JP2018136413A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To achieve stable image formation, even when a nonconforming toner container is used, by preventing the occurrence of filming, to prevent failure of an image forming apparatus.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus comprises: a control part 100; and a conforming item determination part 103 that determines whether a toner container 17 attached to an apparatus body is a conforming item. When the toner container 17 is determined not to be a confirming item by the conforming item determination part 103, the control part 100 controls the operation of a conveying part 19 and an image forming part 12 to periodically perform processing of rotating a photoreceptor drum while a recording sheet is sandwiched at a transfer nip part to clean a surface of the photoreceptor drum.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to operation control when a nonconforming product toner container is mounted.

  A general image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive drum as an image carrier, a charging device that charges the photosensitive drum, and a surface of the charged photosensitive drum that is irradiated with laser light based on a document. An exposure device that forms a latent image of a document on the surface of the photosensitive drum, a developing device that visualizes the latent image with toner, and a transfer that transfers the toner image formed by the visualization to recording paper A roller, a fixing device that fixes the transferred toner image on the recording paper, and a cleaning device that removes the toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum.

  Incidentally, in recent years, the use of non-conforming product toner containers has increased. Some non-conforming products have different performance from the conforming products, and therefore, if a non-conforming product toner container is used, the performance of the image forming apparatus may not be sufficiently exhibited.

  In Patent Document 1 below, a toner container attached by a wireless tag attached to the toner container and an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) wireless communication part attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus is a conforming product. If it is determined that it is a non-conforming product, it describes a technology that displays a warning message to the user that a non-conforming toner container is installed on the display panel. Proposals have been made to encourage users to use containers.

JP 2011-028017 A

  When a non-compliant toner having a performance different from that of a conforming toner is used, the toner component may adhere to the surface of the photosensitive drum over a wide area (filming), and an image defect may occur. For example, when wax or an external additive contained in the toner passes in a state where the gap between the cleaning blade constituting the cleaning device and the surface of the photosensitive drum is pressed, the wax or the external additive is transferred to the photosensitive drum. The film is firmly attached in a streak pattern in the circumferential direction of the surface, and filming called a dash mark (striated image) occurs. A conforming product is one that satisfies the conditions of use and fully exhibits the performance of the image forming apparatus. For example, it is a genuine product or a regular product.

  In the photosensitive drum, the filmed portion is less likely to be charged during charging than the unfilmed portion, and the potential is less likely to drop even when exposed. Therefore, a white streak image may be reproduced on a black background, or a black streak image may be reproduced on a white background.

  If the black streak image is reproduced on a white background, the user can easily notice a defective image, but even if the white streak image is reproduced on a white background (for example, some characters are missing) Is hard to notice image defects. For this reason, even if the decimal part of the slips is accidentally missing or a number is missing, the user may not be aware of the missing and may cause great damage. Therefore, the image defect is not a small problem.

  If the use of the image forming apparatus is continued without eliminating filming, the tip of the cleaning blade may be damaged by deposits, resulting in partial loss or partial wear. If the tip of the cleaning blade is damaged or worn, filming is more likely to occur at the damaged portion. Also, if the damage is severe, a cleaning failure will occur. When the cleaning failure occurs, the charging device is contaminated, and a background fog or a black streak image is generated.

  In addition, once filming occurs on the photosensitive drum, there are almost no cases where the filming is not eliminated even if the toner is returned to a compatible product. Therefore, it is necessary to replace the photosensitive drum. However, if the cleaning blade is damaged, even if the photosensitive drum is replaced, the wax and external additives contained in the toner pass through the gap between the cleaning blade and the surface of the photosensitive drum. Filming will occur.

  Patent Document 1 described above describes a technique for displaying a warning message that informs the user that a non-conforming toner container is mounted on the display panel, but the user ignores the warning message and does not conform. If the product toner container is continuously used, not only filming may occur, but it may cause a failure of the image forming apparatus.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and even when a non-conforming toner container is used, the occurrence of filming is prevented, stable image formation is realized, and failure of the image forming apparatus is prevented. The purpose is to enable prevention.

  An image forming apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes a conveyance unit that conveys recording paper, an image carrier, and a transfer unit, and forms a toner image on a surface of the image carrier, and the image carrier and the image carrier An image forming unit that forms an image on the recording paper by transferring the toner image onto the recording paper at a transfer nip formed by the transfer unit, and the recording paper on which the image is formed by the image forming unit is discharged. Whether the discharge tray, the toner container that is detachably attached to the apparatus main body and contains toner used for image formation by the image forming unit, and the toner container mounted on the apparatus main body are compatible. And a control unit that controls operations of the transport unit and the image forming unit, and the image forming unit supplies toner supplied from the toner container to the image carrier. A developing device that forms a toner image on the image carrier, and the control unit determines in advance that when the toner container attached to the apparatus main body is not a compatible product by the compatible product determination unit, Controlling the operations of the conveying unit and the image forming unit every time a predetermined number of images are formed or a predetermined period of time has passed, the recording paper stopped in the transfer nip portion is sandwiched, A refresh operation for rotating the image carrier is performed.

  An image forming apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes a conveyance unit that conveys recording paper, an image carrier, and a transfer unit, and forms a toner image on the surface of the image carrier, and the image carrier And an image forming unit that forms an image on the recording paper by transferring the toner image onto the recording paper at a transfer nip formed by the transfer unit, and the recording paper on which an image is formed by the image forming unit A discharge tray from which the toner is discharged, a toner container that is detachable from the apparatus main body and contains toner used for image formation by the image forming unit, and whether the toner container attached to the apparatus main body is a compatible product A conformity determination unit that determines whether or not, a control unit that controls operations of the transport unit and the image forming unit, and a refresh instruction that requests execution of a refresh operation on the surface of the image carrier. A refresh instruction receiving unit, and the image forming unit includes a developing device that supplies toner supplied from the toner container to the image carrier and forms a toner image on the image carrier, and the control When the refresh instruction accepting unit accepts the refresh instruction from the user, the unit controls the operation of the conveying unit and the image forming unit, and the recording paper stopped in the transfer nip unit is sandwiched Then, a refresh operation for rotating the image carrier is performed, and the control unit determines in advance if the conforming product determination unit determines that the toner container attached to the apparatus main body is not a conforming product. A predetermined image pattern is formed by controlling the operations of the conveying unit and the image forming unit every time a predetermined number of images are formed or a predetermined period of time has elapsed. Is formed on the recording paper, is discharged to the discharge tray the paper as an image quality check sheet, the image to a predetermined pattern is a solid image for indicating the state of the surface of the image bearing member.

  According to the present invention, even when a non-conforming product toner container is used, filming can be prevented, stable image formation can be realized, and failure of the image forming apparatus can be prevented.

1 is a schematic side sectional view showing a structure of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram schematically illustrating a main internal configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic side cross-sectional view showing a photosensitive drum and its peripheral part constituting an image forming apparatus. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a recording sheet after a refresh operation on the surface of the photosensitive drum. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing operations performed by a control unit in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a recording sheet that is a first image quality check sheet. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing operations performed by a control unit in the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a recording sheet that is a second image quality check sheet.

  Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic side sectional view showing the structure of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus 1 is, for example, a printer, and includes an apparatus main body 11 that includes a paper feeding unit 14, an image forming unit 12, a toner container 17, a fixing unit 13, a discharge tray 151, and a manual feed tray 161. . The image forming apparatus 1 also includes a transport unit 19 that transports the recording paper P from the paper feed unit 14 to the discharge tray 151 via the image forming unit 12 and the fixing unit 13.

  The conveyance unit 19 includes a conveyance path 191 connecting the paper feeding unit 14 and the discharge tray 151, a reverse conveyance path 1911, a plurality of conveyance roller pairs 192 provided at appropriate positions of the conveyance path 191 and the reverse conveyance path 1911, and a resist A roller pair 193, a transport drum 194, and a discharge roller pair 195 are provided.

  The paper feed unit 14 is provided at the bottom of the apparatus main body 11, and includes a paper feed cassette 141 that stores a plurality of recording papers P, and a first pickup for taking out the recording papers P stored in the paper feed cassette 141 one by one. A roller 142 and a pair of paper feed rollers 143 that send the recording paper P taken out by the first pickup roller 142 to the transport path 191 are provided.

  The recording paper P fed by the paper feed roller pair 143 is sent out to the transport path 191 via the transport drum 194. The recording paper P sent out to the conveyance path 191 is supplied to the image forming unit 12 by the registration roller pair 193. The registration roller pair 193 adjusts the timing for supplying the recording paper P to the image forming unit 12.

  The image forming unit 12 is provided above the paper feed cassette 141, and includes a photosensitive drum 121, a charging device 122, an exposure device 123, a developing device 124, a transfer unit 120, a cleaning device 60, and a charge removal device 51. With.

  The photosensitive drum 121 is an image carrier and is configured to be rotatable about a rotation axis, and carries a toner image on the surface. The charging device 122 charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 121. The exposure device 123 forms a latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 121 by irradiating laser light L based on image data transmitted from an external device (for example, a personal computer).

  The developing device 124 includes a developing roller 1241 and visualizes the latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 121 with toner.

  The transfer unit 120 includes a conveyance belt 125 that conveys the recording paper P, a driving roller 125A, a driven roller 125B, and a transfer roller 126.

  The conveyor belt 125 is stretched between the driving roller 125 </ b> A and the driven roller 125 </ b> B, is driven by the driving roller 125 </ b> A while being in contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 121, and runs endlessly in synchronization with the photosensitive drum 121. To do. Further, a transfer roller 126 is provided at a position where the toner image is transferred from the surface of the photosensitive drum 121 to the recording paper P, with the conveyance belt 125 interposed therebetween, and a transfer nip portion N1 is formed between the photosensitive drum 121 and the transfer roller 126. ing.

  The cleaning device 60 includes a cleaning roller 61 and a cleaning blade 62. The cleaning roller 61 and the cleaning blade 62 are in contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 121 to remove toner and deposits remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 121 and clean the surface of the photosensitive drum 121.

  The static eliminator 51 is for removing charges remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 121, and irradiates the surface of the photosensitive drum 121 with static elimination light after the image formation by the image forming unit 12.

  The toner container 17 is detachably attached to the apparatus main body 11, stores toner that is a consumable part of the image forming unit 12, and supplies the toner to the developing device 124.

  The fixing unit 13 fixes the toner image on the recording paper P by thermocompression bonding, and includes a heating roller 131 incorporating a heat lamp 132 as a heat source, and a pressure roller 133. The heating roller 131 and the pressure roller 133 make a pair, and when the recording paper P is nipped and conveyed through the fixing nip portion N2 by the heating roller 131 and the pressure roller 133, an unfixed toner image is transferred to the heat lamp 132. It is melted by heat and fixed on the recording paper P by the pressure of the heating roller 131 and the pressure roller 133.

  The recording sheet P that has been subjected to the fixing process is conveyed upward through a conveyance path 191, and is discharged to a discharge tray 151 provided on the upper portion of the apparatus main body 11 via a discharge roller pair 195.

  A case where double-sided printing is performed in the image forming apparatus 1 will be described. The recording paper P on which an image is formed on one side by the image forming unit 12 is put between the discharge roller pair 195 and then switched back by the discharge roller pair 195 and sent to the reverse conveyance path 1911. It is conveyed to the conveyance path 191 by the conveyance drum 194 and is supplied again to the image forming unit 12 by the registration roller pair 193. Thus, an image can be formed on the other side of the recording paper P.

  The manual feed tray 161 is provided in front of the apparatus main body 11 and is used for placing the recording paper P. The recording paper P placed on the manual feed tray 161 is taken out one by one by the second pickup roller 162, and the recording paper P taken out by the second pickup roller 162 is sent out to the transport path 191.

  FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram schematically showing the main internal configuration of the image forming apparatus 1. The image forming apparatus 1 includes a control unit 10, an image forming unit 12, an image memory 32, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 92, a fixing unit 13, a paper feeding unit 14, a transport unit 19, an RFID communication unit 21, a toner container 17, an operation The unit 47, the attachment / detachment sensor 22, and the recording paper sensor 129 are configured. Components similar to those of the image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted here.

  The image memory 32 is an area for temporarily storing image data transmitted from an external device (for example, a personal computer) or temporarily storing image data to be printed by the image forming unit 12. It is. The HDD 92 is a large-capacity storage device that stores image data and the like.

  The RFID communication unit 21 communicates with an RF tag 171 attached to a toner container 17 that is configured to be detachable from the apparatus main body 11. The RF tag 171 includes a memory that stores product information and the like of the toner container 17. When the toner container 17 is attached to the apparatus main body 11, the distance between the RFID communication unit 21 and the RF tag 171 is within a communicable range. In this state, the RFID communication unit 21 receives the signal transmitted from the RF tag 171 to acquire product information and the like of the toner container 17.

  The operation unit 47 receives an instruction such as an image forming operation execution instruction from the operator for various operations and processes that can be executed by the image forming apparatus 1. The operation unit 47 includes a display unit 473 that displays operation guidance to the operator. The display unit 473 is a touch panel, and the operator can operate the image forming apparatus 1 by touching buttons and keys displayed on the screen.

  The control unit 10 includes a processor, a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a dedicated hardware circuit. The processor is, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or a micro processing unit (MPU). The control unit 10 includes a control unit 100, an operation receiving unit 101, and a conforming product determination unit 103.

  The control unit 10 functions as the control unit 100, the operation receiving unit 101, and the conforming product determination unit 103 by the operation of the processor according to the control program stored in the HDD 92. However, the control unit 100 and the like can be configured by a hardware circuit regardless of the operation of the control unit 10 according to the control program. The same applies to each embodiment unless otherwise specified.

  The control unit 100 governs overall operation control of the image forming apparatus 1. The control unit 100 is connected to the image forming unit 12, the image memory 32, the HDD 92, the fixing unit 13, the paper feeding unit 14, the transport unit 19, the RFID communication unit 21, the operation unit 47, the attachment / detachment sensor 22, and the recording paper sensor 129. Then, drive control of each of these parts is performed.

  The operation receiving unit 101 receives an operation input from the user via the operation unit 47. The operation receiving unit 101 includes a refresh instruction receiving unit 102 that receives a refresh instruction for the surface of the photosensitive drum 121.

  When the refresh instruction receiving unit 102 receives a refresh instruction for the surface of the photosensitive drum 121 from the user, the control unit 100 controls the operations of the transport unit 19 and the image forming unit 12 and transports them at the transfer nip unit N1. In the state where the recording paper P is stopped, the photosensitive drum 121 is rotated to perform a refresh operation for cleaning the surface state of the photosensitive drum 121. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the recording paper P stopped at the transfer nip portion N1 is sandwiched.

  When the photosensitive drum 121 is rotated with the recording paper P that has been transported being sandwiched in the transfer nip portion N1, the recording paper P and the surface of the photosensitive drum 121 rub against each other and adhere to the surface of the photosensitive drum 121. By rubbing the adhering material on the recording paper P, the adhering material can be removed from the surface of the photosensitive drum 121. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the recording paper P used for the refresh operation. In the figure, A1 is a portion rubbed with the surface of the photosensitive drum 121 by the refresh operation.

  The conforming product determination unit 103 determines whether the toner container 17 attached to the apparatus main body 11 of the image forming apparatus 1 is a conforming product. When the toner container 17 is mounted on the apparatus main body 11, the conforming product determination unit 103 includes the toner container 17 included in the product information of the toner container 17 by the RFID communication unit 21 communicating with the RF tag 171. When the information indicating that is a compatible product is obtained, it is determined that the attached toner container 17 is a compatible product. In addition, the conforming product determination unit 103 determines whether the RFID container 21 cannot communicate with the RF tag 171 when the toner container 17 is attached to the apparatus main body 11 or the toner container 17 is a conforming product. If the information indicating this is not obtained, it is determined that the mounted toner container 17 is a non-conforming product.

  Next, an example of the processing operation performed by the control unit 10 of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG. First, as an initial setting, the control unit 100 sets a flag F indicating whether or not the toner container 17 mounted on the apparatus main body 11 is a conforming product to 0 (0: conforming product, 1: nonconforming product). (S1). At the time of product shipment, since the compatible toner container 17 is mounted, the flag F is set to 0.

  Subsequently, the control unit 100 determines whether or not the toner container 17 has been replaced based on information obtained from the attachment / detachment sensor 22 (S2). When the control unit 100 determines that the toner container 17 has been replaced (YES in S2), the conforming product determination unit 103 is attached to the apparatus main body 11 based on information obtained from the RFID communication unit 21. It is determined whether the toner container 17 is a non-conforming product (S3).

  When the conforming product determination unit 103 determines that the toner container 17 attached to the apparatus main body 11 is a nonconforming product (YES in S3), the control unit 100 determines whether or not the flag F is 0. (S4).

  When the control unit 100 determines that the flag F is 0 (YES in S4), the toner container 17 attached to the apparatus main body 11 has been replaced from a compatible product to a non-compliant product. 100 resets the counter C for counting the number of printed sheets to 0 (S5), resets the built-in timer T to 0 (S6), sets the flag F to 1 (S7), and then the process is as follows. Proceed to S8.

  On the other hand, when the control unit 100 determines that the flag F is not 0 (the flag F is 1) (NO in S4), the toner container 17 attached to the apparatus main body 11 is changed from a non-compliant product to a non-compliant product. Since it has been exchanged, there is no need to reset the counter C or the timer T to 0, and the flag F has already been set to 1, so the process directly proceeds to S8.

  In S8, the control unit 100 determines whether or not the image forming process has been performed and the recording paper P has been discharged to the discharge tray 151 (S8), and the control unit 100 has performed the image forming process and has performed the recording paper P. Is determined to have been discharged to the discharge tray 151 (YES in S8), 1 is added to the counter C (S9), and it is determined whether or not the counter C is equal to or greater than a predetermined number of sheets CA (for example, 500 sheets). Judgment is made (S10).

  When the control unit 100 determines that the counter C is equal to or greater than the predetermined number of sheets CA (that is, the number of printed sheets has reached 500) (YES in S10), the process proceeds to S12, and the control unit 100 performs the photosensitive operation. The surface state of the body drum 121 is cleaned.

  On the other hand, when the control unit 100 determines that the image forming process is not executed and the recording paper P is not discharged to the discharge tray 151 (NO in S8), the timer T is set to a predetermined period TA (for example, 1 week) is determined (S11). When it is determined that the timer T has elapsed a predetermined period TA (that is, one week has elapsed) (YES in S11), the controller 100 cleans the surface state of the photosensitive drum 121. Therefore, a refresh operation is performed (S12).

  In S <b> 12, the control unit 100 controls the operations of the paper feeding unit 14, the conveyance unit 19, the image forming unit 12, and the like, thereby performing a re-refresh operation for cleaning the surface state of the photosensitive drum 121. Specifically, first, the control unit 100 controls the operation of a motor or the like that is a driving source of the paper feeding unit 14, whereby the recording paper stored in the paper feeding cassette 141 by the first pickup roller 142. One sheet P is taken out, and the recording paper P taken out by the first pickup roller 142 is sent out to the conveyance path 191 by the paper feed roller pair 143.

  Subsequently, the control unit 100 controls the operation of a motor or the like that is a driving source of the transport unit 19, whereby the recording paper P fed by the paper feed roller pair 143 is transported through the transport drum 194 through the transport path 191. And the recording paper P is supplied to the image forming unit 12 using the registration roller pair 193.

  Thereafter, when the recording paper sensor 129 detects the leading edge of the recording paper P (that is, at the timing when the leading edge of the recording paper P passes the transfer nip portion N1), the control unit 100 causes the registration roller pair 193 to move to the recording paper P. In the transfer nip portion N1, the operation of the motor or the like that is the drive source of the image forming portion 12 is controlled in the state where the recording paper P thus stopped is sandwiched (see FIG. 3). As a result, the photosensitive drum 121 is rotated. Thereafter, the control unit 100 cancels the stop of the registration roller pair 193 and causes the recording paper P to be conveyed by the registration roller pair 193.

  As a result, the recording paper P and the surface of the photosensitive drum 121 are rubbed, and the adhering matter adhering to the surface of the photosensitive drum 121 is rubbed against the recording paper P, thereby removing the adhering matter from the surface of the photosensitive drum 121. be able to.

  After the control unit 100 performs the refresh operation of the surface state of the photosensitive drum 121 in S12, the control unit 100 controls the operation of the drive source of the transport unit 19 to transport the recording paper P to the discharge roller pair 195. The recording paper P is switched back by the discharge roller pair 195 and sent to the reverse conveyance path 1911, conveyed to the conveyance path 191 by the conveyance drum 194, and supplied again to the image forming unit 12 using the registration roller pair 193.

  Subsequently, the control unit 100 controls the operation of the image forming unit 12 to form a predetermined message on the latter half of the recording paper P (that is, the portion not soiled by the refresh operation) (S13). Further, the control unit 100 controls the operation of the transport unit 19 to discharge the recording paper P serving as an image quality check sheet to the discharge tray 151, thereby presenting the first image quality check sheet to the user ( S14).

  The predetermined message describes the reason why the recording paper P is discharged from the discharge tray 151. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the recording paper P1 that is the first image quality check sheet. For example, the message M1 contains the content “Non-conforming toner container is installed. Photoreceptor drum refresh operation was executed to maintain image quality and prevent failure”.

  The control unit 100 performs a refresh operation, performs a process of presenting the first image quality check sheet to the user, resets the counter C to 0 (S15), and resets the timer T to 0 (S16). Thereafter, the process returns to S2. Also, in S11, when the control unit 100 determines that the timer T has not passed the predetermined period TA (NO in S11), the process returns to S2, and the control unit 100 causes the detachable sensor 22 to return. Whether the toner container 17 has been replaced or not is determined based on the information obtained from (S2).

  When the control unit 100 determines that the toner container 17 has not been replaced (NO in S2), the control unit 100 determines whether or not the flag F is 1 (S17).

  When the control unit 100 determines that the flag F is 1 (YES in S17), the toner container 17 attached to the apparatus main body 11 is a non-conforming product, so the process proceeds to S8, and the control unit 100 If it is determined that it is time to perform the refresh operation (YES in S10 or YES in S11), the refresh operation is performed (S12).

  On the other hand, when the control unit 100 determines that the flag F is not 1 (the flag F is 0) (NO in S17), the toner container 17 mounted on the apparatus main body 11 is a conforming product, and the refresh operation is performed. Since there is no need to perform this, the process does not proceed to S8 but returns to S2.

  In S3, when the conforming product determination unit 103 determines that the toner container 17 attached to the apparatus main body 11 is not a nonconforming product (a conforming product) (NO in S3), the control unit 100 sets a flag. It is determined whether or not F is 1 (S18).

  When the control unit 100 determines that the flag F is 1 (YES in S18), the control unit 100 sets the flag F to 0 (S19). Thereafter, the process returns to S2. On the other hand, when the control unit 100 determines that the flag F is not 1 (the flag F is 0) (NO in S18), it is not necessary to set the flag F to 0 again, so the processing returns to S2 as it is. .

  According to the first embodiment, when the nonconforming product toner container 17 is attached to the apparatus main body 11, any one of the predetermined number CA of image formation and the predetermined period TA has elapsed. Since the surface of the photosensitive drum 121 is cleaned at the earlier timing, even if a nonconforming toner container 17 is used, filming can be prevented and stable image formation can be achieved. This can be realized and the failure of the image forming apparatus 1 can be prevented.

  In the first embodiment, the control unit 100 performs both counting of the number of printed sheets and measurement of time, and for each of the image formation of the predetermined number of sheets CA and every elapse of the predetermined period TA. However, as another embodiment, the control unit 100 performs only one of counting the number of printed sheets and measuring the time, and performs the refresh operation at the earlier timing. The refresh operation may be performed every time a predetermined number of images CA are formed or a predetermined period TA elapses.

  Next, an example of a processing operation performed by the control unit 10 of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG. In addition, since it is the process similar to 1st Embodiment except the part which replaced S12-S14 by S21, description is abbreviate | omitted about the part.

  In S10, when the control unit 100 determines that the counter C is equal to or greater than the predetermined number of sheets CA (that is, the number of printed sheets has reached 500) (YES in S10), the process proceeds to S21 to perform control. The unit 100 performs processing for forming and ejecting the second image check sheet.

  If the control unit 100 determines in S11 that the timer T has passed the predetermined period TA (that is, one week has passed) (YES in S11), the process proceeds to S12 and the control is performed. The unit 100 performs processing for forming and ejecting the second image check sheet.

  In S <b> 21, the control unit 100 performs processing of forming and ejecting the second image check sheet by controlling the operations of the paper feeding unit 14, the transport unit 19, the image forming unit 12, and the like. Specifically, first, the control unit 100 controls the operation of a motor or the like that is a driving source of the paper feeding unit 14, whereby the recording paper stored in the paper feeding cassette 141 by the first pickup roller 142. One sheet P is taken out, and the recording paper P taken out by the first pickup roller 142 is sent out to the conveyance path 191 by the paper feed roller pair 143.

  Subsequently, the control unit 100 controls the operation of a motor or the like that is a driving source of the transport unit 19, whereby the recording paper P fed by the paper feed roller pair 143 is transported through the transport drum 194 through the transport path 191. And the recording paper P is supplied to the image forming unit 12 using the registration roller pair 193.

  Subsequently, the control unit 100 controls the operation of the image forming unit 12 to form a predetermined image pattern and a predetermined second message on the recording paper P, and serves as an image quality check sheet. The recording paper P is discharged to the discharge tray 151. As a result, the second image quality check sheet is presented to the user.

  Note that the predetermined image pattern is a solid image (for example, a solid image of black or dark gray that is spread over a certain area without a gap) to indicate the state of the surface of the photosensitive drum 121. The predetermined second message includes a content for prompting the user to perform a refresh operation when the surface state of the photosensitive drum 121 is poor.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the recording paper P2 that is the second image quality check sheet. On the recording paper P2, which is the second image quality check sheet shown in FIG. 8, a solid image G1 for indicating the surface state of the photosensitive drum 121 and a message M2 are formed. A suitable toner container is installed.To maintain image quality and prevent malfunction, an image showing the condition of the surface of the photoconductor drum was output.If a streak image exists, the photoconductor drum Please execute the refresh operation. "

  According to the second embodiment, when the nonconforming product toner container 17 is attached to the apparatus main body 11, any one of the predetermined number CA of image formation and the predetermined period TA has elapsed. The second image quality check sheet is presented to the user at the earlier timing. On the second image quality check sheet, for example, a solid image G1 for indicating the state of the surface of the photosensitive drum 121 is formed.

  Therefore, when the nonconforming product toner container 17 is mounted on the apparatus main body 11, the user is periodically prompted to confirm the surface state of the photosensitive drum 121, so that the surface of the photosensitive drum 121 becomes dirty. However, it is possible to prevent the surface of the photosensitive drum 121 from being cleaned for a long time. As a result, even if a non-conforming product toner container 17 is used, the occurrence of filming can be prevented, stable image formation can be realized, and failure of the image forming apparatus 1 can be prevented.

  In the second embodiment, the control unit 100 performs both counting of the number of printed sheets and measurement of time, and for each image formation of a predetermined number of sheets CA and every elapse of a predetermined period TA. In this embodiment, the process of presenting the second image quality check sheet to the user at the earlier timing is described. However, in another embodiment, the control unit 100 counts the number of printed sheets and measures time. Only one of them may be performed, and a process of presenting the second image quality check sheet to the user may be performed every time a predetermined number of images CA are formed or a predetermined period TA elapses.

  By the way, if the photosensitive drum 121 is rotated while the recording paper P is sandwiched in the transfer nip portion N1 and the surface of the photosensitive drum 121 is rubbed against the recording paper P, an abnormal noise may be generated.

  Therefore, as another embodiment, when performing the refresh operation of the photosensitive drum 121, (i) the control unit 100 stops the voltage applied to the charging device 122 and charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 121. The toner is supplied from the developing roller 1241 to the photosensitive drum 121 by stopping, or (ii) the surface of the photosensitive drum 121 is controlled by the control unit 100 controlling the operation of the exposure device 123. By irradiating the photosensitive drum 121 with the laser beam L based on a predetermined exposure pattern (for example, an exposure pattern in which toner is supplied to the entire surface of the photosensitive drum 121). Toner may be supplied. The toner supplied to the photoconductive drum 121 serves as a buffer material, and can reduce the occurrence of the abnormal noise.

  Even if the toner container 17 is replaced from a non-conforming product to a conforming product, immediately after that, the toner in the developing device 124 remains a non-conforming product, and the toner in the developing device 124 gradually becomes a non-conforming product. The toner is replaced with a compatible toner. The period until it is completely replaced depends on the size of the developing device 124, but the developing device 124 that handles a general magnetic component requires about 20000 to 30000 printing.

  Therefore, as still another embodiment, the control unit 100 determines that the toner container 17 mounted on the apparatus main body 11 has been replaced from a non-conforming product to a conforming product based on the determination result by the conforming product determination unit 103. If the determination is made, the control unit 100 periodically performs a refresh operation of the photosensitive drum 121 or periodically presents the second image quality check sheet to the user until a predetermined time elapses. You may make it go.

  The predetermined time includes, for example, about 20000 to 30000 sheets where the toner of the developing device 124 is replaced. Further, when the same number of sheets can be printed with the toner contained in one toner container 17 (for example, when 25,000 sheets can be printed), the usage period of one toner container 17 is set to It may be set at a predetermined time.

  The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made. In the above embodiment, a printer is used as an embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. However, this is only an example. For example, a copy function, a printer function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function are used. Other image forming apparatuses such as a multifunction machine having a plurality of functions as described above, a copying machine, and a facsimile machine may be used.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, the structure and process which were shown by the said embodiment using FIG. 1 thru | or FIG. 8 are only one Embodiment of this invention, and are not the meaning which limits this invention to the said structure and process.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 11 Apparatus main body 12 Image forming part 17 Toner container 19 Conveying part 100 Control part 102 Refresh instruction | indication determination part 103 Conformity determination part 120 Transfer unit 121 Photoconductor drum 122 Charging apparatus 123 Exposure apparatus 124 Developing apparatus 151 Output tray 193 Registration roller pair

Claims (6)

A transport unit for transporting recording paper;
An image carrier and a transfer unit are formed, a toner image is formed on the surface of the image carrier, and the toner image is transferred onto the recording paper at a transfer nip formed by the image carrier and the transfer unit. An image forming unit for forming an image on the recording paper,
A discharge tray for discharging the recording paper on which an image is formed by the image forming unit;
A toner container which is detachable from the apparatus main body and contains toner used for image formation by the image forming unit;
A conforming product determination unit that determines whether or not the toner container mounted on the apparatus main body is a conforming product;
A control unit that controls operations of the transport unit and the image forming unit,
The image forming unit includes a developing device that supplies toner supplied from the toner container to the image carrier and forms a toner image on the image carrier.
When the toner container mounted on the apparatus main body is determined not to be a conforming product by the conforming product determination unit, the control unit performs the predetermined number of image formations or a predetermined period of time elapses. An image forming apparatus that controls operations of a conveying unit and the image forming unit to perform a refresh operation of rotating the image carrier while the recording paper stopped in the transfer nip unit is sandwiched. The control unit controls operations of the conveyance unit and the image forming unit to form a predetermined message on the recording paper used for the refresh operation, and uses the recording paper as an image quality check sheet to discharge the recording paper. To the tray,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined message is a reason why the recording paper used for the refresh operation is discharged from the discharge tray. A transport unit for transporting recording paper;
An image carrier and a transfer unit are formed, a toner image is formed on the surface of the image carrier, and the toner image is transferred onto the recording paper at a transfer nip formed by the image carrier and the transfer unit. An image forming unit for forming an image on the recording paper,
A discharge tray for discharging the recording paper on which an image is formed by the image forming unit;
A toner container which is detachable from the apparatus main body and contains toner used for image formation by the image forming unit;
A conforming product determination unit that determines whether or not the toner container mounted on the apparatus main body is a conforming product;
A control unit for controlling operations of the transport unit and the image forming unit;
A refresh instruction receiving unit that receives a refresh instruction for requesting execution of a refresh operation on the surface of the image carrier,
The image forming unit includes a developing device that supplies toner supplied from the toner container to the image carrier and forms a toner image on the image carrier.
When the refresh instruction receiving unit receives the refresh instruction from a user, the control unit controls operations of the transport unit and the image forming unit so that the recording sheet stopped in the transfer nip unit is sandwiched. In such a state, a refresh operation for rotating the image carrier is performed,
Further, the controller, when the conforming product determination unit determines that the toner container mounted on the apparatus main body is not a conforming product, every time a predetermined number of images are formed or a predetermined period elapses. , Controlling the operations of the transport unit and the image forming unit to form a predetermined image pattern on the recording paper, discharging the recording paper to the discharge tray as an image quality check sheet,
The image forming apparatus, wherein the predetermined image pattern is a solid image for indicating a state of a surface of the image carrier. The transport unit includes a pair of registration rollers that adjust the timing of holding the recording paper and supplying the recording paper to the image forming unit,
The control unit stops the registration roller pair in a state where the recording paper is sandwiched at a timing when the leading edge of the recording paper passes the transfer nip portion, so that the recording paper stopped in the transfer nip portion is stopped. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is sandwiched. The image forming unit includes a charging device that charges the surface of the image carrier.
When the refresh operation is performed, the control unit controls the operation of the charging device to stop the charging of the surface of the image carrier, and supplies toner from the developing device to the image carrier. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is supplied. The image forming unit includes an exposure device that irradiates a surface of the image carrier charged with a laser beam to form a latent image on the surface of the image carrier,
The control unit, when performing the refresh operation, controls the operation of the exposure apparatus to irradiate the surface of the image carrier with laser light based on a predetermined exposure pattern, thereby The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein toner is supplied from a developing device to the image carrier.