JP2008058527A - Image forming apparatus, detecting method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus capable of detecting respective positions of toner cartridges without changing the physical shape of a toner cartridge in accordance with each color and without separately providing a sensor or the like. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus 100 of the present invention includes: LD devices 106 to 109 for exposing with image light; image carriers on which latent images corresponding to respective colors are formed with the image light; cartridges 101 to 104 for forming respective color toner images; a transfer belt 105 to which the respective color toner images are transferred in an overlapped state; and a density sensor 110 having a light emitting part, a specular-reflected light receiving part and a diffused-reflected light receiving part, for detecting the toner density on the transfer belt 105. The position of each cartridge is detected based on previously measured each time required for each cartridge from the exposure process to the toner image detection process by the density sensor 110, and the received light amount obtained by receiving the reflected light from a detection pattern by the specular-reflected light receiving part and the diffused-reflected light receiving part. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus capable of detecting which color toner cartridge is located at which position, a toner cartridge arrangement position detection method, and a computer-readable program for executing the method.

  An image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, or a facsimile machine forms a latent image on an image carrier by exposing image light corresponding to the image data onto the image carrier that has been charged in advance by a charger. Then, development is performed by supplying a powder developer (toner) from the developing unit and attaching the toner. It is transferred onto a transfer belt, and an image is formed on the transfer paper by feeding the transfer paper between the transfer belt and the transfer unit.

  In an image forming apparatus that forms a plurality of color images, a latent image of each color image is separately formed, separately developed, and a plurality of color image images are superimposed to form a plurality of color images. For this reason, an image carrier, a charger, a developing unit, and the like are separately required for each color. The developing unit includes a plurality of toner cartridges containing toner as a developing device, and when forming an image of each color, the toner of each color is supplied from each toner cartridge. The usage amount of each toner cartridge varies depending on the image to be formed, and therefore the remaining amount of toner in each toner cartridge also varies. If image formation is performed without toner, an image of that color cannot be formed, and the transfer paper is wasted. For this reason, it is necessary to know the remaining amount of toner for each color.

  Conventionally, a color mark representing the color of the developer contained in each developing unit is attached to the surface of each case of a plurality of developing units, and the image forming apparatus main body that faces the color mark attached to the developing unit There have been proposed devices that make it possible to visually check the remaining amount of toner, such as a configuration in which a translucent portion is provided, or a configuration in which a side wall of a toner hopper is configured by a transparent plate coated with an antistatic agent. Since visual recognition is likely to cause misidentification due to a mistake, a method has been proposed in which a developing unit is provided with an identification protrusion and the identification protrusion is detected by a photocoupler to determine the color or the like of the development unit. In this method, it is necessary to prepare an identification protrusion for each color toner cartridge, and there is a problem that the combination of the toner cartridge and the toner color is wrong when the container of the toner cartridge is reused.

In view of this problem, a color sensor is provided in the vicinity of the image carrier, and a color image forming unit including a recognition unit that detects the color of the toner of the color toner image and recognizes the color of the toner stored in the toner cartridge in the developing unit. An apparatus has been proposed (see Patent Document 1). Thus, by detecting the color of the toner of the color toner image using the color sensor and recognizing the color of the toner using the recognition means, the toner color and its arrangement can be automatically recognized, and the toner cartridge All of them have the same shape, and even when free color combinations are made, the colors and their arrangements can be reliably recognized. In detecting the color of the toner, the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion are arranged opposite to each other with the two side walls facing each other and the internal accommodation space therebetween, and R (red), G (green), B ( There has been proposed an apparatus for discriminating the color of toner accommodated based on the spectral distribution of spectral light obtained when emitting blue detection light (see Patent Document 2). This is to determine the color of the toner based on the change in the amount of light of different spectral characteristics received by the light receiving unit. Specifically, the yellow toner has a characteristic that it absorbs B light well but reflects R and G light, and the magenta toner characteristic that absorbs G well but reflects R and B light. The cyan toner has a characteristic that it absorbs a lot of light but reflects G and B light.
Japanese Patent No. 2663159 Japanese Patent No. 3364545

  In the above apparatus, it is necessary to separately include a color sensor, a recognition unit, a light emitting unit, and a light receiving unit. In order to provide these apparatuses separately, a space is required in the image forming apparatus, which increases the size of the apparatus and increases the cost.

  Therefore, an image forming apparatus capable of easily detecting the arrangement position of each toner cartridge without changing the physical shape of the toner cartridge according to each color and without providing a separate sensor, a method for detecting the arrangement position, and the like It would be desirable to provide a computer readable program for performing the method.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention comprises a toner density adjustment sensor on a transfer belt including a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit that receives light that is specularly reflected and light that is diffusely reflected. Each toner cartridge can be identified by each time from exposure to detection by a sensor. Of the diffused received light amount of each color detected by the light receiving unit, the diffused received light amount of black (BK) toner is smaller than the diffused received light amount of other yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) toners. The position of the BK toner can be determined from this diffused light reception amount. Further, the positions of the Y, M, and C toners can be determined from the amount of the regularly reflected light based on the wavelength of the light emitted from the light emitting unit and the spectral characteristics of the Y, M, and C toners. .

  That is, according to the present invention, an exposure unit that exposes image light corresponding to image data, a plurality of image carriers on which latent images corresponding to each color are formed by the image light, and toner of each color are accommodated, Corresponding color toners are attached to each of the plurality of image carriers, and a plurality of toner cartridges for forming toner images of the respective colors and transfer means for transferring the toner images of the respective colors from the plurality of image carriers so as to overlap each other. And a light emitting part, a specularly reflected light receiving part for receiving specularly reflected light, and a diffusely reflected light receiving part for receiving diffusely reflected light, and detecting toner density for detecting the toner density on the transfer means Each time from the image light exposure measured in advance for each toner cartridge to the detection of the toner image by the toner density detecting means, and the arrangement position of the toner cartridge Provided is an image forming apparatus that detects the arrangement position of each color toner cartridge from the amount of received light obtained by receiving the reflected light from the formed pattern of each color with the regular reflection light receiving unit and the diffuse reflection light receiving unit. it can.

  Temperature / humidity detecting means for detecting the temperature and humidity in the image forming apparatus, and charging voltage changing means for changing the charging voltage of the image carrier charged for latent image formation according to the detected temperature and humidity And can further be included.

  The image carrier is cylindrical and rotates in a certain direction so that a latent image is formed and a toner image is formed by adhering the toner. A counter that counts the number of rotations and a charging voltage changing unit that changes the charging voltage of the image carrier charged for forming the latent image according to the number of rotations can be included.

  Power supply detection means for detecting the power ON of the image forming apparatus and / or opening / closing detection means for detecting the opening / closing of the toner cartridge replacement cover, or both. In response to detection of both, the exposure means exposes image light corresponding to the pattern onto the image carrier, the toner density detection means irradiates the pattern with light, receives the reflected light, and each color toner Processing for detecting the arrangement position of the cartridge can be executed.

  It further includes storage means for storing information on whether or not to execute processing for detecting the arrangement position of the toner cartridge, and responds to detection of power ON by the power detection means and / or closing of the cover by the open / close detection means. Thus, when the information stored in the storage means is referred to and the information indicates that the above processing is to be executed, the processing for detecting the arrangement position of the toner cartridge for each color can be executed.

  The image forming apparatus forms a toner image of a toner density adjustment pattern on a transfer unit, receives a reflected light from the toner density adjustment pattern by the toner density detection unit, and executes a process of detecting the toner density. The arrangement position of the toner cartridge of each color can also be detected from the amount of received light obtained by receiving the reflected light and each of the above times.

  According to the present invention, it is also possible to provide a method for detecting the arrangement position of each color toner cartridge in the image forming apparatus. In this method, the exposure means exposes image light corresponding to the toner cartridge position detection pattern to the image carrier, the toner cartridge attaches toner, and forms the pattern on the image carrier. A step of transferring to the transfer means, a step of the light emitting unit irradiating the pattern with a certain amount of light, and a step of receiving the reflected light from the pattern by the regular reflection light receiving unit and the diffuse reflection light receiving unit; Each color toner cartridge from each measured time from exposure of the image light to detection of the toner image by the toner density detection means and the amount of light received by receiving the regular reflection light receiving unit and the diffuse reflection light receiving unit Detecting the arrangement position.

  Further, the method may include a step of detecting the temperature and humidity in the image forming apparatus, and a step of changing the charging voltage of the image carrier charged for forming a latent image according to the detected temperature and humidity. .

  The image carrier is cylindrical and forms a latent image by rotating in a certain direction, and a toner image is formed by adhering toner. In this case, the number of rotations of the image carrier is counted. And a step of changing the charging voltage of the image carrier charged for forming the latent image according to the number of rotations.

  In response to detection of power-on of the image forming apparatus or closing of a toner cartridge replacement cover, or both, an exposure step, a pattern formation step, a transfer step, a light reception step, and an arrangement position are detected. Steps can be performed.

  In addition, in the case of including a storage unit that stores information on whether or not to execute processing for detecting the arrangement position of the toner cartridge, the storage unit stores the information in response to detection of power-on and / or closing of the cover. A step of determining whether or not the information indicates that the process is to be executed, and an exposure step and pattern when it is determined that the information indicates that the process is to be executed The step of forming, the step of transferring, the step of receiving light, and the step of detecting the arrangement position can be executed.

  The toner density adjustment pattern toner image is formed on the transfer means, and the toner density detection means receives the reflected light from the toner density adjustment pattern and executes the step of detecting the toner density. The toner density is detected. It is also possible to detect the arrangement positions of the toner cartridges of the respective colors from the amount of received light obtained in the step and the above times.

  According to the present invention, the detection method can be provided as a computer-readable program for executing the method, or can be provided as a recording medium on which the program is recorded.

  According to the present invention, the arrangement position of each toner cartridge can be detected without changing the physical shape of the toner cartridge according to each color and without providing a separate sensor or the like.

  Even if the temperature and / or humidity is changed, or the image carrier is deteriorated, the arrangement position of each toner cartridge can be accurately detected. Even if the color order of the toner cartridges is set in the wrong direction, the arrangement position can be detected accurately, so that it is possible to prevent erroneous color image formation. In addition, since the user can arbitrarily select the position of the toner cartridge, the image forming process can be executed according to the user's usage environment.

  Furthermore, since the arrangement position of each toner cartridge is detected using the data detected by the toner density adjustment sensor for each color, the amount of toner used can be suppressed, and the waiting time for the user can be shortened. it can.

  The present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown in the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image forming apparatus. An image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1 is in contact with an image carrier and cartridges 101 to 104 in which an image carrier for Y, M, C, and BK, a developing device, toner, and an ID chip are integrally formed. A transfer belt 105 transferred from each image carrier so that the toner images overlap each other, LD devices 106 to 109 that expose LD (laser diode) light corresponding to image data to each image carrier, and a transfer belt 105 It includes a density sensor 110 that reads a toner image and detects the toner density. Here, the devices are integrally formed like the cartridges 101 to 104, but the image carrier and the developing device such as a toner cartridge may be formed separately. In addition, the cartridges 101 to 104 can include a charger for charging the image carrier, a cleaning unit for removing the toner image, and a static eliminator.

  The image carrier has a cylindrical shape, and a photosensitive material that reacts with light is coated on the surface. After being charged to a constant voltage by a charger, the latent image is exposed by LD light from the LD devices 106 to 109. Is formed. This latent image is formed by changing the voltage of the portion of the image carrier exposed to the LD light and forming irregularities with invisible potential. After the latent image is formed, the developing device applies a developing bias potential, attaches toner to the image carrier, and develops the image portion according to the potential difference. As a result, a toner image is formed on the image carrier. A toner image corresponding to each color is formed on each image carrier and is transferred so as to overlap the transfer belt 105. The toner image transferred to the transfer belt 105 is in a state where the toner is applied, and the transfer unit 111 melts the toner by applying heat and pressure and fixes the toner onto the transfer paper 113 supplied from the paper supply unit 112. As a result, an image is formed on the transfer paper 113. Since the image carrier and the transfer belt 105 form another image, the toner is removed by the cleaning unit after the transfer.

  The toner density of the toner image transferred to the transfer belt 105 is detected by the density sensor 110 before the toner is removed by the cleaning unit. This toner density is used as data for controlling the amount of toner adhering. FIG. 1 illustrates a configuration including only a density sensor that detects toner density. However, since the toner density also changes depending on the temperature and humidity in the apparatus, a temperature / humidity sensor is provided and detected by this temperature / humidity sensor. It can be corrected by temperature data and humidity data.

  The ID chip stores information for identifying the cartridge. Therefore, when each cartridge is individually connected via each bus, it is possible to determine which cartridge contains which color toner. However, in the case of a hardware configuration in which an ID chip is read and written by I2C communication in which data communication is performed between a plurality of devices using two signal lines, it is impossible to determine which cartridge contains which color toner. For this reason, the arrangement position of the cartridge is determined by the configuration and method of the present invention.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a density sensor that detects the toner density used in the image forming apparatus 100. The density sensor 110 includes a light emitting unit 200 that irradiates a toner image on the transfer belt 105 with LED (light emitting diode) light, a regular reflection light receiving unit 201 that receives specularly reflected light, and a diffusion that receives diffusely reflected light. The reflected light receiving unit 202 is included. By adopting this configuration, the arrangement position of the cartridge can be determined. Here, regular reflection means that reflected light is reflected from the surface at an angle equal to the incident angle α of incident light according to the law of reflection, and means specular reflection. The diffuse reflection means non-specular reflection that reflects from the surface at an angle different from the incident angle α of incident light.

  When the LED light is irradiated, the reflected light hits the toner pattern on the transfer belt 105 and is received by the regular reflection light receiving unit 201 and the diffuse reflection light receiving unit 202. The amount of received light can be detected as an input voltage of each light receiving unit. Each of the cartridges 101 to 104 that stores toner of each color exposes the LD light to the image carrier in order and develops it to form a toner image. Therefore, the density sensor 110 detects the toner image after exposing the LD light. The time to do is different. That is, the time is shortened in order from the closest to the density sensor 110. For this reason, the time is measured in advance based on the moving speed of the transfer belt 105 and the rotation speed of the image carrier, and based on the measured times, the regular reflection light receiving unit 201 and the diffuse reflection light receiving unit 202 generate toner images. By detecting this, it is possible to determine the arrangement position of the cartridge containing each toner.

  The detected amount of diffuse reflection received is that BK toner is smaller than other Y, M, and C toners. For this reason, it is possible to detect the cartridge having the time for obtaining the smallest amount of diffuse reflection light received as the cartridge containing the BK toner. For example, if the amount of diffuse reflection received by the density sensor 110 is the smallest at the second shortest time, the second closest cartridge among the cartridges 101 to 104 arranged in order from the density sensor 110 is The cartridge can be identified as a cartridge containing BK toner.

  Here, reference is made to FIG. 3 showing the relationship between the wavelength of the LED light emitted from the light emitting unit 200 and the spectral transmittance. The horizontal axis in FIG. 3 indicates the wavelength (nm) of the LED light, and the vertical axis indicates the transmittance. FIG. 3 shows curves indicated by Y, M, and C corresponding to the respective colors. For example, when the wavelength of LED light is about 450 nm, the transmittance increases in the order of Y, M, and C, and the reflectance decreases in the order of Y, M, and C on the contrary. The amount of light received by the regular reflection light receiving unit 201 increases in the order of C, M, and Y in proportion to the reflectance. From this, it is possible to determine which cartridge is in which color. In the above example, the light receiving amount received by the regular reflection light receiving unit 201 is the largest for the shortest time, the third shortest is the light receiving amount is the smallest, and the longest time. If the received light amount is intermediate, it can be detected that the cartridges containing Y, BK, C, and M toners are set in the order closer to the density sensor 110.

  The system configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIG. As described above, the image forming apparatus 100 includes the LD devices 106 to 109 as exposure means, the cartridges 101 to 104 including the image carrier, the toner and the developing device, the transfer belt 105, the density sensor 110, and the like. In addition to the following:

  The ROM 400, which is a read-only semiconductor memory, stores a program for executing a process for detecting a cartridge containing each color toner from the received light amount, and a CPU 401 for reading the program from the ROM 400 and executing it. The stored data is not erased even when the power is turned off. The RAM 403 is a semiconductor memory that can be read and written by designating an arbitrary address. The image memory 404 stores data to be printed. It includes an I / O control device 405 that controls output, an interface 406 that communicates with an external device, and an operation panel 407 that enables a user to change settings and understand the status.

  The CPU 401 functions as a control unit by executing a program, processes a request received by the interface 406 and the operation panel 407, and manages the printing order if the request is a request to execute a print job. 110 calculates the toner density from the acquired data, calculates correction data from the toner density, supplies the correction data to the LD devices 106 to 109, a charger for charging the image carrier, and adjusts the toner density. .

  In addition to the above temperature and humidity sensor, the image forming apparatus 100 may include a charging voltage changing unit that changes the charging voltage of the image carrier charged for forming a latent image according to the detected temperature and humidity. it can. When the absolute humidity is high, the toner concentration is lowered by moisture in the air. Therefore, the charging voltage changing means is changed so as to increase the charging voltage as the detected absolute humidity increases, thereby enabling stable formation of the cartridge position detection pattern and improving the detection accuracy. Can do. The charging voltage changing means generates a set value based on temperature and humidity data obtained from the temperature / humidity sensor, and sets the set value in the charger. For example, the best charging bias with respect to the absolute humidity can be measured in advance and stored as data in the EEPROM 402 or RAM 403, and the setting value of the charging bias can be calculated based on the data. Generally, when the absolute humidity increases, the toner concentration decreases, so the set value is changed so as to increase the charging bias. This actual process can be executed using the CPU 401. The charger applies a voltage to the image carrier based on the set value.

  Further, it may include a counter that counts the number of rotations of the image carrier and a charging voltage changing unit that changes the charging voltage of the image carrier charged for forming a latent image in accordance with the number of rotations. The image carrier is repeatedly exposed, developed, transferred, and removed of toner by rotating and stopping. When this process is repeated, the photosensitive material deteriorates. For this reason, the number of rotations of the image carrier is counted by the counter as the number of rotations, and the charging voltage can be changed according to the number of rotations by the charging voltage changing means. Thus, a stable cartridge position detection pattern can be formed, and detection accuracy can be improved. Similarly to the above, this charging voltage changing means can also generate a set value based on the number of revolutions obtained from the counter and set the set value in the charger. The counter may be hardware or may be configured as software. When configured as software, the rotational speed is stored as a numerical value in an ID chip included in the cartridges 101 to 104, and can be rewritten each time it rotates. The actual rewriting process can be executed using the CPU 401.

  Further, the image forming apparatus 100 may include power detection means for detecting power ON, opening / closing detection means for detecting opening / closing of the toner cartridge replacement cover, or both. In the replacement of the cartridges 101 to 104, the cartridges 101 to 104 may be set in the wrong color order. This is used to confirm this when the power is turned on and when the cover is closed. The power supply detection means may be any means or circuit that can detect the current supply from the power supply, and the open / close detection means is detected in response to the cover falling down and contacting one end of the cover. A circuit that can be used.

  In this case, in response to detection of power ON by the power detection means, closing of the cover by the open / close detection means, or both, the LD devices 106 to 109 as exposure means emit image light corresponding to the cartridge position detection pattern. Processing for exposing the image carrier, the light emitting unit 200 of the density sensor 110 irradiating the pattern on the transfer belt 105 with light, receiving the reflected light, and detecting the arrangement positions of the toner cartridges of the respective colors as described above Can be executed.

  When the process of detecting the arrangement positions of the cartridges 101 to 104 is executed every time the power is turned on and the cover is closed, a large amount of toner is consumed. For this reason, in order to enable the user to select whether or not to execute, information on whether or not to execute the process of detecting the arrangement positions of the cartridges 101 to 104 can be stored in the EEPROM 402. This information can be set by the user using the operation panel 407. In this case, the information stored in the EEPROM 402 is referred to in response to detection of power ON by the power detection means, closing of the cover by the open / close detection means, or both, and this information indicates that the above processing is executed. In this case, it is possible to execute processing for detecting the arrangement position of the cartridge in which the toner of each color is stored.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the image forming apparatus 100 forms a toner density adjustment pattern 500 on the transfer belt 105, irradiates light by the density sensor 110, receives reflected light, and determines the toner density from the received light amount. Calculate The processing for detecting the arrangement positions of the cartridges 101 to 104 is the same processing until the reflected light is received. If these processes are performed separately, the toner consumption increases and the processing time becomes longer. Therefore, it is possible to perform processing for detecting the arrangement positions of the cartridges 101 to 104 using the amount of received light obtained by receiving the reflected light from the toner density adjustment pattern 500. In this way, the processes performed separately can be combined into one, the toner consumption can be reduced, and the processing time can be shortened.

  With reference to FIGS. 6 to 12, processing for detecting the arrangement position of the cartridge containing the toner of each color will be described. First, with reference to FIG. 6, a process for detecting the arrangement position of a cartridge containing BK toner will be described. Processing is started in S600, LD light corresponding to each color image is exposed to the image carrier, toner is attached to the image carrier, and transferred to the transfer belt 105 to form a cartridge position detection pattern. (S610). The pattern may have any shape as long as it can be detected by the density sensor 110. For example, each color can be a square solid image that covers the detection range of the density sensor 110.

  Each time from the exposure of each of the LD devices 106 to 109 to the detection of the toner image by the density sensor 110 is measured in advance. For example, it is obtained by measuring the time from exposure by each of the LD devices 106 to 109 to detection by the density sensor 110 in order from the side closer to the density sensor 110 depending on the moving speed of the transfer belt 105 and the rotation speed of the image carrier. it can. This measured time can also be stored as time data. Actually, the reflected light reflected on the pattern by the diffuse reflected light receiving unit 202 of the density sensor 110 is received after the elapse of each time from the exposure of the LD light for forming the cartridge position detection pattern (S620).

  The diffuse reflected light receiving unit 202 can obtain the amount of received reflected light as an input voltage value, for example, and determines that the smallest of the input voltage values is a cartridge containing BK toner. Then, the cartridge position is discriminated from the corresponding time (S630), and the process is terminated (S640).

  Next, with reference to FIG. 7, a process for detecting the arrangement position of the cartridge in which the toner of each color is accommodated will be described. Processing is started in S700, and a cartridge position detection pattern is formed as in S610 to S630 (S710), the reflected light is received by the diffuse reflected light receiving unit 202 (S720), and the cartridge containing the BK toner is determined. (S730). In S720, the specularly reflected light receiving unit 201 also receives the reflected light, and based on the amount of received reflected light, the wavelength of the LED light emitted from the light emitting unit 200 of the density sensor 110 and the spectral characteristics of the toner of each color are used for each color. The arrangement position of the cartridge containing the toner is determined (S740), and the process is terminated (S750). The relationship between the wavelength and the transmittance which is the spectral characteristic is shown in FIG. Each cartridge can be determined as described above using the relationship between the wavelength and the spectral characteristics shown in FIG.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a flow in which processing for executing temperature / humidity correction is added to the processing shown in FIG. The density of toner changes depending on temperature and humidity, and affects toner image formation and detection by a sensor. In order to perform stable pattern formation, detection by a sensor, etc., temperature and humidity correction is executed. Processing is started in S800, and first, absolute humidity is detected by a temperature / humidity sensor (S810). Although only humidity is considered here, temperature can be measured and temperature correction can be performed.

  Based on the detected absolute humidity, a setting value of the charging bias set in the charger for charging the image carrier is calculated, and the value set before that is changed (S820). Correction can be performed by changing the set value. For example, it is possible to obtain the best charging bias with respect to absolute humidity in advance, hold it as data, and calculate the setting value of the charging bias from the data. Generally, when the absolute humidity increases, the toner density decreases, so that correction for increasing the charging bias is performed. The processing of S830 to S870 is the same as the processing of S710 to S750 in FIG.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a flow in which processing for executing correction due to deterioration of the image carrier is added to the processing shown in FIG. The image bearing member has a surface coated with a photosensitive material, and exposure, development, transfer, and toner removal are repeated during use. Therefore, it deteriorates with use. This deterioration includes deterioration of the charging ability of the image carrier itself. This deterioration of the charging ability reduces the toner adhesion amount and the toner density. Therefore, it is necessary to make corrections that increase the charging bias with use. The amount of the image carrier used can be obtained by counting the number of rotations. In step S900, the processing is started. First, the rotational speed of the image carrier of each cartridge is acquired (S910). The number of rotations can be obtained by reading the count value stored in the ID chip provided in each cartridge.

  From the acquired number of rotations, a setting value of the charging bias set in the charger for charging the image carrier is calculated, and the value set before that is changed (S920). Correction can be performed by changing the set value. For example, it is possible to obtain the best charging bias with respect to the number of rotations in advance, hold it as data, and calculate the setting value of the charging bias from the data. A large number of rotations indicates that the toner has been used for a long time, so the toner concentration is low. Therefore, correction for increasing the charging bias is performed. About the process of S930-S970, it is the same as the process of S710-S750 shown in FIG.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a flow for executing the processing shown in FIG. 7 when the power is turned on or when the cover is closed. This is a process that is always executed when the apparatus power is turned on or when the cover is closed after cartridge replacement or the like. Processing is started in S1000, and first, it is determined whether the apparatus power supply is ON or the cover is closed (S1010). These determinations can be made based on whether or not the power detection means or the open / close detection means has detected.

  When the power ON or closing is detected, the processing of S1020 to S1060, which is the same as the processing of S710 to S750 shown in FIG. 7, is executed. When not detected, it progresses to S1060 and complete | finishes a process.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a flow for executing the processing shown in FIG. 7 by the user's selection when the power is turned on or when the cover is closed. This is a process executed according to information set by the user when the apparatus power is turned on or when the cover is closed after cartridge replacement or the like. In step S1100, the process is started. First, it is determined whether the apparatus power supply is ON or the cover is closed (S1110). These determinations can be made based on whether or not the power detection means or the open / close detection means has detected.

  When the power ON or the closing is detected, next, information on the presence / absence of execution of the cartridge position detection process stored in the EEPROM 402 is read (S1120), and it is determined whether or not to execute the process of detecting the arrangement position of the cartridge. (S1130). If the read information indicates that the process is to be executed, it is determined that the process is to be executed, the process proceeds to S1140, and the processes of S1140 to S1180 are executed in the same manner as the processes of S710 to S750 shown in FIG. Is done.

  If not detected in S1110, if the information read in S1130 indicates that the process is not executed, the process proceeds to S1180, and the process ends.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the flow of executing the cartridge position detection process simultaneously with the toner density adjustment. The process is started in S1200, and it is determined whether the apparatus power supply is ON or the cover is closed as in FIGS. 10 and 11 (S1210). These determinations can be made based on whether or not the power detection means or the open / close detection means has detected. In S1210, the temperature and absolute humidity by the temperature / humidity sensor are also detected.

  When power ON or closing is detected, LD light corresponding to each color image is exposed to the image carrier, toner is attached to the image carrier, and the toner is transferred to the transfer belt 105 to form a toner density adjustment pattern. Is formed (S1220). This pattern is a pattern as shown in FIG. The processing of S1230 to S1250 is executed similarly to the processing of S720 to S740 shown in FIG. These processes are performed using a toner density adjustment pattern.

  When the arrangement position of the cartridge containing the toner of each color is detected, it is determined whether or not each cartridge is set at a predetermined position (S1260). For example, Y, M, C, and BK are determined from the side close to the density sensor 110, and when it is detected that the arrangement is performed in the processing in S1220 to S1250, the normal position is set. If not, it is determined that it is not set to a normal position. If it is determined that it is set at a normal position, toner density adjustment processing is executed (S1270). Here, details of the toner density adjustment processing will not be described.

  After the toner density adjustment process is completed, the above process is terminated (S1280). In addition, when it is not detected in S1210 or when it is determined in S1260 that it is not set at a normal position, the process proceeds to S1280 and the process ends.

  These processes can be implemented as programs executed by execution means such as the CPU 401 and executed by the execution means. This program can be stored in a CPU 401 readable storage unit such as the ROM 400.

  Although the present invention has been described with the embodiments shown in the drawings, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown in the drawings, and other embodiments, additions, modifications, deletions, etc. It can be changed within the range that can be conceived by a trader, and any embodiment is included in the scope of the present invention as long as the effects and effects of the present invention are exhibited.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image forming apparatus. The figure which illustrated the density sensor used for an image forming apparatus. The figure which showed the relationship between the wavelength of LED light, and spectral transmittance. 1 is a system configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus. The figure which illustrated the toner density adjustment pattern. The figure which showed the flow which performs the process which detects the arrangement position of the cartridge in which BK toner was accommodated. The figure which showed the flow which performs the process which detects the arrangement position of the cartridge in which the toner of each color was accommodated. The figure which showed the flow which added the process which performs temperature / humidity correction | amendment to the process shown in FIG. The figure which showed the flow which added the process which performs correction | amendment by degradation of an image carrier to the process shown in FIG. The figure which showed the flow which performs the process shown in FIG. 7 at the time of a power supply ON or a cover closure. The figure which showed the flow which performs the process shown in FIG. 7 by a user's selection at the time of a power supply ON or a cover closure. The figure which showed the flow which performs a detection process of a cartridge position simultaneously with toner density adjustment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Image forming apparatus, 101-104 ... Cartridge, 105 ... Transfer belt, 106-109 ... LD apparatus, 110 ... Density sensor, 111 ... Transfer unit, 112 ... Paper feed unit, 113 ... Transfer paper, 200 ... Light emission part, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 201 ... Regular reflection light light-receiving part, 202 ... Diffuse reflection light light-receiving part, 400 ... ROM, 401 ... CPU, 402 ... EEPROM, 403 ... RAM, 404 ... Image memory, 405 ... I / O control apparatus, 406 ... Interface, 407 ... Operation panel, 500 ... Toner density adjustment pattern, Y ... Yellow, M ... Magenta, C ... Cyan

Claims (13)

Exposure means for exposing image light corresponding to the image data;
A plurality of image carriers each forming a latent image corresponding to each color by the image light;
A plurality of toner cartridges that contain toner of each color, attach the corresponding color toner to each of the plurality of image carriers, and form a toner image of each color;
Transfer means for transferring from the plurality of image carriers so that the toner images of the respective colors overlap;
A toner density detecting means for detecting a toner density on the transfer means, comprising: a light emitting part; a specularly reflected light receiving part for receiving specularly reflected light; and a diffusely reflected light receiving part for receiving diffusely reflected light. Including
From each time from the exposure of the image light measured in advance for each toner cartridge to the detection of the toner image by the toner density detecting means, and the pattern of each color formed for detecting the arrangement position of the toner cartridge An image forming apparatus that detects an arrangement position of the toner cartridge of each color from the amount of received light obtained by receiving the reflected light of the first reflected light by the regular reflected light receiving unit and the diffuse reflected light receiving unit.   Temperature / humidity detecting means for detecting the temperature and humidity in the image forming apparatus, and charging for changing the charging voltage of the image carrier charged for latent image formation according to the detected temperature and humidity The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a voltage changing unit.   The image carrier is cylindrical and rotates in a certain direction to form the latent image, and the toner is attached to form the toner image. The image forming apparatus includes: The counter according to claim 1, wherein the counter counts the number of rotations of the image carrier, and charging voltage changing means for changing the charging voltage of the image carrier charged for forming a latent image in accordance with the number of rotations. The image forming apparatus described.   Power supply detection means for detecting the power ON of the image forming apparatus and / or opening / closing detection means for detecting the opening / closing of the replacement cover of the toner cartridge, or both, the power ON by the power supply detection means or the open / close detection In response to detection of closing of the cover by the means, or both, the exposure means exposes image light corresponding to the pattern to the image carrier, and the toner concentration detection means irradiates the pattern with light. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the process of detecting the arrangement position of the toner cartridge of each color is executed by receiving reflected light.   The apparatus further includes storage means for storing information on whether or not to execute processing for detecting the arrangement position of the toner cartridge, and the power ON by the power detection means, or the cover closing by the open / close detection means, or both In response to the detection, the information stored in the storage unit is referred to, and when the information indicates that the process is to be executed, a process for detecting the arrangement position of the toner cartridge of each color is executed. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4.   The image forming apparatus forms a toner image of a toner density adjustment pattern on the transfer unit, and receives the reflected light from the toner density adjustment pattern by the toner density detection unit to detect the toner density. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the arrangement position of the toner cartridge of each color is detected from the amount of received light obtained by executing and receiving the reflected light and each time. Exposure means for exposing image light corresponding to image data; a plurality of image carriers each forming a latent image corresponding to each color by the image light; A plurality of toner cartridges each having a corresponding color toner attached thereto to form a toner image of each color; transfer means for transferring the toner images of each color so as to overlap each other; and light emission A toner density detecting means for detecting a toner density on the transfer means, and a specularly reflected light receiving part for receiving specularly reflected light and a diffusely reflected light receiving part for receiving diffusely reflected light; In an image forming apparatus including: a method for detecting an arrangement position of the toner cartridge of each color,
The exposure means exposing the image carrier with image light corresponding to a toner cartridge position detection pattern;
Causing the toner cartridge to attach the toner and forming the pattern on the image carrier;
Transferring the pattern to the transfer means;
The light emitting unit irradiates the pattern with a certain amount of light, and the reflected light from the pattern is received by the regular reflection light receiving unit and the diffuse reflection light receiving unit;
Each time from the exposure of the image light measured in advance for each toner cartridge to the detection of the toner image by the toner density detection means, and the light received by the regular reflection light receiving unit and the diffuse reflection light receiving unit are obtained. Detecting the arrangement position of the toner cartridge of each color from the received light amount.   Detecting a temperature and humidity in the image forming apparatus, and changing a charging voltage of the image carrier charged for forming a latent image according to the detected temperature and humidity. Item 8. The detection method according to Item 7.   The image carrier is cylindrical and rotates in a certain direction to form the latent image, to which the toner is attached to form the toner image, and the number of rotations of the image carrier. And a step of changing a charging voltage of the image carrier charged for forming a latent image according to the number of rotations.   The exposure step, the pattern formation step, the transfer step, and the light reception step in response to detection of power-on of the image forming apparatus or closing of a replacement cover of the toner cartridge, or both. The detection method according to claim 7, wherein the step of detecting the arrangement position is executed.   Storage means for storing information on whether or not to execute processing for detecting the arrangement position of the toner cartridge, and in response to detection of the power ON and / or the closure of the cover in the storage means Referencing the stored information, determining whether the information indicates that the process is to be executed, and exposing if the information is determined to indicate that the process is to be executed The detection method according to claim 10, wherein a step, a step of forming the pattern, a step of transferring, a step of receiving light, and a step of detecting the arrangement position are executed.   Including a step of forming a toner image of a toner density adjustment pattern on the transfer means, and detecting the toner density by receiving reflected light from the toner density adjustment pattern by the toner density detection means. The detection method according to claim 7, wherein an arrangement position of the toner cartridge of each color is detected from the amount of received light obtained in the detecting step and each time.   The computer-readable program for performing the detection method of any one of Claims 7-12.

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