JP6673257B2 - Image forming device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly, to an operation control when a nonconforming toner container is mounted.

  A general image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive drum as an image carrier, a charging device for charging the photosensitive drum, and irradiating the surface of the charged photosensitive drum with laser light based on a document, An exposure device that forms a latent image of a document on the surface of a photoconductor drum, a developing device that visualizes the latent image with toner, and a transfer device that transfers the toner image formed by visualizing the latent image to recording paper The image forming apparatus includes a roller, a fixing device that fixes the transferred toner image on recording paper, and a cleaning device that removes toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum.

  In recent years, use of nonconforming toner containers has been increasing. Since the performance of a non-conforming product differs from that of a conforming product, the performance of the image forming apparatus may not be fully exhibited when a non-conforming product toner container is used.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-216,087 discloses that a toner container attached by a wireless tag attached to a toner container and an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification: wireless automatic identification) communication unit attached to a main body of the image forming apparatus are compatible products. It is described whether or not there is a non-conforming product, and if it is judged to be a non-conforming product, a technology to display a warning message on the display panel to notify the user that the non-conforming product toner container has been installed is described. A proposal has been made to encourage users to use containers.

JP 2011-028017 A

  A general developing device supplies toner to a latent image formed on the surface of a photoconductor drum to form a toner image on the surface of the photoconductor drum, and is arranged to face the surface of the photoconductor drum. The image forming apparatus includes a developing roller and a regulating blade that regulates a layer thickness of the toner on the developing roller.

  The developing roller includes a magnet roller having a magnetic pole and a developing sleeve provided on the magnet roller, and the developing sleeve is driven to rotate about a rotation axis. The developing sleeve includes, for example, a base layer made of a non-magnetic metal, and a coat layer made of a resin formed on the base layer.

  To form an appropriate toner layer on the developing roller (developing sleeve), the layer structure of the developing sleeve is important, but the toner performance is also very important. Therefore, the conformable toner is designed to have toner charging properties and fluidity suitable for forming a toner layer. A conforming product is one that satisfies the conditions of use and provides sufficient performance of the image forming apparatus. For example, it is a genuine product or a regular product.

  On the other hand, among non-conforming toners, there are toners having different performances from those of the conforming toners and having unstable charging properties and having poor fluidity. When the toner having unstable charging property comes into contact with the developing sleeve, a part of the toner is excessively charged, and for the toner having poor fluidity, the regulation of the toner layer becomes insufficient and the toner layer is disturbed. There is a risk. Then, when the toner layer disorder occurs, a defective image such as a white pattern or a black pattern occurs at the sleeve pitch.

  Once the toner layer is disturbed on the developing roller, it will not be resolved even if the toner is returned to a compatible product. Therefore, unless a maintenance person (service person) having a maintenance work ability cleans the developing sleeve and completely removes the adhered toner causing the toner layer disorder, the toner layer disorder cannot be solved.

  It is considered that the disturbance of the toner layer occurs due to the toner adhering to the surface of the developing sleeve, and the toner being unable to move from the surface of the developing sleeve even when regulated by the regulating blade. In addition, the white pattern due to the disturbance of the toner layer is caused by the fact that the toner is deposited on the toner layer adhered to the surface of the developing sleeve, the layer becomes thicker, the toner charge amount of the upper layer is reduced, and the developing property is reduced. It is considered to be a white spot (white crest).

  When the toner layer is further thickened, the surface of the toner layer comes into contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum, and the surface potential of the photosensitive drum decreases. Therefore, it is considered that the toner is developed in a portion where the potential is lowered (a portion where the electric charge is dropped), and a black pattern is generated at the sleeve pitch.

  Also, if the image forming apparatus is used without the disturbance of the toner layer being eliminated, the toner having a thick layer and a low charge amount will always be present on the developing sleeve. This causes additional image contamination.

  Patent Literature 1 described above discloses a technique for displaying a warning message informing a user that a nonconforming toner container has been mounted on a display panel. If the product toner container is continuously used, the toner layer may be disturbed, causing not only an image defect but also a failure of the image forming apparatus.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and even if a nonconforming toner container is used, it is possible to prevent the toner layer formed on the developing sleeve from being disturbed, thereby achieving stable image formation. And to prevent failure of the image forming apparatus.

An image forming apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes a conveyance unit that conveys a recording sheet, an image forming unit that forms an image on the recording sheet, and a detachable unit that is detachable from an apparatus main body. A toner container that contains the toner to be used, a conforming product determination unit that determines whether the toner container attached to the apparatus main body is a conforming product, and controls operations of the transport unit and the image forming unit. A control unit, and the image forming unit rotates about a rotation axis, rotates an image carrier that carries a toner image on a surface thereof, and rotates about the rotation axis, and is supplied from the toner container. A developing roller for supporting the toner on the peripheral surface and supplying the toner to the image bearing member, a developing sleeve thereof, and a regulating portion for regulating a layer thickness of the toner on the developing sleeve. A developing device that forms a toner image, wherein the control unit controls the operation of the image forming unit when the conformable product determination unit determines that the toner container attached to the apparatus main body is not a conformable product. Controlling the linear velocity of the developing sleeve to a predetermined linear velocity lower than the linear velocity in the normal mode in which the transport unit and the image forming unit perform image formation at a predetermined standard velocity. After reducing the linear velocity of the developing sleeve to the predetermined linear velocity, when the conformable product determination unit determines that the toner container attached to the apparatus main body is a conformable product, The linear velocity of the developing sleeve is changed from the linear velocity in the normal mode to the linear velocity in the normal mode by taking a predetermined time as a time until the toner in the non-compliant toner is replaced with the conformable toner. To, go back one by speed-minute determined in advance.

  According to the present invention, when a non-conforming toner container is mounted on the apparatus main body, the linear velocity of the developing sleeve is reduced to a linear velocity lower than the linear velocity in the normal mode. Therefore, the time for forming the toner layer on the developing sleeve can be extended, so that even if the toner is unstable, it is possible to prevent the toner from being excessively charged.

  In addition, since a magnetic regulation force per unit time in a regulation unit (for example, a regulation blade) for regulating the layer thickness of the toner on the developing sleeve can be increased, even if the fluidity of the toner is low, the toner thin layer The formation failure can be made less likely to occur. For example, if the linear velocity of the developing sleeve is reduced to half that of the normal mode, the magnetic regulation force is doubled, and the margin for forming the toner layer is greatly increased.

  Therefore, even if a non-conforming toner container is used, it is possible to prevent the toner layer formed on the developing sleeve from being disturbed, to realize stable image formation, and to prevent a failure of the image forming apparatus. be able to.

FIG. 2 is a schematic side sectional view showing a structure of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic side sectional view showing a developing device and a toner container constituting the image forming apparatus in an enlarged manner. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram schematically illustrating a main internal configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen displayed on a display unit. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing operation performed by a control unit in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. (A)-(C) is a figure showing an example of a display screen displayed on a display part. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing operation performed by a control unit in the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment.

  Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic side sectional view showing the structure of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic side sectional view showing a developing device and a toner container constituting the image forming apparatus in an enlarged manner.

  The image forming apparatus 1 is, for example, a printer. The apparatus main body 11 includes a paper feeding unit 14, an image forming unit 12, a toner container 17, a fixing unit 13, a discharge tray 151, and a manual feed tray 161. . Further, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a transport unit 19 that transports the recording paper P from the paper feed unit 14 via the image forming unit 12 and the fixing unit 13 to the discharge tray 151.

  The transport unit 19 includes a transport path 191 that connects the paper feed unit 14 and the discharge tray 151, a reverse transport path 1911, a plurality of transport roller pairs 192 provided at appropriate positions in the transport path 191 and the reverse transport path 1911, A pair of rollers 193, a transport drum 194, and a pair of discharge rollers 195 are provided.

  The paper supply unit 14 is provided at the bottom of the apparatus main body 11 and includes a paper supply cassette 141 that stores a plurality of recording papers P, and a first pickup that takes out the recording papers P stored in the paper supply cassette 141 one by one. A roller 142 and a pair of paper feed rollers 143 for feeding the recording paper P taken out by the first pickup roller 142 to the transport path 191 are provided.

  The recording paper P fed by the paper feed roller pair 143 is sent out to the transport path 191 via the transport drum 194. The recording paper P sent to the transport path 191 is supplied to the image forming unit 12 by the registration roller pair 193.

  The image forming unit 12 is provided above the paper feed cassette 141, and includes a photosensitive drum 121, a charging device 122, an exposing device 123, a developing device 124, a transfer unit 120, a cleaning device 60, and a neutralization device 51. And

  The photoconductor drum 121 is an image carrier, is configured to be rotatable around a rotation axis, and carries a toner image on a surface. The charging device 122 charges the surface of the photoconductor drum 121. The exposure device 123 forms a latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 121 by irradiating a laser beam L based on image data transmitted from an external device (for example, a personal computer).

  The developing device 124 supplies a toner to a latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 121 to form a toner image. A toner supply port 1242 is formed in the developing housing 1241 and Stores the toner supplied from the toner container 17. Further, the developing device 124 regulates the thickness of the toner carried on the developing roller 1243 and the developing roller 1243 for transporting the toner to the vicinity of the photosensitive drum 121 in the developing housing 1241, and Blade 1246 for forming a toner layer on the surface, spiral feeders 1247 and 1248 for stirring and conveying the toner, and a toner sensor 1249 for detecting the amount of toner in the developing housing 1241 provided on the wall near the toner supply port 1242. And. Note that the regulating blade 1246 is an example of a regulating unit in the claims.

  The developing roller 1243 includes a magnet roller 1244 having a magnetic pole and a developing sleeve 1245 provided on the magnet roller 1244. The developing sleeve 1245 rotates around a rotation axis, for example, counterclockwise in FIG. It is designed to be driven.

  The spiral feeders 1247 and 1248 are driven to rotate, agitate and transport the toner inside the developing housing 1241 toward the developing roller 1243, and supply the toner to the peripheral surface of the developing roller 1243. The toner supplied to the peripheral surface of the developing roller 1243 is carried on the peripheral surface of the developing roller 1243 by the magnetic force of the magnet roller 1244, and is conveyed in the rotation direction by the rotation of the developing roller 1243 (the developing sleeve 1245).

  The transfer unit 120 includes a transport belt 125 that transports the recording paper P, a drive roller 125A, a driven roller 125B, and a transfer roller 126. The transport belt 125 is stretched between a driving roller 125A and a driven roller 125B, is driven by the driving roller 125A in a state of being in contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 121, and runs endlessly while synchronizing with the photosensitive drum 121. I do. Further, a transfer roller 126 is provided at a position where the toner image is transferred from the surface of the photosensitive drum 121 to the recording paper P, with the transport belt 125 interposed therebetween, and a transfer nip portion N1 is formed between the transfer roller 126 and the photosensitive drum 121. ing.

  The cleaning device 60 includes a cleaning roller 61 and a cleaning blade 62. The cleaning roller 61 and the cleaning blade 62 come into contact with the surface of the photoconductor drum 121 to remove toner and extraneous matter remaining on the surface of the photoconductor drum 121 and clean the surface of the photoconductor drum 121.

  The static eliminator 51 is for removing electric charges remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 121, and irradiates the surface of the photosensitive drum 121 with static elimination light after an image is formed by the image forming unit 12.

  The toner container 17 is detachable from the apparatus main body 11, stores toner that is a consumable item of the image forming unit 12, and supplies the toner to the developing device 124. A toner outlet 172 is formed in the toner container 17, and the toner container 17 is mounted on the apparatus main body 11 such that the toner outlet 172 is located above the toner supply port 1242 of the developing device 124. The toner container 17 includes a spiral rod 173, and the toner contained in the toner container 17 is transported to the toner outlet 172 by the rotation of the spiral rod 173, and the toner is supplied to the developing device 124 from the toner outlet 172. Is done.

  The fixing unit 13 fixes the toner image on the recording paper P by thermocompression bonding, and includes a heating roller 131 having a built-in heat lamp 132 as a heat source, and a pressure roller 133. The heating roller 131 and the pressure roller 133 form a pair, and when the recording paper P is nipped and conveyed by the heating roller 131 and the pressure roller 133 in the fixing nip portion N2, the unfixed toner image is It is melted by heat and is fixed on the recording paper P by the pressure of the heating roller 131 and the pressure roller 133.

  The recording paper P on which the fixing process has been performed is conveyed upward through a conveyance path 191 and discharged to a discharge tray 151 provided at an upper portion of the apparatus main body 11 via a discharge roller pair 195.

  The manual feed tray 161 is provided on the front of the apparatus main body 11 and places the recording paper P thereon. The recording paper P placed on the manual feed tray 161 is taken out one by one by a second pickup roller 162, and the recording paper P taken out by the second pickup roller 162 is sent out to a transport path 191.

  FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram schematically illustrating a main internal configuration of the image forming apparatus 1. The image forming apparatus 1 includes a control unit 10, an image forming unit 12, an image memory 32, a hard disk drive (HDD) 92, a fixing unit 13, a paper feed unit 14, a transport unit 19, an RFID communication unit 21, a toner container 17, It is configured to include a unit 47, a detachable sensor 22, and a developing roller driving unit 23. The same components as those of the image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  The image memory 32 is an area for temporarily storing image data transmitted from an external device (for example, a personal computer) or temporarily storing image data to be printed by the image forming unit 12. It is. The HDD 92 is a large-capacity storage device that stores image data and the like.

  The RFID communication unit 21 communicates with an RF tag 171 attached to a toner container 17 that is detachably attached to the apparatus main body 11. The RF tag 171 includes a memory that stores product information and the like of the toner container 17. The RFID communication unit 21 receives a signal transmitted from the RF tag 171 to acquire product information and the like of the toner container 17.

  The operation unit 47 receives an instruction such as an image forming operation execution instruction from the operator regarding various operations and processes that can be executed by the image forming apparatus 1. The operation unit 47 includes a display unit 473 for displaying operation guidance and the like to the operator. The display unit 473 is a touch panel, and the operator can operate the image forming apparatus 1 by touching buttons and keys displayed on the screen.

  The developing roller driving unit 23 includes a motor, a gear, a driver, and the like, and functions as a driving source that applies a rotational driving force to the developing sleeve 1245 that forms the developing roller 1243.

  The control unit 10 includes a processor, a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), and a dedicated hardware circuit. The processor is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), or the like. The control unit 10 includes a control unit 100, an operation receiving unit 101, and a conforming product determination unit 103.

  The control unit 10 functions as the control unit 100, the operation receiving unit 101, and the conforming product determination unit 103 by the operation of the processor according to the control program stored in the HDD 92. However, the control unit 100 and the like can be configured by a hardware circuit without depending on the operation of the control unit 10 according to the control program. Hereinafter, the same applies to each embodiment unless otherwise specified.

  The control unit 100 controls the overall operation of the image forming apparatus 1. The control unit 100 is connected to the image forming unit 12, the image memory 32, the HDD 92, the fixing unit 13, the paper feeding unit 14, the transport unit 19, the RFID communication unit 21, the operation unit 47, the detachable sensor 22, and the developing roller driving unit 23. Then, drive control of these units is performed.

  The conforming product determination unit 103 determines whether the toner container 17 mounted on the apparatus main body 11 of the image forming apparatus 1 is a conforming product. When the toner container 17 is attached to the apparatus main body 11, the conforming product determination unit 103 communicates with the RF tag 171 by the RFID communication unit 21 and includes the toner container 17 included in the product information of the toner container 17. When the information indicating that the toner container 17 is a conforming product is obtained, it is determined that the attached toner container 17 is a conforming product. Further, the conformable product determination unit 103 determines whether the RFID communication unit 21 cannot communicate with the RF tag 171 when the toner container 17 is mounted on the apparatus main body 11, or that the toner container 17 is a conformable product. Is not obtained, it is determined that the attached toner container 17 is a non-conforming product.

  For example, the control unit 100 controls the operation of the developing roller driving unit 23 to rotate the developing sleeve 1245. In the normal mode, the control unit 100 performs development so that the sleeve linear velocity V (the number of rotations of the developing roller 1243 per unit time) of the developing sleeve 1245 is equal to the drum linear velocity on the surface of the photosensitive drum 121. The operation of the roller driving unit 23 is controlled. In this case, the sleeve linear speed V of the developing sleeve 1245 and the drum linear speed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 121 are predetermined standard speeds (the linear speed used when performing image formation at a standard image forming speed). ). The normal mode is a mode in which the control unit 100 causes the transport unit 19 and the image forming unit 12 to form an image at the predetermined standard speed.

  On the other hand, when the nonconforming toner container 17 is mounted on the apparatus main body 11, the control unit 100 sets the sleeve linear velocity V of the developing sleeve 1245 to the linear velocity (the standard velocity) in the normal mode. Is set to a low predetermined linear velocity (for example, の of the linear velocity VN in the normal mode), and the developing speed is set such that the sleeve linear velocity V of the developing sleeve 1245 becomes the predetermined linear velocity. The operation of the roller driving unit 23 is controlled.

  The operation receiving unit 101 receives an operation input from the user via the operation unit 47. The operation receiving unit 101 includes an instruction receiving unit 102 that receives an instruction from the user to release the reduction in the sleeve linear velocity V of the developing sleeve 1245. For example, the instruction receiving unit 102 displays a display screen D1 on the display unit 473 as shown in FIG. 4, and receives the instruction from the user via a touch panel provided on the display screen of the display unit 473. On the display screen D1, a message M1 indicating that the sleeve linear velocity V (the rotation speed of the developing roller 1243) of the developing sleeve 1245 has been reduced, and a selection button B1 marked "Release" are formed, and an instruction is accepted. When the selection button B1 is touch-operated by the user, the unit 102 receives an instruction from the user to release the decrease in the sleeve linear velocity V via the touch panel.

  Next, an example of a processing operation performed by the control unit 10 of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to a flowchart illustrated in FIG. First, as an initial setting, the control unit 100 sets a flag F1 indicating whether or not the toner container 17 attached to the apparatus main body 11 is a conforming product to 0 (0: conforming product, 1: non-conforming product). (S1). This is because the compatible toner container 17 is mounted on the apparatus main body 11 at the time of product shipment.

  Subsequently, the controller 100 sets the sleeve linear velocity V of the developing sleeve 1245 to the linear velocity VN in the normal mode as an initial setting (S2). Further, the control unit 100 sets a flag F2 indicating whether the sleeve linear velocity V of the developing sleeve 1245 is set to the linear velocity VN in the normal mode to 0 (0: the linear velocity VN in the normal mode). (1: linear velocity VN in normal mode is not set) (S3).

  Subsequently, the control unit 100 determines whether the toner container 17 has been replaced based on the information obtained from the detachable sensor 22 (S4). When the control unit 100 determines that the toner container 17 has been replaced (YES in S4), the conforming product determination unit 103 is attached to the apparatus main body 11 based on information obtained from the RFID communication unit 21. It is determined whether the toner container 17 is a non-conforming product (S5).

  When the conformable product determination unit 103 determines that the toner container 17 mounted on the apparatus main body 11 is a non-compliant product (YES in S5), the control unit 100 sets the flag F1 to 1 (S6). The linear velocity V of the developing sleeve 1245 is set to 1/2 of the linear velocity VN in the normal mode (S7), and the flag F2 is set to 1 (S8). Thereafter, the control unit 100 causes the display unit 473 to display a display screen D2 as shown in FIG. 6A (S9), and returns to S4.

  A predetermined message M2 is formed on the display screen D2, indicating that the sleeve linear speed V of the developing sleeve 1245 (the rotation speed of the developing roller 1243) has been reduced and that the sleeve linear speed V of the developing sleeve 1245 has been reduced. The reason (for example, to protect the image forming apparatus 1) is described.

  On the other hand, when the conforming product determination unit 103 determines that the toner container 17 attached to the apparatus main body 11 is not a non-compliant product (it is a conforming product) (NO in S5), the control unit 100 sets the flag F1 to 0. (S10), the linear velocity V of the developing sleeve 1245 is set to the linear velocity VN in the normal mode (S11), and the flag F2 is set to 0 (S12). Thereafter, the control unit 100 causes the display unit 473 to display a display screen D3 as shown in FIG. 6B (S13). Thereafter, processing is performed, and the process returns to S4.

  A predetermined message M3 is formed on the display screen D3. Based on the fact that the sleeve linear velocity V (the rotation speed of the developing roller 1243) of the developing sleeve 1245 has been returned to the linear velocity VN in the normal mode, the display screen D3 has a message M3. The reason for the return (because the compatible toner container 17 is mounted) is described.

  In S4, when determining that the toner container 17 has not been replaced (NO in S4), the control unit 100 further determines whether or not the flag F1 is 1 (S14).

  When determining that the flag F1 is 1 (YES in S14), the control unit 100 determines whether the flag F2 is 1 because the toner container 17 attached to the apparatus main body 11 is a non-conforming product. A determination is made (S15).

  When the control unit 100 determines that the flag F2 is 1 (YES in S15), the control unit 100 receives the non-conforming toner container 17 from the apparatus main body 11, and receives the sleeve linear velocity of the developing sleeve 1245. Since V is set to の of the linear velocity VN in the normal mode, the instruction receiving unit 102 determines whether or not an instruction to cancel the decrease in the linear velocity V of the developing sleeve 1245 has been received from the user. A determination is made (S16).

  If the control unit 100 determines that the instruction receiving unit 102 has received an instruction from the user to cancel the decrease in the sleeve linear velocity V of the developing sleeve 1245 (YES in S16), the control unit 100 sets the sleeve linear velocity V of the developing sleeve 1245 in the normal mode. Is set (S17), and the flag F2 is set to 0 (S18). Further, the control unit 100 resets a counter C for counting the number of printed sheets to 0 (S19). Thereafter, the process proceeds to S20.

  On the other hand, when the control unit 100 determines that the instruction receiving unit 102 has not received an instruction from the user to release the decrease in the sleeve linear velocity V of the developing sleeve 1245 (NO in S16), the process returns to S4.

  If the control unit 100 determines that the flag F2 is not 1 (is 0) in S15 (NO in S15), the process proceeds to S20. This is because the sleeve linear velocity V of the developing sleeve 1245 is set to the linear velocity VN in the normal mode even though the nonconforming toner container 17 is mounted on the apparatus main body 11.

  In S20, the control unit 100 determines whether or not the recording paper P on which the image has been formed has been discharged to the discharge tray 151 by controlling the operation of the image forming unit 12 and the like (S20). When determining that the recording paper P has been discharged to the discharge tray 151 (YES in S20), the control unit 100 adds 1 to the counter C (S21), and the counter C sets the predetermined number CA (for example, 500). (S22).

  When the control unit 100 determines that the counter C is equal to or larger than the predetermined number CA (that is, the number of prints has reached 500) (YES in S22), the control unit 100 sets the sleeve line of the developing sleeve 1245. The speed V is set to 1/2 of the linear speed VN in the normal mode (S23), and the flag F2 is set to 1 (S24). Thereafter, the control unit 100 causes the display unit 473 to display a display screen D4 as shown in FIG. 6C (S25). Thereafter, the process returns to S4.

  A predetermined message M4 is formed on the display screen D4, indicating that the sleeve linear velocity V of the developing sleeve 1245 (the rotation speed of the developing roller 1243) has been reduced, and that the sleeve linear velocity V of the developing sleeve 1245 has been reduced. The reason (for example, to protect the image forming apparatus 1) is described.

  On the other hand, when the control unit 100 determines that the recording paper P on which the image has been formed is not discharged to the discharge tray 151 (NO in S20), the control unit 100 determines that the counter C does not exceed the predetermined number CA. Is determined (NO in S22), the process returns to S4.

  In the first embodiment, the sleeve linear velocity V of the developing sleeve 1245 is changed, but the drum linear velocity of the photosensitive drum 121 and the conveyance speed of the recording paper P are not changed, and the printing speed itself is not changed. Has not changed.

  According to the first embodiment, when the nonconforming toner container 17 is mounted on the apparatus main body 11, the sleeve linear velocity V of the developing sleeve 1245 is lower than the linear velocity VN in the normal mode (VN). １ ／). Therefore, the time for forming the toner layer on the developing sleeve 1245 can be extended, so that even if the toner is unstable, the toner can be prevented from being excessively charged.

  In addition, since the magnetic regulation force per unit time of the regulation blade 1246 for regulating the layer thickness of the toner on the developing sleeve 1245 can be increased, even if the fluidity of the toner is low, the toner thin layer formation failure may occur. Can be difficult. For example, if the linear velocity V of the developing sleeve 1245 is set to 1/2 of the linear velocity VN in the normal mode, the magnetic regulation force is doubled, and the margin for forming the toner layer is greatly increased.

  Therefore, even if the non-conforming toner container 17 is used, it is possible to prevent the toner layer formed on the developing sleeve 1245 from being disturbed, to realize stable image formation, and to prevent the image forming apparatus 1 from malfunctioning. Can be prevented.

  When the nonconforming toner container 17 is mounted on the apparatus main body 11, the sleeve linear velocity V of the developing sleeve 1245 is automatically reduced. Can be returned to the linear velocity VN, so that the usability for the user is improved.

  Further, in the above embodiment, even if the sleeve linear velocity V is returned to the linear velocity VN in the normal mode by the user's intention, if the number of prints reaches the predetermined number CA, the sleeve of the developing sleeve 1245 Since the linear velocity V is reduced again, the possibility that the toner layer formed on the developing sleeve 1245 is disturbed can be reduced.

  Further, since the fact that the linear velocity V of the developing sleeve 1245 has decreased and the reason thereof are presented to the user, the user is notified that the use of the nonconforming toner container 17 is not preferable, and the Encourage users to use it.

  Next, an example of a processing operation performed by the control unit 10 of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to a flowchart illustrated in FIG. In the first embodiment, the sleeve linear velocity V of the developing sleeve 1245 is changed, but the drum linear velocity of the photosensitive drum 121, the transport speed of the recording paper P, and the like are not changed, and the printing speed itself is not changed. In contrast, in the second embodiment, the image forming mode is switched from the normal mode to the low-speed mode, and the printing speed itself is changed to change the sleeve linear velocity V of the developing sleeve 1245. , Is different from the first embodiment.

  In the second embodiment, the control unit 100 can switch the image forming mode between the normal mode and the low-speed mode. The low-speed mode is a mode in which the control unit 100 lowers the image forming speed on the recording paper P than in the normal mode. When the image forming mode is set to the low-speed mode, the operations of the transport unit 19 and the image forming unit 12 are controlled to control the drum linear speed of the photosensitive drum 121, the transport speed of the recording paper P, the developing sleeve, and the like. The sleeve linear velocity V or the like of 1245 is set to a predetermined speed lower than the normal mode (for example, の of the normal mode).

  First, as an initial setting, the control unit 100 sets a flag F1 indicating whether or not the toner container 17 attached to the apparatus main body 11 is a conforming product to 0 (0: conforming product, 1: non-conforming product). (S31).

  Subsequently, the control unit 100 sets the image forming mode to the normal mode as an initial setting (S32), and sets a flag F3 indicating whether the image forming mode is the normal mode to 0 (0: normal mode). (1: not set to normal mode) (S33).

  Subsequently, the control unit 100 determines whether the toner container 17 has been replaced based on the information obtained from the detachable sensor 22 (S34). When the control unit 100 determines that the toner container 17 has been replaced (YES in S34), the compatible product determination unit 103 is mounted on the apparatus main body 11 based on information obtained from the RFID communication unit 21. It is determined whether the toner container 17 is a non-conforming product (S35).

  When the conforming product determination unit 103 determines that the toner container 17 attached to the apparatus main body 11 is a non-compliant product (YES in S35), the control unit 100 sets the flag F1 to 1 (S36). The image forming mode is set to the low speed mode (S37), and the flag F3 is set to 1 (S38). Thereafter, the control unit 100 causes the display unit 473 to display a display screen on which a message indicating the fact that the image forming mode has been set to the low-speed mode and the reason for the setting has been formed (S39). Thereafter, the process returns to S34.

  The difference between the second embodiment and the first embodiment is that, as described above, the image forming mode is switched from the normal mode to the low speed mode, and the printing speed itself is changed, so that the sleeve linear velocity V of the developing sleeve 1245 is changed. , And the following description is omitted.

  According to the second embodiment, the printing speed itself is decreased instead of only the sleeve linear speed V of the developing sleeve 1245, so that the printing speed is reduced. However, only the sleeve linear speed V of the developing sleeve 1245 is reduced. It is possible to prevent image density defects from occurring due to the reduction.

  In the first embodiment, when the control unit 100 determines in step S16 (see FIG. 5) that the instruction receiving unit 102 has received an instruction from the user to cancel the decrease in the sleeve linear velocity V of the developing sleeve 1245. (YES in S16), the case where the control unit 100 sets the sleeve linear velocity V of the developing sleeve 1245 to the linear velocity VN in the normal mode has been described. However, as another embodiment, the instruction receiving unit 102 In addition to an instruction to release the reduction in the sleeve linear velocity V, an instruction to switch to the low-speed mode is also received. When the instruction receiving unit 102 receives an instruction to switch to the low-speed mode from the user, the control unit 100 starts image formation. The mode may be set to the low speed mode.

  Similarly to the above, also in the second embodiment, the user's options are increased, and the control unit 100 decreases the sleeve linear velocity V of the developing sleeve 1245 based on the user instruction received by the instruction receiving unit 102. You may do so.

  Even if the toner container 17 is changed from a nonconforming product to a nonconforming product, immediately after that, the toner in the developing device 124 remains a nonconforming product, and the toner in the developing device 124 gradually becomes nonconforming product. Replacement of toner with compatible toner. The period until the replacement completely depends on the size of the developing device 124, but the general developing device 124 handling one magnetic component needs to print about 20,000 to 30,000 sheets.

  Therefore, as still another embodiment, the control unit 100 determines that the toner container 17 attached to the apparatus main body 11 has been replaced from a non-compliant product to a compatible product based on the determination result by the compatible product determination unit 103. If it is determined, the linear velocity V of the developing sleeve 1245 is returned to the linear velocity VN in the normal mode by a predetermined time by a predetermined time.

  The predetermined time is, for example, about 20,000 to 30,000 sheets at which the toner of the developing device 124 is replaced.

  Further, the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible. Further, in the above embodiment, a printer is described as an embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, but this is merely an example, and for example, a copy function, a printer function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function Other image forming apparatuses such as a multifunction machine having a plurality of functions, a copier, a facsimile, and the like may be used.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the configuration and processing shown in the above embodiment using FIGS. 1 to 7 are only one embodiment of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the present invention to the configuration and processing.

1 Image Forming Apparatus 11 Apparatus Main Body 12 Image Forming Section 14 Paper Feeding Section 17 Toner Container 19 Transport Section 100 Control Section 102 Instruction Receiving Section 103 Compatible Product Determination Section 121 Photoconductor Drum 124 Developing Apparatus 473 Display Section 1243 Developing Roller 1245 Developing Sleeve 1246 Regulation blade

Claims (6)

A transport unit for transporting the recording paper;
An image forming unit that forms an image on the recording paper;
A toner container that is detachably attached to the apparatus main body and contains toner used for image formation by the image forming unit;
A conforming product determination unit that determines whether or not the toner container mounted on the apparatus main body is a conforming product;
And a control unit that controls operations of the transport unit and the image forming unit,
The image forming unit is configured to rotate around a rotation axis and carry a toner image on a surface thereof,
A developing roller that rotates about a rotation axis and carries toner supplied from the toner container on the peripheral surface to supply the toner to the image carrier; a developing sleeve thereof; and a layer thickness of the toner on the developing sleeve. And a developing device that forms a toner image on the image carrier.
The controller controls the operation of the image forming unit to determine the linear velocity of the developing sleeve when the conformable product determination unit determines that the toner container attached to the apparatus main body is not a conformable product. The transport unit and the image forming unit reduce the linear velocity to a predetermined linear velocity lower than a linear velocity in a normal mode in which an image is formed at a predetermined standard velocity ,
After reducing the linear velocity of the developing sleeve to the predetermined linear velocity, when the conformable product determination unit determines that the toner container attached to the apparatus main body is a conformable product, Over a predetermined time as a time until the toner of the non-conforming product is replaced with a non-conforming product toner, the linear speed of the developing sleeve, from the predetermined linear speed to the linear speed in the normal mode, An image forming apparatus that returns by a predetermined speed . The control unit reduces only the linear speed of the developing sleeve to the predetermined linear speed without lowering the image forming speed of the image forming unit and the recording paper conveying speed of the conveying unit from the standard speed. Te image forming apparatus according to claim 1, Ru to execute the image formed on said image forming unit. The control unit is capable of switching between the normal mode and a low-speed mode for lowering the image forming speed on the recording sheet than the normal mode,
The control unit reduces the linear velocity of the developing sleeve by switching to the low-speed mode when the conforming product determining unit determines that the toner container mounted on the apparatus main body is not a conforming product. 2. The image forming apparatus according to 1. Equipped with a display,
The controller is configured to reduce the linear velocity of the developing sleeve when the conforming product determining unit determines that the toner container attached to the apparatus main body is not a conforming product and reduces the linear velocity of the developing sleeve. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a message indicating that the linear velocity has been reduced is displayed on the display unit. An instruction receiving unit that receives an instruction from a user to cancel the decrease in the linear velocity of the developing sleeve,
The controller is configured to determine that the toner container attached to the apparatus main body is not a conforming product by the conforming product determining unit, and then, when the instruction receiving unit receives an instruction from a user to cancel the reduction, The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a linear velocity of the developing sleeve is returned to a linear velocity in the normal mode. The control unit returns the linear velocity of the developing sleeve to the linear velocity in the normal mode in accordance with an instruction from a user for canceling the reduction, and after forming a predetermined number of images, the linear velocity of the developing sleeve is reduced. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the speed is reduced again to the predetermined linear speed.