JP2005331722A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To clarify the basic cause about abnormalities generated at control time. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus is equipped with a control means for controlling respective parts to a state suitable for image forming by receiving the results of detection by sensors arranged at the respective parts or the set values of the respective parts, a storage means for storing the results of detection by the sensors at the respective parts and the set values of the respective parts used, when the control means controls the respective parts, an abnormality causing factor analysis means for analyzing an abnormality causing factor, by applying the results of detection and the set values stored in the storage means to preset abnormality causing factor analyzing procedure when the control means judges that the respective parts can not be controlled to a normal state, and a display means for displaying the abnormality causing factor analyzed by the abnormality causing factor analysis means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a function of determining the presence or absence of an abnormality, and further relates to an image forming apparatus having a function of analyzing a cause of abnormality when it is determined that there is an abnormality.

  In a general image forming apparatus, a recording sheet fed from a sheet feeding cassette by a sheet feeding roller passes through a conveyance path and is sent to a transfer position by a registration roller, and a toner image on an image carrier is transferred to the recording sheet. Is done. The recording paper on which the toner image is placed is fixed in a stable state by the fixing unit, and is then discharged out of the apparatus via a path switching unit and a paper discharge roller.

  In such an image forming apparatus, a sensor is provided in each part of the image forming process and the recording paper conveyance, and has a function of judging the presence or absence of an abnormality based on the detection result of the sensor. When an abnormality occurs during image formation, the occurrence of the abnormality is displayed on a display unit or the like in a predetermined code format.

In addition, in such a code format display, it is difficult for an operator unfamiliar with the machine to recover the abnormal state, and therefore it has been proposed to output a message by voice as described in Patent Document 1 below. It was.
JP 2002-40884 A (first page, FIG. 1)

  In the invention described in Patent Document 1 described above, voice output is performed in addition to code format error display, but the voice output basically has almost the same content as the information shown in the code format. That is, nothing is shown about the root cause (anomaly occurrence factor) that caused the abnormality.

  For example, in the case of a symptom that the reference density cannot be obtained in the reference density control during the initial operation, any of the density sensor, the developing system, the transfer system, the charging system, the charging electrometer, and the writing system causes the abnormality. there is a possibility.

  In such a case, if the error is displayed in a code format based on the symptom that the reference concentration cannot be obtained, the root cause (the cause of the abnormality) can only be determined by the serviceman's guess. There was no way.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of clarifying a root cause of causing a symptom with respect to an abnormality occurring during control. Is to provide.

The present invention for solving the above problems is as described below.
(1) According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control means for receiving a detection result of a sensor arranged in each part or a set value of each part to control the state suitable for image formation, and when the control part controls each part. Storage means for storing the detection results of the sensors of the respective parts used for each and the set values of the respective parts, and the detection results and settings stored in the storage means when the control means determines that control cannot be performed in a normal state. An error occurrence factor analyzing means for applying a value to a predetermined abnormality occurrence factor analysis procedure and analyzing the abnormality occurrence factor; a display means for displaying the abnormality occurrence factor analyzed by the abnormality occurrence factor analyzing means; An image forming apparatus comprising:

  In the present invention, in the process of receiving the detection results of the sensors arranged in the respective sections or the setting values of the respective sections and controlling them in a state suitable for image formation, the detection results of the sensors of the respective sections used for controlling the respective sections and the respective sections. Store the set value and apply the stored detection result and set value to a predetermined abnormality cause analysis procedure when it is determined that the control cannot be performed in the normal state. Analyze the cause of abnormality and display the analyzed cause of abnormality.

  (2) In the invention described in claim 2, the storage means is constituted by a non-volatile storage means, stores the abnormality occurrence factor analyzed by the abnormality occurrence factor analysis means, and the display means 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the abnormality occurrence factor stored in a storage unit is displayed. In the present invention, the analyzed abnormality occurrence factor is stored in the nonvolatile storage means, and the stored abnormality occurrence factor is displayed on the display means.

  (3) In the invention according to claim 3, the display means is configured to set the abnormality occurrence factor analyzed by the abnormality occurrence factor analysis means or the abnormality occurrence factor stored in the storage means based on a predetermined setting. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is configured to display or not display. In the present invention, the analyzed abnormality occurrence factor or the stored abnormality occurrence factor is displayed or hidden based on a predetermined display setting / non-display setting.

According to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) According to the first aspect of the present invention, the detection results of the sensors of the respective units used in the process of receiving the detection results of the sensors arranged in the respective units or the setting values of the respective units and controlling them to a state suitable for image formation, and the detection results of the respective units The set value is stored, and the detection result and the set value are applied to a predetermined error occurrence factor analysis procedure to analyze the error occurrence factor.

  In this way, it is possible to clarify the root cause (anomaly occurrence factor) that causes a symptom instead of a code format error display based on the direct symptom for an abnormality that occurred during control. .

  (2) In the invention described in claim 2, the analyzed abnormality occurrence factor is stored in the nonvolatile storage means, and the stored abnormality occurrence factor is displayed on the display means. In this way, it is possible to display the root cause (an abnormality occurrence factor) that causes a symptom for an abnormality that has occurred during control even when the power is turned off and then turned on again.

  (3) In the invention according to claim 3, the analyzed abnormality occurrence factor or the stored abnormality occurrence factor is displayed or not displayed based on a predetermined display setting / non-display setting. By doing in this way, it becomes possible to display the root cause (an abnormality occurrence factor) that causes a symptom as necessary for an abnormality that has occurred during control.

The best mode for carrying out the present invention (hereinafter referred to as an embodiment) will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.
The image forming apparatus according to this embodiment is a document reading unit (scanner) even if it is an image output device (copying device) having a function of reading and copying the contents of a copy object as image information by a document reading unit (scanner). The present invention can also be applied to an image output apparatus (printer) that does not have ().

<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a circuit configuration diagram showing an embodiment of an image forming apparatus of the present invention. In FIG. 1, the periphery of the portion necessary for the description of the operation of the present embodiment is mainly described, and other known portions as the image forming apparatus are omitted.

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram illustrating each means of the embodiment of the present invention for each function.
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 11 denotes a charger that charges the photosensitive drum for image formation, and 20 denotes exposure of the image carrier 1 using a laser beam corresponding to image data for image formation. An exposure unit for forming an electrostatic latent image at 30, a developing unit 30 for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum into a visible toner image by development processing, and 40 for each color An intermediate transfer unit for synthesizing the toner image on the photosensitive drum on the intermediate transfer belt, 60 is a conveying unit for conveying the transfer paper, and 70 is a toner image transferred on the transfer paper with a predetermined temperature of heat and a predetermined temperature. A fixing unit that is fixed by pressure.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 101 denotes a control unit as a control unit that controls each unit relating to image formation, 102 denotes a memory that stores various data, 110 denotes an operation display unit that performs operation input and information display, and 120 original image A scanner unit 130 generates image data by reading image data, and an image processing unit 130 performs predetermined image processing on the image data. In addition to the control unit, the control unit 101 also constitutes an abnormality occurrence factor analysis unit in the present embodiment.

  FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram illustrating a mechanical configuration of a print engine portion of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. The same components as those in FIG. 1 described above are denoted by the same reference numerals. Here, the image forming portion is mainly shown except for the scanner portion.

  In FIG. 2, a color image can be formed by using a plurality of colors of toner, and a toner image from each color image carrier is primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer member and superimposed on the intermediate transfer member. A specific example is an image forming apparatus that forms an image by sandwiching a transfer sheet between an intermediate transfer member and a transfer roller and performing secondary transfer from the intermediate transfer member to the transfer sheet.

  Here, 10Y to 10K are photosensitive drums as image carriers on which toner images of colors Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and K (black) are formed by exposure and development, respectively. It is.

  Reference numerals 11Y to 11K denote chargers for charging the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 10Y to 10K for image formation. Reference numerals 11Ys to 11Ks (11s) denote surface potentiometers for measuring charging voltages applied to the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 10Y to 10K, respectively.

  Reference numerals 20Y to 20K denote exposure units (writing units) for forming electrostatic latent images by scanning the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 10Y to 10K with laser beams according to the image data of the respective colors.

  Reference numerals 30Y to 30K denote developing units for developing each color electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of each of the photosensitive drums 10Y to 10K with a developer (toner) to form a visible toner image. .

  Reference numeral 40 denotes an intermediate transfer unit that primarily transfers the toner images from the photosensitive drums of the respective colors onto the intermediate transfer member belt and superimposes the toner images on the intermediate transfer member. In the intermediate transfer unit 40, reference numeral 41 denotes an intermediate transfer belt on which toner images from the photosensitive drums 10Y to 10K of the respective colors are transferred (primary transfer) and are superimposed. The belt cleaning unit and the like are omitted.

  Further, a Dmax sensor 42 as a density sensor for reading the density of the density patch formed on the intermediate transfer belt 41 is disposed at a predetermined position. The Dmax sensor 42 includes a light emitting unit such as an LED and a light receiving unit such as a phototransistor. The Dmax sensor 42 irradiates the density patch on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 41 from the LED with predetermined light. The incident angle and the reflection angle are set so that the reflected light at that time is detected by the phototransistor.

  Reference numeral 50 denotes a paper feed unit in which transfer paper is accumulated. A paper feed cassette 51 and a paper feed unit cassette 52 are shown here. Note that the number of sheet cassettes is not limited to this example.

  A transport unit 60 transports the transfer paper. Here, 61 to 69 are conveying means such as conveying rollers or path switching means. Reference numeral 61 denotes a paper feed roller for feeding the transfer paper from the paper feed cassette, 62 denotes a conveyance path through which the transfer paper from the paper feed cassette 50 (51 or 52) passes, and 63a and 63b send the transfer paper in accordance with the timing of image formation. Registration roller, 64 is a secondary transfer roller, 65 is a path switching means for switching between discharge and circulation of transfer paper, 66a, 66b to 68a, 68b are reversing rollers for inverting the front and back of the transfer paper, and 69a, 69b are transfer paper It is a paper discharge roller for discharging out of the apparatus. The secondary transfer roller 64 transfers the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 41 to the transfer paper (secondary transfer) and separates the transfer paper from the intermediate transfer belt 41.

  A fixing unit 70 fixes the toner image on the transfer paper to the paper surface by heat and pressure, and includes a heat roller 71 (or 72) and a pressure roller 72 (or 71) incorporating a heater.

  Here, the transfer paper fed from the paper feed cassette 51 by the paper feed roller 61 passes through the conveyance path 62 and is transferred to the secondary transfer position (contact position between the transfer roller 64 and the intermediate transfer belt 41 by the registration rollers 63a and 63b. ), And a plurality of color toner images are transferred onto the transfer paper. Then, the toner image is fixed by the fixing unit 70 to be in a stable state. Then, the paper is once sent to the reverse conveyance path by the path switching means 65 and then discharged out of the apparatus by the paper discharge rollers 69a and 69b.

The operation of the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
In the image forming apparatus of this embodiment, the detection results of the sensors of each unit and the set values of each unit used in the process of receiving the detection results of the sensors arranged in each unit or the setting values of each unit and controlling them to a state suitable for image formation And the detection result and the set value are applied to a predetermined abnormality occurrence factor analysis procedure to analyze the abnormality occurrence factor.

Here, as an example of controlling to a state suitable for image formation, the embodiment will be described using “Dmax correction” as a specific example.
This Dmax correction is density control for maintaining the maximum density obtained by image formation at a constant density, and is executed by the control unit 101 in the order of each color of YMCK according to the following procedure (S1 in FIG. 3).
(a) A drive system necessary for image formation, a polygon motor, and the like are brought into a drive state to prepare a mechanical portion for image formation.
(b) The charging voltage from the charger 11 necessary for image formation, the developing bias in the developing device 30, and the like are turned on. In order to make the Dmax sensor 42 usable, power supply is started and the shutter is opened.
(c) In the intermediate transfer belt 41, the non-patch portion where no density patch is formed is read by the Dmax sensor 42, the voltage supplied to the Dmax sensor 42 is adjusted, and the baseline is corrected.
(d) Based on the image data for density patch generation, the photosensitive drum 10 is exposed from the exposure unit 20 and developed by the developing device 30 to generate density patches. This density patch is primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 41.
(e) Here, the surface potential of the non-patch portion on the photosensitive drum 10 is measured using the surface potential meter 11s. This measured value is used for calculation when feedback is applied to the developing bias.
(f) At the timing when the density patch on the intermediate transfer belt 41 passes through the Dmax sensor 42, the density of the density patch is measured by the Dmax sensor 42.
(g) The density measurement value of the density patch measured by the Dmax sensor 42 is compared with the density target value. If the density measurement value is not within the allowable range of the target value, feedback is applied to the developing bias, and the above (d) Repeat from. The density measurement value of the measured density patch is compared with the density target value, and if the density measurement value is within the allowable range of the target value, the Dmax correction ends normally (NO in S2 in FIG. 3).

  Even if the above (d) to (g) are repeated a specified number of times, if the density measurement value of the density patch is not within the target value tolerance range, an abnormality code is displayed on the operation display unit 110 as an abnormality has occurred. Displayed and the Dmax correction is completed (YES in S2 in FIG. 3). Conventionally, the process ends here, but in the present embodiment, after that, the abnormality occurrence factor is analyzed by applying to a predetermined abnormality occurrence factor analysis procedure.

This abnormality factor analysis procedure is assumed to be stored in a register in the control unit 101 or the memory 102.
First, the detection results of the sensors of the respective units used when the control unit 101 performs Dmax correction and the set values of the respective units are stored in the memory 102 (S3 in FIG. 3). In the case of this Dmax correction, the control unit 101 stores the following detection results and set values in the memory 102.
(1) Supply voltage of Dmax sensor 42 obtained by baseline correction of Dmax sensor 42,
(2) Surface potential (for four colors) by the surface potential meter 11s of the photosensitive drum of the non-patch part,
(3) Surface potential (for four colors) by the surface potential meter 11s of the photosensitive drum of the density patch portion,
(4) Density measurement values (for four colors) by the Dmax sensor 42 of the density patch,
(5) Laser power of the exposure unit 20 and bias setting values (for four colors),
(6) Development bias setting value of developer 30 (for four colors),
(7) Charging voltage setting value of charger 11 (for four colors)
Then, the control unit 101 analyzes the cause of the abnormality according to the following procedure (an abnormality cause analysis procedure). In this analysis, it is desirable to perform the analysis from the highest ranking that can be the root cause. For example, the order of setting error, sensor failure, and failure of each part can be considered. In this abnormality occurrence factor analysis procedure, a suitable procedure is stored in advance for each control. In this embodiment, an abnormality occurrence factor analysis procedure for Dmax correction is used.

  First, the laser power of the exposure unit 20, bias setting values (for four colors), developing bias setting values for the developing device 30 (for four colors), charging voltage setting values for the charger 11 (for four colors), The control unit 101 confirms whether or not is set in the normal range (S4 in FIG. 3).

  Here, if any of the set values is not within the normal range (Error in S4 in FIG. 3), an analysis result is generated that an abnormality in the set value is a cause of the abnormality (S5 in FIG. 3). Note that the control unit 101 stores the analysis result in the memory 102 (S19 in FIG. 3).

  If the above set values are within the normal range (OK in S4 in FIG. 3), the surface potential (for four colors) by the surface potential meter 11s of the non-patch portion of the photosensitive drum and the set value (4 for the charging voltage of the charger 11). The control unit 101 confirms whether the surface potential of the non-patch portion of each color is in the normal range (S6 in FIG. 3).

  Here, if the surface potential of the photosensitive drum of the non-patch portion of each color is not in the normal range (Error in S6 in FIG. 3), then, it is checked whether the density measurement value of the density patch by the Dmax sensor 42 is normal ( If the density measurement value of the density patch by the Dmax sensor 42 is normal (OK in FIG. 3S7), an analysis result is generated that the abnormality of the surface electrometer is the cause of the abnormality (S8 in FIG. 3). Note that the control unit 101 stores the analysis result in the memory 102 (S19 in FIG. 3).

  Here, if the surface potential of the photosensitive drum of the non-patch portion of each color is not in the normal range (Error in S6 in FIG. 3), subsequently, whether the density measurement value of the density patch by the Dmax sensor 42 is normal or not. If the density measurement value of the density patch at the Dmax sensor 42 is abnormal (Error in S7 in FIG. 3), an analysis result is generated that an abnormality in charging or surface electrometer is the cause of the abnormality (S7 in FIG. 3). FIG. 3S9). Note that the control unit 101 stores the analysis result in the memory 102 (S19 in FIG. 3).

  If the surface potential of the photosensitive drum described above is in a normal range (OK in FIG. 3 S6), whether the surface potential (for four colors) by the surface potential meter 11s of the photosensitive drum in the density patch portion is normally reduced by exposure. Is confirmed by the control unit 101 (S10 in FIG. 3).

  Here, if the surface potential of the photosensitive drum in the density patch portion of each color is not normally lowered by the exposure (Error in S10 in FIG. 3), the analysis result that the abnormalities in the writing system in the exposed portion is the cause of the abnormality is shown. Generate (S11 in FIG. 3). Note that the control unit 101 stores the analysis result in the memory 102 (S19 in FIG. 3).

  If the surface potential of the photosensitive drum in the above density patch portion is normally reduced (OK in FIG. 3 S10), it is checked whether the density patch density measurement value in the Dmax sensor 42 is normal (FIG. 3 S12). If the density measurement value of the density patch by the Dmax sensor 42 is normal even for one color (OK in FIG. 3 S13), an analysis result that an abnormality in development or primary transfer is the cause of the abnormality is generated (S14 in FIG. 3). Note that the control unit 101 stores the analysis result in the memory 102 (S19 in FIG. 3). Further, if the density measurement values of the density patches in the Dmax sensor 42 are not normal for all colors (Error in S13 in FIG. 3), an analysis result that an abnormality in the Dmax sensor 42 is the cause of the abnormality is generated (S15 in FIG. 3). ). Note that the control unit 101 stores the analysis result in the memory 102 (S19 in FIG. 3).

  If the density measurement value of the density patch in the above Dmax sensor 42 is normal (OK in S12 in FIG. 3), it is checked whether the supply voltage to the Dmax sensor 42 is normal (S16 in FIG. 3) and supplied to the Dmax sensor 42. If the voltage is normal (OK in FIG. 3 S16), an analysis result that the cause of the abnormality is unknown is generated (S17 in FIG. 3). Note that the control unit 101 stores the analysis result in the memory 102 (S19 in FIG. 3).

  Further, it is checked whether or not the supply voltage to the Dmax sensor 42 is normal (FIG. 3 S16). If the supply voltage to the Dmax sensor 42 is not normal (Error in S16 in FIG. 3), the cause is an abnormality in the baseline of the Dmax sensor 42. An analysis result is generated (S17 in FIG. 3). Note that the control unit 101 stores the analysis result in the memory 102 (S19 in FIG. 3).

  When it is set to display the abnormality occurrence factor stored as described above on the operation display unit 110 (YES in S20 in FIG. 3), the control unit 101 reads the analyzed abnormality occurrence factor from the memory 102 and displays the operation display. Displayed on the display screen of the unit 110.

  FIG. 4A shows an abnormality occurrence display in a general error code format that is first displayed on the operation display unit 110 when an abnormality occurs. In this case, the part “SC34-04” is an error code, which is a code derived from the symptom itself in which an abnormality has occurred. Here, it represents a symptom that a normal Dmax could not be obtained with the density patch even when a predetermined number of corrections were performed during Dmax correction.

  FIG. 4B is an error display showing an abnormality occurrence factor obtained by the analysis of the present embodiment when an abnormality occurs. When an abnormality similar to the above occurs at the time of Dmax correction, the abnormality occurrence factor is shown for each color. Yes.

  As described above, the detection results of the sensors of each unit and the set values of each unit used in the process of receiving the detection results of the sensors arranged in each unit or the setting values of each unit and controlling them to a state suitable for image formation. A code based on the direct symptom of the abnormality that occurred during control by analyzing the abnormality cause by applying the detection result and the set value to a predetermined abnormality cause analysis procedure. It is possible to clarify the root cause (anomaly occurrence factor) that causes the symptom instead of the error display in the form.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the analyzed abnormality occurrence factor is stored in the memory 102 which is a nonvolatile storage unit, and the stored abnormality occurrence factor is displayed on the operation display unit 110. By doing this, it is possible to display the root cause (an abnormality occurrence factor) that causes a symptom for an abnormality that has occurred during control even when the power is turned off and then turned on again.

  In the present embodiment, the analyzed abnormality cause or the stored abnormality occurrence factor is displayed or hidden based on a predetermined display setting / non-display setting (S20 in FIG. 3). It becomes possible to display a root cause (an abnormality occurrence factor) that causes an abnormality that has occurred at any time as necessary. In this case, when the above occurs under the conditions used by general users, only the error code format is displayed in the same way as in the past, and if the service person wants to know the detailed status, perform a predetermined key input. The cause of abnormality may be displayed. As a result, it is possible to shorten the time when the service person performs repair and to improve the accuracy of grasping the current situation.

<Other embodiments>
In the first embodiment described above, the Dmax correction has been described as a specific example. However, other than this, the detection result of the sensor arranged in each part or the set value of each part is received and suitable for image formation. The present embodiment can be applied to various abnormalities that occur in the process of controlling to a state and that are not directly connected to a direct symptom and a root cause (an abnormal cause) that causes the symptom. Is possible.

1 is a configuration diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating a mechanical configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a characteristic diagram illustrating a display example of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Photosensitive drum 11 Charger 20 Exposure part 30 Developing device 40 Intermediate transfer part 60 Conveying part 70 Fixing part 101 Control part (control means, abnormality occurrence factor analysis means)
102 Memory 110 Operation display unit 120 Scanner unit

Claims (3)

Control means for receiving a detection result of a sensor arranged in each part or a setting value of each part and controlling the state suitable for image formation;
Storage means for storing the detection result of the sensor of each part used when the control means controls each part and the set value of each part;
When the control means determines that control cannot be performed in a normal state, the detection result and the set value stored in the storage means are applied to a predetermined abnormality occurrence factor analysis procedure to analyze the abnormality occurrence factor. An anomaly occurrence factor analyzing means,
Display means for displaying the anomaly occurrence factor analyzed by the anomaly occurrence factor analyzing means;
An image forming apparatus comprising: The storage means is composed of nonvolatile storage means, stores the abnormality occurrence factor analyzed by the abnormality occurrence factor analysis means,
The display means displays the abnormality occurrence factor stored in the storage means;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The display means displays or hides the abnormality occurrence factor analyzed by the abnormality occurrence factor analysis means or the abnormality occurrence factor stored in the storage means based on a predetermined setting.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus.