JPH0764451A - Process cartridge of image forming device and image forming device using same - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable only those process cartridges which have not yet ended their lives to be recycled and shipped in order to deal with the aged deterioration of parts by determining whether or not the process cartridges have come to their ends due to the aged deterioration. CONSTITUTION:The counts of the copy counter and the recycle counter of a process cartridge 11 are stored in a nonvolatile memory 51, and the ceiling value of the number of copies executable with the process cartridge 11 is preset and stored in the memory 51 as the value of a life counter. Also, the expiration date of the process cartridge 11, determined by the date of production or recycling of the process cartridge 11, is stored in the nonvolatile memory 51. The expiration date shows the life of the process cartridge 11 that depends on changes in the characteristics of a photoconductor 21 due to aged deterioration, and deterioration of the resin part of the process cartridge 11, etc.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a process cartridge in which parts relating to an image forming process in an image forming apparatus are unitized and an image forming apparatus using the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, if the apparatus is used for a long time, the photoconductor is replaced, the developer is replenished or replaced, the charging line is cleaned or replaced, and the used waste toner is discarded. Maintenance work such as is required. Such maintenance work was performed by a service person, etc., but in recent years, a plurality of parts relating to the image forming process such as the photoconductor, the developing device, and the charging device are combined into a process cartridge, and the user can easily use this process cartridge. There are copiers that can be replaced.

Conventionally, as described above, a non-volatile memory is provided in the process cartridge which can be attached to and detached from the main body of the copying machine. ) Upper limit value Process cartridge ID number Process cartridge characteristic (adjustment value) data and the like are stored.

When the process cartridge is mounted in the copying machine, the copying machine main body performs the following processing by utilizing the above data (1) to (3).

The life of the process cartridge based on the usage amount is displayed on the display unit of the copying machine main body.

In order to guarantee the product, the ID number in the process cartridge is checked and only the company's own process cartridge can be used.

When a new process cartridge is mounted, the copying machine body automatically reads the characteristic data and optimizes the adjustment value for the process cartridge.

That is, in the conventional copying machine in which the process cartridge is detachable, when the usage amount of the process cartridge exceeds the upper limit value, the copying machine body determines that the process cartridge has reached the end of its life, and a sign of the process cartridge replacement is displayed on the display section. indicate. The process cartridge, which has reached the end of its life, is exchanged by the user and then collected by a service person and sent to the service station. At the service station, the recycling process is performed by repairing the process cartridge and replacing parts.

The number of times the recycling process has been performed in the past for each process cartridge is stored in the nonvolatile memory. Therefore, the service station reads the number of recycles performed in the past from the non-volatile memory of the collected process cartridge, and recycles depending on whether the number of recycles read out exceeds a preset number of times. It is decided whether or not to do.

[0010]

By the way, in the above process cartridge, deterioration of characteristics of the photosensitive member, deterioration of the resin portion and the like occur due to aging, so that a certain period of time has passed after the production or the recycling process. In this case, it becomes difficult to secure good image quality.

However, in the above-mentioned conventional method, it is determined whether or not to perform the resile processing based only on the number of times of recycling performed in the past, and the process cartridge replacement time in the copying machine main body is also used. Since the determination is made based on only the amount, the above determinations are made regardless of the life of the process cartridge due to aging. Therefore, for example, when the process cartridge has been in stock at a dealer or the like for a long period of time after being shipped from a service station or when the process cartridge has been used by a user for a long period of time even though the frequency of use is low, Even if the process cartridge has reached the end of its service life due to changes over time, the process cartridge will not be replaced,
In addition, a situation may occur in which the recycle processing is performed again, resulting in deterioration of image quality.

[0012]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the process cartridge of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention can be attached to and detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus and is involved in the image forming process. In the process cartridge of the image forming device, in which the parts to be formed are unitized and formed, and which are exchanged at a predetermined interval and processed for reproduction, the expiration date that is updated at the time of shipment is set as the life of the process cartridge due to aging. It is characterized by having a storage means for storing.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the process cartridge of the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention can be attached to and detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus, and the parts involved in the image forming process are the units. In the process cartridge of the image forming apparatus, which is formed into an integrated form, is exchanged at a predetermined interval, and is subjected to reproduction processing, a storage unit that stores an expiration date that is updated at shipping as the life of the process cartridge due to aging. And a reproduction processing counter that stores the number of times reproduction processing has been performed in the past.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the image forming apparatus according to the third aspect of the present invention is such that parts involved in the image forming process are unitized and formed, and
In an image forming apparatus in which a process cartridge to be replaced at a predetermined interval is detachably provided, an upper limit value of an amount of use in which an image forming operation can be performed, and an expiration date that is updated at the time of shipment as a life due to aging are stored. A storage unit and a usage amount detection unit for detecting the usage amount of the image forming operation are provided in the process cartridge, and when the process cartridge exceeds the expiration date, the process cartridge is requested to be replaced. On the other hand, when the usage amount of the process cartridge detected by the usage amount detecting means exceeds the upper limit value, control means for requesting replacement of the process cartridge and stopping the image forming operation is provided. It has a feature.

[0015]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the storage means of the process cartridge of the image forming apparatus stores the expiration date which is updated at the time of shipping from, for example, a factory. By reading the expiration date of the removed process cartridge and determining whether the expiration date is within the expiration date, it is possible to determine whether the process cartridge has reached the end of its service life due to aging. As a result, only process cartridges that have not reached the end of their service life can be shipped after being subjected to a remanufacturing process such as part replacement or repair, and highly reliable recycling that responds to deterioration of parts due to aging. You can build a system.

Further, in the image forming apparatus to which the process cartridge is mounted, it is judged whether or not the process cartridge needs to be replaced based on the above-mentioned expiration date, so that the process cartridge is replaced based on only the usage amount. There is no longer a situation where the process cartridge, which has reached the end of its life due to aging, is used without being replaced as in the conventional case where the timing is determined, and the image quality due to deterioration of parts etc. due to aging of the process cartridge is eliminated. It becomes possible to prevent deterioration.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the storage means of the process cartridge stores the expiration date, and the number of times of reproduction processing performed in the past is stored in the reproduction processing counter. There is. Therefore, when the process cartridge is replaced, the number of reproduction processes performed in the past stored in the storage unit is read and compared with the preset upper limit value of the number of reproduction processes, and whether or not it is within the usable period. It is possible to judge that the process cartridge removed by replacement is regenerated only when the comparison result is equal to or less than the upper limit value and the expiration date is not expired as in claim 1. It is possible to As a result, a more reliable recycling system can be constructed according to the deterioration of the parts in the process cartridge due to the change over time.

According to the third aspect of the invention, the control means of the image forming apparatus requests replacement of the process cartridge and stops the image forming operation when the usage amount of the process cartridge exceeds the upper limit value. When the cartridge has reached the end of its useful life and has passed its usable period, the process cartridge is requested to be replaced by displaying, for example, a replacement sign. That is, the stop of the image forming operation is not performed based on the expiration date, but only when the usage amount exceeds the upper limit value.

Therefore, if the deterioration of the image quality is not so noticeable even after the expiration date of use, the process cartridge replacement period can be extended until the usage amount exceeds the upper limit value at the user's discretion. This makes it possible to reduce the stop time of the image forming apparatus according to the image quality state.

[0020]

【Example】

[Embodiment 1] FIG. 1 to FIG.
The explanation is based on the following. In this embodiment, the case where the process cartridge is provided in a copying machine as an image forming apparatus will be described as an example.

In the above copying machine, as shown in FIG. 2, an optical system 2 is arranged above a copying machine main body 1. The optical system 2 includes a copy lamp 3 including a halogen lamp and the like, a plurality of plane mirrors 4 to 7, and a zoom lens 8, which are installed on a mirror base (not shown).

The plurality of plane mirrors 4 to 7 described above are arranged so as to guide the reflected light reflected by the document (not shown) to the surface of the photoconductor 21 which will be described later by being irradiated with the light from the copy lamp 3. . The zoom lens 8 also has a function of refracting and condensing the reflected light so that the reflected light forms a clear image on the surface of the photoconductor 21.

Below the optical system 2, a cylindrical photosensitive member 21 is rotatably supported and mounted inside the copying machine main body 1. As is well known, around the photoconductor 21,
A charger 22 that applies a predetermined voltage to the surface of the photoconductor 21, a developing device 23 that develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor 21 by the exposure operation of the optical system 2 with toner to visualize it, and a photoconductor. 21 Static eliminator 25 for removing residual charges on the surface
Are arranged at predetermined positions.

In this copying machine, the photoconductor 21 and the charger 2 are used.
2, the developing device 23, the static eliminator 25 and the like are unitized as a process cartridge 11, and the process cartridge 11 is configured to be attachable to and detachable from the copying machine main body. The process cartridge 11 is designed to be replaced after a predetermined usage period, which will be described later, so that the process cartridge 11 removed from the copying machine main body 1 is collected and recycled (recycled) at a service station. It has become. The process cartridge 11 has a copy counter that counts the number of times an image forming operation, that is, a copy operation is performed, and a recycle counter (not shown) that counts the number of times the above recycling process is performed. ,
A non-volatile memory (storage unit) 51 for storing the count numbers of these counters is provided.

Further, around the photoconductor 21, a resist for carrying the paper, which is carried from a paper feed tray or a paper feed unit 30 having a plurality of paper feed cassettes, to the photoconductor 21 at a predetermined timing. Roller 31, transfer device 2 for transferring the toner image formed on photoconductor 21 to this paper
4. Conveying device 32 for conveying the sheet on which the toner image is transferred
Is provided. A fixing device 33 including a heating roller and a pressure roller for fixing the transferred toner image on the sheet is provided near the end of the conveying device 32 on the side opposite to the photoconductor 16.

At the bottom of the copying machine main body 1, there are provided an intermediate tray 36 used when performing double-sided copying or composite copying, and a carrying roller 38 for carrying the paper on the intermediate tray 36. Further, at the side end portion of the copying machine main body 1, a conveying direction in which the conveying direction of the sheet discharged from the fixing device 33 is switched between a conveying direction toward the discharge tray 34 and a conveying direction to the intermediate tray 36. A switching unit 35 is provided.

A document cover 26 for pressing a document (not shown) and an automatic document feeder 27 are provided on the upper surface of the copying machine body 1. This automatic document feeder 27 is
A document transport path 28 provided with slits (not shown) for irradiating the light from the copy lamp 3 at two locations on the way.
Further, it is provided with transporting drums 29a and 29b for circulating the document in the document transporting path 28, and circulates so that a plurality of set documents are sequentially exposed.

In the above structure, the original cover 26 is provided.
When copying an original document (not shown) covered with, the surface of the photoconductor 21 is charged to a predetermined potential by the charger 22, and the mirror base on which the optical system 2 is installed is moved in the direction A. Then, the light from the copy lamp 3 is sequentially irradiated from one end of the document and reflected. Then, the reflected light from the document is exposed on the surface of the photoconductor 21 via the plurality of plane mirrors 4 to 7 and the zoom lens 8 to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photoconductor 21.

When a copy operation is performed by using the automatic document feeder 27 instead of copying the original covered by the original cover 26, the carrying drum 29 is used.
The original is conveyed into the original conveying path 28 by a.29b or the like. Then, through a slit (not shown) provided in the document transport path 28, light from the copy lamp 3 is sequentially irradiated from one end of the document to be reflected, and a document placed under the document cover 26 is copied. Similarly, the reflected light is exposed on the surface of the photoconductor 21 via the plurality of plane mirrors 4 to 7 and the zoom lens 8 to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photoconductor 21.

The electrostatic latent image thus formed on the surface of the photoconductor 21 is developed with the toner supplied from the developing device 23 and is visualized as a toner image. After that, a sheet (not shown) is sent from the sheet feeding section 30 to the registration roller 31 by a sheet feeding clutch (not shown) or the like. This paper is, if necessary, registered by the registration roller 3 in order to match the timing with the toner image formed on the surface of the photoconductor 21.
After being temporarily stopped by 1, the photoconductor 21 and the transfer device 2
It is supplied between 4 and.

Then, the above paper is transferred to the photoconductor 21 and the transfer device 2.
After being sandwiched between the sheet and the sheet 4, the sheet is charged by applying a predetermined voltage to the transfer unit 24, and the toner image formed on the surface of the photoconductor 21 is transferred to the sheet. After that, the paper is peeled from the photoconductor 21, is conveyed to the fixing device 33 by the conveying device 32, and is heated and pressed, whereby the toner image is fixed. The sheet on which the toner image has been fixed is discharged to the discharge tray 34 in the case of single-sided copying by the conveyance direction switching unit 35, while the toner image is transferred again in the case of double-sided copying or composite copying. In order to perform the above, the sheet is conveyed toward the intermediate tray 36.

Next, the structure of the control system used in the copying machine having the above structure will be described with reference to FIG. The control system 60 included in the copying machine includes a CPU (central processing unit) 40 and a CPU connected to the CPU 40.
It has a ROM (read-only memory) 42 and a RAM (random write / read memory) 48.

The CPU 40 has a driver 4 for controlling the driving of the motor 18 for driving the above-mentioned mirror base.
6, a rotary encoder 45 that detects the rotation speed of the motor 18, a charging unit 50 that controls the charger 22, a copy lamp lighting circuit 43 that controls the copy lamp 3, and a nonvolatile provided in the process cartridge 11. Memory 51, R for detecting the current date and time
A TC (Real Time Clock) 47 is connected.

The CPU 40 operates in accordance with a program stored in advance in the ROM 42 for the CPU so that the copying machine body 1
Signals are received from various operation keys and the like (not shown) provided in the above, and based on these signals, a signal for moving the mirror base in the A direction or the opposite direction is output to the driver 46. Also, the CPU 40
Receives a signal from a rotary encoder 45 that detects the rotation speed of the motor 18 and a signal from a home position sensor (not shown) that detects the position of the mirror base, and based on these signals, a driver 46 including a transistor or the like. The rotation speed of the motor 18 is controlled via the, and a signal for instructing the timing of feeding the paper to the photoconductor 21 is transmitted to the registration roller 31.

Further, the CPU 40 has a role as a control device when an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photoconductor 21, and the optical system 2 via the copy lamp lighting circuit 43 composed of a transistor or the like. Control of start and stop of voltage supply to the copy lamp 3 and adjust the effective voltage level to be applied to the copy lamp 3, and a charging device including a capacitor and a transistor for supplying a high voltage to the charger 22. The unit 50 and a photovoltage unit (not shown) that supplies a high voltage to the transfer unit 24 are controlled.

RA for storing the above various control results
The M48 is backed up by a DC power supply 49, is connected to the CPU 40, and stores the control result as each adjustment value to update the memory.

As described above, the non-volatile memory 51 stores the count values of the copy counter and the recycle counter of the process cartridge 11, and the upper limit of the number of times the process cartridge 11 can execute the copy. , Is preset and stored as a life counter value. In addition, this non-volatile memory 51
In the field, the expiration date of the process cartridge 11 is stored, which starts from the date when the process cartridge 11 is produced or the date when the process cartridge 11 is recycled. This expiration date indicates the life of the process cartridge 11 due to deterioration of the characteristics of the photoconductor 21 due to aging, deterioration of the resin portion of the process cartridge 11, and the like.

The RTC 47 has a clock function capable of setting time. The CPU 40 knows the current date and time by reading the data in the RTC 47, compares the current date and time with the date and time of the expiration date of the process cartridge 11 read from the nonvolatile memory 51 in advance, and obtains the current date and time. If the date and time has passed the expiration date, the display unit (not shown) of the copying machine body 1 displays that it is the time to replace the process cartridge 11.

Further, the CPU 40 counts up the copy counter by 1 each time the copy operation is completed, compares the counted up value with the life counter value read from the non-volatile memory 51, and counts up. If the calculated value exceeds the life counter value, the display section displays that it is time to replace the process cartridge 11.

When the replacement time of the process cartridge 11 is displayed as described above, at the same time, the CPU 40
The operation of the main body of the copying machine is stopped under the control of (1) to prompt the user to replace the process cartridge.

Next, a processing procedure when a copying operation is performed with the process cartridge 11 mounted in the copying machine will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

When the power of the copying machine is turned on, a predetermined warm-up operation is performed and the copying machine is "READY".
(S1). In this state, the print switch (P
When the SW) is turned on (S2), the predetermined copy operation as described above is performed (S3). At this time, every time one copy is made, the copy counter in the process cartridge 11 is incremented by 1 (S4).

Next, if it is determined in S5 that the copy operation has ended, then the expiration date stored in the non-volatile memory 51 and the current date and time detected by the RTC 47 are read out, and both of them are read out. By comparing the dates and times, it is determined whether or not the current date and time is within the expiration date of the process cartridge 11 (S6). If it is determined that the current date and time has passed the expiration date, the copying machine body 1
A message indicating that it is time to replace the process cartridge is displayed on the display section, and the operation of the copying machine is stopped (S8).

On the other hand, if it is determined that the current date and time is within the usable period, then the value counted up in S4 is compared with the life counter value stored in the non-volatile memory 51 ( S7). Here, if the counted number of copies is less than or equal to the life counter value, the copying machine again enters the "READY" state (S1), and enters the PSW input waiting state. If the counted number of copies exceeds the life counter value, the display section of the copying machine body 1 displays that the process cartridge 11 is to be replaced, and the operation of the copying machine is stopped (S8).

As described above, the service person collects the process cartridge 11 replaced by the user at the replacement time determined based on the number of times the copying operation is performed and the expiration date of the process cartridge.
Collected at service stations, parts are replaced, supplemented, etc., and recycled.

A processing procedure for carrying out such recycling will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, from the non-volatile memory 51 of the process cartridge 11 collected at the service station,
The number of recycles counted by the recycle counter and the expiration date of the process cartridge 11 are read (S11). Next, the recycling counter is incremented by 1 (S12). Then, the expiration date read in S11 is compared with the current date and time (S
13) If it is within the expiration date, then the count value of the recycle counter counted up in S12 is compared with a preset upper limit value of the number of recycles (S14).

Here, if the count value of the recycle counter is less than or equal to the upper limit value, a predetermined recycle processing, that is, replacement and replenishment of parts, is performed, and a new expiration date of the process cartridge 11 is set according to replacement parts and the like. It is set and the expiration date in the non-volatile memory 51 is updated (S15). Thereafter, the recycled process cartridge 11 is reshipped (S16). On the other hand, the above S
Those judged to have passed the expiration date in 13 and those judged to have the recycle counter value exceeding the upper limit value in S14 are discarded (S).
17).

As described above, the process cartridge 11 which can be freely attached to and detached from the copying machine main body 1 is capable of executing a copy counter that counts the number of times a copy operation is performed, a recycle counter that counts the number of recycles performed in the past. A non-volatile memory 51 that stores the life counter value indicating the upper limit value of the number of times of copying and the expiration date from the time of process cartridge production or the previous recycling.
It has and.

In the copying machine in which the process cartridge 11 is mounted, the process cartridge 11 is judged by determining whether the count number of the copy counter exceeds the life count value or whether the current date and time is within the usable period. Detect when to replace. In this way, when either the number of copies performed or the elapsed time after shipment exceeds the set value, the replacement time of the process cartridge 11 is displayed, the operation is stopped, and the process cartridge 1 is stopped.
By urging the user to replace item 1, the life of the process cartridge 11 due to a change with time can be accurately determined, and the deterioration of the image quality due to the above life of the process cartridge 11 can be avoided.

Further, when the process cartridge 11 removed from the copying machine body 1 is recycled, the expiration date and the number of times of recycling performed in the past are checked, and at least one of the elapsed time after shipment and the number of times of recycling is checked. However, if it exceeds the set value, the process cartridge 11 is discarded. In this way, it is possible to accurately determine the life of the process cartridge 11 due to aging, based on the expiration date updated at the time of factory shipment, etc., and it is possible to avoid deterioration of image quality due to the life of the process cartridge 11.

In this embodiment, the process cartridge 11 is judged to be recyclable only when both the usage period and the number of times of recycling are within the reference range. It is also possible to Further, since the judgment as to whether or not the process cartridge 11 has passed the expiration date is made on the copying machine main body side 1, it is possible to check only the number of times of recycling at the time of recycling.

Further, the preset upper limit value of the number of times of recycling may be stored in the non-volatile memory 51 of the process cartridge 11.

[Embodiment 2] Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG.

The copying machine according to the present embodiment has substantially the same structure as the copying machine according to the first embodiment, and is the same as the first embodiment except the operation after determining the replacement time of the process cartridge. It is an operation.

A processing procedure when a copying operation is performed with the process cartridge mounted in the copying machine of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

When the power of the copying machine is turned on, a predetermined warm-up operation is performed and the state becomes "READY" (S21). Then, when the print switch (PSW) is turned on (S22), the copy operation is performed. Performed (S2
3). Each time a copy operation is performed, the copy counter in the process cartridge is incremented by 1 (S24).

Next, if the end of the copy operation is determined in S25, then the expiration date stored in the non-volatile memory 51 and the current date and time detected by the RTC 47 are compared to determine the current date and time. However, it is determined whether or not the process cartridge is within the usable period (S26).
If it is determined that the current date and time has passed the expiration date, a message indicating that it is time to replace the process cartridge is displayed on the display unit of the copying machine body (S27), and then S24.
The value counted up in is compared with the life counter value stored in the non-volatile memory (S28).

On the other hand, if it is determined in S26 that the current date and time is within the usable period, the process cartridge replacement time is not displayed, and the process directly proceeds to S28 in which the counted up value and the life counter value are It is compared (S28). If the counted number of copies is equal to or less than the life counter value, the copying machine again reads "READ
The state becomes "Y" (S21). On the other hand, if the counted number of copies exceeds the life counter value, the display section of the copying machine body indicates that it is time to replace the process cartridge 11, and the operation of the copying machine body is stopped (S29).

As described above, in the copying machine of this embodiment, the operation of the copying machine is stopped only when the count value of the number of times of copying by the copy counter exceeds the life counter value indicating the upper limit of the number of times of copying, Even when it is determined that the expiration date has passed, only the replacement time is notified, and the operation of the copying machine is not stopped. Therefore, even when the expiration date has passed, if the image quality is not significantly deteriorated, the process cartridge replacement period can be extended until the number of copies exceeds the upper limit, depending on the user's judgment. Depending on the image quality,
It is possible to reduce the downtime of the copying machine.

[0061]

As described above, the process cartridge of the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention is provided with the storage means for storing the expiration date which is updated at the time of shipment as the service life of the process cartridge due to aging. It has a structure.

Therefore, based on the expiration date stored in the storage means of the process cartridge, it is judged whether or not the process cartridge has reached the end of its service life due to aging, and only for process cartridges that have not reached the service life. Therefore, it is possible to perform a recycling process, and it is possible to construct a highly reliable recycling system that copes with deterioration of parts due to aging.

Further, in the image forming apparatus to which the process cartridge is attached, it is determined whether or not the process cartridge needs to be replaced based on the above-mentioned expiration date. It is also possible to prevent the situation in which the process cartridge is used without being replaced, and it is possible to prevent deterioration of image quality due to deterioration of parts and the like due to aging of the process cartridge.

Further, as described above, the process cartridge of the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention has a storage means for storing the expiration date which is updated at the time of shipment as the service life of the process cartridge due to aging, and the past. This is a configuration including a reproduction processing counter that stores the number of times reproduction processing has been performed.

Therefore, it is possible to judge whether or not the regenerating process should be performed based on both the expiration date of the process cartridge and the number of regenerating processes. Therefore, depending on the deterioration of the parts in the process cartridge due to the change over time. The effect is that a more reliable recycling system can be constructed.

In the image forming apparatus according to the third aspect of the present invention, as described above, the upper limit value of the amount of use in which the image forming operation can be executed and the expiration date which is updated at the time of shipment as the life due to aging are set. Storage means for storing and usage amount detection means for detecting the usage amount of the image forming operation are provided in the process cartridge, and request replacement of the process cartridge when the expiration date is exceeded. On the other hand, when the usage amount of the process cartridge detected by the usage amount detecting means exceeds the upper limit value, control means for requesting replacement of the process cartridge and stopping the image forming operation is provided. .

Therefore, the image forming operation is stopped when the usage amount of the process cartridge exceeds the upper limit value, and is not performed when the usable period has passed, so that the usable period has passed. Also, when the image quality is not significantly deteriorated, it is possible to extend the replacement time of the process cartridge until the usage amount exceeds the upper limit at the discretion of the user. It is possible to reduce the stop time of the device.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for determining whether a process cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention is recyclable.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of a copying machine including the process cartridge.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control system provided in the copying machine.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for detecting a replacement time of a process cartridge in the copying machine.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for detecting the replacement time of a process cartridge in a copying machine according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Copier main body (image forming apparatus) 11 Process cartridge 40 CPU (control means) 51 Non-volatile memory (storage means)

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus, which is detachable from a main body of the image forming apparatus, has parts that are involved in an image forming process formed as a unit, and which is exchanged at a predetermined interval and reproduced. A process cartridge of an image forming apparatus, comprising: a storage unit that stores an expiration date that is updated at the time of shipment as the life of the process cartridge due to aging. 2. An image forming apparatus, which is detachable from a main body of the image forming apparatus and in which parts involved in an image forming process are unitized and formed, and which are exchanged at a predetermined interval and reproduced. In the process cartridge, as a service life of the process cartridge due to aging, a storage means for storing the expiration date updated at the time of shipment,
A process cartridge for an image forming apparatus, comprising: a reproduction processing counter that stores the number of times reproduction processing has been performed in the past. 3. An image forming apparatus capable of executing an image forming operation in which an image forming apparatus is integrally formed with parts involved in an image forming process and a process cartridge to be replaced at a predetermined interval is detachably provided. The process cartridge is provided with a storage unit for storing an upper limit value of the usage amount and an expiration date which is updated at the time of shipment as a life due to aging, and a usage amount detection unit for detecting the usage amount of the image forming operation. If the usage limit of the process cartridge is exceeded, the replacement of the process cartridge is requested, while if the usage amount of the process cartridge detected by the usage amount detecting means exceeds the upper limit value, the process cartridge An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit that requests replacement and stops an image forming operation.