JP6160242B2 - Fault diagnosis apparatus, image forming apparatus, and fault diagnosis system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a failure diagnosis apparatus, an image forming apparatus, and a failure diagnosis system.

  In recent years, in an image forming apparatus, in order to realize high image quality and high operational stability, functions mounted on the apparatus have become complicated. As one of functions installed in an image forming apparatus, attention has been paid to functions relating to preventive maintenance and failure diagnosis of the apparatus, and the following techniques have already been proposed (Patent Documents 1, 2, etc.).

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-133867 determines that the recovery from the trouble state to the normal state is made by actually ejecting the sheet from the image forming apparatus, and prevents the unnecessary trouble recovery due to the same trouble from being performed. A first determination unit for determining a failure state, a second determination unit for determining paper discharge, and a third determination unit for determining recovery from the results of the first and second determination units to a normal state; When the first determination means determines that there is a failure, the failure information is transmitted to the remote centralized management means, and then the failure information is prohibited from being transmitted until the third determination means determines that the normal state has been restored. It is.

  Patent Document 2 automates service information collection, failure prediction and serviceman dispatch request for each image forming apparatus used in a wide area including a large number of service bases, and promptly before a fatal failure occurs. For the purpose of enabling accurate treatments efficiently, the image forming device and the management device are connected via a communication line. In the image forming device, it is possible to detect the occurrence of an abnormal event and determine the type, and the number of occurrences. When the number of abnormal events reaches the specified number, the count information is sent to the management device via the communication line. The management device calculates and analyzes the increment value from the count information received multiple times. By doing so, a failure is determined.

Japanese Patent No. 2963955 Japanese Patent No. 3442174

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a failure diagnosis device, an image forming apparatus, and a failure diagnosis system capable of suppressing the amount of information collected for diagnosing a failure.

The invention described in claim 1 is a collecting means for collecting diagnostic information for diagnosing a failure occurrence state based on information output from a diagnosis target device and storing the collected diagnostic information in a storage unit ;
Generating means for generating a collection permission signal for permitting collection of the diagnostic information by the collecting means and storage in the storage unit when information output from the diagnosis target device transitions to a predetermined state;
A failure diagnosis apparatus comprising: prohibiting means for prohibiting regeneration of the collection permission signal by the generating means until a collection permission condition is satisfied after the collection permission signal is generated.

The invention described in claim 2, wherein reacquisition permission condition, to claim 1, characterized in that the transition to the predetermined state a number of times predetermined after the acquisition permission signal is generated It is a failure diagnostic apparatus of description .

  The invention described in claim 3 is the failure diagnosis apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the diagnosis information includes information indicating a severity of a failure of the diagnosis target apparatus.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium;
Failure diagnosis means for collecting diagnosis information for diagnosing a failure of a diagnosis target device constituting the image forming means;
With
An image forming apparatus using the failure diagnosis device according to claim 1 as the failure diagnosis unit.

The invention described in claim 5 is an image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium;
A collecting unit that collects diagnostic information for diagnosing the occurrence state of a failure based on information output from a diagnosis target apparatus constituting the image forming unit, and stores the collected diagnostic information in a storage unit ;
Generating means for generating a collection permission signal for permitting collection of the diagnostic information by the collecting means and storage in the storage unit when information output from the diagnosis target device transitions to a predetermined state;
Prohibiting means for prohibiting regeneration of the collection permission signal by the generating means until a collection permission condition is satisfied after the collection permission signal is generated;
Transmitting means for transmitting diagnostic information collected by the collecting means;
An image forming apparatus comprising:
Receiving means for receiving diagnostic information transmitted from the image forming apparatus;
Diagnosing means for diagnosing a failure of the diagnostic target device based on diagnostic information received by the receiving means;
A failure diagnosis system comprising: a management device comprising:

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the amount of information for diagnosing a failure can be suppressed as compared with the case where the configuration is not provided.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to determine the seriousness of the failure of the diagnosis target apparatus as compared with the case where the configuration is not provided .

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to determine the seriousness of the failure of the diagnosis target apparatus as compared with the case where the configuration is not provided.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the amount of information for diagnosing a failure of the image forming apparatus can be suppressed as compared with the case where the configuration is not provided.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the amount of information for diagnosing a failure of the image forming apparatus can be suppressed as compared with the case where the configuration is not provided.

  According to the invention described in claim 6, it is possible to perform centralized management by the management apparatus while suppressing the amount of information for diagnosing a failure of the image forming apparatus as compared with the case without the configuration. It becomes.

1 is a configuration diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus to which a failure diagnosis apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention is applied. It is a cross-sectional block diagram which shows a developing device. It is a block diagram which shows the principal part of the image forming apparatus to which the failure diagnosis apparatus based on Embodiment 1 of this invention is applied. It is a block diagram which shows the control circuit of the image forming apparatus to which the failure diagnosis apparatus concerning Embodiment 1 of this invention is applied. 4 is a timing chart showing the operation of the image forming apparatus to which the failure diagnosis apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention is applied. It is a timing chart which shows each operation | movement of the image forming apparatus to which the failure diagnosis apparatus based on Embodiment 2 of this invention is applied. It is a timing chart which shows each operation | movement of the image forming apparatus to which the failure diagnosis apparatus based on Embodiment 3 of this invention is applied. It is a block diagram which shows the failure diagnosis system which concerns on Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the control circuit of the image forming apparatus to which the failure diagnosis apparatus based on Embodiment 4 of this invention is applied. It is a graph which shows operation | movement of the failure diagnosis system which concerns on Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is a graph which shows operation | movement of the failure diagnosis system which concerns on Embodiment 4 of this invention.

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

[Embodiment 1]
FIG. 1 shows an overview of the entire image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment.

<Overall Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus>
The image forming apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment is configured as a color printer, for example. The image forming apparatus 1 includes an image forming unit 107 as an example of an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium based on image data. The image forming unit 107 holds a plurality of image forming apparatuses 10 that form toner images developed with toner constituting the developer and the toner images formed by the respective image forming apparatuses 10 and finally records them. An intermediate transfer device 20 that transports to a secondary transfer position for secondary transfer to a recording paper 5 as an example of a medium, and a required recording paper 5 to be supplied to the secondary transfer position of the intermediate transfer device 20 are accommodated and transported. A sheet feeding device 50 and a fixing device 40 for fixing the toner image on the recording paper 5 secondarily transferred by the intermediate transfer device 20 are provided. Note that the image forming unit 107 may include one image forming device 10.

  For example, the image forming apparatus 1 can be configured as a color copying machine when an image reading device (not shown) that inputs a document image to be formed on the recording paper 5 is additionally provided. . In the drawing, 1a represents a housing of the image forming apparatus, and the housing 1a is formed of a support structure member, an exterior cover, and the like.

  The image forming device 10 includes four image forming devices 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K that respectively form four color toner images exclusively for yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). It is configured. The four image forming devices 10 (Y, M, C, K) are arranged in a line in the internal space of the housing 1a.

  As shown in FIG. 1, each image forming device 10 (Y, M, C, K) includes a photosensitive drum 11 as an example of a rotating image holding member, and around the photosensitive drum 11. The following devices are mainly arranged. The main devices are a charging device 12 that charges a peripheral surface (image holding surface) on the photosensitive drum 11 on which an image can be formed to a required potential, and image information (on the charged peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 11). The exposure device 13 as an electrostatic latent image forming unit that irradiates the light LB based on the signal) to form an electrostatic latent image (for each color) having a potential difference, and the corresponding electrostatic image (Y, A developing device 14 (Y, M, C, K) as developing means for developing a toner image by developing with toner of a developer of M, C, K), and a primary for transferring each toner image to the intermediate transfer device 20 A transfer device 15 and a drum cleaning device 16 that removes and removes adherents such as toner remaining on the image holding surface of the photosensitive drum 11 after the primary transfer.

  The photosensitive drum 11 is formed by forming an image holding surface having a photoconductive layer (photosensitive layer) made of a photosensitive material on the peripheral surface of a cylindrical or columnar base material to be grounded. The photosensitive drum 11 is supported so as to rotate in a direction indicated by an arrow A when power is transmitted from a rotation driving device (not shown).

  The charging device 12 includes a contact-type charging roll that is disposed in contact with the photosensitive drum 11. A charging voltage is supplied to the charging device 12. As the charging voltage, when the developing device 14 performs reversal development, a voltage or current having the same polarity as the charging polarity of the toner supplied from the developing device 14 is supplied.

  The exposure device 13 forms an electrostatic latent image by irradiating the charged surface of the photosensitive drum 11 with light LB configured according to image information input to the image forming device 1. To do. When the latent image is formed, the exposure device 13 receives information (signal) of an image input to the image forming device 1 by an arbitrary means and subjected to image processing by the image processing unit.

  As shown in FIG. 2, each of the developing devices 14 (Y, M, C, K) puts the developer 4 inside the housing 140 in which the opening 141 and the developer chamber 4 are formed. A developing roll 143 that holds and conveys the developer roll 143 to a developing area facing the photosensitive drum 11; agitating and conveying members 144 and 145 such as two screw augers that convey the developer 4 to be supplied to the developing roll 143 while stirring; A layer thickness regulating member 146 that regulates the amount (layer thickness) of the developer held on the roll 143 is arranged. A developing bias voltage is supplied to the developing device 14 between the developing roll 143 and the photosensitive drum 11 from a power supply device described later. Further, the developing roll 143 and the agitating / conveying members 144 and 145 are rotated in a required direction by receiving power from a rotation driving device (not shown). As the four-color developer 4 (Y, M, C, K), for example, a two-component developer containing a non-magnetic toner and a magnetic carrier is used.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 147 (Y, M, C, K) denotes a developer storage container that stores a developer containing at least toner to be supplied to the corresponding developing device 14 (Y, M, C, K). Each toner cartridge is shown.

  The primary transfer device 15 is a contact-type transfer device including a primary transfer roll that rotates in contact with the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 11 and is supplied with a primary transfer voltage. As the primary transfer voltage, a DC voltage having a polarity opposite to the charging polarity of the toner is supplied from a power supply device (not shown).

  The drum cleaning device 16 is disposed so as to come into contact with the container-shaped main body, which is partially open, and the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 11 after the primary transfer at a required pressure, and removes adhered matters such as residual toner to clean the drum. And a collecting device for collecting deposits removed by the cleaning plate.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the intermediate transfer device 20 is disposed so as to exist at a position above each image forming device 10 (Y, M, C, K). The intermediate transfer device 20 includes an intermediate transfer belt 21 that rotates in a direction indicated by an arrow B while passing a primary transfer position between the photosensitive drum 11 and the primary transfer device 15 (primary transfer roll), and an intermediate transfer belt 21. Are arranged on the outer peripheral surface (image holding surface) side of the intermediate transfer belt 21 supported by the belt support rolls 23 and a plurality of belt support rolls 22 to 26 that hold the belt in a desired state from the inner surface thereof and are rotatably supported. A secondary transfer device 30 for secondary transfer of the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 21 to the recording paper 5, and a toner that remains and adheres to the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 21 after passing through the secondary transfer device 30; The belt cleaning device 27 mainly removes the adhering matter such as paper dust and cleans it.

  As the intermediate transfer belt 21, for example, an endless belt made of a material in which a resistance adjusting agent such as carbon black is dispersed in a synthetic resin such as polyimide resin or polyamide resin is used. The belt support roll 22 is configured as a drive roll, the belt support roll 23 is configured as a secondary transfer backup roll, the belt support roll 24 is configured as a tension applying roll, and the belt support rolls 25 and 26 are intermediate transfer belts. It is comprised as a driven roll holding 21 running positions. The belt support roll 25 also functions as a positioning roll for positioning the intermediate transfer belt 21 when detecting the density of a toner image transferred to the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 21 by an image density sensor described later.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the secondary transfer device 30 is configured to move the intermediate transfer belt 21 at a secondary transfer position that is an outer peripheral surface portion of the intermediate transfer belt 21 supported by the belt support roll 23 in the intermediate transfer device 20. The contact type transfer device includes a secondary transfer roll 31 that rotates in contact with a peripheral surface and is supplied with a secondary transfer voltage. Further, a DC voltage having a polarity opposite to or the same as the charging polarity of the toner is supplied as a secondary transfer voltage to the secondary transfer roll 31 or the support roll 23 of the intermediate transfer device 20.

  The fixing device 40 is in contact with a rotating rotator 41 in the form of a roll or belt heated by heating means so that the surface temperature is maintained at a predetermined temperature, and the rotating rotator 41 for heating at a required pressure. And a pressurizing rotator 42 in the form of a roll or a belt that rotates. In the fixing device 40, a contact portion where the heating rotator 41 and the pressing rotator 42 come into contact becomes a fixing processing unit that performs a required fixing process (heating and pressing). A paper discharge roll 43 for discharging the recording paper 5 subjected to the fixing process is disposed on the downstream side of the fixing device 40.

  The paper feeding device 50 is disposed so as to exist at a position below the exposure device 13. The paper feeding device 50 is a single (or plural) paper container 51 that accommodates recording papers 5 of a desired size and type, and sends out the recording paper 5 from the paper container 51 one by one. It is mainly composed of devices 52 and 53. The paper container 51 is attached, for example, so that it can be pulled out to the front surface (side surface that the user faces during operation) of the housing 1a.

  Between the paper feeding device 50 and the secondary transfer device 30, a plurality of paper conveyance roll pairs 54 and 55 and a conveyance guide material that convey the recording paper 5 delivered from the paper feeding device 50 to the secondary transfer position are configured. A paper feeding / conveying path 56 is provided. A pair of sheet conveyance rolls 55 disposed at a position immediately before the secondary transfer position in the sheet conveyance path 56 is configured as a roll (registration roll) that adjusts the conveyance timing of the recording sheet 5, for example. Further, on the downstream side of the fixing device 40 along the paper conveyance direction, a switching member (not shown) that switches the conveyance direction of the recording paper 5 conveyed by the paper discharge roll 43 and one of the conveyance directions by the switching member (left side in the figure). ), The first discharge roll pair 72 that discharges the recording paper 5 switched to the first discharge accommodating portion 71, and the recording paper 5 whose transport direction is switched to the other (right side in the figure) by the switching member. A second discharge roll pair 74 that discharges to the second discharge storage portion 73 is disposed.

  The image forming apparatus 1 includes a double-sided conveyance path 75 that conveys the recording sheet 5 on which an image is formed on one side to the pair of sheet conveyance rolls 55 again with the front and back sides reversed. The double-side conveyance path 75 includes a plurality of sheet conveyance roll pairs 76 and 77 and a conveyance guide material. Further, the image forming apparatus 1 is provided with a manual sheet feeding device 78 that feeds the recording paper 5 of a desired size and material one by one on the side surface of the housing 1a provided with the duplex conveyance path 75. Yes. Between the manual paper feeding device 78 and the paper conveyance roll pair 55, a manual conveyance path 80 composed of a paper conveyance roll pair 79 and a conveyance guide material is provided.

<Basic operation of image forming apparatus>
Hereinafter, a basic image forming operation by the image forming apparatus 1 will be described.

  Image formation when a full-color image formed by combining four color (Y, M, C, K) toner images using the four image forming devices 10 (Y, M, C, K) The operation will be described.

  When the image forming apparatus 1 receives command information for requesting an image forming operation (printing), the four image forming apparatuses 10 (Y, M, C, K), the intermediate transfer apparatus 20, the secondary transfer apparatus 30, and the fixing apparatus. 40 etc. starts.

  In each image forming device 10 (Y, M, C, K), each photoconductor drum 11 is first rotated in the direction indicated by an arrow A, and each charging device 12 makes a required surface of each photoconductor drum 11 on the surface. Each is charged to a polarity (negative polarity in the first embodiment) and a potential. Subsequently, the exposure apparatus 13 converts the image information input to the image forming apparatus 1 into each color component (Y, M, C, K) with respect to the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 after charging. The light LB emitted based on this signal is irradiated, and an electrostatic latent image of each color component composed of a required potential difference is formed on the surface thereof.

  Subsequently, each developing device 14 (Y, M, C, K) has a corresponding color charged with a required polarity (minus polarity) with respect to the electrostatic latent image of each color component formed on the photosensitive drum 11. (Y, M, C, K) toners are respectively supplied and electrostatically adhered to perform development. By this development, the electrostatic latent images of the respective color components formed on the respective photosensitive drums 11 are visualized as toner images of four colors (Y, M, C, K) respectively developed with the corresponding color toners. It becomes.

  Subsequently, when each color toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 11 of each image forming device 10 (Y, M, C, K) is conveyed to the primary transfer position, the primary transfer device 15 causes each color image. The toner image is primarily transferred in such a manner that the toner image is sequentially superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 21 rotating in the direction indicated by the arrow B of the intermediate transfer device 20.

  Further, in each image forming apparatus 10 for which the primary transfer has been completed, the drum cleaning device 16 cleans the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 by removing the adhering matter such as toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 so as to scrape off. . Thereby, each image forming apparatus 10 is brought into a state in which the next image forming operation can be performed.

  Subsequently, in the intermediate transfer device 20, the toner image primarily transferred by the rotation of the intermediate transfer belt 21 is held and conveyed to the secondary transfer position. On the other hand, the paper feeding device 50 sends out the required recording paper 5 to the paper feeding conveyance path 56 in accordance with the image forming operation. In the paper feed transport path 56, a pair of paper transport rolls 55 as registration rolls feeds the recording paper 5 to the secondary transfer position in accordance with the transfer timing.

  At the secondary transfer position, the secondary transfer device 30 collectively transfers the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 21 onto the recording paper 5. Further, in the intermediate transfer device 20 after the secondary transfer is completed, the belt cleaning device 27 removes adhered matters such as toner remaining on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 21 after the secondary transfer, and cleans it.

  Subsequently, the recording paper 5 on which the toner image is secondarily transferred is peeled off from the intermediate transfer belt 21 and the secondary transfer roll 31 and then conveyed to the fixing device 40. In the fixing device 40, a necessary fixing process (heating and pressing) is performed to fix the unfixed toner image on the paper 5. Finally, the recording paper 5 after the fixing is completed is, for example, a first paper set outside the housing 1a by a first discharge roll pair 72 or a second discharge roll pair 74 via a switching member (not shown). Are discharged to the second discharge container 73 or the second discharge container 73 disposed on the top of the housing 1a.

  When images are formed on both sides of the recording paper 5, the paper 5 on which an image is formed on one side is conveyed to the second discharge accommodating portion 73 by the second discharge roll pair 74, and the second discharge roll While the pair 73 holds the rear end of the sheet 5, the rotation direction of the second pair of discharge rollers 74 is switched from the discharge direction to the reverse direction, and the sheet 5 on which the image is formed on one side is turned upside down. In the inverted state, the sheet is sent to the double-sided conveyance path 75 by a switching member (not shown). In the double-sided conveyance path 75, the recording paper 5 is conveyed to the paper conveyance roll pair 55 by the conveyance roll pairs 76 and 77, and the paper conveyance roll pair 55 sends the recording paper 5 to the secondary transfer position in accordance with the transfer timing to be supplied. To do.

  As in the case of single-sided image formation, the recording paper 5 on which the toner image is secondarily transferred from the intermediate transfer belt 21 to the back surface at the secondary transfer position is subjected to a fixing process by the fixing device 40 and is then switched (not shown). By the first discharge roll pair 72 or the second discharge roll pair 73 via the member, the first discharge accommodating portion 71 installed on the outside of the housing 1a or the second disposed in the upper portion of the housing 1a. It is discharged into the discharge container 74.

  Through the above operation, the recording paper 5 on which a full color image formed by combining four color toner images is output. When a monochrome image is formed, the image is formed only by the black image forming device 10K.

  By the way, in the image forming apparatus 1 configured as described above, each developing device 14 (Y, M, C, K) develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 11, thereby The toner in the developing device 14 is consumed. Therefore, each developing device 14 is configured to replenish toner at a required timing from a toner cartridge 147 serving as a developer storage container by a toner replenishing device serving as a conveying unit described later.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a main part of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment.

  The toner replenishing device 90 (Y, M, C, K) is disposed below the toner cartridge 147 and includes a storage member 91 including a storage tank that temporarily stores toner supplied from the toner cartridge 147, and a storage member. A conveying member 92 including a screw auger and a conveying pipe for conveying toner temporarily stored in 91 to the developing device 14 is provided. The toner cartridge 147 has an agitating and conveying member (not shown) that conveys the toner stored therein to an outlet (not shown) while agitating the toner. The toner replenishing device 90 and the toner cartridge 147 are driven by a toner replenishing motor 93 as driving means. The toner replenishing device 90 (Y, M, C, K) may be configured to replenish toner directly from the toner cartridge 147 to the developing device 14 without providing the storage member 91.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, each developing device 14 includes a toner concentration sensor 148 as a diagnosis target device that detects the toner concentration of the developer 4 accommodated therein. As the toner concentration sensor 148, for example, a sensor that detects the toner concentration in the developer 4 by measuring the magnetic permeability of the developer 4 is used.

  The toner supply device 90 includes a toner empty detection sensor 151 that detects the presence or absence of toner in the storage member 91. Further, on the outer periphery of the intermediate transfer belt 21, a toner image 152 for image density detection (a so-called “toner patch”) is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 21 at a predetermined timing on the downstream side of the black image forming device 10K. The image density sensor 153 for detecting the density of “]” is disposed.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the image forming apparatus 1 configured as described above includes a toner density sensor as a detection unit (an example of a diagnosis target apparatus) that detects operation states of various apparatuses constituting the image forming apparatus 1. 148, a toner empty detection sensor 151, an image density sensor 153, and the like.

  By the way, this embodiment has a failure diagnosis device that diagnoses failures of the toner density sensor 148, the toner empty detection sensor 151, the image density sensor 153, and the like as detection means (an example of a diagnosis target device).

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a control circuit of the image forming apparatus to which the failure diagnosis apparatus according to the first embodiment is applied.

  In FIG. 4, reference numeral 101 denotes a control unit as a control unit that controls the overall operation of the image forming apparatus 1, and the control unit 101 has a function as a controller. A storage unit 102 includes a ROM, a RAM, and the like that store programs, parameters, tables, data, and the like for controlling the operation of the image forming apparatus 1. Note that the control unit 101 also has a function as a time unit for measuring the date and time, and a function as a counting unit for cumulatively counting the number of recording sheets 5 on which images are formed by the image forming apparatus 1.

  A message 103 prompts the user who uses the image forming apparatus 1 to input the image forming conditions such as the size of the recording paper 5, the number of prints, monochrome, and full color, and to call the service engineer to the user. The operation display part which consists of a user interface etc. provided with the display part which displays etc. is shown.

  Reference numeral 104 denotes an image reading unit that reads an image of an original when the image forming apparatus 1 functions as a color copying machine. Reference numeral 105 denotes image information (data) read by the image reading unit 104 or sent from the outside temporarily. An image storage unit to be stored 106 is an image processing unit that performs required image processing on the image data stored in the image storage unit 105, and 107 is based on image data that has been subjected to required image processing by the image processing unit 106. 2 shows an image forming unit as an image forming unit that performs an image forming (printing) operation for forming an image on the recording medium 5.

  Further, the control unit 101 collects diagnostic information for diagnosing the occurrence state of the failure based on information output from the diagnosis target device, and the information output from the diagnosis target device transitions to a predetermined state. A generation means for generating a collection permission signal that permits collection of diagnostic information by the collection means, and a regeneration permission of the collection permission signal by the generation means is prohibited until a recollection permission condition is satisfied after the collection permission signal is generated. It also functions as a prohibition means.

  More specifically, the control unit 101 functions as a collecting unit that collects diagnostic information for diagnosing a failure occurrence state based on information output from the toner density sensor 148. Further, the control unit 101 generates a diagnostic trigger Tr as a collection permission signal that permits collection of diagnostic information by the collecting means when the diagnostic information of the toner density sensor 148 transitions to a predetermined state. Further, the control unit 101 functions as a prohibiting unit that prohibits regeneration of the collection permission signal by the generating unit until the recollection permission condition is satisfied after the diagnostic trigger Tr is generated.

  Here, as the recollection permission condition, for example, that a predetermined time has elapsed since the generation of the diagnostic trigger, that a predetermined number of recording sheets have been output since the generation of the diagnostic trigger, Alternatively, a condition such as detecting that the output from the toner density sensor has changed to a required state a predetermined number of times after the generation of the diagnostic trigger can be given.

<Operation of Characteristic Part of Image Forming Apparatus>
Hereinafter, the operation of the characteristic part of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described.

  For example, when the power of the apparatus is turned on, the image forming apparatus 1 includes various devices such as a charging device 12, a developing device 14, and a fixing device 40 that constitute the image forming apparatus 1 in parallel with the image forming operation. An operation of collecting information for diagnosing whether or not the detection means for detecting the operation state is operating normally is executed.

  As shown in FIG. 5B, the control unit 101 identifies whether the output value output from the toner density sensor 148 is a normal range (OK) or an abnormal range (NG) stored in the storage unit 102, for example. Monitoring is constantly performed based on the first and second thresholds, and the diagnostic trigger Tr is set according to how the output value of the toner density sensor 148 transitions between the normal range (OK) and the abnormal range (NG). The necessity of generation is determined. Here, the diagnosis trigger means flag information that triggers collection of various types of information on the diagnosis target apparatus in order to perform failure diagnosis of the diagnosis target apparatus of the image forming apparatus 1. The control unit 101 determines that the output value from the toner density sensor 148 is in the normal range (OK) when the output value from the toner density sensor 148 is equal to or greater than the first threshold and equal to or less than the second threshold, and the output value from the toner density sensor 148 is When it is less than the first threshold value or exceeds the second threshold value, it is determined to be an abnormal range (NG).

  Then, as shown in FIG. 5A, the control unit 101 basically detects that the output value of the toner density sensor 148 has transitioned from the normal range (OK) to the abnormal range (NG). In response to this, a diagnostic trigger Tr is generated. When generating the diagnostic trigger Tr, the control unit 101 collects diagnostic information related to the output value of the toner density sensor 148 in synchronization with the generation of the diagnostic trigger Tr and stores it in a predetermined area of the storage unit 102. . Here, as the diagnostic information, the output value of the toner density sensor 148 when the transition from the normal range (OK) to the abnormal range (NG), the abnormal information indicating that the output value is the abnormal range (NG), the diagnosis Time information when the trigger Tr is generated, time information when transitioning from the normal range (OK) to the abnormal range (NG), the operating status of the image forming apparatus 1 (whether the developing device 14 is operating, etc.) And information for diagnosing the operation state of the toner density sensor 148 such as the number of prints.

  Further, when the output value of the toner density sensor 148 is continuously in the abnormal range (NG) after transitioning from the normal range (OK) to the abnormal range (NG), the control unit 101 temporarily transitions to the normal range (OK). The diagnostic trigger Tr is not generated unless the normal range (OK) is changed to the abnormal range (NG). Furthermore, the control unit 101 prohibits the regeneration of the diagnostic trigger Tr until the recollection permission condition is satisfied after the diagnostic trigger Tr is generated.

  Here, the recollection permission condition includes that a predetermined time has elapsed since the generation of the diagnostic trigger Tr, that an image has been formed on a predetermined number of recording sheets 5, and a toner density sensor. For example, the number of detections by 148 has reached a predetermined number. In the present embodiment, the recollection permission condition is that a predetermined time has elapsed since the generation of the diagnostic trigger.

  After the output value of the toner density sensor 148 has changed from the normal range (OK) to the abnormal range (NG) and the diagnostic trigger Tr has been generated, the control unit 101 has passed a predetermined time as a recollection permission condition. Before the elapse of a predetermined time, as shown in FIG. 5B, the output value of the toner density sensor 148 changes from the normal range (OK) to the abnormal range (NG). Even in the case of transition, the generation of the diagnostic trigger Tr is prohibited. On the other hand, after the elapse of a predetermined time, the generation of the diagnostic trigger Tr is permitted when the output value of the toner density sensor 148 transitions from the normal range (OK) to the abnormal range (NG).

  When the control unit 101 determines that the output value of the toner density sensor 148 has transitioned from the normal range (OK) to the abnormal range (NG) as shown in FIG. 5C, the time information ( For example, 2013/3/12 11:00) is measured and stored in the storage unit 102. Further, when the control unit 101 determines that the output value of the toner density sensor 148 has transitioned from the abnormal range (NG) to the normal range (OK), time information at that time (for example, 2013/3/12 12:15). Is measured and stored in the storage unit 102, and the abnormal operation period (1h15min) in which the abnormal range (NG) has continued is calculated by taking the difference between the two, and the value of the abnormal operation period (1h15min) is stored. Store in the unit 102.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, the operation of the toner density sensor 148 becomes unstable, and the output value of the toner density sensor 148 repeatedly fluctuates between the normal range (OK) and the abnormal range (NG). Even when so-called chattering occurs, it is possible to prevent or suppress an increase in the amount of information for diagnosing the operating state of the toner density sensor 148 by generating multiple diagnostic triggers Tr.

  In the first embodiment, the severity of the failure that has occurred in the toner density sensor 148 can be determined based on the abnormal operation period (1h15min), and the abnormal operation period is compared with a predetermined threshold value. It is possible to determine whether the failure of the toner concentration sensor 148 is temporary or whether inspection by a service engineer or the like is necessary.

  Note that the control unit 101 may continue to calculate the period during which the abnormal range (NG) has continued during the period when the recollection permission condition is not satisfied. In this case, when the recollection permission condition is satisfied, it is possible to know the history of the period during which the abnormal state has continued.

[Embodiment 2]
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the operation of the image forming apparatus to which the failure diagnosis apparatus according to the second embodiment is applied.

  In the second embodiment, the control unit 101 functioning as a generation unit is configured to generate a diagnosis trigger when detection information output from the detection unit transitions from an abnormal state to a normal state.

  Next, the toner density sensor 148 will be described as an example for the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6B, the control unit 101 detects the toner concentration sensor 148 in response to the output value of the toner concentration sensor 148 transitioning between a normal range (OK) and an abnormal range (NG). Is output from the abnormal range (NG) to the normal range (OK), a diagnostic trigger Tr is generated. Further, once the control unit 101 generates the diagnosis trigger Tr, even if the output value of the toner density sensor 148 continues to be within the normal range (OK), the control unit 101 once changes to the abnormal state (NG) and then returns to the normal state. Unless the transition is made to (OK), the diagnosis trigger Tr is not generated. Furthermore, the control unit 101 prohibits the regeneration of the diagnostic trigger Tr until the recollection permission condition is satisfied after the diagnostic trigger Tr is generated.

  As shown in FIG. 6C, the control unit 101 displays time information (for example, 2013/3/12) when the output value of the toner density sensor 148 transitions from the normal range (OK) to the abnormal range (NG). 11:00) is measured and stored in the storage unit 102, and time information (for example, 2012/9/12 12) when the output value of the toner density sensor 148 transitions from the abnormal range (NG) to the normal range (OK). : 15) is measured and the difference between the two is calculated to calculate the period (1h15min) during which the abnormal state has continued and store it in the storage unit 102.

  In the second embodiment, a diagnostic trigger Tr is generated when the output value of the toner density sensor 148 transitions from the abnormal range (NG) to the normal range (OK), so that the output value of the toner density sensor 148 is immediately before. Diagnostic information as a period during which the abnormal range (NG) has continued can be acquired. Therefore, the control unit 101 can immediately cope with the case where the previous abnormal range (NG) continues as the output value of the toner density sensor 148 for a long time.

  Note that, as illustrated in FIG. 6D, the control unit 101 may continue to calculate a period during which the abnormal range (NG) has continued during a period in which the recollection permission condition is not satisfied. In this case, when the recollection permission condition is satisfied, it is possible to know the history of the period during which the abnormal state has continued.

[Embodiment 3]
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of the image forming apparatus to which the failure diagnosis apparatus according to the third embodiment is applied.

  The control unit 101 according to the third embodiment includes a generation unit that generates a collection permission signal that permits collection of diagnostic information by the collection unit when information output from the diagnosis target apparatus transitions to a predetermined state; When the collection permission condition is satisfied, the generation unit also has a function as a permission unit that permits generation of the collection permission signal.

  Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus to which the failure diagnosis apparatus according to Embodiment 3 is applied will be described by taking the case where the diagnosis target apparatus is a toner density sensor 148 as an example. As shown in FIG. 7B, when the output value of the toner density sensor 148 transitions between the normal range (OK) and the abnormal range (NG), the control unit 101 determines whether the toner density sensor 148 A diagnostic trigger Tr is generated when the output value is in the abnormal range (NG) and the diagnostic trigger collection permission condition is satisfied. Here, the collection permission condition is set, for example, at a time when a predetermined time t elapses. That is, the collection permission condition is satisfied every time a predetermined time t elapses.

  As shown in FIG. 7A, the control unit 101 determines the output value of the toner density sensor 148 every predetermined time interval t, and the output value of the toner density sensor 148 is within an abnormal range (NG). ), A diagnostic trigger Tr is generated. When the diagnostic trigger Tr is generated, the control unit 101 collects diagnostic information regarding the output of the toner density sensor 148 and stores it in the storage unit 102.

  As shown in FIG. 7C, the control unit 101 displays time information (for example, 2013/3/12) when the output value of the toner density sensor 148 transitions from the normal range (OK) to the abnormal range (NG). 11:00) and the time information is stored in the storage unit 102. In addition, the control unit 101 measures time information (for example, 2013/3/12 11:15) when the diagnosis trigger Tr is generated, stores the time information in the storage unit 102, and calculates a difference between the two. The period (15 min) during which the abnormal range (NG) continues is calculated.

  Further, the control unit 101 may provide a period during which the regeneration of the diagnostic trigger Tr is prohibited after the diagnostic trigger Tr is generated. In this case, as shown in FIG. 7D, the calculation of the period during which the abnormal range (NG) has continued may be continued even during the period in which the regeneration of the diagnostic trigger Tr is prohibited. . Time information (for example, 2013/3/12 11:00) when the output value of the toner density sensor 148 transitions from the normal range (OK) to the abnormal range (NG) is measured, and the time information is stored in the storage unit 102. To remember. In addition, the control unit 101 measures time information (for example, 2013/3/12 12:15) when transitioning from an abnormal state (NG) to a normal state (OK) and stores the time information in the storage unit 102. By calculating the difference, the period during which the abnormal range (NG) has continued is calculated, and information when the next normal range (OK) transitions to the abnormal range (NG) (for example, 2013/3/12 13 0:00) and taking the difference from the information (eg, 2013/3/12 13:15) at the generation timing of the diagnostic trigger Tr, the period during which the abnormal state continues is calculated. Also good.

  In this case, it is possible to acquire information on both the period in which the abnormal range (NG) continues at the present time and the period in which the previous abnormal range (NG) has continued at the generation timing of the diagnostic trigger Tr.

  As described above, according to the third embodiment, the failure of the toner concentration sensor 148 is generated by generating the diagnosis trigger Tr only when the output value of the toner concentration sensor 148 is in the abnormal range (NG) and the collection permission condition is satisfied. It is possible to suppress the amount of information for diagnosing. In the third embodiment, the collection permission condition is set every time a predetermined time elapses. Therefore, information for diagnosing a failure of the toner density sensor 148 can be reliably collected. it can.

  Furthermore, in the third embodiment, by generating a diagnosis trigger Tr when the output value of the toner density sensor 148 is in the abnormal range (NG), the output value of the toner density sensor 148 is changed from the normal range (OK) to the abnormal range. By acquiring in advance the time information when transitioning to (NG), it is possible to acquire information relating to the period during which the output value of the toner density sensor 148 has transitioned to the abnormal range (NG), and it is necessary to deal with the failure. It becomes possible to judge the degree.

  The collection permission condition is not limited every time a predetermined time t elapses, but a predetermined number of times each time a predetermined number of recording sheets 5 are output. Each time an abnormal state is detected may be used.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the toner concentration sensor is used as the diagnosis target device has been described. However, the failure diagnosis device according to the present invention may be any device that can define the abnormal range from the normal range. Sensors, surface potential sensors, temperature / humidity sensors, and the like may be targeted.

  In the failure diagnosis apparatus according to the present invention, it is sufficient that the normal range and the abnormal range can be defined. For example, the apparatus having various control setting values such as the surface potential of the photosensitive drum and the developing bias voltage of the developing device can be targeted. good.

  Furthermore, in the failure diagnosis apparatus according to the present invention, it is sufficient that the normal range and the abnormal range can be defined, and the difference amount of the detection values with respect to the target values of the detection values of the various devices or the various control setting values may be targeted.

  In the failure diagnosis apparatus according to the present invention, the diagnosis information may be any information that indicates the severity of the abnormal state, and is executed when the image forming apparatus is turned on or at a predetermined timing instead of the abnormal state duration. The success rate of the image density adjustment setup to be performed may be used.

  In the failure diagnosis apparatus according to the present invention, it is possible to arbitrarily change the number of generations of diagnosis triggers by appropriately setting the collection permission condition, which is implemented when the amount of information output from the diagnosis target apparatus is large. It is desirable to select a configuration that reduces the number of diagnostic triggers generated as in the first or second embodiment.

  On the other hand, when the amount of information output from the diagnosis target device is small, such as when information is output only when specific conditions are met, such as during image density adjustment setup, the configuration as in the third embodiment It is desirable to select.

[Embodiment 4]
FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram showing a failure diagnosis system according to the fourth embodiment.

  In the failure diagnosis system 200, as shown in FIG. 8, a plurality of image forming apparatuses 1 are communicably connected to a management server 202 as a failure diagnosis system management device via a network 201. The management server 202 diagnoses and manages a failure or the like of the image forming apparatus 1 based on the diagnostic information transmitted from the image forming apparatus 1, and transmits a serviceman's arrangement instruction or the like to the management company.

Control unit 101 of the image forming apparatus 1 _1, 1 _2, 1 _3, as shown in FIG. 9, provided with a transmission section 108 as a transmitting means for transmitting the required information to the external device, diagnosis The diagnostic information of the target device is transmitted to the management server 202. The server 202 includes a receiving unit (not shown) as a receiving unit that receives information transmitted from the image forming apparatus 1.

The management server 202 in the failure management system 200 includes a threshold value for determining the abnormality seriousness of the diagnosis target device based on the diagnosis information transmitted from each of the image forming apparatuses 1 ₁ , 1 ₂ , 1 _3. Judge the necessity of service engineer's response from the judgment result. Here, the duration of the abnormal state is adopted as the abnormal severity.

FIG. 10 shows a determination method for determining the necessity of handling by the service engineer. The management server 202 performs the following as illustrated operates in accordance with the abnormal state duration of the diagnostic information transmitted at the time of generation of the diagnostic trigger Tr from the image forming apparatus 1 _1, 1 _2, 1 _3. When the management server 202 determines that the duration is shorter than T1 (for example, 15 minutes), the management server 202 continuously monitors the diagnostic information of the diagnosis target device. When the duration is 15 minutes to 45 minutes, image formation is performed. If an alert (warning) indicating that there is a possibility that the diagnosis target device is broken is displayed on the operation display unit of the apparatus 1 and the duration exceeds 45 minutes, “service engineer” is displayed on the operation display unit of the image forming apparatus 1. Please call the service engineer to display a message prompting the service engineer to respond.

As described above, in the third embodiment, the management server 202 can diagnose a failure in the plurality of image forming apparatuses 1 ₁ , 1 ₂ , 1 ₃ .

[Embodiment 5]
FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram showing a failure diagnosis system according to the fifth embodiment.

  In the failure diagnosis system 200 according to the fifth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, the determination method for the management server 202 to determine the necessity of service engineer response is different from that of the fourth embodiment. .

  FIG. 11 is a chart showing a determination method for determining the necessity of response by the service engineer.

The management server 202 performs the following as illustrated operates in accordance with the abnormal state duration of the diagnostic information transmitted at the time of generation of the diagnostic trigger Tr from the image forming apparatus 1 _1, 1 _2, 1 _3. In the fifth embodiment, as the abnormal state continuation period, the service engineer needs to respond based on the values of both the abnormal state continuation period Y when the diagnostic trigger Tr is generated and the previous abnormal state continuation period X. Deciding.

  First, the management server 202 changes the necessity of the service engineer's response based on the previous abnormal state duration X. If it is determined that the previous abnormal state continuation period X is shorter than T1 (for example, 15 minutes), if it is determined that the current abnormal state continuation period Y is shorter than T1 (for example, 15 minutes), the diagnosis object continues. When the diagnostic information of the apparatus is monitored (first monitoring state) and the current abnormal condition duration Y is not less than 15 minutes and not more than 45 minutes, the diagnosis target apparatus is faulty in the operation display unit of the image forming apparatus 1. If an alert (first warning) indicating that there is a risk is displayed and the duration exceeds 45 minutes, the service engineer may indicate “Please call the service engineer” on the operation display section of the image forming apparatus 1 or the like. A message (first service call) for prompting a response is displayed.

  Next, when it is determined that the previous abnormal state continuation period X is T1 (for example, 15 minutes) or more and T2 (for example, 45 minutes) or less, the current abnormal state continuation period Y is T1 (for example, 15 minutes), the diagnostic information of the diagnosis target device is continuously monitored (second monitoring state). If the current abnormal state duration Y is 15 minutes or more and 45 minutes or less, image formation is performed. If an alert (second warning) indicating that there is a possibility that the diagnosis target device is out of order is displayed on the operation display unit of the apparatus 1 and the duration exceeds 45 minutes, the operation display unit of the image forming apparatus 1 A message (second service call) that prompts the service engineer to respond is displayed, such as “Please call a service engineer”.

  Further, if it is determined that the previous abnormal state continuation period X exceeds T3 (for example, 45 minutes), it is continued if the current abnormal state continuation period Y is determined to be shorter than T1 (for example, 15 minutes). Then, the diagnosis information of the apparatus to be diagnosed is monitored (third monitoring state). If the current abnormal state duration Y is not less than 15 minutes and not more than 45 minutes, the diagnosis object apparatus is displayed on the operation display unit of the image forming apparatus 1. If an alert (third warning) indicating that there is a possibility of failure is displayed and the duration exceeds 45 minutes, “Please call a service engineer” on the operation display section of the image forming apparatus 1 A message (third service call) prompting the service engineer to respond is displayed.

  The first to third monitoring states, the first to third warnings, and the first to third service calls are set so that the severity is increased in the order of first <second <third. ing. The first to third monitoring states indicate the possibility that the abnormal state is eliminated, and the larger the number, the higher the possibility. The first to third warnings indicate the possibility that a serviceman needs to be handled in the future. The larger the number, the higher the possibility. Further, the first service call means that it is only necessary to respond to a periodic maintenance visit of a device in which an abnormality has occurred. Further, the second service call means that it is only necessary to respond to regular / non-periodic maintenance visits to a device in which an abnormality has occurred or a nearby area where the device is installed. Furthermore, the third service call means that it is necessary to immediately perform a maintenance visit to the device in which the abnormality has occurred.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image forming apparatus 14 ... Developing apparatus 101 ... Control part 148 ... Toner density sensor

Claims (5)

A collecting means for collecting diagnostic information for diagnosing the occurrence state of a failure based on information output from the diagnosis target device and storing it in a storage unit ;
Generating means for generating a collection permission signal for permitting collection of the diagnostic information by the collecting means and storage in the storage unit when information output from the diagnosis target device transitions to a predetermined state;
A failure diagnosis apparatus comprising: a prohibiting unit that prohibits the generation unit from regenerating the collection permission signal until a collection permission condition is satisfied after the collection permission signal is generated. The failure diagnosis apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the re-collection permission condition is changed to the predetermined state a predetermined number of times after the collection permission signal is generated.    The failure diagnosis apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the diagnosis information includes information indicating a severity of a failure of the diagnosis target apparatus. Image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium;
Failure diagnosis means for collecting diagnosis information for diagnosing a failure of a diagnosis target device constituting the image forming means;
With
An image forming apparatus using the failure diagnosis apparatus according to claim 1 as the failure diagnosis unit. Image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium;
A collecting unit that collects diagnostic information for diagnosing the occurrence state of a failure based on information output from a diagnosis target apparatus constituting the image forming unit, and stores the collected diagnostic information in a storage unit ;
Generating means for generating a collection permission signal for permitting collection of the diagnostic information by the collecting means and storage in the storage unit when information output from the diagnosis target device transitions to a predetermined state;
Prohibiting means for prohibiting regeneration of the collection permission signal by the generating means until a collection permission condition is satisfied after the collection permission signal is generated;
Transmitting means for transmitting diagnostic information collected by the collecting means;
An image forming apparatus comprising:
Receiving means for receiving diagnostic information transmitted from the image forming apparatus;
Diagnosing means for diagnosing a failure of the diagnostic target device based on diagnostic information received by the receiving means;
A failure diagnosis system comprising: a management device comprising:

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