JP2008203511A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus designed so that even if a recovery toner motor cannot rotate or is out of step due to temporary overload or the like, a resuming operation is carried out within a possible range according to an amount of recovery toner in a recovery toner box, thereby satisfying the function of toner recovery and minimizing the effect of an error on a user. <P>SOLUTION: In the image forming apparatus, a motor driver 504 detects a recovery toner motor error (S603, Y). If a near-end detection sensor does not detect a state of being full of recovery toner (S608, N), the number of times that the recovery toner motor 503 is re-driven is set more than the case where the near-end detection sensor detects the state of being full of recovery toner (S608, Y). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to transport control of a developer collected in a developer collection container in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

  In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, a recovery toner box is provided for recovering transfer residual toner at the time of image formation and non-transfer toner at the time of image adjustment, and collects recovery toner on the photosensitive drum, transfer drum, or transfer belt. It has a mechanism for transporting it to the collected toner box.

  There are several methods for storing the collected toner in the collected toner box. As the simplest configuration, there is a method in which the collected toner is transported to the entrance of the collected toner box and is freely dropped and stored in the collected toner box. Such a configuration is effective when the collected toner box is long in a large image forming apparatus.

On the other hand, in a small image forming apparatus, there is no room for arranging a vertically long collection toner box, and the shape of the collection toner box is limited by the shape of the empty space in the image formation apparatus. In such a configuration, since it is difficult to store the toner uniformly in the collected toner box by free fall, there is an image forming apparatus provided with a toner transport mechanism in the collected toner box (see, for example, Patent Document 1). ).
JP-A-4-127186

  When a toner transport mechanism is installed in the recovered toner box, the recovered toner may interfere with the operation of the toner transport mechanism depending on the storage status of the recovered toner, and the motor cannot rotate due to a temporary overload, etc. Can be considered. If the image formation is continued as it is, the collected toner is not normally stored, and it is assumed that the toner overflows from the collected toner box. Therefore, conventionally, when an abnormality occurs in the motor, the image forming apparatus is immediately stopped due to a motor error.

  However, when the motor is overloaded depending on the storage state of the collected toner, when the motor is driven again after a certain period of time, the collected toner may be naturally deformed to reduce the load. Further, when the motor is driven a plurality of times, the collected toner may be broken and the load may be reduced.

  Therefore, in order to prevent the image forming apparatus from stopping as much as possible, it is necessary to positively perform control so that the motor can be re-driven to recover from the error state.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and even if a drive unit abnormality relating to a developer recovery unit provided with a residual developer transport mechanism has occurred, a return operation is possible to the extent possible. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that reduces the frequency of error stops.

  In order to solve the above problems, an image forming apparatus of the present invention has the following configuration.

  (1) In the image forming apparatus in which the latent image formed on the image carrier is developed with a developer to form a developer image, and the developer image is transferred to a recording medium and fixed to form an image. Cleaner means for removing the residual developer after transfer from the image carrier, developer recovery means for recovering the residual developer removed by the cleaner means, and the residual developer inside the developer recovery means. An abnormality occurs in the storage amount detection means for detecting the storage amount, a transport means for stirring and transporting the remaining developer inside the developer recovery means, a drive means for driving the transport means, and the drive means. An abnormality detecting means for detecting that the abnormality is detected, and a control means for controlling re-driving of the driving means when an abnormality is detected by the abnormality detecting means. Before and When it is determined that the storage amount of the remaining developer collected by the storage amount detection unit is less than a predetermined amount, the drive unit is re-driven, and the storage amount of the residual developer collected by the storage amount detection unit is determined. An image forming apparatus characterized in that if it is determined that the amount exceeds a predetermined amount, an error occurs without re-driving the driving means.

  (2) In an image forming apparatus for developing a latent image formed on an image carrier with a developer to form a developer image, transferring the developer image to a recording medium, fixing the image, and forming an image. Cleaner means for removing the residual developer after transfer from the image carrier, developer recovery means for recovering the residual developer removed by the cleaner means, and the residual developer inside the developer recovery means. An abnormality occurs in the storage amount detection means for detecting the storage amount, a transport means for stirring and transporting the remaining developer inside the developer recovery means, a drive means for driving the transport means, and the drive means. An abnormality detecting means for detecting that the abnormality is detected, and a control means for controlling re-driving of the driving means when an abnormality is detected by the abnormality detecting means. Before and The allowable number of times of re-driving when it is determined that the storage amount of the remaining developer collected by the storage amount detection unit is less than a predetermined amount is equal to or greater than the predetermined amount of storage amount of the residual developer collected by the storage amount detection unit. The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the number is set to be larger than the allowable number of re-driving when it is determined.

  Even if an error occurs in the drive means related to the developer recovery means provided with the remaining developer transport mechanism, the return operation is performed as much as possible, reducing the frequency of error stoppage and excellent usability. An image forming apparatus can be provided.

  BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to embodiments.

(Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a full-color image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. A basic configuration will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, the configuration of the color reader unit 1 will be described. Reference numeral 101 denotes a platen glass (platen), and 102 denotes an automatic document feeder (ADF). In place of the automatic document feeder 102, a specular pressure plate or a white pressure plate (not shown) may be mounted. Reference numerals 103 and 104 denote light sources for illuminating the original, and light sources such as halogen lamps, fluorescent lamps, and xenon tube lamps are used. Reference numerals 105 and 106 denote reflection umbrellas that condense light from the light sources 103 and 104 onto the original. Reference numerals 107 to 109 denote mirrors, and 110 denotes a lens that forms an image on a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) image sensor (hereinafter referred to as CCD) 111 with reflected or projected light from the original. Reference numeral 112 denotes a substrate on which the CCD 111 is mounted, 100 denotes a control unit for controlling the entire image forming apparatus, 113 denotes a portion of the image processing unit excluding the CCD 111 and an external I / F processing unit (400 in FIG. 3) to be described later. A printer processing unit (reader scanner control unit). A carriage 114 accommodates the light sources 103 and 104, the reflectors 105 and 106, and the mirror 107. A carriage 115 accommodates the mirrors 108 and 109. The carriage 114 is at a speed V, and the carriage 115 is at a speed V / 2, and the sub-scanning direction Y (114 in the figure is perpendicular to the electrical scanning direction of the CCD 111 (the main scanning direction X is the direction perpendicular to the drawing). And the arrow of 115) are scanned mechanically to scan the entire surface of the document. Reference numeral 116 denotes an external interface (I / F) with another device.

  The control unit 100 includes a CPU having an I / F for exchanging information for controlling the digital image processing unit and the printer control unit (250), an operation unit, and a memory. The operation unit is configured by a liquid crystal with a touch panel for inputting processing execution contents by the operator, notification of processing information to the operator, warnings, and the like.

  Next, the configuration 2 of the color printer unit will be described. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 250 denotes a printer control unit, which serves as a control signal receiving port from a CPU on the control unit 100 which is a control unit of the entire image forming apparatus. The control unit 100 performs image reading control on the color reader unit 1 to temporarily store the read image data in a memory on the control unit 100. Thereafter, the image data on the memory is synchronized with the video clock in accordance with the reference timing from the printer control unit 250 and is transmitted to the printer control unit 250 as an image data signal.

  The toner image forming unit includes four toner image forming units (image forming units). That is, a toner image forming unit 1Y that forms a yellow image, a toner image forming unit 1M that forms a magenta image, a toner image forming unit 1C that forms a cyan image, and a black image are formed. Toner image forming unit 1Bk. Further, these four toner image forming portions 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1Bk are arranged in a line at a constant interval.

  In each of the toner image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1Bk, drum-type electrophotographic photosensitive members (hereinafter referred to as photosensitive drums) 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d as image carriers are installed. First, primary chargers 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d are arranged around the photosensitive drums 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d. Subsequently, developing devices 4a, 4b, 4c and 4d, transfer rollers 5a, 5b, 5c and 5d as transfer means, and drum cleaner devices (cleaner means) 6a, 6b, 6c and 6d are arranged, respectively. A laser exposure device (hereinafter simply referred to as an exposure device) 7 is installed below the primary chargers 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d and the developing devices 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d.

  Each developing device 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d contains yellow toner, magenta toner, cyan toner, and black toner as developers.

  Each of the photosensitive drums 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d is a negatively charged OPC (organic photoconductor) photoconductor and has a photoconductive layer on an aluminum drum base. And it is rotationally driven at a predetermined speed in the arrow direction (clockwise direction in FIG. 1) by a drive device (not shown).

  Primary chargers 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d as primary charging means bring the surface of each photosensitive drum 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d to a predetermined negative potential by a charging bias applied from a charging bias power source (not shown). Charge uniformly.

  The developing devices 4a, 4b, 4c, and 4d contain toner (developer), and each electrostatic latent image formed on each photosensitive drum 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d (on the image carrier) has each color. The toner is attached and developed (visualized) as a toner image (developer image).

  Transfer rollers 5a, 5b, 5c and 5d as primary transfer means can be brought into contact with the photosensitive drums 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d via the intermediate transfer belt 8 at the primary transfer portions 32a, 32b, 32c and 32d. Is arranged.

  The drum cleaners 6a, 6b, 6c, and 6d transfer residual toner (residual developer) remaining at the time of primary transfer on the photosensitive drums 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d from the photosensitive drums 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d. It has a cleaning blade for removal.

  The intermediate transfer belt 8 is disposed on the upper surface side of each of the photosensitive drums 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d, and is stretched between the secondary transfer counter roller 10 and the tension roller 11. The secondary transfer counter roller 10 is disposed in the secondary transfer portion 33 so as to be in contact with the secondary transfer roller 206 via the intermediate transfer belt 8. The intermediate transfer belt 8 is made of a dielectric resin such as polycarbonate, polyethylene terephthalate resin film, polyvinylidene fluoride resin film, or the like.

  The intermediate transfer belt 8 is a primary transfer surface formed on the upper surface of the photosensitive drums 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d so as to be movable and opposed to the photosensitive drums 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d. That is, the lower plane is inclined so that the secondary transfer roller 206 side is downward. Specifically, this inclination angle is set to about 15 °. The intermediate transfer belt 8 is stretched by two rollers, a secondary transfer counter roller 10 and a tension roller 11. The secondary transfer counter roller 10 is disposed on the secondary transfer roller 206 side and applies a driving force to the intermediate transfer belt 8. The tension roller 11 is disposed on the opposite side across the primary transfer portions 32 a to 32 d and applies tension to the intermediate transfer belt 8.

  The secondary transfer counter roller 10 is disposed so as to be in contact with the secondary transfer roller 206 via the intermediate transfer belt 8. Further, a belt cleaning device 13 for removing and collecting the transfer residual toner remaining on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 8 is installed outside the endless intermediate transfer belt 8 and in the vicinity of the tension roller 11. A fixing device 207 having a fixing roller and a pressure roller is installed in a vertical path configuration on the downstream side of the secondary transfer unit 33 in the conveyance direction of the recording paper (recording medium).

  The exposure device 7 includes a laser light emitting unit (laser light emitting means) that emits light corresponding to a time-series electric digital pixel signal of given image information, a polygon lens, a reflection mirror, and the like. By exposing each of the photosensitive drums 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d, the surface of each of the photosensitive drums 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d charged by the primary chargers 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d corresponds to the image information. An electrostatic latent image of each color is formed. The laser light emitting unit (laser light emitting means) can change the laser power to 15 levels by switching the output current of the laser. In addition, 7a is the lower surface of the exposure apparatus 7, and 7b is a lower end part.

  Next, an image forming operation by the above-described image forming apparatus will be described.

  When an image formation start signal is issued, the photosensitive drums 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d of the toner image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1Bk that are rotationally driven at a predetermined speed are respectively connected to the primary chargers 3a, 3b, 3c and 3d are uniformly charged to negative polarity. The exposure device 7 irradiates an externally input color-separated image signal from the laser light-emitting element of the laser light-emitting unit, passes through the polygon mirror, the reflection mirror, etc., on each photosensitive drum 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d An electrostatic latent image of each color is formed on the substrate.

  First, yellow toner is adhered to the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 2a by the developing device 4a to which a developing bias having the same polarity as the charging polarity (negative polarity) of the photosensitive drum 2a is applied. Visualize as an image. This yellow toner image is driven by a transfer roller 5a to which a primary transfer bias (a reverse polarity (positive polarity) to toner) is applied in a primary transfer portion 32a between the photosensitive drum 2a and the transfer roller 5a. Primary transfer is performed on the intermediate transfer belt 8.

  The intermediate transfer belt 8 to which the yellow toner image has been transferred is rotated and moved to the toner image forming unit 1M side. In the toner image forming unit 1M, the magenta toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 2b is superimposed on the yellow toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 8 in the same manner as described above, and is then transferred to the primary transfer unit 32b. Is transcribed.

  At this time, the transfer residual toner not transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 8 and remaining on the photosensitive drums 2a and 2b is scraped off and collected by a cleaner blade or the like provided in the drum cleaner devices 6a and 6b.

  Similarly, cyan and black toner images formed by the photosensitive drums 2c and 2d of the toner image forming portions 1C and 1Bk on the yellow and magenta toner images superimposed and transferred on the intermediate transfer belt 8 are respectively primary. The images are sequentially overlapped at the transfer portions 32c and 32d. In this way, a full color toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 8. At this time, transfer residual toner remaining on the photosensitive drums 2c and 2d is scraped off and collected by a cleaner blade or the like provided in the drum cleaner devices 6c and 6d.

  On the other hand, the recording paper is stored in each cassette (upper cassette 208, lower cassette 209, third cassette 210, fourth cassette 211). The recording paper picked up by the pickup rollers 212, 213, 214, and 215 of the cassettes 208, 209, 210, and 211 is fed to the paper feeding rollers 216, 217, 218, and the cassettes of the cassettes 208, 209, 210, and 211, respectively. 219. Further, it is conveyed to the registration roller 221 by the vertical path conveying rollers 222, 223, 224, and 225. In the case of manual feed, the recording paper loaded on the manual feed tray 240 is conveyed to the registration roller 221 by the manual feed roller 220. The recording paper is conveyed between the intermediate transfer belt 8 and the secondary transfer roller 206 at the timing when the transfer to the intermediate transfer belt 8 is completed.

  Thereafter, the recording paper is conveyed in the direction of the fixing device 207 while being sandwiched between the secondary transfer roller 206 and the intermediate transfer belt 8, and is pressed against the intermediate transfer belt 8, and the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 8 is transferred to the recording paper. Secondary transfer. The toner image transferred to the recording paper is heated and pressed by the fixing roller and the pressure roller of the fixing device 207 and fixed on the recording paper.

  In the case of the first paper discharge, the recording paper on which the image is fixed is discharged toward the paper discharge roller 233 by switching the first paper discharge flapper 237 toward the first paper discharge roller. In the case of the second paper discharge, the first paper discharge flapper 237 and the second paper discharge flapper 238 are switched toward the second paper discharge roller, and the paper is discharged toward the paper discharge roller 234. In the case of the third paper discharge, the first paper discharge flapper 237 and the second paper discharge flapper 238 are switched in the direction of the reverse roller 235 and reversed by the reverse roller 235 in order to perform the reverse operation once with the reverse roller 235. After being reversed by the reverse roller 235, the third paper discharge flapper 239 is switched to the third paper discharge direction, and the paper is discharged toward the third paper discharge roller 236. In the case of duplex discharge, the reverse operation is once performed by the reverse roller 235 as in the case of the third discharge, and the third discharge flapper 239 is switched to the duplex unit direction and conveyed to the duplex unit. After the recording paper is detected by the double-sided sensor 230, the recording paper is temporarily stopped after a predetermined time, and is fed again as soon as the image preparation is completed, and image formation on the second side is executed.

  FIG. 2 is a control block diagram in the image forming apparatus. A CPU 171 performs basic control of the image forming apparatus. The CPU 171 includes a ROM 174 in which a control program is written, a work RAM 175 for performing processing (in the drawing, simply indicated as RAM), and an input / output port 173 (in the drawing, simply indicated as I / O), an address bus and a data bus Connected by. The processing 175 may be configured by a large-capacity hard disk instead of the work RAM 175. The input / output port 173 controls the image forming apparatus, and outputs (load output) to various loads (not shown) such as motors and clutches, and inputs (not shown) for detecting the position of the recording paper (not shown). Sensor input) is connected.

  The CPU 171 sequentially controls input / output via the input / output port 173 in accordance with the contents of the ROM 174, and executes an image forming operation. An operation unit 172 is connected to the CPU 171 and controls a display unit (display unit) and a key input unit (key input unit) of the operation unit 172. An operator instructs the image forming operation mode and display switching to the CPU 171 via the key input unit, and the CPU 171 displays the state of the image forming apparatus and the operation mode setting by key input on the display unit. Connected to the CPU 171 are an external I / F processing unit 400 that transmits and receives image data and processing data from an external device such as a PC (personal computer), and an image memory unit 300 that performs image expansion processing and temporary storage processing. Has been. Further, an image forming unit 200 is connected to perform processing for exposing the line image data transferred from the image memory unit 300 to the exposure device 7.

  Next, details of the image memory unit 300 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the image memory unit 300. The image memory unit 300 writes the image data received from the external I / F processing unit 400 via the memory controller unit 302 to the page memory 301 configured by a memory such as a DRAM, and reads the image to the image forming unit 200. Access image input / output.

  The memory controller unit 302 determines whether the image data from the external device received from the external I / F processing unit 400 is compressed data. If it is determined that the data is compressed data, the data is decompressed using the compressed data decompression processing unit 303 and then written into the page memory 301 via the memory controller unit 302.

  The memory controller unit 302 generates a DRAM refresh signal for the page memory 301 and arbitrates access to the page memory 301 for writing from the external I / F processing unit 400 and reading to the image forming unit 200. Further, in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 171, the write address to the page memory 301, the read address from the page memory 301, and the read direction are controlled.

  The configuration of the external I / F processing unit 400 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an external I / F processing unit of the image forming apparatus.

  In the external I / F processing unit 400, image data and print command data transmitted from the external device 500 are converted into a USB I / F unit 401, a Centronics (hereinafter simply referred to as Centro) I / F unit 402, and a network I / F unit. Received via any one of 403. Further, the status information of the image forming unit 200 determined by the CPU 171 is transmitted to the external apparatus 500. Here, the external device 500 is a personal computer (PC), a workstation (WS), or the like.

  Print command data received from the external device 500 via the USB I / F unit 401, the Centro I / F unit 402, or the network I / F unit 403 is processed by the CPU 171 (in FIG. Data ”(thin solid line)). Then, the CPU 171 generates settings and timing for executing a printing operation using the image forming unit 200, the input / output port 173 in FIG.

  On the other hand, image data received from the external device 500 via the USB I / F unit 401, the Centro I / F unit 402, or the network I / F unit 403 is processed as follows. That is, the received image data is transmitted to the image memory unit 300 in accordance with the timing based on the print command data (denoted as “image system data” (thick solid line) in the figure), and the image forming unit 200 forms an image. It is processed as much as possible.

  FIG. 5 shows a configuration diagram of the collected toner mechanism in the present embodiment. FIG. 5A is a vertical sectional view seen from the front showing the configuration around the collected toner box, and FIG. 5B is a vertical sectional view seen from the side showing the configuration around the collected toner box.

  At the time of image formation, toner images are formed on the photosensitive drums 2 a to 2 d for the respective colors and transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 8. The transfer residual toner remaining on the photosensitive drums 2a to 2d after the transfer is removed from the photosensitive drums 2a to 2d by the drum cleaner devices 6a, 6b, 6c, and 6d. The drum cleaners 6a, 6b, 6c, and 6d are connected to the toner recovery path 506, and the toner in the drum cleaners 6a, 6b, 6c, and 6d passes through the toner recovery path 506 and is collected in a recovery toner box (developer recovery path). Means) It is conveyed to 501. In the present embodiment, the carry-in port 507 to the collected toner box 501 is one place, and is disposed below the four photosensitive drums 2a to 2d. Therefore, the toner collected from each of the photosensitive drums 2 a to 2 d is conveyed to the collected toner box 501 while descending the toner collection path 506.

  A screw mechanism (conveying means) 502 for agitating the collected toner in the collected toner box 501 and uniformly conveying the collected toner in the collected toner box 501 is provided in the collected toner box 501. By rotating the screw mechanism 502 so that the toner is conveyed in the direction toward the back of the collected toner box 501 (left side in the drawing), the collected toner is uniformly conveyed into the collected toner box 501. FIG. 6 is a view showing the state of the collected toner in the collected toner box 501. When the screw mechanism 502 is not used, the toner forms a mountain near the carry-in entrance 507 (901 (hatched portion in FIG. 6A)). Therefore, by rotating the screw mechanism 502 in the back direction of the collected toner box 501 (the arrow direction in FIG. 6B), the crest portion is broken, and the toner is conveyed in the back direction of the collected toner box 501 (FIG. 6B). ) 902 (shaded portion)).

  If the upper surface of the conveyed toner does not reach the collected toner full load detection sensor (storage amount detection means) 505, it is determined that the toner storage amount in the recovery toner box 501 is less than a predetermined amount (not reaching the near end). To do.

  When the toner collection further proceeds and the upper surface of the conveyed toner reaches the collected toner full load detection sensor 505 (903 in FIG. 6C (shaded portion)), the amount of toner stored in the collected toner box 501 is It is determined that the amount is a predetermined amount or more (near end). In this case, a message indicating that the full amount of collected toner is almost full is displayed on the operation unit of the image forming apparatus or the PC terminal connected to the image forming apparatus. Thereafter, when the predetermined number of images are formed, it is determined that the collected toner box 501 is full, and a message for prompting replacement of the collected toner box 501 is displayed.

  The screw mechanism 502 is driven by a collected toner motor (drive means) 503. Motor drive control is performed by the motor driver 504 in response to an instruction from the CPU 171. The motor driver 504 also detects a drive error of the collected toner motor 503 in addition to the drive control of the collected toner motor 503, and determines that an error occurs when the collected toner motor 503 cannot be driven due to an overload. That is, the motor driver 504 also functions as an abnormality detection unit for the collected toner motor 503. Also in the present embodiment, for example, when the toner is left for a long time in the state 902 shown in FIG. 6B, the collected toner is hardened by its own weight, which hinders the operation of the screw mechanism 502, and the collected toner motor 503 is overloaded. Causes a load and generates a motor error. In such a case, the CPU 171 instructs the motor driver 504 to rotate the collected toner motor 503 temporarily (after a predetermined time) and then rotate it again. That is, the CPU 171 functions as a control unit that controls the re-driving of the collected toner motor 503. By performing such a motor-driven retry operation (re-driving), the collected toner that has hardened tends to collapse, and the collected toner motor 503 can be normally driven in many cases.

  Hereinafter, processing related to the motor drive retry operation according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS.

  FIG. 7 shows a process when the motor driver 504 detects a drive error of the collected toner motor 503 (when a collected toner motor error is detected) and performs a retry process when a full load (near end) of the collected toner is detected. It is a flowchart. When image formation is started (step S601; hereinafter, “step” is omitted), the untransferred toner is conveyed into the collected toner box 501. Accordingly, the CPU 171 instructs the motor driver 504 to start driving the collected toner motor 503 (denoted as ON in the drawing) (S602). When the motor driver 504 detects a motor error during driving, the motor driver 504 notifies the CPU 171 of the motor error. When the CPU 171 is notified of the motor error (Y in S603), it instructs the motor driver 504 to stop the collection toner motor 503 once (denoted as OFF in the figure) (S607).

  At this time, the collected toner full load detection sensor (denoted as a near-end detection sensor in the figure) 505 is detecting toner (denoted as ON in the figure) (S608 Y), and the motor drive is still retried. If not (S609 N), the process proceeds to S611.

  In S611, the CPU 171 instructs the motor driver 504 to start driving the collected toner motor 503 again, and stores that the retry has been performed on the RAM 175 (retry counter up) (S611). Thereafter, if the motor driver 504 does not detect an error of the collected toner motor 503 (N in S603), the CPU 171 continues image formation normally until the image formation is completed (S604). When the image formation is completed (Y in S604), the motor driver 504 is instructed to end the driving of the collected toner motor 503 (denoted as OFF in the drawing) (S605), and the image formation process is ended (S606). .

  On the other hand, despite the retry operation, the toner motor error is notified again (Y in S603), and the full recovery toner detection sensor (near end detection sensor) 505 detects the full recovery toner (also called near end). If so, proceed as follows. That is, since retry has already been performed (Y in S609), the CPU 171 determines that the error is not a temporary error due to overload, and an error is generated on the operation unit of the image forming apparatus or the PC terminal connected to the image forming apparatus. Is displayed (S612).

  If the motor driver 504 is notified that an error in the collected toner motor 503 has been detected while the collected toner motor 503 is being driven (S603 Y), the process proceeds to S607 and S608. In S608, when the collected toner full load detection sensor 505 does not detect the near end (the amount of collected toner is less than a predetermined amount) (S608 N), the following processing is performed. That is, the CPU 171 sets a larger allowable number of retries (re-driving of the collected toner motor 503) than when a near-end where the collected toner storage amount is a predetermined amount or more is detected. This is because, when an error occurs in the collected toner motor 503 in the situation 902 in FIG. 6B, the toner naturally slides down the toner mountain even if the collected toner motor 503 does not rotate. This is because it can be expected to store the quantity. On the other hand, when an error occurs in the collected toner motor 503 in the situation 903 in FIG. 6C, there is almost no space for storing the collected toner due to free fall. For this reason, if the toner is continuously conveyed to the collected toner box 501 in the same state, the collected toner may overflow from the collected toner box 501. Therefore, it is necessary to reduce the allowable number of retries.

  In the present embodiment, when the collected toner full load detection sensor 505 does not detect the near end (N in S608), the CPU 171 determines whether or not the retry has been performed five times or more (S610). If the number of retries is not 5 or more, an error of the collected toner motor 503 is retried, and a retry counter using the RAM 175 is incremented (S611). The CPU 171 determines the number of retries based on the value of the retry counter. If the collected toner full detection sensor 505 does not detect the near end, the retry is performed up to five times. If the retry has already been performed five times (Y in S610), the CPU 171 determines that the error is not a temporary error due to overload, and places it on the operation unit of the image forming apparatus or the PC terminal connected to the image forming apparatus. An error is displayed (S612). As the display content of the error, for example, it is displayed that there is an error in the collected toner motor 503.

  As described above, the allowable number of retries when the collected toner full load detection sensor 505 does not detect the near end is five, and the allowable number of retries when the collected toner full load detection sensor 505 detects the near end is Once.

  Another embodiment is shown in FIG. FIG. 8 shows processing when the motor driver 504 detects a drive error of the collected toner motor 503 (when a collected toner motor error is detected) and does not perform retry processing when it detects the full load of collected toner (near end). It is a flowchart to show.

  When image formation is started (S701), the CPU 171 instructs the motor driver 504 to start (ON) driving of the collected toner motor 503 (S702). When an error of the collected toner motor 503 is notified during the operation of the collected toner motor 503 (S703 Y) (abnormality is detected by the abnormality detection unit), the CPU 171 once stops the collected toner motor 503 as in S607 of FIG. (OFF). At this time, if the collected toner full load detection sensor (near end detection sensor) 505 detects the near end (collected toner full load) (Y in S708), the process proceeds to S712. That is, the CPU 171 displays an error on the operation unit of the image forming apparatus or the PC terminal connected to the image forming apparatus without retrying the collected toner motor 503 (S712). As an error display content, for example, an error of the collected toner motor 503 is displayed.

  If a collected toner motor error is notified (S703 Y) and the collected toner full load detection sensor 505 does not detect the near end (S708 N), the process proceeds to S710 and S711. In S710, the CPU 171 determines whether or not the retry has already been performed five times based on the value of the retry counter. If the retry is less than five, the CPU 171 performs the retry and increments the retry counter (S711). If retry has already been performed five times, the process proceeds to S712. Further, the processing (S704 to S706) in the case where the collected toner motor error is not detected in S703 (S703 N) is the same as the processing of S604 to S606 described in FIG.

  If the answer is Y in S708, it may be displayed on the operation unit that the collected toner box is full of toner, and if the answer is Y in S710, an error of the collected toner motor 503 may be displayed.

  Such a configuration is also effective when the collected toner full load detection sensor 505 is arranged above the collected toner box 501 as shown in FIG. Here, FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the state of toner in the collected toner box when the collected toner full load detection sensor 505 is disposed above the collected toner box 501. Since the distance from the position of the collected toner full load detection sensor 505 to the ceiling in the collected toner box (the same as the height of the collected toner inlet 507) is short, the apparatus is immediately stopped when the screw mechanism 502 stops. This is necessary.

  In the case of the sensor arrangement as shown in FIG. 6, after the collected toner full detection sensor 505 detects the near end, a predetermined number of image formations are permitted, and it is determined by prediction that the collected toner amount is full. On the other hand, in the case of the sensor arrangement as shown in FIG. 9, since the collected toner full detection sensor 505 detects that the collected toner is full when the collected toner is loaded, the detected toner detection as shown in FIG. There is an advantage that the accuracy is better than in the case of performing prediction until full load.

  Yet another embodiment is shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing processing when displaying the full amount of collected toner without performing retry processing when detecting the near end when the collected toner motor error is detected. Note that the processing of S801 to S811 is the same as the processing of S701 to S711 in FIG. The difference from FIG. 7 is S812. In S812, the CPU 171 displays a message indicating that the collected toner is full on the operation unit of the image forming apparatus or the PC terminal connected to the image forming apparatus.

  In such a case, even if a collected toner motor error occurs due to an overload of the collected toner motor 503 when the collected toner is almost full, the user can replace the collected toner box 501 to eliminate the overload. Is done. Even if the amount of collected toner is small compared to the full load and the collected toner box 501 is not replaced, the user can remove the collected toner box 501 and return it. Is resolved. This is because a vibration is given to the collected toner inside the collected toner box 501 by the operation of removing and returning the collected toner box 501 by the user. Therefore, instead of stopping the apparatus as an error as in S612 of FIG. 7 or S712 of FIG. 8, the error state can be canceled by the user responding to the replacement message of the collected toner box 501. Therefore, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that is easy for the user to use.

  The present invention is utilized in a configuration having a toner collection container in an image forming apparatus such as a multi-function copying machine or a printer, particularly when motor control is used for storing collected toner.

1 is a vertical sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a full-color image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. Control block diagram of image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image memory unit of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an external I / F processing unit of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. (A) Vertical sectional view seen from the front showing the configuration around the collected toner box according to the present embodiment, (b) Vertical sectional view seen from the side showing the configuration around the collected toner box according to the present embodiment 4A and 4B are diagrams illustrating a state of toner in a collected toner box according to the present embodiment, in which FIG. 5A illustrates a state in which the collected toner forms a mountain near the carry-in port, and FIG. The figure which shows a mode that the part of a mountain is destroyed by this, (c) is a figure which shows a mode that the collection | recovery toner box became full. The flowchart which shows the process in the case of performing a retry process when a near end is detected at the time of the recovery toner motor error detection which concerns on this Embodiment Flowchart showing processing when retry processing is not performed when near end is detected at the time of recovery toner motor error detection according to the present exemplary embodiment The figure which shows the mode of the toner in a collection | recovery toner box when the collection | recovery toner full load detection sensor which concerns on this Embodiment is arrange | positioned above a collection toner box. A flowchart showing processing when displaying the full amount of collected toner without performing retry processing when detecting a near end when the collected toner motor error is detected according to the present embodiment

Explanation of symbols

1Y, 1M, 1C, 1Bk toner image forming portions 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d Photosensitive drum (image carrier)
3a, 3b, 3c, 3d Primary charger (charging means)
4a, 4b, 4c, 4d Developing device (developing means)
5a, 5b, 5c, 5d Transfer roller (primary transfer means)
6a, 6b, 6c, 6d Drum cleaner device (cleaner means)
7 Exposure equipment (exposure means)
7a Lower surface 7b Lower end 8 Intermediate transfer belt 10 Secondary transfer counter roller 11 Tension roller 13 Belt cleaning devices 32a, 32b, 32c, 32d Primary transfer unit 206 Secondary transfer roller (secondary transfer means)
207 Fixing device 208 Upper cassette 209 Lower cassette 210 Third cassette 211 211 Fourth cassette 233, 244 Paper discharge roller (discharge means)
501 Collected toner box (developer collecting means)
502 Screw mechanism (conveying means)
503 Collected toner motor (drive means)
504 Motor driver (abnormality detection means, control means)
505 Collected toner full detection sensor (storage amount detection means)

Claims (3)

In an image forming apparatus for developing a latent image formed on an image carrier with a developer to form a developer image, transferring the developer image to a recording medium, fixing the image, and forming an image.
Cleaner means for removing residual developer after transfer from the image carrier;
Developer collecting means for collecting the remaining developer removed by the cleaner means;
A storage amount detection means for detecting a storage amount of the remaining developer inside the developer recovery means;
Conveying means for stirring and conveying the remaining developer inside the developer collecting means;
Driving means for driving the conveying means;
An abnormality detecting means for detecting that an abnormality has occurred in the driving means;
Control means for controlling re-driving of the drive means when an abnormality is detected by the abnormality detection means,
The control means re-drives the drive means when the abnormality detection means detects an abnormality and the storage amount of the remaining developer collected by the storage amount detection means is determined to be less than a predetermined amount. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the storage amount of the remaining developer collected by the storage amount detection unit is determined to be a predetermined amount or more, an error is generated without re-driving the driving unit. In an image forming apparatus for developing a latent image formed on an image carrier with a developer to form a developer image, transferring the developer image to a recording medium, fixing the image, and forming an image.
Cleaner means for removing residual developer after transfer from the image carrier;
Developer collecting means for collecting the remaining developer removed by the cleaner means;
A storage amount detection means for detecting a storage amount of the remaining developer inside the developer recovery means;
Conveying means for stirring and conveying the remaining developer inside the developer collecting means;
Driving means for driving the conveying means;
An abnormality detecting means for detecting that an abnormality has occurred in the driving means;
Control means for controlling re-driving of the drive means when an abnormality is detected by the abnormality detection means,
The control means detects an abnormality by the abnormality detection means and determines the allowable number of re-driving when the storage amount of the remaining developer collected by the storage amount detection means is less than a predetermined amount. An image forming apparatus, wherein the remaining amount of the remaining developer collected by the amount detection unit is set to be greater than the allowable number of re-driving when it is determined that the amount is greater than or equal to a predetermined amount.   The control unit re-drives the drive unit when the abnormality detection unit detects an abnormality and the storage amount of the remaining developer collected by the storage amount detection unit is determined to be a predetermined amount or more. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a message indicating that the developer collecting unit is full is notified.

Images