JP2013025295A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device capable of further certainly determining that a waste toner container has been filled with waste toner.SOLUTION: A printer 1 includes: an image forming portion 30 forming an image on a transferred material by toner; a waste toner container 22 collecting the toner discharged from the image forming portion 30 as waste toner; a magnetic sensor 100 outputting a detection signal according to the deposition amount of the waste toner 23 collected in the waste toner container 22; and a determining portion 91 determining that the waste toner container 22 is filled when the detection signal outputted from the magnetic sensor 100 exceeds a predetermined threshold value and changed from a permission range set in advance.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, and a facsimile.

  In general, in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus using toner, a toner image is formed on a photosensitive drum, the toner image is transferred to a transfer material such as paper, and further fixed, whereby the image is transferred. To form. At this time, toner that has not been transferred to the transfer material (hereinafter referred to as “waste toner”) is collected in a waste toner container. When the waste toner container is filled with the waste toner, the waste toner is taken out from the apparatus main body by the user together with the waste toner container, and is sent to a process for disposal or reuse.

  As a conventional technique related to such a waste toner container, an image forming apparatus has been proposed in which an optical sensor is disposed in the vicinity of the opening of the waste toner container and the waste toner container is detected based on the output of the optical sensor. (See Patent Document 1). There has also been proposed an image forming apparatus that detects a remaining amount of toner contained in a toner container by providing a planar antenna in the toner container and observing a change in capacitance between electrodes of the planar antenna. (See Patent Document 2).

JP 2010-152252 A JP 2002-328520 A

  In the method of optically detecting the change in the position of the waste toner as in Patent Document 1 described above, a light source such as an LED is required. On the other hand, a method of detecting a change in electrostatic capacitance due to an increase in waste toner as in Patent Document 2 has an advantage that it is not necessary to consider the life of the light source because a light source is unnecessary. In addition, the method of detecting a change in capacitance has an advantage that the waste toner container does not have to be a light transmissive member.

  However, when a magnetic material such as a metal piece or a magnet is placed in the vicinity of the magnetic sensor in the method of detecting a change in magnetism, the accumulated waste toner is stored even though the waste toner container is not full. There is a risk that a large change in the magnetism of the toner will be erroneously determined that the waste toner container is full.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that can more reliably determine that a waste toner container is full.

  The present invention relates to an image forming unit that forms an image of toner on a transfer material, a waste toner container that collects toner discharged from the image forming unit as waste toner, and waste toner collected in the waste toner container. A magnetic sensor that outputs a detection signal corresponding to the amount of accumulation, and the waste toner container when the detection signal output from the magnetic sensor exceeds a preset threshold value and fluctuates from a preset allowable range. And an image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit that determines that is full.

  Further, the control unit of the image forming apparatus may not fill the waste toner container when the detection signal output from the magnetic sensor is equal to or greater than a preset threshold value and does not vary from a preset allowable range. Is preferably determined.

  In addition, the image forming apparatus includes a notification unit that notifies the user of information, and that the detection signal output from the magnetic sensor is equal to or greater than a preset threshold and does not vary from a preset allowable range. It is preferable to include a notification control unit that, when determined by the determination unit, informs the notification unit of information that prompts an inspection near the magnetic sensor.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that can more reliably determine that the waste toner container is full.

1 is a diagram for describing an overall configuration of a printer 1 according to an embodiment. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a waste toner collecting mechanism 20 in the printer 1. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the printer. FIG. (A), (B) is explanatory drawing which shows the state before the waste toner container 22 becomes full. (A), (B) is explanatory drawing which shows a state when the waste toner container 22 becomes full. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing voltage waveforms detected by a magnetic sensor 100. It is a figure which shows the detection signal output from the magnetic sensor 100. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an operation in which the determination unit 91 and the notification control unit 92 detect that the waste toner container 22 is full.

Hereinafter, a printer 1 according to an embodiment of an image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, the overall configuration of the printer 1 will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the overall configuration of the printer 1 according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 1 includes a paper transport unit 10, an image forming unit 30, and a fixing unit 40. The printer 1 also includes a waste toner collecting mechanism 20 (not shown in FIG. 1).

  The paper transport unit 10 includes a first feed roller 11, a second feed roller 12, a registration roller pair 13, a first roller pair 14, a second roller pair 15, and a paper discharge unit 16. In addition, the conveyance path L through which the paper T is conveyed includes a first conveyance path L1 from the first feeding roller 11 or the second feeding roller 12 to an image forming unit 30 (a transfer nip N described later), and an image forming unit 30 ( A second conveying path L2 from a transfer nip N), which will be described later, to the fixing unit 40, a third conveying path L3 from the fixing unit 40 to the sheet discharging unit 16, and a sheet T discharged from the fixing unit 40 are registered with the registration roller pair 13. And a fourth transport path L4.

  The first feed roller 11 supplies the paper T (transfer material) stored in the paper feed cassette 17 to the first transport path L1. The second feed roller 12 supplies the paper T placed on the manual feed tray 18 to the first transport path L1. The registration roller pair 13 supplies the paper T that has been transported through the first transport path L <b> 1 to the transfer nip N formed between the photoconductor drum 31 and the transfer roller 38, and is formed on the photoconductor drum 31. In order to transfer the toner image onto the paper T, the transport of the paper T or the transport of the paper T is stopped. Further, the registration roller pair 13 performs skew (oblique feeding) correction of the paper T.

  The first roller pair 14 is provided in the third transport path L3 and transports the paper T discharged from the fixing unit 40 to the paper discharge unit 16 side. The second roller pair 15 carries the paper T transported to the paper discharge unit 16 side by the first roller pair 14 into the fourth transport path L4. The paper discharge unit 16 discharges the paper T on which the toner image is fixed to the outside of the printer 1. A paper discharge stacking unit 19 is formed outside the printer 1 in the paper discharge unit 16. In the paper discharge stacking unit 19, the paper T discharged from the paper discharge unit 16 is stacked and stacked.

  The image forming unit 30 is a part that forms a toner image. The image forming unit 30 includes a photosensitive drum 31, a charging unit 32, a laser scanner unit 33, a developing device 34, a charge eliminator 35, a cleaning unit 36, a toner cartridge 37, and a transfer roller 38. .

  The photoconductor drum 31 functions as a photoconductor or an image carrier in order to form a toner image. Around the photosensitive drum 31, a charging unit 32, a laser scanner unit 33, a developing device 34, and a cleaning unit 36 are arranged in order from the upstream side to the downstream side along the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 31. The

  The charging unit 32 charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 31. The laser scanner unit 33 is disposed away from the surface of the photosensitive drum 31 and scans and exposes the surface of the photosensitive drum 31 based on image data transmitted by an external device (for example, a personal computer) disposed outside. To do. As a result, the exposed portion of the charge is removed from the surface of the photosensitive drum 31 to form an electrostatic latent image.

  The developing device 34 forms a toner image by attaching toner to the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 31. The static eliminator 35 irradiates the surface of the photosensitive member with light, thereby neutralizing the surface of the photosensitive drum 31 after the transfer is performed (removing the electric charge).

  The cleaning unit 36 removes, as waste toner, toner and adhering matter remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 31 after the surface of the photosensitive drum 31 is neutralized by the static eliminator 35. The cleaning unit 36 includes a cleaning housing 36d, a cleaning roller 36a, and a waste toner conveying member 36b. The cleaning roller 36a and the waste toner conveying member 36b are disposed so as to extend in a direction parallel to the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 31 inside the cleaning housing 36d.

  When the toner image is formed, the cleaning roller 36a rotates, for example, in the same direction as the photosensitive drum 31, and removes residual toner by rubbing the surface of the photosensitive drum 31. The waste toner conveying member 36b is disposed adjacent to the cleaning roller 36a. The waste toner conveying member 36b includes screw-like and spiral blades. The waste toner conveying member 36b rotates when the toner image is formed, and conveys the waste toner removed from the photosensitive drum 31 by the cleaning roller 36a in the direction opposite to the photosensitive drum 31. This waste toner is finally collected in a waste toner container 22 (described later).

  The toner cartridge 37 stores toner supplied to the developing device 34. The toner cartridge 37 and the developing device 34 are connected by a toner supply path (not shown). The transfer roller 38 transfers the toner image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 31 onto the paper T by sandwiching the paper T between the photosensitive drum 31 and the transfer roller 38.

  The fixing unit 40 includes a heating rotator 41 and a pressure rotator 42. The heating rotator 41 and the pressure rotator 42 sandwich the paper T on which the toner image is transferred, melt and press the toner, and fix the toner to the paper T.

  Next, the waste toner collecting mechanism 20 in the printer 1 of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the waste toner collecting mechanism 20 in the printer 1 of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the waste toner collecting mechanism 20 is provided below the cleaning unit 36.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a hole 36c is provided on the bottom surface of the cleaning housing 36d. The hole 36 c is an opening for discharging waste toner from the cleaning unit 36. The transport pipe 21 is connected to the hole 36c. The transport tube 21 is a tube for transporting waste toner from the cleaning unit 36 to a waste toner container 22 (described later). The transport pipe 21 is connected to the hole 36c on the upper end side and is connected to the waste toner container 22 on the lower end side.

  The waste toner container 22 is a container that collects the toner discharged from the cleaning unit 36 as waste toner. A neck portion 22 a is formed on the upper portion of the waste toner container 22. The lower end side of the transport pipe 21 is connected to the neck portion 22a.

  In the cleaning unit 36, the waste toner transported in the direction opposite to the photosensitive drum 31 by the waste toner transport member 36 b is discharged from the hole 36 c toward the transport tube 21, and then from the transport tube 21 to the waste toner container 22. It is thrown toward the neck 22a. The waste toner removed from the photosensitive drum 31 is almost powder. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, the waste toner 23 charged toward the neck portion 22 a of the waste toner container 22 accumulates in a mountain shape inside the waste toner container 22 so that the lower part of the transport pipe 21 is a vertex. To do.

  A magnetic sensor 100 is provided outside the neck 22 a of the waste toner container 22. The magnetic sensor 100 detects a voltage waveform corresponding to the accumulation amount of the waste toner 23 collected in the waste toner container 22, converts the voltage waveform into a detection signal, and transmits the detection signal to a determination unit 91 (described later).

Next, the functional configuration of the printer 1 will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the printer 1.
The printer 1 includes the above-described components (the paper transport unit 10, the image forming unit 30, the fixing unit 40, and the magnetic sensor 100). The description of these components is omitted. In addition to the functional configuration described above, the printer 1 further includes an operation unit 50, a display unit 60 as a notification unit, an interface unit 70, a storage unit 80, and a control unit 90.

  The operation unit 50 includes a plurality of keys (not shown). The operation unit 50 is operated, for example, when changing settings of the printer 1 or resetting a job. When any key is operated, the operation unit 50 transmits a signal indicating that the key has been operated to the control unit 90.

  The display unit 60 includes a display panel that can display icons and messages (character strings) representing the functions of the printer 1. The display unit 60 displays, for example, that the toner remaining in the toner cartridge 37 is low, the paper T is not stored in the paper feed cassette 17, the waste toner container 22 is full, and a magnetic sensor. A message indicating that the vicinity of 100 needs to be inspected can be displayed. Message display (notification) on the display unit 60 is controlled by a notification control unit 92 (control unit 90) described later.

  The interface unit 70 is connected to an external device (for example, a personal computer) installed outside the printer 1.

  The storage unit 80 includes a hard disk, a semiconductor memory, and the like. The storage unit 80 stores image data transmitted from the external device described above. The storage unit 80 stores a control program used in the printer 1 and data used by the control program.

The control unit 90 controls operations of the paper transport unit 10, the image forming unit 30, the fixing unit 40, the display unit 60, and the like.
Here, a basic function (operation) of the control unit 90 will be described by taking as an example a case where a toner image is formed on one side of the paper T. First, the control unit 90 temporarily stores the image data input from the external device via the interface unit 70 in the storage unit 80. Based on the image data temporarily stored in the storage unit 80, the control unit 90 includes the paper transport unit 10, the image forming unit 30, and the fixing unit 40 in order to form a toner image on the paper T. Control. That is, the control unit 90 drives the first feed roller 11 or the second feed roller 12 to transport the paper T to the image forming unit 30.

  Further, the control unit 90 supplies data for forming a toner image generated based on the image data to the laser scanner unit 33, and electrostatically applies to the photosensitive drum 31 by the laser light emitted from the laser scanner unit 33. A latent image is formed. The controller 90 forms a toner image on the photosensitive drum 31 from the developing unit 34 and transfers the toner image onto the paper T by the transfer roller 38.

  The control unit 90 controls the heating rotator 41 to be heated to a predetermined temperature so that the toner of the toner image transferred onto the paper T by the heating rotator 41 is melted and pressed against the heating rotator 41. The toner is fixed on the paper T by the pressure rotating body 42. Further, the control unit 90 causes the paper transport unit 10 to discharge the paper T on which the toner image is fixed from the paper discharge unit 16.

Moreover, the control part 90 is provided with the determination part 91 and the alerting | reporting control part 92 (refer FIG. 3).
The determination unit 91 determines that the waste toner container 22 is full when the voltage V of the detection signal output from the magnetic sensor 100 is equal to or higher than a preset threshold voltage Vth and fluctuates from a preset allowable range. Judge that there is.

  In addition, the determination unit 91 determines that the voltage V of the detection signal output from the magnetic sensor 100 is lower than the preset threshold voltage Vth, and the threshold value that the voltage V of the detection signal output from the magnetic sensor 100 is set in advance. When the voltage is equal to or higher than the voltage Vth and does not vary from a preset allowable range, it is determined that the waste toner container 22 is not full.

  The notification control unit 92 displays various messages on the display unit 60 according to the state of the printer 1 and the like. When the determination unit 91 determines that the voltage V of the detection signal output from the magnetic sensor 100 is equal to or higher than a preset threshold voltage Vth and does not vary from a preset allowable range, the notification control unit 92 Then, a message notifying that the vicinity of the magnetic sensor 100 needs to be inspected is displayed (notified) on the display unit 60.

Next, a function when the determination unit 91 (control unit 90) determines that the waste toner container 22 is full will be described.
4A and 4B are explanatory views showing a state before the waste toner container 22 is full. 5A and 5B are explanatory diagrams showing a state when the waste toner container 22 is full. 4A and 5B, FIG. 4A shows a state where the waste toner 23 is accumulated in a mountain shape, and FIG. 4B shows a state where the mountain of the waste toner 23 has collapsed.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing voltage waveforms detected by the magnetic sensor 100. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing detection signals output from the magnetic sensor 100. Note that the detection signal shown in FIG. 7 schematically shows a pulse waveform when the voltage waveform shown in FIG. 6 is sampled at a predetermined period.

  In FIG. 6, reference numeral 101 denotes a voltage waveform detected before the waste toner container 22 becomes full, reference numeral 102 denotes a voltage waveform detected when the waste toner container 22 becomes full, and reference numeral 103 denotes the vicinity of the magnetic sensor 100. Shows a voltage waveform detected when there is a magnetic material such as a metal piece or a magnet (described later).

  In FIG. 7, reference numeral 201 is a detection signal output before the waste toner container 22 is full, reference numeral 202 is a detection signal output when the waste toner container 22 is full, and reference numeral 203 is the vicinity of the magnetic sensor 100. Shows a detection signal output when there is a magnetic material such as a metal piece or magnet. 6 and 7 show voltage waveforms and detection signals when toner images are continuously formed and waste toner 23 is deposited and collapsed at a predetermined time interval.

  As shown in FIGS. 4A and 5A, the waste toner 23 charged toward the neck portion 22a of the waste toner container 22 is located inside the waste toner container 22 with the lower portion of the transport pipe 21 as a vertex. It piles up like a mountain. However, as shown in FIGS. 4B and 5B, the peaks of the accumulated waste toner 23 are collapsed due to the vibration of the printer 1 or the introduction of new waste toner 23, as shown in FIGS. End up. The waste toner 23 collected in the waste toner container 22 will eventually become full while repeating mountain-like accumulation and collapse. When such accumulation and collapse of the waste toner 23 are repeated, the accumulation amount of the waste toner 23 also changes (increases / decreases) repeatedly. When the accumulation amount of the waste toner 23 is repeatedly changed, the magnetic sensor 100 detects a voltage waveform that periodically changes as shown in FIG.

  Before the waste toner 23 becomes full, the distance between the accumulated waste toner 23 and the magnetic sensor 100 is large, as shown in FIG. Further, the volume of the collected waste toner 23 is small. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 6, the voltage V (maximum value) of the voltage waveform 101 detected by the magnetic sensor 100 is less than the threshold voltage Vth. In this case, as shown in FIG. 7, the voltage V of the detection signal 201 output from the magnetic sensor 100 is also lower than the threshold voltage Vth. The threshold voltage Vth is a voltage value set to determine that the waste toner 23 is full.

  On the other hand, when the waste toner 23 is full, the distance between the accumulated waste toner 23 and the magnetic sensor 100 becomes short as shown in FIG. In addition, the volume of the collected waste toner 23 is increased. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 6, the voltage V of the voltage waveform 102 detected by the magnetic sensor 100 becomes equal to or higher than the threshold voltage Vth when the waste toner 23 accumulates in a mountain shape. In this case, as shown in FIG. 7, the voltage V of the detection signal 202 output from the magnetic sensor 100 is also equal to or higher than the threshold voltage Vth.

  Thus, before the waste toner container 22 is full, the voltage V of the detection signal output from the magnetic sensor 100 to the determination unit 91 is less than the threshold voltage Vth. On the other hand, when the waste toner container 22 becomes full, the voltage V of the detection signal output from the magnetic sensor 100 to the determination unit 91 becomes equal to or higher than the threshold voltage Vth. Therefore, it can be determined that the waste toner container 22 is full at this point.

  However, when a magnetic material such as a metal piece or a magnet is placed in the vicinity of the magnetic sensor 100, the magnetism of the accumulated waste toner 23 changes due to the influence of the magnetic material. When such a magnetic change occurs, the voltage V of the voltage waveform 103 detected by the magnetic sensor 100 is the threshold voltage, as shown in FIG. 6, even though the waste toner container 22 is not full. It may be Vth or higher. In this case, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the voltage V of the detection signal 203 output from the magnetic sensor 100 to the determination unit 91 is also equal to or higher than the threshold voltage Vth.

  Therefore, if the waste toner container 22 is determined to be full when the voltage V of the detection signal output from the magnetic sensor 100 to the determination unit 91 is equal to or higher than the threshold voltage Vth, the waste toner container 22 is not full. There is a risk of misjudging that it is full.

  Therefore, in the determination unit 91 of this embodiment, when the voltage V of the detection signal output from the magnetic sensor 100 is equal to or higher than the threshold voltage Vth and the voltage V fluctuates from a preset allowable range, the waste toner It is determined that the container 22 is full.

  Here, as the preset allowable range, for example, from the maximum voltage value of the detection signal shown in FIG. 7 to a voltage value of about 40% to 60% can be set. For example, in FIG. 7, when the maximum voltage value of the detection signal is 5 V (threshold voltage is 4 V) and the allowable voltage range is 50%, the allowable range is 5 V to 2.5 V. Therefore, when the voltage V of the detection signal 202 output from the magnetic sensor 100 fluctuates from the maximum voltage value of 5V to 1.5V, the voltage V of the detection signal 202 becomes 4V or more of the threshold voltage and is allowable. This means that the fluctuation ranged from 5V to 2.5V. The allowable range described above can be set as appropriate depending on the detection sensitivity of the magnetic sensor 100 and the magnetic force generated by the waste toner 23.

Note that the determination of whether or not the detection signal output from the magnetic sensor 100 has fluctuated from a preset allowable range can be performed by the following method, for example.
One is whether or not the detection signal output from the magnetic sensor 100 to the determination unit 91 has fluctuated from a preset allowable range during a predetermined time from when the detection voltage becomes equal to or higher than the threshold voltage Vth. It is to judge.

  The predetermined time in this case can be set based on a cycle in which the accumulation and collapse of the waste toner 23 occur in a general usage situation. This period can be calculated by, for example, simulation or statistical processing.

  The other is whether or not the detection signal output from the magnetic sensor 100 to the determination unit 91 goes back to a predetermined time before the threshold voltage Vth or more, and during that time, whether or not it has fluctuated from a preset allowable range. Is to determine. Data relating to the voltage of the detection signal output from the magnetic sensor 100 to the determination unit 91 is stored in the storage unit 80 in time series. In the storage unit 80, only necessary data can be left by sequentially erasing data relating to the voltage of the detection signal after a predetermined time has elapsed. In this case, the determination unit 91 inspects the data of the detection signal retroactively from the time when the voltage of the detection signal output from the magnetic sensor 100 to the determination unit 91 becomes equal to or higher than the threshold voltage Vth, If it fluctuates from a preset allowable range, it is determined that the waste toner container 22 is full.

  In addition to the above-described method, for example, when the detection signal output from the magnetic sensor 100 to the determination unit 91 becomes equal to or higher than the threshold voltage Vth, the waste toner container 22 is intentionally vibrated and set in advance. It may be determined whether or not it fluctuates from the allowable range.

  Further, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the determination unit 91 indicates that the waste toner container 22 is not full when the voltage V of the detection signal 201 output from the magnetic sensor 100 does not exceed the threshold voltage Vth. Is determined.

  On the other hand, in FIG. 7, even if the voltage V of the detection signal output from the magnetic sensor 100 is equal to or higher than the threshold voltage Vth, as in the detection signal 203 output from the magnetic sensor 100, the detection signal 203 exceeds the preset allowable range. If it does not fluctuate, it is considered that the magnetism of the waste toner 23 has changed due to the influence of a magnetic material such as a metal piece or a magnet placed in the vicinity of the magnetic sensor 100. Since the change in magnetism due to the influence of such a magnetic material is steady, there is very little fluctuation with time. Accordingly, even if the voltage V of the detection signal output from the magnetic sensor 100 is equal to or higher than the threshold voltage Vth, the determination unit 91 determines that the waste toner container is not changed when the voltage V does not fluctuate from a preset allowable range. It is determined that 22 is not full.

  As described above, when the voltage V of the detection signal output from the magnetic sensor 100 is equal to or higher than the threshold voltage Vth and the voltage V fluctuates from a preset allowable range, the waste toner 23 is accumulated and collapsed. It is considered that the waste toner container 22 is full due to the repeated occurrence of. Therefore, in such a case, the determination unit 91 determines that the waste toner container 22 is full. When the determination unit 91 determines that the voltage V of the detection signal output from the magnetic sensor 100 is equal to or higher than the threshold voltage Vth and the voltage V fluctuates from a preset allowable range, the notification control unit 92 Then, a message notifying that the waste toner container 22 is full is displayed on the display unit 60 (see FIG. 3).

  On the other hand, when the voltage V of the detection signal output from the magnetic sensor 100 is less than the threshold voltage Vth, it is considered that the waste toner 23 has not accumulated to a position approaching the magnetic sensor 100. For this reason, the determination unit 91 determines that the waste toner container 22 is not full. In this case, no message is displayed.

  Furthermore, even if the voltage V of the detection signal output from the magnetic sensor 100 is equal to or higher than the threshold voltage Vth, the determination unit 91 determines that the magnetic sensor 100 does not vary from the preset allowable range. It is determined that the voltage V of the detection signal has increased due to a large change in the magnetism of the accumulated waste toner 23 due to the influence of the magnetic material placed in the vicinity of. The notification control unit 92 determines in the determination unit 91 that the voltage V of the detection signal output from the magnetic sensor 100 is equal to or higher than the threshold voltage Vth and that the voltage V does not vary from a preset allowable range. In this case, a message prompting to inspect the vicinity of the magnetic sensor 100 is displayed (notified) on the display unit 60.

Next, an operation of detecting that the waste toner container 22 is full in the printer 1 of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an operation in which the determination unit 91 and the notification control unit 92 detect that the waste toner container 22 is full.
In step ST <b> 101 of FIG. 8, the determination unit 91 acquires the detection signal output from the magnetic sensor 100.

  In step ST102, the determination unit 91 determines whether or not the voltage V of the acquired detection signal is equal to or higher than the threshold voltage Vth. In step ST102, when the determination unit 91 determines that the detection signal voltage V ≧ threshold voltage Vth (YES), the process proceeds to step ST103. In step ST102, when the determination unit 91 determines that the detection signal voltage V <threshold voltage Vth (NO), the waste toner container 22 is not full. finish.

  In step ST103 (YES in step ST102), the determination unit 91 determines whether or not the voltage V of the detection signal output from the magnetic sensor 100 has fluctuated from a preset allowable range. In step ST103, when the determination unit 91 determines that the voltage V of the detection signal has fluctuated from a preset allowable range (YES), the process proceeds to step ST104. In Step ST103, when the determination unit 91 determines that the voltage V of the detection signal does not vary from the preset allowable range (NO), the process proceeds to Step ST105.

  In step ST104 (YES in step ST103), the determination unit 91 determines that the waste toner container 22 is full. Then, the notification control unit 92 causes the display unit 60 to display a message notifying that the waste toner container 22 is full. Thereby, the process of this flowchart is complete | finished.

  In step ST105 (NO in step ST103), the determination unit 91 determines that a large change has occurred in the magnetism of the accumulated waste toner 23 due to the influence of the magnetic material placed in the vicinity of the magnetic sensor 100. Then, the notification control unit 92 causes the display unit 60 to display a message that prompts inspection of the vicinity of the magnetic sensor 100. Thereby, the process of this flowchart is complete | finished.

As described above, according to the printer 1 of the present embodiment, the following effects are exhibited.
In the printer 1 of the present embodiment, the determination unit 91 determines that the voltage V of the detection signal output from the magnetic sensor 100 is equal to or higher than a preset threshold voltage Vth, and the voltage V varies from a preset allowable range. In such a case, it is determined that the waste toner container 22 is full.

  When the detection signal output from the magnetic sensor 100 is affected by a magnetic material, the voltage V of the detection signal hardly fluctuates even if the waste toner 23 is repeatedly deposited and collapsed. However, when the detection signal output from the magnetic sensor 100 is not affected by the magnetic substance, the waste toner 23 is repeatedly accumulated and collapsed, so that the voltage V of the detection signal varies greatly.

  Accordingly, by making the full requirement that the voltage V of the detection signal output from the magnetic sensor 100 is equal to or higher than a preset threshold voltage Vth and the voltage V fluctuates from a preset allowable range, The fullness of the waste toner container 22 can be determined more reliably.

  Further, the determination unit 91 is discarded when the voltage V of the detection signal output from the magnetic sensor 100 is equal to or higher than a preset threshold voltage Vth and the voltage V does not fluctuate from a preset allowable range. It is determined that the toner container 22 is not full. Therefore, it is less likely that the waste toner container 22 is full due to the influence of the magnetic material placed in the vicinity of the magnetic sensor 100 even though the waste toner container 22 is not full.

  Further, the notification control unit 92 determines that the voltage V of the detection signal output from the magnetic sensor 100 is equal to or higher than a preset threshold voltage Vth and that the voltage V does not vary from a preset allowable range. If it is determined by 91, a message prompting to inspect the vicinity of the magnetic sensor 100 is displayed on the display unit 60.

  For this reason, the user can easily know that a magnetic material such as a metal piece or a magnet is placed in the vicinity of the magnetic sensor 100. Thereafter, the user can restore the original function of the magnetic sensor 100 by removing the magnetic material placed in the vicinity of the magnetic sensor 100.

In addition, this invention is not limited to embodiment mentioned above, It can implement with a various form.
The display unit 60 serving as the notification unit described in the present embodiment is a mode for displaying various messages on the display panel. However, the notification unit of the present invention is not limited to this form. For example, the form may be such that the user is notified of information by a message sound or a warning sound, or the information is notified by blinking / lighting of a lamp. It may be. That is, the notification unit only needs to have a function capable of notifying the user of necessary information, and the form is not limited to this embodiment.

The printer 1 described in the present embodiment is a monochrome printer. However, the present invention is not limited to this form, and may be a color printer.
The toner used in this embodiment may be a magnetic one-component developer made of a magnetic toner or a two-component developer containing a magnetic carrier and a non-magnetic toner.

  In addition, the printer 1 described in the present embodiment is configured to directly transfer the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 31 onto the paper T (direct transfer method). However, the present invention is not limited to this form, and may be a form (indirect transfer system) in which a toner image is transferred onto a sheet via an intermediate transfer belt.

  Further, the printer 1 described in the present embodiment is configured to print both sides of the paper T. However, the present invention is not limited to this form, and may be a form in which only one side of the paper is printed.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention is not limited to the printer 1 described above. In other words, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention may be a multifunction machine having a copy function, a facsimile function, a printer function, and a scanner function, or may be a facsimile.

  Further, the transfer material on which the toner image is fixed by the image forming apparatus according to the present invention is not limited to the paper T. For example, a film sheet such as an OHP (overhead projector) sheet may be used. Further, the material to be transferred is not limited to a sheet shape, and may be a roll shape.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Printer (image forming apparatus), 20 ... Waste toner collection mechanism, 22 ... Waste toner container, 23 ... Waste toner, 30 ... Image forming part, 60 ... Display part (notification part), 90 ... Control part, 91 ... Determination Part, 92 ... notification control part, 100 ... magnetic sensor

Claims (3)

An image forming unit for forming an image of toner on a transfer material;
A waste toner container for collecting toner discharged from the image forming unit as waste toner;
A magnetic sensor that outputs a detection signal according to the amount of waste toner collected in the waste toner container;
A determination unit that determines that the waste toner container is full when the detection signal output from the magnetic sensor is greater than or equal to a preset threshold value and fluctuates from a preset allowable range;
An image forming apparatus comprising: The determination unit
When the detection signal output from the magnetic sensor is equal to or greater than a preset threshold and does not vary from a preset tolerance, it is determined that the waste toner container is not full.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. An informing unit for informing the user of information;
Information that prompts an inspection in the vicinity of the magnetic sensor when the determination unit determines that the detection signal output from the magnetic sensor is equal to or greater than a preset threshold value and does not vary from a preset allowable range. A notification control unit for informing the notification unit;
An image forming apparatus according to claim 2.

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