JP2021189326A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an image forming apparatus that, even when movable parts of a plurality of units are driven by a common motor, can individually determine whether the units are mounted or not.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus 1 comprises: a plurality of units 5, 6, 7; a motor 81; a detection unit 91; a detection unit 92; and a determination unit 93. The plurality of units 5, 6, 7 are each formed to be mountable and each have a movable part. The motor 81 commonly drives the movable parts of the plurality of units 5, 6, 7. The detection unit 91 detects the magnitude of a load on the motor 81. The detection unit 92 detects whether sensors 61 and 71 are connected or not, the sensors included in one or more specific units 6 and 7 of the plurality of units 5, 6, 7. The determination unit 93 determines whether the plurality of units 5, 6, 7 are mounted or not based on the combination of a result of detection performed by the detection unit 91 and a result of detection performed by the detection unit 92.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

The image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1 includes a unit, a motor, and a detection unit. The unit is removable and has a movable part. The motor drives the moving parts. The detection unit detects the magnitude of the load of the motor. Based on the detection result of the detection unit, it is determined whether or not the unit is attached or not, that is, whether or not the unit is attached.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2002-72773

In the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1, when each movable part of a plurality of units is driven by a common motor, it cannot be individually determined whether or not each unit is attached or not.

An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of individually determining whether or not each unit is mounted even when each movable portion of a plurality of units is driven by a common motor.

The image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a plurality of units, a motor, a detection unit, a detection unit, and a determination unit. The plurality of units are each detachably formed and each has a movable part. The motor commonly drives the movable part of each of the plurality of units. The detection unit detects the magnitude of the load of the motor. The detection unit detects whether or not a sensor is connected to at least one specific unit among the plurality of units. The determination unit determines whether or not the plurality of units are attached based on the combination of the detection result of the detection unit and the detection result of the detection unit.

According to the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus capable of individually determining whether or not each unit is mounted even when each movable portion of the plurality of units is driven by a common motor.

It is a perspective view which shows an example of the appearance of the image forming apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the internal structure of an image forming part. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the structure of a control part. It is a figure which shows an example of the operation of the determination part. It is a figure which shows an example of the operation of the determination part.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the figure, the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals and the description is not repeated.

The image forming apparatus 1 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the appearance of the image forming apparatus 1. FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing an example of the internal configuration of the image forming unit 2. In FIG. 2, for convenience, the direction from left to right is the positive direction of the X axis, the direction from the front to the back is the positive direction of the Y axis, and the direction from the bottom to the top is the positive direction of the Z axis. do.

As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 is, for example, a multifunction device (MFP) having functions of a scanner, a copying machine, a printer, and a facsimile. The image forming apparatus 1 includes an image reading unit 2 for reading a document and an image forming unit 3 for forming an image on paper P.

The image forming unit 3 includes two front covers 10 and 11. The front covers 10 and 11 are opened and closed by the user as needed.

The image reading unit 2 includes a cover unit 21 and a main body unit 22. The cover portion 21 is a platen cover that covers the platen arranged on the upper surface of the main body 22. The cover portion 21 is attached to the main body portion 22 via, for example, a rotating member provided at the upper end of the rear portion of the main body portion 22, for example, a hinge. When the cover portion 21 is lifted upward and rearward, the platen is opened and the original can be placed on the platen.

An operation panel 4 is provided on the front surface of the main body 22. The operation panel 4 includes a display unit 41 and an operation key 42. The display unit 41 is, for example, a liquid crystal display having a touch panel function. The operation key 42 is a hard key for the user to input information to the image forming apparatus 1.

As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming unit 3 includes a paper cassette 31, a pickup roller 32, a paper feeding roller 33, a transport roller 34, an image forming block 35, a fixing unit 7, and a discharge roller 37. And a discharge tray 38.

The paper cassette 31 accommodates a plurality of sheets P. The pickup roller 32 and the paper feed roller 33 feed out the paper P one by one from the paper feed cassette 31. The transport roller 34 transports the paper P fed by the pickup roller 32 and the paper feed roller 33 to the image forming block 35.

The image forming block 35 forms an image on the paper P conveyed from the paper feed cassette 31. The image forming block 35 includes a photoconductor drum 51, a charging device 52, a cleaning device 53, an exposure device 354, a developing unit 6, a transfer roller 356, and a toner container 357. The photoconductor drum 51, the charging device 52, and the cleaning device 53 are arranged at predetermined positions of the image forming unit 3 as a drum unit 5 in which they are integrated.

The photoconductor drum 51 has a substantially cylindrical shape, and is an image carrier that supports a toner image on its peripheral surface. The photoconductor drum 51 is rotationally driven in a predetermined direction. The charging device 52 charges the photoconductor drum 51 to a predetermined potential. The exposure apparatus 354 outputs a laser beam based on the image data to expose the photoconductor drum 51, thereby forming an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image data on the photoconductor drum 51. As the image data, for example, image data generated by reading a document by the image reading unit 2 or image data received from an external computer via a communication network is used.

The developing unit 6 supplies toner to the electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor drum 51 to develop it, and forms a toner image on the photoconductor drum 51. The transfer roller 356 transfers the toner image on the photoconductor drum 51 onto the paper P. Specifically, the transfer roller 356 is pressed against the photoconductor drum 51 to form the first nip portion. Then, when the paper P passes through the first nip portion, a predetermined voltage is applied to the transfer roller 356, and the toner image on the photoconductor drum 51 is transferred to the paper P. The cleaning device 53 removes residual toner remaining on the photoconductor drum 51 after transfer.

The fixing unit 7 fixes the transferred toner image on the paper P. The fixing unit 7 includes a heating roller 361 containing a heating element and a pressure roller 362. The heating roller 361 and the pressure roller 362 are pressure-welded to form a second nip portion. Then, when the paper P passes through the second nip portion, the toner on the surface of the paper P is melted and heated, and the toner image is fixed on the paper P. The paper P after the toner is fixed is discharged to the discharge tray 38 by the discharge roller 37.

The drum unit 5, the developing unit 6, and the fixing unit 7 are formed so as to be removable with the front covers 10 and 11 open.

Next, the control configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the control unit 90.

As shown in FIG. 3, in addition to the drum unit 5, the developing unit 6, and the fixing unit 7, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a control circuit 80, a motor 81, a front cover open detection sensor 82, a control unit 90, and a storage unit. Further equipped with 100.

The drum unit 5 has a photoconductor drum 51 as a movable portion (see FIG. 2). The photoconductor drum 51 is rotationally driven by a motor 81 via a gear (not shown).

The developing unit 6 has a developing roller (not shown) as a movable portion. The developing roller is rotationally driven by a motor 81 via a gear (not shown). The developing unit 6 further includes a toner remaining amount sensor 61 provided for toner supply control. When the developing unit 6 is properly attached to the image forming apparatus 1, an electrical connection between the toner remaining amount sensor 61 and the control unit 90 is established. The developing unit 6 corresponds to an example of a "specific unit".

The fixing unit 7 has a pressure roller 362 as a movable portion (see FIG. 2). The pressure roller 362 is rotationally driven by a motor 81 via a gear (not shown). The fixing unit 7 further includes a temperature sensor 71 provided for fixing temperature control. When the fixing unit 7 is properly attached to the image forming apparatus 1, an electrical connection between the temperature sensor 71 and the control unit 90 is established. The fixing unit 7 corresponds to an example of a “specific unit”.

The motor 81 is, for example, a DC brushless motor. The control circuit 80 controls the operation of the motor 81 in response to a command from the control unit 90. The control circuit 80 inputs a feedback signal indicating the magnitude of the load of the motor 81 to the control unit 90.

The front cover open detection sensor 82 closes when it detects that one of the two front covers 10 and 11 is open, and when it detects that both of the two front covers 10 and 11 are closed. Each signal is input to the control unit 90.

The storage unit 100 includes a storage device and stores data and computer programs. The storage unit 100 includes a main storage device such as a semiconductor memory and an auxiliary storage device such as a hard disk drive.

The control unit 90 includes a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and controls each configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 by executing a computer program stored in the storage unit 100. Specifically, the control unit 90 functions as a detection unit 91, a detection unit 92, a determination unit 93, and a determination unit 94 by executing the computer stored in the storage unit 100.

The detection unit 91 detects the magnitude of the load of the motor 81 based on the feedback signal input from the control circuit 80. Specifically, the detection unit 91 detects one of the magnitudes of the loads of the motor 81 in a plurality of stages according to the combination of whether or not the drum unit 5, the developing unit 6, and the fixing unit 7 are attached. ..

The detection unit 92 detects whether or not the toner remaining amount sensor 61 is connected and whether or not the temperature sensor 71 is connected.

The determination unit 93 determines whether or not the drum unit 5, the developing unit 6, and the fixing unit 7 are attached, based on the combination of the detection result of the detection unit 91 and the detection result of the detection unit 92.

The determination unit 94 executes the sensor disconnection determination when it is determined from the detection result of the detection unit 91 that the drum unit 5, the developing unit 6, and the fixing unit 7 are all properly mounted on the image forming apparatus 1. .. Specifically, when the detection unit 92 detects that the toner remaining amount sensor 61 is not connected, the determination unit 94 determines that the toner remaining amount sensor 61 is disconnected. Further, when the detection unit 92 detects that the temperature sensor 71 is not connected, the determination unit 94 determines that the temperature sensor 71 is disconnected.

Next, the operation of the control unit 90 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the operation of the determination unit 93. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the operation of the determination unit 94.

According to the first row of FIG. 4, the detection unit 91 detects that the load of the motor 81 is lighter than the assumed load. The detection unit 92 detects that the toner remaining amount sensor 61 is connected and that the temperature sensor 71 is connected. From these results, the determination unit 93 determines that the drum unit 5 is missing.

According to the second row of FIG. 4, the detection unit 91 detects that the load of the motor 81 is light. The detection unit 92 detects that the toner remaining amount sensor 61 is not connected and that the temperature sensor 71 is connected. From these results, the determination unit 93 determines that the development unit 6 is missing.

According to the third row of FIG. 4, the detection unit 91 detects that the load of the motor 81 is light. The detection unit 92 detects that the toner remaining amount sensor 61 is connected and that the temperature sensor 71 is not connected. From these results, the determination unit 93 determines that the fixing unit 7 is missing.

According to the fourth row of FIG. 4, the detection unit 91 detects that the load of the motor 81 is very light. The detection unit 92 detects that the toner remaining amount sensor 61 is not connected and that the temperature sensor 71 is not connected. From these results, the determination unit 93 determines that the developing unit 6 and the fixing unit 7 are missing, and that the drum unit 5 may be missing.

The result of the determination by the determination unit 93 is displayed on the display unit 41 as a warning to the user. Further, when it is determined that there is a problem of missing the unit, the image forming operation on the paper P is prohibited until the problem is solved.

The determination unit 93 may determine whether or not the drum unit 5, the developing unit 6, and the fixing unit 7 are attached only for a period of a predetermined length started by a predetermined operation by the user. The period starts, for example, when the input signal from the front cover open detection sensor 82 to the control unit 90 is switched from the open signal to the closed signal. Further, the determination unit 93 may execute the unit omission determination in consideration of the difference in the load magnitude of the motor 81 in each of the drum unit 5, the developing unit 6, and the fixing unit 7.

According to the first row of FIG. 5, the detection unit 91 detects that the load of the motor 81 is normal as expected. The detection unit 92 detects that the toner remaining amount sensor 61 is connected and that the temperature sensor 71 is connected. From these results, the determination unit 94 determines that the image forming apparatus 1 is normally activated.

According to the second row of FIG. 5, the detection unit 91 detects that the load of the motor 81 is normal. The detection unit 92 detects that the toner remaining amount sensor 61 is not connected and that the temperature sensor 71 is connected. From these results, the determination unit 94 determines that the toner remaining amount sensor 61 is disconnected.

According to the third row of FIG. 5, the detection unit 91 detects that the load of the motor 81 is normal. The detection unit 92 detects that the toner remaining amount sensor 61 is connected and that the temperature sensor 71 is not connected. From these results, the determination unit 94 determines that the temperature sensor 71 is disconnected.

According to the fourth row of FIG. 5, the detection unit 91 detects that the load of the motor 81 is normal. The detection unit 92 detects that the toner remaining amount sensor 61 is not connected and that the temperature sensor 71 is not connected. From these results, the determination unit 94 determines that the toner remaining amount sensor 61 and the temperature sensor 71 are disconnected.

The result of the judgment by the judgment unit 94 is displayed on the display unit 41 as a warning to the user. Further, when it is determined that there is a defect in the sensor disconnection, the image forming operation on the paper P is prohibited until the defect is resolved.

According to the embodiment, as described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5, each of the units 5, 6 is driven by a common motor 81 even when the movable parts of the plurality of units 5, 6 and 7 are driven by a common motor 81. An image forming apparatus 1 capable of individually determining whether or not a of 7 and 7 is attached is provided. Moreover, a dedicated sensor for detecting the presence or absence of mounting of each of the plurality of units 5, 6 and 7 is unnecessary. However, the plurality of units 5, 6 and 7 are not limited to the combination of the drum unit 5, the developing unit 6 and the fixing unit 7.

The embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and can be implemented in various embodiments without departing from the gist thereof. In addition, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining the plurality of components disclosed in the above embodiments. For example, some components may be removed from all the components shown in the embodiments. In order to make the drawings easier to understand, each component is schematically shown, and the number of each component shown may differ from the actual one due to the convenience of drawing. Further, each component shown in the above embodiment is an example, and is not particularly limited, and various changes can be made without substantially deviating from the effect of the present invention.

For example, in the embodiment, the motor 81 is a DC brushless motor, but the present invention is not limited to this. The motor 81 may be a DC brush motor. When the motor 81 is a DC brush motor, the magnitude of the load of the motor 81 can be detected based on the pulse encoder fixed to the rotation shaft of the motor 81 and the photo interrupter.

The present invention is available in the field of image forming apparatus.

1 Image forming device 5 Drum unit 6 Development unit 7 Fixing unit 61 Toner remaining amount sensor 71 Temperature sensor 81 Motor 90 Control unit 91 Detection unit 92 Detection unit 93 Judgment unit 94 Judgment unit

Claims (6)

Multiple units, each detachably formed and each having a movable part,
A motor that commonly drives the movable part of each of the plurality of units,
A detector that detects the magnitude of the load on the motor,
A detection unit that detects the presence / absence of a sensor connection of at least one specific unit among the plurality of units, and a detection unit.
An image forming apparatus including a determination unit for determining whether or not the plurality of units are attached based on a combination of the detection result of the detection unit and the detection result of the detection unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit detects one of the magnitudes of the loads of the plurality of stages of the motor according to the combination of whether or not the plurality of units are mounted. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the determination unit determines whether or not the plurality of units are attached only for a period of a predetermined length started by a predetermined operation by the user. When it is determined from the detection result of the detection unit that the plurality of units are not missing, and when the detection unit detects that the sensor is not connected, it is determined that the sensor is disconnected. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a unit. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the at least one specific unit includes a developing unit having a toner remaining amount sensor. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the at least one specific unit includes a fixing unit having a temperature sensor.

Images