JPH07199749A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To detect and reproduce a closed mesh at an interval optimum for installed environment by defecting the closed mesh in an ozone filter device and constituting so that the detection interval is revisable. CONSTITUTION:In a closed mesh detection mode, a master CPU 40 sends a motor drive signal to a motor drive circuit 49, and a fan 104 rotates. When the fan 104 rotates, air through a filter touches to a closed mesh detecting wind speed senser 105a, and the closed mesh is detected by measuring the wind speed. The detected value is sent to the master CPU 40, and is compared with a set closed mesh limit value, and a display is performed on a display part 45. Then, the rotation of the fan motor 104 is detected by an encoder, and is inputted to the CPU 40, and a measuring interval performing the closed mesh detection mode is revised. For instance, in the case that the installed environment is bad, and the mesh clogging occurs often, the measuring interval is shortened, and in the case that the installed environment is good, the measuring interval is prolonged.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus,
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus intended to reduce ozone generated during image formation.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The prior art includes the following. In Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-116860, the fan air volume, the number of revolutions, which changes depending on the clogging of the ozone adsorption filter,
By comparing the input power value with each reference value before clogging, the ozone discharge amount is detected, and display / recording for replacing the filter is performed. Also, if the cumulative operating time of the corona ion source exceeds a certain reference time, a message indicating that the filter will be replaced will be displayed.
It is shown to make a record. This prevents the temperature inside the machine from rising and the amount of ozone discharged from increasing. Further, when the flon is an absorption fan for transporting the paper, the transportability is stabilized.

Further, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 260066/1992, ozone passes through the fixing portion before passing through the ozone adsorption filter so that the ozone before passing through the filter has a low concentration and is discharged to the outside of the apparatus. Reduce the amount,
It has also been shown that the life of the filter can be extended by reducing the load on the filter.

Further, in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 4-225817, as in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 4-260066, a dedicated heater is provided upstream of the filter so that the ozone concentration before passing through the filter becomes low, thereby reducing the ozone discharge amount and increasing the service life of the filter. It has been shown to be

[0005]

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION Problems to be Solved by the Invention
At 0, timing for detecting clogging (predetermined time)
Cannot be changed. However, the cause of clogging of the filter is not only the paper dust of the copy paper and the toner scattering, but also the setting location such as a place with a lot of dust or a place with little dust. If it is fixed, it may cause the clogging detection mode more than necessary depending on the location and reduce the actual operating time.On the contrary, if there are few detection modes, the filter clogging occurs immediately after the previous detection and the machine temperature As a result, the photosensitive member may be deteriorated due to rising or ozone, ozone may be discharged due to a decrease in ozone decomposition rate, or paper jam may occur due to a decrease in suction force when a conveyance suction fan is used.

Further, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-260066, ozone is allowed to pass through the fixing portion before passing through the filter so that the ozone reaching the filter has a low concentration, thereby reducing the load on the filter and discharging the ozone. Although the amount of heat is reduced, a dedicated air passage (duct) is heated by the fixing heat, so that it is necessary to increase the heat amount of the fixing heater as compared with the conventional one, resulting in higher power consumption. In addition, since it is equipped with a dedicated duct, there is a drawback that the space inside the machine is narrowed.

In Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-225817, since a dedicated heater is provided in the upstream portion of the filter, the power consumption of the heater and the installation area of the heater are newly required as compared with the conventional one, and the cost is increased. Incidentally, JP-A-4-2
In 60066,4-2225817, the filter material is not limited, but even if the filter is heated and regenerated as a catalyst type filter, the interval is not specified.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made for the purpose of solving the above-mentioned problems. According to the image forming apparatus of claim 1, the air flow outlet for ozone-containing air flow is provided. An ozone suction fan, an ozone adsorption catalyst type filter, and an ozone removing means for overheat-decomposing ozone adsorbed on the ozone adsorption catalyst type filter are provided in the vicinity, and the ozone adsorption catalyst type filter is clogged. And a measuring means for measuring information consisting of the input electric power value to the fan, and a reference value before clogging in advance for making a comparison judgment with the information measured by the measuring means. A storage means to be set up, an operating means for operating the measuring means every predetermined number of copies set or every elapse of a predetermined time, and the measuring means measures the operating means. Detection means for detecting the degree of ozone generation by comparing information with a reference value before clogging stored in the storage means, and the ozone adsorption catalyst type based on the detection result of the detection means An image forming apparatus comprising: a filter regenerating unit that reactivates the ozone adsorbing catalyst type filter by activating the ozone removing unit when ozone is adsorbed by the filter.

According to the image forming apparatus of the second aspect, the measured value of the information measured last time by the measuring means is compared with the measured value of the information measured this time after the ozone removing means is operated, The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the machine is stopped when the difference between the measured values is equal to or larger than a predetermined value, and the machine is not stopped when the difference is at a predetermined value end.

According to the image forming apparatus of the third aspect, the elapsed time from the first measurement by the measuring means to the occurrence of clogging is N, and the comparison is made with the elapsed time. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising display means for displaying a message indicating that a trouble has occurred when N <M is set in advance, with the time minimum value M serving as a reference being set in advance. is there.

[0011]

According to the above construction, the ozone filter device is provided with a device capable of changing the clogging detection interval and performing clogging detection and regeneration at an optimum interval of the installation environment. Since the measurement interval for performing the mode can be changed, for example, when the installation environment is relatively bad and the filter immediately becomes clogged, the measurement interval can be shortened to frequently perform the clog detection mode. If the installation environment is relatively good, the measurement interval can be lengthened. As a result, the operating time is reduced more than necessary and the operating time is reduced, or conversely the filter is not in the active detection mode and the filter is clogged, causing the temperature inside the machine to rise and the photoreceptor to deteriorate due to ozone. It is possible to prevent discharge of ozone to the inside of the container.

Further, if the clogging of the filter device is detected in this detection mode, there is a possibility that the operation of the device cannot be continued for the sake of safety. Therefore, two kinds of limit values are set to replace or maintain the device. Since the user is prompted by the first limit value, the safety can be improved without reducing the actual operating time. Further, the safety is further enhanced by shortening the interval of the detection mode after exceeding the first limit value.

Further, when the environment of the installation site is particularly bad and the system is in a clogged state for a period less than the minimum value m of the period, a message to confirm the installation site is displayed. Therefore, it is expected that the installation environment will be improved and the safety for users will be improved. Further, in this case, a failure of the clogging detection means may be considered, so that a display is made to prompt repair and reliability is enhanced.

[0014]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The details will be described below based on the embodiments of the present invention shown in the drawings. Needless to say, the present invention should not be limited to these examples.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a copying machine according to the present invention, in which an optical system 2 is arranged in an upper part of a copying machine main body 1. The optical system 2 includes a copy lamp 3 including a halogen lamp, a plurality of mirrors 4 to 7, a zoom lens 8 and the like.
And have. A photoconductor 21 is rotatably supported below the optical system 2. As is well known, a charger 22, a developing unit 23, a transfer unit 24, a charge eliminator 25 and the like are arranged around the photoconductor 21. During copying, the mirror base is moved in the A direction while the surface of the photoconductor 21 is charged to a predetermined potential by the charger 22, and the original document (not shown) covered with the original document cover 26 is moved to the front end by the copy lamp 3. Are sequentially irradiated. Then, the reflected light from the document is exposed on the photoconductor 21 via the optical system 2, so that an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photoconductor 21. Further, when copying is performed using the automatic document feeder 27 arranged above the copying machine main body 1, the drums 29a, 29a are provided in the document feeding path 28 of the automatic document feeder 27.
While the document is being conveyed by b, etc.,
The copy lamp 3 sequentially irradiates the original from the front end through a slit (not shown) provided at a position, and the photoconductor 21 is exposed to the reflected light from the original in the same manner as described above. When an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photoconductor 21, the electrostatic latent image is subsequently developed with toner supplied from the developing unit 23 to form a toner image. After that, a sheet (not shown) is sent to the registration roller 31 from the sheet feeding unit 30 including a plurality of sheet feeding cassettes, and the sheet is temporarily stopped by the registration roller 31 as needed, and then at a predetermined timing. It is supplied to the photoconductor 21. Then, the toner image is transferred by the transfer device 24 onto the supplied paper. After that, the paper is separated from the photoconductor 21, and is conveyed to the fixing unit 33 by the conveyance device 32, where the toner image is fixed on the paper, and if it is a single-sided copy, it is ejected to the ejection tray 34 as it is. . On the other hand, in the case of synthetic copying or double-sided copying, the sheet discharged from the fixing unit 33 is sent to the sheet conveying path 35, and in the case of synthetic copying, it is discharged to the intermediate tray 36 as it is. After the front and back are reversed by the reversing unit 37, the intermediate tray 36
Is discharged to. When a predetermined number of sheets are accumulated in the intermediate tray 36, the sheets on the intermediate tray 36 are sequentially fed from the uppermost one by the sheet feeding roller 38 and are sent to the photoconductor 21 for subsequent copying.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic circuit block diagram of the present invention, and FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of the peripheral portion of the filter. First, the general operation of the clogging detection circuit will be described. First, the CPU is composed of a master CPU 40 and a slave CPU 41, and the slave CPU 41 controls the operation circuit 44. A display section circuit 45 and an operation section circuit 59 are connected to the operation circuit 44 to control the display of the screen and the operation key input. The master CPU 40 controls other than the operation section of the main body, and is connected to, for example, a heater lamp lighting circuit 46, a copy lamp lighting circuit 47, a process control circuit 48, a motor drive circuit 49, a clogging detection circuit 50, and the like. It is the clogging detection unit 105 and the clogging detection circuit 50 that detect the clogging. In the clogging detection mode, a motor drive signal is sent from the master CPU 40 to the motor drive circuit 49, and the fan 104 rotates. Fan 10
When 4 rotates, the air passing through the filter hits the clogging detection wind speed sensor 105a, and the clogging is detected by measuring the wind speed. This detected value is the master CPU 40
Sent to and compared with the set clogging limit,
When it is determined that clogging has occurred, the display unit 45 displays the information such as filter replacement and maintenance. As a method for detecting the clogging situation, a method using a wind speed sensor, a method using an optical sensor to detect the rotation speed of the fan, a method of detecting the power consumption of the fan, and the like can be considered. Reference numeral 105b is an encoder for detecting clogging, which detects the number of rotations of the fan motor 104 to detect the clogging situation. Reference numeral 105c is an input current detection circuit for detecting the value of the energization current of the fan motor 104,
In the case of a fan motor driven by a constant voltage, the clogging situation is detected by checking the input power.

Further, a fan 10 around an ozone / adsorption catalyst type filter (hereinafter simply referred to as an ozone filter) 102.
4. With the arrangement of the clogging detection sensor 105, etc., the dust (dust) filter 101, the ozone filter 102, the fan 104, the clogging detection sensor 1 in the air passage (duct) 103 as shown in FIG.
No. 05 is disposed, and the air containing ozone first passes through the dustproof filter 101 to remove dust, and then passes through the ozone filter 102 to remove ozone. At this time, when clogging occurs in the ozone filter 102 or the dustproof filter 101, the clogging detection unit 105 detects the clogging by changing the detection target (wind velocity in the case of the wind velocity sensor). In this embodiment, the air is the dustproof filter 10
Since it passes through both No. 1 and the ozone filter 102, the clogging situation of both filters is monitored. Further, in the heating regeneration mode, a heat source (heater 58 or heater lamp 51) is arranged on the upstream side of the ozone filter, and heating regeneration is performed by sending hot air to the ozone filter 102 at predetermined intervals (note that the heating regeneration mode is Automatically selected).

Regarding the initialization of ozone removal capacity by heating (regeneration by heating), the ozone decomposing capacity of an ozone filter using a catalyst material is lowered by continuously using it although it is less than activated carbon. However, the catalytic material is
By heating (such as applying hot air) in that state, the ozone removal capacity has the property of recovering to the value at the initial maximum. That is, when it is assumed that the ozone removal rate at the initial point a is lowered to the point b during use, when the filter is heated at the point b, the ozone removal rate is reduced to the point c.
The ozone removal rate is improved up to and returns to the ozone removal rate at point a. Therefore, by performing the same operation thereafter, it is possible to almost secure the initial ozone removal rate. (However, a> b, and a≈c) Note that the ozone removal rate is (the ozone concentration before the filter-the ozone concentration after the filter) / the ozone concentration before the filter, and when expressed in%, it is the initial value in a general catalytic ozone filter. The value is about 90%. Also, the activated carbon ozone filter does not heat and regenerate.

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment in which the heater lamp 51 of the fixing unit 33 is used as the heating means. Normally, by fixing the shutter 105 to the position of the arrow a in the figure, the normal wind flow is in the A direction, and there is no flow in the B direction. In the heating / reproducing mode, the shutter 105 is fixed at the position of the arrow b in the figure, and the air flow in the B direction is generated. Naturally, the air in the B direction passes through the vicinity of the fixing unit 33, and therefore has a high temperature, and the ozone filter 102 is exposed to hot air and heat regeneration occurs. Further, in FIG. 2, the master CPU 4
The shutter solenoid drive circuit 55, the heater lamp lighting circuit 46, or the filter heater drive circuit 57 is controlled from 0 to operate.

FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of a clogging detection section using an anemometer. The anemometer (wind speed sensor 105a) is generally a thermo type or a wind turbine type, and the wind turbine type will be described here. In the windmill type, there is a windmill in the measurement part, and the wind speed is measured by how much the windmill rotates. Further, there are a method of observing the rotation by providing an optical sensor in the wind turbine portion and observing the rotation, and a method of applying a magnetic material to the wind turbine and arranging a hall element on the rotation circumference to observe the rotation. For example, when there is a pulse output as in this example, the wind speed can be determined by counting the number of pulses, for example.

FIG. 6 shows an embodiment in which clogging is detected by input power. In this example, the fan motor 104 is of a constant voltage drive type. Specifically, the fan motor 104 that detects the input power by detecting the input current.
Is driven by the driver 203 in response to a signal from the CPU 40. At that time, a voltage corresponding to the energizing current of the fan motor 104 is generated at both ends of the resistor 208, so that voltage is input to the comparator 204 and the reference voltage is compared to determine whether or not it is in a clogged state. The output of the comparator 204 is the CPU
Feedback to 40. (Note that the input power decreases as the fan air volume decreases.) FIG. 7 shows an embodiment in which clogging is detected by the rotation speed of the fan motor 104. In this example, the fan motor 104
Is detected by the encoder 201 (transmission type photo interrupter using an optical sensor). The encoder 201 includes a light emitting element 208 and a light receiving element 209, and the fan motor 1
A pulse waveform is obtained by blocking the optical path with a propeller 04. When clogging progresses, the fan motor 10
Since the rotation speed of 4 becomes faster, the cycle of the output pulse becomes shorter. This output is input to the edge trigger circuit 206 and the CPU
By inputting to the hard counter port of 40 and performing hard counting for a certain period of time, the number of rotations is known and the clogging situation can be known.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of the clogging detection mode of the ozone filter, in the case where the detection interval is 100K,
The correlation diagram of the wind speed of a fan and the number of image formation (K) is shown.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of the ozone filter clogging detection mode when the installation environment is good and FIG. 10 is a correlation diagram between the fan wind speed and the number of image formation sheets when the installation environment is bad.

More specifically, since the measurement interval for performing the clogging detection mode can be changed, for example, when the installation environment is relatively bad and the filter immediately becomes clogged, the measurement interval is shortened to frequently clog the clogging. The detection mode can be performed, and conversely, when the installation environment is relatively good, clogging of the filter hardly occurs, so the measurement interval can be lengthened. As a result, the operating time is reduced more than necessary and the operating time is reduced, or conversely the filter is not in the active detection mode and the filter is clogged, causing the temperature inside the machine to rise and the photoreceptor to deteriorate due to ozone. It is possible to prevent discharge of ozone to the inside of the container.

FIG. 11 is a correlation diagram between the ozone removal rate and the number of images formed when the ozone filter deteriorates quickly and FIG. 12 shows when the ozone filter deteriorates slowly.

FIG. 15 is a correlation diagram between relative humidity and ozone generation amount, and FIG. 16 is a correlation diagram between reaction time and ozone decomposition rate.
The lower the relative humidity, the larger the ozone generation amount (the higher the concentration), and the larger the ozone generation amount, the worse the ozone decomposition rate.

More specifically, it is generally known that the catalytic ozone filter recovers the deteriorated ozone removing ability to almost the initial state before deterioration by heating (such as blowing hot air). In the present invention, since the interval for performing the heating regeneration mode can be changed, frequent heating regeneration is performed when the filter deteriorates immediately due to the installation location, etc., and heating is performed at intervals when the deterioration of the filter progresses little by little. Can be played. For this reason, the heating regeneration mode is entered more than necessary and the power consumption increases or the actual operating time decreases.It is difficult to enter the heating regeneration mode, the filter deteriorates, and high concentration ozone goes out of the machine and adversely affects the human body. Can be prevented. The amount of ozone generated from the charger changes depending on the ambient environment such as temperature and humidity, and the deterioration of the filter becomes faster as the amount of ozone generated (concentration) increases.

13 and 14 are explanatory views of an embodiment of the filter clogging detection mode, and if clogging is detected in this detection mode, there is a possibility that the operation of the device cannot be continued for safety reasons as needed. Therefore, two kinds of limit values are set,
The need for replacement / maintenance is prompted to the user with the first limit value, so safety can be improved without reducing the actual operating time. Further, after the first limit value is exceeded, the safety is further enhanced by shortening the detection mode interval.

Next, the above embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
7 will be described with reference to a flowchart showing each operation.

In the embodiments of FIGS. 17 and 18, the number of copies is used as the predetermined period, and the clogging of the filter is detected for each predetermined number. In FIG. 17, the predetermined period is changed, that is, the predetermined number N ₁ is input in this case. In (1-2), enter the predetermined number N ₁ and check in (1-3, 1-4) whether the entered value is suitable for actual use and store it in (1-5). It becomes a return at (1-6). A predetermined period is set by this flow. Although it is generally considered that the number of sheets is input by inputting ten keys from the operation unit, any method may be used as an input method.

FIG. 18 is a flow for detecting clogging based on the predetermined period value input in FIG. First, by (2-2), the current copy number n ₁ and the copy number n ₂ at the time when the previous clogging mode was executed are called (2-2, 2-3). In (2-4), the additional number of copies is calculated and compared with the number of copies N ₁ set in FIG. 17 (2-5). If the specified number of copies are made, the clogging detection mode (2-7)
Becomes Next, the measured value M detected by clogging is stored in memory (2
-8), compare the measured value M with the lower limit value M _L (2-9), and if the measured value M is larger than the lower limit value M _{L, the} clogging has not progressed to the limit and n ₂ is the current copy. As the number of sheets (2
-14), return to the main routine. If the measured value M becomes smaller than the lower limit value M _{L in} (2-9), it means that the clogging progresses beyond the limit, and (2
In -10), a message about maintenance such as filter replacement is displayed, the current number of copies n ₁ is memorized (2-11), and the equipment is stopped (2-12) for safety, and the process returns. In this example, if the wind speed is measured as a method for detecting clogging, the limit value becomes the lower limit value,
For example, when observing the rotation speed of the fan, the rotation speed increases due to the clogging of the filter, so that it is necessary to set the upper limit value instead of the lower limit value. For example, the determination in (2-9) has the opposite sign. Also, when the input power is monitored, the input power decreases due to clogging, so the same sign is used.

FIG. 19 shows the flow of the measurement period from the time of the first measurement to the detection of the clogging state, and the case where the reference period shortest value is set in advance for comparison with the measurement period. It should be noted that steps (3-1 to 3-11) are the same as those in FIG. First, at (3-12), the total copy number n is called. If the filter has not been maintained yet, it indicates the normal total number of copies. Next, at (3-13), the minimum period value m ₁ is called. m _1, at a time value that is clogging detection in the worst conditions of normal use (3 over 14), n and in the case of n> m ₁ performs comparison of m ₁ and maintenance display is determined to be normal Perform n ₂ memory (3
-15, 3-16). If n ≦ m ₁ , it is judged that a trouble has occurred, and a message to the effect of trouble inspection is displayed (3-1
8), n ₂ memory (3-19), device stop (3-20)
Becomes

FIG. 20 shows a flow in which a trouble occurs if the measured value shifts in the direction in which the clogging is improved. (4
-1 to 4-6) are the same as in FIG. In (4-7), the previous measured value M ₁ in the clogging detection mode is called, in (4-8) the present clogging is detected, and this measured value M ₂ is stored in memory (4-9). Next (4-1
In 0), M ₁ and M ₂ are compared. If M ₂ > M ₁ , the measured value shifts in the direction in which the clogging is improved, so it is determined that there is a trouble (4-11) and trouble processing is performed (4-11-4-14). At (4-10) M ₂ ≤ M ₁
In the case of, it is considered that the clogging situation is the same or is progressing, and the processing in the normal clogging detection mode is performed. The subsequent steps are the same as in FIG.

The flow of FIG. 21 shows a trouble in which the measured value is improved to a predetermined value or more, and (5-1 to 5-1)
0) and (5-18 to 5-23) are (4-1 to 4) in FIG.
-10) and (4-15 to 4-20). (5
-10), the previous measurement data M ₁ and the current measurement data M ₂ are compared, and if M ₂ > M ₁ , then (5-11) and the predetermined range M ₃ of M ₂ is compared. M ₃ is the allowable range when the measured values tend to be clogged and improved (in this example, M ₃ −M ₂ is the allowable range value). If M ₂ changes beyond the allowable range, it is judged as a trouble (5-12 to 5-1).
Trouble shooting is performed in 5). This is the same as (1-11-4-14). If it M ₂ is the change in the permissible range (5 over 11), the return of n ₂ and the memory because it is not expected to be smaller than the lower limit value M _L (5 over 16, 17) .

The flow shown in FIG. 22 is a flow which causes a trouble when the clogging is not detected even after the preset maximum value m'is exceeded. First, at (6-2), the current copy number n ₁ is stored in the memory. Also, the maximum value m ′ for a preset period is also called by calling (6-3) and (6-4). If m ′ ≦ n ₁ ,
Even if the period maximum value m ′ is reached, it is determined that the clogging is not detected (6-5 to 6-8), and trouble processing is performed.
(6-9 to 6-21) are (2-3-2-1) in FIG.
Same as 5). However, in (6-15), M _L ′ and M are compared. By this flow, the equipment is stopped when the clogging of the filter does not proceed until the maximum value m ′ of the period is reached, so that the safety and reliability is improved.

The flow of FIG. 23 is a flowchart of a first lower limit value M _L1 only clogging to the maintenance display, when clogging by the second lower limit value M _L2 equipment stop, (7-1 1
~ 7-11) are the same as in FIG. In (7-9), when the measured value M is larger than the lower limit value M _L1 (first lower limit value), n ₂ is stored and the process returns (7-10, 1).
1). If it is smaller, lower limit value ML ₂ at (7-12)
(Second lower limit value, M _L1 > M _L2 ) and measured value M are compared.
If M _L2 <M, then M ₂ <M <M _L1 and therefore only the maintenance display is made and the process returns. On the contrary, when M _L2 ≧ M, not only the maintenance display but also the display of trouble / inspection is displayed and the n ₂ memory and the equipment are stopped, and the return is executed (7-16 to 7-19). This makes M
_{If L2} <M < _ML1 then the user is alerted, and if M < _ML2 then the device can be stopped.

The flow of FIG. 24 is for automatically shortening the measurement interval when the clogging state exceeds the first lower limit value, and is the same as FIG. 23 except for (8-12) in the flowchart. When comparing M _L1 and M in (8-9), M
_{If L1} ≥ M, then (8-12), N _{1 is} automatically set for the predetermined period.
Is half the value. As a result, when the clogging detection mode is less than or equal to the first lower limit value, the predetermined interval is shortened, and the clogging detection mode is finely set, so that the safety is improved. still,
In this flow, N ₁ is halved each time it is determined that M _L1 ≧ M, but the predetermined period may be changed once and the same value may be used until the next filter replacement or maintenance.

The flow of FIG. 25 is to take the average value of a plurality of measurement values in order to improve the accuracy of the clogging detection.
-1 to 9-6) and (9-15 to 9-21) are the same as in FIG. First, in (9-7), the number of times of measurement J for averaging is called and I is initialized (9-7), (9-9 ...
9-13) J times measurement and average value calculation.
(9- 14) the measured mean value _{M 3} to the memory in the subsequent operation is the same as (2-9-2 -15) of FIG. 18.

The flow of FIG. 26 is for performing the heating / reproducing mode for each predetermined number of copies, and the method of setting the predetermined period is the same as in the above case. First, in (10-2), the current number of copies n ₁ is called, and in (10-3), the number of copies n ₂ when the previous mode was executed is called. The difference n (increase in the number of copies) between the two is calculated and compared with the set predetermined period N ₁ (10-5). N ₁ ＞
If it is n, (10-6) will be the return. If N ₁ ≦ n, the heating regeneration mode is set. First, at (10-7), the fan motor 104 and the heater 58 are turned on (10-7, 8), and the timer section keeps that state for a certain period of time and warm air to the filter. Guess After a certain period of time, the heater 58 and the fan motor 104 are turned off (10-10, 11), the number of copies n ₂ is stored, and the process returns (10-13).
In the timer part, it depends on the filter material and temperature, but connect the condition for about a few minutes.

In the flow of FIG. 27, (11-9, 11-1
26 is the same as FIG. 26 except for 3). The difference is that the heater lamp of the fixing unit is used for the heater, and therefore the shutter solenoid of the shutter unit is turned on / off as shown in FIG. In order to detect the clogging of the filter, the fan air flow rate / revolution speed / input power value is checked, and each has its own detection unit. Although the method of detecting the number / input power value is described, they can be viewed at the same time.

In the flow of FIG. 28, the three items of wind speed / rotational speed / electric power are measured almost at the same time to detect whether or not they are clogged. Here, the detection is performed for each predetermined number N _1. . In (12-1 to 12-5), see if a predetermined number of copies N ₁ are being copied from the previous measurement mode. If it does not meet the requirements, the routine returns and returns to the main routine. If the specified number is reached (12-7)
In measuring the wind velocity, is compared with the lower limit value M _L and the memory measured values M ₁ in (12-2 8) (wind speed decreases in the filter first jam). (12-9) If the measured value M ₁ is the lower limit value M
If it is larger than _{L1, the} fan rotation speed is detected at (12-13), and the measured value M ₂ is stored at (12-14). (1
In 2-15), the upper limit rotational speeds M _L2 and M ₂ are compared, and if M _L2 > M ₂ is normal, the process moves to (12-16) (the fan rotational speed increases due to the clogging of the filter). In (12-16), the input power is detected, and in (12-17), M ₃ is stored in (12
-18) compares the lower limit values M _L3 and M ₃ . (Fan input power decreases due to filter clogging.) If M _L3 <
If it is M _{3, the} wind speed / rotational speed / input power has not reached the limit value, so that the process proceeds to (12-19), and n ₁ is memorized to return. If the wind speed, the number of revolutions, and the input power have reached the limit values, the process moves to (12-10) to display the maintenance and warn the user.

In addition, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and shown in the drawings, and it is needless to say that the present invention can be appropriately modified and implemented without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0043]

According to the above structure, the clogging detection interval of the ozone filter device can be changed to provide a device for clogging detection and regeneration at an optimum interval of the installation environment. Since the measurement interval for performing the clogging detection mode can be changed, for example, the installation environment is relatively bad,
When filter clogging occurs immediately, the measurement interval can be shortened to frequently perform the clogging detection mode. Conversely, when the installation environment is relatively good, the measurement interval can be lengthened. As a result, the operating time is reduced more than necessary and the operating time is reduced, or conversely the filter is not in the active detection mode and the filter is clogged, causing the temperature inside the machine to rise and the photoreceptor to deteriorate due to ozone. It is possible to prevent discharge of ozone to the inside of the container.

Further, if a clogging of the filter device is detected in this detection mode, the operation of the device may not be able to continue due to safety as necessary. Therefore, two types of limit values are set and the necessity of replacement / maintenance is Since the user is prompted with a limit value of 1, safety can be improved without reducing the actual operating time. Further, the safety is further enhanced by shortening the interval of the detection mode after exceeding the first limit value.

Furthermore, when the environment of the installation site is particularly bad and the system is in a clogged state for a period less than the minimum value m of the period, a message to confirm the installation site is displayed. Therefore, it is expected that the installation environment will be improved and the safety for users will be improved. Further, in this case, there is a possibility that the clogging detecting means is out of order, and a message is displayed to prompt repair, thereby improving reliability.

As described above, it is possible to supply an image forming apparatus having extremely high safety.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a copying machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of the device of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a filter peripheral portion of the device of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of an example of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of an embodiment in which clogging of a filter is detected based on the air volume of a fan.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of an example in which clogging of a filter is detected by input power.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of an embodiment in which clogging of a filter is detected by the rotation speed of a fan motor.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of an embodiment of a filter clogging detection mode.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of an embodiment of a filter clogging detection mode when the installation environment is good.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of an embodiment of a filter clogging detection mode when the installation environment is bad.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram in the case where deterioration of the filter is fast.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram when the deterioration of the filter is slow.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of an embodiment in a filter clogging detection mode.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of an embodiment of a filter clogging detection mode.

FIG. 15 is a correlation diagram between ozone generation amount and relative humidity.

FIG. 16 is a correlation diagram between the ozone decomposition rate and the reaction time.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the operation of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the operation of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the operation of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing the operation of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the operation of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing the operation of the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing the operation of the present invention.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing the operation of the present invention.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing the operation of the present invention.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing the operation of the present invention.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing the operation of the present invention.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing the operation of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Copier main body 2 Optical system 3 CL (copy lamp) 4 Mirror 5 Mirror 6 Mirror 7 Mirror 8 Zoom lens 21 Photoconductor 22 Charger 23 Developing unit 24 Transfer device 25 Static eliminator 26 Document cover 27 Automatic document feeder 28 Document transport Path 29a Drum 29b Drum 30 Paper Feeding Section 31 Registration Roller 32 Conveying Device 33 Fixing Section 34 Ejection Tray 35 Paper Conveying Path 37 Reversing Section 40 Master CPU 41 Slave CPU 42 ROM 43 ROM 44 Operation Circuit 45 Display Section 46 Heater Lamp Lighting Circuit 47 Copy lamp lighting circuit 48 Process control circuit 49 Motor drive circuit 50 Clogging detection circuit 51 HL (heater lamp) 55 Shutter solenoid drive circuit 56 Shutter solenoid 57 Filter heater drive circuit 58 Heater 59 Work unit 101 dust filter 102 catalytic filter for ozone adsorption (adsorption filter) 103 flying 104 fan 105 th congestion detecting unit 105a wind speed sensor 105b encoder 105c input current sensing circuit

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An ozone suction fan, an ozone adsorbing catalyst type filter, and ozone adsorbed by the ozone adsorbing catalyst type filter are overheated and decomposed in the vicinity of the outlet of the air stream containing ozone. An ozone removing means, and a measuring means for measuring information consisting of an air volume which changes due to clogging of the ozone adsorption catalytic filter, a rotation speed of the fan, and an input power value to the fan, The storage means for storing the reference value before clogging in advance for making a comparison judgment with the information measured by the measuring means, and the measuring means for each predetermined set number of copies or for each elapse of a predetermined time. Operating means for operating, and information measured by the measuring means when the operating means is operated,
Detection means for detecting the degree of ozone generation by comparing with a reference value before clogging stored in the storage means, and ozone for the ozone adsorption catalytic filter based on the detection result of the detection means. The image forming apparatus further comprises a filter regenerating unit that operates the ozone removing unit to regenerate the ozone adsorbing catalyst type filter. 2. The measured value of the information measured last time by the measuring means is compared with the measured value of the information measured this time after the ozone removing means is operated, and when the measured value difference is equal to or more than a predetermined value. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the machine is stopped, and the machine is not stopped when a predetermined value is reached. 3. An elapsed time from the time of the first measurement by the measuring means to the occurrence of clogging is N, and a time minimum value M which is a reference in advance for making a comparison judgment with the elapsed time. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising display means for displaying a message indicating that a trouble has occurred when N is set and N <M.