JP5228639B2 - Image forming apparatus, cleaning control method, cleaning control program, and recording medium - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, a cleaning control method, a cleaning control program, and a recording medium, and more particularly, an endless ring-shaped belt member that is transported in the vicinity of a photoconductor, and a developer on the photoconductor The image is transferred, and the transferred developer image is secondarily transferred to a sheet-like member such as paper (hereinafter simply referred to as paper) to form an image on the paper, or the belt member conveys the paper. An image forming apparatus for forming an image by transferring a developer image from a photosensitive member onto the paper and improving the image quality by ensuring proper conveyance of the belt member, and the belt member Cleaning control method and cleaning system for appropriately and inexpensively cleaning the contamination of the speed detection mark and the detection means for detecting the mark to ensure proper conveyance of the mark A program, and a recording medium.

  In an image forming apparatus, particularly a color image forming apparatus, toner images (developers) of a plurality of colors (for example, yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K)) on a photoreceptor. The image is attached to the outer surface of an endless ring-shaped belt member (conveying belt) and sequentially superimposed on the conveyed paper, or directly onto the surface of the belt member (intermediate transfer belt). In an image forming apparatus that forms a color toner image on a sheet by secondarily transferring the toner image transferred in a superimposed manner onto the sheet, such as a laser printer, a laser complex apparatus, or a laser copying apparatus, the ring shape The inner surface of the belt member opposite to the outer surface to which the paper is adhered or the outer surface to which the toner image is directly transferred is perpendicular to the conveying direction (sub-scanning direction) of the belt member. Speed detection marks having a predetermined length in the main scanning direction and a predetermined width in the sub-scanning direction are formed at predetermined intervals on at least one side end in the direction (main scanning direction). A mark detection sensor for detecting the speed detection mark is disposed at a position facing the speed detection mark. The image forming apparatus determines the conveying speed of the belt member based on the detection result of the mark detection sensor, and controls the conveying speed of the belt member, so that the toner image transferred onto the paper on the belt member or The image quality of the toner image transferred onto the belt member is improved to improve the image quality of the finally formed image.

  In other words, in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the speed detection mark or mark detection sensor is contaminated by toner scattering or dust, the amount of light received by the detection sensor is reduced, or toner or dust is scattered between the speed detection marks. As a result, the detection accuracy may be reduced or false detection may occur, which may hinder the feedback control of the conveying speed of the belt member.

  Therefore, there is a conventional image forming apparatus equipped with a cleaning member for cleaning the mark portion by always contacting the speed detection mark portion of the belt member in order to clean the dirt on the mark. When the cleaning member that contacts the mark portion is attached, the cleaning member always cleans the speed detection mark portion, so that toner or the like adheres to and accumulates on the cleaning member. In this state, after a certain period of time, the toner exceeding the limit amount adheres to the cleaning member, and the cleaning member does not clean the toner adhering to the speed detection mark portion of the belt member. Since the toner adheres to the speed detection mark, the scale of the speed detection mark cannot be read accurately, the cleaning member and the detection sensor need to be cleaned, and conversely, the maintenance workability is poor. There was a problem.

  Conventionally, there has been proposed an image forming apparatus in which a cleaning member for cleaning the detection sensor is attached to a cover that is opened and closed when toner is supplied to the image forming apparatus, and the detection sensor is cleaned in accordance with the opening and closing operation of the cover. (See Patent Document 1).

JP 2004-184710 A

  However, in the prior art described in the above-mentioned patent document, the cleaning member that moves the cleaning member to a position for cleaning the detection sensor that detects the speed detection mark of the belt member in conjunction with the cover to clean the detection sensor. It is necessary to install a new attachment mechanism, which may increase the cost.

  On the other hand, in an ordinary electrophotographic image forming apparatus, belt members such as an intermediate transfer belt to which a toner image is directly transferred and a conveyance belt for conveying a sheet on which a toner image is transferred are provided on a driving roller and a plurality of driven rollers. A meandering phenomenon in which the belt member is displaced in the direction perpendicular to the conveying direction, that is, in the main scanning direction due to the axial displacement of the drive shaft of the drive roller and the driven shaft of the driven roller. May occur. When such a meandering phenomenon of the belt member occurs, a transfer position shift in which the transfer positions of toner images transferred from a plurality of photoconductors are shifted occurs, and the image quality is deteriorated. Therefore, conventionally, in an image forming apparatus that transfers a toner image directly to a sheet using a belt member or to a sheet by secondary transfer using the belt member as an intermediate transfer belt, the belt member is controlled to suppress meandering. In order to improve quality, by adjusting the axial inclination of the steering roller (not the drive shaft roller or the secondary transfer roller but one of the driven rollers over which the belt member is stretched), The deviation of the shaft is canceled to suppress the deflection of the belt member, and the belt member is conveyed at an arbitrary position.

  Accordingly, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus, a cleaning control method, a cleaning control program, and a recording medium for cleaning a belt member speed detection mark and a detection means for detecting the mark in a state that is inexpensive and has good maintainability. It is intended to provide.

In order to achieve the above object, a first means of the present invention is a photoreceptor on which a developer image is formed, and an endless ring shape that is stretched over a plurality of rollers and disposed in proximity to the photoreceptor. and the belt member, and at least one driving means for Ru said belt member to our said drive roller is driven to rotate is conveyed along the plurality of rollers as the drive roller of the plurality of rollers, said plurality of rollers a walk adjustment means for changing the axial inclination of the adjusting roller to adjust the meandering of the direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the belt member one as an adjustment roller of the developer on the photosensitive body or it is transferred onto the belt member which is sent transportable image, or the transfer means for Ru is transferred against the sheet-like member to be conveyed on the belt member, the non-transcribed region of the developer image of the belt member This said that definitive in A mark rate detecting subjected at predetermined intervals in the transport direction of the belt member, a mark detecting means for detecting said speed detecting mark, the belt member by the drive means based on a detection result of said mark detecting means and control means for controlling the conveying speed of the detection means the cleaning member for cleaning said mark detection means, and an image forming apparatus having at least one and, the one of the mark cleaning member for cleaning the speed detection mark , the detection means cleaning member, and at least one of said marks cleaning member, when the belt member by the walk adjustment means is forcibly moved to a predetermined meandering direction, Kiyoshi in accordance with the moving amount sweep are arranged in a state located at the cleaning position of the object, said control means, said cleaning said belt member by driving the walk adjustment means at a predetermined timing It said detecting means cleaning member is moved so as to match the location, and the mark detecting means by at least one of said marks cleaning member, and executes a cleaning process for cleaning at least one of the speed detection mark It is characterized by that .

The second means is the first means, those the mark detecting means based on a detection result of said mark detecting means, and whether at least one of which is a main cleaning status of the speed detection mark Bei give a determining means, said control means, when said determination means determines that the is a main cleaning status, and executes the cleaning process. The third means is the first means or the second means, wherein the detection means cleaning member cleans the mark detection means at a moving position of the belt member in a state where the belt member has moved to the cleaning position. The mark cleaning member is fixed to the belt component as a possible state, and the mark cleaning member is fixed to the apparatus constituent member at a position where the speed detection mark can be cleaned in a state where the belt member is moved to the cleaning position. It is characterized by that. The fourth means includes the detection means cleaning member and the mark cleaning member in any one of the first means to the third means, and the mark detection means can be cleaned by the detection means cleaning member. The amount of movement to the cleaning position or at least one of the movement directions is different from the amount of movement to the cleaning position at which the mark for speed detection can be cleaned by the mark cleaning member, or at least one of the movement directions. To do.

Further, the fifth means includes a photoconductor on which a developer image is formed, an endless ring-shaped belt member that is stretched over a plurality of rollers and is disposed in proximity to the photoconductor, and the plurality of rollers. A drive means for rotating the drive roller using at least one of the drive rollers as a drive roller to convey the belt member along the plurality of rollers, and the adjustment using one of the plurality of rollers as an adjustment roller. A meandering adjusting means for adjusting meandering in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the belt member by changing the inclination of the roller in the axial direction; and transferring the developer image on the photosensitive member onto the belt member being conveyed. Or a transfer means for transferring the image onto a sheet-like member conveyed on the belt member, and the conveying direction of the belt member in a non-transfer area of the developer image of the belt member Speed detection marks provided at predetermined intervals, mark detection means for detecting the speed detection marks, and control for controlling the conveying speed of the belt member by the driving means based on the detection result of the mark detection means And at least one of a detection means cleaning member for cleaning the mark detection means and a mark cleaning member for cleaning the speed detection mark, and further comprising the detection means cleaning member and the mark cleaning member. When at least one of the belt members is forcibly moved in a predetermined meandering direction by the meander adjustment means, the image is arranged in a state where the belt member is located at the cleaning position to be cleaned according to the amount of movement. A cleaning control method for cleaning at least one of the mark detection means and the speed detection mark in the forming apparatus. A control processing step for controlling the conveying speed of the belt member by the driving means based on a detection result of the mark detecting means by the control means, and the meander adjusting means is driven at a predetermined timing by the control means. The belt member is moved to match the cleaning position to clean at least one of the detection means cleaning member and the mark cleaning member, the mark detection means, and the speed detection mark. a meandering adjustment processing step, characterized by having a.

Further, the sixth means is the fifth means based on whether or not at least one of the mark detection means and the speed detection mark is in a cleaning required state based on the detection result of the mark detection means. A determination processing step for determining, and when the meander adjustment processing step is determined to be in the cleaning required state in the determination processing step, the meander adjustment means is driven to detect the detection means cleaning member, and the mark at least one by the mark detecting means of the cleaning member, and is characterized in that to clean the at least one of said speed detecting mark.

In addition , the seventh means includes a photoconductor on which a developer image is formed, an endless ring-shaped belt member that is stretched over a plurality of rollers and disposed in proximity to the photoconductor, Drive means for rotating the drive roller with at least one of the rollers as a drive roller to convey the belt member along the plurality of rollers, and one of the plurality of rollers as an adjustment roller A meandering adjusting means for adjusting the meandering in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the belt member by changing the inclination of the adjusting roller in the axial direction; and the belt on which the developer image on the photosensitive member is conveyed. Transfer means for transferring or transferring onto a sheet-like member conveyed on the belt member, and the conveying direction of the belt member in a non-transfer area of the developer image of the belt member Speed detection marks provided at predetermined intervals, mark detection means for detecting the speed detection marks, and control for controlling the conveying speed of the belt member by the driving means based on the detection result of the mark detection means And at least one of a detection means cleaning member for cleaning the mark detection means and a mark cleaning member for cleaning the speed detection mark, and further comprising the detection means cleaning member and the mark cleaning member. When at least one of the belt members is forcibly moved in a predetermined meandering direction by the meander adjustment means, the image is arranged in a state where the belt member is located at the cleaning position to be cleaned according to the amount of movement. Cleaning of at least one of the mark detection means and the speed detection mark is executed by a computer mounted on the forming apparatus. A cleaning control program for controlling the belt member conveying speed by the driving means based on the detection result of the mark detecting means by the control means, and the control means, The meander adjustment means is driven at a predetermined timing to move the belt member so as to match the cleaning position, and the mark detection means, and at least one of the mark cleaning member, the mark detection means, and the It characterized by having a a procedure of meandering adjustment processing step of cleaning at least one of the marks for speed detection. The eighth means is a recording medium that records the cleaning control program of the seventh means and is readable by a computer.

According to the present invention, the developer image on the sensitive light body disposed proximate to the photosensitive body formed developer image is stretched in a plurality of rollers directly, the or carrying thereon given in the conveying direction of the mark the cleaning member, and the belt in the non-transfer area of the developer image of the belt member member for cleaning the speed detection marks which are applied to an endless ring-shaped belt member to be transferred for the sheet-like member comprising at least one of the detecting means cleaning member for cleaning a mark detecting means for detecting a velocity detecting mark that has been subjected at intervals, the cleanup position meandering adjusting means Debe belt member by the drive control of the control means detecting means cleaning member is moved in conjunction, and mark detection means by at least one of the mark cleaning member, and so to clean at least one of the velocity detecting mark, the image formation instrumentation There utilizing Bei obtaining mechanism and means conventionally, with changing the arrangement, by controlling the operation, at least one of a mark detection means for detecting the speed detecting mark and the speed detecting mark of the belt member Can be cleaned at a low cost and the image quality of the formed image can be improved at a low cost.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, since the Example described below is a suitable Example of this invention, various technically preferable restrictions are attached | subjected, However, The range of this invention is unduly limited by the following description. However, not all the configurations described in the present embodiment are essential constituent elements of the present invention.

  1 to 11 are diagrams showing an embodiment of an image forming apparatus, a cleaning control method, a cleaning control program, and a recording medium according to the present invention. FIG. 1 shows an image forming apparatus, a cleaning control method, and a cleaning medium according to the present invention. 1 is a block configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus 1 to which an embodiment of a control program and a recording medium is applied.

  In FIG. 1, an image forming apparatus 1 includes a controller 2, an operation panel 3, a printer engine 4, and the like, and a host device HS is connected thereto. As the image forming apparatus 1, for example, a color printer apparatus, a color copying apparatus, a color composite apparatus, or the like is used.

  The controller 2 is a general term for control mechanisms that convert print data from the host device HS into image data and output it to the printer engine 4 according to the control mode and the control code from the host device HS set at that time. Host I / F 11, program ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, font ROM 13, panel I / F 14, CPU (Central Processing Unit) 15, RAM (Random Access Memory) 16, NVRAM (Non-Volatile Random Access Memory) 17, engine An I / F 18, an optional RAM 19, and the like are provided, and the above-described units are connected by a bus 20.

  A host device HS is connected to the host I / F 11, and the host I / F 11 receives control signals and data sent from the host device HS to the image forming apparatus 1 and also from the image forming apparatus 1 to the host device. Sends out data and signals such as status signals to the HS.

  The program ROM 12 is a program for controlling processing and management of data in the controller 2 and peripheral modules, specifically, a basic processing program as the image forming apparatus 1 and a cleaning control program for executing a cleaning control method described later. And various data necessary for executing these programs are stored.

  The font ROM 13 stores in advance various fonts used for printing in the image forming apparatus 1 and is read out by the CPU 15 for use in printing processing.

  The image forming apparatus 1 includes ROM, EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory), EPROM, flash memory, flexible disk, CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), CD-RW (Compact Disc Rewritable), DVD ( A program ROM 12 is read by reading a cleaning control program for executing the cleaning control method of the present invention recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a digital video disk (SD), a secure digital (SD) card, or an MO (Magneto-Optical Disc). The belt speed detection sensor 41 for detecting the speed detection mark 44M (see FIG. 2, FIG. 3, etc.) of the intermediate transfer belt 44 (see FIG. 2) described later and the speed detection mark 44M is introduced. Image that executes a cleaning control method that cleans properly and inexpensively It is constructed as formed device 1. This cleaning control program is a computer-executable program written in a legacy programming language such as assembler, C, C ++, C #, Java (registered trademark) or an object-oriented programming language, and is stored in the recording medium. Can be distributed.

  An operation panel 3 is connected to the panel I / F 14, and the operation panel 3 performs various setting operations for appropriately executing a mode and font switching operation of the image forming apparatus 1 and a cleaning control process described later. Are provided with various operation keys for performing various operations described above and a display such as a liquid crystal display for displaying the state of the image forming apparatus 1. Panel I / F 14 exchanges signals between controller 2 and operation panel 3.

  The CPU (control means) 15 performs image output processing (image formation processing) by controlling each part of the image forming apparatus 1 while using the RAM 16 as a work memory based on a program stored in the program ROM 12. At the same time, a cleaning control process described later is performed.

  The RAM 16 is used as a work memory for the CPU 15, and also manages print data from the host device HS in units of pages and temporarily stores the data stored in the buffer and converts the data stored in the buffer into an actual image pattern (print pattern). It is used as a bitmap memory for storing image data (video data).

  The NVRAM 17 is a memory that retains stored contents even when the power of the image forming apparatus 1 is turned off. Data that needs to be retained even when the power of the image forming apparatus 1 is turned off is controlled by the CPU 15. Remember.

  The option RAM 19 is a so-called auxiliary memory, and is used as an auxiliary when the capacity of the RAM 16 is insufficient.

  A printer engine 4 is connected to the engine I / F 18, and exchanges control signals and video signals from the controller 2 to the printer engine 4 and status signals from the printer engine 4 to the controller 2.

  The printer engine 4 performs image formation (printing processing) by an electrophotographic method based on the video signal (image signal) and the control signal received from the controller 2 via the engine I / F 18, and the printer engine 4 includes a belt speed detection sensor. 41 and a meander adjustment unit (meander adjustment means) 42 are provided.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 2, the printer engine 4 is arranged in the form of photoconductors 43Y, 43C, 43M of yellow (Y), cyan (C), magenta (M), and black (K). 43K, endless belt-shaped intermediate transfer belt (belt member) 44, drive roller 45, steering roller 46, tension roller 47, counter roller 48, primary transfer rollers 49Y, 49C, 49M, 49K, and secondary transfer roller 50, etc. In addition to these, an optical writing unit, a developing unit, a charging unit, a cleaning unit, and the like are provided around each of the photosensitive members 43Y, 43C, 43M, and 43K.

  In the printer engine 4, the intermediate transfer belt 44 is stretched over a drive roller 45, primary transfer rollers 49 Y, 49 C, 49 M, and 49 K for each color, a steering roller 46, a tension roller 47, and a counter roller 48. Other rollers (transfer rollers 49Y, 49C, 49M, 49K, steering roller 46, tension roller 47, and counter roller 48) other than 45 are driven rollers, and the drive shaft of the drive roller 45 is rotationally driven by a drive motor (not shown). By doing so, the intermediate transfer belt 44 is rotated at a constant speed in a clockwise direction indicated by an arrow in FIG. 2 at a predetermined rotational speed. One side in the direction (main scanning direction) perpendicular to the transport direction of the inner surface of the endless belt-shaped intermediate transfer belt 44 and the surface directly in contact with the drive roller 45, the steering roller 46, etc. A speed detection mark 44M having a predetermined reflectance having a predetermined length in the main scanning direction and a predetermined width in the sub-scanning direction is provided on the side portion on the right side in the direction of the direction. (Circumferential direction: sub-scanning direction) is applied over the entire circumference of the inner side surface of the intermediate transfer belt 44 at predetermined intervals, and the printer engine 4 has the speed detection function as shown in FIGS. A belt speed detection sensor (mark detection means) 41 for detecting the speed detection mark 44M is disposed at a predetermined position facing the mark 44M. As the belt speed detection sensor 41, for example, a reflection type photosensor having a light emitting element and a light receiving element is used, and the speed of the intermediate transfer belt 44 is detected from the light emitting element with light having a magnitude corresponding to the drive signal. The light is emitted to the mark 44M, the reflected light of the light is received by the light receiving element, and the light receiving element outputs a detection signal having a magnitude corresponding to the amount of received light. In this embodiment, a mark having a predetermined reflectance is used as the speed detection mark 44M, and a reflective sensor is used as the belt speed detection sensor 41. However, the speed detection mark 44M and the belt speed are used. The detection sensor 41 is not limited to these methods. For example, the speed detection mark 44M is a slit having a predetermined length in the main scanning direction and a predetermined width in the sub-scanning direction. 41 may be a transmission type optical sensor composed of a light emitting element and a light receiving element arranged in a state of being opposed to each other across the speed detection mark 44M portion of the intermediate transfer belt 44.

  The printer engine 4 operates the optical writing unit for each color in accordance with the video signal and the control signal received from the controller 2 via the engine I / F 18 and electrostatically charges the photosensitive members 43Y, 43C, 43M, and 43K for the respective colors. A latent image is formed, and a corresponding color toner (developer) is supplied onto each photoconductor 43Y, 43C, 43M, 43K by a developing unit for each color and developed to develop a toner image (developer image) for each color. Form. In the printer engine 4, the CPU 15 of the controller 2 controls the drive motor (not shown) based on the detection result of the speed detection mark 44 </ b> M, thereby controlling the rotational speed of the drive roller 45 to keep the intermediate transfer belt 44 at a predetermined constant level. The toner images of the respective colors on the photoconductors 43Y, 43C, 43M, and 43K of the respective colors are transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 44 that is transported at the constant speed and the primary transfer rollers 49Y, 49C, 49M, and 49K. The color toner image is transferred and formed by sequentially superimposing and transferring.

  The printer engine 4 feeds a sheet (sheet-like member) from the sheet feeding unit between the secondary transfer roller 50 and the opposing roller 48 with the intermediate transfer belt 44 interposed therebetween, and the transfer voltage of the secondary transfer roller 50 The toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 44 is transferred to a sheet, the sheet on which the toner image is transferred is conveyed to a fixing unit (not shown), and the toner image on the sheet is fixed by heating and pressing in the fixing unit. , Form an image.

  If the axial directions of the driving roller 45 and the other driven rollers (transfer rollers 49Y, 49C, 49M, 49K, steering roller 46, tension roller 47, and counter roller 48) do not coincide with each other, the printer engine 4 determines the intermediate transfer belt 44. However, as shown in FIG. 4, the belt meandering in the main scanning direction occurs, and the transfer position of the toner image transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 44 from each of the photoconductors 43Y, 43C, 43M, 43K is shifted, Image quality deteriorates.

  Therefore, not only in the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, but also in an image forming apparatus such as a printer that transfers an image directly to a normal intermediate transfer belt 44 or transfers an image onto a sheet conveyed by a belt member. A mechanism for improving the image quality by suppressing the meandering of the belt is provided. In this embodiment, the steering roller 46 and a steering drive motor (not shown) for restraining the meandering of the intermediate transfer belt 44 by driving the steering roller 46. Is provided as a meander adjustment unit 42 (meander adjustment means).

  The belt meandering suppression of the intermediate transfer belt 44 using the steering roller 46 is such that the end of one side of the steering roller 46 in the axial direction (for example, the back side of the drawing in FIG. 2) is fixed in a swingable manner. The other side of the steering roller 46 is moved vertically with respect to the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 44 (hereinafter simply referred to as “the side of the intermediate transfer belt 44”) by the steering drive motor at the end on the other side in the axial direction of the steering roller 46 (for example, the front side in FIG. The intermediate transfer belt 44 is suppressed (adjusted) from meandering in the main scanning direction.

  When the image forming apparatus 1 receives the print data and the control signal from the host apparatus HS via the host I / F 11, the CPU 15 analyzes the received print data and the control signal according to the data analysis program on the program ROM 12. The drawing data corresponding to the control signal (printing setting) is converted into drawing data that can be printed by the printer engine 4 and developed in the RAM 16, and is necessary together with the print request when the drawing data for one page is completed. The control signal and the drawing data are transferred to the printer engine 4 via the engine I / F 18.

  The printer engine 4 prints the drawing data sent from the controller 2 on a sheet based on the control signal. At this time, the CPU 15 performs the belt speed of the speed detection mark 44M applied to the intermediate transfer belt 44. Based on the detection result of the detection sensor 41, rotation control of the drive motor that drives the drive roller 45 to rotate is performed, the conveyance speed of the intermediate transfer belt 44 is adjusted to be constant, and the steering drive motor of the meander adjustment unit 42 is driven. To control the meandering of the intermediate transfer belt 44 by adjusting the vertical movement (tilt adjustment) of the steering roller 46.

  Then, the printer engine 4 uses the meandering movement of the intermediate transfer belt 44 in reverse to clean the speed detection mark 44M and the belt speed detection sensor 41. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the printer engine 4 is the inner surface of the intermediate transfer belt 44, and the cleaning shown in FIG. 3B from the normal operation in FIG. When the intermediate transfer belt 44 meanders by a predetermined amount in the right direction in FIG. 3, the sensor cleaning member 51 is fixed at a position where the belt speed detection sensor 41 can be cleaned. The belt has a length and width suitable for cleaning the belt speed detection sensor 41 and a height suitable for cleaning the belt speed detection sensor 41 from the attachment position to the intermediate transfer belt 44, and a belt such as a brush. The speed detection sensor 41 is formed of a member suitable for cleaning. Further, in the vicinity of the intermediate transfer belt 44, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, a mark cleaning member 52 for cleaning the speed detection mark 44M provided on the inner surface of the intermediate transfer belt 44 is provided. The mark cleaning member 52 is fixedly attached to an internal structure (not shown) of the image forming apparatus 1, a member holding the belt speed detection sensor 41, or the like. Then, the mark cleaning member 52 is configured to meander the intermediate transfer belt 44 by a predetermined amount in the right direction in FIG. 3, as in the cleaning shown in FIG. 3B from the normal operation in FIG. The speed detection mark 44M portion of the intermediate transfer belt 44 is disposed at a position where it can be cleaned, and the mark cleaning member 52 has a length and width suitable for cleaning the speed detection mark 44M portion and the mark. It has a height from the position where the cleaning member 52 is disposed to the speed detection mark 44M portion of the intermediate transfer belt 44, and is formed of a member suitable for cleaning the speed detection mark 44M portion of the intermediate transfer belt 44 such as a brush. Has been.

  That is, the printer engine 4 moves the steering roller 46 upward or downward by a predetermined amount by the steering drive motor to move the intermediate transfer belt 44 from the normal operation position in FIG. 3A to the position in FIG. The sensor cleaning member 51 is moved to the cleaning position of the belt speed detection sensor 41 by forcibly meandering by a predetermined amount (meandering amount during cleaning), and the mark cleaning member 52 is cleaned of the speed detection mark 44M portion of the intermediate transfer belt 44. The intermediate transfer belt 44 is rotated by the driving roller 45 while being moved to the position. In this state, the sensor cleaning member 51 cleans the belt speed detection sensor 41, and the mark cleaning member 52 cleans the speed detection mark 44M portion of the intermediate transfer belt 44.

  Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. The image forming apparatus 1 according to the present exemplary embodiment uses a mechanism that is already provided in an existing image forming apparatus such as the image forming apparatus 1 and the like, and a speed detection mark 44M that is applied to the intermediate transfer belt 44 that is a belt member. The belt speed detection sensor 41 that detects the speed detection mark 44M is cleaned of dirt.

  That is, as described above, the image forming apparatus 1 detects the speed detection mark 44 </ b> M provided at one end in the main scanning direction inside the endless belt-shaped intermediate transfer belt 44 with the belt speed detection sensor 41. Based on the detection result, the rotation control of the drive motor of the drive roller 45 that rotates the intermediate transfer belt 44 is performed to adjust the conveyance speed of the intermediate transfer belt 44 to be constant, and the steering drive motor of the meander adjustment unit 42 Is controlled to adjust the movement of the steering roller 46 in the vertical direction (tilt adjustment) to suppress meandering of the intermediate transfer belt 44.

  However, if the printer engine 4 of the image forming apparatus 1 is contaminated by toner or other dust scattered by the image forming operation, for example, if the contamination occurs on the speed detection mark 44M, the contamination is caused by the contamination. The detection timing of the detection mark 44M is shifted, which affects the speed control of the intermediate transfer belt 44. For example, when the dirt Ya is between the speed detection mark 44M and the speed detection mark 44M as shown by the dirt Ya shown on the left side of FIG. 5, the dirt Ya is also detected as the speed detection mark 44M. Thus, the detection timing of the speed detection mark 44M is accelerated, and when the dirt Yb extends over two adjacent speed detection marks 44M as shown by the dirt Yb shown on the right side of FIG. From the detection result of the speed detection sensor 41, the two speed detection marks 44M covered with the dirt Yb are detected as one speed detection mark 44M, and the detection timing of the speed detection mark 44M is delayed. Therefore, as the contamination of the speed detection mark 44M portion of the intermediate transfer belt 44 increases, the detection timing shift of the speed detection mark 44M increases, which affects the speed control of the intermediate transfer belt 44. Become.

  Further, the belt speed detection sensor 41 is contaminated with toner or other dust scattered in the image forming operation, and the degree of contamination and the amount of light received by the light receiving element of the belt speed detection sensor 41 are shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, as the degree of contamination increases, the amount of light received by the belt speed detection sensor 41 tends to decrease, which affects the speed control of the intermediate transfer belt 44.

  However, the detection error of the speed detection mark 44M and the degree of decrease in the amount of light received by the belt speed detection sensor 41 indicate the degree of contamination of the speed detection mark 44M and the belt speed detection sensor 41. This can be determined by the detection error of the mark 44M and the degree of decrease in the amount of light received by the belt speed detection sensor 41.

  Therefore, in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 7, when the main power supply of the image forming apparatus 1 is turned on, the controller 2 performs a startup process of the image forming apparatus 1. (Step S101), an instruction is given to measure the contamination of the speed detection mark 44M of the printer engine 4 of the image forming apparatus 1 and the contamination of the belt speed detection sensor 41 (Step S102).

  Next, the controller 2 measures the contamination of the speed detection mark 44M and the contamination of the belt speed detection sensor 41 as described above (step S103), and the degree of contamination of the detected speed detection mark 44M. Then, it is checked whether at least one of the degree of contamination of the belt speed detection sensor 41 is preset and exceeds the specified value of the contamination stored in the NVRAM 17 or the like (step S104).

  If at least one of the contamination level of the speed detection mark 44M and the contamination level of the belt speed detection sensor 41 is preset and exceeds a specified value of the contamination stored in the NVRAM 17 or the like, the controller 2, the steering roller 46 of the meander adjustment unit 42 meanders the steering roller 46 in the vertical direction so that the intermediate transfer belt 44 can be moved to the cleaning position (step S <b> 105), and FIG. As shown, the mark cleaning member 52 moved to the cleaning position cleans the speed detection mark 44M portion, and the sensor cleaning member 51 cleans the sensor portion of the belt speed detection sensor 41 (step S106).

  When the controller 2 transports and moves the intermediate transfer belt 44 for a predetermined time or a predetermined amount, the controller 2 ends the cleaning process, returns to the normal operation as the image forming apparatus 1, and shifts to a predetermined standby state or the like.

  The sensor cleaning member 51 that cleans the belt speed sensor 41 and the mark cleaning member 52 that cleans the speed detection mark 44M need not be both provided, and the belt speed sensor 41 and the speed detection mark are not necessarily provided. In the case where only one of 44M is contaminated, it is sufficient to provide only one of the sensor cleaning member 51 and the mark cleaning member 52 where the contamination occurs.

  Even when the sensor cleaning member 51 for cleaning the belt speed sensor 41 and the mark cleaning member 52 for cleaning the speed detection mark 44M are provided, the cleaning of the belt speed sensor 41 by the sensor cleaning member 51 and the mark cleaning member 52 are provided. It is not necessary to perform both of the cleaning of the speed detection mark 44M by the sequential timing or at the same time, and only one of them may be performed at an appropriate timing.

As described above, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present exemplary embodiment is disposed in the vicinity of the plurality of photoconductors 43Y, 43C, 43M, and 43K that are stretched by the plurality of rollers 45 to 48 and on which toner images are formed. The intermediate transfer belt 44, which is an endless ring-shaped belt member, is conveyed along the rollers 45 to 48 using at least one of the rollers 45 to 48 as a driving roller 45, and the intermediate transfer belt 44 is conveyed. The meandering in the direction perpendicular to the direction is adjusted by changing the inclination of the steering roller 46 by the steering drive motor, and the toner image on the photoconductor 43 is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 44 to form an image. A speed sensor mark 44M is provided on the non-transfer area of the toner image on the transfer belt 44 at predetermined intervals in the transport direction of the intermediate transfer belt 44. 1, and the conveyance speed of the intermediate transfer belt 44 is controlled based on the detection result of the belt speed sensor 41, and the sensor cleaning member 51 that cleans the belt speed sensor 41 and the mark cleaning that cleans the speed detection mark 44 </ b> M. comprising at least one of a member 52, the sensor cleaning member 51, and at least one of a mark cleaning member 52, the meandering intermediate transfer belt 44 in a predetermined by changing the inclination of the steering roller 46 by the steering drive motor Once forcibly moved in the direction, in accordance with the moving amount, and arranged in a state located at the cleaning position of the cleaned, by driving the steering motor to a predetermined timing, cleaning the intermediate transfer belt 44 At least one of the sensor cleaning member 51 and the mark cleaning member 52 is moved according to the position. Both of them clean at least one of the belt speed sensor 41 and the speed detection mark 44M.

  Therefore, by using the mechanisms and members conventionally provided in the image forming apparatus 1 and changing the arrangement and controlling the operation, the speed detection mark 44M of the belt member such as the intermediate transfer belt 44 and the like are detected. At least one of the belt speed sensors 41 that detect the speed detection mark 44M can be cleaned at a low cost and the image quality of the formed image can be improved at a low cost.

Further, the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment determines whether or not at least one of the belt speed sensor 41 and the speed detection mark 44M is in a cleaning required state based on the detection result of the belt speed sensor 41 . If it is determined that the cleaning is required, a cleaning process for cleaning at least one of the belt speed sensor 41 and the speed detection mark 44M is executed.

Accordingly, at least one of the belt speed sensor 41 and the speed detection mark 44M can be cleaned at a timing that requires cleaning, and the image quality is appropriately improved, while improving the usability and reducing the power consumption. Can be achieved.

  The cleaning timing is not limited to the case of determination based on the detection result of the belt speed sensor 41. For example, cleaning may be performed for each preset number of formed images.

  Further, in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present exemplary embodiment, the sensor cleaning member 51 can clean the belt speed sensor 41 at the meandering movement position of the intermediate transfer belt 44 when the intermediate transfer belt 44 meanders to the cleaning position. The mark cleaning member 52 fixed to the intermediate transfer belt 44 is fixedly disposed on the constituent members of the image forming apparatus 1 at a position where the speed detection mark 44M can be cleaned in a state where the intermediate transfer belt 44 meanders to the cleaning position. It is installed.

  Therefore, by performing meandering control of the intermediate transfer belt 44 with a simple configuration, the speed detection mark 44M and the belt speed sensor 41 of the intermediate transfer belt 44 can be cleaned more inexpensively and appropriately, and further. The image quality of the formed image can be improved at a low cost.

  The cleaning process is not limited to the case where it is executed when the image forming apparatus 1 is started. For example, the speed detection is performed in a timely manner during normal operation or when the image forming apparatus 1 is turned off. The degree of contamination of the mark 44M portion and the degree of contamination of the belt speed detection sensor 41 may be detected, and the cleaning operation may be performed based on the detection result.

  First, the cleaning control process during normal operation will be described with reference to FIG. The controller 2 urgently causes an error in the speed control of the intermediate transfer belt 44 and the image forming operation stops at an appropriate timing during normal operation as soon as the contamination level of the speed detection mark 44M remains unchanged. The predetermined value A that is preset as the degree of extreme dirt that needs to be cleaned is exceeded, or the dirt of the belt speed detection sensor 41 exceeds the preset value B that is preset as the same degree of extreme dirt. Whether at least one of them has occurred (step S201), and if any has occurred, it is checked whether an image forming operation is being performed (for example, a copying operation is being performed) ( Step S202).

  If the image forming operation (copying operation) is being performed in step S202, the controller 2 stops the image forming operation (copying operation) as described above (step S203), and starts belt meandering control (step S203). In step S204, the speed detection mark 44M and the belt speed detection sensor 41 are cleaned for a predetermined time or a predetermined number of revolutions (step S205). When the cleaning of the speed detection mark 44M and the belt speed detection sensor 41 is completely cleaned in step S205, the controller 2 ends the belt meandering control (step S206), returns to the normal operation, and ends the process. (Step S207).

  If it is determined in step S202 that the copying operation is not in progress, the process proceeds to step S204, and the same processing as described above is immediately executed from the belt meandering control (steps S204 to S207).

  In step S201, if the contamination level of the speed detection mark 44M is equal to or less than the specified value A and the contamination level of the belt speed detection sensor 41 is equal to or less than the specified value B, the controller 2 detects that the speed detection mark 44M is dirty. Although the degree is not urgent, it is preset as a high degree of dirt that requires cleaning, but it exceeds the specified value C, or the degree of dirt of the belt speed detection sensor 41 is not urgent as well. However, it is checked whether the degree of contamination that has been set in advance is higher than the prescribed value D as a high degree of contamination that requires cleaning (step S208), and the degree of contamination of the speed detection mark 44M is less than or equal to the prescribed value C, and If the degree of contamination of the belt speed detection sensor 41 is equal to or less than the specified value D, it is determined that there is no need for cleaning, and the same procedure as described above from step S201 is performed again at a predetermined timing. Processing (step S201~S208).

  In step S208, if at least one of the contamination level of the speed detection mark 44M and the contamination level of the belt speed detection sensor 41 exceeds the specified value C and the specified value D, the controller 2 performs the previous image forming operation. It is checked whether a predetermined waiting time (indicated as Δ minutes in FIG. 8) has elapsed since the (copy operation) has elapsed (step S209). Returning to S201, processing similar to the above is performed from the determination of the contamination of the speed detection mark 44M and the belt speed detection sensor 41 (steps S201 to S209).

  In step S209, if the specified waiting time has elapsed since the previous image forming operation, the process proceeds to step S204, and the cleaning process is executed from the belt meandering control as described above. The meander control is terminated, the normal operation is restored, and the process is terminated (steps S204 to S207).

  In this way, even during a normal image forming operation, the cleaning process can be appropriately performed according to the degree of contamination of the speed detection mark 44M and the belt speed detection sensor 41, and at a low cost. The image quality can be improved appropriately.

  The image forming apparatus 1 also lowers the image forming apparatus 1 when the main power is turned off. At this time, the degree of contamination of the speed detection mark 44M and the degree of contamination of the belt speed detection sensor 41 are reduced. And a cleaning operation may be performed based on the detection result.

  That is, when the main power supply of the image forming apparatus 1 is turned off, the controller 2 normally performs a process for quickly shutting down the image forming apparatus. Instructing the measurement of the dirt on the speed detection mark 44M of the printer engine 4 and the dirt on the belt speed detection sensor 41, the dirt on the speed detection mark 44M and the dirt on the belt speed detection sensor 41 are measured, and these detections are made. The speed detection mark 44M portion has a degree of contamination that is equal to or less than the specified value C and needs to be cleaned, but is set in advance but exceeds the specified value E, or Whether the contamination of the belt speed detection sensor 41 exceeds a predetermined value F set in advance as the same degree of extreme contamination, or at least one of them occurs. To cross (step S301).

  In step S302, if either the contamination level of the speed detection mark 44M or the contamination level of the belt speed detection sensor 41 exceeds the specified value E or the specified value F, belt meander control is started (step S303, speed). The detection mark 44M and the belt speed detection sensor 41 are cleaned for a predetermined time or a predetermined number of revolutions (step S304) The controller 2 cleans the speed detection mark 44M and the belt speed detection sensor 41 with dirt. When completed, the belt meandering control is terminated (step S305), the normal operation is resumed, and the process is terminated (step S306).

  As described above, the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment can perform a necessary cleaning process when the power of the image forming apparatus 1 is turned off, and improves the usability of the image forming apparatus 1 and the speed detection mark 44M. The belt speed detection sensor 41 can be appropriately cleaned to improve the image quality.

  In the above description, as shown in FIG. 3, when the sensor cleaning member 51 is on the inner surface of the intermediate transfer belt 44 and the intermediate transfer belt 44 is meandered by the amount of meander during cleaning, the belt speed is detected. When the sensor 41 is fixed at a cleanable position and the mark cleaning member 52 causes the intermediate transfer belt 44 to meander by the amount of meandering during cleaning, the speed detection mark 44M provided on the inner surface of the intermediate transfer belt 44. Are fixedly disposed on an internal structure of the image forming apparatus 1 at a position where the belt is to be cleaned, a member holding the belt speed detection sensor 41, or the like, but the arrangement of the sensor cleaning member 51 and the mark cleaning member 52 is The present invention is not limited to the above example. For example, as shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the mark cleaning member 52 is positioned inward in the main scanning direction of the intermediate transfer belt 44 rather than the belt speed detection sensor 41. so Accordingly, when the intermediate transfer belt 44 is meandered in the leftward direction of FIG. 10 (in the opposite direction to the case of FIG. 3) by the meandering amount during cleaning, the image forming apparatus is at a position where the speed detection mark 44M can be cleaned. 1 is fixedly disposed on a member or the like holding the belt speed detection sensor 41, and the sensor cleaning member 51 is provided near the end of the intermediate transfer belt 44 and at a speed detection mark 44M portion. Fix it at a position where it does not overlap. Also in this case, the sensor cleaning member 51 has a length and width suitable for cleaning the belt speed detection sensor 41 and a high speed suitable for cleaning the belt speed detection sensor 41 from a fixed position to the intermediate transfer belt 44. And a member suitable for cleaning the belt speed detection sensor 41 such as a brush. As the mark cleaning member 52, the length and width suitable for cleaning the speed detection mark 44M and the fixing position of the mark cleaning member 52 to the internal structure of the image forming apparatus 1, etc., are used. It has a height suitable for cleaning the speed detection mark 44M portion, and is formed of a member suitable for cleaning the speed detection mark 44M portion of the intermediate transfer belt 44 such as a brush. That is, the amount of meandering to the cleaning position where the mark cleaning member 52 is located at the cleaning position where the speed detection mark 44M can be cleaned, and the cleaning position where the sensor cleaning member 51 is able to clean the belt speed detection sensor 41. The amount of meandering to the cleaning position and / or the direction of meandering may be different.

  In this way, the arrangement of the sensor cleaning member 51 and the mark cleaning member 52, the amount of meandering movement of the intermediate transfer belt 44, and the like can be appropriately set according to the structure of the image forming apparatus 1, and the versatility and usability are improved. be able to.

  Further, in the above description, the sensor cleaning member 51 and the mark cleaning member 52 have been described with respect to the case where a member suitable for cleaning the object to be cleaned such as a brush is fixed. The member 52 is not limited to the case where it is fixedly attached. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, the mark cleaning member 52 is polygonal, for example, its surface is formed in a hexagonal shape, and the intermediate transfer belt. The transport direction of 44, that is, the transport direction of the speed detection mark 44M can be rotated in the direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the speed detection mark 44M, as indicated by an arrow in FIG. To place. Next, the mark cleaning member 52 having six square shapes on the surface is rotated at a predetermined timing, for example, a timing at which a predetermined dirt is generated on one surface of the hexagonal shape (a timing at which cleaning is performed a predetermined number of times). The next cleaning is performed with the surface facing the speed detection mark 44M. In the above description, the mark cleaning member 52 has been described. However, the sensor cleaning member 51 can be similarly applied.

  In this way, it is possible to appropriately prevent the contamination of the sensor cleaning member 51 and the mark cleaning member 52 from adhering to the speed detection mark 44M portion of the belt speed detection sensor 41 or the intermediate transfer belt 44 to be cleaned. At the same time, maintenance work such as replacement of the sensor cleaning member 51 and the mark cleaning member 52 can be reduced and the usability can be improved.

  Furthermore, in the above description, when the sensor cleaning member 51 and the mark cleaning member 52 meander the intermediate transfer belt 44 by a predetermined amount, the sensor cleaning member 51 and the mark cleaning member 52 are simultaneously connected to the belt speed sensor 41 and the speed. Although the detection mark 44M portion is disposed at a position for cleaning, the sensor cleaning member 51 and the mark cleaning member 52 are disposed at a position for simultaneously cleaning the belt speed sensor 41 and the speed detection mark 44M portion. For example, one of the sensor cleaning member 51 and the mark cleaning member 52 cleans either the belt speed sensor 41 or the speed detection mark 44M to be cleaned according to the meandering amount of the intermediate transfer belt 44. By changing the meandering amount and the meandering direction, any of the sensor cleaning member 51 and the mark cleaning member 52 is changed. On the other hand but may be cleaned either the belt speed sensor 41 and the speed detecting mark 44M portion of cleaned. In this way, more appropriate and efficient cleaning can be performed.

  In addition, the mark cleaning member 52 may be disposed at one position or a plurality of positions at a position that satisfies the above-described position conditions, and further may be an intermediate member having a predetermined width and a predetermined length. You may arrange | position to the whole circumference along the inner periphery of the transfer belt 44. Similarly, one sensor cleaning member 51 may be provided on the inner surface or the end of the intermediate transfer belt 44, or a plurality of sensor cleaning members 51 may be provided on the inner surface or the end of the intermediate transfer belt 44. You may arrange | position to an inner surface or the whole circumference of an edge part.

  In this case, the cleaning time can be shortened by increasing or increasing the number and length of the locations where the cleaning members 51 and 52 are disposed.

  In the above description, the case where the belt member is applied to the intermediate transfer belt 44 has been described. However, the belt member is not limited to the intermediate transfer belt 44, and is not limited to the intermediate transfer belt 44. The same can be applied.

  In the above description, the case where the present invention is applied to the color image forming apparatus 1 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the color image forming apparatus, and the same applies to a monochrome image forming apparatus having only one photoconductor. Can be applied to.

  The invention made by the present inventor has been specifically described based on the preferred embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to that described in the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. It goes without saying that it is possible.

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, a cleaning control method, a cleaning control program, and a recording medium that cleans a speed detection mark and a belt speed detection sensor by using a meandering adjustment mechanism such as an intermediate transfer belt or a paper conveyance belt. Can be used.

1 is a block diagram of an image forming apparatus to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied. The principal part perspective view of a printer engine. The principal part sectional drawing of a cleaning type | system | group part. FIG. 3 is an explanatory view of meandering of the intermediate transfer belt in FIG. 2. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of dirt on a speed detection mark portion of an intermediate transfer belt. The figure which shows the relationship between the light reception amount of a belt speed sensor, and a contamination degree. The flowchart which shows the cleaning control processing at the time of power-ON. 7 is a flowchart showing a cleaning control process during normal operation. The flowchart which shows the cleaning control process at the time of a power supply OFF. The principal part sectional drawing which shows the other example of the cleaning type | system | group part. Front sectional drawing which shows the other example of a mark cleaning member.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 2 Controller 3 Operation panel 4 Printer engine 11 Host I / F
12 Program ROM
13 Font ROM
14 Panel I / F
15 CPU
16 RAM
17 NVRAM
18 Engine I / F
19 Optional RAM
20 Bus 41 Belt speed detection sensor 42 Meander adjustment unit 43Y, 43C, 43M, 43K Photoconductor 44 Intermediate transfer belt 45 Drive roller 44M Speed detection mark 46 Steering roller 47 Tension roller 48 Opposing roller 49Y, 49C, 49M, 49K Primary Transfer roller 50 Secondary transfer roller 51 Sensor cleaning member 52 Mark cleaning member HS Host device

Claims (8)

A photoreceptor on which a developer image is formed ;
A plurality of rollers to tension passed belt said photosensitive member disposed adjacent to the endless ring shape member,
Driving means for conveying along the plurality of B over La said belt member by rotating the person said driving roller at least one as a drive roller of the plurality of rollers,
A walk adjustment means for adjusting the meandering in the direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the belt member by changing the axial inclination of those the adjustment roller one as an adjustment roller of the plurality of B over La,
A transfer unit for transferring the one causing the on the photoconductor is conveyed developer image transferred onto the belt member, or against the sheet-like member on which is conveyed on the belt member,
A speed detection mark that has been subjected to the predetermined intervals in the transport direction of the belt member nontranscribed definitive in the region those the belt member of the developer image,
A mark detecting means for detecting said speed detecting mark,
And control means for controlling the transport speed of the belt member by the drive means based on a detection result of said mark detecting means,
An image forming apparatus having at least one, the one of the previous symbols during detection means cleaning member for cleaning the detector, and mark the cleaning member for cleaning the speed detection mark,
Wherein at least one of the detection means the cleaning member, and the mark cleaning member, when the belt member by the walk adjustment means is forcibly moved to a predetermined meandering direction, cleanup object in accordance with the moving amount It is arranged in a state located at the cleaning position of
Said control means, said by at least one of said detecting means cleaning member is moved to the walk adjustment means is driven to match the belt member to the cleaning position, as well as the mark cleaning member at a predetermined timing An image forming apparatus , comprising: cleaning processing for cleaning at least one of a mark detection unit and the speed detection mark. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.
Before symbols during those said mark detecting means based on a detection result of the detecting means, and e Bei determination means for determining whether at least one of which is a main cleaning status of the speed detection mark,
Said control means, said determining the unit determines that the a main cleaning status, images forming device you and executes the cleaning process. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
It said detecting means cleaning member, the belt member is secured to the person the belt member as a ready cleaning said mark detecting means moves the position of the person the belt member in a state of being moved to the cleaning position,
The mark cleaning member, image you characterized in that the belt member is fixed by arranged in the device configuration member cleanable position the velocity detection marks in a state that moved to the cleaning position Image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
Comprising a pre-Symbol detector cleaning member and the mark cleaning member,
Movement amount to the detecting means the movement amount to the cleanable said cleaning position the said mark detecting means by the cleaning member, or at least one said marked cleaning member by cleanable the cleaning position mark the velocity detection of the moving direction or at least one example image forming apparatus wherein vary the direction of movement. A photoreceptor on which a developer image is formed;
An endless ring-shaped belt member that is stretched between a plurality of rollers and disposed in proximity to the photoreceptor;
Driving means for rotating the driving roller with at least one of the plurality of rollers as a driving roller to convey the belt member along the plurality of rollers;
Meander adjustment means for adjusting meandering in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the belt member by changing one of the plurality of rollers as an adjustment roller and changing the inclination of the adjustment roller in the axial direction;
Transfer means for transferring the developer image on the photoconductor onto the belt member conveyed, or transferring the developer image onto a sheet-like member conveyed on the belt member;
Speed detection marks applied at predetermined intervals in the transport direction of the belt member in a non-transfer area of the developer image of the belt member;
Mark detection means for detecting the speed detection mark;
Control means for controlling the conveying speed of the belt member by the driving means based on the detection result of the mark detecting means;
A detection means cleaning member for cleaning the mark detection means, and at least one of a mark cleaning member for cleaning the speed detection mark,
Further, at least one of the detection means cleaning member and the mark cleaning member is to be cleaned according to the amount of movement when the belt member is forcibly moved in a predetermined meandering direction by the meander adjustment means. A cleaning control method for cleaning at least one of the mark detection unit and the speed detection mark in the image forming apparatus disposed in a state of being positioned at a cleaning position of
A control processing step of controlling the conveying speed of the belt member by the driving means based on the detection result of the mark detecting means by the control means;
The control means drives the meandering adjustment means at a predetermined timing to move the belt member so as to match the cleaning position, so that the mark is at least one of the detection means cleaning member and the mark cleaning member. detecting means, and a cleaning control method you characterized by having a meandering adjustment processing step of cleaning at least one of said speed detecting mark. The cleaning control method according to claim 5, wherein
A determination processing step for determining whether or not at least one of the mark detection unit and the speed detection mark is in a cleaning-required state based on a detection result of the mark detection unit;
In the meandering adjustment processing step, when it is determined in the determination processing step that the cleaning is necessary, the meandering adjustment means is driven to drive the meandering adjustment means and at least one of the detection means cleaning member and the mark cleaning member. A cleaning control method comprising cleaning at least one of a mark detection means and the speed detection mark . A photoreceptor on which a developer image is formed;
An endless ring-shaped belt member that is stretched between a plurality of rollers and disposed in proximity to the photoreceptor;
Driving means for rotating the driving roller with at least one of the plurality of rollers as a driving roller to convey the belt member along the plurality of rollers;
Meander adjustment means for adjusting meandering in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the belt member by changing one of the plurality of rollers as an adjustment roller and changing the inclination of the adjustment roller in the axial direction;
Transfer means for transferring the developer image on the photoconductor onto the belt member conveyed, or transferring the developer image onto a sheet-like member conveyed on the belt member;
Speed detection marks applied at predetermined intervals in the transport direction of the belt member in a non-transfer area of the developer image of the belt member;
Mark detection means for detecting the speed detection mark;
Control means for controlling the conveying speed of the belt member by the driving means based on the detection result of the mark detecting means;
A detection means cleaning member for cleaning the mark detection means, and at least one of a mark cleaning member for cleaning the speed detection mark,
Further, at least one of the detection means cleaning member and the mark cleaning member is to be cleaned according to the amount of movement when the belt member is forcibly moved in a predetermined meandering direction by the meander adjustment means. A cleaning control program for causing at least one of the mark detection means and the speed detection mark to be cleaned by a computer mounted on the image forming apparatus disposed in the cleaning position. And
A procedure of a control processing step for controlling a conveying speed of the belt member by the driving unit based on a detection result of the mark detecting unit by the control unit;
The control means drives the meandering adjustment means at a predetermined timing to move the belt member so as to match the cleaning position, so that the mark is at least one of the detection means cleaning member and the mark cleaning member. detecting means, and wherein the to torque leaning control program that has a, and procedures meandering adjustment processing step of cleaning at least one of said speed detecting mark. 8. A recording medium on which the cleaning control program according to claim 7 is recorded and readable by a computer .

Images