JP5370140B2 - Image forming apparatus and image forming program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus and an image forming program, capable of preventing the occurrence of density unevenness or the like in an image. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus 10 includes: a photosensitive drum 18 for retaining the image formed by toner; a transfer belt 24 which has at least some regions exposed by having a top cover 78 equipped on a case of the apparatus body opened, retains and rotates the image transferred from the photosensitive drum 18, and transfers the retained image to recording paper 16; a cleaner 60 for removing the toner that is not transferred to the recording paper 16 to remain on the transfer belt 24; and a controller for controlling the image forming timing so that the regions exposed when the top cover 78 is opened are outside image forming regions until the transfer belt 24 is rotated by a predetermined revolving speed when the top cover 78 is opened/closed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an image forming program.

  Patent Document 1 discloses an apparatus that transfers a solid image or the like to a transfer belt, and cleans external additives together with toner remaining on the transfer belt.

  Patent Document 2 discloses an apparatus for cleaning a photosensitive drum using the toner by switching the transfer bias according to the toner so that the toner with high polishing power is not transferred to the transfer belt during toner refresh. ing.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228561 discloses an apparatus that transfers charges to a transfer belt and removes them from the photoreceptor by applying an electric charge to the deposit on the photoreceptor.

  Patent Document 4 discloses an apparatus for removing a sticky substance such as a label attached to a photosensitive member by providing a plurality of blades that are in contact with and separating from the photosensitive member and bringing the blades into contact with the surface of the photosensitive member independently. It is disclosed.

  In Patent Document 5, a toner image is formed on an image carrier having charging, exposing, and developing means around it, the toner image is transferred to an intermediate transfer member, and then the toner image is transferred from the intermediate transfer member to a recording medium. In the image forming apparatus, an apparatus is disclosed in which the intermediate transfer member is rotated for a predetermined time or more when the apparatus is warmed up or prior to image formation.

JP 2007-232842 JP 2007-233049 A JP 2004-117464 A JP 2007-298640 A JP 2001-318538 A

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus and an image forming program capable of preventing density unevenness and the like from being generated by touching a transfer body exposed by opening an opening / closing member of the apparatus. And

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention described in claim 1 is characterized in that at least one of the image holding member for holding an image formed of the image forming material and the opening / closing member provided in the housing of the apparatus main body are opened. A transfer body that exposes and rotates the image transferred from the image holding body and transfers the held image to an image forming medium, and the transfer body without being transferred to the image forming medium When the opening / closing member is opened / closed, the removing means for removing the image forming material remaining on the opening / closing member is exposed when the opening / closing member is opened until the transfer body rotates by a predetermined number of rotations. Control means for controlling the image forming timing so that the area is outside the image forming area.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the image holding bodies are provided in a predetermined arrangement for each of a plurality of colors, and the transfer body and the plurality of image holding bodies are arranged in this order below the opening / closing member. And the detection means includes attachment / detachment detection means for detecting attachment / detachment of a plurality of accommodating portions each accommodating the plurality of image holding bodies, and the control means detects the attachment / detachment detected by the attachment / detachment detection means. The number of rotations is set according to the position of the part.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided detection means for detecting an exposure amount of the transfer body when the opening / closing member is opened, and the control means determines the exposure amount of the transfer body detected by the detection means. The rotation speed is set accordingly.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an opening degree detecting means for detecting an opening degree of the opening / closing member, and the control means has the rotation speed according to the opening degree of the opening / closing member detected by the opening degree detecting means. Set.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an opening time detecting means for detecting a time during which the opening / closing member has been opened, and the control means controls the rotation speed in accordance with the time detected by the opening time detecting means. Set.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the control means includes notification means for informing when an image to be transferred to the transfer body overlaps at least a part of the region.

  The control means reduces the image so that the image to be transferred to the transfer body does not overlap the region.

  According to an eighth aspect of the invention, the notifying unit notifies that the image quality of at least a part of the image formed on the image forming medium may be deteriorated, and the control unit transfers the image to the transfer body. The power image is transferred to the transfer body as it is.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, when the image to be transferred to the transfer body overlaps at least a part of the region, the control unit forms a predetermined cleaning image in the region, and the removing unit After the cleaning image is removed, the image is transferred to the transfer body.

  The invention according to claim 10 comprises at least one of a temperature detecting means for detecting temperature and a humidity detecting means for detecting humidity, wherein the control means is configured to perform the rotation speed based on at least one of the detected temperature and humidity. Correct.

  According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, there is further provided setting means for setting whether or not to control the image forming timing when the opening and closing member is opened and closed.

  According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a transfer body in which at least a part of the region is exposed by opening the opening / closing member provided in the housing of the apparatus main body and holding the image formed of the image forming material. A step of holding and rotating an image transferred from the image holding member, transferring the held image to an image forming medium, and the image forming material remaining on the transfer member without being transferred to the image forming medium. And when the opening and closing member is opened and closed, the area exposed when the opening and closing member is opened is outside the image forming area until the transfer body rotates by a predetermined number of rotations. As described above, the computer is caused to execute a process including the step of controlling the image formation timing.

  As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, when the open / close member is opened and closed, the density unevenness or the like occurs in the image as compared with the case where the exposed area of the transfer body is not outside the image forming area. The effect that it can prevent that is done is acquired.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the productivity of image formation is reduced as compared with the case where there is no desorption detection means for detecting the desorption of each of the plurality of accommodating portions each accommodating the image carrier. An effect is obtained that the period can be minimized according to the position of the detached housing.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the period during which the productivity of image formation is reduced is set in accordance with the exposure amount of the transfer body as compared with the case where there is no detection means for detecting the exposure amount of the transfer body. The effect that it can be minimized is obtained.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the period during which the productivity of image formation is reduced depends on the opening degree of the opening / closing member as compared with the case where there is no opening degree detecting means for detecting the opening degree of the opening / closing member. Can be minimized.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, compared with the case where there is no open time detecting means for detecting the time during which the opening / closing member is opened, the period during which the image forming productivity is reduced is reduced. The effect that it can be minimized according to the opening time is obtained.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the convenience of the user is improved as compared with the case where there is no notification means for notifying when the image to be transferred to the transfer body overlaps at least a part of the exposed area. The effect that it can be made is acquired.

  According to the invention described in claim 7, when the image to be transferred to the transfer body overlaps at least a part of the exposed area, the convenience of the user is improved as compared with the case where the image formation is stopped. The effect that it can be made is acquired.

  According to the invention described in claim 8, when the image to be transferred to the transfer body overlaps at least a part of the exposed area, the convenience of the user is improved as compared with the case where the image formation is stopped. The effect that it can be made is acquired.

  According to the invention described in claim 9, when the image to be transferred to the transfer body overlaps at least a part of the exposed area, the convenience of the user is improved as compared with the case where the image formation is stopped. The effect that it can be made is acquired.

  According to the invention described in claim 10, it is possible to effectively prevent the occurrence of uneven density in the image according to the environment as compared with the case where the temperature detection unit and the humidity detection unit are not provided. The effect is obtained.

  According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, it is possible to obtain an effect that the productivity of image formation can be prevented from being lowered more than necessary as compared with the case where the setting unit is not provided.

  According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, when the open / close member is opened / closed, density unevenness or the like is prevented from occurring in the image as compared with the case where the exposed area of the transfer body is not outside the image forming area. The effect of being able to be obtained.

1 is a configuration diagram of a main part of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. 3 is a configuration diagram of a main part of a control unit of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of an image forming apparatus. 3 is a configuration diagram of a main part showing a state in which a front cover of the image forming apparatus is opened. FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a main part showing a state in which a top cover of the image forming apparatus is opened. FIG. 6 is a timing chart showing image formation for an exposed area of a transfer belt. It is a flowchart of the process performed when a top cover is opened. It is a flowchart of an image formation process. FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of a main part showing a state in which a top cover of an image forming apparatus according to a modification is opened.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows an image forming apparatus 10 applied to the present embodiment. In the image forming apparatus 10, a photoconductor unit 14 is provided inside the housing 12. The image forming apparatus 10 forms an image on the recording paper 16 using toners of process colors Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and K (black). It has a Y-color photoconductor unit 14Y, an M-color photoconductor unit 14M, a C-color photoconductor unit 14C, and a K-color photoconductor unit 14K (hereinafter collectively referred to as the photoconductor unit 14). ).

  In the image forming apparatus 10, the photoreceptor units 14 </ b> Y, 14 </ b> M, 14 </ b> C, and 14 </ b> K are arranged in the housing 12. Each of the photoreceptor units 14 is provided with a photosensitive drum 18 as a photoreceptor. The photosensitive unit 14 (photosensitive units 14Y, 14M, 14C, and 14K) is provided with a developing unit 20 (developing units 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K) that supplies toner to the photosensitive drum 18. Each of the developing devices 20 is supplied with toner from a toner cartridge (not shown) loaded in the housing 12, and the developing device 20 supplies the toner to the photosensitive drum 18.

  The photoreceptor unit 14 is provided with a charger and a cleaner (both not shown). An electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 18 uniformly charged by the charger and supplied from the developing device 20. A toner image is formed by developing with the toner. By transferring the toner image onto the recording paper 16, an image is formed on the recording paper 16. The toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 18 is removed by a cleaner.

  The casing 12 is provided with an exposure unit 22 below the photosensitive unit 14 (on the lower side of the drawing in FIG. 1). The exposure unit 22 includes, for example, a light source such as a semiconductor laser. Laser light LB (laser light LB-Y, LB-M, LB-C, LB-K) emitted from the light source is applied to the photosensitive drum 18. Irradiate while scanning each. At this time, the laser beam LB is modulated according to the image information, whereby an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image information is formed on each photosensitive drum 18.

  The light source for forming the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 18 is not limited to the semiconductor laser, and any light source and scanning method such as arranging light emitting elements such as LEDs and emitting light based on image information can be applied. May be.

  The image forming apparatus 10 is provided with an endless transfer belt 24 provided to face the photosensitive drum 18 of each photosensitive unit 14. The transfer belt 24 is wound around a plurality of rolls including a drive roll 26, a tension applying roll 28, a driven roll 30, and a support roll 32 with a certain tension. Further, the transfer belt 24 is rotationally moved in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 1 when the drive roll 26 is driven.

  The transfer belt 24 is in contact with the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 18 of each photosensitive unit 14. Each of the photosensitive drums 18 is opposed to a transfer roll (primary transfer roll) 34 across the transfer belt 24, and the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 18 is transferred to the transfer belt 24 by the transfer roll 34. The At this time, in the image forming apparatus 10, the transfer belt 24 is brought into contact with the respective photosensitive drums 18 in the order of the photosensitive units 14Y, 14M, 14C, and 14K, so that the Y, M, C, and K color toner images are formed. The images are superimposed and transferred onto the transfer belt 24.

  A transfer roll (secondary transfer roll) 36 is opposed to the drive roll 26, and the toner image transferred to the transfer belt 24 is synchronized with the movement of the transfer belt 24 by the drive roll 26 and the transfer roll 36. It is transferred to the recording paper 16 that is fed to the sandwiched transfer position.

  A paper feed unit 38 that accommodates the recording paper 16 is provided at the lower portion of the housing 12. A paper transport path 40 that is a transport path for the recording paper 16 is formed in the housing 12.

  When the recording paper 16 is taken out from the paper feed unit 38 one by one by a feed roll (not shown) or the like, the recording paper 16 is conveyed by the paper feed roll 42 toward the alignment roll 44. The alignment roll 44 feeds the recording paper 16 to a transfer position sandwiched between the drive roll 26 and the transfer roll 36 in accordance with the movement of the toner image transferred onto the transfer belt 24. As a result, the toner image on the transfer bell and 24 is transferred to the recording paper 16.

  A fixing device 46 is provided in the paper transport path 40 on the downstream side of the transfer roll 36. The fixing device 46 includes a fixing roll 48. The recording paper 16 to which the toner image has been transferred is pressed and heated by the fixing roll 48, and the toner is melted and fixed to form an image corresponding to the image information.

  In the image forming apparatus 10, a paper receiver 50 is formed on the upper portion of the housing 12, and the recording paper 16 on which the image is formed is sent out onto the paper receiver 50 by a paper discharge roll 52.

  In the image forming apparatus 10, when images are formed on both sides of the recording paper 16, the leading end of the recording paper 16 having an image formed on one side is protruded from the housing 12 and the rear side of the recording paper 16. The end is pinched by the paper discharge roll 52. In this state, the paper discharge roll 52 is rotated in the reverse direction and a switching guide (not shown) is operated to convey the recording paper 16 toward the roll 54A. From the roll 54A to the alignment roll 44 via the roll 54B. return.

  In addition, the image forming apparatus 10 is provided with a manual paper feed unit 56. When the recording paper 16 is placed on the manual paper feed unit 56, it is drawn into the housing 12 by the paper feed roll 58 and aligned. It is sent to the roll 44.

  On the other hand, the image forming apparatus 10 is provided with a cleaner 60 facing the support roll 32 around which the transfer belt 24 is wound. The cleaner 60 is provided as a removing means, and includes a blade 62 facing the support roll 32. The blade 62 is opposed to the entire area of the transfer belt 24 in the width direction, and the transfer belt 24 passes through a position sandwiched between the blade 62 and the support roll 32 while being in contact with the blade 62, so Dirt such as adhering toner is removed and collected.

  As the removing means, the cleaner 60 provided with the blade 62 is used. However, if the configuration removes dirt such as toner adhering to the surface from the entire width direction of the transfer belt 24, this configuration is used. It is not limited.

  FIG. 2 shows a schematic configuration diagram of a control system of the image forming apparatus 10. As shown in the figure, the controller 66 of the image forming apparatus 10 is provided with a controller 66. The controller 66 includes a microcomputer having a general configuration formed by connecting nonvolatile memories such as a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and a flash ROM by a bus such as a system bus (all not shown), and various input / output interfaces. And a drive circuit.

  The controller 66 includes an exposure unit 22, a transport motor 68 that transports the recording paper 16 through the paper transport path 40, a drive motor 70 that drives the transfer belt 24 (drive roll 26), and photoconductor units 14Y, 14M, 14C, and 14K. A fixing device 46 is connected together with drive motors 72Y, 72M, 72C, and 72K that rotationally drive the photosensitive drum 18.

  Further, the image forming apparatus 10 is provided with an operation panel 74 (see FIG. 3) on the surface of the housing 12, and the operation panel 74 is connected to the controller 66. The operation panel 74 is provided with a display and operation keys (not shown), and various setting operations are performed. As a result, the controller 66 controls the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 by executing a control program stored in, for example, a nonvolatile memory while the RAM is used as a work memory. The control program may be recorded on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM and executed by reading it with a CD-ROM drive or the like.

  An information processing terminal 76 is connected to the controller 66. When an image formation instruction output from the information processing terminal 76 is received, the recording paper 16 based on image data included in the image formation instruction is received. The image forming process is performed.

  At this time, the controller 66 generates raster data of each color Y, M, C, K from the image data, and controls the exposure unit 22 based on the raster data, thereby recording an image according to the image data. Form on paper 16.

  The controller 66 calculates the amount of toner when forming a toner image based on the raster data from the raster data of Y, M, C, and K. The controller 66 accumulates the toner amount to grasp the remaining amount of toner in a toner cartridge (not shown).

  Further, the controller 66 determines the amount of movement of the transfer belt 24, the movement position of the reference position set on the transfer belt 24, the photosensitivity based on the rotational speeds of the drive motor 70 and the drive motor 72 (72Y, 72M, 72C, 72K). The rotation angle of the drum 18 is grasped.

  Further, the controller 66 switches the rotation speed of the photosensitive drum 18 and the rotation speed (linear speed) of the transfer belt 24 together with the conveyance speed of the recording paper 16 to a plurality of stages such as two stages. For example, the controller 66 sets a high speed when forming a single color image using only K color or a low resolution color image on the recording paper 16 and a low speed when forming a high resolution color image on the recording paper. And the transport motor 68 and the drive motors 70 and 72 (72Y, 72M, 72C, 72K) are driven.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the housing 12 is formed in the image forming apparatus 10 including a front cover 76, a top cover 78, and a side cover 80. In the image forming apparatus 10, the toner cartridge (not shown) is replaced by opening the side cover 80.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the housing 12 is provided with a shaft 82 below the front cover 76. In the image forming apparatus 10, the front cover 76 is rotated around the shaft 82. As a result, the front cover 76 is opened.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in the image forming apparatus 10, when the front cover 76 is opened, the paper conveyance path 40 of the recording paper 16 is opened, and the recording paper 16 in which the conveyance failure has occurred is taken out.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the housing 12 is provided with a shaft 84 at the top, and the top cover 78 is opened and closed by rotating the top cover 78 around the shaft 84. . In the image forming apparatus 10, for example, the top cover 78 is opened and closed with the front cover 76 opened, but FIG. 5 illustrates only the state in which the top cover top 78 is opened.

  As shown in FIG. 5, in the image forming apparatus 10, the transfer belt 24 is attached to the top cover 78, and the photoconductor unit 14 is opened by opening the top cover 78. Thereby, in the image forming apparatus 10, maintenance such as replacement of the photosensitive drum 18 provided in the photosensitive unit 14 is performed. Each of the front cover 76, the top cover 78, and the side cover 80 is held in a closed state by a lock mechanism (not shown), and is opened by releasing the lock mechanism.

  In the image forming apparatus 10 configured as described above, when receiving an image formation instruction together with image data from the information processing terminal 76, the controller 66 performs predetermined image processing on the image data included in the image formation instruction. At the same time, raster data of each color of Y, M, C, and K is generated. The exposure unit 22 emits laser light LB-Y, LB-M, LB-C, and LB-K modulated based on the raster data while scanning the photosensitive drums 18 of the respective photosensitive units 14.

  Thereby, each of the photosensitive drums 18 is scanned and exposed, and an electrostatic latent image is formed. The developing device 20 supplies toner to the photosensitive drum 18 to perform toner development, thereby forming a toner image corresponding to the electrostatic latent image. The toner image formed on each photosensitive drum 18 is superimposed and transferred onto a transfer belt 24 that rotates in synchronization with the rotation of the photosensitive drum 18.

  In the image forming apparatus 10, the recording paper 16 is sent to the transfer position in synchronization with the movement of the toner image transferred to the transfer belt 24, and the toner image is transferred to the recording paper 16. When the recording paper 16 to which the toner image has been transferred is discharged to the paper receiver 50, the recording paper 16 passes through the fixing device 46, whereby the toner image is fixed.

  When the transfer belt 24 to which the toner image has been transferred passes through the cleaner 60, the toner adhering to the surface is removed by the blade 62 and collected by the cleaner 60.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 10 includes a door sensor 86 that detects opening and closing of the front cover 76, a door sensor 88 that detects opening and closing of the top cover 78, and a door sensor 90 that detects opening and closing of the side cover 80. Is provided. The door sensors 86, 88, 90 are connected to the controller 66.

  Further, the image forming apparatus 10 is provided with an opening degree sensor 92 that detects an opening degree θ (see FIG. 5) when the top cover 78 is opened from the rotation angle of the top cover 78 with the shaft 84 as an axis. An opening sensor 92 is connected to the controller 66.

  The controller 66 detects whether the front cover 76, the top cover 78, or the side cover 80 is open from the on / off of the door sensors 86, 88, 90, and detects the open time from the on time. The controller 66 detects the opening degree θ of the top cover 78 from the output of the opening degree sensor 92 when the door sensor 88 is turned on. The opening θ of the top cover 78 is a rotation angle with 0 ° when the top cover 78 is closed.

  Further, the image forming apparatus 10 is provided with attachment / detachment detection sensors 93Y, 93M, 93C, and 93K that detect attachment / detachment of the Y, M, C, and K photoconductor units 14, and these sensors are provided to the controller 66. It is connected.

  Further, the image forming apparatus 10 is provided with a temperature sensor 94 that detects the temperature of the installation environment and a humidity sensor 96 that detects the humidity of the installation environment. The temperature sensor 94 and the humidity sensor 96 are connected to the controller 66.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in the image forming apparatus 10, when the front cover 76 is opened in order to remove the recording paper that has failed to be conveyed, a predetermined part of the transfer belt 24, for example, near the drive roll 26 is predetermined. The exposed area (area A in FIG. 4) is exposed, and when the operator's hand touches this area, sebum may adhere to the transfer belt 24.

As shown in FIG. 5, in the image forming apparatus 10, when the top cover 78 is opened, the transfer belt 24 reaches a predetermined position near the driven roll 30 from the driving roll 26 through the tension applying roll 28. Is exposed. Thereby, sebum etc. of the operator's hand may adhere to the exposed area of the transfer belt 24. The exposed area of the transfer belt 24 (area where sebum or the like may adhere) is a range corresponding to the photoreceptor unit 14K from the drive roll 26 through the tension applying roll 28 when the opening θ of the top cover 78 is small (for example, Although the region _{B 1)} degree, according to the opening degree θ of the top cover 78 is increased, the range is widened (for example, region _B 2).

  For this reason, in the image forming apparatus 10, although the details will be described later, when the front cover 76 and the top cover 78 are opened and closed and an image formation is instructed thereafter, the exposed area of the transfer belt 24 is outside the image forming area. In this way, a special image forming operation for performing the image forming operation is executed.

  Whether or not to execute this special image forming operation is set, for example, by operating the operation panel 74. When the special image forming operation is set not to be executed, the top cover 78 is opened or closed. The entire area of the transfer belt 24 is set to be an image forming area.

  FIG. 6 shows a state where the transfer belt 24 is developed. As shown in the figure, for example, an exposed area of the transfer belt 24 when the front cover 76 and the top cover 78 are opened and closed, that is, an area where dirt appears to be attached is defined as an exposed area 102. In the image forming apparatus 10, as shown in FIG. 6, specifically, the toner image on each photosensitive drum 18 is exposed such that the exposed area 102 is outside the image forming area, specifically, the exposed area 102 is between pages. The timing of forming, transferring the formed toner image to the transfer belt 24, transferring the toner image transferred to the transfer belt 24 to the recording paper 16, and the like is controlled.

  Although the details will be described later, this special image forming operation ends when the transfer belt 24 is rotated by the set number of rotations and it is determined that dirt such as sebum adhering to the exposed region 102 has been removed by the cleaner 60. Thereafter, the normal image forming operation, that is, the image forming operation is performed so that the entire area of the transfer belt 24 becomes the image forming area.

  As described above, the timing for ending the special image forming operation performed after the front cover 76 and the top cover 78 are opened and closed is determined by the rotation speed of the transfer belt 24 when the image forming operation is performed after the front cover 76 and the top cover 78 are opened and closed. Is done.

  Further, the adhesion of sebum to the transfer belt 24 is affected by the environmental temperature and the environmental humidity. That is, sebum does not adhere to the transfer belt 24 so much in a low temperature and low humidity environment, but in a high temperature and high humidity environment, the sebum may adhere to the transfer belt 24 with a slight touch.

  Therefore, in the image forming apparatus 10, when the front cover 76 or the top cover 78 is opened or closed, the rotational speed of the transfer belt 24 in the special image forming operation is corrected according to the temperature and humidity at that time. That is, in a high temperature and high humidity environment that is higher than a predetermined reference temperature and reference humidity, the rotation speed is corrected to be higher than the rotation speed in the case of the reference temperature and reference humidity, and the predetermined reference temperature and reference In a low temperature and low humidity environment lower than the humidity, the rotational speed is corrected so as to be lower than the rotational speed at the reference temperature and the reference humidity.

  Next, as an operation of the present embodiment, control executed by the controller 66 will be described.

  First, processing when the top cover 78 is opened will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG. This process is executed when the door sensor 88 that detects that the top cover 78 is opened is turned on.

  First, in step 100, the opening degree of the top cover 78 detected by the opening degree sensor 92 is taken in.

  In step 102, the maximum opening degree of the top cover 78 is updated. That is, when the opening degree of the top cover 78 taken in step 100 is larger than the maximum opening degree of the top cover 78 already stored in the RAM, the opening degree of the top cover 78 taken in step 100 is set to the maximum opening degree. Update as. As a result, the opening when the top cover 78 is opened to the maximum after the top cover 78 is closed is stored in the RAM.

  In step 104, it is determined whether or not the photosensitive unit 14 has been removed. That is, it is determined whether or not any of the detachment sensors 93Y, 93M, 93C, and 93K is turned on (removed) and then turned off (attached). If yes, then go to Step 106, otherwise go to Step.

  In step 106, the position of the detached photosensitive unit, that is, which color of the photosensitive unit is removed is stored in the RAM.

  In step 108, it is determined whether or not the top cover 78 has been closed, that is, whether or not the door sensor 88 that detects that the top cover 78 has been opened has been turned off.

  If the top cover 78 is closed, the process proceeds to step 110. If the top cover 78 is not closed, the process returns to step 100 and the above processing is repeated.

  In step 110, the rotation speed of the transfer belt 24 when executing the special image forming operation is set. Specifically, for example, when the photosensitive unit is detached, the number of rotations of the transfer belt 24 is set according to the position of the detached photosensitive unit. As shown in FIG. 5, the photosensitive drum 18 is arranged in the order of Y, M, C, and K from the side near the shaft 84 that is the rotation shaft of the top cover 78. Therefore, when the top cover 78 is opened and the photoconductor unit is detached, the photoconductor unit closer to the shaft 84 has a higher probability that the operator's hand touches the exposed transfer belt 24. For this reason, in this embodiment, as an example, the photosensitive unit closer to the shaft 84 is set so that the number of rotations of the transfer belt 24 during the special image forming operation increases. Therefore, when the Y photoconductor unit is detached, the number of rotations of the transfer belt 24 is maximized, and when the K photoconductor unit is detached, the number of rotations of the transfer belt 24 is minimized. The rotation number may be set, for example, by previously storing a correspondence relationship between the position of the photosensitive unit of each color and the rotation number of the transfer belt 24 in a nonvolatile memory or the like, and setting the rotation number according to the correspondence relationship. .

  Further, when the photosensitive unit is not attached / detached, that is, when the top cover 78 is simply opened and closed, for example, the rotational speed of the transfer belt 24 when performing the special image forming operation according to the opening degree of the top cover 78 is set. Set. In other words, the greater the opening degree of the top cover 78, the higher the probability that the operator's hand will touch the exposed transfer belt 24. Therefore, the larger the opening degree of the top cover 78, the more the transfer belt 24 in the special image forming operation. Set to increase the number of revolutions. For example, the rotational speed may be set according to the correspondence relationship between the opening degree and the rotational speed of the transfer belt 24 stored in advance in a nonvolatile memory.

  In step 112, environmental conditions, ie temperature and humidity, are captured from temperature sensor 94 and humidity sensor 96.

  In step 114, the rotational speed of the transfer belt 24 set in step 110 is corrected based on at least one of the captured temperature and humidity. That is, as described above, in a high-temperature environment higher than a predetermined reference temperature or a high-humidity environment higher than a predetermined reference humidity, the number of rotations is higher than that in the case of the reference temperature and the reference humidity. The number of revolutions is corrected so that the number of revolutions is lower than that at the reference temperature and the reference humidity in a low temperature environment lower than a predetermined reference temperature or in a low humidity environment lower than a predetermined reference humidity. Correct. For this correction, for example, a correspondence relationship between the temperature, the humidity, and the rotation speed of the transfer belt 24 may be stored in advance in a nonvolatile memory or the like, and may be set according to this correspondence relationship.

  Alternatively, the opening time from when the top cover 78 is opened until it is closed may be detected, and the rotation speed of the transfer belt 24 during the special image forming operation may be set to increase as the detected opening time becomes longer.

  Next, image forming processing executed by the controller 66 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. This process is executed when image data is received from the information processing terminal 76 and a print instruction is given.

  First, in step 200, it is determined whether or not it is the first print instruction after the top cover 78 is opened and closed. In the case of the first printing after opening and closing the top cover 78, the process proceeds to step 202. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step 210.

In step 202, as shown in FIG. 6, the exposed area 102 of the transfer belt 24 when the top cover 78 is opened is set to be outside the image forming area, that is, between pages. This exposed region 102 is set according to the maximum opening when the top cover 78 is opened, for example. For example, when the maximum opening θ is larger than a preset set value θs (θ ≧ θs), the range from the drive roll 26 to the driven roll 30 (area B _{2 in} FIG. 5) is the exposure area. Set as 102. When the maximum opening θ is smaller than the set value θs (θ <θs), a region (region B _{1 in} FIG. 5) beyond the tension roller 28 from the periphery of the drive roll 26 is set as the exposed region 102. To do.

  By the way, when the exposed area 102 is large, depending on the size of the image, at least a part of the image transferred to the transfer belt 24 may overlap the exposed area 102. That is, the image for one page does not fit in the image forming area between the exposed areas 102 shown in FIG.

  Therefore, in step 204, it is determined whether or not the size of the image for which printing has been instructed is large, and when the image is transferred to the transfer belt 24, it overlaps the exposed area 102. If the image instructed to be printed overlaps the exposed area 102, the process proceeds to step 206. If the image does not overlap, the process proceeds to step 208.

  In step 206, as a corresponding process when the image instructed to print overlaps the exposure area 102, for example, the fact that the image instructed to print overlaps the exposure area 102 and the image instructed to print is reduced to reduce the document size. Is notified to the information processing terminal 76 that has instructed to print, and the image for which printing has been instructed is reduced, and the size of the document to be printed is changed to a document size that does not overlap the exposed area 102.

  In step 208, an image forming process based on the image data instructed for printing is executed. That is, the photosensitive drum 18 is scanned and exposed based on the image data, and a toner image corresponding to the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 18 is formed on the photosensitive drum 18 by this scanning exposure. The toner image is transferred to the transfer belt 24.

  At this time, when an affirmative determination is made in step 200 or a negative determination is made in step 210 described later, that is, when a special image forming operation is to be executed, transfer is performed so that the exposed region 102 is outside the image forming region. .

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 200 that the first printing is not performed after the top cover 78 is opened / closed, the process proceeds to step 210, and after the top cover 78 is opened / closed, whether or not the transfer belt 24 is rotated by the set number of rotations. Is judged. Then, after the top cover 78 is opened and closed, when the transfer belt 24 has already been rotated by the set number of rotations, that is, when the special image forming operation is finished, the process proceeds to step 212 and the special image forming operation is performed. If not completed, the process proceeds to step 204.

  In step 210, the entire area of the transfer belt 24 is set to be an image forming area.

  As described above, in this embodiment, when the top cover 78 is opened and closed, until the transfer belt 24 rotates by the number of rotations at which it can be determined that the contamination of the exposed region 102 of the transfer belt 24 has been cleaned to a level that does not affect the image quality. Then, a special image forming operation is performed so that the exposed area 102 is outside the image forming area.

  As another example of the corresponding processing in step 206, for example, the information processing terminal 76 that has instructed printing that the image instructed to print overlaps the exposed area 102 and that some images may deteriorate if printing is performed as it is. The image may be formed as it is.

  Further, for example, a solid image of a predetermined color may be formed in the exposed area 102, and the image may be formed after the toner image in the exposed area 102 is removed by the cleaner 60.

  In this embodiment, the case where the exposed area 102 of the transfer belt 24 is set to be outside the image forming area when the top cover 78 is opened and closed has been described. However, as described above, a conveyance failure occurred. When removing the recording paper, even if the front cover 76 is opened, a part of the transfer belt 24 is exposed. Therefore, even when the front cover 76 is opened and closed, depending on the area exposed when the front cover 76 is opened. Then, the rotational speed of the transfer belt 24 may be set, and the special image forming operation may be executed.

  Further, an image may be formed so that the exposed area 102 is outside the image forming area, and a solid image may be formed in the exposed area 102 and cleaned by the cleaner 60.

  The image forming apparatus 10 is not limited to the configuration in which the transfer belt 24 is attached to the top cover 78 as illustrated in FIG. 5, but may be configured to open only the top cover 78 as illustrated in FIG. 9. In this case, the upper side of the transfer belt 24 may be set as the exposed region 102.

  The image forming apparatus 10 is not a printer function that executes an image forming process based on an image forming instruction transmitted from the information processing terminal 76, but a copy function that reads a document and forms a read image, a telephone line, or the like. It may be provided with a facsimile function for forming an image based on data received via a communication line, or may have a plurality of these functions.

  Further, in the present embodiment described above, the image forming apparatus 10 provided with the transfer belt 24 as a transfer member has been described as an example. However, the transfer member is not limited to a belt but a roll (intermediate transfer roll). Also good. In other words, a transfer belt, a transfer roll, a transfer drum, or the like that holds an image formed on the image forming medium is applied as a transfer member that interposes the image formed on the photosensitive member between the photosensitive member and the image forming medium. The image forming apparatus may have any configuration including any of these.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image forming apparatus 12 Case 14 (14Y, 14M, 14C, 14K) Photosensitive unit 16 Recording paper 18 Photosensitive drum (an example of an image carrier)
22 Exposure unit 24 Transfer belt (an example of a transfer body)
60 cleaner (an example of removal means)
62 Blade 64 Control unit 66 Controller (an example of control means)
76 Front cover 78 Top cover 86, 88 Door sensor 92 Opening sensor (an example of opening detection means)
94 Temperature sensor 93 Desorption sensor (an example of desorption detection means)
96 Humidity sensor 100 Toner band 102 Area A, B ₁ , B ₂ area

Claims (12)

An image carrier for holding an image formed by the image forming material;
When the opening / closing member provided in the housing of the apparatus main body is opened, at least a part of the area is exposed, and the image transferred from the image holding body is held and rotated, and the held image is used as an image forming medium. A transfer body to be transferred;
Removing means for removing the image forming material remaining on the transfer body without being transferred to the image forming medium;
When the opening / closing member is opened / closed, the image forming timing is such that the area exposed when the opening / closing member is opened is outside the image forming area until the transfer body rotates by a predetermined number of rotations. Control means for controlling
An image forming apparatus. The image carrier is provided in a predetermined arrangement for each of a plurality of colors, and the transfer member and the plurality of image carriers are arranged in this order below the opening and closing member.
A desorption detecting means for detecting desorption of a plurality of accommodating portions each accommodating a plurality of the image holding bodies;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit sets the number of rotations according to a position of the housing portion where the desorption is detected by the desorption detection unit. Detecting means for detecting an exposure amount of the transfer body when the opening and closing member is opened;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit includes setting the number of rotations according to an exposure amount of the transfer body detected by the detection unit. Opening degree detecting means for detecting the opening degree of the opening and closing member;
4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit sets the rotation speed according to an opening degree of the opening / closing member detected by the opening degree detection unit. 5. Including an open time detecting means for detecting a time during which the opening and closing member has been opened,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit sets the number of rotations according to the time detected by the open time detection unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit includes a notification unit that notifies when an image to be transferred to the transfer body overlaps at least a part of the region. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the control unit reduces the image so that the image to be transferred to the transfer body does not overlap the region. The notifying means notifies that the image quality of at least a part of the image formed on the image forming medium may be deteriorated;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the control unit transfers the image to be transferred to the transfer body as it is to the transfer body. The control unit forms a predetermined cleaning image in the region when the image to be transferred to the transfer body overlaps at least a part of the region, and removes the cleaning image by the removing unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an image is transferred to the transfer body. Comprising at least one of a temperature detecting means for detecting temperature and a humidity detecting means for detecting humidity;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit corrects the rotational speed based on at least one of detected temperature and humidity. 11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a setting unit configured to set whether to perform control of the image forming timing when the opening / closing member is opened / closed. Holding an image formed by the imaging material;
The image transferred from the image holding body is held and rotated on a transfer body in which at least a part of the area is exposed by opening an opening / closing member provided in the housing of the apparatus main body, and the held image is displayed as an image. Transferring to a forming medium;
Removing the image forming material remaining on the transfer body without being transferred to the image forming medium;
When the opening / closing member is opened / closed, the image forming timing is such that the area exposed when the opening / closing member is opened is outside the image forming area until the transfer body rotates by a predetermined number of rotations. A step of controlling
An image forming program for causing a computer to execute processing including:

Images