JP7247567B2 - Image forming apparatus and image forming system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an image forming system.

The image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a developing device. The image forming apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-200003 accommodates in a toner container a developer in which a carrier having a high resistance is mixed with toner at a constant ratio. The image forming apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-200000 reduces the carrier ratio of the developer existing in the developing device by supplying the carrier together with the toner when the toner in the toner container is replenished to the developing device. is suppressed. As a result, deterioration of the developer existing in the developing device is prevented.

JP-A-11-223960

However, the carrier ratio of the developer accommodated in the toner container is determined regardless of the state of use of the toner. Therefore, depending on how the toner is used, the resistance of the carrier (the resistance of the carrier to the toner) becomes unstable in the developing device, which may cause problems in the quality of the image formed on the sheet.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus and an image forming system capable of suppressing deterioration in quality of an image formed on a sheet.

According to one aspect of the present invention, an image forming apparatus forms an image on a sheet. The image forming apparatus includes a latent image carrier, a mounting section, a developing device, and a consumption rate calculating section. The latent image carrier carries an electrostatic latent image. A container for containing a developer containing toner and carrier is detachably mounted on the mounting portion. The developing device forms an image on the latent image carrier using the toner supplied from the container. The consumption rate calculator calculates a toner consumption rate. The toner consumption rate indicates the ratio of the toner consumption to the driving time of the developing device.

According to another aspect of the present invention, an image forming system includes an image forming device and a server. The image forming apparatus forms an image on a sheet. The server communicates with the image forming device. The image forming apparatus has a latent image carrier, a mounting section, a developing device, and a transmitting section. The latent image carrier carries an electrostatic latent image. The mounting portion is detachably mounted with a containing portion containing developer containing toner and carrier. The developing device forms an image on the latent image carrier using the toner supplied from the container. The transmission unit transmits first information indicating the driving time of the developing device and second information indicating the toner consumption amount to the server. The server has a communication section and a control section. The communication unit receives the first information and the second information. The controller calculates a toner consumption rate based on the first information and the second information. The toner consumption rate indicates the ratio of the toner consumption to the driving time of the developing device.

According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the quality of an image formed on a sheet.

1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention; FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an image forming apparatus; FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of part of the developing device; FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the operation of the control device; FIG. It is a figure which shows a table. It is a coordinate system showing the relationship between the amount of toner consumed and the driving time of the developing device. 4 is a table showing the relationship between the carrier ratio of the developer and the decrease in the charge amount of the toner in the developer container. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a modification of the operation of the control device; 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an image forming system; FIG. FIG. 1 is a first diagram showing the operation of the image forming system; FIG. 2 is a second diagram showing the operation of the image forming system;

An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will not be repeated.

[First embodiment]
An image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment of the invention.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the image forming apparatus 100 includes a conveying path 1 , a feeding device 2 , an image forming section 3 , a fixing device 5 and an ejection device 6 .

The conveying path 1 is provided from the feeding device 2 to the discharging device 6 via the image forming section 3 and the fixing device 5 . The conveying path 1 guides the sheet fed from the feeding device 2 to the image forming section 3, the fixing device 5, and the discharging device 6 in this order. The sheet is, for example, plain paper, copy paper, recycled paper, thin paper, thick paper, glossy paper, or OHP (Overhead Projector) paper.

The feeding device 2 has a cassette 21 and a paper feeding section 22 . The cassette 21 accommodates sheets. The paper feeding unit 22 feeds sheets from the cassette 21 to the conveying path 1 .

The image forming section 3 forms an image using the toner supplied from the toner container X. As shown in FIG.

The toner container X accommodates developer. The developer contains toner and carrier. The carrier contains, for example, a magnetic material.

The toner container X has a memory element X1. The storage element X1 is, for example, a contactless tag (electronic tag) such as an RF (Radio Frequency Identification) tag. Data indicating the color of the toner contained in the toner container X and data indicating the amount of toner contained in the toner container X are stored in the storage element X1, for example.

The toner container X is an example of the container of the present invention.

The image forming unit 3 includes a mounting unit 31, a container detection unit 32, an information acquisition unit 33, an exposure device 34, a transfer roller 35, a photosensitive drum 36, a charging device 37, a developing device 38, and a cleaning device. a device 39;

A toner container X is detachably attached to the attachment portion 31 .

The container detection section 32 detects that the toner container X is attached to the attachment section 31 . The container detection unit 32 includes, for example, a switch-type sensor that is turned on by pressing from the toner container X when the toner container X is attached to the attachment unit 31 .

The container detector 32 is an example of the detector of the present invention.

The information acquisition unit 33 acquires information stored in the storage element X1 of the toner container X. FIG. The information acquisition unit 33 is, for example, a short-range wireless communication device such as an RF reader.

Photoreceptor drum 36 is an example of the latent image carrier of the present invention.

A procedure for forming an image on a sheet by the image forming section 3 will be described.

First, the image forming apparatus 100 acquires image data. The image forming apparatus 100 acquires image data from an external terminal such as a PC (Personal Computer), or from a scanner provided in the image forming apparatus 100 if the image forming apparatus 100 is a multifunction machine.

Next, the charging device 37 charges the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 36 . Next, the exposure device 34 irradiates the charged circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 36 with laser light based on the image data. As a result, an electrostatic latent image is carried on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 36 .

Next, the developing device 38 supplies toner to the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 36 . As a result, an image representing the image data is formed on the photosensitive drum 36 .

Next, the photoreceptor drum 36 and the transfer roller 35 transfer the image on the photoreceptor drum 36 to the sheet. As a result, an image is formed on the sheet.

The fixing device 5 fixes the image formed by the image forming section 3 onto the sheet.

The discharge device 6 has a discharge portion 61 and a discharge tray 62 . The discharge section 61 discharges the sheet that has passed through the fixing device 5 to the discharge tray 62 .

The number of developing devices 38 is not particularly limited. For example, when the image forming section 3 forms color images, the image forming section 3 may include a plurality of developing devices 38 . In this case, toner of each color is supplied from a plurality of toner containers X to the plurality of developing devices 38, respectively.

Next, the image forming apparatus 100 will be further described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the image forming apparatus 100. As shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2 , the image forming apparatus 100 further includes an input section 7 , a remaining amount detection section 8 , a storage section 9 , a communication section 10 and a control device 11 .

The input unit 7 includes, for example, a touch panel and multiple operation keys. The touch panel includes a display section 7a and a touch sensor. The input unit 7 receives instructions to the image forming apparatus 100 through operations on a plurality of operation keys and/or touch operations on the display unit 7a.

The display unit 7a displays various screens. The display unit 7a includes, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an organic ELD (Electro Luminescence Display). In the present embodiment, the display section 7a functions as a touch panel, and thus is a constituent member of the input section 7. As shown in FIG. However, the invention is not so limited. The display section 7a does not function as a touch panel, and may be a separate member from the input section 7 .

The remaining amount detection unit 8 detects the remaining amount of toner contained in the toner container X. FIG. The remaining amount detection unit 8 is, for example, a magnetic permeability sensor, and detects the remaining amount of toner by detecting the magnetic permeability of the toner accommodated in the toner container X. FIG.

The storage unit 9 includes a main storage device (eg, semiconductor memory) such as ROM (Read Only Memory) and RAM (Random Access Memory), and may further include an auxiliary storage device (eg, hard disk drive). The main memory and/or auxiliary memory store various computer programs executed by the controller 11 .

The communication unit 10 can communicate with an electronic device equipped with a communication device using the same communication method (protocol). The communication unit 10 communicates with the server 200 via a network N such as a LAN (Local Area Network). The communication unit 10 is, for example, a communication module (communication device) such as a LAN board.

Image forming apparatus 100 is wirelessly connected to server 200 via communication unit 10 . However, the invention is not so limited. Image forming apparatus 100 may be connected to server 200 by wire.

The control device 11 includes processors such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and an MPU (Micro Processing Unit). The control device 11 controls each element of the image forming apparatus 100 . Specifically, the processor of the control device 11 executes a computer program stored in the storage unit 9 to control the feeding device 2, the image forming unit 3, the fixing device 5, the ejection device 6, the input It controls the unit 7 , the remaining amount detection unit 8 , the storage unit 9 , and the communication unit 10 .

The control device 11 has a consumption calculation unit 11a, a consumption rate calculation unit 11b, a determination unit 11c, an order placement unit 11d, and a control unit 11e. Specifically, the processor of the control device 11 executes the computer program stored in the storage unit 9, so that the consumption calculation unit 11a, the consumption rate calculation unit 11b, the determination unit 11c, the ordering unit 11d, and the control unit 11e.

Next, the developing device 38 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 3. FIG. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a portion of the developing device 38. As shown in FIG. The developing device 38 is a two-component developing device that uses developer in which toner and carrier are mixed.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the developing device 38 has a developer container 38a, a first stirring and conveying member 38b, a second stirring and conveying member 38c, a magnetic roller 38d, and a developing roller 38e.

The developer container 38a accommodates a first stirring and conveying member 38b, a second stirring and conveying member 38c, a magnetic roller 38d, and a developing roller 38e. A developer is supplied from the toner container X into the developer container 38a.

The developer container 38a has a first transport chamber A, a second transport chamber B, a first communicating portion C1, a second communicating portion C2, and an outlet H. The first transfer chamber A is adjacent to the second transfer chamber B. The first transfer chamber A and the second transfer chamber B communicate with each other through the first communication portion C1 and the second communication portion C2, respectively. The first transfer chamber A, the second transfer chamber B, the first communication portion C1, and the second communication portion C2 form an annular circulation path E.

The first stirring and conveying member 38b is arranged in the first conveying chamber A. As shown in FIG. The second stirring and conveying member 38c is arranged in the second conveying chamber B. As shown in FIG.

The first stirring and conveying member 38b and the second stirring and conveying member 38c are spiral members. The first agitating/conveying member 38b and the second agitating/conveying member 38c convey the developer supplied from the toner container X while agitating it. As a result, the developer circulates through the circulation path E. As shown in FIG. Further, the developer is stirred by the first stirring and conveying member 38b and the second stirring and conveying member 38c, so that the toner in the developer is charged to a predetermined potential level.

The discharge port H communicates the inside and the outside of the developer container 38a. The discharge port H is provided in the second transfer chamber B. As shown in FIG. When the developer is replenished from the toner container X to the developer container 38a, the surplus developer is discharged from the discharge port H. As a result, the carrier that has deteriorated over time can be discharged from the developing container 38a, so that the toner can be effectively charged.

The charged developer is drawn up by the magnetic roller 38d due to the magnetic force of the magnetic roller 38d and carried by the magnetic roller 38d. The magnetic roller 38d supplies only the toner from the developer it carries to the developing roller 38e.

The developing roller 38 e is arranged to face the photosensitive drum 36 . The developing roller 38e supplies toner to the photosensitive drum 36. As shown in FIG. As a result, the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 36 is developed.

Next, the operation of the control device 11 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 4. FIG. FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the operation of the control device 11. As shown in FIG. The operation of the control device 11 starts from a state where the image forming apparatus 100 is in operation.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, in step S1, the control unit 11e determines whether or not the predetermined period has started.

For a predetermined period of time, for example, after the remaining amount detection unit 8 detects that the toner contained in the toner container X is near empty, the container detection unit 32 detects that the toner container X has been removed from the mounting unit 31 . indicates the period until In this case, in step S1, the control unit 11e determines whether or not the remaining amount detection unit 8 has detected that the toner contained in the toner container X is near empty when determining the start of the predetermined period. Further, in step S<b>4 to be described later, the control unit 11 e determines whether or not the container detection unit 32 has detected that the toner container X has been removed from the mounting unit 31 when determining the end of the predetermined period.

Note that the predetermined period is not limited to the period described above. The predetermined period may be a period of part or all of the period from when the toner container X is attached to the attachment portion 31 to when it is removed from the attachment portion 31 .

In step S2, the control section 11e determines whether or not the input section 7 has received an image forming instruction. The image formation instruction indicates an instruction to form an image on the sheet. When the control unit 11e determines that the input unit 7 has received the image forming instruction (Yes in step S2), the process proceeds to step S3. When the control unit 11e determines that the input unit 7 has not received the image forming instruction (No in step S2), the process proceeds to step S4.

In step S3, the control section 11e controls the image forming section 3 so that the image forming section 3 performs image forming processing. Image forming processing is processing for forming an image on a sheet.

In step S4, the control unit 11e determines whether or not the predetermined period has ended.

When the control unit 11e determines that the predetermined period has ended (Yes in step S4), the process proceeds to step S5. When the control unit 11e determines that the predetermined period has not ended (No in step S4), the process proceeds to step S2.

In step S5, the consumption rate calculation unit 11b calculates the consumption rate of toner within a predetermined period. The toner consumption rate indicates the ratio of toner consumption to the driving time of the developing device 38 . The driving time of the developing device 38 indicates, for example, the driving time of the drive source that drives the developing device 38 . An example of the drive source is a motor that rotates roller-shaped members such as the first stirring and conveying member 38b, the second stirring and conveying member 38c, the magnetic roller 38d, and the developing roller 38e.

An example of a procedure for calculating the toner consumption rate within a predetermined period by the consumption rate calculator 11b will be described in detail.

First, the consumption rate calculator 11b counts the driving time of the developing device 38 by functioning as a timer. Further, the consumption rate calculator 11b, for example, calculates the printing rate based on the image data of the image formed on the sheet by the image forming section 3 in step S3, and calculates the toner consumption amount based on the calculated printing rate. do. Then, when the predetermined period ends, the consumption rate calculator 11b tallies the driving time of the developing device 38 during the predetermined period and the toner consumption amount during the predetermined period. Then, the consumption rate calculator 11b calculates a value obtained by dividing the aggregate value of the toner consumption amount by the aggregate value of the driving time of the developing device 38 as the toner consumption rate within a predetermined period.

In step S6, the determination unit 11c determines the carrier ratio of the developer contained in the next toner container X based on the toner consumption rate calculated in step S5. The carrier ratio of the developer indicates the ratio (weight ratio) of carrier to toner in the developer. The procedure for determining the carrier ratio of the developer by the determination unit 11c will be described later.

In step S<b>7 , the ordering unit 11 d controls the communication unit 10 so that the communication unit 10 transmits an order signal to the server 200 . The order signal is a signal indicating that the next toner container X is ordered. As a result, the next toner container X is ordered from the ordering unit 11d to the server 200. FIG. The next toner container X is the toner container X containing the developer having the carrier ratio calculated in step S6.

When the next toner container X is ordered to the server 200, the distributor supplies the next toner container X to the user.

When the process shown in step S7 ends, the process of the control device 11 ends.

As described above with reference to FIGS. 2 and 4, in step S5, the consumption rate calculator 11b calculates the toner consumption rate. Therefore, since the toner usage can be grasped based on the toner consumption rate, the developer having the carrier ratio corresponding to the toner usage can be accommodated in the next toner container X. FIG. For example, when it is determined that the toner consumption rate is low and the deterioration of the carrier is more severe than usual, the next toner container X contains a developer with a high carrier ratio so that the image forming apparatus 100 can transfer the toner to the sheet. It is possible to suppress the deterioration of the quality of the formed image. Further, when it is determined that the toner consumption rate is high and the deterioration of the carrier is less than usual, the next toner container X contains a developer with a low carrier ratio so that the image forming apparatus 100 can transfer the toner to the sheet. It is possible to reduce the cost by reducing the amount of carrier accommodated in the next toner container X while suppressing the deterioration of the quality of the formed image.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 2 and 5, an example of a procedure in which the determination unit 11c determines the carrier ratio of the developer in step S6 will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the table Q1.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the storage unit 9 stores a table Q1. The table Q1 is a table in which the toner consumption rate (the toner consumption rate within a predetermined period) is associated with the carrier ratio of the developer. In Table Q1, the higher the toner consumption rate, the lower the carrier ratio of the developer.

Table Q1 shows P1%, P2%, and P3% as carrier ratios of the developer. P1%, P2%, and P3% decrease in order of P1%, P2%, and P3% (P1>P2>P1). P1% is, for example, 15%. P2% is, for example, 10%. P3% is, for example, 5%.

The determination unit 11c determines the carrier ratio of the developer contained in the next toner container X based on the toner consumption rate within the predetermined period calculated in step S5 and the table Q1. Specifically, the determining unit 11c determines the carrier ratio of the developer that is associated with the toner consumption rate calculated in step S5 in the table Q1. Decide on a ratio. For example, when the toner consumption rate within the predetermined period calculated in step S5 is 180 (mg/min), the determination unit 11c determines the carrier of the developer contained in the next toner container X based on the table Q1. The ratio is determined to be P2%. The lower the toner consumption rate calculated by the consumption rate calculator 11b, the higher the carrier ratio determined by the determination section 11c.

The principle of the table Q1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. FIG.

FIG. 6 is a coordinate system showing the relationship between the amount of toner consumed and the driving time of the developing device 38. As shown in FIG. In FIG. 6 , the vertical axis indicates the amount of toner consumed, and the horizontal axis indicates the driving time of the developing device 38 .

The coordinate system shown in FIG. 6 includes coordinates Z1 to Z5, a first straight line L1, a second straight line L2, a first region R1, a second region R2, and a third region R3.

The coordinate Z1 is the coordinate at which the toner consumption rate D is 160 (mg/min). A coordinate Z2 is a coordinate at which the toner consumption rate D is 180 (mg/min). A coordinate Z3 is a coordinate at which the toner consumption rate D is 200 (mg/min). A coordinate Z4 is a coordinate at which the toner consumption rate D is 1600 (mg/min). A coordinate Z5 is a coordinate at which the toner consumption rate D is 1800 (mg/min). Note that the toner consumption rate D is the slope of a straight line that passes through the origin of the coordinate system shown in FIG. 6 and the coordinates indicated by the toner consumption rate D. FIG.

The first straight line L1 is a straight line passing through the origin of the coordinate system shown in FIG. 6 and the coordinate Z2. The second straight line L2 is a straight line passing through the origin of the coordinate system shown in FIG. 6 and the coordinate Z5. The first region R1 is the region between the horizontal axis of the coordinate system shown in FIG. 6 and the first straight line L1. The second region R2 is a region between the first straight line L1 and the second straight line L2. The third region R3 is a region between the vertical axis of the coordinate system shown in FIG. 6 and the third straight line L3.

Since the toner consumption rate D calculated from the coordinates located in the first region R1 is lower than normal, the replacement speed of the carrier in the developer container 38a becomes slower. As a result, the deterioration of the carrier in the developing container 38a is accelerated, and the deterioration of the carrier may destabilize the density of the image formed on the sheet. Therefore, in order to suppress the problem of unstable image density, it is preferable that the carrier ratio of the developer is high.

Since the toner consumption rate D calculated from the coordinates located in the third region R3 is higher than normal, the replacement speed of the carrier in the developing container 38a increases. As a result, deterioration of the carrier in the developer container 38a is delayed. In this case, if the carrier ratio of the developer contained in the toner container X is high, excessive carrier may be supplied into the developer container 38a, and the carrier resistance may increase more than necessary. If the carrier resistance increases more than necessary, the amount of charge on the toner increases, which may reduce the density of the image formed on the sheet. Therefore, it is preferable that the carrier ratio of the developer is low in order to suppress the occurrence of the problem of low image density.

FIG. 7 is a table showing the relationship between the carrier ratio of the developer and the decrease in the charge amount of the toner in the developer container 38a. The table shown in FIG. 7 shows the results of experiments conducted by the inventors of the present application.

In FIG. 7, "o" indicates that the charge amount of the toner did not decrease. In FIG. 7, "x" indicates that the charge amount of the toner has decreased.

When the charge amount of the toner decreases, fogging may occur on the sheet. Sheet fogging indicates that toner scatters on the white background portion of the sheet and the white background portion of the sheet is stained with toner. Sheet fogging occurs when the amount of charge on the toner in the developing container 38a decreases and the developing device 38 becomes unable to electrically control the toner. In order to suppress the deterioration of the quality of the image formed on the sheet, it is preferable that the charge amount of the toner does not decrease.

As shown in FIG. 7, when the toner consumption rate D was 160 (mg/min), the charge amount of the toner did not decrease when the developer with the carrier ratio of P1% was used. A decrease in toner charge occurred when a developer with a P2% or P3% was used.

When the toner consumption rate D is 180 (mg/min), 200 (mg/min), or 1600 (mg/min), the toner charge amount is However, when a developer with a carrier ratio of P3% was used, the charge amount of the toner decreased.

When the toner consumption rate D was 18001 (mg/min), the charge amount of the toner did not decrease when the developer with the carrier ratio of P1%, P2%, or P3% was used.

Therefore, from the experimental results shown in FIG. 7, when the toner consumption rate D is less than 180 (mg/min) (in the case of the first region R1 shown in FIG. 6), a developer with a carrier ratio of P1% is used. It was found that the charge amount of the toner did not decrease when As a result, in the table Q1 shown in FIG. 5, when the toner consumption rate D is less than 180 (mg/min), the carrier ratio of the developer is set to P1% was associated.

Further, from the experimental results shown in FIG. 7, when the toner consumption rate D is 180 (mg/min) or more and less than 1800 (mg/min) (in the case of the second region R2 shown in FIG. 6), the carrier ratio is It has been found that when P1% or P2% developer is used, no reduction in toner charge occurs. As a result, in the table Q1 shown in FIG. 5, when the toner consumption rate D is 180 (mg/min) or more and less than 1800 (mg/min), the toner charge amount does not decrease. And from the viewpoint of reducing the carrier cost by reducing the carrier ratio as much as possible, P2%, which has the lower carrier ratio, out of P1% and P2% is associated as the carrier ratio of the developer.

Further, from the experimental results shown in FIG. 7, when the toner consumption rate D is 1800 (mg/min) or more (in the case of the third region R3 shown in FIG. 6), the carrier ratio is P1%, P2%, or P3 % developer, no reduction in toner charge occurs. As a result, in table Q1 shown in FIG. From the viewpoint of suppressing the decrease in density, P3%, which has the lowest carrier ratio among P1%, P2%, and P3%, is associated as the carrier ratio of the developer.

As described above with reference to FIG. 2 and FIGS. 5 to 7, the determination unit 11c determines the amount of toner stored in the next toner container X based on the toner consumption rate within a predetermined period and the table Q1. Determines the carrier ratio of the developer used. As a result, it is possible to effectively determine the carrier ratio according to the usage of the toner.

Next, a modification of the operation of the control device 11 shown in FIG. 4 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 8. FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a modification of the operation of the control device 11. As shown in FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 8, in the modified example of the operation of the control device 11, the processing shown in steps S1 to S6 is performed, which is the same as the operation of the control device 11 shown in FIG. The operation of the control device 11 shown in FIG. 4 differs from the operation of the control device 11 shown in FIG. 4 in that after the process shown in S6 is completed, the process shown in step S7A is performed instead of the process shown in step S7.

Specifically, when the carrier ratio of the developer contained in the next toner container X is determined in step S6, data indicating the next toner container X is displayed on the display section 7a in step S7A. As a result, the user can recognize the next toner container X by visually recognizing the display section 7a, and can place an order for the next toner container X with the distributor.

[Second embodiment]
The image forming system 300 will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 11. FIG. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the image forming system 300. As shown in FIG.

The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the server 200 determines the next toner container X. FIG.

As shown in FIG. 9, image forming system 300 includes image forming apparatus 100 and server 200 .

The server 200 includes a communication section 210 , a storage section 220 and a control section 230 .

The communication unit 210 can communicate with an electronic device equipped with a communication device using the same communication method. A communication unit 210 communicates with the image forming apparatus 100 via a network N such as a LAN. The communication unit 210 is, for example, a communication module such as a LAN board.

The storage unit 220 includes main storage devices such as ROM and RAM, and may further include auxiliary storage devices. The main memory and/or auxiliary memory store various computer programs executed by the controller 230 .

The control unit 230 includes processors such as CPU and MPU. The control unit 230 controls each element of the server 200 .

Next, operations of the image forming system 300 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 9 to 11. FIG. FIG. 10 is a first diagram showing the operation of the image forming system 300. FIG. FIG. 11 is a second diagram showing the operation of the image forming system 300. FIG. The operation of the image forming system 300 starts with the image forming apparatus 100 operating.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 9, and 10, in step S10, the control unit 11e determines whether or not the predetermined period has started. When the control unit 11e determines that the predetermined period has started (Yes in step S10), the process proceeds to step S11. When the control unit 11e determines that the predetermined period has not started (No in step S10), the process shown in step S10 is repeated.

In step S11, the control section 11e determines whether or not the input section 7 has received an image forming instruction. When the control unit 11e determines that the input unit 7 has received the image forming instruction (Yes in step S11), the process proceeds to step S12. When the control unit 11e determines that the input unit 7 has not received the image forming instruction (No in step S11), the process proceeds to step S17 (see FIG. 11).

In step S12, the control section 11e controls the image forming section 3 so that the image forming section 3 performs image forming processing.

In step S<b>13 , the control unit 11 e controls the communication unit 10 so that the communication unit 10 of the image forming apparatus 100 transmits the first information to the server 200 . The first information indicates the driving time of the developing device 38 required for forming an image on the sheet in step S12.

In step S14, the communication unit 210 of the server 200 receives the first information. The communication unit 210 of the server 200 receives the first information each time the image forming process is performed in step S12 within the predetermined period.

In step S<b>15 , the control unit 11 e controls the communication unit 10 so that the communication unit 10 of the image forming apparatus 100 transmits the second information to the server 200 . The second information indicates the amount of toner consumed when an image is formed on the sheet in step S12.

In step S16, the communication unit 210 of the server 200 receives the second information. The communication unit 210 of the server 200 receives the second information each time the image forming process is performed in step S12 within the predetermined period.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 9, and 11, in step S17, the control unit 11e determines whether or not the predetermined period has ended. When the control unit 11e determines that the predetermined period has ended (Yes in step S17), the process proceeds to step S18. When the control unit 11e determines that the predetermined period has not ended (No in step S17), the process proceeds to step S11 (see FIG. 10).

In step S<b>18 , the control unit 11 e controls the communication unit 10 so that the communication unit 10 transmits the end notification to the server 200 . The end notification includes data indicating that the predetermined period has ended.

In step S19, the communication unit 210 of the server 200 receives the end notification. As a result, the controller 230 of the server 200 recognizes that the predetermined period has expired.

In step S20, the controller 230 of the server 200 calculates the toner consumption rate within a predetermined period. In this case, the control unit 230 of the server 200 divides the total value of the second information acquired in step S16 by the total value of the first information acquired in step S14 as the toner consumption rate within the predetermined period. calculate.

In step S21, the controller 230 of the server 200 determines the carrier ratio of the developer contained in the next toner container X based on the toner consumption rate calculated in step S20.

At step S22, the next toner container X is supplied to the user. The next toner container X is the toner container X containing the developer with the carrier ratio determined in step S21.

As described above with reference to FIGS. 2 and 9 to 11, in step S20, the controller 230 of the server 200 calculates the toner consumption rate. Therefore, since the toner usage can be grasped based on the toner consumption rate, the developer having the carrier ratio corresponding to the toner usage can be accommodated in the next toner container X. FIG. Further, since the control unit 230 of the server 200 calculates the toner consumption rate, the calculation load of the control device 11 of the image forming apparatus 100 can be reduced.

The embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings (FIGS. 1 to 11). However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and can be implemented in various aspects without departing from the scope of the invention (eg, (1) to (2)). Further, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the above embodiments. For example, some components may be omitted from all components shown in the embodiments. In order to facilitate understanding, the drawings mainly show each component schematically, and the number of each component shown in the figure may differ from the actual number for convenience of drawing preparation. Also, each component shown in the above embodiment is an example and is not particularly limited, and various modifications are possible within a range that does not substantially deviate from the effects of the present invention.

(1) In steps S13 and S15 of the second embodiment, the first information and the second information are transmitted to the server 200 each time the image forming process shown in step S12 is performed. However, the invention is not so limited. The image forming apparatus 100 does not perform the process shown in step S13 and the process shown in step S15, and after the process shown in step S17 ends, sends the total value of the first information and the total value of the second information to the server. 200.

(2) In steps S21 and S22 of the second embodiment, when the carrier ratio of the developer contained in the next toner container X is determined, the next toner container X is supplied to the user. However, the invention is not so limited. After the process shown in step S21 is completed, the server 200 notifies the image forming apparatus 100 or the terminal owned by the user of an inquiry as to whether or not to place an order for the next toner container X, and the server 200 orders the next toner container X. Upon receiving the answer, the distributor may supply the next toner container X to the user.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be used in the fields of image forming apparatuses and image forming systems.

7a display unit 8 remaining amount detection unit 10 communication unit (transmitting unit)
11b Consumption rate calculation unit 11c Decision unit 11d Ordering unit 31 Mounting unit 32 Container detection unit (detection unit)
36 photoreceptor drum (latent image carrier)
38 Developing device 38a Developing container 38b First stirring and conveying member (stirring and conveying member)
38c Second stirring and conveying member (stirring and conveying member)
100 Image forming apparatus 200 Server 210 Communication unit 230 Control unit 300 Image forming system H Discharge port X Toner container (storage unit)

Claims (7)

An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a sheet,
a latent image carrier that carries an electrostatic latent image;
a mounting portion to which is detachably mounted a containing portion containing developer containing toner and carrier;
a developing device that forms an image on the latent image carrier using the toner supplied from the container;
a consumption rate calculation unit that calculates a consumption rate of toner within a predetermined period ;
a remaining amount detection unit that detects the remaining amount of the toner stored in the storage unit;
a detection unit that detects that the accommodation unit is attached to the attachment unit;
with
The predetermined period is from when the remaining amount detection unit detects that the toner stored in the storage unit is near empty to when the detection unit detects that the storage unit is removed from the mounting unit. indicates the period of
The image forming apparatus, wherein the toner consumption rate indicates a ratio of the toner consumption amount to the driving time of the developing device. further comprising a determination unit that determines a carrier ratio of the developer to be stored in the next storage unit based on the toner consumption rate;
2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the carrier ratio indicates a ratio of the weight of the carrier to the weight of the toner. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the lower the toner consumption rate, the higher the carrier ratio determined by the determining unit. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2 , further comprising an ordering unit that places an order for the next storage unit with the server. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2 , further comprising a display section for displaying data indicating said next storage section. The developing device
an agitating and conveying member that agitates and conveys the developer;
a developer container that houses the agitating and conveying member;
6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the developer container is formed with a discharge port for discharging the surplus developer. An image forming system comprising an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet and a server that communicates with the image forming apparatus,
The image forming apparatus is
a latent image carrier that carries an electrostatic latent image;
a mounting portion to which is detachably mounted a containing portion containing developer containing toner and carrier;
a developing device that forms an image on the latent image carrier using the toner supplied from the container;
a remaining amount detection unit that detects the remaining amount of the toner stored in the storage unit;
a detection unit that detects that the accommodation unit is attached to the attachment unit;
a transmitting unit configured to transmit first information indicating the driving time of the developing device and second information indicating the toner consumption to the server;
The server is
a communication unit that receives the first information and the second information;
a controller that calculates a toner consumption rate within a predetermined period based on the first information and the second information;
The predetermined period is from when the remaining amount detection unit detects that the toner stored in the storage unit is near empty to when the detection unit detects that the storage unit is removed from the mounting unit. indicates the period of
The image forming system, wherein the toner consumption rate indicates a ratio of the toner consumption amount to the driving time of the developing device.

Images