JP5070924B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a color copying machine or a color printer having a communication function for a nonvolatile memory mounted on a cartridge such as a toner cartridge or an imaging cartridge.

  Conventionally, for example, in an image format apparatus such as a four-cycle type color printer, development is performed up to a position where the communication contact of the nonvolatile memory mounted in each color toner cartridge contacts the communication contact of the apparatus main body side communication unit. The development rotary (development rack), which is a device, is rotated and moved so that data can be written to and / or read from the non-volatile memory at the communicable position. It is now handled as an error.

  Further, when the power is turned on / when the main body cover is closed, the developing rotary is rotated to a position where the communication contact of the non-volatile memory contacts the communication contact of the apparatus main body side communication unit, and the non-volatile memory is communicated at this position. When the communication is established, it is determined that the toner cartridge is mounted. If a communication error occurs, it is determined that the toner cartridge is not mounted.

  Furthermore, when image stabilization control is performed or after the end of the print job, the developing rotary is rotated to a position where the communication contact of the nonvolatile memory contacts the communication contact of the communication unit on the apparatus body side. As a result of image stabilization, the use result data of the number of printed sheets and the amount of toner consumption is written to the nonvolatile memory. At this time, if a communication error occurs, a write error is notified. ing.

  On the other hand, in a tandem image format apparatus, each color toner bottle for replenishing toner and each color imaging cartridge in which a photoconductor, a developing unit, a charging unit, and an exposure unit are integrated are each provided with a non-volatile memory. Yes, when the toner bottle and the cartridge are mounted, the communication contact of the non-volatile memory and the contact of the communication unit on the apparatus main body come into contact with each other and can communicate.

  Similarly to the 4-cycle type, when the power is turned on / when the main body cover is closed, each data of the nonvolatile memory of the toner bottle and the nonvolatile memory of the imaging cartridge is read by the communication, and the toner is established by establishing this communication. It is determined that the bottle and the imaging cartridge are mounted, and if a communication error occurs, it is determined that the toner bottle and the imaging cartridge are not mounted.

  Also, after the end of the image stabilization control / printing job, usage record data such as the number of toner replenishment, the result of image stabilization, the number of printed sheets, the amount of toner consumption, etc. are written in each nonvolatile memory of the toner bottle and the imaging cartridge. On the other hand, if a communication error occurs at this time, a write error is notified.

  By the way, in this type of color image forming apparatus, vibrations in the development rotary and the development motor inevitably occur.

  When such communication between the non-volatile memory and the apparatus main body side communication unit is executed during such vibration, there is a problem that a communication failure occurs at the communication contact between the two and a communication error occurs.

On the other hand, with regard to such a problem, conventionally, when a communication error occurs, a technique has been proposed in which communication is performed after the development rotary is re-driven and moved again to the communication contact position (for example, , See Patent Document 1).
JP 2006-47544 A

  However, even with the above-described known technology, even if communication is performed again after re-driving the development rotary or the development motor, a communication error may occur again due to generation of vibration caused by re-driving the development rotary. Is expensive.

  Further, even in a tandem image forming apparatus that does not have a development rotary, vibration due to the rotation of the development roller occurs, which also causes a communication error.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus capable of reducing the frequency of occurrence of communication errors with a non-volatile memory of a cartridge such as a toner cartridge or an imaging cartridge as much as possible. And

The above problem is solved by the following means.
(1) For a developing device in which a plurality of toner cartridges mounted with a non-volatile memory are detachably mounted, and for the developing device for rotating and shifting the developing device to a position where communication between the non-volatile memory and the apparatus main body is possible Rotation drive means, communication means for writing and / or reading data to / from the non-volatile memory moved to the communicable position by rotation change of the developing device, and drive operation including rotation change of the development device Control means for waiting for the vibration absorption time required to absorb the vibration of the toner cartridge that accompanies the toner cartridge to elapse, and executing writing and / or reading of data with respect to the nonvolatile memory by the communication means , vibration absorption time, image type, wherein Rukoto determined include parameters relating to the remaining amount of toner in the toner cartridge Apparatus.
(2) When a communication error occurs in the non-volatile memory, the control unit waits for the vibration absorption time to elapse again and repeatedly executes communication with the non-volatile memory by the communication unit a predetermined number of times. 2. The image forming apparatus according to item 1, wherein when the communication cannot be normally performed even if re-communication is performed, the communication error is processed.

  According to the invention described in item (1) above, the communication means waits for the passage of the vibration absorption time necessary for absorbing the vibration of the toner cartridge caused by the driving operation including the rotational shift of the developing device. Since data is written to and / or read from the non-volatile memory, communication is performed in a state where the vibration of the toner cartridge is completely converged, and the occurrence of communication errors is reduced.

Further, a more accurate vibration absorption time is set in consideration of the remaining amount of toner in the toner cartridge.

According to the invention described in ( 2 ) above, when a communication error occurs in the nonvolatile memory, the communication means repeatedly performs communication with the nonvolatile memory after the vibration absorption time has elapsed. If normal communication is not possible even after a predetermined number of re-communications, the communication error is processed, so that the communication error can be reliably detected.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a four-cycle color printer to which an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

  In FIG. 1, an image forming unit 200 in a four-cycle color printer 1 includes a photosensitive member 3, a developing rotary (developing rack) 4 as a developing device, an intermediate transfer belt 2, a secondary transfer roller 10, a fixing roller 11, and the like. It has.

  Four ink cartridges 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13K corresponding to four colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) can be attached to and detached from the developing rotary 4. It is installed.

  As the developing rotary 4 is rotationally shifted, one of the cartridges 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13K sequentially moves to a developing position facing the photoconductor 3, and the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photoconductor 3 is moved. The image is developed. Each of the cartridges 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13K has developing rollers 16Y, 16M, 16C, and 16K that can be brought into contact with and separated from the surface of the photoreceptor 3 corresponding to each color.

  Around the photosensitive member 3, there are arranged a charging unit (not shown) for charging the surface of the photosensitive member 3, an exposure unit 7 for exposing the charged surface of the photosensitive member 3 along an image pattern, and the like. The toner image is formed on the surface of the photoreceptor 3 by charging, exposing and developing each color.

  The toner image on the surface of the photoreceptor 3 is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 2 by the primary transfer unit 6, and in the case of color printing, four color toner images are superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 2. At this time, the residual toner that is not transferred by the primary transfer unit 6 and remains on the photosensitive member 3 is scraped off by the photosensitive member cleaner blade 14 and stored in the waste toner collecting container 15.

  After the four color toner images are superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 2, the secondary transfer roller 10 is brought into pressure contact until the leading edge of the toner image reaches the secondary transfer portion, and the paper feed portion (cassette) 8 The toner image is transferred to the sheet that has been pulled out and conveyed.

  If the trailing edge of the four-color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 2 passes through the intermediate transfer belt cleaner blade 5, the intermediate transfer belt cleaner blade 5 comes into pressure contact with the intermediate transfer belt 2, thereby causing the intermediate transfer. Residual toner remaining on the belt 2 is scraped off. The residual toner thus scraped off is fed to a waste toner collecting container 15 by a waste toner transport mechanism (not shown) provided on the intermediate transfer belt 2.

  On the other hand, the sheet on which the toner image has been transferred via the secondary transfer roller 10 in the secondary transfer unit is conveyed to the fixing unit on the downstream side, and the toner image is fixed on the sheet by the fixing roller 11. Thereafter, the paper is discharged by the paper discharge roller 12.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the four-cycle color printer.

  In FIG. 2, the color printer includes a CPU 51, a ROM 52, a RAM 53, an operation panel unit 54, a storage unit 55, a print (printing) unit 56, and an external interface (I / F) unit 57. Yes.

  The CPU 51 controls the overall operation of the color printer.

  The ROM 52 is a memory in which an operation program for the CPU 51 is stored.

  The RAM 53 is a memory that provides a work area when the CPU 51 operates an application.

  The storage unit 55 is for storing various data, storing job conditions, and the like, and includes, for example, a hard disk device (HDD).

  The print unit 56 includes the image forming unit 200 and the like, and prints image data according to job conditions.

  The external I / F unit 57 is responsible for exchanging data with user terminals on the network.

  The CPU 51 rotates the rotation speed when the development rotary 4 as the development device rotates, the elapsed time after the development rotary 4 stops, and the development rollers 16Y, 16M, 16C, and 16K are rotationally driven. The vibration absorption time until the vibration of the toner cartridges 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13K converges is calculated from the speed at which the rotation of the developing rollers 16Y, 16M, 16C, and 16K stops. In addition to functioning as a vibration absorption time calculation means, after the vibrations of the toner cartridges 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13K are absorbed based on the calculated vibration absorption time, the toner cartridges 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13K To the non-volatile memories 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K via the communication unit 180 (FIG. 3). Also it functions as a write and or means for controlling the execution of loading.

  Further, when a communication error occurs with respect to the nonvolatile memories 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K, the CPU 51 waits again for the vibration absorption time, and then again repeats the nonvolatile memories 20Y, 20M, 20C, Communication for 20K is repeated until normal communication is possible, and if normal communication is not possible even after a predetermined number of re-communications, a communication error is processed.

  By the way, as shown in FIG. 3, the developing rotary 4 performs cartridges 13Y, 13M, 13C, 13K for yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) as shown in FIG. The developing rollers 16Y, 16M, 16C, and 16K for each color sequentially rotate to the position where they come into contact with the surface of the photosensitive member 3 to form an image. During the standby until the printing is completed and the next printing is performed, the development is performed. The rollers 16Y, 16M, 16C, and 16K are rotationally shifted to the separated positions where they do not contact the photosensitive member 3. This position is referred to as a standby position of the development rotary 4.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the standby position of the development rotary 4 is, for example, a position that is rotated 45 ° in the circumferential direction of the development rotary 4 from the development position of the cyan (C) toner cartridge 13C. When the development rotary 4 rotates 45 ° in the rotation direction, the development position of the black (K) toner cartridge 13K is reached.

  The toner cartridges 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13K for each color are mounted with nonvolatile memory substrates 19Y, 19M, 19C, and 19K as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5A, respectively. Non-volatile memories 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K are mounted on the surfaces of 19Y, 19M, 19C, and 19K, respectively.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5B, a plurality of communication contacts 21 for communicating with the main body side communication unit 180 shown in FIG. 2 are provided on the back surfaces of the nonvolatile memory substrates 19Y, 19M, 19C, and 19K. Are provided.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the main body side communication unit 180 of the printer 1 is provided with communication contacts 18 that are sequentially brought into contact with the respective memory communication contacts 21 in the nonvolatile memory substrates 19Y, 19M, 19C, and 19K. ing.

  When the developing rotary 4 is driven to rotate and the memory communication contact 21 is shifted to a position where it contacts the communication contact 18 of the main body side communication unit 180 of the printer 1 as shown in FIG. 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K are communicated with the main body side communication unit 180 of the printer 1 to read / write data to / from the non-volatile memories 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K, and contact failure of the communication contacts 21 and 18 Will cause a communication error.

  In order to form an image with the toner cartridges 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13K for the respective colors, the development rotary 4 sequentially rotates and changes. For example, when the developing rollers 16Y (16M) (16C) (16K) are brought into contact with the surface of the photoreceptor 3, the nonvolatile memory substrate 19Y (19M) in the toner cartridges 13Y (13M) (13C) (13K) during image formation (19C) The memory communication contact 21 of (19K) comes into contact with the main body side communication contact 18.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the developing rotary 4 is driven to rotate by a developing rotary motor 22 via a developing rotary docking gear 23.

  The development rotary motor 22 can control the rotation direction and the rotation speed of the development rotary 4 by a pulse output from a stepping motor of two-phase excitation. When the developing rotary motor 22 is rotated forward, the developing rotary 4 is rotated forward, and when the developing rotary motor 22 is reversed, the developing rotary 4 is reversed.

  On the other hand, the developing rollers 16Y, 16M, 16C and 16K for the respective colors are driven by a developing motor 25 via a developing motor docking gear 24.

  The developing motor 25 can control the rotation direction and the rotation speed of the developing rollers 16Y, 16M, 16C, and 16K by a pulse output from a two-phase excitation stepping motor. When the developing motor 25 is rotated forward, the developing rollers 16Y, 16M, 16C, and 16K are rotated forward, and when the developing motor is reversed, the developing rollers 16Y, 16M, 16C, and 16K are reversed.

  Further, in the color printer 1 configured as described above, when the power is turned on and it is confirmed that the main body cover is closed, the toner cartridges 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13K are correctly attached to the development rotary 4. In order to check whether the toner cartridge is present, a toner cartridge attachment detection process is executed.

  In the toner cartridge attachment detection process, the development rotary 4 is rotated 45 ° from the standby position in FIG. 4 to the development position of the black (K) toner cartridge 13K, for example.

  As shown in FIG. 6A, the rotation of the developing rotary 4 is stopped after the developing rotary motor 22 is raised from 250 pps to 800 pps in 200 ms and then lowered from 800 pps to 250 pps in 200 ms. A pulse for 45 ° rotation is output from the rotation start to the stop.

  When the rotation of the developing rotary 4 is changed, for example, the developing roller 16C of the toner cartridge 13C and the developing motor docking gear 24 of the developing rotary 4 are engaged, so that the developing motor 25 also rotates at the same speed as shown in FIG. 6B. To do.

After the rotational change of the developing rotary 4, as shown in FIG. 6C, communication is performed with the non-volatile memories 20K (20Y) (20M) (20C) in the toner cartridges 13K (13Y) (13M) (13C). The data is read, and the following processing is performed after confirming the previously written data.
(1) Check the toner color code to see if the correct color toner cartridges 13K (13Y) (13M) (13C) are installed.
(2) Check the new code to see if it is a new toner cartridge 13K (13Y) (13M) (13C). If it is new, the new code in the nonvolatile memory 20K (20Y) (20M) (20C) is reset, and image stabilization or the like is performed.

  By the way, immediately after the development rotary 4 is stopped, the development rotary 4 vibrates, and a communication error occurs when communicating with the nonvolatile memory 20K (20Y) (20M) (20C) during the vibration. To do. For this reason, after waiting for the vibration absorption time T until the vibration is settled, communication is performed with respect to the nonvolatile memories 20K (20Y) (20M) (20C). Waiting for this vibration absorption time T is referred to as vibration convergence waiting, and details thereof will be described later.

  Next, the development rotary 4 is rotated 90 ° from the development position in black (K) and moved to the development position in yellow (Y).

  The development rotary motor 22 is raised from 250 pps to 800 pps in 200 ms, and then lowered from 800 pps to 250 pps in 200 ms and then stopped. A pulse corresponding to 90 ° rotation change is output from the start to the stop of rotation change. The developing motor 25 is also rotated at the same speed.

  After the rotation of the development rotary 4 is stopped, the vibration convergence wait is performed, and data is read by communication with the nonvolatile memories 20Y (20M) (20C) (20K). Thereafter, when the development rotary 4 is rotationally shifted from the development position of yellow (Y) to the development position of magenta (M), a vibration convergence wait is performed, and the magenta (M) nonvolatile memory 20M (20C) (20K). (20Y) data is read.

  Thereafter, after the development rotary 4 is rotated from the development position of magenta (M) to the development position of cyan (C), the vibration convergence wait is similarly performed, and the cyan (C) nonvolatile memory 20C (20K) (20Y ) (20M) data is read.

  FIG. 6 shows communication timings between the pulse outputs of the developing rotary motor 22 and the developing motor 25 and the nonvolatile memories 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K in the toner cartridge mounting detection process so far.

  In FIG. 6, for example, after reading the data of the cyan (C) nonvolatile memory 20C, the developing rotary 4 is rotationally shifted from the cyan (C) developing position to the standby position, and the control is completed.

  FIG. 6 does not show a pulse for rotating the development rotary 4 from the cyan (C) development position to the standby position.

  Next, details of the vibration convergence waiting control in the toner cartridge mounting detection process will be described.

  In the toner cartridge mounting detection process, it is known in advance that a vibration of 150 ms occurs in the rotational transition of the development rotary 4 by an experiment. However, if a large amount of toner remains in each of the toner cartridges 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13K, the vibration time may become long, so a vibration absorption time margin is added.

  The vibration absorption time margin is 50 ms, and is obtained by multiplying this by the ratio of the remaining amount of toner obtained from the toner consumption amounts of the four toner cartridges 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13K.

  That is, the vibration absorption time calculation formula in the toner cartridge attachment detection process is as follows.

Vibration absorption time T (ms) = Rotation vibration time (150 ms) when mounting is detected + Vibration absorption time margin (50 ms) * Toner remaining ratio In a state where half of each toner of the four toner cartridges 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13K is consumed. If there is, the ratio of the remaining amount of toner is 50%, and when the vibration absorption time margin (50 ms) is multiplied, the vibration absorption time margin is 25 ms.

  If the four toner cartridges 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13K are all new and have not consumed toner, the remaining toner ratio is 100%, and the vibration absorption time margin is 50 ms. Similarly, if all four toner cartridges 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13K are toner empty and the remaining toner ratio is 0%, the vibration absorption time margin is 0 ms.

  The vibration absorption time T in the toner cartridge attachment detection process is calculated by the following calculation formula. After the vibration absorption time T elapses, by communicating with each of the non-volatile memories 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K, an error caused by vibration can be obtained. Communication can be performed without occurring.

  Should a communication error occur, the passage of vibration absorption time T and re-communication are performed a predetermined number of times (for example, three times). If a communication error occurs due to the re-communication, it is determined that the toner cartridges 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13K in which the error has occurred are not attached.

  Thus, after the vibration absorption time T has elapsed, in other words, after the vibration of the toner cartridges 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13K has converged, the non-volatile memories 20Y, 20M, 20C, and the toner cartridges 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13K When writing / reading to / from 20K is controlled and a communication error occurs, it waits again for the vibration absorption time T and repeats again until the communication is successful, so that the toner cartridges 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13K Communication is performed in a state where vibrations are completely converged, and as a result, occurrence of communication errors is reduced.

  During printing, the developing rotary 4 is sequentially rotated to each developing position of each color yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) to form an image.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating drive timings of the development rotary motor 22 and the development motor 25 during printing, and communication timings of the nonvolatile memories 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K.

  When printing is started, the development rotary 4 is rotated from the standby position to the black (K) development position, and then the development rotary 4 is moved from the black (K) development position to the yellow (Y) for yellow (Y) image formation. ) Is rotated 90 ° to the developing position, and only the developing roller 16Y for developing the toner is rotated after the rotational shift.

  When the development is finished, the passage of the vibration absorption time T after the development is stopped is waited, and the consumption amount of the printed toner and the print history data are written in the nonvolatile memory 20Y after the development. After the data is written in the nonvolatile memory 20Y, the development rotary 4 is rotated from the yellow (Y) development position to the magenta (M) development position for the next magenta (M) image formation. The rotation of the developing rotary 4, the rotation of the developing roller 16M for image formation of magenta (M), and writing to the nonvolatile memory 20M are the same as the control in the case of image formation of yellow (Y).

  Data to be written in the non-volatile memories 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K for each color includes toner consumption, the number of print images as print history data, a job count, the number of prints for each print medium, double-sided printing, and the like.

  FIG. 8 shows the rotation of the developing rotary 4 and the developing rollers 16Y, 16M, 16C, and 16K at the time of forming each color yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), and the nonvolatile memory 20Y. , 20M, 20C, 20K is an enlarged view of the portion X in FIG.

  In order to rotate the developing rotary 4 to the next developing position, as shown in FIG. 8A, the developing rotary motor 22 is raised from 250 pps to 1200 pps in 200 ms, and then lowered from 1200 pps to 200 ms. The number of pulses from the rise to the fall is 45 ° from the standby position to the black (K) development position, and 90 ° between the development positions.

  In synchronism with the rotation of the developing rotary motor 22, the developing motor 25 starts to rotate. As shown in FIG. 8B, the developing motor 25 is raised from 250 pps to 800 pps in 100 ms, and then lowered from 800 pps to 250 pps in 100 ms.

  The development rotary motor 22 is raised up to 1200 pps, whereas the development motor 25 can be raised only up to 800 pps because the development motor 25 cannot rotate up to 1200 pps.

  The number of pulses from the rise to the fall is 45 ° from the standby position to the black (K) development position, and 90 ° between the development positions.

  When the rotational shift to the development position is completed, as shown in FIG. 8B, after waiting for 100 ms, for development of each color of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). The developing motor 25 is driven. The developing motor 25 is raised from 250 pps to 600 pps in 80 ms, and after driving for the image forming section, the developing motor 25 is lowered from 600 pps to 250 pps.

  Next, details of waiting for vibration convergence during printing will be described.

  During printing, only the developing motor 25 is stopped from a state where it has been rotated by 600 pps, and the communication with the nonvolatile memories 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K is performed as shown in FIG. The time required for the toner cartridges 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13K is shorter than that when the attachment of the toner cartridges is detected.

  As for the vibration time, it is known in advance that vibration of 80 ms occurs by experiment. However, if a large amount of toner remains in each of the toner cartridges 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13K, the vibration time may be long, so a vibration absorption time margin is added.

  That is, the vibration absorption time T during printing is calculated by the following calculation formula.

Vibration absorption time T (ms) = vibration absorption time during printing (80 ms) + vibration absorption time margin (20 ms) * toner remaining rate The vibration absorption time margin is set to 20 ms, and the four color toner cartridges 13Y, 13M, 13C, If half of the 13K toner is consumed, the toner remaining rate is 100%.

  When the vibration absorption time margin (20 ms) is multiplied, the vibration absorption time margin is 10 ms. If the four color toner cartridges 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13K are all new and do not consume each toner, the remaining toner rate is 100%, and the vibration absorption time margin (20 ms) is multiplied by the vibration absorption time margin. Is 20 ms. Similarly, if all four color toners are toner empty and the remaining toner ratio is 0%, the vibration absorption time margin is 0 ms.

  Thus, after the vibration absorption time T during printing has elapsed, in other words, after the vibrations of the toner cartridges 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13K have converged, by communicating with the nonvolatile memories 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K, The occurrence of communication errors is reduced.

  If a communication error occurs, if re-communication is performed in the same manner as the detection of toner cartridge attachment, rotation and image formation to the toner cartridge 13M for the next color will be delayed. When it comes to, write again.

  That is, for example, when an error occurs in writing to the nonvolatile memory 20Y of the yellow (Y) toner cartridge 13Y, the writing is suspended, and the yellow (Y) toner is printed after the yellow (Y) printing of the next page. The cartridge 13Y is rewritten to the nonvolatile memory 20Y. If writing cannot be performed even if this rewriting is performed a predetermined number of times (for example, 3 times), a writing error is assumed.

  FIG. 9 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating the tandem image forming apparatus 100.

  The same or corresponding parts as those of the color printer 1 in FIG.

  In FIG. 9, the tandem image forming apparatus 100 includes an image forming unit 200 and a storage medium transport unit 300.

  The four imaging cartridges 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13K in the image forming unit 200 are charged with charging units 26Y, 26M, 26C, and 26K that charge the surfaces of the photoreceptors 3Y, 3M, 3C, and 3K, respectively. Built-in exposure units 7Y, 7M, 7C, and 7K for exposing image patterns on the respective surfaces of the photoreceptors 3Y, 3M, 3C, and 3K, and developing units 27Y, 27M, 27C, and 27K for developing the exposed toner images Has been.

  The four color toner images formed on the photoreceptors 3Y, 3M, 3C, and 3K are superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 2. The toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 2 is transferred onto a recording medium (paper) by the secondary transfer roller 10.

  The transfer residual toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 2 after the transfer is separated by the intermediate transfer belt cleaner 5 and then stored in the waste toner box 15.

  39Y, 39M, 39C, and 39K are four-color toner bottles incorporating stirring blades 40Y, 40M, 40C, and 40K. By driving the stirring blades 40Y, 40M, 40C, and 40K, the toner of each color is supplied. The imaging cartridges 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13K are supplied.

  In the recording medium transport unit 300, the recording medium drawn out from the recording medium storage unit (paper feed unit) 8 is transported toward the transfer position by the paper feed roller 8.

  When the recording medium is conveyed to the transfer position, it is temporarily stopped by the timing roller 9 and the four-color toner images formed on the intermediate transfer belt 2 are transferred onto the recording medium by the secondary transfer roller 10.

  The recording medium on which the toner image is transferred is conveyed to the fixing position, and then the toner image is fixed by the fixing rollers 11a and 11b. Then, the recording medium after fixing is discharged to a discharge tray (not shown) by a discharge roller 12 that is discharged or conveyed to a double-sided conveyance path 42, or a double-sided path conveyance roller via a double-sided conveyance path 29. It is conveyed to the timing roller 9 by 29a and 29b.

  31 is a color PC motor, 32 is a main motor, 33 is a fixing motor for driving the fixing rollers 11a and 11b, 34 is a color developing motor, 35 is a black developing motor, and 36 is a double-sided path conveying roller 29a and 29b. It is a double-sided conveyance motor.

  Reference numeral 37 denotes a driving motor for the stirring blades 40Y and 40M, and reference numeral 38 denotes a driving motor for the stirring blades 40C and 40K.

  The imaging cartridges 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13K are respectively mounted with the above-described nonvolatile memories 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K. When the imaging cartridges 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13K are mounted on the apparatus main body, Communication with the nonvolatile memories 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K is possible.

  The communication lines with the non-volatile memories 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K are obtained by connecting four non-volatile memories 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K to one communication line. Yellow (Y) and magenta (M) , Cyan (C), and black (K) in this order.

  In the tandem image forming apparatus configured as described above, when it is confirmed that the power is turned on and the main body cover is closed, it is confirmed whether or not the imaging cartridges 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13K are mounted. In order to do this, a cartridge mounting detection process is executed.

  Since the tandem image forming apparatus 100 does not drive the developing roller (not shown) or the like during the imaging cartridge mounting detection process, there is no need to wait for vibration convergence.

When it is confirmed that the main body cover is closed, as shown in FIG. 10, data is read by communicating with the yellow (Y) nonvolatile memory 20Y. As soon as the communication with the non-volatile memory 20Y is completed, data is read by communicating with the non-volatile memory 20M of magenta (M). As soon as the communication with the nonvolatile memory 20M is completed, the data is read by sequentially communicating with the cyan (C) nonvolatile memory 20C and the black (K) nonvolatile memory 20K. After confirming data written in advance, the following processing is performed.
(1) Check the color code to see if the correct color cartridges 13Y, 13M, 13C, 13K are installed.
(2) Check the new code to see if it is a new cartridge 13Y, 13M, 13C, 13K. If it is new, the new code in the non-volatile memories 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K is reset to perform image stabilization and the like.

  11A to 11C are diagrams showing drive timings of the color developing motor 34 and the black developing motor 35 during printing and communication timings of the nonvolatile memories 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K.

  When a print request is received, as shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, the color developing motor 34 and the black (K) developing motor 35 are started, and are lowered after the image formation is completed. When printing multiple pages continuously, start up and start up for each page, start up at the first page, and stop after the last page is printed.

  After the image formation is completed, the non-volatile memories 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20C are waited for the vibration absorption time T until the vibrations by the color developing motor 34 and the black developing motor 35 converge, as shown in FIG. Communication with 20K is performed, and the consumption amount of printed toner and the print history data are written in the nonvolatile memories 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K.

  When a write error occurs, communication is performed again after the vibration absorption time T obtained above has elapsed. If an error occurs even during re-communication, re-communication is performed a predetermined number of times (for example, once). If the error does not disappear, a communication error is assumed.

  Data to be written in the non-volatile memories 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K for each color includes the amount of toner consumed, the number of print images as print history data, the job count, the number of prints for each print medium, and duplex printing.

  The rotation speeds of the color developing motor 34 and the developing motor 35 differ depending on the recording medium (paper), and are driven at 1200 pps for plain paper and 600 pps for thick paper and postcards.

  For plain paper, the color developing motor 34 and the developing motor 35 are started up from 300 pps for 200 ms, and when image forming is completed, the paper is lowered from 1200 pps to 300 pps in 200 ms.

  In the case of cardboard and postcards, the color developing motor 34 and the developing motor 35 are started up from 300 pps to 600 pps in 100 ms, and when the image formation is completed, they are lowered from 600 pps to 300 pps in 100 ms.

  The experiment shows that the vibration time (vibration absorption time) is 200 ms when falling from 1200 pps for plain paper, and 100 ms when falling from 600 pps for cardboard and postcards. For this reason, when printing on plain paper, the color developing motor 34 and the developing motor 35 are turned off, wait for 200 ms, and after the vibrations from these motors converge, data is written to the non-volatile memories 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K. Do.

  When printing on cardboard and postcards, the color developing motor 34 and the developing motor 35 are turned off, waiting for 100 ms, and data is written to the non-volatile memories 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K after the vibrations caused by these motors converge.

  This can reduce the occurrence of communication errors due to vibration.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a four-cycle color printer to which an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. It is a block diagram which similarly shows the electric constitution of a color printer. It is a block diagram which similarly shows the development rotary (rack) in a 4-cycle type color printer. Similarly, it is explanatory drawing of the stand-by position of development rotary. (A) is a figure which shows the surface of a non-volatile memory substrate, (B) is a figure which shows the back surface of a non-volatile memory substrate. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a driving timing of a developing rotary motor and a developing motor when toner cartridge mounting is detected, and a communication timing of a nonvolatile memory. It is a figure which shows the drive timing of the developing rotary motor and developing motor during printing, and the communication timing of a non-volatile memory. FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of a portion X in FIG. 7. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a tandem image forming apparatus. It is a communication timing diagram of the non-volatile memory at the time of cartridge mounting detection. It is a figure which shows the drive timing of the color developing motor and black developing motor during printing, and the communication timing of a non-volatile memory.

Explanation of symbols

1,100 Image forming apparatus 3, 3Y, 3M, 3C, 3K Photosensitive member 4Y, 4M, 4C, 4K Developing rotary (developing apparatus)
13Y, 13M, 13C, 13K Toner cartridge, imaging cartridge 16Y, 16M, 16C, 16K Developing roller 20Y, 20M, 20C, 20K Non-volatile memory 22 Developing rotary motor 25 Developing roller motor 26Y, 26M, 26C, 26K Developing device 51 CPU
180 Communication unit

Claims (2)

A developing device in which a plurality of toner cartridges equipped with a non-volatile memory are detachably mounted;
A rotation driving means for developing device for rotating and shifting the developing device to a position where communication between the nonvolatile memory and the apparatus main body side is possible;
Communication means for writing and / or reading data to and from the non-volatile memory moved to the communicable position by the rotation change of the developing device;
Writing and / or reading of data to / from the non-volatile memory by the communication means after the passage of vibration absorption time necessary for absorbing the vibration of the toner cartridge caused by the driving operation including rotation change of the developing device. Control means for executing
Equipped with a,
The vibration absorbing time, the image forming apparatus according to claim Rukoto determined include parameters relating to the remaining amount of toner in the toner cartridge. When a communication error occurs in the non-volatile memory, the control unit waits for the vibration absorption time to elapse again, and repeatedly executes communication with the non-volatile memory by the communication unit, and re-communications a predetermined number of times. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein if the communication cannot be performed normally even after executing, processing as a communication error.

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