JP2012093489A - Image forming apparatus, image forming control method, image forming control program, and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To determine the presence or absence of replacement of a component attributed to opening or closing of a door for opening or closing the inside of a device provided in a body casing.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus 1 is openably and closably provided in a body housing 2 that stores an image forming part 4 forming an image on paper P, a paper feeding part 3, a paper conveyance path 5, a fixing part 6, etc. When a sensor detects that a door that is opened or closed at the time of replacement or the like of a part such as a consumable supply or a component of at least the image forming part 4 is opened, the image forming apparatus determines whether the part relevant to the door is replaced by comparing a replacement time from when the sensor detects removal of the part to when the sensor detects re-insertion, with a preset replacement threshold value after the door opened.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, an image forming control method, an image forming control program, and a recording medium, and more specifically, a component accompanying opening / closing of a door that opens / closes at least an image forming unit inside the apparatus provided in a main body casing. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, an image formation control method, an image formation control program, and a recording medium that accurately determine the presence or absence of replacement.

  Consumables such as replacement of consumables such as toner cartridges, removal of jammed paper on the conveyance path, and replenishment of paper in image forming apparatuses such as facsimile machines, copying machines, printers, and composite machines The main body casing is provided with a door that opens and closes at least the image forming unit in the main body casing so that maintenance work such as replacement can be performed.

  Conventionally, in the image forming apparatus, when the door is opened, processing for ensuring safety such as power supply interruption to the high voltage portion is performed, and when the door is closed, normal operation can be resumed. A predetermined warm-up process is performed regardless of whether or not parts are replaced.

  This warm-up process requires a long time comparable to when the power is turned on, for example, to confirm the operation and adjustment of various actuators and to perform a heating process up to a predetermined temperature for parts that require a heat source, Power for warming up will be consumed.

  Conventionally, there has been proposed a technique for detecting whether or not the developing device has been inserted and removed in the warming up after the door is opened and closed, and switching the warming up process according to the detection result (see Patent Document 1).

  However, in the prior art described in the above publication, since the warm-up process is changed based only on whether or not the developing device has been inserted or removed, it is considered whether or not the parts such as the developing device have been replaced. Even when a part has only been inserted and removed and has not been replaced, the same warm-up process is performed as when the part was replaced, thereby reducing power consumption and warm-up time. There was a need for improvement above.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus, an image forming control method, an image forming control program, and a recording medium that appropriately determine whether or not a part has been replaced when the casing door is opened and closed. Yes.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides at least a consumable, a component, etc. of the image forming means provided in an openable and closable manner in a housing for storing each means such as an image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium. It is characterized in that it is determined whether or not the part has been replaced after it is detected that a door that is opened and closed during work such as replacement of the part is opened.

  Further, the present invention detects whether or not the part is installed at a predetermined installation position, detects that the door is opened, and after the part is removed from the installation position, the installation position The removal time until it is detected that the component has been returned to may be compared with a preset replacement threshold time to determine whether or not the component has been replaced.

  Further, the present invention registers a warm-up operation in the warm-up operation storage unit in correspondence with the determination result of the component replacement, and responds to the determination result from the warm-up operation storage unit based on the determination result of the component replacement. The warm-up operation may be determined, and the determined warm-up operation may be executed.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, it can be determined appropriately whether the replacement | exchange of components was performed at the time of opening and closing of the door of a housing | casing.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a control system of the image forming apparatus. 6 is a flowchart showing component replacement determination processing. 5 is a flowchart showing image formation control processing. The figure which shows an example of the warming up classification table corresponding to unit goods. The figure which shows an example of the warming up classification table for consumables. The flowchart which shows warming-up operation | movement determination processing. The flowchart which shows warming-up operation W1 in case an exchange judgment result is no exchange. The flowchart which shows warming-up operation W2 in case an exchange judgment result is removal / insertion. The flowchart which shows warming-up operation W3 in case an exchange judgment result is exchange. The flowchart which shows the other warming up operation W4 in case an exchange judgment result is exchange. The flowchart which shows warming-up operation W5 in the case of performing until operation preparation. The flowchart which shows the components replacement judgment process in the case of changing a process according to selection. The figure which shows an example of an exchange threshold time setting screen.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, since the Example described below is a suitable Example of this invention, various technically preferable restrictions are attached | subjected, However, The range of this invention is unduly limited by the following description. However, not all the configurations described in the present embodiment are essential constituent elements of the present invention.

  1 to 14 are diagrams showing an embodiment of an image forming apparatus, an image forming control method, an image forming control program, and a recording medium according to the present invention. FIG. 1 shows an image forming apparatus and an image forming control according to the present invention. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus 1 to which an embodiment of a method, an image formation control program, and a recording medium are applied.

  In FIG. 1, an image forming apparatus 1 stores a paper feed unit 3, an image forming unit 4, a paper transport path 5, a fixing unit 6, and the like in a main body housing 2. A paper discharge tray 7 is formed.

  The image forming section 4 is provided with CMYK four-color developing units 11C, 11M, 11Y, and 11K sequentially arranged along an endless belt-like photosensitive belt 10, and the photosensitive belt 10 includes a driving roller 12. 1 and is driven to rotate counterclockwise in FIG. 1 by a driving roller 12 that is stretched over a driven roller 13 and the like and is driven to rotate by a driving motor (not shown).

  Each of the developing units 11C, 11M, 11Y, and 11K includes developing unit presence / absence sensors 14C, 14M, 14Y, and 14K, and toner presence / absence sensors 15C, 15M, 15Y, and 15K. Each developing unit presence / absence sensor 14C, 14M, 14Y, 14K detects whether or not the corresponding developing unit 11C, 11M, 11Y, 11K is pulled out (whether it is installed at the installation position), and a detection result signal Is output. The toner presence / absence sensors 15C, 15M, 15Y, and 15K detect the remaining amount of toner in the corresponding developing units 11C, 11M, 11Y, and 11K, and output detection result signals.

  In the image forming unit 4, a charger 16 is disposed at a position facing the driving roller 12 with the photoreceptor belt 10 interposed therebetween, and the charger 16 uniformly charges the photoreceptor belt 10. In the image forming unit 4, a photosensitive belt marker sensor 17 is disposed in the vicinity of the driven roller 13, and the photosensitive belt marker sensor (installation state detection unit) 17 is attached to the photosensitive belt 10. The marker is detected and the detection result is output. Based on the detection result of the photosensitive belt marker sensor 17, it is possible to determine whether the photosensitive belt 10 is inserted or removed.

  The image forming unit 4 is provided with an exposure unit 18 on the downstream side of the charger 16 in the rotational direction of the photosensitive belt 10 and on the upstream side of the developing unit 11C. Each time the belt 10 makes one rotation, laser light modulated based on the image data of the color is irradiated in order of CMYK to form an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image data of the color on the photosensitive belt 10. .

  When an electrostatic latent image based on image data of a predetermined color is formed on the photosensitive belt 10 by the exposure unit 18, the developing units 11C, 11M, and 11M corresponding to the developing units 11C, 11M, 11Y, and 11K, respectively. , 11Y, and 11K apply the color toner to the photosensitive belt 10, and develop the electrostatic latent image to form a toner image of the color.

  The image forming unit 4 is provided with an endless belt-like intermediate transfer belt 19 in contact with the photosensitive belt 10 at a position opposite to the developing units 11C, 11M, 11Y, and 11K. The transfer belt 19 is stretched between an intermediate transfer roller 20 disposed on the photosensitive belt 10 side and a counter roller 21 disposed on the side away from the photosensitive belt 10. An intermediate transfer belt marker sensor 22 is disposed in the vicinity of the intermediate transfer belt 19, and the intermediate transfer belt marker sensor (installation state detection means) 22 detects a marker applied to the intermediate transfer belt 19. Output the detection result. Based on the detection result of the intermediate transfer belt marker sensor (installation state detection means) 22, it is possible to determine whether the intermediate transfer belt 19 is inserted or removed.

  Further, the image forming unit 4 is provided with an intermediate transfer belt cleaner 23, and a belt cleaner sensor 24 is provided in the vicinity of the intermediate transfer belt cleaner 23. The intermediate transfer belt cleaner 23 removes residual toner on the intermediate transfer belt 19, and the belt cleaner sensor 124 detects the insertion / removal of the intermediate transfer belt cleaner 23.

  The image forming unit 4 applies a transfer voltage to the intermediate transfer roller 20 for each color toner image formed on the photosensitive belt 10 by the developing units 11C, 11M, 11Y, and 11K. By sequentially superimposing and transferring, a color toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 19.

  Further, the image forming unit 4 is provided with a transfer roller 25 at a position facing the opposing roller 21 with the intermediate transfer belt 19 interposed therebetween, and a paper feed is provided between the transfer roller 25 and the intermediate transfer belt 19. The sheet P is conveyed from the section 3 through the sheet conveyance path 5. Further, a transfer roller sensor 26 is disposed in the vicinity of the transfer roller 25, and the transfer roller sensor (installation state detecting means) 26 detects the presence or absence of the transfer roller 25 and outputs it. Based on the output signal of the transfer roller sensor 26, it is possible to determine whether the transfer roller 25 is inserted or removed.

  The image forming unit 4 includes a waste toner bottle 27, and a waste toner sensor (installation state detection unit) 28 that detects the presence or absence of the waste toner bottle 27 is provided in the vicinity of the waste toner bottle 27. . Based on the detection result of the waste toner sensor 28, it is possible to determine whether the waste toner bottle 27 is inserted or removed.

  The paper feed unit 3 includes a paper feed tray 31 that can store a plurality of papers P, a paper feed roller 32 that sends out the topmost paper P among the papers P in the paper feed tray 31, and a registration roller 33. Also, a conveyance roller or the like (not shown) is provided, and the paper P in the paper feed tray 31 is sent to the registration roller 33 one by one by the paper feed roller 32. The registration roller 33 temporarily stops the conveyance of the fed paper P, adjusts the position of the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 19, and moves the paper P between the transfer roller 25 and the intermediate transfer belt 19. Transport.

  The transfer roller 25 applies a transfer voltage to transfer the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 19 to the paper P sent from the registration roller 33, and transfers the paper P on which the toner image has been transferred on the paper transport path 5. It is conveyed to the fixing unit 6. Although not shown, the image forming apparatus 1 is provided with a transfer roller sensor (installation state detecting means) that detects the presence or absence of the transfer roller 25, and the transfer roller 25 is based on the detection result of the transfer roller sensor. Can be determined.

  The fixing unit 6 includes a heating roller 41 that is heated to a fixing temperature capable of fixing at the time of image formation, a pressure roller 42 that contacts the heating roller 41 with a predetermined pressure and transports the paper P together with the heating roller 41, and a fixing unit sensor 43. When the paper P on which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed, the paper P is conveyed while being heated and pressurized by the heating roller 41 and the pressure roller 42 that are rotationally driven. The toner image is fixed on the paper P. The fixing unit sensor (installation state detection means) 43 detects the presence or absence of the fixing unit 6 and outputs a detection result. Based on the detection result of the fixing unit sensor 43, it is possible to determine whether the fixing unit 6 is inserted or removed.

  A discharge roller 50 is disposed on the downstream side of the fixing unit 6 in the sheet conveyance direction. The discharge roller 50 discharges the sheet P, which has been fixed by the fixing unit 6, onto the sheet discharge tray 7.

  In the image forming apparatus 1, a door (not shown) for opening and closing the image forming unit 4 is provided in the main body housing 2. The number of doors is not limited to one. Doors for opening and closing to remove jammed paper P on the paper conveyance path 5, doors for performing removal / insertion, replacement, inspection, etc. of the fixing unit 6, removal / replacement, replacement, cleaning, etc. of the intermediate transfer belt 19 Door, door for performing removal / replacement, inspection, etc. of the photoreceptor belt 10, door for removal / replacement, replacement, inspection, etc. of the developing units 11C, 11M, 11Y, 11K, removal / removal of the waste toner bottle 27, Doors and the like for performing replacement, inspection, and the like may be provided individually, or a predetermined number of doors that open and close a plurality of parts at a time may be provided. This door is provided with a door opening / closing detection sensor (door opening / closing detection means) for detecting that the door is opened and closed, and outputs a detection result. In the following description, it is assumed that a door is provided for each component such as the fixing unit 6.

  In the image forming apparatus 1, when the printing operation is started, the image forming unit 4 rotates the driving roller 12 by a driving motor (not shown) to rotate the photosensitive belt 10, and uniformly charges the charging belt 16. The photosensitive belt 10 is irradiated with laser light modulated by CMYK image data each time the photosensitive belt 10 rotates by the exposure unit 18 to form an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive belt 10. To do. The image forming unit 4 develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive belt 10 by the corresponding color developing units 11C, 11M, 11Y, and 11K, and forms a toner image of the color on the photosensitive belt 10. The toner images are sequentially superimposed and transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 19 to form a color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 19. On the other hand, when the printing operation is started, the image forming apparatus 1 drives the paper feed roller 32 of the paper feed unit 3 to convey the paper P in the paper feed tray 31 to the registration rollers 33 one by one. Adjusts the timing of the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 19 and conveys the paper P on the paper conveyance path 5 between the transfer roller 25 and the intermediate transfer belt 19. The transfer roller 25 transfers the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 19 onto the paper P conveyed from the registration roller 33, and conveys the paper P onto which the toner image is transferred to the fixing unit 6.

  Further, the image forming unit 4 applies a voltage from the transfer roller 25 to the leading edge of the paper P, detects the current value flowing through the paper P, determines the type of the paper P based on the detected current value, and fixes it. Before the paper P is transported to the unit 6, the speed of the motor that is the drive source for paper transport is varied. Further, when the conveyance speed of the paper P is changed, the image forming apparatus 1 changes the transfer voltage applied from the transfer roller 25 when the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 19 is transferred to the paper P. Further, the image forming apparatus 1 moves the transfer roller 25 from the intermediate transfer belt 19 by a predetermined amount so as not to act in the process of forming each color toner image on the photoreceptor belt 10 on the surface of the intermediate transfer unit 9. Pull up to a distance.

  When the sheet P on which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed, the fixing unit 6 conveys the sheet P while being heated and pressurized by the heating roller 41 and the pressure roller 42 that are rotationally driven. The toner image is fixed on the paper P, and the paper P after the fixing is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 7 by the discharge roller 50.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the control system of the image forming apparatus 1 is configured as a block. A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101, a print control unit 102, a function control unit 103, an exchange measurement unit 104, an operation display, and the like. Unit 105, data storage unit 106, device state detection unit 107, and the like.

  The CPU 101 performs basic control processing as the image forming apparatus 1 based on a basic program of the image forming apparatus 1 stored in a ROM (Read Only Memory) or a data storage unit 106 (not shown) or an image forming control program of the present invention. At the same time, the image shape control process of the present invention is executed.

  That is, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a ROM, an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory), an EPROM, a flash memory, a flexible disk, a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), a CD-RW (Compact Disc Rewritable), and a DVD. An image formation control program for executing the image formation control method of the present invention recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a (Digital Versatile Disk), an SD (Secure Digital) card, or an MO (Magneto-Optical Disc) is read. In the ROM, the data storage unit 106, etc., the door opening and closing described later and whether or not the parts of the image forming unit 4 are replaced are appropriately determined, and appropriate warm-up is performed based on the determination of whether or not the parts are replaced. It is constructed as an image forming apparatus 1 that executes an image forming control method for performing processing. This image formation control program is a computer-executable program written in a legacy programming language such as assembler, C, C ++, C #, Java (registered trademark), an object-oriented programming language, or the like, and is stored in the recording medium. And can be distributed.

  The operation display unit 105 includes operation keys, a display (for example, a liquid crystal display), various lamps, and the like, and various commands and setting information to be operated by the image forming apparatus 1 using the operation keys, particularly after opening and closing of a door described later. When various setting operations or the like are performed in the replacement processing of the component by inserting or removing the component or the warm-up selection / execution processing based on the determination result, the CPU 101 is notified of the operation content. The operation display unit 105 is under the control of the CPU 101 to display an operation screen, input operation contents by operation keys, various information notified from the image forming apparatus 1 to the user, particularly in parts replacement determination processing and warm-up selection / execution processing. Displays various information.

  A print control unit (warming-up execution unit) 102 controls each unit of the image forming unit 4 under the control of the CPU 101, and performs print processing according to a print operation requested by the user operating the operation display unit 105. Also, under the control of the CPU 101, the image forming unit 4 is caused to execute a warm-up process.

  An apparatus state detection unit (door opening / closing detection unit, installation state detection unit) 107 is a door opening / closing detection sensor that detects opening / closing of the door of the main body housing 2 and a presence / absence sensor that detects presence / absence of each component of the image forming unit 4. The development unit presence / absence sensors 14C, 14M, 14Y, and 14K, the photoreceptor belt marker sensor 17, the intermediate transfer belt marker sensor 22, the belt cleaner sensor 24, the transfer roller sensor 26, the waste toner sensor 28, the fixing unit sensor 43, and the like are collectively referred to. It detects the opening / closing of the door and the insertion / removal of parts, and outputs it to the CPU 101 and the function control unit 103.

  After the door opening / closing detection sensor of the apparatus state detection unit 107 detects that the door of the main body housing 2 has been opened, the exchange measurement unit (time measuring means) 104 is connected to each of the image forming units 4 and the like in the apparatus state detection unit 107. Presence / absence sensors for detecting the presence / absence of parts, that is, development unit presence / absence sensors 14C, 14M, 14Y, 14K, photosensitive belt marker sensor 17, intermediate transfer belt marker sensor 22, belt cleaner sensor 24, transfer roller sensor 26, waste toner sensor 28, the fixing unit sensor 43, etc. detect that the corresponding part has been pulled out, in order to determine whether or not the part has been replaced, a replacement time (removal time) that is an elapsed time since the pulling out. When the presence / absence sensor of the apparatus state detection unit 107 detects that the extracted part has been inserted, the replacement time is started. Stop timing, outputs the exchange time is the time measurement result to the CPU101 and function control unit 103.

  The function control unit (replacement presence / absence determination unit, warm-up determination unit) 103 simply pulls out parts such as consumables and unit products based on the detection result of the device state detection unit 107 and the measurement result of the replacement measurement unit 104. A determination (determination) is made as to whether the image has been inserted again or replaced, and the warm-up type of the image forming unit 4 is selected according to the replacement determination result. That is, the function control unit 103 corresponds to the opened door after the apparatus state detection unit 107 detects that the door opening / closing detection sensor that detects opening / closing of the door of the main body housing 2 is opened. It is detected that the component has been pulled out, that is, development unit presence / absence sensors 14C, 14M, 14Y, 14K, photosensitive belt marker sensor 17, intermediate transfer belt marker sensor 22, belt cleaner sensor 24, transfer roller sensor 26, waste toner sensor. 28, the fixing unit sensor 43, etc. detect that the parts to be detected (development units 11C, 11M, 11Y, 11K, etc.) have been pulled out and inserted again, and the replacement time is notified from the replacement measuring unit 104. The replacement time is compared to a preset replacement threshold time, and the part is just pulled out and reinserted. The or performs the one of the component replacement presence determination the component has been replaced, select the warm-up type according to the component replacement presence determination result, and outputs the selection result of the component replacement presence determination result and the warm-up type to CPU 101. The CPU 101 causes the image forming unit 4 or the like to execute the warming-up type selected by the function control unit 103 via the print control unit 10f2. The function control unit 103, the replacement measurement unit 104, and the apparatus state detection unit 107 function as a replacement determination unit as a whole.

  A data storage unit (warming-up operation storage unit) 106 receives print setting information received from the operation display unit 105, information on parts such as replaceable consumables and unit products, and part replacement presence / absence determination results notified from the function control unit 103. In addition, a warm-up type, replacement threshold time, and the like for each replacement determination result, such as consumables and unit products, are stored. The replacement threshold time may be set for each component, or may be set appropriately for each user in consideration of the time required for the user to replace the component.

  Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. In the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment, when the door is opened, the component sensors (developing unit presence / absence sensors 14C, 14M, 14Y, and 14K, the photoreceptor belt marker sensor 17) that detect the state of the components of the apparatus state detection unit 107 are detected. The intermediate transfer belt marker sensor 22, the belt cleaner sensor 24, the transfer roller sensor 26, the waste toner sensor 28, the fixing unit sensor 43, etc.) are stored, and when the sensor state changes, the replacement time is counted. In comparison with the replacement threshold time, it is determined whether or not the parts have been replaced. Based on the determination result, the type of warm-up of the image forming unit 4 is selected, and the warm-up is executed.

  When the door is opened, the image forming apparatus 1 first performs a component replacement determination process as shown in FIG. That is, when the image forming apparatus 1 detects that the door opening / closing detection sensor of the apparatus state detection unit 107 has opened, the function control unit 103 first detects that the door has been opened as shown in FIG. The current sensor state of the part sensor of the part corresponding to the door provided with the door opening / closing detection sensor, that is, the sensor state indicating whether or not the part is set is set as the initial sensor state as the data storage unit 106 or illustrated. Stored in the RAM or the like (hereinafter, each information in the component replacement determination process is described as being stored in the data storage unit 106) (step S101), and the replacement operation has not been performed yet. As a result (exchange determination result information), “no replacement” is set and stored in the data storage unit 106 (step S102).

  Next, the function control unit 103 causes the replacement measurement unit 104 to reset the time (replacement time) measured by the timer that measures the replacement time (step S103), and the sensor detection result of the component sensor related to the opened door. Is the initial sensor state stored in the data storage unit 106 (step S104).

  When the sensor detection result is not the initial sensor state in step S104, the function control unit 103 determines that the part has been pulled out, stores the current sensor state in the data storage unit 106 (step S105), and the replacement determination result. Is set to “with replacement” and stored in the data storage unit 106 (step S106).

  The CPU 101 causes the replacement measuring unit 104 to start measuring (measuring) the replacement time using a timer (step S107), and the function control unit 103 determines whether the opened door is closed or not. A determination is made based on the detection result of the open / close detection sensor (step S108).

  When the door is not closed in step S108, the function control unit 103 returns to step S104 and performs the same processing as described above from the determination of whether the sensor detection result is in the initial sensor state (steps S104 to S108).

  In step S104, when the sensor detection result is the same as the initial state, the function control unit 103 determines that the replacement, inspection, insertion / removal, etc. of the parts are completed, and stores the current sensor state in the data storage unit 106 ( In step S109, the time for replacement by the timer is stopped (step S110), and it is checked whether the door is closed (step S108).

  When the door is closed in step S108, the CPU 101 stops measuring the replacement time by the timer (step S111), and the function control unit 103 checks whether the replacement determination result of the data storage unit 106 is “no replacement”. (Step S112). In step S111, the process of stopping the time for the replacement by the timer is performed in order to cope with the case where the door is closed without the pulled-out component being inserted.

  If the result of the replacement determination is “No replacement” in step S112, the function control unit 103 determines that no part has been pulled out or inserted after the door is opened, and the replacement is “No replacement”. With the determination result stored in the data storage unit 106, the component replacement determination process is terminated.

  If the replacement determination result is “with replacement” in step S112, the function control unit 103 checks whether the initial sensor state is the same as the current sensor state (step S113), and the initial sensor state and the current sensor state are checked. When the sensor states are different, it is determined that the component has been pulled out or inserted, and the component replacement determination process is terminated with the replacement determination result of “with replacement” stored in the data storage unit 106.

  When the initial sensor state and the current sensor state are the same in step S113, the function control unit 103 compares the replacement time with the replacement threshold time to determine whether the replacement time is shorter than the replacement threshold time (step S113). S114) When the replacement time is longer than the replacement threshold time, it is determined that the component has been replaced, and the component replacement determination process is terminated with the replacement determination result of “with replacement” stored in the data storage unit 106. To do.

  When the replacement time is shorter than the replacement threshold time in step S114, the function control unit 103 determines that the part has not been replaced but has been pulled out and inserted again, and the replacement determination result is set to “only plug / unplug”. The data is stored in the data storage unit 106 and the component replacement determination process is terminated (step S115). The function control unit 103 also considers that a part has been replaced when a part is inserted and removed many times and the replacement time exceeds the replacement threshold time.

  When the door is opened and closed, the image forming apparatus 1 executes the image forming control process shown in FIG. That is, when the door is opened and closed, the image forming apparatus 1 performs the component replacement determination process shown in FIG. 3, and the function control unit 103 determines whether or not the component is replaced and whether or not the component is pulled out. The result is stored in the data storage unit 106 (step S201), a warming-up operation determination process for determining a warming-up operation according to the exchange determination result is performed (step S202), and the determined warming-up operation is performed via the print control unit 102. Then, the image forming unit 4 is executed (step S203).

  Then, in order to perform the warm-up operation determination process, the image forming apparatus 1 sets in advance by the operation display unit 105 what warm-up process is performed for which maintenance process for each component, For example, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the setting result is stored in the data storage unit 106 as a component-corresponding warm-up type table. The function control unit 103 determines a warm-up type to be executed by referring to the component-corresponding warm-up type table in the data storage unit 106 based on the replacement determination result in the component replacement determination process of FIG. 5 shows, for each unit product as a part, the warm-up type (operation W1, operation W2, operation W3, operation W3, operation W2, operation W3, operation W3, FIG. 6 shows the warming-up type table Tb1 corresponding to the unit product in which the operation W4 and the operation W5) are registered. FIG. 6 shows “no replacement”, “replacement”, “insertion / removal” for each consumable as a part. The warm-up type table Tb2 for consumables in which the warm-up type (operation W1, operation W2, operation W3, and operation W4) is registered according to the replacement determination result of “only” is shown. Operation W1, operation W2, operation W3, operation W4 and operation W5 in FIGS. 5 and 6 are respectively a warm-up operation W1 shown in FIG. 8, a warm-up operation W2 shown in FIG. 9, and a warm-up operation W3 shown in FIG. 11 corresponds to the warm-up operation W4 shown in FIG. 11 and the warm-up operation W5 shown in FIG. For example, in FIG. 5, for example, when the fixing unit 6 is only inserted and removed, the warm-up operation W4 shown in FIG. 11 is performed, and when the fixing unit 6 is replaced, the warm-up shown in FIG. Operation W5 is performed.

  In the warm-up operation determination process in step S202 of FIG. 4, the function control unit 103 performs the warm-up operation corresponding to the replacement determination result based on the replacement determination result of the component replacement determination process of FIG. 3, as shown in FIG. Then, a warm-up operation determination process for confirming the warm-up operation determined from the warm-up type table Tb1 for unit products in FIG. 4 and the warm-up type table Tb2 for consumables in FIG. 5 is performed (step S301). For example, when the fixing unit 6 as a component determines “with replacement” in the component replacement determination process, the function control unit 103 determines a warm-up operation W5 as the warm-up operation.

  The function control unit 103 acquires the warm-up operations W1 to W5 stored in the data storage unit 106 as the warm-up operation determined in this way, and executes them on the image forming unit 4 and the like via the print control unit 102. Let

  The image forming apparatus 1 stores the warm-up operations shown in FIG. 8 to FIG. 12 in the data storage unit 106 as the warm-up operations W1 to W5, and the function control unit 103 determines the warm-up operation determination process. The warm-up operation is performed by the image forming unit 4 via the print control unit 102.

  That is, when the part replacement determination process is completed, the function control unit 103 refers to the replacement determination result of the data storage unit 106, and when the replacement determination result is “no replacement”, as a warm-up operation W1, for example, FIG. As shown, a warm-up operation that does not perform any processing is determined as the warm-up.

  Further, when the function control unit 103 finishes the component replacement determination process, the replacement control result is referred to as “removal only” when referring to the replacement determination result of the data storage unit 106, for example, as shown in FIG. As the warm-up W2, a warm-up process W2 for performing a set confirmation process for checking whether or not the inserted / removed parts (consumables, unit products, etc.) are properly set is selected (step S401). The image forming unit 4 is executed. For example, when the waste toner bottle 27 is inserted / removed, as shown in FIG. 5, a set confirmation process as to whether the waste toner bottle 27 can be correctly recognized is performed as a warm-up process W2.

  Furthermore, when the part replacement determination process is completed, the function control unit 103 refers to the replacement determination result of the data storage unit 106, and when the replacement determination result is “with replacement”, for example, as shown in FIG. Then, the warm-up W3 is selected, and the image forming unit 4 is caused to execute it. That is, the function control unit 103 first performs a set confirmation process to check whether the replaced parts (consumables, unit parts, etc.) are properly set (step S501). A warm-up process W3 for performing an operation confirmation process for confirming whether or not it can be performed (step S502) is selected and executed by the image forming unit 4 or the like via the print control unit 102. For example, when the waste toner bottle 27 is replaced, the function control unit 103 performs a set confirmation process as to whether the waste toner bottle 27 can be correctly recognized, as shown in FIG. A warm-up operation W3 for confirming whether or not the motor or pump for feeding toner is correctly checked is selected and executed by the image forming unit 4 or the like via the print control unit 102.

  When the component control determination process ends, the function control unit 103 refers to the replacement determination result of the data storage unit 106, and when the replacement determination result is “with replacement”, as shown in FIG. W4 is selected, and the image forming unit 4 or the like is performed via the print control unit 102. In FIG. 11, the same step numbers are assigned to the same processing steps as in FIG. That is, when the function control unit 103 finishes the component replacement determination process, the function control unit 103 refers to the replacement determination result of the data storage unit 106, and if the replacement determination result is “with replacement”, for example, as shown in FIG. As the warm-up process W4, first, a set confirmation process is performed to check whether the replaced parts (consumables, unit parts, etc.) are properly set (step S501), and then the replaced parts can operate appropriately. Is performed (step S502), and a warm-up process W4 for adjusting the replaced part is performed (step S511), and the image forming unit 4 or the like is selected via the print control unit 102. Let it run. For example, when the waste toner bottle 27 is inserted / removed, the function control unit 103 performs a set confirmation process as to whether the waste toner bottle 27 can be correctly recognized, and then checks whether there is a remaining amount of toner and sends the toner. After performing the operation confirmation process of whether the motor and the pump for proper rotation are performed, the warm-up operation W4 for performing the adjustment operation process for adjusting the toner density in the developing units 11C, 11M, 11Y, and 11K is selected, and the print control is performed. The image forming unit 4 or the like is executed via the unit 102.

  Furthermore, regardless of the replacement determination result, the function control unit 103 selects the warm-up operation up to the operation preparation process as the warm-up operation W5, and causes the image forming unit 4 or the like to execute through the print control unit 102. That is, as shown in FIG. 12, when the door is opened and closed, the function control unit 103 sets whether or not the warm-up target component is properly set regardless of whether or not the component has been replaced ( Step S601) Next, an operation confirmation process (Step S602) of whether the target part operates properly, an adjustment operation process (Step S603) for adjusting the operation book of the target part, and further, the part can be used for the printing process. The warm-up process W5 for sequentially performing the preparatory operation process (step S604) to be performed is selected and executed by the image forming unit 4 or the like via the print control unit 102. For example, when the door is opened and closed and the fixing unit 6 is inserted / removed, the function control unit 103 checks whether the fixing unit 6 is correctly set, whether the fixing motor rotates, or whether the heater is normal. Selected as the warming-up process W5 for performing the operation confirmation process, the adjustment operation process for fine adjustment of the fixing motor and the adjustment of the nip width, and the preparatory operation process for starting energization of the heater for heating the fixing roller 41. The image forming unit 4 and the like are executed via 102.

  Further, the image forming apparatus 1 may execute whether or not to execute the component replacement determination process according to the user's selection. That is, the user is in a part replacement determination process execution mode for executing the part replacement determination process when the door is opened by the operation of the operation display unit 105, or is set in advance without performing the part replacement determination process. It is possible to select and set whether or not the component replacement determination process non-execution mode for performing the warm-up operation, for example, “warming up” in the case of “with replacement”, is set. Then, the setting result is stored in the data storage unit 106.

  Then, when the door is opened, the function control unit 103 executes a component replacement determination process corresponding to the selection as shown in FIG. In FIG. 13, the same processing steps as those in FIG. 3 are given the same step numbers, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  That is, when the door is opened, the function control unit 103 first reads the mode setting information in the data storage unit 106 to determine whether it is the component replacement determination process execution mode (step S701), and the component replacement determination process execution mode. If so, a parts replacement determination process (steps S101 to S115) is executed.

  When the CPU 101 is not in the part replacement determination process execution mode in step S701, that is, in the part replacement determination process non-execution mode, the CPU 101 sets “replacement” as the replacement determination result and ends the process (step S702). ).

  Further, the image forming apparatus 1 considers user operability for each part to be replaced as the replacement threshold time, and the user operates the operation unit 105 to replace the part or simply insert / remove the part. You may set suitably the time which can be judged whether it is. In this case, for example, when the user selects the replacement threshold time setting mode by operating the operation unit 105, the CPU 101 displays the replacement threshold time setting screen G1 as shown in FIG. 14 on the display of the operation display unit 105, for example. When the user sets and inputs the replacement threshold time and operates the [OK] button, the replacement threshold time set and input is stored in the data storage unit 106. Further, the image forming apparatus 1 may be able to set the replacement threshold time for each component. In this case, the replacement threshold time setting screen G1 is a screen for setting the replacement threshold time for each component.

  As described above, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present exemplary embodiment includes an image forming unit (image forming unit) 4 that forms an image on a sheet (recording medium) P, a sheet feeding unit 3, a sheet conveyance path 5, a fixing unit 6, and the like. An apparatus state detection unit is provided that is openable and closable in a main body housing 2 that accommodates each part of the image forming unit 4 and that is opened and closed during work such as replacement of parts such as consumables and components of the image forming unit 4. The function control unit 103 determines whether or not a part has been replaced after the door opening / closing detection sensor 107 detects it.

  Accordingly, it is possible to appropriately determine whether or not a part has been replaced when the door of the main body housing 2 is opened and closed, and it is possible to take an appropriate action depending on whether or not the part has been replaced.

  In the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present exemplary embodiment, the apparatus state detection unit 107 detects whether the component is installed at a predetermined installation position, and the apparatus state detection unit 107 detects that the door has been opened. The replacement measuring unit 104 measures the replacement time (removal time) until it is detected and detected that the part has been removed from the installation position and then returned to the installation position, and the function control unit 103 performs the replacement. The time is compared with a preset replacement threshold time to determine whether or not the part is to be replaced.

  Therefore, based on the replacement time from when the part is pulled out until it is inserted, it can be accurately determined whether the part has been replaced or simply pulled out and inserted again. Appropriate responses can be taken.

  Further, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment performs the warm-up operations W1 to W5 corresponding to the “replacement”, “no replacement”, and “only insertion / removal”, which are determination results of component replacement. Storage means) 106, and based on the determination result of parts replacement, the warm-up operations W1 to W5 corresponding to the determination result are determined from the data storage unit 106, and the determined warm-up operations W1 to W5 are executed. Yes.

  Therefore, it is possible to appropriately determine whether or not the parts have been replaced when the door of the main body housing 2 is opened and closed, and based on the sales results, appropriate warm-up operations W1 to W5 can be executed. While maintaining the state of the forming apparatus 1 in an appropriate state, it is possible to reduce power consumption and prolong the life of consumables and unit parts, and to wait for using the image forming apparatus 1. It can be optimized to improve usability.

  Further, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present exemplary embodiment can appropriately set the warm-up operations W1 to W5 stored in the data storage unit 106 according to the type of the component by operating the operation display unit 105.

  Therefore, the warm-up operations W1 to W5 to be executed can be changed depending on the types of parts such as consumables and unit products for the warm-up operation, and wasteful warm-up operations are reduced according to the types of components and operating conditions, thereby reducing power consumption. As well as the life of parts such as unit products and consumables can be prevented from being shortened.

  Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present exemplary embodiment can appropriately set the replacement threshold time by operating the operation display unit 105.

  Therefore, it can be set as appropriate for each user in consideration of the time required for the user to replace the component, and the presence / absence of component replacement can be determined more accurately. In addition, by setting the replacement threshold time to 0 seconds, it is possible to determine that there is a replacement just by inserting and removing parts such as consumables and unit products, rather than reducing power consumption and shortening the service life. When it is desired to prioritize the image quality, the image quality can be appropriately improved.

  Further, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is configured to execute whether or not to execute the component replacement determination process according to the user's selection.

  Accordingly, it is possible to select whether or not to execute the component replacement determination process according to the usage status of the image forming apparatus 1 and the like, and it is possible to improve the usability, reduce power consumption, and reduce consumables and unit products. It is possible to prolong the service life.

  The invention made by the present inventor has been specifically described based on the preferred embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to that described in the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. It goes without saying that it is possible.

  The present invention provides an image forming apparatus such as a printer, a copying machine, a facsimile machine, a composite machine, etc., which performs an operation process according to work on parts in the main body casing when the door of the main body casing is opened, for example, The present invention can be used for an image formation control method, an image formation control program, and a recording medium.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 2 Main body housing | casing 3 Paper feeding part 4 Image forming part 5 Paper conveyance path 6 Fixing part 7 Paper discharge tray 10 Photosensitive belt 11C, 11M, 11Y, 11K Developing unit 12 Drive roller 13 Driven roller 14C, 14M, 14Y, 14K Development unit presence / absence sensors 15C, 15M, 15Y, 15K Toner presence / absence sensors 16 Charger 17 Photoconductor belt marker sensor 18 Exposure unit 19 Intermediate transfer belt 20 Intermediate transfer roller 21 Opposing roller 22 Intermediate transfer belt marker sensor 23 Intermediate transfer belt Cleaner 24 Belt cleaner sensor 25 Transfer roller 26 Transfer roller sensor 27 Waste toner bottle 28 Waste toner sensor 31 Paper feed tray 32 Paper feed roller 33 Registration roller 41 Heating roller 42 Pressure roller 43 Fixing section sensor 50 Discharge roller 101 CPU
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 102 Print control part 103 Function control part 104 Exchange measurement part 105 Operation display part 106 Data storage part 107 Apparatus state detection part P Paper Tb1 Warm-up classification table corresponding to unit goods Tb2 Warm-up classification table corresponding to consumables G1 Replacement threshold time setting screen

JP 2008-310083 A

Claims (8)

Image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium;
A housing for storing each unit such as the image forming unit;
A door that is openable and closable in the housing, and that is opened and closed during work such as replacement of at least consumables and components of the image forming unit;
Door opening / closing detection means for detecting the opening / closing state of the door;
Replacement determination means for determining whether or not to replace the component after the door is opened;
An image forming apparatus comprising: The replacement determination means includes
Installation state detection means for detecting whether or not the component is installed at a predetermined installation position;
The removal time until the door opening / closing detection means detects that the door is opened and the installation state detection means detects that the part is returned to the installation position after being removed from the installation position. A timing means for timing,
A replacement presence / absence determining means for comparing the removal time with a replacement threshold time set in advance to determine whether or not to replace the component;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: The image forming apparatus includes:
A warm-up operation storage unit in which a warm-up operation is registered in correspondence with the determination result of the replacement determination unit;
Based on a determination result of the replacement determination unit, a warm-up determination unit that determines a warm-up operation corresponding to the determination result from the warm-up operation storage unit;
Warming up execution means for executing the warming up operation determined by the warming up determination means;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: The image forming apparatus includes:
4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising an operation setting unit configured to appropriately set the warm-up operation of the warm-up operation storage unit according to the type of the component. The image forming apparatus includes:
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a time setting unit that appropriately sets the replacement threshold time. An image forming process step for forming an image on a recording medium;
A door that is openable and closable in a housing that houses each unit such as an image forming unit that executes the image forming process, and that is opened and closed at the time of exchanging parts such as consumables and components of the image forming unit. Door opening / closing detection processing step for detecting the open / closed state;
Replacement determination processing step for determining whether or not the component is replaced after the door is opened,
An image formation control method characterized by comprising: On the computer,
An image forming process for forming an image on a recording medium;
A door that is openable and closable in a housing that houses each unit such as an image forming unit that executes the image forming process, and that is opened and closed at the time of exchanging parts such as consumables and components of the image forming unit. Door open / close detection processing for detecting the open / close state;
Replacement determination process for determining whether or not the part is replaced after the door is opened,
An image formation control program for executing   A computer-readable recording medium on which the image formation control program according to claim 7 is recorded.

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