JP2020190694A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

To solve the problem in which: a conventional image forming apparatus cannot separate a failure of a lock mechanism for a door that is opened/closed for attachment/detachment of a storage container and a failure of detection means that detects the opening/closing of the door.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus 101 has a door 302a that is opened/closed for attaching/detaching a developer cartridge Ta, a lock device 410 for the door 302a, a door open/close detection sensor 435, a control unit 200, and a display unit 310. When the door open/close detection sensor 435 is in a closed state even if the lock device 410 is released after replacement of a developer cartridge TA is determined to be necessary, the control unit 200 causes the display unit 310 to display a confirmation message, when user instruction information input after the display of the confirmation message indicates that the replacement cannot be performed, detects a failure of the lock device 410, and when the user instruction information indicates that the replacement has been successfully performed and the developer cartridge Ta has been replaced, detects a failure of the door open/close detection sensor 435.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

The present invention relates to a failure location detection technique for an image forming apparatus having a lock mechanism on a door that opens and closes when a container containing a developer is attached and detached.

An electrophotographic image forming apparatus forms an electrostatic latent image on a photoconductor and develops the electrostatic latent image with a developing agent to form an image. Since the developer is consumed in the image forming apparatus as the image is formed, the accommodating container must be replaced and the developing agent must be replenished from the accommodating container. Therefore, when the amount of the developer is less than a predetermined amount, the image forming apparatus displays, for example, a screen prompting the user to replace the storage container on the display unit. As a result, it is possible to prevent the image forming apparatus from being unable to form an image due to a shortage of the developer in the apparatus due to the replacement of the storage container.

In addition, the image forming apparatus is provided with a door that is opened and closed to replace the storage container and a lock mechanism that locks the door so that the door is not opened in order to prevent the storage container from being accidentally removed. There is. In this image forming apparatus, the lock mechanism is released and the door is opened when it is determined that the storage container needs to be replaced due to the remaining amount of the developer becoming low.

Further, the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1 has a detecting means for detecting the opening and closing of the door. When the user closes the door after exchanging the storage container, the detection means detects the closed state of the door, and the lock mechanism locks the door again in response to the detection of the closed state.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2010-256557

However, in an image forming apparatus having a door lock mechanism and a detection means for detecting the opening / closing of the door, when the detection result of the detection means continues to detect the closed state even though the lock mechanism is released, the lock mechanism is used. It was not possible to determine which of the detection means was out of order.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to separate a failure of the door locking mechanism that is opened and closed for attaching and detaching the storage container from a failure of the detection means that detects the opening and closing of the door.

In order to solve the above problems, the image forming apparatus of the present invention is an image forming apparatus in which a container containing a developing agent for replenishment is detachable, and is an image forming means for forming an image using the developing agent. A door that is opened and closed to attach and detach the storage container, a first state in which the door is locked so that the door is not opened, and a second state in which the door is not locked so that the door is opened. A lock mechanism controlled by the above, a detection means for detecting the opening / closing of the door, an input means for inputting user instruction information, a display means, and a determination as to whether or not it is necessary to replace the mounted storage container. It is determined by the first determination means, the second determination means for determining whether or not the mounted storage container has been replaced, and the first determination means that the mounted storage container needs to be replaced. After that, if the detection means detects the closed state of the door even if the lock mechanism is controlled to the second state, the display means is displayed with a confirmation message, and after the confirmation message is displayed, the said. When the user instruction information input from the input means indicates that the storage container cannot be replaced, a failure of the lock mechanism is detected, and the user input from the input means after the confirmation message is displayed. A control means for detecting a failure of the detection means when the instruction information indicates that the storage container has been replaced and the second determination means determines that the mounted storage container has been replaced. And, characterized by having.

According to the present invention, it is possible to separate a failure of the door locking mechanism that is opened and closed for attaching and detaching the storage container from a failure of the detection means that detects the opening and closing of the door.

Schematic cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus Control block diagram of image forming apparatus A perspective view showing an image forming apparatus with an outer door and an open door. Partial sectional view of the locked device in the locked state Partial cross-sectional view of the unlocked device Perspective view showing the open state of the door Flow chart of error judgment sequence Flow chart of developer cartridge replacement sequence

Hereinafter, examples of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus 101. In the image forming apparatus 101, four cartridges Pa, Pb, Pc, and Pd forming a developer image of each color component are arranged side by side in the conveying direction of the intermediate transfer belt 7. The cartridge Pa forms a yellow developer image, the cartridge Pb forms a magenta developer image, the cartridge Pc forms a cyan developer image, and the cartridge Pd forms a black developer image.

The image forming apparatus 101 contains a developing agent for replenishment, and the removable developing agent cartridges Ta, Tb, Tc, and Td are mounted on the image forming apparatus 101. The developer cartridge Ta contains a yellow developer, the developer cartridge Tb contains a magenta developer, the developer cartridge Tc contains a cyan developer, and the developer cartridge Td contains a cyan developer. Contains black developer. The developer cartridges Ta, Tb, Tc, and Td correspond to a container for accommodating the developer.

Since the cartridges Pa, Pb, Pc, and Pd have the same configuration, the cartridges Pa, Pb, Pc, and Pd are referred to as cartridges P in the following description. Further, the developer cartridges Ta, Tb, Tc, and Td are referred to as developer cartridges T.

The cartridge P includes a photosensitive drum 1 having a photoconductor on the surface of a cylindrical metal roller, a charger 2 for charging the photosensitive drum 1, and a developer 100 containing a developer, and is an image forming apparatus 101. It is removable. The arrow A direction is the direction in which the photosensitive drum 1 rotates. After the photosensitive drum 1 is charged by the charger 2, the laser exposure apparatus 3 exposes the photosensitive drum 1 based on the image data. As a result, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 1. Then, the developer 100 develops the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 1 with a developer. As a result, a developer image is formed on the photosensitive drum 1. The developer 100 includes a magnetic permeability sensor 31 that detects the amount of the developer accumulated in the developer 100. When the magnetic permeability sensor 31 detects that the amount of the developer in the developer 100 has decreased, the developer cartridge T supplies the developer to the developer 100.

The intermediate transfer belt 7 is hung around the secondary transfer opposed roller 8, the driven roller 17, the first tension roller 18, and the second tension roller 19. The intermediate transfer belt 7 is rotated in the direction of arrow B by the rotational drive of the secondary transfer opposed roller 8.

The image forming apparatus 101 includes a primary transfer roller 4 that transfers the developer image on the photosensitive drum 1 to the intermediate transfer belt 7. While the developer image formed on the photosensitive drum 1 is passing through the primary transfer nip portion T1 in which the photosensitive drum 1 and the intermediate transfer belt 7 are pressed by the primary transfer roller 4, the primary transfer roller 4 is subjected to. The primary transfer voltage is applied. As a result, the developer image on the photosensitive drum 1 is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 7. The developer images formed on the photosensitive drums 1a, 1b, 1c, and 1d are transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 7 so as to support the full-color developer image on the intermediate transfer belt 7. The developer remaining on the photosensitive drum 1 is removed by the drum cleaner 6.

At this time, the paper feed roller (not shown) feeds the recording material S stored in the cassette unit 60, and the transport roller pair 61 conveys the recording material S toward the registration roller pair 62. The registration roller pair 62 adjusts the timing of transporting the recording material S to the secondary transfer nip portion T2 so that the developer image on the intermediate transfer belt 7 is transferred to a desired position on the recording material S.

A secondary transfer roller 9 is arranged on the opposite side of the secondary transfer opposed roller 8 with reference to the intermediate transfer belt 7. In the secondary transfer nip portion T2 in which the secondary transfer counter roller 8 and the intermediate transfer belt 7 are pressed against the secondary transfer roller 9 in response to the application of the secondary transfer voltage to the secondary transfer counter roller 8. , The developer image on the intermediate transfer belt 7 is transferred to the recording material S. The developer remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 7 without being transferred to the recording material S in the secondary transfer nip portion T2 is removed by the belt cleaner 11.

After the developer image is transferred to the recording material S by the secondary transfer roller 9, the recording material S is transferred to the fixing device 13. The fixing device 13 includes a fixing roller having a heater and a pressure roller, and fixes the developer image on the recording material S to the recording material S by the heat of the heater and the pressure of the fixing roller and the pressure roller. The recording material S on which the developer image is fixed by the fixing device 13 is discharged from the image forming apparatus 101 by the paper ejection roller pair 64.

Next, FIG. 2 shows a control block diagram of the image forming apparatus 101.

The control unit 200 controls each unit of the image forming apparatus 101 in an integrated manner. The control unit 200 is responsible for driving each load in the apparatus, collecting information output from sensors, analyzing, controlling an image, and exchanging data with the display unit 301. The display unit 301 includes a display and an input key for inputting user information. Although the input key is a soft key displayed on the display, the display unit 301 may be configured to separately provide the input key as a hard key.

The control unit 200 is equipped with a CPU 201a in order to play the above-mentioned role. The CPU 201a executes various sequences related to a predetermined image formation sequence by a program stored in the ROM 201b of the control unit 200.

At that time, a RAM 201c is also installed in order to store rewritable data that needs to be temporarily or permanently stored. In the RAM 201c, for example, a high voltage set value for the high voltage control unit 205, various data described later, an image formation command from the display unit 301, and the like are stored. The RAM 201c is configured to hold data even when the power of the image forming apparatus 101 is turned off by a battery or the like (not shown).

In addition to obtaining print settings such as a copy magnification and a density setting value set by the user, the display unit 301 includes information on the state of the image forming apparatus 101, for example, the number of images formed, information on whether or not an image is being formed, and a jam. Data is sent to show the user the occurrence of the above and its location. In addition, the serviceman receives adjustments such as cash register position adjustment and density adjustment as necessary, guidance display of initialization operation when the main body is installed, and operation start when the developer 100 is replaced.

In this device, DC loads such as motors, clutches and solenoids, and sensors such as photo interrupters and microswitches are arranged in various places inside the device.

By driving the motor and each DC load as appropriate, the recording material S is conveyed and each unit is driven, and various sensors monitor the operation.

The CPU 201a acquires the sensor signal by making the signal from the various sensors 214 in a state where the signal can be detected via the sensor IF209 including a pull-up / pull-down circuit (not shown), a filter circuit (not shown), and the like. The sensor includes the door open / close detection sensor 435, which is the main sensor in this case. The door open / close detection sensor 435 detects the open / close of the door 302, which will be described later.

Based on the signals from the various sensors 214, the CPU 201a controls each motor 212 by the motor control unit 207.

As the main motor in this case, there is a developer cartridge motor 160 that transports and discharges the developer in the developer cartridge T.

At the same time, the CPU 201a operates the clutch / solenoid 213 by the DC load control unit 208 to smoothly proceed with the image forming operation.

Further, the CPU 201a inputs a high-voltage control signal from the high-voltage control unit 205 to the high-voltage unit 206, and the high-voltage unit 206 uses the charger 2, the developing sleeve (not shown) in the developing device 100, the primary transfer roller 4, and the secondary transfer. An appropriate high pressure is applied to the opposing roller 8.

The fuser 13 is provided with a thermistor 204 for measuring the temperature of the heater.

After converting the resistance value change of the thermistor 204 according to the temperature change of the heater into a voltage value by A / D 203, the CPU 201a acquires it as a digital value. The CPU 201a controls an AC driver (not shown) based on this temperature data. Further, the image data input from the outside is processed by the image control unit 220 and sent to the process cartridge P responsible for image formation.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an image forming apparatus 101 in a state where the outer door 305 and the door 302 are opened.

It has a plurality of doors 302 capable of independently opening and closing a plurality of insertion ports 310 for inserting each developer cartridge T into the image forming apparatus 101. The plurality of doors 302 include a black door 302d, a cyan door 302c, a magenta door 302b, and a yellow door 302a. Then, each door 302 can be opened by releasing the lock device 410 of each color, which will be described later.

The procedure for replacing the developer cartridge will be described by taking the case of replacing the black developing cartridge Td as an example. When substantially the entire amount of the developer in the developer cartridge Td is consumed in the process of image formation, the developer cartridge is detected by the magnetic permeability sensor 31 shown in FIG. 1 which detects the amount of the developer accumulated in the developer 100. It is detected that substantially the entire amount of the developer in Td has been consumed. Then, the display unit 301 of the liquid crystal panel or the like notifies the user that the developer in the developer cartridge Td has run out, and indicates that the developer cartridge Td needs to be replaced. When the user opens the outer door 305 according to the instruction of the display unit 301 and detects the opening of the outer door 305 by an open / close detection sensor (not shown), the door 302d is unlocked and automatically opened. This makes it possible to easily identify the cartridge that needs to be replaced, and suppresses the accidental replacement of the developer cartridge T other than the developer cartridge Td to be replaced.

The lock device 410 of the door 302 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the locking device 410 in the locked state in which the opening of the door 302 is restricted.

A hook 411 and a latch 403 that regulates the opening of the door 302 by engaging with the hook 411 are rotatably provided on the door 302 with respect to the bearing member 404 provided in the image forming apparatus 101. There is. The latch 403 is an example of a locking mechanism that locks the door 302, and is not limited to the configuration of this embodiment. The latch 403 is constantly subjected to a force of rotating in the direction of arrow A by the spring 405 to maintain the locked position. Further, the image forming apparatus 101 is provided with a link 407 that is connected to the link mechanism 406 arranged at a predetermined position of the image forming apparatus 101 and slides in the direction of arrow B. When the link mechanism 406 is urged by rotating the developer cartridge motor 160 in the reverse direction with respect to the rotation of the developer supply by the control unit 200, the link 407 slides against the link return spring 408. As a result, the link 407 presses the end portion of the latch 403 and rotates it to the unlocked position against the action of the spring 405. Then, the latch 403 is separated from the hook 411, and the door 302 can be opened.

A force in the opening direction is always applied to the door 302 by a leaf spring (not shown). Therefore, the door 302 is provided so as to automatically open when the latch 403 and the hook 411 become disengaged. That is, the locking device is a component configuration in which the hook 411 and the latch 403 are locked by engagement and the link 407 is slid so that the hook 411 and the latch 403 are disengaged and unlocked. In a state in which the outer door 305 provided so as to be openable and closable so as to cover the entire plurality of doors 302 is closed, the door 302 is supported by the outer door 305 and kept closed. Further, even if the user tries to open another door 302 that is not automatically opened even if the outer door 305 is opened, the latch 403 and the hook 411 are engaged and the door 302 is locked, so that the door 302 cannot be opened. It is possible.

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of the lock device 410 which has been released in order to open the door 302.

By rotating the developer cartridge motor 160 in the reverse direction, the link mechanism 406 is driven, and the link 407 is slid against the link return spring 408. As a result, the end of the latch 403 is pressed by the link 407, and the latch 403 rotates to the unlocked position against the action of the spring 405. The latch 403 is separated from the hook 411, and the door 302 to which a force is always applied in the opening direction is in the open state.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an open state of the door 302.

The open / closed state of the door 302 is detected by the door open / close detection sensor 435. As shown in the block diagram of FIG. 2, the signal detected by the door open / close detection sensor 435 is input to the control unit 200. Then, when the control unit 200 controls to release the lock device 410, the control unit 200 monitors the normal opening of the door 302 by the signal of the door open / close detection sensor 435.

Here, the lock device 410 is made up of a plurality of parts such as a spring and a mold member. If the spring 405 or return spring 408 comes off due to an external impact, or if the mold member is missing, the lock device 410 will not operate normally. Therefore, the door 302 must be opened even if the release operation is performed. I can't. In this case, since the developer cartridge T cannot be replaced, an error code is displayed on the display unit 301 and the image forming apparatus 101 is stopped.

However, even when the lock device 410 is normally released, the open state cannot be detected if the door open / close detection sensor 435 is out of order. Therefore, the control unit 200 determines that the lock device 410 could not be released normally, displays an error code on the display unit 301, and stops the image forming device 101.

However, when the door open / close detection sensor 435 is out of order, the lock device 410 has been normally released and the door 302 is open, so that the developer cartridge T can be replaced. Therefore, it is not necessary to stop the image forming apparatus 101, and the user can use the image forming apparatus 101 by confirming whether or not the door 302 is closed by using the display unit 301, and the downtime of the image forming apparatus 101 can be reduced.

Therefore, if there is no change in the logic of the door open / close detection sensor 435 despite the release operation of releasing the lock device 410, a mechanical failure of the lock device 410 or a component failure of the door open / close detection sensor 435 has occurred. It is necessary to judge whether it is.

Based on the above, we propose a method for reliably determining the cause of an error related to the opening and closing of the door 302.

Next, an error determination sequence executed by the control unit 200 in parallel with the image forming operation will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 7. The error determination sequence is executed by the CPU 201a of the control unit 200 reading the program stored in the ROM 201b.

When image formation is started based on the image data, the control unit 200 consumes the developer, so that the magnetic permeability sensor 31 provided in the developer 100 detects the presence or absence of the developer in the developer 100 and needs to be replenished. Is determined (S700). In step S700, the control unit 200 determines whether or not the developer 100 needs to be replenished with the developer by comparing the output value of the magnetic permeability sensor 31 with the reference value. When replenishment of the developer is not required in step S700, it is determined whether or not all the image formation is completed (S701). When the formation of all the images is completed in step S701, the control unit 200 ends the processing of the error determination sequence.

On the other hand, when the formation of all the images is not completed, the control unit 200 shifts the process to step S700. The control unit 200 repeatedly executes a process of determining whether or not the developer 100 needs to be replenished with the developer until the formation of all the images is completed.

When it is determined in step S700 that the developer 100 needs to be replenished with the developer, the control unit 200 rotates the developer cartridge motor 160 in the forward direction (S702) and increases the value of the developer replenishment count X by one. (S703). Next, the control unit 200 determines whether or not the developer cartridge T needs to be replaced based on whether or not the value of the developer supply count X is equal to or greater than the threshold value (S704). When the value of the developer replenishment count X reaches 2000 times or more, the developer cartridge T needs to be replaced. If the value of the developer replenishment count X is less than 2000 in step S704, it is determined that the developer cartridge T does not need to be replaced, and the control unit 200 shifts the process to step S700.

When the value of the developer replenishment count X is 2000 times or more in step S704, the control unit 200 executes the developer cartridge replacement sequence (S705). After that, the control unit 200 determines whether or not an error of the lock device 410 is detected in the developer cartridge replacement sequence (S706). When a failure of the lock device 410 is detected in step S706, the control unit 200 stops the image forming operation and ends the processing of the error determination sequence. The end of the error determination sequence processing in this state is called error end.

On the other hand, when the failure of the lock device 410 is not detected in step S706, the control unit 200 determines whether or not the failure of the door open / close detection sensor 435 is detected in the developer cartridge replacement sequence (S707). When the failure of the door open / close detection sensor 435 is not detected, the control unit 200 performs a clear process of changing the value of the developer replenishment count X to the initial value (S710), and shifts the process to step S700. The initial value is, for example, 0.

On the other hand, when the failure of the door open / close detection sensor 435 is detected, the control unit 200 displays a message on the display unit 301 confirming that the door 302 has been closed (S708). Then, it waits until the information "closed" is input to the display unit 301 from the user (S709). After the information that the door 302 is "closed" is input, the control unit 200 changes the value of the developer supply count X to initialization in step S710. Then, the control unit 200 shifts the process to step S700.

Next, the developer cartridge replacement sequence in step S705 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, the control unit 200 determines whether or not the outer door 305 is in the open state based on the output value of the open / close detection sensor (not shown) (S801). When it is detected in step S801 that the outer door 305 is in the open state, the control unit 200 reversely rotates the developer cartridge motor 160 in order to open the door 302 to be replaced (S802).

After that, the control unit 200 determines whether or not the door 302 to be replaced is in the open state based on the signal of the door open / close detection sensor 435 (S803). When it is determined in step S803 that the door open / close detection sensor 435 is in the open state, the control unit 200 determines whether or not the developer cartridge T has been replaced (S804). In step S804, for example, the control unit 200 can read the memory IC included in the developing agent cartridge T to detect the replacement of the developing agent cartridge T. The control unit 200 determines whether or not the developer cartridge T has been replaced (S805). If the developer cartridge T has not been replaced, the control unit 200 shifts the process to step S804. As a result, the control unit 200 repeatedly determines the replacement of the developer cartridge T until the developer cartridge T is replaced.

Next, when it is determined that the developer cartridge T has been replaced, the control unit 200 waits until the closed state of the door 302 is detected (S806). Then, when the door 302 is in the closed state, the control unit 200 waits until the outer door 305 is in the closed state (S807). After the outer door 305 is closed, the control unit 200 ends the process of the developer cartridge replacement sequence, and shifts the process to step S706 shown in FIG. 7.

If it is not determined in step S803 that the door open / close detection sensor 435 is in the open state, the control unit 200 causes the display unit 301 to display a message asking the user whether or not the developer cartridge T has been replaced (S808). .. After the confirmation message is displayed on the display unit 301 in step S808, the user inputs user instruction information indicating whether or not the developer cartridge T can be replaced via the display unit 301. The control unit 200 acquires the user instruction information input to the display unit 301, and determines whether or not the user instruction information indicates that the developer cartridge T has been replaced (S809).

When it is indicated in step S809 that the user instruction information cannot be exchanged, the control unit 200 determines that the door 302 has not been opened due to the failure of the lock device 410, and detects a mechanical failure in the lock device 410 (S814). Then, the control unit 200 causes the display unit 301 to display an error screen for notifying the lock device 410 of the mechanical failure (S815), and shifts the process to step S807. When it is determined in step S807 that the outer door 305 is closed, the control unit 200 ends the process of the developer cartridge replacement sequence and shifts the process to step S706 shown in FIG.

On the other hand, when it is shown in step S809 that the user instruction information can be exchanged, the control unit 200 checks whether or not the developer cartridge T has been exchanged (S810). In step S810, the control unit 200 detects the replacement of the developer cartridge T, for example, by reading the memory IC included in the developer cartridge T by the control unit 200, as in step S804. The control unit 200 determines whether or not the developer cartridge T has been replaced (S811). If the developing agent cartridge T has not been replaced, the control unit 200 causes the display unit 301 to display a message prompting the replacement with the new developing agent cartridge T again (S812), and shifts the process to step S802. As a result, the control unit 200 repeatedly determines the replacement of the developer cartridge T until the developer cartridge T is replaced.

Further, when the developer cartridge T is replaced in step S811, the control unit 200 diagnoses the component failure of the door open / close detection sensor 435 (S813). When it is determined that the developer cartridge T has been replaced, the lock device 410 is normally controlled, so it is considered that the door 302 is open. In this case, it is considered that the door open / close detection sensor 435 is outputting an erroneous signal.

After the failure of the door open / close detection sensor 435 is diagnosed in step S813, the control unit 200 shifts the process to step S807. When it is determined in step S807 that the outer door 305 is closed, the control unit 200 ends the process of the developer cartridge replacement sequence and shifts the process to step S706 shown in FIG.

In this way, if the logic of the signal of the door open / close detection sensor 435 does not change even though the lock device 410 is released, the developer cartridge T can be replaced by the user using the display unit 301. The faulty part can be identified by confirming whether or not the condition is normal.

As a result, in the case of a component failure of the door open / close detection sensor 435, the device can be used in a limited manner, and the downtime of the image forming device 101 can be reduced.

Ta developer cartridge Tb developer cartridge Tc developer cartridge Td developer cartridge 160 motor 200 control unit 302a door 310 display unit 410 lock device 435 door open / close detection sensor

Claims (2)

An image forming device in which a container containing a developing agent for replenishment is removable.
An image forming means for forming an image using the developer and
A door that opens and closes to attach and detach the storage container,
A locking mechanism that is controlled into a first state in which the door is locked so that the door is not opened, and a second state in which the door is not locked so that the door is opened.
A detection means for detecting the opening and closing of the door and
Input means for inputting user instruction information and
Display means and
The first determination means for determining whether or not the attached storage container needs to be replaced, and
A second determination means for determining whether or not the attached storage container has been replaced, and
After the first determination means determines that the mounted storage container needs to be replaced, even if the lock mechanism is controlled to the second state, the detection means detects the closed state of the door. If so, display a confirmation message on the display means.
When the user instruction information input from the input means indicates that the storage container cannot be replaced after the confirmation message is displayed, a failure of the lock mechanism is detected.
After the confirmation message was displayed, the user instruction information input from the input means indicated that the storage container could be replaced, and the mounted storage container was replaced by the second determination means. An image forming apparatus comprising: a control means for detecting a failure of the detection means when it is determined that the case is found. The control means
After the confirmation message was displayed, the user instruction information input from the input means indicated that the storage container could be replaced, and the mounted storage container was replaced by the second determination means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display means displays a screen for prompting replacement of the mounted storage container when it is not determined.

Images