JP5024333B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus for securing stability of identification operation and reliably identifying classification of a cartridge. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus 100 includes: a cartridge provided with a toner storing part 70 and a rotating shaft 72; an optical detector 97 having a light emitting element 95 and a light receiving element 96 adjacently arranged on the outside of the cartridge; a shading plate 103 arranged between the external wall of the cartridge and the optical detector 97, connected to the rotating shaft 72 to be vertically extended to the rotating shaft 72 and shading light directed to the external wall of the cartridge from the light emitting element 95; a first reflection member 105 provided on the surface of the shading plate 103 facing the light emitting element 95, and for having difference of installation mode on the surface of the shading plate 103 in response to classification of the cartridge concerning a reflection member reflecting light from the light emitting element 95; and an identifying means for identifying classification of the cartridge on the basis of light receiving result of the light receiving element 96 receiving reflection light from the first reflection member 105. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus in which a cartridge can be attached and detached. More specifically, the present invention relates to an image forming apparatus capable of identifying the type of a mounted cartridge.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, electrophotographic image forming apparatuses use cartridges that are detachable units from the apparatus main body. For example, such a cartridge is represented by a process cartridge including a photosensitive drum, a charger, a developing unit, and a cleaning member, and is replaced with a corresponding lifetime.

  As a color image forming apparatus, a tandem type color image forming apparatus in which four process cartridges corresponding to yellow, magenta, cyan, and black are mounted in parallel has been put into practical use. As described above, in the image forming apparatus in which the position for mounting the cartridge for each color is determined, it is conceivable that the wrong color cartridge is erroneously mounted. Incorrect mounting of the cartridge causes an image defect.

  In view of this, a technique for preventing problems caused by erroneous mounting of cartridges is disclosed. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a technique for detecting erroneous mounting by storing process cartridge type information in a non-volatile NVRAM that is an electrical storage means and reading the information at the time of mounting.

JP 2001-343883 A

  However, the technique described in Patent Document 1 has the following problems. That is, when the information stored in the NVRAM is read by the reading means on the main body side, the electrical configuration requires electrical contact. If it accumulates on the contact surface, the identification operation may not be performed reliably due to poor contact. In addition, when the cartridge is replaced, the electric circuit may be destroyed due to the static electricity of the operator.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems of the prior art. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that ensures the stability of the identification operation and can reliably identify the type of cartridge.

The print control apparatus according to the present invention has the following configuration.
(1) A cartridge including a storage unit that stores toner, a rotating shaft that is positioned in the storage unit and rotates a stirring member that stirs the toner, a light emitting element that is disposed adjacent to the outside of the cartridge, and an optical detector having a light receiving element, wherein the outer wall of the cartridge is disposed between the optical detector, a light shielding plate which extends perpendicularly to the rotary shaft is connected to the rotary shaft, from said light emitting element A light-shielding plate that shields light traveling toward the outer wall of the cartridge, and a first reflecting member that is provided on a surface of the light-shielding plate facing the light-emitting element and reflects light from the light-emitting element, Accordingly, the cart is based on a first reflection member having a different installation mode on the surface of the light shielding plate, and a light reception result of the light receiving element that receives reflected light from the first reflection member. It comprises identifying means for identifying Tsu type of di.

  According to the present invention, since the arrangement of the first reflecting member is different depending on the type of cartridge on the light shielding plate arranged outside the cartridge, the stability of the identification operation is ensured and the cartridge is surely secured. Can be identified.

(2) In the invention described in (1), the light transmitting window provided on one side wall of the cartridge facing the light shielding plate, and the other side of the cartridge positioned on the side opposite to the one side wall of the cartridge A second reflection member provided inside the side wall of the first and second determination members; a determination unit that determines whether the light received by the light receiving element is reflected by the first reflection member or the second reflection member; and the determination unit Is determined to be the light reflected by the second reflecting member, based on the light receiving time of the light receiving element that receives the light reflected by the second reflecting member, Detecting means for detecting the remaining amount of the battery.

  According to the present invention, since the optical detector is commonly used for cartridge type identification and toner remaining amount detection, cartridge type recognition and toner remaining amount detection can be easily performed without using complicated detection means. This is possible with a simple configuration.

(3) In the invention described in (2), a first predetermined light shielding corresponding to a first predetermined interval between a starting end portion of the light shielding plate passing through the light transmitting window and a starting end portion of the first reflecting member. A second predetermined light shielding time different from the first predetermined light shielding time, corresponding to a second predetermined interval between the first storage means for storing time, and the terminal end of the light shielding plate and the terminal end of the first reflecting member. A second storage means for storing the light-receiving element, wherein the determining means is a light-shielding time during which the light-receiving element does not receive light from the light-emitting element, either the first predetermined light-shielding time or the second predetermined light-shielding time. The light receiving time that appears after the light blocking time of the light receiving element when it is determined that the light blocking time of the light receiving element matches the first predetermined light blocking time. Discrimination from the light reception time of the reflected light from the member, the light shielding time of the light receiving element When it is determined that matches the second predetermined shielding time, receiving time appearing after the light-shielding time of the light receiving element is determined to the light receiving time of the reflected light from the second reflecting member.

  According to the present invention, in a configuration in which the optical detector is shared for cartridge type identification and toner remaining amount detection, the light receiving element receives light reflected by either the first reflecting member or the second reflecting member. Can be accurately determined.

(4) In the invention described in (2), a first predetermined light shielding corresponding to a first predetermined interval between a starting end portion of the light shielding plate passing through the light transmitting window and a starting end portion of the first reflecting member. A first storage means for storing time; a light shielding time calculating means for calculating a light shielding time based on a light receiving result of the light receiving element when light from the light emitting element is shielded by the light shielding plate; and the light shielding time. If the light blocking time calculated by the calculating unit is the first predetermined light blocking time stored by the first storage unit, it is determined that there is no remaining toner, and the light blocking time calculated by the light blocking time calculating unit is determined. Determination means for determining that there is a remaining amount of toner if the time is equal to or longer than the first predetermined light shielding time.

  According to the present invention, if the calculated light blocking time of the light receiving element is the first predetermined light blocking time, it is determined that there is no remaining amount of toner, and the calculated light blocking time is equal to or longer than the first predetermined light blocking time. If it is time, since it is determined that there is a remaining amount of toner, it can be determined with high accuracy whether there is a remaining amount of toner.

(5) In the invention according to any one of (1) to (4), the first reflecting member has a different size according to the type of cartridge, and The cartridge type is identified based on the light receiving time calculated from the light receiving result of the light receiving element that receives the reflected light from the first reflecting member.

  According to the present invention, since the light receiving time of the light receiving element is reliably changed according to the size of the first reflecting member, it is more reliable than the structure in which the amount of received light is different according to the reflectance of the reflecting member. It is possible to detect a change in the light receiving time. Therefore, the type of cartridge can be identified more reliably.

(6) In the invention according to any one of (1) to (4), the number of the first reflecting members of the first reflecting member differs depending on the type of cartridge, The type of the cartridge is identified based on the number of times of receiving the reflected light during a predetermined period calculated from the light receiving result of the light receiving element that receives the reflected light from the first reflecting member.

  According to the present invention, the first reflecting member is disposed on the light shielding plate so that the number of the first reflecting members varies depending on the type of the cartridge. As a result, the change in the number of times of light reception can be detected more reliably and the type of cartridge can be more reliably identified as compared with a configuration in which the amount of received light differs according to the reflectance of the reflecting member. For example, when the shape of the light shielding plate is set to the same shape regardless of the type of cartridge, different types of first reflecting members can be arranged on the same shape of the light shielding plate to identify the type of cartridge. Accordingly, since the same shape cartridge and light shielding plate can be shared, the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

(7) In the invention according to any one of (1) to (6), a plurality of types of the cartridges are configured to be attachable to and detachable from an apparatus main body, and the optical detector and the light shielding plate include the plurality A plurality of cartridges are provided for each type of cartridge.

  According to the present invention, an optical detector and a light shielding plate are arranged for each cartridge, and a plurality of cartridges are mounted. Accordingly, it is possible to identify the type of cartridge in an image forming apparatus in which a plurality of cartridges such as a color printer in which erroneous cartridge mounting is noticeable.

(8) In the invention described in any one of (1) to (7), it is determined whether or not the type of the cartridge identified by the identification unit matches the type of the mounting unit in which the cartridge is mounted. When determining that the determination means and the determination means do not match, there is provided an informing means for informing that a cartridge is erroneously mounted.

According to the present invention, it can be determined whether or not the type of the identified cartridge matches the type of the mounting portion on which the cartridge is mounted. If not, the cartridge is erroneously mounted. By notifying the effect, the user can recognize the erroneous mounting.

  According to the present invention, since the arrangement of the first reflecting member is different depending on the type of cartridge on the light shielding plate arranged outside the cartridge, the stability of the identification operation is ensured and the cartridge is surely secured. Can be identified.

1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration near an upper portion of a developing device. It is the schematic which shows the concept of the classification identification mechanism of a cartridge. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a concept of a toner remaining amount detection mechanism. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of schematic structure of the light-shielding plate 103K and 1st reflection member 105K in 1st Embodiment from which the magnitude | size of the 1st reflection member 105 differs according to the classification of a cartridge. It is a figure which shows an example of the light reception signal RSK when there is no toner remaining amount. It is a figure which shows an example of the light reception signal RSK when there is a toner remaining amount. It is a figure which shows an example of schematic structure of the light-shielding plate 103Y and the 1st reflection member 105Y in the said 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the light reception signal RSY when there is no toner remaining amount. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a light reception signal RSY when there is a remaining amount of toner. It is a figure which shows an example of schematic structure of the light-shielding plate 103M and the 1st reflection member 105M in the said 1st Embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a light reception signal RSM when there is no remaining toner. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a light reception signal RSM when there is a remaining amount of toner. It is a figure which shows an example of schematic structure of the light-shielding plate 103C and the 1st reflection member 105C in the said 1st Embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a light reception signal RSC when there is no remaining toner. It is a figure which shows an example of the light reception signal RSC when there is a toner remaining amount. 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure of cartridge type identification operation in the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a light reception signal RSK when the remaining amount of toner has decreased in the first embodiment. In the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention, a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of the light shielding plate 103 and the first reflecting member 105 when the number of the first reflecting members 105 is different depending on the type of cartridge. is there. It is a figure which shows an example of the light reception signal RSY when the number of the 1st reflection members 105 differs, and when there is no toner remaining amount.

[First Embodiment]
DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a first embodiment in which an image forming apparatus according to the invention is embodied will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this embodiment, the present invention is applied to an electrophotographic color printer. In the drawings, the up-down direction, the front-rear direction, and the left-right direction mean directions indicated by arrows.

  <Overall configuration of image forming apparatus>

  The image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment is a tandem color printer, and as illustrated in FIG. 1, forms a toner image of each color with a paper feed tray 5 that supplies paper 7 as a recording medium, An image forming unit 19 that sequentially transfers the toner images onto the sheet 7, a fixing unit 28 that fixes the toner images onto the sheet 7, a paper discharge tray 51 on which the sheet 7 after image fixing is placed, and a case serving as a housing 3 is provided.

  The image forming unit 19 includes a belt 31 that conveys the paper 7 and four process units 25K, 25Y, 25M, and 25C corresponding to black, cyan, magenta, and yellow colors. In the following description, if it is necessary to distinguish each color, the symbols of each part are given subscripts of K (black), Y (yellow), M (magenta), and C (cyan) and need not be distinguished. In this case, the subscript is omitted. The process unit 25 of this embodiment is arranged in the order of K, Y, M, and C from the upstream side in the transport direction. The order is not limited to this. The process units 25K, 25Y, 25M, and 25C of this embodiment are examples of the cartridge of the present invention.

  The belt 31 is an endless belt member provided between the pair of support rollers 27 and 29. The belt 31 circulates and moves as the support roller 29, which is a driving roller, rotates, and conveys the paper 7 from the registration roller 17 toward the fixing device 28.

  The process unit 25 includes a photosensitive drum 33, a charger 35, an LED exposure device 23, and a developing device 37. The process unit 25 constitutes one unit as a process cartridge, and is detachable in the depth direction in FIG.

  The LED exposure device 23 includes a plurality of light emitting diodes (not shown) arranged in a line along the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 33. In the LED exposure device 23, a plurality of light emitting diodes are on / off controlled based on image data corresponding to each color, and light is irradiated onto the surface of the photoconductor 33.

  In the process unit 25, the surface of the photosensitive drum 33 is uniformly charged by the charger 35. Thereafter, exposure is performed with light from the LED exposure device 23, and an electrostatic latent image of an image to be formed on the paper 7 is formed. Next, toner is supplied to the photosensitive drum 33 by the developing unit 37. As a result, the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 33 is visualized as a toner image.

  On the other hand, the paper 7 stored in the paper feed tray 5 is pushed out toward the pickup roller 13 by the pressing plate 9 and is sent to the registration roller 17 by the rotation of the pickup roller 13. The sheet 7 is skew-corrected by the registration roller 17 and sent out onto the belt 31 at a predetermined timing.

  The sheet 7 is transported by the belt 31 and transferred to the transfer roller 43 while the toner image carried on the surface of each photoreceptor 33 is passed through the transfer position between the photoreceptor 33 and the transfer roller 43. The images are sequentially transferred by the bias, and the toner images of the respective colors are superimposed to form a color image on the paper 7. Thereafter, the sheet 7 carrying the color image is conveyed to the fixing device 28.

  The fixing device 28 heats and presses the paper 7 on which the toner image is transferred, and fixes the toner image on the paper 7. Then, the sheet 7 sent out from the fixing device 28 is discharged onto the discharge tray 51 by the discharge roller 49.

<Developer configuration>
Next, the developing device 37 constituting a part of the process cartridge will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the developing device 37 includes a developing unit 60 and a toner storage unit 70 in the case 4, and both communicate with each other via a supply port 69. In the present embodiment, a non-magnetic one-component toner is filled in the toner container 70 as a developer. The toner storage unit 70 of the present embodiment is an example of a storage unit of the present invention.

  The developing unit 60 includes a developing roller 61, a toner supply roller 62, and a regulating member 63. The developing roller 61 carries toner and conveys the toner toward the photosensitive drum 33. The toner supply roller 62 supplies toner to the developing roller 61 and scrapes off the toner on the developing roller 61. The regulating member 63 regulates the thickness of the toner on the developing roller 61 and charges the toner.

  The toner storage unit 70 is provided with an agitator 71 as a member for stirring the toner. The agitator 71 is rotationally driven by a motor (not shown) and agitates the toner in the toner storage unit 70. A part of the agitated toner is sent out toward the developing unit 60 through the supply port 69. The agitator 71 of this embodiment is an example of the stirring member of the present invention.

  The toner sent from the supply port 69 to the developing unit 60 is supplied to the developing roller 61 by the rotation of the toner supply roller 62, and at this time, the toner is frictionally charged between the toner supply roller 62 and the developing roller 61. The toner supplied onto the developing roller 61 enters between the regulating member 63 and the developing roller 61 as the developing roller 61 rotates, and is thinned while being frictionally charged. Then, at a position where the developing roller 61 and the photosensitive drum 33 face each other, a part of the toner moves onto the photosensitive drum 33 to visualize the electrostatic latent image.

  Next, the agitator 71 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration near the upper portion of the developing device 37. The agitator 71 has a round bar-shaped rotating shaft 72 extending in the left-right direction, and a stirring portion 74 extending from the rotating shaft 72 toward the radially outer side. The rotating shaft 72 of the present embodiment is an example of a shaft that rotates the stirring member of the present invention.

  The agitating unit 74 includes a flat agitating plate 741 having a width extending over almost the entire width of the toner containing unit 70 and a connecting member 743 that connects the agitating plate 741 and the rotating shaft 72. The stirring plate 741 rotates about the rotation shaft 72 as the rotation shaft 72 rotates, and stirs the toner stored in the toner storage unit 70.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the connecting member 743 is formed with an opening 93 so that the surface of the connecting member 743 reduces the resistance received from the toner during rotation. Further, the left and right lengths of the connecting member 743 and the stirring plate 741 are set to be shorter than the left and right lengths of the case 4, and as shown in FIG. 2, the left and right lengths of the connecting member 743 and the stirring plate 741 are set. Each side part is arrange | positioned so that it may have a predetermined space | interval so that the side walls 86 and 94 of case 4 may not be contacted.

<Configuration of cartridge type identification mechanism>
Next, the configuration of the cartridge type identification mechanism will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. Here, the cartridge type identification refers to, for example, identifying cartridge types having different toner capacities, toner colors, and the like. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the concept of the cartridge type identification mechanism. The cartridge type identification mechanism includes an optical detector 97 having a light emitting element 95 and a light receiving element 96 disposed in the image forming apparatus main body, a light shielding plate 103 facing the optical detector 97, and the surface of the light shielding plate 103. And the first reflecting member 105 provided in the. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the light emitting element 95 and the light receiving element 96 are disposed adjacent to each other on the right side where the rotation shaft 72 extends from the side wall 94, and the side wall 94 of the case 4 and the optical detector 97. The 1st reflective member 105 is arrange | positioned between. The light emitting element 95, the light receiving element 96, and the optical detector 97 of this embodiment are examples of the light emitting element, the light receiving element, and the optical detector of the present invention. Further, the light shielding plate 103 of this embodiment is an example of the light shielding plate of the present invention, and the first reflecting member 105 is an example of the first reflecting member of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the light shielding plate 103 is a plate-like member that is provided so as to extend vertically from a rotation shaft 72 that extends outward from the side wall 94 and is integrally formed with the rotation shaft 72 with a resin such as ABS resin. is there. The light shielding plate 103 is configured to rotate around the rotation shaft 72 together with the stirring unit 74. Further, the light shielding plate 103 passes through the arrangement position of the light transmitting window 76 and blocks light to the light transmitting window 76. The larger the size of the light shielding plate 103, the longer it takes for the light shielding plate 103 to pass, and the longer the time for shielding the light. The translucent window 76 is provided on one side wall 94 of the case 4 and is used for toner remaining amount detection to be described later. It is an example of the translucent window 76 of this embodiment and the translucent window of this invention.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a pair of left and right frames 106 are provided inside the image forming apparatus 100. The optical detector 97 includes a light emitting circuit 98 and a light receiving circuit 99 supported by the holder 109 on the right frame 106, a light emitting element 95 provided on the light emitting circuit 98, and a light receiving provided on the light receiving circuit 99. An element 96 is included. The holder 109 is made of plastic, and plastic lenses 107 and 108 are formed by integral molding on the left side of the holder 109 facing the light transmission window 76.

  The light emitted from the light emitting element 95 is converted into substantially parallel light by the plastic lens 107, the light incident on the first reflecting member 105 is reflected, and the reflected light is condensed by the plastic lens 108 and is received by the light receiving element 96. Is received. As shown in FIG. 3, when the first reflecting member 105 covers the light transmitting window 76, the light emitted from the light emitting element 95 is reflected by the first reflecting member 105 and received by the light receiving element 96. The first reflecting member 105 reflects the light emitted from the light emitting element 95 through the light transmission window 76 as the light shielding plate 103 rotates.

  The light receiving element 96 is an element whose output voltage value changes according to the amount of received light. When light is received, the output signal of the light receiving element 96 is shaped by the light receiving circuit 99 and output as a light receiving signal. The light receiving circuit 99 compares a predetermined threshold value with an output voltage value, converts an output voltage value higher than the threshold value into an on signal, and converts an output voltage value lower than the threshold value into an off signal, thereby receiving light. Shape the signal into a square wave. That is, the waveform of the light reception signal rises when converted to the on signal, and the waveform of the light reception signal falls when converted to the off signal. The light reception signal includes an on signal and an off signal.

  In this embodiment, when identifying the type of cartridge, the time during which the waveform of the light reception signal is converted into the ON signal is processed as the light reception time, and the time during which the waveform of the light reception signal is converted into the OFF signal and falls Is processed as the light blocking time. The light receiving time is the time for the first reflecting member 105 to pass through the light transmission window 76 and can be changed by changing the size of the first reflecting member 105. In the present embodiment, the type of cartridge is identified by detecting this difference in light reception time. In the present embodiment, the size of the first reflecting member 105 is different depending on the type of the process unit 25, and the mode in which the size of the first reflecting member 105 is different is the first reflecting member of the present invention. It is an example of a different installation aspect.

  In the present embodiment, the sizes of the light shielding plate 103 and the first reflecting member 105 differ depending on the type of the process unit 25. Specifically, in the present embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG. 6A, FIG. 7A, FIG. 8A, and FIG. 9A, the first reflecting member 105 is different so that the time for the first reflecting member 105 to pass over the light transmission window 76 is different. The first reflecting member 105 having the arc length of T1, T3, T5, T7 is used. Note that the rotation speeds of the rotation shafts 72 of the developing units 37 are equal.

  FIG. 6A illustrates an example of a schematic configuration of the light shielding plate 103K and the first reflecting member 105K with respect to the process unit 25K. The arc length of the first reflecting member 105K with respect to the process portion 25K, that is, the light shielding plate 103K is rotated counterclockwise in FIG. 6A, and the starting end of the first reflecting member 105 passing over the transparent window 76 The length of the arc from the part to the terminal part is defined as length T1. Similarly, for the process units 25Y, 25M, and 25C that are other types, the lengths corresponding to the length T1 are set to lengths T3, T5, and T7, respectively.

  The size of the light shielding plate 103K is larger than that of the first reflecting member 105K. Regarding the arrangement relationship between the light shielding plate 103K and the first reflecting member 105K, the distance from the starting end portion of the light shielding plate 103K to the starting end portion of the first reflecting member 105K is a circumferential distance of D1, and the first reflecting member 105K The distance from the end portion to the end portion of the light shielding plate 103K is a distance on the circumference by D2. The distance D2 is set to be shorter than the distance D1. The length of the arc in the region without the light shielding plate 103K is assumed to be a length T2. Similarly, for the process units 25Y, 25M, and 25C, which are other types, the lengths corresponding to the length T2 are lengths T4, T6, and T8, respectively. The cartridge type identifying operation will be described later.

<Configuration of toner remaining amount detection mechanism>
Next, the toner remaining amount detection mechanism will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the concept of the toner remaining amount detection mechanism. The toner remaining amount detection mechanism includes an optical detector 97 that is shared with the cartridge type identification mechanism, a light transmission window 76, and the second reflection member 110. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, a translucent window 76 is disposed on the right side wall 94 of the case 4, and the second side is located inside the left side wall 86 opposite to the side wall 94 provided with the translucent window 76. A reflective member 110 is disposed. The 2nd reflective member 110 of this embodiment is an example of the 2nd reflective member of this invention.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the light emitted from the light emitting element 95 is reflected by the second reflecting member 110 when the rotation position of the light shielding plate 103 (see FIG. 2) is in a position not covering the light transmission window 76. The light receiving element 96 receives the light. The remaining amount of toner is determined by the time when the light receiving element 96 receives the light reflected by the second reflecting member 110.

  In the toner remaining amount detection mechanism, if there is no time to receive the light reflected by the second reflecting member 110, it is determined that the light transmitting window 76 is completely covered with toner and the toner is remaining. Is done. Further, if the time when the light reflected by the second reflecting member 110 is received is a predetermined time corresponding to one of the arc lengths T2, T4, T6, and T8 in the region where the light shielding plate 103 is not provided, the light is transmitted by the toner. The light window 76 is not covered and it is determined that there is no remaining toner. The toner remaining amount detection operation will be described later.

<Electrical Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus>
Next, the electrical configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 will be described. As shown in FIG. 5, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a CPU 81, a ROM 82, a RAM 83, an EEPROM 84, an operation unit 85, an image forming unit 19, a display unit 87, a network interface 89, and a light emitting element 95. Light-emitting circuits 98K, 98Y, 98M, and 98C having light-receiving elements 96K, 99Y, 99M, and 99C. One light emitting circuit 98 and one light receiving circuit 99 are provided for each process unit 25, and are used for detecting the remaining amount of toner described above.

  The ROM 82 stores various control programs for controlling the image forming apparatus 100, various settings, initial values, and the like. The ROM 82 also includes a first distance D1 from the start end of the light shielding plate 103 to the start end of the first reflecting member 105 and a distance D2 from the end of the first reflecting member 105 to the end of the light shielding plate 103. The predetermined light blocking time and the second predetermined light blocking time are stored. The RAM 83 is used as a work area from which various control programs are read or as a storage area for temporarily storing image data. In the present embodiment, the storage area of the ROM 82 that stores the first predetermined light shielding time and the second predetermined light shielding time is an example of the first storage means and the second storage means of the present invention.

  The CPU 81 performs various processes according to the program read from the ROM 82 and controls the operation of the image forming apparatus 100 while storing the processing results in the RAM 83. For example, the CPU 81 causes the light emitting element 95 in the light emitting circuit 98 to emit light at a predetermined timing, and identifies the type of cartridge based on a light receiving signal obtained from the light receiving circuit 99 when the light receiving element 96 is irradiated with light.

  The operation unit 85 includes a plurality of buttons and switches, and various input operations such as an instruction to start printing are performed by the user. The display unit 87 includes a liquid crystal display and a lamp, and displays various setting screens and operation states. Further, the display unit 87 displays a warning to warn that there is an abnormality when the CPU 81 detects any abnormality of the image forming apparatus 100. The display unit 87 corresponds to notification means. The network interface 89 is connected to an external information processing apparatus via a network and enables bidirectional data communication.

<Operation Example of First Embodiment>
Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described. When the power is turned on, the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present exemplary embodiment receives an image forming job after performing an image forming preparation operation in the same manner as a known image forming apparatus. The cartridge type identification operation is executed at the timing during the image formation preparation operation immediately after the image forming apparatus 100 is turned on, or at the timing immediately after the process cartridge is mounted and the main body cover is closed.

  The toner remaining amount detection operation is executed at a timing after the cartridge type identification operation is executed, or before or after the image is formed on the sheet 7. Alternatively, the toner remaining amount detection operation may be always executed at a predetermined cycle timing after the image forming apparatus 100 is turned on, and monitoring of the toner remaining amount may be continued.

  Hereinafter, the execution procedure of the cartridge type identification operation will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. When the image forming apparatus 100 is powered on, first, the rotation shaft 72 rotates (S101). Next, the four light emitting elements 95 respectively corresponding to the four process units 25K, 25Y, 25M, and 25C emit light simultaneously (S103). Acquisition of received light data is started (S105). The received light data is data in which received light signals output from the four light receiving circuits 99 for each process unit 25 are stored. In the received light data, the time data of the on signal and the time data of the off signal are arranged in time series.

  It is determined whether or not the received light data has been acquired during two rotations of the rotating shaft 72 after the start of S105 (S107). The determination in S107 is made based on whether or not a predetermined time during which the rotating shaft 72 rotates twice is stored in advance and whether or not the predetermined time has elapsed.

  When the predetermined time has not elapsed (S107: No), the storage of the output voltage value is continued, and the process of S107 is repeated. When the predetermined time has elapsed (S107: Yes), the acquisition of the received light data is ended (S109).

  The light emission of the four light emitting elements 95 is stopped, and the rotation of the rotating shaft 72 is stopped (S201). A light receiving time and a light blocking time are calculated from the acquired light receiving data (S203). The light reception time is calculated from the time data of the light reception data ON signal, and the light blocking time is calculated from the time data of the light reception data OFF signal. The CPU 81 and S203 of this embodiment are an example of a light blocking time calculation unit of the present invention.

  The acquired light reception data is data storing a light reception signal RSK as shown in FIG. 6B, for example. FIG. 6B shows an example of the light reception signal RSK when the process unit 25K has no remaining toner. When a period during which the rotating shaft 72 rotates once is defined as one cycle T, a square wave light reception signal RSK at time T1 and time T2 is obtained. The light reception signal RSK at time T1 is the light reception signal RSK at the time when the light reflected from the first reflecting member 105K is received by the light receiving element 96. The light reception signal RSK at time T <b> 2 is the light reception signal RSK at the time when the light reflected from the second reflecting member 110 is received by the light receiving element 96. Similarly, for other types of process units 25Y, 25M, and 25C, FIGS. 7B, 8B, and 9B show examples of light reception signals when there is no remaining toner.

  Based on the calculation result of the light reception time in S203, it is determined whether or not all the process units 25 are mounted (S205). In S205, if the acquired light reception data includes ON signal time data corresponding to the light reception time, it is determined that all the process units 25 are mounted (S205: Yes). If the acquired light reception data does not include the time data of the ON signal, it is determined that the process unit 25 is not attached (S205: No).

  If it is determined that all of the process units 25 are not installed (S205: No), a warning message “no cartridge” indicating that the process unit 25 is not installed is displayed on the display unit 87 (S301). Thereafter, the cartridge type identification process ends.

  When it is determined that all the process units 25 are mounted (S205: Yes), the type of the process unit 25 for each color is identified (S207). The type of the process unit 25 is identified based on the calculation result in S203. Note that the combination of the optical detector 97, the light shielding plate 103, the first reflecting member 105, the CPU 81, and S207 of the present embodiment is an example of an identification unit of the present invention.

  In S207, the type identification of the process 25 as a cartridge is identified by the light receiving time of the light receiving element 96 that receives the light reflected from the first reflecting member 105. However, the light receiving time of the light receiving element 96 includes not only the light receiving time of the light reflected from the first reflecting member 105 but also the light receiving time of the light receiving element 96 that receives the light reflected from the second reflecting member 110. Therefore, it is necessary to determine whether the light reception time of the light receiving element 96 that receives the light reflected from the first reflective member 105 or the second reflective member 110 is received. Therefore, the CPU 81 calculates the light blocking time during which the light receiving element 96 does not receive the reflected light from the acquired light receiving data in S203, and calculates the first and second predetermined light blocking times corresponding to the lengths D1 and D2, and S203. By comparing the light-shielding time, it is determined whether the light-receiving element 96 has received the light reflected from the first reflective member 105 or the second reflective member 110.

  That is, it is determined in S207 whether or not the light blocking time calculated in S203 matches the first predetermined light blocking time corresponding to the length D1. When the calculated light blocking time coincides with the first predetermined light blocking time, the light receiving time appearing after the calculated light blocking time is the time when the light reflected from the first reflecting member 105 is received in S207. Determined. In addition, it is determined in S207 whether or not the light blocking time calculated in S203 matches the second predetermined light blocking time corresponding to the length D2. When the calculated light blocking time coincides with the second predetermined light blocking time, the light receiving time that appears after the calculated light blocking time is the time when the light reflected from the second reflecting member 110 is received in S207. Determined. For example, in FIG. 6B, when the calculated light blocking time DT2 matches the second predetermined light blocking time, the light receiving time that appears after the light blocking time DT2 is determined as the light receiving time T2. When identifying the type of the process unit 25 that is the cartridge of each color, in S207, it is determined whether the light receiving element 96 has received the light reflected from the first reflecting member 105 or the second reflecting member 110. . In addition, when it is determined in S207 that the light blocking time calculated in S203 matches the second predetermined light blocking time corresponding to the length D2, the light receiving element 96 reflects the light reflected from the second reflecting member 110. Since the time of light reception can be determined, the remaining amount of toner can be detected based on the light reception time of the reflected light from the second reflecting member 110. In the present embodiment, by comparing the light blocking time calculated in S203 with the first and second predetermined light blocking times, the light received by the light receiving element 96 is one of the first and second reflecting members 105 and 110. The process of determining whether or not the light is reflected from is executed in S207, and this determination process and the CPU 81 are an example of the determination means of the present invention. In this embodiment, when it is determined in S207 that the light received by the light receiving element 96 is reflected from the second reflecting member 110, the light receiving element 96 reflects the reflected light from the second reflecting member 110. The current remaining amount of toner in the toner storage unit 70 can be detected according to the length of the received light receiving time, and the CPU 81 detects the current remaining amount of toner from the light receiving time of the light receiving element 96. Is an example of the detection means of the present invention.

  When the process unit 25, which is a cartridge, is identified in S207, the CPU 81 determines whether or not the mounted process unit 25 is erroneously mounted (S209). The determination in S209 is made based on whether or not a cartridge with a different color type is mounted. If it is determined that the cartridge is mis-installed (S209: Yes), a warning message “There is a cartridge mis-install” is displayed on the display unit 87 (S303). Thereafter, the cartridge type identification process ends. Also, when it is determined that there is no erroneous mounting on the cartridge (S209: No), the cartridge type identification process is ended.

  The toner remaining amount detection is performed, for example, after it is determined that there is no erroneous mounting on the cartridge and the cartridge type identification process shown in FIG. In the toner remaining amount detection, for example, when the remaining amount of toner is low in the process unit 25K, a light reception signal RSK as shown in FIG. 11 is obtained. The CPU 81 determines whether or not the light shielding time calculated in S203 coincides with the second predetermined light shielding time corresponding to the length D2, and when they coincide, the light shielding time DT2 corresponding to the length D2 shown in FIG. The remaining amount of toner is detected in accordance with the length of the light receiving time TT that appears after. The light reception time TT approaches the predetermined light reception time T2 shown in FIG. 6B as the remaining amount of toner decreases. It is determined that the remaining amount of toner is as the light receiving time TT is shorter, and the remaining amount of toner is determined to be smaller as the light receiving time TT approaches the predetermined light receiving time T2.

  Further, it is determined that the toner remaining amount is larger as the light shielding time DT is longer, and that the toner remaining amount is smaller as it approaches the first predetermined light shielding time corresponding to the length D1, for example, the light shielding time DT1 shown in FIG. 6B. When the light blocking time DT becomes the first predetermined light blocking time corresponding to the length D1, the CPU 81 determines that the light transmitting window 76 is not covered with toner, that is, determines that there is no toner remaining. To do. In the present embodiment, when it is determined in S207 that the light blocking time calculated in S203 has reached the first predetermined light blocking time, the CPU 81 determines that the calculated light blocking time has reached the first predetermined light blocking time. It is determined that there is a problem in forming an image on the sheet 7, that is, a state where there is almost no remaining toner in the storage unit 70. On the other hand, the CPU 81 is in a state where there is no trouble in forming an image on the sheet 7 because the calculated light blocking time is equal to or longer than the first predetermined blocking time, that is, the toner in the storage unit 70. It is determined that the remaining amount is still present. The process of the CPU 81 for determining the presence or absence of the remaining amount of toner is an example of the determination unit of the present invention.

  As an example of the light reception signal RSK when the toner remaining amount is sufficient, a light reception signal RSK as shown in FIG. 6C is output. When the remaining amount of toner is sufficient, the translucent window 76 is covered with the toner, so that no light is reflected from the second reflecting member 110. Therefore, since the calculated light shielding time does not become shorter until the first and second predetermined light shielding times corresponding to the lengths D1 and D2, the calculated light shielding time becomes the predetermined longest time LK. If the calculated light blocking time is a predetermined maximum time LK, it is determined that the remaining amount of toner is sufficient. Similarly, the process units 25Y, 25M, and 25C that are other types are shown in FIGS. 7C, 8C, and 9C, and the predetermined longest times are the times LY, LM, and LC, respectively.

[Second Embodiment]
Hereinafter, a second embodiment in which the image forming apparatus according to the present invention is embodied will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Since the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the configuration of the first reflecting member, only the different configuration will be described in detail. In both embodiments, the same components will be described with the same numbers.

  The case where the number of the 1st reflection members 205 differs is demonstrated using FIG. 12A. FIG. 12A is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of the first reflecting member 205 when the number of the first reflecting members 205 is different. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the number of times that the first reflecting member 205 passes over the light transmitting window 76 during a predetermined period is different. For example, as shown in FIG. 12A, one, two, three first reflecting members 205 are provided on a light shielding plate 203 having a central angle of 90 ° with the rotation axis 72 as the center, depending on the type of cartridge. Or four. As the light shielding plate 203, the same size is used for different types of cartridges, and an arbitrary angle is selected as the central angle. Therefore, the central angle is not limited to 90 °. Absent.

  The circumferential length of each first reflecting member 205 in the rotation direction of the rotation shaft 72 is set to a length D3 from the start end to the end end that passes through the light transmission window 76. The length D3 may be set so that four or more first reflecting members 205 are provided on the light shielding plate 203. The arrangement position of the first reflecting member 205 is a position where the light shielding interval of the light shielding plate 203 is uniform in the present embodiment, but it need not be particularly uniform. In the present embodiment, the number of the first reflecting members 205 is different depending on the type of the process unit 25 that is a cartridge, and the aspect in which the number of the first reflecting members 205 is different is the first reflecting member of the present invention. It is an example of a different installation mode.

  The cartridge type identifying operation will be described with reference to FIG. 12B. FIG. 12B is a diagram illustrating an example of the light reception signal RSY when the number of the first reflection members 205 is two and the remaining amount of toner is almost not in the yellow process unit 25Y. The light reception data during two rotations of the rotation shaft 72 is acquired with the time for one rotation of the rotation shaft 72 as one cycle T. The type of cartridge is identified based on how many times the light reception time DT3 is detected from the light reception data acquired during a predetermined period of one cycle T. In the case of the yellow process unit 25Y, the light reception time DT3 is detected twice during a predetermined period of one cycle T. If a different number of light reception times DT3 are detected, it is determined that the cartridge is incorrectly installed.

[Modification]
In the first embodiment, the distance from the rotation shaft 72 to the arrangement position of the transparent window 76 is set to the same distance in the four process units 25, and the size of the first reflecting member 105 is represented by the length of the arc. . Instead of this configuration, when the distance from the rotation axis to the position where the transparent window is disposed is set to different distances in the four process units, the first reflecting member having a different central angle around the rotation axis, for example, The 1st reflective member 105 which becomes 90 degrees, 135 degrees, 180 degrees, and 225 degrees may be used. The length and the angle can be arbitrarily set as long as they are different for each type.

  In the first and second embodiments, the process cartridge is used. However, the cartridge may have any configuration as long as the cartridge includes at least a toner container, a stirring member, and a rotation shaft thereof. May be.

25 Process part 70 Toner storage part 71 Agitator 72 Rotating shaft (axis)
76 Translucent window 81 CPU
82 ROM
87 Display unit 95 Light emitting element 96 Light receiving element 97 Optical detector 100 Image forming apparatus 103, 203 Light shielding plate 105, 205 First reflecting member 110 Second reflecting member

Claims (8)

A cartridge including a storage unit that stores toner, and a rotation shaft that is positioned in the storage unit and rotates a stirring member that stirs the toner;
An optical detector having a light emitting element and a light receiving element disposed adjacent to the outside of the cartridge;
Is disposed between the optical detector and the outer wall of the cartridge, the a is connected to the rotating shaft shielding plate which extends perpendicular to the rotational axis, shielding the light towards the outer wall of said cartridge from said light emitting element A light shielding plate;
A first reflecting member that is provided on the surface of the light shielding plate facing the light emitting element and reflects light from the light emitting element, and the installation mode on the surface of the light shielding plate varies depending on the type of the cartridge. A first reflecting member;
An image forming apparatus comprising: an identification unit that identifies a type of the cartridge based on a light reception result of the light receiving element that receives reflected light from the first reflecting member. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
A translucent window provided on one side wall of the cartridge facing the light shielding plate;
A second reflecting member provided inside the other side wall of the cartridge located on the opposite side of the one side wall of the cartridge;
Discriminating means for discriminating whether the light received by the light receiving element is reflected by the first reflecting member or the second reflecting member;
When the determining means determines that the light is reflected by the second reflecting member, the light is reflected in the accommodating portion based on the light receiving time of the light receiving element that receives the light reflected by the second reflecting member. An image forming apparatus comprising: detection means for detecting a current remaining amount of toner. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2,
First storage means for storing a first predetermined light shielding time corresponding to a first predetermined interval between a starting end portion of the light shielding plate passing through the light transmitting window and a starting end portion of the first reflecting member;
Second storage means for storing a second predetermined light shielding time different from the first predetermined light shielding time corresponding to a second predetermined distance between the terminal end of the light shielding plate and the terminal end of the first reflecting member; ,
The determining means determines whether or not a light blocking time during which the light receiving element does not receive light from the light emitting element coincides with either the first predetermined light blocking time or the second predetermined light blocking time, When it is determined that the light blocking time of the light receiving element coincides with the first predetermined light blocking time, the light receiving time that appears after the light blocking time of the light receiving element is determined as the light receiving time of the reflected light from the first reflecting member. When the light-shielding time of the light-receiving element is determined to coincide with the second predetermined light-shielding time, the light-receiving time that appears after the light-shielding time of the light-receiving element is the light-receiving time of the reflected light from the second reflecting member An image forming apparatus characterized by determining. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2,
First storage means for storing a first predetermined light shielding time corresponding to a first predetermined interval between a starting end portion of the light shielding plate passing through the light transmitting window and a starting end portion of the first reflecting member;
A light shielding time calculating means for calculating a light shielding time based on a light reception result of the light receiving element when light from the light emitting element is shielded by the light shielding plate;
If the light shielding time calculated by the light shielding time calculating means is the first predetermined light shielding time stored by the first storage means, it is determined that there is no remaining amount of toner and is calculated by the light shielding time calculating means. An image forming apparatus comprising: a determination unit that determines that there is a remaining amount of toner if the light blocking time is equal to or longer than the first predetermined light blocking time. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first reflecting member has a different size according to a type of cartridge,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the identification unit identifies the type of the cartridge based on a light reception time calculated from a light reception result of the light receiving element that receives reflected light from the first reflection member. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein:
The first reflecting member has a different number of the first reflecting members according to the type of cartridge.
The identifying means identifies the type of the cartridge based on the number of times of receiving the reflected light during a predetermined period calculated from the light receiving result of the light receiving element that receives the reflected light from the first reflecting member. An image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
A plurality of types of the cartridges are configured to be detachable from the apparatus main body, and a plurality of the optical detectors and the light shielding plates are provided corresponding to the plurality of types of cartridges, respectively. . The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
Determining means for determining whether or not the type of cartridge identified by the identifying means matches the type of the mounting portion on which the cartridge is mounted ;
An image forming apparatus comprising: an informing unit for informing that an erroneous mounting of a cartridge has occurred when it is determined that the determination unit does not match.