JP2013072902A - Printing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printing apparatus surely retaining history information of a drum set including a photosensitive drum and performing an accurate life management of the drum set without causing image trouble.SOLUTION: The printing apparatus to which the drum set including the photosensitive drum is detachably attached comprises: a first nonvolatile memory that is provided in a toner cartridge configured to be detachably attached to the drum set and stores identification information and history information of the toner cartridge; a second nonvolatile memory that is provided in an apparatus body and stores the identification information and the history information of the toner cartridge and history information of the drum set; and a processing unit that, when the toner cartridge is replaced, compares the identification information stored in the second non-volatile memory with the identification information of the toner cartridge after the replacement, when both information items do not match and the toner cartridge after the replacement is in a new state, stores the history information of the drum set that has been stored in the second nonvolatile memory in the first nonvolatile memory, and performs print processing on the basis of the history information.

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus in which a drum set including a photosensitive drum can be attached to and detached from an apparatus main body.

  2. Description of the Related Art Nowadays, a printing apparatus that uses a drum set including a photosensitive drum to be mounted on an apparatus body and performs a printing process is used. In such a printing apparatus, a toner cartridge for replenishing toner is further installed in the drum set, and when the toner is insufficient due to the printing process, the toner storage unit is fully filled with toner (hereinafter referred to as a new product). The printing process is performed by replacing the toner cartridge. In addition, a drum set that is set to reach the end of its life when a new toner cartridge is replaced a predetermined number of times is also used. In this case, when the toner cartridge is replaced a predetermined number of times, the drum set is also replaced at the same time.

  For example, in a magenta (M), cyan (C), yellow (Y), and black (K) color printer, a magenta (M) drum set is mounted at the magenta (M) image forming position, and cyan (C ) A cyan (C) drum set at the image forming position, a yellow (Y) drum set at the yellow (Y) image forming position, and a black (K) image forming position at black (K). K) drum sets are mounted, and each drum set replaces the toner cartridge and drum set at the same time when the corresponding toner cartridge is replaced a predetermined number of times.

  In the printing apparatus as described above, for example, a non-volatile memory such as an EEPROM is provided in the toner cartridge, and color information and information on the number of printed sheets are stored, and a non-volatile memory for managing the life of the drum set is provided in the main body of the apparatus. The life of the drum set and the toner cartridge is managed.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an image forming apparatus that uses a consumable with a toner cartridge mounted on a drum unit, and is an invention that issues a drum unit replacement instruction when the toner cartridge reaches a preset number of replacements.

JP 2007-249069 A

However, the printing apparatus may be used for special printing processing. For example, when printing a sheet for so-called iron printing, the background is printed in white using a toner cartridge for white toner (for special color) described later. In this case, it is necessary to perform a printing process by mounting a toner cartridge for white toner at any of the image forming positions. In this case, however, a printing process with a correct color cannot be performed. For example, when a toner cartridge for white toner is mounted on a drum set for black (K), white toner is mixed with black toner, and accurate color print processing cannot be performed.
For this reason, when preparing a new drum set with a toner cartridge for normal white toner and printing a sheet for iron printing, for example, a toner cartridge for white toner is attached to a black (K) image forming position. The above drum set is attached to perform printing processing.

  As described above, when the printing process is performed by replacing the drum set depending on the printing application, the following problems occur. For example, when a black (K) drum set is nearing the end of its service life, when a new drum set is installed to print a sheet for iron printing, a non-volatile device that manages the life of the drum set provided in the apparatus body Information in the memory is cleared, and history information such as the number of printed drum sets and the number of revolutions is deleted. In this case, if the black (K) drum set is returned to the image forming position after that, the history information does not return, and if the black (K) drum set is used as it is, for example, the photosensitive drum deteriorates and image failure occurs. Cause.

  On the other hand, when the black (K) drum set is nearing the end of its life, even if the new drum set is installed, the history information such as the number of printed drums and the number of rotations is not cleared. If the printing process is continued as it is, even if it is a new drum set, it is determined that the lifetime is reached, for example, by several printing processes.

Although it is possible to add a storage area for drum set history information when printing an expected iron print sheet to the nonvolatile memory that manages the life of the drum set of the apparatus main body, the toner to be used In addition to white toner, increasing the storage area for the history information of the drum set for each color used leads to an increase in memory capacity and complicates the life management of the drum set.
Therefore, the present invention reliably retains drum set history information, eliminates the cause of image trouble, and accurately manages the life of the drum set even when performing special printing processing such as printing of a sheet for iron printing. It is an object of the present invention to provide a printing apparatus that can perform such a process.

  According to the present invention, in the printing apparatus in which the drum set including the photosensitive drum is configured to be detachable, the toner cartridge is configured to be detachable from the drum set, and the toner cartridge is provided with the toner cartridge. A first nonvolatile memory for storing cartridge identification information and drum set history information, and provided in the main body of the apparatus, for storing toner cartridge identification information and history information, and drum set history information. When the toner cartridge is replaced with the second nonvolatile memory, the identification information stored in the second nonvolatile memory is compared with the identification information of the replaced toner cartridge. When the information indicating that there is no history used for the printing process in the later toner cartridge is identified, the second A control unit that stores history information of the drum set stored in the nonvolatile memory in the first nonvolatile memory, and a printing process based on the history information of the drum set stored in the second nonvolatile memory This can be achieved by providing a printing apparatus having a print processing unit for performing the above.

  According to the present invention, even when a special printing process is performed, the history information of the drum set can be reliably retained, and the occurrence of an image failure due to erroneously continuing the drum set that has reached the end of its life can be eliminated. Even when a new drum set that is used for the printing process is mounted for the first time after manufacture, it is possible to perform accurate life management of the drum set.

FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of an image forming unit of a printer apparatus according to the present embodiment. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an internal configuration of a printer device according to the present embodiment. FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a data configuration of an EEPROM provided in a toner cartridge. It is a figure which shows the data structure of EEPROM provided in the main body apparatus. It is a flowchart explaining the basic processing operation of this embodiment. It is a flowchart explaining the confirmation process of consumables. It is a flowchart explaining the count process of consumables. It is a flowchart explaining the lifetime confirmation process of consumables. 6 is a flowchart for describing print processing according to the present exemplary embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the internal configuration of the printer apparatus (printing apparatus) in the present embodiment. A printer apparatus 1 shown in the figure is an electrophotographic secondary transfer tandem type color printer apparatus, and includes an image forming unit 2, an intermediate transfer belt unit 3, a paper feeding unit 4, and a duplex printing conveyance unit 5. It consists of

  The image forming unit 2 has a configuration in which four image forming units 6 (6M, 6C, 6Y, 6K) are arranged in a multistage manner from right to left in FIG. The three image forming units 6M, 6C, and 6Y on the upstream side (right side in FIG. 2) of the four image forming units 6 are magenta (M), cyan (C), A mono-color image is formed using yellow (Y) color toner, and the image forming unit 6K forms a monochrome image using black (K) toner mainly used for dark portions of characters and images.

The printer device 1 according to the present embodiment is also used for printing a sheet for iron printing. Among the four image forming units, for example, an image forming unit at the position of the image forming unit 6K is used for white toner described later. The image forming unit 6W to which the cartridge is attached is replaced with the print process.
Here, the iron print is a printing function in which, for example, an iron is used to heat a print sheet and transfer it to a T-shirt (tea shirt) or the like. The print sheet to be used has characters and patterns on the mount. Color printing is performed, and a white toner layer is printed thereon. The white toner (background color toner) used at this time is a material that is thermally bonded to, for example, a T-shirt or the like. Create a sheet for use. The toner color does not necessarily have to be white, and may be a fabric color such as a T-shirt or a transparent toner. When creating this iron print sheet, the image forming unit 6W with the white toner (special color) cartridge attached at the position of the image forming unit 6K is replaced to perform the printing process.

  On the other hand, returning to the description shown in FIG. 2, the image forming units 6M, 6C, 6Y, and 6K have the same configuration except for the color of the toner stored in the toner container. Therefore, the configuration of the black (K) image forming unit 6K will be described below as an example.

  The image forming unit 6K includes a photosensitive drum 7 at the bottom. The peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 7 is made of, for example, an organic photoconductive material. A cleaner 8, a charging roller 9, a print head 11, and a developing roller 13 of the developing device 12 are arranged around the periphery of the photosensitive drum 7.

  The developing device 12 puts one of magenta (M), cyan (C), yellow (Y), and black (K) toners in the upper toner container as indicated by M, C, Y, and K in the drawing. The intermediate portion is provided with a toner replenishing mechanism for the lower portion, the lower portion is provided with the above-described developing roller 13 at the side opening, the toner stirring member inside, the toner supply roller for supplying toner to the developing roller 13, and the developing A doctor blade or the like for regulating the toner layer on the roller 13 to a constant layer thickness is provided.

  The intermediate transfer belt unit 3 has an endless transfer belt 14 extending in a flat loop shape from substantially the left and right sides of the figure at the approximate center of the main unit, and the transfer belt 14 is stretched over the transfer belt 14. A driving roller 15 and a driven roller 16 are provided to circulate and move the belt 14 in the counterclockwise direction of FIG.

  The transfer belt 14 transfers the toner image directly onto the belt surface (primary transfer) and conveys the toner image to the transfer position to the paper for further transfer (secondary transfer). The whole is an intermediate transfer belt unit.

  The intermediate transfer belt unit 3 includes a belt position control mechanism 17 in the loop of the flat loop-shaped transfer belt 14. The belt position control mechanism 17 includes a primary transfer roller 18 made of a conductive foam sponge that presses against the lower peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 7 via the transfer belt 14.

  The belt position control mechanism 17 supports the three primary transfer rollers 18 corresponding to the three image forming units 6M, 6C, and 6Y of magenta (M), cyan (C), and yellow (Y) in a bowl shape. A single primary transfer roller 18 corresponding to the black (K) image forming unit 6K is rotated and moved at a rotational movement period different from the period of the three primary transfer rollers 18 around the axis. The transfer belt 14 is moved away from the photosensitive drum 7, and the full-color mode (all four primary transfer rollers 18 are in contact with the transfer belt 14) and the monochrome mode (only the primary transfer roller 18 corresponding to the image forming unit 6K are provided). And a non-transfer mode (all four primary transfer rollers 18 are separated from the transfer belt 14).

In the intermediate transfer belt unit 3, a belt cleaner unit is disposed further upstream of the uppermost image forming unit 6M on the upstream side in the belt movement direction, and is flat and thin so as to be substantially along the entire lower surface. The waste toner collection container 19 is detachably disposed.
The paper feed unit 4 includes three paper feed cassettes 21a to 21c arranged in three stages, upper, middle, and lower, and is located near the paper feed ports (right side in the figure) of the three paper feed cassettes 21a to 21c. A sheet take-out roller 22, a feeding roller 23, a separating roller 24, and a standby conveying roller pair 25 are disposed. A secondary transfer roller 26 that is in pressure contact with the driven roller 16 via the transfer belt 14 is disposed in the paper conveyance direction of the standby conveyance roller pair 25 (vertical upward direction in the figure), and a secondary transfer unit to the paper is provided. Is forming.

  A belt-type heat fixing device 27 serving as a heat fixing unit is disposed on the downstream side (upper side in the drawing) of the secondary transfer unit, and the paper after fixing is placed on the belt further downstream of the belt-type heat fixing device 27. A pair of unloading rollers 28 that are unloaded from the thermal fixing device 27 and a pair of discharge rollers 31 that discharge the unloaded sheets to a sheet discharge tray 29 formed on the upper surface of the apparatus are provided.

  The duplex printing conveyance unit 5 includes a start return path 32a that branches from the intermediate conveyance path between the carry-out roller pair 28 and the discharge roller pair 31 to the right lateral direction in the drawing, and then an intermediate return path 32b that bends downward. A terminal return path 32c that bends in the left lateral direction opposite to the above and eventually reverses the return sheet, and four return roller pairs 33a, 33b, 33c, and 33d disposed in the middle of these return paths. ing. The exit of the end return path 32 c communicates with a conveyance path to the standby conveyance roller pair 25 corresponding to the sheet feeding cassette 21 c below the sheet feeding unit 4.

  In this example, a cleaning unit 35 and a take-in roller 36 are disposed on the upper surface of the intermediate transfer belt unit 3. The cleaning unit 35 comes into contact with the upper surface of the transfer belt 14 to scrape and remove the waste toner, and the take-in roller 36 takes over the waste toner removed by the cleaning unit 35, and a temporary storage unit of the belt cleaner unit (not shown). The accumulated waste toner is conveyed to the upper part in the dropping cylinder by a conveying screw and sent to the waste toner collecting container 19 through the dropping cylinder.

  Further, in order to bring the cleaning unit 35 into pressure contact with the transfer belt 14 with an appropriate pressure, a pressure roller 37 is provided on the intermediate transfer belt unit 3 side to press the transfer belt 14 toward the cleaning unit 35 from below. Yes.

FIG. 1 schematically shows a configuration in the vicinity of the image forming unit 2 in the printer apparatus 1 having the above configuration. On the consumable side, four image forming units 6 (6M) constituting the above-described image forming unit 2 are shown. , 6C, 6Y, 6K), and a configuration including a toner remaining amount detection unit, a motor, and the like, which will be described later, is disclosed on the apparatus main body side.
The four image forming units 6 (6M, 6C, 6Y, 6K) constituting the image forming unit 2 are each constituted by a toner cartridge TC and a drum set DS.

  For example, the image forming unit 6M is configured by attaching a toner cartridge TC-M containing magenta (M) toner to a magenta (M) drum set DS-M, and the image forming unit 6C is for cyan (C). The toner cartridge TC-C is attached to a drum set DS-C for cyan (C). The image forming unit 6Y is configured by attaching a cartridge TC-Y containing yellow (Y) toner to a yellow (Y) drum set DS-Y, and the image forming unit 6K is for black (K). The toner cartridge TC-K is attached to a drum set DS-K for black (K). When printing a sheet for iron printing, a cartridge containing the above-described white toner is placed at the position of the black (K) image forming unit 6K, and a white (W) drum set DS-W (not shown) is used. Used by attaching to.

Here, each toner cartridge TC replenishes the developing device 12 with toner, and is used by being attached to the corresponding drum set DS. Each drum set DS includes the photosensitive drum 7 described with reference to FIG. 2, the cleaner 8 disposed on the peripheral surface, the charging roller 9, and the like. Used at the image forming position to be used.
Each toner cartridge TC-M, TC-C, TC-Y, and TC-K is provided with an EEPROM for storing the number of processed prints, color information, and the like. An unillustrated toner cartridge TC-W containing white toner is also provided with an EEPROM for storing the number of printed sheets and color information. The drum sets DS-M, DS-C, DS-Y, and DS-K are provided with new article detection units 39M, 39C, 39Y, and 39K for the corresponding drum sets DS.
The new article detection units 39M, 39C, 39Y, 39K, for example, perform “L” (low) level output when the corresponding drum set DS is new, and the drum set DS is attached to the apparatus main body, and the corresponding motor Is rotated to “H” (high) level output.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the data structure of the EEPROM provided in the toner cartridge TC. In this EEPROM, for example, a storage area of “TC (toner cartridge) color”, a storage area of “new flag”, a storage area of “TC number”, a storage area of “TC consumption”, and a storage of “toner shortage”. Area, “DS number” storage area, and “DS rotation number” storage area. Here, the toner color information stored in the corresponding toner cartridge TC is stored in the “TC color” recording area. For example, in the case of the toner cartridge TC-M, the magenta (M) color information is stored. Cyan (C) color information is stored for toner cartridge TC-C, yellow (Y) color information is stored for toner cartridge TC-Y, and black (K) for toner cartridge TC-K. Color information is stored. When printing an iron print sheet, a toner cartridge TC-W (not shown) is used and white (W) information is stored. Further, when a fluorescent toner cartridge is used, information indicating (fluorescent) toner is stored, and when a magnetic toner cartridge is used, information indicating (magnetic) toner is stored.

The “new flag” storage area stores flag information indicating whether or not the toner cartridge TC is in a new state after shipment from the manufacturing factory in which the toner container is fully filled with toner. This storage area is unnecessary when “0” is handled as a new flag as information stored in the storage area of the next “TC number”.
In addition, in the “TC number” storage area, information on the number of print processing sheets of the corresponding toner cartridge TC is stored. For single-sided printing of A4 size or smaller, for example, +1 is counted, and for A3 size, for example, +2 is counted. In double-sided printing, a count that is twice the count is performed.

  Further, the “TC consumption” storage area stores information calculated by calculating the number of dots and the amount of toner consumption for each printing. In addition, in the storage area of “toner shortage”, for example, a flag is set when a remaining toner detection unit described later detects that the remaining amount of the corresponding toner cartridge TC is equal to or lower than a preset level. Done.

  Further, in the storage area of “DS number” and “DS rotation speed”, information on the number of used drum sets DS to which the corresponding toner cartridge TC is mounted and information on the rotation speed of the drum set DS are stored. In both cases, “0” is set when a new article is mounted on the printer for the first time after shipment from the manufacturing factory and print processing is performed.

  On the other hand, in FIG. 1 described above, the remaining amount detection units 40M, 40C, 40Y, and 40K are provided on the main body side of the printer apparatus 1, and the corresponding toner cartridges (developers) TC-M, TC-C, and TC are provided. The remaining toner amount in -Y and TC-K is detected. The remaining toner amount detection unit 40K detects the remaining amount of white toner in the toner cartridge TC-W when printing a sheet for iron printing.

  Further, on the main body side shown in FIG. 1, an MPU 41 that controls the printer device 1 and an EEPROM 42 that stores various information of the printer device 1 are provided. The motors 43M, 43C, 43Y, and 43K rotate the photosensitive drums 7 and the like provided in the corresponding image forming units 6 (6M, 6C, 6Y, and 6K) according to the control of the MPU 41.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a data structure of the EEPROM 42 provided on the main body side. The data structure of the EEPROM 42 is composed of four storage areas of magenta (M), cyan (C), yellow (Y), and black (K) corresponding to the drum set DS.
First, in the magenta (M) storage area, “UID”, “TC color”, “TC number”, “TC consumption”, “toner shortage”, “DS-M number”, “DS-M rotation speed” are stored. Is stored.

  Here, the “UID” information is identification information of the toner cartridge TC-M given individually, and the identification information (ID) of the toner cartridge TC-M attached to the drum set DS-M is read and stored. Information. Further, the “TC color” information is the same as the information stored in the EEPROM of the toner cartridge TC described above, and is the color information of the toner stored in the corresponding toner cartridge TC-M. The information on “TC number”, “TC consumption” and “toner shortage” is the same as the information stored in the EEPROM of the toner cartridge TC, and the information on “TC number” is the same as the information on the toner cartridge TC. -M is information on the number of printed sheets processed, and "TC consumption" information is information obtained by calculating the number of dots and the amount of toner fog consumption for each printing of the toner cartridge TC-M. The “toner shortage” information is information that is set when the corresponding toner remaining amount detection unit 40 detects toner shortage.

  Further, the information of “DS-M number” and “DS-M rotation number” includes information on the number of used drum sets DS-M in which the toner cartridge TC-M is mounted, and information on the drum set DS-M. This is information on the number of revolutions. Note that the information on the “TC number”, “TC consumption”, “toner shortage”, “DS-M number”, and “DS-M rotation number” is the information corresponding to the toner cartridge TC- Written to M EEPROM.

Similarly, for the storage area of cyan (C), “UID”, “TC color”, “TC number”, “TC consumption”, “toner shortage”, “DS-C number”, “DS-C rotation number” The information “UID” is the identification information of the toner cartridge TC-C assigned individually, and the identification information of the toner cartridge TC-C attached to the drum set DS-C. (ID) is information to be read and stored.
The information on “TC color”, “TC number”, “TC consumption”, and “toner shortage” is the same as described above, and is stored in the corresponding storage area. Furthermore, the information on “DS-C number” and “DS-C rotation number” is information on the number of drum sets DS-C used and information on the number of rotations of the drum set DS-C. Note that the information about the “TC number”, “TC consumption”, “toner shortage”, “DS-C number”, and “DS-C rotation number” correspond to the end of the printing process, as described above. It is written in the EEPROM of the toner cartridge TC-C.

Similarly, for the yellow (Y) storage area, “UID”, “TC color”, “TC number”, “TC consumption”, “toner shortage”, “DS-M number”, “DS-M rotation number” The information “UID” is the identification information of the toner cartridge TC-Y given individually, and the identification information of the toner cartridge TC-Y attached to the drum set DS-Y. (ID) is information to be read and stored.
The information on “TC color”, “TC number”, “TC consumption”, and “toner shortage” is the same as described above, and is stored in the corresponding storage area. Further, the information on “DS-Y number” and “DS-Y rotation number” is information on the number of drum sets DS-Y used and information on the number of rotations of the drum set DS-Y. Note that the information about the “TC number”, “TC consumption”, “toner shortage”, “DS-Y number”, and “DS-Y rotation number” correspond to the end of the printing process, as described above. It is written in the EEPROM of the toner cartridge TC-Y.

Similarly, for the storage area of black (K), “UID”, “TC color”, “TC number”, “TC consumption”, “toner shortage”, “DS-M number”, “DS-M rotation number” The information “UID” is the identification information of the toner cartridge TC-K that is individually assigned, and the identification information of the toner cartridge TC-K attached to the drum set DS-K. (ID) is information to be read and stored.
The information on “TC color”, “TC number”, “TC consumption”, and “toner shortage” is the same as described above, and is stored in the corresponding storage area. Further, the information of “DS-K number” and “DS-K rotation number” includes information on the number of used drum sets DS-K to which the toner cartridge TC-K is mounted, and information on the drum set DS-K. This is information on the number of revolutions. Note that the information on the “TC number”, “TC consumption”, “toner shortage”, “DS-K number”, and “DS-K rotation number” correspond to the end of the printing process as described above. It is written in the EEPROM of the toner cartridge TC-K.

In the above configuration, the processing operation of this embodiment will be described below.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the processing operation of this example. First, initialization processing of the printer apparatus 1 is performed (step (hereinafter referred to as S) 1). Next, data is read from the EEPROM 42 provided on the printer apparatus 1 main body side (S2). Specifically, the information in the four storage areas shown in FIG.

  Next, a consumable item confirmation process is performed (S3). This process is a confirmation process of the drum set DS and the toner cartridge TC, which are consumables attached to the printer apparatus 1, and a specific process will be described later.

  Next, a consumable count process is performed (S4). For example, the drum set DS and toner cartridge TC which are consumables are counted. Thereafter, a life confirmation process for consumables is performed (S5), and it is confirmed that there is no consumable that has reached the end of its life, and a printing process is performed (S6). This will be specifically described below.

  First, the consumable item confirmation process (S3) will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining this process. First, it is determined whether the printer 1 is powered on or whether a cover (not shown) is opened or closed (S3-1). This cover is opened and closed when the drum set DS and the toner cartridge TC attached to the printer apparatus 1 are replaced. When the printer apparatus 1 is not turned on or when the cover is not opened or closed (S3-1). NO), this determination is repeated.

  On the other hand, when the power of the printer apparatus 1 is turned on or the cover is opened and closed (YES in S3-1), the information on “UID” does not match in order to check whether the toner cartridge TC has been replaced. (S3-2). Specifically, the “UID” information in the information shown in FIG. 4 read from the EEPROM 42 is compared with the “UID” information of the toner cartridge TC to determine whether the “UID” is inconsistent. It is assumed that the “UID” information of the mounted toner cartridge TC is always readable by the MPU 41 from the toner cartridge TC.

Here, the above determination is made for all of the magenta (M), cyan (C), yellow (Y), and black (K) toner cartridges TC, and all the toner cartridges TC-M, TC-C, The TC-Y and TC-K are compared with the “UID” information stored in the EEPROM 42. When the “UID” is the same for all the magenta (M), cyan (C), yellow (Y), and black (K) toner cartridges TC (NO in S3-2), the first It returns to judgment (S3-1).
That is, in this case, all of the magenta (M), cyan (C), yellow (Y), and black (K) toner cartridges TC in the information shown in FIG. 4 read from the EEPROM 42 are mounted. It is determined that the cover has been opened / closed, for example, for other maintenance processing, instead of replacement of the toner cartridge TC.
If the determination (S3-2) is made when the printer apparatus 1 is turned on, the toner cartridge TC is replaced between the previous power-off of the printer apparatus 1 and the current power-on. If it is not determined, the process returns to the initial determination (S3-2 is NO, S3-1).

  On the other hand, if the two “UIDs” do not match (YES in S3-2), magenta (M), cyan (C), yellow (Y), black (K) in the information shown in FIG. ) Is not coincident with the “UID” of the mounted toner cartridge TC, and it is determined that the toner cartridge TC has been replaced.

  In this case, the EEPROM information of the toner cartridge TC having different “UID” information is read out, and the “TC color”, “New article flag”, “TC number”, “TC consumption”, and “Toner shortage” information are stored in the main unit. Is written in the EEPROM 42 on the side (S3-3). Note that the “new flag” information is only read to the MPU 41 of the main device.

  For example, when the “UID” of the black (K) toner cartridge TC-K does not match, “UID”, “new flag”, “TC number”, “TC consumption” written in the EEPROM of the toner cartridge TC-K. Information on “Amount” and “Toner shortage” is read, and information on “UID”, “TC number”, “TC consumption” and “Toner shortage” is written in the EEPROM 42 on the main unit side, excluding information on “New product flag”. . Even when the “UID” of the toner cartridges TC other than black (K) does not match, “UID”, “TC number”, “TC consumption”, “ Information on “toner shortage” is written in the EEPROM 42 on the main body side.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the mismatched “UID” toner cartridge TC is new (S3-4). This determination is made by the MPU 42 checking the “new flag” read from the EEPROM of the corresponding toner cartridge TC.

  If it is determined that the replaced toner cartridge TC is new (YES in S3-4), the information of the “new flag” stored in the EEPROM of the toner cartridge TC is cleared, and the EEPROM 42 on the main unit side is cleared. Is read out and stored in the EEPROM of the toner cartridge TC (S3-5).

  For example, when the toner cartridge TC replaced by checking the “new flag” is a black (K) toner cartridge, the “new flag” stored in the EEPROM of the toner cartridge TC-K is cleared, and the main body The information on the “DS-K number” and “DS-K rotational speed” stored in the black (K) storage area of the EPROM 42 on the apparatus side is read and stored in the EEPROM of the toner cartridge TC-K. .

Even when a new toner cartridge TC is mounted by the above process, the information of the drum set DS until then is stored in the EEPROM of the toner cartridge TC-K. That is, the history information of the drum set DS-K so far, that is, the information of “DS-K number” and “DS-K rotation number” is written in the EEPROM of the toner cartridge TC-K.
Even when other new toner cartridges TC-M, TC-C, and TC-Y are mounted on the corresponding drum sets DS-M, DS-C, and DS-Y, the same applies to the previous cases. The history information of the drum sets DS-M, DS-C, DS-Y is written in the EEPROM.

Next, it is determined whether the drum set DS is new (S3-6). This determination is made on the drum set DS detected by the above-described DS new-article detection units 39M, 39C, 39Y, and 39K, and the history information of the “DS number” and “DS rotational speed” is read out, If the set DS is not new (NO in S3-6), the process ends as it is, and the process returns to the determination of further power-on or cover opening / closing.
Therefore, when only the toner cartridge TC is replaced and the corresponding drum set DS is not new, as described above, the history information of the corresponding drum set DS is “new number of DS” and “DS rotation speed” information is new. The history information of the drum set DS up to that time is not erased by the EEPROM of the toner cartridge TC.

  On the other hand, when the drum set DS is new (YES in S3-6), the storage area of the “DS number” and “DS rotation number” of the EEPROM 42 on the main body side is set to “0”, and the corresponding toner cartridge TC is further stored. “0” is also stored in the storage area of “DS number” and “DS rotation number” of the EEPROM (S3-7). For example, when the black (K) toner cartridge TC-K is replaced with a new one and the drum set DS-K is also new, the “DS number” in the black (K) storage area of the EEPROM 42 on the main unit side is set. “DS rotation speed” is set to “0”, and information of “DS number” and “DS rotation speed” of the EEPROM of the black (K) toner cartridge TC-K is also set to “0”.

By performing the processing in this manner, the history information of “DS number” and “DS rotation number” stored in the above processing (S3-5) is cleared.
For example, when performing a special printing process such as printing of a sheet for iron printing, a new drum set DS-W to which a toner cartridge for storing white toner is attached is placed at, for example, a black (K) image forming position. When mounted and used, the history information of the drum set DS-K, “DS number” and “DS rotation speed” information is cleared, and the previously installed drum set DS-K information remains. Absent.

  Next, when the printer apparatus 1 is turned on or the cover is opened and closed (S3-1), a non-new toner cartridge TC is replaced and the “UID” is different (YES in S3-2). Reads the information of the EEPROM of the replaced toner cartridge TC as described above, and stores “UID”, “TC number”, “TC consumption” and “toner shortage” information excluding the “new product flag”. Writing to the EEPROM 42 on the apparatus side (S3-3).

Next, it is determined whether the toner cartridge TC is new (S3-4). In this case, the "new flag" read from the toner cartridge TC is cleared, and the replaced toner cartridge TC is not new. It turns out that there is no (S4-3 is NO). In this case, the toner cartridge TC being used has been replaced, and the “DS number” and “DS rotation number” information written in the EEPROM of the toner cartridge TC is read out and stored in the EEPROM 42 of the main unit ( S3-8).
For example, when a toner cartridge TC-K in use of black (K) is replaced, information on “DS-K number” and “DS-K rotation number” written in the EEPROM of the toner cartridge TC-K is displayed. Read and store in the black (K) storage area of the EEPROM 42 on the main unit side.

By processing in this way, even when the toner cartridge TC being used is replaced, the history information of the drum set DS so far can be written in the corresponding storage area of the EEPROM 42 of the main unit.
For example, in order to perform a special printing process such as iron sheet printing, the drum set DS-K mounted at the black (K) image forming position is removed, and the drum set DS- containing white toner is stored. When the sheet for iron print is printed with W attached, the history information of the drum set DS-K is stored in the EEPROM of the toner cartridge TC-K mounted on the drum set DS-K that has been used so far. Will remain.
Therefore, when the printing process of the iron print sheet is completed and the original drum set DS-K is mounted again at the black (K) image forming position, the drum of the toner cartridge TC-K is replaced with the drum before replacement. The history information of the set DS-K remains, and the life of the drum set DS-K can be accurately managed by performing black (K) printing processing using this information thereafter.

  When the consumable item confirmation processing (S3) is completed by the above processing, the consumable item counting processing (S4) is executed next. In this process, it is first determined whether or not the motor is rotating (S4-1). That is, it takes time to write data from the EEPROM 42 on the main body side to the EEPROM of the toner cartridge TC, and it is difficult to perform the above process during the printing process. Therefore, while the motor is rotating (while the printing process is being performed), the consumables are counted, and while the motor is stopped (when the printing process is not being performed), the toner Data transfer processing of the cartridge TC to the EEPROM is performed.

Therefore, while the motor is rotating (S4-1 is YES), the consumables are counted. First, it is determined whether or not the photosensitive drum 7 constituting the drum set DS has been rotated a predetermined amount (S4-2). If the photosensitive drum 7 has not yet been rotated a predetermined time (S4-2 is NO), the next paper discharge is not performed. Although the determination is made, when the photosensitive drum 7 rotates a predetermined amount (YES in S4-2), the “DS rotation number” of the EEPROM 42 of the main body device is incremented by 1 (S4-3).
The above processing is performed for each of the four drum sets DS-M, DS-C, DS-Y, and DS-K, and each time the corresponding photosensitive drum 7 rotates a predetermined time, the corresponding “DS” of the EEPROM 42 of the main body apparatus. "Rotation speed" is incremented by +1.

  Next, it is determined whether or not to eject the paper (S4-4). For this determination, for example, based on a signal from a paper discharge sensor (not shown), a detection signal is output every time the paper is discharged to the paper discharge tray 29 (YES in S4-4). The information of “TC number” and “DS number” is incremented by 1 (S4-5). Further, every time one sheet is discharged, the toner consumption is calculated based on the information of the number of dots and the “DS rotation number”, and the calculation result is stored in the “TC consumption” area (S4-5). . The above processing is also performed in the four drum sets DS-M, DS-C, DS-Y, and DS-K.

  Next, it is determined whether the toner is insufficient (S4-6). This determination is made according to the detection outputs of the toner remaining amount detection units 40M, 40C, 40Y, and 40K, and when the corresponding toner remaining amount detection units 40M, 40C, 40Y, and 40K output a toner shortage detection signal. (S4-6 is YES), for example, a flag is set in the corresponding “toner deficient” area of the EEPROM 42 of the main unit (S4-7).

  When the consumable counting process is repeated and then the printing process is completed and the motor stops rotating, it is determined whether the information in the EEPROM 42 of the main body device matches the information in the EEPROM of each toner cartridge TC (S4-8). . When the consumables counting process is performed as described above, the information in the EEPROM 42 of the main body device and the information in the EEPROM of each toner cartridge TC do not match (NO in S4-8), and the information in the EEPROM 42 of the main body device corresponds to the corresponding toner. The data is stored in the EEPROM of the cartridge TC (S4-9).

With this process, after the print process is completed, the information stored in the EEPROM 42 of the main body apparatus matches the information stored in the EEPROM of each toner cartridge TC. When the power supply of the printer apparatus 1 is turned off for some reason while the above consumables counting process is repeated, for example, by displaying a reset display on the operation panel, information on the EEPROM 42 of the main body apparatus is stored in the EEPROM of each toner cartridge TC. It is good also as a structure which instruct | indicates to a user to write in.
When the consumables counting process (S4) is completed, a consumables life confirmation process (S5) is performed. This process is performed according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 8, and the life of the toner cartridge TC and the drum set as consumables is confirmed.

  First, it is determined whether toner shortage has occurred (S5-1). This determination is made based on whether or not the aforementioned flag is set in the “toner shortage” area of the EEPROM 42 of the main unit. Here, if the flag is not set, it is determined that toner shortage has not occurred (NO in S5-1), and the life of the subsequent drum set DS is determined without sounding the toner alarm (S5-2). Migrate to

  On the other hand, when the flag is set, it is determined that toner shortage has occurred (YES in S5-1), and further, it is determined whether or not a predetermined number of sheets have been printed since the toner shortage has occurred (S5-3). If a predetermined number or more of print processes have not yet been performed due to the occurrence of toner shortage (S5-3 is NO), a toner cartridge replacement notice is displayed (S5-4).

  Therefore, a replacement notice is displayed on the toner cartridge while a predetermined number of print processes are performed after the toner shortage occurs, during which the user is prompted to replace the toner cartridge TC. If the toner cartridge TC is not replaced while the predetermined number of print processes are performed due to the occurrence of toner shortage (YES in S5-3), the toner cartridge replacement display as a stop alarm is displayed and the driving of the apparatus is stopped. (S5-5).

  Next, it is determined whether the number of rotations or the number of printed sheets of the photosensitive drum 7 is equal to or greater than the notice (S5-6). This determination is made with reference to the information of “DS rotation speed” and “DS number” in the EEPROM 42 of the main unit, and for example, the values of “DS rotation speed” and “DS number” just before the drum set DS reaches the end of its life. It is set in advance, and a determination is made based on whether or not “DS rotation number” or “DS number” has reached the value.

  Here, if the DS rotation number and the DS number are equal to or less than the preset notice (NO in S5-6), the DS alarm is not sounded (S5-7), and the process proceeds to the subsequent processing.

  On the other hand, if the “DS rotation number” or “DS sheet number” information is not less than the preset notice, it is further determined whether the rotation number of the photosensitive drum 7 or the number of printed sheets is greater than the replacement (S5-8). This determination is also made by referring to the “DS rotation speed” and “DS number” information of the EEPROM 42 on the main unit side, and for example, the values of “DS rotation number” and “DS number” at which the drum set DS reaches the end of its life are preset. Then, it is determined whether or not “DS rotation speed” or “DS number” has reached the value.

  Therefore, for the drum set DS, before the drum set DS reaches the end of life (NO in S5-8), the drum set DS replacement notice is displayed during the predetermined number of print processes (S5-9), and the user is in the meantime. Urge the drum set DS to be replaced. If the drum set DS is not exchanged (YES in S5-8), the drum set DS exchange display (stop alarm) is displayed, and the drive of the apparatus is stopped (S5-10).

  When the consumable life check process (S5) is completed, the printing process of the flowchart shown in FIG. 9 is performed. In this printing process, it is first determined whether or not there is a stop alarm (S6-1). As described above, when the stop alarm is generated (YES in S6-1), the toner cartridge TC needs to be replaced or the drum set DS needs to be replaced, and the printing process is stopped (S6). -8).

  On the other hand, if a stop alarm has not occurred (NO in S6-1), for example, print data is input from the host computer, and it is determined whether there is print data (S6-2). If there is print data (YES in S6-2), image data creation processing is performed (S6-3), and the image data is developed, for example, in a frame memory (not shown).

  Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the image data expansion process is completed (S6-4). When the image data expansion process is completed (S6-4 is YES), the printing process is started (S6-5). Here, the stop alarm is judged again (S6-6), and if the stop alarm is generated (YES in S6-6), the printing process is stopped (S6-8). As described above, the reason for determining the stop alarm again is that the toner cartridge replacement notice display changes to the toner cartridge replacement display due to further toner consumption during the printing process, or the drum set DS replacement notice display is displayed. This is because the drum set DS may be changed to be displayed by further rotation.

  Therefore, during the printing process, there is no stop alarm (NO in S6-6), and when the printing process is completed (YES in S6-7), the printing process is stopped (S6-8).

As described above, in the present embodiment, even when a special drum set DS such as a sheet for iron printing is used, the history information of the drum set DS is reliably retained, and an accurate drum is generated without causing an image failure. The life management of the set DS can be performed.
In addition, as a special printing process for iron printing sheets, for example, not only when using white toner, but also when using special colors such as transparent toner, gold toner, silver toner, and pink or red toner. But it can be done in the same way.
In this embodiment, the life of the drum set DS (photosensitive drum 7) is managed by the number of DSs and the number of rotations of DS. However, the print density differs depending on the type of document to be printed, and basically the photosensitive unit. Although the life of the drum set DS is detected based on the number of rotations of the body drum 7, in order to detect the life of the drum set DS more accurately, the life of the drum set DS is detected using both history information.
In the above embodiment, the method for identifying the new state of the drum set DS and the toner cartridge TC has been described based on the information stored in the nonvolatile memory. The method of identifying whether or not the unit has been used for the printing process by the output change of the detection sensor that identifies the displacement position of the member that is displaced by operating after the unit is installed in the printing apparatus. There may be.

  Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, the present invention is included in the inventions described in the claims and their equivalents. Hereinafter, the invention described in the scope of claims at the beginning of the filing of the present patent application will be added.

Appendix 1
A toner cartridge configured to be detachable from the drum set;
A first nonvolatile memory provided in the toner cartridge for storing identification information of the toner cartridge and history information of the drum set;
A second nonvolatile memory provided in the main body of the apparatus for storing identification information and history information of the toner cartridge and history information of the drum set;
When the toner cartridge is replaced, the identification information stored in the second non-volatile memory is compared with the identification information of the replaced toner cartridge, and if there is a mismatch, the replacement processing is performed on the replaced toner cartridge. A controller that stores history information of the drum set stored in the second nonvolatile memory in the first nonvolatile memory, when information indicating that there is no history used is identified;
A print processing unit that performs print processing based on history information of the drum set stored in the second nonvolatile memory;
A printing apparatus comprising:

Appendix 2
When the toner cartridge is replaced, the identification information stored in the second non-volatile memory is compared with the identification information of the toner cartridge after the replacement. When information indicating that there is no history used is identified, the drum set history information stored in the first nonvolatile memory is stored in the second nonvolatile memory, and the second nonvolatile memory is stored. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a printing process is performed in accordance with the history information of the drum set stored in the memory.

Appendix 3
The drum set has a new article detection unit that detects whether or not there is a history of use in the printing process, and when the toner cartridge is replaced, the toner cartridge has no history of use in the printing process. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the drum set history information stored in the first nonvolatile memory is cleared when the drum set has no history of use in the printing process.

Appendix 4
4. The printing apparatus according to appendix 1, 2, or 3, wherein the drum set history information includes information on a rotational speed and the number of printed sheets of the photosensitive drum.

Appendix 5
The control unit performs comparison of identification information of the toner cartridge when the apparatus main body is turned on or the cover of the drum set storage unit is opened or closed. 5. The printing apparatus according to 4.

Appendix 6
The control unit performs a process of storing history information of the drum set stored in the second nonvolatile memory in the first nonvolatile storage memory every time print processing is completed. The printing apparatus according to appendix 1, 2, or 3.

Appendix 7
According to the rotation of the photosensitive drum, information on the rotational speed of the photosensitive drum and the number of printed sheets is counted and stored in the second nonvolatile memory, and the rotational speed and printing stored in the second nonvolatile memory. The printing apparatus according to appendix 4, wherein the number information is transferred to and stored in the first nonvolatile memory after the printing process is completed.

Appendix 8
The life of the drum set is calculated based on the information on the number of revolutions of the photosensitive drum and the number of printed sheets, and when the drum set is near the end of its life, a replacement notice of the drum set is made. 8. The printing apparatus according to appendix 4 or 7, wherein a replacement display of the drum set is performed after performing the above.

Appendix 9
4. The printing apparatus according to appendix 3, wherein the drum set having no history used in the printing process is a drum set having a toner cartridge for storing a special color toner.

Appendix 10
In a control method of a printing apparatus in which a drum set including a photosensitive drum is configured to be detachable,
A first storage process that is provided in a toner cartridge configured to be detachable from the drum set, and that stores identification information of the toner cartridge and history information of the drum set in a first nonvolatile memory;
A second storage process which is provided in the main body of the apparatus and stores identification information and history information of the toner cartridge and history information of the drum set in a second nonvolatile memory;
When the toner cartridge is replaced, the identification information stored in the second non-volatile memory is compared with the identification information of the toner cartridge after replacement. When there is no history used, a process of storing history information of the drum set stored in the second nonvolatile memory in the first nonvolatile memory;
Printing processing performed based on history information of the drum set stored in the second nonvolatile memory;
A control method for a printing apparatus, comprising:

Appendix 11
When the toner cartridge is replaced, the toner cartridge has no history of use in the printing process, and is a toner cartridge that stores special color toner, and the drum set also has no history of use in the printing process. 11. The printing apparatus control method according to appendix 10, wherein the drum set history information stored in the first nonvolatile memory is cleared to zero.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Printer apparatus 2 ... Image formation part 3 ... Intermediate transfer belt unit 4 ... Paper feed part 5 ... Conveyance unit 6, 6M, 6C, 6Y, 6K for double-sided printing Unit 7... Photosensitive drum 8... Cleaner 9... Charging rollers 11, 11 Y, 11 M, 11 C, 11 K ..Print head 12 .. Developer 13 .. Developing roller 14. Drive roller 16, driven roller 17, belt position control mechanism 18, primary transfer roller 19, waste toner collecting container 21, sheet feeding cassette 22, sheet take-out roller 23, feeding roller 24, and roller 25..Standing conveying roller pair 27..Belt type heat fixing device 28..Unloading roller pair 29..Discharge tray 31..Discharge roller pair 32a..Start return path 32b..Intermediate return path 32c..Termination Return path 3a, 33b, 33c, 33d..Return roller pair 35..Cleaning unit 36..Acquisition roller 37..Pressure rollers 39M, 39C, 39Y, 39K..New drum set detection units 40M, 40C, 40Y, 40K .. Toner remaining amount detection unit 41 .. MPU
42..EEPROM
43M, 43C, 43Y, 43K ・ ・ Motor

Claims (11)

In a printing apparatus in which a drum set including a photosensitive drum is configured to be detachable,
A toner cartridge configured to be detachable from the drum set;
A first nonvolatile memory provided in the toner cartridge for storing identification information of the toner cartridge and history information of the drum set;
A second nonvolatile memory provided in the main body of the apparatus for storing identification information and history information of the toner cartridge and history information of the drum set;
When the toner cartridge is replaced, the identification information stored in the second non-volatile memory is compared with the identification information of the replaced toner cartridge, and if there is a mismatch, the replacement processing is performed on the replaced toner cartridge. A controller that stores history information of the drum set stored in the second nonvolatile memory in the first nonvolatile memory, when information indicating that there is no history used is identified;
A print processing unit that performs print processing based on history information of the drum set stored in the second nonvolatile memory;
A printing apparatus comprising:   When the toner cartridge is replaced, the identification information stored in the second non-volatile memory is compared with the identification information of the toner cartridge after the replacement. When information indicating that there is no history used is identified, the drum set history information stored in the first nonvolatile memory is stored in the second nonvolatile memory, and the second nonvolatile memory is stored. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a printing process is performed in accordance with history information of the drum set stored in a memory.   The drum set has a new article detection unit that detects whether or not there is a history of use in the printing process, and when the toner cartridge is replaced, the toner cartridge has no history of use in the printing process. 2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the drum set history information stored in the first nonvolatile memory is cleared when the drum set also has no history of use in printing processing.   4. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the history information of the drum set includes information on the number of rotations and the number of printed sheets of the photosensitive drum.   The control unit performs comparison of identification information of the toner cartridge when the apparatus main body is turned on or the cover of the storage unit of the drum set is opened and closed. Or the printing apparatus of 4.   The control unit performs a process of storing history information of the drum set stored in the second nonvolatile memory in the first nonvolatile storage memory every time print processing is completed. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, 2, or 3.   According to the rotation of the photosensitive drum, information on the rotational speed of the photosensitive drum and the number of printed sheets is counted and stored in the second nonvolatile memory, and the rotational speed and printing stored in the second nonvolatile memory. 5. The printing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the number information is transferred to and stored in the first non-volatile memory after the printing process is completed.   The life of the drum set is calculated based on the information on the number of revolutions of the photosensitive drum and the number of printed sheets, and when the drum set is near the end of its life, a replacement notice of the drum set is made. The printing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the drum set replacement display is performed after the operation is performed.   The printing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the drum set having no history used for the printing process is a drum set to which a toner cartridge storing special color toner is mounted. In a control method of a printing apparatus in which a drum set including a photosensitive drum is configured to be detachable,
A first storage process that is provided in a toner cartridge configured to be detachable from the drum set, and that stores identification information of the toner cartridge and history information of the drum set in a first nonvolatile memory;
A second storage process which is provided in the main body of the apparatus and stores identification information and history information of the toner cartridge and history information of the drum set in a second nonvolatile memory;
When the toner cartridge is replaced, the identification information stored in the second non-volatile memory is compared with the identification information of the toner cartridge after replacement. When there is no history used, a process of storing history information of the drum set stored in the second nonvolatile memory in the first nonvolatile memory;
Printing processing performed based on history information of the drum set stored in the second nonvolatile memory;
A control method for a printing apparatus, comprising:   When the toner cartridge is replaced, the toner cartridge has no history of use in the printing process, and is a toner cartridge that stores special color toner, and the drum set also has no history of use in the printing process. The printing apparatus control method according to claim 10, wherein the history information of the drum set stored in the first nonvolatile memory is cleared.