JP2009086546A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus, which easily determines, when a rotator to which a developer cartridge is installed is not stopped at a determined position, a cause of the failure. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus comprises a plurality of developing devices 54 for developing a latent image; a rotator 52 to which a plurality of toner cartridges 54 are detachably installed; a radio communication tag 104 having a non-contact communication function; a communication device-side antenna 136 for performing communication with the radio communication tag 104; a stop means (control part C) which stops the rotator 52 at a predetermined reference position; a failure detection means (control part C) which detects a failure when the rotator is not stopped at the predetermined position; a communication trial means (control part C) which tries, upon detection of the failure, to communicate with the communication tag by the antenna 136 while rotating the rotator 52; and a failure determination means (control part C) which determines the cause of the failure based on a trial result by the communication trial means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

  Conventionally, in a copying machine or a full-color printer as an image forming apparatus, for example, a toner cartridge for storing toner can be attached and detached, and when all the toner is discharged from the toner cartridge, it can be replaced with a new toner cartridge. Some toners are replenished.

  A full-color printer that forms a color image uses cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K) toners, and each color toner cartridge is mounted. It is like that.

  By the way, in such a printer in which a plurality of toner cartridges are mounted, a storage element (so-called crumb) is provided in the toner cartridge, and various information such as the usage status of the toner cartridge is recorded in the storage element. .

  The printer main body reads the usage status of the cartridge from the storage element and writes the updated usage status to manage the remaining amount of toner, the life of the cartridge, and the like.

  In addition, a method for wirelessly (contactlessly) communicating information such as the above-described usage status between a wireless communication tag including a storage unit and an antenna has been put into practical use.

  On the other hand, there is provided a rotary developing device in which developing units corresponding to each color of cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y) and black (K) are arranged on the circumference of the rotating body, and this rotary developing device is rotated. Thus, there is a full-color printer using a so-called rotary developing system in which developing devices are sequentially switched to face a photoreceptor on which an electrostatic latent image corresponding to each color is formed, and development is performed with corresponding color toner.

  Each color developing device arranged in the rotary developing device is loaded with a toner cartridge.

  A communication tag as described above is attached to the toner cartridge, and communication is performed with an antenna attached to the apparatus main body.

  Usually, the position of rotation is detected by detecting the reference position (home position) of the rotary developing device with a home position sensor, and accurate alignment is performed.

  However, when the home position cannot be detected, the rotational position is not known, so a home position sensor error is issued and the printing process cannot be executed.

  However, when a home position sensor error occurs, the cause of the error is due to a defect in the sensor itself (for example, dirt or failure), or an abnormality in which the rotary developing device is not rotating (for example, a motor defect or a toner cartridge). Could not be determined)

  Therefore, even if the cause of the error is a simple cartridge installation error, etc., and there is no problem with the device itself, the worker who performs maintenance often replaces the sensor, motor, etc. for safety measures, There has been a problem that maintenance costs increase.

  In order to solve such a problem, in the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-7302365, a temperature sensor is provided in a motor that drives the rotary developing device, and the motor itself is rotated by monitoring the temperature change. Whether it is detected. Thereby, it is possible to determine whether or not at least the error as described above is an abnormality of the motor.

However, since it is necessary to add a temperature sensor to the motor, there is a problem that the cost is increased, and it is necessary to continue the rotation of the motor until the temperature rises, which may shorten the life of the motor.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-7302365

  The present invention provides an image forming apparatus capable of easily determining the cause of an abnormality when an abnormality has occurred in which a plurality of rotators on which a plurality of developer cartridges are detachably mounted do not stop at a predetermined position. With the goal.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, an image forming apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of developing units that develop a latent image formed on a photosensitive member, and a developer that contains a developer supplied to each developing unit. A rotating body on which a plurality of agent accommodating means are detachably mounted, a communication tag attached to each developer accommodating means, having a storage means and capable of communicating in a non-contact manner within a predetermined communication range with another device, Communication means for communicating with a communication tag, stop means for stopping the rotating body at a predetermined position as a reference at a predetermined timing, and stop for detecting an abnormality in the stop position of the rotating body by the stopping means Position abnormality detection means, communication trial means for attempting communication with the communication tag by the communication means while rotating the rotating body when the stop position abnormality detection means detects the stop position abnormality, and the communication By trial means Characterized in that it comprises an abnormality determination means for determining the cause of the abnormality on the basis of the line results.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention, the stop unit includes a position detection unit that detects the reference position, and the abnormality determination unit rotates the rotating body by the communication trial unit. When a trial result indicating that communication with the communication tag is possible at a predetermined timing is obtained, it is determined that the position detection unit is abnormal.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the rotating body includes a rotation driving unit, and the abnormality determining unit communicates with the communication tag in a state where the rotating body is rotated by the communication trial unit. When a trial result indicating that the rotation is impossible is obtained, it is determined that the rotation driving unit is abnormal.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the abnormality determination unit obtains a trial result that communication with the communication tag is always possible in a state where the rotating body is rotated by the communication trial unit. If it is, it is determined that the rotation driving means is abnormal.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus, when the communication trial unit attempts to communicate with the communication tag by the communication unit, the rotational drive is performed so that the rotational speed of the rotating body is slower than normal. A speed control means for controlling the means is provided.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the position where the developer accommodating means is attached to and detached from each of the developing sections is a position where communication is possible between the communication tag and the communication means. Features.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus, the abnormality determination unit obtains a trial result indicating that communication with the communication tag is always possible in a state where the rotating body is rotated by the communication trial unit. If it is determined, it is determined that the developer storage unit is abnormally mounted.

  An image forming apparatus according to an eighth aspect of the present invention includes a display unit that displays a determination result by the abnormality determination unit.

  According to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

  That is, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the cause of the abnormality is determined based on the trial result by the communication trial means as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided. In the case where an abnormality has occurred in which a plurality of rotating bodies that are detachably mounted are not stopped at a predetermined position, the cause of the abnormality can be determined easily and at a low cost.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the trial result that communication with the communication tag is possible at a predetermined timing in a state in which the rotating body is rotated as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided. If it is obtained, it is determined that the position detecting means is abnormal, so the cause of the abnormality can be determined accurately.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, a trial result is obtained that communication with the communication tag is impossible in a state where the rotating body is rotated as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided. In this case, since it is determined that the rotation drive means is abnormal, it is possible to accurately determine the cause of the abnormality.

  According to the invention described in claim 4, a trial result that communication with the communication tag is always possible in a state where the rotating body is rotated is obtained as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided. In this case, since it is determined that the rotation drive means is abnormal, it is possible to accurately determine the cause of the abnormality.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when the communication means tries to communicate with the communication tag as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided, the rotational speed of the rotating body is made slower than normal. Therefore, the cause of the abnormality can be determined more reliably.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the position at which the developer accommodating means is attached to and detached from each developing portion can be communicated between the communication tag and the communication means, as compared with the case where this configuration is not provided. Therefore, it is possible to determine whether or not a toner cartridge as a developer storage unit is incorrectly installed.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, a trial result is obtained that communication with the communication tag is always possible in a state where the rotating body is rotated as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided. In this case, it is possible to determine whether or not a toner cartridge as a developer storage unit is incorrectly installed.

  According to the invention described in claim 8, since the determination result is displayed as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided, the maintenance work can be performed quickly and accurately.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment as an example of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Here, in the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are given to the same members, and duplicate descriptions are omitted. In addition, since description here is the best form by which this invention is implemented, this invention is not limited to the said form.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the inside of a full-color printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a side view showing a rotary developing device, a photoreceptor, a drum, and an antenna of the full-color printer according to the embodiment of the present invention. 3 is an explanatory view schematically showing the position of the developing device of the rotary developing device of the full-color printer according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a toner cartridge used in the full-color printer according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram showing a schematic configuration of a communication system provided in the full-color printer according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a control system for the printer PR. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of error determination processing executed by the printer PR.

  Hereinafter, a configuration of a full-color printer to which a known electrophotographic process is applied will be described as an example to which the image forming apparatus according to the present invention is applied with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

  The known electrophotographic process refers to a toner image formed on an electrophotographic photoconductor after charging the electrophotographic photoconductor, forming an electrostatic latent image by laser exposure, and developing the electrostatic latent image with toner. It refers to a series of processes in which an image is recorded on a medium such as recording paper by transferring it onto recording paper or the like and fixing it by heating.

  The image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied is not limited to the full-color printer according to the present embodiment, and may be an image forming apparatus to which a known electrophotographic process such as a copying machine, a facsimile machine, or a multifunction machine is applied. .

  FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a full-color printer (hereinafter referred to as a printer) PR according to the present embodiment. The printer PR forms an image (toner image) based on image information input from an external device by the electrophotographic process as described above, and records the image on a recording paper P as a recording medium. .

  In the following description, detailed descriptions of parts that are not directly related to the essence of the present invention will be omitted. The printer PR is capable of forming a color image on the recording paper P using toners of magenta (M), yellow (Y), cyan (C), and black (K).

  As shown in FIG. 1, a photosensitive drum 20 is rotatably disposed at a slightly upper right portion from the center inside the printer PR. The photosensitive drum 20 is rotated in the direction of the arrow K by driving means (not shown) including a motor and a gear mechanism.

  The surface of the photoconductive drum 20 is charged to a predetermined potential by a charging roll 22 arranged below the photoconductive drum 20 and then emitted from an optical scanning device 24 arranged below the photoconductive drum 20. The laser beam LB is exposed to form a latent image according to the image information.

  The latent image formed on the surface of the photoconductor drum 20 is arranged along the circumferential direction of the rotary developing device 50, and the magenta (M) and yellow (Y) are mounted on a rotator 52 having a cross-section in cross section. , Cyan (C) and black (K) are developed by developing units 54Y, 54M, 54C, and 54K, and toner images of predetermined colors are formed.

  The toner image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 20 is primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 28 supported by the plurality of primary transfer rolls 26 at the first transfer position T1. The toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 20 without being primarily transferred is removed by the photosensitive drum cleaning device 30.

  Then, the steps of charging → exposure → development → primary transfer → photosensitive drum cleaning are repeated a predetermined number of times according to the color of the image to be formed.

  In the rotary developing device 50, the rotating body 52 is rotated in the direction of arrow G by a driving means 200 (not shown) including a motor M and a gear mechanism 201, and the color corresponding to the color of the image to be formed. The developing devices 54Y, 54M, 54C, and 54K are sequentially moved to the developing position G1 (see FIG. 3) to develop each color.

  In this way, the toner images of the respective colors are transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 28 in a multiple manner.

  On the other hand, a paper feed cassette 32 that stores recording paper P is disposed below the printer PR.

  The recording paper P is sent out by a roller 34 and sent to a secondary transfer position T2 by a registration roller 36 at a predetermined timing. The toner images of the respective colors on the intermediate transfer belt 28 are collectively recorded by a secondary transfer roll 38. Secondary transfer is performed on the paper P. Incidentally, the toner on the intermediate transfer belt 28 remaining without being subjected to the secondary transfer is removed by the transfer belt cleaning device 40.

  The recording paper P onto which the toner image has been transferred is sent to the fixing device 42. The fixing device 42 fixes the toner image on the recording paper P with heat and pressure. The recording paper P on which the toner image is fixed is discharged by a paper discharge roller 44 to a paper discharge tray 46 above the full color printer PR.

  Next, the rotary developing device 50 will be described.

  FIG. 2 shows the rotary developing device 50 and the photosensitive drum 20.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the position of the developing device 54.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the developing position G1 is the position of the developing device 54 for developing the photosensitive drum 20, the position G2 is the position of the developing device 54 immediately after moving from the developing position G1, and the position G3 is the most from the developing position G1. The position of the developing device 54 and the position G4 that are separated from each other are the positions of the developing device 54 that can be detached from the rotary developing device 50 of the toner cartridge 56.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the rotary developing device 50 includes the rotating body 52 having a cross-shaped cross section as described above. The rotating body 52 is provided with four developing units 54Y, 54M, 54C, and 54K each having a color of magenta (M), yellow (Y), cyan (C), and black (K). It rotates in the direction of arrow G by the driving means 200 (see FIG. 1).

  Each developing device 54 is constituted by a toner cartridge 56 filled with toner and a developing device main body 58 integrally. The toner cartridge 56 is detachable from the developing device 54.

  The developing device main body 58 includes a developing roller 60, and the developing roller 60 holds a developer mixed with the toner and the carrier sent from the toner cartridge 56 on the surface.

  Then, the latent image on the photosensitive drum 20 facing the developing roller 60 is developed with toner. In developing the photosensitive drum 20, a high voltage obtained by superimposing an AC bias voltage on the DC bias voltage is applied to the developing roller 60 as a developing bias.

  As described above, the rotating body 52 rotates, and each developing device 54 is sequentially moved to the developing position G1 (see FIG. 3), that is, the developing roller 60 is opposed to the photosensitive drum 20, and the developing devices for the respective colors. Develop with 54Y, 54M, 54C, 54K.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, the toner cartridge 56 includes a cylindrical cylindrical body 62 filled with toner, and a slide cover 64 attached to the end of the cylindrical body 62.

  Further, the side plate of the rotary developing device 50 is formed with an outlet having a size that allows the toner cartridge 56 to be pulled out, so that the toner cartridge 56 can be attached and detached when the opening / closing cover is opened.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the printer PR includes a communication system 100.

  The communication system 100 includes a communication device 102 provided in the printer PR and a wireless communication tag (communication tag: so-called crumb) attached to the inner surface of a slide cover 64 (see FIG. 4A) of each toner cartridge 56. (CRUM)) 104.

  As shown in FIG. 4B, the wireless communication tag 104 is provided with a tag-side antenna 108 formed by winding a conductive wire such as a copper wire or a conductive material in a coil shape around an insulating substrate member 106. ing. Further, the substrate member 106 is provided with a semiconductor chip 110 that forms an arithmetic unit (CPU) or the like with a built-in memory (storage means), and a tag side antenna 108 is connected to the semiconductor chip 110.

  As shown in FIG. 5, in the wireless communication tag 104, a transmission / reception circuit 116 and a power supply circuit 118 are formed in a semiconductor chip 110 together with a CPU 112 and a ROM 114.

  The CPU 112 is connected to the tag-side antenna 108 via the transmission / reception circuit 116, and can communicate based on a program recorded in the ROM 114.

  Further, the wireless communication tag 104 is formed with an EPROM 120 which is a nonvolatile memory capable of storing and holding various data and rewritable data. In this EPROM 120, information that can identify the toner cartridge 56 provided with the wireless communication tag 104 is stored in advance, and various information that can determine the usage status, life, etc. of the toner cartridge 56 is recorded. It has come to be.

  On the other hand, in the communication device 102 provided on the printer PR side, a transmission / reception circuit 130, a power supply circuit 132, and an interface circuit 134 are provided on a main body substrate 122 together with a CPU 124, a ROM 126 and a RAM 128.

  In addition, the communication device side antenna 136 is connected to the transmission / reception circuit 130, and the CPU 124 can perform communication based on a program recorded in the ROM 126.

  As shown in FIG. 4C, the communication device side antenna 136 is formed by winding a conductive wire or a conductive material in a coil shape on an antenna substrate 138 formed of an insulating material.

  The antenna board 138 is provided with a connector 140, and both ends of a coil forming the communication device side antenna 136 are connected to the connector 140.

  The communication device side antenna 136 is connected to the transmission / reception circuit 130 provided on the main board 122 shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 5, in the communication system 100, the communication device 102, the wireless communication tag 104, and the communication device side antenna 136 of the communication device 102 are opposed to the tag side antenna 108 provided in the wireless communication tag 104. Can be communicated with each other.

  The power supply circuit 118 in the wireless communication tag 104 separates an alternating current of a predetermined frequency generated by electromagnetic induction in the tag-side antenna 108 from the information signal during transmission / reception with the communication device 102, and converts the alternating current into a direct current. After that, the data is supplied to the CPU 112 and the transmission / reception circuit 116. Thereby, the CPU 112 and the transmission / reception circuit 116 are supplied with power necessary for transmission / reception with the communication apparatus 102. Therefore, the wireless communication tag 104 does not require a power source such as a battery or a battery.

  When the communication device 102 can communicate with the wireless communication tag 104 of the toner cartridge 56, the communication device 102 reads the data recorded in the EPROM 120 of the wireless communication tag 104 to check the toner color or determine the usage state of the toner cartridge 56. The toner cartridge 56 is managed.

  Further, when the data written in the EPROM 120 is changed, the CPU 124 of the communication apparatus 102 outputs the data recorded in the EPROM 120. The CPU 112 of the wireless communication tag 104 updates the data recorded in the EPROM 120 based on the data transmitted from the communication device 102 by writing the received data in the EPROM 120.

  An interface circuit 134 provided in the communication device 102 is connected to a controller (control unit) C that controls the operation of the printer PR and manages the operation status.

  The CPU 124 of the communication apparatus 102 receives the usage status of each toner cartridge 56 from the controller of the printer PR via the interface circuit 134, and the CPU 124 of the communication apparatus 102 is based on this input data. Thus, data relating to the usage status is written in the EPROM 120 provided in the wireless communication tag 104 of each toner cartridge 56, and the life of the toner cartridge 56 can be determined from the information written in the wireless communication tag 104. I am doing so.

  In the printer PR, the total number of prints, the number of high-resolution prints, and the standard size print for each of the toner cartridges 56 each time print processing for forming an image based on the image data on the recording paper P (see FIG. 1) is performed. The number of sheets, the number of large size prints, the number of double-sided prints, etc. are counted, and this count value is output to the communication apparatus 102.

  The communication device 102 stores these count values in the RAM 128 and performs communication with the wireless communication tag 104 to output the information to the wireless communication tag 104.

  The CPU 112 provided in the wireless communication tag 104 writes such information in the EPROM 120 as cartridge usage information.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a home position sensor 300 is provided above the rotary developing device 50, and the rotary developing device 50 reaches a predetermined position (for example, the quality shown in FIG. 3). Then, it is detected whether or not it has stopped.

  The home position sensor 300 is not particularly limited. For example, the home position sensor 300 includes an optical sensor. The home position sensor 300 detects a reflector 301 and the like provided at a predetermined position on the surface of the rotary developing device 50. Can be detected.

  Home position sensor 300 is connected to control unit C as shown in FIG.

  Here, the configuration of the control system of the printer PR will be briefly described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in the block diagram of FIG. 6, the control unit C configured by a microcomputer or the like includes a rotary motor M that constitutes a drive source of a drive unit of the rotary developing device 50, the above-described home position sensor 300, A display panel 400 that performs error display, the communication device-side antenna 136 described above, and a print mechanism 500 that executes print processing are connected.

  When a home position error (that is, a state where the home position sensor 300 cannot normally detect the home position (reference position) due to some abnormality) occurs during the printing process by the printer PR, the control unit Under the control of C, a message indicating the occurrence of an error is displayed on the display panel 400.

  When this home position error occurs, the rotational position of the rotary developing device 50 is not known, and the printing process cannot be continued.

  Therefore, an error determination process is executed by a predetermined operation by an operator or the like (for example, operation of a predetermined switch connected to the control unit C) or by automatic control of the control unit C according to a predetermined program (for details). Will be described later with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In this error determination process, first, the rotary motor M is controlled to rotate the rotary developing device 50 at a rotation speed slower than normal. Then, communication with each wireless communication tag 104 is attempted by the communication device side antenna 136 under the control of the control unit C.

  Then, the cause of the error occurrence is determined based on the communication trial result.

As a specific determination mode,
(1) When communication is impossible in the rotation instruction state of the rotary motor M → It is determined that the rotary motor M has failed.
(2) If the communicable state continues in the rotation instruction state of the rotary motor M → It is determined that the toner cartridge 56 is incorrectly installed.
(3) In the rotation instruction state of the rotary motor M, when communication becomes impossible after communication is possible → It is determined that the home position sensor 300 has failed.

  By such determination, it is possible to notify the operator of the cause of the abnormality more accurately than in the past, and thus prevent unnecessary parts replacement and the like, thereby reducing the maintenance cost.

  Further, as described in (2) above, when the cause is a mounting mistake of the toner cartridge 56, it is not necessary to call a maintenance worker, and the user himself / herself only needs to remount the toner cartridge 56 to a normal state. Since the occurrence state can be canceled, the printing process can be performed quickly and the convenience can be improved.

  Here, the processing procedures of the error determination processes 1 and 2 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

  Here, error determination processing 1 in FIG. 7 is processing when the toner cartridge replacement position and the communication position of the communication tag are the same, and error determination processing 2 in FIG. 8 is toner cartridge replacement position and communication position of the communication tag. Each of these shows processing when they are different.

  When the error determination process 1 is started in the flowchart of FIG. 7, first, the rotary motor M is rotated in step S10, and the process proceeds to step S11.

  In step S11, it is determined whether or not the detection of the home position sensor 300 is normal. If “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S12 to stop the rotary motor M and the process is terminated. That is, in this case, since no home position error has occurred, the error determination process itself is not performed, and the printing process can be continued normally.

  On the other hand, if “No” is generated in step S11, it is determined that a home position error has occurred, and the process proceeds to step S13.

  In step S13, it is determined whether or not the toner cartridge 56 has been replaced. If “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S14, a display instructing remounting of the toner cartridge is performed, and the process is terminated. As a result, the user can put the toner cartridge 56 into a normal state so that the printing process can be performed.

  If “No”, the process proceeds to step S 15 to decelerate the rotation of the rotary motor M. Thereby, it is possible to make a state in which communication using each wireless communication tag 104, which is originally performed in a state stopped at a predetermined position, is possible.

  Next, communication using the wireless communication tag 104 is tried in step S15.

  Then, when the trial result is “communication impossible” (step S17), the process proceeds to step S20 to output a rotary motor failure display to the display panel 400 and the process is terminated. As a result, the user can transmit the display contents to the maintenance worker and perform a maintenance operation such as replacement of the rotary motor M so that the printing process can be performed.

  If the trial result is “communication is continued” (step S18), the process proceeds to step S21, and a display instructing to remount the toner cartridge is output to the display panel 400 and the process is terminated. To do. As a result, the user can put the toner cartridge 56 into a normal state so that the printing process can be performed.

  If the trial result is “communication impossible after communication is possible” (step S19), the process proceeds to step S22, a failure display of the home position sensor is output to the display panel 400, and the process is terminated. As a result, the user can transmit the display contents to the maintenance worker and perform a maintenance operation such as replacement of the home position sensor 300 to enable the printing process.

  Next, the processing procedure of error determination processing 2 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, in step S30, the rotary motor M is rotated and the process proceeds to step S31.

  In step S31, it is determined whether or not the detection of the home position sensor 300 is normal. If “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S32, the rotary motor M is stopped, and the process is terminated. That is, in this case, since no home position error has occurred, the error determination process itself is not performed, and the printing process can be continued normally.

  On the other hand, if “No” is generated in step S31, it is determined that a home position error has occurred, and the process proceeds to step S33.

  In step S33, the rotation of the rotary motor M is decelerated. Thereby, it is possible to make a state in which communication using each wireless communication tag 104, which is originally performed in a state stopped at a predetermined position, is possible.

  Next, communication using the wireless communication tag 104 is tried in step S34.

  If the trial result is “communication impossible” (step S35), the process proceeds to step S36 to determine whether the toner cartridge 56 has been replaced or not. If “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S38. Then, a display for instructing remounting of the toner cartridge is performed, and the processing is ended. As a result, the user can put the toner cartridge 56 into a normal state so that the printing process can be performed.

  If “No”, the process proceeds to step S39 to output a rotary motor failure display to the display panel 400 and the process is terminated. As a result, the user can transmit the display contents to the maintenance worker and perform a maintenance operation such as replacement of the rotary motor M so that the printing process can be performed.

  When the trial result is “communication is impossible after communication is possible” (step S37), the process proceeds to step S40, a failure display of the home position sensor is output to the display panel 400, and the process is terminated. As a result, the user can transmit the display contents to the maintenance worker and perform a maintenance operation such as replacement of the home position sensor 300 to enable the printing process.

  Although the invention made by the present inventor has been specifically described based on the embodiments, the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and are not limited to the disclosed technology. Should not be considered. That is, the technical scope of the present invention should not be construed restrictively based on the description in the above embodiment, but should be construed according to the description of the scope of claims. All modifications within the scope of the claims and the equivalent technology are included.

  When using a program, it can be provided via a network or stored in a recording medium such as a CD-ROM.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention can be applied to a laser printer, a full color printer, a facsimile machine, and the like.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the inside of a full-color printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a side view showing a rotary developing device, a photoconductor, a drum, and an antenna of a full-color printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows typically the position of the developing device of the rotary developing device of the full-color printer which concerns on embodiment of this invention. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a toner cartridge, a wireless communication tag, and an antenna substrate used in a full-color printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a schematic configuration of a communication system provided in a full-color printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control system of a printer PR. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of error determination processing 1 executed by the printer PR. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of error determination processing 2 executed by the printer PR.

Explanation of symbols

PR full color printer (image forming device)
20 Photosensitive drum 22 Charging roll 24 Optical scanning device 26 Secondary transfer roll 28 Intermediate transfer belt 30 Photosensitive drum cleaning device 32 Paper feed cassette 34 Roller 36 Registration roller 38 Secondary transfer roll 40 Transfer belt cleaning device 42 Fixing device 44 Paper discharge roller 46 Discharge tray 50 Rotating developing device 52 Rotating body 54 Developer (Developing unit)
56 Toner cartridge (developer storage means)
58 Developing Device Body 60 Developing Roller 62 Tube 64 Slide Cover 100 Communication System 102 Communication Device 104 Wireless Communication Tag (Communication Tag)
106 substrate member 108 tag side antenna 110 semiconductor chip 116 transmission / reception circuit 118 power supply circuit 122 main body substrate 130 transmission / reception circuit 132 power supply circuit 134 interface circuit 136 communication device side antenna (communication means)
138 Antenna board 140 Connector 200 Driving means 201 Gear mechanism 300 Home position sensor (stop position abnormality detecting means)
301 reflector 400 display panel (display means)
500 Print mechanism M Rotary motor (Rotation drive means)
P recording paper C control unit (microcomputer: stop means, stop position abnormality detection means, communication trial means, abnormality determination means)

Claims (8)

A plurality of developing units for developing the latent image formed on the photoreceptor;
A rotating body on which a plurality of developer accommodating means for accommodating a developer supplied to each developing unit are detachably mounted;
A communication tag attached to each developer accommodating means, having a storage means and capable of communicating in a non-contact manner with another apparatus within a predetermined communication range;
Communication means for communicating with the communication tag;
Stop means for stopping the rotating body at a predetermined position as a reference at a predetermined timing;
Stop position abnormality detection means for detecting an abnormality in the stop position of the rotating body by the stop means;
A communication trial unit that attempts to communicate with the communication tag by the communication unit while rotating the rotating body when the stop position abnormality is detected by the stop position abnormality detection unit;
An abnormality determining means for determining the cause of the abnormality based on a trial result by the communication trial means;
An image forming apparatus comprising: The stop means includes position detection means for detecting the reference position,
The abnormality determination means, when a trial result is obtained that communication with the communication tag is possible at a predetermined timing in a state where the rotating body is rotated by the communication trial means, the position detection means The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is determined to be abnormal. The rotating body includes rotation driving means,
The abnormality determination means is an abnormality of the rotation drive means when a trial result indicating that communication with the communication tag is impossible while the rotating body is rotated by the communication trial means is obtained. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is determined as follows.   The abnormality determination means determines that the rotation drive means is abnormal when a trial result indicating that communication with the communication tag is always possible is obtained in a state where the rotating body is rotated by the communication trial means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein it is determined that   The communication trial means includes speed control means for controlling the rotation driving means so that the rotation speed of the rotating body is slower than normal when the communication means tries to communicate with the communication tag. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3 or 5.   The position where the developer accommodating means is attached to and detached from each developing section is a position where communication is possible between the communication tag and the communication means. The image forming apparatus described in 1.   The abnormality determination unit is configured to store the developer accommodating unit when a trial result indicating that communication with the communication tag is always possible is obtained in a state where the rotating body is rotated by the communication trial unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the image forming apparatus determines that the attachment is abnormal.   8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a display unit that displays a determination result by the abnormality determination unit.

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