JP4542870B2 - Image forming unit and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming unit composed of at least one exchange body, and an image forming apparatus in which the image forming unit is configured to be detachable from an apparatus main body.

In recent years, image forming units have been recycled from the viewpoint of environmental conservation. The image forming unit collected from the user is disassembled for each exchange member such as a photoreceptor, a developing device, a cleaning device, etc., subjected to a predetermined reproduction process such as cleaning, and attached to the image forming unit as a recycled product and sold again. Before performing the regeneration process for the exchanger, it is necessary to check the usage history of the exchanger to determine whether or not regeneration is possible.
In view of this, an image forming apparatus has been proposed in which a non-contact type IC chip is provided as a tag member for storing usage history information in each exchange, and the usage history information of each exchange is written on the IC chip (patent). Reference 1). In this image forming apparatus, use history information (usage time, rotation speed, energization time, etc.) is transmitted to the IC chip provided in each exchange using a communication means of the image forming apparatus as a radio signal. The IC chip receives the wireless signal transmitted from the communication means of the image forming apparatus and stores the usage history information in the nonvolatile memory of the IC chip. When performing the reproduction processing of the exchange body or the like, it is possible to determine whether or not the reproduction is possible by reading the usage history information from the nonvolatile memory of the IC chip.

JP 2003-5589 A

  However, the communication distance between the IC chip and the communication means of the image forming apparatus may become longer depending on the position of the exchange body in the image forming unit and the mounting position of the IC chip. In some cases, wireless signals do not reach the IC chip with a long communication distance, and usage information cannot be received.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to place the signal of the communication unit on the apparatus main body side incapable of receiving the signal directly due to the positional relationship between the communication unit of the image forming unit and the exchanger. It is an object to provide an image forming unit and an image forming apparatus that can receive signals from communication means on the apparatus main body side even when a tag member is disposed.

To achieve the above object, a first aspect of the invention, at least one or more of the exchanger is accommodated in the frame, the detachable configured image forming unit relative to the apparatus main body, individually to the exchanger provided, information for managing the life of the exchanger, and a tag member having a non-volatile memory means and non-contact communication means for storing information for reproducing the exchanger, without contact with the tag member A first communication circuit that performs communication, a second communication circuit that performs non-contact communication with a communication unit provided in the apparatus body, a non-volatile storage unit that stores at least information on an exchange that has reached the end of its life, and a CPU. has receives a signal from the apparatus main body, the received signal and a relay means for transmitting to the tag member, the tag member is received via the relay means a signal from the communication unit The above relay The stage receives information used for determining the life of the exchange from the communication means provided in the apparatus body, receives information for managing the life of the exchange from a tag member provided in the exchange, If the life of the exchanger is determined and it is determined that the life of the exchanger has been reached, information on the exchanger that has reached the end of life is stored in the non-volatile storage means provided by itself, and is provided in the exchanger that has reached the end of its life. The tag member provided in the exchange that has reached the end of its life is transmitted to the tag member, and the received use prohibition code is stored in the nonvolatile storage means provided in the tag member. .
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming unit of the first aspect, the information on the exchanger stored in the non-volatile storage means of the tag member includes manufacturing information of the exchanger, information for reproduction, and reproduction. It is at least one of information and usage history information.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming unit of the first or second aspect, the nonvolatile storage means of the tag member is an EEPROM.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming unit of the first, second or third aspect, the non-volatile storage means of the relay means includes control conditions, manufacturing information, information for reproduction, reproducing the information, in which at least one of the use history information is characterized that you have stored.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming unit according to any one of the first to fourth aspects , the nonvolatile storage means of the relay means is an EEPROM.
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming unit according to any of the first to fifth aspects, the exchange body is detachably attached to the frame body.
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image forming unit according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, the renewable exchange member is a photoconductor, a charging unit, a developing unit, a cleaning unit, a transfer unit, or a toner container. It is characterized by being at least one.
According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming unit according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, the relay unit includes a power source unit that generates power by communication radio waves from the communication unit included in the apparatus main body. The tag member includes power supply means for generating power by communication radio waves from the relay means.
According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming unit according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, the relay unit faces a communication unit provided in the apparatus main body when the relay unit is mounted in the apparatus main body. It is characterized by.
According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus including an image forming unit in which at least one or more exchangers are integrated and detachable from the apparatus main body, and the image forming unit is the first aspect. The image forming unit is any one of 9 to 9 .

According to the present invention, the signal from the communication means received by the tag member attached to the renewable exchange is received via the relay means. Since the relay unit transmits a signal from the image forming unit to each tag member, the communication distance is shortened compared to a unit that directly transmits a signal to each tag member from the communication unit of the apparatus main body at a position away from the image forming unit. can do. As a result, even if the tag member is arranged at a position where the signal of the communication means cannot be directly received due to the positional relationship between the exchanger and the communication means, the signal of the communication means can be satisfactorily received via the relay means. There is an effect that can be done.

  An embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a color copying machine which is an image forming apparatus of a tandem type indirect transfer system will be described. First, the schematic configuration and operation of the color copying machine will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a color copying machine. The color copying machine includes an apparatus main body 100, a paper feed table 200 on which the apparatus main body 100 is placed, a scanner 300 mounted on the apparatus main body 100, and an automatic document feeder (ADF) 400 mounted thereon. .

  An intermediate transfer member 10 as an endless belt-like transfer member is provided at the center of the apparatus main body 100. The intermediate transfer member 10 is wound around three support rollers 14, 15, 16 and can be rotated and conveyed clockwise in the figure. An intermediate transfer body cleaning device 17 for removing residual toner remaining on the intermediate transfer body 10 after image transfer is provided on the left side of the second support roller 15 among the three support rollers. Further, on the intermediate transfer member 10 stretched between the first support roller 14 and the second support roller 15, four image forming units 18 of yellow, cyan, magenta, and black are arranged along the conveyance direction. They are arranged side by side. Each image forming unit 18 in the tandem image forming unit 20 includes a charging device, a developing device, a primary transfer roller 62, a photoconductor cleaning device, a charge eliminating device, and the like around a photoconductor drum 40 as an image carrier. ing. These four image forming units 18 constitute a tandem image forming unit 20 as image forming means for forming toner images of different colors on the respective photosensitive drums 40. An exposure device 21 is provided on the tandem image forming unit 20.

  A secondary transfer device 22 as a transfer unit is provided on the side opposite to the tandem image forming unit 20 with the intermediate transfer member 10 interposed therebetween. The secondary transfer device 22 is configured by spanning a secondary transfer belt 24 that is an endless belt between two rollers 23, and is pressed against the third support roller 16 via the intermediate transfer body 10. Then, the image on the intermediate transfer member 10 is transferred to a transfer sheet. A fixing device 25 for fixing the transfer image on the transfer paper is provided downstream of the secondary transfer position in the transfer paper transport direction. The fixing device 25 has a configuration in which a pressure roller 27 is pressed against a fixing belt 26 that is an endless belt. A transfer paper reversing device 28 for reversing the transfer paper to record images on both sides of the transfer paper is provided below the secondary transfer device 22 and the fixing device 25 in parallel with the tandem image forming unit 20. .

  FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged view of one color of the image forming unit. Since the color may be any of yellow, cyan, magenta, and black, it will not be described in particular hereinafter. As shown in FIG. 2, in the tandem image forming section 20, the individual image forming units 18Y, 18C, 18M, and 18B are arranged around the photoconductive drums 40Y, 40C, 40M, and 40B as drum-like latent image carriers. , Charging devices 60Y, C, M, B, developing modules 61Y, C, M, B, primary transfer devices 62Y, C, M, B, photoconductor cleaning devices 63Y, C, M, B, static eliminators 64Y, C, M, B, etc. are provided. The photosensitive drum 40 has a drum shape in which a photosensitive organic photosensitive material is applied to an element tube such as aluminum to form a photosensitive layer, but may be an endless belt shape.

  The charging device 60 charges the photosensitive drum 40 by applying a voltage by contacting the photosensitive drum 40. Of course, charging can also be performed with a non-contact scorotron charger.

  The developing module 61 uses a two-component developer composed of a magnetic carrier and a nonmagnetic toner. A developing sleeve 65 as a developer carrying member is provided to face the photosensitive drum 40 through the opening of the developing case 70, and a magnet 72 is fixedly provided in the developing sleeve 65. Further, the developing case 70 conveys the two-component developer while stirring and adheres to the developer sleeve 65, and the toner of the two-component developer attached to the developing sleeve 65 is transferred to the photosensitive drum. 40, and the stirring unit 66 is positioned lower than the developing unit 67. Further, a doctor blade 73 is provided with the tip approaching the developing sleeve 65. The stirring unit 66 is provided with two screws 68 and is partitioned by a partition plate 69 except for both ends. The two-component developer in the stirring unit 66 is conveyed and circulated while being stirred by the two screws 68 and is supplied to the developing sleeve 65. The developer supplied to the developing sleeve 65 is pumped and held by the magnet 72 to form a magnetic brush on the developing sleeve 65. The magnetic brush is trimmed to an appropriate amount by the doctor blade 73 as the developing sleeve 65 rotates. The developer that has been cut off is returned to the stirring unit 66. On the other hand, of the developer on the developing sleeve 65, the toner is transferred to the photosensitive drum 40 by the developing bias voltage applied to the developing sleeve 65, and the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 40 is visualized. After the visualization, the developer remaining on the developing sleeve 65 leaves the developing sleeve 65 and returns to the stirring unit 66 where there is no magnetic force of the magnet 72. When the toner concentration in the stirring unit 66 becomes light by this repetition, this is detected by the toner concentration sensor 71 and the stirring unit 66 is replenished with toner.

  The primary transfer device 62 has a roller shape and is provided by pressing the photosensitive drum 40 with the intermediate transfer belt 10 interposed therebetween. Of course, the primary transfer device may be a non-contact corona charger or the like.

  The photoconductor cleaning device 63 has a cleaning blade 75 made of, for example, polyurethane rubber that presses the tip against the photoconductor drum 40, and a conductive fur brush 76 that rotates in the direction of the arrow in the drawing with the outer periphery contacting the photoconductor drum 40. Prepare. Furthermore, a metal electric field roller 77 that rotates in the direction of the arrow in the drawing and applies a bias to the fur brush 76, a scraper 78 whose tip is pressed against the electric field roller 77, and a recovery screw 79 that recovers the removed toner are provided. . The toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 40 is removed by a fur brush 76 that rotates in the counter direction with respect to the photosensitive drum 40. The toner adhering to the fur brush 76 is removed by applying a bias by the electric field roller 77 that rotates in the counter direction with respect to the fur brush 76. The electric field roller 77 is cleaned by a scraper 78. The toner collected by the photoconductor cleaning device 63 in this manner is brought near to one side of the photoconductor cleaning device 63 by the collection screw 79, and the developing module 61 by the toner conveying device 80 that connects the photoconductor cleaning device 63 and the developing module 61. And then used again for development. The static eliminator 64 is, for example, a lamp, and initializes the surface potential of the photosensitive drum 40 by irradiating light.

  When copying using the color copying machine having the above-described configuration, a document is set on the document table 30 of the automatic document feeder 400. Alternatively, the automatic document feeder 400 is opened, a document is set on the contact glass 32 of the scanner 300, and the automatic document feeder 400 is closed and pressed by it. When a start switch (not shown) is pressed, when a document is set on the automatic document feeder 400, the document is transported and moved onto the contact glass 32, and then the document is set on the other contact glass 32. Immediately drives the scanner 300 and travels through the first traveling body 33 and the second traveling body 34. Then, the first traveling body 33 emits light from the light source and further reflects the reflected light from the document surface toward the second traveling body 34, and is reflected by the mirror of the second traveling body 34 and passes through the imaging lens 35. The document is placed in the reading sensor 36 and the original content is read. When a start switch (not shown) is pressed, one of the support rollers 14, 15, 16 is rotated by a drive motor (not shown) and the other two support rollers are driven to rotate, and the intermediate transfer member 10 is rotated and conveyed. To do. At the same time, the photosensitive drums 40 as image carriers are rotated by the individual image forming units 18 to form black, yellow, magenta, and cyan single-color images on the respective photosensitive drums 40, respectively. Then, along with the conveyance of the intermediate transfer member 10, the single color images are sequentially transferred to form a composite color image on the intermediate transfer member 10.

  On the other hand, when a start switch (not shown) is pressed, one of the paper feed rollers 42 of the paper feed table 200 is selectively rotated, and the transfer paper is fed out from one of paper feed cassettes 44 provided in multiple stages in the paper bank 43. Then, the paper is separated one by one by the separation roller 45, put into the paper feed path 46, transported by the transport roller 47, guided to the paper feed path 48 in the apparatus main body 100, and abutted against the registration roller 49 and stopped. Alternatively, the transfer paper on the manual feed tray 51 is fed out by rotating the paper feed roller 50, separated one by one by the separation roller 52, put into the manual paper feed path 53, and abutted against the registration roller 49 and stopped. Then, the registration roller 49 is rotated in synchronization with the composite color image on the intermediate transfer member 10, the transfer paper is fed between the intermediate transfer member 10 and the secondary transfer device 22, and transferred by the secondary transfer device 22. To record a color image on the transfer paper.

  The transfer paper after the image transfer is transported by the transport belt 24 and sent to the fixing device 25. After the transfer image is fixed by applying heat and pressure by the fixing device 25, the transfer paper is switched by the switching claw 55 and discharged by the discharge roller 56. Are discharged and stacked on the discharge tray 57. The intermediate transfer body 10 after the image transfer has the residual toner remaining on the surface removed by the intermediate transfer body cleaning device 17 to prepare for the image formation by the tandem image forming unit 20 again.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a part of an electric circuit of the image forming apparatus. In the figure, a controller board 501 has a plurality of application functions such as a scanner application, a facsimile application, a printer application, and a copy application, and controls the entire system. The controller board 501 includes a CPU, a ROM that controls the system controller board, an SRAM that is a working memory used by the CPU, a frame memory, and a work memory. In addition, the above-mentioned SRAM backup function, NV-RAM with built-in clock and lithium battery, controller board 501, system bus control, frame memory control, FIFO, ASIC for controlling the CPU periphery, its interface circuit, etc. It has. The controller board 501 is connected to an operation unit board 502 of the image forming apparatus and an HDD 503 for recording image data.

  The operation unit board 502 controls the input for inputting the system setting by the user operating the panel of the image forming apparatus, and controls the display for displaying the setting contents and status of the system to the user. . The operation unit board 502 is written with a CPU, a RAM which is a working memory used by the CPU, a control program for the operation board 502, a ROM for controlling input reading and display output of the operation board, and setting contents and status. LCD, ASIC (LCDC) for controlling key input, and the like are mounted.

  The HDD 503 is used as an application database for storing system application programs and device activation information of printer image forming process devices. Further, it is also used as an image database for storing image data of read images and write images, that is, image data and document data. The HDD 503 and the controller board 501 are connected to each other through an interface that conforms to ATA / ATAPI-4 for both physical and electrical interfaces.

  A LAN interface board 505 is connected to the controller board 501. Communication with the management system is performed via the LAN interface board 505. The LAN interface board 505 is a communication interface board between the in-house LAN (Internet) and the controller. The LAN interface board 505 is connected by a standard communication interface of a PHY chip I / F and an I2C bus I / F.

  Further, a general-purpose PCI bus is connected to the controller board 501, and a FAX control unit (FCU) 506 and the like are connected to the PCI bus. The PCI bus is an image data bus / control command bus, and image data and control commands are transferred in a time division manner.

  An engine control board 510 is connected to the PCI bus, and the engine control board 510 and the controller board 501 are connected via the PCI bus. The engine control board 510 mainly performs image creation control of the image forming apparatus. The engine control board 510 incorporates a CPU and IPP which is a programmable arithmetic processing means for performing image processing, and a program necessary for controlling copying and printout. ROM, SRAM necessary for its control, and NV-RAM are mounted. The NV-RAM includes an SRAM and a memory that detects that the power is turned off and stores it in the EEPROM. Engine control board 510 also includes a serial interface that transmits and receives signals to and from the CPU that performs other controls. Further, the engine control board 510 is also equipped with an I / OASIC for controlling a nearby I / O (counter, fan, solenoid, motor, etc.) on which the engine control board is mounted.

Connected to the engine control board 510 are a scanner (SBU) board 511 for reading a copy original (image) and an LDB board 512 for writing image data on the photosensitive member. The engine control board 510 is connected to non-contact communication means 516 that communicates with an IC tag attached to the image forming unit. Further, the engine control board 510 is also connected with a drum rotation detecting means 519, a toner end sensor 518, and the like.
The SBU board 511 includes a circuit for generating drive timings of the analog ASIC, the CCD, and the analog ASIC.
Further, a PSU 514 that supplies power for controlling these image forming apparatuses is provided. The PSU 514 is supplied with commercial power by the main SW.

Next, image formation control will be described. The original is set in a reading unit 300 that optically reads the original provided with the color CCD 520 and the SBU board 511. Then, scanning of a document illumination light source (not shown) provided in the reading unit is performed to irradiate the document with light. The reflected light of the original is photoelectrically exchanged by the color CCD 520 to generate an image signal. The color CCD 520 is a three-line color CCD, and generates an EVENch / ODDch RGB image signal. The R, G, and B image signals are input to the analog ASIC of the SBU board 511 corresponding to each image signal. The R, G, and B image signals output from the CCD are sampled and held by a sampling and holding circuit inside the analog ASIC, and then A / D converted, and the R, G, and B image signals are converted into data signals. Convert to At the same time, the shading correction is performed by the analog ASICs of R, G, and B, and the image is sent to the image processor IPP of the engine control board 510 via the image data bus of the output I / F (interface) 520. Image data transferred from the SBU board 511 to the IPP is corrected for signal deterioration (scanner signal deterioration) due to quantization into an optical system and a digital signal by the IPP, and the controller is connected to the image data bus of the PCI bus. It is written in the frame memory of the board 501.
The black (B), yellow (Y), cyan (C), and magenta (M) write signals output from the work memory of the controller board 501 correspond to B, Y, M, and C of the LDB board 512, respectively. Each is input to an LD writing circuit (LDB). Then, LD current control (modulation control) is performed by the LD writing circuit (LDB) for each color, which is output to the LD for each color, and writing is performed on the surface of the photoreceptor of each color by laser light.

  Next, the image forming unit will be described. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming unit 1. As shown in FIG. 3, the image forming unit 1 has a photosensitive member 40, a cleaning module 2, a charging module 4, a developing module 5, and a toner container 6 attached to the image forming unit 1 as individually replaceable exchange bodies from a frame body 7. It has been. The frame 7 of the image forming unit 1 is provided with a second IC tag 10 that communicates with a third IC tag 101 as communication means on the apparatus body side. Further, the exchange bodies such as the photoconductor 40, the cleaning module 2, the charging module 4, the developing module 5, and the toner cartridge 6 are recyclable exchange bodies, and tags are provided so that these exchange bodies can be easily reproduced during reproduction. First IC tags 9a to 9e as members are attached. The first IC tag 9 is provided with a non-volatile recording means for storing information relating to the attached exchange body and a communication means for communicating with the second IC tag.

  The second IC tag is preferably provided at a position facing the communication means 101 on the apparatus main body side in a state where the image forming unit is mounted in the apparatus main body. As a result, the distance between the second IC tag and the apparatus main body can be minimized, and good communication can be performed.

  The second IC tag 10 has a function as a relay unit that receives a signal from the communication unit 101 on the apparatus main body side and transmits the received signal to the first IC tag 9. The second IC tag 10 includes a first communication circuit that communicates with the first IC tag 9 and a second communication circuit that communicates with the apparatus main body side. In addition, a nonvolatile storage unit that stores information on the entire image forming unit and a CPU that controls communication and the like with the first IC tag are provided.

  The cleaning module 2 includes a cleaning brush roller 2a that cleans residual toner on the surface of the photoreceptor, and a cleaning blade 2b. Further, the cleaning device 2 includes a waste toner collecting coil 2c. The first IC tag 9d attached to the cleaning module 2 has information for managing the life of parts such as the brush roller 2a and the cleaning blade 2b (for example, usage history and warranty time) and information for managing the life of the cleaning module itself. In addition, manufacturing information and reproduction information of parts and units are stored.

  The charging module 4 includes a charging roller 4a and a charging brush roller 4b for cleaning the charging roller 4a. The first IC tag 9b attached to the charging module includes information for managing the life of parts in the charging module such as the charging roller 4a and the charging brush roller 4b, information for managing the life of the charging module itself, and charging. Stores manufacturing information, reproduction information, etc. of components and units in the module.

  The developing module 5 includes a developing roller 5a for adhering toner to the latent image on the photoreceptor 40, a doctor blade 5b for regulating the amount of the developer on the developing roller 5a, and stirring the developer on the developing roller 5a. Two conveying screws 5c and 5d are provided for conveying while moving. The developing module 5 includes a T sensor 5e, and detects the toner concentration in the developer to detect the toner concentration. Further, the developing module 5 includes an air pump for conveying toner from the toner cartridge 6 and a toner end detection sensor for detecting the toner end, although not shown. The first IC tag attached to the developing module includes information for managing the lifetime of the components in the developing module such as the developing roller 5a and the doctor blade, information for managing the lifetime of the developing module itself, and the components and units in the developing module. Manufacturing information, reproduction information, etc. are stored. In addition, toner information such as toner type and color is also stored.

  The first IC tag 9a attached to the toner container 6 stores toner information such as toner filling amount, toner filling timing, toner type and toner remaining amount, reproduction information such as the number of recycles and reproduction date and time, and the like. is doing.

  The first IC tag 9e attached to the photoconductor 40 is attached to the center of the end surface of the photoconductor shaft so that the communication distance with the second IC tag does not vary. The first IC tag 9e attached to the photoconductor 40 stores information for managing the life of the photoconductor such as usage history and warranty time, manufacturing information, reproduction information, and the like.

  Although not shown, the image forming unit 1 is appropriately provided with a drive source for driving the photoconductor 40 and the like, a detection unit for detecting the rotation speed of the photoconductor, and the like. The storage means of the second IC tag 10 stores the life information of each replacement body configured to be detachable from the frame body such as the photoconductor 40 and the cleaning module 2, the drive source for driving the photoconductor 40, and the rotation speed of the photoconductor. Information for managing the life of components provided in the image forming unit such as detection means for detecting, information for managing the life of the image forming unit itself, manufacturing information and reproduction information of the image forming unit, and the like are stored.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the image forming unit 1. The image forming unit 1 includes a photoreceptor 40, a cleaning module 2, a charging module 4, and a developing module 5.
The image forming unit 1 can be attached to and detached from the opening 100a on the apparatus main body side 100 by moving it back and forth along the axial direction of the photoreceptor 40, and can be replaced. The frame body 7 includes a first frame body 7 a having a receiving portion for the photoreceptor 40, a second frame body 7 b having a cleaning module 2, and a third frame body 7 c having a developing module 5. The second frame body 7 b is attached to the first frame body by a rotatable engaging portion 7 d and is positioned by a second frame body positioning member 74. The third frame body 7c is attached to the first frame body 7a by the third frame body positioning member 71 and positioned. The charging module 4 can be attached to and detached from the second frame 7b in the vertical direction (see FIG. 5). These will be described in detail later. As will be described in detail later, with the image forming unit 1 removed from the image forming apparatus main body 100, the photoconductor 40, the charging module 4, the developing module 5, and the cleaning module 2 can be replaced with new ones in units. It is. Each unit can be handled by a serviceman and a user.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a state in which the charging module 4 is mounted on the image forming unit 1. The charging module 4 is inserted into charging fitting portions 7f and 7r provided on both side plates of the image forming unit 1, and is fitted and positioned, and fixed to the second frame 7b by screws or the like. The charging module 4 can be easily removed from the image forming unit 1 by removing the fixing of the charging module 4 and the second frame 7b and lifting the charging module 4 upward in the drawing.

  6 and 7 are schematic views showing a state when the photoconductor 40 is detached from the image forming unit 1 and separated. The photoreceptor 40 can be separated as follows. As shown in FIG. 6, the positioning member 74 that fixes the second frame 7b is removed and rotated by the engaging portion 7d of the second frame 7b to open the upper portion of the image forming unit 1. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the photosensitive member 40 that is only supported by the support portion 7e of the frame body 7a of the image forming unit 1 and is not fixed is pulled out upward while pressing the frame body 7a. It can be easily separated.

  The cleaning module 2 can be easily separated by removing the fixing member 75 that fixes the cleaning device 2 to the second frame 7b.

  The developing module 5 can be easily separated from the image forming unit by removing the third frame positioning member 71.

  In the present embodiment, the first IC tag 9 attached to each exchanger is configured to communicate with the apparatus main body 100 via the second IC tag 10 serving as a relay unit. The outline of communication with the apparatus main body 100 in the M color image forming unit 1M will be described below, but the same applies to image forming units of other colors. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating communication between the M-color image forming unit 1M and the apparatus main body 100 side. As shown in FIG. 8, the apparatus main body 100 side includes a communication unit 101 that communicates with the second IC tag 10. The second IC tag 10 attached to the M color image forming unit is configured to communicate with communication means on the image forming apparatus main body side. On the other hand, the first IC tags 9a to 9e attached to the developing module 5 detachably attached to the M-color image forming unit 1M and the exchange member such as the photoreceptor 40 are communicated with the second IC tag. It is configured.

  Next, the first IC tag 9 will be described. FIG. 9 is a block diagram of the first IC tag 9. The first IC tag 9 includes a non-volatile memory 9a such as an EEPROM for storing information of the attached exchange body, and a transmission antenna 9b and a reception antenna 9c for communicating with the second IC tag 10. The first IC tag 9 includes a first IC tag side communication circuit 90 that transmits information from the reception antenna 9c to the nonvolatile memory 9a and transmits information in the nonvolatile memory 9a to the transmission antenna 9b. Yes.

  The non-volatile memory 9a stores the manufacturing information of the exchange, information for reproduction, information reproduced, usage history information, and the like as information on the exchange. Information stored as the manufacturing information of the exchanger is a lot number, date of manufacture, type, storage period, identification number, and the like. The regenerated information is information used for detecting the life of the regenerated exchanger. Specifically, for example, the date and time of replacement, the toner filling amount, the toner filling time, the toner type, and the like are different depending on the installed replacement body. The usage history information stores, for example, a usage time, a storage period, a usage start date, the number of copies, the number of rotations of a roller, and a remaining amount of toner. The information for reproducing each exchange is information used to determine whether or not the exchange is reproducible. For example, the usable date, the guaranteed use time, the use limit copy number, the roller Is stored. The use history information and the information for reproduction are used as information used for detecting the life of each exchanger.

  The first IC tag side communication circuit 90 includes a reception circuit 90e that amplifies the reception signal received by the reception antenna 9c, and a demodulation circuit 90g that demodulates the amplified reception signal into a predetermined signal for transmission. In addition, a control circuit 90h is provided for writing information into the nonvolatile memory 9a and taking out information from the nonvolatile memory 9a based on the received signal. Further, a modulation circuit 90i that modulates information in the nonvolatile memory 9a into a predetermined signal for transmission and a transmission driver 90j that transmits a transmission signal to the transmission antenna 9b are provided. Further, a power supply circuit 90k that rectifies the electromagnetic waves of the receiving antenna 9c to create a power supply and supplies power to the first IC tag 9 is also provided.

Next, the second IC tag 10 will be described. The second IC tag 10 has a function as a relay unit when performing communication between the first IC tag 9 attached to each exchange body and the apparatus main body 100, and a function of a storage unit that stores information of the image forming unit 1. have.
FIG. 10 is a block diagram of the second IC tag 10. As shown in FIG. 10, the second IC tag 10 includes a CPU (10m) and a nonvolatile memory (EEPROM) 10c as storage means. The second IC tag 10 includes a first communication circuit (Contact-Less Interface) 10d that performs non-contact communication with the first IC tag, a transmitting antenna 10a, and a receiving antenna 10b. In addition, a second communication circuit (Contact-Less Interface) 10e that performs non-contact communication with the communication circuit 101 on the apparatus body side and a transmission / reception antenna 10f are provided. In addition, it has a power supply circuit (Power Supply) 10g that rectifies the electromagnetic waves of the transmitting / receiving antenna 10f to create a power supply and supplies the power to the second IC tag. The second IC tag 10 includes a control circuit (System Control Logic) 10h for controlling the inside of the second IC tag 10, a ROM (10i) as a program memory, a RAM (10j) as a working memory for executing a program, and an EEPROM. An E-EEPROM (10h) storing a dedicated instruction for writing to (10c) is provided.

  The EEPROM (10c) of the second IC tag 10 stores control conditions, manufacturing information, information for reproduction, reproduced information, and usage history information as information of the image forming unit. The control condition is information necessary for controlling the image forming unit, and examples thereof include image forming conditions such as an exposure amount, a charge amount, and a developing bias. The information stored as unit manufacturing information includes a lot, date of manufacture, type, storage period, identification number, and the like. The reproduced information is information for determining whether or not the image forming unit is reproducible when performing the reproduction process, and includes, for example, the number of recycles and replaced parts information. The reproduced information also stores information used for detecting the life of the reproduced image forming unit, and includes a reproduction date and time, a toner filling amount, a toner filling timing, and a toner type. The usage history information is information used for detecting the life of the image forming unit, and includes, for example, usage time, usage start date, total number of copies, roller rotation number, remaining toner amount, and the like. The information for reproduction is information stored for determining whether or not the image forming unit is reproducible. For example, the usable date, the guaranteed use time, the storage period, the use limit copy number, the roller Use limit rotation speed, parts to be replaced at the time of regeneration, the time to replace the components of the image forming unit, the upper limit of the number of recycles, the part code whose life was detected during use, unit abnormality information such as T sensor abnormality, charging abnormality, etc. Is mentioned. Information for reproduction is used as information used to detect the life of the image forming unit.

Next, the communication between the apparatus main body side and the second IC tag and between the second IC tag and the first IC tag will be specifically described. FIG. 11 is a time chart illustrating data exchange between the apparatus main body 100 and the second IC tag 10 and between the second IC tag 10 and the first IC tag 9.
As shown in FIG. 11, in communication with the apparatus main body 100, first, a request signal is transmitted from the CPU of the apparatus main body to the apparatus main body side communication means 101. The CPU and the main body side communication circuit 516 are connected by a serial interface, and signals are transmitted and received between the CPU and the main body side communication means 101 by this serial interface. The request signal transmitted to the communication means is modulated into a predetermined signal for transmission, sent to the main body side transmitting / receiving antenna 101a, and transmitted to the second IC tag side transmitting / receiving antenna 10f.

  The second IC tag 10 receives the transmission radio wave of the communication means 101 on the apparatus side by the second IC tag side transmitting / receiving antenna 10f. The power supply circuit 10g rectifies the electromagnetic waves of the received radio wave to create a power supply and supplies it to the second IC tag. At the same time, the request signal received by the second IC tag side transmitting / receiving antenna 10f is converted to a demodulated parallel signal by the second communication circuit 10e and sent to the CPU (10m) of the second IC tag 10. The second IC tag CPU (10m) determines the content of the request signal from the communication means 101 on the apparatus body side. When the request signal is a request related to information stored in the first IC tag 9, the address of the first IC tag 9 storing the requested information is given to the request signal. The request signal provided with the address is modulated into a predetermined signal for transmission by the first communication circuit 10d of the second IC tag 10, and this signal is transmitted from the second IC tag transmitting antenna 10a to the first IC tag 9.

  The first IC tag 9 having the above address receives the transmission radio wave from the second IC tag 10 by the receiving antenna 9 c of the first IC tag 9. At this time, the power supply circuit 90k rectifies the electromagnetic wave received by the receiving antenna 9c to create a power supply, and supplies the power to the first IC tag first IC tag side communication circuit 90. The request signal received almost simultaneously is amplified by the amplifier circuit 90e and demodulated into a predetermined signal by the demodulator circuit 90g. The request signal demodulated into the predetermined signal is sent to the control circuit 90h, and the control circuit 90h controls the writing and reading of information to and from the nonvolatile memory 9a based on the request signal. When the request signal is a signal for requesting information in the nonvolatile memory 9a, the control circuit 90h reads out necessary information from the nonvolatile memory 9a, and gives the address of the image forming unit to the read out information. The information given the address is sent to the modulation circuit 90i, modulated into a predetermined signal, and sent to the transmission antenna 90b. The signal sent to the transmission antenna 90 b is received by the reception antenna 10 b of the second IC tag 10.

  The second IC tag changes the signal transmitted from the first IC tag into a parallel signal after being demodulated by the first communication circuit 10d and sends it to the CPU (10m) of the second IC tag 10. Then, the signal is sent from the CPU (10m) of the second IC tag to the second communication circuit 10e, and the signal is modulated into a predetermined signal for transmission and transmitted to the apparatus body side. The apparatus main body side demodulates the signal received by the communication means 101 to obtain the requested information.

  On the other hand, when the request signal from the communication means 101 is a request signal related to information stored in the second IC tag 10, the CPU (10m) of the second IC tag 10 reads the information from the nonvolatile memory 10c of the second IC tag. The unit address is assigned to the information. Then, the information assigned with the unit address is modulated into a predetermined signal for transmission by the second communication circuit and transmitted to the apparatus main body side. The apparatus body side demodulates the received signal to obtain the requested information.

  Next, a case will be described in which the information stored in the first IC tag and the second IC tag is read to detect the lifetime of each component that is an exchange body of the image forming unit 18 and the image forming unit 18.

  First, the life detection of the image forming unit (referred to as a unit in the figure) 1 and the replacement body (parts in the figure) in the image forming unit 1 based on the usage time and the usage date will be described. FIG. 12 is a flowchart of life detection for detecting the life of the image forming unit and the parts based on the use time and the use date. As shown in FIG. 12, first, it is checked whether the counter of the internal timer of the CPU (10m) of the second IC tag 10 has counted for 1 hour (S1). When counting is performed for one hour (YES in S1), one hour is added to the count of the count timer in the RAM (10j) (S2). Since the information in the RAM (10j) disappears when the power is turned off, this time is the actual operation time. Next, it is confirmed whether the count timer of the RAM (10j) has counted 24 hours (arbitrary time) (S3). When the count timer has counted 24 hours (YES in S3), the EEPROM ( 24 hours is added to the unit usage time storage section of 10c) (S4). The second IC tag 10 communicates with each first IC tag 9 attached to each exchange, and adds 24 hours to the component usage time storage section of the EEPROM (9a) of each first IC tag 9 ( S5). Since the information in the usage time storage unit does not disappear even when the power is turned off, the usage time becomes the cumulative usage time. If the RAM count timer has not counted for 24 hours (NO in S3), this flow ends (S6).

  Next, the accumulated use time of the image forming unit 1 stored in the EEPROM (10c) of the second IC tag 10 and the use guarantee time of the image unit 1 written in advance are read and compared by the CPU (10m) ( S7). If the cumulative use time of the image forming unit 1 exceeds the guaranteed use time of the image forming unit 1 as a result of the comparison (YES in S7), it is determined that the life of the image forming unit 1 has been reached, and the EEPROM ( The use prohibition code or warning code is written in 10c) (S11), and this flow is terminated (S12). If the cumulative use time of the image forming unit 1 does not exceed the guaranteed use time of the image forming unit 1 as a result of the comparison (NO in S7), this flow ends (S12).

  Further, the cumulative use time of the image forming unit 1 stored in the EEPROM (10c) of the second IC tag 10 and the guaranteed use time of the exchange stored in advance in the nonvolatile memory of the first IC tag 9 of each exchange are shown. Each is read and compared by the CPU (10m) of the second IC tag 10 (S8). As a result of comparison, if the accumulated usage time of the image forming unit 1 exceeds the usage guarantee time of each component (YES in S8), the component (exchanger) code whose lifetime has been detected is assigned to the EEPROM (10c) of the second IC tag 10. (S10). Then, a use prohibition code is written in the EEPROM (10c) of the second IC tag 10 and the EEPROM (9a) of the first IC tag 9 provided in the exchange that has reached the end of life (S11), and this flow is finished (S12). ). As a result of the comparison, when the accumulated usage time of the unit does not exceed the usage guarantee time of each exchange (NO in S8), this flow is ended (S12).

  Further, the cumulative use time of the exchange body stored in the EEPROM (9a) of the first IC tag 9 attached to the exchange body and the guaranteed use time of the exchange body stored in advance are respectively read out, and the second IC Comparison is made by the CPU (10m) of the tag 10 (S9). As a result of the comparison, when there is an exchange whose accumulated usage time has exceeded the guaranteed use time (YES in S9), the part (exchanger) code whose life has been detected is written in the EEPROM (10c) of the second IC tag 10 (S10). ). Then, the prohibition code is written in the EEPROM (10c) of the second IC tag 10 and the EEPROM (9a) of the first IC tag 9 attached to the exchange whose life has been detected, and this flow is finished (S12). As a result of the comparison, if any of the exchanges does not exceed the guaranteed usage time (NO in S9), this flow ends (S12).

  On the other hand, when the counter of the internal timer of the CPU (10m) of the second IC tag 10 is not transmitting a one-hour count signal (NO in S1), a clock information signal (year / month / day signal) is sent from the apparatus main body 100 side. Is confirmed (S14). When the clock information signal is transmitted (YES in S14), the clock information (year / month / day information) is written in the clock information storage section of the EEPROM (10c) of the second IC tag 10 (S15).

  Next, the current date stored in the EEPROM (10c) of the second IC tag 10 is compared with the image forming unit usable date stored in advance in the EEPROM (10c) of the second IC tag 10. (S17). As a result of the comparison, if the current date has passed the usable date of the image forming unit 1 (YES in S17), the lifetime of the image forming unit 1 is determined and the EEPROM ( The use prohibition code is written in 10c) (S20), and this flow is finished (S21). As a result of comparison, if the current date does not exceed the usable date of the unit (NO in S17), use of the exchange stored in the EEPROM (9a) of the first IC tag 9 of each exchange Each possible date is read and compared with the current date stored in the EEPROM (10c) of the second IC tag 10 (S18). As a result of the comparison, if any of the exchanges has passed the usable date of the part (YES in S18), it is determined that the life has expired, and the EEPROM (10c) of the second IC tag 10 is determined. The component code whose life has been detected is written in (). The use prohibition codes are respectively written in the EEPROM (10c) of the second IC tag 10 and the EEPROM (9a) of the first IC tag 9 attached to the end-of-life exchange (S20), and this flow is finished (S21). . As a result of the comparison, if the current date of any exchange has not passed the usable date (NO in S18), this flow ends (S21).

  Next, the life detection of the unit and the exchange body based on the total number of copies and the rotational speed of the rotating body (hereinafter referred to as a roller) will be described. In general, the life of parts such as a developing roller, a cleaning roller, and a charging roller, which are parts (rotating bodies), is in a relative relationship with the total number of rotations. Therefore, it is preferable to detect the life of each roller by detecting the number of rotations of the roller or comparing the total number of rotations of each roller calculated from the total number of rotations of the photosensitive member with a preliminarily stored limit number of rotations. . Of course, the life may be detected from the total number of copies. The life of parts such as a cleaning blade is generally correlated with the number of copies. Therefore, the life of the cleaning blade may be detected by comparing the total number of copies with the limit copy number stored in advance.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart of life detection for detecting the life of the unit and the replacement body (part) based on the total number of copies and the total number of rotations of the rollers. As shown in FIG. 13, first, it is checked whether there is a copy number signal from the apparatus body side (S22). If there is a copy number signal (YES in S22), the number of copies transmitted to the second IC tag 10 is added to the unit total copy number storage section of the EEPROM (10c) of the second IC tag 10 (S23). Next, the number of copies transmitted from the apparatus main body is transmitted from the second IC tag 10 to the first IC tag 9 of each exchange. Each first IC tag 9 adds the copy number transmitted from the second IC tag 10 to the component total copy number storage section of the EEPROM (9a) of the first IC tag (S24).

  Next, the total number of copies of the image forming unit 1 stored in the EEPROM (10c) of the second IC tag 10 is compared with the use limit copy number of the image forming unit 1 previously written in the EEPROM (10c) (S25). As a result of the comparison, if the total number of copies of the image forming unit 1 exceeds the use limit copy number of the image forming unit 1 (YES in S25), it is determined that the life of the image forming unit 1 is reached, and the EEPROM of the second IC tag 10 The use prohibition code is written in (10c) (S29), and this follow is terminated (S20). As a result of the comparison, when the total number of copies of the image forming unit 1 does not exceed the use limit copy number of the image forming unit 1 (NO in S25), this follow is ended (S20).

  Alternatively, the total number of copies of the unit stored in the EEPROM (10c) of the second IC tag 10 and the use limit copy number of the exchange stored in the EEPROM (9a) of the first IC tag 9 of each exchange are read. Then, comparison is made (S27). If there is an exchange with the total number of copies of the unit exceeding the limit copy number (YES in S27), the exchange is determined to be the end of life, and the part (exchanger) code whose life is detected is assigned Write to the EEPROM (10c) of the 2IC tag 10 (S28). Then, the use prohibition codes are respectively written in the EEPROM (10c) of the second IC tag 10 and the EEPROM (9a) of the first IC tag 9 attached to the exchange whose life has been detected (S29), and this follow is finished. (S20). If the total number of copies of the unit does not exceed the usage limit number of the exchanger (NO in S27), this follow is terminated (S21).

  Alternatively, the total copy number of parts stored in the EEPROM (9a) of the first IC tag 9 and the use limit copy number of the exchange stored in advance are read for each exchange and compared by the CPU of the second IC tag. (S27). As a result of the comparison, if there is an exchange whose total copy number exceeds the limit copy number of use of the exchange (YES in S27), the exchange is judged to have a life, and the part whose life has been detected (exchange) The code is written in the EEPROM (10c) of the second IC tag 10 (S28). Then, the use prohibition codes are respectively written in the EEPROM (10c) of the second IC tag 10 and the EEPROM (9a) of the first IC tag 9 attached to the exchange whose life has been detected (S29), and this follow is finished. (S20). If the total number of copies in any of the exchanges does not exceed the use limit number of exchanges (NO in S27), the follow-up is terminated (S21).

  On the other hand, if the signal from the apparatus main body is not a copy number signal, it is confirmed whether it is a rotation number signal of the photosensitive drum 40 (S32). In the case of the rotational speed signal of the photosensitive drum 40 (YES in S32), the rotational speed of the photosensitive drum 40 is added to the unit cumulative rotational speed storage section of the EEPROM (10c) of the second IC tag 10 (S33). Next, the rotation number signal of the photosensitive drum 40 transmitted from the apparatus main body is transmitted from the second IC tag 10 to the IC tag 9 of each exchange body. Each first IC tag 9 adds the rotational speed of the photosensitive drum 40 transmitted from the second IC tag 10 to the total roller rotational speed storage section of the EEPROM (9a) of the first IC tag 9 (S34). If there is no rotation speed signal of the photosensitive drum 40 (NO in S32), this flow is ended (S25).

  Next, the use limit rotation speed of the roller of the exchange body stored in advance in the EEPROM (9a) of the first IC tag 9 is read out from each exchange body, and the unit total rotation stored in the EEPROM (10c) of the second IC tag 10 Each of the numbers is compared (S36). If there is an exchange that has a unit cumulative rotation speed exceeding the limit rotation speed of the roller of the exchange body (YES in S36), it is determined that the exchange body is at the end of its life, and the component whose life has been detected (exchange body) ) The code is written in the EEPROM (10c) of the second IC tag 10 (S38). Then, the use prohibition code is written in the EEPROM (10c) of the second IC tag 10 and the EEPROM (9a) of the first IC tag 9 attached to the exchange unit determined to have a lifetime (S39), and this follow is finished. (S40). If the total number of rotations of any of the exchanges does not exceed the use limit rotation number of the rollers of the exchanges (NO in S36), the follow-up is finished (S40).

  Alternatively, the total roller rotation speed stored in the EEPROM (9a) of the first IC tag 9 and the use limit rotation speed of the roller of the replacement body stored in advance are read for each replacement body, and the CPU of the second IC tag 10 Comparison is made at (10 m) (S36). As a result of the comparison, if there is an exchange body in which the total roller rotation speed exceeds the use limit rotation speed of the roller of the exchange body (YES in S36), the exchange body is determined to be the end of life, and the part whose life has been detected (replacement) Body) code is written into the EEPROM (10c) of the second IC tag 10 (S38). Then, the use prohibition codes are respectively written in the EEPROM (10c) of the second IC tag 10 and the EEPROM (9a) of the first IC tag 9 attached to the exchange whose life has been detected (S39), and this follow is finished. (S40). If the total number of rotations of any of the exchanges does not exceed the use limit rotation number of the rollers of the exchanges (NO in S36), the follow-up is finished (S40).

  For example, a reflective optical sensor can be used to detect the number of rotations of the photosensitive drum 40. FIG. 14 is a perspective view illustrating a reflective optical sensor that detects the number of rotations of the photosensitive member. As shown in FIG. 14, a drum rotation detection mark 82 is provided outside the image forming area of the photosensitive drum 40, and each time the photosensitive drum 40 rotates around the photosensitive drum 40, the drum rotation detection mark 82 is provided. A reflective optical sensor 83 is provided for detecting the above. FIG. 15 shows a detection circuit for a drum rotation detection mark by a reflective optical sensor. As shown in FIG. 15, the drum rotation signal from the reflective optical sensor 83 is transmitted to the CPU 517 on the apparatus main body side via the I / O board. The CPU 517 counts the drum rotation signal, detects the rotation number of the photosensitive drum 40, and transmits this detection signal to the second IC tag. In addition, the drum rotation signal from the reflective optical sensor 83 is transmitted to the CPU (10m) of the second IC tag, and the drum rotation signal is counted by the CPU (10m) of the second IC tag. The number of rotations of the drum 40 may be detected. In the flowchart shown in FIG. 13, the life of other rollers is detected based on the number of rotations of the photoconductor 40. The above-described rotation number detection means is provided for each roller, and the rotation number detection means detects this. The life of each roller may be detected directly from the rotation speed.

  Further, in the image forming unit 1 including the toner container 6, the life of the image forming unit 1 or the toner container 6 may be detected from the detection result of the toner end sensor 518 that detects the toner end.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart for detecting the life of the image forming unit based on the detection result from the toner end sensor 518. As shown in FIG. 16, first, the second IC tag 10CPU (10m) reads an output signal from the toner end sensor 518 via the I / O control board 513 (S41). Then, it is determined from the read signal whether it is a toner end signal (S42). If it is determined that the toner has ended (YES in S42), the remaining amount of toner is stored in the EEPROM (9a) of the first IC tag 9 of the toner container 6 (S43). Then, the use prohibition code is written in the EEPROM (10c) of the second IC tag 10 (S44), and this flow is finished (S45). On the other hand, if it is not the toner end (NO in S42), this flow is ended (S45).

  For detection of the toner end, a transmissive optical sensor, an antenna type toner end sensor, or the like can be used. The transmissive optical sensor is provided in a transport nozzle that connects the toner cartridge and the developing case, and detects the toner end by detecting the transmittance. The antenna-type toner end sensor is provided in the developing case, and detects a toner end in the developing case by detecting a capacitance between the developing roller and the antenna, which varies depending on the amount of toner.

As described above, when the life of the image forming unit or the exchange body is reached, the prohibition code is written in the EEPROM (10c) of the second IC tag 10 and the EEPROM (9a) of the first IC tag 9, respectively. With these prohibition codes, it is possible to check whether the image forming unit 1 is usable.
For example, the communication with the second IC tag 1 is performed when the power of the image forming unit is turned on or when the door of the image forming apparatus is opened at the end of copying, and the EEPROM (10c) of the second IC tag 10 and the EEPROM (9a) of the first IC tag 9 Check whether the prohibition code is stored in When the prohibition code is stored, a warning is displayed on the display unit of the image forming apparatus that there is an image forming unit that has reached the end of its life, and the image forming operation is prohibited. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the use of an image forming unit that has reached the end of its life. In addition, by writing a prohibition code in the EEPROM (9a) of the first IC tag 9 that has reached the end of life and checking it when the image forming unit is turned on or when the door of the image forming apparatus is opened, the replacement that has reached the end of the life is inadvertently performed. Even if the body is changed, the image forming unit is not used.

  Further, by storing the code of a component (exchanger) whose life has been reached in the EEPROM (10c) of the second IC tag 10, if information is read from the second IC tag 10 by a read writer during reproduction of the image forming unit, image formation is performed. It is possible to grasp which exchange body of the unit has a lifetime. This eliminates the trouble of reading the information of each of the first IC tags attached to the exchanger with a read writer and searching for the exchanger that has reached the end of its life, thereby improving the efficiency of the reproduction work.

  Further, usage history information such as the total number of copies, the number of roller rotations, and the total usage time is stored in the EEPROM (9a) of the first IC tag. Thus, if the history of use is read from the EEPROM (9a) of the first IC tag attached to the exchange body at the time of reproduction of the exchange body, it can be determined whether or not the exchange body can be reproduced.

(1)
As described above, according to the image forming unit of the present embodiment, the request signal for reading / writing information stored in the first IC tag as the tag member, which is transmitted from the communication unit of the apparatus main body, is used as the relay unit. The first IC tag is received via the second IC tag. As a result, even if the first tag is arranged at a position where the request signal from the communication means cannot be directly received due to the positional relationship of the exchanger, the signal of the communication means can be received satisfactorily.
(2)
Further, according to the image forming unit of the present embodiment, the nonvolatile storage unit of the first IC tag stores at least one of the manufacturing information of the exchanger, the reproduced information, the information for reproduction, and the usage history information. ing. Usage history information (usage time, start date of use, number of copies, number of rotations of rollers) stored in the first IC tag such as a lead writer and information for reproduction (use) (Guarantee time, usable date, limit number of copies, limit roller rotation speed). Then, the usage history information and the information for reproduction can be compared to determine whether or not the exchanger can be reproduced. For example, when the use time is close to the use guarantee time by comparing the use guarantee time with the use time or above, it is determined that the exchange cannot be regenerated. In addition, when the time interval between the use time and the use guarantee time is sufficiently large, the renewal is performed by performing a predetermined regeneration process such as cleaning the exchanger.
In addition, when performing the regeneration processing of the exchange, the manufacturing information (lot number, date of manufacture, type, storage period, identification number, etc.) is read from the first IC tag, so that the regeneration processing method of the exchange is performed. Can be recognized. For example, when the developing device is regenerated, depending on the type of the developing device, there are one that regenerates with a magnetic carrier and one that regenerates without a magnetic carrier. Also, depending on the production time, the type of magnetic carrier to be inserted may differ. However, if the manufacturing information is stored in the first IC tag as described above, the manufacturing information is read from the first IC tag when the disassembled body that has been disassembled from the image forming unit is reproduced. Reproduction processing can be performed.
As described above, by storing the manufacturing information, the reproduced information, the information for reproduction, and the usage history information of the exchanger in the non-volatile storage means of the first IC tag, it is possible to reliably reproduce the exchanger. it can.
In addition, by attaching the first IC tag storing information necessary for reproduction to each exchangeable exchange, manufacturing information of the exchange, information for reproduction, usage history even when disassembled from the image forming unit Information and the like can be read out.
(3)
Further, according to the image forming unit of the present embodiment, the nonvolatile storage means of the first IC tag is an EEPROM, so that data can be written to the memory or erased from the memory by an electrical signal. Can be easily erased and written.
(4)
According to the image forming unit of the present embodiment, at least one of the control conditions of the image forming unit, manufacturing information, information for reproduction, reproduced information, and usage history information is stored in the non-volatile storage means of the second IC tag. To do. For example, by storing the control conditions (image forming conditions) of the image forming unit in the second IC tag, when the image forming unit is attached to the apparatus, the apparatus reads the control conditions (image forming conditions), and the apparatus main body These control conditions can be changed to control conditions suitable for the image forming unit.
In addition, if manufacturing information, information for reproduction, reproduced information, usage history information, and the like are stored, the image forming unit can be reliably reproduced. For example, usage history information (use time, use start date, number of copies, number of rotations of roller) and information for reproduction (use guarantee time, useable date, limit number of copies, limit roller rotation number) And the usage history information and the information for reproduction can be compared to determine whether the image forming unit can be reproduced. Further, by reading the manufacturing information at the time of reproduction, it is possible to recognize the reproduction processing method of the image forming unit.
In particular, the second IC tag stores a component (exchanger) code whose life is detected at the time of use as information for reproduction. Thereby, it is not necessary to read out the contents of each first IC tag provided for each exchanger and to determine whether the exchanger needs to be replaced. That is, it is possible to grasp the exchange body that needs to be replaced simply by reading the component (exchange body) code whose life has been detected during use from the second IC tag. Therefore, the reproduction operation of the image forming unit can be expedited as compared with the case where each of the first IC tags is read and the life of the exchanger is grasped.
(5)
Further, according to the image forming unit of the present embodiment, the second IC tag includes a CPU. By providing the CPU in the second IC tag, based on the signal from the communication means provided in the apparatus main body, the signal is transmitted to the first IC tag, or the information stored in the nonvolatile storage means of the second IC tag unit is stored. This CPU can be used as a determination means for determining whether to perform reading / writing. Further, the CPU can also be used as a calculation means for calculating the usage time of the image forming unit or the exchange as the usage history information.
(6)
Also, according to the image forming unit of the present embodiment, the nonvolatile storage means of the second IC tag is an EEPROM, so that data can be written to the memory or erased from the memory by an electrical signal. Can be easily erased and written.
(7)
Further, according to the image forming unit of the present embodiment, the frame body that stores the exchange body is provided, and the exchange body is detachably attached to the frame body. As a result, it is possible to easily remove the replacement body that has reached the end of its life from the image forming unit and easily attach a new replacement body.
(8)
Further, according to the image forming unit of the present embodiment, the replacement body is any one of a photoconductor, a charging unit, a developing unit, a cleaning unit, a transfer unit, and a toner container.
(9)
Further, according to the image forming unit of the present embodiment, the second IC tag includes power supply means for generating power by communication radio waves from the communication means provided in the apparatus main body, and the first IC tag is a relay of the second IC tag. Power supply means for generating electric power by communication radio waves from the means is provided. As described above, since the first IC tag and the second IC tag can generate electric power by receiving radio waves, for example, it is not necessary to draw a power supply harness from the image forming apparatus.
(10)
Further, according to the image forming unit of the present embodiment, when the image forming unit is attached to the apparatus main body, the second IC tag is opposed to the communication unit 101 on the apparatus main body side. Thereby, the communication distance between the second IC tag and the communication means 101 can be minimized, and good communication can be performed.
(11)
Further, according to the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, the image forming unit is the image forming unit described in (1) to (10) above, and is stored in the first IC tag transmitted from the image forming apparatus. The first IC tag can reliably receive a request signal for requesting reading / writing of information.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a control unit of the image forming apparatus. Cross section of process cartridge Perspective view of process cartridge Explanatory drawing explaining how the charging device is attached to the process cartridge The figure which shows the state before a photoconductor is removed. The figure which shows the state from which the photoconductor was removed. The figure which showed the mode of communication of an image forming unit and the apparatus main body side. The block diagram of a 1st IC tag. The block diagram of a 2nd IC tag. The time chart explaining transfer of data among an apparatus main body, a 2nd IC tag, and a 1st IC tag. The flowchart of the lifetime detection which detects the lifetime of the unit and components by use time and use date. The flowchart of the lifetime detection which detects the lifetime of the unit and components by the total number of copies and the total number of rotations of a roller. The perspective view explaining the reflection type optical sensor which detects the rotation speed of a photoreceptor. The detection circuit diagram of the drum rotation detection mark by a reflection type optical sensor. Flow chart for detecting the unit life based on the detection result from the toner end detection sensor

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming unit 2 Cleaning module 4 Charging module 5 Development module 6 Toner container 7 Frame 9 1st IC tag 10 2nd IC tag

Claims (10)

In an image forming unit in which at least one exchange body is housed in a frame and configured to be detachable from the apparatus main body,
A tag member that is provided in each of the exchanges, includes information for managing the life of the exchanges, and non-volatile storage means for storing information for reproducing the exchanges and non-contact communication means;
Non- volatile memory for storing information of a first communication circuit that performs non-contact communication with the tag member, a second communication circuit that performs non-contact communication with a communication means provided in the apparatus main body, and at least an exchange that has reached the end of its life And a relay means for receiving a signal from the apparatus main body and transmitting the received signal to the tag member. The tag member relays a signal from the communication means. Receiving via means ,
The relay means receives information used for determining the life of the exchange from the communication means provided in the apparatus body, and receives information for managing the life of the exchange from a tag member provided on the exchange. If the life of the exchanger is determined and it is determined that the life of the exchanger has been reached, information on the exchanger that has reached the end of life is stored in the non-volatile storage means provided in the exchanger, and An image characterized in that the use prohibition code is transmitted to the provided tag member, and the tag member provided on the exchange that has reached the end of life stores the received use prohibition code in its own nonvolatile storage means. Forming unit. The image forming unit according to claim 1.
The exchange information stored in the nonvolatile storage means of the tag member is at least one of manufacture information of the exchange, information for reproduction, information reproduced, and usage history information. unit. The image forming unit according to claim 1 or 2,
An image forming unit, wherein the nonvolatile storage means of the tag member is an EEPROM. The image forming unit according to claim 1, 2 or 3.
The non-volatile memory means of the relay means, control conditions of the image forming unit, manufacturing information, and information for reproducing the reproduction information, wherein at least one is not stored Turkey of usage history information Image forming unit. The image forming unit according to claim 1 to 4,
An image forming unit, wherein the non-volatile storage means of the relay means is an EEPROM. The image forming unit according to any one of claims 1 to 5 ,
The image forming unit, wherein the exchange body is detachably attached to the frame body. The image forming unit according to claim 1 to 6,
An image forming unit, wherein the renewable exchange member is at least one of a photosensitive member, a charging unit, a developing unit, a cleaning unit, a transfer unit, and a toner container. The image forming unit according to claim 1 to 7,
The relay means includes power supply means for generating power by communication radio waves from the communication means provided in the apparatus body, and the tag member includes power supply means for generating power by communication radio waves from the relay means. An image forming unit. The image forming unit according to claim 1,
The image forming unit, wherein the relay unit faces a communication unit provided in the apparatus main body when the relay unit is mounted in the apparatus main body. An image forming apparatus comprising an image forming unit in which at least one or more exchange bodies are integrated and detachable from the apparatus main body, wherein the image forming unit is an image forming unit according to any one of claims 1 to 9. An image forming apparatus, comprising:

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