JPH09146423A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily make judgement about the replacement timing of a replacement unit or part without any increase in user's work burden and device cost by transmitting the replacement information thereof to a remote diagnostic part via a communication line. SOLUTION: A copy number memory part 1 saves a recorded number counted with a main control part 6. An arithmetic operation part 4 detects that a photosensitive member unit and a developing unit as replacement units, and a fixing roller as a replacement part nears the end of service life, when the number of copies saved in a copy number memory part 1 becomes equal to the preset number. Then, the main control part 6 transmits replacement information to the effect that the replacement unit or part needs to be changed, to an external remote diagnostic part 8 through a telephone line 7 (communication line) 7. Furthermore, the main control part 6 causes an image output part 5 to print the replacement information on a recording paper sheet.

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 such as a copying machine, a printer, and a FAX.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, it is detected that a replacement unit such as a photoconductor unit, a developing unit, or a replacement part such as a fixing roller has reached the end of its service life, and a near end display is displayed on the display unit. In addition, the end of the display is displayed after detecting the service life of each of them and the copying operation is prohibited.

Normally, the near-end display of the replacement unit, replacement parts, etc. is almost 50 or 100 sheets before the expected number of recording sheets in the end-detected state, so there is no replacement unit or replacement component at hand. In this case, the replacement work may not be in time, and the device may stop.

Therefore, conventionally, after the replacement of the constituent parts at the time of initialization or each printing, the consumption value of the constituent parts is calculated from the printed number value and the life number value, and the consumed value is displayed on the display unit, and the apparatus is displayed. There is an image forming apparatus (for example, refer to Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-240070) that makes it possible to know the consumption values of all the constituent parts at any time while operating.

[0005]

However, in the conventional image forming apparatus, the user has to judge the replacement time based on the wear values of all the components displayed on the display unit, and the wear of each component is exhausted. Since the value is displayed each time printing is performed, if the number of components increases, the user's confirmation work becomes complicated. Further, there is a problem in that the cost of the apparatus becomes high because the display section must be enlarged in order to display the total consumption value of each component.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and before the service life of the replacement unit and replacement parts of the image forming apparatus such as a copying machine is exhausted without increasing the work burden on the user and the apparatus cost. The purpose is to be able to easily determine when to replace them.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus for printing image data on a recording sheet, and a recording number storage means for counting and storing the number of recording sheets of the recording sheet. , When the number of recorded sheets stored in the means reaches a preset predetermined number, replacement unit such as photoconductor unit and developing unit, or replacement part such as fixing roller is used to detect the end of its service life Life detecting means, transmitting means for transmitting exchange information notifying that the exchange unit or the exchange part needs to be exchanged based on the detection result by the means to an external remote diagnosis section through a communication line, and the exchange. A reset means is provided for resetting the number of recorded sheets stored in the recorded sheet number storing means when the unit or the replacement part is replaced.

Further, in an image forming apparatus for printing image data on a recording sheet, a recorded sheet number storage means for counting and storing the number of recorded sheets of the recording sheet, and the number of recorded sheets stored in the means are set in advance to a predetermined value. When the number of sheets reaches the limit, the service life detecting means for detecting that the replacement units such as the photoconductor unit and the developing unit, or the replacement parts such as the fixing roller are approaching the service life, and the above-mentioned replacement based on the detection result by the means. Printing means for printing the replacement information on the recording paper to inform that the unit or the replacement part needs to be replaced, and when the replacement unit or the replacement part is replaced,
A reset means for resetting the number of recorded sheets stored in the above-mentioned number of recorded sheets storing means may be provided.

Further, it is preferable that the printing means prints the exchange information on the back surface of the recording paper on which the image data is printed. Further, the printing means may reduce the image data on the surface of the recording paper and print it, and print the exchange information outside the area of the reduced image data. Furthermore, the printing means may print the replacement information on a recording paper on which the image data is printed in a color different from that of the image data.

The image forming apparatus according to the present invention counts and stores the number of recording sheets, and when the stored number of recording sheets reaches a preset predetermined number, the photoconductor unit and the developing unit are replaced. Detects that the unit or replacement parts such as the fixing roller are nearing the end of their service life, and based on the detection result, exchange information that informs that the replacement unit or replacement part needs to be replaced is provided via an external communication line. When the replacement unit or replacement part is exchanged, the number of recorded sheets stored in the recorded sheet number storage means is reset, so that the exchange information can be automatically transmitted to the service center, and the service can be provided. The center can systematically perform maintenance of replacement units and replacement parts.

If the replacement information is printed on the recording paper, the user can easily determine the replacement time of the replacement unit and the replacement parts based on the recording paper on which the replacement information is printed. You can order them easily and systematically, without holding inventory,
Moreover, the device does not stop.

If the exchange information is printed on the back side of the recording paper on which the image data is printed, the copy paper is saved and it is not printed on the same paper surface as the image data, which is not bothersome.

Further, if the image data is reduced and printed on the front surface of the recording paper, and the exchange information is printed outside the area of the reduced image data, both sides when the exchange information is printed on the back surface are printed. There is no image output waiting time due to the copy operation, and it is on the same page as the image data but outside the image area, which is not bothersome.

Furthermore, if the exchange information is printed on the recording paper on which the image data is printed in a color different from that of the image data, the user can judge the exchange time at a glance, which is very easy to understand.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. This image forming apparatus is a color copier that optically reads an image written on a document and copy-prints the image on recording paper. The photoconductor unit (PCU) 21 and the developing unit (DTM) 22 are replacement units that have a service life.
The fixing roller 23 is a replacement part that has a usable life.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a control device of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. This control device includes a copy number storage unit 1, a life detection unit 2, a reset unit 3, a calculation unit 4,
The image output unit 5 and the main control unit 6 are included.

The copy number storage unit 1 is a record number storage means for storing the number of records counted by the main control unit 6. When the number of copies stored in the number-of-copies storage unit 1 reaches a preset predetermined number, the arithmetic unit 4 operates the photoconductor unit 21 and the developing unit 22, which are replacement units, and the fixing roller 23, which is a replacement part. It is a service life detecting means based on the number of recording sheets for detecting that the service life is approaching. The life detection unit 2 is the photoconductor unit 2
1 and the developing unit 22, and a means for detecting the service life of the fixing roller 23, which is a replacement part.

The main control unit 6 is a microcomputer that controls the entire image forming apparatus, counts the number of recording sheets, and the number of recording sheets stored in the copy number storage unit 1 reaches a predetermined number. At this time, it is a transmission means for transmitting the exchange information notifying that the exchange unit or the exchange part needs to be exchanged to the external remote diagnosis unit 8 via the telephone line 7 (communication line). It also manages the process of printing the exchange information on the recording paper by the image output unit 5.

The image output unit 5 is a printing means for printing the replacement information on a recording paper, and processing for printing the replacement information on the back surface of the recording paper on which the image data is printed, reducing the image data on the front surface of the recording paper. Is printed and the exchange information is printed outside the area of the reduced image data, or the exchange information is printed on the recording paper on which the image data is printed in a color different from the image data.

The reset unit 3 cancels the service life detection (end detection) by the life detection unit 2 when the replacement unit or the replacement part is replaced, and resets the number of recorded sheets stored in the copy number storage unit 1. It is a means. The remote diagnosis unit 8 is a service department that maintains the replacement unit and replacement parts of the image forming apparatus, and is connected to the main control unit 6 via the telephone line 7.

Therefore, by using the telephone line 7, the exchange information can be viewed at the remote diagnosis section 8 in the service department or the like. Further, the user prints the replacement information on the image recording sheet according to the image output instruction.

Next, the process of outputting the replacement information of the replacement unit and replacement parts in this image forming apparatus will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a process of outputting the replacement information of the photoconductor unit (hereinafter abbreviated as “PCU”) 21.

In this process, when the apparatus main body is set up, a sales person, a service person, or in some cases, the user himself inputs the usable life number of the PCU 21 in step (indicated by "S" in the figure) 1. What is this service life sheet number?
This is the number of sheets of recording paper for determining that the PCU 21 has reached the end of its service life. For example, if the number of sheets used is 30
If it is 000 sheets, enter the value. The number of sheets used in the lifetime is stored in the lifetime detector 2.

In the image forming apparatus of this embodiment, the user inputs for easy understanding, but it is programmed in the controller of the image forming apparatus in advance, or the operator inputs it in the factory before shipping. It is common to do.

When the unit is set, initial detection is performed in step 7, the PCU counter of the arithmetic unit 4 is reset in step 8, and the exchange flag is set to "0" in step 9. Furthermore, in the case of component replacement, a serviceman or the like resets in step 10 instead of initial detection.

When the copy operation is started in step 2, the exchange flags are compared in step 3, and if the exchange flag is "1", the copy operation is stopped. If the exchange flag is "0", in step 4, "1" is added to the counter value Np of the PCU counter.

Next, in step 5, the counter values of the PCU counter are compared, and, for example, the number of sheets before the usable life number of 30,000 of the PCU 21 is set to about 1,000 sheets as a predetermined number which is a branch point of the output of the exchange information. If the number of recorded sheets is 29000 or less, the process proceeds to step 6 to perform a normal copy operation by image output and terminate the process.

If the number of recorded sheets exceeds the predetermined number of 29000 sheets, the operation proceeds to step 11 to compare the service life of the PCU 21, and if the number of recorded sheets is 30000 sheets or less, the replacement information input processing of step 12 is performed. Prepare for image output (printing on recording paper) of the exchange information indicating that the body unit 21 needs to be exchanged, judge whether or not the remote diagnosis mode is set, and if it is the remote diagnosis mode, the telephone line 7 is set in step 15.
The exchange information is transmitted to the remote diagnosis unit 8 via.

If it is determined in step 13 that the remote diagnosis mode is not set, the image output mode is set in step 14. There are three types of image output modes here, which are a double-sided copy operation, an image reduction operation, and a color copy operation. Then, the replacement information is printed on the back surface of the recording paper on which the image data is printed. Then, the image data is reduced and printed on the surface of the recording paper, and the exchange information is printed outside the reduced image data area. Then, the exchange information is printed on the recording paper on which the image data is printed in a color different from that of the image data.
Set one of these modes to step 6
The replacement information is printed on the recording paper by the image output of, and this processing is ended.

On the other hand, if it is judged in the step 11 that the recording life of the PCU 21 exceeds 30000 sheets, the end detection is activated in the step 16, the exchange flag “1” is set in the step 17, and the step 18 is set. Then, the image output is displayed to inform the user of end detection, and the copy operation is stopped.

In the above processing, the case of the PCU 21 has been described, but the developing unit (hereinafter abbreviated as "DTM") 2
If the number is 2, the number of used sheets is input and set, and the exchange information output process similar to the above is performed. In addition, the fixing roller 23
If it is a component, the number of sheets in service life is similarly input and set, and the replacement information output processing similar to the above is performed.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the service life detecting means of the PCU 21 by the life detecting section 2. The waste toner 27 is collected in the waste toner tank 24 by the toner collecting rod 28, and when the waste toner 27 is accumulated, the filler 25 rises and the photo-interrupter waste toner overflow detection unit 2
6 operates to detect that the waste toner 27 is full in the waste toner tank 24. As a result, it is determined that the photoconductor unit 21 has reached the end of its useful life.

Although not shown, another example of the service life detecting means of the PCU 21 will be described. Photoconductor unit 21
There are examples of accumulating the rotation time of the photoconductor and determining the service life of the photoconductor based on the rotation time, and determining the service life by the total number of copies by software.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the service life detecting means of the DTM 22 by the life detecting section 2. Toner hopper 2
When the toner inside 9 becomes low, the toner end sensor 30
To detect the toner end. By detecting the toner end, it is determined that the DTM 22 has reached the service life.

Although not shown, an example of another method of detecting the life of the DTM 22 will be described. In the same manner as above, there are accumulation of the rotation time of the photoconductor of the photoconductor unit 21, judgment of the service life of the total number of copies, and the like. In the method of detecting the background portion potential Vsg and the pattern portion potential Vsp on the photoconductor by the P sensor, the background portion is soiled when the developer deteriorates (this is referred to as "background contamination").
There is an example in which the life of the developer is determined by the decrease in the value.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a unit reset method of the DTM 22. In the new DTM 22, the detection lever 32 is attached to the gear 31 having the groove, and when the detection lever 32 is mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus, the detection lever 32 projects, so that the set detection unit 33 of the main body senses the reset operation. .

When the developing operation is started, the developing roller gear 34 rotates, the respective gears mesh with each other, and the gear 31 also rotates. At this time, the detection lever 32
Will not be considered as a new DTM from now on. The above-mentioned usage life detection method and reset method are publicly known, and there are many other methods, but description thereof will be omitted here.

Next, an example of printing exchange information in three types of image output modes will be described. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a printing example in which the exchange information is image-formed on the back surface of the recording paper in the double-sided mode. Image data 42 is recorded on the surface 40a of the recording paper 40.
Is printed, and the exchange information 41 is printed on the back surface 40b. The replacement information may simply be printed with the name of the replacement unit or replacement part and the number of sheets up to the end of its life, text with detailed contents may be printed, or simple information such as marks and symbols may be printed. You may print with.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example in which the image area is reduced and printed on the surface of the recording paper, and the exchange information is printed outside the image area. The image data 42 reduced by a predetermined magnification is printed on the front surface 40a of the recording paper 40, and the exchange information 41 is printed outside the area of the image data 42 on the same front surface 40a.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example in which the exchange information is displayed in color on the recording paper in the color copy mode. Chart paper 4
The image data 42 is printed on the front surface 40a of the image data No.
Print 3. When the image data 42 is a normal monochrome print, the exchange information 43 is printed in a color other than black, and when the image data 42 is a full color print, for example, the exchange information 4
3 should be printed in red so that it stands out.

The replacement unit and replacement parts may be printed in different colors. For example, the exchange information of the photoconductor unit 21 is printed with a red mark, the exchange information of the developing unit 22 is printed with a blue mark, and the exchange information of the fixing roller 23 is printed with a yellow mark. Note that color copying may be a two-color machine having a black developing device and another color developing device other than the full-color device. The display may be combined with characters or the like, and if the colors are classified according to units or parts, only the display in color may be used.

The effects of the image forming apparatus of this embodiment will be listed. (1) When the number of copy prints reaches a certain number before the service life number, it is possible to remotely diagnose the replacement information of the replacement unit or replacement parts, and the information is transmitted to the service.
Planned maintenance is possible. In addition, in some cases, the replacement can be performed at the regular inspection time, which is a cost advantage for the user.

(2) When the number of copy prints reaches a certain number of sheets before the usable life number, by printing out the replacement information of the replacement unit or replacement parts on the recording paper, the user systematically orders the replacement unit. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the device from being stopped because the replacement unit or the replacement part has reached the end of its useful life.

(3) The paper on which the exchange information is printed out is a recording paper for normal copying, an image is printed on the front side, and the exchange information is printed on the back side thereof, thereby saving the copy paper. Further, there is no annoyance that the image is difficult to see because the exchange information is not printed on the surface together with the image.

(4) The paper on which the exchange information is printed out is a recording paper for ordinary copying, the image is reduced and printed on the front surface, and the exchange information is printed outside the image area of the image, so that the back surface is printed. In this case, the image output waiting time due to the double-sided copy operation in the case of displaying on the screen is eliminated and the copy process is not delayed. Further, since the exchange information is printed outside the image area, it can be easily seen without being mixed with the image, which is not bothersome.

(5) By displaying in color, it is possible to judge at a glance, which is very easy to understand. Further, in the case of displaying only the color, there is no display by characters and the like, so there is no trouble. Although the color copying machine has been described in this embodiment, the present invention can be similarly applied to other image forming apparatuses such as a monochrome copying machine, a facsimile machine, and a printer.

[0047]

As described above, according to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, before the service life of the replacement unit and replacement parts of the image forming apparatus expires without increasing the work burden on the user and the apparatus cost. In addition, it is possible to easily determine the replacement time.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a control device of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a process of outputting replacement information of the photoconductor unit 21 shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a service life detection unit of the PCU 21 by the life detection unit 2 shown in FIG.

5 is a diagram showing an example of a service life detecting means of the DTM 22 by the life detecting section 2 shown in FIG.

6 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a unit reset method of the DTM 22 shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a printing example in which replacement information is image-formed on the back surface of a recording sheet in the double-sided mode of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example in which an image area is reduced and printed on the surface of the recording paper of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, and the replacement information is printed outside the image area.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example in which exchange information is displayed in color on a recording sheet in a color copy mode of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1: Copy number storage unit 2: Lifetime detection unit 3: Reset unit 4: Calculation unit 5: Image output unit 6: Main control unit 7: Telephone line 8: Remote diagnosis unit 21: Photoconductor unit 22: Development unit 23: Fixing Roller 24: Waste toner tank 25: Filler 42: Image data 26: Waste toner overflow detection unit 27: Waste toner 28: Toner recovery rod 29: Toner hopper 30: Toner end sensor 31: Gear 32: Detection lever 33: Set detection unit 34 : Development roller gear 40: Recording paper 40a: Recording paper front surface 40b: Recording paper back surface 41: Replacement information 43: Color information replacement information

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus for printing image data on recording paper, comprising a recording number storage means for counting and storing the number of recording sheets of the recording paper, and a predetermined number of recording sheets stored in the means. When the number of sheets reaches the limit, a service life detection means for detecting that a replacement unit such as a photoconductor unit and a development unit, or a replacement part such as a fixing roller is nearing the service life, and the replacement based on the detection result by the means. Transmitting means for transmitting replacement information notifying that the unit or the replacement part needs to be replaced to an external remote diagnosis section via a communication line, and the recording number storage means when the replacement unit or the replacement part is replaced. An image forming apparatus comprising: reset means for resetting the number of recorded sheets stored in the image forming apparatus. 2. An image forming apparatus for printing image data on recording paper, comprising a recording number storage means for counting and storing the number of recording sheets of said recording paper, and a predetermined number of recording sheets stored in said means. When the number of sheets reaches the limit, a service life detection means for detecting that a replacement unit such as a photoconductor unit and a development unit, or a replacement part such as a fixing roller is nearing the service life, and the replacement based on the detection result by the means. Printing means for printing replacement information on recording paper to notify that the unit or replacement part needs to be replaced, and resetting the number of recordings stored in the recording number storage means when the replacement unit or replacement part is replaced An image forming apparatus comprising: resetting means for resetting. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the printing unit prints the replacement information on the back surface of the recording paper on which the image data is printed. 4. The printing means reduces the image data on the surface of the recording paper and prints the image data, and prints the replacement information outside the area of the reduced image data. Image forming device. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the printing unit prints the replacement information on a recording paper on which the image data is printed in a color different from that of the image data.