JP7521303B2 - Fixing device and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a fixing device that is detachable from the main body of an image forming device, and to an image forming device equipped with such a fixing device.

Various types of image forming devices have been developed that perform printing processes on media such as printing paper. One example is an image forming device in which a fixing device (fixing unit) that performs fixing processes during printing processes is detachable from the main body of the image forming device (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2006-227335 A

However, in such fixing devices and image forming devices, there is generally a demand for improving the reliability of the device and improving user convenience. It is desirable to provide a fixing device and image forming device that can improve the reliability of the device while improving convenience.

A first fixing device according to an embodiment of the present invention is a device detachable from an apparatus main body of an image forming apparatus that performs a print process on a medium, and includes a fixing section that performs a fixation process on a developer image on the medium during the print process , and a fixing storage section that stores first identification information for identifying the apparatus main body, a printing flag indicating whether the print process is being executed, and an abnormality flag indicating whether the print process has abnormally ended. When a previous print process using the fixing process in this fixing device is normally ended and a notification is given based on the occurrence of an access error to the fixing storage section during the print process, and the access error is recovered, the fixing device is set to be available for use during the next print process based on the information stored in the apparatus main body indicated by the first identification information.
A second fixing device according to an embodiment of the present invention is a device detachable from an apparatus main body of an image forming apparatus that performs a print process on a medium, and includes a fixing section that performs a fixation process on a developer image on the medium during the print process, and a fixing storage section that stores first identification information for identifying the apparatus main body. When a previous print process using the fixing process in the fixing device is normally completed and a notification is given based on an access error to the fixing storage section that occurred during the print process, and the access error is recovered, the second fixing device is set to be available for use during the next print process based on print result information including second identification information for identifying the fixing device and the result of the print process, which is information stored in the apparatus main body indicated by the first identification information.

An image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is an apparatus for performing a printing process on a medium, and includes an apparatus main body having a control unit, and a fixing device detachable from the apparatus main body. The fixing device includes a fixing unit that performs a fixing process on a developer image on the medium during the printing process, and a fixing storage unit that stores first identification information for identifying the apparatus main body, a printing flag indicating whether the printing process is being performed, and an abnormality flag indicating whether the printing process has ended abnormally. When the previous printing process using the fixing device has ended normally and a notification has been issued based on the occurrence of an access error to the fixing storage unit during the printing process, and the access error has been resolved , the control unit sets the fixing device so that it can be used during the next printing process based on the information stored in the apparatus main body indicated by the first identification information, and determines whether the access error has occurred in the fixing storage unit and whether the previous printing process has ended normally using the information stored in the apparatus main body, the printing flag, and the abnormality flag.

According to the first and second fixing devices and the image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to improve the reliability of the apparatus and to improve the convenience.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of an image forming system including an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a detailed configuration of an image forming unit illustrated in FIG. 1 . 4 is a flowchart illustrating a part of a detailed example of a printing process according to an embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the remaining part of the detailed example of the printing process according to the embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The description will be given in the following order.
1. Embodiment 2. Modification

1. Preferred embodiment
[General Configuration]
1 is a block diagram showing an example of the schematic configuration of an image forming system including an image forming apparatus (image forming apparatus 1) according to an embodiment of the present invention. This image forming system includes a plurality of image forming apparatuses 1 (two image forming apparatuses 1A and 1B in the example of FIG. 1). These image forming apparatuses 1A and 1B are connected to each other via a network 8. This network 8 is configured using, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet.

Each of the image forming devices 1A and 1B is a device that performs image formation (print processing on a print medium 9, which will be described later) based on print data transmitted from a higher-level device, such as a PC (Personal Computer), via a network 8. That is, in this embodiment, each of the image forming devices 1A and 1B is configured as a printer that has a printing function on a print medium 9, such as paper.

Note that both image forming devices 1A and 1B have the same configuration, except for whether or not they are equipped with a fixing device 2, which will be described later. For the sake of simplicity, part of the block configuration within image forming device 1B is not shown in FIG. 1. In the following description, image forming device 1 will be used as a general term for image forming devices 1A and 1B, as appropriate.

As shown in FIG. 1, such an image forming apparatus 1 (1A, 1B) includes an apparatus main body 10 (10A, 10B) and a fixing device 2 that is detachable from the apparatus main body 10. Specifically, the fixing device 2 is designed to be mounted in an image forming section 11 (see FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, which will be described later). In this embodiment, a contact-type contact method is used as the method for connecting the apparatus main body 10 and the fixing device 2, rather than a wireless connection method, in order to reduce costs and radiated noise. In the following description, the apparatus main body 10 will be used as a general term for the above-mentioned apparatus main bodies 10A and 10B, as appropriate.

[Detailed configuration of image forming apparatus 1]
Next, a detailed configuration example of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described.

As described above, the image forming device 1 includes the device main body 10 and the fixing device 2. As shown in FIG. 1, the device main body 10 includes an image forming unit 11, a main body storage unit 12, a display unit 13, a control unit 14 (main body control unit), and a communication unit 14.

(Image forming unit 11)
The image forming section 11 is a section that performs the printing process on the print medium 9 described above.

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the detailed configuration of such an image forming unit 11. As shown in this Figure 2, in the image forming unit 11, multiple sets (four sets in the example of Figure 2) of image drum units 5, exposure units 110, and transfer devices 114 are provided for each color along the transport direction d of the print medium 9. That is, for example, these image drum units 5, exposure units 110, and transfer devices 114 are provided for each of the four colors consisting of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). Also, each image drum unit 5 is composed of a charger 111, a developer 112, and a photosensitive unit 113, as shown in Figure 2.

As shown in FIG. 2, the fixing device 2 is disposed downstream (in the transport direction d) of these four sets of image drum units 5, exposure section 110, and transfer device 114. As mentioned above, this fixing device 2 is configured to be detachable from the image forming section 11 (apparatus main body 10) (see dashed arrow P in FIG. 2).

In addition to the above, the image forming unit 11 shown in FIG. 2 is also provided with, for example, rollers (transport rollers) for transporting the print medium 9 along the transport direction d, and a mechanism for operating the transport rollers (not shown in FIG. 2).

The exposure unit 110 selectively exposes the surface of the uniformly charged photosensitive unit 113 to light to form an electrostatic latent image. Such an exposure unit 110 has a plurality of light-emitting elements arranged along the main scanning direction, and is, for example, configured as an LED head using LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) as light-emitting elements. As described above, the charger 111 uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive unit 113, and in the example of FIG. 2, is configured as a roller-shaped charging roller. The developer 112 applies the developer (toner) for each color to the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive unit 113 formed by the exposure unit 110 to develop it (form a developer image). In the example of FIG. 2, this developer 112 includes a roller-shaped developing roller. In the example of FIG. 2, the photosensitive unit 113 is configured as a drum-shaped photosensitive drum. The transfer unit 114 transfers the developer image (toner image) formed on the photosensitive unit 113 onto the print medium 9, and in the example of FIG. 2, is configured as a roller-shaped transfer roller.

(Fixing device 2)
The fixing device 2 is a device that performs a predetermined fixing process on the developer image transferred onto the print medium 9 during the above-mentioned printing process in the image forming unit 11. Specifically, the fixing device 2 is configured to fix such a developer image onto the print medium 9 by applying, for example, heat or pressure.

As shown in FIG. 1, such a fixing device 2 includes a fixing unit 21 and a fixing memory unit 22.

The fixing unit 21 is the part that performs the fixing process described above.

The fixing memory unit 22 is a part that stores various information, and is composed of, for example, a non-volatile memory. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the various information stored in the fixing memory unit 22 includes the device body number 41, the printing flag 42, and the abnormality flag 43.

The device body number 41 is a number (identification information) that identifies the device body 10. Specifically, this device body number 41 is a unique identification number (serial number) that is individually assigned to each of the multiple device bodies 10 (two device bodies 10A and 10B in the example of FIG. 1).

This device body number 41 corresponds to one specific example of the "first identification information" in the present invention.

The printing flag 42 is a flag that indicates whether or not the printing process in the image forming unit 11 is being performed. Specifically, if it is determined that the printing process is being performed, the printing flag 42 is set (indicating a value of "1"). On the other hand, if it is determined that the printing process is not being performed, the printing flag 42 is set (indicating a value of "0").

The abnormality flag 43 is a flag that indicates whether the previous (last) printing process ended abnormally. Specifically, if it is determined that the previous printing process ended abnormally, this abnormality flag 43 is set (indicating a value of "1"). On the other hand, if it is determined that the previous printing process ended normally (not abnormally), this abnormality flag 43 is set (indicating a value of "0").

Here, in the fixing device 2 of this embodiment, the details will be described later, but if the previous printing process that used the fixing process in this fixing device 2 has ended normally, and a notification has been given based on the occurrence of an access error (write error or read error) to the fixing memory unit 22 during this previous printing process, and the access error has been resolved, then the following will occur. That is, based on the information stored in the device main body 10 indicated by the device main body number 41 described above, the fixing device 2 is set (by the control unit 14 described later) to be available for use during the next printing process.

(Main body storage unit 12)
The above-mentioned main body storage unit 12 in the device main body 10 is a section for storing various information, and is configured, for example, by a non-volatile memory. Such various information includes, for example, an operating system, application programs, printer drivers, document data, etc., necessary for controlling the image forming device 1. In the example shown in Fig. 1, the various information stored in such device storage unit 12 includes print result information 3. As shown in Fig. 1, this print result information 3 includes a fixing device number 31 and result content 32.

This type of print result information 3 corresponds to one specific example of "information stored in the device body" in the present invention.

The fixing device number 31 is a number (identification information) that identifies the fixing device 2. Specifically, the fixing device number 31 is a unique identification number (serial number) that is individually assigned to each of the multiple fixing devices 2.

This fixing device number 31 corresponds to one specific example of the "second identification information" in the present invention.

Result content 32 is information showing the results of past (previous) printing processes, and includes, for example, information showing whether the printing result ended normally or abnormally, and information showing the cause of the abnormality in the case of an abnormal end. Causes of abnormalities are described in detail below, but examples include wrapping of the print medium 9, jamming (clogging of the print medium 9), and poor fixing temperature (failure of the fixing device 2 to rise to temperature normally), etc.

The display unit 13 is a part that displays various information output from the control unit 14 to the outside (user) of the image forming device 1. In other words, such various information is displayed on the display unit 13, so that the various information is notified to the outside. Such a display unit 13 is composed of various types of displays, such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display).

1, the control unit 14 controls various operations in the image forming unit 11, the main body storage unit 12, the display unit 13, and the communication unit 15, and executes various processes within the image forming device 1, and is configured, for example, by a microcomputer. Specifically, the control unit 14 analyzes print data transmitted from a higher-level device such as a PC via the network 8 to generate raster data, and uses this raster data to instruct the image forming unit 11 to execute the print process.

In addition, in this embodiment, the control unit 14 performs various determination processes using various information, as will be described in detail later. Specifically, the control unit 14 uses, for example, the information stored in the device main body 10 (the above-mentioned print result information 3), as well as the above-mentioned printing flag 42 and abnormality flag 43, to determine whether an access error has occurred in the fixing storage unit 22, and whether the previous printing process was completed normally.

The communication unit 15 is a part that transmits and receives various information between other image forming devices 1 via the network 8. As a result, in the example of FIG. 1, transmission and reception of various information between image forming device 1A and image forming device 1B via the network 8 is realized.

[Actions, actions and effects]
(A. Basic Operation)
In the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment, image formation (printing process on the print medium 9) is performed in the image forming section 1 as follows.

That is, when print data is sent from a higher-level device such as a PC to the image forming device 1 via the network 8, the control unit 14 instructs the image forming unit 11 to perform printing processing. Specifically, the control unit 14 edits the print data, operates a mechanism unit (not shown) in the image forming unit 11, and transmits image data to each exposure unit 110 (see Figures 1 and 2). Each exposure unit 110 blinks dots specified by the image data for each color to form an electrostatic latent image on each photosensitive unit 113. The electrostatic latent image thus formed on each photosensitive unit 113 is turned into a developer image (toner image) by the developer (toner) attached by each developing device 112. Next, when the photosensitive unit 113 comes into contact with the print medium 9, the developer image on the photosensitive unit 113 is transferred onto the print medium 9 by the high voltage applied by the transfer device 114. The developer image transferred onto the print medium 9 is then fixed by the fixing device 2 mounted in the image forming unit 11. This completes the printing process for the print medium 9.

(B. Details of the Printing Process)
Next, a detailed example of such printing process (such as the various determination processes described above by the control unit 14) will be described with reference to Figures 1, 3A, and 3B. Figures 3A and 3B each show a flow chart of a detailed example of the printing process according to the present embodiment.

In a detailed example of this printing process, when an instruction to perform printing is given to the image forming unit 11 as described above, the following processes are performed. That is, first, the control unit 14 determines whether the printing flag 42 is set (whether it shows a value of "1") in the fixing memory unit 22 in the fixing device 2 (step S101 in FIG. 3A). If it is determined that the printing flag 42 is not set (shows a value of "0") (step S101: N), the process proceeds to step S108, which will be described later.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the printing flag 42 is set (indicates a value of "1") (step S101: Y), the following occurs. That is, in this case, the control unit 14 determines that the aforementioned access error has occurred in the fixing memory unit 22, or that the previous printing process using the currently installed fixing device 2 did not end normally, and proceeds to step S102, which will be described below.

In step S102, the control unit 14 determines whether the device body number 41 stored in the fixing memory unit 22 matches the number of the device body 10 in the current image forming device 1. If the device body number 41 matches the number of the device body 10 in the current image forming device 1, that is, if the device body 10 indicated by the device body number 41 corresponds to the device body 10 in the current image forming device 1 (step S102: Y), the process proceeds to step S104, which will be described later.

On the other hand, if the device body number 41 does not match the number of the device body 10 in the current image forming device 1, that is, if the device body 10 indicated by the device body number 41 corresponds to the device body 10 in another image forming device 1 (step S102: N), the process proceeds to the following step S103. In this step S103, the control unit 14 communicates with the other corresponding image forming device 1 via the communication unit 15 and the network 8. Then, the process proceeds to the following step S104.

In this step S104, the control unit 14 copies the print result information 3 stored in the device main body 10 (main body memory unit 12) of the current image forming device 1 or the other relevant image forming device 1 to the fixing device 2 in the current image forming device 1. Specifically, the control unit 14 writes the fixing device number 31 and result content 32 included in such print result information 3 to the fixing memory unit 22 in the fixing device 2.

The control unit 14 then determines whether the above-mentioned print result information 3 was successfully written (copied) to the fixed storage unit 22 (step S105). If it is determined that the print result information 3 was successfully written to the fixed storage unit 22 (step S105: Y), the control unit 14 determines that the access error in the fixed storage unit 22 has been recovered from, and clears the printing flag 42 in the fixed storage unit 22 (step S106). In other words, in this case, the control unit 14 changes the value of the printing flag 42 from "1" to "0". After that, the process proceeds to step S108, which will be described later.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the print result information 3 could not be written to the fixing memory unit 22 (step S105: N), the control unit 14 determines that the access error in the fixing memory unit 22 has not been resolved, and proceeds to the following step S107. In this step S107, the control unit 14 notifies the outside by displaying a message such as "Information cannot be written to the fixing device 2. Please clean the terminals" on the display unit 13 (step S107). In this case, the series of processes shown in Figures 3A and 3B is completed.

Next, in step S108 described above, the control unit 14 determines whether the abnormality flag 43 is set (whether it shows a value of "1") in the fixing memory unit 22 in the fixing device 2. If it is determined that the abnormality flag 43 is not set (shows a value of "0") (step S108: N), the control unit 14 determines that the previous printing process using the currently installed fixing device 2 was normally completed, and proceeds to step S114 described below.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the abnormality flag 43 is set (indicates a value of "1") (step S108: Y), the control unit 14 determines that the previous printing process using the currently installed fixing device 2 ended abnormally, and proceeds to the following step S109. In this step S109, it is determined whether the cause of the abnormal end of the previous printing process (cause of abnormality) was the wrapping or jamming of the print medium 9 described above. At this time, the control unit 14 checks for such an abnormality based on the print result information 3 stored in the device main body 10 (main body storage unit 12) of the current image forming device 1, or the print result information 3 copied from another image forming device 1 and written to the fixing storage unit 22 in the above-mentioned step S104. Specifically, the control unit 14 checks for the abnormality using the result content 32 included in the print result information 3.

If it is determined that the cause of the abnormality is wrapping or jamming of the print medium 9 (step S109: Y), the control unit 14 performs the following process. That is, in this case, the control unit 14 notifies the outside by displaying on the display unit 13 that "the fixing device 2 cannot be used" (step S110). In this case, the series of processes shown in Figures 3A and 3B ends.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the cause of the abnormality is neither wrapping of the print medium 9 nor a jam (step S109: N), the control unit 14 energizes the fixing device 2 and checks the fixing device 2 (step S111). Specifically, the control unit 14 then determines whether the temperature of the fixing device 2 rises normally (whether the fixing temperature failure described above has occurred) (step S112). If it is determined that the temperature of the fixing device 2 does not rise normally (the fixing temperature failure has occurred) (step S112: N), the process proceeds to step S110, and the display unit 13 displays the message "fixing device 2 cannot be used" as described above. In this case, the series of processes shown in Figures 3A and 3B is also completed.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the temperature of the fixing device 2 has risen normally (no fixing temperature failure has occurred) (step S112: Y), the control unit 14 clears the abnormality flag 43 in the fixing memory unit 22 of this fixing device 2 (step S113). That is, in this case, the control unit 14 changes the value of the abnormality flag 43 from "1" to "0". Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S114 described below, where the control unit 14 sets this fixing device 2 so that it can be used.

In step S114, the control unit 14 sets the printing flag 42 in the fixing memory unit 22 of the fixing device 2 so that the fixing device 2 is available for use, and writes the device body number 41 to the fixing memory unit 22. Specifically, the control unit 14 changes the value of the printing flag 42 from "0" to "1", and writes the device body number 41 corresponding to the device body 10 of the current image forming device 1 to the fixing memory unit 22. After the printing flag 42 has been set in this way, the control unit 14 executes the printing process (next printing process) on the print medium 9 as described above (step S115).

Next, the control unit 14 judges whether the printing process (next printing process) in step S115 has been completed normally (step S116). If it is judged that the printing process has been completed normally (step S116: Y), the control unit 14 deletes the current device body number 41 stored in the fixing storage unit 22 and turns off the printing flag 42 in the fixing storage unit 22 (step S117). That is, in this case, the control unit 14 changes the value of the printing flag 42 from "1" to "0". Next, the control unit 14 writes information indicating that the printing process has been completed normally to the device body 10 (main body storage unit 12). Specifically, the control unit 14 writes the fixing device number 31 corresponding to the current fixing device 2 and the result content 32 indicating the normal printing result to the main body storage unit 12 as the printing result information 3 (step S118). After that, the process proceeds to step S122, which will be described later.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the printing process did not end normally (ended abnormally) (step S116: N), the control unit 14 first notifies the outside by displaying an error message indicating that the printing process ended abnormally on the display unit 13 (step S119). Next, the control unit 14 sets the abnormal flag 43 in the fixing storage unit 22 (step S120). That is, in this case, the control unit 14 changes the value of the abnormal flag 43 from "0" to "1". Then, the control unit 14 writes information indicating that the printing process ended abnormally to the device main body 10 (main body storage unit 12). Specifically, the control unit 14 writes the fixing device number 31 corresponding to the current fixing device 2 and the result content 32 indicating the abnormally ended printing result and the abnormality cause (the abnormality cause described above) to the main body storage unit 12 as the printing result information 3 (step S121). After that, the process proceeds to step S122 described below.

In step S122, the control unit 14 determines whether or not the above-mentioned flags have been written to the fixing memory unit 22 (the value of the printing flag 42 has been changed in step S117, or the value of the abnormality flag 43 has been changed in step S120). If it is determined that such flags have been written to the fixing memory unit 22 (step S122: Y), the series of processes shown in Figures 3A and 3B ends.

On the other hand, if it is determined that such a flag could not be written to the fixing memory unit 22 (step S122: N), the control unit 14 determines that an access error has occurred in the fixing memory unit 22, and proceeds to step S107 described above. In other words, the control unit 14 notifies the outside by displaying a message to the effect that "Information cannot be written to the fixing device 2. Please clean the terminals" on the display unit 13 (step S107). Note that in this case as well, the series of processes shown in Figures 3A and 3B is now complete.

(C. Actions and Effects)
Next, the operation and effects of the fixing device 2 and the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment will be described in detail.

First, as mentioned above, in fixing devices that have a memory unit in the fixing device, a problem (access error) that makes it impossible to access the memory unit can generally occur. Possible causes of this include wear on the terminals used to connect the fixing device to the device body, and contact contamination caused by the adhesion of scattered toner. In this way, when using a detachable fixing device, while it is easy to replace the fixing device by making it detachable, there is a risk that a fixing device that has become abnormal will be reused. And if such a fixing device in an abnormal state is attached to another image forming device (device body), there is a risk of damaging that device body.

In addition to the access errors in the memory section described above, fixing devices can also generally experience mechanical problems such as the aforementioned wrapping or jamming of the print media, or poor fixing temperature. If such mechanical problems and problems due to access errors occur simultaneously, the occurrence of such mechanical problems cannot be stored in the memory section, which may cause further secondary problems. However, on the other hand, if the use of a fixing device in which such a problem has once occurred is uniformly prohibited, it will result in reduced convenience for users.

In this embodiment, therefore, if the previous printing process that used the fixing process in the fixing device 2 has ended normally, and a notification has been given based on the occurrence of an access error to the fixing memory unit 22 during this previous printing process, and the access error has been resolved, the following processing is carried out. That is, based on the information (print result information 3) stored in the device main body 10 indicated by the device main body number 41, the control unit 14 sets the fixing device 2 so that it can be used during the next printing process.

In this embodiment, this avoids the risk of damage to the device main body 10 (image forming device 1) caused by reusing the fixing device 2 that was used during the printing process that ended abnormally. Also, for the fixing device 2 from which an access error that occurred in the fixing memory unit 22 has been recovered, if the previous printing process that used this fixing device 2 ended normally, it is set so that it can be used during the next printing process, so that the fixing device 2 that does not pose a risk of damage to the device main body 10 can continue to be used as is.

As a result, in this embodiment, it is possible to improve the reliability of the fixing device 2 and the image forming device 1 while improving convenience for the user.

In addition, in this embodiment, a printing flag 42 indicating whether or not the printing process is being performed, and an abnormality flag indicating whether or not the printing process has ended abnormally are stored in the fixing memory unit 22. The control unit 14 then uses the printing flag 42 and abnormality flag 43, along with the information (print result information 3) stored in the device main body 10 described above, to determine whether or not the above-mentioned access error has occurred, and whether or not the previous printing process ended normally. This makes it possible in this embodiment to easily make such determinations.

2. Modified Examples
Although the present invention has been described above by way of the embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment and various modifications are possible.

For example, in the above embodiment, the configuration of each block in the image forming apparatus (apparatus main body and fixing device) was specifically described, but the configuration of each block is not limited to that described in the above embodiment and may be other configurations. Specifically, for example, in the above embodiment, a contact-type contact method was used as the connection method between the apparatus main body and the fixing device, but this is not limited to this example and, for example, in some cases, a wireless connection method may be used.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the various types of information (such as various flags, print result information, and various identification information) stored in the main body storage unit 12 and the fixing storage unit 22 are specifically listed and described, but the content of these various types of information is not limited to the examples described in the above embodiment. Specifically, for example, in the above embodiment, print result information 3 is listed and described as an example of "information stored in the device main body" in the present invention, but this example is not limiting. In other words, other information may be used as an example of "information stored in the device main body" in the present invention.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the printing process in the image forming apparatus is specifically described, but the method of the printing process is not limited to the example described in the above embodiment. That is, the printing process may be performed using other methods. Specifically, for example, instead of the information stored in the device body, the fixing device may be set to be usable using confirmation result information of a visual check of the fixing device by the user. In detail, for example, a display (notification to the outside) is first performed to prompt a visual check of the fixing device, and after the confirmation result information of such a visual check is input to the device body, the fixing device is set to be usable. Note that, as a confirmation method of such a visual check, for example, a smartphone app is used to transfer a photo of the fixing device arranged at an angle where the fixing roller, fixing belt, etc. can be seen to a call center, and after the photo is confirmed at the call center, the fixing device may be set to be usable via the smartphone app or network.

In addition, the series of processes described in the above embodiment may be performed by hardware (circuits) or by software (programs). When performed by software, the software is composed of a group of programs for causing a computer to execute each function. Each program may be, for example, pre-installed in the computer and used, or may be installed in the computer from a network or recording medium and used.

In the above embodiment, an image forming device (printer) with a printing function has been described as one specific example of an "image forming device" to which the present invention is applied, but the present invention is not limited to this. In other words, in addition to image forming devices with such printing functions, the present invention can also be applied to image forming devices (copiers and facsimiles) with a scanning function or a fax function, or image forming devices (multifunction devices) that combine these functions.

1 (1A, 1B)...image forming device, 10 (10A, 10B)...device main body, 11...image forming section, 110...exposure section, 111...charging device, 112...developing device, 113...photosensitive section, 114...transfer device, 12...main body storage section, 13...display section, 14...control section, 15...communication section, 2...fixing device, 21...fixing section, 22...fixing storage section, 3...printing result information, 31...fixing device number, 32...result content, 41...device main body number, 42...printing flag, 43...abnormal flag, 5...image drum unit, 8...network, 9...printing medium, d...transport direction.

Claims (12)

A fixing device that is detachable from a main body of an image forming device that performs a printing process on a medium,
a fixing unit that performs a fixing process on the developer image on the medium during the printing process;
a fixing storage unit that stores first identification information for identifying the device body , a printing flag indicating whether the printing process is being executed, and an abnormality flag indicating whether the printing process has ended abnormally,
When the previous printing process using the fixing process in the fixing device is normally completed, and a notification is given based on the occurrence of an access error to the fixing storage unit in association with the previous printing process, the access error is recovered,
a fixing device that is set so as to be available for use the next time the printing process is performed, based on information stored in the device main body and indicated by the first identification information; A fixing device that is detachable from a main body of an image forming device that performs a printing process on a medium,
a fixing unit that performs a fixing process on the developer image on the medium during the printing process;
a fixed storage unit for storing first identification information for identifying the main body of the apparatus;
Equipped with
When the previous printing process using the fixing process in the fixing device is normally completed, and a notification is given based on the occurrence of an access error to the fixing storage unit in association with the previous printing process, the access error is recovered,
The fixing device is set so as to be usable at the next printing process based on print result information including second identification information for identifying the fixing device and the result of the printing process, as information stored in the device main body indicated by the first identification information.
Fixing device. The information stored in the device body is
The fixing device according to claim 1 , wherein the print result information includes second identification information for identifying the fixing device and a result of the printing process. An image forming apparatus that performs a printing process on a medium,
A device main body having a control unit;
a fixing device that is detachable from the main body of the apparatus,
The fixing device is
a fixing unit that performs a fixing process on the developer image on the medium during the printing process;
a fixing storage unit that stores first identification information for identifying the device body , a printing flag indicating whether the printing process is being executed, and an abnormality flag indicating whether the printing process has ended abnormally,
The control unit is
When the previous printing process using the fixing process in the fixing device is normally completed, and a notification is given based on the occurrence of an access error to the fixing storage unit in association with the previous printing process, the access error is recovered,
setting the fixing device to be available for use at the next printing process based on information stored in the device body and indicated by the first identification information ;
Using the information stored in the device body, the printing flag and the abnormality flag,
A determination is made as to whether or not the access error has occurred in the fixing storage unit and whether or not the previous printing process has been normally completed.
Image forming device. The control unit is
If the printing flag is set,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein it is determined that an access error has occurred or that the previous printing process did not end normally. The control unit is
If the printing flag is set,
copying information stored in the device main body from the device main body indicated by the first identification information and writing the information into the fixing storage unit;
6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein when it is determined that the information stored in the apparatus main body has been successfully written to the fixing memory unit, it is determined that the access error has been resolved and the printing in progress flag is cleared. The control unit is
If the abnormality flag is set,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein it is determined that the previous printing process ended abnormally. The control unit is
If the abnormality flag is set,
Based on the information stored in the device body, the cause of the abnormality that caused the previous printing process to end abnormally is confirmed, and
If the cause of the abnormality is the wrapping or jamming of the medium, a notice is sent to the outside that the fixing device is unusable;
8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein if the cause of the abnormality is neither the wrapping of the medium nor the jam, a determination is made as to whether or not the temperature of the fixing device is normally increased. The control unit is
When the cause of the abnormality is neither the wrapping of the medium nor the jam,
When the temperature of the fixing device has increased normally, the abnormality flag is cleared and then the fixing device is set to be usable;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 8 , further comprising: a notification to the outside that the fixing device is unusable if the temperature of the fixing device does not increase normally. The control unit is
By setting the printing in progress flag, the fixing device is set to be available for use;
10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the next printing process is executed after the printing flag is set. The control unit is
If it is determined that the next printing process has been completed normally,
The printing flag is turned off, and
The image forming apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein information indicating that the printing process has been normally completed is written to the apparatus main body. The control unit is
If it is determined that the next printing process has ended abnormally,
The abnormality flag is set,
12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein information indicating that the printing process has ended abnormally is written to the apparatus main body.

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