JPH08115014A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To efficiently fill waste toner into a toner recovery container without soil of the inside of a device and recording paper due to a waste toner leak. CONSTITUTION: An electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of a photoreceptor 101 by emitting light, as image data, onto the photoreceptor 101 by means of an optical scanning system 103. The formed electrostatic latent image is developed by a developing unit 105 to form a toner image on the surface of the photoreceptor 101. After the formed toner image is transferred to recording paper by means of a transfer unit 107a, residual toner on the surface of the photoreceptor 101 is recovered by the toner recovery means (cleaning unit 108 and waste toner recovery container 109). When the amount of recovered toner reaches a prescribed one, the length of time that the optical scanning system 103 emits light is counted. When its counted value reaches a prescribed count value, an image forming device control circuit 116 exerts control to inhibit the image forming operation.

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 having a mechanism for transferring a toner image formed on the surface of a photoconductor to a recording paper and collecting and storing residual toner remaining on the surface of the photoconductor after the transfer. More specifically, the present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that reduces an unfilled portion of a residual toner collecting portion.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional image forming apparatus provided with a toner collecting container is provided. The toner recovery container is usually a container installed below the toner recovery means installed around the electrostatic image bearing member (photoreceptor),
It stores excess toner (hereinafter referred to as waste toner) that remains on the surface of the electrostatic latent image without being transferred from the surface of the electrostatic image carrier to the recording paper and is collected by the toner collecting means. is there.

The toner recovery container is filled with toner such as a sensor in order to detect a full state of the waste toner collected in the container, that is, a state in which the amount of the waste toner exceeds a predetermined limit amount. A detection unit (hereinafter, referred to as a toner full sensor) is provided, and when the toner full sensor detects a full state of the waste toner, a predetermined toner full display (hereinafter, referred to as a full toner display on the operation panel of the image forming apparatus).
(Toner full display) is performed and the image forming operation is performed in order to prevent a problem caused by overflow of the waste toner, that is, a problem that the waste toner overflowing from the waste toner collecting container stains the inside of the image forming apparatus or the recording paper. Is controlled to prohibit.

Normally, the prohibition of the image forming operation is to detect the toner full (toner full) state (toner full display).
After that, the process is executed after the completion of the formation of a predetermined number of images. This is because if the image forming operation is prohibited immediately after the toner full state is detected (toner full display), if the operator cannot prepare an alternative toner collection container, the image forming apparatus cannot be used for a certain period of time. This is because the toner full status is detected early (toner full display) by allowing enough time to prepare an alternative toner recovery container after the toner full status is detected, or the toner full sensor is being detected. This is because of restrictions such as the mounting position of the. Therefore, when the toner full state is detected (toner full display), the toner collecting container has a certain amount of unfilled portion.

Further, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 63-247783.
An "image forming apparatus" disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication is proposed. In this "image forming apparatus", a photoreceptor is irradiated with light based on an image signal from an external device to form a latent image. In an image forming apparatus having a developing means for developing with a predetermined developer, a collecting means for collecting the residual developer on the photoconductor, and a developer detecting means for detecting the amount of the developer filled in the developing means. The calculation of the amount of waste toner is performed based on the light emission time of the light applied to the photoconductor, and the waste toner discard time is detected by accumulating. Further, in the "electrophotographic printer device" disclosed in JP-A-62-105180, the waste toner disposal time is detected from the total number of written dots.

[0006]

However, the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 63-247783 and 62-10.
According to Japanese Patent No. 5180, although the waste toner disposal time is detected by calculating and accumulating the waste toner amount, it is necessary to always perform arithmetic processing during the operation of the image forming apparatus, and especially when the temperature is high. When the image forming apparatus is used under humid condition, the waste toner is solidified in the toner collecting container, and an unpredictable cavity is generated in the toner collecting container.
There was a problem that the amount of waste toner that was predicted in advance could not be collected and waste toner overflow could occur.

Here, the above problems will be described in detail. The predetermined number (the number of images that can be imaged) after the detection of the toner full state (toner full display) is usually set in advance according to the conditions of the process means of each image forming apparatus and the expected number of dots of the toner image.

However, the number of images that can be formed is calculated on the premise of standard image forming conditions, and in particular, a latent image is formed by dots by irradiating and projecting an optical scan or the like on the electrostatic image carrier. Since an image forming apparatus can form a precise image, it is often required to form an image having a large number of dots such as a precision drawing, and there is a risk that waste toner overflow may occur before the predetermined number is reached. is there.

As described above, in order to prevent the waste toner overflow, when the number of image-formable sheets is set to be small, the number of image-formable sheets is reached, and the image-forming operation is prohibited. However, an unfilled portion remains in the toner collecting container, resulting in waste of the toner collecting container and inefficiency of image forming work.

The present invention has been made in view of the above, and it is an object of the present invention to efficiently fill waste toner into a toner recovery container without causing damage to the inside of the apparatus or recording paper due to waste toner overflow. To aim.

[0011]

In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention emits light as image data to an electrostatic image bearing member so that the surface of the electrostatic image bearing member is statically imaged. A light emitting unit for forming an electrostatic latent image, a developing unit for developing the electrostatic latent image formed by the light emitting unit to form a toner image on the surface of the electrostatic image carrier, and a toner image formed by the developing unit. Of a predetermined amount of toner collected by the toner collecting means and a toner collecting means for collecting the residual toner remaining on the surface of the electrostatic image carrier after the transfer processing by the transferring means. When the toner full detection means for detecting that the toner has reached, the counting means for counting the light emission time of the light emitting means after the detection by the toner full detection means, and the count value by the counting means have reached a predetermined count value It is obtained and a control means for controlling to inhibit an image forming operation.

An image forming apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention includes a light emitting means for emitting light as image data to the electrostatic image carrier to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the electrostatic image carrier, and the light emitting means. Developing means for developing the electrostatic latent image formed by the method to form a toner image on the surface of the electrostatic image carrier, transfer means for transferring the toner image formed by the developing means onto a recording sheet, and the transfer means Toner recovery means for recovering the residual toner remaining on the surface of the electrostatic image carrier after the transfer processing by means of the toner, full toner detection means for detecting that the toner recovered by the toner recovery means reaches a predetermined amount, and Counting means for counting the light emitting time of the light emitting means after detection by the toner full detecting means, temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature in the image forming apparatus, and count value by the counting means are
And a control means for performing control to prohibit the image forming operation when a predetermined count value determined based on the temperature detected by the temperature detection means is reached.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus, wherein the light emitting means emits light as image data to the electrostatic image carrier to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the electrostatic image carrier, and the light emitting means. Developing means for developing the electrostatic latent image formed by the method to form a toner image on the surface of the electrostatic image carrier, transfer means for transferring the toner image formed by the developing means onto a recording sheet, and the transfer means Toner recovery means for recovering the residual toner remaining on the surface of the electrostatic image carrier after the transfer processing by means of the toner, full toner detection means for detecting that the toner recovered by the toner recovery means reaches a predetermined amount, and The counting means for counting the light emitting time of the light emitting means after the toner full detecting means, the humidity detecting means for detecting the humidity in the image forming apparatus, and the count value by the counting means are
And a control unit for performing control to prohibit the image forming operation when a predetermined count value determined based on the humidity detected by the humidity detection unit is reached.

An image forming apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is a light emitting means for emitting light as image data to an electrostatic image carrier to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the electrostatic image carrier, and the light emitting means. Developing means for developing the electrostatic latent image formed by the method to form a toner image on the surface of the electrostatic image carrier, transfer means for transferring the toner image formed by the developing means onto a recording sheet, and the transfer means Toner recovery means for recovering the residual toner remaining on the surface of the electrostatic image carrier after the transfer processing by means of the toner, full toner detection means for detecting that the toner recovered by the toner recovery means reaches a predetermined amount, and Counting means for counting the light emission time of the light emitting means after detection by the toner full detection means, drive time measuring means for measuring the drive time in the image forming apparatus, and count value by the count means for the drive Is obtained and a control means for controlling to inhibit an image forming operation when during reaches a predetermined count value determined based on the measured drive time of the measuring means.

[0015]

In the image forming apparatus of the present invention (claim 1), the light emitting means emits light as image data to the electrostatic image bearing member to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the electrostatic image bearing member, and develops the latent image. The electrostatic latent image formed by the means is developed to form a toner image on the surface of the electrostatic image carrier, and the formed toner image is transferred to the recording paper by the transfer means, and then electrostatically collected by the toner collecting means. The residual toner remaining on the surface of the image carrier is collected, and when the collected toner reaches a predetermined amount, the light emission time of the light emitting means is counted, and when the count value reaches the predetermined count value, the image forming operation is performed. By carrying out the control for prohibiting, the unfilled portion of the toner collecting means is reduced.

In the image forming apparatus of the present invention (claim 2), the light emitting means emits light as image data to the electrostatic image bearing member to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the electrostatic image bearing member, and develops the latent image. The electrostatic latent image formed by the means is developed to form a toner image on the surface of the electrostatic image carrier, and the formed toner image is transferred to the recording paper by the transfer means, and then electrostatically collected by the toner collecting means. The residual toner remaining on the surface of the image carrier is collected, and when the collected toner reaches a predetermined amount, the light emission time of the light emitting means is counted, and the count value is a predetermined value determined based on the temperature inside the device. By controlling the image forming operation to be prohibited when the count value is reached, the unfilled portion of the toner recovery unit is reduced regardless of the temperature change in the apparatus.

In the image forming apparatus of the present invention (claim 3), the light emitting means emits light as image data to the electrostatic image carrier to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the electrostatic image carrier and develops the latent image. The electrostatic latent image formed by the means is developed to form a toner image on the surface of the electrostatic image carrier, and the formed toner image is transferred to the recording paper by the transfer means, and then electrostatically collected by the toner collecting means. The residual toner remaining on the surface of the image carrier is collected, and when the collected toner reaches a predetermined amount, the light emission time of the light emitting means is counted, and the count value is a predetermined value determined based on the humidity in the device. By controlling the image forming operation to be prohibited when the count value is reached, the unfilled portion of the toner collecting means is reduced regardless of the fluctuation of the humidity in the apparatus.

In the image forming apparatus of the present invention (claim 4), the light emitting means emits light as image data to the electrostatic image carrier to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the electrostatic image carrier and develops the latent image. The electrostatic latent image formed by the means is developed to form a toner image on the surface of the electrostatic image carrier, and the formed toner image is transferred to the recording paper by the transfer means, and then electrostatically collected by the toner collecting means. The residual toner remaining on the surface of the image carrier is collected, and when the collected toner reaches a predetermined amount, the light emission time of the light emitting means is counted, and the count value is determined by the toner recovery means from the start of use of the apparatus. By performing control to prohibit the image forming operation when a predetermined count value determined based on the drive time of the device until the amount of toner is collected, regardless of the fluctuation of the drive time of the device, Reduction of unfilled part of toner recovery means That.

[0019]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail below in the order of [Embodiment 1], [Embodiment 2], [Embodiment 3], [Embodiment 4] with reference to the drawings. To do.

[Embodiment 1] FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1, in which a photoconductor as an electrostatic image carrier for forming an electrostatic latent image and a toner image. 1
01 and a charger 1 for charging the photoconductor 101 to a predetermined potential
02, an optical scanning system 103 as a light emitting means for performing dot-shaped optical writing on the surface of the photoconductor 101, a laser driver 104 for controlling a semiconductor laser 103a, which will be described later, and a static driver formed on the surface of the photoconductor 101. After the transfer processing, a developing device 105 for developing the latent image by toner to form a visible toner image, a transfer device 107a for transferring the toner image formed on the surface of the photoconductor 101 to the recording paper 106, and a transfer process. Separator 107b for separating the recording paper 106 from the photoconductor 101, a cleaning device 108 for removing residual toner (waste toner) adhering to the surface of the photoconductor 101, and the photoconductor 101 by the cleaning device 108.
The waste toner collecting container 109 for collecting and storing the waste toner removed from the photoconductor 101, the discharging lamp 110 for discharging the residual potential of the photoconductor 101, and the waste toner collecting container 109 are installed in the waste toner collecting container 109. Toner full sensor 111 for detecting whether or not the amount of toner has reached a predetermined amount
Based on the detection result of the toner full sensor 111,
Toner full detection circuit 112 for detecting that the amount of collected toner reaches a predetermined amount, and waste toner collection container 1
The toner full display unit 113 for displaying that the toner amount in 09 has reached a predetermined amount, a writing control unit 114 for controlling the laser driver 104 to control writing of image data, and a writing control unit 114. Counting unit 115 for counting the writing time by referring to
And an image forming apparatus control circuit 116 that controls each unit in the image forming apparatus.

The optical scanning system 103 is a semiconductor laser 103a which emits a laser beam as image data.
And a polygon mirror 103 for deflecting and scanning the laser beam emitted from the semiconductor laser 103a.
b and the f / θ lens 103 for converging the laser beam reflected by the polygon mirror 103b to perform f / θ correction
c, and a scanning mirror 103d that guides the laser beam corrected by the f / θ lens 103c to the photoconductor 101.

The cleaning device 108 and the waste toner collecting container 109 form a toner collecting means, and the toner full sensor 111 and the toner full detecting circuit 112 form a toner full detecting means.

The operation of the above arrangement will be described.
A uniform charge is applied to the surface of the photoconductor 101 by the charger 102. Next, the optical scanning system 103 is used to
The dot-shaped optical writing is performed on 01. That is,
The semiconductor laser 103a emits a laser beam in response to a signal from the laser driver 104, and the laser beam emitted from the semiconductor laser 103a is deflected and scanned by the polygon mirror 103b to produce the f / θ lens 10
F / θ is corrected by 3c. Then, the scanning mirror 10
By 3d, it is guided to the photoconductor 101 and optical writing is performed.

The electrostatic latent image thus formed is developed by the developing device 105 and visualized to become a toner image. The toner image is transferred onto the recording paper 106 by the transfer device 107a, and the recording paper 106 after transfer is separated by the separator 107b and fixed by a fixing device (not shown).
On the other hand, the toner remaining on the surface of the photoconductor 101 without being transferred by the transfer processing by the transfer device 107a is collected by the cleaning device 108 and stored in the waste toner collecting container 109. After that, the photoconductor 101 is provided with a uniform charge by the charger 102 after the charge is removed by the charge removal lamp 110 in preparation for the rewriting of light.

After that, when the toner full sensor 111 installed in the waste toner collecting container 109 detects a toner full state, that is, a state in which a predetermined amount of toner has accumulated, over time, a signal is sent from the toner full sensor 111 to the toner full detection circuit 112. TF1 is sent, and a signal TF is sent from the toner full detection circuit 112 to the toner full display section 113.
2 is sent. The toner full sensor 111 is preferably installed at a position as close as possible to the cleaning device 108 in consideration of a case where an unpredictable cavity is generated in the waste toner recovery container 109. Toner full display 1
Reference numeral 13 denotes a lamp installed in, for example, an operation unit (not shown), which starts blinking when the signal TF2 is transmitted.

Further, when the signal TF3 is sent from the toner full detection circuit 112 to the counting section 115, the counting section 115 reads the writing time data D1 from the writing control section 114 and starts counting the writing time. When the count number of the counting unit 115 reaches a preset number, the signal TF4 is sent from the counting unit 115 to the image forming device control circuit 116 and at the same time the signal TF5 is sent to the toner full display unit 113 to control the image forming device. The circuit 116 prohibits the image forming operation until the toner full detection circuit 112 is reset. Further, the toner-full display unit 113 notifies the operator that the lamp is turned on by the transmission of the signal TF5 and the image forming apparatus is in an unusable state.

By replacing the waste toner collecting container 109, the transmission of the signal TF1 from the toner full sensor 111 to the toner full detection circuit 112 is interrupted, and the signals TF2 and TF output from the toner full detection circuit 112 are interrupted.
Since the transmission of 3 is also interrupted, the toner full display unit 1
The lamp of 13 is turned off, and the count number of the count unit 115 is also reset. When the count unit 115 is reset, the signal TF to the image forming apparatus control circuit 116 is output.
4 transmission is interrupted, the prohibition of image forming operation is released,
The image forming apparatus can be used. In the first embodiment, the toner full display unit 113 has an operation panel (not shown).
Although it is described as a lamp installed in the above, it is not particularly limited to this, and a buzzer or the like may be used.
If the operation unit is provided, a warning display may be displayed on the liquid crystal display unit.

Next, the basic concept for detecting the amount of waste toner in the waste toner recovery container 109 will be described with reference to a concrete example. First, the laser driver 104
, For example, when printing at a resolution of 240 dots / inch, the number of black dots printed per 1 mm is
It becomes about 9.45 dots / mm. Therefore, when printing is performed on the entire surface of the A4 size recording paper 106 (210 mm × 297 mm), the number of black dots printed is (210 ×
9.45) × (297 × 9.45) ≈5,570,000. However, in normal printing, approximately 6% of the paper area can be estimated to be the black print area, so on average 55.70 × 0.06 ≒
It can be considered that 334,200 black dots are printed.

The ratio (transfer rate) when the toner image formed on the surface of the photoconductor 101 is transferred onto the recording paper 106.
Is experimentally confirmed to be about 80% under the condition of 23 ° C. and 65% RH, and the remaining about 20% of toner is treated as waste toner through the cleaning device 108 and the waste toner recovery container. It will be collected in 109. Here, it has been experimentally confirmed that when an A4 size image having about 6% of the black print portion is formed on the surface of the photoconductor 101, about 45 mg of toner adheres to the surface of the photoconductor 101. Therefore, each time printing is performed on one sheet of A4 size recording paper, about 20% of the 45 mg toner, that is, 9 mg of toner is collected as waste toner in the waste toner collection container 109 via the cleaning device 108. The number of black dots printed above (334,200)
The amount of waste toner and the amount of waste toner collected (9 mg) are both values of A4 size and correspond accurately. That is, the counting unit 11
In 5, when 334,200 black dots are counted, it can be accurately known that the waste toner recovery amount is 9 mg.

Here, it is considered that the unfilled portion of the waste toner collecting container 109 is filled with the waste toner when the toner full sensor 111 detects the toner full state (toner full display). Assuming that the volume of the unfilled portion of the waste toner recovery container 109 is 225 cm ² when the toner full state is detected (toner full display) and the toner weight volume ratio is 0.4 g / cm ² , the unfilled portion is filled with the waste toner. To achieve this, the image forming operation should be continued until 225 × 0.4≈90 g of waste toner is filled.
If the image forming operation is prohibited when the waste toner of g is filled, the toner overflow from the waste toner collecting container 109 can be prevented. In order to collect 90 g of waste toner, it is necessary to convert 90 g / 9 mg≅10,000 sheets of A4 size recording paper.

With the above settings, the waste toner collecting container 10 is detected after the toner full state is detected (toner full display).
From the above calculation, it can be calculated that the total number of black dots printed until 9 is full is about 334,200 × 10,000 sheets≈3,350 million. Therefore, the period from when the toner full state is detected (toner full display) in Example 1 until the waste toner collecting container 109 becomes full is 33.5.
It is the period until 100 million dots are counted, 3
The image forming operation may be prohibited at the time when the light emission time corresponding to 350 million pieces is counted by the counting unit 115.

Next, referring to the flow chart of FIG.
A control operation of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment, that is, a processing operation from when the toner full state is detected (toner full display) to when the waste toner collecting container 109 is full will be described.
First, the toner full display portion 113 is the waste toner collecting container 1
It is determined whether or not the toner full sensor 111 installed at 09 has detected the toner full state (S201). If it is determined that the toner full state is not detected, the image forming apparatus control circuit 116 causes the image forming apparatus control circuits 116 to The control system is controlled to perform normal image forming processing (S202).

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S201 that the toner full state is detected (toner full display), the display of the toner full display portion 113 is made to blink (S5).
203), and resets the count number of the count unit 115 (S204). Next, the count number of the light emission time by the counting unit 115 is compared with the preset count value of the light emission time (the value calculated by the above-described calculation) (S205), and the count number of the light emission time is counted as the allowable count. If smaller than the number, the image forming apparatus control circuit 11
6 controls each control system of the image forming apparatus to perform normal image forming processing (S206), and counts and adds the light emission time during image formation (S207).

Further, it is judged whether or not the images are continuously formed (S208), and when the images are continuously formed, the process returns to step S205, and if the counted number of the light emission time is smaller than the allowable counted number. Then, the image forming operation is continuously performed (S206).
The processes of steps S205 to S208 are repeated until the determination of step 205 is No. Note that step S20
If the image formation is not continued in step 8, it is determined whether the waste toner collecting container 109 has been replaced (S209) as described later, and if the waste toner collecting container 109 has not been replaced, Returns to step S205,
If it has been exchanged, the process proceeds to S213 described later.

When the light emission time count becomes equal to the allowable count in step S205, the toner full detection circuit 112 turns on the display of the toner full display portion 113 (S210), and the image forming apparatus control circuit 116.
Controls each control system of the image forming apparatus to prohibit the image forming operation (S211).

Next, it is judged whether or not the waste toner collecting container 109 has been replaced, and if it has been replaced (step S2).
The same applies to the case of replacement by 09).
After resetting the count number of (S213) and resetting the display of the toner full display portion 113 (S214), the prohibition of the image forming operation is released (S215), and the control ends.

Here, how the waste toner collecting container 109 is collected when the image forming process is actually performed by using the ordinary image forming apparatus and the image forming apparatus of the first embodiment will be described. First, when a normal image forming apparatus is used, the black printing portion is the worst value of the paper area with respect to the unfilled portion 90 g (255 cc) of the waste toner collection container 109 when the toner full state is detected (toner full display). Assuming 50%, it was set to stop the image forming operation at 2250 prints of A4 size, and actually 20 g (5
Only 0 cc) was received and 70 g (175 cc) remained unfilled.

Next, when the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment is used, the image forming operation is performed at the time when the light emission time corresponding to 3.35 billion black prints is counted after the toner full state is detected (toner full display). When it is set to prohibit,
It is possible to store 77 g (192.5 cc), and in the image forming apparatus of the first embodiment, the unfilled portion of the waste toner collecting container 109 when the image forming operation is stopped is greatly reduced.

As described above, according to the image forming apparatus of the first embodiment, a latent image is formed by dots by irradiating and projecting a scanning light or the like on a photoconductor as an electrostatic image carrier to project the latent image. In an image forming apparatus that forms a developed image by depositing a developer on an image carrier, the inside of the apparatus or recording paper is contaminated due to overflow of waste toner, and the toner collection container remains unfilled and the number of times the toner collection container is replaced is reduced. It is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of efficiently filling waste toner into the toner collection container without causing waste of the toner collection container and inefficiency of work due to the increase.

In the first embodiment, the image forming apparatus for forming a latent image with dots using laser light has been described as an example. However, the present invention uses a light emitting means such as an LED light or a liquid crystal optical shutter. The latent image forming method is not limited to dots as long as the method can be applied to the used image forming apparatus and the light emitting time of the light emitting means can be counted.

Further, in the first embodiment, the light emission time of the light emitting means corresponding to the number of writing dots is a value unique to the light emitting means or the image forming apparatus. A value suitable for each device may be set.

Further, the waste toner collecting container 1 at the time of detecting the toner full state (toner full display) shown in the first embodiment
Numerical values such as the volume of the unfilled portion of 09 and the amount of waste toner collected when an A4 size image having a black print portion of about 6% is formed on the photosensitive member 101 are values unique to the image forming apparatus, In carrying out the present invention, the desired maximum count number suitable for each device may be set in consideration of the difference between the devices.

[Embodiment 2] FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 2, and those having the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 have the same configurations and operations as those of Embodiment 1. , The description is omitted and only different parts will be described. Reference numeral 301 denotes a temperature sensor that measures the temperature in the vicinity of the photoconductor 101.
Reference numeral 02 denotes a count number correction circuit that calculates a correction value of the allowable count number of the counting unit 115 based on the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 301.

The operation of the above configuration will be described.
Generally, in the process of transferring the toner image formed on the surface of the photoconductor 101 to the recording paper, the amount of toner adhering to the surface of the photoconductor 101 and the toner transferred onto the recording paper The waste toner collecting container 109 remains on the photoconductor 101 without being transferred from the surface to the recording paper.
It is known that the ratio of the waste toner to be collected changes due to.

Now, the relationship between the temperature and the amount of waste toner collected will be described with reference to the graph shown in FIG. FIG.
In the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 3 shows the temperature and the amount of waste toner collected when an A4 size image having a black print portion of about 6% is formed on the surface of the photoconductor 101 under the condition of 65% RH. The relationship shows that the amount of waste toner collected was 9 mg under the condition of 23 ° C., but was 9 under the condition of 10 ° C.
It can be seen that the value fluctuates to 7 mg and fluctuates to 8.7 mg under the condition of 30 ° C. That is, 31.
The image forming apparatus is prohibited from performing the image forming operation at the time when the light emission time equivalent to 100 million is counted, and the image forming apparatus is prohibited at the time when the light emission time equivalent to 34.7 billion is counted at 30 ° C. , It is necessary to disable the image forming operation,
If the set value of 3.35 billion under the condition of 23 ° C. is left, the waste toner overflows under the condition of 10 ° C., and a waste space remains in the waste toner collecting container under the condition of 30 ° C. Become.

Therefore, in order to prevent the above problems, in the image forming apparatus of the second embodiment, the temperature sensor 301
Based on the temperature measured in
Calculates the correction value of the allowable count number of the counting unit 115 and changes the condition for prohibiting the image forming operation. As a specific operation procedure, first, the temperature is detected by the temperature sensor 301 provided in the image forming apparatus, and the temperature signal CS
1 is sent to the count number correction circuit 302. The count number correction circuit 302 calculates the correction value of the allowable count number based on the temperature signal CS1 from the preset relationship (the relationship shown in FIG. 4), and outputs the correction signal CS2 to the counting unit 11
Send to 5. Based on the correction signal CS2, the counting unit 115 determines the number of counts until the image forming operation of the image forming apparatus is prohibited, that is, the number of counts until the signal TF4 is sent to the image forming apparatus control circuit 116.

Here, using the apparatus shown in the second embodiment, the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 301 with respect to the light emission time corresponding to 3.35 billion black prints after detecting the toner full state (toner full display) When the image forming operation is set to be prohibited when the number of counts corrected by the above is counted, 83 g (207.5 cc) can be accommodated, which is more effective than the image forming apparatus of the first embodiment. It became a device.

As described above, according to the image forming apparatus of the second embodiment, a latent image is formed by dots by irradiating and projecting a scanning light or the like on a photoconductor as an electrostatic image carrier to project the electrostatic image. 2. Description of the Related Art In an image forming apparatus that forms a developed image by depositing a developer on an image carrier, even if the temperature inside the apparatus changes, the inside of the apparatus or recording paper is contaminated due to overflow of waste toner, and a toner recovery container. Provided is an image forming apparatus capable of efficiently filling waste toner into a toner collection container without causing waste of the toner collection container or inefficiency of work due to an increase in the number of times of replacement of the toner collection container with an unfilled portion remaining. can do.

Although the temperature sensor 301 is newly provided in the second embodiment, when the temperature measuring means is provided in advance for the purpose of controlling the image forming conditions, the signal from the temperature measuring means is supplied. It suffices to calculate the correction value of the allowable count number based on the new temperature sensor 301.
Need not be provided.

[Third Embodiment] FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic structure of an image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment. The same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 denote the same structures and operations as those of the first embodiment. , The description is omitted and only different parts will be described. Reference numeral 501 denotes a humidity sensor that measures the humidity in the vicinity of the photoconductor 101.
Reference numeral 02 denotes a count number correction circuit that calculates a correction value of the allowable count number of the counting unit 115 based on the humidity measured by the humidity sensor 501.

The operation of the above configuration will be described.
Generally, in the process of transferring the toner image formed on the surface of the photoconductor 101 to the recording paper, the amount of toner adhered to the surface of the photoconductor 101 and the toner transferred onto the recording paper The waste toner collecting container 109 remains on the photoconductor 101 without being transferred from the surface to the recording paper.
It is known that the ratio of the waste toner to be collected changes due to.

Now, the relationship between humidity and the amount of waste toner collected will be described with reference to the graph shown in FIG. Figure 6
Shows the humidity and the amount of waste toner collected when an A4 size image having a black print portion of about 6% is formed on the surface of the photoconductor 101 in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. The relationship shows that the amount of waste toner recovered was 9 mg under the condition of 65% RH, but it changed to 9.6 mg under the condition of 15% RH and 8.7 under the condition of 90% RH.
It can be seen that it changes to mg. That is, under the condition of 15% RH, the image forming apparatus is prohibited from performing the image forming operation at the time when the light emitting time corresponding to 3.14 billion pieces is counted.
Under the condition of 0% RH, it is necessary to prohibit the image forming operation of the image forming apparatus at the time when the emission time of 34.7 billion is counted, which is the set value under the condition of 65% RH. If 0.55 million pieces are left, waste toner overflows under the condition of 15% RH, and waste space remains in the waste toner collecting container under the condition of 90% RH.

Therefore, in order to prevent the above problems, the humidity sensor 501 is used in the image forming apparatus of the third embodiment.
Based on the humidity measured in
Calculates the correction value of the allowable count number of the counting unit 115 and changes the condition for prohibiting the image forming operation. As a specific operation procedure, first, the humidity is detected by the humidity sensor 501 provided in the image forming apparatus, and the humidity signal CS
3 is sent to the count number correction circuit 502. The count number correction circuit 502 calculates the correction value of the allowable count number from the preset relationship (the relationship shown in FIG. 6) based on the humidity signal CS3, and outputs the correction signal CS4 to the counting unit 11
Send to 5. Based on the correction signal CS4, the counting unit 115 determines the count number until the image forming apparatus prohibits the image forming operation, that is, the count number until the signal TF4 is sent to the image forming apparatus control circuit 116.

Here, using the apparatus shown in the third embodiment, the humidity measured by the humidity sensor 501 for the light emission time corresponding to 3.35 billion black prints after detecting the toner full state (toner full display). When the image forming operation is set to be prohibited when the number of counts corrected by the above is counted, 82 g (205 cc) can be accommodated, which is more effective than the image forming apparatus of the first embodiment. Became.

As described above, according to the image forming apparatus of the third embodiment, a latent image is formed by dots by irradiating and projecting a scanning light or the like on the photoconductor as an electrostatic image carrier to project the latent image. 2. Description of the Related Art In an image forming apparatus that forms a developed image by depositing a developer on an image carrier, even if the humidity in the apparatus fluctuates, waste toner overflows and stains the inside of the apparatus and recording paper, and a toner recovery container. Provided is an image forming apparatus capable of efficiently filling waste toner into a toner collection container without causing waste of the toner collection container or inefficiency of work due to an increase in the number of times of replacement of the toner collection container with an unfilled portion remaining. can do.

Although the humidity sensor 501 is newly provided in the third embodiment, when the humidity measuring means is provided in advance for the purpose of controlling the image forming conditions, the signal from the humidity measuring means is sent. It is only necessary to calculate the correction value of the allowable count number based on the new
Need not be provided.

[Fourth Embodiment] FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic structure of an image forming apparatus according to the fourth embodiment. The same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 denote the same structures and operations as those of the first embodiment. , The description is omitted and only different parts will be described. Reference numeral 701 denotes a drive time counter that counts the drive time of the image forming apparatus, and reference numeral 702 denotes a count number correction that calculates a correction value of the allowable count number of the counting unit 115 based on the count value counted by the drive time counter 701. The circuit is shown.

The operation of the above configuration will be described.
Generally, in the process of transferring the toner image formed on the surface of the photoconductor 101 to the recording paper,
The amount of toner adhered to the surface of the photoconductor 101, and the toner transferred onto the recording paper and the toner remaining on the photoconductor 101 without being transferred from the surface of the photoconductor 101 to the recording paper 101
It is known that the ratio of the waste toner collected with 09 changes.

Here, the relationship between the drive time and the amount of waste toner collected will be described with reference to the graph shown in FIG. FIG. 8 shows the image forming apparatus shown in FIG.
The relationship between the drive time and the waste toner recovery amount under the condition of% RH is shown. In the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 7, the toner full state is detected (toner full display) after 160,000 seconds (when 530,000 sheets of A4 size image having a black print portion of about 6% are passed). Assuming that the above condition will occur, the basic conditions for detecting the waste toner amount are set.

As shown in FIG. 8, when the driving time until the toner full state is detected (toner full display) under the condition of 23 ° C. and 65% RH is 160,000 seconds, the waste toner detection amount is 9 mg. It can be seen that when the driving time is 200,000 seconds, the value fluctuates to 9.1 mg, and when the driving time is 40,000 seconds, it fluctuates to 8.7 mg. That is, when the drive time is 200,000 seconds, the image forming operation is prohibited at the time when the light emission time corresponding to 33.1 billion is counted, and when the drive time is 40,000 seconds. , It is necessary to prohibit the image forming operation of the image forming apparatus at the time when the light emission time corresponding to 34.7 billion is counted, and the set value when the driving time is 160,000 seconds remains 3.35 billion. Then, when the driving time is 200,000 seconds, the waste toner overflows, and when the driving time is 40,000 seconds, a waste space remains in the waste toner collecting container.

Therefore, in order to prevent the above-mentioned problems, in the image forming apparatus of the fourth embodiment, the count number correction circuit 702 determines the allowable count number of the count unit 115 based on the drive time counted by the drive time counter 701. The correction value is calculated and the conditions for prohibiting the image forming operation are changed. As a specific operation procedure, first, the drive time counter 701 provided in the image forming apparatus counts the drive time of the image forming apparatus, and the drive time signal CS5 is sent to the count number correction circuit 702. The count number correction circuit 702 calculates a correction value of the allowable count number from the preset relationship (the relationship shown in FIG. 8) based on the drive time signal CS5, and outputs the correction signal CS6 to the counting unit 11
Send to 5. Based on the correction signal CS6, the counting unit 115 determines the count number until the image forming operation of the image forming apparatus is prohibited, that is, the count number until the signal TF4 is sent to the image forming apparatus control circuit 116. The driving time counter 701 can be used repeatedly with high accuracy by resetting the driving time counter 701 to an initial setting by arbitrarily resetting the consumable parts of the image forming apparatus.

Here, using the apparatus shown in the fourth embodiment, the drive time counter 701 counted the light emission time corresponding to 3.35 billion black prints after detecting the toner full state (toner full display). When the image forming operation is set to be prohibited when the number of counts corrected by the driving time is counted, 81 g (202.5 c
c) can be accommodated, which is more effective than the image forming apparatus of the first embodiment.

As described above, according to the image forming apparatus of the fourth embodiment, a latent image is formed by dots by irradiating and projecting a scanning light or the like on a photosensitive member as an electrostatic image carrier to form a latent image. In an image forming apparatus that forms a developed image by depositing a developer on an image carrier, regardless of the drive time from the start of use of the apparatus to the input of a full toner signal, the inside of the apparatus or recording due to waste toner overflow Waste toner can be efficiently collected in the toner collection container without waste of the toner collection container or inefficiency of work due to paper stains and an increase in the number of times the toner collection container needs to be replaced because the unfilled portion remains in the toner collection container. It is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that can be filled with.

In the fourth embodiment, the drive time counter 7
01 is newly provided, but when the drive time counting means is provided in advance for the purpose of controlling the image forming conditions, the correction value of the allowable count number is calculated based on the signal from the drive time counting means. Should be calculated, and it is not necessary to newly provide the drive time counter 701.

Further, in the fourth embodiment, the count number is corrected based on the drive time of the device, but depending on the difference of the device, the paper passing time, the energizing time, or the writing control unit 1
The correction may be performed based on the driving time of 14 or the like.

[0066]

As described above, the image forming apparatus of the present invention (Claim 1) emits light as image data to the electrostatic image bearing member by the light emitting means so that the surface of the electrostatic image bearing member is stopped. After forming an electrostatic latent image, the developing means develops the formed electrostatic latent image to form a toner image on the surface of the electrostatic image carrier, and the transferring means transfers the formed toner image to recording paper. The toner collecting means collects the residual toner remaining on the surface of the electrostatic image carrier, and when the collected toner reaches a predetermined amount, the light emission time of the light emitting means is counted and the count value is a predetermined count value. By controlling the image forming operation when it reaches the limit, the unfilled portion of the toner collecting means is reduced, so that the waste toner overflow does not cause the inside of the apparatus or the recording paper to be contaminated, and the toner is not collected in the toner collecting container. Toner can be efficiently filled.

An image forming apparatus of the present invention (claim 2)
The light emitting means emits light as image data to the electrostatic image carrier to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the electrostatic image carrier, and the developing means develops the formed electrostatic latent image. A toner image is formed on the surface of the electrostatic image bearing member, the formed toner image is transferred to the recording paper by the transfer unit, and the residual toner remaining on the surface of the electrostatic image bearing member is collected by the toner collecting unit.
When the collected toner reaches a predetermined amount, the light emission time of the light emitting means is counted, and when the count value reaches a predetermined count value determined based on the temperature inside the apparatus, a control for inhibiting the image forming operation By doing so, the unfilled portion of the toner collecting means is reduced regardless of the temperature variation in the apparatus, so that even if the temperature in the apparatus fluctuates, the waste toner overflow may stain the inside of the apparatus or the recording paper. The waste toner can be efficiently filled in the toner collecting container without inviting.

An image forming apparatus of the present invention (claim 3)
The light emitting means emits light as image data to the electrostatic image carrier to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the electrostatic image carrier, and the developing means develops the formed electrostatic latent image. A toner image is formed on the surface of the electrostatic image bearing member, the formed toner image is transferred to the recording paper by the transfer unit, and the residual toner remaining on the surface of the electrostatic image bearing member is collected by the toner collecting unit.
When the collected toner reaches a predetermined amount, the light emission time of the light emitting means is counted, and when the count value reaches a predetermined count value determined based on the humidity in the apparatus, a control for prohibiting the image forming operation By doing so, the unfilled portion of the toner collecting means is reduced regardless of the fluctuation of the humidity in the apparatus, so that even if the humidity in the apparatus changes, the inside of the apparatus and the recording paper will be contaminated by the waste toner overflow. The waste toner can be efficiently filled in the toner collecting container without inviting.

Further, the image forming apparatus of the present invention (claim 4).
The light emitting means emits light as image data to the electrostatic image carrier to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the electrostatic image carrier, and the developing means develops the formed electrostatic latent image. A toner image is formed on the surface of the electrostatic image bearing member, the formed toner image is transferred to the recording paper by the transfer unit, and the residual toner remaining on the surface of the electrostatic image bearing member is collected by the toner collecting unit.
When the amount of collected toner reaches a predetermined amount, the light emission time of the light emitting unit is counted, and the count value indicates the drive time of the device from the start of use of the device until the toner recovery unit collects a predetermined amount of toner. By performing control to prohibit the image forming operation when the predetermined count value determined based on the above is reached, the unfilled portion of the toner collecting unit is reduced regardless of the fluctuation of the driving time of the apparatus. Even if the driving time varies, the waste toner can be efficiently filled in the toner recovery container without causing the inside of the apparatus and the recording paper to be contaminated due to the overflow of the waste toner.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a control operation of the image forming apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a graph showing the relationship between temperature and the amount of waste toner collected.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a graph showing the relationship between humidity and the amount of waste toner collected.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a fourth exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a graph showing the relationship between drive time and waste toner recovery amount.

[Explanation of symbols]

101 Photosensitive Member 103 Optical Scanning System 105 Developing Device 107a Transfer Device 108 Cleaning Device 109 Waste Toner Collection Container 111 Toner Full Sensor 112 Toner Full Detection Circuit 114 Write Control Unit 115 Counting Unit 116 Image Forming Device Control Circuit 301 Temperature Sensor 302 Counting Number Correction Circuit 501 Humidity sensor 502 Count number correction circuit 701 Driving time counter 702 Count number correction circuit

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── --- Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Shigeru Watanabe 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Within Ricoh Co., Ltd. (72) Atsuko Komaba 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Shares Company Ricoh

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A light emitting unit that emits light as image data to an electrostatic image carrier to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the electrostatic image carrier, and develops the electrostatic latent image formed by the light emitting unit. Then
A developing unit that forms a toner image on the surface of the electrostatic image carrier, a transfer unit that transfers the toner image formed by the developing unit onto a recording paper, and a surface of the electrostatic image carrier after the transfer process by the transfer unit. Toner collecting means for collecting the remaining residual toner, toner full detecting means for detecting that the amount of toner collected by the toner collecting means reaches a predetermined amount, and light emission of the light emitting means after the toner full detecting means is detected. An image forming apparatus comprising: a counting unit that counts time; and a control unit that controls the image forming operation when the count value of the counting unit reaches a predetermined count value. 2. A light emitting unit that emits light as image data to the electrostatic image carrier to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the electrostatic image carrier, and develops the electrostatic latent image formed by the light emitting unit. Then
A developing unit that forms a toner image on the surface of the electrostatic image carrier, a transfer unit that transfers the toner image formed by the developing unit onto a recording sheet, and a surface of the electrostatic image carrier after the transfer process by the transfer unit. Toner collecting means for collecting the remaining residual toner, toner full detecting means for detecting that the amount of toner collected by the toner collecting means reaches a predetermined amount, and light emission of the light emitting means after the toner full detecting means is detected. When the counting means for counting time, the temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature in the image forming apparatus, and the count value by the counting means reach a predetermined count value determined based on the temperature detected by the temperature detecting means. An image forming apparatus, further comprising: a control unit that performs control for prohibiting an image forming operation. 3. A light emitting unit that emits light as image data to the electrostatic image carrier to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the electrostatic image carrier, and develops the electrostatic latent image formed by the light emitting unit. Then
A developing unit that forms a toner image on the surface of the electrostatic image carrier, a transfer unit that transfers the toner image formed by the developing unit onto a recording paper, and a surface of the electrostatic image carrier after the transfer process by the transfer unit. Toner recovery means for recovering the residual toner remaining, toner full detection means for detecting that the toner recovered by the toner recovery means has reached a predetermined amount, and light emission of the light emitting means after detection by the toner full detection means. When the counting means for counting time, the humidity detecting means for detecting the humidity in the image forming apparatus, and the count value by the counting means reach a predetermined count value determined based on the detected humidity of the humidity detecting means. An image forming apparatus, further comprising: a control unit that controls the image forming operation to be prohibited. 4. A light emitting means for emitting light as image data to the electrostatic image carrier to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the electrostatic image carrier, and developing the electrostatic latent image formed by the light emitting means. Then
A developing unit that forms a toner image on the surface of the electrostatic image carrier, a transfer unit that transfers the toner image formed by the developing unit onto a recording paper, and a surface of the electrostatic image carrier after the transfer process by the transfer unit. Toner collecting means for collecting the remaining residual toner, toner full detecting means for detecting that the amount of toner collected by the toner collecting means reaches a predetermined amount, and light emission of the light emitting means after the toner full detecting means is detected. Counting means for counting time, drive time measuring means for measuring drive time in the image forming apparatus, and count value by the counting means is a predetermined count determined based on the drive time measured by the drive time measuring means. An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit that performs a control to prohibit an image forming operation when the value is reached.