JPH09120248A - Electrophotographic image forming device, process cartridge, and developing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To accurately detect residual toner amount inside a developing device and a process cartridge, and to successively inform a user of the residual toner amount and the number of sheets to be printed hereafter. SOLUTION: This process cartridge 100 which can be attached/detached to/from an electrophotographic image forming device main body 120 is provided with an electrophotographic photoreceptor 1, a process means working on the photoreceptor 1 exposed by an optical information light source emitting light modulated in accordance with an image signal so as to form an electrostatic latent image and at least equipped with a developing means 3, a residual developer amount detecting means 9 detecting that the residual amount of developer supplied to the means 3 becomes equal to or below a prescribed value, and a storing means 60 that can be read/written for storing information on the cartridge 100 and capable of reading the stored information out of the electrophotographic image forming device main body 120 and writing the information. The information stored in the means 60 is printing amount information in accordance with at least printed amount by means of the image signal.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a developing device, a process cartridge, and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus to which the developing device or the process cartridge can be attached / detached.

Here, as an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, for example, an electrophotographic copying machine, an electrophotographic printer (for example, L
ED printers, laser beam printers, etc.), electrophotographic facsimile machines, electrophotographic word processors, etc.

Further, the process cartridge is a cartridge in which a charging means, a developing means or a cleaning means and an electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed, and the cartridge can be attached to and detached from the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. Or, at least one of the charging means, the developing means, and the cleaning means and the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally made into a cartridge so as to be attachable to and detachable from the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, or at least the developing means. And an electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed into a cartridge which can be attached to and detached from the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

[0004]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic image forming process, an electrophotographic photosensitive member and process means acting on the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed into a cartridge, and this cartridge is used as an electronic device. A process cartridge system that can be attached to and detached from the photographic image forming apparatus main body is employed. According to this process cartridge system, the maintenance of the apparatus can be performed by the user himself without relying on a service person, so that the operability can be remarkably improved. Therefore, this process cartridge system is widely used in electrophotographic image forming apparatuses.

In such a cartridge type electrophotographic image forming apparatus, as described above, the user can replace the cartridge by himself / herself. Therefore, the remaining toner amount in the developing device is detected and the toner amount becomes small. In some cases, there is provided a means for displaying and warning if such occurs, and there is a means for prompting the user to replace the cartridge before a decrease in image density or the like occurs.

Further, as such a cartridge life detecting means, a method has been proposed in which a non-volatile storage means such as an EEPROM is used to accumulate and store the usage amount of the cartridge.

For example, in JP-A-61-185761, when the photosensitive drum in the process cartridge is exposed by a laser beam or a light emitting diode,
An electrophotographic image forming apparatus having means for additionally storing information on exposure time, that is, information corresponding to the remaining amount of toner is described.

Further, since such a cartridge is often attached to and detached from the apparatus main body, a storage means is built in the cartridge itself, and a plurality of cartridges are used for one apparatus main body, for example. In some cases, it has been proposed to improve the detection accuracy.

For example, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 63-212956, a memory is provided in the cartridge, and the apparatus main body is based on means for reading and writing the memory, contents read from the memory and electrophotographic operation. Then, an electrophotographic image forming apparatus has been proposed which calculates information relating to the life of the cartridge and writes the information in a memory.

As another method of detecting the amount of toner consumption, a method of directly detecting the amount of toner remaining in the cartridge has been proposed.

For example, in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 62-62352, a detection antenna is arranged near a developing sleeve which is a developer carrying member, and when an AC voltage is applied to the developing sleeve, a current induced in the antenna is induced. Is measured, and the fact that it changes depending on the amount of toner between the sleeve and the antenna is used to detect the remaining amount of toner.

[0012]

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The present invention is a further development of the above prior art.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to accurately detect the amount of toner remaining in the developing device or the process cartridge, and to notify the user of the remaining amount of toner and the remaining number of printable sheets successively. It is an object of the present invention to provide an extremely useful electrophotographic image forming apparatus, process cartridge and developing device.

Another object of the present invention is to accurately detect the amount of toner remaining in the cartridge by correcting the variation of the toner consumption amount due to the variation of the developing device, the process cartridge or the main body of the device, and to detect the residual toner amount. It is an object of the present invention to provide an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, a process cartridge, and a developing apparatus, which can notify the user of the remaining number of printable sheets and which are extremely useful for the user.

[0015]

The above objects can be achieved by an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, a process cartridge and a developing apparatus according to the present invention. In summary, the present invention provides a process cartridge detachable from the main body of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, which is electrostatically exposed by an electrophotographic photosensitive member and an optical information light source that emits light modulated according to an image signal. A process unit having at least a developing unit that acts on the electrophotographic photosensitive member on which a latent image is formed, and a developer remaining amount that detects that the remaining amount of the developer supplied to the developing unit is below a predetermined value. An amount detection means, and a storage means for storing information about the process cartridge, and the stored information being readable / writable by the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and the information stored in the storage means is at least A process cartridge is characterized in that it is print amount information corresponding to an amount printed by the image signal.

According to another aspect of the present invention, in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus in which a process cartridge can be attached and detached and which forms an image on a recording medium, (a) an electrophotographic photosensitive member and an image signal corresponding to A process unit having at least a developing unit that acts on the electrophotographic photosensitive member on which an electrostatic latent image is formed by being exposed by an optical information light source that emits modulated light; and a developer supplied to the developing unit. A developer remaining amount detecting means for detecting that the remaining amount has become less than or equal to a predetermined value, and a storage means for storing information regarding the process cartridge and capable of reading / writing the stored information from the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. And the information stored in the storage means is print amount information corresponding to at least the amount printed by the image signal. And mounting means for removably attached to the main body, the electrophotographic image forming apparatus characterized by having a conveying means for conveying the (b) the recording medium is provided.

According to another aspect of the present invention, in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus in which a process cartridge is attachable / detachable and forms an image on a recording medium, (a) an electrophotographic photosensitive member and an image signal are provided. Process means having at least developing means, which acts on the electrophotographic photosensitive member on which an electrostatic latent image is formed by being exposed by an optical information light source that emits modulated light, and a storage means for storing information about a process cartridge. And a process cartridge having
Mounting means for detachably mounting to the apparatus main body;
(B) a conveying unit that conveys the recording medium, and (c) whether the residual amount of the developer is below a predetermined value according to a signal from the residual developer amount detecting unit of the process cartridge in the apparatus main body. A developer remaining amount detecting means for determining whether or not, a means for writing / reading print amount information corresponding to the amount printed by the image signal to / from the storage means,
Counting means for counting the printing amount information corresponding to the printed amount, adding to the information stored in the storing means, and writing to the storing means via the writing / reading means; and the storing means. From the above /
A conversion unit that converts the integrated value of the print amount information read through the reading unit into the usage amount of the developer, and the remaining amount of the developer or the remaining printable sheet number based on the result obtained by the conversion unit. And a display unit for displaying the print amount information corresponding to the amount printed by the image signal from the time when the developer remaining amount detection unit determines that the developer remaining amount is less than or equal to a predetermined value. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus characterized in that the remaining amount of the developer or the remaining printable number is calculated and displayed by converting the usage amount of the developer from the printing amount information while additionally storing it in the storage means. Provided. According to a preferred aspect, the print amount information corresponding to the printed amount counts either one of the time during which the electrophotographic photosensitive member is exposed by the optical information light source and the time during which it is not exposed. Or the print amount information corresponding to the printed amount is the count value information obtained by counting the number of dots printed by the image signal. According to still another aspect, the printing amount information corresponding to the printing amount from the initial stage of using the process cartridge to the time point when the remaining amount of developer has determined that the remaining amount of developer is less than or equal to a predetermined value is added in advance. The correction coefficient for converting the value of the print amount information into the usage amount of the developer is calculated based on the added print amount information until the remaining amount of the developer becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value. Thus, the correction is added when the added print amount information from the time when the remaining amount of the developer becomes equal to or less than the predetermined value is converted into the used amount of the developer.

According to another aspect of the present invention, in a developing device having a developing means and detachable from the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, optical information for emitting light modulated according to an image signal is emitted. An electrophotographic photosensitive member which is exposed by a light source to form an electrostatic latent image, and a developer remaining amount detecting means for detecting that the remaining amount of the developer supplied to the developing means is below a predetermined value, Storage means for storing information relating to the developing device, the stored information being readable / writable from the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus; and the information stored in the storage means is printed by at least the image signal. There is provided a developing device characterized in that it is print amount information corresponding to the amount of printing performed.

[0019]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The electrophotographic image forming apparatus, process cartridge, and developing apparatus according to the present invention will be described below in more detail with reference to the drawings.

Embodiment 1 First, with reference to FIG. 1, an embodiment of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus to which a process cartridge constructed according to the present invention can be mounted will be described.

As shown in FIG. 1, in the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, laser light modulated according to an image signal is output from a scanner unit 101 including a laser and a polygon mirror correction system lens. Then, the laser light is reflected by the folding mirror 102 and is applied to the photosensitive drum 1 which is an electrophotographic photosensitive member. The photosensitive drum 1 is uniformly charged in advance by a charging roller 2 which is a charging means, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface thereof in response to the irradiation of laser light.

On the other hand, the developer (toner) 7 stored in the developer accommodating container 6 of the developing unit 51 is conveyed while charging the peripheral surface of the developing roller 3 as a developing means, and is developed on the developing roller 3. A possible toner layer is formed. The electrostatic latent image is developed by the toner layer and visualized as toner.

On the other hand, the recording material 104, which is a recording medium contained in the cassette 103, is supplied by the paper feed roller 105 in synchronization with the formation of the latent image on the photosensitive drum 1. This recording material 104 is synchronized with the front end of the toner image on the photosensitive drum 1, and is transferred to the transfer means 1 in the form of a roller via the conveying means 111.
Then, the toner image is transferred onto the recording material 104 by the transfer means 107. The recording material 104 to which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed to a fixing device 109 via an appropriate conveying means (not shown), and the toner image is fixed there to be a permanent image. The toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 1 is removed by the cleaning unit 5. It should be noted that mounting means 112 for detachably mounting the process cartridge 100 are provided in the apparatus main body 120 at two locations in this embodiment.

The process cartridge 100 shown in FIG.
Is a photosensitive drum 1, a charging roller 2, a developing unit 51,
The cleaning means 5 including an elastic cleaning blade and the cover 52, which is a plastic frame body that covers the cleaning means 5, are integrated into a unit. These photosensitive drums 1 and the like are assembled in the process cartridge 100 in a predetermined mutual arrangement relationship, and the process cartridge 100 is inserted and mounted in a predetermined manner in a predetermined portion (mounting means 112) in the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. On the contrary, it can be removed from the main body of the apparatus.

The developing unit 51 includes a developing sleeve 3
A developing blade 8 for controlling the thickness of the upper toner layer and a developer (toner) residual amount detecting means 9 for detecting the residual amount of the toner 7 in the developer accommodating container 6 are provided, and the magnet 4 is provided inside the developing sleeve 3. Is fixed.

The process cartridge 100 described above is also used.
(Hereinafter, simply referred to as “cartridge”) is replaced by the user when the toner 7 stored in the developer container 6 is consumed or when the photosensitive drum 1 reaches the end of its life.

A feature of the present invention is that the cartridge 100 is provided with the toner remaining amount detecting means 9 and the storing means 60, and the accumulated information of the image printing amount stored in the storing means 60 after the toner remaining amount is accurately detected directly is stored. The purpose is to calculate the amount of toner used and thereby detect the remaining amount of toner in the cartridge with a small error, and notify the user sequentially.

The storage means 60 used in the present invention is not particularly limited as long as it rewritably stores and holds signal information, but for example, an electric storage means such as a RAM or a rewritable ROM. A magnetic storage medium such as a magnetic recording medium, a magnetic bubble memory, or a magneto-optical memory is used. In the present embodiment, NV (Non Volatil) which is a non-volatile storage means from the viewpoint of handling ease and cost.
e) RAM was used.

Next, the toner remaining amount detecting mechanism of the present invention will be described.

The toner remaining amount detecting mechanism used in the present invention is not particularly limited as long as it basically can detect that the remaining amount of the developer (toner) is below a predetermined value. A known structure can be used. Specifically, a capacitance detection type, a type using a magnetic sensor, a configuration for detecting the weight of toner, a light transmission type and the like can be used.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the toner remaining amount detecting mechanism used in this embodiment. In this embodiment, the toner remaining amount detecting means is an antenna-shaped electrode 9 provided in the developing device 6.
The AC voltage is applied from the power supply 36 to the developing sleeve 3 which is the developer carrying member. A toner residual amount detecting means, that is, a toner residual amount detecting circuit 28 is provided in the main body of the apparatus, and the electrostatic capacitance between the electrode 9 and the developing sleeve 3 obtained by the electrostatic capacitance detecting circuit 32 of the detecting circuit 28 is provided. The capacitance and the capacitance of the reference capacitor 31 obtained by the capacitance detection circuit 33 are compared by the comparator 34. When the difference between the two electrostatic capacities detected by the comparator 34 becomes negative, it is determined that the toner remaining amount has become less than or equal to a predetermined value, and the processing circuit 35 performs a predetermined process. Therefore, by adjusting the capacity of the reference capacitor 31, it is possible to arbitrarily set the remaining toner amount to be detected. In this embodiment, in a standard print pattern,
The capacity of the reference capacitor was adjusted so that the difference becomes negative when the amount of printing on about 500 sheets is reached.

Next, the remaining toner amount detecting operation in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In this embodiment, a so-called reversal development type electrophotographic image forming apparatus in which toner adheres to a laser irradiation portion of an electrophotographic photosensitive member will be described as an example.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram for explaining the toner remaining amount detecting mechanism in the electrophotographic image forming apparatus of this embodiment. The cartridge 100, the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body 120, and a signal capable of printing the print data. The controller 121 for converting to

In FIG. 4, the cartridge 100 includes
Toner remaining amount detection means 9 and storage means 60 are provided,
The electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body 120 is provided with a toner remaining amount detecting means, that is, a toner remaining amount detecting circuit 28.

In this embodiment, the amount of printing is performed from the time when the remaining toner amount detection circuit 28 determines from the signal from the remaining toner amount detecting means 9 that the amount of toner is below a predetermined amount. As information, the lighting time of the laser is counted, and the count value is stored in the storage means 60 in the cartridge as time information.

In FIG. 4, print data fv input from a host computer (not shown) or the like is input to the controller 121 and expanded into dot data by the image expansion unit 41. The expanded print data is once stored in the image memory 4
After being stored in 2, the image data output unit 43 sends the image signal as a serial signal to the main body 120 of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. Here, reference numeral 44 is a means for generating an image clock.

The image signal sent to the apparatus main body 120 is modulated by the modulator 20 into a laser input voltage for turning on and off the laser 21 in accordance with the image signal fv. That is, the laser 21 is connected to the modulator 20 and emits light according to the modulated signal. A counter 22 is connected to the modulator 20, and the counter 22 outputs the output time from the modulator 20 to the laser 21, that is, the photosensitive drum 1 of the laser beam output from the laser 21.
The time information corresponding to the exposure time is measured. That is,
A clock pulse generator 23 such as a crystal oscillator is connected to the counter 22, and a value obtained by counting the number of clock pulses received during the duration of the laser emission signal is used as time information. The number of clock pulses measured here is added to the storage means 60 mounted in the cartridge by the read / write means 24 and sequentially written.

In this embodiment, since the laser exposure time is directly counted by the number of clock pulses,
For example, a multi-valued signal that lengthens the light emission time corresponding to one dot pixel of the laser for the high density portion of the image and shortens the light emission time corresponding to the one dot pixel for the intermediate density portion of the image. Can also be used as an image signal.

The time information written in the storage means 60 is
The reading / writing means 24 again reads it into the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body 120 and connects it to the conversion means 25. The conversion means 25 is connected to the CPU 26,
The amount of toner consumed is calculated based on the amount of toner consumed per unit time preset in the CPU 26. The calculated consumed toner amount is sent to the CPU 26, and the CPU 2
The remaining printable number is calculated within 6, and the display unit 2
The user is informed by 7.

Next, the flow of the actual operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flow chart of FIG.

First, when printing is executed (step
-1), the remaining amount of toner is detected by the developer remaining amount detecting means, that is, the toner remaining amount detecting circuit 28 (step-2),
It is determined whether the toner is below a predetermined value (step-3). In the present embodiment, the toner remaining amount detection circuit is set so that it is determined that the toner remaining amount is equal to or less than the predetermined value when the toner remaining amount is less than or equal to M grams expressed by the following equation (1). M (g) = 500 × S (g / sheet) + R (g) (1) Here, S: toner consumption amount per sheet at standard print ratio R: white toner disappears due to toner decrease This is the limit toner amount at which an image is generated.

In the present embodiment, if it is determined that the amount of toner remaining is M grams or more, steps -1 to -3 are repeated again. If it is determined that the amount of remaining toner is less than M grams, the user is warned that the amount of remaining toner is low, and the standard print rate displays the remaining 500 printable sheets. Be done (step
-Four). The number of printable sheets is as described above.
It can be arbitrarily selected according to the judgment level of the remaining amount detection circuit 28. When further printing is performed (step
-5), the count value t of the clock pulse corresponding to the lighting time of the laser by printing is measured (step-
6) Then, the reading / writing means 24 additionally writes to the storage means 60 (step-7). Storage means 60
The integrated value T of the count value t of the clock pulse written therein is read again into the main body 120 (step-8) and converted into the toner amount N gram used by the conversion means 25 according to the following equation (2). (Step-9). N (g) = T × L (g) (2) where L is the amount of toner consumed in unit count.

Here, the toner usage amount N converted from the count value is compared with the toner remaining amount M set by the toner remaining amount detection circuit 28 (step -10). If N <M, After calculating the remaining printable sheet number K by the following equation (3) and newly displaying it (step-11),
Repeat Step-5 to Step10. K (sheets) = (M (g) −N (g)) / S (g / sheets) (3) If N ≧ M, the user is warned that there is no toner (step-12), and the cartridge Encourage exchange.

As described above, in the present invention,
Since the remaining toner amount detecting means, that is, the remaining toner amount detecting circuit 28 accurately directly detects the remaining toner amount, the remaining printable sheet number is calculated based on the accumulated information of the image printing rate. It becomes possible to calculate the remaining printable number more accurately than when the toner consumption amount is accumulated from the beginning.

Further, since the remaining printable number is calculated based on the information in the storage means 60 provided in the cartridge 100, accurate detection can be performed even when a plurality of cartridges are used for one apparatus main body. Became.

In this embodiment, the so-called reversal developing system for adhering toner to the laser exposed portion of the electrophotographic photosensitive member has been described, but the non-light emitting time of the laser is counted by the same means. Thus, the present invention can be applied to a regular developing system in which toner is attached to the non-light emitting portion of the laser.

Further, in the present embodiment, the consumed toner amount N
From the above, the remaining printable number was calculated and displayed.
It is also possible to display the amount of toner remaining in the cartridge by, for example, displaying a bar graph or by changing the emission color of the LED. Further, it is possible to display the remaining printable number and the remaining toner amount on the host computer side through the interface.

Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7.

FIG. 6 shows a block diagram of this embodiment. The feature of this embodiment is that the number of dots developed in the controller 121 is directly counted as information corresponding to the amount of printing, and the count value is set to the cartridge 10.
0 is stored in the storage means 60.

When counting the number of print dots, it is impossible to change the duty of the laser lighting time to multivalue the image signal as described in the first embodiment, but the image signal and the image clock are not supported. Since it is sufficient to count the number of dots printed from the signal as it is, the device main body 12
It is not necessary to provide an independent clock pulse generating means 23 (FIG. 4) in 0, and the circuit configuration is simple and advantageous in terms of cost.

In FIG. 6, the dot counter 30 provided in the controller 121 is a counter for measuring the number of dots recorded as an image by the serial image signal output from the image data output unit 43 and the image clock. The count value of the number of print dots measured here is sent to the main body 120 of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and is added to the storage means 60 in the cartridge by the reading / writing means 24 and sequentially written. The count value written in the storage unit 60 is converted into the amount of toner consumed by the conversion unit 25 and sent to the CPU 26. The other configuration in FIG. 6 is the same as that of the first embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

Next, the flow of the actual operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, when printing is executed (step
-21), the remaining amount of toner is detected by the developer remaining amount detecting means, that is, the remaining toner amount detecting circuit 28 (step -22),
It is determined whether the amount of toner has dropped below a predetermined value (step-23). In the present embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, when the remaining amount of toner is less than or equal to M grams expressed by the following equation (4), it is determined that the remaining amount of toner is less than or equal to a predetermined value.
The toner remaining amount detection circuit 28 is set. M (g) = 500 × S (g / sheet) (4) Here, S: toner consumption amount per sheet at a standard printing rate.

Here, if it is determined that the amount of toner remaining is M grams or more, the steps from step-21 to step-2 are performed again.
3 is repeated. If it is determined that the amount of remaining toner is less than M grams, the user is warned that the amount of remaining toner is low, and the standard print rate displays the remaining 500 printable sheets. Be done (Step-2
Four). When printing is further executed (step -25), the count value d of the number of dots printed by printing is measured (step-26), and additionally written in the storage means 60 (step-27). The integrated value D of the count value d of the number of print dots written in the storage means 60 is read into the main body again (step-28), and the conversion means 25 is calculated according to the following equation (5).
The amount of toner used is converted into N grams (step-29). N (g) = D × J (g) (5) Here, J is the amount of toner consumed per unit dot.

The toner usage amount N converted from the count value is compared with the toner remaining amount M set by the toner remaining amount detection circuit 28 (step -30). If N <M, the remaining printing is performed. Similar to the first embodiment, the possible number K is expressed by the following equation (6).
After calculating and newly displaying (step-31),
Repeat steps -24 to -30. K (sheets) = (M (g) -N (g)) / S (g / sheet) (6) If N ≧ M, warn the user that there is no toner (step-32), and Encourage exchange.

In the present embodiment, by counting the number of print dots as information corresponding to the amount of printing, the remaining printable number can be calculated with a simple circuit configuration.

Although the dot counter 30 is provided in the controller 121 in the present embodiment, a configuration in which the counter 30 is provided in the apparatus body by sending an image clock signal to the apparatus body 120 can also be used.

Third Embodiment Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

The feature of this embodiment is that when the toner remaining amount detection circuit 28 determines that the toner amount is equal to or less than a predetermined value by integrating the print amount information corresponding to the amount of printing performed from the initial stage. The correction coefficient for converting the subsequent print amount information into the toner usage amount is calculated from the integrated value of the print amount information up to that point.

Generally, the amount of toner actually attached as an image varies due to various factors even when printed with the same image signal. Specifically, the amount of toner adhered may be slightly different due to variations in cartridge components, user's usage environment, variations in main body components, and the like. In the present embodiment, the correction coefficient is calculated based on the information that the cartridge is actually used by the user, so that the variation of the above factors can be corrected and more accurate detection can be performed.

FIG. 8 shows a block diagram of this embodiment.

In this embodiment, the count value of the laser lighting time is used as the print amount information corresponding to the amount of printing, as in the first embodiment.

In FIG. 8, the read / write means 24 reads the integrated count value of the laser lighting time stored in the storage means 60 from the initial stage until the remaining toner amount is detected to be less than a predetermined value. The correction coefficient calculation means 29 calculates the correction coefficient. After that, the count value of the storage means is reset signal R from the CPU 26.
The count value of the laser lighting time is newly added after the toner amount is reset to a predetermined value or less and reset by ST. The operation of the other parts of FIG. 8 is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

Next, the flow of the actual operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, when printing is executed (step
-41), the count value t1 of the clock pulse corresponding to the lighting time of the laser for printing is measured (step-4
2), additional writing is performed in the storage means 60 (step
-43). Next, the remaining amount of toner is detected by the developer remaining amount detecting means, that is, the toner remaining amount detecting circuit 28 (step
-44), it is determined whether or not the toner is below a predetermined value (step-45). In this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the remaining toner amount is determined so that the remaining toner amount is determined to be less than or equal to a predetermined value when the remaining amount of toner is less than or equal to M grams expressed by the following equation (7). The quantity detection circuit 28 is set. M (g) = 500 × S (g / sheet) + R (g) (7) Here, S: toner consumption amount per sheet at a standard printing rate R: white toner disappears due to a decrease in toner This is the limit toner amount at which an image is generated.

When it is determined that the toner remains in the amount of M grams or more, steps-41 to -45 are repeated. When it is determined that the remaining amount of toner is less than or equal to M grams, first, the integrated value T1 of the clock pulse counts up to now is read into the main body (step-46), and the correction coefficient A is calculated according to the following equation (8). Is calculated. L ′ (g) = (V (g) −M (g)) / T1 (8) (V (g): toner amount filled in the cartridge at the time of shipping) A = L ′ / L (9) (L ( g): Amount of toner consumed by unit count preset in the CPU) Next, the integrated value T1 in the storage means 60 is stored by the CPU 26.
Is reset (step-48).

Next, the user is warned that the amount of remaining toner is low, and the remaining printable number of 500 sheets is displayed at the standard print rate (step-4).
9). When the printing is further executed (step-50), the count value t2 of the clock pulse corresponding to the lighting time of the laser by the printing is measured (step-51), and the addition is newly written in the storage means 60 after being reset. Is done (Step-52). The integrated value T2 of the count value t2 of the clock pulse written in the storage means 60 is read into the apparatus body 120 again (step-53), corrected by the correction coefficient A according to the following equation (10), and used. The converted toner amount is converted into N gram (Step-5)
Four). N (g) = (T2 × L (g)) × A (10) Here, the toner usage amount N converted from the count value
And the toner remaining amount M set by the toner remaining amount detection circuit 28.
Are compared (step-55), and if N <M, the remaining printable sheet number K is calculated by the following equation (11) and newly displayed (step-56), and then step-49.
Repeat steps -55 to. K (sheets) = (M (g) -N (g)) / S (g / sheet) (11) If N ≧ M, warn the user that there is no toner (step-57), and Encourage exchange.

As described above, in this embodiment, by utilizing the integrated value of the print amount information from the initial stage and the toner remaining amount detecting means 28, the variation of the toner adhesion amount due to the cartridge itself, the main body, the use environment, etc. It was possible to make a correction and more accurately calculate the remaining printable number.

In this embodiment, the count value of the laser lighting time is used as the print amount information corresponding to the printed amount, but other information such as counting the number of print dots is used in the same way. You can also

Embodiment 4 FIG. 10 shows a developing device 100A in the form of a cartridge which is another embodiment of the present invention.

The developing device 100A of this embodiment includes a developing sleeve 3 as a developing means and a developer container 6 containing a toner 7 therein for supplying a developer (toner) to the developing sleeve 3. The plastic frame 52 integrally forms a cartridge. Also, the developing device 1
A toner residual amount detecting means 9 for detecting the residual amount of toner in the developing blade 8 and the developer accommodating container 6 is provided in 00A, and the magnet 4 is fixed inside the developing sleeve 3. That is, the developing device 100A of the present embodiment can be considered as a cartridge obtained by integrating the process cartridge 100 described in the first embodiment with the photosensitive drum 1, the charging unit 2, and the cleaning unit 5 removed. or,
The storage device 60 is also provided in the developing device 100A of this embodiment. The remaining toner amount detecting unit 9, the remaining toner amount detecting unit 28, the storage unit 60, and other components have the same operations as those described in the first, second, and third embodiments. Regarding the configuration and the operation, the above description is incorporated.

[0072]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Toner remaining amount detecting means for directly detecting the remaining amount of toner in the developing device or process cartridge, and information about the developing device or process cartridge is stored, and the stored information is read / written from the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. A storage means capable of storing the information, and the information stored in the storage means is print amount information corresponding to at least the amount printed by the image signal. By calculating the remaining amount of the developer or the remaining printable number by converting it, it is possible to display it, so that the amount of developer used is accurately notified to the user,
It is possible to provide a developing device, a process cartridge, and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus that are extremely useful for the user, who can confirm the remaining amount of the developer and the remaining printable number by the user. Further, according to the present invention, the toner amount remaining in the developing device or the process cartridge is accurately detected by correcting the variation in the toner consumption amount due to the variation in the developing device, the process cartridge, or the apparatus main body, and The remaining amount or remaining printable number is calculated and displayed, so that the user can be accurately notified of the amount of developer used and the user can check the remaining amount of developer and the remaining number of printable sheets. Extremely beneficial to users. Further, according to the present invention, information on the amount of toner remaining in the developing device or the process cartridge can be accurately transmitted to the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and the storage means can be used as the developing device or the process cartridge itself. Therefore, even if a plurality of developing devices or process cartridges are used for one apparatus main body, accurate information can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of a process cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a developer remaining amount detection mechanism that can be used in the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram for explaining the operation of the device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram for explaining the operation of the device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart explaining the operation of the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram for explaining the operation of the device according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart explaining the operation of the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a side sectional view of the developing device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 photosensitive drum (electrophotographic photosensitive member) 3 developing sleeve (developing means) 9 detection electrode (developer remaining amount detecting means) 20 modulator 21 CPU 22 counter 24 read / write means 26 controller 28 toner remaining amount detecting circuit (developing) Remaining amount detection means) 60 storage means 100 process cartridge 100A developing device 120 electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body 121 controller

Claims (16)

[Claims] 1. A process cartridge detachably mountable to the main body of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, wherein an electrostatic latent image is formed by being exposed by an electrophotographic photosensitive member and an optical information light source that emits light modulated according to an image signal. A process means having at least a developing means, which acts on the formed electrophotographic photosensitive member, and a developer residual quantity detecting means for detecting that the residual quantity of the developer supplied to the developing means is below a predetermined value. And a storage unit that stores information about the process cartridge, and the stored information is readable / writable from the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and the information stored in the storage unit is at least the image signal. A process cartridge, which is print amount information corresponding to the amount printed by. 2. The process cartridge, wherein the developing means as the process means, the charging means or the cleaning means as the process means, and the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally made into a cartridge, and the cartridge is an electronic cartridge. The process cartridge according to claim 1, which is removable from the main body of the photographic image forming apparatus. 3. The process cartridge, wherein the developing means, the charging means and the cleaning means as the process means and the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally made into a cartridge, and the cartridge is used as a main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the process cartridge is removable. 4. The process cartridge, wherein the developing means as the process means and the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally made into a cartridge, and the cartridge can be attached to and detached from the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The process cartridge according to claim 1, which is a product. 5. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus, wherein a process cartridge is attachable / detachable and forms an image on a recording medium, in which (a) an electrophotographic photosensitive member and light modulated according to an image signal are emitted. A process unit having at least a developing unit that acts on the electrophotographic photosensitive member on which an electrostatic latent image is formed by being exposed by an optical information light source, and the remaining amount of the developer supplied to the developing unit is less than or equal to a predetermined value. And a storage unit for storing information related to the process cartridge and capable of reading / writing the stored information from the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The process cartridge in which the information stored in the means is at least the print amount information corresponding to the amount printed by the image signal can be detached from the apparatus main body. Mounting means for mounting, (b)
An electrophotographic image forming apparatus, comprising: a conveying unit configured to convey the recording medium. 6. The process cartridge, wherein the developing means as the process means, the charging means or cleaning means as the process means, and the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally made into a cartridge, and the cartridge is made into an electronic cartridge. The electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the electrophotographic image forming apparatus is removable from the main body of the photographic image forming apparatus. 7. The process cartridge, wherein the developing means, the charging means and the cleaning means as the process means, and the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally made into a cartridge, and the cartridge is used as a main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the electrophotographic image forming apparatus is removable. 8. The process cartridge is a cartridge in which the developing means as the process means and the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed, and the cartridge is attachable to and detachable from the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein 9. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus, wherein a process cartridge is attachable / detachable and forms an image on a recording medium, wherein (a) an electrophotographic photosensitive member and light modulated according to an image signal are emitted. A process cartridge including: a process unit having at least a developing unit that acts on the electrophotographic photosensitive member on which an electrostatic latent image is formed by being exposed by an optical information light source; and a storage unit that stores information about the process cartridge. , A mounting means for detachably mounting on the apparatus main body, and (b) conveying means for conveying the recording medium, and (c) the apparatus main body for detecting the remaining amount of the developer in the process cartridge. A developer remaining amount detecting means for judging whether the remaining amount of the developer is less than a predetermined value by a signal from the means, and a mark corresponding to the amount printed by the image signal. A unit for writing / reading the character amount information to / from the storage unit, and counting / writing the print amount information corresponding to the amount of printing, and adding to the information stored in the storage unit to write / read Counting means for writing to the storage means via the means, conversion means for converting the integrated value of the print amount information read from the storage means via the writing / reading means into the usage amount of the developer, and the conversion means. Display means for displaying the remaining amount of the developer or the number of printable sheets remaining based on the result obtained by the means, and at least the developer remaining amount detecting means determines that the remaining amount of the developer is a predetermined value or less. By additionally storing the print amount information corresponding to the amount printed by the image signal in the storage means from the point of time, and converting the usage amount of the developer from the print amount information. Electrophotographic image forming apparatus characterized by calculating and displaying the remaining amount or remaining printable number of images agent. 10. The amount of printing information corresponding to the amount of printing is obtained by counting the time during which the electrophotographic photosensitive member is exposed or not exposed by the optical information light source. The electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the electrophotographic image forming apparatus is count value information. 11. The electrophotographic image forming according to claim 9, wherein the print amount information corresponding to the amount of printing is count value information obtained by counting the number of dots printed by the image signal. apparatus. 12. The print amount information corresponding to the amount of printing performed from the initial stage of using the process cartridge to the time when the developer remaining amount detecting means determines that the remaining amount of developer is less than a predetermined value is added in advance. According to the added print amount information until the remaining amount of the developer becomes a predetermined value or less, a correction coefficient for converting the value of the print amount information into the used amount of the developer is calculated,
10. The electrophotography according to claim 9, wherein the correction coefficient is used to convert the added print amount information from the time when the remaining amount of the developer is equal to or less than a predetermined value into the amount of use of the developer. Image forming apparatus. 13. The process cartridge, wherein the developing means as the process means, a charging means or a cleaning means as the process means, and the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally made into a cartridge, and the cartridge is an electronic cartridge. The electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the electrophotographic image forming apparatus is removable from the main body of the photographic image forming apparatus. 14. The process cartridge, wherein the developing means, charging means and cleaning means as the process means and the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally made into a cartridge, and the cartridge is used as a main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. It is something which can be attached or detached with respect to it.
2. The electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to any one of items 2. 15. The process cartridge, wherein the developing means as the process means and the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally made into a cartridge, and the cartridge can be attached to and detached from the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the electrophotographic image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. 16. A developing device, which has a developing means and is attachable to and detachable from a main body of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, exposes an electrostatic latent image by being exposed by an optical information light source which emits light modulated in accordance with an image signal. An electrophotographic photosensitive member to be formed, a developer remaining amount detecting unit for detecting that the remaining amount of the developer supplied to the developing unit is equal to or less than a predetermined value, and information about the developing device is stored and stored. The stored information that can be read / written from the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and the information stored in the storage means corresponds to at least the amount printed by the image signal. A developing device characterized by being information.