JP2018157392A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus that can easily determine an operation result in a sheet unit.SOLUTION: A control part 100 acquires operation results in a series of processes to form an image from respective processing parts of a sheet conveying part 2, an image forming part 11, and a fixing part 3, and stores the history of the operation results in a storage part 101. The control part 100 collects a sheet unit operation result history for every sheet from the history of operation results, compares the sheet unit operation result history with a standard value or a sheet unit operation result history of another sheet to determine the operation result, and outputs a result of determination to an operation part 102.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that forms an image by transferring and fixing a toner image formed on an image carrier onto a sheet.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known a log storage system that stores operation results of processes in an image forming apparatus for cause analysis when a jam or a serviceman call (SC) occurs. For example, a system has been proposed in which ID management is performed for event conditions such as the occurrence of a jam or serviceman call, and a log of predetermined information is managed (for example, see Patent Document 1). In addition, a system has been proposed in which necessary information is selected from log data and provided to an administrator through a graphical interface (CUI) (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

JP 2009-253564 A JP 2006-099745 A

  However, in the conventional log information, the machine status log is saved at the timing of events such as jams and service man calls, but it is not premised on the operator working on the site analyzing the log, The cause could not be estimated.

  The log information stores the operation status output from each process in the image forming apparatus in time series. For example, the various operation results of the paper on which the jam has occurred are fed from the paper feeding in the image forming apparatus. If you want to know the state of a specific sheet from the image formation process to the paper discharge process, it was necessary to process and analyze the data stored in time series. It was difficult to analyze the failure.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image forming apparatus that can easily determine an operation result for each sheet.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the invention according to claim 1 includes at least one processing unit that executes a process of forming an image on a sheet, a storage unit that stores operation results obtained by the processing unit in time series, A control unit that collects a sheet unit operation result for each sheet from the operation results stored in the storage unit, and the control unit compares the sheet unit operation result of the specified sheet and the comparison target for determining the sheet unit operation result An image forming apparatus that outputs a value to an output unit.

  In the invention according to claim 2, the control means compares the sheet unit operation result of the specified sheet with the comparison target value for determining the sheet unit operation result, determines the state of the specified sheet, and determines the determination result. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an image is output to an output unit.

  In the invention according to claim 3, the control means compares the sheet unit operation result of the designated sheet with the sheet unit operation result of the sheet on which the process of forming an image before or after the designated sheet is executed. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the state of the designated sheet is determined, and the determination result is output to an output unit.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the control means is a sheet on which a sheet unit operation result of a designated sheet and a process of forming an image before or after the designated sheet are executed, the designated sheet 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the sheet unit operation result of the sheet having the same paper type condition is compared, the state of the designated sheet is determined, and the determination result is output to the output unit.

  In the invention according to claim 5, the control means compares the sheet unit operation result of the designated sheet with the sheet unit operation result of another sheet selected as the comparison target, and determines the state of the designated sheet. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination result is output to an output unit.

  The invention according to claim 6 is the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising an operation unit that selects a sheet for determining a sheet unit operation result.

  According to a seventh aspect of the invention, the control means designates a paper in which an abnormality is detected in a process of forming an image on the paper as a paper for determining a paper unit operation result. The image forming apparatus described in the above.

  According to the present invention, a sheet unit operation result for a desired sheet is collected from operation results acquired in a process of forming an image on a sheet and stored in the image forming apparatus, and compared with a sheet unit operation result. By comparing the values, the sheet unit operation result can be determined.

  As a result, it is possible to predict and estimate what kind of abnormality has occurred in the paper in which the failure has occurred, and to easily analyze the failure.

1 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of an image forming apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment. 3 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of a control function of the image forming apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation of collecting a sheet unit operation result history. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of an operation result log | history. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a sheet unit operation result history. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the operation | movement which determines an operation result in the designated paper unit. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of a standard value determination screen. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of another paper comparison determination screen. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the operation | movement which determines an operation result in the paper unit which determined the presence or absence of abnormality. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation of selecting another sheet in another sheet comparison determination. 12 is a flowchart illustrating another example of an operation for selecting another sheet in another sheet comparison determination.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of an image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<Example of Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus of Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. The image forming apparatus 1A according to the present embodiment is an electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as a copying machine. In this example, a plurality of photoconductors are arranged to face one intermediate transfer belt to form a full color. A color image forming apparatus for forming an image.

  The image forming apparatus 1A includes an image forming unit 11Y that forms a yellow (Y) image, an image forming unit 11M that forms a magenta (M) image, and an image forming unit 11C that forms a cyan (C) image. The image forming unit 11BK forms a black (BK) image.

  Each of the image forming units 11Y, 11M, 11C, and 11Bk is an example of an image forming unit. The photoconductive drum 12, the charging unit 13 that charges the photoconductive drum 12, and the optical writing that forms a latent image on the photoconductive drum 12. A developing unit 15 for developing the latent image, and a cleaning unit 16 for cleaning and discharging the photosensitive drum 12.

  The photosensitive drum 12 is an example of an image carrier, and the surface cleaned and neutralized by the cleaning unit 16 is charged by the charging unit 13, and a latent image is formed by scanning exposure by the optical writing unit 14. The developing device 15 is an example of a developing unit, and supplies toner to the photosensitive drum 12.

  In each of the image forming units 11Y, 11M, 11C, and 11Bk, the toner is supplied from the developing device 15 to the photosensitive drum 12, whereby the latent image is developed and visualized. In the image forming unit 11Y, a toner image corresponding to yellow is formed on the photosensitive drum 12. In the image forming unit 11M, a toner image corresponding to the magenta is formed on the photosensitive drum 12 as an image of a predetermined color. In the image forming unit 11C, a toner image corresponding to cyan is formed on the photosensitive drum 12. In the image forming unit 11Bk, a toner image corresponding to black is formed on the photosensitive drum 12.

  The image forming apparatus 1A includes an intermediate transfer belt 17 to which a toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 12 is primarily transferred, and a primary transfer roller 17a for transferring the toner image to the intermediate transfer belt 17. The toner image formed on each photosensitive drum 12 is intermediated by each primary transfer roller 17a by driving an intermediate transfer belt 17 which is an example of an image carrier and is a belt-like intermediate transfer member in the direction of the arrow. The image is sequentially transferred to a predetermined position on the transfer belt 17.

  The image forming apparatus 1 </ b> A includes a secondary transfer unit 18 that secondarily transfers a toner image having each color transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 17 onto a sheet P or the like. The secondary transfer unit 18 is an example of a transfer unit, and an intermediate transfer belt 17 is provided on the side facing one side of the paper P, and a secondary transfer roller 18a is provided on the side facing the other side of the paper P. .

  The secondary transfer unit 18 is provided so that the secondary transfer roller 18 a as a transfer member can move in a direction in which the secondary transfer roller 18 a is separated from or in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 17, and the secondary transfer roller 18 a is pressed against the intermediate transfer belt 17. A transfer nip portion 19 is formed. In the secondary transfer unit 18, the sheet P is pressed against the intermediate transfer belt 17 at the transfer nip unit 19, and the secondary transfer roller 18 a is driven to rotate at a constant speed with the intermediate transfer belt 17, so that a toner image is formed on the sheet P. Transcribed.

  In the secondary transfer unit 18, a positive voltage is applied from the back side of the paper by the secondary transfer roller 18a in order to transfer the toner image onto the paper. As a result, the sheet that has passed through the secondary transfer unit 18 is charged with the negative electrode on the image forming surface side onto which the toner image is transferred and with the positive electrode on the back surface.

  The image forming apparatus 1A includes a paper transport unit 2 that transports the paper P and the like. The image forming apparatus 1 </ b> A includes a plurality of paper feed trays 21 in which paper P is stored and a paper feed unit 21 a that feeds the paper P stored in the paper feed tray 21.

  The sheet conveyance unit 2 is an example of a conveyance unit, and includes a main conveyance path 23 that constitutes a conveyance path of the sheet P passing through the secondary transfer unit 18 and a reverse conveyance path 24 that constitutes a conveyance path that reverses the front and back of the sheet P. . In the main transport path 23, the transport path of the paper P fed out from the paper feed unit 21 a and the transport path of the paper fed from the external paper feed port 22 join together and connect to the discharge port 25.

  The reverse conveyance path 24 constitutes a conveyance path that reverses the conveyance direction of the paper P and determines the front and back. The paper transport unit 2 includes a switching gate 23 a at a branching point of the main transport path 23 and the reverse transport path 24, and switches the paper feed path of the paper P by an operation of forming images on both front and back sides of the paper P.

  The image forming apparatus 1 </ b> A includes a fixing unit 3 that fixes the toner image transferred onto the paper P by the secondary transfer unit 18. The fixing unit 3 is an example of a fixing unit, and includes a fixing belt 30 that heats the paper P and a pressure roller 31 that presses the paper P against the fixing belt 30.

  In the fixing unit 3, a fixing nip portion 33 is formed when the pressure roller 31 is pressed against the fixing belt 30. While the pressure roller 31 is in pressure contact with the fixing belt 30, the pressure roller 31 is rotationally driven and the heater 30a is energized, whereby the sheet P sandwiched by the fixing nip portion 33 is conveyed. At the same time, the image is fixed on the paper P by pressure and heat.

  The image forming apparatus 1 </ b> A includes a document reading unit 10. The document reading unit 10 scans and exposes an image of a document with the optical system of the scanning exposure apparatus, reads the reflected light with a line image sensor, and obtains an image signal. Note that the image forming apparatus 1A may have a configuration in which an automatic document feeder (not shown) that feeds a document is provided at the top.

<Example of Control Function of Image Forming Apparatus of Present Embodiment>
FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of a control function of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. The image forming apparatus 1A includes a control unit 100 that performs a series of controls for feeding paper P, forming an image, and discharging the paper. The control unit 100 is an example of a control unit, and includes a microprocessor called a CPU and an MPU, and a memory such as a RAM and a ROM.

  In addition, the image forming apparatus 1A has a storage unit 101 as a storage unit that stores a history of operation results and the like, various operations, selection of basis weight, size, paper type, and the like of the paper P, and selection of a paper for which operation results are to be acquired And an operation unit 102 serving as an output unit that displays an operation result, a determination result, and the like in units of paper.

  The normal operation of forming an image on the paper P by the image forming apparatus 1A will be described. The control unit 100 controls the paper transport unit 2 to transport the paper P. The control unit 100 controls the image forming units 11Y, 11M, 11C, and 11Bk, and charges the photosensitive drum 12 that has been cleaned and discharged by the cleaning unit 16 with the charging unit 13.

  The control unit 100 forms an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 12 according to the image by the optical writing unit 14 based on the image data acquired from the document by the document reading unit 10 or the image data acquired from the outside. Then, the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 12 is developed by the developing device 15 to form a toner image.

  The toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 12 is primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 17 and secondarily transferred from the intermediate transfer belt 17 to the paper P. Then, the control unit 100 controls the fixing unit 3 to fix the image on the paper P, and discharges the paper P on which the image is formed.

  In relation to the image forming operation described above, the control unit 100 forms an image from each processing unit such as the paper transport unit 2, the image forming unit 11, and the fixing unit 3 as processing means by the operation result collecting unit 100a. Get operation results in a series of processes.

  In the paper transport unit 2, the presence / absence of paper detection by the entrance sensor 201 and the presence / absence of paper detection by the paper discharge sensor 202 are acquired as operation results. Further, in the paper transport unit 2, the time from when the paper is inserted to when it is discharged is acquired as an operation result based on whether or not the paper is detected by the entrance sensor 201 and whether or not the paper is detected by the paper discharge sensor 202. The Further, in the paper transport unit 2, the deviation amount of the paper detected by the offset detection sensor 200 is acquired as an operation result.

  In the image forming unit 11, the current value of the secondary transfer roller 18 a in the secondary transfer unit 18 is acquired as an operation result. In the image forming unit 11, the toner density in the developing device 15 is acquired as an operation result. In the fixing unit 3, the fixing temperature of the heater 30a is acquired as an operation result.

  The control unit 100 stores the operation result acquired from each processing unit every predetermined time in the storage unit 101 as an operation result history. Further, the control unit 100 collects the sheet unit operation result history of an arbitrary sheet from the operation result history by the sheet unit operation result collection unit 100b.

  When identification information such as a sheet ID for specifying a sheet for which an operation result is desired to be output is selected by an operation on the operation unit 102, the control unit 100 displays and outputs a sheet unit operation result history of the corresponding sheet on the operation unit 102. In addition, the control unit 100 acquires a standard value as a reference for the sheet unit operation result of the corresponding sheet, and displays the sheet unit operation result history and the reference value together. Further, the control unit 100 compares the sheet unit operation result history with the reference value, and displays the presence / absence of a failure and a method for dealing with the failure.

<Example of Operation of Image Forming Apparatus of Present Embodiment>
FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation for collecting the sheet unit operation result history. The operation for storing the operation result history and collecting the sheet unit operation result history will be described.

  When the job is started, the control unit 100 obtains the operation result obtained from each processing unit such as the sheet conveyance unit 2, the image forming unit 11, and the fixing unit 3 every predetermined time, for example, every 10 ms, in step SA1 in FIG. Is stored in the storage unit 101 as the operation result history 300.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the operation result history. In this example, the operation result history 300 includes the presence / absence of detection of the paper by the entrance sensor 201, the deviation amount of the paper detected by the offset detection sensor 200, the toner concentration in the developing device 15, and the secondary transfer unit 18. The transfer current value, the fixing temperature at the fixing unit 3, and the presence / absence of paper detection by the paper discharge sensor 202 are stored in a time series for each predetermined time.

  When the job is started and the image forming process for the Nth sheet is started in Step SA2 in FIG. 3, the control unit 100 starts the Nth sheet stored in the operation result history 300 in Step SA3 in FIG. The operation result of the sheet is expanded, and the sheet unit operation result history 301 is collected. In the sheet unit operation result history 301, a sheet ID, which is identification information for identifying a sheet, is associated. Note that the operation result of an arbitrary sheet in the operation result history 300 is shown by shading in FIG.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the sheet unit operation result history. In the sheet unit operation result history 301, the following information is collected for each sheet ID in this example. The sheet unit operation result history 301 is obtained from the time when the entrance sensor 201 detects the corresponding sheet by the entrance sensor 201 and the presence / absence of the detection of the corresponding sheet by the discharge sensor 202. The time during which the paper discharge sensor 202 detects the corresponding paper is collected.

  In the sheet unit operation result history 301, the deviation amount of the corresponding sheet detected by the offset detection sensor 200 is collected. Further, the sheet unit operation result history 301 includes the toner density when developing the corresponding sheet in the developing device 15, the transfer current value when transferring the toner image to the corresponding sheet in the secondary transfer unit 18, and the corresponding sheet in the fixing unit 3. The fixing temperature at the time of fixing the toner image to is collected.

  When the control unit 100 determines in step SA4 in FIG. 3 that the image forming process for the Nth sheet has been completed, the control unit 100 ends the collection of the sheet unit operation result history 301 for the Nth sheet.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation for determining an operation result for each designated sheet, and an operation for determining an operation result for a sheet specified by the user will be described.

  In step SB1 of FIG. 6, the control unit 100 acquires a sheet unit operation result history from the operation menu displayed and output on the operation unit 102, and selects an operation for determining the operation result for the specified sheet. Then, a paper selection screen for selecting a paper is displayed on the operation unit 102.

  In step SB2 in FIG. 6, the user confirms the discharged paper and inputs identification information for identifying the paper on which the operation result is to be determined, for example, the number of sheets, etc. The paper on which the result is determined is specified.

  When the sheet on which the operation result is determined is designated, the control unit 100 determines whether to determine whether the operation result is compared with the standard value or compared with other sheets in step SB3 in FIG. A reference selection screen is displayed on the operation unit 102.

  When determining that the determination of the operation result is performed by comparison with the standard value, the control unit 100 displays and outputs the standard value determination screen 302 in step SB4 of FIG. 6 to notify the operator or the like.

  FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a standard value determination screen. On the standard value determination screen 302, a designated paper input item 302a for inputting the designated paper is displayed and output. Also, the operation result of the designated paper and the standard value of each operation result are displayed and output in association with each other.

  Further, the control unit 100 compares the operation result of the designated sheet with the standard value of each operation result, and predicts an abnormality based on the magnitude of a predetermined threshold, the size of the difference between the sheet unit operation result and the standard value, etc. The estimation is performed, and the paper state determined from each operation result is displayed and output. Further, when it is determined that there is an abnormality, a countermeasure for eliminating the abnormality is displayed and output.

  If it is determined that the determination of the operation result is performed by comparison with other sheets, the control unit 100 displays and outputs the other sheet comparison determination screen 303 in step SB5 of FIG.

  FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of another sheet comparison determination screen. On the other sheet comparison determination screen 303, a designated sheet input item 303a for inputting a designated sheet and a comparison target sheet input item 303b for selecting another sheet for comparison are displayed and output. In addition, the other sheet comparison determination screen 303 displays and outputs the operation result of the designated sheet and the operation result of the other sheet to be compared.

  Further, the control unit 100 compares the operation result of the designated sheet with the operation result of the other sheet, and based on the magnitude of the predetermined threshold value, the difference between the sheet unit operation result and the sheet unit operation result of the other sheet, or the like. Abnormalities are predicted and estimated, and the judgment of each operation result is displayed and output. Further, when it is determined that there is an abnormality, a countermeasure for eliminating the abnormality is displayed and output.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation for determining an operation result in units of sheets for which presence / absence of abnormality is determined. Regarding an operation for determining an operation result for a sheet that is determined to be abnormal by reading an image. explain.

  In the image forming apparatus 1 </ b> A, a line sensor is provided in the main conveyance path 23 on the downstream side of the fixing unit 3 in the sheet conveyance unit 2. The control unit 100 reads the image transferred and fixed on the sheet with the line sensor, and determines whether the image is normally formed.

  When the controller 100 detects an abnormality such as an abnormality in the image quality of the image formed on the sheet, an abnormality in the position of the image formed on the sheet, or the occurrence of a jam in step SC1 in FIG. 9, the step in FIG. In SC2, the sheet ID of the sheet in which an abnormality has occurred is acquired, and the sheet on which the operation result is determined is designated.

  When the sheet on which the determination of the operation result is to be determined is specified, the control unit 100 determines in step SC3 in FIG. 9 whether the determination of the operation result is performed by comparison with the standard value or by comparison with other sheets. A reference selection screen is displayed on the operation unit 102.

  When determining that the determination of the operation result is performed by comparison with the standard value, the control unit 100 displays and outputs the standard value determination screen 302 described with reference to FIG. 7 in step SC4 of FIG. If it is determined that the operation result is determined by comparison with another sheet, the control unit 100 displays and outputs the other sheet comparison determination screen 303 described with reference to FIG. 8 at step SC5 in FIG.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation for selecting another sheet in the other sheet comparison determination, and an operation for selecting another sheet from the sheets before and after the sheet for which the operation result is determined will be described. As described above, when it is determined that the operation result is determined by comparison with another sheet, the comparison target sheet input item 303b of the other sheet comparison determination screen 303 described with reference to FIG.

  When the other sheet to be compared is not selected in the comparison target sheet input item 303b, or when automatic selection is set, the control unit 100 performs another sheet to be compared in step SD1 in FIG. To extract. As the other sheet to be compared, a sheet before or after the sheet for which the operation result is determined, and a sheet having the same paper type conditions such as basis weight, size, rigidity, and the like are selected. Note that both sheets before and after the sheet for which the operation result is determined may be selected as comparison targets.

  When other sheets to be compared are extracted, the control unit 100 compares the operation result of the designated sheet with the operation results of the other sheets before and after this sheet in step SD2 of FIG. The other sheet comparison determination screen 303 described with reference to FIG. 8 is displayed and output.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing another example of the operation for selecting another sheet in the other sheet comparison determination, and the operation for selecting another sheet will be described. As described above, when it is determined that the operation result is determined by comparison with another sheet, the comparison target sheet input item 303b of the other sheet comparison determination screen 303 described with reference to FIG.

  When another paper to be compared is selected in the comparison target paper input item 303b in step SE1 in FIG. 11, the control unit 100 specifies the operation result of the designated paper in step SE2 in FIG. The operation results of the other sheets to be compared are compared, each operation result is determined, and the other sheet comparison determination screen 303 described with reference to FIG. 8 is displayed and output.

  The present invention includes an image forming apparatus that forms an image by transferring and fixing a toner image on a sheet, an apparatus that supplies the sheet to the image forming apparatus, and an apparatus that performs post-processing on the sheet on which the image is formed. Applied to an image forming system.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1A ... Image forming apparatus, 2 ... Paper conveyance part, 3 ... Fixing part, 11 ... Image forming part, 100 ... Control part, 101 ... Memory | storage part, 102 ... Operation Part

Claims (7)

At least one processing means for executing a process of forming an image on paper;
Storage means for storing the operation results obtained by the processing means in time series;
A control unit that collects a sheet unit operation result for each sheet from the operation results stored in the storage unit;
The control means includes
An image forming apparatus, characterized in that a sheet unit operation result of a specified sheet and a comparison target value for determining the sheet unit operation result are output to an output unit. The control means includes
The paper unit operation result of the designated paper is compared with the comparison target value for judging the paper unit operation result, the state of the designated paper is judged, and the judgment result is output to the output means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The control means includes
Compare the paper unit operation result of the specified paper with the paper unit operation result of the paper on which the process of forming an image was performed before or after the specified paper, determine the state of the specified paper, The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination result is output to the output unit. The control means includes
Paper unit operation result for the specified paper and paper that has undergone the process of forming an image before or after the specified paper and that has the same paper type conditions as the specified paper The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the results are compared, the state of the designated sheet is determined, and the determination result is output to the output unit. The control means includes
Compare the paper unit operation result of the specified paper with the paper unit operation result of the other paper selected as the comparison target, determine the state of the specified paper, and output the determination result to the output means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an operation unit that selects a sheet for determining a sheet unit operation result. 6. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein the control unit designates a sheet in which an abnormality is detected in a process of forming an image on a sheet as a sheet for determining a sheet unit operation result. Image forming apparatus.

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