JP2011158598A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus with which printing conditions which are optimal for image quality required by a customer are obtained, within a short time on a customer side, and which enables even a user who does not understand relation between an image defect and a parameter to readily obtain printing conditions to easily resolve image defects. <P>SOLUTION: In the image forming apparatus includes a latent image forming means 5 for forming a latent image on an image carrier 6; a developing means for developing the latent image on the image carrier to be a visible image; a transfer means for transferring the image on the image carrier to a recording member S, directly or via an intermediate transfer body 2; and a fixing means 12 for fixing the image transferred to the recording member, by making the image forming apparatus constitute to include a means 26 for printing by automatically combining the fixing temperature, fixing nip width, linear velocity in fixing, secondary transfer current and decurling amount as the parameter for the fixing conditions, a transfer condition and paper passing evaluation, in order to find out the printing conditions that are optimum for the customer, so that the customer can select the optimum image based on the printed result, and can readily set respective parameters. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile machine, or a multifunction machine having a plurality of these functions.

In an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic system, an image (toner image) formed on an image carrier such as a photoconductor is transferred to a recording member such as recording paper directly or via an intermediate transfer member, and recorded by a fixing device. An image is formed by melting and fixing to a member.
In such an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, a technique is known in which parameters relating to an image such as a fixing condition, a transfer condition, and a sheet passing condition are changed to derive an optimum printing condition according to a recording member to be used. ing.

For example, Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-66774) provides an image forming apparatus and a self-diagnosis system that facilitates grasping of control parameters of the image forming apparatus and facilitates handling of complaints from customers. A configuration is disclosed in which display and output are possible not with the control parameter itself but with a ratio within a range that the parameter can take and an increase / decrease amount from a reference value.
With this conventional technology, it is possible to easily obtain the optimum printing conditions, but there is a problem that the optimum printing conditions requested by the manufacturer may not be used at the customer site.

The optimum printing condition in the conventional electrophotographic image forming apparatus is that each image forming apparatus manufacturer manually evaluates the parameters related to the image one by one for the recording member used by the customer. There is a problem that it takes time to obtain the optimum printing conditions.
Furthermore, since the printing environment of the manufacturer and the printing environment of the customer are different, the printing conditions required by the manufacturer are not necessarily optimal, and the optimal printing conditions required by the manufacturer are given based on the manufacturer's indicators. For this reason, there is a problem that the customer's preference such as gloss and color cannot be taken into account and the customer cannot use it.
In addition, when an image defect occurs, the relationship between the image defect and the parameter must be grasped in order to eliminate the image defect, and further, the relationship with the image is obtained in the same manner as the above-described optimum printing conditions are derived. There is also a problem that adjustment must be performed by manually combining the parameters to be performed one by one.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and it is possible to quickly obtain the optimum printing conditions for the image quality requested by the customer at the customer site, and even a user who does not grasp the relationship between the image defect and the parameter can easily perform the image. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that can easily obtain printing conditions for eliminating defects.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention employs the following solutions.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a latent image forming unit that forms a latent image on an image carrier, a developing unit that develops the latent image on the image carrier into a visible image, and the image carrier. An image forming apparatus comprising a transfer unit that transfers an image on a body directly to a recording member or via an intermediate transfer member, and a fixing unit that fixes the image transferred to the recording member. In order to find out, the fixing temperature, fixing nip width, fixing linear speed (rotating speed of fixing member (fixing roller or fixing belt), etc.), secondary transfer current, and decurler amount as parameters for fixing conditions, transfer conditions, and paper passing evaluation. Means for automatically combining and printing is provided (claim 1).

According to a second solving means of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus of the first solving means, the image forming apparatus includes a storage device, and the storage device includes fixability, drawing / gloss rank, wrinkles / earthworms, surface area, bossochi / chili.・ Fixing conditions, transfer conditions, and paper-passing conditions that can eliminate image defects for image defect evaluation items such as white spots and curls, and fixing parameters, fixing nip widths, and fixing lines as parameters that satisfy the above conditions. It is characterized by having a high speed, a secondary transfer current, and a decurler amount.
According to a third solving means of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus of the first or the second solving means, the above-mentioned fixing temperature, fixing nip width, fixing linear velocity, secondary transfer current, and decurler amount are set during printing. Means for printing each parameter value, an arbitrary number assigned in the printing order, and the printing date and time are provided (claim 3).
According to a fourth solving means of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus of the third solving means, the parameter value is converted into an identifier (for example, converted into an identification code such as a two-dimensional code or a one-dimensional code) and printed. (Claim 4).

According to a fifth solving means of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth solving means, an identifier (for example, an identification code such as a two-dimensional code or a one-dimensional code) is read. (Claim 5).
According to a sixth solving means of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus of the fourth solving means, an identifier (for example, an identification code such as a two-dimensional code or a one-dimensional code) is read and converted into an identifier at the time of printing. The parameter value printout is read by the identifier reading means and stored in a storage device (claim 6).
According to a seventh solving means of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus of any one of the first to sixth solving means, a means for determining whether or not the measuring means is operating within a predetermined range during printing. If the determination result is negative, the reference amount is stored in the storage device after correction, and is reflected in advance printing confirmation and printing under the same conditions (claim 7).

According to an eighth solving means of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to seventh solving means, the above-mentioned fixing conditions, transfer conditions, and paper passing evaluation are performed in accordance with a recording member to be used at the time of printing. (5) A means for allowing a customer or an operator to arbitrarily select a combination of parameters is provided.
According to a ninth solving means of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to eighth solving means, when printing is performed, an image to be printed is printed by an image that is arbitrarily selected and captured by a user. Means capable of being provided are provided (claim 9).
According to a tenth solving means of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to ninth solving means, the parameter group is selected and printed in accordance with an apparatus environment such as temperature and humidity. (Claim 10).

According to an eleventh solving means of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus of any one of the third to tenth solving means, when printing is performed, the printed number and the value of each parameter of the number are stored in and read out from the storage device. It is characterized by the above-mentioned (claim 11).
According to a twelfth solving means of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the third to eleventh solving means, when printing is performed, an arbitrary number assigned in the printing order and the parameter value are combined in the storage device. Means for automatically setting the parameter value by selecting a number stored and arbitrarily assigned is provided (claim 12).
According to a thirteenth solving means of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus of any one of the first to twelfth solving means, there is provided means for naming each parameter used at the time of printing and storing it in a storage device. (Claim 13).

In the present invention, since the image forming apparatus automatically performs printing by combining the parameters at the customer site, the customer can select an optimal image from the printing result, and each parameter can be easily set. it can.
In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the parameters used for printing the image selected by the customer are stored in the storage device and can be set in the image forming apparatus. Further, image defects occur due to environmental changes or the like. In this case, even a user who does not understand the relationship between the image defect and the parameter can easily eliminate the image defect, so that the optimum printing condition for the image quality required by the customer at the customer can be obtained in a short time.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a control flow of an entire optimum condition search function in the image forming apparatus of the present invention. 1 is a schematic overall configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus showing an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a combination table of fixing conditions, transfer conditions, and paper passing evaluation parameters by a recording member, and is a diagram for explaining fixing conditions, transfer conditions, and paper passing evaluation parameters in the recording member. It is a figure explaining the control flow at the time of using the specific automatic printing function in the image forming apparatus of this invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a print image selection flow in step S1 of FIG. 4; FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a print condition setting flow in step S2 of FIG. 4; It is a figure explaining the setting flow of parameter value preservation | save of procedure S4 of FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating conveyance and fixing of a recording member in an image forming apparatus. It is a figure explaining the relationship between fixing temperature, wrinkles, fixing properties, and surface roughness. It is a figure explaining the parameter group and parameter group for eliminating a wrinkle. It is a figure explaining the evaluation procedure using the specific automatic printing function in the image forming apparatus of this invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a sheet conveyance path in the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG. 2. Measurement of the sheet conveyance speed by the measuring means (sensors SN1 to SN4) shown in FIG. 12, and calculation and storage (storage to the storage device) of the correction value (acceleration amount or deceleration amount) of the rotation speed reference clock of the drive motor. It is a figure explaining the flow to implement.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.
The present invention has the following characteristics in the process of finding the optimum printing conditions in the image forming apparatus.
Conventionally, each image forming device manufacturer prints a combination of parameters related to image quality on the recording members used by customers, and the manufacturer determines the optimal printing conditions from the results. In contrast, in the present invention, the image forming apparatus automatically prints a combination of the parameters at the customer site, and the customer selects the optimum image from the result and uses it for printing the selected image. The stored parameters can be stored in the storage device and set in the image forming apparatus. In addition, even when an image failure occurs due to a change in environment or the like, even a user who does not grasp the relationship between the image failure and the parameter can easily It is characterized by being able to eliminate image defects.
The features of the present invention will be described in detail based on the illustrated embodiment.

FIG. 1 shows a control flow of the entire optimum condition searching function in the image forming apparatus of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the optimum condition search function includes (1) a function for setting and saving after combining parameters, performing automatic printing (automatic printing function), and evaluating a printed matter (selecting optimum printing conditions) by a customer. (2) When an image defect occurs, printing is performed by combining parameters with respect to each image defect (image defect removal function), and the customer has a function of setting and storing after re-evaluating the printed matter. The automatic printing function and the image defect removal function also have (3) a drive unit correction function.
Hereinafter, details of (1) are shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, and details of (2) are shown in FIGS. Further, details of (3) are shown in FIGS.

FIG. 2 is a schematic overall configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus showing an embodiment of the present invention, and is a diagram for explaining parameters of fixing conditions, transfer conditions, and paper passing conditions in the image forming apparatus.
An image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 2 is an example of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention can be applied, and an endless belt-shaped intermediate transfer belt 2 is provided near the center. The intermediate transfer belt 2 is wound around a plurality of support rollers 28, a drive roller 8, and a secondary transfer counter roller 10 so that the intermediate transfer belt 2 can be rotated and conveyed clockwise in the drawing. On the intermediate transfer belt 2, a tandem image forming apparatus 4 is configured in which a plurality of image forming units 3 are arranged side by side along the conveying direction. As shown in FIG. 2, a laser beam scanning exposure device 5 is provided on the tandem image forming device 4 as latent image forming means. Each image forming unit 3 of the tandem image forming apparatus 4 includes a photosensitive drum 6 as an image carrier that carries toner images of, for example, yellow, magenta, cyan, and black. Although the reference numerals are omitted in FIG. 2, a charging means for uniformly charging the photosensitive drum 6 before exposure is formed around the photosensitive drum 6 on the photosensitive drum by the exposure device 5. Development means for developing the latent image with toner of each color, primary transfer means for transferring the toner image on the photosensitive drum 6 to the intermediate transfer belt 2, cleaning means for cleaning the photosensitive drum 6 after transfer, and the like are provided. ing.

At the primary transfer position where the toner image is transferred from the photosensitive drum 6 of each image forming unit 3 to the intermediate transfer belt 2, the primary transfer is performed so as to face each of the photosensitive drums 6 with the intermediate transfer belt 2 interposed therebetween. A primary transfer roller 7 is provided as a component of the means. The intermediate transfer belt 2 is rotationally driven by a driving roller 8.
On the upper part of the image forming apparatus 1, an operator panel 27 is provided for the customer to make print settings.

  A secondary transfer device 9 is provided as a secondary transfer unit on the opposite side of the intermediate transfer belt 2 from the tandem image forming device 4. In the illustrated example, the secondary transfer device 9 transfers the image on the intermediate transfer body 2 to the recording member S by pressing the secondary transfer roller 11 against the secondary transfer counter roller 10 and applying a transfer electric field. In the secondary transfer device 9, the transfer current of the secondary transfer roller 11, which is a transfer condition parameter, is changed by the recording member S.

Next to the secondary transfer device 9, a fixing mechanism unit 12 is provided as a fixing unit that fixes a transfer image on the recording member S. Then, the recording belt S after image transfer is conveyed to the fixing mechanism 12 by the conveyance belt 15.
The fixing mechanism 12 is configured by pressing a pressure roller 14 against a fixing belt 13 that is an endless belt-like fixing member stretched between a heating roller and a driven roller. In the fixing mechanism 12, the temperature of the fixing belt 13 and the pressure roller 14, the contact width between the fixing belt 13 and the pressure roller 14 (hereinafter referred to as nip width), the fixing belt 13 and the pressure roller 14, which are parameters of the fixing conditions. Is rotated by the recording member S. Although FIG. 2 shows an example in which the fixing belt 13 is used as a fixing member, a fixing roller having a heating source may be used.

  A controller box 25 is provided on the side of the image forming apparatus 1. A controller board 26 constituting a control unit in the controller box 25 has a central processing unit (CPU) composed of a microcomputer and various controls. For example, a storage device (memory such as ROM, RAM, nonvolatile RAM), an input / output device, various control circuits, a clock, a timer, and the like. When image data is sent from the controller board 26 to the tandem image forming apparatus 4 of the image forming apparatus 1 and an image forming start signal is received, the drive roller 8 is rotationally driven by a drive motor (not shown) to support a plurality of other supports. The roller 28 is driven to rotate and the intermediate transfer belt 2 is rotated and conveyed. At the same time, the image forming operations of charging, exposure (latent image formation), and development are carried out by the individual image forming means 3 to form respective single color images on the respective photosensitive drums 6. Then, along with the conveyance of the intermediate transfer belt 2, these single color images are sequentially transferred by the primary transfer roller 7 of the primary transfer unit to form a composite color image on the intermediate transfer belt 2.

In addition, one of the paper feed rollers (pickup rollers) 17 of the multi-stage paper feed table 16 is selectively rotated, the recording member S is fed out from one of the paper feed cassettes 18 and conveyed by the conveyance roller 19, and the registration roller 20. The registration roller 20 is rotated in synchronization with the composite color image on the intermediate transfer belt 2 and the secondary transfer device 9 transfers the composite color image onto the recording member S to record the color image. .
After the image is transferred, the recording member S is conveyed by the conveying belt 15 and sent to the fixing mechanism unit 12, and heat and pressure are applied by the fixing belt 13 and the pressure roller 14 to fix the transferred image. 21 to the decurler unit 22. In the decurler unit 22, the decurler amount, which is a parameter of the sheet passing condition, is changed by the recording member S. The decurler amount is adjusted by changing the pressure of the decurler roller 23. The recording member S is discharged by the decurler roller 23 and stacked on the paper discharge tray 24.

FIG. 3 is a combination table of the fixing conditions, transfer conditions, and paper passing evaluation parameters by the recording member (various paper). The fixing conditions, transfer conditions, and paper passing evaluation parameters of the recording member (various papers) will be described. FIG. The combination table data shown in FIG. 3 is stored in advance in a storage device provided on the controller board 26 in the controller box 25.
By specifying the type and thickness of the paper according to the recording member (various paper) to be used on the operator panel 27, according to the matrix (FIG. 3) provided in advance in the storage device, the fixing condition, the transfer condition, the general condition, and the like. Paper condition parameters (fixing temperature, fixing nip width, fixing linear speed, secondary transfer current, decurler amount) are set.
In the image forming apparatus, the fixing condition, the transfer condition, and the sheet passing condition parameter (fixing temperature, fixing nip width, fixing linear speed, secondary transfer current, decurler amount) have an upper limit value and a lower limit value determined for each parameter. , Set from among them.

  The image forming apparatus sets “recording member type” and “recording member thickness” in advance before printing, so that parameters of the fixing condition, transfer condition, and paper passing condition (fixing temperature, fixing nip width, fixing linear velocity) (Secondary transfer current, decurler amount) are set to initial values of the image forming apparatus, and printing is performed. As an example, when “type of recording member” is coated paper and “thickness of recording member” is 3, the initial fixing value of the image forming apparatus is T5, the fixing nip width is N5, and the fixing linear velocity is S3. The secondary transfer current is set to A3, and the decurler amount is set to D3. However, there are many types of recording members with “recording member type” coated paper and “recording member thickness” of thickness 3 (thickness 3 has a width of 127 to 156 g, depending on the manufacturer. Many coated papers and papers with a thickness of 3 are on the market.) However, the initial settings of the image forming apparatus are not necessarily the optimum printing conditions (the optimum combination of parameters). For this reason, it is necessary to find optimum printing conditions.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a control flow when a specific automatic printing function is used in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a print image selection flow in step S1 of FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the flow for setting the printing conditions in step S2 in FIG. 4, and FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the setting flow for saving parameter values in step S4 in FIG.

FIG. 4 shows an overall control flow of the automatic printing function in the image forming apparatus of the present invention. The automatic printing function will be described with reference to this figure.
When it is desired to use the automatic printing function, the automatic printing function is started by pressing the “automatic printing function start” button on the touch panel of the operator panel 27 provided in the image forming apparatus 1.

  Next, the screen is switched to a screen for selecting a print image, and an image to be printed is selected by the automatic print function (S1). After selecting the image, the screen switches to the printing condition setting screen, and the combination of each printing parameter (fixing temperature, fixing nip width, fixing linear speed, secondary transfer current, decurler amount) and recording member settings (thickness, type), etc. Perform (S2). After the setting is completed, when the print start button on the operator panel 27 is pressed, automatic printing is started (S3). At this time, the recording member has the image value selected in step S1, the arbitrary number assigned in the printing order, the printing date and time, and the parameter value converted into an identifier (for example, converted into an identification code such as a two-dimensional code or a one-dimensional code). Printed. Finally, a combination of parameters used for automatic printing can be named and saved in the storage device or reflected on the image forming apparatus 1 (S4).

  FIG. 5 shows the internal selection flow of step S1 in FIG. A print image selection flow in step S1 will be described with reference to FIG. As described above, when the user presses the “automatic print mode start” button on the touch panel of the operator panel 27 provided in the image forming apparatus 1, the automatic print mode is started. Next, the screen switches to a screen for selecting a print image.

  First, it is selected whether to use an arbitrary image or automatic (an image stored in advance in the image forming apparatus) for the print image (S1-1). When the “arbitrary setting” button and the “automatic setting” button are displayed and the arbitrary selection is pressed (S1-2), the “print image capture” button is displayed. By pressing the button, the image forming apparatus A list of images stored inside a connected server PC (personal computer) or the like is displayed. Select the image to be used and press the “Selection Complete” button. Thereby, the setting of the print image is completed (S1-4). With the function of selecting an arbitrary image for setting the print image, test printing after setting the optimum print condition can be omitted, which has the effect of shortening the work time.

Next, when “automatic selection” is selected (S1-3), an image stored in advance in the image forming apparatus 1 (a storage device provided in the controller board 26) is set. Thereby, the setting of the print image is completed (S1-4).
Here, when the user wants to use an arbitrary image, “arbitrary setting” is selected, and when an image prepared in advance is used, “automatic setting” is selected.

FIG. 6 shows the internal setting flow of step S2 in FIG. The flow for setting the printing conditions in step S2 will be described with reference to FIG.
When the selection of step S1 in FIG. 4 is completed, the touch panel of the operator panel 27 is switched to the printing condition setting screen. First, a paper feed tray is selected on the touch panel (S2-1). The number of the paper feed tray to be used in the automatic printing mode is selected from the numbers displayed on the screen, and is selected by pressing a button.

Next, it is determined whether to set print parameters (S2-2). When a “select” button and a “do not select” button are displayed on the touch panel and the “do not select” button is pressed, all parameter sets are set (S2-6), and the setting of the printing conditions is completed (S2). -7).
On the other hand, when the “select” button is pressed, the screen is switched to a screen for determining whether the parameter is arbitrarily set or automatically set (S2-3). When the “Optional setting” button and the “Auto setting” button are displayed on the touch panel and the “Optional setting” button is pressed, the parameters (fixing temperature, fixing nip width, fixing linear speed, secondary transfer current, decurler amount) are displayed. ) In order (S2-4). First, switch to the fixing temperature setting screen, select the fixing temperature to be used from the fixing temperature setting range (multiple selections are possible), and after selecting, press the “Setting Complete” button to select the next parameter selection screen Switch to When the selection of all parameters is completed, the printing condition setting is completed, and the number of sheets corresponding to the number of selected parameter groups is printed (S2-7).

As an example, the fixing temperature is selected from five types of 170 ° C., 175 ° C., 180 ° C., 185 ° C., 190 ° C., 195 ° C., and 200 ° C. The fixing nip width is selected from 16.25 mm, 17.75 mm, and 19.25 mm. The linear velocity is selected from 0%, -1%, and -2% with respect to the initial value. The secondary transfer current is selected from -100V, -120V, and -140V. The decurler amount is selected from 0%, 2%, and 4% with respect to the initial value.
This optional parameter setting function reduces the evaluation time by eliminating unnecessary parameter combination printing when a customer who has knowledge about the relationship between parameters uses the automatic printing function. There is.

  Next, when the “automatic setting” button is pressed, the screen is switched to a paper type / paper thickness selection screen (S2-5). First, the screen switches to a paper type selection screen, and a paper type is selected (selected from coated paper, uncoated paper, and special paper). When the button for the paper type to be used is pressed, the paper type is set, the screen switches to the paper thickness selection screen, and the paper thickness is selected (selected from thickness 1, thickness 2, thickness 3, thickness 4, and thickness 5). As an example, thickness 1 is 76 to 100 g, thickness 2 is 101 to 126 g, thickness 3 is 127 to 156 g, thickness 4 is 157 to 220 g, thickness 5 is 221 to 300 g, and thickness 1 is used when using 100 g paper. select. When the button for the paper thickness to be used is pressed, the paper thickness is set, and according to the selected paper type and paper thickness, the initial value parameters that the image forming apparatus has in advance are set, and the setting of the printing conditions is completed. (S2-7).

As an example, for coated paper with a thickness of 1 (100 g), the fixing temperature is 175 ° C., the fixing nip width is 16.25 mm, the linear velocity is 0%, the secondary transfer current is −100 V, and the decurler amount is 0%. The setting of each parameter is an initial value parameter for coated paper and thickness 1. This automatic parameter setting function has an effect that a customer having no knowledge can easily evaluate the relationship between parameters.
After printing, the user selects the most preferable image from among the favorite images printed. For example, when printing is performed with a combination of 10 parameters (10 sheets are printed), the most preferable image is selected from among them.

FIG. 7 shows an internal setting flow of step S4 in FIG. The flow of parameter value storage setting in step S4 will be described with reference to FIG.
When the automatic printing is completed, the screen on the touch panel of the operator panel 27 is switched to a parameter value storage screen.
First, whether to save parameters is selected (S4-1). When a “save parameter” button and a “save parameter” button are displayed and the “save parameter” button is pressed, the screen is switched to a print number selection screen for a parameter to be saved (S4-2). The number of the automatically printed recording member (paper) is displayed and set by pressing the number of the parameter to be saved. With this parameter storage function, re-evaluation can be omitted when the recording member is used again with respect to the recording member once evaluated, and the working efficiency of the customer can be increased.

  Next, the screen on the touch panel of the operator panel 27 is switched to a selection screen for naming or not assigning a parameter to be saved (S4-3). When a “name” button and a “nameless” button are displayed and the “name” button is pressed (S4-4), the screen is switched to a name addition screen. As an example, a keyboard is displayed on the screen, and a name is input by pressing an alphabet on the keyboard. After the input is completed, by pressing the “setting complete” button, the screen is switched to a selection screen as to whether or not the setting is reflected on the paper feed tray (S4-6). The function that allows the optimum printing condition parameters to be named and saved has the effect of facilitating the management of printing conditions for each recording member of the customer.

  Next, when the “Do not name” button on the screen on the touch panel is pressed (S4-5), the date is automatically input as the name to be saved, and whether to reflect the setting in the paper feed tray is selected. The screen is switched (S4-6). When the “Apply” button and the “Do not apply” button are displayed on the screen, and the “Apply” button is pressed, the parameters are reflected on the used paper feed tray (S4-8), and the storage and setting are completed. (S4-9). This parameter reflection function enables printing under optimum printing conditions immediately after the evaluation of the storage member to be used, which has the effect of increasing the work efficiency of the customer. If the “do not reflect” button is pressed, the saving and setting ends (S4-9).

  If the "Do not save parameters" button is pressed when selecting whether or not to save parameters in step S4-2, the screen switches to a selection screen for whether to reflect the parameters in the currently selected paper feed tray (S4-7). ). When the “Apply” button and the “Do not apply” button are displayed on the screen, and the “Apply” button is pressed, the parameters are reflected on the used paper feed tray (S4-8), and the storage and setting are completed. (S4-9). If the “do not reflect” button is pressed, the saving and setting ends (S4-9).

  In addition, when the parameter is saved, by pressing the “call previous parameter” button on the operator panel 27, the name of the previously saved parameter is displayed in a list, and the parameter to be reset can be selected. Can be reset to paper tray. The parameters stored in the storage device provided on the controller board 26 of the image forming apparatus 1 are stored on the operator panel 27 by inserting, for example, an SD card or a USB memory into a data storage device (not shown) provided in the image forming apparatus 1. Then, by pressing the “copy parameter” button, the selected parameter can be saved in an SD card, a USB memory, or the like, and can be reflected in another image forming apparatus. With the function of reflecting this parameter on other image forming apparatuses, it is possible to omit the evaluation of the storage member once evaluated by the other apparatus, which has the effect of increasing the working efficiency of the customer.

Next, an example will be described in which the user selects the most favorite image after printing is completed.
When printing with a combination of 10 parameters (printing 10 sheets), No. 1-No. Numbers up to 10 are listed. The most preferred image is no. If “5”, “Save Parameter” on the touch panel of the operator panel 27 is selected. 5 is selected. After that, select “Name”, enter “Middle thickness (1)” with the keyboard, and select “Setting complete”. The parameter set for printing No. 5 can be saved in the storage device provided on the controller board 26 of the image forming apparatus 1 with the name “medium thickness mouth (1)”.

Even when the parameters are not stored, the user (image evaluator) can read an identifier (for example, an identification code such as a two-dimensional code or a one-dimensional code) provided in the image forming apparatus 1 (for example, an identification code). Setting of the paper to be used for the parameter value used for printing by reading the identification code such as the two-dimensional code and the one-dimensional code printed on the image using the two-dimensional code and the identification code reading device) Or stored in a storage device provided in the controller board 26 of the image forming apparatus.
In addition, by using the identification code reader of another machine for the identification code such as the two-dimensional code or the one-dimensional code printed on the image, the same parameter value is reflected in the setting of the paper to be used on the other machine. And can be stored in a storage device provided in the image forming apparatus.
By this operation, the user (image evaluator) can simplify the means for storing the optimum image parameter values in the storage device of the image forming apparatus, and can eliminate the possibility of erroneous input. The result can be stored in the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating conveyance and fixing of the recording member in the image forming apparatus.
The recording member 101 a or the recording member 101 b stored in the paper feed tray 102 a or the paper feed tray 102 b is transported to the fixing device 104 along the transport path 103. The recording member 101 c conveyed to the fixing device 104 is fixed by the fixing roller 105 and the pressure roller 106.
One of the image defects that occur in this image forming apparatus is wrinkles. Wrinkles are a phenomenon in which the recording member is creased. The wrinkles occur when the nip width d between the fixing roller 105 and the pressure roller 106 is narrow and the conveyance speed of the recording member 101c is high, and also when the temperature of the fixing device 104 (hereinafter, fixing temperature) is high. Is known experimentally.
When wrinkles are eliminated by changing the nip width d and the conveyance speed of the recording member 101c, it can be eliminated by increasing the nip width d and decreasing the conveyance speed of the recording member 101c. When the nip width d and the conveyance speed of the recording member 101c are constant, wrinkles are more likely to occur as the thickness of the recording member 101c increases. For this reason, it is preferable to change the nip width d and the conveyance speed of the recording member 101c in accordance with the thickness of the recording member 101c.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the fixing temperature, wrinkles, fixing properties, and surface roughness.
Wrinkles do not occur when the fixing temperature is low, but occur when the fixing temperature is high. On the contrary, the fixability is good when the fixing temperature is high and worse when the fixing temperature is low. Further, the surface roughness becomes the worst when the fixing temperature reaches a specific temperature, and the surface roughness improves both when the fixing temperature is higher and lower than the specific temperature. Thus, in order to improve wrinkles, it is effective to lower the fixing temperature, but another image defect may occur. Further, when the fixing temperature is constant, wrinkles are more likely to occur as the thickness of the recording member 101c increases.
When wrinkles occur as an image defect, the nip width d between the fixing roller 105 and the pressure roller 106, the conveyance speed of the recording member 101c, and the fixing temperature shown in FIG. 8 may be changed. However, it is difficult for general users to understand the relationship between image defects and the parameters that cause them. Furthermore, even if the setting is made so that the image defect does not occur, the image defect may occur again if the temperature or humidity of the environment where the image forming apparatus is installed changes.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a parameter group and a parameter group for eliminating wrinkles.
By collecting the parameters related to the image defect as a parameter group, the parameters that need to be evaluated in order to eliminate the image defect are limited. If it is a wrinkle, the environmental temperature, environmental humidity, recording member thickness, fixing temperature, nip width, and conveyance speed are set as a parameter group. The parameters belonging to the parameter group include parameters that cannot be controlled by the image forming apparatus and parameters that can be controlled. For wrinkles, parameters that cannot be controlled are environmental temperature, environmental humidity, and recording member thickness, and parameters that can be controlled are fixing temperature, nip width, and conveyance speed.
In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, when a non-controllable parameter takes a certain value, a corresponding controllable parameter combination (hereinafter referred to as parameter set) that does not cause an image defect is stored in the storage device. Have it. If it is a wrinkle, for example, it is possible to easily set parameters by having the storage device as a parameter set P_231 with the fixing temperature, the nip width, and the conveyance speed corresponding to the environmental temperature T_3, the environmental humidity H_1, and the recording material thickness D_2. Can be changed. By providing a plurality of such parameter sets, it is possible to make adjustments so that image defects do not occur only by selecting an optimal parameter set.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an evaluation procedure using a specific automatic printing function in the image forming apparatus of the present invention.
When there are a plurality of parameter sets having similar setting values for an image defect to be eliminated, it is necessary to repeatedly select the parameter group and perform test printing. Therefore, the image forming apparatus of the present invention is provided with a mechanism that automatically performs the procedure shown in FIG.

  The procedure shown in FIG. 11 will be described using a wrinkle as an example of an image defect. The configuration of the image forming apparatus is the same as that in FIG. 2, and an operator panel 27 on which the customer performs print settings is provided at the top of the image forming apparatus 1. A controller box 25 is provided on the side of the image forming apparatus 1, and a control unit (controller board) 26 in the controller box 25 includes a central processing unit (CPU) composed of a microcomputer, various kinds of devices. A storage device for storing control programs, control conditions, control parameters, and the like, an input / output device, various control circuits, a clock, a timer, and the like are provided.

  First, the user starts an image defect removal mode. Specifically, when a button on the operator panel 27 provided in the image forming apparatus is pressed, a list of image defects that can be removed is displayed on the touch panel screen. From the list, an image defect to be removed is selected. Thus, the image defect removal mode starts (S1). In this example, the wrinkle removal mode is started.

  The control unit (controller board) 26 of the image forming apparatus 1 is for removing wrinkles provided based on the environmental temperature, the environmental humidity, the thickness of the recording member, the currently set fixing temperature, the nip width, and the conveyance speed. A parameter group to be used for evaluation is selected from the parameter group list (S2). At this time, the number of parameter sets to be selected can be changed by setting. The number of selected parameter groups is N, and the selected parameter groups are P_1 to P_N.

Among the control parameters of the image forming apparatus, the fixing temperature, the nip width, and the conveyance speed are automatically set to the values indicated by P_1 (S3), and printing for image defect evaluation is performed (S4). For printing, an image in which an image defect actually occurs is used. A number (or an identifiable symbol) is added to the printed matter so that the parameter set used can be identified.
Setting (S3) and printing (S4) are performed for all parameter sets selected in step S2 (S5). Then, the user selects the print result having the least image defect (S6).
The adjustment value setting storage (S7) is the same as the flow shown in FIG.
The wrinkle removal is completed by the above procedure.

  The order in which the parameter sets are applied in S3 to S5 in the above procedure is selected so that changes in parameters that take time to apply become smaller between the parameter sets. In the case of wrinkles, since it takes time to change the fixing temperature, the parameter set is selected so that the change in the fixing temperature between the parameter sets becomes small. Further, since the fixing temperature is lowered every time printing is performed, parameter sets are selected in order of decreasing fixing temperature. Thereby, the time required for the evaluation of the parameter set is shortened.

  If the image usage is related to the usage amount of the apparatus and the usage amount of the consumables, the parameter set corresponding to the usage amount of the apparatus and the usage amount of the consumables can be used by including the parameter in the parameter group. Also, regardless of the start of the image defect removal mode, by automatically selecting a parameter group according to the usage amount of the apparatus or the consumption amount of consumables, it is possible to print in a state where image defects do not always occur.

FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining a sheet conveyance path in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG.
FIG. 12 is a simplified schematic diagram of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 2, and a broken line arrow indicates a sheet conveyance path when printing. Sheet detection sensors SN1 to SN4 serving as measuring means and sensors for detecting other plural sheets (not shown) are attached to the conveyance path. This sensor can detect the leading edge and trailing edge of the paper. The image forming apparatus has a CPU (not shown) (a CPU provided in the control unit (controller board) 26 in the controller box 25 in FIG. 2), and mainly controls the printing sequence in the apparatus, and includes a timer and a clock. There is also a time measurement function.

First, during pre-image printing or image adjustment printing at the customer site, while the final print page is passing this conveyance path, check whether printing can be performed at the paper conveyance speed set by the manufacturer in each predetermined area. .
Since the paper transport speed and the image generation timing are controlled to be synchronized within the device, if the paper transport speed deviates significantly from the predetermined value, printing failures such as jams, paper wrinkles, and toner image transfer misalignment will occur. To do. As a factor, slipping of rollers due to long-term use, including a conveyance roller for conveying the sheet S as a recording member or a sheet feeding roller (pickup roller) for picking up the sheet one by one from the sheet feeding cassette 18 for storing the sheet before printing, In the fixing unit, the fixing belt 13 supported by the heating roller and the pressure roller 14 are nipped and conveyed from the pressure point where the pressure roller is in pressure contact, so that the nip width of the pressure point varies, the heat roller and the pressure roller expand due to heat. There is a change in the peripheral speed (fixing linear speed) due to.

  When paper that is not grasped by the manufacturer is used, it is not always clear whether the conveyance speed is assumed by the manufacturer. The reason for selecting the last page as the check timing is that the continuous printing is in a particularly good state and the fixing unit heat is saturated and has little influence.

For example, in the case of double-sided printing in the conveyance path of FIG. 12, the sensor SN4 passes, so when measuring the passage time from SN4 to SN1, the correction amount is calculated by measuring the paper passage time and then comparing it with the set value. .
Since the check points in the transport path in FIG. 12 are possible between the sensors, measurement can be arbitrarily set.

  When measuring the passage time from SN4 to SN1, the rotation speed reference clock of the drive motor is set to A_hz and the parameter P is set so that the reference value α of the transport speed is 500 mm / sec ± 1 mm / sec. If 3, 2, 1, 0, -1, -2, -3, the speed corresponding to each P parameter is calculated from α. When −1 is input to the parameter P, the drive motor rotation speed reference clock becomes B_hz, and the sheet conveyance speed is generated with β: 495 mm / sec ± 1 mm / sec. When the measurement result is 492 mm / sec, the rotational speed reference clock of the driving motor corresponding to the speed increase of 2 mm / sec from the lower limit value 494 mm / sec of β is calculated, and the result C_hz is used as the correction value of A_hz. .

FIG. 13 shows the measurement of the sheet conveying speed by the measuring means (sensors SN1 to SN4) shown in FIG. 12, and the calculation and storage of the correction value (acceleration amount or deceleration amount) of the rotation speed reference clock of the drive motor (to the storage device). It is a figure explaining the flow which implements (saving). Here, the case of measuring between the sensors SN4 to SN1 in FIG. 12 is described.
When the print confirmation mode of pre-printing is started (S1), the final sheet being printed is conveyed, passes through the sensor SN4, and measures the passing time to the sensor SN1 (S2).
The measured passing time is compared with a reference value α by a CPU (not shown) (a CPU provided in a control unit (controller board) 26 in the controller box 25 in FIG. 2), and within a reference value range (upper limit value, lower limit value). Judgment is made).
In the case of a determination that is out of the lower limit value (S3), a CPU (not shown) calculates the amount by which the rotation speed of a motor (stepping motor, brushless motor, etc.) that drives paper conveyance is increased, and the result is a storage device (not shown) (The storage device provided in the control unit (controller board) 26 in the controller box 25 in FIG. 2) is stored, and the process proceeds to the end of the printing operation (S4).
If it is determined that the measured passing time exceeds the upper limit value of the reference value (S5), the amount by which the rotation speed of the motor is decelerated is calculated, and the result is stored in a storage device (not shown), and printing operation is performed. The process proceeds to the end (S6).
The data stored in the storage device by the above operation is reflected in the case of printing under the same conditions as when pre-printing.
If it is determined that the measured transit time is within the range of the reference value (between the upper limit value and the lower limit value) (S5), the process proceeds to the end of the printing operation (S7).

As described above based on the embodiments, in the present invention, since the image forming apparatus automatically performs printing by combining the parameters at the customer site, the customer can select the optimum image from the printing result. It is possible to easily set each parameter.
In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the parameters used for printing the image selected by the customer are stored in the storage device and can be set in the image forming apparatus. Further, image defects occur due to environmental changes or the like. In this case, even a user who does not understand the relationship between the image defect and the parameter can easily eliminate the image defect, so that the optimum printing condition for the image quality required by the customer at the customer can be obtained in a short time.
In addition, according to the present invention, it is possible to facilitate the setting for each recording member (various paper) to be used, and furthermore, even a user who does not grasp the relationship between image defects and parameters can easily obtain optimum printing conditions. Can do.
Furthermore, the present invention has the effect that it is not necessary for the user to repeat parameter adjustment and printing when an image defect occurs, and that the time required to resolve the image defect can be shortened when an image defect occurs. In addition, when an image defect occurs, there is an effect that paper required for eliminating the image defect can be reduced, and an effect that continuous and stable image formation can be performed.

1: Image forming apparatus 2: Intermediate transfer belt (intermediate transfer member)
3: Image forming means 4: Tandem image forming apparatus 5: Exposure apparatus 6: Photosensitive drum (image carrier)
7: Primary transfer roller (primary transfer means)
8: Driving roller 9: Secondary transfer device (secondary transfer means)
10: Secondary transfer counter roller 11: Secondary transfer roller 12: Fixing mechanism (fixing means)
13: fixing belt 14: pressure roller 15: transport belt 16: paper feed table 17: paper feed roller 18: paper feed cassette 19: transport roller 20: registration roller 21: discharge roller 22: decurler unit 23: decurler roller 24: Paper output tray 25: Controller box 26: Controller board (control unit)
27: Operator panel S: Recording member (paper)
SN1 to SN4: Paper detection sensor (measuring means)

JP 2003-66774 A

Claims (13)

A latent image forming means for forming a latent image on the image carrier, a developing means for developing the latent image on the image carrier to make a visible image, and the image on the image carrier directly or directly on a recording member In an image forming apparatus comprising a transfer means for transferring via an intermediate transfer member, and a fixing means for fixing the image transferred to the recording member,
In order to find the optimum printing conditions for the customer, a means to perform printing by automatically combining the fixing temperature, fixing nip width, fixing linear velocity, secondary transfer current, and decurler amount as parameters for fixing conditions, transfer conditions, and paper passing evaluation An image forming apparatus comprising: The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.
A storage device, and fixing conditions that can eliminate image defects with respect to image defect evaluation items such as fixability, drawing / gloss rank, wrinkles / worms, surface alignment, blurry / chilli / white spots, curls, An image forming apparatus comprising a transfer condition and a sheet passing condition, and a fixing temperature, a fixing nip width, a fixing linear velocity, a secondary transfer current, and a decurler amount as a parameter group satisfying each of the above conditions. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
When printing is performed, there is provided means for printing the values of the fixing temperature, fixing nip width, fixing linear speed, secondary transfer current, decurler amount, arbitrary numbers assigned in the printing order, and printing date and time. An image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3.
An image forming apparatus comprising: means for converting the parameter value into an identifier and printing the identifier. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
An image forming apparatus comprising an identifier reading unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4.
An image forming apparatus, comprising: an identifier reading unit, and a unit for reading a print of a parameter value converted into an identifier by the identifier reading unit and storing the identifier in a storage device when printing is performed. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
At the time of printing, it is provided with a means for determining whether or not the measuring means is operating within a predetermined range. If the determination result is negative, the reference amount is corrected and stored in the storage device, which is the same as the previous print confirmation. An image forming apparatus that reflects conditions when printing. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
An image forming apparatus comprising means for allowing a customer or an operator to arbitrarily select a combination of the fixing conditions, transfer conditions, and paper passing evaluation parameters in accordance with a recording member to be used during printing. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
An image forming apparatus comprising: means for printing an image to be printed with an image that is arbitrarily selected and captured by a user during printing. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
An image forming apparatus comprising: means for selecting and printing each parameter group according to an apparatus environment such as temperature and humidity. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 10, wherein:
An image forming apparatus comprising: means for storing and reading out a printed number and each parameter value of the number in a storage device at the time of printing. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 11, wherein:
It is characterized by comprising means for automatically setting the parameter value by selecting an arbitrarily assigned number and storing it in a storage device in combination with an arbitrary number assigned in the order of printing and the parameter value at the time of printing. Image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12,
An image forming apparatus comprising means for naming each parameter used at the time of printing and storing it in a storage device.

Images