JP2021033014A - Image forming apparatus, printing control method in the same, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an image forming apparatus and the like that, even when an abnormality such as failure occurs in paper size detection means, prevent an increase in downtime due to stopping and inhibiting an image forming operation and also prevent an increase in temperature of a fixing unit.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus comprises: image forming means that forms an image on a paper sheet conveyed through a paper feed path; first and second paper size detection means that are provided on the upstream side of the image forming means and detect the size of the paper sheet; abnormality determination means that determines the presence or absence of an abnormality for the first and second paper size detection means before the start of the image forming operation performed by the image forming means; and control means that, when the abnormality determination means determines that at least one of the first and second paper size detection means is abnormal, displays a warning to a user, and controls the image forming means to perform the image forming operation with reduced productivity.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 13

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copier and a printer, and a print control method and a program in the apparatus.

As a fixing device for an electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as a copier, a printer, a facsimile, or a multifunction device thereof, a fixing belt heated by a heating means such as a halogen lamp, a heating member such as a fixing roller, and a pressure roller, etc. A thermal roller fixing type fuser that heats and pressurizes the recording material on which the toner image is transferred while sandwiching and transporting it to the nip part formed by pressure contacting the pressurizing member of Widely used from.

By the way, when small-sized paper is continuously passed through the fuser, the temperature rise is suppressed in the paper passing portion in the length direction of the heating member and the pressurizing member because the heat of the heating member is absorbed by the paper. The temperature continues to rise at both ends of the heating member and the pressurizing member, which are non-passing parts, especially near both ends in the width direction of the paper, and the functional member is damaged to generate a large amount of ultrafine dust (UFP). In the worst case, the functional member may be damaged.

For this reason, conventionally, a heat equalizing roller is used to suppress a local temperature rise of the heating member or the pressurizing member, and the length of the pressurizing member or the like is obtained by bringing the heat equalizing roller into contact with the pressurizing member. This was done by making the temperature uniform in the direction, but since the heat equalizing roller comes into direct contact with the pressurizing member, dirt such as paper dust and toner damages the pressurizing member, and the pressurizing member There is a problem of shortening the life of such as.

For this reason, especially in the fuser of high-speed machines these days, the temperature of the pressurizing roller nip is made uniform according to the paper size by eliminating the configuration of the soaking roller and using the air switching control by the cooling fan. Many holding configurations are used.

However, if the user's setting error (mismatch between size setting and paper setting state) cannot be detected, the temperature of the pressurized roller nip cannot be controlled correctly, and the fuser will suddenly rise in temperature and be severely damaged. Etc. may occur. In particular, when the machine recognizes that a paper having a large size width is being passed through, it is difficult to control the temperature at the end of the roller nip when the paper having a small size width is passed through.

Therefore, even if a user's setting error cannot be detected, in order to prevent a sudden temperature rise of the fuser, a paper size detecting means for detecting the paper size is arranged on the paper passing path through which the paper passes. Therefore, it is considered to prevent inconsistency between the paper size recognized by the image forming apparatus and the actual paper setting state by user setting.

In Patent Document 1, when the fed recording material is inappropriate for the heated range of the heating rotating body, it is necessary to confirm the function of the image heating device and remove the stagnant sheet in the image forming device. An image forming apparatus capable of performing the next image forming without the above has been proposed.

Specifically, when the passing range determined by the recording material width detection sensor 200 corresponds to the set recording material size and the detection temperatures of the temperature sensors TH2 and TH3 reach a predetermined overheated state, the transfer roller 38 is immediately stopped to prohibit image formation, but if the determined passage range does not correspond to the set recording material size, the fuser A even if the detection temperatures of the temperature sensors TH2 and TH3 reach a predetermined overheated state. After discharging all the recording materials existing in the recording material transport path 36 without stopping, the image formation can be started and waits without the conditions of confirmation of the recording material transfer path 36 and confirmation of the fixing belt 1. ,.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2014-52459

When the paper size detecting means for detecting the paper size is arranged as described above, an abnormality such as a failure may occur in the paper size detecting means. If an abnormality occurs, the inconsistency between the size setting and the paper setting state cannot be detected, which may cause the temperature of the fuser to rise. Therefore, it is conceivable to immediately stop or prohibit the image forming operation of the image forming apparatus. ..

However, when an abnormality occurs in the paper size detecting means, if the image forming operation of the image forming apparatus is stopped or prohibited, the downtime of the apparatus is increased, and there is a problem that the production efficiency is not good.

The above-mentioned Patent Document 1 does not disclose whether or not there is an abnormality in the paper size detecting means, and therefore the technique described in Patent Document 1 cannot provide a solution to the above problem.

The present invention has been made in view of such a technical background, and increases downtime by stopping and prohibiting the image forming operation when an abnormality such as a failure occurs in the paper size detecting means. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that suppresses the temperature rise of the fuser as well as a printing control method and a program in the apparatus.

The above object is achieved by the following means.
(1) An image forming means for forming an image on paper conveyed through a paper passing path, and first and second paper size detecting means provided on the upstream side of the image forming means for detecting the size of the paper. Before the start of the image forming operation by the image forming means, the abnormality determining means for determining the presence or absence of an abnormality in the first and second paper size detecting means, and the first and second abnormality determining means. When it is determined that at least one of the paper size detecting means is abnormal, a warning is displayed to the user, and the control means for controlling the image forming means so as to perform the image forming operation in a state where the productivity is lowered. An image forming apparatus characterized by being provided with.
(2) The method according to item 1 above, wherein the control means continues to display a warning to the user until at least one of the first and second paper size detection means determined to be abnormal is resolved. Image forming device.
(3) The image forming apparatus according to item 1 or 2 above, wherein the state in which the productivity is lowered is at least one in a state in which the paper passing speed is lowered or a state in which the paper spacing is increased.
(4) The image forming apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 3 above, wherein the first and second paper size detecting means are arranged apart from each other in a direction orthogonal to the paper passing direction of the paper.
(5) Both of the first and second paper size detecting means are inside the width of the first paper in landscape orientation with reference to the center of the paper, and are half the size of the first paper. The image forming apparatus according to item 4 above, which is arranged outside the paper passing width of the second paper in the orientation.
(6) When it is determined by the abnormality determining means that both the first and second paper size detecting means are not abnormal, the first and second paper size detecting means are performed during the operation of the image forming means. A setting determination means for determining whether or not a user's setting error regarding the paper size has occurred based on the state of the means is provided, and when it is determined by the setting determination means that a user's setting error regarding the paper size has occurred, the above The image forming apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 5 above, wherein the control means controls the ejection of blank paper and warns the user of confirmation of the paper size setting.
(7) An image forming means for forming an image on paper conveyed through a paper passing path, and first and second paper size detecting means provided on the upstream side of the image forming means for detecting the size of the paper. By the abnormality determination step for determining the presence or absence of an abnormality in the first and second paper size detecting means and the abnormality determination step before the start of the image formation operation by the image forming means. When at least one of the first and second paper size detecting means is determined to be abnormal, the image forming operation is performed so as to display a warning to the user and reduce the productivity. A printing control method in an image forming apparatus, which comprises performing a control step for controlling means.
(8) An image forming means for forming an image on paper conveyed through a paper passing path, and first and second paper size detecting means provided on the upstream side of the image forming means for detecting the size of the paper. An abnormality determination step for determining the presence or absence of an abnormality in the first and second paper size detecting means and the abnormality determination in the computer of the image forming apparatus provided with the above, before the start of the image forming operation by the image forming means. When it is determined by the step that at least one of the first and second paper size detecting means is abnormal, a warning is displayed to the user and the image forming operation is performed in a state where the productivity is lowered. A control step for controlling the image forming means, and a program for executing the control step.

According to the invention described in the preceding paragraph (1), first and second paper size detecting means for detecting the size of the paper on which the image is formed by the image forming means are provided on the upstream side of the image forming means, and the image. Before the start of the image forming operation by the forming means, it is determined whether or not there is an abnormality in the first and second paper size detecting means.

Then, when it is determined that at least one of the first and second paper size detecting means is abnormal, a warning is displayed to the user and the image is formed so as to perform the image forming operation in a state where the productivity is lowered. Means are controlled.

As described above, even if at least one of the first and second paper size detecting means is determined to be abnormal before the image forming operation by the image forming means is started, the image forming operation is stopped and prohibited. Since the image forming operation is performed in a state where the productivity is lowered without doing so, it is possible to suppress an increase in the downtime of the image forming apparatus. Moreover, since the operation is performed in a state where the productivity is lowered, the temperature rise of the fuser can be suppressed, and the possibility that the fuser suddenly rises in temperature and is damaged can be reduced.

According to the invention described in the preceding paragraph (2), the warning display is continued to the user until at least one of the abnormalities of the first and second paper size detecting means determined to be abnormal is resolved. The user can take measures for eliminating the abnormality such as replacement of the paper size detecting means at an early stage, and as a result, it is possible to accelerate the return to the normal state and further suppress the decrease in productivity.

According to the invention described in the preceding paragraph (3), the image forming means is controlled by at least either a state in which the paper passing speed is reduced or a state in which the paper spacing is increased.

According to the invention described in the preceding paragraph (4), since the first and second paper size detecting means are arranged apart from each other in the direction orthogonal to the paper conveying direction, the detection accuracy of the paper size detecting means can be improved. Can be enhanced.

According to the invention described in the preceding paragraph (5), since the first paper in landscape orientation is detected by both the first and second paper size detecting means, the paper to be passed is the first paper in landscape orientation. It is possible to reliably determine whether the paper is herb-sized vertical second paper or the like.

According to the invention described in the preceding paragraph (6), when it is determined that both the first and second paper size detecting means are not abnormal, the first and second paper size detecting means are detected during the operation of the image forming means. Based on the state of the means, it is determined whether or not a user setting error regarding the paper size has occurred. Then, when it is determined that the user's setting error regarding the paper size has occurred, the control of ejecting the blank paper is performed, and the user is warned to confirm the paper size setting. Therefore, the user can take measures to eliminate the setting error.

According to the invention described in the preceding paragraph (7), even when at least one of the first and second paper size detecting means is determined to be abnormal before the start of the image forming operation by the image forming means. Since the image forming operation is performed in a state where the productivity is lowered without stopping and prohibiting the image forming operation, it is possible to suppress an increase in downtime of the image forming apparatus. Moreover, since the operation is performed in a state where the productivity is lowered, the temperature rise of the fuser can be suppressed, and the possibility that the fuser suddenly rises in temperature and is damaged can be reduced.

According to the invention described in the previous section (8), the first and second paper size detecting means provided on the upstream side of the image forming means and detecting the size of the paper conveyed to the image forming means by the conveying means. Before the start of the image forming operation by the image forming means, the computer of the image forming apparatus provided is determined whether or not there is an abnormality in the first and second paper size detecting means, and the first and second paper size detecting means are used. When it is determined that at least one of them is abnormal, it is possible to display a warning to the user and execute a process of controlling the image forming means so as to perform the image forming operation in a state where the productivity is lowered.

It is a schematic block diagram of the image forming apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing when the vicinity of the fuser in an image forming apparatus is seen from the front side. It is a figure when the vicinity of the fuser in image forming apparatus 1 is seen from the right side of FIG. It is a figure when the neighborhood of the 1st paper size detection sensor and the 2nd paper size detection sensor is seen from the right side of FIG. It is a figure which shows the state which the paper is set in the paper feed cassette without setting error. It is a figure which shows the state in which the paper is loaded in the paper feed cassette in the state where a setting error occurs. It is a block diagram which shows the electrical structure of the image forming apparatus 1. This is a table summarizing a method for determining the presence / absence of an abnormality in the first paper size detection sensor and the second paper size detection sensor, and a method for determining the presence / absence of a user setting error. It is a table summarizing the contents of processing when it is determined that there is an abnormality in at least one of the first paper size detection sensor and the second paper size detection sensor, and when it is determined that there is a user setting error. It is a figure which shows an example of the warning display to the user when only one of the 1st paper size detection sensor and the 2nd paper size detection sensor has an abnormality. It is a figure which shows an example of the warning display to the user when there is an abnormality in both the 1st paper size detection sensor and the 2nd paper size detection sensor. It is a figure which shows an example of the warning display to the user when a setting error occurs. The image forming apparatus determines whether or not there is an abnormality in the first paper size detection sensor and the second paper size detection sensor before printing, determines whether or not there is a user setting error regarding the paper set during printing, and based on those results. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation of an image forming apparatus when processing such as warning display is performed based on this.

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

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, a tandem color printer is used as the image forming apparatus 1.

In FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 is configured by arranging a paper feeding unit 200 in the lower part of the apparatus main body 1A, a color image forming unit 10 in the central part, and a paper ejection unit 600 in the upper part. From the paper feeding unit 200 to the paper ejection unit 600, a paper passing path 206 for transporting the paper S fed upward from the paper cassette 21 of the paper feeding unit 200 is provided.

The color image forming unit 10 is a pair of rollers 51, 50 arranged substantially in the center of the apparatus main body 1A in the vertical direction, and an intermediate transfer belt that is horizontally hung between these rollers 51, 50 and travels in the direction of the arrow. 60 and the photoconductor units 62Y, 62M, 62C, 62K, which are image-forming units of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) arranged along the traveling direction. It has.

The toner images created by the photoconductor units 62Y, 62M, 62C, and 62K are superimposed and transferred to the transfer belt 60, and the transfer end of the transfer belt 60 with respect to the paper S conveyed along the paper passage 206 (FIG. The secondary transfer is performed at the middle right end), and the paper S is fed to the fixing device 300 to fix the toner image. A blowout fan 91 is arranged near the lower part of the fuser 300, and a suction fan 92 and a filter device 93 are arranged above the fuser 300. The fuser 300 will be described later.

Each photoconductor unit 62Y, 62M, 62C, 62K is a unit that creates an image by an electrostatic copying method, and includes a charger arranged around each unit, a developing device 61Y, 61M, 61C, 61K, and a developer 61Y, 61M, 61C, 61K. It includes photoconductor drums 63Y, 63M, 63C, 63K, a transfer device, and the like. Further, each photoconductor drum 63Y charged by a charger by each laser diode of the exposure unit 40 including a print head 41 having four laser diodes, a polygon mirror, a scanning lens and the like and four reflection mirrors 42 and the like. , 63M, 63C, 63K are exposed, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface.

Further, as a replenishment mechanism for replenishing toner to the developing units 61Y, 61M, 61C, 61K of each photoconductor unit 62Y, 62M, 62C, 62K, the toner cartridge 70Y, 70M, 70C, 70K and the sub hopper 80Y, 80M, 80C, 80K Is arranged above the photoconductor units 62Y, 62M, 62C, 62K.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 400 is a communication means for communicating with an external device via a network such as LAN, and reference numeral 500 is an operation panel unit including a key unit and a display unit.

Next, the details of the fuser 300 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the fuser 300 in the image forming apparatus 1 when viewed from the front side, and FIG. 3 is a view of the vicinity of the fixing device 300 in the image forming apparatus 1 when viewed from the right side of FIG. is there.

As shown in FIG. 2, the fuser 300 includes a fixing belt 31, a pressure roller 32 corresponding to a pressure member, and a pad-type fixing member 33, and the fixing member 33 and the pressure roller 32 face each other. Is located in. The fixing belt 31 is hung between the driven roller 34 and the fixing member 33, and is interposed between the fixing member 33 and the pressure roller 32 in a pressure contact state with the pressure roller 32 in FIG. 2 of the pressure roller 32. The driven roller 34 and the fixing member 33 rotate around the driven roller 34 and the fixing member 33 in accordance with the rotational drive in the clockwise direction.

A heating device (not shown) is provided in the driven roller 34, and the fixing belt 31 is heated via the driven roller 34 heated by the heating device during the fixing operation. Further, at a position opposite to the pressure roller 32, a temperature control sensor 35 for detecting the temperature of the fixing belt 31 is arranged in the vicinity of the driven roller 34.

With such a configuration, during the fixing operation, the nip portion N formed between the pressurizing roller 32 and the fixing belt 31 is conveyed from the upstream side (lower side in FIG. 2) as shown by the broken line arrow A1. The toner image is fixed on the paper S by being heated and pressurized by the fixing belt 31 and the pressure roller 32 through the recording sheet S, and is conveyed to the downstream side (upper side in FIG. 2).

A cooling duct 36 is arranged near the peripheral surface of the pressurizing roller 32 at a position opposite to the nip portion N. The cooling duct 36 has a function of guiding the cooling air supplied from the blowout fan 91 to the peripheral surface of the pressurizing roller 32, bringing them into contact with each other, and then discharging the air. As shown in FIG. 3, a total of two cooling ducts 36 are provided at both ends of the pressurizing roller 32 in the length direction.

As shown in FIG. 2, in the peripheral portion of the fuser 300, below each of the cooling ducts 36, 36, a total of two blowout fans 91, 91 described above, one for each, raise the cooling air upward. It is arranged so as to supply toward. An air duct 94 is provided between each outlet fan 91 and each cooling duct 36, and as shown by the broken line arrow A2 in FIG. 2, the cooling air supplied upward from the outlet fan 91 is air ducted. It is introduced into the air inflow space 37 from the air inflow port 37a of the cooling duct 36 via 94, and flows out from the discharge port 365.

Outside the fuser 300, a total of two suction fans 92 and 92 are arranged above each cooling duct 36, and flow through the air inflow space 37 of each cooling duct 36 and discharged from the discharge port 365. The air is sucked by each suction fan 92 and guided to the filter device 93, and after the filter device 93 collects and removes dust and the like contained in the air, it is discharged to the outside of the machine.

Returning to FIG. 1, a timing roller 11 for adjusting the transfer timing of the image on the paper is arranged on the upstream side (lower side of FIG. 1) of the secondary transfer position of the transfer belt 60, and further, the timing roller 11 Two paper size detection sensors (hereinafter, the paper size detection sensor is also simply referred to as a sensor) including a first paper size detection sensor 12a and a second paper size detection sensor 12b are arranged on the upstream side. ..

FIG. 4 shows the arrangement state of the first sensor 12a and the second sensor 12b. FIG. 4 is a view of the vicinity of the first sensor 12a and the second sensor 12b when viewed from the right side of FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the first sensor 12a and the second sensor 12b are located below the timing roller 11, that is, on the upstream side in the transport direction, and are orthogonal to the paper passing direction (indicated by the arrow F) of the paper S. They are arranged so as to be separated from each other in the direction (left-right direction).

Examples of the first sensor 12a and the second sensor 12b include those composed of a light emitting element that irradiates light and a light receiving element that receives the irradiated light. Further, the light emitting element and the light receiving element are arranged so as to sandwich the paper passing path, and the paper S blocks the light emitted from the light emitting element so that the light receiving element does not receive the light, so that the paper size is detected. You may. Alternatively, it may be a reflection type sensor that detects the paper size by reflecting the light emitted from the light emitting element on the paper S and receiving the light on the light receiving element. In this embodiment, a reflective sensor is used.

Further, both the first sensor 12a and the second sensor 12b can detect standard paper, for example, A4 size and landscape paper (hereinafter referred to as A4 landscape paper) S1 (corresponding to the first paper). However, A5 size vertical paper (hereinafter referred to as A5 vertical paper) S2 (corresponding to the second paper), which is a half size paper of A4 horizontal paper, is arranged at a position where it cannot be detected. In other words, it is arranged inside the paper width of the A4 horizontal paper S1 and outside the paper width of the A5 vertical paper S2 with reference to the paper center C.

The reason why the first sensor 12a and the second sensor 12b are arranged as described above is as follows.

That is, as shown in FIG. 5, when the user sets the paper S, for example, the A4 horizontal paper S1 in the paper feed cassette 21, the paper feed cassettes 21 are set by the both end regulation plates 211 and 211 and the rear end regulation plate 212. The size of the loaded paper is detected, and the loaded paper is determined to be A4 landscape paper S1. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6, when the user sets the A5 vertical paper S2 instead of the A4 horizontal paper S1 and forgets to align the both end restriction plates 211 and 211 with both ends of the A5 vertical paper S2, the paper is set. The paper is determined to be A4 horizontal paper S1. That is, a user setting error occurs.

When the image forming apparatus 1 executes printing on the A5 vertical paper S2 under the printing conditions corresponding to the A4 horizontal paper S1 while being determined to be the A4 horizontal paper S1, the length direction of the pressurizing roller 32 in the fuser 300 is particularly high. An abnormal temperature rise occurs at both ends of the paper, causing a malfunction.

Therefore, in order to determine whether the actual paper is A4 horizontal paper S1 or paper smaller in size than A4 horizontal paper S1, the first sensor 12a and the second sensor 12b are arranged as described above. Therefore, when both sensors are ON, it can be determined that the actual paper is A4 landscape paper S1, and when at least one of both sensors is not ON, it can be determined that the actual paper is smaller than the A4 landscape paper S1. It has become like. This makes it possible to distinguish between the A4 horizontal paper S1 and the smaller A5 vertical paper S2.

In this embodiment, the arrangement positions of the first sensor 12a and the second sensor 12b are set so that the A4 horizontal paper S1 can be discriminated, but what kind of paper is discriminated depends on the paper size. The first sensor 12a and the second sensor 12b may be arranged at appropriate arrangement positions according to the frequency and the like.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the image forming apparatus 1. As shown in FIG. 7, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a control unit 100, a storage device 110, an operation panel unit 500 described above, an image forming unit 10, a paper feeding unit 200, a first sensor 12a, and a second sensor 12b. Further, the printer controller 150, the authentication unit 160, the network interface (network I / F) 170, and the like are provided, and they are connected to each other via the system bus 175.

The control unit 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 102, an S-RAM (Static Random Access Memory) 103, an NV-RAM (Non Volatile RAM) 104, a clock IC 105, and the like.

The CPU 101 comprehensively controls the entire image forming apparatus 1 by executing an operation program stored in the ROM 102 or the like. For example, in addition to executably controlling the printer function and the like, in particular, in this embodiment, the size of the paper S on which the image is printed can be detected based on the signals from the first sensor 12a and the second sensor 12b. The detection result is compared with the user setting for the paper size set in the paper feed cassette 21, and processing is performed based on the comparison result. Alternatively, it is determined whether or not an abnormality such as a failure has occurred in the first sensor 12a and the second sensor 12b itself, and control such as executing processing based on the determination result is performed. Details will be described later.

The ROM 102 stores a program executed by the CPU 101 and other data.

The S-RAM 103 serves as a work area when the CPU 101 executes a program, and temporarily stores the program, data when the program is executed, and the like.

The NV-RAM 104 is a non-volatile memory backed up by a battery, and stores various settings related to image formation, various data, and the like.

The clock IC 105 measures the time and functions as an internal timer to measure the processing time and the like.

The storage device 110 is composed of a hard disk or the like, and stores programs, various data, and the like. In particular, in this embodiment, the content of processing to be performed when one or both of the first sensor 12a and the second sensor 12b fails, or when a user setting error regarding the paper set of the paper cassette 21 occurs, etc. Is remembered.

The operation panel unit 500 is used when the user gives an instruction such as a job to the image forming apparatus 1 and makes various settings, and displays a reset key 501, a start key 502, a stop key 503, a display unit 504, a touch panel 505, and the like. I have.

The reset key 501 is used to reset the settings, the start key 502 is used for a start operation such as printing, and the stop key 53 is pressed when the operation is interrupted. Is.

The display unit 504 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display device and displays a message, various operation screens, and the like. The touch panel 505 is formed on the screen of the display unit 504 and measures the user's touch operation.

The image forming unit 10 prints a copy image generated from print data transmitted from an external operation on paper, and is described above in the photoconductor units 12Y, 12M, 12C, 12K, and the developing devices 11Y, 11M, 11C. , 11K, photoconductor drums 13Y, 13M, 13C, 13K, a charger, a transfer device, a laser diode, a polygon mirror, a print head 41, a motor for driving these, and the like.

The paper feed unit 200 includes a paper feed cassette 21 and the like as described above.

The printer controller 150 generates a copy image from the print data received by the network interface 170.

The authentication unit 160 acquires the authentication information of the user who logs in, compares and collates this authentication information with the verification information stored in the storage device 110 or the like in advance, and performs authentication. The user's authentication information and the verification information may be compared and collated by an external authentication server, and the authentication unit 160 may receive the authentication result from the authentication server to perform the authentication.

The network interface 170 functions as a communication means for transmitting and receiving data to and from an external terminal device or the like.

As described above, the first sensor 12a and the second sensor 12b are sensors for detecting the size of the paper S.

By the way, when the first sensor 12a and the second sensor 12b themselves fail, it is determined that the user setting regarding the paper set of the paper cassette 21 is correct, and the temperature of the pressurizing roller 32 of the fuser 300 is determined. May be excessively increased, and the fuser 300 may be overloaded. Further, as described above, even when the user setting regarding the paper set of the paper cassette 21 is incorrect, the fuser 300 may be overloaded.

Therefore, in this embodiment, as described below, when the image forming unit 10 is started up before printing, it is determined whether or not there is an abnormality such as a failure in the first sensor 12a and the second sensor 12b, and there is an abnormality. In that case, a preset operation is performed. Further, it is also determined whether or not there is a user setting error related to the paper set during printing, and if a user setting error occurs, a preset operation is performed.

FIG. 8 is a table summarizing a method for determining the presence / absence of an abnormality in the first sensor 12a and the second sensor 12b and a method for determining the presence / absence of a user setting error, and FIG. 9 shows the first sensor 12a and the second sensor 12a. It is a table summarizing the contents of the processing to be executed when it is determined that there is an abnormality in at least one of the sensors 12b of the above and when it is determined that there is a user setting error. The contents shown in these tables are stored in advance in the storage device 110 or the like.

First, the presence or absence of abnormality determination of the first sensor 12a and the second sensor 12b will be described. As shown in FIG. 8, the first sensor 12a and the second sensor 12b are operated at the time of startup before printing. , Check if each sensor is ON. In this embodiment, since a reflective sensor is used as the first sensor 12a and the second sensor 12b, there is no paper before printing, so that the first sensor 12a and the second sensor 12b are used. If it is normal, both should be turned off (OFF), and if it is ON, it is considered that a failure or the like has occurred.

Therefore, if only one of the first sensor 12a and the second sensor 12b is ON, it is determined that one of the ON sensors is abnormal, and the trouble determination A is determined. If both are ON, both sensors are determined to be abnormal, and the trouble determination A is also determined.

As shown in the table of FIG. 9, when the trouble determination A is determined, a message indicating that the sensor is abnormal is displayed on the display unit 504 to warn the user. In addition, printing is performed with reduced productivity. As one of the methods of reducing the productivity and performing printing, at least one of the following is a decrease in the paper passing speed (conveyance speed), or an increase in the space between the papers before and after the paper is conveyed. Can be mentioned.

An example of a warning display to the user is shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. FIG. 10 shows an example in which only one sensor (for example, sensor 12a) has an abnormality, and it is displayed that one sensor is out of order, needs to be replaced, and prints at a reduced speed. To. FIG. 11 shows an example in which both sensors 12a and 12b have an abnormality, and it is displayed that both sensors are out of order, need to be replaced, and print at a reduced speed.

After the printing is completed (after the job is completed), if the sensor with an abnormality is replaced or repaired by a serviceman or the like and the abnormality is resolved, the warning display is deleted. If the abnormality is not resolved, the warning display will continue until it is resolved.

In this way, even if at least one of the first sensor 12a and the second sensor 12b is determined to be abnormal before the start of the printing operation by the image forming unit 10, the printing operation is stopped and prohibited. Since the printing operation is performed in a state where the productivity is lowered, the increase in the downtime of the image forming apparatus 1 can be suppressed. Moreover, since the operation is performed in a state where the productivity is lowered, the temperature rise of the pressurizing roller 32 of the fuser 300 can be suppressed, and the risk of damage due to the sudden temperature rise can be reduced. Further, since the warning display is continued to the user until the abnormality of at least one of the first sensor 12a and the second sensor 12b determined to be abnormal is resolved, the user replaces the abnormal sensor. It is possible to take measures for resolving the abnormality at an early stage, and as a result, it is possible to accelerate the return to the normal state and further suppress the decrease in productivity.

On the other hand, when it is determined that both the first sensor 12a and the second sensor 12b are normal, when the paper passes through the first sensor 12a and the second sensor 12b during printing, each sensor causes Check if it is turned on. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the paper feed cassette 21 is set with the A4 horizontal paper by the both end regulation plates 211 and the rear end regulation plate 212.

When the A4 horizontal paper is conveyed from the paper cassette 21 in which the A4 horizontal paper is set to the first sensor 12a and the second sensor 12b, as shown in FIG. 8, the first sensor 12a and the first sensor 12a and the second sensor 12b If the sensor 12b of 2 is normal, all the sensors are turned on. That is, when both the first sensor 12a and the second sensor 12b are ON, the paper size detected by the sensor is A4 landscape, which is the same as the user setting, so it is determined that there is no user setting error. Printing is performed in normal operation.

On the other hand, when at least one of the first sensor 12a and the second sensor 12b is OFF, the paper size detected by the sensor is smaller than the A4 landscape, and therefore, as described in FIG. 6, the A4 landscape paper. It is considered that a state inconsistent with the both-end regulation plate 211 corresponding to the size has occurred. Therefore, it is determined that there is a user setting error, and it is determined that there is a trouble determination B. When only one of the first sensor 12a and the second sensor 12b is OFF, the user sets a small size paper such as A5 length on one of the both end regulation plates according to the paper size of A4 width. It is possible that it was done. When both the first sensor 12a and the second sensor 12b are OFF, it is considered that a small size paper such as A5 length is set in the center of the both end regulation plates.

As shown in the table of FIG. 9, when the trouble determination B is determined, the paper being fed is discharged as a blank paper without printing, and the new paper feeding is stopped. Further, as shown in FIG. 12, a message indicating that a setting error has occurred and prompting confirmation of the setting is displayed on the display unit 504 to warn the user.

When the user who sees the warning aligns the both end regulation plates 211 of the paper feed cassette 21 with the paper and the setting error is resolved, the warning display is erased and the remaining printing is restarted.

In this way, when it is determined that both the first sensor 12a and the second sensor 12b are not abnormal, the user sets the paper size based on the state of each sensor during the printing operation by the image forming unit 10. Whether or not a mistake has occurred is determined. Then, when it is determined that a user setting error regarding the paper size has occurred, the control of ejecting the blank paper is performed, and the user is warned to confirm the paper size setting. Therefore, the user can take measures to eliminate the setting error.

In FIG. 13, the image forming apparatus 1 determines whether or not there is an abnormality such as a failure in the first sensor 12a and the second sensor 12b before printing, and determines whether or not there is a user setting error regarding the paper set during printing. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 when processing such as warning display is performed based on the result. This operation is executed by the CPU 101 of the image forming apparatus 1 operating according to an operation program recorded on a recording medium such as ROM 102.

In step S01, it is determined whether or not the print command has been received, and if the print command has not been received (NO in step S01), the process ends. If the print command is received (YES in step S01), after the image forming unit 10 is started up, in step S02, it is determined whether or not there is an abnormality in the first sensor 12a and the second sensor 12b. In step S03, it is checked whether or not there is an abnormality, and if there is no abnormality (NO in step S03), printing is started.

During the subsequent printing, in step S05, it is determined whether or not there is a user setting error regarding the paper setting in the paper feed cassette 21. In step S06, it is checked whether or not there is a user setting error, and if there is no user setting error (NO in step S06), it is checked whether or not printing is completed in step S07. If the printing is not completed (NO in step S07), the process stays in step S07 until the printing is completed, and when the printing is completed (YES in step S07), the process ends.

If there is an abnormality in step S03 (YES in step S03), if there is an abnormality in at least one of the first sensor 12a and the second sensor 12b from the table of FIG. 8, it is determined as trouble determination A. In step S08, the process corresponding to the trouble determination A is performed. Specifically, according to the table of FIG. 9, a message indicating that the sensor is abnormal is displayed on the display unit 504 to warn the user, and the productivity is reduced due to a decrease in speed or an increase in paper space. Print.

Next, it is determined in step S09 whether or not printing is completed, and if printing is not completed (NO in step S09), the process waits until printing is completed. When printing is completed (YES in step S09), in step S10, for example, within a certain period of time, it is checked whether or not the sensor abnormality has become normal due to replacement or the like. When the sensor becomes normal due to replacement or the like (YES in step S10), the warning display on the display unit 504 is erased in step S11, and then the process ends. If the sensor is not normal (NO in step S10), the process ends. In this case, the warning display continues as it is. If the abnormality sensor becomes normal due to replacement or the like by the time the next print command is received, the warning display will be erased at that point.

If it is determined in step S06 that there is a user setting error (YES in step S06), the process corresponding to the trouble determination B is performed in step S12. Specifically, according to the table of FIG. 9, the paper being fed is discharged as a blank paper without printing, and new paper feeding is stopped. In addition, a message indicating that a setting error has occurred and prompting confirmation of the setting is displayed on the display unit 504 to warn the user.

Next, in step S13, it is determined whether or not the user setting has been modified, and if it is not modified (NO in step S13), the process ends. When the setting is corrected (YES in step S13), the warning display on the display unit 504 is erased in step S14, printing is restarted, and then the process proceeds to step S07. When printing is completed (YES in step S07), the process ends. To do.

Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment.

For example, although the first and second two sensors 12a and 12b are provided as the paper size detection sensors, three or more paper size detection sensors may be provided according to the paper size.

1 Image forming device 10 Image forming unit 11 Timing roller 12a, 12b Paper size detection sensor 21 Paper feed cassette 31 Fixing belt 32 Pressurizing roller 100 Control unit 101 CPU
102 ROM
110 Storage device 200 Paper feed section 211 Both ends regulation plate 212 Rear end regulation plate 300 Fuser 500 Operation panel section 504 Display section N Paper thread section S, S1, S2 Paper

Claims (8)

An image forming means for forming an image on paper conveyed through a paper passing path, and
A first and second paper size detecting means provided on the upstream side of the image forming means and detecting the size of the paper, and
An abnormality determining means for determining the presence or absence of an abnormality in the first and second paper size detecting means before the start of the image forming operation by the image forming means.
When at least one of the first and second paper size detecting means is determined to be abnormal by the abnormality determining means, a warning is displayed to the user and the image forming operation is performed in a state where the productivity is lowered. A control means for controlling the image forming means and
An image forming apparatus characterized by being provided with. The image forming according to claim 1, wherein the control means continues to display a warning to the user until at least one of the first and second paper size detecting means determined to be abnormal is resolved. apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the state in which the productivity is lowered is at least a state in which the paper passing speed is lowered or a state in which the paper spacing is increased. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first and second paper size detecting means are arranged apart from each other in a direction orthogonal to the paper passing direction of the paper. Both of the first and second paper size detecting means are in the vertical orientation with respect to the center of the paper, inside the paper width of the first paper in the landscape orientation, and half the size of the first paper. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, which is arranged outside the paper passing width of the paper No. 2. When it is determined by the abnormality determining means that both the first and second paper size detecting means are not abnormal, the state of the first and second paper size detecting means during the operation of the image forming means. A setting determination means for determining whether or not a user's setting error regarding the paper size has occurred is provided.
When the setting determination means determines that a user setting error regarding the paper size has occurred, the control means controls to eject the blank paper and warns the user to confirm the paper size setting. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5. An image forming means for forming an image on paper conveyed through a paper passing path, and
A first and second paper size detecting means provided on the upstream side of the image forming means and detecting the size of the paper, and
An image forming device equipped with
Prior to the start of the image forming operation by the image forming means, an abnormality determination step of determining the presence or absence of an abnormality in the first and second paper size detecting means, and
When at least one of the first and second paper size detecting means is determined to be abnormal by the abnormality determination step, a warning is displayed to the user and an image forming operation is performed in a state where productivity is reduced. A control step for controlling the image forming means, and
A printing control method in an image forming apparatus. An image forming means for forming an image on paper conveyed through a paper passing path, and
A first and second paper size detecting means provided on the upstream side of the image forming means and detecting the size of the paper, and
To the computer of the image forming apparatus equipped with
Prior to the start of the image forming operation by the image forming means, an abnormality determination step of determining the presence or absence of an abnormality in the first and second paper size detecting means, and
When at least one of the first and second paper size detecting means is determined to be abnormal by the abnormality determination step, a warning is displayed to the user and an image forming operation is performed in a state where productivity is reduced. A control step for controlling the image forming means, and
A program to execute.

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