JPH07319337A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide an image forming device capable of surely informing of 'no oil and no web' by making sensors as small as possible. CONSTITUTION:The remaining quantity of oil is checked (S3-3), and when it is equal to or under a specified quatity, 'notice of no oil' is given (S3-4). Furthermore, a counted value is incremented by a counter means by one (S3-5), and whether the counted value is equal to or above a specified value is checked (S3-6). When it is equal to or above the specified value, information showing 'no oil' is given(S3-7). Then, the remaining quantity of web is checked (S3-8), and when it is equal to or under the specified quantity, 'notice of no web' is given (S3-9), furthermore, the counted value is incremented counter means (S3-101, and whether the counted value is equal to or above the specified value is checked (S3-11). When it is equal to or above the specified value, information showning 'no web' is given (S3-12).

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus for forming a multicolor image or a monochrome image.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image forming apparatus for forming a multicolor image has a high voltage unit for applying a transfer bias to a transfer charger and a developing bias to a developing unit according to the number of times of transfer. A multicolor image is formed by sequentially turning on / off the high-voltage unit according to a plurality of recording cycles by a print control circuit.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram for explaining the printer control mechanism of this type of multicolor image forming apparatus. In the figure, reference numeral 19 denotes a printer control circuit, and the printer control circuit 19 includes image forming control means 2 for controlling each means.
0 is provided.

First, the image forming control means 20 uses a video signal (VD0) 29 based on a multicolor image signal from a printer controller 22 such as a personal computer.
Is generated and output to the drive circuit 30. Then, the drive circuit 30 outputs a laser drive signal 31 for driving a semiconductor laser (not shown) based on the video signal 29.

Further, the image formation control means 20 has an image carrier (not shown) prior to the output of the video signal 29.
Is rotated, and the surface of the image carrier is uniformly charged by a charger (not shown). Then, by irradiating the surface of the image carrier with laser light by the semiconductor laser, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the image carrier.

Next, when the activation signal 32 is output to the bias control means 33, the bias control means 33 generates a developing bias and a transfer bias based on the multicolor image signals from the printer controller 22, and the optimum transfer is performed. And a developing bias signal 34 are output to develop the electrostatic latent image and transfer it to a transfer material.

By repeating the above-mentioned exposure, development and transfer a plurality of times, a multicolor unfixed image is formed on the transfer material, and this image is formed by a fixing device (not shown). After it is fixed on the transfer material, it is ejected outside the machine.

In the fixing device used in such a conventional image forming apparatus, usually, the transfer material carrying the unfixed image is conveyed under pressure by a roller pair of a fixing roller and a pressure roller having a heat source. Since the fixing is performed by this, the toner that forms the image may adhere to the roller, or the paper dust may adhere when paper is used as the transfer material.

Therefore, in the conventional fixing device, in order to prevent the toner and the paper dust from adhering to the roller, the web as the cleaning means is rubbed against the roller, and the release agent oil is applied to the roller. Therefore, the presence or absence of the oil and the web necessary for fixing is checked at any time to notify the user of the time to replace the fixing device or the oil bottle.

The processing procedure for checking the presence / absence of the web and oil will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, when it is detected that the paper as the transfer material is discharged from the fixing device (step S8-1), the detection unit 23 shown in FIG. If it is determined that there is no oil (step S8-2), "no oil" is notified (step S8-3). Next, the detection means 23 detects the remaining amount of oil by the oil-free notice sensor 42, and when the remaining amount is less than or equal to a predetermined amount (step S8-4), notifies "oil-free notice" (step S8-4). S8-5). Further, the detection means 23 detects the remaining amount of web by the webless sensor 45, and when it determines that there is no web (step S8-6), reports “no web” (step S8-7). . And the web-less warning sensor 43
The remaining amount of the web is detected by, and when the remaining amount is less than or equal to a predetermined amount (step S8-8), the "notice of no web advance" is notified (step S8-9).

Each of the above-mentioned notifications is the notification means 41 shown in FIG.
When the notification is performed by the above, the processing is ended and the subsequent image formation is not performed.

[0012]

However, according to the above-mentioned conventional image forming apparatus, the above-mentioned sensors are provided, and "oil-free notice", "oil-free", "web-free notice", "web-less notice" are provided. By prompting the user to replace it, a plurality of sensors are provided to detect each state, increasing the cost and requiring a place for installing the sensor parts. There was a problem that it could not be compact.

A first invention according to the present application is an image forming apparatus which solves the above-mentioned problems and which can reliably notify "no oil", "no web", etc. by reducing the number of sensors as much as possible. It is intended to be provided.

In addition to the above-mentioned object, the second invention of the present application ensures "no oil" and "web" even when the remaining amount of oil and web cannot be accurately detected due to sensor failure or the like. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of notifying such as "nothing".

[0015]

According to the first invention of the present application, the above object is to sandwich and convey a transfer material by a pair of fixing rollers, and to transfer an unfixed image on the transfer material onto the transfer material. A fixing device for fixing, a release agent applying unit for applying a release agent to at least one roller of the fixing roller pair, and a movable end with sliding contact with at least one roller of the fixing roller pair. The cleaning means provided, the detecting means for detecting the remaining amount of the releasing agent of the releasing agent applying means, the detecting means for detecting the remaining amount of the cleaning means, and the separating means detected by the detecting means. When it is determined that the remaining amount of the mold agent or the cleaning unit is less than or equal to a predetermined amount, the image forming apparatus having a control unit set to give a warning to that effect is discharged from the fixing device. A counter that counts the number of transfer materials The control means counts the number of transfer materials by the counting means after the warning is issued, and replaces the release agent or the cleaning means when it is determined that the count value is equal to or more than a predetermined value. It is achieved by setting to notify a warning prompting.

According to the second invention of the present application,
The above-mentioned object is that the control means counts all the number of transfer materials discharged from the fixing device by the counting means and integrates them, and when it judges that the integrated number of transfer materials is more than a predetermined value, the release agent Alternatively, it can be achieved by setting to give a warning prompting replacement of the cleaning means.

[0017]

According to the first invention of the present application, when it is determined that the remaining amount of the release agent or the cleaning means detected by each detecting means is less than or equal to a predetermined amount, a warning to that effect is given to the control means. Further, after the warning is issued, the number of transfer materials is counted by the counting means, so that the release agent or the cleaning agent is cleaned from the number of transfer materials with respect to the remaining amount of the release agent or the cleaning means. The consumption of the means is estimated, and a warning is issued to prompt replacement of the release agent or the cleaning means.

According to the second invention of the present application,
Regardless of the remaining amount of the release material and the cleaning means, the number of all transfer materials discharged from the fixing device is added up, and when the added number exceeds a predetermined value, the replacement of the release material or the cleaning means is urged. .

[0019]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(First Embodiment) First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an apparatus of this embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a laser beam printer. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a semiconductor laser, which is a photosensitive drum 5 which is an image carrier whose surface is uniformly charged by a primary charging roller 3.
The laser light corresponding to the color image signal is radiated through the mirror 2, and the photosensitive drum 5 is exposed to the laser light by 1
A latent image is sequentially formed for each color. This latent image becomes a visualized image by any of the developing devices 4-1 to 4-4 for the corresponding color, and is transferred every time development of one color is formed. At this point, the paper P, which is the transfer material, has been conveyed from the cassette 13 onto the transfer drum 7, and is in a state of being wound and held on the surface thereof by electrostatic attraction means by the attraction roller 8 or mechanical means such as a gripper. . Then, the visible image on the photosensitive drum 5 is aligned and transferred for each color on the paper P, and a multiple transfer image is formed on the paper P. In principle, the order of performing latent image development / transfer may be any of the four colors of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black.

Next, when the transfer of the four colors is completed, the paper P
Is removed from the transfer drum 7 by the action of the separating claw 10 at the same time as the charge for adsorption is removed by the separating charger 9, and is conveyed to the fixing device 12. Then, the transfer image formed on the sheet P is fixed on the sheet P by being simultaneously heated and pressed by the fixing device 12.
It is conveyed to the paper tray 14 on the upper part of the apparatus.

The transfer drum 7 is designed so that residual charges on the rear surface of the transfer drum 7 are removed by a charger 9, and the surface of the transfer drum 7 is cleaned by a transfer drum cleaner 11.
However, the cleaner 11 does not transfer the transfer drum 7 while the paper is wound.
The images are more distant from each other and do not disturb the image on the paper P. The same applies to the suction roller 8. Further, the photosensitive drum 5 is cleaned by the cleaner 6 on the downstream side of the transfer position on the transfer drum 7 in the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 5, and then uniformly charged by the charging roller 3.
The above process is repeated at any time.

Further, the fixing device 12 is provided with a fixing roller pair of a fixing roller 15 and a pressure roller 15 ', and the fixing roller 15 is arranged so as to slide on the rollers. A web 16 as a cleaning means and an oil applying roller 18 as a releasing agent applying means for supplying the oil S as a releasing agent in the oil tank 17 to the roller are provided so as to be in contact with the roller. Therefore, the toner is prevented from adhering to the fixing roller 15 and the fixing roller 15 is cleaned.

Next, the control mechanism of the printer in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The same parts as those of the conventional example shown in FIG. 7 are designated by the same reference numerals.

When the printer control circuit 19 shown in FIG. 2 is turned on, after performing initialization processing such as turning off the output port connected to the image forming control means 20 and checking for an abnormality in the input port such as a sensor. , Via the signal of the video interface 21, to notify the printer controller 22 of the operation status of the printer and start sending and receiving commands from the printer controller 22, and perform initial processing of the desired electrophotographic process, printing operation processing, etc.
Enable printer operation.

After that, when the paper P passes through the fixing device 12, the detecting means 23 checks the remaining amount of the oil S and the web 16 by means of the oil-less notice sensor 24 and the web-less notice sensor 25. S or web 1
When it is detected that the remaining amount of 6 is less than or equal to the predetermined amount, a signal to that effect is output to the image forming control means 20, and the image forming control means 20 causes the notifying means 41 to send “no oil notice” or Informs of "Notice of no web". This notification is made by the notification means 41 by the video interface 2
1 is output as the printer status.

Further, since the above-mentioned detection is performed after the sheet P has passed through the fixing device 12, when the above-mentioned "oil-free notice" or "web-free notice" is issued, A count value of the number of discharged sheets after the oil-free notice is made (hereinafter, referred to as a “post-oil-notice count value”) by the counting means 26 that counts the number of discharged sheets each time the notice is given. The count value of the number of discharged sheets after the web-less notice is given (hereinafter, referred to as “count without web-before notice”) is incremented by 1, and each count value is held by the holding means 27. And at the time of the above detection,
When it is determined that the oil S or the web 16 exceeds the predetermined amount and is sufficient, the count canceling means 28 sets the count value of each of the counting means 26 to 0, and the holding means 27 holds the count value. To do.

As described above, every time the remaining amount of the oil S and the web 16 is detected, the number of ejected sheets P is counted, and when the counted values become the predetermined values or more, the notifying means 41 is used. , "No oil" or "no web" is notified, and no further image formation is performed.

Further, in this embodiment, the cumulative number of discharged sheets of the paper P from the fixing device 12 is counted by the counting means 26 as the "discharged cumulative count value" regardless of the above notification. Holding means 27 holds the count value
Hold on. When the "discharged integrated count value" held in the holding means 27 is equal to or larger than the predetermined value when the power is turned on,
Even when the "no oil notice count value" or the "no web notice count value" does not reach the predetermined value for judging "no oil" or "no web" when the remaining amount of oil S and the web is detected. , "No oil"
Alternatively, it is determined that there is no web, and the notifying unit 41 notifies that, and waits for replenishment of oil or replacement of the fixing device without performing image formation thereafter.

Next, based on the flowchart of FIG.
The processing procedure of the oil and web remaining amount detection of this embodiment will be described. First, it is checked whether or not the paper P has passed through a paper discharge sensor (not shown) arranged behind the fixing device 12 (step S3-1). If it is determined that the sheet has passed, the counting means 26 increments the "paper discharge integrated count value" by 1 and the holding means 27 holds the counted value (step S3-2).

Next, the information of the oil-free warning sensor 24 is checked by the detecting means 23 (step S3-
3) If it is determined that the remaining amount of oil is less than or equal to the predetermined amount, the above-mentioned notifying means 41 notifies "notice of no oil" (step S3-4). Further, the count means 26 increments the "count value after the oil-free advance notice" by 1,
The holding unit 27 holds the count value (step S3-5). Then, it is checked whether or not the count value has exceeded a predetermined value (step S3-6),
If the value is equal to or more than a predetermined value, "not oil" is displayed as the notification means 41.
Is notified (step S3-7), and the process ends.

However, if it is less than the predetermined value, the information of the web-less notice sensor 25 is checked by the detecting means 23 (step S3-8), and if it is determined that the remaining amount of the web is less than the predetermined amount, " The "notification of no web" is notified by the notification means 41 (step S3-9). Further, the counting means 26 increments the "count value after advance notice without web" by 1 and the holding means 27 holds the count value (step S3-10). Then, it is checked whether or not the count value is equal to or larger than a predetermined value (step S3-11), and if the count value is equal to or larger than the predetermined value, "not web" is notified by the notifying means 41 (step S3-12). The process ends. If it does not reach the predetermined value, the process is terminated.

Next, based on the flowchart of FIG.
A processing procedure in the case where the "paper discharge integrated count value" is equal to or larger than a predetermined value when the power is turned on will be described. First, it is checked whether or not the initial check when the power is turned on has already been performed (step S4-1), and if it has been performed, the processing is terminated, and if not, it is determined as checked (step S4-).
2) The information of the oil-free warning sensor 24 is checked by the detection means 23 (step S4-3).

As a result, when it is determined that the remaining amount of oil exceeds the predetermined amount and is sufficient, the "count value after advance notice without oil" is cleared to 0 by the count releasing means 28 (step S4- 4) Then, the process proceeds to the next web remaining amount detection routine (from step S4-7). On the other hand, if it is determined that the remaining amount of oil is less than or equal to the predetermined amount, it is checked whether or not the "paper discharge integrated count value" of the holding means 27 is greater than or equal to the predetermined value (step S4-5). For example, the notification means 41 notifies "no oil" (step S4-6), and the process ends.

However, if the value is less than the predetermined value, the information of the web-less notice sensor 25 is checked by the detecting means 23 (step S4-7), and the remaining amount of the web exceeds the predetermined amount and is sufficient. If the judgment is made, the above “count value after advance notice without web” is cleared to 0 (step S4-
8), the process ends. On the other hand, when it is determined that the remaining amount of the web is less than or equal to the predetermined amount, it is checked whether or not the "discharged integrated count value" of the holding means 27 is greater than or equal to the predetermined value (step S4-9), and the predetermined value or more is exceeded. If so, the notification means 41 notifies "no web" (step S4-1).
0), the process ends. If it does not reach the predetermined value, the process is terminated.

As described above, according to the present invention, the counting means for counting the discharged sheets and the holding means for holding the count value counted by the counting means are provided, and the "oil-free notice" and " Notice Without Web "
After that, by counting the number of sheets of paper, the consumption of oil and web is estimated, and "no oil" and "no web" are notified, so no oil sensor and no web sensor are provided. However, it is possible to accurately notify the user of the time to replace the oil and the web.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Note that the description of the common points with the first embodiment is omitted.

In the present embodiment, the "paper discharge integrated count value", "the oil-free notice count value", which had been stored in the holding means 27 in the first embodiment, are counted.
The “count value after web-less notice” is notified on the video interface (hereinafter referred to as V_IF) 21 as a status, and these count values are stored in the printer controller 22.

The oil and web remaining amount detection processing of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. First, it is checked whether or not the paper P has passed through a paper discharge sensor (not shown) arranged behind the fixing device 12 (step S5-1). If it is determined that the sheet has passed, the "paper discharge integrated count value" held in the printer controller 22 is received via the V_IF 21, and the "paper discharge integrated count value" is incremented by +1 by the counting means 26. Then, the count value is notified to the V_IF 21, and the printer controller 22 holds it again (step S5-2).

Next, the information of the oilless advance notice sensor 24 is checked by the detecting means 23 (step S5-
3) If it is determined that the remaining amount of oil exceeds the predetermined amount and is sufficient, the V_IF 21 is informed of "preliminary notice of no oil" (step S5-4). Furthermore, the “oil-before-announcement count value” stored in the printer controller 22 is received via the V_IF 21, and the “oil-outlet-after notice count value” is incremented by +1 by the counting means 26.
Then, the count value is notified to the V_IF 21, and the printer controller 22 holds it again (step S5-
5). Then, the image forming control means 20 checks whether or not the count value is equal to or more than a predetermined value (step S5-6).
To the V_IF 21 (step S5-7), and the process ends.

However, if it is less than the predetermined value, the information of the web-less notice sensor 25 is checked by the detecting means 23 (step S5-8), and if it is determined that the remaining amount of the web is less than the predetermined amount, ""Web without notice" V_IF22
(Step S5-9). Further, the “count value after advance notice without web” held in the printer controller 22 is received via the V_IF 21, and the “count value after advance notice without web” is received by the counting means 26.
Is incremented by 1, the count value is notified to the V_IF 21, and the printer controller 22 holds it again (step S
5-10).

Then, the image forming control means 20 checks whether or not the count value is equal to or more than a predetermined value (step S5-11). If the count value is equal to or more than the predetermined value, "no web" is notified to the V_IF 21 ( Step S5-12),
The process ends. If it does not reach the predetermined value, the process is terminated.

Next, based on the flowchart of FIG.
A processing procedure in the case where the "paper discharge integrated count value" is equal to or larger than a predetermined value when the power is turned on will be described. First, it is checked whether or not the initial check when the power is turned on has already been performed (step S6-1), and if it has been performed, the process is terminated, and if not, it is determined as checked (step S6-).
2) The information of the oil-free warning sensor 24 is checked by the detection means 23 (step S6-3).

As a result, when it is determined that the remaining amount of oil exceeds the predetermined amount and is sufficient, the "count value after no oil notice" stored in the printer controller 22 is received via the V_IF 21, After the count value is cleared to 0, the V_IF 21 is notified again and held in the printer controller 22 (step S6-
4). Then, the process proceeds to the next web remaining amount detection routine (from step S6-7). On the other hand, when it is determined that the remaining amount of oil is less than or equal to the predetermined amount, the "paper discharge integrated count value" stored in the printer controller 22 is set to V_I.
It is received via F21, and it is checked by the image control means 20 whether it is equal to or more than a predetermined value (step S6-
5). Then, if it is equal to or more than the predetermined value, "no oil" is notified on the V_IF 21 (step S6-6), and the process is ended.

However, if the value is less than the predetermined value, the information of the web-less warning sensor 25 is checked by the detecting means 23 (step S6-7), and it is determined that the remaining amount of the web exceeds the predetermined amount and is sufficient. When the judgment is made, the above-mentioned "count value after notifying without web" stored in the printer controller 22 is received through the V_IF 21, the counter value is cleared to 0, and the V_IF 21 is notified again.
Save it in the printer controller 22 (step S6-
8), the process ends. On the other hand, when it is determined that the remaining amount of the web is less than or equal to the predetermined amount, the printer controller 2
"Discharge integrated count value" saved in 2 is V_I
It is received via F21 and it is checked whether the count value is equal to or more than a predetermined value (step S6-9). Then, if it is equal to or larger than the predetermined value, "no web" is notified on the V_IF 21 (step S6-10), and the process ends. If it does not reach the predetermined value, the process is terminated.

As described above, according to the present invention, even when the storage means is provided outside the image forming apparatus, it is possible to accurately notify the oil and web replacement timing, as in the first invention.

[0047]

As described above, the first aspect of the present application
According to the invention, when it is determined that the remaining amount of the release agent and the cleaning unit is less than or equal to the predetermined amount, the number of transfer materials discharged from the fixing device is counted by the counting unit, and based on the count value. Since the consumption of the release agent and the cleaning means is estimated by using the release agent and the cleaning means, it is possible to accurately detect the release agent without providing a dedicated detection means for detecting that the remaining amount of the release agent and the cleaning means is zero. It is possible to notify the user of the replacement time of the cleaning means.

According to the second invention of the present application,
Regardless of the remaining amount of the release material and the cleaning means, the number of all transfer materials discharged from the fixing device is added up, and when the added number exceeds a predetermined value, the replacement of the release material or the cleaning means is urged. Therefore, even when the remaining amount cannot be accurately detected due to a failure of the detection means of the release agent and the cleaning means, the user can be surely notified of the replacement time of the release agent and the cleaning means.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a printer control mechanism in the apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of replacement timing notification control of the release agent and the cleaning means based on detection of the remaining amount of the release agent and the cleaning means in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a release timing and cleaning unit replacement timing notification control based on an integrated number of transfer agents according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing a processing procedure of replacement timing notification control of the release agent and the cleaning means based on detection of the remaining amount of the release agent and the cleaning means in the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing a processing procedure of replacement timing notification control of the release agent and cleaning means based on the cumulative number of transfer agents in the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a printer control mechanism of a conventional image forming apparatus.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of residual amount detection control of a conventional release agent and cleaning means, and replacement timing notification control of the release agent and cleaning means.

[Explanation of symbols]

15 fixing roller (roller forming a fixing roller pair) 15 'fixing roller (roller forming a fixing roller pair) 16 web (cleaning means) 18 oil application roller (release agent application means) 20 image forming control means (control means) ) 23 detecting means (detecting means for detecting the remaining amount of the releasing agent, detecting means for detecting the remaining amount of the cleaning means) 24 oil advance notice detecting sensor (detecting means for detecting the remaining amount of the releasing agent) 25 no web Warning detection sensor (detection means for detecting the remaining amount of cleaning means) 26 Counting means P Paper (transfer material) S Oil (release agent)

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A fixing device for nipping and conveying a transfer material by a fixing roller pair to fix an unfixed image on the transfer material on the transfer material, and a release agent for at least one of the fixing roller pair. A release agent applying means, a cleaning means movably disposed at one end so as to be in sliding contact with at least one roller of the fixing roller pair, and the release agent remaining on the release agent applying means. When detecting that the remaining amount of the release agent or the cleaning means detected by each of the detecting means, the detecting means for detecting the amount, the detecting means for detecting the remaining amount of the cleaning means, and each of the detecting means is below a predetermined amount, In the image forming apparatus including a control unit set to notify a warning to that effect, a counting unit that counts the number of transfer materials discharged from the fixing device is provided, and the control unit outputs the warning. After notifying, the cow The transfer means counts the number of transfer materials, and when it is determined that the count value is equal to or more than a predetermined value, it is set to give a warning prompting replacement of the release agent or the cleaning means. Image forming device 2. The control means counts all the number of transfer materials discharged from the fixing device by the counting means and integrates them, and if the integrated number of transfer materials is judged to be equal to or more than a predetermined value, the mold releasing is performed. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is set to issue a warning prompting replacement of the agent or the cleaning unit.