JP2014115354A - Apparatus for determining time for ordering waste developer recovery container and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus configured to reduce a difference between the amount of waste toner in a waste toner recovery container and maximum capacity of the waste toner recovery container in replacing the waste toner developer recovery container.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus includes: waste toner recovery container for storing toner recovered; toner amount detection means for detecting a predetermined amount of the recovered toner; use state storage means for storing use information based on a use state of the image forming apparatus; available period calculation means for calculating an available period of the waste toner recovery container on the basis of the use information; and determining means for determining the timing for giving predetermined information on the basis of the period calculated by the available period calculation means.

Description

  The present invention relates to a waste developer collection container order time determination device and an image forming apparatus.

The sensor means for detecting the amount of waste toner comprises means for detecting the integrated image area of the image portion of the developing device until fullness is detected, and means for counting the amount of toner replenished to the developing device, and the integrated image portion There is known a waste toner collection device that detects the fullness of a waste toner collection container based on a detection amount of a means for detecting an area and a count amount of a means for counting an integrated replenishment toner amount (Patent Document 1).
A capacity detection unit that detects the amount of waste toner stored in the cleaning container; and a waste toner amount calculation unit that calculates the number of printable sheets by obtaining a toner amount that can be further stored in the cleaning container. There is also known an image forming apparatus that changes the number of printable sheets until the cleaning container is actually full after the capacity detection unit detects the amount of waste toner according to the density of the image to be printed (Patent Document). 2).
Further, when the number of sheets on which image formation has reached a specified value, it is determined that the waste toner container needs to be replaced, an error is output, and a waste toner replacement error detection means for prohibiting subsequent image forming operations When the number of sheets on which image formation has reached another specified value, it is determined that the replacement timing of the waste toner container is near and an alarm is output, and a waste toner replacement alarm that continues the subsequent image formation operation An image forming apparatus having a detecting means is also known (Patent Document 3).

JP 2000-081823 A JP 2000-112304 A JP 2004-101667 A

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of suppressing the difference between the amount of waste toner in the waste toner collection container and the capacity of the waste toner collection container when the waste toner collection container is replaced. To do.

In order to solve the above problem, an image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
A waste toner collecting container for storing the collected toner;
Toner amount detecting means for detecting a predetermined amount of the stored toner;
Use state storage means for storing use information based on the use state of the image forming apparatus;
A usage period calculation means for calculating a period during which the waste toner collection container can be used based on the usage information;
Based on the period calculated by the usage period calculation means, determine when to perform a predetermined notification;
It is characterized by that.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect,
Usage information based on the usage state of the image forming apparatus forms an image from when the waste toner collecting container is mounted on the image forming apparatus to when the toner amount detecting means detects a predetermined amount. Including one of the cumulative value of the number of pixels, the cumulative value of the supply time of the supplied toner, the cumulative value of the rotational speed of the photosensitive drum, and the cumulative value of the number of printed sheets.
It is characterized by that.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first or second aspect,
The predetermined notification time is when the image forming apparatus is turned on or when the first print job is started.
It is characterized by that.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, a program according to claim 4 is provided:
A function of detecting a predetermined amount of toner stored in a waste toner collecting container;
A function for storing usage information based on the usage state of the image forming apparatus;
A function of calculating a period during which the waste toner developer recovery container can be used based on the use information;
A function of determining a predetermined notification time based on the calculated period during which the waste developer collection container can be used;
It is characterized by that.

According to the first, second, and fourth aspects of the present invention, the amount of waste toner in the waste toner collection container when the waste toner collection container is replaced, A difference from the capacity can be suppressed.
According to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to suppress wasteful delivery of the waste toner collection container as compared with the case where this configuration is not provided.

2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an internal configuration of the image forming apparatus 1. FIG. FIG. 3A is a perspective view with a viewpoint on the upper surface side of the waste toner collection container 70, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a waste toner collecting unit. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a relationship between a use period and a collected amount until a waste toner collecting container is filled and replaced after a near full is detected. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a relationship between a usage period and a collection amount when a near-full notification timing is changed and a usage period from notification of near full to replacement of a waste toner collection container 70 is kept constant. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a specific example of calculating a period until the waste toner collecting container is full. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation flow of a waste toner collecting unit of the image forming apparatus 1.

Next, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings with reference to embodiments and specific examples. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments and specific examples.
Also, in the description using the following drawings, it should be noted that the drawings are schematic and the ratio of each dimension and the like are different from the actual ones, and are necessary for the description for easy understanding. Illustrations other than the members are omitted as appropriate.
In order to facilitate understanding of the following description, in the drawings, the front-rear direction is the X-axis direction, the left-right direction is the Y-axis direction, and the up-down direction is the Z-axis direction.

(1) Overall Configuration and Operation of Image Forming Apparatus FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 according to this embodiment.
Hereinafter, the overall configuration and operation of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described with reference to the drawings.

  The image forming apparatus 1 includes a control device 10, a paper feeding device 20, a photosensitive unit 30, a developing device 40, a transfer device 50, and a fixing device 60. On the upper surface (Z direction) of the image forming apparatus 1, a discharge tray 1a for discharging and storing a sheet on which an image is recorded is formed.

The control device 10 includes a controller 11 that controls the operation of the image forming apparatus 1, an image processing unit 12 that is controlled by the controller 11, a power supply device 13, and the like. The power supply device 13 applies a voltage to a charging roller 32, a developing roller 42, a primary transfer roller 52, a secondary transfer roller 53, and the like which will be described later.
The image processing unit 12 converts print information input from an external information transmission apparatus (for example, a personal computer) into image information for forming a latent image, and outputs a drive signal to the exposure apparatus LH at a preset timing. To do. The exposure apparatus LH of the present embodiment is configured by an LED head in which LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) are arranged in a line.

  A paper feeding device 20 is provided at the bottom of the image forming apparatus 1. The sheet feeding device 20 includes a sheet stacking plate 21, and a plurality of sheets P as recording media are stacked on the upper surface of the sheet stacking plate 21. The paper P loaded on the paper stacking plate 21 and whose position in the width direction is determined by a regulating plate (not shown) is pulled out one by one from the top by the paper pulling unit 22 (−X direction), and then registered. It is conveyed to the nip portion of the pair 23.

  The photoconductor unit 30 includes a photoconductor drum 31 that is provided in parallel above the paper feeding device 20 (in the Z direction) and serves as an image carrier that is rotationally driven. A charging roller 32, an exposure device LH, a developing device 40, a primary transfer roller 52, and a cleaning blade 34 are arranged along the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 31. A cleaning roller 33 for cleaning the surface of the charging roller 32 is disposed opposite to and in contact with the charging roller 32.

The developing device 40 includes a developing housing 41 in which a developer is accommodated. In the developing housing 41, a developing roller 42 disposed to face the photosensitive drum 31, and a pair of augers 44 that stir and convey the developer to the developing roller 42 side obliquely below the back side of the developing roller 42, 45 is arranged. A layer regulating member 46 that regulates the layer thickness of the developer is disposed in proximity to the developing roller 42.
Each of the developing devices 40 is configured in substantially the same manner except for the developer contained in the developing housing 41, and each forms a toner image of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). To do.

  The surface of the rotating photosensitive drum 31 is charged by the charging roller 32, and an electrostatic latent image is formed by the latent image forming light emitted from the exposure device LH. The electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 31 is developed as a toner image by the developing roller 42.

  The transfer device 50 includes an intermediate transfer belt 51 to which each color toner image formed on the photoconductive drum 31 of each photoconductor unit 30 is transferred, and each color toner image formed on each photoconductor unit 30 to the intermediate transfer belt. A primary transfer roller 52 that sequentially transfers (primary transfer) to 51 is provided. Further, the image forming apparatus includes a secondary transfer roller 53 that collectively transfers (secondary transfer) each color toner image superimposed and transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 51 onto a sheet P as a recording medium.

Each color toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 31 of each photosensitive unit 30 is sequentially transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 51 by the primary transfer roller 52 to which a predetermined transfer voltage is applied from the power supply device 13 or the like controlled by the controller 11. Electrostatic transfer (primary transfer) is performed to form a superimposed toner image in which toners of respective colors are superimposed.
The superimposed toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 51 is conveyed to a region (secondary transfer portion T) where the secondary transfer roller 53 is disposed as the intermediate transfer belt 51 moves. When the superimposed toner image is conveyed to the secondary transfer unit T, the paper P is supplied from the paper feeding device 20 to the secondary transfer unit T in accordance with the timing. A predetermined transfer voltage is applied to the secondary transfer roller 53 from the power supply device 13 or the like controlled by the controller 11, and the intermediate transfer belt 51 is fed to the sheet P fed from the registration roller pair 23 and guided by the conveyance guide. The upper multiple toner images are collectively transferred.

  Residual toner on the surface of the photosensitive drum 31 is removed by the cleaning blade 34 and collected in the waste developer container. The surface of the photosensitive drum 31 is recharged by the charging roller 32. Residues that cannot be completely removed by the cleaning blade 34 and adhere to the charging roller 32 are captured and accumulated on the surface of the cleaning roller 33 that rotates in contact with the charging roller 32.

The fixing device 60 includes an endless fixing belt 61 that rotates in one direction, and a pressure roller 62 that contacts the peripheral surface of the fixing belt 61 and rotates in one direction. A nip portion N (fixing region) is formed by the pressure contact region.
The sheet P on which the toner image is transferred in the transfer device 50 is conveyed to the fixing device 60 via the conveyance guide in a state where the toner image is not fixed. The toner image is fixed on the sheet P conveyed to the fixing device 60 by a pair of fixing belt 61 and pressure roller 62 by the action of pressure bonding and heating.
The sheet P on which the fixed toner image is formed is guided by the conveyance guides 65 a and 65 b and is discharged from the discharge roller pair 69 to the discharge tray 1 a on the upper surface of the image forming apparatus 1.

(2) Configuration and Operation of Waste Toner Collection Device FIG. 2A is a perspective view with a viewpoint on the upper surface side of the waste toner collection container 70 constituting the waste toner collection unit of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2B is a perspective view showing the internal configuration of the waste toner collecting container 70. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the waste toner collecting unit.
Hereinafter, the configuration of the waste toner collection container 70 and the operation of the waste toner collection unit will be described with reference to the drawings.

In the image forming apparatus 1, after the toner image developed on the photosensitive drum 31 is transferred to the paper P, the residual toner on the surface of the photosensitive drum 31 is removed by the cleaning blade 34, and the removed residual toner is waste toner. As shown, the waste developer is collected in a waste developer collecting container 70 in the image forming apparatus 1.
Further, after the toner image is secondarily transferred from the intermediate transfer belt 51 to the paper P, residual toner adhering to the intermediate transfer belt 51 is also removed by the intermediate transfer belt cleaner 00, and the waste in the image forming apparatus 1 is removed. The developer is collected in the developer collection container 70.

Furthermore, in order to omit the replacement work of the deteriorated developer (used developer) in the developing device 40 using the two-component developer composed of toner and carrier, a new two-component developer is replenished simultaneously with the replenishment of the toner. On the other hand, a developing method (hereinafter referred to as trickle development) in which the deteriorated developer is discharged may be used. When such a trickle developing method is employed, the deteriorated developer discharged from the developing device 40 for each color is also collected in the waste toner collecting container 70.
Therefore, in the following description, the waste toner collected from the photosensitive drum 31 and the intermediate transfer belt 51 and the deteriorated developer discharged from the developing device 40 are referred to as waste toner.

(2.1) Configuration of Waste Toner Collection Container As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the waste toner collection container 70 is engaged with a collection housing 71 that stores discharged waste toner and a collection housing 71. And a recovery cover 72 that defines a storage chamber.

  A transport auger 73 that transports waste toner is rotatably supported by the collection housing 71. As shown in the figure, the transport auger 73 has a rotating shaft, and a coil portion 73a for transporting waste toner in the rotating shaft direction while rotating waste toner is formed in a certain range except for the tip portion.

The recovery cover 72 is formed with an inflow port 72a through which discharged waste toner flows, and a shutter 74 is provided at the inflow port 72a so as to be openable and closable. A detection window 75 made of a hollow transparent protrusion is provided at the tip of the recovery cover 72.
As will be described later, the detection window 75 is disposed on the optical axis of the detection sensor 76 as a full detection means composed of a photosensor having a light emitting portion 76a on one side and a light receiving portion 76b on the other side. Then, the presence or absence of waste toner that has been transported by the transport auger 73 and sequentially stacked on one end of the collection housing 71 and stored is detected.

(2.2) Functional Configuration of Waste Toner Collection Unit As shown in FIG. 3, the waste toner collection unit is provided on the waste toner collection container 70 for storing the waste toner to be discharged and the upper part of the waste toner collection container 70. The detection window 75 is disposed between the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit, and includes a detection sensor 76.
The control device 10 acquires a signal from the detection sensor 76 and determines whether or not the detection window 75 is in a light shielding state, and a usage state storage that stores a usage state of the image forming apparatus 1. Detecting a state in which the unit 102, a use period calculation unit 103 that estimates the amount of collected waste toner and estimates a use period until it is full, and the waste toner collection container 70 are approaching a full state (hereinafter referred to as near full) And a usage counter 104 that stores the usage afterwards.

The controller 11 includes a combination of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and the like, and executes a control program stored in the memory so that the light shielding / transmission determining unit 101 is used. The state storage unit 102, the usage period calculation unit 103, and the usage amount counter unit 104 are controlled.
Then, the controller 11 as an example of the notification timing determination means calculates the usable period of the waste toner collection container 70, and as an example of the predetermined notification, the fact that the waste toner collection container 70 is approaching a full state or becomes full. Is displayed.

  The light shielding / transmission determining unit 101 acquires an output signal of the detection sensor 76 to determine whether the detection window 75 is shielded from light. When the light receiving unit 76b receives light, the waste toner collection container 70 is full. If the light receiving unit 76b does not receive light, it is determined that waste toner exists in the detection window 75 and the waste toner collection container 70 is full of waste toner.

The use state storage unit 102 stores a use history of the image forming apparatus 1 that starts measurement from when the waste toner collecting container 70 is attached to the image forming apparatus 1 and is reset when the waste toner collecting container 70 is replaced. 11 RAM.
Specifically, the cumulative value of the number of pixels on which an image is formed for each color, the cumulative value of the supply time of toner supplied to the developing device 40 for each color, and the photosensitive drum 31 for each color. The accumulated value of the rotation number and the accumulated value of the number of printed sheets for each color are stored in the RAM as a use history.

The use period calculation unit 103 calculates the use period based on the use history stored in the use state storage unit 102 when the light shielding / transmission determination unit 101 detects near fullness.
As will be described later, the collected waste toner weight stored in the waste toner collection container 70 at the time when near-full is detected differs depending on the use history of the image forming apparatus 1 and is stored in the use state storage unit 102. The usage period is calculated based on the usage history.

  The usage counter unit 104 starts measuring the number of printed sheets from the time when the light shielding / transmission determining unit 101 detects near fullness, and is reset when the waste toner collection container 70 is replaced.

(2.3) Estimating Recovered Developer Amount FIG. 4 shows that after the near full is detected, the use of the waste toner recovery container 70 by the image forming process is continued, and the waste toner recovery container 70 becomes full and needs to be replaced. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a relationship between a use period until the image forming apparatus 1 is stopped and a collection amount.

As a result of the image forming process in the image forming apparatus 1, when the waste toner is collected in the waste toner collecting container 70 and the light receiving unit 76b does not receive light, near full is detected.
Thereafter, the image forming apparatus 1 is used up to the number of printed sheets calculated according to a predetermined use condition, and the waste toner collection container 70 is replaced with a new waste toner collection container 70.

As schematically shown in FIG. 4, the usage period from the start of use until the waste toner is collected in the waste toner collection container 70 and near full is detected varies depending on the use conditions of the image forming apparatus 1.
Specifically, the amount of toner used varies depending on the average number of printed sheets per month, the image density formed for each color, the printing ratio of color images, etc., and the waste collected in the waste toner collecting container 70 The toner amount is also different.

For this reason, for example, for a user with a high image density and a large number of printed sheets per day, the near full is detected and the replacement timing of the waste toner collection container 70 is notified. Even if the order is placed, the image forming apparatus 1 may be stopped for replacement of the waste toner collection container 70 before a new waste toner collection container 70 is obtained.
On the other hand, a user with a low image density and color ratio and a small number of prints per day has a problem that the next new waste toner collection container 70 arrives and is replaced early although there is room to full. .

(2.4) Operation of Waste Toner Collection Device FIG. 5 shows the change of the near full notification timing according to the near full detection period detected by the detection sensor 76, and the replacement of the waste toner collection container 70 after notifying the near full. It is the schematic diagram which showed the relationship between a use period and the amount of collection | recovery when managing the use period until until.
The image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment changes the near-full notification timing according to the period until near-full detection so that the collected toner amount when the waste toner collecting container 70 is replaced becomes the maximum collected amount.
If the period until the near full detection is short, notify the near full immediately after the near full detection.If the period is long, notify the near full after a predetermined period of time and notify the near full. Then, the period from the replacement of the waste toner collection container 70 to a replacement is managed.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a specific example of calculating a period until the waste toner collection container 70 is full. FIG. 7 is an example of an operation flow of the waste toner collection unit of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows.
Hereinafter, the operation flow of the waste toner collecting unit of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

  The light shielding / transmission determining unit 101 acquires a signal from the detection sensor 76 and determines whether or not the detection window 75 is in a light shielding state (S101).

  As a result, when it is determined that the near-full state is reached (S101: Yes), the usage period calculation unit 103 calculates a period (A) until the waste toner collection container 70 becomes full (S102). Specifically, the threshold value for detecting the near full state by the detection sensor 76 is set to 60% at which the waste toner collection container 70 becomes full, and the usage history stored in the usage state storage unit 102 from the start of use to the present time ( Based on the (use period), a period (A) until it becomes full is calculated (see FIG. 6A).

Then, the calculated period (A) is shorter than a period (A0: hereinafter referred to as a delivery period) from when a new waste toner collection container 70 is ordered until a new waste toner collection container 70 is obtained. Whether or not (S103). The delivery period (A0) is stored in the ROM of the controller 11.
When it is determined that the calculated period (A) is shorter than the delivery period (A0) (S103: Yes), the controller 11 displays a near full state on the display unit of the image forming apparatus 1 (S107). .

  When it is determined that the calculated period (A) is longer than the delivery period (A0) (S103: No), the usage conditions are set when the image is turned on, when the power is first turned on in the morning, or when the first print job is started. Based on the above, a period until the waste toner collecting container 70 becomes full is calculated (S104). Specifically, the usage history of the image forming apparatus 1 stored in the RAM by the usage state storage unit 102, for example, the cumulative value of the number of pixels formed for each color, and the supply to the developing device 40 for each color Based on the accumulated value of the supplied toner supply time, the accumulated value of the rotation number of the photosensitive drum 31 for each color, and the accumulated value of the number of printed sheets for each color, the waste toner collection container 70 is filled. (See FIGS. 6B, 6C, and 6D).

  Then, the shortest period (B) is selected from the period until the waste toner collection container 70 calculated based on each use condition becomes full and stored in the RAM (S105).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the selected shortest period (B) is shorter than the delivery period (A0) (S106). When it is determined that the selected shortest period (B) is shorter than the delivery period (A0) (S106: Yes), the controller 11 displays a near-full state on the display unit of the image forming apparatus 1 ( S107).

(3) Action / Effect The image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment notifies the near-full state according to the period until near-full detection so that the recovered waste toner amount at the time of replacement of the waste toner recovery container 70 becomes the maximum recovery amount. Change the timing.
If the period until the near full detection detected by the detection sensor 76 is short, the near full is detected immediately after the near full is detected. If the period is long, the near full is notified after a predetermined period. The period from notification of near fullness to replacement of the waste toner collection container 70 is managed to be constant.

  The period from the detection of near full by the detection sensor 76 to the notification of actual near full is the cumulative value of the number of pixels formed for each color, and the developing device 40 for each color. Is calculated based on the cumulative value of the supply time of the toner supplied to the toner, the cumulative value of the rotational speed of the photosensitive drum 31 for each color, and the cumulative value of the number of printed sheets for each color.

Therefore, regardless of the usage state of the user, the period from the near full notification to the replacement becomes constant, and the waste toner collection container 70 can be used up to almost the maximum capacity.
Also, the calculated period is notified at the time of image formation processing, when the power is turned on for the first time in the morning, or at the start of the first print job, and the arrangement for delivery proceeds from the morning, thereby suppressing the occurrence of useless delivery lead time. be able to.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment concerning this invention was explained in full detail, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, A various change is made within the range of the summary of this invention described in the claim. Is possible.

For example, in this embodiment, when it is determined that the shortest period (B) calculated and selected is shorter than the delivery period (A0), the controller 11 indicates that the display unit of the image forming apparatus 1 is near full. For example, the information may be displayed under a specialized trader (serviceman) who replaces consumables connected via a communication line.
In the present specification, the program has been described as an embodiment in which the program is installed in advance. However, the program can be provided by being stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, and a network such as a telecommunication line. You may download to the memory | storage part in an image forming apparatus from the server apparatus etc. which are connected to.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image forming apparatus 10 ... Control apparatus 11 ... Controller 101 ... Shading / transmission determination part 102 ... Usage state memory | storage part 103 ... Usage day estimation part 104 ... Usage amount counter Portion 20 ... Feeding device 30 ... Photoconductor unit 40 ... Developing device 50 ... Transfer device 60 ... Fixing device 70 ... Waste toner collection container 71 ... Recovery housing 72 ...・ Recovery cover 72a ... Inlet (waste toner)
73 ... Conveyor auger 74 ... Shutter 75 ... Detection window 76 ... Detection sensor 76a ... Light emitting part 76b ... Light receiving part

Claims (4)

A waste toner collecting container for storing the collected toner;
Toner amount detecting means for detecting a predetermined amount of the stored toner;
Use state storage means for storing use information based on the use state of the image forming apparatus;
A usage period calculation means for calculating a period during which the waste toner collection container can be used based on the usage information;
Based on the period calculated by the use period calculation unit, and a notification timing determination unit that determines a timing for performing a predetermined notification.
An image forming apparatus. Usage information based on the usage state of the image forming apparatus forms an image from when the waste toner collecting container is mounted on the image forming apparatus to when the toner amount detecting means detects a predetermined amount. Including one of the cumulative value of the number of pixels, the cumulative value of the supply time of the supplied toner, the cumulative value of the rotational speed of the photosensitive drum, and the cumulative value of the number of printed sheets.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The predetermined notification time is when the image forming apparatus is turned on or when the first print job is started.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. A function of detecting a predetermined amount of toner stored in a waste toner collecting container;
A function for storing usage information based on the usage state of the image forming apparatus;
A function of calculating a period during which the waste toner developer recovery container can be used based on the use information;
A function for determining when to give a predetermined notification based on the calculated period during which the waste developer collection container can be used;
A program for running

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