JP7172578B2 - image forming device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

2. Description of the Related Art Image forming apparatuses such as copiers, printers, facsimiles, and multi-function machines employ an electrophotographic method as a printing method. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus generally includes a photoreceptor, a charging device that uniformly charges the photoreceptor, an exposure device that forms a latent image on the photoreceptor, and a developing device that develops a toner image on the latent image. , a transfer device for transferring the toner image onto the intermediate transfer member, and a cleaning device for removing transfer residual toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive member after transfer. In recent years, electrophotographic image forming apparatuses are also used to print high-definition printed matter for commercial use, and electrophotographic image forming apparatuses can stably provide high-definition images. High reliability and high durability are required.

In such an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, it is common to apply a lubricant to the surface of the photoreceptor. The lubricant plays a role of lowering the coefficient of friction of the surface of the photoreceptor and lowering the load on the photoreceptor and the cleaning device. The lubricant also plays a role of improving the transfer efficiency of the toner and protecting the photoreceptor from discharge products.

As a form of applying the lubricant to the surface of the photoreceptor, there is known a method in which a solid lubricant and an application brush arranged so as to be in contact with the photoreceptor are rotated to scrape off the lubricant and apply the lubricant to the photoreceptor. ing. As printing proceeds, the amount of solid lubricant decreases and at some point is exhausted. When the lubricant runs out, the surface of the photoreceptor is no longer adequately protected, resulting in image noise and accelerated wear of the surface of the photoreceptor. As a result, if the lubricant is used continuously even after the lubricant is exhausted, image noise occurs, which is contrary to high reliability. Further, if the lubricant is replaced even though there is a sufficient amount of lubricant remaining, it is contrary to the high durability. Therefore, in order to achieve both high reliability and high durability in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, it is necessary to calculate the lubricant consumption more accurately.

On the other hand, as a technique for predicting the service life of a lubricant, Patent Document 1 discloses a device that changes from a non-conducting state to a conducting state by contacting two electrode plates when the remaining amount of the lubricant is exhausted. A technique for detecting the remaining amount of lubricant by attaching a (lubricant remaining amount detection device) to an application means is disclosed.

Further, Patent Documents 2 and 3 disclose techniques for calculating consumption of a lubricant based on usage history without providing an additional device. Specifically, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2002-100001 discloses a technique of calculating the lubricant consumption in consideration of the number of rotations of an application brush and the total running distance of the application brush or photoreceptor. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-201003 discloses a technique of calculating the consumption of lubricant in consideration of the average image area ratio on the photoreceptor and the total number of rotations of the photoreceptor.

JP 2017-138404 A Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2013-20232 JP 2007-193263 A

However, with the technique described in Patent Document 1, a lubricant remaining amount detection device must be provided, which increases the manufacturing cost. In the technique described in Patent Document 2, the lubricant consumption is calculated based on the number of rotations of the application brush and the total running distance of the application brush or the photoreceptor. is also affected. In the technique described in Patent Document 3, the consumption of lubricant is calculated based on the average image area ratio on the photoreceptor and the total number of rotations of the photoreceptor. be done.

The present invention has been devised in view of such circumstances, and its object is to calculate the lubricant consumption more accurately and replace the lubricant at an appropriate timing, thereby achieving high reliability and high durability. and to provide an image forming apparatus.

An image forming apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention is an image forming apparatus capable of forming an image based on image data, comprising an image carrier and developing means for developing a toner image on the image carrier based on the image data. holding means for holding a solid lubricant; applying means for applying the solid lubricant to the image carrier by rotating in contact with the solid lubricant and the rotating image carrier; calculating means for calculating information capable of specifying consumption of the solid lubricant, wherein the calculating means calculates a circumferential speed ratio between the applying means and the image carrier and a circumferential speed ratio between the applying means and the image bearing member; Information that can specify the consumption of the solid lubricant is calculated based on at least one of the speed differences.

Preferably, the calculation means multiplies a peripheral speed ratio between the coating means and the image carrier by a coefficient, multiplies a peripheral speed difference between the coating means and the image carrier by the coefficient, or Multiplying the peripheral speed ratio between the application means and the image carrier by the peripheral speed difference between the application means and the image carrier, and then multiplying the coefficient by the coefficient, to calculate information that can specify the consumption amount of the solid lubricant. do.

Preferably, the calculation means multiplies a circumferential velocity ratio between the application means and the image carrier by a pressing force acting from the holding means toward the solid lubricant, Multiplying the peripheral speed difference by the pressing force, or multiplying the peripheral speed ratio between the coating device and the image carrier by the peripheral speed difference between the coating device and the image carrier, and further multiplying the pressing force. to calculate information that can specify the consumption of the solid lubricant.

Preferably, the apparatus further includes pressing force calculation means for calculating the pressing force based on the amount of consumption of the solid lubricant.

Preferably, when calculating the information that can specify the consumption amount of the solid lubricant based on the peripheral speed ratio between the application device and the image carrier, the calculation device calculates the amount of consumption of the solid lubricant based on the process speed of the image carrier. to correct the information that can specify the consumption of the solid lubricant.

Preferably, the calculation means corrects the information that can specify the consumption of the solid lubricant based on temperature and humidity.

Preferably, the calculating means calculates information that can specify the consumption of the solid lubricant each time the process speed of the image carrier changes.

Preferably, the consumption amount of the solid lubricant is calculated by multiplying the information capable of specifying the consumption amount of the solid lubricant calculated by the calculating means by the running distance of the applying means or the running distance of the image carrier. Consumption calculation means is further provided, and the consumption calculation means calculates the consumption of the solid lubricant for each predetermined number of printed sheets.

Preferably, the apparatus further includes determination means for determining that it is time to replace the solid lubricant when the consumption of the solid lubricant calculated by the consumption calculation means is equal to or greater than a threshold value.

Preferably, the apparatus further comprises notification means for notifying the user of replacement of the solid lubricant based on the determination by the determination means.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus having both high reliability and high durability by calculating the lubricant consumption more accurately and replacing the lubricant at an appropriate timing.

2 is a block diagram showing the main hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus; FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of an image forming unit; FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of an image forming unit; FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the relationship between at least one of the circumferential speed ratio and the circumferential speed difference and the consumption rate of the solid lubricant. It is a figure which shows the structure of a lubricant application apparatus. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the relationship between the pressing force and the consumption rate of solid lubricant. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the relationship between at least one of the peripheral speed ratio and the peripheral speed difference multiplied by the pressing force and the consumption rate of the solid lubricant. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the relationship between the process speed of a photoreceptor and the consumption rate of a solid lubricant; FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a correction value for the consumption rate of solid lubricant according to absolute humidity; 4 is a flow chart showing a process of notifying a user to replace the solid lubricant based on the amount of consumption of the solid lubricant. It is a flow chart which shows section consumption calculation processing. It is a figure for demonstrating the calculation method of the area consumption of a solid lubricant.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The same or corresponding parts in the drawings are given the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the main hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus 100. As shown in FIG. The image forming apparatus 100 includes a paper feeding section 10 , an image forming section 20 , a fixing section 30 , an operation display section 40 , a control section 50 and a storage section 60 .

The paper feed unit 10 includes a plurality of trays (not shown), and each tray accommodates sheets of different sizes. The sheets accommodated in each tray are conveyed to the image forming section 20 through a predetermined conveying path.

The image forming unit 20 forms an image on paper using yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) colored toners based on image data transmitted from an external device, for example. Form. Note that the image forming section 20 may be configured to form a monochrome image on paper.

The fixing unit 30 heats and presses the paper on which the toner image is formed by the image forming unit 20 to fix the toner image on the paper.

The operation display unit 40 includes a display unit for displaying various information on the display screen and an operation unit for inputting various instructions by the user.

The control unit 50 is configured by, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like. The CPU reads various programs such as a system program and a processing program stored in the storage unit 60, develops them in the RAM, and executes various processes such as image formation according to the developed programs.

The storage unit 60 is configured by, for example, a non-volatile memory such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or a ROM (Read Only Memory). The storage unit 60 stores various programs such as a system program and a processing program executed by the control unit 50, data necessary for executing these programs, and the like. For example, the storage unit 60 stores setting information necessary for image formation.

Note that the image forming apparatus 100 may be implemented in any form such as a multi-functional peripheral (MFP), copier, facsimile machine, or printer.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the image forming section 20. As shown in FIG. In the following, for convenience of illustration and description, common constituent elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and Y, M, C, and K are added to the reference numerals only when they are distinguished from each other.

The image forming section 20 includes image forming units 21Y, 21M, 21C, and 21K for forming images on paper P using colored toners of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). , an intermediate transfer member 26 and a secondary transfer roller 27 . While the paper P is conveyed in the image forming section 20 in accordance with the arrows in the drawing, images of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) are formed on the paper P. formed in After the image is formed on the paper P using each color toner, the paper P is conveyed to the fixing section 30 . The configuration of the image forming units will be described below, but since the image forming units 21Y, 21M, 21C, and 21K have the same configuration, only the image forming unit 21Y will be described.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the image forming unit 21Y. As shown in FIG. 3, the image forming unit 21Y includes a photoconductor 1, a charging device 2, an exposure device 3, a developing device 4, a transfer device 5, a cleaning device 6, a lubricant application device 7, a leveling blade 11, and an eraser. 12.

The photosensitive member 1 is a drum-shaped latent image bearing member that is rotationally driven in the direction a in the figure. The photoreceptor 1 is composed of an organic photoreceptor in which a photosensitive layer made of a resin containing an organic photoconductor is formed on the outer peripheral surface of a drum-shaped metal substrate. Examples of resins constituting the photosensitive layer include polycarbonate resins, silicone resins, polystyrene resins, acrylic resins, methacrylic resins, epoxy resins, polyurethane resins, vinyl chloride resins and melamine resins.

The charging device 2 uses a charging charger to charge the surface of the photoreceptor 1 to a constant potential. The charging device 2 uses a corona charger, and a DC bias or an AC bias in which a DC voltage is superimposed on an AC voltage is applied to charge the photoreceptor 1 to a constant potential. A charging roller may be used as the charging device 2 .

The exposure device 3 exposes the surface of the photoreceptor 1 charged by the charging device 2 to form an electrostatic latent image. Specifically, the exposure device 3 is composed of a semiconductor laser, and irradiates the photosensitive member 1 with laser light corresponding to the image of each color component based on the image data. An electrostatic latent image of each color component is formed on the surface of the photoreceptor 1 due to a potential difference with the surroundings.

The developing device 4 contains developer of each color component, and visualizes the electrostatic latent image by attaching toner of each color component to the electrostatic latent image formed by the exposure device 3 based on the image data. Form a toner image. The developing device 4 includes a developing sleeve 4a arranged to face the photoreceptor 1 across the developing region. The developing device 4 applies, to the developing sleeve 4a, a DC developing bias having the same polarity as the charging polarity of the charging device 2, or a developing bias in which a DC voltage having the same polarity as the charging polarity of the charging device 2 is superimposed on an AC voltage. , reversal development is performed to attach toner to the electrostatic latent image formed by the exposure device 3 .

The transfer device 5 transfers the toner image formed on the photosensitive member 1 by the developing device 4 onto the intermediate transfer member 26 in the transfer area. A voltage having a polarity opposite to that of the toner is applied to the transfer device 5 . It is transferred to the intermediate transfer body 26 .

The intermediate transfer member 26 is composed of an endless belt and runs at a constant speed in the direction b in the drawing. The intermediate toner image formed by sequentially superposing (primarily transferring) the toner images of each color on the intermediate transfer body 26 is transferred to the paper P by the intermediate transfer body 26 being pressed against the paper P by the secondary transfer roller 27 . Secondarily transferred. After that, the paper P is conveyed to the fixing section 30 .

The cleaning device 6 collects toner remaining on the photosensitive member 1 without being transferred onto the intermediate transfer member 26 in the transfer area. The cleaning device 6 generally employs a blade cleaning method in which a flat cleaning blade made of an elastic material is brought into contact with the photoreceptor 1 . The rebound resilience and hardness are important physical properties of the cleaning blade. The JIS A hardness is preferably 20 to 90°, particularly preferably 60 to 80°. If the JIS A hardness is less than 20°, the cleaning blade is too soft and tends to curl. On the other hand, if the JIS A hardness is greater than 90°, it becomes difficult to follow slight irregularities and foreign matter on the photoreceptor 1, and cleaning failures of toner particles tend to occur.

The lubricant application device 7 is provided between the charging device 2 and the cleaning device 6 and supplies lubricant to the photoreceptor 1 . The lubricant plays a role of lowering the friction coefficient of the surface of the photoreceptor 1 and lowering the load on the photoreceptor 1 and the cleaning device 6 . The lubricant also plays a role of improving the transfer efficiency of toner and protecting the photoreceptor 1 from discharge products.

Lubricant applicator 7 includes applicator member 8 , solid lubricant 9 , and spring 10 . The application member 8 scrapes off the lubricant from the solid lubricant 9 and supplies it to the photoreceptor 1 by rotating while being in contact with the solid lubricant 9 and the rotating photoreceptor 1. For example, a brush etc. The application member 8 supplies the lubricant to the photosensitive member 1 by rotating in the direction c in the figure. Note that the application member 8 is not limited to a brush, and may be a sponge or the like. As the lubricant, a bar-shaped solid lubricant 9 is placed in pressure contact with the application member 8 by a spring 10 . The solid lubricant 9 is, for example, a fatty acid metal salt, silicone oil, fluorine-based resin, or the like, and these can be used alone or in combination of two or more. The solid lubricant 9 is particularly preferably a fatty acid metal salt. The fatty acid metal salt of the fatty acid metal salt is preferably a straight-chain hydrocarbon, such as myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, or oleic acid, with stearic acid being more preferred. Moreover, the metal of the fatty acid metal salt is preferably lithium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, zinc, cadmium, aluminum, cerium, titanium, iron, or the like. Among these, as the fatty acid metal salt, zinc stearate, magnesium stearate, aluminum stearate, iron stearate and the like are preferable, and zinc stearate is most preferable.

The leveling blade 11 is provided downstream of the lubricant applicator 7 to level the lubricant supplied onto the photoreceptor 1 by the lubricant applicator 7 . As for the material of the leveling blade 11, it is preferable to use an elastic material like the cleaning blade.

The eraser 12 is exposure means such as an LED, and removes the surface potential of the photoreceptor 1 by exposure. The photosensitive member 1 from which the transfer residual toner has been collected by the cleaning device 6 is neutralized by the eraser 12 . After that, the photoreceptor 1 is again charged by the charging device 2, and the next electrostatic latent image is formed on its surface to form a toner image.

As described above, since the solid lubricant 9 is scraped off and applied to the photoreceptor 1, it must be replaced before it runs out. A guideline for the replacement timing of the solid lubricant 9 is the timing when the remaining amount of the solid lubricant 9 becomes less than the threshold value. The lubricant plays a role of lowering the coefficient of friction of the surface of the photoreceptor 1 to reduce the load on the photoreceptor 1 and the cleaning device 6, a role of improving toner transfer efficiency, and a role of protecting the photoreceptor 1 from discharge products. It has a protective role. If image formation is performed in a state in which the solid lubricant 9 is depleted, image noise will occur, so it is desirable to replace the solid lubricant 9 before it is depleted. On the other hand, if the solid lubricant 9 remains sufficiently, the replacement is contrary to the high durability. Therefore, accurate calculation of the remaining amount of solid lubricant 9 or the amount of consumption of solid lubricant 9 is important for high reliability and high durability of the image forming apparatus.

Therefore, in the image forming apparatus 100, the controller 50 calculates the amount of consumption of the solid lubricant 9 and notifies the user of the appropriate time to replace the solid lubricant 9 based on the calculated amount. The controller 50 calculates the consumption rate of the solid lubricant 9 when calculating the consumption of the solid lubricant 9 . As a result of experiments, the consumption rate of the solid lubricant 9 depends on the peripheral speed ratio of the application member 8 and the photoreceptor 1, the peripheral speed difference between the application member 8 and the photoreceptor 1, the pressing force from the spring 10, and the process speed of the photoreceptor 1. (synonymous with peripheral speed), and is known to change depending on the installation environment of the image forming apparatus 100 and the like. The controller 50 controls the peripheral speed ratio between the coating member 8 and the photoreceptor 1 , the peripheral speed difference between the coating member 8 and the photoreceptor 1 , the pressing force from the spring 10 , the process speed of the photoreceptor 1 , and the installation of the image forming apparatus 100 . Based on the environment and the like, the consumption rate of the solid lubricant 9 is calculated and corrected, and the consumption amount of the solid lubricant 9 is calculated.

4 to 9, the consumption rate of the solid lubricant 9, the circumferential speed ratio of the application member 8 and the photoreceptor 1, the application member 8 and the photoreceptor 1, which affect the consumption rate of the solid lubricant 9. , the pressing force from the spring 10, the process speed of the photosensitive member 1, the installation environment of the image forming apparatus 100, and the like.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the relationship between at least one of the circumferential speed ratio θ and the circumferential speed difference Δv and the consumption rate a of the solid lubricant 9. As shown in FIG. FIG. 4A shows the relationship between the peripheral speed ratio θ and the consumption rate a of the solid lubricant 9, and FIG. 4B shows the relationship between the peripheral speed difference Δv and the consumption rate a of the solid lubricant 9. FIG. 4C is a diagram showing the relationship between the peripheral speed ratio θ, the peripheral speed difference Δv, and the consumption rate a of the solid lubricant 9. FIG.

The peripheral speed ratio θ is the ratio of the peripheral speed of the application member 8 to the peripheral speed of the photoreceptor 1, and is hereinafter simply referred to as the "peripheral speed ratio θ". The circumferential speed difference Δv is a value obtained by subtracting the circumferential speed of the photoreceptor 1 from the circumferential speed of the application member 8, and is hereinafter simply referred to as the “peripheral speed difference Δv”. 4, the relationship between the peripheral speed ratio θ and the consumption rate a of the solid lubricant 9, the relationship between the peripheral speed difference Δv and the consumption rate a of the solid lubricant 9, the peripheral speed ratio θ and the peripheral speed The relationship between the difference Δv and the consumption rate a of the solid lubricant 9 will be described.

The consumption rate a of the solid lubricant 9 shown in FIG. 4 is a value obtained as a result of experiments under the conditions shown below. The first condition is the rotating direction of the photoreceptor 1 and the application member 8 . In the experiment, the photosensitive member 1 was rotated in the direction a in FIG. 3, and the coating member 8 was rotated in the direction c in FIG. A second condition is the material of the application member 8 . In the experiment, a straight brush made of polyester fibers was used as the application member 8 . A third condition is the material of the solid lubricant 9 . In the experiment, the solid lubricant 9 was melt-formed from zinc stearate. The fourth condition is the image pattern and the number of printed sheets. In the experiment, the image pattern was a horizontal band having an image area ratio of 10% for each color of CMYK, and the number of printed sheets was 5000 sheets of A4 size. A fifth condition is the process speed of the photoreceptor 1 . Specifically, the experiment was conducted when the process speed of the photoreceptor 1 was 315 mm/s, 225 mm/s, and 157.5 mm/s. In the experiment, under the first to fifth conditions, the consumption rate a of the solid lubricant 9 was calculated by changing the peripheral speed ratio θ and the peripheral speed difference Δv. Specifically, the weight of the solid lubricant 9 before and after printing 5000 sheets of A4 size and the distance traveled by the photoreceptor 1 while printing 5000 sheets of A4 size were measured. Then, the consumption rate a of the solid lubricant 9 was calculated by dividing the amount of change in the weight of the solid lubricant 9 before and after printing by the traveling distance of the photoreceptor 1 during printing.

As a result of the experiment, as shown in FIG. 4A, there is a linear relationship between the circumferential speed ratio θ and the consumption rate a of the solid lubricant 9, and the consumption rate a of the solid lubricant 9 increases as the circumferential speed ratio θ increases. becomes higher. Further, as shown in FIG. 4B, the peripheral speed difference Δv and the consumption rate a of the solid lubricant 9 are in a linear relationship, and the larger the peripheral speed difference Δv, the higher the consumption rate a of the solid lubricant 9. Become. Further, as shown in FIG. 4(C), there is a linear relationship between the product of the peripheral speed ratio θ and the peripheral speed difference Δv and the consumption rate a of the solid lubricant 9, and the peripheral speed ratio θ and the peripheral speed As the product multiplied by the difference Δv increases, the consumption rate a of the solid lubricant 9 increases.

The reason why the consumption rate a of the solid lubricant 9 increases as the peripheral speed ratio θ increases is that, in general, the peripheral speed of the coating member 8 is faster than that of the photosensitive member 1, and the peripheral speed ratio θ increases when the peripheral speed ratio θ increases. This is because the application member 8 contacts the photosensitive member 1 rotating at a certain peripheral speed more times than when the speed ratio θ is small. An increase in the number of times the application member 8 contacts the photoreceptor 1 means an increase in the number of times the application member 8 applies the lubricant to the photoreceptor 1 . As a result, when the peripheral speed ratio θ is large, the amount of lubricant applied to the photoreceptor 1 is greater than when the peripheral speed ratio θ is small, so the consumption rate a of the solid lubricant 9 increases.

The reason why the consumption rate a of the solid lubricant 9 increases as the circumferential speed difference Δv increases is that the circumferential speed of the coating member 8 is generally faster than that of the photosensitive member 1, and the circumferential speed difference Δv is greater when the circumferential speed difference Δv is greater. This is because the application member 8 has a greater force to scrape off the external additive from the toner adhering to the surface of the photoreceptor 1 than when the peripheral speed difference Δv is small. The increase in the force of the application member 8 scraping off the external additive from the toner adhering to the surface of the photoreceptor 1 means that the external additive taken into the application member 8 increases. Since the external additive taken into the application member 8 serves as an abrasive when the application member 8 scrapes the solid lubricant 9, the consumption rate a of the solid lubricant 9 increases.

Thus, it can be said that the consumption rate a of the solid lubricant 9 has a linear relationship with at least one of the peripheral speed ratio θ and the peripheral speed difference Δv. and the peripheral speed difference Δv, the consumption rate a of the solid lubricant 9 is calculated. As a result, the control unit 50 can more accurately calculate the consumption rate a of the solid lubricant 9 and the amount of consumption of the solid lubricant 9 can be calculated more accurately.

5 to 7, the relationship between the pressing force F from the spring 10 (hereinafter also simply referred to as "pressing force F") and the consumption rate a of the solid lubricant 9 will be described. The pressing force F is a force acting from the spring 10 toward the solid lubricant 9, and in order to hold the solid lubricant 9 in pressure contact with the applying member 8, the spring 10 pushes the solid lubricant 9 toward the applying member. It is the force that presses against 8.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of the lubricant application device 7. As shown in FIG. FIG. 5A is a diagram showing the lubricant application device 7 in which the solid lubricant 9 has just been replaced, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing; The pressing force F will be described with reference to FIG.

5, lubricant application device 7 includes application member 8, solid lubricant 9, and spring 10 as described with reference to FIG. It is As shown in FIG. 5A, soon after the solid lubricant 9 is replaced, the size of the solid lubricant 9 intervening between the application member 8 and the spring 10 is large. The amount of compression increases, and the force of pushing the solid lubricant 9 from the spring 10 due to its elastic force, that is, the pressing force F acts strongly. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5B, as the consumption of the solid lubricant 9 progresses, the size of the solid lubricant 9 becomes smaller, so the amount of compression of the spring 10 becomes smaller, and the solid lubricant 9 from the spring 10 becomes smaller. The pushing force acting toward it, that is, the pushing force F weakens.

Thus, there is a correlation between the pressing force F and the size of the solid lubricant 9, and the pressing force F decreases as the solid lubricant 9 decreases. Here, since there is a correlation between the size of the solid lubricant 9 and its weight, the control unit 50 calculates the pressing force F based on the weight of the solid lubricant 9 . Specifically, the control unit 50 calculates the weight of the solid lubricant 9 based on the consumption amount of the solid lubricant 9 and calculates the pressing force F based on the calculated weight of the solid lubricant 9 .

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the relationship between the pressing force F and the consumption rate a of the solid lubricant 9. As shown in FIG. The consumption rate a of the solid lubricant 9 shown in FIG. 6 is a value obtained as a result of experiments by changing the pressing force F under the first to fifth conditions. As a result of the experiment, as shown in FIG. 6, there is a linear relationship between the pressing force F and the consumption rate a of the solid lubricant 9, and the greater the pressing force F, the higher the consumption rate a of the solid lubricant 9. The reason why the consumption rate a of the solid lubricant 9 increases as the pressing force F increases is that the solid lubricant 9 presses the applying member 8 more strongly when the pressing force F is greater than when the pressing force F is small. This is because the amount of the solid lubricant 9 scraped off by the applying member 8 increases. As a result, the consumption rate a of the solid lubricant 9 increases.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the relationship between the product of at least one of the peripheral speed ratio θ and the peripheral speed difference Δv multiplied by the pressing force F and the consumption rate a of the solid lubricant 9 . The relationship between the product of at least one of the circumferential speed ratio θ and the circumferential speed difference Δv multiplied by the pressing force F and the consumption rate a of the solid lubricant 9 will be described with reference to FIG.

The consumption rate a of the solid lubricant 9 shown in FIG. It is the value obtained by multiplying. As shown in FIG. 7A, there is a linear relationship between the peripheral speed ratio θ multiplied by the pressing force F and the consumption rate a of the solid lubricant 9, and the peripheral speed ratio θ multiplied by the pressing force F As the size increases, the consumption rate a of the solid lubricant 9 increases. Further, as shown in FIG. 7(B), there is a linear relationship between the circumferential speed difference Δv multiplied by the pressing force F and the consumption rate a of the solid lubricant 9. The larger the product, the higher the consumption rate a of the solid lubricant 9 . Further, as shown in FIG. 7(C), there is a linear relationship between the peripheral speed ratio θ multiplied by the peripheral speed difference Δv and further multiplied by the pressing force F and the consumption rate a of the solid lubricant 9. The consumption rate a of the solid lubricant 9 increases as the product of the speed ratio θ multiplied by the peripheral speed difference Δv and further multiplied by the pressing force F increases.

4 and 7, the plot of the consumption rate a of the solid lubricant 9 is closer to the straight line in the case of FIG. 7 than in the case of FIG. That is, the consumption rate a of the solid lubricant 9 calculated based on at least one of the peripheral speed ratio θ and the peripheral speed difference Δv and the pressing force F is calculated based on at least one of the peripheral speed ratio θ and the peripheral speed difference Δv. can be said to be more accurate than the consumption rate a of the solid lubricant 9 calculated based on

Therefore, in the image forming apparatus 100, the controller 50 calculates the consumption rate a of the solid lubricant 9 in consideration of the pressing force F in addition to at least one of the circumferential speed ratio θ and the circumferential speed difference Δv. Specifically, the control unit 50 multiplies the peripheral speed ratio θ by the pressing force F, multiplies the peripheral speed difference Δv by the pressing force F, or multiplies the peripheral speed ratio θ by the peripheral speed difference Δv and further multiplies the pressing force. By multiplying the pressure F, the consumption rate a of the solid lubricant 9 is calculated. As a result, the control unit 50 can more accurately calculate the consumption rate a of the solid lubricant 9 and the amount of consumption of the solid lubricant 9 can be calculated more accurately.

Instead of the pressing force F, the control unit 50 multiplies the peripheral speed ratio θ by a coefficient determined according to the weight of the solid lubricant 9, multiplies the peripheral speed difference Δv by the coefficient, or multiplies the peripheral speed difference Δv by the coefficient. The consumption rate a of the solid lubricant 9 may be calculated by multiplying θ by the peripheral speed difference Δv and then by the coefficient.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the relationship between the process speed of the photoreceptor 1 and the consumption rate a of the solid lubricant 9. As shown in FIG. The relationship between the processing speed of the photosensitive member 1 and the consumption rate a of the solid lubricant 9 will be described with reference to FIG.

The consumption rate a of the solid lubricant 9 shown in FIG. 8 is a value obtained as a result of experiments by changing the peripheral speed ratio θ under the first to fifth conditions. Specifically, when the process speed of the photoreceptor 1 is 315 mm/s, when the process speed of the photoreceptor 1 is 225 mm/s, and when the process speed of the photoreceptor 1 is 157.5 mm/s, the peripheral speed An experiment was conducted by changing the ratio θ. As a result of the experiment, as shown in FIG. 8, when the peripheral speed ratio θ is the same, the consumption rate a of the solid lubricant 9 increases as the process speed of the photosensitive member 1 increases.

Therefore, in the image forming apparatus 100, the controller 50 calculates the consumption rate a of the solid lubricant 9 based on the peripheral speed ratio θ, or calculates the solid lubricant 9 consumption rate a based on the peripheral speed ratio θ and the pressing force F. , the consumption rate a of the solid lubricant 9 is corrected in accordance with the process speed of the photoreceptor 1 . Specifically, the control unit 50 multiplies the circumferential speed ratio θ or the product of the circumferential speed ratio θ and the pressing force F by a coefficient determined according to the process speed of the photoreceptor 1 to obtain a solid image. The consumption rate a of the lubricant 9 is corrected. Thereby, the control unit 50 calculates the consumption rate a of the solid lubricant 9 based on the peripheral speed ratio θ, or calculates the consumption rate a of the solid lubricant 9 based on the peripheral speed ratio θ and the pressing force F When calculating, the consumption rate a of the solid lubricant 9 can be calculated more accurately, and the consumption amount of the solid lubricant 9 can be calculated more accurately.

4 and 7, when the peripheral speed difference Δv is used to calculate the consumption rate a of the solid lubricant 9 (for example, FIG. 4(B), FIG. 4(C), FIG. 7(B), FIG. 7(C) shows a case where the peripheral speed ratio θ is used without using the peripheral speed difference Δv to calculate the consumption rate a of the solid lubricant 9 (for example, FIG. 4(A), FIG. 7(A)). , the plot of the consumption rate a of the solid lubricant 9 is close to the straight line. In other words, the consumption rate a of the solid lubricant 9 calculated based on the peripheral speed difference Δv is better than the consumption rate a of the solid lubricant 9 calculated based on the peripheral speed ratio θ without being based on the peripheral speed difference Δv. It is said to be more accurate than However, in the image forming apparatus 100, when the circumferential speed difference Δv is not used to calculate the consumption rate a of the solid lubricant 9, but the circumferential speed ratio θ is used, the coefficient determined according to the process speed of the photoreceptor 1 is Since the consumption rate a of the solid lubricant 9 is corrected by multiplication, the consumption rate a of the solid lubricant 9 can be calculated more accurately. On the other hand, when the peripheral speed difference Δv is used to calculate the consumption rate a of the solid lubricant 9, the consumption rate a of the solid lubricant 9 can be calculated more accurately without correction based on the process speed of the photoreceptor 1. can be calculated. When the peripheral speed difference Δv is used to calculate the consumption rate a of the solid lubricant 9, the calculation of the consumption rate a of the solid lubricant 9 is simplified because the process speed of the photosensitive member 1 is not corrected.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of correction values for the consumption rate a of the solid lubricant 9 according to absolute humidity. The relationship between the installation environment of the image forming apparatus 100 and the consumption rate a of the solid lubricant 9 will be described with reference to FIG. The installation environment of the image forming apparatus 100 is temperature and humidity, for example.

In general, the consumption rate a of the solid lubricant 9 tends to increase as the temperature and humidity decrease, and decrease as the temperature and humidity increase. Therefore, in the image forming apparatus 100, when calculating the consumption rate a of the solid lubricant 9, the controller 50 corrects the consumption rate a of the solid lubricant 9 according to the absolute humidity. Specifically, the control unit 50 multiplies the peripheral speed ratio θ by a coefficient determined according to the absolute humidity, multiplies the peripheral speed difference Δv by a coefficient determined according to the absolute humidity, or multiplies the peripheral speed ratio θ is multiplied by the peripheral speed difference Δv and further multiplied by a coefficient determined according to the absolute humidity to correct the consumption rate a of the solid lubricant 9 . The coefficient determined according to the absolute humidity is, for example, the correction value shown in FIG. As a result, the control unit 50 can more accurately calculate the consumption rate a of the solid lubricant 9 and the amount of consumption of the solid lubricant 9 can be calculated more accurately. The correction values shown in FIG. 9 are examples of correction values under the first to fifth conditions, and the correction values are not limited to these numerical values.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing the process of notifying the user of replacement of the solid lubricant 9 based on the amount of consumption of the solid lubricant 9 . Referring to FIG. 10, the process of notifying the user of replacement of the solid lubricant 9 based on the amount of consumption of the solid lubricant 9 by the control unit 50 will be described. The processing shown in FIG. 10 is realized by executing a predetermined program stored in the storage unit 60 (eg, ROM) by the control unit 50 (eg, CPU).

First, the control unit 50 determines whether or not the number of printed sheets has reached α or more (S1). The control unit 50 repeats the processing of S1 until the number of printed sheets reaches α or more, and when the number of printed sheets becomes α or more (YES in S1), the section consumption calculation process is executed (S2). The interval consumption amount calculation process is a process of calculating the consumption amount of the solid lubricant 9 in the period each time the number of printed sheets reaches α. Section consumption calculation processing will be described later with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12 .

Next, the control unit 50 adds the section consumption V calculated in S2 to the total consumption counter (S3). As a result, the section consumption amount V calculated for each α of the number of printed sheets is accumulated in the total consumption amount counter.

Next, the control unit 50 determines whether or not the value of the total consumption counter is equal to or greater than the threshold (S4). If the value of the total consumption counter is equal to or greater than the threshold, that is, if the total consumption of the solid lubricant 9 is equal to or greater than the threshold (YES in S4), the controller 50 determines that it is time to replace the solid lubricant 9. Then, the user is notified of the replacement of the solid lubricant 9 (S5). The notification to the user in S5 includes, for example, notification by e-mail, display on the operation display unit 40, notification by alarm sound, and the like. After S5, the control unit 50 ends the process shown in FIG.

On the other hand, if the value of the total consumption counter is less than the threshold, that is, if the total consumption of the solid lubricant 9 is less than the threshold (NO in S4), the controller 50 returns the process to S1.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing the section consumption calculation process. This flow chart is a subroutine executed in FIG. The control unit 50 (eg, CPU) executes this subroutine by executing a predetermined program stored in the storage unit 60 (eg, ROM). Hereinafter, the interval consumption amount calculation processing in the control unit 50 will be described with reference to FIG. 11 .

First, the control unit 50 calculates the peripheral speed of the photoreceptor 1 (S11). Next, the controller 50 calculates the peripheral speed of the application member 8 (S12). Next, the control unit 50 calculates the peripheral speed ratio θ of the application member 8 and the photosensitive member 1 based on the values calculated in S11 and S12 (S13). Next, the controller 50 calculates the peripheral speed difference Δv between the application member 8 and the photoreceptor 1 based on the values calculated in S11 and S12 (S14).

Next, the controller 50 calculates the pressing force F based on the weight of the solid lubricant 9 (S15). Next, the controller 50 calculates the absolute humidity (S16).

Next, the control unit 50 calculates the consumption rate a based on the circumferential speed ratio θ calculated in S13, the circumferential speed difference Δv calculated in S14, and the pressing force F calculated in S15 (S17). Next, the controller 50 corrects the consumption rate a of the solid lubricant 9 calculated in S17 based on the absolute humidity calculated in S16 (S18). Next, the control unit 50 calculates the interval consumption amount V based on the consumption rate a after being corrected in S18 and the number of printed sheets (α sheets) (S19), and ends the processing shown in FIG.

FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining a method of calculating the section consumption amount V of the solid lubricant 9. As shown in FIG. A specific method of calculating the section consumption amount V will be described with reference to the step numbers in FIGS. 12 and 11 . FIG. 12 shows that [consumption amount V, consumption rate a] of the solid lubricant 9 changes from [ V0, a0], [V1, a1], and [V2, a2] respectively. Further, FIG. 12 exemplifies the case where the pressing forces F calculated when the number of printed sheets reaches α, 2α, and 3α are F0, F1, and F2, respectively.

(When the number of printed sheets reaches α sheets after replacing the solid lubricant 9)
The controller 50 calculates the peripheral speed of the photosensitive member 1 (S11) and the peripheral speed of the coating member 8 (S12) at the timing when the number of printed sheets reaches α after the solid lubricant 9 is replaced. . Next, the control unit 50 calculates the circumferential speed ratio θ (S13), the circumferential speed difference Δv (S14), the pressing force F (S15), and the absolute humidity (S16). When the number of printed sheets reaches α, the control unit 50 calculates the pressing force F0 based on the weight of the solid lubricant 9 just replaced. Next, based on the peripheral speed ratio θ calculated in S13, the peripheral speed difference Δv calculated in S14, and the pressing force F0 calculated in S15, the control unit 50 determines whether the number of printed sheets is α after replacing the solid lubricant 9. A consumption rate a0 of the solid lubricant 9 is calculated until the sheet is reached (S17). Next, the controller 50 corrects the consumption rate a0 of the solid lubricant 9 calculated in S17 based on the absolute humidity calculated in S16 (S18).

Next, based on the consumption rate a0 after being corrected in S18 and the number of printed sheets (α sheets), the control unit 50 determines the interval consumption when the number of printed sheets after replacing the solid lubricant 9 reaches α sheets. A quantity V0 is calculated (S19). Specifically, the control unit 50 calculates the interval consumption V0 by multiplying the consumption rate a0 corrected in S18 by the number of printed sheets α (S19). Instead of α sheets, which is the number of printed sheets, the section consumption amount V0 may be calculated by multiplying the travel distance of the coating member 8 or the travel distance of the photosensitive member 1 by the consumption rate a0 corrected in S18. .

(When the number of printed sheets reaches 2α after replacing the solid lubricant 9)
At the timing when the number of printed sheets reaches 2α, the control unit 50 calculates the peripheral speed of the photoreceptor 1 (S11) from the time when the number of printed sheets exceeds the number of printed sheets until the number of printed sheets reaches 2α (S11). The peripheral speed of the member 8 is calculated (S12). Next, the control unit 50 calculates the peripheral speed ratio θ (S13), the peripheral speed difference Δv (S14), and the pressing force F is calculated (S15), and the absolute humidity is calculated (S16). When the number of printed sheets reaches 2α, the control unit 50 calculates the pressing force F1 based on the value obtained by subtracting the interval consumption amount V0 from the weight of the solid lubricant 9 just replaced. Next, based on the circumferential speed ratio θ calculated in S13, the circumferential speed difference Δv calculated in S14, and the pressing force F1 calculated in S15, the control unit 50 determines that the number of printed sheets exceeds α and the number of printed sheets reaches 2α. A consumption rate a1 of the solid lubricant 9 is calculated until the sheet is reached. (S17). Next, the controller 50 corrects the consumption rate a1 of the solid lubricant 9 calculated in S17 based on the absolute humidity calculated in S16 (S18). Next, based on the consumption rate a1 corrected in S18 and the number of printed sheets (α sheets), the control unit 50 determines the amount of consumption in the section from when the number of printed sheets exceeds α sheets to when the number of printed sheets reaches 2α sheets. V1 is calculated (S19).

(When the number of printed sheets reaches 3α after replacing the solid lubricant 9)
Next, at the timing when the number of printed sheets reaches 3α, the control unit 50 calculates the peripheral speed of the photoreceptor 1 from when the number of printed sheets exceeds 2α until the number of printed sheets reaches 3α (S11). And the peripheral speed of the application member 8 is calculated (S12). Next, the control unit 50 calculates the peripheral speed ratio θ (S13), the peripheral speed difference Δv (S14), and the pressing force F is calculated (S15), and the absolute humidity is calculated (S16). When the number of printed sheets reaches 3α, the control unit 50 calculates the pressing force F2 based on the value obtained by subtracting the interval consumption V0 and the interval consumption V1 from the weight of the solid lubricant 9 just replaced. . Next, based on the circumferential speed ratio θ calculated in S13, the circumferential speed difference Δv calculated in S14, and the pressing force F2 calculated in S15, the control unit 50 determines that the number of printed sheets exceeds 2α and the number of printed sheets reaches 3α. A consumption rate a2 of the solid lubricant 9 is calculated until the sheet is reached. (S17). Next, the controller 50 corrects the consumption rate a2 of the solid lubricant 9 calculated in S17 based on the absolute humidity calculated in S16 (S18). Next, based on the consumption rate a2 corrected in S18 and the number of printed sheets (α sheets), the control unit 50 determines the section consumption amount V2 from when the number of printed sheets exceeds 2α sheets to when the number of printed sheets reaches 3α sheets. is calculated (S19). Thereafter, similarly, the control unit 50 calculates the consumption rate a and the interval consumption amount V of the solid lubricant 9 each time the number of printed sheets newly reaches α.

In the method shown in FIG. 12, the timing for calculating the consumption rate a of the solid lubricant 9 is the timing when the number of printed sheets reaches α, but the timing is not limited to this. As shown in FIG. 8, when the process speed of the photoreceptor 1 changes, the consumption rate a of the solid lubricant 9 with respect to the circumferential speed ratio θ changes. Therefore, the timing for calculating the consumption rate a of the solid lubricant 9 may be the timing when the process speed of the photoreceptor 1 changes instead of the timing when the number of printed sheets reaches α. By calculating the consumption rate a of the solid lubricant 9 at such timing, the consumption rate a of the solid lubricant 9 can be calculated more accurately.

As described above, the control unit 50 calculates the consumption rate a of the solid lubricant 9 based on the peripheral speed ratio θ, the peripheral speed difference Δv, and the pressing force F, and then calculates the consumption rate a of the solid lubricant 9. Correct based on absolute humidity. As a result, the consumption rate a of the solid lubricant 9 can be calculated more accurately, and the consumption amount of the solid lubricant 9 can also be calculated more accurately. Further, the control unit 50 determines that it is time to replace the solid lubricant 9 when the total amount of consumption of the solid lubricant 9 exceeds the threshold value, and notifies the user of the replacement of the solid lubricant 9 . As a result, replacement of the solid lubricant 9 is notified based on the more accurately calculated consumption of the solid lubricant 9, so that the user can replace the solid lubricant 9 at an appropriate timing. As a result, image formation is not performed in a state in which the solid lubricant 9 is depleted, so image noise does not occur and high reliability is not compromised. In addition, the solid lubricant 9 is not replaced even though a sufficient amount of the solid lubricant 9 remains, which does not compromise the high durability.

In the above description, the control unit 50 calculates the consumption rate a of the solid lubricant 9 based on the peripheral speed ratio θ, the peripheral speed difference Δv, and the pressing force F, and then calculates the consumption rate a of the solid lubricant 9. Corrected for absolute humidity. However, the control unit 50 does not have to correct the consumption rate a calculated based on the circumferential speed ratio θ, the circumferential speed difference Δv, and the pressing force F based on the absolute humidity. Alternatively, the control unit 50 may calculate the consumption rate a of the solid lubricant 9 based on at least one of the peripheral speed ratio θ and the peripheral speed difference Δv without considering the pressing force F. Further, when calculating the consumption rate a of the solid lubricant 9 based only on the peripheral speed ratio θ, the control section 50 corrects the consumption rate a of the solid lubricant 9 based on the process speed of the photosensitive member 1. may Also, when calculating the consumption rate a of the solid lubricant 9 based on the peripheral speed ratio θ and the pressing force F, the control section 50 calculates the consumption rate a of the solid lubricant 9 based on the process speed of the photoreceptor 1 . may be corrected.

Further, in the above, the control unit 50 calculates the consumption rate a of the solid lubricant 9 based on the peripheral speed ratio θ, the peripheral speed difference Δv, and the pressing force F, and the consumption rate a of the solid lubricant 9 is calculated based on the absolute humidity. After correcting the rate a, the section consumption amount V of the solid lubricant 9 was calculated, and when the total consumption amount of the solid lubricant 9 exceeded the threshold value, the user was notified to replace the solid lubricant 9 . However, the control unit 50 calculates the consumption rate a of the solid lubricant 9 based on the peripheral speed ratio θ, the peripheral speed difference Δv, and the pressing force F, and calculates the consumption rate a of the solid lubricant 9 based on the absolute humidity. After correction, the remaining amount of the solid lubricant 9 may be calculated, and when the remaining amount of the solid lubricant 9 becomes less than the threshold value, the replacement of the solid lubricant 9 may be notified to the user.

Further, in the above, the control unit 50 determines that it is time to replace the solid lubricant 9 when the total consumption of the solid lubricant 9 is equal to or greater than the threshold value, and notifies the user of the replacement of the solid lubricant 9. However, when the total amount of consumption of the solid lubricant 9 exceeds the threshold value, the control unit 50 notifies the user to replace the photoreceptor 1, the cleaning device 6, the coating member 8, etc. in addition to the solid lubricant 9. You may

Further, in the above, the control unit 50 determines that it is time to replace the solid lubricant 9 when the total consumption of the solid lubricant 9 is equal to or greater than the threshold value, and notifies the user of the replacement of the solid lubricant 9. However, the control unit 50 calculates the consumption rate a of the solid lubricant 9 based on the peripheral speed ratio θ, the peripheral speed difference Δv, and the pressing force F, and calculates the consumption rate a of the solid lubricant 9 based on the absolute humidity. After correction, the remaining amount of the solid lubricant 9 is calculated, and when the remaining amount of the solid lubricant 9 is less than the threshold value, in addition to the solid lubricant 9, the photoreceptor 1, the cleaning device 6, and the application member The user may be notified of the exchange of 8th grade.

It should be considered that the embodiments disclosed this time are illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the scope of the claims rather than the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and range of equivalents of the scope of the claims.

1 Photoreceptor 2 Charging Device 3 Exposure Device 4 Developing Device 5 Transfer Device 6 Cleaning Device 7 Lubricant Application Device 8 Application Member 9 Solid Lubricant 10 Spring 11 Leveling Blade 12 Eraser 20 image forming section, 21 image forming unit, 50 control section, 60 storage section, 100 image forming apparatus.

Claims (8)

An image forming apparatus capable of forming an image based on image data,
an image carrier;
developing means for developing a toner image based on the image data on the image carrier;
a retaining means for retaining a solid lubricant;
applying means for applying the solid lubricant to the image carrier by rotating in contact with the solid lubricant and the rotating image carrier;
and calculating means for calculating information that can identify the consumption of the solid lubricant,
The calculation means provides information capable of specifying the consumption amount of the solid lubricant based on at least one of a peripheral speed ratio between the application means and the image carrier and a peripheral speed difference between the application means and the image carrier. to calculate
Calculating information capable of specifying the consumption amount of the solid lubricant based on at least one of a peripheral speed ratio between the application means and the image carrier and a peripheral speed difference between the application means and the image carrier. a peripheral speed ratio between the application means and the image carrier multiplied by a pressing force acting from the holding means toward the solid lubricant; and a peripheral speed difference between the application means and the image carrier multiplied by the pressing force. or by multiplying the peripheral speed ratio between the coating means and the image carrier by the peripheral speed difference between the coating means and the image carrier and further by the pressing force to consume the solid lubricant. An image forming apparatus comprising calculating quantifiable information . 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising pressing force calculation means for calculating said pressing force based on the amount of consumption of said solid lubricant. The calculation means calculates the solid lubricant consumption based on the process speed of the image carrier when calculating information that can specify the consumption of the solid lubricant based on the circumferential speed ratio between the application means and the image carrier. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein information that can specify consumption of lubricant is corrected. 4. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein said calculating means corrects information that can specify the consumption of said solid lubricant based on temperature and humidity. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said calculating means calculates information capable of specifying the consumption of said solid lubricant each time the process speed of said image carrier changes. . Consumption amount calculation for calculating the consumption amount of the solid lubricant by multiplying the information capable of specifying the consumption amount of the solid lubricant calculated by the calculating means by the running distance of the applying means or the running distance of the image carrier. further equipped with means,
6. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein said consumption amount calculating means calculates the consumption amount of said solid lubricant for each predetermined number of printed sheets. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6 , further comprising a determination unit that determines that it is time to replace the solid lubricant when the consumption amount of the solid lubricant calculated by the consumption calculation unit is equal to or greater than a threshold value. Device. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7 , further comprising notification means for notifying a user of replacement of said solid lubricant based on the determination by said determination means.

Images