JP2022045132A - Lubricant residual amount estimation device, image formation apparatus, and lubricant residual amount estimation method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a lubricant residual amount estimation device, an image formation apparatus and a lubricant residual amount estimation method which can correctly grasp a residual amount of a lubricant.SOLUTION: A lubricant residual amount estimation device comprises: a resonance sound generation unit which generates different resonance sounds according to the change in a residual amount of a lubricant supplied to an image carrier; and a residual amount estimation unit which estimates the residual amount of the lubricant on the basis of the generated resonance sounds. An image formation apparatus includes the lubricant residual amount estimation device. A lubricant residual amount estimation method estimates the residual amount of the lubricant on the basis of the resonance sound generated by the resonance sound generation unit that generates the different resonance sounds according to the change in the residual amount of the lubricant supplied to the image carrier.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

The present invention relates to a lubricant remaining amount estimation device, an image forming apparatus, and a lubricant remaining amount estimation method.

An electrophotographic image forming apparatus (printer, copier, facsimile, multifunction device, etc.) has a cleaning blade for removing residual toner remaining on an image carrier such as a photoconductor drum or an intermediate transfer belt. Equipment is provided. Further, in order to reduce the frictional force between the image carrier and the cleaning blade and smoothly clean the residual toner on the image carrier, a lubricant supply device that supplies a lubricant (lubricant) on the image carrier is provided. Some are provided (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

In the above-mentioned cleaning device, it is desired to extend the life of the image forming device from the viewpoint of image quality and cost. By providing the above-mentioned lubricant supply device, the frictional force between the image carrier and the cleaning blade is reduced, and the wear of the image carrier and the cleaning blade is reduced, so that the life of the cleaning device can be extended. ..

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2014-167598

By the way, the lubricant supplied on the image carrier is a consumable item. Therefore, when the lubricant is depleted, for example, the frictional force between the image carrier and the cleaning blade increases, which may adversely affect the life of the cleaning device, as described below.

For example, in the case of a cleaning device in which the lubricant can be replaced, if the lubricant currently attached is exhausted before the lubricant is replaced with a new lubricant, the frictional force between the image carrier and the cleaning blade increases. When the frictional force between the image carrier and the cleaning blade increases, poor cleaning of residual toner occurs on the image carrier, and toner filming occurs in which the toner component is thinly adhered to the image carrier. Toner. As a result, the cleaning device cannot be used continuously.

In Patent Document 1, the remaining amount of lubricant is determined by the continuity between the electrode on the brush side that supplies the lubricant and the electrode on the lubricant side. In such a mechanical detection means, the detection portion becomes dirty due to the scattering of toner and lubricant powder, so that the remaining amount of lubricant may not be detected correctly. Further, since it is determined whether the lubricant is in a depleted state or a non-depleted state by the conduction between the electrode on the brush side and the electrode on the lubricant side, it is not possible to detect how much the remaining amount of the lubricant is.

Therefore, it is necessary to replace the lubricant before the lubricant is exhausted, and in the configuration of replacing the lubricant, it is desired to accurately grasp the remaining amount of the lubricant currently used.

An object of the present invention is to provide a lubricant remaining amount estimation device, an image forming apparatus, and a lubricant remaining amount estimation method capable of accurately grasping the remaining amount of lubricant.

The lubricant remaining amount estimation device according to the present invention is
A resonance sound generator that generates different resonance sounds according to changes in the remaining amount of lubricant supplied to the image carrier,
A remaining amount estimation unit that estimates the remaining amount of the lubricant based on the generated resonance sound, and a remaining amount estimation unit.
To prepare for.

The image forming apparatus according to the present invention is
The lubricant remaining amount estimation device is provided.

The method for estimating the remaining amount of lubricant according to the present invention is
The remaining amount of the lubricant is estimated based on the resonance sound generated in the resonance sound generating portion that generates a different resonance sound according to the change in the remaining amount of the lubricant supplied to the image carrier.

According to the present invention, the remaining amount of lubricant can be estimated accurately.

It is a figure which shows schematic the whole structure of the image forming apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the main part of the control system of the image forming apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the drum cleaning unit of an image forming apparatus. It is a figure explaining the removal of the lubricant pressing mechanism in the drum cleaning unit shown in FIG. It is the figure which disassembled the lubricant pressing mechanism into the lubricant side and the accommodating part side. It is a figure which shows the internal state of the lubricant pressing mechanism at the initial use of a lubricant. It is a figure which shows the internal state of the lubricant pressing mechanism at the end of use of a lubricant. It is a figure which shows the structural example (configuration example 1) of the lubricant remaining amount estimation apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. In the lubricant remaining amount estimation device shown in FIG. 8, it is a graph which shows the relationship between the flow path width of the resonance sound generation part, and the peak frequency of resonance sound. It is a graph which shows the relationship between the peak frequency of a resonance sound, and the height of a lubricant in the lubricant remaining amount estimation apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the other structural example (configuration example 2) of the lubricant remaining amount estimation apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the other configuration example (configuration example 3) of the lubricant remaining amount estimation apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a graph which shows the relationship between the height of a lubricant and the flow path width of a resonance sound generation part in the lubricant remaining amount estimation apparatus shown in FIG. In the lubricant remaining amount estimation device shown in FIG. 12, it is a graph which shows the relationship between the flow path width of the resonance sound generation part, and the peak frequency of resonance sound. It is a graph which shows the relationship between the peak frequency of a resonance sound, and the height of a lubricant in the lubricant remaining amount estimation apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the modification of the lubricant remaining amount estimation apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the other configuration example (configuration example 4) of the lubricant remaining amount estimation apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the other configuration example (configuration example 5) of the lubricant remaining amount estimation apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example (configuration example 6) of the lubricant supply apparatus of the image forming apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a graph which shows the relationship between the lubricant height and the rotation speed of a coating brush. It is a flowchart explaining the control method of the lubricant remaining amount estimation apparatus including the lubricant remaining amount estimation method.

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

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing an overall configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a main part of the control system of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. The image forming apparatus 1 is an example of the present embodiment, and its configuration, specifications, and the like are not limited to the following description and can be appropriately changed.

As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 is an intermediate transfer type color image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic process technique. That is, the image forming apparatus 1 primary transfers each color toner image of CMYK formed on the photoconductor to the intermediate transfer body, superimposes the toner images of four colors on the intermediate transfer body, and then forms a paper as a recording medium. An image is formed by secondary transfer to the toner. CMYK means C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow), and K (black).

Further, the image forming apparatus 1 employs a tandem method in which photoconductors corresponding to the four colors of CMYK are arranged in series in the traveling direction of the intermediate transfer body, and the toner images of each color are sequentially transferred to the intermediate transfer body in one procedure. Has been done.

As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 includes an image reading unit 10, an operation display unit 20, an image processing unit 30, an image forming unit 40, a paper transport unit 50, a fixing unit 60, and the like.

The image reading unit 10 includes an automatic document feeding device 11 called an ADF (Auto Document Feeder), a document image scanning device 12 (scanner), and the like.

The automatic document feeding device 11 conveys the document D placed on the document tray by the conveying mechanism and sends it out to the document image scanning device 12. The automatic document feeding device 11 can continuously read a large number of images (including both sides) of the document D placed on the document tray at once.

The document image scanning device 12 optically scans the document conveyed on the contact glass from the automatic document feeding device 11 or the document placed on the contact glass, and the reflected light from the document is a CCD (Charge Coupled Device). ) An image is formed on the sensor 12a and the original image is read. The image reading unit 10 generates input image data based on the reading result of the original image scanning device 12. Predetermined image processing is performed on the input image data by the image processing unit 30.

The operation display unit 20 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) with a touch panel, and functions as a display unit 21 and an operation unit 22 (see FIG. 2). The display unit 21 displays various operation screens, an image status display, an operation status of each function, and the like according to a display control signal input from the control unit 70 (see FIG. 2). The operation unit 22 includes various operation keys such as a numeric keypad and a start key, receives various input operations by the user, and outputs an operation signal to the control unit 70.

The image processing unit 30 includes a circuit that performs image processing according to initial settings or user settings for the input image data. The image forming unit 40 is controlled based on the image data that has undergone image processing.

The image forming unit 40 is an image forming unit 41Y, 41M, 41C, 41K for forming an image with each colored toner of Y component, M component, C component, and K component based on the image data from the image processing unit 30. , An intermediate transfer unit 42 and the like.

The image forming units 41Y, 41M, 41C, 41K for the Y component, the M component, the C component, and the K component have the same configuration. Therefore, in FIG. 1, reference numerals are given only to the components of the image forming unit 41Y for the Y component, and the reference numerals are omitted for the components of the other image forming units 41M, 41C, and 41K.

The image forming unit 41 includes an exposure device 411, a developing device 412, a photoconductor drum 413 (image carrier), a charging device 414, a drum cleaning unit 415, and the like.

The exposure apparatus 411 is composed of, for example, a semiconductor laser, and irradiates the photoconductor drum 413 with a laser beam corresponding to an image of each color component. When positive charges are generated in the charge generation layer of the photoconductor drum 413 by irradiation with laser light and transported to the surface of the charge transport layer, the surface charge (negative charge) of the photoconductor drum 413 is neutralized. As a result, an electrostatic latent image of each color component is formed on the surface of the photoconductor drum 413 due to the potential difference from the surroundings.

The developing device 412 is a two-component developing system developing device having, for example, a developing sleeve 412A, and visualizes an electrostatic latent image by adhering toner of each color component from the developing sleeve 412A to the surface of the photoconductor drum 413. To form a toner image.

The photoconductor drum 413 is, for example, a conductive cylinder (aluminum tube) made of aluminum, an undercoat layer (UCL: Under Coat Layer), a charge generation layer (CGL: Charge Generation Layer), and a charge transport layer (CTL: Charge). Transport Layer) etc. are provided. The photoconductor drum 413 is a photoconductor having photoconductivity, which is formed by sequentially laminating an undercoat layer, a charge generation layer, and a charge transport layer on the peripheral surface of a conductive cylinder, and is, for example, a negative charge type. Organic Photo-conductor (OPC). The photoconductor drum 413 is rotated at a constant peripheral speed (linear speed) by controlling the drive current supplied to the drive motor (not shown) by the control unit 70 (see FIG. 2).

The charging device 414 uniformly charges the surface of the photoconductor drum 413 having photoconductivity to a negative electrode property.

The drum cleaning unit 415 includes a cleaning device 100, a lubricant supply device 200, and the like (see FIG. 3 and the like described later). The drum cleaning unit 415 cleans the transfer residual toner remaining on the surface of the photoconductor drum 413, and supplies the lubricant onto the photoconductor drum 413. The configuration of the drum cleaning unit 415 will be described later with reference to FIGS. 3 to 7.

The intermediate transfer unit 42 includes a plurality of support rollers 423 including an intermediate transfer belt 421, a primary transfer roller 422, a drive roller 423A, a backup roller 423B, a secondary transfer roller 424, a belt cleaning device 426, and the like.

The intermediate transfer belt 421 is stretched in a loop on a plurality of support rollers 423, and the drive roller 423A rotates, so that the intermediate transfer belt 421 travels at a constant speed in the direction of arrow A. The primary transfer roller 422 presses the intermediate transfer belt 421 against the photoconductor drum 413, whereby the toner image is transferred from the photoconductor drum 413 to the intermediate transfer belt 421. The secondary transfer roller 424 is pressed against the backup roller 423B with the intermediate transfer belt 421 interposed therebetween, thereby transferring the toner image from the intermediate transfer belt 421 to the paper P. The paper P on which the toner image is transferred is conveyed toward the fixing portion 60. Instead of the secondary transfer roller 424, a belt-type secondary transfer unit in which a secondary transfer belt is stretched in a loop on a plurality of support rollers may be adopted.

The belt cleaning device 426 has a belt cleaning blade or the like that is in sliding contact with the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 421, and removes the transfer residual toner remaining on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 421 after the secondary transfer.

The paper transport unit 50 includes a paper feed unit 51, a paper discharge unit 52, a transport path unit 53, and the like. Paper P (standard paper, special paper) identified based on the basis weight, size, etc. is stored in the three paper feed tray units 51a to 51c constituting the paper feed unit 51 for each preset type. .. The transport path portion 53 has a plurality of transport roller pairs such as a resist roller pair 53a.

The paper P housed in the paper feed tray units 51a to 51c is sent out one by one from the uppermost portion, and is conveyed to the image forming unit 40 by the transfer path unit 53. At this time, the resist roller portion in which the resist roller pair 53a is arranged corrects the inclination of the fed paper P and adjusts the transfer timing. Then, the paper P image-formed through the image forming unit 40 and the fixing unit 60 is discharged to the outside of the machine by the paper ejection unit 52 provided with the paper ejection roller 52a.

The fixing unit 60 secondarily transfers the toner image and heats and pressurizes the conveyed paper P with the fixing nip to fix the toner image on the paper P. The fixing portion 60 includes a fixing belt 61, a heating roller 62, a fixing roller 63, a pressure roller 64, and the like. The fixing belt 61 is stretched by a heating roller 62 and a fixing roller 63. The pressure roller 64 forms a fixing nip that sandwiches and conveys the paper P with the fixing belt 61.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a control unit 70.

The control unit 70 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 71, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 72, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 73, and the like. The CPU 71 reads a program according to the processing content from the ROM 72, develops it in the RAM 73, and centrally controls the operation of each block of the image forming apparatus 1 in cooperation with the expanded program. At this time, various data such as a LUT (Look Up Table) stored in the storage unit 82 are referred to. The storage unit 82 is composed of, for example, a non-volatile semiconductor memory (so-called flash memory) or a hard disk drive.

The control unit 70 transmits / receives various data to / from an external device (for example, a personal computer) connected to a communication network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or WAN (Wide Area Network) via the communication unit 81. I do. The control unit 70 receives, for example, image data transmitted from an external device, and forms an image on paper based on the image data (input image data). The communication unit 81 is composed of, for example, a communication control card such as a LAN card.

An image reading unit 10, an operation display unit 20, an image processing unit 30, an image forming unit 40, a paper transport unit 50, and a fixing unit 60 are connected to the control unit 70, respectively. Further, a blower unit 91 and a sound detection unit 92, which will be described later, are also connected to the control unit 70. These execute predetermined processes based on the instructions of the control unit 70.

Here, the drum cleaning unit 415 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a drum cleaning unit 415. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the removal of the lubricant pressing mechanism 230 in the drum cleaning unit 415 shown in FIG.

The drum cleaning unit 415 includes a cleaning device 100, a lubricant supply device 200, and the like. These are attached to and housed in the support frame body 415a.

The cleaning device 100 has a cleaning blade 101, a support sheet metal 102 for attaching and supporting the cleaning blade 101, and the like. The width of the cleaning blade 101 and the support sheet metal 102 has a width substantially equal to the width in the axial direction (main scanning direction) of the photoconductor drum 413. The cleaning blade 101 is formed by molding an elastic member such as urethane rubber into a flat plate-shaped sheet.

The cleaning blade 101 has a counter-type configuration in which the tip (edge) thereof is brought into contact with the photoconductor drum 413 so as to face the rotation direction R1. Specifically, the cleaning blade 101 is arranged so as to be in sliding contact with the rotation direction R1 of the photoconductor drum 413 at a predetermined contact angle and penetration amount from the counter direction in which the edge is stretched. With such a configuration, the cleaning blade 101 is slidably contacted with the surface of the photoconductor drum 413 to remove the transfer residual toner remaining on the surface of the photoconductor drum 413 after the primary transfer.

The lubricant supply device 200 includes a coating brush 210, an immobilization device 220, a lubricant pressing mechanism 230 having a lubricant 231 and the like. Here, as an example of the lubricant coating method, a downstream coating system in which the lubricant supply device 200 is arranged on the downstream side of the cleaning device 100 in the rotation direction R1 of the photoconductor drum 413 is illustrated. An upstream coating system in which the lubricant supply device 200 is arranged on the upstream side of the cleaning device 100 may be used.

The coating brush 210 has a role of supplying the lubricant 231 onto the photoconductor drum 413. The coating brush 210 is, for example, a roller-shaped brush in which a base cloth in which fibers such as polyester are planted is wound around a core metal, and has a width substantially equal to the axial width of the photoconductor drum 413. The coating brush 210 is arranged so as to be in contact with the surface of the lubricant 231 and the surface of the photoconductor drum 413, and is rotated in the rotation direction R2 in the direction opposite to the rotation direction R1 of the photoconductor drum 413 to be on the photoconductor drum 413. Supply lubricant to. As the lubricant coating member for applying the lubricant 231, the coating brush 210 is exemplified here, but a lubricant coating member made of a foam may be used.

The immobilization device 220 is arranged on the downstream side of the coating brush 210 in the rotation direction R1 of the photoconductor drum 413. The immobilization device 220 includes an immobilization blade 221 and a support sheet metal 222 for attaching and supporting the immobilization blade 221. The width of the immobilized blade 221 and the support sheet metal 222 has a width substantially equal to the axial width of the photoconductor drum 413. As the material of the immobilization blade 221, similarly to the cleaning blade 101, a material obtained by molding an elastic member such as urethane rubber into a flat plate-shaped sheet is used.

The immobilized blade 221 has a trail type configuration in which the tip (edge) thereof is brought into contact with the photoconductor drum 413 along the rotation direction R1. Specifically, the immobilization blade 221 is arranged so as to be in sliding contact with the rotation direction R1 of the photoconductor drum 413 at a predetermined contact angle and penetration amount from the trail direction in which the edge is dragged. .. With such a configuration, the immobilization blade 221 is slidably contacted with the surface of the photoconductor drum 413, and the lubricant supplied onto the photoconductor drum 413 by the coating brush 210 is leveled and immobilized.

In the lubricant pressing mechanism 230, the lubricant 231 is formed by solidifying the lubricant into a rod shape. The width of the lubricant 231 is narrower in the axial direction of the photoconductor drum 413 than the width of the cleaning blade 101, the immobilization blade 221 and the like. The lubricant 231 has, for example, a pencil hardness equivalent to F to HB. The lubricant used in the lubricant 231 is, for example, zinc stearate (ZnSt).

The lubricant pressing mechanism 230 having such a lubricant 231 is detachably held by the holding member 201 attached to the support frame 415a. The lubricant pressing mechanism 230 held by the holding member 201 presses the lubricant 231 toward the coating brush 210 with a predetermined pressing force in order to keep the lubricant 231 in contact with the coating brush 210.

Since the lubricant pressing mechanism 230 is detachably held by the holding member 201, when replacing the lubricant 231, the currently used lubricant pressing mechanism 230 is taken out from the holding member 201 to hold the new lubricant pressing mechanism 230. It may be attached to the member 201. In the lubricant pressing mechanism 230, the lubricant 231 may be interchangeable, and the lubricant 231 of the removed lubricant pressing mechanism 230 may be replaced with a new lubricant 231 and then attached to the holding member 201.

The lubricant pressing mechanism 230 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7. FIG. 5 is a diagram in which the lubricant pressing mechanism 230 is disassembled into the lubricant 231 side and the accommodating portion 236 side. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the internal state of the lubricant pressing mechanism 230 at the initial stage of use of the lubricant 231. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the internal state of the lubricant pressing mechanism 230 at the end of use of the lubricant 231.

The lubricant pressing mechanism 230 has a rod-shaped lubricant 231, a support sheet metal 232, a holding portion 233, a protrusion 234, a pressing spring 235, an accommodating portion 236, a guide groove 237, and the like. The lubricant 231 is supported on the support sheet metal 232. In the support sheet metal 232, holding portions 233 are provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the support sheet metal 232 on the side opposite to the side on which the lubricant 231 is supported. Then, in the holding portion 233, a protrusion 234 is provided on the side surface on the outer side in the longitudinal direction. Further, in the holding portion 233, a pressing spring 235 is provided on the side opposite to the side on which the lubricant 231 is supported.

As shown in FIG. 5, the lubricant 231, the support sheet metal 232, the holding portion 233, the protrusion portion 234, and the pressing spring 235 are attached so as to be integrated and housed inside the housing portion 236. The accommodating portion 236 is a rectangular parallelepiped container having an insertion port 236a on one surface side. In the accommodating portion 236, a guide groove 237 is provided on the inner side surface in the longitudinal direction, and the guide groove 237 is formed in the depth direction of the accommodating portion 236.

When accommodating the lubricant 231 side in the accommodating portion 236, the protrusion 234 is inserted into the guide groove 237 and is movably supported along the guide groove 237. Further, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the pressing spring 235 comes into contact with the bottom portion 236b of the accommodating portion 236. That is, the pressing spring 235 presses the lubricant 231 against the coating brush 210 side (upper side of FIGS. 6 and 7) via the support sheet metal 232 and the holding portion 233.

Therefore, even if the lubricant 231 is scraped off by the coating brush 210 and the remaining amount (height) of the lubricant 231 decreases, the support sheet metal 232 is pushed up by the pressing force of the pressing spring 235, and the lubricant 231 becomes the coating brush 210. The state of contact can be maintained.

By the way, the lubricant 231 supplied on the photoconductor drum 413 is a consumable item. Therefore, when the lubricant 231 is depleted, for example, the frictional force between the photoconductor drum 413 and the cleaning blade 101 increases, which may extend the life of the cleaning device. Specifically, poor cleaning of residual toner may occur on the photoconductor drum 413, or toner filming may occur on the photoconductor drum 413. As a result, the drum cleaning unit 415 cannot be used continuously.

Therefore, it is necessary to replace the lubricant before the lubricant is exhausted, and in the configuration of replacing the lubricant, it is desired to accurately grasp the remaining amount of the lubricant currently used.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 includes an lubricant remaining amount estimation device. The lubricant remaining amount estimation device is based on the lubricant 231 supplied to the photoconductor drum 413, the resonance sound generating unit that generates different resonance sounds according to the change in the remaining amount of the lubricant 231, and the generated resonance sound. A remaining amount estimation unit for estimating the remaining amount of the lubricant 231 is provided.

The resonance sound generation unit will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. In the lubricant pressing mechanism 230, a space portion SP is formed between the support sheet metal 232 and the bottom portion 236b. As described above, when the lubricant 231 is consumed and the remaining amount (height) of the lubricant decreases, the pressing spring 235 pushes up the support sheet metal 232, so that the gap between the support sheet metal 232 and the bottom portion 236b widens, and the space portion The volume of SP will increase.

For example, in the initial stage of use of the lubricant 231, as shown in FIG. 6, the height of the lubricant 231 is H1, and the gap between the support sheet metal 232 and the bottom 236b is G1. As the lubricant 231 is consumed, the height of the lubricant decreases. For example, at the end of the use of the lubricant 231, as shown in FIG. 7, the height of the lubricant 231 becomes H2 (<H1). As the height of the lubricant 231 decreases, the pressing spring 235 pushes up the support sheet metal 232 and the above gap widens. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, at the end of the use of the lubricant 231, the above gap becomes G2. (> G1).

In this way, the volume of the space SP changes according to the remaining amount of the lubricant 231. In the present embodiment, a ventilation port (see FIG. 8 and the like) described later is provided in the accommodating portion 236 forming such a space portion SP. In such a configuration, when a certain amount of air is introduced into the vent, the air in the space SP resonates to generate a sound, that is, a resonance sound. Further, the pitch of the generated resonance sound changes depending on the volume of the space SP. That is, the present embodiment has a vent and a space portion SP as a resonance sound generating portion, and the space portion SP changes the pitch of the resonance sound according to its volume.

The remaining amount estimation unit is provided as one function of the control unit 70 (see FIG. 2). For example, the remaining amount estimation unit is provided as a program executed by the control unit 70. Then, for the resonance sound generated in the space portion SP of the resonance sound generation portion, the remaining amount of the lubricant 231 is estimated by the control unit 70 functioning as the remaining amount estimation unit. The method of estimating the remaining amount of the lubricant 231 will be described later with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10.

Hereinafter, some of the configuration examples of the lubricant remaining amount estimation device will be described as an example.

[Configuration Example 1]
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a lubricant remaining amount estimation device of this configuration example. In this configuration example, the lubricant remaining amount estimation device includes a lubricant 231, a resonance sound generating unit, and a remaining amount estimation unit (control unit 70). Further, the lubricant remaining amount estimation device includes a blower unit 91 that blows air to the resonance sound generation unit and a sound detection unit 92 that detects the resonance sound generated in the resonance sound generation unit.

The resonance sound generating portion has a space portion SP1 formed inside the accommodating portion 236 by two side portions 236c, a support sheet metal 232 and two barrier members 242. The barrier member 242 is provided between the two side portions 236c of the accommodating portion 236 and between the support sheet metal 232 and the bottom portion 236b. In addition, in FIG. 8, in order to show the inside of the accommodating portion 236, the side portion 236c on the front side in the figure is excluded. Further, in FIG. 8, space portions SP1 are formed at two locations inside the accommodating portion 236.

Further, the resonance sound generating portion has a ventilation port 241 (opening portion) formed in the bottom portion 236b of the accommodating portion 236. In FIG. 8, in the accommodating portion 236, vents 241 are provided at two locations of the bottom portion 236b, which is one end in the direction in which the remaining amount of the lubricant 231 changes, and the vents 241 communicate with the space portion SP1 respectively. ..

The barrier member 242 is deformable and is made of a compressionally deformable material such as a foam or a flexible material. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, in the initial use of the lubricant 231, the gap G1 between the support sheet metal 232 and the bottom portion 236b is narrow, so that the barrier member 242 is compressed. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, at the end of use of the lubricant 231, the gap G2 between the support sheet metal 232 and the bottom portion 236b is wide, so that the barrier member 242 expands and tries to return to the original shape. As described above, the barrier member 242 is compressed or expanded with the movement of the support sheet metal 232, and its shape is deformed.

The volume of the space SP1 formed by the two side portions 236c, the support sheet metal 232 and the two barrier members 242 changes as the support sheet metal 232 moves with the change in the remaining amount of the lubricant 231. In such a configuration, when a certain amount of air is introduced into the vent 241, the air in the space SP1 resonates to generate a resonance sound, and the pitch of the generated resonance sound is the volume of the space SP1. It changes with. That is, this configuration example has a vent 241 and a space portion SP1 as a resonance sound generating portion, and the space portion SP1 changes the pitch of the resonance sound according to its volume.

The ventilation unit 91 blows air toward the ventilation port 241 to inject air into the space unit SP1 to generate a resonance sound. As the blower unit 91, for example, a blower fan or the like is used. In FIG. 8, the thick arrow indicates the flow path of the wind blown into the space SP1.

Further, the sound detection unit 92 detects the resonance sound generated in the space unit SP1 and output to the outside of the accommodation unit 236 via the vent 241 and transmits the sound signal of the detected resonance sound to the control unit 70. input. As the sound detection unit 92, for example, a sound collecting microphone or the like is used.

Then, the control unit 70 estimates the remaining amount of the lubricant 231 based on the sound signal input from the sound detection unit 92. For example, the control unit 70 detects the peak frequency from the sound signal detected by the sound detection unit 92, and estimates the remaining amount of the lubricant 231 based on the peak frequency. In this case, a frequency detection device that detects the peak frequency from the sound signal detected by the sound detection unit 92 may be provided, and the peak frequency may be input from the frequency detection device to the control unit 70.

Here, a method for estimating the remaining amount of the lubricant 231 (method for estimating the remaining amount of the lubricant) will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. FIG. 9 is a graph showing the relationship between the flow path width of the resonance sound generating portion and the peak frequency of the resonance sound in the lubricant remaining amount estimation device shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is a graph showing the relationship between the peak frequency of the resonance sound and the height of the lubricant in the lubricant remaining amount estimation device shown in FIG. The channel width of the resonance sound generating portion is the distance between the support sheet metal 232 and the vent 241 in the description with reference to FIG.

In this configuration example, as a method for estimating the remaining amount of the lubricant, the remaining amount of the lubricant 231 is estimated based on the resonance sound generated in the resonance sound generation unit according to the change in the remaining amount of the lubricant 231.

Specifically, the support sheet metal 232 moves according to the height (remaining amount) of the lubricant 231 and the flow path width between the support sheet metal 232 and the vent 241 changes. When the flow path width changes, the pitch of the resonance sound generated in the resonance sound generation portion also changes. In the lubricant remaining amount estimation device shown in FIG. 8, the peak frequency of the resonance sound is detected as the pitch of the generated resonance sound by changing the flow path width, and the graph is shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 9, it can be seen that the peak frequency of the resonance sound decreases as the flow path width increases. In FIG. 9, the flow path width of 2 mm is the flow path width at the initial stage of use of the lubricant 231. Since the lubricant height at the initial stage of use of the lubricant 231 is 10 mm, the flow path width of 12 mm is the flow path width when the lubricant 231 is depleted.

The channel width increases as the height (remaining amount) of the lubricant 231 decreases. Therefore, the relationship shown in FIG. 9 is the relationship between the peak frequency of the resonance sound shown in FIG. 10 and the height of the lubricant. Can be converted to. As shown in FIG. 10, the height of the lubricant 231, that is, the remaining amount can be estimated based on the peak frequency of the resonance sound generated in the resonance sound generation unit. For example, the height (remaining amount) of the lubricant 231 can be estimated by obtaining an approximate expression from the graph shown in FIG. 10 and substituting the peak frequency of the resonance sound into the obtained approximate expression. When the lubricant height derived by the approximate formula is 0 mm, the lubricant 231 is in a depleted state, and the lubricant 231 reaches the end of its life. In FIG. 10, the lubricant height of 10 mm is the lubricant height at the initial stage of use of the lubricant 231, and the lubricant height of 0 mm is the lubricant height when the lubricant 231 is depleted.

The lubricant remaining amount estimation device uses, for example, the operation display unit 20 (notification unit) shown in FIG. 2 to notify information about the remaining amount of the lubricant according to the estimated remaining amount of the lubricant 231. May be good. For example, before the lubricant 231 is exhausted, the lubricant height for notifying the replacement of the lubricant pressing mechanism 230 is determined in advance, and when the lubricant height is reached, the operation display unit 20 replaces the lubricant pressing mechanism 230. Is notified. For example, in FIG. 10, when the height of the lubricant reaches 0.5 mm, the operation display unit 20 makes a notification prompting the replacement of the lubricant pressing mechanism 230. Further, the operation display unit 20 may notify a numerical value indicating the life of the lubricant 231 based on the estimated remaining amount of the lubricant 231, for example, a numerical value indicating the remaining amount in% with the initial use as 100%. ..

As described above, in the present configuration example, the lubricant remaining amount estimation device includes the lubricant 231 supplied to the photoconductor drum 413. Further, the lubricant remaining amount estimation device estimates the remaining amount of the lubricant 231 based on the resonance sound generating unit that generates different resonance sounds according to the change of the remaining amount of the lubricant 231 and the generated resonance sound. It includes an estimation unit (control unit 70).

According to the present configuration example configured in this way, the lubricant remaining amount estimation device is based on the resonance sound generated in the resonance sound generating portion whose volume changes according to the change in the remaining amount of the lubricant 231, and the residue of the lubricant 231. Since the amount is estimated, the remaining amount of the lubricant 231 can be accurately estimated. As a result, it is possible to predict the life of the lubricant 231 with high accuracy.

Further, this configuration example uses a resonance sound generating portion whose volume changes according to a change in the remaining amount of the lubricant 231, and this resonance sound generating portion is not affected by toner or lubricant powder. Therefore, the toner and the lubricant powder do not affect the estimation of the remaining amount of the lubricant 231, and the remaining amount of the lubricant 231 can be estimated accurately.

In the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, since it is determined whether or not the lubricant is depleted by the conduction between the electrode on the brush side and the electrode on the lubricant side, it is possible to detect how much the remaining amount of the lubricant is. There wasn't. On the other hand, in this configuration example, the remaining amount of the lubricant 231 is estimated based on the resonance sound generated in the resonance sound generating portion whose volume changes according to the change of the remaining amount of the lubricant 231. The remaining amount of 231 can be confirmed.

Although two space portions SP1 are formed in FIG. 8, the number of space portions in the resonance sound generation portion may be one or three or more. When forming one space portion, the space portion SP1 can be formed by two side portions 236c, a support sheet metal 232, one side portion 236d, and one barrier member 242, so that the barrier member 242 and the ventilation port can be formed. The number of 241 may be one, and the configuration can be simplified. Further, when forming a plurality of spatial portions, the remaining amount of the lubricant 231 can be estimated more accurately by statistically processing (for example, averaging) the peak frequency of the resonance sound generated in each space. can.

[Configuration Example 2]
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a lubricant remaining amount estimation device of this configuration example. It should be noted that also in FIG. 11, in order to show the inside of the accommodating portion 236, the side portion 236c on the front side in the figure is excluded.

In the above configuration example 1, the space portion SP1 inside the accommodating portion 236 is used as the space portion of the resonance sound generating portion whose volume changes. On the other hand, this configuration example is basically the same as the configuration example 1, but is provided outside the accommodating portion 236 as a space portion of the resonance sound generating portion whose volume changes (described later). Space part SP2) is used.

Specifically, a box-shaped housing 243 having a vent 243a (opening) is provided on the outside of the side portion 236d on one side (right side in FIG. 11) of the accommodating portion 236. The vent 243a is provided in the housing 243 on the same side as the bottom 236b of the accommodating portion 236, that is, on one end side in the direction in which the remaining amount of the lubricant 231 changes, and communicates with the space portion SP2.

Further, the support sheet metal 232 is provided with an extended portion 232a having an extended end on one side thereof. The extended portion 232a extends from the side portion 236d on one side of the accommodating portion 236 to the inside of the housing 243, and is configured to be movable inside the housing 243 as the support sheet metal 232 moves. ing.

The volume of the space portion SP2 formed by the extension portion 232a and the housing 243 changes with the movement of the support sheet metal 232 and the extension portion 232a with the change in the remaining amount of the lubricant 231. In such a configuration, when a certain amount of air is introduced into the vent 243a, the air in the space SP2 resonates to generate a resonance sound, and the pitch of the generated resonance sound is the volume of the space SP2. It changes with. That is, this configuration example has a vent 243a and a space portion SP2 as a resonance sound generating portion, and the space portion SP2 changes the pitch of the resonance sound according to its volume.

The ventilation unit 91 is arranged so as to blow air toward the ventilation port 243a of the resonance sound generation unit having such a configuration. In FIG. 11, the thick arrow indicates the flow path of the wind blown into the space SP2. Further, the sound detecting unit 92 is arranged so as to detect the resonance sound generated in the space unit SP2 and output to the outside of the accommodating unit 236 via the ventilation port 243a.

Then, the control unit 70 estimates the remaining amount of the lubricant 231 based on the sound signal input from the sound detection unit 92. For example, the control unit 70 detects the peak frequency from the sound signal detected by the sound detection unit 92 and estimates the remaining amount of the lubricant 231 based on the peak frequency, as in the configuration example 1.

As described above, also in this configuration example, the lubricant remaining amount estimation device includes the lubricant 231 supplied to the photoconductor drum 413. Further, the lubricant remaining amount estimation device estimates the remaining amount of the lubricant 231 based on the resonance sound generating unit that generates different resonance sounds according to the change of the remaining amount of the lubricant 231 and the generated resonance sound. It includes an estimation unit (control unit 70).

According to the present configuration example configured in this way, the same effect as that of the configuration example 1 can be obtained. Further, since the space portion SP2 of the resonance sound generating portion is provided outside the accommodating portion 236, even when it is difficult to provide the space portion of the resonance sound generating portion inside the accommodating portion 236, the space portion of the resonance sound generating portion is provided. Can be provided.

[Configuration Example 3]
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a lubricant remaining amount estimation device of this configuration example. Also in FIG. 12, in order to show the inside of the accommodating portion 236, the side portion 236c on the front side in the figure is excluded.

In the above configuration example 1, a part of the space SP1 inside the accommodation part 236 (see FIGS. 6 and 7) is used as the space part of the resonance sound generating part whose volume changes. .. On the other hand, this configuration example basically has the same configuration as the configuration example 1, but the space portion SP inside the 236 of the accommodating section is separated into a plurality of sub-space sections, and the separated sub-space sections are separated. By changing the communication state between the space parts, it is used as the space part of the resonance sound generation part whose volume changes.

Specifically, a vent 244 (opening) is provided on one side (right side in FIG. 11) of the accommodating portion 236. As described above, in the accommodating portion 236, the vent 246d is provided at the side portion 236d which is one end of the crossing direction intersecting the direction in which the remaining amount of the lubricant 231 changes, and the vent 244 communicates with the space portion SP. There is. Here, the above-mentioned crossing direction is the longitudinal direction of the accommodating portion 236.

Further, a plurality of quadrangular prism-shaped barrier members 251 to 255 are provided between the two side portions 236c of the accommodating portion 236 and between the support sheet metal 232 and the bottom portion 236b. The barrier members 251 to 255 are arranged at different positions in the longitudinal direction inside the accommodating portion 236. A plurality of space portions SP formed by the support sheet metal 232, the bottom portion 236b, the two side portions 236c, and the two side portions 236d are provided in the longitudinal direction of the accommodating portion 236 by the barrier members 251 to 255 arranged as described above. It is separated into the subspace portions Spa to SPf of.

Further, the barrier members 251 to 255 each have through holes 251a to 255a (communication portions) capable of communicating with each other in the adjacent subspace portions SPA to SPf. The through holes 251a to 255a are provided so as to penetrate the barrier members 251 to 255 in the longitudinal direction of the accommodating portion 236. The positions of the through holes 251a to 255a of the barrier members 251 to 255 are different in the direction in which the remaining amount of the lubricant 231 changes. Specifically, in the barrier members 251 to 255, the distances from the bottoms 236b of the through holes 251a to 255a are different, and the closer to the vent 244, the longer the distance from the lubricant 231 and the farther from the vent 244. The distance from the lubricant 231 is shorter.

The barrier members 251 to 255 are deformable and are formed of, for example, a compression-deformable material such as a foam or a flexible material. Therefore, the barrier members 251 to 255 are compressed or expanded with the movement of the support sheet metal 232, and the shape thereof is deformed. The through holes 251a to 255a are configured to be sequentially opened and closed in the longitudinal direction as the barrier members 251 to 255 are deformed due to the movement of the support sheet metal 232.

For example, in the initial use of the lubricant 231, the gap G1 between the support sheet metal 232 and the bottom 236b is narrow (see FIG. 6), so that the barrier members 251 to 255 are compressed and the through holes 251a to 255a are closed. .. At this time, the barrier member 251 becomes the closed end, and the resonance sound generated in the subspace portion Spa communicating with the ventilation port 244 is detected.

As the lubricant 231 is consumed, the height of the lubricant decreases, the pressing spring 235 pushes up the support sheet metal 232, and the gap between the support sheet metal 232 and the bottom 236b widens. When the gap between the support sheet metal 232 and the bottom portion 236b is widened, the barrier members 251 to 255 are expanded, and first, the through hole 251a of the barrier member 251 near the vent 244 is opened, and the subspace portion SPa and the subspace portion SPb are opened. Communicate. At this time, the barrier member 252 becomes a closed end, and the resonance sound generated in the subspace portion SPa and the subspace portion SPb communicating with the ventilation port 244 is detected.

When the gap between the support sheet metal 232 and the bottom portion 236b is further widened, the barrier members 251 to 255 are further extended, and the through hole 252a of the barrier member 252 near the vent 244 is opened next to the barrier member 251 to form a subspace portion. The SPb and the subspace portion SPc communicate with each other. At this time, the barrier member 253 becomes a closed end, and the resonance sound generated in the subspace portions SPA to SPc communicating with the ventilation port 244 is detected.

Then, as the gap between the support sheet metal 232 and the bottom portion 236b widens, the barrier members 251 to 255 are further expanded, the through holes 253a to 255a of the barrier members 253 to 255 are sequentially opened, and the subspace portions SPc to SPf are sequentially opened. It will be communicated. At this time, the barrier members 254 and 255 and the left side portion 236d in FIG. 12 are sequentially closed ends, and in the subspace portions SPA to SPf, the subspace portion on the vent 244 side from the closed end is the vent 244. Communicate with. Then, in the subspace portions SPA to SPf, the resonance sound generated in the subspace portion (hereinafter referred to as the communication subspace portion) communicating with the ventilation port 244 is detected.

As described above, inside the accommodating portion 236, the gap between the support sheet metal 232 and the bottom portion 236b widens with the consumption of the lubricant 231. In this configuration example, the subspace portions Spa to SPf are sequentially communicated with each other as the gap between the support sheet metal 232 and the bottom portion 236b expands. That is, as the remaining amount of the lubricant 231 decreases, the auxiliary space portions SPA to SPf are sequentially communicated from the subspace portion closer to the vent 244. By doing so, the volume of the communication subspace can be monotonically increased. Further, the distance from the vent 244 to the closed end (barrier members 251 to 255 in which the through holes 251a to 255a are closed) can be changed.

As described above, with the movement of the support sheet metal 232, that is, with the remaining amount of the lubricant 231, the communication state of the subspace portions SPA to SPf changes, and the volume of the communication subspace portion changes. In such a configuration, when a certain amount of air is introduced into the vent 244, the air in the communication subspace portion communicating with the vent 244 resonates, and a resonance sound having a pitch corresponding to the volume is generated. That is, this configuration example has a vent 244 and subspace portions SPA to SPf as resonance sound generating portions, and in the subspace portions SPA to SPf, the pitch of the resonance sound is set according to the volume when they communicate with each other. Change.

The ventilation unit 91 is arranged so as to blow air toward the ventilation port 244 of the resonance sound generation unit having such a configuration. Further, the sound detection unit 92 is arranged so as to detect the resonance sound generated in the communication subspace portion and output to the outside of the accommodating portion 236 via the ventilation port 244.

Then, the control unit 70 estimates the remaining amount of the lubricant 231 based on the sound signal input from the sound detection unit 92. For example, the control unit 70 detects the peak frequency from the sound signal detected by the sound detection unit 92 and estimates the remaining amount of the lubricant 231 based on the peak frequency, as in the configuration example 1.

Here, the method of estimating the remaining amount of the lubricant 231 in this configuration example will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 to 15.

FIG. 13 is a graph showing the relationship between the height of the lubricant 231 and the flow path width of the resonance sound generating portion in the lubricant remaining amount estimation device shown in FIG. In FIG. 13, when the height of the lubricant is 0.5 mm, the lubricant is depleted.

As shown in FIG. 13, in this configuration example, the flow path width of the resonance sound generating portion changes stepwise with respect to the change in the height of the lubricant 231. This is because the barrier members 251 to 255 are formed of a material that can be compressed and deformed, and unless the compressed barrier members 251 to 255 are stretched by a predetermined length or more, the through holes 251a to 255a are not opened from the closed state. Because.

In FIG. 13, a case where the height of the lubricant 231 is reduced from about 9.2 mm to about 6.7 mm, that is, a case where the barrier member 251 is used will be described as an example. When the height of the lubricant 231 decreases from about 9.2 mm to about 6.7 mm, the support sheet metal 232 is pushed up by the pressing spring 235 as the height of the lubricant 231 decreases (see FIG. 12).

When the support sheet metal 232 is pushed up, the compressed barrier member 251 is stretched, but the stretched length is shorter than the predetermined length in which the through hole 251a is opened from the closed state. Therefore, the through hole 251a remains closed. Therefore, within the height range of the lubricant 231 that keeps the through hole 251a closed, the flow path width of the resonance sound generating portion, that is, the distance from the vent 244 to the closed end is the barrier member from the vent 244. The distance to 251 is 50 mm, as shown in FIG.

Then, when the height of the lubricant 231 is reduced from about 6.7 mm, the through hole 251a is opened, so that the flow path width of the resonance sound generating portion, that is, the distance from the vent 244 to the closed end is from the vent 244. The distance to the barrier member 252 is 100 mm as shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 13, the case of the barrier members 252 to 255 is the same as the case of the barrier member 251. For example, in the case of the barrier member 252, within the height range of the lubricant 231 that keeps the through hole 252a closed, the flow path width of the resonance sound generating portion, that is, the distance from the vent 244 to the closed end is. It is the distance from the vent 244 to the barrier member 252.

Further, FIG. 14 is a graph showing the relationship between the flow path width of the resonance sound generating portion and the peak frequency of the resonance sound in the lubricant remaining amount estimation device shown in FIG. FIG. 15 is a graph showing the relationship between the peak frequency of the resonance sound and the height of the lubricant in the lubricant remaining amount estimation device shown in FIG. The width of the flow path of the resonance sound generating portion is the distance between the ventilation port 241 and the closed end (barrier members 251 to 255 in which the through holes 251a to 255a are closed). That is.

As described above, the support sheet metal 232 moves according to the height (remaining amount) of the lubricant, and as the support sheet metal 232 moves, the barrier members 251 to 255, which are the closed ends, also change, and the vents 244 and the closed ends. The width of the flow path between the barrier members 251 to 255 at the ends also changes. When this flow path width changes, the pitch of the resonance sound generated in the resonance sound generation portion also changes.

In the lubricant remaining amount estimation device shown in FIG. 12, the barrier members 251 to 255 that are closed ends are changed to change the flow path width, and the peak frequency of the resonance sound is detected as the pitch of the generated resonance sound. The graph is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 14, it can be seen that the peak frequency of the resonance sound decreases as the flow path width increases.

Then, the relationship shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 can be converted into the relationship between the peak frequency of the resonance sound shown in FIG. 15 and the height of the lubricant. As shown in FIG. 15, the height of the lubricant 231, that is, the remaining amount can be estimated based on the peak frequency of the resonance sound generated in the resonance sound generation unit.

For example, when the peak frequency of the resonance sound generated in the resonance sound generation unit is 484 Hz, the lubricant height can be estimated to be 3.3 to 6.6 mm from FIG. In this case, assuming that the height of the lubricant 231 at the initial stage of use is 10 mm, the remaining amount of the lubricant 231 is 33 to 66%. Notify that the remaining amount is 33 to 66%.

Further, for example, when the peak frequency of the resonance sound generated in the resonance sound generation portion is 264 Hz, the lubricant height can be estimated to be 0 to 0.8 mm from FIG. Also in this case, assuming that the height of the lubricant 231 at the initial stage of use is 10 mm, the remaining amount of the lubricant 231 is 0 to 0.8%. 20 is alerted to an alert urging the lubricant pressing mechanism 230 to be replaced. In FIG. 15, the lubricant height of 0.5 mm is defined as the lubricant height when the lubricant 231 is depleted.

As described above, also in this configuration example, the lubricant remaining amount estimation device includes the lubricant 231 supplied to the photoconductor drum 413. Further, the lubricant remaining amount estimation device estimates the remaining amount of the lubricant 231 based on the resonance sound generating unit that generates different resonance sounds according to the change of the remaining amount of the lubricant 231 and the generated resonance sound. It includes an estimation unit (control unit 70).

According to the present configuration example configured in this way, the same effect as that of the configuration example 1 can be obtained.

Note that FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a modified example of the lubricant remaining amount estimation device shown in FIG. In FIG. 12, the barrier members 251 to 255 have a quadrangular column shape, but instead of these, as shown in FIG. 16, column-shaped barrier members 261 to 265 having a trapezoidal cross section may be used.

The barrier members 261 to 265 have a different shape from the barrier members 251 to 255, but have the same configuration as the barrier members 251 to 255 except for the shape. The barrier members 261 to 265 also have through holes 261a to 265a (communication portions), which also have the same configuration as the through holes 251a to 255a.

In the case of this modification, the barrier members 261 to 265 have a pillar shape with a trapezoidal cross section. Therefore, when the support sheet metal 232 presses the barrier members 261 to 265 and compresses the barrier members 261 to 265, the direction in which the support sheet metal 232 presses and the direction in which the barrier members 261 to 265 compress can be the same. .. As a result, the through holes 261a to 265a in the barrier members 261 to 265 can be reliably opened and closed.

Further, in the present configuration example, as the number of the barrier members 251 to 255 and the barrier members 261 to 265 increases, the accuracy of estimating the remaining amount of the lubricant 231 improves, but even when there is only one barrier member, the present configuration example The effect of can be obtained.

[Configuration Example 4]
FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a lubricant remaining amount estimation device of this configuration example. Also in FIG. 17, in order to show the inside of the accommodating portion 236, the side portion 236c on the front side in the figure is excluded.

In the above configuration example 3, in the resonance sound generating portion, the barrier members 251 to 255 having through holes 251a to 255a at different positions are used, and the ventilation port 244 to the closed end according to the change in the remaining amount of the lubricant 231. I try to change the distance to. This configuration example is basically the same as the configuration example 3, but the barrier members 271 have different lengths instead of the barrier members 251 to 255 having through holes 251a to 255a at different positions. ~ 275 is used.

Specifically, a plurality of barrier members 271 to 275 are provided between the two side portions 236c and on the lower side (opposite side of the lubricant 231) of the support sheet metal 232. The plurality of barrier members 271 to 275 are fixed to the lower side of the support sheet metal 232 with, for example, an adhesive or the like. The barrier members 271 to 275 are arranged at different positions in the longitudinal direction of the support sheet metal 232.

Further, the barrier members 271 to 275 have different lengths in the direction in which the remaining amount of the lubricant 231 changes, and are shorter as they are closer to the vent 244 and longer as they are farther from the vent 244.

The barrier members 271 to 275 are deformable and are made of a compressionally deformable material such as a foam. Therefore, the barrier members 271 to 275 are compressed or expanded with the movement of the support sheet metal 232, and the shape thereof is deformed. Then, when the barrier members 271 to 275 are compressed, the space portion SP is separated into a plurality of subspace portions Spa to SPf in the longitudinal direction of the accommodating portion 236 by the barrier members 271 to 275 arranged as described above. Will be.

For example, in the initial use of the lubricant 231, the gap G1 between the support sheet metal 232 and the bottom 236b is narrow (see FIG. 6), so that the barrier members 271 to 275 are compressed. At this time, the barrier member 271 becomes the closed end, and the resonance sound generated in the subspace portion Spa communicating with the ventilation port 244 is detected.

As the lubricant 231 is consumed, the height of the lubricant decreases, the pressing spring 235 pushes up the support sheet metal 232, and the gap between the support sheet metal 232 and the bottom 236b widens. When the gap between the support sheet metal 232 and the bottom 236b widens, the barrier members 271 to 275 expand, but first, a gap (communication portion) is created between the barrier member 271 having the shortest length and the bottom 236b. , The subspace portion SPa and the subspace portion SPb communicate with each other. At this time, the barrier member 272 becomes the closed end, and the resonance sound generated in the sub-space portion SPa and the sub-space portion SPb communicating with the ventilation port 244 is detected.

When the gap between the support sheet metal 232 and the bottom portion 236b is further widened, the barrier members 272 to 275 are stretched, but a gap (communication portion) is formed between the barrier member 272, which is the next shortest after the barrier member 271, and the bottom portion 236b. , The sub-space portion SPb and the sub-space portion SPc communicate with each other. At this time, the barrier member 273 becomes the closed end, and the resonance sound generated in the subspace portions SPA to SPc communicating with the ventilation port 244 is detected.

Then, as the gap between the support sheet metal 232 and the bottom portion 236b widens, the barrier members 273 to 275 expand, and a gap (communication portion) is sequentially formed between the barrier members 273 to 275 and the bottom portion 236b, and the subspace portion is formed. SPc to SPf will be communicated in sequence. At this time, the barrier members 274, 275 and the left side portion 236d in FIG. 17 sequentially serve as the closed end, and in the subspace portions SPA to SPf, the subspace portion on the vent 244 side from the closed end is the vent 244. Communicate with. Then, in the subspace portions SPA to SPf, the resonance sound generated in the subspace portion (communication subspace portion) communicating with the ventilation port 244 is detected.

Inside the accommodating portion 236, the gap between the support sheet metal 232 and the bottom portion 236b widens with the consumption of the lubricant 231. In this configuration example, the contact state between the barrier members 271 to 275 and the bottom portion 236b changes as the gap between the support sheet metal 232 and the bottom portion 236b widens, and the contact state between the barrier members 271 to 275 and the bottom portion 236b changes. There is a gap (communication part). Then, a gap (communication portion) is formed between the barrier members 271 to 275 and the bottom portion 236b, so that the subspace portions SPA to SPf are sequentially communicated with each other.

Here, as the remaining amount of the lubricant 231 decreases, the auxiliary space portions SPA to SPf are sequentially communicated from the subspace portion closer to the vent 244. By doing so, the volume of the communication subspace can be monotonically increased. Further, the distance from the vent 244 to the closed end (barrier members 271 to 275) can be changed.

As described above, with the movement of the support sheet metal 232, that is, with the remaining amount of the lubricant 231, the communication state of the subspace portions SPA to SPf changes, and the volume of the communication subspace portion changes. In such a configuration, when a certain amount of air is introduced into the vent 244, the air in the communication subspace portion communicating with the vent 244 resonates, and a resonance sound having a pitch corresponding to the volume is generated. That is, this configuration example also has a vent 244 and subspace portions SPA to SPf as resonance sound generating portions, and in the subspace portions SPA to SPf, the pitch of the resonance sound is increased according to the volume when they communicate with each other. Change.

The ventilation unit 91 is arranged so as to blow air toward the ventilation port 244 of the resonance sound generation unit having such a configuration. Further, the sound detection unit 92 is arranged so as to detect the resonance sound generated in the communication subspace portion and output to the outside of the accommodating portion 236 via the ventilation port 244.

Then, the control unit 70 estimates the remaining amount of the lubricant 231 based on the sound signal input from the sound detection unit 92. For example, the control unit 70 detects the peak frequency from the sound signal detected by the sound detection unit 92 and estimates the remaining amount of the lubricant 231 based on the peak frequency, as in the configuration example 1.

As described above, also in this configuration example, the lubricant remaining amount estimation device includes the lubricant 231 supplied to the photoconductor drum 413. Further, the lubricant remaining amount estimation device estimates the remaining amount of the lubricant 231 based on the resonance sound generating unit that generates different resonance sounds according to the change of the remaining amount of the lubricant 231 and the generated resonance sound. It includes an estimation unit (control unit 70).

According to the present configuration example configured in this way, the same effect as that of the configuration example 1 can be obtained.

In FIG. 17, the barrier members 271 to 275 are provided on the lower side of the support sheet metal 232, but the same effect can be obtained even if they are provided on the upper side of the bottom portion 236b.

[Configuration Example 5]
FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a lubricant remaining amount estimation device of this configuration example. Also in FIG. 18, in order to show the inside of the accommodating portion 236, the side portion 236c on the front side in the figure is excluded.

In the above configuration example 4, in the resonance sound generating portion, the distance from the vent 244 to the closed end is changed according to the change in the remaining amount of the lubricant 231 by using the barrier members 271 to 275 having different lengths. I try to do it. This configuration example is basically the same as the configuration example 4, but the barrier members 281 to 285 made of different materials are used instead of the barrier members 271 to 275.

Specifically, the barrier members 281 to 285 are deformable and are formed of, for example, a PET film such as Mylar (registered trademark).

A plurality of barrier members 281 to 285 are provided between the two side portions 236c and on the lower side (opposite side of the lubricant 231) of the support sheet metal 232. The plurality of barrier members 281 to 285 are fixed to the lower side of the support sheet metal 232 with, for example, tape or an adhesive. The barrier members 281 to 285 are arranged at different positions in the longitudinal direction of the support sheet metal 232.

Further, the barrier members 281 to 285 have different lengths in the direction in which the remaining amount of the lubricant 231 changes, and are shorter as they are closer to the vent 244 and longer as they are farther from the vent 244.

As described above, the barrier members 281 to 285 are made of PET film and are flexible. Therefore, the shapes of the barrier members 281 to 285 are deformed as the support sheet metal 232 moves. Then, when the barrier members 281 to 285 come into contact with the bottom portion 236b, the space portion SP has a plurality of subspace portions Spa to SPf in the longitudinal direction of the accommodating portion 236 due to the barrier members 281 to 285 arranged as described above. Will be separated into.

For example, in the initial use of the lubricant 231, since the gap G1 between the support sheet metal 232 and the bottom portion 236b is narrow (see FIG. 6), the barrier members 281 to 285 bend and come into contact with the bottom portion 236b. At this time, the barrier member 281 becomes the closed end, and the resonance sound generated in the subspace portion Spa communicating with the ventilation port 244 is detected.

As the lubricant 231 is consumed, the height of the lubricant decreases, the pressing spring 235 pushes up the support sheet metal 232, and the gap between the support sheet metal 232 and the bottom 236b widens. When the gap between the support sheet metal 232 and the bottom 236b widens, first, the bending of the barrier member 281 having the shortest length returns, and a gap (communication portion) is created between the barrier member 281 and the bottom 236b. The space portion SPa and the subspace portion SPb communicate with each other. At this time, the barrier member 282 becomes the closed end, and the resonance sound generated in the sub-space portion SPa and the sub-space portion SPb communicating with the ventilation port 244 is detected.

When the gap between the support sheet metal 232 and the bottom portion 236b is further widened, the bending of the barrier member 282, which is the next shortest after the barrier member 281, returns, and a gap (communication portion) is created between the barrier member 282 and the bottom portion 236b. The space portion SPb and the subspace portion SPc communicate with each other. At this time, the barrier member 283 becomes a closed end, and the resonance sound generated in the subspace portions Spa to SPc communicating with the ventilation port 244 is detected.

Then, as the gap between the support sheet metal 232 and the bottom portion 236b widens, the deflection of the barrier members 283 to 285 returns in sequence, and a gap (communication portion) is sequentially formed between the barrier members 283 to 285 and the bottom portion 236b. The space portions SPc to SPf are sequentially communicated with each other. At this time, the barrier members 284, 285 and the left side portion 236d in FIG. 18 are sequentially closed ends, and in the subspace portions SPA to SPf, the subspace portion on the vent 244 side from the closed end is the vent 244. Communicate with. Then, in the subspace portions SPA to SPf, the resonance sound generated in the subspace portion (communication subspace portion) communicating with the ventilation port 244 is detected.

Inside the accommodating portion 236, the gap between the support sheet metal 232 and the bottom portion 236b widens with the consumption of the lubricant 231. In this configuration example, the contact state between the barrier members 281 to 285 and the bottom portion 236b changes as the gap between the support sheet metal 232 and the bottom portion 236b widens, and the contact state between the barrier members 281 to 285 and the bottom portion 236b changes. There is a gap (communication part). Then, a gap (communication portion) is formed between the barrier members 281 to 285 and the bottom portion 236b, so that the subspace portions SPA to SPf are sequentially communicated with each other.

Here, as the remaining amount of the lubricant 231 decreases, the auxiliary space portions SPA to SPf are sequentially communicated from the subspace portion closer to the vent 244. By doing so, the volume of the communication subspace can be monotonically increased. Further, the distance from the vent 244 to the closed end (barrier members 281 to 285) can be changed.

As described above, with the movement of the support sheet metal 232, that is, with the remaining amount of the lubricant 231, the communication state of the subspace portions SPA to SPf changes, and the volume of the communication subspace portion changes. In such a configuration, when a certain amount of air is introduced into the vent 244, the air in the communication subspace portion communicating with the vent 244 resonates, and a resonance sound having a pitch corresponding to the volume is generated. That is, this configuration example also has a vent 244 and subspace portions SPA to SPf as resonance sound generating portions, and in the subspace portions SPA to SPf, the pitch of the resonance sound is increased according to the volume when they communicate with each other. Change.

The ventilation unit 91 is arranged so as to blow air toward the ventilation port 244 of the resonance sound generation unit having such a configuration. Further, the sound detection unit 92 is arranged so as to detect the resonance sound generated in the communication subspace portion and output to the outside of the accommodating portion 236 via the ventilation port 244.

Then, the control unit 70 estimates the remaining amount of the lubricant 231 based on the sound signal input from the sound detection unit 92. For example, the control unit 70 detects the peak frequency from the sound signal detected by the sound detection unit 92 and estimates the remaining amount of the lubricant 231 based on the peak frequency, as in the configuration example 1.

As described above, also in this configuration example, the lubricant remaining amount estimation device includes the lubricant 231 supplied to the photoconductor drum 413. Further, the lubricant remaining amount estimation device estimates the remaining amount of the lubricant 231 based on the resonance sound generating unit that generates different resonance sounds according to the change of the remaining amount of the lubricant 231 and the generated resonance sound. It includes an estimation unit (control unit 70).

According to the present configuration example configured in this way, the same effect as that of the configuration example 1 can be obtained.

[Configuration Example 6]
FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a lubricant supply device 200 of this configuration example in the image forming device 1.

This configuration example is premised on an image forming apparatus 1 having the lubricant remaining amount estimation device according to any one of the above configuration examples 1 to 5. Further, in the image forming apparatus 1, as shown in FIG. 19, the lubricant supply device 200 includes a shaft 211, a bearing 212, a driven gear 213, a drive gear 214, a motor 215 as a drive source, a support member 216, and the like.

The shaft 211 is provided at both ends of the coating brush 210 (supply member) and serves as a rotation axis of the coating brush 210. The bearing 212 rotatably supports the shaft 211 and is provided on the support member 216. The driven gear 213 is provided on one end side of the shaft 211. The drive gear 214 is a gear that drives the driven gear 213. The motor 215 drives the drive gear 214. The support member 216 is provided on the outside of the side portion 236d of the accommodating portion 236.

As described with reference to FIG. 3, the coating brush 210 is in contact with the lubricant 231 and the photoconductor drum 413. Then, as the coating brush 210 rotates, the lubricant powder is scraped from the lubricant 231 and supplied to the photoconductor drum 413.

The shaft 211, the bearing 212, the driven gear 213, the drive gear 214, and the motor 215 constitute a drive mechanism for rotationally driving the coating brush 210. Specifically, according to the control signal from the control unit 70, the motor 215 rotates to rotate the drive gear 214, and the rotation of the drive gear 214 rotates the driven gear 213 and the shaft 211 to rotate the coating brush 210. Let me.

The amount of lubricant supplied from the coating brush 210 to the photoconductor drum 413 is determined by the rotation speed of the coating brush 210, the lubricant pressing force of the lubricant 231 on the coating brush 210, the amount of biting of the coating brush 210 into the photoconductor drum 413, and the like. ..

When the lubricant 231 is pressed against the coating brush 210 by using the lubricant pressing force by the pressing spring 235, the pressing spring 235 may be extended and the lubricant pressing force may be lowered as the remaining amount of the lubricant 231 decreases. When the lubricant pressing pressure decreases, the lubricant supply amount also decreases, and the frictional force between the photoconductor drum 413 and the cleaning blade 101 increases. As a result, in the photoconductor drum 413, poor cleaning of residual toner may occur, or toner filming may occur.

Therefore, in this configuration example, the rotation speed of the coating brush 210 is increased to compensate for the decrease in the lubricant supply amount due to the decrease in the lubricant pressing pressure. Since the conventional image forming apparatus could not estimate the remaining amount of the lubricant as in the present invention, only the approximate remaining amount can be predicted based on the number of sheets of the image-forming processed paper and the rotation time of the coating brush 210. rice field.

On the other hand, in this configuration example, since the image forming apparatus 1 includes the lubricant remaining amount estimation device according to any one of the above configurations 1 to 5, the remaining amount of the lubricant 231 can be estimated. Then, the lubricant pressing pressure can be obtained based on the estimated remaining amount of the lubricant 231, and the rotation speed of the coating brush 210 for maintaining the lubricant supply amount can be obtained based on the obtained lubricant pressing pressure.

FIG. 20 is a graph showing the relationship between the lubricant height and the rotation speed of the coating brush 210. The control unit 70 uses the remaining amount of the lubricant 231 estimated by the lubricant remaining amount estimation device according to any one of the above configuration examples 1 to 5 and obtains the rotation speed of the coating brush 210 with reference to the graph shown in FIG. be able to. Then, the control unit 70 can compensate for the decrease in the lubricant supply amount due to the decrease in the lubricant pressing force by rotating the coating brush 210 at the obtained rotation speed. That is, even if the lubricant pressing pressure decreases, the target lubricant supply amount can be accurately maintained by increasing the rotation speed of the coating brush 210.

In this way, the control unit 70 functions as a rotation speed changing unit that changes the rotation speed at which the coating brush 210 is rotated according to the estimated remaining amount of the lubricant 231.

Next, with reference to FIG. 21, a control method of the lubricant remaining amount estimation device including the lubricant remaining amount estimation method will be described. FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of the lubricant remaining amount estimation device including the lubricant remaining amount estimation method.

(Step S11)
The control unit 70 confirms whether the image forming process is stopped. If the image forming process is stopped (YES), the process proceeds to step S12, and if it is not stopped, step S11 is repeated until the image forming process is stopped.

Since the lubricant remaining amount estimation device detects the resonance sound, it is desirable to execute the process while the image forming process with less noise is stopped. Therefore, here, it is confirmed whether or not the image formation process is stopped.

(Step S12)
The control unit 70 introduces air into the accommodating unit 236 of the lubricant 231 using the blower unit 91, and collects the resonance sound generated in the accommodating unit 236 by the sound detection unit 92. For example, to explain with reference to FIG. 12, the control unit 70 introduces air into the space unit SP1 from the ventilation port 241 formed in the bottom portion 236b of the accommodation unit 236 by using the ventilation unit 91, and the inside of the space unit SP1. The resonance sound generated in the above is collected by the sound detection unit 92.

(Step S13)
The control unit 70 detects the peak frequency of the resonance sound collected by the sound detection unit 92. At this time, the control unit 70 may detect the peak frequency of the resonance sound by using a frequency detection device that detects the peak frequency of the resonance sound.

(Step S14)
The control unit 70 estimates the remaining amount of the lubricant 231 based on the peak frequency of the resonance sound. The control unit 70 may estimate the lubricant height, that is, the remaining amount of the lubricant 231 based on the peak frequency of the resonance sound, for example, by using the graph shown in FIG. 10 or an approximate expression thereof.

(Step S15)
The control unit 70 determines the rotation speed of the coating brush 210 based on the estimated remaining amount of lubricant. The control unit 70 may determine the rotation speed of the coating brush 210 based on the lubricant height (remaining amount of the lubricant 231) by using, for example, the graph shown in FIG. 20 or an approximate expression thereof.

(Step S16)
The control unit 70 determines whether or not the estimated remaining amount of the lubricant is equal to or less than a predetermined value. If the estimated remaining amount of lubricant is less than or equal to the predetermined value (YES), the process proceeds to step S17, and if it is not less than or equal to the predetermined value, that is, if the estimated remaining amount of lubricant exceeds the predetermined value, a series of series. End control.

(Step S17)
When the estimated remaining amount of the lubricant is equal to or less than a predetermined value, the control unit 70 determines that the lubricant has not been exhausted, and gives a notice of the lubricant replacement. For example, the operation display unit 20 is used to notify an alert urging the lubricant 231 (lubricant pressing mechanism 230) to be replaced.

As described above, in the present configuration example, the lubricant remaining amount estimation device includes a coating brush 210 that supplies the lubricant 231 to the photoconductor drum 413 by rotating. Further, the lubricant remaining amount estimation device includes a rotation speed changing unit that changes the rotation speed of rotating the coating brush 210 according to the estimated remaining amount of the lubricant 231.

According to this configuration example configured in this way, the rotation speed at which the coating brush 210 is rotated is changed according to the estimated remaining amount of the lubricant 231. Therefore, it is possible to accurately maintain the target lubricant supply amount. can.

Further, in order to accurately maintain the target lubricant supply amount, a configuration (pressing pressure changing unit) is used in which the pressing force for pressing the lubricant 231 against the coating brush 210 is changed according to the estimated remaining amount of the lubricant 231. You may do so. The pressing force changing portion has, for example, an actuator arranged between the pressing spring 235 and the bottom portion 236b, and by using an actuator or the like to change the expansion / contraction state of the pressing spring 235, the lubricant 231 is applied to the brush. The pressing force to press on 210 can be changed.

[Other configuration examples]
In the above configuration examples 1 to 6, the blower unit 91 that blows air is used as the input source for generating the resonance sound, but the input source may be one that can output the sound of a speaker or the like.

It should be noted that the above embodiments are merely examples of the embodiment of the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention should not be construed in a limited manner by these. That is, the present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from its gist or its main features.

1 Image forming device 10 Image reading unit 20 Operation display unit 30 Image processing unit 40 Image forming unit 50 Paper transport unit 60 Fixing unit 70 Control unit 91 Blower unit 92 Sound detection unit 101 Cleaning blade 200 Lubricating agent 210 Application brush 221 Immobilization Blade 230 Glidant pressing mechanism 231 Glidant 232 Support plate metal 232a Extension part 235 Pressing spring 236 Housing part 241 Vent 242 Barrier member 243 Housing 243a Vent 244 Vent 251 to 255 Barrier member 251a to 255a Through hole 261 to 265 261a to 265a Through hole 271 to 275 Barrier member 281 to 285 Barrier member

Claims (18)

A resonance sound generator that generates different resonance sounds according to changes in the remaining amount of lubricant supplied to the image carrier,
A remaining amount estimation unit that estimates the remaining amount of the lubricant based on the generated resonance sound, and a remaining amount estimation unit.
A lubricant remaining amount estimation device equipped with. The remaining amount estimation unit estimates the remaining amount of the lubricant based on the peak frequency of the resonance sound.
The lubricant remaining amount estimation device according to claim 1. A notification unit for notifying information on the remaining amount of the lubricant according to the estimated remaining amount of the lubricant is provided.
The lubricant remaining amount estimation device according to claim 1 or 2. The resonance sound generating portion has a space portion whose volume changes with a change in the remaining amount of the lubricant.
The lubricant remaining amount estimation device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. It is provided with a housing for accommodating the lubricant.
The space portion is formed between the lubricant and the accommodating portion.
The lubricant remaining amount estimation device according to claim 4. Disposed between the lubricant and the housing and provided with a deformable barrier member
The space portion is formed by the lubricant, the accommodating portion and the barrier member.
The lubricant remaining amount estimation device according to claim 5. The accommodating portion has an opening communicating with the space portion at one end in a direction in which the remaining amount of the lubricant changes.
The resonance sound generating portion outputs the resonance sound generated in the space portion to the outside of the accommodating portion through the opening.
The lubricant remaining amount estimation device according to claim 5. The accommodating portion has an opening communicating with the space portion at one end in an intersecting direction intersecting the direction in which the remaining amount of the lubricant changes.
The resonance sound generating portion outputs the resonance sound generated in the space portion to the outside of the accommodating portion through the opening.
The lubricant remaining amount estimation device according to claim 5. The space portion is separated in the crossing direction to form a plurality of subspace portions, and a deformable barrier member is provided.
The barrier member has a communication portion that changes the communication state between the adjacent subspace portions and changes the volume of the plurality of the subspace portions that communicate with each other.
The lubricant remaining amount estimation device according to claim 8. With the plurality of said barrier members,
The plurality of barrier members are arranged at different positions in the crossing direction.
The lubricant remaining amount estimation device according to claim 9. The communicating portion of the plurality of barrier members is arranged so that the volume of the plurality of communicating subspace portions increases as the remaining amount of the lubricant decreases.
The lubricant remaining amount estimation device according to claim 10. The positions of the communication portions of the plurality of barrier members are different in the direction in which the remaining amount of the lubricant changes.
The lubricant remaining amount estimation device according to claim 11. The communication portion is a through hole provided so as to penetrate the barrier member in the crossing direction and open / close as the barrier member is deformed.
The lubricant remaining amount estimation device according to any one of claims 9 to 12. The communication portion is a gap formed between the barrier member and the lubricant or the accommodating portion as the barrier member is deformed.
The lubricant remaining amount estimation device according to any one of claims 9 to 12. A supply member that supplies the lubricant to the image carrier by rotating, and
A rotation speed changing unit that changes the rotation speed at which the supply member is rotated according to the estimated remaining amount of the lubricant.
To prepare
The lubricant remaining amount estimation device according to any one of claims 1 to 14. It is provided with a pressing pressure changing unit that changes the pressing force for pressing the lubricant against the supply member according to the estimated remaining amount of the lubricant.
The lubricant remaining amount estimation device according to any one of claims 15. An image forming apparatus including the lubricant remaining amount estimation device according to any one of claims 1 to 16. The remaining amount of the lubricant is estimated based on the resonance sound generated in the resonance sound generating portion that generates a different resonance sound according to the change in the remaining amount of the lubricant supplied to the image carrier.
Lubricant remaining amount estimation method.

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