JP2022068540A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an image forming apparatus capable of analyzing occurrence factors of abnormalities of a copying device such as a paper jam and a communication error which are secondarily caused by static electricity.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus comprises: a voltage detection unit provided on a conveyance path of a recording medium in the image forming apparatus; an input/output device including components of the image forming apparatus; an input/output control unit that controls the input/output device, and can communicate with the voltage detection unit; and a system control unit that uses the voltage detection unit via the input/output control unit to detect voltage of at least one of the recording medium and the components in contact with the recording medium, compares the detected voltage with a preset abnormality determination reference value, determines conduction abnormalities in the image forming apparatus, and outputs the determination result of conduction abnormalities in the image forming apparatus.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

A method for diagnosing an abnormal state and a method for dealing with the abnormal state in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus have been developed.

However, in the above-mentioned method for diagnosing an abnormal state, an abnormal state in which the recording medium is not conveyed at a preset timing and an abnormal state in which the recording medium is not separated are detected. , It is not possible to directly detect an abnormality caused by an external factor of the electrical system of the image forming apparatus, and it is difficult to directly determine the cause of the abnormality of the image forming apparatus.

The present invention has been made in view of the above, and provides an image forming apparatus capable of analyzing factors that cause abnormalities in a copying apparatus such as paper jams and communication errors that are secondarily generated by static electricity. The purpose is.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, the present invention includes a voltage detection unit provided on a transport path of a recording medium in an image forming apparatus, and an input / output apparatus including a component of the image forming apparatus. The input / output control unit that controls the input / output device and can communicate with the voltage detection unit, and the voltage detection unit via the input / output control unit, the recording medium and the recording medium are in contact with each other. At least one voltage of an object is detected, the detected voltage is compared with a preset abnormality determination reference value, an abnormality in the continuity of the image forming apparatus is determined, and the continuity of the image forming apparatus is determined. It is provided with a system control unit that outputs an abnormality determination result.

According to the present invention, it is possible to analyze the causes of abnormalities in the copying apparatus such as paper jams and communication errors that are secondarily generated by static electricity.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of a copying apparatus to which the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment is applied. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the copying apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a flow of communication processing of an abnormality detection result in the copying apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the copying apparatus according to the second embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an example of a time stamp of mechanical control of the copying apparatus according to the second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a flow of recording processing of an abnormality detection result in the copying apparatus according to the second embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the image forming apparatus will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(First Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of a copying apparatus to which the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment is applied. The copying apparatus according to the present embodiment is, for example, a printing mechanism such as a facsimile machine or a printer device, and is an example of an image forming apparatus that records (prints, forms an image) an image on a recording medium such as paper. Specifically, the copying apparatus has an image forming unit that electrostatically adsorbs (transfers) toner to the recording medium, and the toner electrostatically adsorbed on the recording medium is thermally fixed by the image forming unit, and then the toner is thermally fixed. , Discharge the recording medium.

As shown in FIG. 1, the copying apparatus according to the present embodiment has an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) 101, a main body 102, a paper bank 103, an image forming unit 104, a roller 105, a potential sensor 106, and a fixing unit 107. ..

ADF101 is an example of a scanner unit attached to a copying device. The main body 102 is a housing of the main body of the printing mechanism of the copying apparatus. The paper bank 103 includes a recording medium 108 such as paper, a separation mechanism for the recording medium 108, a pickup mechanism for the recording medium 108, and the like.

The image forming unit 104 forms a toner image on the photoconductor, and transfers the toner image formed on the photoconductor to the recording medium 108 by a high voltage electrostatic force. The roller 105 includes a mechanical mechanism for driving a mechanism for transporting the recording medium 108, such as a support portion necessary for transporting the recording medium 108.

The potential sensor 106 is an example of a voltage detection unit provided on a paper transport path (an example of a transport path) of the recording medium 108 in the copying apparatus and measuring the voltage (charge) of the recording medium 108. In the present embodiment, the potential sensor 106 is provided on the upstream side and the downstream side of the image forming unit 104 in the paper transport path of the recording medium 108 in the copying apparatus. In the present embodiment, the copying apparatus has three potential sensors 106, but a plurality of potential sensors 106 may be provided. This makes it easy to identify the mechanical failure point of the copying device. The fixing unit 107 fixes the toner image transferred to the recording medium 108 by heat welding or the like.

The copying apparatus according to the present embodiment separates the recording media 108 one by one from the bundle of the recording media 108 in the paper bank 103, picks up the recording medium 108 by the pick-up mechanism, and the arrow in FIG. Transport in the direction of. Further, the copying apparatus forms an image with the image forming unit 104 with respect to the recording medium 108 to be conveyed. Next, the copying apparatus fixes the image formed on the recording medium 108 by the fixing unit 107, and then ejects the recording medium 108.

By the way, in the conventional image forming apparatus, static electricity is generated in the image forming apparatus due to friction of the recording medium 108 conveyed in the image forming apparatus, printing charge, and the like, and the discharge current due to the static electricity causes a malfunction. Sometimes. The cause of malfunction of the image forming apparatus due to static electricity occurs when the static electricity ground path becomes a discharge start voltage due to a mechanical failure (grounding failure) in the paper transport path of the recording medium 108. do. Therefore, in the copying apparatus according to the present embodiment, the voltage in the main body 102 is measured by the potential sensor 106 to detect the mechanical failure of the copying device, and the detection result of the failure is transmitted to the service person or the like. Notice.

Next, an example of the functional configuration of the copying apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the copying apparatus according to the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 2, the copying apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a communication control unit 201, a system control unit 202, an I / O control unit 203, an I / O device 204, and a potential sensor 106. Have.

The communication control unit 201 is a printer communication board or the like, and is an example of a communication control unit that controls communication with an external device such as notifying a service center of a failure of a copying device. In the present embodiment, the communication control unit 201 is configured to be able to communicate with an external device such as a service center by a communication line 205 such as Ethernet (registered trademark), but with an external device such as a cloud via a network. A communication line other than Ethernet may be used as long as communication is possible.

The system control unit 202 is an example of a system control unit that controls the entire copying apparatus. Specifically, the system control unit 202 has a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a program memory, a work kinggram, a non-volatile memory, and the like.

The system control unit 202 detects at least one voltage of the recording medium 108 and the mechanism (hereinafter referred to as a component) in contact with the recording medium 108 by the potential sensor 106 via the I / O control unit 203. Here, the component is a mechanism in which the recording medium 108 is in contact with the mechanical mechanism of the copying apparatus. For example, the constituents are, for example, the main body 102 of the copying apparatus, rollers, rollers 105, belts, and the like provided on the paper transport path of the recording medium 108. Further, the system control unit 202 compares the detected voltage with the preset abnormality determination reference value to determine the abnormality of the continuity of the copying apparatus. In the present embodiment, the system control unit 202 determines that there is an abnormality in the continuity of the copying device when the detected voltage exceeds the abnormality determination reference value.

Then, when the system control unit 202 determines that there is an abnormality in the continuity of the copying device, the system control unit 202 records the determination result in the non-volatile memory (an example of the memory) of the system control unit 202. Further, the system control unit 202 outputs the determination result recorded in the non-volatile memory to a display unit (for example, a monitor, a liquid crystal display, an LED (Light Emitting Diode)) included in the copying device. Further, when the system control unit 202 determines that there is an abnormality in the continuity of the copying device, the detected voltage (sensor value) is set as an abnormal value and recorded in the non-volatile memory of the system control unit 202, and the recording is performed. It is also possible to calculate outlier statistical data (an example of data). The communication control unit 201 described above transmits the determination result of the abnormality of continuity of the copying device to the external device. This makes it possible to measure the static electricity that causes the copying device to malfunction and predict the malfunction of the copying device due to the generation of static electricity. As a result, it is possible to analyze the causes of abnormalities in the copying apparatus such as paper jams and communication errors that are secondarily generated by static electricity.

The I / O control unit 203 is a mechanical control unit, and is an example of an input / output control unit that controls the I / O device 204. For example, the I / O control unit 203 has a driver such as a motor and a solenoid included in the I / O device 204, and an input / output signal buffer for various signals to be input / output to / from the I / O device 204.

The I / O device 204 is an example of an input / output device having a component of a copying device. Specifically, the I / O device 204 is a drive required for the operation of a copying device such as a motor, a solenoid, a heater, a lamp, a photo sensor (for example, an interrupter, a reflection sensor), a mechanical sensor, a temperature sensor, and a humidity sensor. Includes mechanism and various sensors.

As described above, a plurality of potential sensors 106 are provided in the paper transport path of the recording medium 108. This makes it easy to identify the defective portion of the component of the copying apparatus, such as the defective grounded portion in the paper transport path of the recording medium 108.

Next, with reference to FIG. 3, an example of the flow of communication processing of the abnormality detection result in the copying apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a flow of communication processing of an abnormality detection result in the copying apparatus according to the first embodiment.

First, the system control unit 202 reads the voltage detection result by the potential sensor 106 via the I / O control unit 203 (step S301). For example, the system control unit 202 reads the voltage detection result by the potential sensor 106 from the input / output signal buffer of the I / O control unit 203, and converts the read voltage detection result into a digital signal by an A / D converter or the like. Convert.

Next, the system control unit 202 determines whether or not the voltage detected by the potential sensor 106 exceeds the preset abnormality determination reference value (step S302). When the voltage detected by the potential sensor 106 is equal to or less than the abnormality determination reference value (step S302: No), the system control unit 202 ends the communication processing of the abnormality detection result of the copying apparatus.

On the other hand, when the voltage detected by the potential sensor 106 exceeds the abnormality determination reference value (step S302: Yes), that is, when it is determined that there is an abnormality in the continuity of the copying device, the system control unit 202 uses the potential sensor 202. The voltage (sensor value) detected by 106 is recorded as an abnormal value in the non-volatile memory of the system control unit 202 (step S303). Further, the system control unit 202 prints the sensor value, the number of prints (print history) of the recording medium 108 during the print job of the copying device, the number of past occurrences of abnormalities in the components of the copying device, and the printing of one recording medium 108. The sequence inside, the duration of abnormality of the components of the copying apparatus, and the like are recorded in the non-volatile memory of the system control unit 202 (step S304).

Next, the system control unit 202 calculates statistical data such as abnormal values recorded in the non-volatile memory of the system control unit 202. Further, the system control unit 202 calculates a history abnormality value which is a set value capable of determining a continuity abnormality of the copying device based on the calculated statistical data, and whether or not the calculated statistical data exceeds the history abnormality value. (Step S305). When the calculated statistical data does not exceed the history abnormality value (step S305: No), the system control unit 202 ends the communication processing of the determination result of the continuity abnormality of the copying apparatus.

On the other hand, when the calculated statistical data exceeds the history abnormal value (step S305: Yes), the system control unit 202 transmits the determination result of the continuity abnormality of the copying device and the statistical data via the communication control unit 201. Then, it is uploaded to the cloud or sent to an external device (step S306).

As described above, according to the copying apparatus according to the first embodiment, it is possible to measure the static electricity that causes the malfunctioning of the copying apparatus and predict the malfunction of the copying apparatus due to the generation of static electricity. As a result, it is possible to analyze the causes of abnormalities in the copying apparatus such as paper jams and communication errors that are secondarily generated by static electricity.

(Second embodiment)
In the present embodiment, the system uses the first detection result of the malfunction of the software that controls the component of the copying device, the second detection result of the abnormality of the component of the copying device, and the time stamp of the control of the component by the software. This is an example of outputting the first detection result, the second detection result, and the time stamp recorded in the non-volatile memory of the control unit and recorded in synchronization with the non-volatile memory to an external device. In the following description, the description of the same configuration as that of the first embodiment will be omitted.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the copying apparatus according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the copying apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a communication control unit 401, a system control unit 402, an I / O control unit 203, an I / O device 204, and a potential sensor 106. Have.

In the present embodiment, the system control unit 402 detects a malfunction of the software that controls the components of the copying apparatus. Then, the system control unit 402 detects the first detection result, which is the detection result of the malfunction of the software, the time stamp of the control of the component by the software (hereinafter referred to as mechanical control), and the abnormality detection result of the component of the copying device. The second detection result and the like are recorded in the non-volatile memory of the system control unit 402.

In the present embodiment, the system control unit 402 detects static electricity in the vicinity of at least one of the recording medium 108 and the component by the potential sensor 106 via the I / O control unit 203. Then, when the static electricity is detected, the system control unit 402 records the first detection result, the time stamp, and the second detection result in the non-volatile memory. Further, in the present embodiment, the system control unit 402 calculates statistical data of the occurrence frequencies of the first detection result, the time stamp, and the second detection result within a preset period, and the statistical data is obtained. Is recorded in the non-volatile memory.

The communication control unit 401 outputs the first detection result, the time stamp, and the second detection result recorded in synchronization with the non-volatile memory of the system control unit 402 to an external device or the like. This makes it possible to analyze which event of the operation of the components of the copying apparatus is the cause of the malfunction of the copying apparatus (for example, paper jam, communication error) due to EMC noise. Further, the communication control unit 401 transmits the statistical data of the occurrence frequency recorded in the non-volatile memory of the system control unit 402 to the external device.

Next, an example of recording processing of various information by the system control unit of the copying apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an example of a time stamp of mechanical control of the copying apparatus according to the second embodiment.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the system control unit 402 picks up from the recording medium 108 from the paper bank 103, and the mechanical control time until the recording medium 108 is ejected from the copying apparatus. Generate a stamp. For example, in the system control unit 402, the pickup mechanism of the paper bank 103, the roller 105, the image forming unit 104, the time stamp of starting and stopping the clutch and the motor included in the fixing unit 107, etc., and the recording medium 108 have passed through the potential sensor 106. Generate a time stamp of the time. In the present embodiment, the system control unit 402 generates a time stamp in ms units.

In the conventional image forming apparatus, an abnormal state in which the recording medium 108 is not conveyed at a preset timing and an abnormal state in which the recording medium 108 is not separated are detected, and the abnormal state is the electrical system of the image forming apparatus. It does not directly detect anomalies caused by external factors. Therefore, it is difficult to analyze the cause of the detected abnormality with the conventional image forming apparatus.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the system control unit 402 synchronizes the following (1) to (3). This makes it possible to analyze which of the mechanical controls caused the noise to cause the abnormality (failure) of the copying apparatus. That is, it is possible to narrow down the mechanical control (control target) when an abnormality occurs in the copying device from among many mechanical controls executed in the copying device. As a result, it becomes possible to identify the failed unit that caused the abnormality of the copying apparatus.

(1) Detection of software malfunction executed in the copying device The system control unit 402 has, for example, a WDT (Watch Dog Timer), communication data, and a program due to software processing not being completed within a preset time. A code decoding failure is detected as a software malfunction executed in the copying device. In particular, the system control unit 402 detects an irreparable WDT defect.

When the system control unit 402 fails, it is difficult for the system control unit 402 to detect a malfunction of the software. Therefore, when the copying apparatus has a plurality of system control units 402, various data inputs and interrupts are input to the plurality of system control units 402, and the plurality of system control units 402 are connected to each other in the system control unit 402. Detect malfunctions. That is, when the copying apparatus has a plurality of system control units 402, one system control unit 402 detects a malfunction (for example, occurrence of SC) of the other system control unit 402.

(2) Abnormality detection of the component of the copying device The system control unit 402 detects an abnormality of the component of the copying device when the voltage detected by the potential sensor 106 exceeds the abnormality determination reference value. In the present embodiment, in order to reduce an error with the time stamp of the mechanical control described later, the system control unit 402 interrupts the CPU of the system control unit 402 and determines the timing at which an abnormality in the configuration of the copying device is detected. Record.

(3) Mechanically Controlled Time Stamp The system control unit 402 is configured by software from the paper bank 103 to the time when the recording medium 108 is picked up from the recording medium 108 and discharged from the copying device, as described above. Generates a time stamp for mechanical control of an object.

The system control unit 402 sets the detection result (first detection result) of (1), the detection result (second detection result) of (2), and the time stamp of (3) into the non-volatile memory of the system control unit 402. Record in. Then, the communication control unit 401 outputs the detection result of (1), the detection result of (2), and the time stamp of (3) recorded in synchronization with the non-volatile memory to an external device or the like. In the present embodiment, the system control unit 402 constantly records the detection result of (1), the detection result of (2), and the time stamp of (3), so that when an abnormality occurs in the copying apparatus, the system control unit 402 constantly records. Although the cause of the abnormality can be analyzed, it becomes easy to analyze the abnormality of the copying apparatus even after the occurrence of the abnormality and in the reproduction experiment.

Next, an example of the flow of recording processing of the abnormality detection result in the copying apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a flow of recording processing of an abnormality detection result in the copying apparatus according to the second embodiment.

First, the system control unit 402 reads the voltage detection result by the potential sensor 106 via the I / O control unit 203 (step S601). For example, the system control unit 402 reads the voltage detection result by the potential sensor 106 from the input / output signal buffer of the I / O control unit 203, and converts the read voltage detection result into a digital signal by an A / D converter or the like. Convert.

Next, the system control unit 402 determines whether or not the voltage (sensor value) detected by the potential sensor 106 exceeds the preset abnormality determination reference value (step S602). When the voltage detected by the potential sensor 106 is equal to or less than the abnormality determination reference value (step S602: No), the system control unit 402 returns to step S601.

On the other hand, when the voltage detected by the potential sensor 106 exceeds the abnormality determination reference value (step S602: Yes), the system control unit 402 generates an interruption and the voltage detected by the potential sensor 106 (sensor value). Is recorded in the non-volatile memory of the system control unit 402 (step S603). Next, the system control unit 402 waits for the job routine time until one recording medium 108 passes through the copying apparatus and is ejected (step S604).

Next, the system control unit 402 determines whether an SC has occurred from the copying device or an error has occurred in the control data of the copying device during the job routine time (step S605). When no SC has been generated from the copying device and no error has occurred in the control data of the copying device (step S605: No), the recording process of the detection result of the abnormality of the copying device is terminated.

On the other hand, when SC is generated from the copying device or an error of the control data of the copying device occurs (step S605: Yes), the system control unit 402 sets the sensor value and the recording medium 108 in the printing job of the copying device. The number of prints, the number of past occurrences of abnormalities in the components of the copying device, the sequence during printing of one recording medium 108 (print job sequence), the duration of abnormalities in the components of the copying device, the timing of occurrence of SC, etc. , Record in the non-volatile memory of the system control unit 202 (step S606).

As described above, according to the copying apparatus according to the second embodiment, any event of the operation of the components of the copying apparatus causes the copying apparatus to malfunction due to EMC noise (for example, paper jam or communication error). It becomes possible to analyze whether or not there is.

In the above embodiment, an example in which the image forming apparatus of the present invention is applied to a multifunction device having at least two of a copy function, a printer function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function will be described. It can be applied to any image forming apparatus such as a printer, a scanner apparatus, and a facsimile apparatus.

101 ADF
102 Main unit 103 Paper bank 104 Image drawing unit 105 Roller 106 Potential sensor 107 Fixing unit 108 Recording medium 201,401 Communication control unit 202,402 System control unit 203 I / O control unit 204 I / O device 205 Communication line

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2017-049500 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-109770

Claims (7)

A voltage detection unit provided on the transport path of the recording medium in the image forming apparatus, and
An input / output device including the components of the image forming device and
An input / output control unit that controls the input / output device and can communicate with the voltage detection unit.
The voltage detection unit detects at least one voltage of the recording medium and the component in contact with the recording medium via the input / output control unit, and the detected voltage and a preset abnormality determination reference value. , And a system control unit that determines the abnormality of the continuity of the image forming apparatus and outputs the determination result of the abnormality of the continuity of the image forming apparatus.
An image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a communication control unit that transmits a determination result of an abnormality in continuity of the image forming apparatus to an external device. When the system control unit determines that there is an abnormality in the continuity of the image forming apparatus, the system control unit records the detected voltage as an abnormal value, calculates the data of the recorded abnormal value, and calculates the data.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the communication control unit transmits the data to the external device. A voltage detection unit provided on the transport path of the recording medium in the image forming apparatus, and
An input / output device including the components of the image forming device and
An input / output control unit that controls the input / output device and can communicate with the voltage detection unit.
A malfunction of software having a memory and controlling a component of the image forming apparatus is detected, and the recording medium and the component in contact with the recording medium are contacted by the voltage detection unit via the input / output control unit. At least one voltage is detected, the detected voltage is compared with a preset abnormality determination reference value, an abnormality of the component is detected, and a first detection result of a malfunction of the software, the configuration. A system control unit that records a second detection result of an abnormality of an object and a time stamp of control of the component by the software in the memory.
A communication control unit that outputs the first detection result, the second detection result, and the time stamp recorded in synchronization with the memory.
An image forming apparatus. The system control unit detects static electricity in the vicinity of at least one of the recording medium and the component by the voltage detection unit via the input / output control unit, and when the static electricity is detected, the first detection result. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the second detection result and the time stamp are recorded in the memory. The system control unit further calculates data on the occurrence frequencies of the first detection result, the second detection result, and the time stamp within a preset period, and records the data in the memory. death,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the communication control unit further transmits the data stored in the memory to an external device. It has a plurality of the system control units and has a plurality of the system control units.
The method according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the system control unit on one side further detects a malfunction of the system control unit on the other side, and records the detection result in the memory as the first detection result. Image forming device.

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