JP4706474B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus using a waste toner container.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image forming apparatus using a transfer belt is known as an apparatus that transfers a toner image onto a transfer material and separates the transferred transfer material from a photosensitive member and conveys it toward a fixing unit.
The transfer belt used in such an image forming apparatus needs to clean the toner adhered to the belt surface while repeating the transfer process. In this case, a waste toner container for storing and storing waste toner collected by cleaning is used. However, when a waste toner container is installed, it is necessary to inform the container that it is full and replace it. However, the detection is insufficient, and troubles such as dirtying the inside of the machine are continually incurred.

  For this reason, when waste toner accumulates to some extent in the waste toner container, a method has been proposed in which the pile of waste toner is smoothed by applying an impact periodically to efficiently use the waste toner container. For example, Patent Document 1 is such an image forming apparatus.

In addition, the volume of the waste toner container to be used is set in advance, and the efficiency with which both the patch image created between the non-image areas and the belt-shaped image for preventing the cleaning blade from curling is transferred to the transfer belt is improved. A method for predicting the amount of waste toner accumulated in the waste toner container using a counter that counts the number of times of both images has been proposed. For example, Patent Document 2 is such an image forming apparatus.
JP 2002-214925 A (paragraph 0089) JP 2002-132055 A (paragraphs 0036-0037)

  However, in the case of the conventional example, since the sensor is not installed in the waste toner container itself, it cannot be detected that the waste toner is completely filled, and the container cannot be replaced efficiently.

  Therefore, in view of the above problems, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus that can accurately detect the amount of waste toner accumulated in a waste toner container and also has a function for correcting and calculating the amount of waste toner.

According to the present invention, the above-described problem is achieved by performing printing by transferring a toner image formed on a photosensitive drum to an intermediate transfer medium and further transferring to a print medium, and remaining on the intermediate transfer medium after transfer processing. with a recovery means for recovering the removed waste toner container by the cleaning means of the toner, an image forming apparatus having a detecting means for detecting that the waste toner is full in the waste toner container, the intermediate transfer medium after transferring to a transfer print medium a toner image, and a waste toner quantity calculating means for residual toner remaining on the intermediate transfer medium to calculate the amount of waste toner is collected into the waste toner container by the cleaning means, Waste toner storage remaining amount calculating means for calculating a waste toner storage remaining amount in the waste toner container from the maximum storage amount of the waste toner container and the waste toner amount; An exchange notice means accommodating remaining amount calculated by the remaining amount calculation means performs the exchange notice to the waste toner container falls below the preset value, after the exchange notice detection for detecting a full waste toner container from said detecting means When device signals is output, the waste toner remaining amount calculation means according to the full state detection of the waste toner container detected by actually the detection unit and the waste toner amount calculated by the waste toner accommodating remaining amount calculation means And a storage means for storing a correction value to be corrected to match the actual full state, and storing the correction value. After the replacement notice, the waste toner storage remaining amount calculation means includes the correction value. This can be achieved by providing an image forming apparatus characterized in that the replacement notice of the waste toner container is made based on the calculation .

With this configuration, it is possible to accurately predict the replacement timing of the waste toner container, and to efficiently replace the waste toner container.
Also, according to the method of predicting the replacement timing of the waste toner container, the replacement timing of the waste toner container can be accurately predicted in the same manner, and the waste toner container can be replaced efficiently.

According to the present invention, the replacement timing of the waste toner container can be accurately predicted, and the waste toner container can be replaced efficiently.
Further, it is possible to correct the remaining amount calculation value by information obtained from the sensor, and to predict the replacement timing of the waste toner container more accurately.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the internal configuration of a color image forming apparatus (hereinafter simply referred to as a printer) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The printer 1 shown in FIG. 1 is a tandem type in which an electrophotographic image formed on a photoreceptor for each color is primarily transferred to an intermediate transfer belt, and the image synthesized on the belt is secondarily transferred to a sheet. The color image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit 2, an intermediate transfer belt unit 3, a paper feeding unit 4, and a duplex printing conveyance unit 5.

  The image forming unit 2 has a configuration in which four image forming units 6 (6M, 6C, 6Y, and 6K) are arranged in a multistage manner from right to left in FIG. Of the four image forming units 6, three image forming units 6M, 6C, and 6Y on the upstream side (right side in the figure) are magenta (M) and cyan (C), which are subtractive three primary colors, respectively. A mono-color image is formed using yellow (Y) color toner, and the image forming unit 6K forms a monochrome image mainly using black (K) toner used for dark portions of characters and images.

  Each of the image forming units 6 has the same configuration except for the color of the toner stored in the toner container (toner cartridge). Accordingly, the configuration of the black (K) image forming unit 6K will be described below as an example.

  The image forming unit 6 includes a photosensitive drum 7 at the bottom. The peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 7 is made of, for example, an organic photoconductive material. A cleaner 8, a charging roller 9, an optical writing head 11, and a developing roller 13 of the developing device 12 are arranged around the periphery of the photosensitive drum 7.

  The developing device 12 is arranged in a toner container on the upper side, and any one of magenta (M), cyan (C), yellow (Y), and black (K) toners as indicated by M, C, Y, and K in FIG. The intermediate portion is provided with a toner replenishing mechanism for the lower portion.

  In addition, the developing roller 13 is provided in the lower portion of the developing device 12 at the side opening, and includes a toner stirring member, a toner supply roller for supplying toner to the developing roller 13, and a toner layer on the developing roller 13 as a fixed layer. It has a doctor blade that regulates the thickness.

  The intermediate transfer belt unit 3 has an endless transfer belt 14 extending in a flat loop shape from substantially the left and right sides of the figure at the approximate center of the main unit, and the transfer belt 14 is stretched over the transfer belt 14. A driving roller 15 and a driven roller 16 are provided to circulate and move the belt 14 counterclockwise in the drawing.

  The transfer belt 14 transfers the toner image directly onto the belt surface (primary transfer) and conveys the toner image to the transfer position to the paper for further transfer (secondary transfer). The whole is an intermediate transfer belt unit.

  The intermediate transfer belt unit 3 includes a belt position control mechanism 17 in the loop of the flat loop-shaped transfer belt 14. The belt position control mechanism 17 includes a primary transfer roller 18 made of a conductive foam sponge that presses against the lower peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 7 via the transfer belt 14.

  The belt position control mechanism 17 supports the three primary transfer rollers 18 corresponding to the three image forming units 6M, 6C, and 6Y of magenta (M), cyan (C), and yellow (Y) in a bowl shape. Rotate and move with the same period around the axis.

  Then, the belt position control mechanism 17 rotates and moves one primary transfer roller 18 corresponding to the black (K) image forming unit 6K at a rotational movement cycle different from the cycle of the three primary transfer rollers 18. The belt 14 is moved away from the photosensitive drum 7.

  That is, the belt position control mechanism 17 moves the position of the transfer belt 14 of the intermediate transfer belt unit 3 to full color mode (all four primary transfer rollers 18 are in contact with the transfer belt 14), monochrome mode (to the image forming unit 6K). Only the corresponding primary transfer roller 18 is in contact with the transfer belt 14) and all non-transfer modes (all four primary transfer rollers 18 are separated from the transfer belt 14).

  In the intermediate transfer belt unit 3, a belt cleaner unit is disposed further upstream of the uppermost image forming unit 6M on the upstream side in the belt movement direction, and is flat and thin so as to be substantially along the entire lower surface. The waste toner box 19 is detachably disposed. The waste toner BOX is provided with a waste toner BOX remaining amount sensor 20 for detecting the remaining amount of waste toner accumulated in the BOX.

  The paper feed unit 4 includes two paper feed cassettes 21 arranged in two upper and lower stages, and in the vicinity of the paper feed opening (right side in the figure) of the two paper feed cassettes 21, respectively, A feeding roller 23, a separating roller 24, and a standby conveying roller pair 25 are disposed.

  In the paper conveyance direction (vertical upward direction in the figure) of the standby conveyance roller pair 25, a secondary transfer roller 26 that is in pressure contact with the driven roller 16 via the transfer belt 14 is disposed, and the secondary transfer portion to the paper is arranged. Forming.

  A belt-type heat fixing device 27 is disposed on the downstream side (upward in the drawing) of the secondary transfer unit, and on the further downstream side of the belt-type heat fixing device 27, the fixed sheet is fed with the belt-type heat fixing device 27. A pair of carry-out rollers 28 for carrying out the paper and a pair of paper discharge rollers 31 for discharging the carried paper to a paper discharge tray 29 formed on the upper surface of the apparatus are disposed.

  The duplex printing conveyance unit 5 includes a start return path 32a that branches from the intermediate conveyance path between the carry-out roller pair 28 and the discharge roller pair 31 to the right lateral direction in the drawing, and then an intermediate return path 32b that bends downward. A terminal return path 32c that bends in the left lateral direction opposite to the above and eventually reverses the return sheet, and four return roller pairs 33a, 33b, 33c, and 33d arranged in the middle of these return paths. ing.

The exit of the end return path 32 c communicates with a conveyance path to the standby conveyance roller pair 25 corresponding to the sheet feeding cassette 21 below the sheet feeding unit 4.
In this example, a cleaning unit 35 and a take-in roller 36 are disposed on the upper surface of the intermediate transfer belt unit 3. The cleaning unit 35 comes into contact with the upper surface of the transfer belt 14 to scrape and remove the waste toner, and the take-in roller 36 takes over the waste toner removed by the cleaning unit 35, and a temporary storage unit of the belt cleaner unit (not shown). The waste toner thus collected is conveyed to the upper portion of the dropping cylinder by the conveying screw and sent to the waste toner box 19 through the dropping cylinder.

  Further, in order to bring the cleaning unit 35 into pressure contact with the transfer belt 14 with an appropriate pressure, a pressure roller 37 is provided on the intermediate transfer belt unit 3 side to press the transfer belt 14 toward the cleaning unit 35 from below. ing.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 does not directly transfer a toner image onto a conventional sheet, but an intermediate transfer belt on a sheet that is vertically conveyed to a secondary transfer unit by a standby conveyance roller pair 25. 14 is a method of transferring a toner image through the image forming apparatus 14.

Therefore, it is configured to be able to cope with a maintenance process for recovering a problem such as a paper jam occurring in the paper transport path by simply opening the right side of FIG.
In addition, since problems such as paper jams do not occur in the arrangement section of kits, the operation of attaching and detaching consumables such as kits concentrated on the left side of FIG. 1 requires only a small space for replacement in the longitudinal direction. It is configured.

  Thereby, the dimension between kits is reduced as much as possible, and size reduction of the whole apparatus main body is achieved. Further, the optical writing head itself is also miniaturized and is configured closer to the photosensitive drum.

  FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the image forming unit 6K, for example. As shown in FIG. 2, the developing unit 12 shown in FIG. 1 includes a toner cartridge 41 including an upper toner hopper 38 and a lower toner hopper 39, and a developing unit 43 including an exterior frame 42.

  In addition to the developing roller 13 already described, the developing unit 43 includes a supply roller 44 that supplies toner to the developing roller 13, a stirring member 46 that stirs the toner in the developing unit 43, and the like.

  Further, the photosensitive drum 7, the cleaner 8, and the charging roller 9 are integrally incorporated with the developing device 12 inside the exterior frame 42 as a drum unit portion 57. The drum unit 57 forms a developing / drum unit 58 together with the developing unit 43 of the developing device 12. The cleaner 8 is provided with a cleaning blade 51 that contacts the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 7 and a conveying screw 52.

  The lower toner hopper 39 is provided with an agitator 55 for agitating the internal toner at the center, and a seal member 56 is interposed between the lower opening and the opening of the developing unit 43. Has been. The internal toner is supplied to the developing unit 43 through the opening of the lower partition wall by the rotation of the agitator 55.

  As described above, the developing unit 12 includes the toner cartridge 41 including the upper toner hopper 38 and the lower toner hopper 39, and the developing unit 43 including the exterior frame 42. The toner cartridge 41 includes: It can be detached from the image forming unit 6 alone. In other words, the image forming unit 6K (6M, 6C, and 6Y) is formed by combining the developing / drum unit 58 and the toner cartridge 41.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining attachment / detachment of the toner cartridge 41. In FIG. 3, the same components as those shown in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, a protective cover 59 that covers the entire upper surface of the lower sheet feeding unit 4 is provided on the front side surface of the apparatus main body 1. FIG. 3 shows a state in which the protective cover 59 is opened so as to tilt forward, and the image forming unit 2 inside the apparatus main body 1 is opened. Of the four image forming units 6 (6M, 6C, 6Y, 6K) of the image forming unit 2, the developing unit 12 of the image forming unit 6K at the left end is pulled out to the front.

  As described above, any of the developing devices 12 of the four image forming units 6M, 6C, 6Y, and 6K can be easily pulled out from the front side of the apparatus main body 1. Thus, even when the toner in the developing device 12 is used up, it can be easily replaced with a new developing device 12 filled with toner.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a control circuit of the printer 1 having the above-described mechanism configuration.
As shown in the figure, the control circuit includes an interface controller (I / F controller) 61 and a printer controller 62 (PR_CONT) connected to the interface controller 61. The printer controller 62 includes a CPU 64, a ROM 65, and a RAM 66, and performs control according to a program written in the ROM 65.

  A host computer (not shown) is connected to the interface controller 61, and RGB information (printing information) is supplied from the host computer. Furthermore, an operation panel 67 is connected to the interface controller 61, and various operation signals are input.

  The interface controller 61 converts print information output from the host computer into print information of magenta (M), cyan (C), yellow (Y), and black (K), and pattern data corresponding to one page of print paper. Create The pattern data is output to the printer controller 62, and is output to the printing unit 63 for each color of magenta (M), cyan (C), yellow (Y), and black (K).

  Further, the above-described waste toner BOX remaining amount sensor 20 is connected to the printer controller 62. The CPU 64 of the printer controller 62 measures the amount of waste toner in the waste toner box 19 based on an input signal from the waste toner box remaining amount sensor 20.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of a calculation table for predicting the amount of waste toner to be discharged based on the number of print dots and the rotational movement distance of the transfer belt 14. Here, the size of the printing paper used in this embodiment is assumed to be A4 size. Further, the toner consumption amount of each color when color printing is performed is 20 mg for each document data having a normal printing rate (5%), and the printing state at this time is referred to as 5% printing. In black and white printing, the toner consumption amount is 20 mg only for K (black).

  The primary transfer efficiency indicates the efficiency of transfer from the image forming unit 6 to the transfer belt 14, and the secondary transfer efficiency indicates the efficiency of transfer from the transfer belt 14 to the printing paper. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the primary transfer efficiency is 90%, and therefore the reference consumption for 5% printing at that time is 18 mg. Further, in the secondary transfer portion, the secondary non-transfer efficiency indicating the ratio of the toner remaining on the belt side without being transferred from the transfer belt to the paper is set to 10%. Therefore, the reference consumption amount of A4 size 5% printing at that time It is assumed that the amount of secondary non-transferred toner at 1.8 is 1.8 mg.

The amount of waste toner when the toner image is normally printed on the paper under the above conditions will be described first. The actual amount of waste toner is theoretically calculated by the following equation.
Waste toner amount = amount of toner remaining on the belt used to make an image + fogging consumption amount of toner remaining on the belt = (standard consumption of 5% printing) x number of dots x 9% / (5% printing Dot count) + (coverage consumption standard) × travel distance × 20% / (travel distance (including between print sheets)) (1)
Here, “the number of dots for 5% printing” indicates, for example, the number of 5% (approximately 27.84 million dots) of all the dots recorded in A4 size at a resolution of 2400 DPI in the vertical and horizontal directions, and “the number of dots” is sent from the printer controller 62. This indicates the number obtained by counting the number of dots to be recorded included in the actual recording data for each color, and the amount of waste toner increases as the number of dots increases. Further, the ratio of the non-transfer toner remaining on the belt to the toner used for forming the image is 90% × 10% = 9% because the primary transfer efficiency is 90% and the secondary non-transfer efficiency is 10%. . In addition, there is toner that is transferred from the drum to the belt due to the so-called “fogging phenomenon” in which toner adheres to the electrophotographic process even when the recording data does not contain effective image dots (fogging consumption standard). In the calculation formula part considering (20%), the “travel distance” indicates the rotational movement distance of the transfer belt 14 and is proportional to the print paper size and the number of print papers.

  On the other hand, the amount of waste toner when printing paper runs out or paper jam occurs is that the toner transferred to the transfer belt 14 remains without being secondarily transferred and becomes all waste toner. Since the non-transfer efficiency in transfer is 100%, it is calculated by the following equation.

Waste toner amount = (standard consumption for 5% printing) × number of dots × 90% / (number of dots for 5% printing) + (fogging consumption standard) × travel distance × 20% / (travel distance (the distance between print sheets) Including)) ... (2)
Therefore, the calculated amount of waste toner is obtained from the above formula.

  FIG. 6A is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the toner consumption amount and the remaining amount of waste toner stored in the waste toner box 19. The vertical axis represents the remaining amount of waste toner contained in the waste toner box 19 and the horizontal axis represents the toner consumption.

  Here, the remaining amount r of waste toner is calculated by the following equation. The maximum accommodation amount of the waste toner box 19 is, for example, 580 g, and a set value is stored in advance in, for example, an EEPROM (not shown) of the control circuit.

r = (maximum amount of waste toner BOX−waste toner amount × β) / maximum amount of waste toner BOX × 100% (3), β = correction value (default is 1.00)
The correction value of the above calculation formula is used to correct the deviation when the FULL is actually detected by the waste toner amount calculated in FIG. 5 and the waste toner BOX remaining amount sensor 20 installed in the waste toner BOX 19. Value.

  As the waste toner BOX remaining amount sensor 20, for example, a transmissive optical sensor is used. Thereby, it is detected that the light from the light projecting side incident on the light receiving side is blocked by the waste toner accumulated on the waste toner BOX 19.

  During use, when the waste toner box 19 approaches FULL, a replacement notice is given as shown in FIGS. In this embodiment, when the calculated value of the remaining amount of waste toner falls below 3%, a replacement notice is displayed. At that time, the correction value is calculated again. When the printer is used for the first time, the correction value β is “1.00”.

β ′ = β × 100% / (100% −r ₀ %) (4)
By substituting the value of β ′ calculated by the above equation (4) into β of the equation (3), the remaining amount of waste toner until the replacement time is predicted.

  Here, even if the replacement notice time is detected, printing is possible from the replacement notice time to the replacement time, and the number of printable sheets at that time is, for example, 200 sheets or less. The count of the number of printed sheets is measured by a counter of the control circuit. Thereafter, when it is time to replace the waste toner BOX 19, FULL is detected by the waste toner BOX remaining amount sensor 20 installed in the waste toner BOX 19, and the printer displays a replacement. At that time, the correction value β is calculated from the following equation.

β = maximum amount of waste toner BOX / waste toner amount (value obtained by equation (1) + value obtained by equation (2)) (5)
By substituting the value of β obtained by the equation (5) into the equation (3), the replacement timing of the waste toner box 19 from the next time is expected.

Therefore, the value is updated to a new value every time the waste toner box 19 is replaced. This makes it possible to predict the replacement timing of the waste toner box 19 more accurately.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation for predicting the replacement timing of the waste toner box 19. First, when performing the printing process, the amount of waste toner is calculated (step (hereinafter referred to as ST) 1). If the integrated value of waste toner is X and the correction value is β, the equation X = waste toner amount × β holds. Here, the calculation of the waste toner amount is obtained by the equations (1) and (2) described with reference to FIG.

  From the equation (3), the replacement notice time is set to 3% or less of the remaining amount of waste toner (ST2). Until the remaining amount of waste toner falls below 3%, the remaining amount of waste toner is predicted by the calculation formula of ST1 (NO in ST2).

  Next, when the remaining amount of waste toner is 3% or less (YES in ST2), the printer displays a replacement notice (ST3). Printing is possible from this replacement notice time to the replacement time (ST4), and the remaining amount of waste toner is predicted by the calculation formula of processing (ST1) until FULL is detected by the waste toner BOX remaining amount sensor 20. (NO in ST5).

  Next, when FULL is detected by the waste toner BOX remaining amount sensor 20 (YES in ST5), the correction value β is calculated again by the equation (5) (ST6). The obtained correction value β is stored in an EEPROM (not shown) of the control circuit (ST7), and this correction value β is used for prediction of the next replacement timing of the waste toner box 19.

Thereafter, when the waste toner box 19 becomes FULL, the printer displays a replacement (ST8). When the waste toner box 19 is replaced, the counter of the control circuit is cleared (ST9).
As described above, according to this example, the replacement timing of the waste toner container can be predicted, and the waste toner container can be replaced efficiently. Further, it is possible to correct the remaining amount calculation value with information obtained from the sensor, and to predict the replacement timing of the waste toner container more accurately.
(Embodiment 2)
Next, Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described. In this example as well, the printer 1 having the basic configuration shown in FIG. 1 is used.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a toner cartridge (TC) used in the present embodiment. The printer in this example is equipped with a toner cartridge mounting / non-counterfeiting detection function.
FIG. 8A shows a toner cartridge 41a having a forgery prevention function. The toner cartridge 41a is provided with a spring contact 88 and an EEPROM 68. The EEPROM 68 has one end connected to a ground ground line and the other end connected to a power supply line that also serves as a signal line, and uses a 1-WIRE system including two lines.

  Serial number data for the forgery prevention function is stored in the specific storage area of the EEPROM 68. When the toner cartridge 41a is mounted on the developing / drum unit 58, the CPU 64 reads the serial number data via the spring contact 88. . As a result, a genuine toner cartridge is identified, and mounting of a counterfeit toner cartridge is prevented.

  On the other hand, FIG. 8B shows a start-up kit 41b (hereinafter referred to as SUK) attached when purchasing the printer. The EEPROM 68 is not mounted on the SUK 41b, and the spring contact 88 is electrically short-circuited. Therefore, the CPU 64 cannot read the serial number data specified by the manufacturer. This is because it is a consumable kit for initial operation that is used when a manufacturer installs a printer, and therefore there is no possibility of using a counterfeit toner cartridge.

  Thus, when the SUK 41b is attached to the developing / drum unit 58, the CPU 64 detects that the spring contact 88 is short-circuited and identifies that the SUK 41b is attached.

FIG. 9 is a control circuit diagram when the toner cartridge 41a having a forgery preventing function is mounted. Details of the authenticity determination of the counterfeit toner cartridge will be described below.
The image forming units equipped with toner cartridges 41a for each color (yellow, magenta, cyan, black) having a forgery prevention function are connected to the control circuit of the printer via connectors. Here, since the EEPROM 68 mounted on the toner cartridge 41a for each color has a common connection form to the control circuit, the EEPROM 68 mounted on the yellow toner cartridge 41a will be described as a representative in the following description. Also, the authenticity of the forged toner cartridge is common to each EEPROM 68.

  One end of the 1-WIRE-type EEPROM 68 mounted on the yellow toner cartridge 41a is grounded, and the other end is connected to the input of the buffer A, one end of the resistor RA, and the output of the three-state buffer. The output of the buffer A is connected to the CPU 64, and the other end of the resistor RA is connected to the power supply VCC.

  The first input of the three-state buffer is connected to the CPU 64 via the buffer, and is further pulled up to the power supply VCC by a pull-up resistor R. The second input of the three-state buffer is grounded. The three-state buffer outputs “LOW (0)”, “HIGH (VCC)”, and “HIGH impedance” states according to an enable signal output from the CPU 64.

  In this example, the state of “LOW” impedance and “HIGH” impedance is used to communicate with the EEPROM 68 and each operation (reset, command communication, ID acquisition / confirmation, READ, WRITE, etc.) is controlled. Further, the authenticity of the forged toner cartridge is determined by reading various information (toner life management counter, toner information, model information, etc.) according to the mapping by the internal memory of the EEPROM 68. Note that a unique ID number is written in the EEPROM 68 and cannot be rewritten.

  On the other hand, FIG. 10 is a control circuit diagram when a toner cartridge (SUK) having no forgery prevention function is mounted. Here, the connection form between the image forming unit 6 equipped with the SUK 41b of each color (yellow, magenta, cyan, black) and the control circuit is the same as that in FIG.

  Here, since the spring contact 88 of the SUK 41b is electrically short-circuited, all the signal lines input to the buffer A to the buffer D are inverted and fixed from “HIGH (VCC)” to “LOW (0)”. The When the CPU 64 reads the state at this time, it is determined that the SUK 41b is attached.

The printer in the present invention using the toner cartridge shown in FIG. 10 includes a control circuit and an EEPROM 68 that includes a counter for counting the number of printed sheets. The mounted toner cartridge is determined by the CPU 64, and when the toner cartridge 41a having a forgery preventing function is mounted, the number of printed sheets is counted by the counter of the EEPROM 68. Thereby, the remaining amount of toner can be predicted. Since the counter has an upper limit set in advance, when the remaining amount of toner is low, even if the toner is replenished later, it cannot be used if the counter exceeds the upper limit. Thus, unauthorized use can be prevented. In addition, when a non-genuine toner cartridge is used, the count signal is not transmitted to the control circuit, and the history and the number of used counterfeit toner cartridges are recorded in the memory area of the control circuit by recording with the counter of the main body. Can be managed with.
(Embodiment 3)
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  11 and 12 are diagrams for explaining this example. FIG. 11 shows an example in which a toner cartridge with an IC is connected to the printer main body, and FIG. 12 shows an example in which a toner cartridge without an IC is connected to the printer main body. . In the case of the toner cartridge without IC shown in FIG. 12, the contacts 90a and 91a on the printer side are connected to the contacts 90b and 91b on the toner cartridge side, and the contacts 90a and 91a are short-circuited.

  FIG. 13 shows an interface on the printer side, which includes a three-state buffer 92, a buffer 93, and a pull-up resistor R. For example, when a toner cartridge without IC is connected, it is short-circuited by a short bar, a low signal is supplied to the input port via the buffer 93, and it can be seen that the toner cartridge attached to the printer is without IC. On the other hand, when a toner cartridge with an IC card is connected, it is not short-circuited by the short bar, and it can be seen that the toner cartridge attached to the printer has an IC.

  Hereinafter, the processing of this example will be described in the above configuration. FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining the processing of this example. In the figure, when a toner cartridge is first installed in the printer, an ID is read from the toner cartridge (step (hereinafter, indicated by S) 1). Next, it is determined whether all the bits are 0 based on the read data (S2). Here, if all the bits are 0, it is assumed that a toner cartridge without IC is mounted, and thereafter, the number of printing processes is counted using a toner counter on the printer body side (S3).

  If all bits are 1, it is determined that no toner cartridge is installed (S4). Further, in cases other than the above, it is determined whether the ID is valid, and thereafter, the number of printing processes is counted using the IC of the toner cartridge (S5 is a valid ID, S6). If the ID is not valid, for example, it is determined that the image is a pirated version, and the printing process is disabled because there is no toner cartridge.

With the configuration described above, the life of the toner cartridge (TC) can be detected both when the toner cartridge with IC is attached and when the toner cartridge without IC is attached.
(Embodiment 4)
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  In this example, the development and drum unit (DDS) including the photosensitive drum is used until the toner cartridge (TC) is replaced, and at the same time, consumables such as the toner cartridge (TC) are used efficiently. It is.

  FIG. 15 is a time chart showing a series of operations from the time when the developing / drum unit having a short life is replaced with the toner cartridge (TC) to the time when the developing / drum unit is replaced. In this example, the development / drum unit replacement notice is displayed in three stages. First, in the first stage, a replacement notice is given to indicate that the replacement time is about to come. For example, it is displayed when the remaining amount of the development / drum unit is 1%. Next, in the second stage, it is time for replacement and prompts replacement. Furthermore, it is a time when the third stage replacement is necessary. This will be specifically described below.

  First, when the remaining amount of the developing / drum unit reaches 1%, the first stage replacement notice flag is set (timing F1 shown in the figure). Next, the development / drum unit is further used, and when the replacement time is reached, a flag for the second stage replacement notice display is set (timing F2 shown in the figure). However, even in this state, the development / drum unit (DDS) can print about 10,000 sheets and can continue the printing process.

  On the other hand, regarding the replacement of the toner cartridge (TC), when the replacement time approaches, the replacement notice flag is set (timing F4 shown in the figure), and further the replacement flag is set (timing F5 shown in the figure). The notice flag can be canceled by resetting the timing of F7 shown in the figure even if the notice flag is set. Further, the timings F6 and F8 shown in the figure indicate the timing for simultaneously replacing the developing / drum unit (DDS) and the toner cartridge (TC).

  FIG. 16 shows a processing example in the above control. First, when the developing / drum unit is nearing the end of its life, the above-mentioned replacement notice is given. After that, it continues to be used. For example, when the replacement time is reached, a replacement notice flag is set. However, even in this state, about 10,000 sheets can be printed, and the printing process continues during this time. Thereafter, the replacement notice of the toner cartridge (TC) and the replacement flag are set (timing F9 and F10 shown in the figure), and when the toner cartridge (TC) needs to be replaced, the developing drum unit and the toner cartridge Exchange (TC) at the same time.

  With such a configuration, the toner cartridge (TC) can be used until the toner runs out completely, and the toner cartridge (TC) and the development / drum unit (DDS) can be used efficiently.

1 is a cross-sectional view showing an internal configuration of an image forming apparatus (printer) used in the description of an embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing which shows an image forming unit. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating attachment / detachment of a toner cartridge of an image forming unit. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a control circuit configuration of the image forming apparatus. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the calculation table for estimating the amount of waste toner discharged | emitted. (A) is a diagram showing an image area and a non-image area on the photoconductor of the image forming apparatus, and (b) is a diagram showing a replacement notice of the waste toner box and an exchange instruction timing. 3 is a flowchart for explaining processing of the first embodiment. (A) is a diagram showing a side configuration of a toner cartridge without an EEPROM, and (b) is a diagram showing a side configuration of a toner cartridge with an EEPROM. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a circuit configuration when a toner cartridge with an EEPROM is mounted. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a circuit configuration when a toner cartridge without an EEPROM is mounted. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining Embodiment 3 and showing an example in which a toner cartridge with an IC is attached. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a third embodiment and showing an example in which a toner cartridge without IC is mounted. 6 is a diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of a third embodiment. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating processing according to the third embodiment. 6 is a time chart showing a series of operations until a developing / drum unit having a short life is replaced with a toner cartridge (TC). FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an actual processing example of a fourth embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Printer 2 ... Image formation part 3 ... Intermediate transfer belt unit 4 ... Paper feed part 5 ... Conveyance unit 6 for double-sided printing 6 (6M, 6C, 6Y, 6K) .. Image formation Unit 7 (7m, 7c, 7y, 7k) ··· Photoconductor drum 8 ··· Cleaner 9 · · · Charge roller 11 · · Optical writing head 12 · · Developer 13 · · Development roller 14 · Transfer belt 15 .. Driving roller 16 .. Driven roller 17.. Belt position control mechanism 18.. Primary transfer roller 19.. Waste toner box
20 .. Waste toner BOX remaining amount sensor 21.. Paper feed cassette 22.. Paper take-out roller 23.. Feed roller 24 .. Separation roller 25 .. Standby transport roller pair 26 .. Secondary transfer roller 27. -Type heat fixing device 28 .. Unloading roller pair 29 .. Discharge tray 31 .. Discharge roller pair 32a .. Start return path 32b .. Intermediate return path 32c .. End return path 33a, 33b, 33c, 33d .. Return roller pair 35 .. Cleaning unit 36 .. Taking-in roller 37 .. Pressing roller 38 .. Toner hopper A
39 .. Toner Hopper B
41a ... Toner cartridge 41b ... Startup kit (SUK)
43..Development part 44..Supply roller 46..Stirring member 51..Cleaning blade 58..Development drum unit 60..Control device 61..Interface controller (I / F)
62 .. Printer controller (PR_CONT)
63..Printer printing section 64..CPU (Central Processing Unit)
65. ROM (Read Only Memory)
66 .. RAM (Random Access Memory)
67 ・ ・ Operation panel 68 ・ ・ EEPROM (electrically erasable programable ROM)
90a, 90b, 90c, 91a, 91b, 91c..Contact 92..Three state buffer 93..Buffer

Claims (1)

Printing is performed by transferring the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum to an intermediate transfer medium and further transferring to a printing medium, and the toner remaining on the intermediate transfer medium after the transfer process is removed by a cleaning unit and discarded. An image forming apparatus comprising a recovery means for recovering to a toner container, and having a detection means for detecting that the waste toner container is full of waste toner,
Wherein after the intermediate toner image transferred onto the transfer medium is transferred to the print medium, the waste toner amount remaining toner remaining on the intermediate transfer medium to calculate the amount of waste toner is collected into the waste toner container by the cleaning means Calculation means;
Waste toner remaining amount calculation means for calculating a waste toner storage remaining amount of the waste toner container from the maximum storage amount of the waste toner container and the waste toner amount;
Replacement notice means for making a notice of replacement of the waste toner container when the remaining amount calculated by the waste toner storage quantity calculating means is less than or equal to a preset value ;
After the exchange notice, the detection signal for detecting a full waste toner container from said detecting means Ru is output, is detected by the fact said sensing means and computed amount of waste toner by the waste toner storage remaining amount calculation means obtains a correction value for correcting to adjust the calculation processing of the waste toner storage remaining amount calculation unit to the actual full state in accordance with the full detecting the waste toner container, storage means for storing the correction value,
With
The waste toner container remaining amount calculating means, after the replacement notice, performs a replacement notice of the waste toner container based on the calculation including the correction value .