JPH0443353A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent a deodorizing filter from being replaced unnecessarily by setting the life of consumables according to the detection signal of medium kind detecting means which detect the kinds of photosensitive recording media. CONSTITUTION:The medium kind detecting means 52a - 52c detect the kind of a photosensitive pressure-sensitive recording medium set in an image forming device. Then a life control means 54 knows the kind of the photosensitive pressure-sensitive recording medium set in the image forming device and sets the life of the consumable body according to its consumption corresponding to the kind. Therefore, the replacement period of the deodorizing filter can be changed according to respective media. Consequently, the deodorizing filter is prevented from being preplaced unnecessarily and the cost is reducible.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and particularly to calculating the lifespan of consumables thereof.

[Prior art] In the past, only one type of photosensitive and pressure sensitive recording medium existed in image forming apparatuses using photosensitive and pressure sensitive recording media (so-called Cycolor system), but in recent years, photosensitive and pressure sensitive recording media with different performances have been used. With the development of pressure-sensitive recording media, it has become possible to use multiple types of light- and pressure-sensitive recording media in the same image forming apparatus.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, different types of photosensitive and pressure sensitive recording media (hereinafter referred to as media) not only have different copying conditions but also different amounts of gas generated during the copying process. Therefore, the lifespan of the deodorizing filter used to remove the generated gas varies depending on the type of media, but since conventional image forming devices cannot identify the type of media, There was no other way but to set the lifespan of the deodorizing filter. Therefore, with media that generates a small amount of gas, the deodorizing filter has to be replaced well before the end of its life, resulting in a lot of waste.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and it is possible to change the replacement time of consumables, such as deodorizing filters, depending on the media, thereby preventing unnecessary replacement. As a result, it is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus that can efficiently use consumables and prevent unnecessary costs.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve this object, the image forming apparatus of the first invention includes a media type detection system for detecting the type of photosensitive pressure sensitive recording medium set in the image forming apparatus. and a lifespan control means for setting the lifespan of the consumable based on the type of photosensitive pressure sensitive recording medium detected by the media type detection means.

Further, the image forming apparatus of the second invention includes a media type detection means for detecting the type of the photosensitive pressure sensitive recording medium set in the image forming apparatus, and a method based on the signal detected by the media type detection means. , and count amount setting means for setting a copy count amount.

[Operation] According to the first invention having the above configuration, the type of photosensitive pressure sensitive recording medium set in the image forming apparatus is detected by the media type detection means. Based on this detection result, the lifespan control means knows the type of photosensitive and pressure sensitive recording medium set in the image forming apparatus, and controls the lifespan of the consumables based on the amount of consumption of the consumables according to this type. It becomes possible to set.

Further, according to the second invention, the type of photosensitive pressure sensitive recording medium set in the image forming apparatus is detected by the media type detection means. Based on this detection result, the count amount setting means knows the type of photosensitive and pressure sensitive recording medium set in the image forming apparatus, and can set the count amount according to this type.

[Example] DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to embodiments embodying the present invention.

In the photosensitive and pressure sensitive copying machine 1 of this embodiment, as shown in FIG.
A photosensitive paper consisting of a color developer paper 28 (hereinafter referred to as recording paper) is used.

In addition, the microcapsule paper 12 used in this example
The surface of the support is coated with microcapsules, and the microcapsules contain dye precursors and the like that react with the color developer described below. A color developer is coated on the surface of the support of the color developer paper 28 and develops color by reacting with a dye precursor.
It is described in the specification of No. 9, etc., and the explanation will be omitted here.

At the top of the copying machine 1, there is a document table glass 2 and a document table cover 3.
A desired original 4 is placed on the original platen glass 2.
is laid down and the document table cover 3 is closed.

Below the original platen glass 2 in the upper part of the copying machine 1, a light source unit 5 including a halogen lamp 5a, a reflector 5b, a reflective mirror 8, etc. can be moved back and forth along a shaft 13 installed parallel to the original platen glass 2. It is located in The light source section 5 irradiates light in a line toward the document table glass 2 in a direction perpendicular to the movement direction. The irradiated light passes through the transparent document platen glass 2 and is reflected downward by the document 4 placed thereon.

A mirror portion 9 including reflective mirrors 9a and 9b is disposed below the document table glass 2 and is movable separately from the light source section 5, and the light reflected from the document 4 is reflected by the reflective mirrors 8.
The light beams 9a and 9b are reflected in this order and guided in parallel to the moving direction of the light source section 5. Further, a normally fixed projection lens 7 and a color filter 6 for adjusting the color tone of the copied image are arranged below the document platen glass 2, and the light reflected by the reflection mirror 9b is lens 7
incident on . The light projected by the projection lens 7 is
It is reflected by reflection mirror groups 10a and 10b.

An exposure stage 11 for exposing the microcapsule paper 12 is disposed to the right of the reflective mirror 10b, and a reflective mirror 10c for switching the optical path is disposed between the reflective mirror 10b and the exposure stage 11. ing. Image information on the original document 4 is formed on the microcapsule paper arranged along the exposure table 11.

In addition, although the reflecting mirrors 10a and 10b are normally fixed, they are set when enlarging or reducing the size of the latent image formed on the microcapsule paper 12, and the optical path length is changed according to a change in the projection magnification m. It is configured to be able to move integrally in the axial direction of the shaft 13.

On the other hand, a cartridge 15 is disposed in the center of the copying machine 1, and a long microcapsule paper 12 is housed in the cartridge 15, which is removable from the machine while being wound around a cartridge shaft 14.

With the cartridge 15 set at a predetermined position within the machine, the leading end of the microcapsule paper 12 is pulled out toward the exposure table 11. Below the exposure table 11 is a feed roller 19. A dancer roller 21 for tension adjustment is provided.

To the right of the dancer roller 21 is a large diameter roller 22a.
and a pressure developing device 22 including a backup roller 22b.
is arranged, and on the right side of the pressure developing device 22,
As will be described later, a separation roller 23 is provided to separate the microcapsule paper 12 and color developer paper 28 that are in close contact with each other.
Between the separating roller 23 and the cartridge 15 is a winding shaft 2 that fits and holds the microcapsule paper 12.
4 are arranged.

Microcapsule paper 1 coming out from the top of cartridge 15
2 is guided by a tension roller 19 and passes above the exposure table 11, and then passes through a dancer roller 21 and a pressure developing device 2.
2 and further guided to a separation roller 23, and then wound onto a winding shaft 24. The unexposed microcapsule paper 12 after leaving the cartridge 15 is maintained in an unexposed state by the blocking cover.

A paper feed cassette 29 containing developer paper 28 is installed below the pressure developing device 22 . A suction cup-type paper feeding mechanism 30 that sucks paper using negative pressure suction is arranged above the paper feeding cassette 29, and the developing paper 28 is taken out one by one by the paper feeding mechanism 30. . A feed guide 31d, feed rollers 31a, 31b, and 31c are disposed between the paper feed mechanism 30 and the pressure developing device 22, and the developer paper 2
8 are feed rollers 31 a, 3 l b, 31
c, the pressure developing device 2 is transported by the feeding guide 31d;
2 will be carried in.

A separation chute 27, which will be described later, is disposed to the right of the pressure developing device 22, and a heat fixing device 32 is disposed to the right of the separation chute 27. On the right side of the heat fixing device 32, a paper discharge tray 33 is arranged to store the developer paper 28 on which an image is formed.

Further, above the heat fixing device 32, a deodorizing fan 40 for discharging gas generated by the heat fixing process and a deodorizing filter 41 for removing the gas are disposed.

Furthermore, this copying machine has an autoloading function for automatically setting the microcapsule paper 12 on a predetermined transport path within the apparatus.

This is a function that automatically pulls out the leader film part attached to the tip of the microcapsule paper 12 into the apparatus, transports it inside the apparatus, and winds it around the winding shaft 24. As a result, the microcapsule paper 12 following the leader film portion is also wound onto the winding shaft 24, and the setting into the apparatus is completed.

For this automatic loading, a half-moon roller 17 is provided between the roller 19 and the cartridge 15 for pulling out the leader film portion, and a separation chute 27 is rotatable for guiding the leader film to the winding shaft 24. installed. A take-up guide 25 and a take-up guide shutter 26 are arranged around the take-up shaft 24 for winding the leader film.

Next, the operation of this copying machine will be explained.

When the cartridge 15 is set in the copying machine 1, autoloading is started. First, the half-moon roller 17 rotates once to several times in the conveyance direction only at the start of autoloading, and feeds the leader film section 18 to the roller 20. Thereafter, it stops, and subsequent conveyance is performed by driving the rollers 20.

The winding guide 251, the winding guide lower 26, and the separation chute 271 are rotated to the position shown by the - light chain line, and the leader film attached to the tip of the microcapsule paper 12 is wrapped around the winding shaft 24. Auto-loading is completed. Then, the winding guide 259, the winding guide 269, and the separation chute 27 return to the positions indicated by solid lines, and copying is possible.

When the copy start key is operated, the reflection mirror 8
When the transport speed of the microcapsule paper 12 is V and the projection magnification is m, the halogen lamp 5 moves at a moving speed of V/m, and the reflecting mirrors 9a and 9b move at a moving speed of V12 m.

The conveyance speed of the microcapsule paper 12 is determined by the mirror group 8.9a.
, 9b is synchronized as described above,
Latent images of predetermined lines of the document 4 are sequentially formed on the microcapsule paper 12 as it passes through the exposure stage 11 . Note that the predetermined speed ratio is predetermined based on the set value of the magnification.

The microcapsule paper 12 on which the latent image has been formed is transported,
The topmost color developing paper 28 of the paper feed cassette 29 is fed to the paper feed mechanism 30.
．． It is conveyed by conveying rollers 31a, 31b, 31C, etc.

The pressure developing device 22 is supplied with the microcapsule paper 12 and the color developer paper 28 in close contact with each other in a unified state, and the microcapsule surface on which the latent image of the microcapsule paper 12 is formed and the developer paper 28 are separated. The colorant-applied surface is integrally sandwiched between the large-diameter roller 22a and the backup roller 22b in a state in which they are in contact with each other on the inside, and pressure is applied. This pressure destroys the unexposed microcapsules and the developer paper 28
An image is formed on top.

The microcapsule paper 12 and the color developer paper 2B that have come out of the pressure developing device 22 are separated by a separation roller 23, and then the color development of the color developer paper 28 is promoted by the heat roller 32a of the heat fixing device 32 to form an image. After that, the paper ejection roller 32b
The paper is carried out to the paper discharge tray 33 by the paper discharge tray 33. Note that the separated microcapsule paper 12 is wound up on a winding shaft 24 via a separation roller 23e.

Next, the media type detection means and life setting means of the present invention will be explained.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cartridge 15, and one side of the cartridge 15 has convex members 51a and 51.
b and 51c are provided depending on the type of microcapsule paper 12 in the cartridge 15. In the photosensitive and pressure sensitive copying material unit, switches 52a, 52b,
52c is provided, and when the cartridge 15 is set on the photosensitive and pressure sensitive copying material 1, the convex member 51a.

The presence/absence of 51b and 51C is determined by the switch 52a.
, 52 b, 52 c.

Next, the circuit configuration will be explained based on FIG. 4.

The switches 52a, 52b, 52c are slave CPs.
Connected to U53. The slave CPU 53 is R
1-chip C with built-in OM53a and RAM53b
It is PU. The ζ-previous CPU 53 is connected to the host CPU 54, and the host CPU 54 has a ROM 56. RAM 57 that contains various registers. An LED 55 etc. for displaying an alarm is connected.

Now, signals indicating the presence or absence of the convex members 51a, 51b, 51c detected by the switches 52a, 52b, 52c are sent to the slave CPU 53 as shown in FIG.

The slave CPU 53 stores the sent signal in the ROM.
The deodorizing filter is converted according to the conversion table (see FIG. 5) stored in the memory 53H, and the lifespan (number of copies) of the deodorizing filter is set and stored in the number of copies register in the RAM 53b.

The copy process is controlled according to program instructions in the ROM 56. When the host CPU 54 sends a deodorizing filter lifespan transmission request command, the slave CPU 53 sends the value stored in the copy number register in the RAM 53b to the host CPU 54. Then, the host CPU 54 stores the value in the number register in the RAM 57 as the deodorizing filter lifespan. In addition, the host CPU 54 executes R every time copying is performed.
The count value of a counter provided in AM57 is incremented by one. When the count value of the counter reaches the number of deodorizing filters (the value of the number register of RAM 57), the alarm LED 55 is turned on,
The user is notified of the need to replace the deodorizing filter 41.

Now, in the above embodiment, a method was explained in which the number of copies is counted in the same way regardless of the type of media and the life setting is changed, but the life setting remains the same and the count amount is changed. An embodiment that changes depending on the type of media will be described.

The signals detected by the switches 52a, 52b, and 52c are transferred to the ROM 53a, as shown in FIG.

1-chip slave CP with built-in RAM53b
When the signal is sent to U53, the slave CPU 53 converts the sent signal according to the conversion table (see FIG. 6) stored in the ROM 53a, sets the count-up amount, and stores the count-up amount register in the RAM 53b. to be memorized. When the host CPU 54 sends a request command to send the count-up amount, the slave CPU 53 reads the count-up amount from the count-up amount register in the RAM 53b, and
It is sent to the host CPU 54. And host CPU5
4 stores the count up amount in the up amount register in the RAM 57. Furthermore, the RAM 57 is provided with a counter that counts up the value stored in the up-amount register each time one copy is made. That is, the amount counted up each time a copy is performed differs depending on the type of media.

When the value of the counter in the RAM 57 reaches or exceeds the preset lifetime number of deodorizing filters 41, the alarm LED 55 is turned on to notify the user that it is time to replace the deodorizing filter 41.

With this configuration, there is no need to change the life setting of the deodorizing filter depending on the type of media. Further, even when a plurality of media are used with one image forming apparatus, the deodorizing filter can be used efficiently.

Although both of the above embodiments have been described using the configuration of two CPUs 53 and 54, it is clear that they can also be implemented using the same CPU.

In addition, although the count amount performed for each copy was explained as counting up, in both of the above embodiments, a method of counting down (% type %) Furthermore, as a method of detecting the type of media, the outer shape of the cartridge However, it is clear that both embodiments are not limited to this and can be implemented in various ways. For example, you can enter the media type from the panel, or
As described in No. 545, data may be read during automatic paper feeding.

In addition, when a plurality of deodorizing filters 41 exist due to differences in size and performance, it is expected that their lifespans will also differ.

Therefore, the number of lifespans set in consideration of such matters may be changed depending on the type of deodorizing filter 410 used.

Furthermore, although the exposure method using reflected light from the original was used in the explanation, in both examples, the exposure method is not an essential problem, and any exposure method may be used. . In other words, it may be a digital exposure method using a numerically well-known optical laser, liquid crystal shutter, or LED, or it may be an exposure method using transmitted light from a transmissive original such as a 35 mm slide. good.

[Effects of the Invention] As is clear from the detailed description above, according to the present invention, even if there is an image forming apparatus that uses different types of media, the replacement timing of the deodorizing filter can be changed depending on each media. , it is possible to prevent unnecessary replacement of the deodorizing filter, thereby reducing costs.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 to 2 show embodiments embodying the present invention, FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an image forming apparatus using the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a cartridge used in the present invention. 3 is a schematic diagram of a switch for identifying the type of cartridge, FIG. 4 is a block diagram, FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a conversion table of the first invention, and FIG. 6 is a diagram of a second invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a conversion table of FIG. In the figure, 51a, 51b, and 51C are convex members, 52a, 52b, and c are switches, and 53 is a slave CPU. Patent applicant Brother Industries, Ltd. President Yoshihiro Yasui

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus having a process means for forming an image by exposing a removable photosensitive recording medium to light controlled based on image information, which is set in the image forming apparatus. The apparatus is characterized by comprising: a media type detection means for detecting the type of the photosensitive recording medium that is present; and a life setting means for setting the life of the consumable based on the signal detected by the media type detection means. Image forming device. 2. In an image forming apparatus having a process means for forming an image by exposing a removable photosensitive recording medium to light controlled based on image information, the photosensitive recording medium set in the image forming apparatus is An image forming apparatus comprising: a media type detection means for detecting a type; and a count amount setting means for setting a copy count amount based on a signal detected by the media type detection means.