JP7233238B2 - image forming device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly, a toner container for containing toner to be replenished to a developing device, which contains a predetermined first reference amount of toner in advance, and a toner container which contains a predetermined first reference amount of toner, and a The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus in which a second reference amount of toner, which is small in advance, is selectively installed.

An electrophotographic image forming apparatus generally forms a visible image (toner image) by attaching a powdery toner to a photosensitive member on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, and the formed electrostatic latent image. It has a developing device, a transfer mechanism that transfers the formed toner image onto a sheet, and a fixing mechanism that heats and melts the transferred toner to fix it on the sheet.
Since the amount of toner transferred from the developing device to the photoreceptor is equal to the amount of the formed toner image, it is necessary to replenish the developing device with a corresponding amount of toner.

Generally, a toner storage container (hereinafter also referred to as a toner cartridge) having a shape that can be attached to an image forming apparatus is provided with a predetermined amount of toner in advance and provided to the user. When the toner in the attached toner cartridge runs out, the user removes the toner cartridge and replaces it with a new toner cartridge. That is, toner cartridges containing a predetermined amount of toner in advance are marketed as replacements. A user normally obtains a new replacement toner cartridge before the toner in the toner cartridge installed in the image forming apparatus runs out and prepares for replacement.

In order to make this possible, the image forming apparatus is provided with means for detecting the remaining amount of toner in the toner cartridge and the fact that the toner has run out and notifying the user.
For example, there is known a method of detecting that the toner cartridge has run out of toner based on a density sensor that detects the toner density in the developing device. Also, there is known a method of counting the number of pixels written on a photoreceptor and estimating the amount of toner consumption from the accumulation thereof (see, for example, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2002-100003). Alternatively, a method of estimating the amount of toner consumption in the toner cartridge from the cumulative rotation time or number of rotations of a motor that conveys toner to a developing device by rotation is used.

Since frequent replacement of toner cartridges is troublesome for users, business operators that provide replacement toner cartridges provide toner cartridges containing a suitable amount of toner in advance. On the other hand, if the size of the image forming apparatus is limited, or if the package is left in a hot and humid environment for a long period of time after being unsealed, quality deterioration may occur. From the viewpoint of avoiding these problems, it is not rational to supply toner in advance in a toner cartridge more than necessary. Also, the amount of toner to be stored in the replacement toner cartridge must be an appropriate amount according to the expected number of sheets to be used in the image forming apparatus.

On the other hand, the image forming apparatus shipped from the factory includes a toner cartridge for adjusting the installation of the image forming apparatus. The included toner cartridge is sufficient for installation adjustment of the image forming apparatus, so compared to the replacement toner cartridges on the market, a toner cartridge for installation adjustment that contains a small amount of toner in advance is sometimes used. . However, the installation adjustment toner cartridge has basically the same container shape as the replacement toner cartridge. Also, the characteristics of the stored toner are the same. The difference is the amount of toner stored in advance.

JP 2006-139196 A

When the toner is installed in the image forming apparatus in a state in which the toner is concentrated at the edge of the container, depending on the state of the unevenness, the toner may be supplied to the developing device immediately after the toner supply mechanism is activated, or the toner may be supplied to the developing device with a delay. In some cases, toner is supplied to the device.
The replacement toner cartridge contains a larger amount of toner than the installation adjustment toner cartridge. In other words, the toner-free space in the toner cartridge is smaller. Therefore, the influence of unevenness of toner in the container is smaller.
Conversely, the toner cartridge for installation adjustment has a larger space without toner in the toner cartridge than the replacement one, and the influence of uneven toner distribution is more pronounced.

As described above, the image forming apparatus has means for detecting the remaining amount of toner in the toner container and the fact that the toner has run out and notifying the user. However, it is not easy to accurately detect the behavior of toner, which is powder.
The state in which the toner in the toner storage container has run out can be indirectly detected by detecting the toner concentration in the developing device. Since it is even more difficult to sequentially detect the amount of toner consumed, for example, a method of counting the number of pixels written on the photoreceptor and estimating the amount of toner consumption from the accumulation thereof is used.

Alternatively, a method of estimating the amount of toner consumed in the toner storage container based on the accumulated rotation time or number of rotations of a motor that conveys toner to the developing device by rotation is adopted.
In either case, the amount of toner consumption is not detected directly, but is indirectly estimated using data related to toner replenishment.
If the influence of unevenness of toner appears prominently, the error between the estimated toner consumption amount and the actual toner consumption amount becomes large.

The present invention has been devised in consideration of the above circumstances. To provide an image forming apparatus capable of appropriately determining that toner has run out.

The present invention comprises a developing device for forming a toner image on a photoreceptor on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, a mounting portion to which a toner container is mounted, and a toner container mounted to the mounting portion. a toner replenishing mechanism for replenishing the developing device with toner from the toner storage container that has been attached; and a toner replenishing mechanism that operates the toner replenishing mechanism to replenish the toner to the developing device. a control unit for determining that the toner has run out, wherein the mounting unit includes a first toner storage container that stores a predetermined first reference amount of toner in advance and a predetermined second reference that is less than the first reference amount of toner. a second toner container preliminarily containing an amount of toner is selectively mounted, and the controller recognizes that the toner container is mounted and the type of the toner container that is mounted by the mounting detection circuit; To provide an image forming apparatus that determines whether toner has run out by using different types of data depending on whether a first toner container is attached or a second toner container is attached.

In the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the control unit recognizes that the toner storage container is installed and the type of the installed toner storage container by the installation detection circuit, and detects when the first toner storage container is installed and when the first toner storage container is installed. Different types of data are used to determine whether toner has run out when two toner containers are attached. Even in such a case, it is possible to appropriately notify that the toner has run out.

1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a digital multi-function peripheral that is one embodiment of an image forming apparatus of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the main body portion of the digital multi-function peripheral shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an operation screen displayed on the operation unit of the digital multi-function peripheral shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of a pair of developing device and toner cartridge in the digital multi-function peripheral shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of a toner cartridge, a drive unit, and a supply path of the digital MFP shown in FIG. 1; FIG. FIG. 2 is a horizontal cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a replacement toner cartridge viewed from above in this embodiment; 4 is a graph showing a state in which toner is biased toward the back side of the replacement toner cartridge in this embodiment. FIG. 7B is a graph showing the transition of the toner remaining amount with the toner replenishment time when the replacement toner cartridge in the state shown in FIG. 6B is attached; 4 is a graph showing a state in which toner is biased toward the front side of a replacement toner cartridge in this embodiment. FIG. 6D is a graph showing the transition of the remaining amount of toner along with the toner replenishment time when the replacement toner cartridge in the state shown in FIG. 6D is installed; 4 is a horizontal cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the installation adjustment toner cartridge viewed from above in this embodiment. FIG. 4 is a graph showing a state in which toner is biased toward the back side of the installation adjustment toner cartridge in this embodiment. FIG. 8B is a graph showing the transition of the toner remaining amount with the toner replenishment time when the installation adjustment toner cartridge in the state shown in FIG. 7B is attached; 5 is a graph showing a state in which toner is biased toward the front side of the installation adjustment toner cartridge in this embodiment. FIG. 7D is a graph showing the transition of the remaining amount of toner with the toner replenishment time when the installation adjustment toner cartridge in the state shown in FIG. 7D is attached; 4 is a flow chart showing processing executed by a control unit for a toner cartridge attached in this embodiment. 6 is a flow chart showing processing related to a check operation executed by a control unit when a toner cartridge is installed in this embodiment. 6 is a flow chart showing processing related to toner end determination of replacement toner executed by the control unit in this embodiment. 6 is a flow chart showing processing related to toner end determination of the installation adjustment toner cartridge, which is executed by the control unit in this embodiment. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a remaining amount of toner displayed on an operation screen in this embodiment; FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a toner end warning displayed on an operation screen in this embodiment;

The present invention will be described in further detail below with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the following description is illustrative in all respects and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.
(Embodiment 1)
<<Configuration Example of Image Forming Apparatus>>
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a digital multi-function peripheral which is one embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the mechanical configuration of the main body of the digital multifunction peripheral 100 shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, the digital multifunction peripheral 100 includes a document transport unit 103, an operation unit 105, and discharge trays 39a and 39b.
As shown in FIG. 2, the digital multifunction peripheral 100 has an image reading device 111 for reading a document, a document conveying unit 103 for conveying the document to a reading section, a document conveying unit 103, and an image forming device 115 for forming an image. there is

Here, the internal configuration of the digital multi-function peripheral 100 shown in FIG. 2 will be briefly described.
The digital multifunction peripheral 100 prints a color image using black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y) on a print sheet. Alternatively, a monochrome image using a single color (for example, black) is printed on the print sheet. Therefore, four developing devices 12, photosensitive drums 13, drum cleaning devices 14, chargers 15, etc. are provided. Four image stations Pb, Pc, Pm, and Py are configured corresponding to black, cyan, magenta, and yellow, respectively, in order to form four types of toner images corresponding to each color.

A toner image is formed in each of the image stations Pb, Pc, Pm, and Py as follows. A drum cleaning device 14 removes and collects residual toner on the surface of the photosensitive drum 13 . After that, the charger 15 uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 13 to a predetermined potential. Then, the optical scanning device 11 exposes the uniformly charged surface to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface. Thereafter, the developing device 12 develops the electrostatic latent image. As a result, a toner image of each color is formed on the surface of each photosensitive drum 13 . The developing device 12 contains developer composed of toner and carrier, and is provided with a toner concentration sensor 12s for detecting the amount of toner in the developing device, that is, the toner concentration in the developer.
The intermediate transfer belt 21 circulates in the arrow direction C. As shown in FIG. The belt cleaning device 22 removes and collects residual toner from the intermediate transfer belt 21 that rotates. The toner images of each color formed on the surface of each photoreceptor drum 13 are sequentially transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 21 and superimposed to form a color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 21 .

A print sheet is pulled out from one of the four feed trays 18 by a pickup roller 33 and fed to the secondary transfer device 23 via the sheet transport path R1. Alternatively, the sheet is fed from the manual feed tray 19 by a pick-up roller (not shown) and fed to the secondary transfer device 23 via the sheet transport path R1. A registration roller 34 that temporarily stops the print sheet and aligns the leading edge of the print sheet is arranged in the sheet transport path R1. In addition, a transport roller 35 and the like are arranged to prompt the transport of the print sheet. After temporarily stopping the print sheet, the registration roller 34 conveys the print sheet to the nip area sandwiched between the intermediate transfer belt 21 and the transfer roller 23a in synchronization with the transfer timing of the toner image.

A nip area is formed between the transfer roller 23 a of the secondary transfer device 23 and the intermediate transfer belt 21 . When the print sheet passes through the nip, the color toner image formed on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 21 is transferred to the print sheet. After passing through the nip area, the print sheet is sandwiched between the heating roller 24 and the pressure roller 25 of the fixing device 17 and is heated and pressed. This heat and pressure fixes the color toner image onto the print sheet.
The print sheet that has passed through the fixing device 17 is discharged to a discharge tray 39a or 39b via a discharge roller 36a or 36b. The output destination of the print sheet is controlled by the control unit 101, which will be described later, and the transport path is switched by a switching mechanism (not shown) so that the print sheet is guided to either one of the output trays 39a and 39b.

≪Operation screen≫
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an operation screen displayed on the operation unit 105 of the digital multifunction peripheral 100 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the operation screen 121 displays an image forming process (hereinafter also referred to as a mode) that the user wants the digital multi-function peripheral 100 to execute. ) and a plurality of shortcut keys 123 for selecting an operation screen related to a function to be set. When the user taps the page switching key 125 on the right end, the display can be switched to the shortcut key of the page not displayed.

A mode display portion 127 and a job status key 129 are arranged on the upper portion of the operation screen 121 . When the user taps the mode display section 127, the control section 101 switches the display to the operation screen related to the tapped mode. When the user taps the job status key 129, the control unit 101 causes the job being executed or waiting to be displayed.
At the bottom of the operation screen 121, a toner remaining amount display 131 and function selection icons 133 are arranged. The function selection icon 133 is an icon for performing setting operations so that the user can easily use the digital multi-function peripheral 100 .
In the toner remaining amount display 131, the toner remaining amounts of the toner cartridges 51b, 51c, 51m, and 51y are displayed with bars. The control unit 101 controls display of the remaining amount of toner in each toner cartridge. By looking at the toner remaining amount display 131, the user can anticipate the arrival of the time when the toner in each of the toner cartridges 51b, 51c, 51m, and 51y should be replaced and prepare new toner cartridges in advance. .

<<Developing Device and Toner Cartridge>>
Next, configuration examples of the developing device and the toner cartridge according to the present invention will be described.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of a pair of developing device and toner cartridge in the digital multi-function peripheral shown in FIG. In FIG. 4, the developing device 12 and the toner cartridge 51 are shown in vertical cross section so that the internal configurations can be understood. All four image stations Pb, Pc, Pm and Py have a similar structure. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the toner cartridge, drive section, and replenishment path of the digital multifunction peripheral shown in FIG. In FIG. 5, the toner cartridge 51b is shown in a state where the upper cover is removed and the inside is exposed. FIG. 6A is an explanatory view showing the structure (horizontal section) of the toner cartridge as viewed from above.
The toner cartridges 51b, 51c, 51m and 51y are driven by being engaged with the couplings of the corresponding driving mechanisms 53b, 53c, 53m and 53y as shown in FIG. The driving sources are toner supply motors 52b, 52c, 52m and 52y.

For example, for the toner cartridge 51b, power from the drive mechanism 53b is transmitted to the spiral toner conveying screw 59b through the coupling 57b. It is also transmitted to the winged toner agitating shaft 60b via the coupling 58b. When the toner stirring shaft 60b rotates, it scoops up the toner accumulated at the bottom and moves it to the groove where the toner conveying screw 59b is arranged. The shape of the wings determines the upper limit of the amount of toner that can be scooped up in one rotation. Further, when the toner conveying screw 59b rotates, the toner in the groove is conveyed to the back side in FIG. 5 (hereinafter also referred to as the R side, left side in FIG. 4 and right side in FIG. 6A).

Further, the drive mechanism 53b has a connector 54b. The toner cartridge 51b has a connector (not shown) paired with the connector 54b and a non-volatile memory element (not shown in FIG. 5) connected to the connector. When the toner cartridge 51b is attached, the nonvolatile memory element is electrically connected to the controller 101 through the connector. The control unit 101 can refer to data stored in the nonvolatile memory element, and can write and rewrite data. As one example, a serial bus type EEPROM (also called CRUM in this field) can be applied to the nonvolatile memory element.
The control unit 101 refers to the data stored in the nonvolatile memory element of the installed toner cartridge, and determines the type of the toner cartridge (black, magenta, cyan, yellow, replacement toner cartridge, or installation adjustment). ) and history (remaining amount of toner, etc.). In addition, the remaining amount of toner data is updated as the image forming apparatus is used. Data relating to the characteristics and history of the toner cartridge are stored in the nonvolatile memory element of the toner cartridge. Therefore, even if the toner cartridge in use is once removed and then installed again, or if the toner cartridge with the toner run out is installed by mistake, the controller 101 can know the history of the installed toner cartridge. is.

An opening 56 (see later-described FIG. 6A, not shown in FIG. 5) is provided at the bottom of the deep end of the groove of the toner cartridge 51b. The opening 56 is connected to the upper end of the cylindrical toner supply path 55b. The toner conveyed to the back side by the toner conveying screw 59b falls downward from the opening 56 thereof. As shown in FIG. 4, the lower end of toner supply path 55 is connected to developing device 12 . The toner that has fallen into the developing device 12 through the toner supply path 55 is directed toward the front side (hereinafter also referred to as the F side, right side in FIG. 4) by a helical developer agitating screw 61 arranged in the developing device 12 . It is stirred while being transported by Although not shown in the cross section of FIG. 4, in the developing device 12, a developing roller facing the photosensitive drum 13 and a second developer stirring screw arranged in the vicinity thereof are arranged. The second developer agitation screw agitates the developer while transporting it from the R side to the F side. The developer in the developing device is circulated and agitated by the developer agitating screw 61 and the second developer agitating screw, and the toner density is uniformed at any location in the developing device.
Although the toner concentration sensor 12s (see FIG. 2) does not appear in the cross section of FIG. 4, arrows indicate the positions where the toner concentration sensor 12s detects the toner concentration in the horizontal direction in FIG.

The control unit 101 drives the developing device 12 with power from a drive source (not shown in FIG. 4) to agitate the developer. When the photosensitive drum 13 is rotated, the developing device 12 is also driven. The electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor is developed using the agitated developer.
The controller 101 controls the operation of the toner replenishment motors 52b, 52c, 52m, and 52y based on the signals from the toner density sensors of each developing device so that each developing device maintains a predetermined toner density.

<<Recognition of toner cartridges for replacement and installation adjustment>>
In this embodiment, the toner cartridges of each color installed in the digital MFP 100 include at least a replacement toner cartridge (corresponding to a first toner container) and an installation adjustment toner cartridge (corresponding to a second toner container). ). The replacement toner cartridge contains a larger amount of toner than the installation adjustment toner cartridge. As an example, the ratio of the two substantial toner storage amounts is 4 when the toner storage amount of the replacement toner cartridge is 10, and the installation adjustment toner cartridge storage amount is 4.

The non-volatile memory element of the toner cartridge stores a predetermined amount of toner previously stored in the toner cartridge (hereinafter also referred to as initial toner amount) as one of data. Also, the amount of toner currently contained in the toner cartridge is stored as the toner remaining amount separately from the initial toner amount.
The control unit 101 refers to the initial toner amount of the installed toner cartridge and identifies whether the toner cartridge is a replacement toner cartridge or an installation adjustment toner cartridge.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing the processing executed by the controller 101 when the toner cartridge is installed in this embodiment. The flowchart in FIG. 8 is processing for one of the four colors of black, cyan, magenta, and yellow, and similar processing is simultaneously performed for the other colors in a multitasking manner. Other processes related to the digital multi-function peripheral 100 are also concurrently processed.

As shown in FIG. 8, the controller 101 sequentially determines whether or not the toner cartridge is attached (step S11). If the toner cartridge is not attached (No in step S11), the process ends.
If a new toner cartridge is installed (Yes in step S11), the data stored in the nonvolatile memory element is referenced to determine whether the installed toner cartridge is for installation adjustment or replacement (step S13). .

If it is a replacement toner cartridge (No in step S13), it is determined whether or not the toner cartridge is unused (step S15). Whether or not it is an unused product can be determined, for example, by referring to data in a nonvolatile memory element and determining whether or not the remaining amount of toner is equal to the initial amount of toner.
When an unused toner cartridge is attached (Yes in step S15), the control unit 101 executes the initial toner drop check operation shown in FIG. 9 (step S17). No) skips the initial toner drop check operation.
After that, normal toner end determination control shown in FIG. 10 is executed. This is the processing for remaining amount of toner, toner end, and toner replenishment abnormality related to the installed replacement toner cartridge.

In step S13, when the toner cartridge for installation adjustment is attached (step S13 no Yes), the control unit 101 determines whether or not the toner cartridge is unused (step S21).
When an unused toner cartridge is attached (Yes in step S21), the control unit 101 executes the initial toner drop check operation shown in FIG. 9 (step S23). No) skips the initial toner drop check operation.
After that, the special toner end determination control shown in FIG. 11 is executed. This is the remaining toner amount and toner end processing for the installed toner cartridge for installation adjustment.

The initial toner drop check operation will be further described.
When an unused toner cartridge is attached, the control unit 101 performs an initial check as to whether or not toner is normally replenished from the attached toner cartridge to the developing device. For this purpose, the developing device 12 and the toner supply motor are driven (step S31), and at the same time, a timer for measuring the supply time is started (step S33).
Then, it waits for the toner density sensor to detect a change in toner density (loop of steps S35 and S41). Of course, this is a change that increases the toner density.

When a change in toner concentration is detected, the control unit 101 stops driving the developing device and the toner supply motor (step S37), stops the timer for measuring the supply time (step S39), and ends the process.
While waiting for a change in toner concentration in step S35 (No in step S35), if the value of the timer for measuring the replenishment time exceeds a predetermined threshold value, that is, in the case of timeout (Yes in step S41), the controller 101 performs the following processing. That is, the driving of the toner supply motor is stopped (step S43), and the timer for measuring the supply time is stopped (step S45).

Then, it is determined whether or not the remaining amount of toner is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold for replenishment abnormality determination, that is, whether or not the remaining amount of toner is equal to or less than a predetermined value (step S47). The method for obtaining the remaining amount of toner is the same as in the flowcharts of FIGS. 10 and 11, and will be described in detail there.
If the remaining amount of toner is equal to or less than the threshold for replenishment abnormality determination (Yes in step S47), the control unit 101 executes a process for toner end determination (step S49). This is the same processing as step S75 in FIG. 10, which will be described later.
On the other hand, if the remaining amount of toner exceeds the threshold value related to replenishment abnormality determination (No in step S47), the control unit 101 executes processing for toner replenishment abnormality (step S51). This is the same processing as step S77 in FIG. 10, which will be described later.

<<Remaining amount of toner in the replacement toner cartridge and processing related to toner end>>
In this embodiment, the controller 101 sequentially calculates the amount of toner supplied from the attached toner cartridge 51 to the developing device 12 , in other words, the remaining amount of toner in the toner cartridge 51 . Then, it is determined that the toner in the toner cartridge 51 has run out due to replenishment, that is, toner end.
Further, based on the calculated remaining toner amount, the bar of the remaining toner amount display 131 on the operation screen 121 shown in FIG. 3 is updated sequentially.
The control unit 101 uses different types of data to determine toner end when the installation adjustment toner cartridge is attached and when the replacement toner cartridge is attached.

6A to 6E and FIG. 10, the processing executed by the control unit 101 for calculating the remaining amount of toner and judging whether the toner is out when a replacement toner cartridge is installed will be described below.
FIG. 6A is a horizontal sectional view showing the structure of the toner cartridge according to this embodiment viewed from above. 6B to 6E are graphs showing the transition of the amount of remaining toner with respect to the amount of time the toner is replenished after the toner cartridge shown in FIG. 6A is installed with the toner extremely biased toward the back side and the front side. be.

FIG. 6B shows a state in which the toner is biased toward the back side, and FIG. 6D shows a state in which the toner is biased toward the front side. The horizontal axes of FIGS. 6B and 6D indicate positions on the F side and R side corresponding to FIG. 6A, and the vertical axis indicates the amount of accumulated toner at each position.
In FIGS. 6C and 6E, the horizontal axis represents the toner replenishment time, and the vertical axis represents the remaining amount of toner in the toner cartridge. Here, the toner replenishment time is the time during which the toner replenishment motor is operated. It shows the transition of the remaining amount of toner with the lapse of time of toner replenishment, and the initial amount of toner is indicated by L2.
Note that the toner replenishment motor intermittently operates during the printing process, but the time on the horizontal axis of the graphs in FIGS. 6C and 6E does not progress during the period in which the toner replenishment motor is stopped.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing processing related to remaining toner amount, toner end, and toner replenishment abnormality executed by the controller in this embodiment. Note that the flowchart in FIG. 10 is processing for one of the four colors of black, cyan, magenta, and yellow, and similar processing is simultaneously performed for the other colors in a multitasking manner. Other processes related to the digital multi-function peripheral 100 are also concurrently processed.
When a toner cartridge is installed, the controller 101 reads data stored in the non-volatile memory element of the toner cartridge, and recognizes the color of the toner cartridge and the type of toner cartridge, whether it is for replacement or for installation adjustment (see FIG. 10).

When the toner cartridge is recognized as a replacement toner cartridge, the data of the toner replenishment time corresponding to the toner end is stored in advance in the non-volatile storage element, so that data is read out (step S61 in FIG. 10). In the case of a replacement toner cartridge, the controller 101 uses the accumulated operating time of the toner supply motor as data for calculating the remaining amount of toner.
It is difficult to accurately detect the behavior of powder toner, and the toner cartridge 51 does not have means for directly detecting the remaining amount of toner. However, as shown in FIG. 6A, the toner is replenished by the helical toner conveying screw 59, which is scraped up by the toner agitating shaft with wings. If it exists in the space, a substantially constant amount of toner is replenished per unit time.

Therefore, the control unit 101 can calculate the amount of replenished toner using the cumulative value of the time that the toner replenishment motor is operated and the toner is replenished after the new toner cartridge is installed. Furthermore, the toner remaining amount can be calculated by subtracting the calculated toner replenishment amount from the initial toner amount. However, the calculated remaining amount of toner is an estimated value assuming that a constant amount of toner is replenished per unit time of the toner replenishing motor.
In order to distribute the toner inside from the F side to the R side substantially evenly, the user is instructed to perform the following operations before installing the toner cartridge. That is, it is an operation in which the toner cartridge 51 is held horizontally and the F side and the R side are alternately shaken up and down several times. When this operation is performed, the estimated remaining toner amount and the actual remaining toner amount match to the extent that there is no contradiction.

The toner replenishment time corresponding to the toner end read in step S61 should be used by the controller 101 to estimate the remaining amount of toner assuming that the toner in the toner cartridge 51 is empty. In FIGS. 6C and 6E, Te2 indicates the toner replenishment time corresponding to toner end. The control unit 101 updates the toner remaining amount display 131 according to the accumulated time for operating the toner replenishing motor so that the remaining toner amount becomes zero when the toner replenishing time reaches Te2. However, determination of toner end is based on detection by the toner density sensor 12s. That is, it is based on the detection of the toner density in the developing device 12 (because the developing device 12 contains a predetermined amount of developer, the toner density can be said to be the amount of toner in the developing device) instead of guessing. Toner end is determined.

Specifically, the control unit 101 performs the following processes.
First, it is determined whether or not a job related to printing is being executed (step S63). If a job related to printing is not being executed (No in step S63), development is not performed, so processing related to toner is not performed, and the start of the job is awaited.
If the print job is being executed (Yes in step S63), the controller 101 calculates the toner replenishment time after replacing the toner cartridge 51 (step S65). That is, the toner replenishment time at the previous update is read from the non-volatile storage element of the toner cartridge 51, and the replenishment time after the update is added.

The control unit 101 manages and holds the toner replenishment time after the previous update. The data of the toner replenishment time stored in the nonvolatile memory element is rewritten to the value after the addition. Further, the point of time of rewriting is set as the point of time of the previous update, and the toner replenishment time until the next update is newly managed and held.
The control unit 101 calculates the remaining amount of toner based on the calculated toner supply time, and updates the remaining amount of toner display 131 on the operation screen 121 (step S67). That is, the calculated toner replenishment time is converted into a toner replenishment amount to calculate an estimated value of the toner replenishment amount. The estimated value of the toner replenishment amount thus obtained is subtracted from the initial toner amount to calculate the estimated value of the toner remaining amount. Please refer to FIG. 12 for the manner of displaying the remaining amount of toner.

Next, the control unit 101 determines toner end based on detection by the toner density sensor (step S69). That is, whether the toner concentration of the developer in the developing device 12 is below the target toner concentration and the target toner concentration is still not reached even if the toner is replenished over a predetermined period after the target toner concentration is below the target toner concentration. determine whether or not
If the toner concentration is equal to or higher than the target toner concentration, or if the toner replenishment time period after the toner concentration has fallen below the target toner concentration has not reached the above period (No in step S69), the routine returns to step S63 described above to determine whether a job is in progress. determination and update processing of the remaining amount of toner are repeated.

On the other hand, if the toner concentration is lower than the target toner concentration and the target toner concentration is not reached even after the toner is replenished over the predetermined period (Yes in step S69), the control unit 101 stops the printing in progress. The job is interrupted and stopped (step S71). This is because good image quality cannot be obtained if development processing is continued any longer.
Subsequently, the control unit 101 determines whether or not the current remaining amount of toner is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold for toner replenishment abnormality determination (step S73). If it is equal to or less than the threshold value (Yes in step S73), a warning message indicating toner end is displayed on the operation screen (step S75), and the process ends.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a toner end warning displayed on the operation screen in this embodiment. FIG. 13 shows an example in which the black toner cartridge has run out of toner, and a toner end warning 135 saying "Please replace the Bk toner cartridge." is displayed. Bk of the toner remaining amount display 131 indicates a state where the remaining amount is zero.

On the other hand, in step S73, if the remaining amount of toner is sufficiently above the threshold for toner replenishment abnormality determination (No in step S73), the control unit 101 displays a warning of toner replenishment abnormality on the operation screen (step S77), the process ends. Even though toner remains in the toner cartridge 51, the toner density of the developer in the developing device 12 does not reach the target. Therefore, it is determined that there is a possibility that the toner replenishing motor or the driving mechanism is out of order.
The above is the processing related to remaining toner amount, toner end, and toner replenishment abnormality executed by the control unit 101 when a replacement toner cartridge is installed. The controller 101 calculates an estimated value of the toner remaining amount using the toner replenishment time, and updates the toner remaining amount display 131 . Toner end is determined based on the toner concentration (toner amount) of the developer in the developing device detected by the toner concentration sensor 12s.

≪Influence of biased toner on remaining toner display and toner end judgment≫
As described above, as for the remaining amount of toner, if the toner is evenly distributed from the F side to the R side in the toner cartridge, the estimated value and the actual remaining amount of toner match to the extent that there is no contradiction. When the toner replenishment time reaches Te2, that is, when the toner remaining amount display becomes zero, the toner in the toner cartridge is almost empty, and the toner concentration sensor immediately determines that the toner is running out. A toner end warning is displayed.
In order to do so, the user is encouraged to hold the toner cartridge horizontally before mounting it and alternately shake the F side and the R side up and down several times.
However, if this operation is not performed and the toner cartridge is stored vertically rather than horizontally, the toner in the toner cartridge is extremely biased toward the front side (F side) or the back side (R side). is worn with Figures 6B and 6D illustrate such a situation. Vertical storage is the most conspicuous example, but a similar phenomenon occurs when stored tilted.

For example, as shown in FIG. 6B, the toner is biased toward the R side, and when the toner cartridge 51 is installed in a state where the toner is deposited only in the vicinity of the opening 56 leading to the toner supply path 55, and toner supply is started, the toner on the R side is transported to the toner supply path 55 and toner is supplied to the developing device 12 immediately after the toner supply is started. However, since there is no toner deposited on the F side and the central portion, the amount of toner that is scraped up to the toner conveying screw 59 by the rotation of the toner stirring shaft 60 is smaller than when the toner is evenly distributed. Less toner is replenished.

Therefore, the actual decrease in the remaining amount of toner is slower than the estimated value, and a toner end warning based on detection by the toner concentration sensor is issued at time Te3 as shown in FIG. 6C. The toner remaining amount display is zero between times Te2 and Te3. As described above, there is a slight delay between the display of zero remaining toner and the toner end warning, but it is within an allowable range because it does not give the user a sense of discomfort. The reason why the remaining toner amount graph shown in FIG. 6C does not converge to zero is that a certain amount of toner adheres to the wall surface or the like inside the toner cartridge and remains.

If the toner is biased toward the F side as shown in FIG. 6D, the delay is greater. Even if toner supply is started, there is no toner on the R side, so toner is not supplied to the developing device 12 immediately after the start of toner supply. Before long, the toner on the F side is conveyed by the toner conveying screw 59 to the opening 56 leading to the toner replenishing path 55 on the R side, and the developing device 12 is replenished with toner.
Since the toner supply is delayed, the toner concentration in the developing device 12 changes to a low level, but the toner supply starts with a delay until the toner end determination is reached. As a result, the timing of the toner end warning based on the detection by the toner concentration sensor becomes time Te4 later than Te3 shown in FIG. 6C. The toner remaining amount display is zero between times Te2 and Te4. As described above, there is a delay from the display of zero remaining toner to the toner end warning, but it is within an allowable range because it does not give the user a sense of discomfort.

The same thing can happen with the installation adjustment toner cartridge.
The installation adjustment toner cartridge has a smaller initial toner amount than the replacement toner cartridge. In this case, the influence of unevenness of toner appears more remarkably than in the replacement toner cartridge.
7A to 7E are drawings of the installation adjustment toner cartridge corresponding to FIGS. 6A to 6E of the replacement toner cartridge.
As shown in FIGS. 7C and 7E, the initial toner amount L1 of the installation adjustment toner cartridge is smaller than the initial toner amount L2 of the replacement toner cartridge. Therefore, the timing Te1 at which the remaining toner amount of zero is displayed based on the assumed value of the toner remaining amount is earlier than Te2 of the replacement toner cartridge.

On the other hand, since less toner than that in the replacement toner cartridge is accumulated on the R side and the F side, the unevenness becomes more pronounced, and the amount of toner that is scraped up to the toner conveying screw 59 by the rotation of the toner stirring shaft 60. becomes less. The time required for the toner biased to the F side to be conveyed to the R side is the same as that of the replacement toner cartridge.
As a result, if the toner remaining amount is calculated using the toner replenishment time as in the case of the replacement toner cartridge, and the toner end warning is displayed based on detection by the toner density sensor, the following contradiction will occur. As shown in FIG. 7E, before toner replenishment is actually started, that is, even though the toner in the toner cartridge has not decreased, the remaining toner amount is displayed as zero at the timing of Te1. Further, after a long delay, a toner end warning is displayed at the timing of Te4.
Such a delay from the display of the toner remaining amount of zero to the toner end warning gives a sense of discomfort to the user.

<<Processing related to toner remaining amount and toner end of toner cartridge for installation adjustment>>
Therefore, when the installation adjustment toner cartridge is mounted, the control unit 101 uses a different type of data from that for the replacement toner cartridge to determine toner end. That is, the toner end determination is performed using other data instead of the toner end determination based on the detection of the toner concentration sensor.
It is not easy to accurately detect the behavior of toner, which is powder. Therefore, the same type of data is used for the calculation of the remaining amount of toner and the determination of toner end.

In this embodiment, image data, which is the basis of an electrostatic latent image to be formed on a photoreceptor, more specifically pixel data constituting image data, is stored in the toner remaining amount and the toner end of the toner cartridge for installation adjustment. Toner consumption conversion data converted to . The pixel data corresponds to the number of color pixels when the pixel is binary, but is data of the pixel amount in consideration of density in the case of multi-valued pixel. The control unit 101 estimates the toner remaining amount using the toner consumption amount conversion data based on the pixel data, and determines the toner end based on the initial toner amount and the toner consumption amount conversion data. Note that toner patches that are formed on the photosensitive drum 13 for image quality adjustment but are not printed on the sheet are also included in the toner consumption amount conversion data.

Processing executed by the control unit 101 will be described below with reference to FIG. 11 for calculation of the remaining amount of toner and determination of toner end when the toner cartridge for installation adjustment is attached.
FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing processing related to remaining toner amount, toner end, and toner replenishment abnormality executed by the controller in this embodiment. As in FIG. 10, the flowchart in FIG. 11 is processing for any one of the four colors of black, cyan, magenta, and yellow. It is Other processes related to the digital multi-function peripheral 100 are also concurrently processed.
When a toner cartridge is installed, the controller 101 reads data stored in the non-volatile memory element of the toner cartridge, and recognizes the color of the toner cartridge and the type of toner cartridge, whether it is for replacement or for installation adjustment (see FIG. 11).

When the toner cartridge is recognized as an installation adjustment toner cartridge, the toner consumption amount conversion data corresponding to toner end is pre-stored in the non-volatile storage element, so that data is read out (step S81 in FIG. 11). As described above, in the case of the installation adjustment toner cartridge, the control unit 101 uses the toner consumption amount conversion data as the data for calculating the toner remaining amount and judging the toner end. The toner consumption amount conversion data corresponding to the toner end corresponds to pixel data for forming an electrostatic latent image by an amount estimated to be when the toner in the installation adjustment toner cartridge becomes empty.

Subsequently, the control unit 101 determines whether or not a job related to printing is being executed (step S83). If a job related to printing is not being executed (No in step S83), development is not performed, so processing related to toner is not performed, and the start of the job is awaited.
If a job related to printing is being executed (Yes in step S83), the control unit 101 calculates toner consumption conversion data after the toner cartridge 51 is replaced (step S85). That is, the toner consumption amount conversion data (data obtained by converting the pixel data related to the formed electrostatic latent image into the toner consumption amount) at the time of the previous update is read from the nonvolatile storage element of the toner cartridge 51, and the toner consumption after the update is calculated. Add volume conversion data.

The control unit 101 manages and holds the toner consumption conversion data after the previous update. The toner consumption conversion data stored in the nonvolatile memory element is rewritten to the value after the addition. Further, the point of time of rewriting is set as the point of time of the previous update, and the toner consumption amount conversion data up to the next update is newly managed and held.
The controller 101 calculates the remaining amount of toner based on the calculated toner consumption conversion data, and updates the remaining amount of toner display 131 on the operation screen 121 (step S87). That is, the calculated toner consumption amount conversion data is subtracted from the initial toner amount to calculate an estimated value of the toner remaining amount.

Next, the control unit 101 determines toner end based on the toner consumption conversion data (step S89). That is, it is determined whether or not the toner consumption amount conversion data after the toner cartridge replacement has reached the toner consumption amount conversion data corresponding to the toner end read in step S81.
If the toner consumption amount conversion data after the toner cartridge replacement has not reached the value corresponding to toner end (No in step S89), the routine returns to step S83 to determine whether a job is in progress and to check the remaining amount of toner. Repeat the update process.
On the other hand, if the toner consumption amount conversion data after the toner cartridge replacement has reached a value corresponding to toner end (Yes in step S89), the control unit 101 causes the operation screen to display a toner end warning message and terminates the operation. The job related to printing is interrupted and stopped (step S91), and the process ends.

Note that FIG. 11 does not include determination of toner replenishment abnormality, but for determination of toner replenishment abnormality, processing similar to that in FIG. 10 may be performed in parallel. That is, the processes shown in steps S63, S69, S73, and S77 of FIG. 10 except for the remaining toner amount display and the toner end display are simultaneously processed in parallel. By doing so, if the target toner concentration of the developer in the developing device 12 is not reached and the target toner concentration is not reached even after the toner is replenished over the predetermined period, and the remaining amount of toner is the predetermined amount, If the remaining toner exceeds the threshold value related to toner replenishment abnormality determination, a warning of toner replenishment abnormality is displayed on the operation screen.
The above is the processing related to the toner remaining amount, the toner end, and the toner replenishment abnormality related to the toner cartridge for installation adjustment.
The control unit 101 uses different types of data to determine at least the end of toner when a replacement toner cartridge is attached and when an installation adjustment toner cartridge is attached.
In this embodiment, different types of data are also used for determination of the remaining amount of toner.

(Embodiment 2)
In the first embodiment, when the toner cartridge for installation adjustment is attached, toner end is determined based only on the toner consumption amount conversion data.
In this embodiment, the toner end is determined based on the toner consumption amount conversion data as in the first embodiment, but the toner end determination is also performed based on the detection of the toner density sensor as in the toner end determination of the replacement toner cartridge. do in parallel. Then, when one of them determines that the toner has run out, a toner end warning is displayed.
Since the toner consumption conversion data is a value based on estimation, it is difficult to accurately detect the behavior of powdered toner. can be empty.

Judgment of toner end based on detection by the toner concentration sensor is based on detection of the amount of toner in the developing device. However, if only the toner end determination based on the detection of the toner concentration sensor is performed, as shown in FIG. 7E, there is a case where the delay from the display of the remaining toner amount to zero until the toner end determination becomes long.
According to this aspect, the toner end warning is displayed according to whichever of the two is judged to be the toner end earlier, so when the remaining toner amount display becomes zero, the toner end warning based on the toner consumption amount conversion data is displayed. . On the other hand, if the toner in the toner cartridge runs out before that, it is expected that a toner end warning will be displayed based on detection by the toner concentration sensor.

(Embodiment 3)
In the first embodiment, the toner remaining amount display 131 is sequentially displayed on the operation screen 121, but the toner remaining amount display 131 may not be displayed.
However, it is preferable to inform the user that the remaining amount of toner in the toner cartridge 51 is low and preparations for replacement are required. Therefore, the control unit 101 sequentially calculates the remaining amount of toner in the same manner as in the first embodiment, and displays a warning message on the operation screen 121 when the remaining amount of toner becomes less than a predetermined threshold value. is preferred. For example, the message is "Bk toner is running low. Please prepare new toner." However, printing can be continued.

As mentioned above,
(i) An image forming apparatus according to the present invention comprises: a developing device for forming a toner image on a photoreceptor on which an electrostatic latent image is formed; a mounting portion to which a toner container is mounted; an attachment detection circuit for detecting attachment of a container; a toner replenishing mechanism for replenishing toner from the attached toner storage container to the developing device; and operating the toner replenishing mechanism to supply the toner to the developing device. a controller for replenishing and determining that the toner has run out due to the replenishment, wherein the mounting section includes a first toner container for storing a predetermined first reference amount of toner in advance and the first reference amount of toner; A second toner container preliminarily containing a larger predetermined second reference amount of toner is selectively mounted, and the controller detects that the toner container is mounted and that the toner container is mounted by the mounting detection circuit. It is characterized by recognizing the type of the container and determining whether the toner has run out using different types of data depending on whether the first toner container is attached or the second toner container is attached. do.

In the present invention, the mounting portion is a mechanism of a portion to which the toner container is mounted. The mounting detection circuit is a circuit that detects that a toner container is mounted on the mounting portion and enables the control portion to recognize the type of the mounted toner container.
At least the first toner container and the second toner container are selectively mounted on the mounting portion. That is, both are attached to the attachment portion, but both cannot be attached at the same time. Although other types of toner storage containers may be attached, a characteristic aspect of the present invention is that the control unit is controlled depending on whether the first toner storage container or the second toner storage container is attached. The point is that different types of data are used to determine when toner has run out.

Although the developing device is described assuming two-component development in the above-described embodiments, it is not limited to this. For example, it is applicable even in the case of a one-component development method.
The toner replenishing mechanism is operated by, for example, a motor, replenishes toner to the developing device when activated, and stops replenishing toner when stopped. By controlling the operation of the toner replenishing mechanism by the control unit, it is possible to replenish the developing device with an amount of toner corresponding to the formed toner image.
The control unit is mainly composed of a computer as a hardware resource, and includes a memory, an input/output circuit, and the like. The functions of the control unit are realized by the computer executing a processing program stored in advance in the memory. That is, hardware resources and software resources are organically combined to realize the function of the controller.

Also, the first toner container and the second toner container have the same shape in the sense that they are adapted to the mounting portion. However, the amount of toner stored in advance is different between the two, and the amount of toner stored in advance in the second toner storage container is larger than that in the first toner storage container. Furthermore, the controller can distinguish between the two by means of the attachment detection circuit. In the above-described embodiment, the toner container has a non-volatile memory element, and the controller can refer to the data in the non-volatile memory element via the mounting detection circuit and rewrite the data as necessary. Then, the first toner container and the second toner container are identified by the difference in the data stored in the non-volatile memory element.

Furthermore, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described.
(ii) The controller calculates the amount of replenished toner and, when the first toner storage container is attached, uses the first type of data related to toner replenishment determination to reduce the amount of replenished toner. It may be determined that the toner has run out when the amount of toner is calculated and the amount of replenished toner reaches the first reference amount.
In this way, since the calculation of the amount of toner replenished and the determination of whether the toner has run out are performed based on the same type of data, the toner amount obtained by subtracting the amount of toner replenished from the amount of toner stored in advance is calculated. Consistency is ensured in the process from when the remaining amount approaches zero to when it is determined that the toner has run out.

(iii) further comprising a toner sensor for detecting the amount of toner in the developing device, wherein the controller detects whether the amount of replenished toner reaches the first reference amount or exceeds a predetermined period of time; It may be determined that the toner has run out when any of the following conditions are satisfied: that the amount of toner in the developing device does not reach a predetermined reference value even when the toner replenishing mechanism is operated.
It is not easy to accurately detect the behavior of toner, which is powder, and it is particularly difficult to sequentially detect the remaining amount of toner. .
In this way, when determining whether the toner has run out, the amount of toner in the developing device can be detected, even if indirectly, and the estimated error can be corrected based on the actually detected state. That is, when it is estimated that there is still toner remaining even though the toner is actually empty, it is possible to notify that the toner has run out based on the detected state.

(iv) When the second toner container is attached, the controller calculates the amount of toner replenished using the second type of data relating to toner replenishment determination, and It may be determined that the toner has run out when the amount of toner in the developing device does not reach a predetermined reference value even when the toner replenishing mechanism is operated.
According to this aspect, the first type of data is used for the first toner housing container, the second type of data is used for the second toner housing container, and different types of data are used for the replenished toner. The amount can be calculated and it can be determined that the toner has run out.
It should be noted that the determination that the toner has run out includes a mode in which the determination is made using the amount of toner in the developing device for both the first toner storage container and the second toner storage container. However, for the first toner container, not only the amount of toner in the developing device but also the amount of replenished toner must be determined as to whether or not it reaches the first reference amount. It can be said that the determination is made using the data of the type.

(v) further comprising a non-volatile memory element arranged in the toner container for storing the amount of toner preliminarily contained in the toner container and the first type data or the second type data; The first type of data is the theoretical amount of toner to be used as a toner image corresponding to the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor after the toner storage container is attached, and the second type of data. is related to the cumulative operation time of the toner replenishing mechanism after the toner storage container is installed, and the control unit determines the cumulative operation time according to the type of the installed toner storage container. It may be determined that the toner has run out by referring to and updating either the relevant data or the data concerning the theoretical usage amount, calculating the amount of replenished toner.
In this manner, two types of data are available: data relating to the accumulated time during which the toner replenishing mechanism has operated and data relating to the amount of toner to be used corresponding to the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor. One of the data can be applied to the first toner container and the other data can be applied to the second toner container. Then, it can be determined that the toner has run out by calculating the amount of toner replenished for each.
In addition, data relating to the accumulated time that the toner replenishing mechanism has operated and data relating to the amount of toner to be used corresponding to the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor are stored in the non-volatile toner storage container. Since it is stored in the memory element, the data relating to the usage history of the toner container is retained with the toner container.

(vi) further comprising a display section for displaying the state of the apparatus to the user, wherein the control section displays the amount of toner preliminarily contained in the attached toner container and the amount of toner replenished after the toner container is attached; The amount of remaining toner and the fact that the toner has run out may be displayed on the display unit.
In this way, by displaying the amount of remaining toner on the display unit, the user can be made aware of the stage at which a replacement toner container should be prepared, and the display unit displays that the toner has run out. By doing so, the user can be notified that the toner container should be replaced.

(vii) the amount of toner detected by the toner sensor is predetermined even if the toner replenishing mechanism is operated for a period exceeding a predetermined period even though the remaining amount of toner exceeds a predetermined threshold; If the reference value is not reached, the controller may determine that there is an abnormality in toner replenishment.
In this way, the controller can determine whether or not there is an abnormality in the toner replenishment mechanism or the toner sensor.

(viii) The control section may cause the display section to display an abnormality in toner supply when determining that there is an abnormality in toner supply.
In this way, when an abnormality in toner replenishment occurs, it can be displayed on the display unit to prompt the user to take action.
Preferred aspects of the present invention include combinations of any of the aspects described above.
Various modifications of the present invention are possible in addition to the above-described embodiments. Those modifications should not be construed as not belonging to the scope of the present invention. The present invention should include all modifications within the scope of the claims, the meaning of equivalents, and the scope.

11: Optical scanning device 12: Developing device 12s: Toner density sensor 13: Photoreceptor drum 14: Drum cleaning device 15: Charger 17: Fixing device 18: Feeding tray 19: Manual feed tray 21: intermediate transfer belt, 22: belt cleaning device,
23: secondary transfer device 23a: transfer roller 24: heating roller 25: pressure roller 33: pickup roller 34: registration roller 35: conveying roller 36a, 36b: discharge roller 39a, 39b: discharge tray,
51, 51b, 51c, 51m, 51y: Toner cartridge 52b, 52c, 52m, 52y: Toner supply motor 53b, 53c, 53m, 53y: Drive mechanism 54b: Connector 55, 55b, 55c, 55m, 55y: Toner Supply Path 56: Opening 57, 57b, 58b: Coupling 59, 59b: Toner Conveying Screw 60, 60b: Toner Stirring Shaft 61: Developer Stirring Screw
100: Digital MFP 101: Control Unit 103: Document Feeding Unit 105: Operation Unit 111: Image Reading Device 115: Image Forming Device 121: Operation Screen 123: Shortcut Key 125: Page Switch Key 127: Mode display section 129: Job status key 131: Remaining toner amount display 133: Function selection icon 135: Toner end warning Pb, Pc, Pm, Py: Image station R1: Sheet transport path

Claims (8)

a developing device that forms a toner image on the photoreceptor on which the electrostatic latent image is formed;
a mounting portion to which the toner container is mounted;
a mounting detection circuit for detecting that the toner housing container is mounted on the mounting portion;
a toner replenishing mechanism for replenishing toner from the attached toner storage container to the developing device;
a display unit for displaying the amount of toner remaining in the attached toner storage container;
a control unit that operates the toner replenishing mechanism to replenish the toner to the developing device and determines that the toner has run out due to the replenishment;
In the mounting portion, a first toner storage container that stores a predetermined first reference amount of toner in advance and a second toner storage container that previously stores a predetermined second reference amount of toner larger than the first reference amount are selected. properly worn,
The controller controls the toner replenishing mechanism so that the developing device maintains a predetermined toner concentration, and the mounting detection circuit recognizes that the toner container is mounted and the type of the toner container that is mounted. Then, an estimated value of the remaining amount of toner calculated from the initial amount of toner stored in advance in the toner storage container and the amount of toner replenished or consumed after the toner storage container is attached is calculated, and the remaining amount of toner is displayed on the display unit. The amount of remaining toner is displayed, and when the first toner container is attached , it is determined that the toner has run out using the same type of data as the calculation of the remaining amount of toner, and the second toner container is used. is installed , the image forming apparatus determines that the toner has run out using a different type of data from the calculation of the remaining amount of toner . The control unit calculates the amount of replenished toner, and when the first toner storage container is attached, calculates the amount of replenished toner using first type data related to toner replenishment determination. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein it is determined that the toner has run out when the amount of replenished toner reaches a first reference amount. further comprising a toner sensor for detecting the amount of toner in the developing device;
The controller controls whether the amount of toner in the developing device reaches the first reference amount, or the amount of toner in the developing device remains the predetermined amount even if the toner supply mechanism is operated beyond the predetermined period. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein it is determined that the toner has run out when any of the conditions that the specified reference value is not reached is satisfied. When the second toner storage container is attached, the control unit calculates the amount of replenished toner using the second type of data relating to toner replenishment determination, 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein it is determined that the toner has run out when the amount of toner in the developing device does not reach a predetermined reference value even when the replenishing mechanism is operated. further comprising a non-volatile memory element arranged in the toner container for storing the amount of toner preliminarily contained in the toner container and the first type data or the second type data;
The first type of data is a theoretical usage amount of toner to be used as a toner image corresponding to an electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor after the toner storage container is attached,
The second type of data relates to a cumulative operating time of the toner replenishing mechanism after the toner storage container is attached,
The control unit refers to and updates either the data relating to the cumulative operation time or the data relating to the theoretical usage amount according to the type of toner storage container installed, and calculates the amount of replenished toner, 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein it is determined that toner has run out. further comprising a toner sensor for detecting the amount of toner in the developing device;
2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the controller controls the toner supply mechanism based on a signal from the toner sensor so that the developing device maintains a predetermined toner concentration. further comprising a toner sensor for detecting the amount of toner in the developing device;
If the amount of toner detected by the toner sensor reaches a predetermined reference value even if the toner replenishing mechanism is operated for a period exceeding a predetermined period even though the remaining amount of toner exceeds a predetermined threshold value. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein, if the toner does not reach, the controller determines that there is an abnormality in toner replenishment. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein, when determining that there is an abnormality in toner supply, the control section displays the abnormality in toner supply on the display section.

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