JP2020154015A - Image forming apparatus and image formation control method - Google Patents

Abstract

To make it possible to prompt a user to replace an image formation consumption material storage container at an appropriate timing.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus of the present invention comprises a control unit that performs, for a predetermined time, control of changing an image formation speed to a second image formation speed slower than a first image formation speed and causing an image forming unit to perform image formation, and subsequently performs control of executing notification to prompt replacement of an image formation consumption material storage container.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an image forming control method.

Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording material such as paper by an electrophotographic method, a toner bottle that is detachably attached to the image forming apparatus is used. In an inkjet recording device that forms an image on paper by landing ink on the paper, an ink bottle that is detachably attached to the inkjet recording device is used.

In these image forming apparatus, when the toner in the toner bottle or the ink in the ink bottle runs out, these bottles need to be replaced with new bottles. Therefore, the image forming apparatus detects the remaining amount of toner or ink.

According to Patent Document 1, when the toner replenishment capacity of the toner replenishment device required from the remaining amount of toner becomes low, the printing speed is switched to a low speed so that even if the toner replenishment capacity is reduced, the density is not uneven. A technique that enables printing while maintaining print quality is disclosed.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2007-206412

By the way, in this technical field, it has been required to provide a technology capable of encouraging a user to replace an image forming consumable material container at an appropriate timing. The technique described in Patent Document 1 could not prompt the user to replace the image-forming consumable material container at an appropriate timing.

The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and an object of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of encouraging a user to replace an image-forming consumable material container at an appropriate timing. ..

In order to solve the above problems, the image forming apparatus of the present invention accommodates an image forming consuming material for replenishment, and an image forming consuming material accommodating container detachably attached to the image forming apparatus main body and an image forming consuming material accommodating container. Based on the image-forming consumable material supplied from the container, the image-forming portion capable of forming an image on the recording material at the first image-forming speed, and the first image-forming speed, which is higher than the first image-forming speed. After controlling the image forming unit to perform image formation by changing to the second image forming speed, which is a slow image forming speed, for a predetermined time, a notification for prompting the replacement of the image forming consumable material storage container is executed. It includes a control unit that performs control.

Further, the image formation control method of the present invention is supplied from an image forming consumption material accommodating container that accommodates an image forming consumable material for replenishment and is detachably attached to the image forming apparatus main body, and an image forming consumable material accommodating container. This is an image formation control method in an image forming apparatus including an image forming unit capable of forming an image on a recording material at a first image forming speed based on an image forming consumable material, and a control unit. Then, the control unit changes from the first image forming speed to the second image forming speed, which is a slower image forming speed than the first image forming speed, and causes the image forming unit to perform image forming. After performing the above for a predetermined time, the control for executing the notification for prompting the replacement of the image forming consumable material storage container is performed.

In the present invention, after the control unit controls the image forming unit to perform image formation by changing the image forming speed to a second image forming speed lower than the first image forming speed for a predetermined time, the image is imaged. Controls to execute a notification to encourage replacement of the formed consumable material storage container. Therefore, according to the present invention, the user is urged to replace the image forming consumable material container at an appropriate time. Issues, configurations, and effects other than those described above will be clarified by the following description of the embodiments.

It is a figure which shows the structural example of the toner supply mechanism in an image forming apparatus. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the print continuation limit and exchange notification timing at the time of printing a standard image which has a standard image density. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the print continuation limit and exchange notification timing at the time of printing an image which the density of an image is 3 times a standard image. It is a figure which shows the printing example of the label image on the roll paper. It is the schematic which shows the whole structure example of the image forming apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the control system of the image forming apparatus main body which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the print continuation limit and exchange notification timing at the time of printing 3 times density image which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention at image formation speed of 1/2. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the print continuation limit and exchange notification timing in the case where the control which delays the timing of switching the image formation speed to low speed which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention is performed. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the print continuation limit and the exchange notification timing when the control which further reduces the image formation speed is performed when the toner bottle exchange detection limit which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention is reached. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the print continuation limit and the exchange notification timing when the image formation speed is controlled to return to a normal speed after the replacement detection of the toner bottle which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the image formation control example (1)-(4) of the control part in the case where the image formation rate which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention gradually changes. It is a flowchart which shows the example of the procedure of the image formation control method by the image formation apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention.

Hereinafter, examples of embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the present specification and the drawings, components having substantially the same function or configuration are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicate description of the components will be omitted.

First, before explaining the configuration examples of various embodiments, the above-mentioned problems to be solved by the present invention will be described more concretely. A method of detecting the remaining amount of toner in the image forming apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a toner replenishing device 310 in an image forming apparatus.

As shown in FIG. 1, the toner replenishing device 310 of the image forming apparatus has an intermediate hopper 311 for storing toner (an example of an image forming consumable material) supplied to the developing unit 33 and a toner for discharging toner to the intermediate hopper 311. A bottle 312 (an example of an image-forming toner storage container) is provided. Then, the developing device is configured by the developing unit 33 and the toner replenishing device 310.

The toner bottle 312 has a cylindrical shape with a spiral groove on the inner circumference, and toner is housed inside the cylindrical shape. Further, the toner 312 is detachably attached to the container receiving portion 313 provided in the developing device, and when it is determined that the toner has been consumed, the toner 312 is taken out from the container receiving portion 313 by the user. Then, it is replaced with a new toner bottle 312. The container receiving portion 313 is provided with a toner drop port 3121 connected to the intermediate hopper.

The tip of the toner bottle 312 is coupled to a drive shaft (not shown) of the toner replenishment device 310 main body, and the toner bottle 312 is driven in the X direction in the drawing by the driving force of the toner bottle drive motor 3122 provided on the drive shaft. Rotate in a vertical plane. Due to this rotation, the toner inside the toner bottle 312 drops from the toner drop port 3121, and is supplied to the intermediate hopper 311.

A stirring member 3112 having a stirring blade of an elastic thin plate that rotates along the inner wall of the intermediate hopper 311 is provided, and the stirring member 3112 rotates gently in the intermediate hopper 311. As a result, the surface of the toner replenished in the intermediate hopper 311 is leveled.

Further, on the inner wall of the intermediate hopper 311, for example, a remaining amount detection sensor 3113 using a piezoelectric vibration element such as a piezo element is provided, and the remaining amount detection sensor 3113 detects the surface position of the toner in the intermediate hopper 311. ..

A toner transporting unit 3114 that transports toner to the developing unit 33 is provided near the bottom of the intermediate hopper 311. A transport screw 3115 is provided inside the toner transport unit 3114, and by rotating the transport screw 3115, the toner in the intermediate hopper 311 is transported to the developing unit 33 through the toner transport unit 3114.

Then, when the remaining amount detection sensor 3113 in the intermediate hopper 311 cannot detect the toner, that is, when the toner surface position in the intermediate hopper 311 is lower than the installation position of the remaining amount detection sensor 3113, the toner bottle The rotation of 312 starts. That is, the toner is supplied from the toner bottle 312 to the intermediate hopper 311.

When the toner is supplied from the toner bottle 312, the position of the toner surface in the intermediate hopper 311 is restored and the remaining amount detection sensor 3113 detects the toner again, the rotation of the toner bottle 312 is stopped. That is, the supply of toner from the toner bottle 312 to the intermediate hopper 311 is stopped.

On the other hand, if the remaining amount detection sensor 3113 cannot detect the toner surface position even after rotating the toner bottle 312 for a predetermined time, the control unit (not shown) for controlling the operation of the toner replenishment device 310 is empty. (Toner is out) is determined. At this time, if it is determined that the toner is out immediately after the remaining amount detection sensor 3113 cannot detect the toner surface position, it is erroneously determined that the toner is out even though the toner actually remains in the toner bottle 312. Situation will occur.

Since the toner is a powder, the state of the toner in the toner bottle 312 changes according to various environments such as ambient temperature, humidity, and the remaining amount of toner in the toner bottle 312. For example, the toner stuck to the wall surface in the toner bottle 312 or solidified in the toner bottle 312 recovers the fluidity again due to the above-mentioned change in the environment and is supplied to the intermediate hopper 311. In some cases. That is, even when the toner bottle 312 always performs the same rotation operation, the amount of toner supplied from the toner bottle 312 to the intermediate hopper 311 changes depending on the state of the toner in the toner bottle 312.

Therefore, in order to prevent the toner from being erroneously determined to be out of toner even though the toner remains in the toner bottle 312, the determination of out of toner is based on the non-detection of the toner surface position by the remaining amount detection sensor 3113. For example, this is performed when the remaining amount detection sensor 3113 cannot detect the toner surface position even after a lapse of a dozen seconds to a few tens of seconds. By performing such control, the accuracy of determining the toner shortage in the toner bottle 312 becomes higher.

Then, when the above control is performed, the image formation is continued from the first non-detection of the toner surface position by the remaining amount detection sensor 3113 until the determination of the toner out is performed. When the toner in the toner bottle 312 is actually empty, the image formation is performed using only the toner in the intermediate hopper 311.

However, when the amount of toner consumed is large, for example, when image formation is performed at a high image density, the toner in the intermediate hopper 311 is also emptied before the determination of toner shortage is performed. There is a possibility that it will end up. Then, when the toner in the intermediate hopper 311 is emptied and the toner concentration in the developing unit 33 is lower than the predetermined threshold density, image formation (printing) by the image forming apparatus is performed at that time. I have no choice but to interrupt it.

Here, the relationship between the print continuation limit and the toner bottle replacement notification timing for each density (toner usage amount) of the image printed on the paper will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. The print continuation limit is a limit point (timing) at which printing can be continued while the toner concentration in the developer is stable. The toner bottle replacement notification timing is a timing at which a toner exhaustion determination is performed and a notification prompting the user to replace the toner bottle 312 (hereinafter, referred to as “toner bottle replacement notification”) is performed.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the relationship between the print continuation limit and the exchange notification timing when printing a standard image having a standard density. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the relationship between the print continuation limit and the exchange notification timing when printing an image in which the density of the image is three times that of the standard image (hereinafter, referred to as “three times density image”).

In FIGS. 2 and 3, the time from the first non-detection of the toner surface position by the remaining amount detection sensor 3113 to the determination of the toner out is referred to as the toner bottle empty determination time TA. The toner bottle empty determination time TA is set in advance based on the mechanism of the toner replenishment device 310 or the like. The toner bottle empty determination time TA may be determined based on an instruction from the user input to the operation input unit of the operation display unit 37.

Further, the time from the first non-detection of the toner surface position by the remaining amount detection sensor 3113 until the toner in the intermediate hopper 311 runs out is referred to as the time TB until the remaining amount of the intermediate hopper is 0. Further, the time from when the toner in the intermediate hopper 311 is emptied until the toner concentration in the developing unit 33 becomes lower than the predetermined threshold concentration is referred to as the toner concentration stabilization maintaining time TC in the developing device.

It is assumed that the toner bottle empty determination time TA is uniformly 30 seconds regardless of the density of the printed image. When the image to be printed is a standard image, it is assumed that the time TB until the remaining amount of the intermediate hopper is 0 is 45 seconds, and the toner concentration stabilization maintenance time TC in the developing device is also 45 seconds.

In order to prevent the job-based printing from being interrupted, it is necessary to replace the toner bottle 312 before the print continuation limit is reached, as shown in FIG. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the print continuation limit is set from the first non-detection of the toner surface position by the remaining amount detection sensor 3113 to (time until the remaining amount of the intermediate hopper is 0 TB: 45 seconds) + (toner concentration in the developing device). Stable maintenance time TC: 45 seconds) = 90 seconds are set.

However, the user can replace the toner bottle 312 only after the toner bottle replacement notification is given, that is, from the first non-detection of the toner surface position by the remaining amount detection sensor 3113 to the toner bottle empty determination time TA. After that has passed. Therefore, the time during which the user can replace the toner bottle 312 is substantially 90 seconds − (toner bottle empty confirmation time TA: 30 seconds) = 60 seconds.

Assuming that the time during which the user can replace the toner bottle 312 is the toner bottle replacement time TX, when the printed image is a standard image, the relationship shown in the following formula (1) is not satisfied. , I have no choice but to interrupt printing. The time during which the user can replace the toner bottle 312 is the time between the notification of the toner bottle replacement and the arrival of the printing continuation limit.

(Toner bottle empty confirmation time TA + Toner bottle replacement time TX) <(Time until the remaining amount of the intermediate hopper is 0 TB + Toner concentration stabilization maintenance time in the developing device TC) ... Equation (1)

When the printed image is a 3x density image, the toner consumption is 3 times that of the standard image, so the time until the intermediate hopper remaining amount is 0 and the inside of the developer The toner concentration stabilization maintenance time TC is 1/3 of that at the time of standard image printing. That is, the time TB until the remaining amount of the intermediate hopper is 0 is 15 seconds, and the toner concentration stabilization maintenance time TC in the developing device is also 15 seconds.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 3, the timing at which the toner bottle empty determination time TA elapses from the time when the toner surface position is not detected and the time when the toner surface position is not detected (time until the intermediate hopper remaining amount is 0 TB + development) The timing at which the internal toner concentration stable maintenance time TC) elapses coincides with that. Therefore, when printing a 3x density image, the toner bottle replacement time TX cannot be provided, so printing must be stopped halfway.

Further, when the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus that performs label printing, package printing, or the like on roll paper, further problems arise. In such an image forming apparatus, label images and package images are continuously printed on roll paper at regular image intervals of about several millimeters on the premise that parts such as labels and packages are punched out by a post-processing machine. The label.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a printing example of a label image on roll paper. As shown in FIG. 4, the image forming apparatus continuously prints the portion surrounded by the alternate long and short dash line as one image on roll paper. Within the alternate long and short dash line circle, four vertically long elliptical label images are included. When the post-processing machine is not provided with the function of recognizing the image formation position on the roll paper, it is assumed that the image formed on the roll paper is printed at the formation position shown in FIG. Punching is done. Therefore, the image spacing of the label image printed by the image forming apparatus must be uniform as set.

However, if the toner bottle 312 is not replaced at an appropriate timing and printing by the image forming apparatus is interrupted, the image spacing of the label image printed by the image forming apparatus becomes non-uniform. This is because the image forming apparatus that prints on roll paper has a large mechanism, and even if printing is interrupted, the transport of roll paper cannot be stopped immediately.

Therefore, when printing is interrupted due to running out of toner, it is necessary to cut and join the roll papers at the final forming position of the printed image, or to reload the roll papers in the image forming apparatus. The roll paper is reset by resetting the tip of the cut roll paper from the paper feed section to the take-up section. Further, also in the aftertreatment machine, each cut roll paper needs to be set as a separate roll paper.

Therefore, in an image forming apparatus that prints on roll paper, once printing based on a certain job is started, image forming is continued so that toner does not run out at least until the job is completed. It is extremely important to have the user replace the toner bottle 312 at the right time.

<Configuration of image forming apparatus>
First, the overall configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing the overall configuration of the image forming apparatus 1. Note that FIG. 5 shows elements required for the explanation of the present invention or related elements thereof, and the image forming apparatus of the present invention is not limited to the example shown in FIG.

The image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 5 employs an electrophotographic method that forms an image using static electricity, and is, for example, 4 of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). It is a tandem type color image forming apparatus that superimposes color toner images. A terminal device 120 (see FIG. 6) or the like operated by a user is connected to the image forming apparatus 1 via a network (not shown). The image forming apparatus 1 performs various processes such as an image forming process according to a job input from the terminal device 120 or the like.

In the present embodiment, an example of applying the image forming apparatus of the present invention to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus has been given, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The image forming apparatus of the present invention may be applied to an image forming apparatus of another image forming method such as an inkjet recording apparatus and a laser printer. Even in an image forming apparatus of another image forming method, once printing based on a certain job is started, image forming is continued so that toner or ink does not run out at least until the job is completed. However, it is important to have the user replace the toner bottle or ink tank at an appropriate time.

The image forming apparatus 1 is composed of an image forming apparatus main body 10, a paper feeding device 20 provided in the front stage of the image forming apparatus main body 10, a winding device 40 provided in the rear stage of the image forming apparatus main body 10, and the like. The paper feeding device 20 sends the roll paper R to the image forming apparatus main body 10. The winding device 40 winds the roll paper R on which an image such as a label image is formed by the image forming apparatus main body 10. The roll paper R wound up by the take-up device 40 is removed by the user and set in the paper feed device of the post-processing machine (not shown). Then, the post-processing machine cuts out the label image, the package image, and the like formed on the roll paper R.

The image forming apparatus main body 10 includes an image forming unit 30, and the image forming unit 30 includes image forming units 31Y, 31M, 31C, and 31K for forming toner images of each color of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black. In the following description, when it is not necessary to distinguish the image forming units 31Y, 31M, 31C, and 31K, they are collectively referred to as the image forming unit 31.

Each image forming unit 31 includes an exposure unit (not shown), a developing unit 33Y, 33M, 33C, 33K, a charged unit (not shown), and a photoconductor that irradiates and exposes laser light based on image data. It includes drums 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K. In the following description, when it is not necessary to distinguish the developing units 33Y, 33M, 33C, and 33K, they are collectively referred to as the developing unit 33. Further, in the following description, when it is not necessary to distinguish the photoconductor drums 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K, they are collectively referred to as the photoconductor drum 32.

The photoconductor drum 32 and the developing unit 33 are the same as the photoconductor drum 32 and the developing unit 33 shown in FIG. The developing unit 33 forms a latent image on the surface (outer peripheral portion) of the photoconductor drum 32, and attaches toner supplied from the developing device to the latent image. As a result, a toner image is formed on the photoconductor drum 32.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, an intermediate hopper 311 is connected to each developing unit 33 provided corresponding to each color, and a toner bottle 312 is connected to the intermediate hopper 311.

Further, the image forming unit 30 includes an intermediate transfer belt 34, a secondary transfer roller 35, a fixing unit 36, and the like. The intermediate transfer belt 34 is a belt on which each toner image formed on the photoconductor drum 32 of each color is primarily transferred. The secondary transfer roller 35 is a roller that secondarily transfers the toner images of each color primary transferred on the intermediate transfer belt 34 to the roller paper R transported on the transport path. The fixing unit 36 performs a fixing process of fixing the toner image transferred to the roller paper R by the secondary transfer roller 35 on the roller paper R.

Further, the image forming unit 30 includes an operation display unit 37. The operation display unit 37 is composed of a display unit 371 composed of a liquid crystal panel or the like and an operation input unit composed of a touch sensor or the like, and the display unit 371 and the operation input unit are integrally formed as a touch panel. By configuring the operation input unit with a mouse, a tablet, or the like, the operation input unit and the display unit 371 may be separately configured.

The operation display unit 37 generates an operation signal representing the content of the operation from the user input to the operation input unit, and supplies the operation signal to the control unit 100 (see FIG. 6). For example, when an operation instructing the start of the image forming process is input from the user, the operation display unit 37 generates a signal for starting the image forming process and supplies the signal to the control unit 100. Further, the operation display unit 37 displays the toner bottle replacement notification information and the like on the screen of the display unit 371 based on the control by the control unit 100.

<Structure of control system of image forming apparatus>
Next, the configuration of the control system of the image forming apparatus main body 10 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a control system of the image forming apparatus main body 10.

As shown in FIG. 6, the image forming apparatus main body 10 includes a control unit 100, a storage unit 104, a remaining amount detection sensor 3113, a toner bottle drive motor 3122, an image processing unit 23, an image forming unit 30, and an operation display unit 37. ..

The control unit 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 102, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 103, and the like. The CPU 101 controls the operation of the entire image forming apparatus 1 by expanding and executing the control program stored in the ROM 102 or the storage unit 104 in the RAM 103. Specifically, the CPU 101 performs image formation control such as control for switching the image formation speed by the image forming unit 30 based on the detection result by the remaining amount detection sensor 3113.

The storage unit 104 is composed of an HDD (Hard Disc Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), or the like, a program for the CPU 101 to control each unit, a print job received from the terminal device 120, and a label generated by the image processing unit 23. Memorize images, etc.

The remaining amount detection sensor 3113 detects the toner surface position in the intermediate hopper 311 (see FIG. 1) and outputs the detection result to the control unit 100. The toner bottle drive motor 3122 controls the rotation of the toner bottle 312.

The image processing unit 23 includes a RIP (Raster Image Processor) unit (not shown), analyzes a print job, rasterizes the print job, and generates a label image, a package image, and the like. The image processing unit 23 also performs image processing such as color adjustment and density adjustment, screening, and the like, if necessary.

The image forming unit 30 forms (prints) a label image, a package image, or the like on a roll paper R supplied from the paper feeding device 20 (see FIG. 5) at a specified image forming speed. The image forming unit 30 includes an exposed unit (not shown), a photoconductor drum 32, a developing unit 33, a charging unit (not shown), an intermediate transfer belt 34, a secondary transfer roller 35, a fixing unit 36, and the like. Since the operation display unit 37 has already been described with reference to FIG. 5, the description thereof will be omitted here.

<Image formation control method by the control unit>
Next, an image formation control method by the image forming apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the relationship between the print continuation limit and the exchange notification timing when printing a triple density image at an image formation speed of 1/2. The toner bottle empty determination time TA is assumed to be 30 seconds, as in the example described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

Even when printing a 3x density image, the control unit 100 sets the image formation speed to 1/2 (50%) of the normal speed (image in the figure) starting from the non-detection timing of the toner surface position. By controlling the rate of decrease in formation (denoted as the rate of decrease in formation), the toner consumption per unit time can be suppressed. Then, the time TB until the remaining amount of the intermediate hopper is 0 and the toner concentration stabilization maintenance time TC in the developing device can be extended to 30 seconds. This makes it possible to secure 30 seconds for the toner bottle replacement time TX, which is the time from the notification of toner bottle replacement (from the timing when it is assumed that the toner has been consumed reliably) to the arrival of the printing continuation limit. Become. Therefore, it is possible to prevent unexpected interruption of job-based printing.

In the example shown in FIG. 7, the control for reducing the image formation speed is performed starting from the non-detection timing of the toner surface position, but the timing for switching the image formation speed to a low speed may be delayed. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the relationship between the print continuation limit and the exchange notification timing when the timing for switching the image formation speed to a low speed is delayed.

When the image formation speed is changed in the middle of image formation in the image forming apparatus 1, the drawing (image forming) conditions such as the fixing temperature and the fixing time change accordingly, so that the image printed on the roll paper R There is a risk that the image quality will be affected. Therefore, a user who wants to shorten the time for reducing the image formation speed to a low speed may delay the timing for switching the image formation speed to a low speed in consideration of the length of the toner bottle replacement time TX.

When printing a 3x density image, if printing is performed at a normal speed (an example of the first image forming speed) without reducing the image forming speed, the time TB until the remaining amount of the intermediate hopper is 0 is 15 seconds. That is, the toner in the intermediate hopper 311 is emptied when 15 seconds have passed from the non-detection timing of the toner surface position. However, the control unit 100 controls that printing is performed at a normal speed from the non-detection timing of the toner surface position until 10 seconds elapse, and the image forming speed is reduced to 50% after 10 seconds elapse. By doing so, the time shown in the following equation (2) can be secured as the time TB1 until the remaining amount of the intermediate hopper is 0.

Time to 0 intermediate hopper remaining amount TB1 = (Time to 0 intermediate hopper remaining amount TB': 10 seconds corresponding to printing time due to normal image formation speed) + (Intermediate hopper corresponding to printing time due to image formation reduction speed) Time until the remaining amount is 0 TB ″: 10 seconds) = 20 seconds ... Equation (2)

Therefore, originally, when 10 seconds have passed from the non-detection timing of the toner surface position, the toner in the intermediate hopper 311 was emptied in the remaining 5 seconds, and the control shown in FIG. 8 is performed. As a result, the time TB1 until the remaining amount of the intermediate hopper is 0 can be postponed by 5 seconds. The toner bottle replacement time TX in this case is calculated by the following formula (3).

Toner bottle replacement time TX = (Time until the remaining amount of the intermediate hopper is 0 TB 1:20 seconds) + (Stabilization maintenance time of toner concentration in the developer TC: 30 seconds)-(Toner bottle empty confirmation time TA: 30 seconds) = 20 seconds … Equation (3)

That is, the toner bottle replacement time TX is 20 seconds, which is shorter than the time (30 seconds) shown in FIG. 7, but the time for image formation at the image formation reduction rate is 40 seconds, which is the time shown in FIG. 7 (30 seconds). It can be shortened by 20 seconds from 60 seconds).

The timing of starting printing at the image formation reduction speed can be determined, for example, based on a user's instruction to the operation display unit 37 or the like. The user may be allowed to determine the desired toner bottle replacement time TX instead of the timing at which printing is started due to the image formation reduction rate.

As described above, the image forming unit 30 is replaced by replacing the toner bottle 312 between the toner bottle replacement notification and the printing continuation limit, that is, before the toner bottle replacement time TX has elapsed. It is possible to prevent printing interruption due to. However, if the toner bottle 312 is still not replaced even when the remaining amount reaches the print continuation limit, the image formation speed may be further reduced. By performing such control, the print continuation limit can be further extended.

The timing for further reducing the image formation speed is set by the user via the operation display unit 37, for example, as a toner bottle replacement detection limit. The toner bottle replacement detection limit may be set, for example, based on the elapsed time from the detection of replacement of the toner bottle 312, or may be set based on the number of printed sheets.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the relationship between the print continuation limit and the replacement notification timing when the control to further reduce the image formation speed is performed when the toner bottle replacement detection limit is reached.

In the example shown in FIG. 9, the toner bottle replacement detection limit is set 10 seconds before the print continuation limit. If the user has not detected the completion of replacement of the toner bottle 312 even when the toner bottle replacement detection limit is reached, the control unit 100 sets the image formation speed to the image formation reduction speed up to that point (hereinafter, "first". The image formation reduction rate of the above (referred to as an example of the second image formation rate)) is further reduced. For example, control is performed to reduce the second image formation reduction rate (an example of the third image formation rate) to 1/4 (25%) of the normal image formation rate.

As a result, 20 seconds are secured as the time TC ″ from the time when the switching to the second image formation reduction speed is performed to the intermediate hopper remaining amount of 0 based on the second image formation reduction speed, so that printing is continued. The limit is extended by another 10 seconds. That is, the re-extended printing continuation limit at the time when 10 seconds have passed from the previous printing continuation limit becomes the true printing continuation limit. The toner bottle replacement time TX is 30 seconds, which is 10 seconds added to the previous 20 seconds.

When the toner bottle 312 is replaced by the user during the 30-second toner bottle replacement time TX, the control unit 100 returns the image forming speed to the normal image forming speed.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the relationship between the print continuation limit and the replacement notification timing when the image formation speed is controlled to return to the normal speed after the replacement completion detection of the toner bottle 312 is performed. In the example shown in FIG. 10, similarly to the example shown in FIG. 7, control is performed to reduce the image formation speed to 50% of the normal speed (image formation reduction speed) from the time when the toner surface position is not detected. Then, when the completion of replacement of the toner bottle 312 is detected during the image formation at the image formation lowering speed, the control unit 100 controls to return the image formation speed to the normal speed. By performing such control, it is possible to minimize the time during which the productivity of the image forming apparatus 1 is lowered.

In each of the examples described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 10, for the purpose of simplifying the explanation, it has been assumed that the image formation speed is changed instantly after the image formation speed is changed, but in reality , It takes time from the instruction to change the image formation speed to the complete switching of the speed.

FIG. 11 shows image formation control examples (1) to (4) of the control unit 100 when the image formation speed gradually changes. Even when the image formation speed gradually changes, in order to allow the post-processing machine to accurately perform die cutting of the label image or the like, the formation interval of the label image formed on the roll paper R (hereinafter referred to as Li (referred to as "image spacing") needs to be a constant spacing in principle.

In the image formation control example (1) shown in FIG. 11, the control unit 100 forms an image even when the image formation speed is shifting from a normal speed (normal image formation speed) to a low speed (decrease speed of image formation). The unit 30 is controlled to continue image formation. Specifically, the control unit 100 changes the speed at which the exposure unit writes the latent image on the photoconductor drum 32 in conjunction with the transport speed of the shifting roll paper R. When the image forming apparatus is a laser printer, the control unit 100 changes the rotation speed of the polygon motor according to the transport speed of the roll paper R. By controlling the image formation control example (1) by the control unit 100, it is possible to form an image while maintaining the image formation interval Li.

In the image formation control example (2), the control unit 100 does not allow the image forming unit 30 to form an image while the image forming speed is changed. When this control is performed, if the image formation is restarted immediately after the shift of the image formation speed is completed, the image formation interval Li cannot be maintained, and the position of the post-processing in the post-processing machine with respect to the restarted image. Will be misaligned. Therefore, in the image formation control example (2), in the control unit 100, the length Lm of the margin between the image before the image formation is stopped and the image formed after the image formation is restarted is (image formation interval Li + image). The image formation position after resumption is adjusted so that it is an integral multiple of the length Lp). By controlling the image formation control example (2), the image is formed at the position where it should be printed in the image formation after the margin is generated, so that the influence on the post-processing machine can be eliminated. ..

The image formation control example (3) has a function of recognizing a mark for identifying an image formation position called an eye mark and controlling the timing of performing post-processing based on the formation position of the eye mark. This is the control performed by the control unit 100 when the control unit 100 is used. The eye mark is formed by the image forming apparatus 1. In the image formation control example (3), the control unit 100 causes the image formation unit 30 to resume image formation when the shift of the image formation speed is completed. In the image formation control example (3), since image formation is restarted based on the position of the eye mark, the generation of margins can be minimized.

In the image formation control example (4), when the post-processing machine has a function of adjusting the execution timing of the post-processing based on the information regarding the formation position of the margin provided by the image forming apparatus 1, the control unit 100 It is a process performed by. In the image formation control example (4), the control unit 100 causes the image formation unit 30 to resume image formation when the shift of the image formation speed is completed. In the image formation control example (4), for example, based on an instruction from the user to the operation display unit 37 or the like of the image forming apparatus 1, information on the length of the margin Lx from the start position of the image before the occurrence of the margin is obtained. The control unit 100 transmits to the post-processing machine. By controlling the image formation control example (4), information on the formation position of the margin is provided to the post-processing machine, so that the post-processing machine can accurately post-process the formation position of the label image or the like. Will be done.

<Procedure of image formation control method by control unit>
Next, with reference to FIG. 12, the procedure of the image formation control method by the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of the image formation control method by the image forming apparatus 1.

First, the control unit 100 of the image forming apparatus 1 determines whether or not the remaining amount of toner is low (step S1). Specifically, the control unit 100 determines whether or not the remaining amount detection sensor 3113 does not detect the toner surface position. If it is determined in step S1 that the remaining amount of toner is not low (NO in step S1), the control unit 100 repeats the determination in step S1.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S1 that the remaining amount of toner is low (when the determination in step S1 is YES), the control unit 100 starts supplying toner from the toner bottle 312 to the intermediate hopper 311 (step). S2). Next, the control unit 100 determines whether or not the remaining amount of toner in the intermediate hopper 311 has been restored (step S3). That is, the control unit 100 determines whether or not the remaining amount detection sensor 3113 has detected the toner surface position again.

When it is determined in step S3 that the remaining amount of toner has been restored (when the determination in step S3 is YES), the control unit 100 stops the supply of toner from the toner bottle 312 to the intermediate hopper 311 (step S4). After the process of step S4, the control unit 100 returns the process to step S1. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S3 that the remaining amount of toner is not restored (when the determination in step S3 is NO), the control unit 100 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of toner supply. (Step S5).

If it is determined in step S5 that the predetermined time has not elapsed (NO in step S5), the control unit 100 returns the process to step S3. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S5 that the predetermined time has elapsed (YES in step S5), the control unit 100 controls to change the image forming speed to the first image forming speed (step S6). ). The first image forming speed is set to, for example, 1/2 (50%) of the normal image forming speed as described above.

Next, the control unit 100 determines whether or not the toner has run out (step S7). Specifically, the control unit 100 is set as a preset toner bottle empty determination time TA (see FIGS. 7 to 10) after the image formation speed is changed to the first image formation reduction speed 30. Determine if a second has passed.

If it is determined in step S7 that the toner has not run out (NO in step S7), the control unit 100 repeats the determination in step S7. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S7 that the toner has run out (YES in step S7), the control unit 100 replaces the toner bottle with the user via the screen of the display unit 371 of the operation display unit 37. Notify (step S8).

Next, the control unit 100 determines whether or not the toner bottle 312 has been replaced by the user (whether or not the replacement completion has been detected) (step S9). When it is determined in step S9 that the toner bottle 312 has been replaced (when the determination in step S9 is YES), the control unit 100 stops the supply of toner from the toner bottle 312 to the intermediate hopper 311 (step S10). Next, the control unit 100 controls to return the image forming speed to the normal speed (step S11).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S9 that the toner bottle 312 has not been replaced (NO in step S9), the control unit 100 determines whether or not the toner bottle replacement detection limit has been reached (step S9). S12). If it is determined in step S12 that the toner bottle replacement detection limit has not been reached (NO in step S12), the control unit 100 returns the process to step S9.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S12 that the toner bottle replacement detection limit has been reached (when the determination in step S12 is YES), the control unit 100 changes the image formation speed to the second image formation reduction speed, and at the same time, The print continuation limit is extended (step S13). The second image forming speed is set to, for example, 1/4 (25%) of the normal image forming speed as described above.

Next, the control unit 100 determines whether or not the toner bottle 312 has been replaced (step S14). When it is determined in step S14 that the toner bottle 312 has been replaced (when the determination in step S14 is YES), the control unit 100 performs the processes after step S10. That is, the supply of toner from the toner bottle 312 to the intermediate hopper 311 is stopped, and the image forming speed is returned to the normal speed.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S12 that the toner bottle 312 has not been replaced (NO in step S14), the control unit 100 determines whether or not the printing continuation limit has been reached after extension (step S12). S15). The post-extension printing continuation limit is the printing continuation limit extended in step S13.

If it is determined in step S15 that the print continuation limit has not been reached after extension (when the determination in step S15 is NO), the control unit 100 returns the process of step S14. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S15 that the print continuation limit has been reached after extension (YES in step S15), the control unit 100 interrupts printing (step S16).

The image formation control by the image forming apparatus 1 is performed individually for the toner bottles 312 corresponding to Y, M, C, and K. Then, the control unit 100 performs the image formation control based on the information of the remaining amount of toner in the toner bottle 312 containing the toner having the highest predicted toner consumption. Specifically, in the determination of whether or not the predetermined time in step S5 has elapsed and the determination of whether or not the toner bottle replacement detection limit in step S12 has been reached, the color that is assumed to consume the largest amount of toner is determined. This is done based on the information on the remaining amount of toner in. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the deceleration control of the image formation speed for reducing the toner consumption is performed before the toner that consumes a large amount of toner runs out, so that the toner is prevented from running out in the middle of printing. be able to.

In the above-described embodiment, the control unit 100 controls the image forming unit 30 to form an image at a second image forming speed lower than a normal image forming speed (first image forming speed). After a predetermined time, the notification for prompting the replacement of the toner bottle 312 is executed. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the user is urged to replace the toner bottle 312 at an appropriate timing while preventing the toner from being cut off in the middle of image formation.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, when the control unit 100 detects the completion of replacement of the toner bottle 312, the control unit 100 returns the image formation speed from the second image formation speed to the normal speed (first image formation speed). Take control. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to minimize the time during which the productivity of the image forming apparatus 1 is lowered.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the control unit 100 does not detect the completion of replacement of the toner bottle 312 even at a time after a predetermined time has elapsed (when the toner bottle replacement detection limit is reached) after executing the toner bottle replacement notification. In this case, control is performed to change the image formation speed to the second image formation reduction speed (third image formation speed). Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the toner consumption per unit time can be further reduced, so that the printing continuation limit as a limit point at which printing can be continued can be extended. That is, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to prevent printing from being interrupted at an unintended timing due to the toner bottle 312 not being replaced at an appropriate timing.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the control unit 100 controls the image forming unit 30 to continue the image formation even during the shifting of the image forming speed. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 can form an image while maintaining the image forming interval Li.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the control unit 100 stops the image formation by the image forming unit 30 during the shifting of the image forming speed. Then, in the control unit 100, the length Lm of the margin between the image formed before the image formation is stopped and the image formed after the image formation is restarted is set to the predetermined image formation interval Li and the image. The image forming unit 30 is made to adjust the image forming position after resuming the image forming so as to be an integral multiple of the total value of the length Lp. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, in the image formation after the margin is generated, the image is formed at the position where it should be printed, so that the influence on the post-processing machine can be eliminated.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, when the image forming unit 30 gives an eye mark as a mark for identifying the image forming position, the control unit 100 forms an image by the image forming unit 30 while the image forming speed is changed. To stop. Then, based on the eye mark, control is performed to restart image formation by the image forming unit 30 from a position where the length of the margin is minimized. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the image formation is restarted based on the position of the eye mark, so that the generation of the margin can be minimized.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the control unit 100 continues the image formation by the image forming unit 30 even during the shifting of the image forming speed, and gives the user the position of forming the margin generated by the influence of the shifting of the image forming speed. Control to notify. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, information on the formation position of the margin is provided to the post-processing machine, so that the post-processing machine can accurately perform post-processing on the formation position of the label image or the like. ..

Further, in the above-described embodiment, when a plurality of toner bottles 312 are provided corresponding to toners of a plurality of colors, the control unit 100 determines the toner in the toner bottle 312 containing the toner having the highest predicted toner consumption. The image formation speed by the image forming unit 30 is changed from the normal speed (first image formation speed) to the image formation lowering speed (second image formation speed or third image formation speed) based on the information of the remaining amount of Control to make it. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the deceleration control of the image formation speed for reducing the toner consumption is performed before the toner that consumes a large amount of toner runs out, so that the toner is prevented from running out in the middle of printing. be able to.

<Various deformation examples>
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various other application examples and modifications can be taken as long as the gist of the present invention described in the claims is not deviated.

For example, the timing at which the control unit 100 controls to change the image formation speed from the normal speed to the image formation reduction speed may be specified by the user. According to this modification, the user can switch the image formation speed of the image forming unit 30 to the image formation lowering speed at a desired timing.

Further, the control unit 100 may determine whether or not to perform control for changing the image formation speed from the normal speed to the image formation reduction speed based on the user's selection. According to this modification, the user can determine whether or not to perform image formation at the image formation lowering rate in the image forming apparatus 1.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the first image formation reduction rate (second image formation rate) is 1/2 (50%) of the normal image formation rate, and the second image formation reduction rate (second image formation reduction rate). The image formation speed of 3) is 1/4 (25%) of the normal image formation speed, but the present invention is not limited to this. The first image formation reduction speed and the second image formation reduction speed may be set to speeds other than these speeds as long as they satisfy the relationship of the following equation (4).

Normal image formation rate> 1st image formation reduction rate> 2nd image formation reduction rate ... Equation (4)

Further, in the above-described embodiment, an example is given in which two image formation reduction rates, a first image formation reduction rate and a second image formation reduction rate, are provided, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Three or more image formation reduction rates may be provided.

In addition, the rate of image formation reduction may be set by the user. According to this modification, the user can cause the image forming unit 30 to form an image at a desired image formation lowering rate.

Further, the length of the predetermined time, such as the image formation time due to the first image formation speed or the second image formation speed, the time until the toner exchange detection limit, and the like, may be set by the user. Therefore, according to this modification, the user can adjust the timing at which image formation is started or ended due to the image formation lowering rate. Further, the user can set the desired time to the length such as the time until the toner replacement detection limit, so that the toner bottle replacement notification can be sent at the timing suitable for the replacement of the toner bottle 312 by the user. Become.

Further, the control unit 100 manages the cost information of the roll paper R, which is managed in association with the roll paper R on which the image forming unit 30 performs image formation, and the margin generated between the images formed on the roll paper R. Based on the amount of information, it may be determined whether or not the image formation rate by the image forming unit 30 is changed to the image formation lowering rate. According to this modification, for the roll paper R having a low cost, it is possible to carry out an operation or the like to prevent a decrease in productivity by not performing a control for reducing the image forming speed.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the recording material on which the image forming apparatus 1 forms an image is roll paper R, but the present invention is not limited to this, and may be a sheet or the like.

1 ... Image forming apparatus, 10 ... Image forming apparatus main body, 20 ... Paper feeding device, 23 ... Image processing unit, 30 ... Image forming unit, 31 ... Image forming unit, 32 ... Photoreceptor drum, 33 ... Developing unit, 34 ... Intermediate transfer belt, 35 ... secondary transfer roller, 36 ... fixing unit, 37 ... operation display unit, 40 ... winding device, 100 ... control unit, 310 ... toner replenishment device, 311 ... intermediate hopper, 312 ... toner bottle, 371 ... Display unit, 3113 ... Remaining amount detection sensor, 3122 ... Toner bottle drive motor

Claims (15)

An image-forming consumables storage container that stores image-forming consumables for replenishment and is detachably attached to the main body of the image-forming device.
An image forming unit capable of forming an image on a recording material at a first image forming speed based on the image forming consumable material supplied from the image forming consumable material container,
Control is performed for a predetermined time to change the first image forming speed to a second image forming speed, which is a slower image forming speed than the first image forming speed, and cause the image forming unit to perform image forming. After that, an image forming apparatus including a control unit that controls to execute a notification for prompting replacement of the image forming consumable material accommodating container. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording material is roll paper. According to claim 2, when the control unit detects the completion of replacement of the image-forming consumable material storage container, the control unit controls to return the image-forming speed from the second image-forming speed to the first image-forming speed. The image forming apparatus described. If the control unit does not detect the completion of replacement of the image-forming consumable material storage container even after a predetermined time has elapsed after executing the notification for prompting the replacement of the image-forming consumable material storage container, The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the image forming speed is controlled to be changed to a third image forming speed which is slower than the second image forming speed. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the control unit controls to continue image formation by the image forming unit even during shifting of the image forming speed. The control unit stops image formation by the image forming unit during the speed change of the image forming speed, and forms an image formed before the image formation on the recording material is stopped and after the image formation is restarted. The image formation position after resuming the image formation in the image forming portion so that the length of the margin between the image and the image is an integral multiple of the predetermined image formation interval and the total value of the image lengths. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3 or 4. When the image forming unit gives a mark for identifying the image forming position, the control unit stops the image formation by the image forming unit during the speed change of the image forming speed, and the image forming unit identifies the image forming position. Based on the mark, the image is viewed from a position where the length of the margin between the image formed before the image formation in the recording material is stopped and the image formed after the image formation is restarted is minimized. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, wherein control is performed to restart image formation by the forming unit. The control unit continues image formation by the image forming unit even during shifting of the image forming speed, and generation of a margin generated between images formed on the recording material due to the influence of the shifting of the image forming speed. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, which controls the user to be notified of the formation of the image. When a plurality of the image forming consumption material accommodating containers are provided corresponding to the image forming consumption material of a plurality of colors, the control unit accommodates the image forming consumption material having the highest predicted image formation consumption material consumption. Based on the information on the remaining amount of the image-forming consumable material in the image-forming consumable material storage container, the image-forming speed by the image-forming unit is changed from the first image-forming speed to the first image-forming speed. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, which controls changing to a low image forming speed. The control unit manages the cost information of the recording material and the amount of margin generated between the images formed on the recording material, which are managed in association with the recording material on which the image forming unit performs image formation. Based on the information, it is determined whether or not the control for changing the image forming speed by the image forming unit from the first image forming speed to an image forming speed slower than the first image forming speed is performed. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9. The timing at which the control unit controls to change the image formation speed by the image formation unit from the first image formation speed to an image formation speed slower than the first image formation speed is determined by the user. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10 designated. The control unit determines whether or not to perform control for changing the image forming speed by the image forming unit from the first image forming speed to an image forming speed slower than the first image forming speed. , The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11, which is performed based on a user's selection. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein a speed of an image forming speed lower than that of the first image forming speed is set by a user. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the length of the predetermined time is set by the user. Based on the image-forming consumer material storage container that houses the image-forming consumer material for replenishment and is detachably attached to the image forming apparatus main body and the image-forming consumer material supplied from the image-forming consumer material storage container. In an image formation control method in an image forming apparatus including an image forming unit capable of forming an image on a recording material at a first image forming rate and a control unit.
The control unit changes the first image forming speed to a second image forming speed, which is a slower image forming speed than the first image forming speed, and causes the image forming unit to perform image forming. An image formation control method for performing control to execute a notification for prompting replacement of the image formation consumable material storage container after performing the above for a predetermined time.

Images