JP2007017724A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve such a problem that useless toner is replenished when an operator does not properly perform the procedures of replacing a process cartridge and replenishing toner (or replacing a toner cartridge), in replacing the process cartridge and replenishing the toner (or replacing the toner cartridge), according to a report, in an image forming apparatus which has a replaceable process cartridge and reports the operator of the replacement period of the process cartridge and the replenishment period of the toner (or the replacement period of the toner cartridge). <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus includes: a usage detection means for detecting the usage of the process cartridge; a remaining amount detection means for detecting the remaining amount of developer; and a signal processing means which detects that the usage reaches a predetermined usage level and that the remaining amount reaches a predetermined remaining amount and outputs report information for displaying the contents of the detection. When the signal processing means detects both that the usage reaches the predetermined usage level and that the remaining amount reaches the predetermined remaining amount, the report information for the contents of the detection of the usage is outputted. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus using a detachable process cartridge, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus that notifies information about consumables.

  This type of image forming apparatus includes a replaceable process cartridge, detects the remaining amount of toner and the life of the photosensitive drum, displays such information, and supplies the user with information on toner replenishment and process cartridge replacement timing. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

JP 2003-91218 A (Pages 6-7, FIGS. 8 and 10)

  However, in a state where the toner shortage and the process cartridge lifetime occur at the same time, and the display indicating the toner shortage and the display indicating the process cartridge lifetime are performed at the same time, the user supplies, for example, toner (or replaces the toner cartridge). If this is done, there is a problem in that unused toner remains on the process cartridge and is wasted when the process cartridge is replaced next time.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus in which such a problem can be solved and a user can quickly take appropriate measures even when the life of a process cartridge and the replacement timing of a toner cartridge overlap. It is to provide.

An image forming apparatus of the present invention includes an image forming apparatus main body, an image forming cartridge that is detachably provided in the image forming apparatus main body, and a developer cartridge that is detachably provided in the image forming cartridge main body. In
A usage amount detecting means for detecting a usage amount of the image forming cartridge; a remaining amount detecting means for detecting a remaining amount of the developer in the developer cartridge; and detecting that the usage amount has reached a predetermined usage amount. And signal processing means for detecting that the remaining amount has reached a predetermined remaining amount and outputting notification information for displaying the detected content,
When the signal processing means detects that the usage amount has reached a predetermined usage amount or detects that the remaining amount has reached a predetermined remaining amount, the notification information of the content of the detected one Is output, and when both the usage amount has reached a predetermined usage amount and the remaining amount has reached a predetermined remaining amount, notification information on the detected usage amount is output. It is characterized by that.

  According to the present invention, when both the replacement time (life) of the image forming cartridge and the replacement time (life) of the toner cartridge are detected, the replacement time (life) of the image forming cartridge is notified, and the user is confused. Therefore, it is possible to perform an appropriate maintenance procedure.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the main configuration of Embodiment 1 of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, an image forming apparatus 100 has a configuration as an electrophotographic printer, and forms four color images of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), respectively. Process cartridges 101 to 104 are provided, which are detachably disposed in order from the upstream side of the conveyance path 106 of the recording medium 105. Since the internal configurations of these process cartridges 101 to 104 are common, the configuration will be described by taking, for example, the yellow (Y) process cartridge 101 as an example. Here, the process cartridges 101 to 104 are image forming cartridges for forming an image.

  The process cartridge 101 includes a photosensitive drum 51 at the center thereof, and a charging roller 52 for charging the surface of the photosensitive drum 51 by supplying electric charges in order from the upstream side in the rotation direction around the photosensitive drum 51, and an image. An exposure device 57 that emits light according to information and forms an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the charged photosensitive drum 51 is provided. In addition, a developing roller 53 is disposed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 51 on which the electrostatic latent image is formed to attach yellow (in the case of the process cartridge 101) toner (developer) and generate development.

  The photosensitive drum 51, the charging roller 52, and the developing roller 53 are integrated, and together with the toner cartridge 41, is configured as a process cartridge 101 that is detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus 100. The toner cartridge 41 is detachably attached to the main body of the process cartridge 101, and stores a developer (toner) 55 therein, and detects the remaining amount of toner for detecting the remaining amount of toner 55 to be stored as will be described later. A detection mechanism 42 is provided.

  As described above, with respect to each of the detachable components such as the process cartridges 101 to 104 of the image forming apparatus 100, a portion excluding the components is referred to as an image forming apparatus main body, and each process cartridge A portion excluding detachable components such as the toner cartridge 101 is referred to as a process cartridge main body.

  The image forming apparatus 100 includes a sheet feeding cassette 107 that stores a recording medium 105 such as paper in a lower portion thereof, and a hopping roller for separating and conveying the recording medium 105 one by one above the image forming apparatus 100. 108 is arranged. The recording medium 105 discharged by the hopping roller 108 is transported along the transport path 106, and is transported by the transfer belt unit 109 via the photosensitive drums 51 of the process cartridges 101 to 104 sequentially.

  At positions facing the respective photosensitive drums 51 of the process cartridges 101 to 104, transfer rollers 110 formed of conductive rubber or the like are disposed via the transfer belt 114 of the transfer belt unit 109, respectively. These transfer rollers 110 have a potential difference between the surface potential of each photosensitive drum 51 and the surface potential of each of these transfer rollers 110 when transferring a toner image formed by toner attached on the photosensitive drum 51 to the recording medium 105. A potential for applying the voltage is applied.

  The fixing device 113 includes a heating roller and a backup roller, and fixes the toner transferred onto the recording medium 105 by applying pressure and heating. The recording medium 105 discharged from the fixing device 113 is transported to a stacker unit 115 outside the device via a predetermined transport path 106.

  The image forming apparatus 100 further includes a controller 11, an engine control unit 12, a toner remaining amount detection unit 13, a toner remaining amount detector 16, and a display 14, which are described in the description of the life notification control system described later. I will explain it.

  The image forming process performed by the image forming apparatus 100 in the above configuration will be described below.

  In the process of rotating the photosensitive drum 51, the charging roller 51 firstly uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 51 to a predetermined polarity, and then the exposure device 57 scans and emits light emitted according to image information. An electrostatic latent image is formed on the primary charged surface. Next, the electrostatic latent image is developed with the toner 55 carried and carried on the surface of the developing roller 53 to be visualized as a toner image. The toner image thus obtained is transferred from the paper feed cassette 107 onto the surface of the recording medium 105 conveyed onto the photosensitive drum 51 and the transfer belt unit 109. At this time, transfer is performed by applying a charge having a polarity opposite to the charging polarity of the toner from the back surface of the recording medium 105 by the transfer roller 110 to which a transfer bias is applied. The transfer of the toner image to the recording medium 105 is performed for each predetermined color toner image in the course of the recording medium 105 passing through the process cartridges 101 to 104. The recording medium 105 on which the toner images of the respective colors are transferred is conveyed to a fixing device 113, where the toner images are fixed by heating and pressing, and then discharged to a stacker unit 115 outside the image forming apparatus.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a main configuration of the life notification control system 20 of the image forming apparatus 100. As shown in the figure, the life notification control system 20 is connected to the host computer 120 as a host device, the controller 11 connected to another host computer 122 via the network 121 shown in FIG. Display 14, engine control unit 12, toner remaining amount detection unit 13 and LED head 15 connected to engine control unit 12, toner remaining amount detection unit 16 connected to toner remaining amount detection unit 13, toner remaining amount detection mechanism 42 And a photosensitive drum 51. The LED head 15 is provided in the exposure device 57 (FIG. 1). The toner cartridge 41 is detachably provided in the process cartridge 101, and the photosensitive drum 51 is also provided in the process cartridge 101.

  Originally, the life notification control system 20 includes four process cartridges 101 to 104 (FIG. 1) and a toner remaining amount detection unit 13 with a toner remaining amount detector 16 corresponding to each of the four process cartridges 101 to 104. And LED head 15 are included, and since these components and their processing operations are common, here, for simplicity, the remaining amount of toner with the process cartridge 101 and the remaining toner amount detector 16 corresponding to this process cartridge 101 is included. Only the detection unit 13 and the LED head 15 are shown and described, and other process cartridges are also referred to as necessary.

  The engine control unit 12 includes a CPU 18 and a nonvolatile memory 19 and is also connected to the display 14 via the controller 11. The toner remaining amount detector 16 outputs a remaining amount signal obtained by monitoring the state of the toner remaining amount detecting mechanism 42 provided in the toner cartridge 41 to the toner remaining amount detecting unit 13. Measures the output waveform of the input remaining amount signal, detects that the remaining amount of toner in the toner cartridge 41 has fallen below a certain amount, and outputs the result to the CPU 17.

  Here, a method for detecting the remaining amount of toner detected by the remaining toner amount detection unit 13 will be described. FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of the toner cartridge 41 having the toner remaining amount detecting mechanism 42 and the toner remaining amount detector 16 that outputs a remaining amount signal obtained by monitoring the state of the toner remaining amount detecting mechanism 42. .

  Inside the toner cartridge 41, an agitation shaft 23 that is rotatably held in the direction of the arrow about the shaft 22 is disposed. The agitation shaft 23 is formed with a first crank part 23 a for agitating the toner and a second crank part 23 b at the end and connected to the sensor shaft 24. When the stirring shaft 23 rotates in the direction of the arrow, the magnetic body 25 attached to the tip of the sensor shaft 24 is reciprocated in the vertical direction along the guide portion 26 formed on the upper portion of the toner cartridge 41 along with this rotation. To do.

  On the other hand, a toner remaining amount detector 16 is disposed above the toner cartridge 41 of the image forming apparatus 100 (FIG. 1). The remaining amount detector 16 includes a sensor lever 28 that is rotatably held around a shaft 29 and a position sensor 31 that monitors the rotation of the sensor lever 28. The sensor lever 28 includes a permanent magnet 30 facing the magnetic body 25 in the toner cartridge 41 through the film 27 on one end side, and a rotation position is detected by a position sensor 31 disposed on the other end side. The In the sensor lever 28, the magnetic body 25 is in a predetermined movement region above the movement region, that is, the first crank portion 23a is in a predetermined detection angle region θ centered on the lowest position. Meanwhile, the permanent magnet 30 is rotated so as to move downward in response to the magnetic body 25, and at other times, the permanent magnet 30 is balanced so as to be positioned upward. The position sensor 31 outputs a remaining amount signal that is “ON” while the permanent magnet 30 is below and “OFF” while it is above.

  The remaining amount detector 16 is attached to, for example, an upper cover (not shown) of the image forming apparatus 100, and is moved to a position that does not hinder the replacement operation when the toner cartridge 41 is replaced.

  The protrusion 33 is on the main body side of the image forming apparatus 100 (FIG. 1), and is fixed to a rotating member (not shown) that rotates in the direction of the arrow at a position coaxial with the shaft 22 of the stirring shaft 23. It is configured to contact the crank portion 23 a and transmit the rotational force to the stirring shaft 23.

  The method for detecting the remaining amount of toner performed by the above configuration is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-50505. An example of the operation will be described with reference to the principle diagram of FIG. Each component shown in FIG. 4A is given the corresponding component number in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, the stirring shaft 23 having the first crank portion 23a is held rotatably about the shaft 22 and is attached to a rotating member (not shown) located coaxially with the shaft 22. The first crank portion 23a is pressed by the projection 33 that is provided and rotates at a constant rotational speed in the direction of arrow A to obtain a rotational force in the same direction. In FIG. 6A, the toner remaining amount detector 16 is eventually “ON” while the first crank portion 23a is within a predetermined detection angle region θ centered on the lowest point position B. The remaining amount signal that is “OFF” is output at other rotational positions.

  When the toner fills around the agitation shaft 23, the agitation shaft 23 continues to rotate in the direction of arrow A while agitating the toner at a predetermined rotation speed while being pressed against the protrusion 33 over substantially the entire rotation region. . Accordingly, when the toner fills around the stirring shaft 23, the remaining amount signal output from the remaining toner detector 16 is “ON” per one cycle Tt of the protrusion 33 as shown in FIG. The duty ratio of “OFF” is equal to the ratio of the detection angle region θ at all angles to the other angles. Incidentally, the time point (T) in FIGS. 2B and 2C corresponds to the time when the tip of the protrusion 33 that rotates at a constant speed passes the uppermost point position T, and the time point (B) corresponds to the protrusion 33 that rotates at a constant speed. This corresponds to the time at which the tip of passes through the lowest position B.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4 (a), when the height of the upper surface of the toner 34 is in a predetermined toner low level A _L is lower than shaft 22, stirring shaft 23 which rotates in the direction of arrow A, the first When the crank portion 23a passes through the uppermost point position T while being pressed by the protrusion 33, it rotates by its own weight, comes in contact with the toner upper surface ahead of the rotation of the protrusion 33, and is detected by the toner remaining amount detector 16. The region θ is reached. Thereafter, when the projection 33 rotating at a predetermined rotational speed comes into contact with the first crank portion 23a again, the crank portion 23a resumes rotation in the same direction while being pressed by the projection 33, and the detection angle while stirring the toner. The operation of passing through the region θ and reaching the uppermost position again is repeated. Therefore the toner low level A _L here is equivalent to the first crank 23a is rotated by its own weight, the height position of the toner rotational position when in contact with the toner on the surface is detected angle region θ To do.

Therefore, when the height of the upper surface of the toner 34 is at the toner low level _AL or lower, the remaining amount signal output from the toner remaining amount detector 16 is a protrusion as shown in FIG. Immediately after the time point (T) when the tip of 33 is at the highest point position A, the state is turned “ON”, and this state is maintained until it is pressed by the protrusion 33 and passes the detection angle region θ. The delay ΔTt in FIG. 5C corresponds to a time lag until the stirring shaft 23 passes through the uppermost position T and rotates in the direction of arrow A due to its own weight and reaches the detection angle region θ.

Therefore, the toner amount detection unit 13 (FIG. 2) receives the remaining amount signal from the toner remaining amount detector 16 and monitors the duty ratio between “ON” and “OFF” of the output signal, thereby the toner 34. the upper surface of the detects the timing reaches a low level a _L, and notifies the detection timing CPU 18. Hereinafter, the periodic waveform of FIG. 4B is referred to as a toner full pulse, and is output when the height of the upper surface of the toner 34 is at a toner low level _AL or lower. A periodic waveform is called a toner low pulse.

  The engine control unit 12 obtains a timing signal from the toner remaining amount detection unit 13, determines the toner low state and the toner end state, and stores them in the nonvolatile memory 19 in the engine control unit 12. The engine control unit 12 receives print data from the host computer 120 connected via the controller 11, causes the LED head 15 to emit light, scans and exposes the photosensitive drum 51, and emits light as described later. The number of dots (the same value as the number of exposed dots) is stored as a toner dot counter value in a later-described dot counter (area B5 (FIG. 5)) provided in the nonvolatile memory 19.

  The engine control unit 12 monitors the rotation of the photosensitive drum 51 and updates the count value of a drum rotation counter (area B1 (FIG. 5)) described later provided in the nonvolatile memory 19 according to the rotation. The number of times is counted and stored, and a process cartridge life state and a process cartridge life near state to be described later are stored in the nonvolatile memory 19. Further, the engine control unit 12 sends notification information stored in the nonvolatile memory 19 to notify the toner low state, the toner end state, the process cartridge life near state, and the process cartridge life state via the control 11. 120 and output to the display 14.

  Here, “process cartridge life” represents a state where the count value of the number of rotations of the photosensitive drum 51 exceeds a specified limit setting value, and “process cartridge life near” represents the count value. Represents the state of the stage where the specified limit set value is reached soon. Further, the life of the process cartridge corresponds to a state where it is determined that the surface of the photosensitive drum 51 in the process cartridges 101 to 104 (FIG. 1) has progressed, charging is not sufficiently performed, and good printing results cannot be obtained. Is. Since the surface wear of the photosensitive drum 51 is substantially proportional to the number of rotations thereof, the number of rotations at which the photosensitive drum 51 reaches the life state of the process cartridge described above is obtained in advance, and the count value is used as the specified limit setting value described above. Yes.

Also, a "toner low state", the toner 34 (FIG. 4 (a)) remaining amount (consumed) toner low level A falls below _L described above for representing the state, and "toner end condition" Then, after the toner low state is detected, a state where it is determined that the toner is consumed by the remaining amount and is emptied by monitoring the numerical value of the dot counter as will be described later. These “process cartridge life”, “process cartridge life near”, “toner end”, and “toner low state” are collectively referred to as “life”.

  As described above, the engine control unit 12 detects the usage amount of the process cartridge, detects that the usage amount has reached a predetermined usage amount, and outputs notification information for displaying the detected content. I do. Further, the engine control unit 12 and the toner remaining amount detecting unit 13 detect the remaining amount of the toner cartridge, detect that the usage amount has reached a predetermined remaining amount, and notify the display of the detected contents. Process to output information.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a memory map of the nonvolatile memory 19 in the present embodiment.

  The nonvolatile memory 19 stores various data related to engine control. In this embodiment, at least the drum rotation counter (area B1) that functions as the rotation counter of the photosensitive drum 51, and the process cartridge life near state are stored. Area for storing (area B2), area for storing process cartridge life state (area B3), functioning as a dot counter (area B4), area for storing dot counter value when toner low is detected (area B5), and toner low status A storage area (area B6) and an area (area B7) for storing the toner end state are secured.

  The drum rotation counter (area B1) is an area for storing the number of rotations of the photosensitive drum 51. In the area (area B2) for storing the process cartridge life near state, the value of the drum rotation counter (area B1) will soon be “process”. “ON” is stored when a predetermined threshold value that reaches the “life of the cartridge” (a numerical value smaller than a predetermined limit setting value) is exceeded, and “OFF” is stored when it is less than that. The area for storing the process cartridge life state (area B3) stores “ON” when the value of the drum rotation counter (area B1) exceeds a prescribed limit setting value corresponding to “life of process cartridge”. If it is less than that, “OFF” is stored.

  The dot counter (area B4) is an area for storing the number of exposed dots, that is, a numerical value corresponding to the amount of toner consumed. The area (area B5) for storing the dot counter value at the time of toner low detection is detected by toner low. The number of dots at that time is stored and turned OFF when the toner is replenished and toner full is detected. The area for storing the toner low state (area B6) stores “ON” when the toner low is detected, and stores “OFF” otherwise. In the area (area B7) for storing the toner end state, the count value (area B5) at the time of detecting the toner low is calculated from the value of the dot counter (area B4) when a certain amount of toner is consumed after the toner low is detected. “ON” is stored when the subtracted count value exceeds a threshold value corresponding to a numerical value at which the remaining amount of toner becomes empty, and “OFF” is stored when toner is replenished and toner full is detected.

  The operation of the life notification system of the image forming apparatus 1 configured as described above will be described below.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a main routine of the life notification system in the present embodiment. The main routine will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 based on this flowchart. In addition, all the flowcharts including the flowcharts described later are executed by the CPU 18.

  When the power supply of the image forming apparatus 100 is turned on and the main routine is started (step S1), for example, “drum rotation operation” performed when the upper cover (not shown) is opened or closed, or “printing” by a print request from the host computer 120 is performed. Whether or not the photosensitive drum 51 is rotating is monitored by performing “operation” or the like. If the photosensitive drum 51 is rotating, the process proceeds to step S2 (YES in step S7). If the drum rotation is stopped, the process of step S2 is performed. The process proceeds directly to step S5 without shifting (NO in step S7).

  In step S2, process cartridge life detection processing is performed. The process cartridge life detection process is a process of detecting the life of the process cartridge 101 using the number of rotations of the photosensitive drum 51 and storing the detected state in the nonvolatile memory 12. This will be described later (using the flowchart of FIG. 7).

  Next, the process proceeds to step 3 to execute a toner remaining shortage detection process. This toner remaining shortage detection process detects and detects the life of the toner cartridge 41 using the timing signal (output information) from the toner remaining amount detection unit 13 and the number of dots exposed by the LED head. The process of storing the status in the nonvolatile memory 12 will be described later with reference to the toner remaining amount shortage detection control (using the flowchart of FIG. 8).

  Next, it moves to step S4 and implements a life notification process. This life notification process is a process for determining a notification target using information on the life of each of the process cartridge and the toner cartridge stored in step S2 and step S3. The life notification process is shown in the flowchart of FIG. Will be described later. Next, the process proceeds to step S5. If the power is turned off (YES in step S5), the main routine is terminated (step S6). If the power is not turned off (NO in step S5), the process returns to step S7. Then, each process described above is repeated.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a subroutine for performing the process cartridge life detection process in step S2 of the main routine shown in FIG. The process cartridge life detection routine will be described below based on this flowchart.

  When the process cartridge life detection process is started (step S21), it is determined whether or not the rotation of the photosensitive drum 51 has progressed since the drum rotation counter (area B1 of the nonvolatile memory 19) was updated in the previous routine (step S21). S22). If the rotation is advanced (YES in step S22), the number of advanced rotations is updated by adding to the count value of the drum rotation counter stored in the previous routine, and the updated count value is again updated in the drum rotation counter (nonvolatile memory 19). It memorize | stores in area | region B1), and transfers to step S24 (step S23). On the other hand, if the rotation is not progressing (NO in step S22), the process proceeds to step S24 without doing anything.

  In step 24, it is determined whether or not the count value of the drum rotation counter (area B1 of the non-volatile memory 19) has exceeded a specified limit setting value corresponding to “process cartridge life”. If the specified limit set value has been exceeded (YES in step S24), “ON” is stored in the area (area B3) of the process cartridge life state in the nonvolatile memory 19 (step S25). On the other hand, if the prescribed limit set value is not exceeded in step 24 (NO in step S24), the process proceeds to step S26.

  In step 26, it is determined whether or not the process cartridge life is near, that is, whether or not a predetermined threshold value (a value smaller by a predetermined amount than the specified limit setting value) that will soon reach the “process cartridge life” has been exceeded (step S26). . If exceeded (YES in step S26), "ON" is stored in the area (area B2) for storing the process cartridge life near state in the nonvolatile memory 19 (step S27). On the other hand, when the predetermined threshold value is not exceeded in step 26 (NO in step S26), the process proceeds to step S28.

  In step S28, "OFF" is stored in the area (area B3) for storing the process cartridge life state in the nonvolatile memory 19 and the area (area B2) for storing the drum life near state. Thus, the subroutine for performing the process cartridge life detection process is completed, and the process returns to the main routine (S29).

  8 and 9 are flowcharts of a subroutine for performing the toner remaining amount shortage detection process in step S3 of the main routine shown in FIG. The toner remaining shortage detection routine will be described below based on this flowchart. In the flowcharts of FIGS. 8 and 9, when the step destination is indicated by a circled alphabet or a number, the process proceeds to a step designated by the same symbol.

  When the toner shortage detection process is started (step S31), it is determined whether or not printing has been newly performed after the dot counter (area B4 of the nonvolatile memory 19) has been updated in the previous routine (step S32). ). When printing is newly performed (step S32: YES), the number of printing dots (number of exposure dots) at the time of newly printing is updated by adding to the count value of the dot counter stored in the previous routine, and the updated count The value is stored again in the dot counter (area B4 of the nonvolatile memory 19), and the process proceeds to step S34 (step S33). If not (NO in step S32), the process proceeds to step S34 without doing anything.

  In step S34, it is determined whether or not “ON” indicating that the toner end has been detected is stored in the area (area B7) in which the toner end state is stored in the nonvolatile memory 19. If “ON” is stored here, that is, if the toner cartridge 41 is already in the toner end state, the process proceeds to step S41 (YES in step S34). If “OFF” is stored, that is, the toner cartridge is still stored. If 41 is not in the toner end state, the process proceeds to step S35 (NO in step S34).

  In step S35, it is determined whether or not “ON” indicating that a toner low has been detected is stored in an area (area B6) in which the toner low state is stored in the nonvolatile memory 19. If “ON” is stored here, that is, if the toner cartridge 41 is already in the toner low state, the process proceeds to step S38 (YES in step S35), whereas if “OFF” is stored, that is, the toner cartridge 41 is not stored. If the toner low state is not yet reached, the process proceeds to step S36 (NO in step S35).

In step S36, the toner remaining amount (the height of the upper surface of the toner 34) in the toner cartridge 41 is changed to the toner low level by the toner remaining amount detection unit 13 by the toner low pulse, that is, the signal pulse shown in FIG. It is determined whether or not the remaining amount signal waveform indicating the level at A _L (FIG. 4 (a)) or lower has been detected more than the specified number of times, and if it has been detected more than the specified number of times (step S36 YES) ), The process proceeds to step S37, and if the detection is less than the specified number of times, step S37 is passed and the process proceeds to step S43.

  In step S37, “ON” indicating that the toner low state is detected is stored in an area (area B6) for storing the toner low state in the nonvolatile memory 19, and a dot counter value at the time of toner low detection is stored (area). In B5), the count value of the dot counter (area B4) at this time is stored. The reason that the toner low state is set only when the toner low pulse is detected a predetermined number of times or more in steps S36 and S37 is to prevent inconvenience due to a detection error.

  In step S38, it is determined whether or not the toner remaining amount detection unit 13 continues to detect the toner low pulse (FIG. 4C). If the toner low pulse continues to be output (step S38). (YES), the process proceeds to step S39, and if the toner low pulse is not output (NO in step S38), that is, if the toner is replenished and the toner full pulse (FIG. 4B) is output, step The process proceeds to S41.

  In step 39, the number of dots at the time of toner low after entering the toner low state, that is, the numerical value obtained by subtracting the count value of the area (area B5) for storing the dot counter value at the time of toner low detection from the current dot counter value is obtained. It is determined whether or not the toner cartridge 41 is in a toner end state where the toner cartridge 41 is completely depleted by determining whether or not a threshold value corresponding to a numerical value at which the remaining amount of toner becomes empty is reached. If the result of this determination is that the number of dots during toner low has reached the above threshold (YES in step S39), it is detected that the toner end state has been detected in the area (region B7) of the nonvolatile memory 19 that stores the toner end state. “ON” is stored (step S40), and the process proceeds to step S43. If the number of dots at the time of toner low does not reach the threshold value, the process proceeds to step S43.

  In step 41, it is determined whether or not the toner full pulse detecting unit 13 detects the toner full pulse, that is, the signal pulse shown in FIG. (YES in step S41), the process proceeds to step S42. If this detection is less than the specified number of times, step S42 is passed and the process proceeds to step S43.

  The process of step 42 is a process performed when the toner is replenished and the remaining amount of toner increases, that is, when the toner cartridge is replaced. Accordingly, in this case, “OFF” indicating that these states are eliminated is stored in the area (area B 6) for storing the toner low state and the area (area B 7) for storing the toner end state in the nonvolatile memory 19. . Further, the counter value of (area B4) functioning as a dot counter is set to an initial value (all “0”). The subroutine for performing the toner remaining shortage detection process is thus completed, and the process returns to the main routine (step S43).

  10 and 11 are flowcharts of a subroutine for performing the life notification process in step S4 of the main routine shown in FIG. The life notification routine will be described below based on this flowchart. In the flowcharts of FIGS. 10 and 11, when the step destination is indicated by a circled alphabet or number, the process proceeds to a step designated by the same symbol.

  When the life notification process is started (step S51), the toner low state and the toner end state stored in the region (region B6) for storing the toner low state in the nonvolatile memory 19 and the region (region B7) for storing the toner end state. It is determined whether or not any of these is “ON” (step S52). Here, if any one is “ON” (YES in step S52), the process proceeds to step S58, and if none is “ON”, that is, the life of the toner cartridge 41 has not occurred. If so (NO at step S52), the process proceeds to step S53.

  In step S53, it is determined whether or not the process cartridge life state stored in the area (area B3) for storing the process cartridge life state in the nonvolatile memory 19 is “ON”. If the process cartridge life state is “ON” (YES in step S53), notification information for notifying the process cartridge life is output to the controller 11 (step S54), and the process cartridge life state is ON. If not (NO in step S53), the process proceeds to step S55.

  The notification information here displays, for example, contents such as “* Drum Jumyo” (shown in FIG. 15 (a) in Japanese) or “* DRUM LIFE” (shown in FIG. 15 (b) in English). The controller 11 transmits this notification information to the display 14 or the host computer 120. The display 14 receives the notification information and displays the contents shown in FIG. 15, and the host computer 120 can display the contents on the display as necessary. In the figure, “*” indicates the toner color of the designated process cartridge, and one of the alphabets K (black), Y (yellow), M (magenta), and C (cyan) is displayed. Is.

  In step S55, it is determined whether or not the process cartridge life near state stored in the area (area B2) for storing the process cartridge life near state in the nonvolatile memory 19 is ON. If the process cartridge life near state is ON (YES in step S55), notification information for notifying the process cartridge life near is output to the controller 11 (step S56), and the process cartridge life near state is set. If it is not ON (NO in step S55), step S56 is passed, the process proceeds to step S63, and the process returns to the main routine.

  The notification information here includes, for example, contents such as “* Drum Kang Junju” (shown in FIG. 16 (a) in Japanese) or “ODER * IMAGE DRUM” (shown in FIG. 16 (b) in English). Display data for display, and the controller 11 transmits the notification information to the display 14 or the host computer 120. The display 14 receives the notification information and displays the contents shown in FIG. 16, and the host computer 120 can display the contents on the display as necessary. In the figure, “*” indicates the toner color of the designated process cartridge, and one of the alphabets K (black), Y (yellow), M (magenta), and C (cyan) is displayed. Is.

  In step S58, the process cartridge life state stored in the area (area B3) for storing the process cartridge life state in the nonvolatile memory 19 and the area (area B2) for storing the process cartridge life near state, and the process cartridge life near It is determined whether any of the states is “ON”. Here, if any of them is “ON” (YES in step S58), the process proceeds to step S53, and none of them is “ON”, that is, if the life relating to the process cartridge has not occurred. (NO in step S58), the process proceeds to step S59.

  In step 59, it is determined whether or not the toner end state stored in the area (area B7) for storing the toner end state in the nonvolatile memory 19 is "ON". If the toner end state is “ON” (step S59 YES), notification information for notifying the toner end is output to the controller 11 (step S60), and the process cartridge life state is turned ON. If not (NO in step S59), notification information for notifying the controller 11 of toner low is output (step S61), and then the process proceeds to step S63 and returns to the main routine.

  Toner end notification information is displayed, for example, as “* toner pear” (shown in Japanese (a) in Japanese) or “* TONER EMPTY” (shown in (b) in English) as shown in FIG. The toner low notification information is, for example, “* Toner Kokanjunbi” (shown in Japanese (a) in Japanese) or “ODER * TONER” (shown in (b) in English) as shown in FIG. ) Is display data for displaying the content. The controller 11 transmits the notification information to the display 14 or the host computer 120. The display 14 receives these notification information and displays the contents shown in FIG. 17 or FIG. 18, and the host computer 120 can display the contents on the display as necessary. In the figure, “*” indicates the toner color of the designated process cartridge, and one of the alphabets K (black), Y (yellow), M (magenta), and C (cyan) is displayed. Is.

  Therefore, in the above-described life notification process, when the process cartridge life or process cartridge life near and the toner low or toner end occur simultaneously, the process proceeds from “YES” in step S52 to “YES” in step S58, and then in step S53. Therefore, the operation of notifying the toner low or the toner end but notifying the process cartridge life or the process cartridge life near is performed.

  As described above, according to the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, when the process cartridge life or process cartridge life near and the toner low or toner end occur simultaneously, the toner low or toner end is not notified. The process cartridge life or process cartridge life near is notified. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of inconvenience that the user replaces the toner cartridge before replacing the process cartridge and replenishes wasted toner.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a memory map of a nonvolatile memory used in the life notification control system of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  Note that the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment differs from the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment only in the processing contents of the life notification process related to the nonvolatile memory 61 in FIG. Accordingly, in the image forming apparatus employing the nonvolatile memory 61, the same reference numerals are given to the parts common to the image forming apparatus of the first embodiment (FIG. 1), or the description is omitted while omitting the drawings. , Explain different points with emphasis. Accordingly, FIGS. 1 to 3 will be referred to in describing the present embodiment.

  The nonvolatile memory 19 stores various data related to engine control. In this embodiment, at least the drum rotation counter (area B1) that functions as the rotation counter of the photosensitive drum 51, and the process cartridge lifetime near are stored. Area for storing status (area B2), area for storing process cartridge life status (area B3), functioning as a dot counter (area B4), area for storing dot counter value when toner low is detected (area B5), toner low An area for storing the state (area B6), an area for storing the toner end state (area B7), and an area for storing the notification mode setting state (area B8) are secured. Of these areas, the areas B1 to B7 have exactly the same functions as those in the first embodiment, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted here.

  In the area (area B8) for storing the notification mode setting state, the toner low or toner end notification is not performed as in the first embodiment when the process cartridge life or process cartridge life near is informed. This is an area for storing a mode for performing a toner low or a toner end notification at the same time.

  In the life notification control system according to the present embodiment, when the area for storing the notification mode setting state (area B8) is “ON”, the toner low or the toner end can be detected even when the process cartridge life or process cartridge life near is informed. In the state in which the area (area B8) is “OFF”, the mode in which the toner low or the toner end cannot be notified when the process cartridge life or the process cartridge life near is informed. The area for storing the notification mode setting state (area B8) can be switched ON / OFF by a notification mode setting command from the controller 11 based on reception from the host computer 120, for example.

  The operation of the life notification system for the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described below.

  The main routine of the life notification system in the present embodiment is executed according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 6 described in the first embodiment, except that the content of the life notification process in step S4 is different. Therefore, the main routine of the life notification system in the present embodiment is executed according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 6 except for the processing contents of step S4, and the description here is omitted, and the main routine performed in step S4 is omitted. The life notification processing subroutine according to the form will be described below.

  FIGS. 13 and 14 are flowcharts of a subroutine for performing the life notification process in step S4 of the main routine shown in FIG. 6 in the present embodiment. The life notification routine will be described below based on this flowchart. In the flowcharts of FIGS. 13 and 14, when the step destination is indicated by a circled alphabet or number, the process proceeds to a step designated by the same symbol.

  When the life notification process is started (step S91), the toner low state and the toner end state stored in the region (region B6) for storing the toner low state in the nonvolatile memory 19 and the region (region B7) for storing the toner end state. It is determined whether or not any of the above is "ON" (step S92). Here, if any of them is “ON” (YES in step S92), the process proceeds to step S98, and if none of them is “ON”, that is, the life of the toner cartridge 41 has not occurred. If so (NO at step S92), the process proceeds to step S93.

  In step S93, it is determined whether or not the process cartridge life state stored in the area (area B3) for storing the process cartridge life state in the nonvolatile memory 19 is “ON”. Here, when the process cartridge life state is “ON” (step S93 YES), notification information for notifying the process cartridge life is output to the controller 11 (step S94), and the process cartridge life state is ON. If not (NO in step S93), the process proceeds to step S95.

  The notification information here displays, for example, contents such as “* Drum Jumyo” (shown in FIG. 15 (a) in Japanese) or “* DRUM LIFE” (shown in FIG. 15 (b) in English). The controller 11 transmits this notification information to the display 14 or the host computer 120. The display 14 receives the notification information and displays the contents shown in FIG. 15, and the host computer 120 can display the contents on the display as necessary. In the figure, “*” indicates the toner color of the designated process cartridge, and one of the alphabets K (black), Y (yellow), M (magenta), and C (cyan) is displayed. Is.

  In step S95, it is determined whether or not the process cartridge life near state stored in the area (area B2) for storing the process cartridge life near state in the nonvolatile memory 19 is ON. If the process cartridge life near state is ON (YES in step S95), notification information for notifying the process cartridge life near is output to the controller 11 (step S96). If it is not ON (NO in step S95), step S96 is passed, the process proceeds to step S97, and the process returns to the main routine.

  The notification information here includes, for example, contents such as “* Drum Kang Junju” (shown in FIG. 16 (a) in Japanese) or “ODER * IMAGE DRUM” (shown in FIG. 16 (b) in English). Display data for display, and the controller 11 transmits the notification information to the display 14 or the host computer 120. The display 14 receives the notification information and displays the contents shown in FIG. 16, and the host computer 120 can display the contents on the display as necessary. In the figure, “*” indicates the toner color of the designated process cartridge, and one of the alphabets K (black), Y (yellow), M (magenta), and C (cyan) is displayed. Is.

  In step S98, it is determined whether or not the notification mode setting state stored in the area (area B8) for storing the notification mode setting state of the nonvolatile memory 19 is “ON”. Here, when the notification mode setting state is “ON” (step S98 YES), the process proceeds to step S99, and when the notification mode setting state is not “ON” (step S98 NO), The process proceeds to step S102.

  In step S102, the process cartridge life state and the process cartridge life near stored in the area (area B3) for storing the process cartridge life state in the nonvolatile memory 19 and the area (area B2) for storing the process cartridge life near state are stored. It is determined whether any of the states is “ON”. Here, if any of them is “ON” (YES in step S102), the process proceeds to step S93. If none of them is “ON”, that is, if the life relating to the process cartridge has not occurred. (NO at step S102), the process proceeds to step S99.

  In step 99, it is determined whether or not the toner end state stored in the area (area B7) for storing the toner end state of the nonvolatile memory 19 is "ON". If the toner end state is “ON” (YES in step S99), notification information for notifying the toner end is output to the controller 11 (step S100), and the process cartridge life state is turned ON. If not (NO in step S99), notification information for notifying the controller 11 of toner low is output (step S101), and then the process proceeds to step S93.

  Toner end notification information is displayed, for example, as “* toner pear” (shown in Japanese (a) in Japanese) or “* TONER EMPTY” (shown in (b) in English) as shown in FIG. The toner low notification information is, for example, “* Toner Kokanjunbi” (shown in Japanese (a) in Japanese) or “ODER * TONER” (shown in (b) in English) as shown in FIG. ) Is display data for displaying the content. The controller 11 transmits the notification information to the display 14 or the host computer 120. The display 14 receives these notification information and displays the contents shown in FIG. 17 or FIG. 18, and the host computer 120 can display the contents on the display as necessary. In the figure, “*” indicates the toner color of the designated process cartridge, and one of the alphabets K (black), Y (yellow), M (magenta), and C (cyan) is displayed. Is.

  Therefore, in the above-described life notification process, when the notification mode setting is “ON” and the process cartridge life or process cartridge life near and the toner low or toner end are generated at the same time, from step S92 “YES”, Through step S98 “YES”, a route to step S99 is taken to display toner low or toner end, and then to step S93, process cartridge life or process cartridge life near is displayed. In this case, the operation is performed so as to output both the information on the toner life and the drum life.

  The operation of the life notification process when the notification mode setting is “OFF” performs the same display process as in the first embodiment. However, in this case, when step S102 “NO” is reached to step S99, the process eventually proceeds to step S93 (in the first embodiment, the process proceeds to step S97). In this case, from step S93 “NO” to step S95 “NO” ”Is substantially the same as in the first embodiment.

  Here, when outputting notification information for notifying the process cartridge life near and toner low to the controller 11, the display 14 displays, for example, “* Drum Adjustment Kunbi” (FIG. 19A) Japan. Word display), or “ODER * IMAGE DRUM” (FIG. (B) English display) and “* Toner Kokanjunbi” (FIG. (A) Japanese display), or “ODER * TONER” (FIG. (B)) Toggle display to display alternately (English display). In the figure, “*” indicates the toner color of the designated process cartridge, and one of the alphabets K (black), Y (yellow), M (magenta), and C (cyan) is displayed. Is.

Similarly,
・ When notifying "Process cartridge life" and "Toner low", toggle "Drum Jumbo" and "Toner Junk Junbi"
・ When notifying "Process Cartridge Life Near" and "Toner End", toggle the display of "Drum Adjustment" and "Toner Pear"
-When notifying "process cartridge life" and "toner end", "drum end" and "toner not" are toggle-displayed.

  FIG. 20 is a diagram for explaining a modification example of the display in the case where “process cartridge life near” and “toner low” are notified. That is, in this modified example, in addition to the above-described two types of toggle display, “* Drums are active” (FIG. (A) Japanese display) or “EXCHANGE * DRUM FIRST” (FIG. (B) English) 3 types of toggle display including display) is performed. Thereby, the user can know the exchange order without causing any inconvenience without hesitation.

  As described above, according to the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, when the process cartridge life or process cartridge life near and the toner low or toner end occur simultaneously, the process cartridge life or process cartridge life near is notified. In addition, it is possible to select whether or not to notify toner low or toner end.

  Accordingly, when the image forming apparatus is incorporated in a specific system and a specific user who controls the system-specific life display is not informed of the life of the toner cartridge during the life of the process cartridge, a problem may occur. By employing the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, it is possible to notify the life of the toner cartridge even when the life of the process cartridge is generated, and to solve the above problem. For example, if printing is faint due to toner end when the process cartridge is near the end of the life of the cartridge, the user will mistake it for failure if the toner end is not displayed. In addition to replacing the cartridge, the toner cartridge can be replaced with a new one.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, an example in which the present invention is applied to an image forming apparatus having an electrophotographic printer configuration is shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a multifunction machine such as a color copier printer, The present invention can also be applied to a color FAX terminal. In each of the above embodiments, toner has been described as an example of the developer. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention is also applied to ink of a printer equipped with an ink cartridge such as an ink jet printer. Can be applied.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a main configuration of a first embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a main part of a life notification control system of the image forming apparatus. FIG. FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram illustrating a configuration of a toner cartridge having a toner remaining amount detecting mechanism and a toner remaining amount detector that outputs a remaining amount signal obtained by monitoring the state of the toner remaining amount detecting mechanism. (A) is a principle explanatory diagram for explaining a detection method of toner remaining amount detection, and (b) and (c) are pulse waveform diagrams for explaining toner remaining amount detection. 3 is a diagram showing a memory map of the nonvolatile memory in Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a main routine of the life notification system in the first embodiment. 7 is a flowchart of a subroutine for performing process cartridge life detection processing in step S2 of the main routine shown in FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a subroutine for performing a toner remaining amount shortage detection process in step S3 of the main routine shown in FIG. 6. 7 is a flowchart of a subroutine for performing a toner remaining amount shortage detection process in step S3 of the main routine shown in FIG. 6. It is a flowchart of the subroutine of Embodiment 1 which performs the lifetime notification process of step S4 of the main routine shown in FIG. It is a flowchart of the subroutine which performs the lifetime alerting | reporting process of step S4 of the main routine shown in FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a memory map of a nonvolatile memory in Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a flowchart of the subroutine of Embodiment 2 which performs the lifetime notification process of step S4 of the main routine shown in FIG. It is a flowchart of the subroutine of Embodiment 2 which performs the lifetime notification process of step S4 of the main routine shown in FIG. It is a figure with which it uses for description of the example of a display at the time of alerting | reporting a process cartridge lifetime state. It is a figure with which it uses for description of the example of a display at the time of alerting | reporting a process cartridge lifetime near state. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a display example when a toner end state is notified. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a display example when a toner low state is notified. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining when a process cartridge life near state and a toner low state are simultaneously notified. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a modified example of a display example when simultaneously informing a process cartridge life near state and a toner low state.

Explanation of symbols

11 controller,
12 engine control unit,
13 Toner remaining amount detection unit,
14 display,
15 LED head,
16 Toner remaining amount detector,
18 CPU,
19 Nonvolatile memory,
20 Life notification control system,
22 axes,
23 stirring shaft,
23a first crank part,
23b second crank part 23b,
24 sensor shaft,
25 Magnetic material,
26 Guide part,
27 film,
28 sensor lever,
29 axes,
30 permanent magnets,
31 position sensor,
33 protrusions,
34 Toner,
41 toner cartridge,
42 toner remaining amount detection mechanism,
51 photosensitive drum,
52 charging roller,
53 Development roller,
55 Developer (toner),
57 exposure equipment,
61 non-volatile memory,
100 image forming apparatus,
101-104 process cartridge,
105 recording medium,
106 transport path,
107 paper cassette,
108 Hopping roller,
109 transfer belt unit,
110 transfer roller,
113 fixing device,
114 transfer belt,
115 Stacker part,
120, 122 host computers,
121 network.

Claims (10)

An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming apparatus main body; an image forming cartridge that is detachably provided in the image forming apparatus main body; and a developer cartridge that is detachably provided in the image forming cartridge main body.
A usage amount detecting means for detecting a usage amount of the image forming cartridge;
A remaining amount detecting means for detecting the remaining amount of developer in the developer cartridge;
Signal processing means for detecting that the usage amount has reached a predetermined usage amount, detecting that the remaining amount has reached a predetermined remaining amount, and outputting notification information for displaying the detected content; Have
The signal processing means includes
When it is detected that the usage amount has reached a predetermined usage amount or the remaining amount has reached a predetermined remaining amount, either one of the detected information is output,
When it is detected that the usage amount has reached a predetermined usage amount and that the remaining amount has reached a predetermined remaining amount, notification information on the detected usage amount is output. Image forming apparatus.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising display means for displaying the notification information.   When it is detected that the usage amount has reached the predetermined usage amount in a state where it is detected that the residual amount has reached the predetermined remaining amount, the notification information regarding the remaining amount is used instead of the notification information. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein notification information regarding a usage amount is output. The predetermined usage amount is a first usage amount corresponding to a life of the image forming cartridge and a second usage amount before reaching the first usage amount,
The predetermined remaining amount is a first remaining amount corresponding to almost no developer remaining in the developer cartridge and a second remaining amount before reaching the first remaining amount. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. Furthermore, it has a notification mode switching means,
When the signal processing unit detects both that the usage amount has reached a predetermined usage amount and that the remaining amount has reached a predetermined remaining amount, notification information on the detected usage amount is provided. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a mode for outputting and a mode for outputting notification information of the detected contents of the usage amount and the remaining amount can be selected. 5.   6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the notification information includes information on a content that prompts replacement of the image forming cartridge in addition to the detected content of the usage amount and the remaining amount. .   7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the usage amount detection unit detects the usage amount by counting the number of rotations of a photosensitive drum included in the image forming cartridge.   The remaining amount detecting means includes means for detecting that the height of the developer in the developer cartridge has become lower than a predetermined height, and means for counting the number of exposed dots. Item 7. The image forming apparatus according to any one of Items 1 to 6.   7. The image forming apparatus main body includes four image forming cartridges corresponding to respective colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). The image forming apparatus according to any one of the above. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the notification information includes color information corresponding to an image forming cartridge or a developer cartridge to be detected.

Images