, data of a similar type of recording material is used as the set operation condition. Further, there are various changes, such as changes in air cooling conditions due to temporal clogging of a filter provided in an exhaust duct having an air cooling fan of the image forming apparatus, heat generation conditions due to consumption of electric components, and heat radiation conditions.
[0049]
On the other hand, FIG. 6 shows a predicted temperature change of an arbitrary part (point B) of an electric component or a unit on a printed circuit board on which the temperature is not directly detected by the temperature sensor, and is expressed by F (B). The dotted line is a temperature change prediction line that can be calculated from the initial temperature (impossible to measure) and the temperature at saturation (data stored in the storage device) determined by the above-described set operation conditions of the image forming apparatus. The solid line represented by '(B) indicates the corrected predicted temperature data (predicted temperature change) at the above-mentioned arbitrary location (point B).
[0050]
The predicted temperature data (predicted temperature change) represented by G ′ (B) is the temperature change predicted line represented by F (A) shown in FIG. 5 and the measured temperature data represented by G (A) ( It can be obtained by making a correction based on the measured temperature change).
[0051]
That is, the predicted temperature change at the arbitrary location (point B) is G ′ (B), and the temperature change predicted from the initial temperature and the saturation temperature determined by the above set operation conditions of the image forming apparatus is F (B). Assuming that the value of F (A) at a certain time shown in FIG. 5 is a and the value of G (A) is a ′, G ′ (B) is
G ′ (B) = F (B) * (a ′ / a) (1)
Can be obtained by
[0052]
Therefore, if only the initial temperature at the above-mentioned arbitrary location (point B) is known from the above equation (1), the temperature at this point B can be predicted. The prediction of the initial temperature at the point B can be performed by the following methods (a) to (d).
[0053]
(A) When the OFF state of the power supply of the image forming apparatus continues for a predetermined time or more, the temperature is set to be equal to the outside air temperature.
[0054]
(B) When the standby (image forming operation standby) state has continued for a predetermined time or more, it is predicted by the method described with reference to FIGS.
[0055]
(C) When the predetermined image forming condition continues for a predetermined time or more, the prediction is made by the method described with reference to FIGS.
[0056]
(D) In cases other than the above (a) to (c), the method described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6 is used based on the most recent data in each of the cases (a) to (c). Predict by repeating.
[0057]
In the above cases (a) to (c), very good approximate data can be obtained. In the case of (d), errors are expected to accumulate. However, in practice, the frequency of one of the states (a) to (c) is extremely high. This does not increase the error.
[0058]
The calculation of the predicted value of the temperature at an arbitrary place (point B) where the direct temperature measurement is not performed based on the above (a) to (d) and the above equation (1) is performed as shown in FIG. This can be performed by a control device (CPU) 58 to which sensor outputs (temperature data) from the temperature sensors 54a to 54n on the arbitrary printed circuit boards 50a to 50n are input.
[0059]
That is, the control device (CPU) 58 stores a data table (data of temperature change as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6) preliminarily stored in the memory 59 and the temperature of each of the arbitrary printed circuit boards 50a to 50n. The sensor outputs (temperature data) output from the sensors 54a to 54n are taken in, and based on the above (a) to (d) and the above equation (1), an arbitrary place (point B) where the temperature is not directly measured ) Is accurately calculated.
[0060]
As described above, in the present embodiment, it is possible to accurately predict a temperature change at an arbitrary location (point B) where the temperature is not directly detected, and therefore, the electric components on all the printed circuit boards in the image forming apparatus The temperature change of all the electric components on the printed circuit board can be accurately predicted from the temperature detection data of the electric components on a part (a small number) without measuring the temperature of the printed circuit board. The remaining life can be accurately estimated.
[0061]
Therefore, it is possible to increase the ratio of image forming apparatuses that can be re-shipped as reused products at low cost.
[0062]
<Embodiment 2>
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, sensor outputs (temperature information (temperature data)) from temperature sensors 54a to 54n respectively provided on arbitrary printed boards 50a to 50n of all the printed boards are Temperature information (temperature data) is transmitted to a database as control means provided outside the image forming apparatus or various computer networks via the data transmission device 60. Other configurations of the image forming apparatus are the same as those of the first embodiment.
[0063]
As described above, in the present embodiment, in addition to the effects obtained in the first embodiment, a database as a control unit provided outside the image forming apparatus via the data transmission device 60 and various computer networks (control devices) are provided. By transmitting the temperature information (temperature data) of the printed circuit board, the remaining life of the plurality of image forming apparatuses can be centrally managed.
[0064]
<Embodiment 3>
In the first embodiment described above, when estimating the temperature of the electrical components on the printed circuit board, the initial value of the initial temperature is estimated, and the temperature distribution data at the saturation point is used to estimate the temperature of the printed circuit board on which the temperature is not detected. Although the temperature of the electric component is predicted, the present embodiment does not detect the temperature by using the average value of the temperatures of several points around the electric component on any noted printed circuit board. The temperature of electrical components on a printed circuit board is now predicted. Other configurations of the image forming apparatus are the same as those of the first embodiment.
[0065]
As described above, in the present embodiment, although the prediction accuracy of the temperature change is slightly lower than that in the first embodiment, the remaining life of the image forming apparatus can be estimated at lower cost.
[0066]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, without measuring the temperatures of the electric components on all the substrates or / and units in the image forming apparatus, the temperature of the electric components on some of the substrates or / and the units can be detected. Since the temperature change of all the electric components on the board or / and the unit can be accurately predicted from the data, the remaining life of the image forming apparatus can be accurately estimated. Therefore, it is possible to increase the ratio of image forming apparatuses that can be re-shipped as reused products at low cost.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a printed circuit board of the image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram for detecting a temperature of an electric component on a printed circuit board according to the first embodiment;
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a data configuration in a memory according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a temperature change at a point A on a printed circuit board where the temperature is directly detected by a temperature sensor.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a predicted temperature change at a point B on a printed circuit board on which a temperature is not directly detected by a temperature sensor.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for estimating a temperature change of an electric component on a printed circuit board and estimating a remaining life of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment;
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram for estimating a temperature change of an electric component on a printed circuit board and estimating a remaining life of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment;
[Explanation of symbols]
1. Photosensitive drum (image carrier)
2 Corona charger 3 Exposure device 4y Yellow developing device 4c Cyan developing device 4m Magenta developing device 4Bk Black developing device 5 Transfer device 9 Fixing devices 50, 50a, 50n Printed circuit board (substrate)
51 Semiconductor integrated circuits (electric components)
52 AL electrolytic capacitor (electric parts)
53 control device 54 temperature sensor (environment detection means)
55 A / D converter 57 Memory (storage means)
58 control device (control means)
59 memory (storage means)
60 data transmission device (transmission means)

Claims (6)

In an image forming apparatus for forming an image by transferring a developer image formed on an image carrier to a transfer material directly or via an intermediate transfer member,
A plurality of boards or / and units on which electric components arranged in the image forming apparatus are mounted,
Environment detecting means for detecting at least a temperature environment around an electric component on a part of the boards or / and units of all the boards or / and units;
Based on the temperature information around the electric component detected by the environment detection means, predict a temperature change associated with image forming operation conditions of the electric component, and further based on the predicted temperature change information, the plurality of substrates or And / or predicting a temperature change associated with an image forming operation condition of a board or / and an electrical component on the unit on which the environment detecting means of the unit is not disposed, and based on the predicted temperature change information, all of the boards And / or control means for calculating the remaining life of the electric component mounted on the unit.
An image forming apparatus comprising: Each prediction of a temperature change according to the image forming operation condition of the electric component is performed using a data table stored in advance in a storage unit.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: Each prediction of the temperature change accompanying the image forming operation condition of the electric component is performed using a data table stored in advance in a storage unit and a setting operation condition at the time of the image forming operation of the image forming apparatus.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: As the data table, using data representing a temperature distribution associated with image forming operation conditions of the electrical component,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: As the data table, data representing the temperature distribution at the time of saturation with the image forming operation conditions of the electric component, and the time constant until reaching the temperature distribution at the time of the saturation with the image formation operation conditions of the electric component, Using
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: The control unit is provided outside the image forming apparatus via a transmission unit electrically connected to each of the environment detection units,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

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