JP2005148569A - Image forming apparatus, its control method, and cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform the prescribed processing ought to be executed for an unused cartridge mounted on an image forming apparatus without fail. <P>SOLUTION: When the cartridge B is mounted on the image forming apparatus A and if the information indicating that the cartridge is unused is stored in a memory means 15 of the cartridge B, whether the brand-new sequence ought to be executed for the cartridge B is normally carried out or not is decided by the driving torque of a torque detector 36. When decision is made that such sequence is normally carried out, the information indicating that the cartridge is unused is rewritten to the information indicating that the cartridge is already used. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus in which a cartridge having storage means can be attached and detached, a control method therefor, and a cartridge.

  Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus that forms an image using an electrophotographic system such as a copying machine or a printer, a photosensitive drum that is an electrophotographic photosensitive member and a process unit that acts on the photosensitive drum are integrally formed into a cartridge, A process cartridge system that allows the cartridge to be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus is employed.

  According to this process cartridge system, since the user can perform maintenance of the apparatus independently of the service person, the operability can be improved at each stage.

  In addition, a storage means such as a non-volatile memory can be mounted on the process cartridge, and information on the process cartridge can be written and held. For example, by writing information on whether or not the process cartridge is unused, this process The “new article detection” of the cartridge becomes possible (for example, refer to Patent Document 1).

  Specifically, a bit for determining whether or not it is unused is provided in the storage area of the non-volatile memory, and when it is a new product, “1” is stored, and when it is attached to the image forming apparatus, If the bit is “1”, it can be determined that it is a new one, and if the bit is “0”, it can be determined that the bit has already been used.

  That is, when the process cartridge is mounted on the image forming apparatus, if the bit is “1”, it is determined that the bit is new, and it is necessary to rewrite this bit to “0”.

  Such a process cartridge “new article detection” can be performed, and an indispensable sequence can be executed only for a new process cartridge.

  For example, in the case of a new process cartridge, the cleaning blade that is in contact with the photosensitive drum is subjected to a load due to frictional force, and thus the blade is likely to be turned over. By collecting the toner in the cleaner and acting as a lubricant between the photosensitive drum and the cleaning blade, it is possible to reduce the frictional force and avoid turning the blade.

Further, for example, a developer seal is provided at the opening of the developer container in a new process cartridge for the purpose of preventing the developer from leaking before being attached to the image forming apparatus. When the process cartridge is new, the developer seal is automatically removed in the image forming apparatus to execute the sequence in which the developer is filled in the developing container, thereby enabling image formation. .
JP 2001-356670 A

  However, in the conventional process cartridge, when a drive gear coupling failure occurs between the image forming apparatus and the process cartridge when a new process cartridge is mounted in the image forming apparatus, the gear driving of the image forming apparatus is naturally performed. Is not transmitted to the process cartridge.

  For this reason, the cleaning blade turn-up preventing sequence in which the toner is positively collected by the cleaner as a transfer residual toner in the new process cartridge and acts as a lubricant between the photosensitive drum and the cleaning blade is not executed. Also, the developer seal automatic removal sequence is not executed.

  On the other hand, the nonvolatile memory mounted on the process cartridge has a storage area for determining whether or not the process cartridge is unused (new), and “1” is stored in advance as predetermined information. Once the process cartridge is mounted on the image forming apparatus, the information “1” indicating the unused state is rewritten to the information “0” indicating used.

  In other words, even if the user notices a gear coupling failure and the coupling becomes normal due to, for example, re-installation of the process cartridge, the storage area for determining whether or not the nonvolatile memory is unused is used. Since information “0” indicating used is stored, there is a problem that a sequence to be performed when the process cartridge is not used is not executed.

  An object of the present invention is to always perform a predetermined process to be executed on an unused cartridge mounted on an image forming apparatus.

  According to the present invention, in an image forming apparatus in which a cartridge having a storage unit is detachable, when the cartridge is mounted, information indicating that the cartridge is unused is stored in the storage unit. A determination unit that determines whether or not a predetermined process to be executed on the cartridge is normally performed; and the cartridge is unused when the determination unit determines that the predetermined process is normally performed. Control means for controlling to rewrite information indicating that the cartridge is replaced with information indicating that the cartridge has been used.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of controlling an image forming apparatus in which a cartridge having a storage unit is detachable, and information indicating that the cartridge is unused is stored in the storage unit when the cartridge is mounted. If it is determined that the predetermined process to be executed on the cartridge is normally performed, and if it is determined that the predetermined process is normally performed, the cartridge is not used. And a control step for controlling to rewrite the information indicating that the cartridge is replaced with information indicating that the cartridge has been used.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to always perform a predetermined process to be executed on an unused cartridge mounted on the image forming apparatus.

  The best mode for carrying out the invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. In the embodiment, an image forming apparatus and a cartridge that can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus will be described.

  First, an electrophotographic image forming apparatus capable of mounting a process cartridge according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 1 is a side sectional view showing the structure of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 1, A is an electrophotographic laser beam printer that forms an image on a recording material such as a recording paper, an OHP sheet, or a cloth by an electrophotographic image forming process. B is a process cartridge that is detachably attached to the electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of the process cartridge shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, a frame 11 having a developer container 4 and a developer feeding member 10 for storing a developer, and a frame 12 for holding a developing means 5 such as a developing roller 5a and a developing blade 5c. A developing unit is integrally formed by welding, and a cartridge 13 is formed by integrally coupling the developing unit with a frame 13 to which the photosensitive drum 1, the cleaning means 7 such as the cleaning blade 7a and the charging roller 2 are attached. ing.

  Here, an image forming process performed by the electrophotographic image forming apparatus will be described. First, a drum-shaped electrophotographic photosensitive member, that is, a photosensitive drum 1 is charged by a charging roller 2 as a charging unit, and then on the photosensitive drum 1 by laser light corresponding to image information emitted from a laser scanner 3. A latent image is formed. This latent image is developed by the developing means 5 and becomes a visible image, that is, a toner image.

  The developing means 5 described above has a developing chamber 5A provided with a developing roller 5a as a developer carrier. The developer seal 45 is extracted and used by the user before the process cartridge is mounted. Then, the developer T in the developer container 4 formed adjacent to the developing chamber 5A is sent out to the developing roller 5a in the developing chamber 5A by the rotation of the developer feeding member 10. In Example 1, as the developer T, an insulating one-component toner is used. The developing roller 5a has a built-in fixed magnet 5b. When the developing roller 5a is rotated, the developer is conveyed, and a triboelectric charge is applied by the developing blade 5c, and a developer having a predetermined thickness is provided. And is supplied to the developing area of the photosensitive drum 1. The developer supplied to the development area is transferred to a latent image on the photosensitive drum 1 to form a toner image. The developing roller 5a is connected to the developing bias circuit 50, and usually a DC voltage is applied to the AC voltage.

  On the other hand, in synchronization with the formation of the toner image, the recording material P set in the paper feed cassette 200 is conveyed to the transfer position via the pickup roller 8 and the conveying means 9A. A transfer roller 6 serving as a transfer unit is disposed at the transfer position, and the toner image on the photosensitive drum 1 is transferred to the recording material P by applying a voltage. The photosensitive drum 1 after the toner image is transferred to the recording material P by the transfer roller 6 is subjected to the next image forming process after the developer remaining on the photosensitive drum 1 is removed by the cleaning unit 7. The cleaning means 7 scrapes off the residual developer on the photosensitive drum 7 by an elastic cleaning blade 7 a provided in contact with the photosensitive drum 1 and collects it in the developer reservoir 7 b.

  The recording material P that has received the transfer of the toner image is conveyed by the conveying unit 9 </ b> B and conveyed to the fixing unit 10. The fixing unit 10 includes a fixing roller 10b including a heater 10a and a driving roller 10c, and fixes the transferred toner image on the recording material P by applying heat and pressure to the recording material P passing therethrough. The recording material P on which the toner image is fixed is discharged to the discharge tray 14 by the transport unit 9C. The discharge tray 14 is provided on the upper surface of the main body of the laser beam printer A.

  The CPU 38 is connected to the developing bias circuit 50 and the writing / reading unit 37 for writing / reading information to / from the storage unit 15. The series of image forming operations described above is controlled by the CPU 38 in the apparatus main body. The

  Next, the drive system in the above-described image forming apparatus A and process cartridge B will be described in more detail with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a process cartridge driving system according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the drive gear 30 provided at the periphery of the photosensitive drum 1 meshes with the drive gear 31 of the developing roller 5a and the drive gear 32 of the developer feeding member 10 to form a gear arrangement. . Therefore, when the photosensitive drum 1 rotates, all the drive systems in the process cartridge B are rotationally driven.

  A coupling 33 is provided on the rotation shaft of the photosensitive drum 1. By attaching the process cartridge B to the image forming apparatus A, the coupling 33 is connected to the coupling 34 of the image forming apparatus A, and the rotational drive of the drive motor 35 is transmitted to the drive gear 30 on the periphery of the photosensitive drum 1. Is done.

  The torque detection device 36 of the image forming apparatus A detects the drive coupling failure between the image forming apparatus A and the process cartridge B by detecting the drive torque of the drive motor 35. For example, if the engagement of the coupling is insufficient with respect to the driving torque in the normal coupling state, naturally, the load becomes light, and thus the driving torque is detected to be low.

  In the first embodiment, a nonvolatile memory is used as the storage unit 15 mounted on the process cartridge B. In addition, a volatile memory equipped with a power source can be used as the storage means, and a non-contact memory capable of communication can be used without mechanically connecting the image forming apparatus A main body and the storage means 15. is there.

  Further, as the capacity of the storage means 15 mounted on the process cartridge B, an appropriate one can be selected.

  FIG. 7 shows the relationship between the memory map of the storage unit 15 mounted on the process cartridge B and the image forming apparatus A.

  The storage unit 15 is connected to the CPU 38 of the image forming apparatus and communicates with the read / write unit 37 for communicating information to read / write information.

  In the first embodiment, information indicating whether or not the process cartridge B is unused, that is, a flag F meaning “new cartridge” is provided at a predetermined address of the storage unit 15 and one bit of the address is used. If the process cartridge B is unused, the flag F is set to “1”.

  A counter C is provided at a predetermined address of the storage means 15 as an area for storing the number of times of execution of a “new” sequence performed when a process cartridge to be described later is in an unused state, and 2 bits of the address are used. . Here, if the process cartridge B is not in use, the value of the counter C is “00”, and when the “new” sequence is executed once, the value of the counter C is set to “01” twice. When executed, it is updated to “10”, and when executed three times, it is updated to “11”.

  On the other hand, on the image forming apparatus A side, a writing / reading unit 37 is provided at a position facing the storage unit 15 of the process cartridge B. This writing / reading means 37 is connected to the CPU 38 of the image forming apparatus A and reads a flag F at a predetermined address representing “new cartridge”. If this flag F is “1”, it is in an unused state (new). It is determined that the flag F is present, and the flag F is rewritten to “0” by a processing procedure described later. If the flag F is “0”, it is determined as “used”.

  Similarly, when the “new” sequence is executed, the value of the counter C described above is read. If the value of the counter C is “00”, the value of the counter C is rewritten to “01” by a processing procedure described later. Here, if the value of the counter C is “01”, it is determined that the “new” sequence has been executed once, and if it is “10”, it is determined that it has been executed twice.

  In the first embodiment, if the flag F is “1”, it is determined that the cartridge is a “new cartridge”, and the “new” sequence is executed.

  As described above, in the case of the unused process cartridge B, the cleaning blade 7a that is in contact with the photosensitive drum 1 is subjected to a load due to frictional force, so that the blade is likely to be turned over. By actively collecting the toner as a transfer residual toner by the cleaning means 7 and acting as a lubricant between the photosensitive drum 1 and the cleaning blade 7a, it is possible to reduce the frictional force and avoid the blade turning.

  Here, the “new article” sequence in the first embodiment will be described.

  When the CPU 38 of the image forming apparatus A reads the flag F at a predetermined address in the storage unit 15 by the writing / reading unit 37 and determines that the flag F is “1” and the process cartridge B is “new cartridge”, the drive motor 35 is driven. Then, the rotation of the drive motor 35 is started, the photosensitive drum 1 is charged by the charging roller 2 as a charging unit, and then the laser scanner 3 is forcibly emitted for a predetermined time, 1 second in the first embodiment. This latent image is developed by the developing means 5. At this time, the developing roller 5a is connected to a developing bias circuit, and usually a DC voltage is applied to the AC voltage.

  As the photosensitive drum 1 rotates, the toner image on the photosensitive drum 1 passes through a predetermined transfer position. At this time, by applying a transfer voltage different from the normal one, it is possible to prevent the transfer roller 6 as a transfer unit from being soiled.

  In this way, the toner image on the photosensitive drum 1 is collected in the developer reservoir 7b by scraping off the residual developer on the photosensitive drum 1 by the elastic cleaning blade 7a provided in contact with the photosensitive drum 1. Thus, “cleaning blade turning” can be prevented.

  Next, referring to FIG. 4, when the process cartridge is mounted on the image forming apparatus, it is determined whether or not it is unused by a predetermined flag F, and if it is not used, the above-described “new” sequence is executed. A process for rewriting the flag F of the storage means 15 from “1” for “new” to “0” for “used” when a normal driving torque is detected will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating processing when the process cartridge is mounted in the first embodiment. First, when the process cartridge B is attached to the image forming apparatus A, the CPU 38 of the image forming apparatus A communicates with the storage means 15 mounted on the process cartridge B by the writing / reading means 37 in step S101, and The values of the flag F and the counter C are read from a predetermined address.

  Here, if the flag F is “1” meaning “new cartridge”, the process proceeds to step S102, and it is determined whether or not the new sequence has been executed a predetermined number of times according to the value of the counter C. Specifically, if the value of the counter C is any one of “00”, “01”, and “10”, it is determined that the number is not the predetermined number, and the process proceeds to step S103 to execute the above-described new product sequence. In step S104, the value of the counter C is incremented, and the number of executions of the new sequence is updated.

  Next, in step S105, the drive motor 35 is driven in accordance with the drive signal from the CPU 38. With this drive, the torque detection device 36 detects the drive torque of the drive motor 35, and the detected signal is captured by the CPU 38. Then, the CPU 38 determines whether or not the coupling is normal after a predetermined time. Here, if the driving torque is a normal value, it is determined that the coupling is normal, the process proceeds to step S106, the end of the new sequence is waited, and the process cartridge B is loaded into the process cartridge B by the writing / reading means 37 provided in the image forming apparatus A. It communicates with the installed storage means 15 and rewrites the flag F to “0” meaning “used”.

  The CPU 38 determines the drive torque by, for example, comparing a value obtained by averaging torque values detected when the drive motor 35 is driven for a predetermined time with a normal value (predetermined threshold). To do so.

  If it is determined in step S105 that the drive torque is lower than the normal value and the coupling is poor, the process proceeds to step S107, the drive of the drive motor 35 is stopped, and the display device 60 of the image forming apparatus displays “a coupling failure has occurred. And a message prompting the user to remount the process cartridge.

  On the other hand, in step S102 described above, the value of the counter C is a value indicating that the new sequence has been executed a predetermined number of times (in this embodiment, when the process cartridge is remounted three times and the coupling failure occurs four times. If “11”), it is determined that the process cartridge B has failed, the process proceeds to step S109, the drive motor 35 is not driven, and the message “process cartridge failure” is displayed on the display device 60 of the image forming apparatus. And a message prompting removal of the process cartridge is displayed.

  In step S101 described above, if the flag F is information “0” indicating “used”, the process proceeds to step S111, and a normal preparation operation is performed. In step S112, the drive motor 35 is driven, and along with the drive, the torque detection device 36 detects the drive torque of the drive motor 35, and determines whether or not the coupling is normal within a predetermined time. Here, if the drive torque is a normal value, it is determined that the coupling is normal, and “ready state” is displayed on the display device 60 of the image forming apparatus.

  If it is determined in step S112 that the drive torque is lower than the normal value and the coupling is poor, the process proceeds to step S107, the drive of the drive motor 35 is stopped, and the display device 60 of the image forming apparatus displays “a coupling failure has occurred. And a message prompting the user to remount the process cartridge.

  As described above, the torque detection device 36 detects the drive torque of the drive motor 35 and sets the flag indicating that the process cartridge is “unused” to “used” only when the coupling is normal. rewrite. In other words, when the image forming apparatus is in a ready state where image formation is possible, or after the ready state is entered, a coupling failure occurs by rewriting the flag of the storage means mounted on the process cartridge to “used”. After that, even when the process cartridge is remounted, the flag remains “unused” and the new product sequence can be executed again.

  In this way, an indispensable sequence can be surely executed only for a new process cartridge, and "cleaning blade turning" can be reliably prevented.

  Further, the failure of the process cartridge can be determined by storing the number of times of execution of the “new” sequence in the storage means mounted on the process cartridge.

  In addition, since the new process sequence is not executed for a used process cartridge, unnecessary toner consumption can be prevented.

  Next, Embodiment 2 according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the first embodiment described above, a coupling failure between the image forming apparatus and the process cartridge is detected using a torque detection device. In the second embodiment, the image forming apparatus and the process cartridge are coupled by a drive gear. Further, the developer seal provided at the opening of the developer container is wound up, and the developer seal winding failure is detected using a torque detector.

  Note that the configurations of the image forming apparatus A and the process cartridge B are the same as those described in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a process cartridge driving system according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the drive gear 42 that is rotationally driven by the drive motor 40 provided in the image forming apparatus A meshes with the drive gear 43 provided in the process cartridge B when the process cartridge B is mounted, and the drive is transmitted. .

  Further, a developer seal 45 is provided over the opening at the joint between the frame 11 including the developer container 4 and the frame 12 including the developing means 5 so as to avoid the welding surface. One end of the developer seal 45 is connected to the developer seal winder 44.

  Here, the rotational drive by the drive motor 40 according to the drive instruction signal from the CPU 38 transmits the drive gear 42 and the drive gear 43 to drive the developer seal take-up device 44 in rotation. As a result, the developer seal take-up device 44 rotates in the direction of arrow A in the figure, and as a result, the developer seal 45 moves in the direction of arrow A. As a result, the developer in the developer container is sent to the vicinity of the developing means, and image formation becomes possible.

  The torque detector 41 detects the drive torque of the drive motor 40, and the detected signal is transmitted to the CPU 38. The CPU 38 detects a drive gear coupling failure between the image forming apparatus and the process cartridge B. For example, if the coupling mesh is insufficient with respect to the driving torque in the normal coupling state, naturally, the load is light and thus the driving torque is detected low.

  More specifically, in the process of winding up the developer seal, the developer seal is affixed to the opening of the developer container with an adhesive or the like, and the torque detection device 41 has a predetermined Is detected. Then, when the developer seal has been wound up, the load becomes lighter, so that the detected driving torque becomes lower. That is, in normal operation, after detecting a predetermined load torque, a lower torque is detected, and it can be determined that the developer seal has been normally wound.

  As described above, when the CPU 38 determines that the torque detected by the torque detection device 41 remains low after the predetermined time after the process cartridge B is mounted, it means that the gear coupling is defective.

  In the second embodiment, the storage unit 15 used in the first embodiment is used. In other words, the process cartridge B is in an unused state, that is, a flag F indicating “new cartridge” is provided at a predetermined address of the storage unit 15 and one bit of the address is used. If the process cartridge B is unused, this flag F is set to “1”.

  Similarly, in order to store the number of executions of the “new” sequence, a counter C is provided at a predetermined address of the storage means 15 and 2 bits of the address are used. Here, if the process cartridge B is in an unused state, the value of the counter C is “00”, and when the “new” sequence is executed once, the value of the counter C is set to “01”.

  On the other hand, on the image forming apparatus A side, a writing / reading unit 37 is provided at a position facing the storage unit 15 of the process cartridge B. The writing / reading means 37 is connected to the CPU 38 of the image forming apparatus A, and reads a flag F at a predetermined address representing “new cartridge” in response to an instruction signal from the CPU 38. If this flag F is “1”, The flag F is determined to be “new” and the flag F is rewritten to “0” by a processing procedure described later. If the flag F is “0”, it is determined as “used”.

  Similarly, when the “new” sequence is executed, the value of the counter C described above is read. If the value of the counter C is “00”, the value of the counter C is rewritten to “01” by a processing procedure described later. Here, if the value of the counter C is “01”, it is determined that the “new” sequence has been executed once, and if it is “10”, it is determined that it has been executed twice.

  Also in the second embodiment, if the flag F is “1”, it is determined that the cartridge is a “new cartridge”, and the following “new” sequence is executed.

  In the new process cartridge B, a developer seal 45 is provided at the opening of the developer container 4 to prevent the developer from moving. When the process cartridge B is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body A, the drive motor 40 is driven to rotate, and this drive transmits the drive gear 42 and the drive gear 43 to rotate the developer seal take-up device 44. As a result, the developer seal take-up device 44 winds up the developer seal, so that the developer in the developer container is sent to the vicinity of the developing means and image formation becomes possible.

  Next, referring to FIG. 6, when the process cartridge is mounted on the image forming apparatus, it is determined whether or not the process cartridge is unused (new) by a predetermined flag F. A process of rewriting the flag F from “unused” to “used” when the “new” sequence is executed and a normal driving torque is detected will be described.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating processing when the process cartridge is mounted in the second embodiment. First, when the process cartridge B is attached to the image forming apparatus A, the CPU 38 of the image forming apparatus A communicates with the storage means 15 mounted on the process cartridge B by the writing / reading means 37 in step S201, and The values of the flag F and the counter C are read from a predetermined address.

  Here, if the flag F is information “1” which means “new cartridge” indicating an unused state, the process proceeds to step S202, and it is determined whether or not the new sequence has been executed a predetermined number of times according to the value of the counter C. Specifically, if the value of the counter C is any one of “00”, “01”, and “10”, it is determined that it is not a predetermined number of times, and the process proceeds to step S203 to execute the above-described new product sequence. In step S204, the value of the counter C is incremented and the number of executions of the new sequence is updated.

  Next, in step S205, the drive motor 40 is driven according to the drive signal of the CPU 38, and along with this drive, the torque detector 41 detects the drive torque of the drive motor 40, and the developer seal is removed after a predetermined time. Judge whether or not it has been wound up normally. Here, if the driving torque is a normal value, the CPU 38 determines that the developer seal has been wound up normally, and proceeds to step S206, waits for the end of the new sequence, and writes in the image forming apparatus A. The reading unit 37 communicates with the storage unit 15 mounted on the process cartridge B, and rewrites the flag F to “0” meaning “used”.

  In step S205, if the CPU 38 determines that the driving torque is not a normal value but a lower value than the normal value and the winding of the developer seal is poor, the process proceeds to step S207, where the drive motor 40 is driven. And a message “Developer seal winding failure occurred” is displayed on the display device 60 of the image forming apparatus, and a message prompting the user to remount the process cartridge is displayed.

  On the other hand, in step S202 described above, the value of the counter C is a value indicating that the new sequence has been executed a predetermined number of times (in the second embodiment, the process cartridge is remounted three times, and the winding failure occurs four times. If “11”), it is determined that the process cartridge B has failed, and the process proceeds to step S209, where the drive motor 35 is not driven, and the message “process cartridge failure” is displayed on the display device 60 of the image forming apparatus. And a message prompting removal of the process cartridge is displayed.

  In step S201 described above, when the flag F is “0” meaning “used”, the process proceeds to step S211 to perform a normal preparation operation. In step S212, the drive motor 40 is driven, and along with the drive, the torque detection device 41 detects the drive torque of the drive motor 40, and determines whether or not the coupling is normal within a predetermined time. Here, if the drive torque is a normal value, it is determined that the coupling is normal, and “ready state” is displayed on the display device 60 of the image forming apparatus.

  If it is determined in step S212 that the drive torque is lower than the normal value and the coupling is poor, the process proceeds to step S207, where the drive motor 40 is stopped and the display device 60 of the image forming apparatus displays “a coupling failure has occurred. And a message prompting the user to remount the process cartridge.

  The determination of the drive torque in the CPU 38 is made, for example, by comparing a value obtained by averaging torque values detected when the drive motor 35 is driven for a predetermined time with a low value (predetermined threshold value). By the way.

  As described above, only when the driving torque of the driving motor 40 by the torque detection device 41 is detected and the developer seal is wound up normally, a flag indicating that the process cartridge is “unused” is displayed. Rewrite to “Used”. In other words, when the image forming apparatus is in a ready state in which image formation is possible, or after the ready state is entered, rewriting the flag of the storage means mounted on the process cartridge to “used” to reduce winding failure. Even if the process cartridge is remounted after the occurrence, the flag remains “unused” and the new product sequence is executed again.

  In this way, an indispensable sequence is always executed only in an unused process cartridge, and the developer seal is reliably wound and image formation is possible.

  Further, by storing the number of executions of the “new” sequence in the storage means mounted on the process cartridge, it is possible to determine the failure of the process cartridge.

  Further, since the new process sequence is not executed in the used process cartridge, unnecessary driving is not performed.

  Needless to say, the first embodiment and the second embodiment may be combined and the combination may be executed as one new product sequence.

  As described above, according to the embodiment, in the image forming apparatus in which the process cartridge having the storage unit can be attached and detached, the process cartridge mounting abnormality detection unit and the writing / reading unit for the storage unit are provided. Information indicating whether the cartridge is unused or used and information indicating the number of operations of a predetermined operation executed when the process cartridge is not used are stored. After the process cartridge is mounted on the image forming apparatus, When information indicating that the process cartridge is unused is stored, the information on the number of operations of the predetermined operation is updated, and after determining that the process cartridge mounting abnormality detection unit is normally mounted, the storage unit stores By storing used information, the process cartridge can be remounted after an abnormality is detected. Still even if the storage means is held at the information is not used, it is possible to re-run the new sequence.

  In addition, after the process cartridge is mounted in the image forming apparatus, information that the process cartridge is unused is stored in the storage unit, and is stored when the process cartridge is not used. When it is determined that the number of operations of the predetermined operation has reached the predetermined number, the user can be notified of a failure of the process cartridge by not operating the image forming apparatus.

  Therefore, an indispensable sequence can be executed only for a new process cartridge, and an unnecessary sequence is not executed for a used process cartridge and a failed process cartridge.

  Even if the present invention is applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.), it is applied to an apparatus (for example, a copier, a facsimile machine, etc.) composed of a single device. It may be applied.

  Another object of the present invention is to supply a recording medium in which a program code of software realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is recorded to a system or apparatus, and the computer (CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus stores the recording medium in the recording medium. Needless to say, this can also be achieved by reading and executing the programmed program code.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the recording medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the recording medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

  As a recording medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like is used. be able to.

  Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (operating system) operating on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the actual processing and the processing is included.

  Further, after the program code read from the recording medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the CPU or the like provided in the board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

1 is a side sectional view showing a structure of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus in Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the structure of the process cartridge shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a process cartridge drive system according to the first exemplary embodiment. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a process when a process cartridge is mounted according to the first exemplary embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a drive system for a process cartridge according to a second embodiment. 6 is a flowchart illustrating processing when a process cartridge is mounted in Embodiment 2. 3 is a diagram showing a relationship between a memory map of a storage unit 15 mounted on a process cartridge B and an image forming apparatus A. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Photoconductor 2 Charging means 3 Laser scanner 4 Developer storage part 5 Developing means 6 Transfer means 7 Cleaning means 10 Stirring means 15 Storage means 35 Drive motor 36 Torque detection means

Claims (10)

In an image forming apparatus in which a cartridge having a storage means is detachable,
If information indicating that the cartridge is unused is stored in the storage means when the cartridge is mounted, whether or not a predetermined process to be executed on the cartridge has been normally performed Determining means for determining
Control for controlling to rewrite information indicating that the cartridge is not used to information indicating that the cartridge has been used when the determination unit determines that the predetermined processing has been normally performed. Means,
An image forming apparatus comprising:   The determining unit drives the cartridge driving unit by the driving unit of the image forming apparatus, and determines that the predetermined process is normally performed when the driving torque of the driving unit is a predetermined value. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.   The determination unit drives the cartridge driving unit by the driving unit of the image forming apparatus, and determines that the predetermined process is abnormally performed when the driving torque of the driving unit is equal to or less than a predetermined value. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the determination unit outputs a message for prompting remounting of the cartridge to the display device when it is determined that the predetermined process is abnormally performed. 5.   The determination unit stores the number of executions of the predetermined process in the storage unit, and determines that the cartridge is defective when the predetermined process is performed a predetermined number of times. Item 4. The image forming apparatus according to Item 1.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit outputs to the display device that the cartridge is out of order.   A cartridge which is detachably mounted on the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6 and has a storage unit. A control method for an image forming apparatus in which a cartridge having a storage means is detachable,
When information indicating that the cartridge is unused is stored in the storage means when the cartridge is mounted, it is determined whether or not a predetermined process to be executed on the cartridge has been normally performed. A determination step for determining;
A control step for controlling to rewrite information indicating that the cartridge is not used to information indicating that the cartridge has been used when it is determined that the cartridge is normally performed in the determination step;
A control method for an image forming apparatus, comprising:   A program for causing a computer to function as the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6.   A computer-readable recording medium on which the program according to claim 9 is recorded.

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