JPH08328434A - Consumable material replenishing and replacing time display device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To beforehand perform a replacing and replenishing preparation in accordance with the consumption of the consumable material of an equipment by making predictive display control means calculate and predict the replacing time of the consumable material from the using frequency of an object material stored in a storage means and displaying the time of a replenishing and replacing on a display means beforehand. CONSTITUTION: A CPU 601 is provided in the substrate of a DC controller. When a toner emptiness is detected by a toner emptiness detecting means 602, it is reported to the CPU 601. In a using frequency storage means 603, the copy using frequency value from the time of a previous toner replenishing is cumulatively calculated every copy using time to be stored. In the using frequency value, for example, the mean value of numbers of copy sheets of one day is used. The CPU 601 receives the using frequency value from the using frequency storage means 603 to calculate the most feasible toner replenishing time to this copying machine from a present toner residual amount and performs the display of a toner replenishing request on a display means 604 at the point of time when it becomes the most feasible toner replenishing time. Thus, the proper replenishing and replacing time of the consumable material is known.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a consumable material replenishment / replacement time display device for displaying in advance a proper replenishment / replacement time of a specific consumable material provided in a device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a display means for displaying the time of replenishment / replacement of consumables, there has been proposed a device for requesting and displaying replenishment / replacement when the state of replenishment / replacement of consumables is reached.

FIG. 9 is a timing chart showing a conventional toner-free display timing. The microcomputer (CPU) in the substrate of the DC controller reads the output of the toner sensor while the main motor is on. When the toner sensor output "Low" reaches 20 seconds in total, it is determined that there is no toner. After no toner is detected, after the designated number of copies is completed, or when the number of copies reaches 100, the machine is stopped and a message is displayed on the operation unit. If the power switch is turned off while the toner-free signal is being accumulated or after the toner-free signal is determined, the count is cleared and the count starts from 0.

[0004]

However, since the frequency of use of the equipment is individual, the consumables will be exhausted immediately even if the warning of the replenishment and replacement is displayed at the time of the replenishment and replacement of the consumables. The consumables are not ready in time,
Alternatively, there is a problem that a warning is displayed for a long period of time, which is annoying to the device user.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and provides a consumable material replenishment / replacement time display device for displaying so that the replacement and replenishment preparation can be made in advance in response to the consumption of the consumable material of the equipment. The purpose is.

[0006]

Therefore, the consumable material supplement / replacement time display device according to the present invention detects the consumption state of the consumable material by storing means for storing the frequency of use of the target consumable material for a certain period. Detecting means, display means for displaying the usage status and warning of the equipment to the user of the equipment, and calculating and predicting the replacement time of the consumable material from the usage frequency stored in the storage means, and replenishing and replacing the display means. It is intended to achieve the above-mentioned object by a configuration including a predictive display control means for displaying in advance the time of.

Further, in the above configuration, the predictive display control means calculates and predicts the replacement time of the consumable material and displays the date of replenishment replacement on the display means, or the above configuration. And a plurality of detecting means and a display timing setting means for setting a pre-display period to be displayed in advance by the user, and the plurality of detecting means are provided as a single unit that is movable to a plurality of positions. The above-mentioned object is to be achieved by the structure characterized in that each detecting means is formed for each moving position of the sensor.

[0008]

With the above construction, the predictive display control means calculates and predicts the replacement time of the consumable material from the usage frequency of the consumable material to be stored in the storage means, and displays the replacement replacement time on the display means in advance. The user can be warned to make preparations such as replenishment of consumables in advance.

[0009]

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

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing the structure of a copying apparatus having Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

The copying machine 100 is an electrostatic transfer type copying machine of fixed original type, and has an optical system 110, an image forming system 120, and a paper feeding system 1.
30 and a paper discharge system 140.

The optical system 110 includes a contact glass 111.
And an exposure lamp 112, a first mirror 113A, a second mirror 113B, and a third mirror 113 arranged below the exposure lamp 112.
C, fourth mirror 113D, fifth mirror 113E, sixth mirror 113F, lens 114 and dust-proof glass 115
Etc.

The image forming system 120 includes a photoconductor drum 121, a primary charger 122 arranged around the photoconductor drum 121, and an eraser 1.
23, a developing device 124, a pre-transfer charger 126, a separation charger 127, a separation claw 128, a pre-cleaning static eliminator (hereinafter referred to as PCC) 129, and a conveyor 12B and a fixing device 12C arranged downstream of the cleaner 12A and the photosensitive drum 121. Etc.

The paper feed system 130 includes a manual paper feed tray 131, a paper feed tray 131A, and a calling roller 1 provided on the paper feed tray 131A.
32, a paper feed roller 133, a reverse roller 134, a registration roller 135, a guide mylar 136, various guides, an intermediate roller, and the like. The manual paper feed tray 131 shares the calling roller 132, the paper feed roller 133, and the reverse roller 134 with the paper feed tray 131A.

The paper discharge system 140 comprises a contact / separation roller 142, a paper discharge roller 141 and the like.

When an original is set on the contact glass 111 and a start instruction is given, the paper feed clutch is turned on, and the calling roller of the paper feed tray selected at that time sends the recording paper to the paper feed roller. The paper feed roller sends the recording paper toward the registration roller 135. During this time, the optical system 110 scans the original on the contact glass 111, and reflects the original reflected by the exposure lamp 112 from the first mirror 113.
A, second mirror 113B, third mirror 113C, fourth mirror 113D, fifth mirror 113E, sixth mirror 113
The photoconductor drum 121 through the F and the dustproof glass 115.
Lead to the photosensitive surface of.

The photosensitive drum 121 is rotated clockwise in the figure, and its photosensitive surface is uniformly charged by the primary charger 122 before receiving the reflected light of the original from the optical system 110, and the eraser 123 removes the charge. The latent image area is formed by. Therefore, when the latent image area is irradiated with the reflected light of the original, photoconduction is generated depending on the intensity of the original, and an electrostatic latent image is formed. This electrostatic latent image is developed by the developing device 124 and becomes a toner image to which toner adheres according to the density of the original. This toner image is transferred to the recording paper fed from the registration roller 135.
The charge is removed by the TL 125 before the transfer.

The recording paper fed by the registration roller 135 is brought into close contact with the photosensitive surface of the photosensitive drum 121 by the guide mylar 136, and the toner image is transferred directly above the transfer charger 126. Immediately after this, the recording paper is the separation charger 1
Separation from the photosensitive surface by 27, but if the separation is insufficient at this time, the separation claw 128 forces the separation. After the recording paper is separated, the toner on the photosensitive surface of the photosensitive drum 121 is removed by the cleaner 12A, and the recording paper is sent to the fixing device 12C by the conveyor belt 12B. The fixing device 12C includes a fixing roller 12CA and a pressure roller 12C.
B is provided, and the recording paper on which the toner image is transferred is heated while applying pressure to fix the toner image. The recording paper on which the toner image is fixed is delivered to the paper discharge system 140. Paper ejection system 140
Guides the recording paper to the paper discharge roller 141, and the recording paper is discharged outside the apparatus by the paper discharge roller 141 and the contact / separation roller 142.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an example of an operation panel provided in this copying apparatus. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 301 denotes a display unit that displays operating states and messages. Also,
The surface of the display unit 301 is a touch panel, and functions as a selection key by touching the surface. A numeral key 302 is a key for inputting numbers. Reference numeral 303 denotes a start key, and the operation is started by pressing this key.

FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view for explaining the image forming system 120 provided in the copying apparatus 100. Developer 1
To drive 24, the main motor 301 is driven by the main motor driver 305, and the developing clutch (CL10) 30 is driven.
It is done by connecting and disconnecting at 2. Drum cleaner 1
2A is a part of a drum unit 129 configured integrally with the photosensitive drum 121 and the primary charger 122.
Waste toner feeding blade 303 inside the drum cleaner 12A
Is driven by the main motor 301 to rotate. Further, the developing device 124 is pressed and released in association with the releasing mechanism of the transport unit, and the stirring rod 307 for uniformly placing the toner on the photosensitive drum 121 is rotationally driven in the developing device. ing.
The remaining amount of toner in the developing device is detected by providing a piezoelectric vibrator type toner sensor (TS1) 304.

Next, the toner sensor 3 which is a part of this embodiment
04 will be described. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an outline of a toner sensor included in the copying apparatus 100.

When there is no toner in the developing device, the oscillation circuit 4
01 causes vibration of several kHz. The waveform at that time passes through the amplification / waveform shaping circuit 402, the phase detection circuit 403, and the digital processing circuit 404, and when the amount of toner falls below a specified amount, the output signal (TEP) from the output circuit 405 is "Lo."
On the other hand, when the amount of toner is equal to or larger than the specified amount, the weight of the toner stops the vibration of the piezoelectric vibrator. At this time, the output signal (TEP) from the output circuit 405 is “Hi”.
Becomes

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view of an example in which a toner replenishment request is displayed on a part of the operation panel which is the display means of this embodiment, and FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of the toner-free display means of this embodiment. It is a figure.

The CPU 601 is provided inside the substrate of the DC controller 306. When no toner is detected by the toner non-detection means 602, the CPU 601 is notified. The usage frequency storage unit 603 cumulatively calculates and stores the copy usage frequency value from the previous toner replenishment for each copy usage. The usage frequency value is, for example, the average value of the number of copies per day. The CPU 601 uses the usage frequency storage unit 603 to
The optimum toner replenishment time for the copying machine is calculated from the current remaining toner amount in accordance with the usage frequency value, and the toner replenishment request is displayed on the display means 604 when the optimum toner replenishment time is reached.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an operation system of a copying machine equipped with Embodiment 2, and FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a toner-free display means of Embodiment 2. The same or corresponding parts as those in FIGS. 3 and 6 of the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals.

In the second embodiment, three toner-free detecting means (TS1) 304, (TS2) 70 in the developing device 124 are provided.
1, (TS3) 702 are installed. Then, the display timing setting means 606 allows the user of the copying machine to set the timing for displaying the request for the replacement replacement. CPU60
1 is an optimum one of the three toner-free detecting means for displaying the toner-free condition at a time desired by the user of the copying machine based on the set time and the use-frequency value up to now by the use-frequency storing means 603. Select one detection method. When the detection means detects the absence of toner, the CPU 601
The display unit 604 displays a toner replenishment request.

(Third Embodiment) In the third embodiment, the developing device 12 is used.
Movable toner detection means is installed in the unit 4. Then, the user of the copying machine can set the time when the request for the supplemental replacement set by the display time setting means 606 is displayed. The CPU 601 moves the detecting means up and down so as to display no toner at a time desired by the user of the copying machine based on the set time and the use frequency value up to now by the use frequency storing means 603, and thus, the second embodiment described above.
It is possible to obtain an effect similar to that of "selecting one optimum detecting means". When the detection means after the movement detects that there is no toner, the CPU 601 is notified, and the display means 604 displays a toner replenishment request.

(Other Embodiments) In the above-mentioned embodiments, the description has been limited to the toner of the copying machine. However, the embodiment of the present invention can be configured to display the optimum replenishment / replacement time of the consumables of various equipments. Of course.

[0029]

As described above, according to the present invention,
It becomes possible to know the appropriate time to replenish and replace consumables,
In addition, it is possible to eliminate the troublesomeness of the warning display of the replenishment and replacement time of consumables on the display unit for a long time.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view showing a configuration of a copying apparatus including an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an example of an operation panel provided in the copying apparatus.

3 is a schematic sectional view for explaining an image forming system provided in the copying apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an outline of toner-free detection means provided in the copying apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing an example of a display when a toner replenishment request is made on the display means.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an outline of a conventional toner-free display means.

FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of essential parts of a copying machine in which three toner-free detecting means in the developing device are installed in the second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a toner-free display unit according to a second exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a timing chart showing a conventional toner-free display timing.

[Explanation of symbols]

 100 Optical system 120 Image forming system 130 Paper feeding system 140 Paper discharging system 601 CPU 602 Toner non-detection means 603 Usage frequency storage means 604 Display means 605 Copy control means

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page (72) Inventor Koichi Takahashi 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Satoshi Kaneko 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Incorporated (72) Inventor Nao Suzuki 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Noriaki Matsui 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Masahiko Tominaga 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A storage means for storing the frequency of use of a target consumable material for a certain period of time, a detection means for detecting the consumption status of the consumable material, and a display of the usage status and warning of the equipment to the user of the equipment. Display means and a predictive display control means for calculating and predicting the replacement time of the consumable material from the frequency of use of the storage in the storage means and displaying the replacement replacement time on the display means in advance. Consumable replenishment and replacement time display device. 2. The consumable material replenishment and replacement time display according to claim 1, wherein the predictive display control means calculates and predicts the replacement time of the consumable material and displays the replenishment and replacement date on the display means. apparatus. 3. A storage means for storing the usage frequency of a target consumable material for a certain period of time, a plurality of detection means for detecting the consumption status of the consumable material, and a usage status of the equipment and a warning to the user of the equipment. Display means for displaying, display timing setting means for allowing a user to set a pre-display period for displaying in advance that the consumable material is in a predetermined consumption state on the display means,
The detection means corresponding to the pre-display period set by the display time setting means is selected from the plurality of detection means, the replacement time of the consumable material is calculated and predicted from the frequency of use of the storage in the storage means, and the display means is provided with the A consumable supply supplemental replacement timing display device, comprising: a predictive display control unit that displays the timing of the supplemental replacement at a preset time. 4. The detection means according to claim 3, wherein each of the plurality of detection means is formed by a single sensor movably provided at a plurality of positions, and each detection means is formed for each movement position of the sensor. Consumable replenishment and replacement time display device.