JP5118884B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a printer.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus such as a color printer, after a toner image on a photosensitive drum is transferred (primary transfer) to an intermediate transfer belt, the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt is applied to a sheet at a nip portion with a secondary transfer roller. A configuration is known in which a color image is formed on the paper by performing batch transfer (secondary transfer) (Patent Document 1).

  In such an image forming apparatus, a sensor (so-called jam sensor) for detecting whether or not the sheet is separated from the intermediate transfer belt after the secondary transfer is provided in the vicinity of the downstream of the nip portion. The secondary transfer roller is housed in the apparatus main body while being supported by a support member that can be pulled out of the apparatus, and the secondary transfer roller is pulled out of the apparatus during jam processing by pulling the support member out of the apparatus. And the intermediate transfer belt can be released.

For example, when the above-mentioned sensor detects the occurrence of a jam that the paper is wound around the intermediate transfer belt after the secondary transfer, it is provided on the side surface of the apparatus main body 11 as shown in order in FIGS. The support member 18 is exposed by pulling the cover 17 open, and the support member 18 is rotated so as to be pulled out of the apparatus to expose the intermediate transfer belt 124 and the sheet conveyance path 111. Jam processing can be performed. When the jam processing is completed, the support member 18 is rotated toward the inside of the apparatus and accommodated in the apparatus, and then the cover 17 is closed and the image forming operation is resumed.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-59962

  By the way, in the past, whether or not the secondary transfer roller is in contact with the intermediate transfer belt with a predetermined pressure over almost the entire area in the axial direction is indirectly determined by the open / close state of the cover with respect to the apparatus main body. It was detected. Specifically, if the cover is closed, it is determined that the secondary transfer roller is in the contact state, and if the cover is open, the secondary transfer roller is in a state different from the contact state. I was judging. Conventionally, the open / closed state of the cover with respect to the apparatus main body has been detected by mechanical means such as a switch. For these reasons, even if a contact failure occurs such that the secondary transfer roller is in a single-contact state or not in contact with the intermediate transfer belt at all, if the cover is closed, 2 It may be determined that the contact state of the next transfer roller is normal. As described above, conventionally, there is a problem that it is difficult to improve the detection accuracy of the contact state of the secondary transfer roller.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and is capable of accurately detecting contact of the transfer roller with the intermediate transfer belt by effectively using existing sensors. An object is to provide an apparatus.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an intermediate transfer member having a peripheral surface capable of carrying a toner image, a nip portion formed in contact with the peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer member, and the intermediate portion on the sheet conveyed through the nip portion. A transfer member for transferring a toner image on the transfer member, and a sensor that is disposed in the vicinity of the downstream of the nip so as to face the peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer member and reads the toner density on the intermediate transfer member. In the image forming apparatus, comprising: a separation detection unit that detects that the sheet on which the toner image has been transferred is separated from the intermediate transfer body based on a reading result by the sensor. In addition, based on the reading result by the sensor, it is detected that the transfer member is arranged in a contact posture in contact with the intermediate transfer member with a predetermined pressure over substantially the entire axial direction. Composed And, the separation detecting means, prior to the toner image to be transferred to the paper to form on the intermediate transfer member, each of the widthwise end near the circumference of the intermediate transfer body, or the On the intermediate transfer body read by the sensor after the transfer of the patch toner, a means for carrying the patch toner in a belt shape covering substantially the entire width of the peripheral surface, a means for transferring the patch toner to a transfer member When the density of the remaining patch toner near both ends in the width direction is not more than a predetermined threshold value, it is determined that the transfer member is in a normal state in which it is arranged in the contact posture, while the intermediate If any one of the patch toner densities near the both ends in the width direction remaining on the transfer body is higher than the predetermined threshold, the transfer member is in a posture other than the contact posture. And means for determining that an abnormal state is, and means for informing the abnormal state when the it is determined that an abnormal state, and means for returning the toner patch transferred to the transfer member to the intermediate transfer member It is characterized by this.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an intermediate transfer member having a peripheral surface capable of carrying a toner image, a nip portion formed in contact with the peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer member, and the intermediate portion on the sheet conveyed through the nip portion. A transfer member for transferring a toner image on the transfer member; and a sensor arranged to face the peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer member to read the toner density on the intermediate transfer member, and based on a reading result by the sensor And an image forming apparatus including an image correcting unit that corrects the density and position of a toner image formed on the intermediate transfer member, wherein the image correcting unit performs correction on the toner image, and results of reading by the sensor. The image correction unit is configured to detect that the transfer member is disposed in a contact posture in contact with the intermediate transfer member with a predetermined pressure over substantially the entire axial direction thereof. Means Prior to forming a toner image to be transferred onto a sheet on the intermediate transfer member, in the vicinity of both ends in the width direction on the peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer member, or in a belt shape covering substantially the entire width of the peripheral surface. Means for carrying the patch toner, means for transferring the patch toner to the transfer member after reading the density of both patch toners near both ends in the width direction by the sensor, and before transferring the patch toner The density of the patch toner near the both ends in the width direction read by the sensor and the patch toner near the both ends in the width direction remaining on the intermediate transfer body read by the sensor after the transfer of the patch toner. When both of the differences from the density are equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, it is determined that the transfer member is in a normal state arranged in the contact posture, while the width is Means for determining that the transfer member is in an abnormal state in which the transfer member is disposed in a posture other than the contact posture when any one of the density differences near both ends in the direction is lower than the predetermined threshold; And a means for notifying the abnormal state when it is determined to be a state, and a means for returning the patch toner transferred to the transfer member to the intermediate transfer member .

The invention according to claim 3, in the image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the sensor is provided on the downstream vicinity of the nip portion, the image correcting means, an intermediate transfer of correction and the transfer member with respect to the toner image In addition to detecting contact with the body, the sheet is detected to be separated from the intermediate transfer body based on the reading result of the sensor.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the sensor is configured to detect the contact state of the transfer member with the intermediate transfer member from the density of the toner on the intermediate transfer member using the sensor that reads the toner concentration on the intermediate transfer member. Therefore, as in the prior art, the opening / closing state of the cover with respect to the apparatus main body is detected using a mechanical means such as a switch, and the transfer member's intermediate position is predicted by predicting the arrangement position of the transfer member from the opening / closing state of the cover. Compared to the case where the contact state with the body is indirectly determined, the contact state of the transfer member can be detected with higher accuracy.

  In addition, since the separation detecting means for detecting that the sheet is separated from the intermediate transfer member is effectively used to detect the contact state of the transfer member, a sensor dedicated to contact detection is provided. There is no need to provide separate contact detection means. Thereby, the number of parts can be reduced and the cost can be kept low. In addition, only the separation detection function is provided because it is possible to detect not only the separation of the paper but also the contact of the transfer member by simply changing the separation detection program to a program that can also handle the contact detection. The contact detection function can be easily added to the image forming apparatus without complicating the mechanism of the apparatus.

Also, the density of the patch toner remaining on the intermediate transfer member without being transferred to the transfer member is read by a sensor, and the contact level of the transfer member to the intermediate transfer member is determined from the level of the density, that is, the amount of residual toner. Thus, the contact state of the transfer member can be directly detected by the sensor. Thereby, the detection accuracy of the contact state of the transfer member can be sufficiently improved.

  In addition, if it is determined that the posture of the transfer member is in an abnormal state, the user is notified of this, so that the user can accurately grasp the contact state of the transfer member.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the sensor is configured to detect the contact state of the transfer member with the intermediate transfer member from the density of the toner on the intermediate transfer member using the sensor that reads the toner concentration on the intermediate transfer member. Therefore, as in the prior art, the opening / closing state of the cover with respect to the apparatus main body is detected using a mechanical means such as a switch, and the transfer member's intermediate position is predicted by predicting the position of the transfer member from the opening / closing state of the cover Compared to the case where the contact state with the body is indirectly determined, the contact state of the transfer member can be detected with higher accuracy.

  In addition, the image correction means for correcting the density and position of the toner image formed on the intermediate transfer member is effectively used to detect the contact state of the transfer member. There is no need to separately provide contact detection means including the above-described sensors. Thereby, the number of parts can be reduced and the cost can be kept low. Further, only by changing the image correction program to a program that can also handle contact detection, not only the correction for the toner image but also the contact detection of the transfer member can be performed, so only the image correction function is provided. The contact detection function can be easily added to the image forming apparatus without complicating the mechanism of the apparatus.

Also, before and after the transfer of the patch toner to the transfer member, the density of the patch toner on the intermediate transfer member is read by a sensor, and the contact state of the transfer member to the intermediate transfer member is determined from the density difference between the two. Thus, the contact state of the transfer member can be directly detected by the sensor. Thereby, the detection accuracy of the contact state of the transfer member can be sufficiently improved.

  In addition, if it is determined that the posture of the transfer member is in an abnormal state, the user is notified of this, so that the user can accurately grasp the contact state of the transfer member.

According to the invention of claim 3 , since it is configured to detect that the paper is separated from the intermediate transfer member using the image correction means, a separation detection means having a sensor dedicated to separation detection is provided separately. There is no need. Thereby, the number of parts can be further reduced and the cost can be further reduced. In addition to changing the program that supports both image correction and contact detection to a program that can also handle separation detection, not only correction of the toner image and contact detection of the transfer member, but also paper separation detection can be performed. Therefore, the separation detection function can be easily added to an image forming apparatus having both the image correction function and the contact detection function without complicating the mechanism of the apparatus.

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

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing the overall configuration of the printer according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing an intermediate transfer belt on which patch toner is formed and a first optical sensor. is there. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a control system of the printer shown in FIG. First, the outline of the internal structure of the printer (image forming apparatus) 10 according to the present invention will be described. In FIG. 1, the Y-Y direction is referred to as the front-rear direction, in particular, the -Y direction is referred to as the front, and the + Y direction is referred to as the rear.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 10 of the present embodiment includes an image forming unit 12 that forms an image based on image information transmitted from an external device such as a computer in a box-shaped main body 11, and this image. A fixing unit 13 that performs a fixing process on the image formed by the forming unit 12 and transferred to the paper P, and a paper storage unit 14 that stores the transfer paper are provided in the interior of the apparatus main body 11. A basic configuration is formed by forming a paper discharge portion 15 for discharging the paper P after the fixing process.

  At an appropriate position on the upper surface of the apparatus main body 11, an operation panel (not shown) for inputting the output conditions of the paper P and the like is provided. The operation panel is provided with a power key, a start button, and various keys for inputting output conditions. In addition, the operation panel is provided with a liquid crystal display unit 16 (see FIG. 3), and displays each abnormal state of the printer 10.

  The image forming unit 12 forms a toner image on the paper P fed from the paper storage unit 14, and in this embodiment, sequentially from the upstream side (the rear side in FIG. 1) to the downstream side. A magenta unit 12M using a magenta developer, a cyan unit 12C using a cyan developer, a yellow unit 12Y using a yellow developer, and a black developer are provided. And a black unit 12K to be used.

  Each of the units 12M, 12C, 12Y, and 12K includes a photosensitive drum 120 and a developing device 121. The photosensitive drum 120 is for forming an electrostatic latent image and a toner image (visible image) along the electrostatic latent image on the peripheral surface, and is extremely strong and wear-resistant on the peripheral surface. A smooth amorphous silicon layer is laminated, making it suitable for forming these images. Each photosensitive drum 120 is supplied with a developer from a corresponding developing device 121 while rotating counterclockwise in FIG.

  A charging device 122 is provided immediately below each photosensitive drum 120, and an exposure device 123 is provided further below each charging device 122. Each photosensitive drum 120 is charged uniformly by the charging device 122, and laser light corresponding to each color based on image data input from a computer or the like is charged from each exposure device 123 after being charged. By irradiating the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 120, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the circumferential surface of each photosensitive drum 120. By supplying a developer from the developing device 121 to the electrostatic latent image, a toner image is formed on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 120.

  An intermediate transfer belt (intermediate transfer member) 124 that is stretched between the driving roller 124 a and the driven roller 124 b so as to come into contact with each photosensitive drum 120 is provided above the photosensitive drum 120. The intermediate transfer belt 124 is pressed against the peripheral surface of the photoconductive drum 120 by a primary transfer roller 125 provided corresponding to each photoconductive drum 120, and is driven with a driving roller 124 a while synchronizing with the photoconductive drum 120. And the driven roller 124b.

  Accordingly, when the intermediate transfer belt 124 circulates, the magenta toner image is transferred to the peripheral surface by the photosensitive drum 120 of the magenta unit 12M, and then the cyan unit 12C is placed at the same position on the intermediate transfer belt 124. The toner image of the cyan toner is transferred by the photoconductor drum 120 in the overcoating state, and then the toner image of the yellow toner by the photoconductor drum 120 of the yellow unit 12Y is overcoated at the same position of the intermediate transfer belt 124. Finally, the transfer of the black toner image by the photosensitive drum 120 of the black unit 12K is performed in an overcoating state, whereby a color toner image is formed on the peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 124. . The color toner image formed on the peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 124 is transferred onto the paper P conveyed from the paper storage unit 14. The yellow unit 12Y also has a function of forming a patch toner 25 (see FIG. 2) described later on the intermediate transfer belt 124.

  A cleaning device 126 that removes and cleans the residual toner on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 120 is provided at a front position of each photosensitive drum 120 in FIG. The peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 120 cleaned by the cleaning device 126 is directed to the charging device 122 for a new charging process.

  A paper conveyance path 111 extending in the vertical direction is formed at a position in front of the image forming unit 12 in FIG. The sheet conveying path 111 is provided with a pair of conveying rollers 112 at appropriate positions, and the sheet from the sheet storage unit 14 is directed toward the intermediate transfer belt 124 that is wound around the driving roller 124 a by the driving of the conveying roller pair 112. It is designed to be transported. In this sheet conveyance path 111, a secondary transfer roller (transfer member) 113 that is in contact with the peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 124 is provided at a position facing the driving roller 124a, and the sheet being conveyed through the sheet conveyance path 111. The toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 124 is transferred onto the sheet P by pressing and holding P between the intermediate transfer belt 124 and the secondary transfer roller 113. As will be described later, the secondary transfer roller 113 is accommodated in the apparatus main body 11 while being supported by the support member 18.

  The fixing unit 13 performs a fixing process on the toner image on the paper transferred by the image forming unit 12. The fixing unit 13 includes a heating roller 131 including an energization heating element serving as a heating source, and a front side in FIG. The fixing roller 132 disposed to face the heating roller 131, the fixing belt 133 stretched between the fixing roller 132 and the heating roller 131, and the fixing roller 40 via the fixing belt 133. And a pressure roller 134.

  The sheet P supplied to the fixing unit 13 in a state where the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 124 is transferred by passing through the nip portion between the intermediate transfer belt 124 and the secondary transfer roller 113 is pressurized. The fixing process is performed by obtaining heat from the fixing belt 133 while passing between the roller 134 and the high-temperature fixing belt 133.

  The paper P with the color image for which the fixing process has been completed passes through a paper discharge conveyance path 114 extending from the upper part of the fixing unit 13 to a paper discharge tray 151 of a paper discharge unit 15 provided at the top of the apparatus main body 11. It will be discharged towards.

  The sheet storage unit 14 includes a manual feed tray 141 that can be freely opened and closed on the rear side wall of the apparatus main body 11 in FIG. 1, and a paper tray 142 that is removably mounted in the apparatus main body 11 below the exposure device 123. And is configured. A sheet bundle is stored in the sheet tray 142.

  The paper tray 142 includes a box body whose upper surface is open on the entire surface, and can store a sheet bundle P1 formed by stacking a plurality of sheets P. The uppermost sheet P of the sheet bundle P1 stored in the sheet tray 142 is drawn out from the sheet bundle P1 to the sheet conveyance path 111 by driving the pickup roller 143 from the upper surface of the downstream end (front end in FIG. 1). The paper P is fed out one by one, and the paper P passes through the paper conveyance path 111 by driving the conveyance roller pair 112 toward the nip portion between the secondary transfer roller 113 and the intermediate transfer belt 124 in the image forming unit 12. To be sent.

  A cover 17 is provided on the front surface of the apparatus main body 11, and a support member 18 that supports the secondary transfer roller 113, the pressure roller 134, and the like is provided in the front portion of the apparatus main body 11. As shown in FIGS. 6B and 6C, the support member 18 is configured so that the posture can be changed between an upright posture and a forward tilted posture with the lower portion as a fulcrum. When the support member 18 is in the upright posture, the secondary transfer roller 113 contacts the intermediate transfer belt 124 and the pressure roller 134 contacts the fixing roller 132. The secondary transfer roller 113 and the pressure roller 134 are separated from the intermediate transfer belt 124 and the fixing roller 132 by rotating the support member 18 so that the support member 18 is pulled out of the apparatus with the cover 17 opened. At the same time, the paper conveyance path 111 is exposed, so that jam processing that occurs near the secondary transfer roller 113 can be easily performed.

  In addition, the printer 10 includes separation detection means for detecting that the paper P after the secondary transfer has been separated from the intermediate transfer belt 124. This separation detection means is composed of a first optical sensor 19 (see FIG. 3) and a control device 20.

  The first optical sensor 19 is located in the left-right direction of the printer 10 (that is, the secondary transfer roller 113) obliquely above and behind the drive roller 124 a in the vicinity of the downstream of the nip portion between the secondary transfer roller 113 and the intermediate transfer belt 124. Are provided in the axial direction). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the intermediate transfer belt 124 is disposed at a predetermined interval from the peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 124 so as to face both ends in the width direction of the peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 124.

  The first optical sensor 19 has a function of reading the density of the toner on the intermediate transfer belt 124 and is electrically connected to the control device 20 as shown in FIG. The control device 20 includes a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM, and includes a control unit 21 that performs input / output and calculation of various signals, and a storage unit 22 that stores data. The control device 20 is configured to detect that the paper P after the secondary transfer is wound around the intermediate transfer belt 124 based on the reading result of the first optical sensor 19.

  Specifically, when the sheet P is moved while being stuck to the surface of the belt without being separated from the intermediate transfer belt 124, the toner density read by the first optical sensor 19 shows a value significantly different from normal. Thus, it can be determined that the paper P is not separated from the intermediate transfer roller 124.

  Further, the controller 20 determines that the secondary transfer roller 113 has a predetermined pressure with respect to the intermediate transfer belt 124 over a substantially entire area in the axial direction of the secondary transfer roller 113 based on the reading result of the first optical sensor 19. It is comprised so that it may arrange | position with the contact attitude | position which contacts by. As described above, in this embodiment, the separation detection unit also serves as a contact detection unit for the secondary transfer roller 113 to the intermediate transfer belt 124. The details of the contact detection operation by the separation detection means will be described in detail below.

  A cleaning roller 23 for removing toner on the intermediate transfer belt 124 is provided at a position facing the driven roller 124b with the intermediate transfer belt 124 interposed therebetween.

  A second optical sensor 24 having a function of reading the toner density on the intermediate transfer belt 124 is provided below the front side of the intermediate transfer belt 124. The second optical sensor 24 is also electrically connected to the control device 20, and the toner transferred from the intermediate transfer belt 124 to the paper P by the control device 20 based on the reading result by the second optical sensor 24. It functions as image correction means for correcting the density and position of the image.

  Next, the contact detection operation of the secondary transfer roller 113 by the separation detection unit will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. This contact detection operation is set to start when a jam occurs in the printer 10 and the jam processing is completed and the cover 17 is closed.

  That is, when a switch (not shown) detects that the cover 17 is closed and the control device 20 receives the detection signal, both ends in the width direction on the intermediate transfer belt 124 are detected by the yellow unit 12Y in step S1. The patch toner 25 is formed in the vicinity (see FIG. 2). The patch toner 25 has, for example, a square shape with a side of about 2 cm. Note that the patch toner may be formed in a belt shape that extends over substantially the entire width of the intermediate transfer belt 124.

  In step S 2, a positive bias is applied to the secondary transfer roller 113 by the bias applying means 26 (see FIG. 3), and the patch toner 25 is transferred from the intermediate transfer belt 124 to the secondary transfer roller 113.

  Next, in step S <b> 3, the density of the patch toner 25 remaining without being transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 124 is read by the first optical sensors 19.

  In step S <b> 4, it is determined whether or not both of the residual toner densities read by the two first optical sensors 19 are equal to or less than a predetermined threshold that is set in advance and stored in the storage unit 22. As a result, when it is determined that the two toner densities are both equal to or less than the threshold value, the secondary transfer roller 113 extends over substantially the entire area in the axial direction of the secondary transfer roller 113 with respect to the intermediate transfer belt 124. Thus, it is determined that they are arranged in a contact posture in contact with a predetermined pressure. In step S <b> 5, a reverse bias is applied to the secondary transfer roller 113 by the bias applying unit 26, whereby the patch toner 25 transferred onto the secondary transfer roller 113 is returned to the intermediate transfer belt 124.

  After that, in step S6, “Ready” indicating completion of preparation is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 16 of the operation panel, and a standby state is entered.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S4 that either one of the two toner densities is higher than the threshold value, in step S7, the contact failure of the secondary transfer roller 113 to the intermediate transfer belt 124 occurs. In step S8, “Error” indicating the abnormal state is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 16. The abnormal state notification means may be not only the display by the liquid crystal display unit 16 but also an alarm sound from a speaker, a flashing lamp, or the like.

  In step S 9, reverse bias is applied to the secondary transfer roller 113 by the bias applying unit 26, and the patch toner 25 transferred onto the secondary transfer roller 113 is returned onto the intermediate transfer belt 124. Then, for example, the user opens / closes the cover 17 and enters a standby state until the control device 20 receives that the cover 17 is closed again.

  The contact detection operation described above is also executed when the printer 10 is activated. In this case, before the patch toner 25 is formed in step S1, firstly, the opening and closing of the cover 17 is confirmed. This is performed by the control device 20 receiving a detection signal from a switch (not shown). If it is determined that the cover 17 is not closed, a message to that effect is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 16.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the cover 17 is closed, the patch toner 25 is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 124 by the yellow unit 12Y in step S1. The subsequent operation is the same as described above.

  In the first embodiment, as described above, the first optical sensor 19 that reads the toner density on the intermediate transfer belt 124 is used to change the contact state of the secondary transfer roller 113 to the intermediate transfer belt 124. Since it is configured to detect from the density of the toner on 124, the open / closed state of the cover 17 with respect to the apparatus main body 11 is detected using mechanical means such as a switch as in the prior art, and the open / closed state of the cover 17 is detected. The contact state of the secondary transfer roller 113 is compared with the case where the placement position of the secondary transfer roller 113 is predicted and the contact state of the secondary transfer roller 113 to the intermediate transfer belt 124 is indirectly determined. Can be detected with higher accuracy.

  In the first embodiment, as described above, the contact detection state of the secondary transfer roller 113 is detected by effectively using the separation detection unit for detecting that the paper P is separated from the intermediate transfer belt 124. Therefore, it is not necessary to separately provide contact detection means including a sensor dedicated to contact detection. Thereby, the number of parts can be reduced and the cost can be kept low. Further, not only the separation detection of the paper P but also the contact detection of the secondary transfer roller 113 can be performed simply by changing the separation detection program built in the control device 20 to a program that can also handle contact detection. Therefore, the contact detection function can be easily added to the printer 10 having only the separation detection function without complicating the mechanism of the apparatus.

  In the first embodiment, as described above, the density of the patch toner 25 that is not transferred to the secondary transfer roller 113 and remains on the intermediate transfer belt 124 is read by the first optical sensor 19, and the density is increased or decreased. In other words, since the contact state of the secondary transfer roller 113 to the intermediate transfer belt 124 is determined from the amount of residual toner, the contact state of the secondary transfer roller 113 is directly detected by the first optical sensor 19. Can be detected. Thereby, the detection accuracy of the contact state of the secondary transfer roller 113 can be sufficiently improved.

  In the first embodiment, as described above, the liquid crystal display unit 16 is provided to notify the user when the attitude of the secondary transfer roller 113 is determined to be in an abnormal state. The contact state of the next transfer roller 113 can be accurately grasped.

(Second Embodiment)
In the second embodiment, the control device 20 performs contact detection based on the reading result of the second optical sensor 24. That is, in the second embodiment, the image correction unit is configured to also serve as the contact detection unit.

  The contact detection operation according to the second embodiment will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. As in the first embodiment, a switch (not shown) detects that the cover 17 is closed, and the detection signal is received by the control device 20, so that the yellow transfer unit 124Y causes the intermediate transfer belt 124 in step S11. Patch toner 25 is formed in the vicinity of both upper ends in the width direction (see FIG. 2).

  In step S12, the density of the patch toner 25 on the intermediate transfer belt 124 is read by the second optical sensor 24 (first reading operation).

  In step S13, a positive bias is applied to the secondary transfer roller 113 by the bias applying means 26 (see FIG. 3), and the patch toner 25 is transferred from the intermediate transfer belt 124 to the secondary transfer roller 113.

  Next, in step S14, the bias of the cleaning roller 23 is turned off by the bias applying unit 26. Accordingly, the patch toner 25 remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 124 after the transfer is prevented from being removed by the cleaning roller 23. A reverse bias is applied to each primary transfer roller 125.

In step S15, the density of the patch toner 25 remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 124 is read by the second optical sensor 24 (second reading operation).

In step S16, the difference between the first patch toner density read by the second optical sensor 24 and the second residual toner density is set in advance and stored in the storage unit 22. It is determined whether or not it is equal to or greater than the threshold value. As a result, when it is determined that the two density differences are both equal to or greater than the threshold value, it is determined that the secondary transfer roller 113 is arranged in a predetermined contact posture. In step S17, a reverse bias is applied to the secondary transfer roller 113 by the bias applying means 26, and the bias of the cleaning roller 23 is turned on, whereby the patch toner transferred onto the secondary transfer roller 113 is obtained. 25 is removed by the cleaning roller 23 after being returned onto the intermediate transfer belt 124.

  After that, in step S18, “Ready” indicating completion of preparation is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 16 of the operation panel, and a standby state is entered.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S16 that either one of the two density differences is lower than the threshold value, in step S19, a contact failure of the secondary transfer roller 113 with the intermediate transfer belt 124 occurs. In step S20, “Error” indicating the abnormal state is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 16.

  In step S21, a reverse bias is applied to the secondary transfer roller 113 by the bias applying unit 26, and the bias of the cleaning roller 23 is turned on, so that the patch toner 25 transferred onto the secondary transfer roller 113 is intermediate. After being returned onto the transfer belt 124, it is removed by the cleaning roller 23, and the cover 17 is opened and closed by the user. And it will be in a standby state until the control apparatus 20 receives that the cover 17 was closed again.

  In the second embodiment, as described above, the contact state of the secondary transfer roller 113 with the intermediate transfer belt 124 is determined by using the second optical sensor 24 that reads the toner density on the intermediate transfer belt 124. Since it is configured to detect from the density of the toner on 124, the open / closed state of the cover 17 with respect to the apparatus main body 11 is detected using mechanical means such as a switch as in the prior art, and the open / closed state of the cover 17 is detected. The contact state of the secondary transfer roller 113 is compared with the case where the placement position of the secondary transfer roller 113 is predicted and the contact state of the secondary transfer roller 113 to the intermediate transfer belt 124 is indirectly determined. Can be detected with higher accuracy.

  Further, in the second embodiment, as described above, the image correction unit for correcting the density and position of the toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 124 is effectively used to apply the secondary transfer roller 113. Since it is configured to detect the contact state, it is not necessary to separately provide contact detection means including a sensor dedicated to contact detection. Thereby, the number of parts can be reduced and the cost can be kept low. Further, not only the correction for the toner image but also the contact detection of the secondary transfer roller 113 can be performed simply by changing the image correction program built in the control device 20 to a program that can also handle contact detection. Therefore, the contact detection function can be easily added to the printer 10 having only the image correction function without complicating the mechanism of the apparatus.

  In the second embodiment, as described above, the density of the patch toner 25 on the intermediate transfer belt 124 is measured by the second optical sensor 24 before and after the transfer of the patch toner 25 to the secondary transfer roller 113. Since the reading state is determined so as to determine the contact state of the secondary transfer roller 113 to the intermediate transfer belt 124 from the density difference between them, the contact state of the secondary transfer roller 113 is directly detected by the second optical sensor 24. Can be detected. Thereby, the detection accuracy of the contact state of the secondary transfer roller 113 can be sufficiently improved.

  In the second embodiment, as described above, the liquid crystal display unit 16 is provided to notify the user when the posture of the secondary transfer roller 113 is determined to be in an abnormal state. The contact state of the next transfer roller 113 can be accurately grasped.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and includes the following contents.

  In the above embodiment, the printer 10 has been described as an example of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to this and can be applied to a copying machine, a facsimile machine, and the like. is there. Further, the present invention is not limited to a color printer and can be applied to a monochrome printer.

  Further, the separation detection unit including the first optical sensor 19 of the first embodiment may be configured to further serve as an image correction unit in addition to the contact detection unit. If comprised in this way, the 2nd optical sensor 24 can be abbreviate | omitted. Thereby, the number of parts can be further reduced and the cost can be further reduced.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the 1st optical sensor and the 2nd optical sensor were provided in two axial directions, you may provide not only this but three or more places of an axial direction.

1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an overall configuration of a printer according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating an intermediate transfer belt on which patch toner is formed and a first optical sensor. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a control system of the printer illustrated in FIG. 1. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a contact detection operation of the printer according to the first embodiment. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the contact detection operation | movement of the printer by 2nd Embodiment. It is a perspective view for explaining the procedure of the jam processing of the printer, (a) is a perspective view showing a state in which the cover is closed, (b) is a perspective view showing a state in which the cover is opened, (C) is the perspective view which showed the state which rotated the supporting member to the apparatus outward.

Explanation of symbols

10 Printer (image forming device)
12Y yellow unit 16 liquid crystal display unit 19 first optical sensor (sensor)
20 controller 24 second optical sensor (sensor)
25 Patch toner 26 Bias applying means 113 Secondary transfer roller (transfer member)
124 Intermediate transfer belt (intermediate transfer member)
P paper

Claims (3)

An intermediate transfer member having a peripheral surface capable of carrying a toner image, and a nip portion formed in contact with the peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer member, and the toner image on the intermediate transfer member is placed on a sheet conveyed through the nip portion. A transfer member to be transferred, and a sensor that is arranged in the vicinity of the downstream of the nip so as to face the peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer member, and reads the toner density on the intermediate transfer member. An image forming apparatus comprising: a separation detection unit configured to detect that the sheet onto which the toner image has been transferred is separated from the intermediate transfer member;
The separation detecting unit is configured to contact the intermediate transfer member with a predetermined pressure over a substantially entire area in the axial direction based on a result of reading by the sensor in addition to detection of separation of the sheet. Is configured to detect that it is
The separation detection means includes
Prior to forming a toner image to be transferred onto a sheet on the intermediate transfer member, in the vicinity of both ends in the width direction on the peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer member, or in a belt shape covering substantially the entire width of the peripheral surface. Means for carrying a toner for patch;
Means for transferring the patch toner to a transfer member;
When the density of the patch toner near the both ends in the width direction remaining on the intermediate transfer body read by the sensor after the transfer of the patch toner is less than a predetermined threshold, the transfer member contacts the contact member When it is determined that the posture is in a normal state and any one of the density of the toner for patch near the both ends in the width direction remaining on the intermediate transfer body is higher than the predetermined threshold. Means for determining that the transfer member is in an abnormal state arranged in a posture other than the contact posture;
Means for notifying the abnormal state when the abnormal state is determined;
An image forming apparatus comprising: means for returning the patch toner transferred to the transfer member to the intermediate transfer member . An intermediate transfer member having a peripheral surface capable of carrying a toner image, and a nip portion formed in contact with the peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer member, and the toner image on the intermediate transfer member is placed on a sheet conveyed through the nip portion. A transfer member to be transferred, and a sensor that is disposed so as to face the peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer member and reads the density of the toner on the intermediate transfer member, and on the intermediate transfer member based on a reading result by the sensor In an image forming apparatus provided with an image correcting means for correcting the density and position of a toner image to be formed,
The image correction unit is in contact with the intermediate transfer body with a predetermined pressure over a substantially entire area in the axial direction based on a reading result of the sensor in addition to correction of the toner image. Is configured to detect that it is
The image correcting means includes
Prior to forming a toner image to be transferred onto a sheet on the intermediate transfer member, in the vicinity of both ends in the width direction on the peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer member, or in a belt shape covering substantially the entire width of the peripheral surface. Means for carrying a toner for patch;
Means for transferring the patch toner to a transfer member after reading the density of both patch toners near both ends in the width direction with the sensor;
The density of the patch toner near the both ends in the width direction read by the sensor before the transfer of the patch toner, and the width direction remaining on the intermediate transfer body read by the sensor after the transfer of the patch toner When the difference between the density of patch toner near both ends is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value, the transfer member is determined to be in a normal state arranged in the contact posture, while the width direction Means for determining that the transfer member is in an abnormal state arranged in a posture other than the contact posture when any one of density differences near both ends is lower than the predetermined threshold;
Means for notifying the abnormal state when the abnormal state is determined;
An image forming apparatus comprising: means for returning the patch toner transferred to the transfer member to the intermediate transfer member . The sensor is provided near the downstream of the nip,
The image correcting unit detects that the sheet has been separated from the intermediate transfer body based on a reading result by the sensor, in addition to correcting the toner image and detecting contact of the transfer member with the intermediate transfer body. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image forming apparatus is configured as described above .

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