JP2011131536A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus which prevents a service person from being called for owing to a minor failure rarely generated, and is improved in a service efficiency and a user operation efficiency. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus 1 includes: a control unit 21 for controlling an operation regarding image forming, and detecting a failure; a storage 24 part for storing information on detection and non-detection of a failure for every type of failures; and an operation panel 10 for displaying information on image formation and receiving an operational input. The control unit 21 detects an failure, and then when it detects the same failure within a predetermined period, the control unit displays information on the failure on the operation panel 10, stops the apparatus, and changes the information on the detection of the failure, stored in the storage 24, into that of non-detection, when the same failure is not detected in the predetermined period. Hence, when the same failure is not detected in the predetermined period after the image forming apparatus 1 detects the failure, the latest generation history on the failure is erased. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus represented by a copying machine or a printer.

  A general configuration of an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer includes an image reading unit that reads an image on the surface of a document, a document transport device that sends a document toward the image reading unit, and stacks and stores sheets before printing. The image forming unit includes a paper feed cassette, an image forming unit that forms a toner image, a transfer unit that transfers the toner image onto a sheet, and a fixing unit that fixes an unfixed toner image on the sheet.

  In such an image forming apparatus, a failure may occur in various components as in other electronic devices and home appliances. Some image forming apparatuses have a function of detecting a failure when the failure occurs and identifying the type and location of the failure. In general, an image forming apparatus having a function of detecting and identifying a failure stops the operation of the apparatus together with the detection of the failure, or notifies the user of information relating to the failure through a display panel or the like.

  The user tries to recover from the failure based on the failure information displayed on the display panel of the image forming apparatus. When the failure cannot be handled by the user, the image forming apparatus notifies the user of a service call, that is, a call by a service person.

  Here, due to erroneous detection or the like, there may be a problem that the service man is called due to a failure that does not need to be called. In view of this, an image forming apparatus that prevents the occurrence of such a problem has been proposed. The image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1 does not need to call a service person, and automatically and appropriately reboots (restarts and resets) a failure that is likely to be recovered by turning the power ON / OFF. I have to.

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-219247 (page 9, FIG. 3)

  However, in the case of the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1, since a failure to be rebooted is determined based on the number of printed sheets, a minor failure that rarely occurs in an image forming apparatus with a relatively low use frequency. May not be determined as a failure to be rebooted. As a result, there is a possibility that a service person will be called due to a minor failure that does not require a service person to be called. As a result, the user waits for a response by the service person, and there is a possibility that the work efficiency is lowered. In addition, there is a risk that service efficiency may be lowered for the service person.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and can prevent a serviceman from being called by a minor failure that occurs rarely, thereby improving service efficiency and user work efficiency. An object is to provide an image forming apparatus.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus that controls operations related to image formation and detects a failure, and stores information related to failure detection / non-detection according to the type of failure. And an operation panel that displays information relating to image formation and receives operation inputs, and the control unit detects information about the failure when detecting the same failure within a predetermined period after detecting the failure. The information is notified on the operation panel and the apparatus is stopped, and when the same failure is not detected within a predetermined period, the information related to the detection of the failure stored in the storage unit is changed to non-detection information.

  According to this configuration, when the image forming apparatus detects the same failure within a predetermined period after detecting the failure, the image forming apparatus notifies the user of information about the failure and automatically stops the apparatus. When the image forming apparatus does not detect the same failure within a predetermined period after detecting the failure, the image forming apparatus deletes the latest occurrence history related to the failure.

  The “predetermined period” is a predetermined time, and may be a time such as 10 hours or 30 hours, or may be a day such as 1 day or 3 days, or a combination of time and days. I do not care. In the embodiment described later, this “predetermined period” is, for example, “10 hours”, “20 hours”, “30 hours”, “40 hours” in order from the most severe failure ranked in four stages. However, it is not limited to these times.

  Further, in the image forming apparatus having the above-described configuration, after the failure is detected, the control unit notifies the failure information on the operation panel when a state where the same failure is not detected within a predetermined period exceeds a predetermined number of times. And the device was stopped. According to this configuration, the image forming apparatus notifies the user of information about the failure and automatically stops the apparatus based on a condition that replaces the condition that the same failure is detected twice within a predetermined period.

  The “predetermined number of times” is a predetermined number of times, and may be a number of times such as 2 times or 3 times. In the embodiment described later, this “predetermined number of times” is, for example, “3 times”, “4 times”, “6 times”, and “8 times” in order from the most severe failure ranked in 4 stages. However, it is not limited to these times.

  Further, in the image forming apparatus having the above configuration, the control unit does not detect the same failure within a predetermined period after detecting the failure or after detecting the same failure within the predetermined period. When the state exceeds a predetermined number of times, a reset of the image forming apparatus using the operation panel is accepted. According to this configuration, for example, when a minor failure is detected twice within a predetermined time without intention, the user can operate the reset of the image forming apparatus on the operation panel.

  Further, in the image forming apparatus having the above configuration, the predetermined period and / or the predetermined number of times are different depending on the type of failure. According to this configuration, the timing for automatically stopping the image forming apparatus varies depending on the frequency and degree of failure.

  According to the configuration of the present invention, after detecting a failure, when the same failure is not detected within a predetermined period, the most recent occurrence history related to the failure is deleted. It can be prevented from being called. As a result, the user can smoothly proceed with the operation using the image forming apparatus without waiting for the serviceman to respond. In addition, service calls are also reduced from being called unnecessarily. In this way, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus in which service efficiency and user work efficiency are improved.

1 is a schematic vertical sectional front view of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the image forming apparatus in FIG. 1. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation related to detection of a failure in the image forming apparatus.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, an image output operation of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described while explaining an outline of the structure with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is a schematic vertical sectional front view of an image forming apparatus, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the image forming apparatus. This image forming apparatus is of a color printing type in which a toner image is transferred onto a sheet using an intermediate transfer belt.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a paper feed cassette 3 is disposed below the inside of the main body 2 of the image forming apparatus 1. The paper feed cassette 3 stores and accommodates paper P such as cut paper before printing. The sheets P are separated and sent one by one toward the upper left of the sheet feeding cassette 3 in FIG. The paper feed cassette 3 can be pulled out horizontally from the front side of the main body 2.

  A first paper transport unit 4 is provided in the main body 2 and on the left side of the paper feed cassette 3. The first paper transport unit 4 is formed substantially vertically along the left side surface of the main body 2. The first paper transport unit 4 receives the paper P sent from the paper feed cassette 3 and transports it to the secondary transfer unit 5 vertically upward along the left side surface of the main body 2.

  A manual paper feed unit 6 is provided above the paper feed cassette 3 and on the right side, which is the side opposite to the left side of the main body 2 where the first paper transport unit 4 is formed. The manual paper feed unit 6 is loaded with paper that is not contained in the paper feed cassette 3, a thick paper, or an OHP sheet that is to be fed manually one by one.

  A second paper transport unit 7 is provided on the left side of the manual paper feed unit 6. The second paper transport unit 7 is located immediately above the paper feed cassette 3, extends substantially horizontally from the manual paper feed unit 6 to the first paper transport unit 4, and joins the first paper transport unit 4. The second paper transport unit 7 receives the paper fed from the manual paper feed unit 6 and transports the paper to the first paper transport unit 4 substantially horizontally.

  On the other hand, a document conveying device 8 is provided on the upper surface of the main body 2 of the image forming apparatus 1, and an image reading unit 9 is provided in the main body 2 below the main body 2. When the user copies an original, an original on which an image such as a character, a figure, or a pattern is drawn is stacked on the original conveying device 8 or placed on the contact glass 9a on the upper surface of the image reading unit 9. To do. In the document conveying device 8, one or a plurality of documents are separated and sent one by one, and the image reading unit 9 reads the image. With respect to the original on the contact glass 9 a, an image is read by scanning light within the image reading unit 9.

  The reading of the document image, that is, the start of image formation is executed using the operation panel 10 provided on the front side of the image reading unit 9 at the top of the main body 2. The operation panel 10 accepts print condition settings such as the type and size of paper used for printing by the user, the number of copies, enlargement / reduction, and presence / absence of double-sided printing, and transmission destination settings in a facsimile.

  Information on the image data of the original is sent to the exposure unit 11 disposed above the second paper transport unit 7 and in the center of the main body 2. The exposure unit 11 irradiates the image forming unit 12 with laser light L controlled based on the image data.

  A total of four image forming units 12 are provided above the exposure unit 11, and an intermediate transfer belt 13 using an intermediate transfer member in the form of an endless belt is provided above each image forming unit 12. The intermediate transfer belt 13 is supported by being wound around a plurality of rollers, and is rotated clockwise in FIG. 1 by a driving device (not shown).

  As shown in FIG. 1, the four image forming units 12 are of a so-called tandem type arranged in a line from the upstream side to the downstream side in the rotational direction along the rotational direction of the intermediate transfer belt 13. The four image forming units 12 are an image forming unit 12Y for yellow, an image forming unit 12M for magenta, an image forming unit 12C for cyan, and an image forming unit 12B for black in order from the upstream side. These image forming units 12 are replenished with a developer (toner) by a developer supply container and a conveying unit (not shown) corresponding to each color.

  In the following description, the identification symbols “Y”, “M”, “C”, and “B” of the image forming unit 12 are omitted unless particularly limited. The image forming apparatus 1 can select color printing or monochrome printing, but performs color printing unless otherwise specified.

  In each image forming unit 12, an electrostatic latent image of a document image is formed by the laser light L irradiated by the exposure unit 11, and a toner image is developed from the electrostatic latent image. The toner image is primarily transferred onto the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 13 by a primary transfer unit 14 provided above each image forming unit 12. Then, the toner image of each image forming unit 12 is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 13 at a predetermined timing as the intermediate transfer belt 13 rotates, so that four colors of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black are formed on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 13. A color toner image is formed by superimposing the toner images.

  The secondary transfer unit 5 is disposed at a position where the intermediate transfer belt 13 is suspended on the sheet conveyance path. The color toner image on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 13 is transferred to the paper P sent in synchronization by the first paper transport unit 4 at the secondary transfer nip portion formed in the secondary transfer unit 5.

  After the secondary transfer, deposits such as toner remaining on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 13 are the cleaning device for the intermediate transfer belt 13 provided on the upstream side of the intermediate transfer belt 13 in the rotation direction of the image forming unit 12Y for yellow. 15 is cleaned and collected.

  A fixing unit 16 is provided above the secondary transfer unit 5. The sheet P carrying the unfixed toner image in the secondary transfer unit 5 is sent to the fixing unit 16, and the toner image is heated and pressed by the heat roller and the pressure roller to be fixed.

  A sheet guide device 17 is provided above the fixing unit 16. The paper P discharged from the fixing unit 16 is discharged from the paper guide device 17 to the in-body paper discharge unit 18 provided at the top of the image forming apparatus 1 when double-sided printing is not performed.

  The discharge port portion from which the paper P is discharged from the paper guide device 17 toward the in-body paper discharge portion 18 functions as a switchback portion 19. When performing duplex printing, the switchback unit 19 switches the transport direction of the paper P discharged from the fixing unit 16. Then, the sheet P passes through the sheet guide device 17 and is sent downward through a sheet conveying path 20 for double-sided printing provided on the left side of the fixing unit 16 and on the left side of the transfer unit 5, and again the first sheet conveying unit. 4 is sent to the secondary transfer section 5.

  Further, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a control unit 21 constituted by a CPU 22 and other electronic parts (not shown) in the main body 2 as shown in FIG. The control unit 21 uses a central processing unit CPU 22 and an image processing unit 23, and the image reading unit 9, the image forming unit 12, the intermediate transfer belt 13, based on the program and data stored and input in the storage unit 24. A series of image forming operations are realized by controlling components such as the fixing unit 16. Moreover, the control part 21 is provided with the time measuring part 25 which time-measures the inside (it may be the outside), and can grasp | ascertain various time, such as a failure generation date.

  The image forming apparatus 1 includes various sensors such as a temperature sensor 16a and a paper detection switch 26 in each part of the apparatus. The various sensors output temperature, humidity, presence / absence of obstacles such as paper, etc., as electrical signals at each part in the apparatus. The control unit 21 detects a failure based on output signals from various sensors. Further, the control unit 21 detects a failure based on the operating current and voltage of functional members such as a motor such as a polygon motor 11a, a drum motor 12a, and a belt motor 13a, an abnormality in data stored in the storage unit 24, and the like. There is also.

  Failures detected by the control unit 21 are ranked by type. For example, the failure related to the fixing unit 16 is set to be the most serious failure, then the data stored in the storage unit 24 is abnormal, the drive system such as the motor of the exposure unit 11 and the image forming unit 12 is troubled, and various switches. Various faults are ranked by type in the order of abnormality and transport system trouble. The control unit 21 assigns a failure code to each type of failure, and stores information related to detection / non-detection of failure, failure occurrence date and time, number of failure occurrences, and the like in the storage unit 24. It should be noted that information relating to the detection / non-detection of failure is stored for each type of failure as data indicating that a failure flag is set or not.

  Here, an example of a failure detected by the control unit will be described for each rank.

  For example, a failure related to the fixing unit 16 that is set as the most serious failure will be described. For example, the fixing unit 16 includes a temperature sensor 16a (including a thermistor) for detecting the temperature of a heat roller or a pressure roller. For example, the temperature sensor 16a is provided so as to be in contact with the heat roller (may be a non-contact type). The control unit 21 is connected to the temperature sensor 16a and grasps the temperature of the heat roller based on the output of the temperature sensor 16a. For example, the control unit 21 controls energization to the heater 16b in the heat roller to maintain the heat roller at an appropriate temperature (for example, about 180 to 200 ° C.) during toner melting during image formation.

  If the conductor connecting the control unit 21 and the temperature sensor 16a is broken, the control unit 21 cannot detect the temperature of the heat roller. As a result, in the fixing unit 16, the control unit 21 continues to be heated by the heater 16b, the heat roller and the fixing unit 16 themselves are overheated, and there is a possibility that the inside of the fixing unit 16 and the surrounding members are melted. is there. Therefore, if the temperature rise by the temperature sensor 16a cannot be confirmed even after the heater 16b is turned on for a certain period of time, the control unit 21 detects a failure as a disconnection.

  The control unit 21 controls the energization of the heater 16b. For example, if the heat roller continues to rise in temperature when the output from the temperature sensor 16a is observed even when the energization of the heater 16b is turned off, the fixing unit 16 It is determined that a failure has occurred. This is because the temperature of the heat roller may continue to rise due to a failure of a constituent element (conducting control unit 16c, for example, a switch) that turns on / off the heater 16b.

  Further, even when the control unit 21 energizes the heater 16b, a case where the temperature of the heat roller does not rise above a certain level may be detected as a failure. This is because the toner cannot be melted properly and image formation cannot be performed properly.

  Since the fixing unit 16 handles heat, excessive maintenance may cause troublesome maintenance such as replacement of the fixing unit 16. Therefore, in the present embodiment, a failure related to the fixing unit 16 is defined as the most serious failure.

  Next, an abnormality of data stored in the storage unit 24 that is ranked as a failure one rank lower than the failure of the fixing unit 16 in the present embodiment will be described.

  For example, the storage unit 24 stores data such as various parameters in image formation and a program for controlling each unit. For example, the total number of printed sheets is stored from the viewpoint of maintenance and life management of the image forming apparatus 1. Further, data indicating the rotation speed of the polygon motor 11a that scans the laser light emitted by the exposure unit 11, the voltage for charging the photosensitive drum by the charging device, the voltage at the developing device when the toner is ejected, the primary Data indicating various voltages such as a voltage at the transfer unit 14 is stored in the storage unit 24 as data indicating parameters. In addition, a program for determining timing for applying various voltages is also stored.

  The control unit 21 appropriately executes printing by performing image formation using parameter data and programs stored in the storage unit 24. In addition, by storing the total number of printed sheets in the storage unit 24, it is possible to know the replacement period by grasping the components that have reached the end of their lifetime among the components such as the fixing unit 16 and the image forming unit 12.

  The storage unit 24 stores the data and programs of these parameters in a nonvolatile manner, but the data in the storage unit 24 may be damaged due to, for example, static electricity or noise. Further, the circuit itself of the storage unit 24 may be broken due to a short circuit of the circuit in the storage unit 24 or the like.

  As a result, for example, data such as the total number of printed sheets cannot be stored, and there is a possibility that the life management of each part in the image forming apparatus 1 or the image forming apparatus cannot be appropriately performed. In addition, if parameter data such as voltage is damaged, an image to be formed may be disturbed, or the printing function may be completely lost in some cases. Therefore, in the embodiment, the corruption of the data stored in the storage unit 24 is defined as a rank that is one level lower than the failure related to the fixing unit 16.

  In order to detect data abnormality in the storage unit 24, the control unit 21 performs a checksum of data in a certain area stored in the storage unit 24 when the main power is turned on or at a certain period. The control unit 21 can confirm that the data and program in the storage unit 24 are normal because the value obtained by the checksum of each time always takes the same value. When the checksum value does not indicate a constant value, the control unit 21 detects that the data is damaged (in some cases, alteration can also be detected) and that it is a failure.

  Next, in the present embodiment, troubles (failures) in drive systems such as the motors of the exposure unit 11 and the image forming unit 12 that are ranked as a failure one rank lower than the data abnormality or failure of the storage unit 24 will be described. To do.

  For example, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a polygon motor 11a that is provided in the exposure unit 11 and rotates a polygon mirror that reflects laser light in order to scan and expose the photosensitive drum. In addition, a drum motor 12a that rotates each photosensitive drum, a belt motor 13a that rotates the intermediate transfer belt 13, a fixing motor 16d that rotates a heat roller of a fixing unit, and a conveyance motor that rotates a pair of conveyance rollers in the conveyance path. Various motors 27 and the like are provided in the image forming apparatus 1. The controller 21 can control the rotation speed of each of these motors.

  Further, the control unit 21 can grasp the rotation speed of each motor (for example, each motor is provided with a rotary encoder, a hall element, etc., and the control unit 21 grasps the output thereof). Here, if there is an abnormality in the rotational speed of any of the motors, it may not be possible to print, but proper image formation may not be possible. For example, if there is an abnormality in the rotational speed of the polygon motor 11a, the drum motor 12a, or the belt motor 13a, there is a possibility that the formation or transfer of the toner image may be shifted. Further, if there is an abnormality in the fixing motor or the conveyance motor, the paper may be jammed or broken.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, an abnormality in the rotation of each motor is defined as a rank that is one level lower than the damage such as data stored in the storage unit 24. For example, the control unit 21 detects that a failure has occurred when an abnormal rotational speed (for example, a difference from a rotational speed determined for each motor is equal to or greater than a certain value) continues in any motor.

  Next, in this embodiment, detection of a switch abnormality that detects paper conveyance ranked as a failure one rank lower than a motor rotation abnormality and detection of a conveyance system trouble will be described.

  For example, in the image forming apparatus 1, a paper detection switch for detecting the arrival and passage of the paper P in front of the registration roller pair, the downstream side of the paper feed cassette 3, the upstream side and the downstream side of the fixing unit 16, and the like. 26 is provided. For example, the paper detection switch 26 is configured using a transmission type optical sensor, but is not limited to the optical sensor, and it is sufficient that the arrival and passage of the paper P can be detected. For example, the paper detection switch 26 includes a rotating plate that rotates in contact with the paper P, and an optical sensor in which a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit are provided so as to sandwich the rotating plate. For example, in the state where the sheet P is not present at the position of the sheet detection switch 26, the light from the light emitting unit is blocked by the rotating plate, but when the sheet P exists and contacts the rotating plate, the rotating plate moves, and the light emitting unit From the light reaches the light receiving unit. That is, the paper detection switch 26 is a switch that switches between High and Low of the output signal depending on the presence or absence of the paper P.

  The control unit 21 receives the output of each paper detection switch 26 and grasps the paper conveyance status in the machine. For example, when focusing on a single sheet P, the control unit 21 confirms that the output of the sheet detection switch 26 changes in order from the sheet feeding cassette 3 toward the downstream side in the sheet conveyance direction, and the control unit 21 determines that the sheet P is appropriate. Know if it is being transported.

  Further, for example, the control unit 21 detects that the sheet P is detected even if an allowable time has elapsed from a time when a certain sheet detection switch 26 should detect the arrival of the sheet P (change in output of the sheet detection switch 26, for example, change from High to Low). If the arrival of the paper is not detected, it is determined that a paper jam has occurred. Alternatively, the control unit 21 allows the sheet P to pass even if a certain time elapses from the time when a certain sheet detection switch 26 should detect the passage of the sheet P (change in output of the sheet detection switch 26, for example, change from Low to High). If it is not detected, it is determined that a paper jam has occurred.

  Further, a failure may occur in the paper detection switch 26 itself. For example, in the case of jam processing (removal processing of the paper P from the conveyance path), damage due to an overload applied to the paper detection switch 26 via the paper P is considered. In addition, disconnection or the like in the lead wire from each paper detection switch 26 to the control unit 21 may occur. If the control unit 21 cannot receive the output from each paper detection switch 26, it is difficult to grasp the conveyance state of the paper P, although printing is not impossible.

  For example, when the output of each paper detection switch 26 does not change at all (for example, the Low state is maintained), the control unit 21 detects and grasps that an abnormality has occurred in the paper detection switch 26. Further, for example, among the three paper detection switches 26 arranged in the transport direction, the upstream paper detection switch 26 on the upstream side and the downstream paper detection switch 26 detect the arrival of the paper P or the like, but the intermediate paper detection switch 26. The control unit 21 detects and grasps that an abnormality has occurred in the paper detection switch 26. As described above, in this embodiment, the failure of each paper detection switch 26 related to the paper conveyance is defined as a rank one level lower than the failure in the motor.

  Note that the above-described ranking of failures is an example, and the failure and rank can be set as appropriate. For example, a failure other than the above may be included in any rank. Further, a plurality of ranks may be provided. Further, the ranking in the above ranking may be different.

  Further, the storage unit 24 stores a time as a guideline for measuring the frequency of occurrence of failures as a predetermined time that is predetermined for each type of failure. As this predetermined time, for example, 10 hours, 20 hours, 30 hours, 40 hours, etc. are set in order from the most severe failure in which the degree of failure is ranked in four stages, and stored in the storage unit 24. The control unit 21 can identify the occurrence frequency of the failure by confirming whether or not the failure flag is set and the predetermined time relating to the failure. Further, the storage unit 24 stores, for each type of failure, the number of times that the same failure is not detected within a predetermined time after detecting the failure as a predetermined number of times. As the predetermined number of times, for example, three times, four times, six times, eight times, etc. are set in order from the most severe failure in which the degree of failure is ranked in four stages, and stored in the storage unit 24.

  On the other hand, the storage unit 24 also stores contact information such as the name and telephone number of the service center related to the failure.

  Next, an operation relating to failure detection of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described along a flow shown in FIG. 3 in addition to FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation related to failure detection of the image forming apparatus.

  The operation flow shown in FIG. 3 starts when the control unit 21 starts driving, for example, after the main power supply of the image forming apparatus 1 is turned on or when the image forming apparatus 1 returns from the power saving mode. The image forming apparatus 1 always determines whether or not an abnormality, that is, a failure has occurred, based on output signals from the various sensors 25 and the storage state in the storage unit 24 (step # 101 in FIG. 3). . When detecting a failure (Yes in step # 101), the control unit 21 checks the type of failure based on the transmission destination of the abnormality information (step # 102).

  Subsequently, the control unit 21 checks the information stored in the storage unit 24 and determines whether or not the same type of failure flag has already been set (step # 103). Thereby, after detecting a failure first, the control part 21 can identify whether the same kind of failure recurred within a predetermined time.

  If the same type of failure flag is not raised in step # 103, that is, if the same type of failure does not recur within a predetermined time (No in step # 103), the control unit 21 detects the failure and then returns within the predetermined time. In step # 104, it is determined whether or not the same failure is detected more than a predetermined number of times. If the predetermined number of times has not been exceeded (No in Step # 104), the control unit 21 executes a reset operation of the image forming apparatus 1 (Step # 105). Then, the control unit 21 sets a failure flag and stores it in the storage unit 24, and starts a timer to measure the occurrence frequency of the failure (step # 106). Subsequently, the control unit 21 determines whether or not a failure has occurred (step # 101).

  If no failure has occurred in the image forming apparatus 1 (No in Step # 101), the control unit 21 determines whether or not a predetermined time that has been determined in advance for each type of failure has elapsed (Step # 107). If the predetermined time has not elapsed for the timer started in step # 106 (No in step # 107), the control unit 21 again determines whether or not a failure has occurred (step # 101). When the predetermined time has elapsed (Yes in Step # 107), the control unit 21 clears the failure flag set in Step # 106 and sets the failure flag to not being set.

  That is, after detecting a failure, the control unit 21 changes information related to the detection of the failure stored in the storage unit 24 to non-detection information when the same failure is not detected within a predetermined period. As a result, after the image forming apparatus 1 detects a failure and does not detect the same failure within a predetermined period, it deletes the most recent occurrence history related to the failure.

  On the other hand, if the same type of failure flag is not set in step # 103, that is, if the same type of failure recurs within a predetermined time (Yes in step # 103), or after detecting the failure, the same failure is detected within the predetermined time. If the number of times when the error is not detected exceeds the predetermined number of times (Yes in step # 104), the control unit 21 informs the operation panel 10 of information about the failure, that is, the failure code, the contact information of the service center, and the like. The apparatus 1 is stopped (step # 109). Then, the operation flow related to failure detection is completed (END in FIG. 3).

  That is, when the image forming apparatus 1 detects a failure and detects the same failure within a predetermined period, the image forming apparatus 1 notifies the user of information about the failure and automatically stops. Further, the image forming apparatus 1 notifies the user of information about the failure and automatically stops based on a condition that replaces the condition that the same failure is detected twice within a predetermined period. As a result, it is possible to prevent the state in which the reset operation is automatically repeated even if the same failure is detected a plurality of times from continuing.

  In step # 109, the control unit 21 may accept a reset of the image forming apparatus 1 using the operation panel 10 (in parentheses in step # 109). Thereby, for example, when a minor failure is detected twice within a predetermined time without intention, the user can operate the reset of the image forming apparatus 1 on the operation panel 10.

  As described above, when the image forming apparatus 1 detects a failure and does not detect the same failure within a predetermined period, the most recent occurrence history related to the failure is deleted. Can be prevented from being called. As a result, the user can smoothly proceed with the operation using the image forming apparatus 1 without waiting for the response of the service person. In addition, service calls are also reduced from being called unnecessarily. In this way, it is possible to provide the image forming apparatus 1 in which service efficiency and user work efficiency are improved.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the scope of the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

  For example, the image forming apparatus 1 in the above embodiment of the present invention is an image forming apparatus for color printing that transfers a toner image onto a sheet using an intermediate transfer belt. The image forming apparatus is not limited to such a type, and may be an image forming apparatus that does not use an intermediate transfer belt or an image forming apparatus for monochrome printing.

  The present invention can be used in general image forming apparatuses.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 10 Operation panel 11 Exposure part 11a Polygon motor 12 Image forming part 12a Drum motor 13 Intermediate transfer belt 13a Belt motor 16 Fixing part 16a Temperature sensor 16b Heater 16d Fixing motor 21 Control part 24 Storage part 25 Timing part 26 Paper detection switch

Claims (4)

A control unit for controlling an operation related to image formation and detecting a failure;
A storage unit that stores information related to the detection / non-detection of failure according to the type of failure;
An operation panel for displaying information related to image formation and receiving operation input,
When the control unit detects a failure and then detects the same failure within a predetermined period, the control unit notifies the operation panel of information about the failure and stops the apparatus, and when the same failure is not detected within the predetermined period An image forming apparatus, wherein information relating to detection of the failure stored in the storage unit is changed to non-detection information.   The control unit, after detecting a failure, informs the information about the failure on the operation panel and stops the device when a state in which the same failure is not detected within a predetermined period exceeds a predetermined number of times. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.   When the controller detects the same failure within a predetermined period after detecting the failure, or after detecting the failure, the state where the same failure is not detected within the predetermined period exceeds the predetermined number of times. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a reset of the image forming apparatus using a panel is received.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined period and / or the predetermined number of times differ depending on a type of failure.

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