JP2007240870A - Image forming apparatus and maintenance information management system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an apparatus that effectively uses resources in the apparatus during maintenance to perform sufficient cleaning operation without adding a component other than components originally needed for the apparatus to function as much as possible. <P>SOLUTION: In low-electric-power mode, permissible electric power of the mode is used to carry dummy transfer paper TP in a blank state out of a machine through a transfer unit 2 and a fixing unit 3 while keeping a fixing roller 3a at temperature above fixation temperature during normal functioning. Set temperature of a heater is set higher than during the normal functioning, and then residual toner is made easier to leave the roller. The linear speed of the fixing roller 3a in the device and the conveying linear speed of a transfer device are made intentionally different and then the blank paper flexes at a fixing unit entrance because of the speed difference to make the area of contact between the roller and paper larger than in the normal functioning state. Consequently, the residual toner on the fixing roller 3a and a pressure roller 3b sticks on the paper with the frictional force between the paper and roller and is all scraped off to contribute to the cleaning of the rollers. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and a maintenance information management system, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus having a cleaning unit and a maintenance information management system.

  Conventionally, in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, while rotating a drum-shaped or belt-shaped image carrier, the surface is uniformly charged positively or negatively using a charging device, and optical writing is performed by an exposure device. After the electrostatic latent image is formed, a toner having a polarity opposite to that of the electrostatic latent image is attached by a developing device to be visible, and the visible image can be directly or via an intermediate transfer member using a transfer device. And indirectly transferred to a recording medium such as a sheet or an OHP film.

  On the other hand, the image carrier and the intermediate transfer member after image transfer were prepared for image formation by removing the toner remaining on the surface by using a cleaning device together with the rotation of the image carrier and intermediate transfer member. . In recent years, the particle size of toner has been reduced to enable high image quality. As the toner becomes smaller, it becomes difficult to remove the toner with the above-described cleaning device.

  In recent years, the environmental destruction problem has become a social problem, and it has become essential to develop a long-life apparatus that prioritizes effective use of resources as well as energy saving. This is because the number of spare parts required for maintaining the functions of the image forming apparatus is reduced, and the number of replacement parts due to deterioration of parts must be minimized. Therefore, it is required to thoroughly remove residual toner and maintain the performance of the apparatus over a long period of time.

In view of this, in a cleaning device having a cleaning blade, a detecting means for detecting the frictional force of the cleaning blade is provided, and the frictional force of the cleaning blade is optimally controlled based on the detection result to eliminate the occurrence of defective cleaning due to toner slipping. An apparatus has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Further, as a device for preventing the occurrence of defective cleaning or the like, there has been proposed a transfer conveyance device that is provided with a second cleaning blade that can be easily attached and detached, and that can clean the entire surface of the transfer belt with a plurality of cleaning blades. (For example, refer to Patent Document 2).
JP-A-2005-202026 Japanese Patent No. 3364528

  However, in any of the above-described techniques, in order to perform sufficient cleaning so as not to cause a problem, a complicated mechanism must be added, so that there is a problem that the cost is increased and the apparatus is increased in size. there were.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and does not add components other than those necessary for the functioning of the original device as much as possible, that is, without adding a complicated mechanism. The purpose is to make effective use of these resources during maintenance and perform sufficient cleaning.

  The invention according to claim 1 is an image forming apparatus comprising: a transfer unit that transfers image data onto a recording sheet; and a fixing unit that fixes an image on the recording sheet after the transfer, An image forming apparatus comprising a movement control unit that moves to a position different from an installation position when the component has an original function during maintenance or cleaning of the module.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus comprising: a transfer unit that transfers image data to a recording paper; and a fixing unit that fixes an image on the recording paper after the transfer, wherein the component to be cleaned or the module itself An image forming apparatus comprising drive control means for driving the image at a timing or speed different from that of the normal function state.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the apparatus according to the second aspect, the drive control unit controls the linear velocity of the transfer belt when performing the transfer and the fixing roller when performing the fixing to be different from each other, The speed at which the recording paper bends due to the difference between the linear velocities between them and the area of the recording paper in contact with the fixing roller becomes larger than in the case of the normal fixing means, so that the dirt on the fixing roller is transferred to the recording paper and cleaning is performed A differential cleaning means is provided.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the apparatus according to the third aspect, when cleaning is performed by the speed difference cleaning unit, the fixing unit is heated to a temperature equal to or higher than a temperature in a normal function state, and dirt on the fixing roller is obtained. It is characterized by comprising a temperature control means that makes it easy to efficiently drop.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the apparatus according to any one of the second to fourth aspects, the apparatus includes a low power mode setting unit that keeps power consumption to a minimum, and uses the power permissible capability during the low power mode. The drive control means and the speed difference cleaning means are operated.

  A sixth aspect of the present invention is the apparatus according to the fifth aspect, wherein in the apparatus according to the fifth aspect, setting means for setting two modes of a maintenance or cleaning operation during the low power mode and a low power mode having an inherent energy saving function; Selecting means for selecting one of the two modes.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a detecting means for detecting information related to a part, a display means for judging a maintenance or cleaning necessary time of the part from a detection result by the detecting means, and displaying a warning, and the detection history. And an image forming apparatus including a storage unit that stores the image.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the apparatus according to the seventh aspect, the information on the component is predicted from a failure history of the component, a replacement history, or the number of times of use, usage time, sensor reading in the device, component specification, and the like. It is characterized by the remaining life of data that can be processed.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the apparatus according to the seventh or eighth aspect, the maintenance information setting means for setting maintenance information such as maintenance or cleaning necessary time of the parts, history, and the analysis result thereof, and the maintenance information And security means for restricting access to the network.

  A tenth aspect of the present invention is a maintenance information management system in which one or more image forming apparatuses and a centralized management server are connected by a network, and the image forming apparatus stores maintenance information and analysis results thereof. Storage means; connection means for connecting to the network; and display information for displaying maintenance information and analysis results thereof. The central management server includes maintenance information and analysis results of the one or more image forming apparatuses. A central storage means for storing the information, and an information transmission means for transmitting the maintenance information in the central storage means and its analysis result in response to a request from each image forming apparatus, and the state of each image forming apparatus from a remote location It is a maintenance information management system characterized by grasping and centrally managing.

  According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the system according to the tenth aspect, the image forming apparatus includes a transfer unit that transfers image data to a recording sheet, a fixing unit that fixes the image on the recording sheet after the transfer, Drive control means for driving the cleaning component or the module itself at a timing or speed different from the normal function state, and the timing or speed setting in the drive control means via a network connected by the connection means. It is characterized by performing modification.

  According to the present invention, since cleaning is performed using only the resources that the apparatus has to perform its original function, the apparatus itself does not have a complicated mechanism, and efficient maintenance can be performed without increasing the cost. As a result, it is effective for the global environment conservation with the miniaturization and longevity of the equipment.

  Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus and a maintenance information management system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The embodiments described below are preferred embodiments of the present invention, and thus various technically preferable limitations are given. However, the scope of the present invention is particularly limited in the following description. As long as there is no description which limits, it is not restricted to these aspects.

  FIG. 1 is a basic system diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. Here, in order to avoid the complexity of the drawing, each signal of the system is collectively represented by a thick arrow in order to clarify the relationship only, and a decoder, an input / output buffer for designating each element, a small part in the apparatus, etc. In particular, elements that are not directly related to the functions of this embodiment are omitted. In the present exemplary embodiment, a basic configuration of an electrophotographic digital composite apparatus will be described as an example of an image forming apparatus.

  Referring to FIG. 1, this multi-function machine is a process unit having a drum-shaped photoconductor 4a for holding a latent image, and a developing device 4b, a charging charger 4c, a cleaning blade 4d, a charge removing lamp 4e, a waste toner collecting device 4f and the like. There are four.

  First, data input from the image reading / input unit 6, network I / F unit 7, or PC / external I / F unit 8 is analyzed by a program in the ROM 10 a of the image processing controller 10, and then the RAM 10 b or HDD ( The image data is developed in the hard disk 10c and passes through the process unit control / driver 13 controlled by the engine controller 12 and is applied to the photosensitive drum 4a as laser light data LD.

  The photosensitive drum 4a is charged in advance by the charging charger 4c, and the charge is erased only in the portion exposed to the laser beam LD, thereby forming an electrostatic latent image. The latent image is conveyed to the developing device 4b as the photosensitive drum 4a rotates counterclockwise. The developing device 4b causes a two-component developer composed of toner and a magnetic carrier to come into contact with the photosensitive drum 4a by a magnetic brush mechanism, and causes the toner to adhere to the electrostatic latent image portion of the photosensitive drum 4a. As a result, the electrostatic latent image is developed into a toner image.

  The transfer unit 2 has a function of transferring a toner image onto a sheet as a recording medium. Transfer paper TP (Transfer Paper) as a recording medium is sent in the direction of the transfer belt 2c at a predetermined timing by the registration roller 1 controlled by the engine controller 12 through the registration roller speed control / driver 18, and is transferred onto the photosensitive drum 4a. It overlaps with the above-mentioned toner image developed in (1). That is, the endless transfer belt 2c stretched by the two stretch rollers 2a rotates clockwise in FIG. 1, and the transfer roller 2b contacts the back surface of the transfer belt 2c.

  A voltage opposite to that of the toner is applied to the transfer roller 2b by a high-voltage power source obtained from the power supply unit 5, whereby the toner image on the photosensitive drum 4a is transferred onto the transfer paper TP. The contact / separation solenoid 2g is a solenoid for a contact / separation mechanism for preventing the transfer belt 2c from coming into contact with the photosensitive drum 4a beyond a necessary period.

  Here, using vibrations when moving to a position different from the normal function state effectively utilizes the resources of the device as a whole system, as a total of both normal functions and maintenance functions. Effective for effective use of energy. Specifically, as described above, a solenoid or the like that is required for a normal function is used, and the suction / recovery operation and the vibration are effectively used for maintenance of the apparatus. Even functions, parts or modules that are not directly related to the original functions can be effectively used if they can be controlled by software as a control mechanism, so there is no additional hardware or complicated mechanism, so there is no cost increase Maintenance can be realized by moving the installation position of the parts and the vibrations associated therewith.

  In the transfer stage, the cleaning blade 2d and the cleaning roller 2e may transfer residual toner attached to the surface of the photosensitive drum 4a to the transfer belt 2c of the transfer unit 2 to contaminate the belt surface. A voltage having a reverse polarity is applied to attract the residual toner, and the residual toner is scraped off from the surface of the transfer belt with a blade. The scraped residual toner is collected by a waste toner collecting device 2f having a dedicated tray and a suction screw. The neutralizing lamp 4e is used for initializing the charges on the drum by exposing the entire surface of the drum with light or the like in order to erase the residual charges on the drum. Similarly, residual toner on the photosensitive drum 4a that has not been transferred to the transfer paper TP is scraped off by the cleaning blade 4d and recovered by the waste toner recovery device 4f.

  Next, after the toner image is transferred to the transfer paper TP, the transfer paper TP is conveyed toward the fixing unit 3 as the transfer belt 2c moves. The fixing unit 3 includes a fixing roller 3a having a heater such as a halogen lamp as a heat source, a pressure roller 3b that presses the fixing roller 3a, and a fixing temperature sensor 3d that detects the surface temperature of the fixing roller 3a. The fixing roller 3a and the pressure roller 3b are rotated at a constant speed through a fixing roller speed control / driver controlled by the engine controller 12, and the transfer paper TP is conveyed while being sandwiched between nips formed between the rollers, and then out of the apparatus. The paper is ejected. The fixing temperature at that time is controlled to a necessary temperature by the engine controller 12 through the fixing temperature control / heater driver 14 based on the information of the fixing temperature sensor 3d.

  The separation claw 3e has a function of reliably peeling the transfer paper TP that has passed through the fixing nip from the fixing roller 3a. The residual toner transferred to the surface of the fixing roller 3a when the transfer paper TP passes through the fixing nip is transferred to the surface of the pressure roller 3b after completion of paper discharge, and then transferred to the surface of the cleaning roller 3c. It is scraped off by a cleaning blade, and finally collected by a waste toner collecting device 3f having a dedicated tray and a suction screw.

  The above is the description of the basic process according to the embodiment of the printing process of the digital multi-function peripheral by the electrophotographic method and the residual toner cleaning mechanism associated therewith. In this embodiment, based on this basic process, this residual toner is efficiently removed / collected without providing a complicated additional mechanism, and automatic maintenance management of the digital multi-function peripheral is performed, thereby realizing a long life of the apparatus. Is the purpose. Hereinafter, an embodiment of the automatic cleaning function of the transfer belt, the fixing roller, and the pressure roller, which plays a particularly important role in the maintenance of the digital multi-function peripheral will be described.

  The residual toner removal operation by the above basic process is usually performed during a series of printing processes, or is performed at a standby time without a print command. In this embodiment, the apparatus is not frequently used, and in the low power mode in which almost no power is used in the entire system, the fixing power is fixed to the fixing roller 3a using the allowable power in the normal function. While applying a temperature equal to or higher than the temperature, the dummy transfer sheet TP is conveyed through the transfer unit 2 and the fixing unit 3 and discharged outside the apparatus. By setting the set temperature of the heater inside the roller higher than that at the normal function, the residual toner is easily peeled off from the roller.

  At this time, the conveyance linear velocity (transfer linear velocity) V1 of the transfer belt 2c of the transfer unit 2 and the linear velocity V2 (fixing linear velocity) of the fixing roller are controlled at different speeds. Due to the speed relationship between the two, friction is generated between the transfer paper TP and the transfer belt 2c or between the transfer paper TP and the fixing roller 3a, and the residual toner is efficiently collected by the waste toner collector due to this friction. This state is shown in FIG. 6 and a schematic flowchart of the entire maintenance processing operation is shown in FIG. 5 and will be described in detail below. 6A shows the case where the transfer linear velocity V1 = the fixing linear velocity V2, FIG. 6B shows the case where the transfer linear velocity V1> the fixing linear velocity V2, and FIG. 6C shows the transfer linear velocity V1 <the fixing linear velocity. The case of V2 is shown.

  In the normal function state, that is, when the transfer linear velocity V1 = fixing linear velocity V2 in FIG. 6A, the transfer paper TP is conveyed outside the apparatus without causing a large friction on the conveyance path. However, when the transfer linear velocity V1> fixing linear velocity V2 in FIG. 6B, the transfer paper TP bends immediately before the nip of the fixing roller 3a, and therefore in that portion (dotted circle portion in FIG. 6B). Thus, friction is generated between the fixing roller 3a and the transfer paper TP. This causes the residual toner on the fixing roller 3a and the pressure roller 3b to be rubbed onto the transfer paper TP, and the residual toner is scraped off.

  On the other hand, when the transfer linear velocity V1 <fixing linear velocity V2 in FIG. 6C, the transfer paper TP is suddenly pulled in the direction of the fixing roller 3a on the transfer belt 2c, so that portion (FIG. 6C). Friction occurs between the transfer belt 2c and the transfer paper TP at the dotted ellipse portion. This causes the residual toner on the transfer belt 2c to be rubbed onto the transfer paper TP, and the residual toner is scraped off.

  In this way, the linear speed of the fixing roller 3a in the apparatus and the conveying linear speed of the transfer apparatus are intentionally different linear speeds at the time of maintenance, and the white paper is forcibly discharged under those conditions. As a result, a phenomenon occurs in which the white paper is bent at the entrance of the fixing device or the paper is pulled on the transfer belt. In the former case, the paper bends at the entrance of the fixing roller 3a, the contact area between the roller and the paper increases from the normal function state, and the residual toner on the fixing roller 3a and the pressure roller 3b by the frictional force between the paper and the roller due to the action. Adheres to the paper and is scraped down, contributing to the cleaning of each roller. In the latter case, the paper is dragged on the transfer belt, and the residual toner on the transfer belt adheres to the paper or is scraped down by this frictional action, contributing to the cleaning of the transfer belt.

  The maintenance processing operation will be described below based on the flowchart of FIG. The system basic operation is checked (step S1), and maintenance information is input (step S2). It is determined whether the low power mode is ON (step S3). If the low power mode is OFF (step S3 / No), normal function processing is performed (step S5).

  If the low power mode is ON (step S3 / Yes), it is confirmed that the low power mode has been entered (step S4 / Yes), and the process proceeds to step 6. On the other hand, if the low power mode is not entered (step S4 / No), normal function processing is performed (step S5).

  In step 6, the maintenance mode is determined (ON or OFF). If the maintenance mode is OFF (step S6 / No), low power processing is performed (step S7). On the other hand, when the maintenance mode is ON (step S6 / Yes), the maintenance information is checked (step S8), each transfer motor speed parameter setting (step S9), each fixing motor speed parameter setting (step S10), and fixing. The temperature control heater ON / OFF control parameter is set (step S11), and after checking the sheets in the cleaning dummy sheet feed cassette (step S12), one cleaning dummy sheet is discharged (step S13). When the specified number of sheets according to the maintenance information is discharged (step S14 / Yes), the process returns to step S2.

  Note that the transfer speeds of the transfer belt 2c, the fixing roller 3a, and the pressure roller 3b and the ON / OFF timing of the heater and the motor are very important factors for effectively removing the residual toner. In the present embodiment, parameters of each element (variables related to control of motor rotation speed and heater / motor ON / OFF timing) are stored in a maintenance information storage unit (FIGS. 1 and 10e) in the image processing controller 10. The contents are stored and referred to by the engine controller (FIGS. 1 and 12) at appropriate times, and the fixing temperature control / heater driver (FIGS. 1 and 14), fixing roller speed control / driver (FIGS. 1 and 15), transfer belt It is transmitted to the speed / contact / separation control / driver (FIGS. 1 and 17) or the registration roller speed control / driver (FIGS. 1 and 18), and a flexible cleaning operation by independent control becomes possible.

  According to the above embodiment, a module that requires frequent maintenance, such as a fuser roller or a transfer, is added without adding parts other than the original functional parts (for example, sensor parts necessary for maintenance of a specific part). The belt can be cleaned. In addition, since cleaning is frequently performed according to the latest maintenance information, the maintenance timing is determined based on fixed information that has been determined in advance, and maintenance is not performed uncertainly based on the intuition and experience of the maintenance personnel. Reduces the number of man-hours and man-hours. Costs can be reduced in terms of maintenance costs.

  Further, the fixing roller 3a during the cleaning period is subjected to heater ON / OFF control at a temperature equal to or higher than the fixing temperature at the normal function (FIG. 5, step 11). As a result, after applying heat more than necessary to the residual toner on the fixing roller 3a, the heater of the fixing roller 3a is turned off and cooled, and the adhesiveness and flexibility of the residual toner are lost by the temperature cycle, thereby fixing the toner. Residual toner adhering to the roller and the vicinity of the separation claw can be removed more efficiently in addition to the above frictional action, and as a result, it is collected by a waste toner collecting device.

  In the above embodiment, in order to clean the residual toner of the fixing roller 3a and the pressure roller 3b, the set temperature of the heater inside the roller is set higher than that in the normal function, and the residual toner is easily peeled off from the roller. The roller is forcibly discharged to clean the rollers. In other words, the device itself is complicated because cleaning is performed using only resources provided for the device to perform its original functions (for example, power supply capability, hardware such as a heater and motor, paper, and software). It does not have a mechanism and can perform efficient maintenance without increasing the cost. As a result, it is effective in preserving the global environment associated with downsizing of the device and extending its life.

  Also, blank transfer paper TP dummy to be used for the automatic cleaning operation, there is no problem even paper that has been used during normal functioning, set whether to feed the dummy paper advance from which the paper feed tray, most cleaning It is also conceivable to use suitable special paper.

  In the above embodiment, the addition of software is necessary to add the maintenance function. However, since the capacity is not so large as a whole, it is not necessary to add a large amount of hardware. In addition, since the software can flexibly change the control contents through a network function to be described later, there is an effect of improving development efficiency.

  According to the above embodiment, the maintenance is activated when the device enters the low power mode (FIG. 5, step S4). From the viewpoint of environmental impact and energy saving, maintenance or cleaning functions that are not directly related to the purpose of the original device do not need to be activated during the day when power consumption is generally high, and when the device is not used as frequently as possible It is desirable to operate on. This minimizes the power consumption of the device and effectively uses the power supply capability of the device, and maximizes the resource of the device without adding power capacity for the automatic maintenance function. It was used for. As a result, these are effective in reducing the global environmental load including energy saving.

  It is also conceivable to have a function of selecting a mode for entering and not entering a cleaning operation during the low power mode. From the viewpoint of maintenance, it is desirable that the apparatus frequently enters the cleaning mode, but the functional operation may deteriorate the efficiency of the functional operation of the original apparatus. Therefore, since it is finally the user of the apparatus or a maintenance person that determines which of the maintenance function and the original function is prioritized, it can be considered to be selectable. Thereby, since the user or the like can finally determine the original functionality and maintenance efficiency of the apparatus, it is possible to improve the work efficiency of the original function of the apparatus.

  In the present invention, a warning display can be given to any parts or modules that require maintenance or cleaning. Specifically, the usage status of each maintenance component is calculated from information such as the sensor detection level, motor rotation history, and cumulative usage time provided to fulfill the original function in each part of the image forming apparatus. Then, the value is compared with the value of the maintenance information set for the part in advance, and when it is determined that maintenance such as cleaning is necessary for a certain part, a warning is displayed to the user or the maintenance person.

  Conventionally, a special sensor is provided to detect the remaining amount of consumables and maintain the cleaning function, and a warning is displayed when the function reaches the detection level, or a warning is given when the unit such as the image carrier is replaced. Warnings are given in units of large units such as indications, which complicates functional parts and increases replacement unit costs.

  According to the above-described embodiment, a sensor necessary for detection is used in combination with a sensor necessary for normal function without adding a new detection component for displaying a maintenance warning, so that the functional component is not complicated. Also, there is no cost increase. Also, if warnings are displayed for all parts and modules that require maintenance, maintenance can be performed more frequently and accurately than in units of large units, resulting in a longer life of the equipment. is there.

  As another embodiment, it may be possible to set an ID or the like and provide maintenance information viewing restrictions in the image forming apparatus. The maintenance information set in advance in the image forming apparatus is determined by the usage history of the apparatus, and is not constant even for the same model and is updated in a timely manner. The maintenance information is comprehensively determined from the usage history of the device and the failure status of the device in the market, and the value and content are determined, so that the maintenance of the device is always kept in an optimal state.

  Conventionally, the standard for determining that maintenance is necessary is always constant depending on the model, and it has not been possible to flexibly cope with variations in performance due to device usage history. In addition, the device usage history is very important information in order to function normally over a long period of time, and it is necessary that it is not easily seen by anyone other than those involved.

  In the present embodiment, for example, by inputting an ID and a password corresponding to a preset authority, it is possible to perform control so that maintenance information of the apparatus can be viewed and / or changed.

  Next, the maintenance information management system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In the digital multifunction peripheral according to the present embodiment, the latest maintenance information inside the apparatus, such as when the above-described cleaning is performed or when it is performed next time, is stored in the maintenance information storage unit (FIGS. 1 and 10e). . A maintenance-only display section 9c is provided on the front panel (FIGS. 1 and 9) so that the user of the apparatus or a maintenance person can see this content.

  FIG. 2 is an overall view of the maintenance information management system according to the present embodiment. A network in which a plurality of multifunction peripherals 12 (12a to 12c), a printer 13a, and a PC 14 are connected by an Office LAN is connected to the WAN via the router 11a. That is, although the maintenance information is unique to the apparatus, it is centrally managed by the host computer (for maintenance information management) 17 through a WAN (wide area network) including a telephone line or the Internet. As an example, device-specific maintenance information (data 18) is shown in FIG.

  The information managed by the host computer 17 manages not only the cleaning information of the apparatus but also maintenance information performed manually, and manages the access authority to view and change the maintenance information of each apparatus. It also has the role of an authentication server. As an example, data 19 of the host computer 17 is shown in FIG.

  If a maintenance person manually performs maintenance on a certain apparatus, the host computer 17 is entered by inputting the maintenance person ID and the password using the front panel 9 and the maintenance dedicated display unit 9c of the apparatus. If the maintenance information of the device is changed after the authentication is confirmed and permitted, the contents are formally recorded in the maintenance information recording unit 10e and centrally managed by the host computer 17.

  The latest maintenance information is always collected in the host computer 17 by the network of all devices, and information necessary for maintenance is timely analyzed. As a result, necessary information for each device is fed back. This information is stored in the maintenance information recording unit 10e of each device as a parameter for determining the next automatic cleaning time of each device and the above-described motor rotation speed, heater ON / OFF cycle, etc., which are important factors for the cleaning function. It is recorded and used for maintenance control of the device.

  The above embodiment enables flexible and efficient automatic cleaning and maintenance management based on the usage history and environmental data, even for the same model, resulting in a long life of the digital multi-function peripheral. Will contribute to reducing the global environmental impact.

  According to the above-described embodiment, the reference value such as the time when maintenance is performed is determined from the use history of the apparatus and the latest maintenance information by the network possessed by a maintenance person or engineer. Therefore, since maintenance is performed using the latest maintenance information, as a result, efficient maintenance is performed, and the number of maintenance steps can be reduced and the life of the apparatus can be increased. In order to access the maintenance information of each device, each device is connected to the host computer 17 through the network, so that the host computer 17 serves as an authentication server. Therefore, maintenance information cannot be easily accessed from each device, and there is an effect of increasing security as compared to a stand-alone device.

  The set value of maintenance information is flexibly set in a timely manner based on the operation history of the device in the market, and must be calculated from all the market information on which the device is operating. For this purpose, the system according to the present embodiment has an interface that can be connected to a host computer 17 that centrally manages maintenance information through a bidirectional network, a telephone line, etc. A system that can be managed in a unified manner.

  Since each device is connected to the host computer 17 through a bidirectional line, the host computer 17 centrally manages the maintenance information of each device, and the host computer 17 requires each device based on the analysis result. Information can be output. Each device is maintained using the same information in all regions regardless of the region where the devices are installed. This means that there is no regional disparity in maintenance technology, and maintenance is performed on the same basis everywhere. As a result, the variation in maintenance due to human experience and the like can be reduced and the maintenance can be performed efficiently, which is effective in reducing the number of man-hours related to maintenance and extending the life of the apparatus.

  Further, the present invention is not limited to the image forming apparatus, and when the normal function and allowable power inside the apparatus do not reach the original purpose, the apparatus itself uses the function and power to perform maintenance, parts, etc. The present invention can be applied to any apparatus or system that can perform cleaning. For example, an automatic cleaning device for a digitally controlled belt conveyor used in a factory or the like can be used.

  Although the present invention has been specifically described above based on the preferred embodiments, it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to the above-described ones and can be variously modified without departing from the gist thereof.

1 is a basic system diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is an overall view of a maintenance information management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating maintenance management information included in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the maintenance management information which the host computer which concerns on embodiment of this invention has. 5 is a flowchart showing a maintenance processing operation of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a transfer / fixing linear velocity model diagram according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

TP transfer paper LD laser light 1 registration roller 2 transfer unit 2a stretching roller 2b transfer roller 2c transfer belt 2d cleaning blade 2e cleaning roller 2f, 3f, 4f waste toner collector 2g contact / separation solenoid 3 fixing unit 3a fixing roller 3b pressure Roller 3c Cleaning roller 3d Fixing temperature sensor 3e Separation claw 4 Process unit 4a Photosensitive drum 4b Developer 4c Charging charger 4d Cleaning blade 4e Discharge lamp 5 Power supply unit 6 Image reading / input unit 7 Network I / F unit 8 PC / external I / F part 9 Front panel 9a Key input 9b Display part 9c Maintenance dedicated display part 10 Image processing controller 10a ROM
10b RAM
10c HDD (hard disk)
10d NVRAM
10e Maintenance information recording unit 11 Engine sensor input 12 Engine controller 13 Process unit control / driver 14 Fixing temperature control / heater driver 15 Fixing roller speed control / driver 16 Parts engine control / driver 17 Transfer belt speed / contact / separation control / driver 18 Registration roller speed control / driver

Claims (11)

Transfer means for transferring image data to a recording paper;
An image forming apparatus comprising: fixing means for fixing the image on the recording paper after the transfer;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a movement control unit that moves to a position different from an installation position when the parts have an original function during maintenance or cleaning of the parts or modules in the apparatus. Transfer means for transferring image data to a recording paper;
An image forming apparatus comprising: fixing means for fixing the image on the recording paper after the transfer;
An image forming apparatus comprising drive control means for driving a part to be cleaned or the module itself at a timing or speed different from a normal function state.   The drive control means controls the transfer belt at the time of transfer and the fixing roller at the time of fixing to have different linear velocities, and the recording paper bends due to the difference between the two linear velocities, and the fixing roller 3. The image according to claim 2, further comprising a speed difference cleaning unit for transferring dirt on the fixing roller onto the recording sheet and cleaning the recording sheet when the area of the recording sheet in contact with the fixing unit becomes larger than that of a normal fixing unit. Forming equipment.   And a temperature control unit that heats the fixing unit to a temperature equal to or higher than a temperature in a normal function state when cleaning by the speed difference cleaning unit to easily remove dirt on the fixing roller. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3. With low power mode setting means to keep power consumption to a minimum,
5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the drive control unit and the speed difference cleaning unit are operated using a power permissible capability in the low power mode. 6. Setting means for setting two modes, a mode for entering a maintenance or cleaning operation during the low power mode and a low power mode having an original energy saving function;
6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a selection unit that selects one of the two modes. Detection means for detecting information about the component;
From the detection result by the detection means, a display means for judging the maintenance or cleaning necessary time of the parts and displaying a warning,
An image forming apparatus comprising: a storage unit that stores the detection history.   The information on the part is a remaining life such as a part failure history, replacement history, or the number of times of use, use time, sensor readings in the apparatus, data that can be predicted from part specifications, and the like. Item 8. The image forming apparatus according to Item 7. Maintenance information setting means for setting maintenance information such as maintenance or cleaning required time of the part, history, etc. and analysis results thereof;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a security unit that restricts access to the maintenance information. A maintenance information management system in which one or more image forming apparatuses and a central management server are connected by a network,
The image forming apparatus includes:
Storage means for storing maintenance information and analysis results thereof;
Connection means for connecting to the network;
Maintenance information and display information for displaying the analysis results,
The central management server
Centralized storage means for storing maintenance information and analysis results of the one or more image forming apparatuses;
In response to a request from each image forming apparatus, it comprises maintenance information in the centralized storage means and information transmission means for transmitting the analysis result,
A maintenance information management system characterized by grasping the state of each image forming apparatus from a remote location and managing it centrally. The image forming apparatus includes:
Transfer means for transferring image data to a recording paper;
Fixing means for fixing the image on the recording paper after the transfer;
Drive control means for driving the component to be cleaned or the module itself at a timing or speed different from the normal function state,
11. The maintenance information management system according to claim 10, wherein the drive control means modifies timing or speed setting via a network connected by the connection means.

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