JP2010152130A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus suppressing the number of leak detections when detecting an attached state of a process unit. <P>SOLUTION: Communication with a storing element that is included in a cartridge including a photoreceptor is carried out (S101), and a leak detection action is carried out only for the cartridge (S105) for which the communication was unsuccessful (S107) in a printer 1. Determination is made that the cartridge is not suitably attached to the printer 1 regarding the cartridge in which the leak voltage has not been detected even when a prescribed voltage is applied among the cartridges with which the communication has been unsuccessful in the leak detection action and an error is output when such cartridge exists (S111, S113). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus including a detachable process unit.

  Image forming apparatuses such as electrophotographic copying machines, electrophotographic printers, and MFPs (Multi Function Peripherals) that are multifunctional devices of these include detachable process units such as toner cartridges and photoconductor units.

  Since these process units need to be securely attached to the main body during image formation, the image forming apparatus confirms the process unit mounting state at a predetermined timing such as when the image forming apparatus is started or when the door is opened or closed. It is done.

The process unit may have a built-in storage element. In this case, the mounting state is detected based on whether or not communication is established with the storage element of the process unit at the timing of checking the mounting state in the image forming apparatus. As a method for detecting the mounting state when the storage unit is not built in the process unit, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-53390 (hereinafter referred to as Patent Document 1) and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-92314 (hereinafter referred to as Patent Document 2). Discloses an image forming apparatus that detects a mounting state by applying a high voltage to a process unit and determining whether or not a leak occurs.
JP-A-5-53390 JP 2001-92314 A

  However, in the image forming apparatuses disclosed in these patent documents, since the leak detection is performed by applying a high voltage to the target process unit only to detect the mounting state of the process unit, the startup time There was a problem that became slow. In addition to this problem, a high voltage is applied to the process unit each time a mounted state is detected, so that the life of electrified components included in the process unit such as a photoconductor is deteriorated and power consumption is increased. There was also a problem.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that suppresses the number of leak detections by applying a high voltage when detecting the mounting state of a process unit. .

  In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the present invention, an image forming apparatus communicates with a photoreceptor unit including a developing unit and the photoreceptor unit in a state where the photoreceptor unit is mounted on the image forming apparatus. Performing communication means, applying means for applying a predetermined voltage to the photosensitive unit, control means for controlling application of voltage by the applying means, and voltage generated in the photosensitive unit in accordance with the applied voltage. Based on the detection means to detect as the monitor voltage, the communication result in the communication means, and the detection result in the detection means, it is determined whether the mounting state of the photosensitive unit to the image forming apparatus is appropriate or inappropriate. A determination unit; and an output unit that outputs an error when the determination unit determines that there is a photoconductor unit that is inappropriately attached to the image forming apparatus. Means, communicating with the communication means controls the applying means to apply a predetermined voltage to a photosensitive member unit unsuccessful.

  Preferably, the photosensitive unit includes a storage element having a communication function, and the storage element is connected to a communication unit in a state where the photosensitive unit is mounted on the image forming apparatus, and can communicate with the communication unit.

  Preferably, the determination unit determines that the photoconductor unit detected by the detection unit as having reached the specified voltage is appropriate to be mounted on the image forming apparatus, and the monitor unit detects that the monitor voltage is It is determined that the photoconductor unit detected as not reaching the specified voltage is improperly attached to the image forming apparatus.

  Preferably, the control means controls the application means so as to apply to the photoreceptor unit stepwise up to a predetermined voltage.

  Preferably, when there are a plurality of photoconductor units in which communication by the communication unit is unsuccessful, the control unit applies so as to sequentially apply to each of the plurality of photoconductor units in which communication has failed. Control means. More preferably, when the determination unit determines that the mounting state of one of the plurality of photoconductor units is inappropriate, the control unit determines the other photoconductors of the plurality of photoconductor units. The application means is controlled so as not to apply to the unit.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to shorten the time required for detecting the mounting state of the process unit in the image forming apparatus. Furthermore, the deterioration of the lifetime of the electrical components included in the process unit can be prevented. Furthermore, power consumption can be suppressed.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts and components are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a printer, a copier, a facsimile, and an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) that is a device that combines these functions. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the image forming apparatus is a tandem color printer (hereinafter abbreviated as a printer).

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a specific example of a cross section of a central portion of a printer 1 according to the present embodiment. Referring to FIG. 1, a printer 1 according to the present embodiment is mainly configured to include an image forming unit and a paper conveyance unit that is a printing medium.

  The image forming unit includes an annular intermediate transfer belt 2 that is an intermediate transfer member and is suspended from the inside by a plurality of rollers, which is disposed at a substantially central portion inside the printer 1. Along the intermediate transfer belt 2, cartridges 28a, 28b, 28c, and 28d corresponding to the respective colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) are arranged. These are representatively referred to as a cartridge 28. In the cartridge 28, as toner image forming means for forming a toner image by an electrostatic recording method, photoconductors 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d for transferring the toner image onto the intermediate transfer belt 2, and the surface of the photoconductor are respectively provided. Charger 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d for uniformly charging, exposure unit 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d for exposing and sequentially forming image patterns of respective colors on the photosensitive member, and supplying toner to the photosensitive member Then, developing units 4a, 4b, 4c, and 4d for developing the toner image on the photosensitive member, and storage elements 281a, 281b, 281c, and 281d such as an EEPROM (Electronically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory) are included. These are representatively referred to as a photoreceptor 3, a charging unit 5, an exposure unit 6, a developing unit 4, and a storage element 281.

  The image forming unit includes toner cartridges 25a, 25b, 25c, and 25d for supplying toner to the cartridges 28a, 28b, 28c, and 28d. These are representatively referred to as a toner cartridge 25. Further, in the image forming unit, a toner image transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 2 that forms a pair with the intermediate transfer belt 2 sandwiched between the roller that suspends the intermediate transfer belt 2 from the inside is transferred onto the conveyed paper. The secondary transfer roller 11 is included.

  A storage unit 16, which is a cassette for storing paper, is disposed in the lower part inside the printer 1. The transport unit includes a paper feed roller 8 that feeds paper from the storage unit 16, a transport roller 30 that transports the supplied paper, a timing roller 10 that temporarily stops the fed paper, and the above-described secondary A pair of fixing rollers 12a and 12b (which are also representative of the fixing roller 12 and the heater) that are arranged with the transfer roller 11 and the sheet to be conveyed interposed therebetween and that also heat and fix the toner image transferred onto the sheet. And a paper discharge roller 13 for discharging the fixed sheet.

  Further, the printer 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) (not shown), a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores programs executed by the CPU, and the like. And a high-voltage power supply 200 that applies a voltage to each unit in accordance with the signal. The cartridge 28 can be attached to and detached from the main body of the printer 1, and the storage element 281 and the control board 100 are connected when they are mounted at appropriate locations.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a specific example of a configuration for a leak detection operation performed by the control board 100 and the high-voltage power supply 200. Referring to FIG. 2, high voltage power supply 200 applies a high voltage to cartridge 28 in accordance with a control signal from control board 100. A generated voltage corresponding to a potential difference between the photosensitive member 3 and the developing unit 4 is input from the cartridge 28 to the high voltage power source 200, and the voltage is input from the high voltage power source 200 to the control board 100 as a monitor voltage. The control board 100 includes a leak detection circuit 110, and whether the monitor voltage input from the cartridge 28 via the high-voltage power supply 200 is a leak voltage that is a predetermined voltage calculated from the voltage applied by the high-voltage power supply 200. Therefore, the occurrence of a leakage voltage in the cartridge 28 is detected.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of the relationship between the voltage output from the high-voltage power supply 200, that is, the voltage applied to the cartridge 28 and the voltage generated in the cartridge 28. When a voltage is applied to the cartridge 28, a potential difference is generated between the photosensitive member 3 and the developing unit 4 in proportion to the applied voltage when the applied voltage is equal to or higher than a predetermined voltage. In the example of FIG. 3, when the voltage value output from the high voltage power source 200 is E1, the monitor voltage from the cartridge 28 reaches the leak voltage.

  The leak detection circuit 110 stores in advance the relationship between the voltage applied to the cartridge 28 as shown in FIG. In the case where the monitor voltage when the output value of the high voltage power supply 200 is E1 input from the cartridge 28 via the high voltage power supply 200 has reached the leak voltage, the leak detection circuit 110 detects the leak voltage at the cartridge 28. When the occurrence is detected, the control board 100 determines that the cartridge 28 is properly attached to the printer 1. Otherwise, the control board 100 determines that the cartridge 28 is not attached.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a specific example of a functional configuration for determining the mounting state of the cartridge 28 in the printer 1 by the control board 100. Referring to FIG. 4, the functional configuration includes a communication unit 101, a specifying unit 102, a power supply control unit 103, a detection unit 104, an input unit 105, a determination unit 106, and an output control unit 107. These functions are mainly realized by the control board 100 by a CPU (not shown) included in the control board 100 reading out and executing a program stored in a ROM or the like. At least a part of these functions are shown in FIG. The hardware configuration shown in FIG.

  The communication unit 101 has a function of performing communication between the control board 100 and each cartridge 28 by mounting the cartridge 28 in the printer 1 and connecting the control board 100 and the storage element 281 included in the cartridge 28. Here, “communication” refers to an exchange of information in which the control base 100 requests a response to the storage element 281 and a response for identifying itself is made from the storage element 281 in response to the request. . In addition, in the “communication”, a signal for identifying itself is automatically input from the storage element 281 to the control board 100 (regardless of a request from the control board 100) by being connected, It also includes that the control base 100 outputs a specific detection signal at a predetermined interval (regardless of the response from the storage element 281) and the detection signal is received by the storage element 281. The communication unit 101 detects success / failure of communication with the storage element 281 by the above operation, and inputs information indicating the result of each cartridge to the specifying unit 102.

  Based on the information input from the communication unit 101, the specifying unit 102 specifies a cartridge in which communication with the communication unit 101 is unsuccessful among the cartridges 28a, 28b, 28c, and 28d. Then, information specifying the corresponding cartridge is input to the power supply control unit 103 and the determination unit 106.

  The power supply control unit 103 inputs a control signal for applying a voltage for generating a leakage voltage represented by E <b> 1 in FIG. 3 to the high voltage power supply 200 with respect to the cartridge specified by the information from the specifying unit 102. A voltage generated in the cartridge by applying a voltage according to the control signal is input from the input unit 105 as a monitor voltage via a detection circuit (not shown) in the high-voltage power supply 200 for each target cartridge. Input unit 105 inputs the received monitor voltage to detection unit 104. The detection unit 104 determines whether or not the monitor voltage has reached the leak voltage, thereby detecting the occurrence of the leak voltage in the cartridge of the leak voltage and inputting the detection result to the determination unit 106.

  The determination unit 106 uses the information from the specification unit 102 and the detection result from the detection unit 104 to generate a leak voltage in the detection unit 104 for the cartridge in which the communication with the communication unit 101 has failed in the specification unit 102. By determining whether or not is detected, the mounting state of each cartridge is determined. When there is a cartridge that is determined to be in an inappropriate mounting state, the determination unit 106 inputs a signal indicating that to the output control unit 107.

  When the printer 1 includes a display unit such as a display or LED (Light Emitting Diode) or an output unit such as a sound output unit such as a speaker, the output control unit 107 displays the display unit according to a signal input from the determination unit 106. A control signal for generating an output for informing the user of information about a cartridge whose mounting state is not appropriate is generated and input to the output unit.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a specific example of the flow of operations for determining the cartridge mounting state executed by the printer 1. The operation shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5 is realized mainly by the CPU of the control board 100 reading out and executing a program stored in a ROM or the like and controlling each unit of FIGS. The operation of FIG. 5 is started at a predetermined timing, for example, when the printer 1 is activated or when the door is opened or closed.

  Referring to FIG. 5, when the operation starts, in step S101, communication unit 101 communicates with each storage element 281 for each cartridge 28. As shown in FIG. 1, when the storage element 281 is included in the cartridge 28 and the cartridge 28 is appropriately mounted on the main body of the printer 1, the cartridge 28 is included in the control board 100 by being mounted. Since the CPU and the storage element 281 are connected, communication is possible. However, if the mounting is incomplete, the connection is not established and the communication is not successful. In some cases, the storage element is not included depending on the cartridge. In this case, the communication is not successful regardless of the mounting state, and the mounting state cannot be confirmed only by the success / failure of the communication. Therefore, in step S103, the specifying unit 102 confirms whether or not the communication in step S101 has been successful for all cartridges. If the communication has not been successful for any cartridge (NO in step S103), the communication is not performed. An unsuccessful cartridge is identified as a cartridge that may not be properly installed (step 105).

  In step S107, a leak detection operation is performed for each of the cartridges specified in step S105. For example, if only the cartridge 28a corresponding to yellow (Y) is identified as unsuccessful in step S105, in step S107, the power control unit 103 sends a control signal to the high voltage power supply 200 so as to apply a high voltage to the cartridge 28a. In accordance with the control signal, a voltage that generates a leakage voltage, represented by a voltage value E1 in FIG. 3, is applied to the cartridge 28a. The monitor voltage from the cartridge 28a is input to the input unit 105, and the detection unit 104 detects whether or not the monitor voltage has reached the leak voltage. When the detection unit 104 detects that the monitor voltage has not reached the leakage voltage, the determination unit 106 determines that the mounting state of the cartridge 28a that is the target of the leakage operation is not appropriate.

  The leak detection operation in step S107 is sequentially performed for all cartridges identified as cartridges that may not be properly mounted in step S105. That is, for example, when the cartridge 28b corresponding to magenta (M) is identified as unsuccessful communication in addition to the cartridge 28a corresponding to yellow (Y) in step S105, the leak detection operation for the cartridge 28a described above is performed next. Similarly, the leak detection operation is performed on the cartridge 28b.

  When there is a cartridge in which the mounting state is determined to be inappropriate as a result of the leak detection operation of step S107 for all cartridges identified as cartridges that may not be properly mounted in step S105 (see FIG. When the determination unit 106 inputs a signal indicating that to the output control unit 107 in step S113, and the printer 1 includes an output unit not shown in FIG. Under the control of 107, an output for notifying an error is performed from the output unit.

  When the cartridge 1 includes the storage element 281 capable of communication, the above-described operation is performed when confirming the cartridge mounting state in the printer 1. Thus, the leak detection operation is not performed, and as a first step, the success / unsuccess of communication with the storage element 281 is confirmed, and then the leak detection operation is performed on the unsuccessful cartridge. Therefore, the number of cartridges that perform the leak detection operation can be suppressed, and the time required for the operation for confirming the mounting state can be shortened. That is, the start time and restart time can be shortened. In addition, deterioration of the life of the photoreceptor can be suppressed. Furthermore, power consumption can be reduced.

[Modification 1]
In the above example, when it is determined in step S105 that communication for a plurality of cartridges is unsuccessful, leak detection operations are sequentially performed for all cartridges in step S107.

  However, in the printer 1, if at least one cartridge that is not properly mounted is detected as a result of the leak detection operation, an error is output in step S <b> 113. As a result, the user opens a door (not shown), confirms the mounting state of the cartridge 28, and performs the mounting operation again. Therefore, when it is determined in step S105 that communication for a plurality of cartridges is unsuccessful, the control board 100 sequentially performs a leak detection operation in step S107, and even one of the cartridges is detected as an inappropriate mounting state. Then, at that time, the power supply pressure control unit 103 controls the high voltage power supply 200 so as not to perform the leak detection operation for other cartridges that are identified as unsuccessful communication, and the process proceeds to step S113 to output an error. Also good.

  By doing in this way, the frequency | count of leak detection operation | movement can be restrained and starting time and restart time can be shortened more. In addition, deterioration of the life of the photoreceptor can be further suppressed. Furthermore, power consumption can be further suppressed.

  In the above example, as shown in FIG. 1, the printer 1 includes one configuration for the leak detection operation shown in FIG. Leak detection is performed in order. However, the printer 1 may be provided with the configuration of FIG. 2 for each cartridge. In that case, a leak detection operation may be performed in parallel for a plurality of cartridges for which communication failure has been identified in step S107.

[Modification 2]
In the above example, in the leak detection operation in step S107, the high voltage power supply 200 generates a leak voltage in the cartridge 28 (if it is properly mounted) according to the control signal from the power supply control unit 103 of the control board 100. 3, the voltage represented by the voltage value E 1 is applied to the cartridge 28.

  However, as described with reference to FIG. 3, the cartridge 28 generates a voltage proportional to the applied voltage when a predetermined voltage or higher is applied. Therefore, even if the voltage until the leakage voltage is generated is not applied to the cartridge 28, the voltage value E1 and the leakage voltage are applied to the cartridge 28 when applied at a voltage value E2 larger than the predetermined voltage. When the intermediate voltage obtained by the proportional relationship is generated, it can be estimated that a leak voltage is generated when the voltage is applied up to the voltage value E1.

  Therefore, the power supply control unit 103 of the control board 100 controls the application of the high voltage power supply 200 to the cartridge 28 in multiple stages so that a voltage value E1 lower than that is applied before the voltage value E1 is applied. May be. In FIG. 3, two stages of voltage values E1 and E2 are shown as the output setting of application, but the application may be controlled to be applied in multiple stages of two or more stages. An intermediate voltage obtained by the detection unit 104 of the control board 100 when the voltage value E2 before the voltage value E1 is applied is obtained by the proportional relationship between the voltage value E1 and the leakage voltage with respect to the voltage value E2. If it is detected, the determination unit 106 may determine that the mounted state is appropriate, assuming that a leakage voltage is generated in the cartridge 28.

  By doing so, in the printer 1, a high voltage is not applied rapidly in the leak detection operation, and overshoot can be reduced.

  If the circuit included in the high-voltage power supply 200 is configured such that the monitor voltage from the cartridge 28 decreases when the set voltage, which is the voltage applied to the cartridge 28, exceeds a predetermined voltage, the power supply control unit 103 The predetermined voltage is stored in advance, and an upper limit is set for the set voltage of the high-voltage power supply 200 during the leak detection operation.

[Modification 3]
In the printer 1, an image stabilization operation may be performed after the operation for determining the mounting state of the cartridge described above. In the image stabilization operation, a leak detection operation is performed to optimize the voltage applied to the developing unit 4. In the leak detection operation in the image stabilization operation, the voltage value to be applied is increased step by step, the applied voltage value when the leak voltage occurs is detected, and the optimum voltage output that does not generate a leak voltage during image formation is determined. Is.

  Therefore, in the printer 1, the leak detection operation in step S107 in the operation for determining the mounting state of the cartridge described above can also serve as the leak detection operation in the image stabilization operation. That is, in the leak detection operation in step S107, an optimum voltage output that does not generate a leak voltage during image formation may be determined and stored in a predetermined area of a memory (not shown).

  By doing so, it is possible to shorten the startup time and the restart time when the image stabilization operation is executed in the printer 1.

  In the above example, the mounting state of the cartridge 28 including the photoreceptor 3 as a process unit is determined by the above operation. The printer 1 further includes a toner cartridge 25 as a process unit. When the toner cartridge 25 also includes a storage element (not shown) and is connected to the CPU of the control board 100 while properly attached to the printer 1, the toner cartridge 25 is mounted on the control board 100 in the same manner as described above. The state can be confirmed.

  FIG. 1 shows an example in which the printer 1 includes the cartridge 28 including the photosensitive member 3 and the toner cartridge 25 as separate units as process units. However, these units are configured as one unit. May be. In that case, the mounting state of the cartridge 28 and the toner cartridge 25 can be confirmed by the above operation.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

It is the schematic which shows the specific example of the cross section of the center part of the printer concerning Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the specific example of the structure for the leak detection operation | movement performed with the control board | substrate and high voltage power supply which are included in the printer concerning embodiment. It is a figure showing the specific example of the relationship between the voltage output from a high voltage power supply, and the voltage which generate | occur | produces in a cartridge. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a specific example of a functional configuration for determining a mounting state of a cartridge in a printer on a control board. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a specific example of an operation flow for determining a mounted state of a cartridge executed by the printer according to the embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  1 printer, 2 intermediate transfer belt, 3, 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d photoconductor, 4, 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d developing unit, 5, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d charging unit, 6, 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d Exposure unit, 8 paper feed roller, 10 timing roller, 11 secondary transfer roller, 12, 12a, 12b fixing roller, 13 paper discharge roller, 16 storage unit, 25, 25a, 25b, 25c, 25d toner cartridge, 28, 28a, 28b, 28c, 28d Cartridge, 100 Control board, 101 Communication unit, 102 Identification unit, 103 Power supply control unit, 104 Detection unit, 105 Input unit, 106 Judgment unit, 107 Output control unit, 110 Leak detection circuit, 200 High-voltage power supply, 281, 281a, 281b, 281c, 281d Storage element.

Claims (6)

A photoreceptor unit including developing means;
Communication means for communicating with the photosensitive unit in a state where the photosensitive unit is mounted on the image forming apparatus;
Applying means for applying a predetermined voltage to the photosensitive unit;
Control means for controlling the application of voltage in the application means;
Detecting means for detecting a voltage generated in the photosensitive unit according to the voltage as a monitor voltage;
Determination means for determining whether the mounting state of the photosensitive unit to the image forming apparatus is appropriate or inappropriate based on the communication result of the communication means and the detection result of the detection means;
An output means for outputting an error when it is determined in the determining means that there is a photosensitive unit that is improperly attached to the image forming apparatus;
The image forming apparatus, wherein the control unit controls the application unit to apply the predetermined voltage to the photosensitive unit that has failed to communicate with the communication unit. The photoconductor unit includes a storage element having a communication function,
2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage element is connected to the communication unit in a state where the photosensitive unit is mounted on the image forming apparatus and can communicate with the communication unit.   The determination unit determines that the photoconductor unit detected by the detection unit as having reached the specified voltage is appropriate to be mounted on the image forming apparatus, and the detection unit detects the monitor unit. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the photoreceptor unit that is detected as having a voltage not reaching the specified voltage is determined to be inappropriately attached to the image forming apparatus.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the application unit to apply the voltage to the photosensitive unit stepwise up to the predetermined voltage.   When there are a plurality of photoconductor units in which communication by the communication unit is unsuccessful, the control unit controls the applying unit to sequentially apply to each of the plurality of photoconductor units. Item 5. The image forming apparatus according to any one of Items 1 to 4.   When the determination unit determines that the mounting state of one of the plurality of photoconductor units is inappropriate, the control unit determines that another photoconductor of the plurality of photoconductor units is present. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the applying unit is controlled so as not to apply to the unit.

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