JPS62198879A - Electrophotographic device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To exactly know the timing for the exchange of a process unit or the termination of the life thereof by prohibiting the cancellation of the data of a display device to display the number of image formation of the process unit or counter circuit even if the withdrawing and reloading of the fresh process unit are repeated after said unit is mounted to a main unit. CONSTITUTION:The light reflected from a light reflection plate 2 on the fresh process unit B side is received by a light receiving element 3 when a light emitting element 1 emits light cooperatively with the operation start of the unit B after mounting of the unit B. The count data in the counter circuit 8 is cleared and the count up of the number of use of the fresh process unit B is successively executed at every image formation. A warning for the termination of the life is displayed when a prescribed of sheets is attained. On the other hand, the light reflection plate 2 is formed of a photographic film and therefore, said plate discolors from white to black in a short period and the function as the light reflection plate 2 is lost. As a result, the reflected light is not supplied to the light receiving element 3 even if the process unit B is once withdrawn from the main unit and is reloaded therein and therefore, the cancellation of the count data of the counter circuit in the mid-way of the life is obviated.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION "Field of Industrial Application" The present invention relates to an electrophotographic apparatus for forming an image by an electrophotographic process such as a copying machine, a printer, or a facsimile, and more specifically relates to an electrophotographic apparatus for forming an image by an electrophotographic process. The present invention relates to an electrophotographic apparatus in which one or more process units constituting at least a part thereof are configured to be detachably attached to the apparatus main body.

"Prior art" An electrostatic latent image formed on a photoreceptor drum using a laser beam modulated according to input information, reflected light corresponding to the original image, etc. is visualized on the photoreceptor drum. Electrophotographic devices such as copiers and printers are well-known, and these types of devices facilitate easy maintenance and parts replacement at the consumer level. In order to achieve There is a device that is made into a unit and each unit can be replaced.

Generally, each unit of such a device has a different durability life and replacement period, so it is difficult to determine the exact replacement time using only the built-in image count mechanism in the device itself. It is necessary to provide each unit with a display mechanism that informs the consumer of the replacement period, consumables consumption period, and other life periods.

An example of such a lifespan display mechanism will be briefly described based on FIG. 3. Ao is the main body of the apparatus, B is a process unit that constitutes a part of the electrophotographic processing means, and the main body of the apparatus is A°.
It is configured to be detachable in the direction of the arrow.

A reset switch 51 is disposed on the apparatus main body side A' facing the process unit B°.
When the process unit B° is loaded and the reset switch 51 is pressed, a single trigger signal is generated from the trigger signal generation circuit 52, and the display contents of the display 55 are cleared via the reset pulse generation circuit 53 and the counter circuit 54. It is configured so that

On the other hand, an image forming number detection means 5B is connected to the input side of the counter circuit 54, and the numerical value counted by the counter circuit 54 can be displayed on the display 55 as the number of image forming times of the process unit B°.

According to this prior art, the display contents of the display 55 are cleared each time the process unit B' is replaced, and thereby the number of image formations of the process unit B can be displayed on the display 55. or due to the necessity of maintenance or other reasons, the process unit B'
Even when the process unit B° is pulled out from the main body A' and reloaded, the display contents of the display 55 are cleared, so there is a problem that it is not possible to accurately determine the replacement or end of life of the process unit B°. Derive.

For this reason, in the prior art, a switch 57 is interposed between the reset pulse generating circuit 53 and the counter circuit 54, and by keeping the switch 57 open after replacing the process unit B', the unit B° is reloaded. Even in such a case, the display contents of the display 55 will not be cleared, and the structure is such that it is possible to accurately know when the unit B' should be replaced or when its life span has expired. (Unexamined Japanese Patent Publication No. 58-195854) "Problems to be Solved by the Invention" However, in the prior art, the switch 57 must be opened manually when replacing the unit B, which makes the operation complicated. In addition, the switch 57 may be closed by mistake when reloading the unit B', and in such a case, it becomes completely unclear when the unit B' should be replaced.

Therefore, in other embodiments of the prior art, there is a structure in which a non-volatile RAM is built into the process unit B° side and the number of image formations is stored in the non-volatile RAM. In this configuration, a non-volatile RAM must be installed in each unit B°, which not only increases the cost of the unit B° itself, but also makes it impossible for the non-volatile RAM to be disposable together with the unit B°. This is a problem from the perspective of resource conservation.

In view of the drawbacks of the prior art, the present invention provides a system in which the data on the display and counter circuit indicating the number of image formations of the process unit are cleared even if the process unit is repeatedly pulled out from the main body and reloaded. It is an object of the present invention to provide an electrophotographic apparatus in which the process unit can be replaced or the end of its life can be accurately determined.

Another object of the present invention is to reduce the cost of the process unit by disposing various control circuits such as a non-volatile RAM and a display for storing the usage amount of the process unit in the main body of the device and reusing these repeatedly. Low.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an electrophotographic device that can be reduced in size and simplified in structure.

"Means for Solving the Problems" The present invention provides an electrophotographic apparatus in which one or more process units constituting at least a part of the electrophotographic process means are configured to be detachable from the apparatus main body. A measuring means is provided on the main body of the apparatus and operates according to the usage time of the process unit and the number of times image formation is performed. (2) A clear signal that clears the measurement contents in the measuring means each time the process unit is installed. The clear signal generating means is preferably provided on the apparatus main body side.

(2) The clear signal generation means is configured to be cleared via a signal transmission means provided on the process unit side.

(i) The signal transmission means is constituted of a member that can physically or chemically change based on the signal supplied from the main body of the device after the measurement content is cleared by the one clearing means, and can stop the transmission of the clear signal. points are required.

The measuring means is generally configured to operate in accordance with the number of image formations of the apparatus, but there are also units that do not deteriorate in response to the number of image formations of the apparatus due to idle operation of the apparatus, etc. Such a unit may be configured to use a clock pulse or the like to measure the usage time of the unit.

Further, the clear signal generating means can be constructed using an overcurrent generating circuit such as a light emitting element or a solenoid, as shown in the embodiment described later, and the clear signal generated by the signal generating means is transmitted to the counter via the signal transmitting means. The measurement data in the circuit may be configured to be cleared or input to the circuit, or a clear signal may be input into the CPU and stored in the RAM memory by software based on the program control signal. It may also be configured to clear the measured data.

Further, the signal transmission means may be, for example, a fuse body or a circuit breaker connected to an overload generation source that is activated during operation of the device, or may be interposed on an optical path between a light emitting element and a light receiving element that supply a clear signal to the clearing means. transparent, which changes color when exposed to light,
The signal transmitting means may be configured to be detachable from the process unit, and may be constructed of a light-sensitive or light-reflective member, particularly in the case of a process unit that can be reused by replacing consumables. In addition, when a circuit breaker is used, the process unit can be reused repeatedly by simply returning the switch of the circuit breaker after replacing consumables.

"Embodiments" Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail by way of example with reference to the drawings. However, unless otherwise specified, the dimensions, materials, shapes, and relative arrangements of the components described in this embodiment are not intended to limit the scope of the invention, but are merely illustrative examples. It's nothing more than that.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic explanatory diagram of an electrophotographic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, where A is the apparatus main body and B is a process unit constituting a part of the electrophotographic process means. It is configured to be detachable. Since these configurations are already well known, detailed explanations will be omitted.

Process 22) A light reflecting plate 2, such as a printing film, which changes color from white to black when irradiated with light from a light emitting element 1, which will be described later, is disposed on the side of H facing the apparatus main body A.

On the other hand, on the side of the main body A of the device facing the light reflecting plate 2, there are a light emitting element 1 that irradiates light onto the light reflecting plate 2, and a light receiving element 3 that receives reflected light from the light reflecting plate 2 and converts it into electricity. In addition, a light shielding member 4 is provided around the pixel elements 1 and 3 to prevent interference light from the outside from entering the light reflecting plate 2.

The light emitting element 1 is connected to a DC type TX 6 via a control switch 5, and is configured to emit light in conjunction with turning on the power of the apparatus or starting operation of the process unit (H).

Further, a reset circuit 7 is connected to the output side of the light receiving element 3.
Based on the electrical signal from the light receiving element 3, a counter circuit 8
The configuration is such that the count data within is cleared.

As such a circuit configuration, for example, a volatile RAM connected to a backup power source may be used as a memory element in the counter circuit 8, and the backup power source may be turned off based on an electrical signal from the light receiving element 3. , the count data stored in the memory element can be easily cleared.

Returning to the original, an image forming number detection means 9 is connected to the input side of the counter circuit 8, and a comparison circuit 1G is connected to the output side, and an output circuit 1 that indicates the life limit of the process unit (H).
The output signal from 1 is compared with the count signal output from the counter circuit 8, and when the count signal is equal to or larger than the set output signal, the display circuit 12 is driven to indicate the lifespan by light or sound. It is configured to issue a warning.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be explained.

First, after installing a new process unit)B, when the light emitting element 1 emits light in conjunction with turning on the control switch 5 or starting the operation of 22)H, the light irradiation of the light emitting element 1 causes 22)B The reflected light is received by the light receiving element 3 via the light reflecting plate 2 on the side.

The light receiving element 3 receives the reflected light and performs photoelectric conversion, and based on the output signal, the count data in the counter circuit 8 is cleared, and the number of times the new process unit H is used is sequentially counted up every time an image is formed. As mentioned above, when the predetermined number of sheets is reached, a lifespan warning is displayed.

On the other hand, the light emitting element 1 continues to irradiate light onto the light reflecting plate 2, but since the light reflecting plate 2 is made of printing film, the color changes from white to black in a short time, and the light reflecting plate 2 changes color from white to black in a short time. 2
function as such is inhibited.

As a result, even if the process unit) B is once removed from the main body and reloaded, reflected light is not supplied to the light receiving element 3, so the count data of the counter circuit 8 will not be canceled during the life of the process unit, and a new process unit will be installed. The count data can be cleared only when B is attached.

Incidentally, if the process unit B can be reused by simply replacing the consumables, the light reflecting plate 2 may be replaced together with the consumables.

FIG. 2 shows another embodiment in which the signal transmission means is constructed using a fuse body.

A fuse body 20 having terminal portions 20a, 20b is disposed on the side facing the device main body A in the process unit/)B.
An input terminal 21a and an output terminal 21b are connected to the positions corresponding to b, respectively, and an internal memo 1.1-23 backed up by a backup power supply 22 is connected to the output terminal 21b side.
(RAM) A microcomputer 25 including a central control circuit 24 (CPU), etc. also supplies excessive radio waves to the fuse body 20 on the input terminal 21a side in conjunction with the start of image formation or the start of operation of the process unit I-H. Overcurrent generation circuit 26
are connected to each other.

Such an overcurrent generating circuit 28 can be easily formed using the starting current of a solenoid or a drive motor used to operate the process unit B.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be explained.

First, when the device is powered on, the microcomputer 25 reads the state of the fuse body 20, and when the fuse body 20 is in a conductive state, the count data stored in the internal memory 23 is cleared.

Then, with the start of image formation, an overcurrent is supplied from the overcurrent generation circuit 2B to the fuse body 20, and the fuse body 20 is
After the wire is disconnected, the count data in the internal memory 23 is counted up every time an image is formed based on the signal from the image forming number detection means 8. After a certain count ends, the display 27 indicates that the end of the service life has come.

On the other hand, when the fuse body 20 is in a disconnected state when the device is powered on, the microcomputer 25 reads this and continues counting up the count data in the internal memory 23 without canceling it.

In this case, since the internal memory 23 is backed up by the backup power supply 22, the contents of the internal memory 23 will not be erased even if the device power is turned off.

"Effects of the Invention" As described above, according to the present invention, after a new process unit is installed in the main body, even if the unit is repeatedly pulled out and reloaded, the display and counter circuit that indicate the number of image formations of the process unit are It is possible to accurately grasp the replacement or end-of-life period of the process unit without canceling the data, and to display the life limit, etc.

Further, according to the present invention, there is no need to provide any control circuits on the process unit side except for signal transmission means such as fuse bodies or light reflectors, and all of them are arranged on the apparatus main body side. , a count circuit, a RAM for storing count data, a CPU, and various control circuits such as a display can be repeatedly reused.

In addition, the fact that these control circuits are provided on the device main body side means that even if the device has multiple process units, the CP
By rationally controlling u, it is also possible to share the control circuit, and in any case, it is possible to significantly reduce costs and simplify the structure.

It has various effects such as

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are both schematic explanatory diagrams of an electrophotographic apparatus showing a life display mechanism of a process unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic explanatory diagram of an electrophotographic apparatus showing a lifespan display mechanism of a process unit according to the prior art. Patent applicant: Kyocera Corporation 3. . Agent: Patent attorney Takaran 8kyu, 51゜Figure 1 Figure 3 Figure 2

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1) An electrophotographic apparatus in which one or more process units constituting at least a part of the electrophotographic process means are configured to be detachably attached to the apparatus main body, and the process unit is disposed on the apparatus main body side. , the measurement contents of the measurement means operated in accordance with the usage time and the number of times of image formation of the process unit can be cleared via a signal transmission means provided on the process unit side, and the measurement contents can be cleared. 2) An electrophotographic apparatus characterized in that the signal transmission means stops transmitting the clear signal due to a physical or chemical change in the signal transmission means. 3) The electrophotographic device according to claim 1, which is a member that changes physically or chemically based on Claim 1, which is a translucent or light-reflective member that changes color when irradiated with light, is interposed in the
4) The electrophotographic apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the signal transmission means is a fuse body or a circuit breaker connected to an overload source that operates during operation of the apparatus. 5) An electrophotographic apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the means for generating the clear signal is provided on the apparatus main body side.