JP6203305B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that forms a toner image on a recording material. Examples of the image forming apparatus include a copying machine, a printer, a FAX, and a multifunction machine having a plurality of these functions.

  In recent years, the types of media (recording material: hereinafter also referred to as paper) that can be used in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus have been diversified according to the needs of various customers. When forming an image on a special recording material such as an envelope, it is required to greatly change the pressure of the fixing device as compared with other recording materials.

  In order to satisfactorily form an image on such various types of media, a dedicated fixing device corresponding to the type of recording material is prepared, and the fixing device used according to the recording material to be used is replaced (replaced). (Patent Document 1).

JP 2008-58365 A

  However, such an image forming apparatus has the following problems. For example, consider a case where a fixing device A suitable for various recording materials such as high-quality paper and coated paper and a fixing device B substantially specialized for envelopes are prepared, and a plurality of jobs having different types of recording materials are executed. . Specifically, for example, it is assumed that the first job is a job using an envelope, the next job is a job using high-quality paper, and the last job is a job using an envelope.

  The three jobs are executed by first forming an image on the envelope with the fixing device B, then exchanging the fixing device B with the fixing device A to form an image on high-quality paper, and finally connecting the fixing device A again. The procedure is to replace the fixing device B and form an image on the envelope.

  In this case, since it is necessary to replace the fixing device twice, the labor of the user increases. Therefore, when executing such three jobs, there is a user's desire to reduce the number of times of fixing device replacement. On the other hand, there is a user's request that the jobs are executed sequentially in accordance with the reservation order of the three jobs. There is a need to answer such diverse requests of users.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of answering various requests of users regarding the execution order when a plurality of jobs are reserved sequentially.

A typical configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention for solving the above problems is as follows.
An input section where the job is input;
An image forming unit that forms a toner image on a recording material to execute the job input to the input unit;
A fixing unit for fixing a toner image formed by the image forming unit to a recording material, the fixing unit being able to be transferred to another fixing device according to the content of the job;
A display unit;
A first mode in which the execution order of the plurality of jobs is changed so as to reduce the number of times the fixing unit is replaced when a plurality of jobs are sequentially reserved; and when the plurality of jobs are sequentially reserved A display control unit that displays on the display unit a selection screen that allows the operator to select one of a plurality of modes including a second mode that does not change the execution order of the plurality of jobs ;
When the first mode is selected via the selection screen, the execution order of the plurality of jobs reserved in response to the plurality of jobs being sequentially reserved in the input unit is set in the fixing unit. input Les replacement as the number re is reduced put, if the selection window the second mode through the is selected, the plurality of jobs when a plurality of jobs in the input unit are successively reserved And a control unit for controlling the execution order of the reserved jobs so as to keep the execution order in the reserved order.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to respond to various requests of users regarding the execution order when a plurality of jobs are sequentially reserved.

The figure which shows the example of the selection screen displayed on the display part of an operation part The figure which showed the example of the selection screen displayed on the display part of PC Flow chart showing operation of image forming apparatus (part 1) Flow chart showing operation of image forming apparatus (part 2) (A), (b) is the figure which showed the example of the execution order of an image formation job Configuration schematic diagram of an example of an image forming apparatus Rough block diagram of the control system Schematic diagram of fuser configuration

  The present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings by way of examples. In addition, although an Example is an example of the best embodiment in this invention, this invention is not limited only to the structure of these Examples.

[Example]
(1) Image Forming Apparatus FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus in this embodiment, and FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a rough control system. The image forming apparatus 100 is an electrophotographic laser beam printer capable of forming a full-color or mono-color image on a recording material P. That is, image data / recording material information input from a PC (personal computer) 401 connected to a CPU (control unit , input unit, reception unit ) 400 via an operation unit (UI: user interface) S or a connection interface 402 is stored. The added job (JOB) is input (input). An image forming operation corresponding to the input job is performed to print out an image formed product (delivered product).

  The recording material P is a sheet-like recording medium (media) on which a toner image can be formed by the image forming apparatus. Examples include regular or irregular plain paper, thin paper, thick paper, high-quality paper, coated paper, envelopes, postcards, stickers, resin sheets, OHP sheets, printing paper, format paper, and the like. Hereinafter referred to as paper. For convenience, the handling of the recording material (sheet) P will be described using terms related to paper such as paper passing, paper feeding, paper discharging, paper passing portion, non-paper passing portion, but the recording material is not limited to paper. Absent.

  A job (image forming job) is an image forming instruction to which printing condition information such as image data, designated paper P type, basis weight, paper size, number of sheets, number of copies, layout, post-processing, and the like is added. .

  In the apparatus main body 100A of the image forming apparatus 100, there are four color toner images obtained by adding three subtractive primary colors, yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). Are formed in four image forming portions Pa, Pb, Pc, and Pd. Further, it has an endless intermediate transfer belt (intermediate transfer member: hereinafter referred to as a belt) 20. The belt 20 is stretched around rollers 21, 22, and 23, and is driven to rotate in the clockwise direction indicated by an arrow.

  Each of the image forming portions Pa, Pb, Pc, and Pd is a drum-shaped electrophotographic photosensitive member (hereinafter referred to as a drum) 3a, 3b, 3c, and the like as an image carrier that is driven to rotate counterclockwise as indicated by an arrow. 3d and an image forming process means acting on the drum. Here, the drawing process means are the chargers 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d, the laser scanners 5a, 5b, 5c, and 5d, the developing devices 1a, 1b, 1c, and 1d, the primary transfer chargers 6a, 6b, 6c, and 6d, Drum cleaners 4a, 4b, 4c and 4d.

  The Y color toner image, M color toner image, C color toner image, and K color toner image formed on each of the drums 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d are respectively transferred to the belt 20 at the primary transfer nip portions Ta1, Tb1, Tc1, and Td1. Then, the images are sequentially superimposed and primarily transferred. Since the image forming process and operation in each of the image forming units Pa, Pb, Pc, and Pd are well known, detailed description thereof is omitted. Reference numeral 11 denotes a secondary transfer roller, which is in pressure contact with the roller 23 via the belt 20 to form a secondary transfer nip portion T2 between the belt 20 and the secondary transfer roller.

  On the other hand, the paper feed mechanism of the paper feed cassette in which the paper P used in the job to be executed is driven among the multi-stage paper feed cassettes 10A, 0B, 10C, and 10D is driven. As a result, the sheet P in the sheet feeding cassette is separated and fed one by one and conveyed to the registration roller 12 through the sheet path 110. The registration roller 12 feeds the paper P to the secondary transfer nip T2 at a predetermined control timing. As a result, the four color superimposed toner images of Y color + M color + C color + K color on the belt 20 are secondarily transferred collectively onto the paper P.

  The paper P that has passed through the secondary transfer nip T2 is separated from the belt 20 and introduced into a fixing device (hereinafter referred to as a fixing device) 9. The surface of the belt 20 after the paper separation is cleaned by a belt cleaner 118 and repeatedly used for image formation.

  In this embodiment, the image forming units Pa, Pb, Pc, and Pd, the belt 20, the secondary transfer roller 12, and the paper transport mechanism are image forming devices that form toner images on paper (recording material).

  The paper P introduced into the fixing device 9 undergoes thermal pressure fixing of the toner image. In the single-sided printing mode, the paper P exiting the fixing unit 9 is guided to the paper discharge path 113 side by the flapper 112 and discharged onto the paper discharge tray 114 as a single-sided printing full-color image formed product.

  In the double-sided printing mode, the first-side printed paper P that has exited the fixing device 9 is guided to the reverse path 115 by the flapper 112, and is drawn into the reverse path 115 by the normal rotation of the reverse roller 116. . Then, the sheet P that has been drawn into the reversing path 115 is introduced into the double-sided path 117 by the reversing of the reversing roller 116, and is re-introduced into the secondary transfer nip T2 through the sheet path 110 while being reversed. The As a result, a toner image is formed on the second side of the paper P.

  Thereafter, as in the single-sided printing mode, the paper P is transported through the path of the fixing device 9 and the paper discharge path 113 and discharged to the paper discharge tray 114 as a double-sided image formed product.

  In the case of mono-color image formation, an image forming unit necessary for forming the image performs an image forming operation, and the other image forming units do not perform an image forming operation, only the drum is idly rotated.

  The operation unit S allows the user not only to issue an image formation start command using the operation keys 25 and the display unit 26, but also to set the image quality of the image and input information about the paper P set in the paper cassettes 10A to 10D. it can.

  The display unit 26 is a touch panel type liquid crystal screen, and the CPU 400 can display various information displays (message display), for example, the status of the image forming apparatus, error information, jam information, and other information. The display unit 26 also displays various operation buttons (keys). The user can also specify printing conditions (various settings) by using the displayed operation buttons (keys). The CPU 400 determines image forming conditions based on the input information, and performs image formation under predetermined conditions during image formation.

(2) Fixing Device The fixing device (fixing unit) 9 can be replaced with another fixing device according to a predetermined procedure and procedure with respect to a predetermined mounting portion (mounting portion) 111 of the apparatus main body 100A. That is, one of a plurality of types of fixing devices (fixing portions) can be selectively mounted on the mounting portion (mounting portion) 111, and the image forming apparatus 100 specifies the mounted fixing device 9 as a specific recording material. The image can be formed on another fixing device 9A customized for the user.

  The fixing devices 9 and 9A operate in response to transmission of driving force and power supply from the apparatus main body 100A side in a state where the fixing devices 9 and 9A are mounted on the mounting portion 111 of the apparatus main body 100A. It also exchanges various control information with the CPU 400. The drive mechanism, power supply mechanism, communication mechanism, etc. are omitted in the figure.

  The fixing device 9 is a general fixing device capable of fixing a wide variety of recording materials such as thin paper, plain paper, thick paper, coated paper, and high-quality paper, excluding envelopes. Further, the fixing device 9A is a dedicated fixing device customized for an envelope (except that it can be used as long as it is plain paper). Hereinafter, in the present example, the above-described fixing devices 9 and 9A will be described in detail, but the following configurations may be employed.

  For example, the dedicated fixing device 9A may be a dedicated fixing device customized for a special recording material other than the envelope.

  Further, although the structure of the fixing device is the same as that of a general fixing device, the size of usable recording material is limited. That is, the fixing device 9 is a fixing device for A4 size (recording material less than A4 size is prohibited), and the fixing device 9A is fixing for A5 size (recording material less than A5 size is prohibited). It is the form of the vessel.

  This is because, for example, when A4 size paper is continuously passed, the fixing member is damaged due to contact with the side edge of the paper, resulting in uneven glossiness of the image after fixing. This is to suppress the problem. For this reason, for example, in a fixing device for A4 size paper, in order to prevent such gloss unevenness from appearing, the passage of paper less than A4 size is basically prohibited. Therefore, it is necessary to replace the fixing device.

  As described above, the reason for replacing the fixing device is not only the type of the recording material but also the width size of the recording material.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the fixing device 9 (9A) in this embodiment. The fixing device 9 (9A) is a heat roller type image heating apparatus. The unfixed toner image T secondarily transferred onto the paper P is a heating nip (fixing) formed by pressure contact between a fixing roller (heating fixing member) 40 and a pressure roller (pressure member) 41 that are brought into contact with the image surface. Nipped by N) and fixed on the paper P. 44 and 45 are paper guide members disposed on the inlet side of the heating nip N, and 46 is a paper guide member disposed on the outlet side of the heating nip N.

  That is, in this embodiment, the fixing device 9 (9A) has a pair of rotating bodies 40 and 41 that fix a toner image formed on a sheet (recording material) by heat and pressure.

  As a general paper fixing device, the fixing device 9 presses the pressure roller 41 against the fixing roller 40 with a total pressure of 784 N (about 80 kg) to form a heating nip N.

  The fixing roller 40 is configured to have a diameter of 80 mm by disposing an elastic layer 40c having a thickness of 3 mm on the outer peripheral surface of an aluminum cylindrical cored bar 40b. The elastic layer 40c is an HTV (high temperature vulcanization type) silicon rubber layer. The outer peripheral surface of the rubber layer is covered with a tube mainly composed of a copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and perfluoroalkoxyethylene (hereinafter referred to as PFA) as a release layer 40d to be brought into contact with the image surface. Yes.

  The pressure roller 41 is configured to have a diameter of 60 mm by disposing an elastic layer 41c having a thickness of 1 mm on the outer peripheral surface of an aluminum cylindrical cored bar 41b. Similar to the fixing roller 40, the elastic layer 41c is an HTV silicon rubber layer. The outer peripheral surface of the rubber layer is covered with a PFA tube as the release layer 41d. In order to prevent the paper P from wrinkling, the outer diameter shape of the pressure roller 41 is a reverse crown shape in which the outer diameter of the end portion is 40 μm larger than the outer diameter of the longitudinal center portion.

  Halogen heaters 40a and 41a for heating each roller from the inside are arranged at the rotation center of the fixing roller 40 and the pressure roller 41 in a non-rotating manner. In this example, a heater with a rated power of 1200 W is used for the halogen heater 40a, and a heater with a rated power of 400W is used for the halogen heater 41a. The halogen heaters 40a and 41a are ON / OFF controlled by the CPU 400 so as to reach a predetermined temperature based on the output results of the temperature detection elements 42a and 42b that detect the surface temperature of each roller.

  Further, both ends of the fixing roller 40 and the pressure roller 41 are supported by a fixing device housing 43 via ball bearings and are rotatable. The fixing roller 40 and the pressure roller 41 are connected to each other by a gear mechanism (not shown) fixed to one shaft end by a gear mechanism, and are integrated by a driving force (not shown) on the apparatus main body 100A side. When rotated, it rotates in the direction of the arrow.

  As a cleaning mechanism 60 for the fixing roller 40, a collecting roller 62 having a diameter of 20 mm is installed so as to rotate in contact with the surface of the fixing roller 40, and when the toner remains on the surface of the fixing roller 40 during fixing, the collecting roller 62 to recover.

  The collection roller 62 is a hollow aluminum roller, and the surface layer is coated with tetrahedral amorphous carbon. This is in consideration of releasability from the PFA tube 40 d on the surface layer of the fixing roller 40 and ease of cleaning and removing the toner from the collection roller 62. That is, when collecting toner from the fixing roller 40, it has a lower releasability than the PFA tube 40d on the surface layer of the fixing roller 40, and facilitates cleaning and removal by a cleaning web 61 described later.

  Further, the cleaning web 61 and the web roller 63 that supports the cleaning web 61 and presses it against the collection roller 62 can be moved in the direction of the arrow 64 by an attaching / detaching mechanism M whose operation is controlled by the CPU 400. That is, the attachment / detachment mechanism M is operated by the instruction of the CPU 400 to attach / detach, and in the attached state, the toner is pressed against the collection roller 62 with a force of about 40 N, and the cleaning web 61 cleans the toner collected from the fixing roller 40 on the collection roller 62. To do. The cleaning web 61 in contact with the collection roller 62 is wound and conveyed in the direction of arrow 59, and a new surface without toner adhesion is always supplied (updated) to the surface in contact with the collection roller 62.

  The collection roller 62 is supported by a ball bearing supported so as to be movable in the direction of the fixing roller 40 and is rotatable. The collecting roller 62 is always in contact with the fixing roller 40, and when the cleaning web 61 is detached, the recovery roller 62 is pressed by the fixing roller 40 with a pressure of about 10 N due to its own weight, and driven by the fixing roller 40 as the fixing roller 40 rotates. Transmitted and rotated. When the cleaning web 61 is in a worn state, the pressing force 40N of the cleaning web 61 is applied, the pressing force is applied to the fixing roller 40 with a force of about 50N, and the driving is transmitted from the fixing roller 40 as the fixing roller 40 rotates.

  The external heating device 80 includes an external heating belt 80e stretched between two external heating support rollers 80a and 80b. The external heating device 80 is for supplementing the amount of heat that the sheet P takes away from the heating nip N by the heater 40a inside the fixing roller and the heater 41a inside the pressure roller, which is insufficient. It has a function of maintaining the surface temperature of 40 above a predetermined temperature. The external heating belt 80e is provided to form a wide nip with the fixing roller 40 and increase the amount of heat transfer.

  The entire external heating device 80 can be attached / detached by an attaching / detaching mechanism (not shown) that can be attached / detached to / from the fixing roller 40, and can be arbitrarily attached / detached by controlling the attaching / detaching mechanism by the CPU 400. The external heating rollers 80a and 80b and the external heating belt 80e are driven by the fixing roller 40 and rotated in the direction of the arrow only when the external heating belt 80e is pressed with the fixing roller 40 in contact.

  Both ends of the external heating support rollers 80a and 80b are supported by ball bearings and are rotatable, and halogen heaters 80c and 80d for heating the rollers from the inside are arranged at the center of rotation. In this example, heaters with a rated power of 1500 W are adopted as the halogen heaters 80c and 80d.

  When the external heating belt 80e is stopped, the halogen heaters 80c and 80d are ON / OFF controlled by the CPU 400 so as to reach predetermined temperatures based on the output results of the temperature detection elements 81a and 81b, respectively.

  When the external heating device 80 is put on the fixing roller 40 and the external heating belt 80e starts to rotate by driving from the fixing roller 40, the CPU 400 performs the following control. That is, the halogen heaters 80c and 80d are ON / OFF controlled according to the output value of only the temperature detecting element 81a located upstream in the rotation direction of the nip portion formed by the external heating belt 80e and the fixing roller 40. However, the CPU 400 always monitors the output of the temperature detection element 81b.

  The fixing device 9 has a memory (discriminating unit) indicating information on the type (type) of the fixing device of the fixing device (identification information corresponding to the type of recording material of the fixing device customized for a specific recording material). (Nonvolatile memory: storage medium) 403 is mounted. The fixing device type information is information for identifying whether the fixing device is a general paper fixing device using normal paper or a dedicated fixing device customized for an envelope or special paper.

  The memory 403 stores information on the above-described fixing device type in advance, and the CPU 400 (control unit) reads information in the memory 403 of the fixing device mounted as necessary. The CPU 400 includes an acquisition unit (acquisition function unit) that acquires identification information indicated by the identification unit 403 of the fixing device mounted on the image forming apparatus.

  Note that the identification unit 403 included in the fixing device is not limited to the above memory. It only needs to indicate information on the type (type) of the fixing device and the information can be acquired by the acquisition unit, and a mechanical (mechanical) configuration such as a micro switch or a dip switch may be used. Specifically, for example, a configuration in which the number of contacts among the ten electrical contacts is conducted (whether or not the contact at any position is conducted) is determined.

  In the image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, when the fixing device 9 is a general paper fixing device, another fixing device (envelope) 9A is prepared separately for the envelope. The configuration of the envelope-dedicated fixing device 9A is the same as that of the general paper fixing device 9 shown in FIG. However, as shown in Table 1, the total pressure for pressing the pressure roller 41 against the fixing roller 40 is 588 N (about 60 kg), and the reverse crown amount of the outer diameter shape of the pressure roller 41 is 150 μm.

  This is because, compared to general cut paper (general paper), envelopes are overlapped and formed into a bag shape, so wrinkles tend to occur, and it is necessary to increase the reverse crown amount to eliminate it. It was. Furthermore, since the pressure in the nip is so high in a part where there is a lot of overlap, such as a flap part, a difference occurs in the gloss of the toner image. It was necessary to make it difficult to occur.

  The envelope fixing device 9A is used by replacing (replacement) with the general paper fixing device 9 mounted on the image forming apparatus 100 by the user when the envelope is passed. The CPU 400 controls the operation of the image forming apparatus (such as the pressure of the fixing unit and the sheet conveyance speed) based on the identification information of the fixing unit acquired from the identification unit 403 of the fixing unit mounted on the image forming apparatus.

(3) Selection of Print Priority Order Mode The user can display the “Set Print Priority Order Mode” screen as shown in FIG. 1 by operating the operation unit S of the image forming apparatus 100. Using this screen (selection unit), the user (operator) can select “job priority mode” and “exchange priority mode” in advance. At this time, the CPU 400 (display control unit) controls the display content of the liquid crystal screen 26 of the operation unit S to display the screen shown in FIG.

  The job priority mode is a print priority order mode (second mode in which a plurality of jobs are executed in the order of reservation) in which printing is executed in the order in which jobs are received. In other words, in the process of executing a series of a plurality of image forming jobs for forming images on a plurality of different types of sheets, even when the fixing device needs to be replaced a plurality of times, this mode is a mode in which jobs are executed in the order in which they are received.

  The replacement priority mode is a print priority order mode in which the order of jobs is changed to optimize the number of replacements of the fixing device (a first job that is executed by changing the execution order of a plurality of jobs so as to reduce the number of replacement times of the fixing device). Mode). That is, in the process of executing a series of a plurality of image forming jobs for forming images on a plurality of different types of paper, a series of a plurality of units is required to reduce the number of times of fixing unit replacement when the fixing unit needs to be replaced a plurality of times. In this mode, the order of the image forming jobs is changed.

  When the user presses and selects a job priority button (key) 601, the CPU 400 forms an image according to the reservation order of a plurality of jobs reserved (accepted) sequentially. On the other hand, if the replacement priority button 602 is pressed and selected, the job order is changed so that the number of replacements of the fixing device is reduced.

  Note that the mode can be set through a host computer (PC 401) connected to the image forming apparatus via a LAN cable. FIG. 2 shows a setting screen (printer driver) displayed on the monitor 401A connected to the PC 401. The CPU 400 controls the subsequent image forming operation in accordance with the mode information selected on the setting screen shown in FIG.

  When the user wants to change the setting, when the corresponding item is selected from the setting item 701, the selection of the corresponding item is displayed in the pull-down menu 703. Here, a state in which options of “job priority mode” and “exchange priority mode” are displayed is shown.

  When the user selects a desired item from the choices, the selection result is displayed in the setting contents 702. When an OK button 704 is pressed thereafter, the setting result is sent from the PC 401 to the CPU 400 of the image forming apparatus via the connection interface 402. If the cancel button 705 is pressed without pressing the OK button 704, the selected setting is not transmitted to the CPU 400 of the image forming apparatus, and the setting screen in FIG. 2 disappears.

  A return to standard button 706 is a button for returning to the initial setting, and returns all items displayed in the setting item 701 to the initial setting. Thereafter, when an OK button 704 is pressed, initial settings are transmitted to the CPU 400 of the image forming apparatus.

  The functions described above can be used properly when it is desired to perform image formation in the order of job reservations according to the use status of the user or when it is desired to shorten the image formation time by replacing the fixing device.

(4) Operation Control of Image Forming Apparatus FIGS. 3A and 3B are flowcharts showing the control and operation of the image forming apparatus 100 from the start to the end of the image forming operation when the exchange priority mode is selected in advance. This control flow is executed by the CPU 400 (execution unit) controlling various devices.

  A print job (image forming job) to which image data and recording material information are added is sent to the CPU 400 from the operation unit S or the PC 401 connected via the connection interface 402 (S101).

  Then, based on the sheet (recording material) information added to the job, the CPU 400 first determines whether the currently installed fuser 9 is suitable for a sheet on which image formation corresponding to the job is performed. A determination is made (S102).

  That is, the CPU 400 reads information on the fixing device type (identification information) stored in advance in the memory 403 as an identification unit mounted on the currently installed fixing device 9. The CPU 400 collates the read identification information with the paper information added to the job, and determines whether the paper information of the job matches the fixing device.

  If the paper information of the job does not match the fixing device, a message prompting the user to replace the fixing device 9 on the display unit 26 of the operation unit (UI) S or the screen of the monitor 401A connected to the PC 401 (fixing device replacement message) Is displayed (S115). Then, it waits until a fixing device suitable for the job is mounted (S116).

  The CPU 400 determines whether or not the replaced fixing device is suitable for the job by comparing the information of the fixing device type acquired from the memory 403 of the replaced fixing device and the sheet information added to the job. If it matches, the message prompting replacement is deleted (S117). When it is confirmed that the sheet information added to the job and the type information of the fixing device are matched in this way, the image forming operation is started (S103).

  Simultaneously with the image formation, it is checked whether there is a job (remaining job) after the job that is currently performing the image forming operation (whether it is accepted) (S104, S105). If not, the image forming operation is terminated as soon as the currently operating job is completed (job execution is completed) (S118).

  If there are remaining jobs, it is next determined whether or not a plurality of fixing device replacements occur from the sheet information added to these jobs (S106). If the remaining job does not require replacement of the fixing device or is once, image formation is continued as it is.

  If the determination result indicates that the fixing device needs to be replaced more than once, the execution order of the image forming jobs is changed so that the job using the same fixing device as the fixing device used for the current job is given priority. (S107).

  FIG. 4A shows an example of job replacement when cut sheet (plain paper) jobs and envelope jobs are alternately input. When the job priority mode (second mode) shown on the upper side of FIG. 4A is selected, image formation is performed in the job reception order (reservation order). In this case, three fixing device replacement operations occur. That is, the CPU 400 (determination unit) determines the number of fixing device replacements required in the process of executing a plurality of jobs that are sequentially reserved. The example of FIG. 4 is a case where the number of times of replacement of the fixing device is required a plurality of times.

  On the other hand, if the exchange priority mode (first mode) shown at the bottom of FIG. 4A is specified, the job of the cut sheet job is given priority over the envelope job in the determination of S106. The execution order of is switched. Then, although it is determined whether or not the job requires replacement of the fixing device, image formation is continued until a job before the job that requires replacement of the fixing device (S108, S109).

  When the order of image forming operations for a job that requires changing of the fixing device comes, the image forming operation is temporarily interrupted (S110). Then, the CPU 400 displays a message urging replacement of the fixing device on the screen of the display unit 26 of the operation unit S or the display unit 401A of the PC 401, and waits until a fixing device suitable for the job is mounted (S111, S112).

  The CPU 400 collates the information on the type of the fixing device acquired from the memory 403 of the fixing device that has been replaced with the paper information added to the job, as to whether or not the fixing device that has been replaced is suitable for the job. to decide. If it matches, the message prompting the exchange is deleted (S113). In this way, when it is confirmed that the job paper and the fixing device are compatible, the image forming operation is resumed (S114).

  The above operation is continued as long as a job remains, and if there is no subsequent job, the image forming operation is terminated (S118).

  In the case of the example shown in FIG. 4B, the job execution order is controlled by the CPU 400 as in FIG. That is, the reservation is made depending on whether the job priority mode is selected (fixing device is replaced three times) or the replacement priority mode is selected (fixing device is replaced one time). The CPU 400 controls the execution order of the four jobs.

  Note that, in addition to the specific examples shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, when a plurality of jobs that are sequentially reserved are to be executed in the order of reservation, it is necessary to replace the fixing device a plurality of times. In case, it is effective. That is, the number of jobs that are sequentially reserved is not limited to four forms, and may be five or more forms or three forms.

  Regarding the feeding of the paper P from the paper feeding cassettes 10A to 10D, the CPU 400 drives the paper feeding cassette feeding mechanism in the stage in which the paper P corresponding to the paper information added to the job to be executed is stored. Is separated and fed to execute image formation. When the sensor (not shown) detects that there is no paper in the paper feed cassette during the continuous image forming operation, the CPU 400 temporarily interrupts the image forming operation. Then, a message that prompts the user to replenish paper is displayed on the display unit 26 of the operation unit S or the screen of the monitor 401A connected to the PC 401. When the sensor detects that the paper has been replenished, the image forming operation is resumed.

  When the CPU 400 detects that the paper P corresponding to the paper information added to the job is not stored in any level of the paper feed cassette when the job is input or when the job is executed. Has the following controls: That is, a message prompting the user to replace the paper in the paper cassette at any level with the paper corresponding to the paper information added to the job is displayed on the display unit 26 of the operation unit S or the screen of the monitor 401A connected to the PC 401. To do. When the sensor detects that the paper has been replaced, the job is executed.

  As described above, in the image forming apparatus that uses a plurality of fixing devices by exchanging them according to the sheet, the image forming order of the jobs can be changed so as to reduce the number of times the fixing devices are replaced as in this example. That is, when executing a series of a plurality of image forming jobs for forming images on a plurality of different types of paper, the CPU 400 forms a plurality of images according to the identification information acquired by the acquisition unit for the mounted fixing device. Change the job execution order.

  As a result, it was possible to reduce the waiting time and the number of replacement work by replacing the fixing device, and to reduce the load on the user. As a specific example, in a job input in the order shown in FIG. 4A, if the image forming order is not changed, the fixing device needs to be replaced three times before the end of the image forming. However, by changing the order of image formation as shown in FIG. 4B, a series of image forming operations is completed with one replacement of the fixing device.

  As described above, the above-described embodiments have been described as application examples of the present invention, but various configurations can be replaced with other configurations within the scope of the concept of the present invention.

  For example, the image forming apparatus is not limited to a color image forming apparatus, and may be a monochromatic (single color) image forming apparatus such as a monochrome image.

  For example, the fixing device 9 (9A) is not limited to a device that heats and fixes an unfixed toner image formed on a recording material. Also included is an apparatus (also referred to as a fixing device in this case) that is used for the process of adjusting the surface gloss of an image by reheating a semi-fixed or fixed toner image.

  For example, the fixing device 9 (9A) may have an apparatus configuration using an endless belt (endless belt) in which either one or both of the fixing member 40 and the pressure member 40 are flexible. Further, the heating mechanism of the fixing member 40 and the pressure member 41 is not limited to the halogen heater. It can be set as the structure which employ | adopted other appropriate heating mechanisms, such as a ceramic heater system and an electromagnetic induction heating system.

  100..Image forming apparatus, Pa.Pb.Pc.Pd..Image forming unit, 20..Intermediate transfer belt, 12..Secondary transfer roller, 9..9A..Fixing device, 403..Indicating unit (memory) ), 400... Control unit (acquisition unit, display control unit, determination unit), P..recording material, T..toner image

Claims (14)

An input section where the job is input;
An image forming unit that forms a toner image on a recording material to execute the job input to the input unit;
A fixing unit for fixing a toner image formed by the image forming unit to a recording material, the fixing unit being able to be transferred to another fixing device according to the content of the job;
A display unit;
A first mode in which the execution order of the plurality of jobs is changed so as to reduce the number of times the fixing unit is replaced when a plurality of jobs are sequentially reserved; and when the plurality of jobs are sequentially reserved A display control unit that displays on the display unit a selection screen that allows the operator to select one of a plurality of modes including a second mode that does not change the execution order of the plurality of jobs ;
When the first mode is selected via the selection screen, the execution order of the plurality of jobs reserved in response to the plurality of jobs being sequentially reserved in the input unit is set in the fixing unit. input Les replacement as the number re is reduced put, if the selection window the second mode through the is selected, the plurality of jobs when a plurality of jobs in the input unit are successively reserved An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit that controls an execution order of jobs reserved so as to keep the execution order in the reserved order. When the first mode is selected via the selection screen, the control unit executes the plurality of jobs so that a job using the fixing unit mounted on the image forming apparatus is given priority. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the order is changed. The display control unit causes the display unit to display a key for selecting the first mode and a key for selecting the second mode , respectively. The image forming apparatus described in the item . The display controller, according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that displaying the said placing replacement of the fixing unit is prompting a message when placing replacement of the fixing unit is determined to be required on the display unit The image forming apparatus according to any one of the above. A first fixing unit capable of fixing a predetermined type of recording material including a predetermined envelope, and a second fixing unit capable of fixing a predetermined type of recording material not including the predetermined envelope When the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4 and one from among a plurality of types of fixing portions and further comprising a mounting portion that is selectively mounted including. An input section where the job is input;
An image forming unit that forms a toner image on a recording material to execute the job input to the input unit;
A fixing unit for fixing the toner image formed by the image forming unit to a recording material;
A first fixing unit capable of fixing a predetermined type of recording material not including a predetermined envelope, and a second fixing unit capable of fixing a predetermined type of recording material including the predetermined envelope A mounting portion on which one of a plurality of types of fixing portions is selectively mounted, and
A display unit;
During execution of a job using the first fixing unit, a first job using the first fixing unit, a second job using the second fixing unit, and a third job using the first fixing unit. The first mode, the first job, the second job, and the third job are sequentially reserved, in which the execution order of the reserved jobs is changed when the jobs are sequentially reserved in the input unit. A display control unit that displays on the display unit a selection screen that allows the operator to select one of a plurality of modes including a second mode that does not change the execution order of jobs reserved in the case;
When the first mode is selected via the selection screen, the first job, the second job, and the third job are executed during execution of a job that uses the first fixing unit. The first job, the second job, and the third job reserved in response to the sequential reservation in the input unit are the first job, the third job, and the second job. If the swap the order of execution of jobs to be performed in the order, the second mode through the selection screen is selected, the first job, the second job, the third job A control unit that controls the execution order of jobs reserved so as to maintain the job execution order in the order of the first job, the second job, and the third job when sequentially reserved in the input unit When,
An image forming apparatus comprising: The image forming apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the display control unit causes the display unit to display a key for selecting the first mode and a key for selecting the second mode. . When the first mode is selected via the selection screen, the display control unit urges the transfer to the second fixing unit when the execution of the third job is completed. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein a message is displayed on the display unit. When the second mode is selected via the selection screen, the display control unit prompts replacement to the second fixing unit when the execution of the first job is completed. A message is displayed on the display unit, and a message that prompts the user to transfer to the first fixing unit when the second job has been executed is displayed on the display unit. The image forming apparatus according to any one of 6 and 7 . An input section where the job is input;
An image forming unit that forms a toner image on a recording material to execute the job input to the input unit;
A fixing unit for fixing the toner image formed by the image forming unit to a recording material;
A first fixing unit capable of fixing a predetermined type of recording material including the first recording material; and a first fixing unit capable of fixing a predetermined type of recording material not including the first recording material. A mounting unit on which one of a plurality of fixing units including two fixing units is selectively mounted;
A display unit;
A first mode in which the execution order of the plurality of jobs is changed so that the number of replacement times of the fixing unit is reduced when a plurality of jobs that require a plurality of replacement times of the fixing unit are sequentially reserved; A display screen for causing the operator to select one of a plurality of modes including a second mode in which the execution order of the plurality of jobs is not changed when the plurality of jobs are sequentially reserved A display control unit for displaying on
A control unit that controls the execution order of the reserved jobs;
Have
When the first mode is selected via the selection screen , the control unit is configured to reserve the plurality of jobs reserved in the input unit in response to the plurality of jobs being sequentially reserved in the input unit. The order of execution of the plurality of jobs is determined when the number of times the fixing unit is replaced in the process of executing the job is determined, and the determination result indicates that the plurality of jobs require a plurality of times of replacing the fixing unit swapping the order in which the loaded replacement number of the fixing portions is reduced, the in the case where the second mode through the selection screen is selected, the plurality of jobs in the input unit are successively reserved An image forming apparatus characterized in that the execution order of a plurality of jobs is kept in a reserved order. When the first mode is selected via the selection screen, the control unit executes the plurality of jobs so that a job using the fixing unit mounted on the mounting unit is given priority. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein: The fixing unit includes an identification unit for identifying the type, and the control unit controls the execution order of the plurality of jobs in the first mode according to the type of the fixing unit indicated by the identification unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11 . The identification unit includes a storage medium that stores information corresponding to the type of the fixing unit, and the control unit executes the plurality of jobs in the first mode according to the information stored in the storage medium. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein the order is controlled. An input section where the job is input;
An image forming unit that forms a toner image on a recording material to execute the job input to the input unit;
A fixing unit for fixing a toner image formed by the image forming unit to a recording material, the fixing unit being able to be transferred to another fixing device according to the content of the job;
A first mode in which the execution order of the plurality of jobs is changed so as to reduce the number of times the fixing unit is replaced when a plurality of jobs are sequentially reserved; and when the plurality of jobs are sequentially reserved Reception for receiving information corresponding to one mode selected by the operator on a selection screen for selecting one mode from a plurality of modes including a second mode that does not change the execution order of the plurality of jobs And
When the mode corresponding to the information received by the receiving unit is the first mode, the execution order of the plurality of jobs reserved in response to the plurality of jobs being sequentially reserved in the input unit input Les replacement as put replacement number of the fixing portion is reduced, if the mode corresponding to the information received by the reception unit is the second mode, the plurality of jobs in the input section An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit configured to control an execution order of the jobs reserved so that the execution order of the plurality of jobs remains in the reserved order when sequentially reserved.