JP5530652B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic color electrophotographic printer or a copying machine.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a developer, for example, in a color electrophotographic printer in which a color toner image is formed with a developing unit having a photoreceptor using toner and the toner image is transferred onto a transfer medium to form a color image, The collected residual toner (hereinafter referred to as “waste toner”) on the photoconductor is a mixture of toners of different colors and is difficult to reuse. For this reason, a storage chamber for collecting and storing the waste toner is provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus.

According the waste toner chamber, for example, as shown in Patent Document 1 below, the feed toner storing to keep storing toner supplying toner attachment and detachment of the developing unit is freely in the toner cartridge is supplied to the developing unit It has been proposed to provide waste toner for each developing unit of black (K), yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) provided separately from the chamber.

JP 2004-101582 A

  However, in a conventional color electrophotographic printer, for example, when the frequency of use of the development unit arranged at the most downstream side in the transfer medium transport direction is lower than that at the upstream side, the toner cartridge in the development unit at the most downstream side is used. Since unused supply toner remains in the toner cartridge, replacement of the toner cartridge is not prompted. On the other hand, for example, when the toner of the first color is transferred to a transfer medium that is a recording paper, the toner of the first color is transferred from the transfer medium to the photoconductor in the process of transferring the toner of the second color or later to the transfer medium ( Hereinafter, the waste toner is continuously collected by “reverse transfer”), so that the waste toner storage chamber in the toner cartridge becomes full. As a result, there is a problem that waste toner of the toner cartridge cannot be collected.

An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a replaceable developer container that contains a predetermined amount of developer, an image carrier that carries a developer image formed by the developer, and remains on the image carrier. wherein the developer collecting unit for collecting the developer as waste developer, the waste and the developer waste developer storage device for storing the waste developer instructions to control the waste developer storage units exchange control storage unit replacement And a replacement notification means for notifying the replacement instruction of the waste developer container from the waste developer container replacement control section.

Here, the waste developer container replacement control unit includes a replacement determination unit that determines replacement of the developer container, and the image carrier that is carried by the image carrier rather than the target developer container. An exchange count unit for transferring the developer image to the transfer medium and counting the number of exchanges of the developer container disposed on the upstream side of the transfer process, and determining whether or not the number of exchanges has reached a predetermined number It has a number of exchanges determination unit, when the number of exchanges is the number of exchanges determination unit determines that reaches the predetermined number of times, a notification instruction unit for instructing the notification of exchange of the waste developer storage units in the exchange notification means It is characterized by that.

According to the present invention, the replacement timing of the waste developer container of the developer container of the corresponding color is determined by counting the number of times of replacement of the upper developer container, so that the replacement time has been reached. It is possible to prompt the user to replace the developer container having the waste developer container with a new developer container.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an image forming apparatus in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the control mechanism of FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of FIG. FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus showing a modification of FIG. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a control mechanism in Embodiment 2 of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the second embodiment.

  Modes for carrying out the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments when read in light of the accompanying drawings. However, the drawings are only for explanation and do not limit the scope of the present invention.

(Configuration of Example 1)
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an outline of an image forming apparatus in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  This image forming apparatus is, for example, a color electrophotographic printer, and includes an image forming apparatus main body 1. The image forming apparatus main body 1 includes a developing unit 2 (a toner image that is a developer image) formed of toner that is a developer of each color of black (K), yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C). = 2k, 2y, 2m, 2c), each color toner cartridge 3 (= 3k, 3y, 3m, 3c) as each developer container, transfer unit 4 to a transfer medium as a recording medium, and light emitting element LED head 5 (= 5k, 5y, 5m, 5c), which is an exposure apparatus composed of LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes), a paper feed cassette 6 for storing and supplying a transfer medium, and a toner image on the transfer medium And a fixing unit 7 for fixing.

  The developing units 2 are sequentially arranged along the transfer unit 4 from the transfer medium supply side to the discharge side, and are detachably attached to the image forming apparatus main body 1. Each color toner cartridge 3 is positioned above each corresponding developing unit 2 and is detachably attached to each developing unit 2.

  Each developing unit 2 has the same structure, and each photosensitive member 21 (= 21k, 21y, 21m, 21c) as an image carrier and each charging roller 22 (= 22k, 22y, 22m, 22c), each developing roller 23 (= 23k, 23y, 23m, 23c) for supplying toner to the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive member 21, and each developing blade 24 (=) for forming a toner layer on the developing roller 23. 24k, 24y, 24m, 24c), a toner transport roller 25 (= 25k, 25y, 25m, 25c) for transporting the toner to the developing roller 23, and residual toner on the photoreceptor 21 that has not been transferred to the transfer medium. Each cleaning blade 26 (= 26k, 26y, 26m, 26c) which is a developer recovery unit for removing a certain waste toner, and the waste toner removed by each cleaning blade 26. Each waste toner storing portion 32 of the waste toner container to be described later (= 32k, 32y, 32m, 32c) are provided respectively with a conveying means (not shown) for conveying to.

  Each toner cartridge 3 includes a supply toner storage unit 31 (= 31k, 31y, 31m, 31c) that stores unused supply toner and a waste toner storage unit 32 (= 32k, 32y) that is a waste developer storage container. , 321m, 32c), and each toner cartridge information storage unit 33 (not shown) in which the amount of unused toner in the toner cartridge, the amount of waste toner stored, or the serial number of the toner cartridge (hereinafter referred to as “serial No”) is stored. = 33k, 33y, 33m, 33c).

  Each developing unit 2, each toner cartridge 3, and the like are replacement units for the image forming apparatus main body 1. When the component parts of the unit are deteriorated, the supplied toner is consumed, or the toner is full. , Both can be replaced for each unit.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control mechanism in the image forming apparatus of FIG.
The control unit 100 of the image forming apparatus main body 1 is provided with a waste toner container replacement control unit 200 which is a waste developer storage unit replacement control unit.

The waste toner container replacement control unit 200 is replaced with a toner cartridge replacement determination unit 201 that is a replacement determination unit that reads data from each toner cartridge information storage unit 33 and determines whether or not the toner cartridge 3 has been replaced. A toner cartridge replacement number counter 202 that is a replacement count unit that counts the cumulative number of toner cartridges, and a waste toner container replacement determination unit 203 that is a replacement number determination unit that determines whether or not to replace the waste toner container. Based on the result of the waste toner container replacement determination unit 203 , a waste toner container replacement instruction unit that is a notification instruction unit that prompts the waste toner container replacement instruction notification unit 206 that is a replacement notification unit to instruct a waste toner container replacement instruction. 204, data of the toner cartridge replacement number counter 202, and the image forming apparatus main body 1. Serial No of which the toner cartridge is constituted by a nonvolatile memory 205 for storing and holding.

(Operation of Example 1)
As shown in FIG. 1, when the image forming operation is started, the surface of each photoconductor 21 is uniformly charged by, for example, about −600 V by each charging roller 22. Subsequently, each LED head 5 installed on the image forming apparatus main body 1 side exposes only a portion where a toner image on the photoreceptor is desired to be formed, and the surface potential of that portion is made close to 0V. Thereby, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photoreceptor.

  When the electrostatic latent image forming unit moves to the position of each developing roller 23 by the rotation of each photoconductor 21, the negatively charged toner on the surface of each developing roller 23 is exposed by each LED head 5. The toner image is formed on the surface of the photoreceptor.

  On the other hand, in the developing chamber, each toner transport roller 25 rotates while being in frictional contact with each developing roller 23, whereby a predetermined amount of toner is supplied to the surface of each developing roller 23. Subsequently, each developing blade 24 forms on the surface of each developing roller 23 a toner layer having a uniform thickness to which electric charge is imparted by frictional charging. Each developing roller 23 is in contact with each photoconductor 21 at a constant pressure.

  The above-described toner image formed on the surface of the photoreceptor is transferred to a transfer medium conveyed by the transfer unit 4. At this time, the toner not transferred to the transfer medium but remaining on the photoconductor and the reverse transfer toner attached on the photoconductor by reverse transfer from the transfer medium are scraped off by the cleaning blades 26 as waste toner. Subsequently, the waste toner is transported and stored in each waste toner storage unit 32 by a waste toner transport unit (not shown).

  In the image forming apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment, about 7% of the amount of toner transferred to the transfer medium becomes reverse transfer toner in the next development unit, and about 4% becomes reverse transfer toner in the second development unit. About 1% becomes reverse transfer toner in the development unit after three. Here, the ratio of the toner amount transferred to the transfer medium and the reverse transfer toner amount is referred to as “reverse transfer efficiency”. In the first exemplary embodiment, the reverse transfer efficiency is treated as sequentially decreasing from 7% → 4% → 1% each time it passes through each developing unit 2. Since the reverse transfer efficiency varies depending on the image forming apparatus and the environment, it is necessary to obtain the reverse transfer efficiency in advance through experiments or the like.

  Therefore, the C developing unit 2 arranged at the most downstream side of the transfer process receives reverse transfer from the K, Y, and M developing units 2 arranged on the upstream side, so that waste toner is most easily collected. For example, when C toner is not used and K, Y, and M toners are used frequently, there is a possibility that the waste toner container 32 of C is full even though it is not used.

  In the first embodiment, the replacement timing of the waste toner container of the toner cartridge of the corresponding color is determined by how many toner cartridges of the upstream color are replaced. In the first exemplary embodiment, the replacement of the waste toner storage unit means replacement of the toner cartridge including the waste toner storage unit.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image forming apparatus of FIG.
In the following description, when the toner cartridge is replaced, it is assumed that the unused toner is used up, and the empty cartridge in which the unused toner is empty is replaced with a new cartridge fully filled with the unused toner.

  As shown in FIG. 3, in step S1, the waste developer container is replaced in response to the initialization operation (step S0) of the apparatus when the power of the image forming apparatus is turned on or the apparatus main body cover is closed. The waste toner container replacement control unit 200 as the control unit reads the serial number of the toner cartridge from the toner cartridge information storage unit 33 in the toner cartridge 3 of each color, and proceeds to step S2.

In step S2, the toner cartridge replacement determination unit 201 reads the serial number of the toner cartridge read and the serial number of the toner cartridge that has been attached to the image forming apparatus main body 1 and held in the memory 205 before step S0 for each color. It is compared, and it is determined whether or not the toner cartridge is replaced depending on whether the serial numbers are the same. If yes (Y), the process proceeds to step S3. If not (N), the process proceeds to step S6.

  In step S3, the waste toner container replacement control unit 200 rewrites the serial number of the toner cartridge in the memory 205, and proceeds to step S4. In step S4, the toner cartridge replacement number NXx of the count value in the toner cartridge replacement number counter 202 regarding the replaced color toner cartridge NXx [where N = number, X = K, Y, M (replaced color), x = y , M, c (attached symbols)] is incremented (NXx + 1), and the process proceeds to step S5. In step S5, NXx used for calculating the number of exchanged upstream toner cartridges of the replaced color is cleared, and the process proceeds to step S6.

In steps S6, S7, and S9, the waste toner container replacement determination unit 203 operates. In step S6, the number of upstream toner cartridge replacements for each color is calculated according to the following equation, and the process proceeds to step S7.
Yn = NKy
Mn = NKm + NYm
Cn = NKc + NYc + NMc

  In step S7, based on the calculation result of step S6, a predetermined upstream toner cartridge replacement reference number Xn serving as a criterion for replacement of the waste toner container for each color (where X = Y, M, C upstream toner cartridge replacement number) And “X reference number −1” are compared. When the comparison result is “Xn ≧ X reference number−1” (Y), that is, when the number of upstream toner cartridge replacements for each color reaches one less than the upstream toner cartridge reference replacement number, the process proceeds to step S8. When the comparison result is “Xn <X reference number−1” (N), the process proceeds to step S9. In the first embodiment, the X reference number is 10 respectively. The reason will be described later.

  In step S8, the waste toner container replacement instruction unit 204 transmits information on the waste toner storage amount near notification to the waste toner container replacement instruction notification unit 206, and the process proceeds to step S9. In step S9, it is determined whether or not the upstream toner cartridge replacement number Xn for each color has reached the upstream toner cartridge reference replacement number X. If it has reached (Y), the process proceeds to step S10. In (N), the process ends. In step S <b> 10, the waste toner container replacement instruction unit 204 transmits information of a waste toner storage amount full (full filling) notification to the waste toner container replacement instruction notification unit 206 and ends the process.

(Earth of Toner Cartridge Replacement Standard Number (10))
In the first embodiment, only the amount of waste toner due to reverse transfer from the upstream toner cartridge is used to predict replacement when the waste toner container of the toner cartridge becomes full.
In the first embodiment, the X replacement reference number will be considered below, assuming that the new toner cartridges K, Y, M, and C have a toner filling amount of 200 g and a waste toner amount of 150 g.

As described above, the K, Y, M, and C toner cartridges 3 are arranged in order from the upstream in the transfer medium conveyance direction. The reverse transfer amount from the previous development unit is 7%, the reverse transfer amount from the second previous development unit is 4%, and the reverse transfer amount from the third previous development unit is 1%. In the case of a C toner cartridge having a large amount of waste toner, the amount of waste toner collected by the C toner cartridge is as follows.
Per M toner cartridge: 200g x 7% = 14g
Per Y toner cartridge: (200 g-14 g) × 4% = 7.44 g
Per K toner cartridge: (200g-14g-7.44g)
× 4% = 1.79g

  Therefore, the minimum number of toner cartridges that can be filled in the waste toner container of the C toner cartridge is 126 g (= 14 g × 9) when the number of M toner cartridges is nine. When the number of M toner cartridges is 10, the waste toner amount of the C toner cartridge is 140 g (= ¥ 14 g × 10), and when the number of M toner cartridges is 11, the waste toner amount of the C toner cartridge is 154 g (= 14g × 11))).

At this time, if the unused toners contained in the K and Y toner cartridges are reduced, and the respective toner cartridges are about to be replaced, the waste toner amount of the M toner cartridge is set to the waste toner amount of the K and Y toner cartridges. It is necessary to add. Then
140 g + 7.44 g + 1.79 g <150 g (waste toner capacity)
Is filled when there are ten M toner cartridges. Accordingly, the reference number of replacement toner cartridges is 10 for each.

  The toner cartridge replacement reference number varies depending on the characteristics, use conditions, and use environment of the image forming apparatus, and therefore it is preferable to determine an appropriate value from each condition. Information regarding the waste toner capacity near full and the waste toner capacity full may be displayed on the operation panel of the image forming apparatus as the waste toner container replacement instruction notification means 206 or may be a personal computer (hereinafter “PC”) of the host apparatus. May be sent and displayed. At this time, as described above, there is a possibility that the waste toner storage amount full of the same color toner cartridge may occur although the unused toner of that color remains, as described above. It is preferable that another color toner cartridge empty, that is, notification of toner end is notified at the same time as the next occurrence.

  The NXx counted by the toner cartridge replacement number counter 202 is overwritten and held in the memory 205 in the waste toner container replacement control unit 200.

  On the other hand, instead of the toner cartridge information storage unit 33, a residual toner detection unit for detecting the residual toner is disposed in the toner cartridge, and after the residual toner amount is determined to be small by the residual toner detection unit, A configuration may be adopted in which the presence or absence of toner cartridge replacement is determined based on the determined change timing of the determination.

(Modification of Example 1)
FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus showing a modification of the image forming apparatus in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Elements common to those in FIG. ing.

  In the first embodiment, the waste toner container 32 for each color is provided in the toner cartridge 3 for each color. However, as shown in the modified example of FIG. 4, for example, the waste toner container 32 is provided only in a specific cartridge such as the toner cartridge 3K, and the waste toner container 32 for each color is not provided. Also good. That is, the waste toner container 32 is disposed only in the corresponding portion of the K toner cartridge, and the waste toner discharged from each color developing unit 2 is transported to the waste toner container 32 via the waste toner transport path 28. It is also good.

  In this modification, the toner cartridge reference conversion number for replacing the K toner cartridge is calculated according to the amount of waste toner conveyed to the waste toner container 32, that is, according to the first embodiment described above. The total amount of waste toner discharged from each color developing unit 2 and the capacity of the waste toner container 32 may be determined.

(Effect of Example 1)
According to the first embodiment, each waste toner container is determined by determining the replacement timing of the waste toner storage unit 32 of the toner cartridge 3 of the corresponding color according to how many toner cartridges 3 of the upstream color are replaced. This can be notified before 32 is full. In addition, the image forming apparatus can be reduced in size and cost can be achieved without providing waste toner amount detection means such as an optical sensor.

(Comparative example of Example 1)
In the conventional color electrophotographic printer, when the frequency of use of the most downstream developing unit is lower than that of the upstream side, unused toner remains in the toner cartridge of the most downstream developing unit. Even if the toner is filled with waste toner due to the reverse transfer of the developing unit, it cannot be quickly replaced with a new toner cartridge. However, in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the replacement timing of the waste toner storage chamber 32 of the toner cartridge 3 of the corresponding color is determined based on the number of replacement of the toner cartridge 3 of the upstream color. Before the chamber 32 is full, it can be replaced with a new toner cartridge 3.

(Configuration of Example 2)
Since the structural configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention is the same as that of the first exemplary embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a control mechanism in Embodiment 2 of the present invention.
The control unit 100 of the image forming apparatus main body 1 is provided with a print dot number counter 101 that counts the number of printed print dots in addition to the first embodiment. In addition, a waste toner container replacement determination unit 203 as a waste developer storage amount determination unit calculates a waste toner capacity in the waste toner storage unit and determines whether or not to replace the waste toner container 32. It has become. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

(Operation of Example 2)
The amount of waste toner collected as waste toner by the cleaning device 26 of each developing unit 2 can be expressed as the sum of the amount of waste toner due to reverse transfer described in the first embodiment and the amount of waste toner remaining in the developing unit. it can.

  Actually, assuming that the amount of toner used for image formation is 100%, the amount of toner transferred to the transfer medium is about 90%, and the remaining amount is about 10%. The ratio between the amount of toner used for image formation and the amount of toner transferred to a transfer medium as a recording medium is referred to as “transfer efficiency”. In this case, the transfer efficiency is 90%. In the description of the second embodiment, all the four color development units are treated as having a transfer efficiency of 90%.

  The amount of waste toner based on the sum of the above-described reverse transfer toner and transfer residual toner is as follows when considered in the order of arrangement of the development units of the respective colors.

  That is, the amount of waste toner in the developing unit 2 for K toner is equal to the amount of K toner remaining on the photosensitive member 21 without being transferred to the recording medium because there is no reverse transfer of toner. In Example 2, the transfer efficiency is 90%, so the residual toner is 10%. Therefore, the waste toner amount of the developing unit 2 in K toner is 10% of the toner amount used for image formation.

The amount of waste toner of the developing unit 2 with Y toner is equal to the sum of the amount of residual Y toner and the amount of K toner transferred in reverse. As described above, the reverse transfer efficiency decreases every time the reverse transfer is performed, ie, 7% → 4% → 1%. However, the K toner is reversely transferred for the first time on the photoreceptor 21 of the developing unit 2 for Y toner. Reverse transfer efficiency is 7%. Therefore, the amount of K toner to be reversely transferred is
Amount of K toner on recording medium × reverse transfer efficiency = 0.9 (90%) × 7% = 6.3%
It becomes. Therefore, the amount of waste toner in the development unit 2 of Y toner = the amount of residual Y toner + the amount of K toner to be reversely transferred
= 10% + 6.3% = 16.3%
It becomes.

The amount of waste toner in the developing unit 2 for M toner is equal to the sum of the amount of residual M toner, the amount of Y toner transferred in reverse, and the amount of K toner transferred in reverse. Since Y toner is reversely transferred for the first time, its reverse transfer efficiency is 7%. Since the K toner is the second reverse transfer, the reverse transfer efficiency is 4%. Therefore, the amount of Y toner reversely transferred is
Y toner amount on recording medium × reverse transfer efficiency = 0.9 × 7% = 6.3%
The amount of K toner reversely transferred is the amount of K toner on the recording medium × reverse transfer efficiency = ((0.9−0.063) × 4% = 3.3%.
It is. Therefore, the amount of waste toner in the developing unit 2 for M toner = the amount of residual magenta toner + the amount of Y toner to be reversely transferred
+ Reverse transfer amount of K toner = 10% + 6.3% + 3.3% = 19.6%
It becomes.

The amount of waste toner in the developing unit for C toner is the sum of the amount of residual C toner, the amount of reversely transferred M toner, the amount of reversely transferred Y toner, and the amount of reversely transferred K toner. be equivalent to. Since the M toner is reversely transferred for the first time, the reverse transfer efficiency is 7%. Since the Y toner is the second reverse transfer, the reverse transfer efficiency is 4%. Since the K toner is the third reverse transfer, the reverse transfer efficiency is 1%. Therefore, the amount of M toner reversely transferred is
Amount of M toner on recording medium × reverse transfer efficiency = 0.9 × 7% = 6.3%
The amount of Y toner reversely transferred is
Amount of Y toner on recording medium × reverse transfer efficiency = (0.9−0.063) × 4% = 3.3%
The amount of K toner that is reversely transferred is
Amount of K toner on recording medium × reverse transfer efficiency = (0.9−0.063−0.033)
× 1% = 0.8%
It is. Therefore, the amount of waste toner in the C toner developing unit = the amount of residual cyan toner + the amount of M toner to be reversely transferred
+ Amount of Y toner for reverse transfer + Amount of K toner for reverse transfer
= 10% + 6.3% + 3.3% + 0.8% = 20.5%
It becomes.

  Table 1 shows the amount of waste toner of each developing unit 2 obtained by the above calculation together with the amount of waste toner of each developing unit 2 actually measured. It can be seen that the calculated value and the actually measured value almost coincide.

In the above description, the amount of residual toner for each color is included in the calculation of the amount of waste toner. This is the case when image formation is performed using the same amount of toner for all four colors. The amount of waste toner remaining in the waste toner container 32 is shown. In general image formation, printing is often performed without using a certain color. Therefore, when the amount of residual toner for transfer of each color is excluded, the waste toner container 32 for each color is upstream. The maximum amount of waste toner affected by the other color developing unit 2 is expressed as follows.
K toner: 0%
Y toner: 6.3%
M toner: 9.6%
C toner: 10.5%

This indicates that, for example, even when C toner is not used at all, when 100 g of K, Y, and M toners are used, 10.5 g of waste toner of the C developing unit 2 is accumulated. Since the toner cartridge 3 enclosing a predetermined amount of unused toner can be replaced as described above, when only a large number of K, Y, and M toner cartridges 3 are used, the C waste toner container 32 becomes full. Can be easily understood.

  In the second embodiment, the waste toner storage amount of the waste toner storage unit 32 of the corresponding color is calculated based on how many toner cartridges 3 of the color upstream of the transfer cartridge transport direction from the corresponding color toner cartridge are replaced. Thus, the replacement timing of the waste toner container 32 is determined. Further, since the reverse transfer amount decreases sequentially from the upstream color from 7% → 4% → 1%, the waste toner in the waste toner container 32 of the corresponding color depends on how many toner cartridges 3 are replaced. Calculate the capacity. In other words, the specific amount of waste toner is calculated by weighting the number of toner cartridges to be replaced for each color.

  In the second embodiment, the replacement of the waste toner storage unit 32 refers to replacement of the toner cartridge 3 including the waste toner storage unit 32. When the waste toner storage unit 32 is replaced, the corresponding waste toner storage amount is reset, and a new waste toner amount calculation starts from there.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the second embodiment of the present invention .

  A method of calculating the amount of waste toner in the waste toner storage unit 32 and the operation until the replacement instruction of the waste toner storage unit 32 is notified will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the first embodiment, for the sake of simplification of description, when a toner cartridge is replaced, it is always replaced with a new one (a full toner cartridge). In the second embodiment, description will be made on the assumption that the toner cartridge may be replaced with a used toner cartridge that has been used halfway. The waste toner amount calculation formula is shown assuming that the unused toner full filling amount of a new toner cartridge is 100 g for each color.

  First, in step S21, in response to an operation (step S20) when the power of the image forming apparatus is turned on or the apparatus main body cover is closed, the waste toner container replacement control unit 200 performs toner for each color. From the toner cartridge information storage unit 33 in the cartridge 3, the serial number of the toner cartridge and the existing waste toner amount Wx0 in the waste toner container (where x = K, Y, M, C waste in each color toner cartridge replaced) Toner amount (g)) is read, and the process proceeds to step S22. In the case of a new toner cartridge, Wx0 = 0.

  In step S22, the toner cartridge replacement determination unit 201 reads the serial number of the toner cartridge read and the serial number of the toner cartridge that has been attached to the image forming apparatus main body 1 and held in the memory 205 before step S20 for each color. It is compared, and it is determined whether or not the toner cartridge is replaced depending on whether the serial numbers are the same. When the replacement is present (Y), the process proceeds to the staple S23, and when the replacement is not performed (N), the process proceeds to step S26.

  In step S23, the waste toner container replacement control unit 200 rewrites the serial number of the toner cartridge in the memory 205, and proceeds to step S24. In step S24, regarding the replaced toner cartridge, the count value NXx [where N = number, X = K, Y, M (replaced color), x = y, m, c ( The attached symbol)] is incremented (NXx + 1), and the process proceeds to step S25. In step S25, after clearing the variables Tx (x = k, y, m, c used toner amount (g) from power-on of each color) and NXx used for the calculation of the waste toner amount of the replaced color toner cartridge The process proceeds to step S26.

In steps S26, S27, and S29, the waste toner container replacement determination unit 203 operates. In step S26, the amount of waste toner for each color is calculated based on the following equation, and the process proceeds to step S27.
WK = Wk0 + 0.1Tk
Wy = Wy0 + 0.1Ty + 6.3NKy
Wm = Wm0 + 0.1Tm + 6.3NYm + 3.3NKm
Wc = Wc0 + 0.1Tc + 6.3NMc + 3.3NYc + 0.8NKc
However, x = K, Y, M, C in Wx, amount of toner used from power-on (g)

  Here, the toner amount Tx used for each color is obtained by a print dot number counter 101 that cumulatively counts the number of print dots required for printing by the toner cartridge, and after the toner cartridge is replaced, or the main body of the image forming apparatus The cumulative number of print dots from the moment when the power is turned on.

  In step S27, the waste toner amount Wx of each color is compared with a predetermined waste toner amount reference value Wf based on the calculation result of step S26. For example, the waste toner amount Wx of each color is 90% of the waste toner amount reference value wf. When% has been reached (Wx ≧ 0.9Wf), the process proceeds to step S28. Otherwise (Wx <0.9Wf), the process proceeds to step S29. In step S28, the waste toner container replacement instruction unit 204 transmits information about the waste toner storage amount near notification to the waste toner container replacement instruction notification unit 206, and the process proceeds to step S29.

  In step S29, for example, when the waste toner amount Wx of each color has reached 100% of the waste toner amount reference value wf (Wx ≧ 9Wf), the process proceeds to step S30, and otherwise (Wx <Wf), the process ends. To do. In step S <b> 30, the waste toner container replacement instruction unit 204 transmits information of a waste toner storage amount full (full filling) notification to the waste toner container replacement instruction notification unit 206, and the process ends.

  The waste toner storage amount near full or full (full filling) waste toner container replacement instruction notification means 206 may be displayed on the operation panel of the image forming apparatus or on the PC of the host apparatus. At this time, as described above, there is a possibility that the full waste toner storage amount of the toner cartridge of the same color may occur even though unused toner of that color still remains, as described above. Therefore, it is preferable to notify at the same time that the other color toner cartridge empty (no unused residual toner) occurs.

  The steps from S26 to S30 are periodically performed. For example, the calculation of the waste toner, the comparison determination, and the notification are repeated in units of every 10 printing operations or every job of the printing operation. To do. Further, Wx (x = k, y, m, c) calculated by the waste toner container replacement control unit 200 for each regular operation is set as Wx0 (where x = k, y, m, c). Each time, the toner cartridge information storage unit 33 in each toner cartridge 3 is overwritten and held, and NXx and Tx are overwritten and held in the memory 205 in the waste toner container replacement control unit 200.

(Modification of Example 2)
In the second embodiment, the waste toner container 32 for each color is provided in the toner cartridge 3 for each color. However, as in the first embodiment, each waste toner container 32 may be provided outside each toner cartridge 3, and it is not necessary to provide the waste toner container 32 for each color. Even in this modification, it is possible to calculate the amount of waste toner based on the transfer residual and reverse transfer described above.

(Effect of Example 2)
According to the second embodiment, the amount of waste toner of the developing unit 2 for each color is calculated based on the reverse transfer amount obtained from the number of exchanged toner cartridges 3 for each color and the transfer remaining amount for each color. This can be notified before each waste toner container 32 serving as a toner storage chamber is full.

  Further, by storing the amount of waste toner stored in the toner cartridge information storage unit 33 inside the toner cartridge 3, even when the used toner cartridge is replaced halfway, the amount of waste toner can be managed continuously. .

(Other variations of Examples 1 and 2)
In the first and second embodiments, the image forming apparatus is described as a color electrophotographic printer. However, the present invention is also applicable to an image forming apparatus such as a facsimile machine, a copying machine, and a complex machine (MFP) having them in combination. it can.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus main body 2 Developing unit 3 Toner cartridge 4 Transfer unit 5 LED head 6 Paper feed set 7 Fixing unit 21 Photoconductor 22 Charging roller 23 Developing roller 24 Developing blade 25 Toner transport roller 26 Cleaning blade 31 Supply toner storage unit 32 Waste Toner storage unit 33 Toner cartridge information storage unit 200 Waste toner container replacement control unit 201 Toner cartridge replacement determination unit 202 Toner cartridge replacement number counter 203 Waste toner container replacement determination unit 204 Waste toner container replacement instruction unit 205 Memory 206 Waste toner Container replacement instruction notification means

Claims (11)

A replaceable developer container for storing a predetermined amount of developer;
An image carrier that carries a developer image formed by the developer;
A developer recovery unit that recovers the developer remaining on the image carrier as a waste developer;
A waste developer container for storing the waste developer;
A waste developer container replacement control unit for controlling an instruction to replace the waste developer container;
Replacement notification means for notifying the replacement instruction of the waste developer container from the waste developer container replacement control unit,
The waste developer container replacement controller is
A replacement determination unit for determining replacement of the developer container;
Counts the number of replacements of the developer container arranged on the upstream side of the transfer process, in which the developer image carried on the image carrier is transferred to a transfer medium rather than the target developer container. An exchange counting unit to
An exchange number determination unit for determining whether the exchange number has reached a predetermined number;
When the number of exchanges is the number of exchanges determination unit determines that reaches the predetermined number of times, an image; and a notification instruction unit for instructing the notification of exchange of the waste developer storage units in the exchange notification means Forming equipment. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a transfer unit that conveys the transfer medium and transfers the developer image carried on the image carrier to the transfer medium.
The image forming apparatus, wherein the transfer unit is disposed at a position in contact with the image carrier. The developer container, the image carrier, and the developer recovery unit form a developer image forming unit,
Wherein the image forming apparatus, an image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 wherein, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of the developer image formation unit.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the developer container and the waste developer container are integrally formed. The image forming apparatus includes:
A plurality of developer image forming sections;
One said waste developer container;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 3 , further comprising: a waste developer transport path that transports the waste developer from each developer image forming unit to the waste developer container. The exchange determining unit
A developer container replacement determination unit for determining replacement of the developer container;
The notification instruction unit includes:
When the developer container replacement determination unit determines that the developer in at least one of the plurality of developer image forming units has been consumed, the replacement notification unit notifies the waste development unit. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein an instruction to replace the agent storage container is instructed. The waste developer container replacement controller is
In place of the replacement number determination unit, a waste developer storage amount determination unit that determines whether or not the waste developer storage amount obtained from the replacement number of the developer container has reached a predetermined amount,
The notification instruction unit includes:
Wherein the waste developer storage amount wherein the waste developer storage amount determining unit has reached the predetermined amount is determined, according to, wherein instructing the notification of exchange of the waste developer storage units in the exchange notification means Item 6. The image forming apparatus according to any one of Items 3 to 5 .   The determination of the waste developer storage amount by the waste developer storage amount determination unit is performed by assigning a weight to the number of times each developer container is replaced depending on the arrangement positions of the plurality of types of developer containers. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein:   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the waste developer storage unit includes a storage unit that stores, as data, a storage amount of the waste developer stored therein. The developer is toner;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image carrier is a photoconductor.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the developer recovery unit is a cleaning device or a cleaning blade.

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