JP2008176157A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

An image forming apparatus capable of reading information relating to an image forming apparatus simply and quickly.
A movable image carrier 1 carrying toner, image forming means 2, 3 and 4 for forming a toner image on the image carrier 1 using toner, and an image carrier 1 formed on the image carrier 1. The image forming apparatus 100 including the transfer unit 12 that transfers the toner image to the transfer body includes the detection unit A that detects information about the image forming apparatus 100, and the image formation detected by the detection unit A is detected. Information relating to the apparatus 100 is displayed on the image carrier 1 by the image forming means 2, 3, 4 and displayed as a toner image held on the image carrier 1 when the image carrier 1 is stopped.
[Selection] Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer using an electrophotographic system or the like that forms a recorded image through a process of transferring a toner image formed on an image carrier to a transfer body.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the following method has been disclosed as a serviceability enhancement technique for an administrator such as a manufacturer or a dealer to respond to an improvement request from a user. That is, a non-volatile memory is provided in a process cartridge that can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body, and the state of the image forming apparatus main body and each consumable unit (consumable unit), usage history, trouble type, etc. Write detailed information for. Then, the manager collects the process cartridge, obtains such information, and responds to the user (for example, Patent Document 1).
JP-A-7-175370

  However, when the administrator responds to the user based on the information in the non-volatile memory of the process cartridge, unless there is a device (such as an image forming apparatus main body or an information collecting terminal) for capturing the information in the non-volatile memory, I can't get any information. In addition, it is troublesome to use a device for capturing information and obtain information in the nonvolatile memory. For example, it is difficult for an administrator to quickly respond to a user who is dissatisfied. There is a case.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of reading information relating to the image forming apparatus easily and quickly.

  The above object is achieved by the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. In summary, the present invention relates to a movable image carrier that carries toner, an image forming unit that forms a toner image on the image carrier using toner, and a toner that is formed on the image carrier. An image forming apparatus having a transfer means for transferring an image to a transfer body, and having a detecting means for detecting information related to the image forming apparatus, and the information related to the image forming apparatus detected by the detecting means, An image forming apparatus, wherein the image forming unit displays the toner image formed on the image carrier and held on the image carrier when the image carrier is stopped.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to read information relating to an image forming apparatus easily and quickly.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described below in more detail with reference to the drawings.

Example 1
[Entire configuration of image forming apparatus]
First, the overall configuration of an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 shows an overall configuration of an electrophotographic full-color laser beam printer (hereinafter simply referred to as “image forming apparatus”) 100 which is an image forming apparatus of this embodiment. The image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment is configured according to image information from an external device such as a personal computer or an image reading apparatus that is communicably connected to a main body (hereinafter, simply referred to as “apparatus main body”) 110 of the image forming apparatus 100. A full color image can be formed.

  The image forming apparatus 100 includes, as a plurality of image forming units, first, second, third, and fourth image forming units Pa, Pb, Pc, and Pd that respectively form yellow, cyan, magenta, and black color images. Have That is, in this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a drum-shaped electrophotographic photosensitive member (hereinafter referred to as “photosensitive drum”) 1 (1a) as four movable image carriers arranged in parallel in the vertical direction. 1b, 1c, 1d). The photosensitive drum 1 (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d) is rotationally driven in the direction of arrow R1 (counterclockwise) in FIG. 1 by a driving means (not shown).

  Around each photosensitive drum 1 (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d), a charging device 2 (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) is disposed as a charging means for uniformly charging the surface of the photosensitive drum 1. Yes. Further, around each photosensitive drum 1 (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d), an exposure device 3 (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) is disposed as an exposure means for irradiating a light image based on image information. ing. In this embodiment, the exposure device 3 (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) is a scanner unit that irradiates a laser beam based on image information, and an electrostatic image (electrostatic latent image) is formed on the photosensitive drum 1. Form.

  Further, around each photosensitive drum 1 (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d), toner is attached to the electrostatic image on the photosensitive drum 1 (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d) and developed as a toner image. Developing devices 4 (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) as developing means are arranged. Further, the toner images on the respective photosensitive drums 1 (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d) are opposed to the respective photosensitive drums 1 (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d) and are transferred to plain paper (transfer paper) as a transfer body. An electrostatic transfer unit 5 for transferring to the recording material S as shown in FIG.

  Further, around each photoreceptor drum 1 (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d), a cleaning device 6 (6a, 6) serving as a cleaning unit for cleaning the surface of each photoreceptor drum 1 (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d). 6b, 6c, 6d) are arranged. Each cleaning device 6 (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) has a cleaning blade 60 (cleaning member 60) that removes transfer residual toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d) after transfer. 60a, 60b, 60c, 60d).

  In this embodiment, the configurations and operations of the image forming units Pa, Pb, Pc, and Pd are substantially the same except that the color of the developer toner is different. Accordingly, in the following, when there is no particular need to distinguish, the subscripts a, b, c, and d given to the reference numerals to indicate that they are elements provided for any color will be omitted and will be comprehensively described. To do.

  Here, in this embodiment, the photosensitive drum 1 and the charging device 2, the developing device 4 and the cleaning device 6 as process means acting on the photosensitive drum 1 are integrally formed into a cartridge, and the process cartridge 7. Is forming. The process cartridge is an image forming apparatus in which an electrophotographic photosensitive member and at least one of a charging unit, a developing unit, and a cleaning unit serving as a process unit acting on the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed into a cartridge. It can be attached to and detached from the main body.

  The charging position on the photosensitive drum 1 by the charging device 2, the exposure position by the exposure device 3, the developing position by the developing device 4, the transfer position by the electrostatic transfer unit 5, and the cleaning position by the cleaning device 6 are as follows. They are arranged in this order according to the direction of rotation.

  An image forming unit that includes the charging device 2, the exposure device 3, and the developing device 4 and forms a toner image on the photosensitive drum 1 using toner is configured. In addition, the image forming unit for forming a toner image on the recording material S on the electrostatic transfer belt 11 includes the photosensitive drum 1, the charging device 2, the exposure device 3, the developing device 4, and the transfer unit 12. The

  A photosensitive drum 1 as a movable image carrier that carries toner is formed by coating an organic photoconductor layer (OPC photosensitive member) on an outer peripheral surface of an aluminum cylinder having a diameter of 30 mm, for example. The photosensitive drum 1 is rotatably supported by supporting members at both ends in the longitudinal direction (rotation axis direction). Then, when a driving force from a driving motor (not shown) is transmitted to one end, it is rotationally driven in the direction of arrow R1 (counterclockwise) in FIG. In this embodiment, the charging polarity of the photosensitive drum 1 is negative.

  As the charging device 2, a contact charging type can be used. In this embodiment, the charging member of the charging device 2 is a conductive roller (charging roller) formed in a roller shape. The charging roller 2 is brought into contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 and a charging bias voltage is applied to the charging roller 2 to uniformly charge the surface of the photosensitive drum 1.

  An exposure device (scanner unit) 3 as an exposure unit is arranged at substantially the same level as the corresponding photosensitive drum 1 in the vertical direction. In the scanner unit 3, image light corresponding to an image signal is irradiated to a polygon mirror 9 rotated at high speed by a scanner motor (not shown) by a laser diode (not shown). The image light reflected by the polygon mirror 9 selectively exposes the surface of the charged photosensitive drum 1 through the imaging lens 10 to form an electrostatic image.

  In this embodiment, the developing device 4 uses a non-magnetic one-component developer, that is, a toner, as the developer. In this embodiment, the regular charging polarity of the toner is negative. As can be understood with reference to FIG. 2 as well, the developing device 4 includes a toner container 41 serving as a developer container that stores toner, and a developing container 45 serving as a developing frame. Each of the developing devices 4a, 4b, 4c, and 4d contains yellow, cyan, magenta, and black toners.

  That is, with regard to the toner container 41, for example, the yellow developing device 4a includes a toner container 41a that stores yellow toner, and the cyan developing device 4b includes a toner container 41b that stores cyan toner. The magenta developing device 4c includes a toner container 41c that stores magenta toner, and the black developing device 4d includes a toner container 41d that stores black toner.

  In each toner container 41, a developing roller 40 is disposed as a developer carrying member that carries and conveys the developer so as to face the photosensitive drum 1. The developing roller 40 contacts with the photosensitive drum 1 and rotates in the direction of arrow R2 (clockwise) in the drawing. That is, the photosensitive drum 1 and the developing roller 40 rotate so that their surfaces move in the same direction at the facing portion (contact portion).

  The developer in the toner container 41, that is, the toner is sent to a toner supply roller 43 as a developer supply member by a toner conveyance stirring mechanism 42. The toner supply roller 43 contacts the developing roller 40 and rotates in the direction of arrow R3 (clockwise) in the drawing. That is, the developing roller 40 and the toner supply roller 43 rotate so that their surfaces move in opposite directions at the facing portion (contact portion).

  Next, the toner is applied to the outer periphery of the developing roller 40 by a toner supply roller 43 and a developing blade 44 as a developer regulating member pressed against the outer periphery of the developing roller 40. At this time, the toner is charged by friction. Then, by applying a developing bias to the developing roller 40, the electrostatic image formed on the photosensitive drum 1 is developed with toner to form a toner image.

  Further, the developing device 4 includes a toner remaining amount detection mechanism (not shown). The toner remaining amount detection mechanism includes a light emitting element such as an LED and a light receiving element such as a photodiode. The toner remaining amount detection mechanism senses the transmission time by transmitting the LED light into the toner container 41, and detects the toner remaining amount.

  In the present embodiment, the developing device 4 develops the electrostatic image on the photosensitive drum 1 by a reversal development method. That is, the toner charged to the same polarity as the charging polarity of the photosensitive drum 1 is attached to the portion (exposed portion, image portion) where the charge is attenuated by the exposure on the photosensitive drum 1 subjected to the charging process, thereby forming the photosensitive member. The electrostatic image on the drum 1 is developed.

An electrostatic transfer belt 11 that circulates and is formed by an endless belt as a recording material carrier is disposed so as to face and contact all the photosensitive drums 1. The electrostatic transfer belt 11 is formed of a film-like member having a volume resistivity of 10 ¹¹ to 10 ¹⁴ Ω · cm and a thickness of about 150 μm. The electrostatic transfer belt 11 is supported by four-axis rollers 13, 14 </ b> A, 14 </ b> B, and 15 as support members, and is disposed along a substantially vertical direction as a whole. The electrostatic transfer belt 11 circulates and moves so that the recording material S is electrostatically attracted to the outer peripheral surface on the left side in the drawing so that the recording material S comes into contact with the photosensitive drum 1. As a result, the recording material S is conveyed to the transfer position by the electrostatic transfer belt 11 and the toner image on the photosensitive drum 1 is transferred.

  Transfer rollers 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d as transfer means are arranged in parallel at positions that are in contact with the inner side of the electrostatic transfer belt 11 and face each of the four photosensitive drums 1a, 1b, 1c, and 1d. Yes. The transfer roller 12 presses the electrostatic transfer belt 11 toward the photosensitive drum 1 to form a nip (transfer nip) at the transfer portion N where the electrostatic transfer belt 11 and the photosensitive drum 1 are in contact with each other. The transfer roller 12 is connected to a transfer bias power source 50 as a transfer bias output unit. During the transfer process, a bias having a polarity opposite to the normal charging polarity of the toner (positive polarity in this embodiment) is applied from the transfer bias power source 50 to the transfer roller 12. As a result, a charge having a polarity opposite to the normal charging polarity of the toner (positive in this embodiment) is applied from the transfer roller 12 to the recording material S via the electrostatic transfer belt 11. Due to the electric field due to the electric charge, the toner image charged to the regular charging polarity (negative polarity in this embodiment) on the photosensitive drum 1 is transferred to the recording material S in contact with the photosensitive drum 1. That is, during the transfer process, an electric field is formed between the photosensitive drum 1 and the electrostatic transfer belt 11 in a direction in which the toner charged with a normal polarity is moved from the photosensitive drum 1 toward the electrostatic transfer belt 11. The

  The electrostatic transfer belt 11 is a belt having a circumferential length of about 700 mm and a thickness of 150 μm. The electrostatic transfer belt 11 is wound around four rollers of a driving roller 13, driven rollers 14 A and 14 B, and a tension roller 15. ). As a result, the electrostatic transfer belt 11 circulates and moves while the recording material S is conveyed from the driven roller 14A side to the driving roller 13 side, from the photosensitive drum 1 to the recording material S on the electrostatic transfer belt 11. A toner image is transferred on top.

  The recording material supply unit 16 supplies and transports the recording material S to the transfer units Na to Nd of the image forming units Pa to Pd. In the recording material supply unit 16, a plurality of recording materials S are stored in a recording material cassette 17. At the time of image formation, the recording material supply roller 18 (half moon roller) sends out the uppermost recording material S among the recording materials S stored on the recording material cassette 17. Then, the leading end of the recording material S sent out contacts the registration roller pair 19 and stops temporarily to form a loop. Thereafter, the recording material S is supplied to the electrostatic transfer belt 11 by the registration roller pair 19 in synchronization with the rotation of the electrostatic transfer belt 11 and the image writing position.

  The fixing unit 20 as a fixing unit (fixing unit) fixes the toner image transferred to the recording material S. The fixing unit 20 includes a fixing roller pair 21 including a rotating heating roller 21A as a fixing member and a pressure roller 21B as a pressure member that presses and applies heat and pressure to the recording material S. A recording material discharge roller pair 23 is disposed downstream of the fixing unit 20 and discharges the recording material S to a tray 31 outside the apparatus main body 110.

  A recording material discharge sensor (not shown) is disposed between the fixing roller pair 21 and the recording material discharge roller pair 23. Thereby, it is monitored whether the recording material S is reliably discharged to the outside of the apparatus main body 110 or whether it is not wound around the fixing roller pair 21.

  The recording material S to which the toner image on the photosensitive drum 1 has been transferred is conveyed by the fixing roller pair 21 and is given heat and pressure by the fixing roller pair 21 when passing through the fixing unit 20. As a result, the toner image is fixed on the surface of the recording material S.

  The double-sided path 27 is formed on the back surface of the electrostatic transfer unit 5. In the double-sided path 27, a pair of conveying rollers 25 and 26 are arranged vertically, and the recording material S is conveyed in the downward direction in the figure. A U-turn path 28 is provided at the lowest point to change the conveying direction of the recording material S, and the recording material S guided to the U-turn path 28 is fed again to the registration roller pair 19.

  For example, the image forming operation will be described taking full color image formation as an example. Each process cartridge 7 is sequentially driven in accordance with the image formation timing, and each photosensitive drum 1 is rotationally driven in the direction of arrow R1 (counterclockwise) in the drawing in accordance with the drive. Further, the scanner units 3 corresponding to the respective process cartridges 7 are sequentially driven. When the rotation of the photosensitive drum 1 is started in this way, the charging roller 2 applies a uniform charge to the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 1, and the scanner unit 3 rotates the circumference of the photosensitive drum 1. The surface is exposed according to the image signal. Thereby, an electrostatic image is formed on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 1. Next, the developing roller 40 in the developing device 4 transfers the toner to the low potential portion of the electrostatic image and forms a toner image on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 1.

  Then, the leading end of the toner image on the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 1 a that is the most upstream in the conveying direction of the recording material S by the electrostatic transfer belt 11 is rotated and conveyed to a point facing the electrostatic transfer belt 11. At this timing, that is, the registration roller pair 19 starts rotating so that the image formation start position of the recording material S coincides with the tip of the toner image on the photosensitive drum 1a, the recording material S is transferred to the electrostatic transfer belt. 11 to feed.

  The recording material S is pressed against the outer periphery of the electrostatic transfer belt 11 so as to be sandwiched between the electrostatic adsorption roller 22 and the electrostatic transfer belt 11. A voltage is applied between the electrostatic transfer belt 11 and the electrostatic attraction roller 22. As a result, a charge is induced in the recording material S that is a dielectric and the dielectric layer of the electrostatic transfer belt 11, and the recording material S is electrostatically attracted to the outer periphery of the electrostatic transfer belt 11. Accordingly, the recording material S is stably adsorbed to the electrostatic transfer belt 11 and conveyed from the transfer position Na of the most upstream image forming portion Pa to the transfer position Nd of the most downstream image forming portion Pd.

  While being conveyed in this manner, the toner images on the respective photosensitive drums 1 are sequentially transferred onto the recording material S by an electric field formed between the respective photosensitive drums 1 and the transfer roller 12.

  The recording material S to which the four color toner images are transferred is separated from the electrostatic transfer belt 11 by the curvature of the driving roller 13 and is carried into the fixing unit 20. After the toner image is fixed by the fixing unit 20, the recording material S is discharged by the recording material discharge roller pair 23 onto the tray 31 outside the apparatus main body 110 with the image surface facing down from the discharge portion 29. .

  Note that the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present exemplary embodiment can form a single-color or multi-color image using a desired single or plural (not all) image forming units.

  Next, the operation of double-sided image formation will be described. When the apparatus main body 110 receives the double-sided image formation signal, the recording material S that has passed through the fixing roller pair 21 and the recording material discharge roller pair 23 is conveyed to the conveying roller pair 25 by the double-side flapper 24. Then, the recording material discharge sensor detects that the recording material S has passed through the fixing roller pair 21. In response to the detection signal, the conveying roller pair 25 rotates in the reverse direction and guides the recording material S to the double-sided path 27. The recording material S that has entered the double-sided path 27 is conveyed to the registration roller pair 19 through the U-turn path 28 by the conveying roller pairs 25 and 26. Thereafter, the image formation on the second surface (back surface) of the recording material S is completed in the same image forming process as the image formation on the first surface (front surface) of the recording material S. Thereafter, the recording material S is discharged from the discharge unit 29 onto the tray 31 outside the apparatus main body 110.

[Recording and display of information about image forming apparatus]
Next, a method for recording / displaying information related to the image forming apparatus 100 will be described.

  One of the objects of the present embodiment is to enable the administrator to obtain information that the image forming apparatus 100 can know directly from the process cartridge 7 without an apparatus for taking in the information. Another object of the present invention is that the administrator can quickly and accurately respond to complaints from the user based on the information, and increase the satisfaction of the user. That is.

(1) Recording Information Regarding Image Forming Apparatus First, the image forming apparatus 100 records various types of information related to the image forming apparatus 100 in a storage unit.

  The image forming apparatus 100 includes a controller A as a control unit in the apparatus main body 110. The controller A is composed of an arithmetic control circuit having a microcomputer or the like provided with a storage unit, a control unit, and an arithmetic unit. The image forming apparatus 100 includes a memory M as a storage unit electrically connected to the controller A in the apparatus main body 110. Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 100 includes an image processing unit B that is electrically connected to the controller A in the apparatus main body 110.

  In this embodiment, the controller A controls the overall operation of the image forming apparatus 100. In this embodiment, as will be described in detail below, the controller A particularly processes information so as to detect information related to the image forming apparatus 100 and information related to the image forming apparatus 100 so as to conform to a desired display format. It has a function as information processing means.

  The controller A counts the lifetime of the process cartridge 7 as a consumable unit. That is, in this embodiment, the controller A counts the usage amount, that is, the rotation amount or the rotation time of the photosensitive drum 1, the charging device (charging roller) 2 or the developing device 4 (developing roller 40) in the process cartridge 7. To do. The controller A can detect the life of the process cartridge 7 when recognizing that each rotation speed or rotation time exceeds a predetermined threshold value. The number of rotations or the rotation time can be detected by a known method using sensors on each unit and / or data on a sequence.

  The controller A counts the lifetimes of the electrostatic transfer unit 5 and the fixing unit 20 as consumable units. That is, in this embodiment, the controller A counts the rotation amount or rotation time of the driving roller 13 in the electrostatic transfer unit 5 and the pressure roller 21B in the fixing unit 20. When the controller A recognizes that the number of rotations or the rotation time exceeds a predetermined threshold, the electrostatic transfer unit 5 (particularly the electrostatic transfer belt 11) and the fixing unit 20 (particularly the fixing unit). The lifetime of the roller pair 21) can be detected. The number of rotations or the rotation time can be detected by a known method using sensors on each unit and / or data on a sequence.

  Further, the controller A counts the number of image formations (image formation number) of the image forming apparatus 100. The number of image formations is information relating to the life (usage amount) of the apparatus main body 110. The detection of the number of image formations can be performed by a known method using the sensors of each unit and / or data on a sequence.

  The controller A records these contents in a memory M as a storage means. That is, the controller A stores the above-described various count values in the memory M as needed. Each rotation number (rotation time) may be recorded after being converted into the number of image formations such as the number of image formations when a predetermined recording material S is used.

  In this embodiment, the memory M is provided in the apparatus main body 110, but it can also be provided in the process cartridge 7.

  When the controller A detects that each consumable unit has been replaced, the controller A once resets the count value of the replaced consumable unit and starts counting again. The replacement of each consumable unit can be detected by a known method using the sensor of each part.

  The controller A also specifies the type of the recording material supply port, the type of the recording material discharge port, and the image forming mode at the time of image formation (hereinafter referred to as “print mode”) designated via the input means at the start of the image forming operation. The operation condition selection information such as the type is stored in the memory M. Here, examples of the input unit include an operation unit (not shown) provided in the apparatus main body 110 and an operation unit of an external device such as a personal computer connected to the apparatus main body 110 so as to be communicable.

  Furthermore, the controller A stores, in the memory M, environmental information such as the temperature and humidity of the installation environment of the image forming apparatus 100 detected by an environmental sensor (not shown) as an environment detection unit installed in the apparatus main body 110. It can be memorized.

  As described above, the controller A functions as the information detection unit and detects the following information as information related to the image forming apparatus 100 (hereinafter also simply referred to as “apparatus information”). That is, the life (use amount) information of the consumable units (process cartridge 7, electrostatic transfer unit 5 and fixing unit 20), the life (use amount) information of the apparatus main body 110, operation condition selection information, and environment information. . The controller A as information detection means stores the detected device information in the memory M.

  Further, the controller A functions as the information processing means, reads out the device information detected as described above from the memory M, and processes it so as to conform to a desired display format. That is, for example, when device information is displayed in a dot image format as described later, processing such as converting device information into the number of dots is performed. The controller A as the information processing means inputs device information adapted to a desired display format to the image processing unit B.

  Then, the image processing unit B converts the apparatus information adapted to the desired display format into information relating to image formation (in order to control each unit of the image forming apparatus to form a toner image on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 1). Output).

(2) Display of Information Regarding Image Forming Apparatus Next, a method for displaying apparatus information as a toner image on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 1 will be described.

  In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 100 displays the detected apparatus information as a toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 1 and held on the photosensitive drum 1 when the photosensitive drum 1 is stopped. More specifically, in this embodiment, a toner image indicating apparatus information is formed and displayed outside the image forming area on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 1.

  Here, the image forming area is an area in which an image that is transferred to the recording material S and output to the outside of the image forming apparatus 100 can be formed. For example, a toner image is directly applied from the photosensitive drum 1 to the recording material S. In the case of transfer, this is an area in contact with the recording material S on the photosensitive drum 1. In an intermediate transfer type image forming apparatus, which will be described later, this image forming area is an area in contact with an area on the intermediate transfer body that contacts the recording material S on the photosensitive drum 1.

  By forming and displaying a toner image indicating apparatus information outside the image forming area, it is possible to prevent the recording material S from being stained with the toner image.

  In the present embodiment, a toner image indicating device information is formed on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 1 after the area where the toner image to be transferred to the recording material S is formed, particularly in the surface movement direction of the photosensitive drum 1. ,indicate. That is, in this embodiment, only after the toner image of the image to be transferred to the recording material S is formed on the photosensitive drum 1, the toner image indicating the device information is formed on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 1 and displayed.

  Only after the toner image of the image to be formed on the recording material S is formed, the toner image indicating the device information is formed and displayed, whereby the toner used when forming the toner image indicating the device information can be reduced. .

  However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in the surface movement direction of the photosensitive drum 1, the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 1 in front of the region where the toner image to be transferred to the recording material S is formed, Device information may be displayed.

  When the apparatus information is displayed on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 1 after or before the area where the toner image to be transferred to the recording material S is formed in the surface movement direction of the photosensitive drum 1, the apparatus information is the photosensitive drum 1. The image may be displayed within the range of the image forming area or outside the range in the longitudinal direction. In this embodiment, the image is displayed within the image forming area in the longitudinal direction of the photosensitive drum 1. The longitudinal direction of the photosensitive drum 1 is a direction substantially orthogonal to the surface movement direction of the photosensitive drum 1.

  Further, the photosensitive drum in which the recording material S and the photosensitive drum 1 do not come into contact with each other even in the range of the area where the toner image to be transferred to the recording material S is formed in the surface movement direction of the photosensitive drum 1. The apparatus information can be displayed on one peripheral surface (for example, the longitudinal end of the photosensitive drum).

  In this embodiment, the apparatus information is displayed on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 1 as a dot image. By symbolizing a toner image indicating device information with dots or codes, a large amount of device information can be displayed with a small display area, and toner used when forming a toner image indicating device information can be reduced. .

  However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the device information can be displayed in a desired form such as a text image (numbers and the like) and an image image (symbols and the like).

  More specifically, in this embodiment, the controller A sends device information in the memory M to the image processing unit B. The image processing unit B processes information of an image (hereinafter referred to as “PC image”) sent from an external device such as a personal computer into information related to image formation. Further, the image processing unit B processes the apparatus information read from the memory M sent from the controller A into information related to formation of a dot image Dt (hereinafter referred to as “information dot image”).

  Then, the toner image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 in the order of the PC image and the information dot image Dt by the same process as the image forming operation described above.

  Thereafter, among the toner images formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1, the toner image of the PC image is transferred to the recording material S by the electric field formed by the charge applied to the transfer roller 12.

  On the other hand, the toner image of the information dot image Dt is not transferred to the surface of the electrostatic transfer belt 11, and the toner image of the information dot image Dt remains on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 1. And the drive of the process cartridge 7 is stopped. In this embodiment, before the toner image of the information dot image Dt reaches the transfer portion N where the photosensitive drum 1 and the electrostatic transfer belt 11 are in contact, the bias output of the transfer bias power supply 50 is turned OFF, and the transfer roller The charge applied to 12 is turned off. This allows the toner image of the information dot image Dt to remain on the photosensitive drum 1 without being transferred to the electrostatic transfer belt 11 at the transfer portion N.

  At this time, in this embodiment, the toner image of the information dot image Dt is obtained by combining the points C and F on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 1 indicated by hatching in FIG. 2 when the rotation of the photosensitive drum 1 is stopped. It is formed at a timing located between them. That is, a toner image of the information dot image Dt is formed immediately before the photosensitive drum 1 stops, and the toner image is rotated from the developing position (point C) by the rotation of the photosensitive drum 1 to the cleaning position (point F) by the cleaning blade 60. The photosensitive drum 1 is stopped before reaching. At such timing, the formation of the information dot image Dt and the rotation of the photosensitive drum 1 are controlled.

  Further, when the rotation of the photosensitive drum 1 is stopped, the toner image of the information dot image Dt is between the points C and D on the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 1 indicated by hatching in FIG. And the point F. That is, point C is the development position, and point D is the surface movement direction of the photosensitive drum 1 at the opening formed in the frame of the process cartridge 7 in order to expose the photosensitive drum 1 to the outside of the process cartridge 7. This is the end (edge) position on the upstream side of the transfer portion N. This point C and point D cannot be easily accessed from the outside of the process cartridge 7. Point E is an end (edge) position on the downstream side of the transfer portion N in the direction of surface movement of the photosensitive drum 1 at the opening, and point F is a cleaning position. The point E and the point F cannot be easily accessed from the outside of the process cartridge 7. Therefore, by setting the stop position of the toner image of the information dot image Dt to such a position, the user can easily touch the toner image of the information dot image Dt, and the toner image and the transfer belt 11 can be touched. It is possible to prevent the toner image from being disturbed by the above. Thereby, the information dot image Dt can be maintained as a clear toner image.

  That is, the process cartridge 7 has a frame in which an opening for exposing a part of the photosensitive drum 1 is formed in a state where the process cartridge 7 is mounted on the apparatus main body 110. The toner image indicating the device information is formed on the photosensitive drum 1 positioned inside the frame from the end of the opening when the photosensitive drum 1 is stopped.

  As described above, the toner image indicating the device information is formed and displayed in an area that is not easily touched by the user, thereby preventing the user from touching the toner image, and the device can be obtained as a clear toner image. Information can be kept. However, the toner image indicating the apparatus information is formed at a position where the process cartridge 7 can be easily recognized visually without disassembling the process cartridge 7.

  Even when the toner image of the information dot image Dt passes through the transfer portion N, a bias having a polarity opposite to the normal charging polarity of the toner is positively applied from the transfer bias power source 50 to the transfer roller 12. Good. That is, in this case, when the toner image of the information dot image Dt passes through the transfer portion N, the toner charged with a normal polarity is transferred between the photosensitive drum 1 and the electrostatic transfer belt 11. An electric field in the direction of movement from 11 to the photosensitive drum 1 is formed.

  In this embodiment, the toner image formation of the information dot image Dt is performed every time the process cartridge is driven and stopped, and the information dot image Dt is sequentially updated as the apparatus information changes. Regarding the operation condition selection information such as the print mode and the recording material supply port, in this embodiment, information selected in the image forming operation for the recording material S immediately before the driving of the photosensitive drum 1 is stopped is displayed.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of the information dot image Dt.

  As shown in FIG. 3, in this embodiment, the diameter of one dot (substantially circular in this embodiment) of the information dot image Dt is 500 μm, and each device information is separated by a line Ln of 300 μm. .

  In this way, device information is indicated by a dot image, and by setting the diameter of each dot to 500 μm, a large amount of device information can be indicated with a small display area. That is, by using such a dot image, a large amount of device information can be displayed in a narrow display area, so that a very small amount of toner or ink is consumed.

  The meaning of the information dot image Dt shown in FIG. 3 is as follows. In FIG. 3, description will be made in order from the left side.

  First, the first four sets of three-point dots are information relating to the lifetime (usage amount) of the process cartridge 7 for each color, that is, the yellow cartridge 7a, the cyan cartridge 7b, the magenta cartridge 7c, and the black cartridge 7d. In the figure, Y-CRG, C-CRG, M-CRG, and Bk-CRG indicate a yellow cartridge 7a, a cyan cartridge 7b, a magenta cartridge 7c, and a black cartridge 7d, respectively.

  The next two sets of three-point dots are information relating to the lifetime (usage amount) of the apparatus main body 110.

  The next set of three-point dots is information relating to the life (usage amount) of the electrostatic transfer unit 5.

  The next set of three-point dots is information relating to the life (usage amount) of the fixing unit 20.

  The next two sets of three-point dots are information relating to the print mode.

  The next set of three-point dots is information relating to the recording material supply port (paper feed port).

  The next set of three-point dots is information about temperature.

  The next set of three-point dots is information relating to humidity.

  That is, the life counts of the four-color process cartridges 7, the electrostatic transfer unit 5, and the fixing unit 20 that are consumable units are represented in four stages of 0 to 3 dots, respectively. Further, the life count and the print mode of the apparatus main body 110 are represented by 7 levels (types) of 0 to 6 dots, respectively. In addition, the recording material supply port, temperature, and humidity are represented in four stages (types) of 0 to 3 dots, respectively.

  As described above, in the dot image shown in FIG. 3, eleven types of device information are represented by 13 sets of three-point dots.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of each stage (type) of each device information represented by the number of dots. In FIG. 4, the life of the apparatus main body 110 is represented by the total number of image formations. Further, the life of the process cartridge 7, the life of the electrostatic transfer unit 5, and the life of the fixing unit 20 are represented by values converted into the number of image formations, respectively. As the print mode, for each type of the recommended recording material S, a plain paper mode, a thick paper mode, a glossy paper mode 1 (gloss 1), a glossy paper mode 2 (gloss 2), a glossy paper mode 3 (gloss 3), Assume that there are seven types: thin paper mode and film mode. Furthermore, the recording material supply port (paper feed port) has the following four types. First, it has CST (from the recording material cassette 17) and MP (from a manual feed tray not shown). Further, OP1 (from a first optional paper feed cassette (not shown) attached to the lower part of CST 17) and OP2 (second optional paper feed cassette (not shown) attached to the lower part when the first optional paper feed cassette is installed). From). FIG. 3 shows a case where all three dots are displayed.

  Thus, according to this embodiment, the apparatus information is formed as a toner image on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 1 of the process cartridge 7 and displayed on the peripheral surface of the stopped photosensitive drum 1. As a result, the apparatus information can be obtained directly from the toner image on the photosensitive drum 1 without an apparatus for taking in the information. Therefore, the manager can promptly and appropriately respond to the user when there is a request for improvement from the user, for example.

  For example, if the cause of the defective image is known to be caused by temperature or humidity, it is possible to propose to the user a print mode that avoids that. If the recording material S being used is not printed in the recommended print mode, the recommended print mode can be proposed to the user. In addition, it is possible to determine whether the problem has occurred due to the lifetime from the lifetime count (number of image formations) of the consumable unit, and if necessary, replace the consumable unit. Can be proposed. In addition, the user can be informed of how long the consumable unit will last. Therefore, the administrator can quickly and appropriately respond to the user, and the user's dissatisfaction can be solved.

  Conventionally, a test sample on which various information related to the image forming apparatus is printed on the recording material S to obtain the information. On the other hand, according to the present embodiment, since the apparatus information is displayed on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 1 of the stopped process cartridge 7, it is not necessary to print such a test sample. Therefore, the consumption of the recording material S for the test sample can be reduced, and the troublesomeness of printing the test sample can be eliminated.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, even when the apparatus main body 110 is not present, for example, when the user brings the process cartridge 7 to the manager's place for consultation, the manager is displayed on the photosensitive drum 1. It is possible to see the device information immediately on the spot. Therefore, the administrator can quickly and appropriately respond to the user.

  In the above description, the device information is displayed as a dot image. However, the device information is symbolized by a bar code or the like as shown in FIG. 5 to record a lot of device information in a smaller space. be able to.

  FIG. 5 shows the meaning of each digit of the bar code. The life counts of the four color process cartridges 7, the electrostatic transfer unit 5, and the fixing unit 20, which are consumable units, are represented in 10 levels from 0 to 9. In addition, the life count of the apparatus main body 110 is expressed in 100 steps from 00 to 99. The print mode, the recording material supply port (paper feed port), the recording material discharge port (paper discharge port), the temperature, and the humidity are represented by 10 levels (types) of 0 to 9, respectively.

  As described above, in the barcode shown in FIG. 5, 12 types of device information are represented by a 13-digit barcode.

  Here, when the apparatus information is displayed as a barcode or the like as shown in FIG. 5, it can be easily and quickly read by a relatively small and simple barcode reader. Since the barcode reader itself is known, further explanation is omitted.

  In the present invention, the display of the device information is not limited to the examples shown in FIGS. It is also possible to display the following information by devising the number of dots and the code, or using a text image or an image. For example, the serial number of the apparatus main body 110, the serial number of the consumable unit, the history of the number of image formations and the rotation time, the information on the number of image formations and the number of sheets passed, the error type, and the total number of errors.

Thus, as a specific example, the information regarding the image forming apparatus may be at least one of the following.
(A) Temperature and humidity of the installation environment of the image forming apparatus (b) Image forming mode during image formation (c) Type of recording material supply port and recording material discharge port (d) Serial number of consumable unit (e) Image History of number of formations and rotation time (f) Serial number of main body of device (g) Number of times of image formation and number of sheets passed (h) Type of error (i) Total number of errors

  For example, the controller A can read the serial number of the apparatus main body 110 stored in advance in the storage unit of the controller A or the memory M. Further, the controller A is read from the recording means provided in each consumable unit or input from the operation unit of the apparatus main body 110 or an external device, and is stored in the storage unit or the memory M of the controller A. The serial number of the consumable unit can be read.

  Further, the history of the number of image formations and the rotation time is specifically as follows. That is, not only the simple count (integrated number) of the number of image formations and the number of rotations, for example, the number of image formations counted for each type of recording material S, every time (date and time), every image formation mode, every environment, etc. The number of rotations can be recorded. The controller A may store such history information in the memory M, or may generate it when inputting information to the image processing unit B so as to display device information.

  When recording an error, the controller A detects the type of error, the number of occurrences for each type of error, and the total number of occurrences of errors by a known method using the sensors of each unit and / or data on the sequence. Can do. For example, the controller A detects that the recording material S is clogged (hereinafter referred to as “jam”) in the apparatus main body 110 via a recording material detection sensor such as a recording material discharge sensor, and the number of occurrences thereof is also determined. Can be counted. Similarly, the controller A can detect various errors other than a jam and count the number of times.

  The controller A stores in the memory M the remaining amount of toner (or presence / absence of toner) in the developing device 4 detected via the toner remaining amount detecting mechanism provided in the developing device 4 in the process cartridge 7. It can be memorized. In this case, the controller A replaces or in addition to the determination based on the number of rotations or the rotation time of the photosensitive drum 1, the charging roller 2, and the developing roller 40 described above, and the toner becomes less than a predetermined threshold value. Sometimes the life of the process cartridge 7 can be detected.

That is, the information regarding the image forming apparatus generally includes at least one of the following.
(1) Individual identification information of the apparatus main body such as a serial number (2) Individual identification information of the consumable unit such as a serial number (3) Usage amount information of the apparatus main body such as the number of image formations and the number of sheets to be passed (4) Component parts Consumables unit usage information (5), such as the drive amount (rotation speed, rotation time, or converted value for the number of times of image formation), the remaining amount of consumable material (developer, etc.) Environmental information such as temperature and humidity (6) Image forming mode type, recording material supply port type, recording material discharge port type and other operating condition selection information (7) Device main unit usage or consumable unit usage History information (usage history)
(8) Error information such as error type and number of errors (trouble information)
At least one of these pieces of information can be displayed as independent information. Or you may display as composite information which combined at least 2 of these information like the image formation frequency etc. of the apparatus main body for every image formation mode.

  Here, image defects frequently inquired by the user to managers such as manufacturers and dealers are often caused by the lifetime of consumable units such as the process cartridge 7. Accordingly, the apparatus information can be displayed on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 1 as described above from the time when the life of the consumable unit such as the process cartridge 7 is exceeded. Even in this case, in many cases, the administrator can appropriately deal with the user. For example, whether or not the process cartridge 7 has reached the end of life from the apparatus information displayed with a small amount of toner while suppressing the toner consumption in the display of the apparatus information by displaying the apparatus information after the end of the life of the process cartridge 7 Can be determined immediately.

  Further, by displaying the toner image indicating the device information at a position that is easy to see for the user, the user can easily know the device information by viewing the toner image.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, information that the image forming apparatus 100 can know can be obtained directly from the process cartridge 7 without an apparatus for the administrator to capture the information. Therefore, based on the information, the administrator can promptly and appropriately respond to the user.

  As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated according to the specific Example, this invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the recording material S on which the developer image (toner image) formed on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is carried on the electrostatic transfer belt 11 and conveyed. The direct transfer type image forming apparatus for transferring to the image has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the developer image (toner image) formed on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is temporarily transferred to the intermediate transfer member, and then transferred from the intermediate transfer member to the recording material S. The present invention can be equally applied to an intermediate transfer type image forming apparatus for transferring.

  For example, FIG. 6 shows a schematic cross section of a main part of an example of an intermediate transfer type image forming apparatus. In the image forming apparatus 200 of FIG. 6, elements having the same functions and configurations as those of the image forming apparatus 100 of FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  An image forming apparatus 200 shown in FIG. 6 has an intermediate transfer belt 201 as an intermediate transfer member that is formed of an endless belt and moves around, instead of the electrostatic transfer belt of the image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIG. On the inner peripheral surface side of the intermediate transfer belt 201, primary transfer rollers 202a to 202d as primary transfer units are provided to face the respective photosensitive drums 1a to 1d. Primary transfer bias power supplies 203a to 203d as primary transfer bias output means are connected to the primary transfer rollers 202a to 202d, respectively. The primary transfer rollers 202a to 202d and the primary transfer bias power supplies 203a to 203d perform substantially the same operations as the transfer rollers 12a to 12d and the transfer bias power supplies 50a to 50d in the image forming apparatus 100 of FIG. The toner images sequentially transferred (primary transfer) from the photosensitive drums 1a to 1d onto the intermediate transfer belt 201 as a transfer member are recorded by the action of the secondary transfer roller 204 as a secondary transfer unit. The material S is collectively transferred (secondary transfer).

  In such an image forming apparatus 200 as well, the same functions and effects can be achieved by similarly applying the configuration described in the above-described embodiment with respect to the display of the apparatus information on the photosensitive drum 1. In the intermediate transfer type image forming apparatus 200 of FIG. 6, similarly to the direct transfer type image forming apparatus 100 of FIG. 1, the toner image indicating the apparatus information is transferred from the photosensitive drum 1 to the intermediate transfer belt 201. It is preferable not to do so. That is, the primary transfer power source 203 is controlled so that the toner image is not transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 201 in the same manner as the transfer bias power source 50 is controlled so that the toner image is not transferred onto the electrostatic transfer belt 11. can do.

  Further, the present invention can be equally applied to a monochrome image forming apparatus having an image forming unit similar to that of the above-described embodiment. In this case, the recording material onto which the toner image is transferred from the image carrier may be directly passed between the image carrier and the transfer means without being carried on the recording material carrier.

  In the above-described embodiment, the image carrier on which the toner image indicating the apparatus information is formed is provided in the process cartridge which is a unit that can be easily attached to and detached from the apparatus main body by the user. As explained. The present invention operates very effectively in the image forming apparatus of such an aspect, but the present invention is not limited to application to the image forming apparatus of such an aspect. For example, even when the image carrier is not easily removable by the user, the toner image indicating the state of the apparatus is displayed on the surface of the image carrier while the image carrier is stopped. The person can read the information relatively easily and use it for dealing with the user.

1 is a schematic cross-sectional configuration diagram of an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. It is a schematic sectional drawing of one Example of a process cartridge. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of a dot image formed on the surface of a photosensitive drum. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the meaning of the dot in a dot image. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of a barcode image formed on the surface of a photosensitive drum. It is a schematic sectional drawing of the other Example of the image forming apparatus which can apply this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 Photosensitive drum (image carrier)
2 Charging roller (charging device)
3 Scanner unit (exposure device)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 4 Developing apparatus 5 Electrostatic transfer unit 7 Process cartridge 11 Electrostatic transfer belt 20 Fixing unit 100 Image forming apparatus 110 Image forming apparatus main body A Control means B Image processing part M Memory (storage means)
S Recording material (transfer body)

Claims (10)

A movable image carrier that carries toner, an image forming unit that forms a toner image on the image carrier using toner, and a transfer that transfers the toner image formed on the image carrier to a transfer member And an image forming apparatus comprising:
And a detection unit configured to detect information related to the image forming apparatus. The information related to the image forming apparatus detected by the detection unit is formed on the image carrier by the image forming unit. An image forming apparatus that displays as a toner image held on the image carrier when the operation is stopped.   2. A toner image indicating information relating to the image forming apparatus is formed after a toner image transferred to a recording material and output to the outside of the image forming apparatus is formed on the image carrier. The image forming apparatus described in 1.   A toner image indicating information relating to the image forming apparatus is formed outside a region on the image carrier where a toner image transferred to a recording material and output to the outside of the image forming apparatus is formed. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.   The image according to claim 1, wherein a toner image indicating information relating to the image forming apparatus is formed in an area on the image carrier that is not easily touched by a user. Forming equipment.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image carrier is provided in a cartridge that is detachable from a main body of the image forming apparatus.   The cartridge further includes at least one of charging means for charging the image carrier, developing means for supplying toner to the image carrier, and cleaning means for cleaning the surface of the image carrier. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5.   7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein information relating to the image forming apparatus is displayed after the detection unit detects that the cartridge has reached the end of its life.   The cartridge has a frame formed with an opening that exposes a part of the image carrier in a state where the cartridge is attached to a main body of the image forming apparatus, and a toner image indicating information about the image forming apparatus 8. The image formation according to claim 5, wherein the image forming member is formed on the image bearing member located inside the frame body with respect to an end portion of the opening when the image bearing member is stopped. 9. apparatus.   Information relating to the image forming apparatus includes individual identification information of the main body of the image forming apparatus, individual identification information of a consumable unit detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus, usage amount information of the main body of the image forming apparatus, Including at least one of usage information of the consumable unit, environment information, operation condition selection information, usage information of the main body of the image forming apparatus or usage amount of the consumable unit, and error information. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information related to the image forming apparatus is symbolized and displayed.

Images