JP2010078966A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform control according to an amount of a developer in a developer supply unit when controlling supply of a developer using a newly attached developer supply unit. <P>SOLUTION: An image forming device 100 comprises: an intermediate belt 4 for holding an image transferred to a transfer medium; a developing unit 1 for developing the developer onto the intermediate belt 4; a plurality of print engines which are detachably attached to the developing unit 1 and having a toner supply unit 2 supplying a toner to the developer and a toner cartridge 3; a toner sensor 25 for detecting a developer in the toner supply unit 2; and a control part 30 for checking an amount of the residual toner in the toner supply unit 2 from detection information of the toner sensor 25 when the toner supply unit 2 is attached, and controlling the toner supply unit 2 according to the amount of the residual toner. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

  The image forming apparatus normally performs printing using three primary colors of cyan, magenta, and yellow and a black developer (toner).

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-228561 describes that printing is performed using a special color developer and a clear toner for coating the surface in addition to these developers. In such an image forming apparatus that prints using a developer other than cyan, magenta, and yellow, and a developer other than black, an arbitrary number of print engines can be combined and a print engine incorporating a special developer can be added as an option. There is disclosed a method for preventing a plurality of print engines from being erroneously arranged in a printer in which an arbitrary number of print engines can be combined.

  In Patent Document 2, when a cartridge and a reserve tank are provided, both the cartridge and the reserve tank have conveying members. By driving the respective conveying members, toner can be conveyed and supplied. A configuration is disclosed in which an empty toner state in a cartridge is determined based on a detection signal of a toner presence / absence sensor provided in a tank, and toner empty detection of the cartridge is performed.

JP 2006-267282 A JP-A-2005-241868

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to perform control according to the amount of developer in the developer supply device when controlling the supply of developer using the newly installed developer supply device.

  The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 is detachable from the image forming apparatus main body, an image holding body that holds an image transferred to a transfer medium, a developing unit that develops a developer on the image holding body, and the image forming apparatus main body. A developer replenisher configured to replenish the developer to the developer; a developer cartridge configured to be detachable from the developer replenisher; and supplying the developer to the developer replenisher; Confirmation means for confirming the remaining amount of developer in the developer replenisher, and confirming the remaining amount of developer in the developer replenisher using the confirmation means when the developer replenisher is mounted, The developer replenisher is controlled according to the remaining amount.

The image forming apparatus according to claim 2 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the developer replenisher includes a circulation mechanism that circulates the developer in the developer replenisher, and the developer replenisher. Detecting means for detecting the developer, the confirmation means according to a detection result of the detection means when the developer in the developer replenisher is circulated by the circulation mechanism. A configuration is provided that includes calculation means for calculating the remaining amount of developer in the replenisher.

  The image forming apparatus according to claim 3 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the developer replenisher rotates in a predetermined direction when the developer is replenished to the developer. A conveying member that conveys the developer in the developer replenisher; and a detection unit that is installed in the developer replenisher and detects the developer, and the confirmation unit moves the conveying member in the predetermined direction. On the other hand, there is provided a calculating means for calculating the remaining amount of the developer in the developer replenisher according to the detection result of the detecting means when rotated in the reverse direction.

  The image forming apparatus according to claim 4 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the developer cartridge includes storage means for storing remaining amount information of the developer in the developer replenisher, The confirmation means confirms the remaining amount of the developer in the developer replenisher according to the remaining amount information stored in the storage means.

  The image forming apparatus according to claim 5 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the developer replenisher includes a circulation mechanism for circulating the developer in the developer replenisher, and the developer replenisher. And a detecting means for detecting the developer, wherein the developer cartridge includes a storage means for storing the remaining amount information of the developer in the developer replenisher, and the confirmation means is provided by the circulation mechanism. Calculation means for calculating the remaining amount of developer in the developer supply device according to the detection result of the detection means when the developer in the developer supply device is circulated, and stored in the storage means Reading means for reading the remaining amount information, and controls the developer replenisher according to the calculation result of the calculating means when it is detected that the developer cartridge and the developer replenisher are attached or detached. And the developer cartridge Wherein when the developer supply unit is not detected to have been detached and controls the developer supply unit in accordance with the reading results of the reading means.

  The image forming apparatus according to claim 6 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the developer replenisher is installed in the developer replenisher and a transport member that transports the developer inside. Detection means for detecting, and attachment / detachment detection means for detecting that the developer cartridge is detached from the developer supply device in a state where the developer supply device and the developer cartridge are removed from the image forming apparatus. The developer cartridge includes storage means for storing developer remaining amount information in the developer replenisher, and the confirmation means detects the detection means when the developer is conveyed by the conveyance means. Calculating means for calculating the remaining amount of the developer according to the detection result, and reading means for reading the remaining amount information stored in the storage means, the developer cartridge and the developer supplement. When it is detected that the developer has been attached / detached, the developer replenisher is controlled in accordance with the calculation result of the calculating means, and it has not been detected that the developer cartridge has been attached / detached. Controls the developer replenisher according to the reading result of the reading means.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, when controlling the supply of the developer using the newly installed developer supply device, the control according to the amount of the developer in the developer supply device can be performed. it can.

  According to the second and third aspects of the invention, the remaining amount of the developer can be confirmed using the detection means.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the remaining amount of the developer can be confirmed using information stored in the developer cartridge that can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus integrally with the developer replenisher. .

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the user is quickly notified of the remaining amount of developer in the developer supply device.

According to the second aspect of the invention, it is possible to perform control according to whether or not the developer cartridge is attached to or detached from the developer supply device.

  Embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a schematic configuration inside the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present exemplary embodiment. The image forming apparatus 100 includes first to sixth print engines 11 to 16.

  The first to sixth print engines 11 to 16 are arranged along the upper flat surface 4a of the intermediate transfer belt 4 used as an image holding member, and the first to sixth prints are made while the intermediate transfer belt 4 makes one round. The engines 11 to 16 sequentially develop and superimpose toner on the intermediate transfer belt 4 to form a toner image.

  The intermediate transfer belt 4 is stretched by rolls 5, 6, and 7 and rotated in the direction of arrow A in the figure (counterclockwise direction in the figure). The roll 7 is disposed at a position through which the intermediate transfer belt 4 on which toner images are formed by the first to sixth print engines 11 to 16 passes. Further, a transfer roll 8 is disposed on the outer peripheral side of the intermediate transfer belt 4 so as to face the roll 7. A secondary transfer region 9 is formed by the roll 7 and the transfer roll 8. A recording paper P is fed to the secondary transfer area 9 from a paper transport path (not shown), and at the same time, a transfer bias is applied to the transfer roll 8, thereby forming a full-color toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 4. Is transferred to the recording paper P. A fixing device 10 is disposed on the downstream side in the transport direction of the secondary transfer area 9, and when the recording paper P passes through the fixing device 10, the toner on the recording paper P is heated and pressed to record the recording paper P. To be established. Further, after the toner image is transferred to the recording paper P, the intermediate transfer belt 4 is not transferred to the recording paper P by the cleaner unit (not shown) provided on the outer peripheral side of the intermediate transfer belt 4 and is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 4. Residual toner is scraped off.

  Next, the configuration of the first to sixth print engines 11 to 16 will be described. Since the first to sixth print engines 11 to 16 can have the same configuration, only the configuration of the first print engine 11 will be described below.

  FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the first print engine 11. The first print engine 11 includes a developing device 1, a toner replenishing device 2 that replenishes toner (developer) to the developing device 1, and a toner cartridge 3 that supplies toner to the toner replenishing device 2. The toner in the toner cartridge 3 is supplied to the developing device 1 via the toner supply device 2.

  The developing unit 1 includes a photosensitive member 1a, a cleaner unit 1b, a charging roll 1c, an exposure head 1d, and a toner container 1e that are sequentially arranged around the photosensitive member 1a in the rotation direction of the photosensitive member 1a (in the direction of arrow B in the figure). The developing roller 1f is provided. The photosensitive member 1 a contacts the outer peripheral side of the flat surface 4 a of the intermediate transfer belt 4, and a transfer roll 17 provided on the inner peripheral side of the intermediate transfer belt 4 is sandwiched between the intermediate transfer belt 4 and the photosensitive member 1 a. A primary transfer region 18 is formed by the photoreceptor 1 a and the transfer roll 17.

  The transfer operation to the intermediate transfer belt 4 by the first print engine 11 is as follows. First, a charging bias is applied to the charging roll 1c that rotates in contact with the photosensitive member 1a to charge the photosensitive member 1a. Next, an exposure head 1d such as an LED array exposes the charged surface of the photoreceptor 1a to form an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image data. Next, a developing bias is applied to the developing roll 1f, and the toner attached to the developing roll 1f moves onto the electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor 1a, whereby the electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor 1a is developed. . Then, a transfer bias is applied to the transfer roll 17, and the toner image is transferred from the photoreceptor 1 a to the intermediate transfer belt 4 in the primary transfer region 18. Finally, the cleaner unit 1b cleans the surface of the photoreceptor 1a by scraping off the toner that has not been transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 4 and remains on the photoreceptor 1a.

  The toner replenisher 2 is equipped with a toner sensor 25 composed of a piezoelectric element that detects toner in the toner replenisher 2 and an attachment / detachment detection sensor 27 that detects attachment / detachment of the toner cartridge 3. The toner sensor 25 and the attachment / detachment detection sensor 27 are electrically connected to the control unit 30. A detailed description of the control unit 30 will be described later. Further, the toner cartridge 3 includes a nonvolatile memory 26 as a storage unit. This nonvolatile memory 26 stores the remaining amount of toner in the toner replenisher 2. As the nonvolatile memory 26, for example, RFID, NVRAM, or PROM is preferably used.

  Next, the internal configuration of the toner replenisher 2 will be described. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the internal configuration of the toner replenisher 2. As shown in FIG. 3, the toner replenisher 2 includes an auger 22 that transports toner into a container 21 that receives toner from the toner cartridge 3. The auger 22 is driven by a toner supply motor 23. When the toner supply motor 23 rotates in the forward direction, the toner is conveyed in the direction indicated by arrow C in FIG. 2, and when the toner supply motor 23 rotates in the reverse direction, the toner is conveyed in the direction opposite to the arrow C. The Further, the toner replenisher 2 is provided with a lead-out portion 24, and the lead-out portion 24 is connected to a toner inlet of the developing device 1. The toner conveyed by the auger 22 passes through the lead-out unit 24 and is led out to the developing device 1 side. Part of the toner conveyed by the auger 22 circulates in the toner replenisher 2 without being led out from the lead-out unit 24.

  In the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present exemplary embodiment, a part of the toner replenisher 2 can be replaced with the image forming apparatus 100 integrally with the toner cartridge 3. That is, in the first and second print engines 11 and 12, the toner cartridge 3 and the toner replenisher 2 are configured to be detachable integrally with the image forming apparatus 100. In this embodiment, the print engines 13 to 16 that perform image formation using the three primary colors of magenta and yellow and black developer (toner) are not configured to be replaceable, but the first to sixth print engines 11 to 16 are also not replaceable. The arrangement relationship can be freely changed according to user needs, and the first to sixth print engines 11 to 16 can be freely combined.

  In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, a yellow (Y) toner cartridge 3 is arranged in the third print engine 13, and a magenta (M) toner cartridge 3 is arranged in the fourth print engine 14. Has been. The fifth print engine 15 includes a cyan (C) toner cartridge 3, and the sixth print engine 16 includes a black (K) toner cartridge 3. To the first print engine 11 and the second print engine 12, a toner cartridge 3 for storing various toners and a toner replenisher 2 are attached and detached. For example, a toner cartridge 3 containing special toners such as a special color toner, a clear toner for coating, a foamed toner, and a security toner can be freely mounted and removed. In some cases, the first print engine 11 and the second print engine 12 are not attached.

  In the image forming apparatus 100 in which the print engines 11 and 12 are configured to be detachable, when the special developer is not printed, the toner cartridge 3 containing the developer and the toner replenisher 2 are removed, and another toner cartridge is removed. 3 and the toner replenisher 2 may be attached. However, if the toner cartridge 3 and the toner replenisher 2 are removed in this manner, the remaining amount of the developer in the newly installed toner replenisher 2 cannot be confirmed in the main body of the image forming apparatus. Therefore, the image forming apparatus main body 100 cannot grasp the remaining amount of the developer in the toner replenisher when the removed toner cartridge 3 and the toner replenisher 2 are mounted again or newly.

  Next, control performed in the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a control flow of the present embodiment. The control unit 30 functions as a control unit that controls the toner replenisher 2, and is electrically connected to the toner replenishment motor 23, the toner sensor 25, the arrangement detection unit 31, the display panel 32, the main body storage unit 33, and the reader / writer 34. ing.

  The control unit 30 performs general control processing performed by the image forming apparatus 100. In particular, in this embodiment, the control unit 30 calculates the remaining amount of toner in the toner replenisher 2 based on information detected by the toner sensor 25, and supplies the toner when the toner replenisher 2 is mounted. The remaining amount of toner in the container 2 is confirmed, and control according to the remaining amount is performed. The toner sensor 25 transmits information on the toner in the toner replenisher 2 to the control unit 30. The arrangement detection unit 31 is provided in each of the first to second print engines 11 to 12, detects the attachment / detachment state of the toner replenisher 2 and the toner cartridge 3, and transmits the information to the control unit 30. The display panel 32 displays the remaining toner amount and print mode information to the user. The main body storage unit 33 stores calculation results from the control unit 30 and information related to the image forming apparatus 100. The reader / writer 34 communicates information regarding the toner replenisher 2 without contacting the nonvolatile memory 26. The nonvolatile memory 26 stores the remaining amount information of the developer in the toner replenisher 2. Further, the nonvolatile memory 26 stores information such as the color of the toner stored in the toner cartridge 3 attached to the toner replenisher 2, an identifier for identifying the toner cartridge 3, the number of times of use, and the use start date of this cartridge Information such as a cumulative value of usage time and the number of sheets printed using this cartridge may be stored.

  Next, processing by the control unit 30 will be described with reference to a control flow. FIG. 5 is a toner remaining amount detection flow in the initial setting mode in which the toner remaining amount of the toner replenisher 2 processed by the control unit 30 is confirmed. The initial setting mode is a preparation mode before entering the printing stage. The controller 30 confirms the detection of the toner replenisher 2 in step S1. In step S1, when the arrangement of the print engines 11 to 12 is changed and the arrangement detection unit 31 detects the connection of the new toner replenisher 2 and the toner cartridge 3, the control unit 30 receives the information, The connection between the toner replenisher 2 and the toner cartridge 3 is confirmed. When the control unit 30 confirms the connection of the toner replenisher 2 in step S1, the control unit 30 proceeds to step S2.

  In step S2, the control unit 30 detects the remaining amount of toner in the toner replenisher 2 whose connection has been confirmed in step S1. Specific operations will be described below. The control unit 30 drives the toner supply motor 23 of the toner supply device 2 to circulate the toner in the toner supply device 2. At this time, the toner sensor 25 of the toner replenisher 2 detects the presence / absence of circulating toner by using the change in the vibration state of the piezoelectric element caused by the contact of the toner with the detection surface, and controls the detection result. To the unit 30. The control unit 30 receives the detection result of the toner sensor 25 and acquires information within a preset detection time. At this time, the toner replenishing motor 23 may be rotated forward or backward.

  The control unit 30 calculates the remaining amount of toner in the toner replenisher 2 based on the presence / absence of toner detected by the toner sensor 25 within the detection time. Such a detection time is a time that the toner in the toner replenisher 2 makes a round in the container 21. The reason for setting the detection time and detecting the remaining amount of toner is that the toner in the toner replenisher 2 is not always uniform. By detecting the toner that goes around the container 21, the entire toner in the toner replenisher 2 is detected, and the detection accuracy is improved. Further, when detecting the presence or absence of toner by rotating the toner replenishment motor 23 in reverse, the toner is detected on the assumption that the toner is present downstream from the detection position when the toner is detected. The detection control may be terminated at the time. With this setting, the calculation time can be shortened. Further, in either case of forward rotation or reverse rotation of the toner replenishment motor 23, no toner remains in the toner replenisher 2 when the toner sensor 25 detects that there is no toner a plurality of times. You may decide that.

  When the control unit 30 detects the remaining amount of toner in the toner replenisher 2 in step S2, the control unit 30 proceeds to step S3 and step S4. In step S3, the control unit 30 displays the remaining amount of toner detected in step S2 on the display panel 32. In step S4, the control unit 30 stores the remaining amount of toner detected in step S2 in the main body storage unit 33 as initial control data. Similarly, the detected toner remaining amount is transmitted to the nonvolatile memory 26 mounted on the toner replenisher 2 that has detected the toner remaining amount, and stored. The process in step S3 and the process in step S4 may be performed in the reverse order. The control unit 30 returns after completing the processing of step S3 and step S4.

  As described above, the image forming apparatus 100 accurately checks the remaining amount of toner in the toner replenisher 2 when the toner cartridge 3 and the toner replenisher 2 are newly installed. In order to detect the remaining amount of toner in the toner replenisher 2, an accurate remaining amount of toner that can actually be used for printing is grasped. Further, by checking the remaining amount of toner accurately, the user is notified when the remaining amount of toner is empty, so that the toner can be replenished quickly.

  Such an image forming apparatus 100 may detect and calculate the remaining amount of toner in the toner replenisher 2 only when the toner cartridge 3 is replaced while the toner replenisher 2 is attached. When the toner cartridge 3 is replaced, information regarding replacement of the toner cartridge 3 is detected by the attachment / detachment detection sensor 27, and the information is transmitted to the control unit 30. When acquiring information indicating that the toner cartridge 3 has been replaced, the control unit 30 performs processing for calculating the remaining amount of toner. On the other hand, when the control unit 30 does not receive information indicating that the toner cartridge 3 has been replaced. Information on the remaining amount of toner is acquired from the nonvolatile memory 26. As described above, when the image forming apparatus 100 determines that the toner cartridge 3 has been replaced, the image forming apparatus 100 calculates the remaining amount of toner again, and when determining that the toner cartridge 3 has not been replaced, the remaining amount information is stored from the nonvolatile memory 26. It is preferable to obtain

  In the present embodiment, the non-volatile memory 26 may not be attached to the toner replenisher 2. In this case, in the toner remaining amount detection flow, processing for storing the detected toner remaining amount information in the nonvolatile memory and acquisition of the remaining amount information of the toner stored in the nonvolatile memory are not performed.

  Next, Example 2 will be described. The image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment is different from the image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment in that the toner replenisher 2 is not provided with the toner sensor 25. Since other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  In the present embodiment, a toner remaining amount detection flow similar to that in the first embodiment is performed. Since the processing is the same as that in the first embodiment except for step S2, detailed description of other steps is omitted. In step S2 of the toner remaining amount detection flow in this embodiment, the toner remaining amount is not detected using the toner sensor.

  In this embodiment, the control unit 30 reads the accumulated usage time of the toner from the nonvolatile memory 26 and confirms the remaining amount of toner in step S2 of the remaining toner amount detection flow. The control unit 30 separately performs processing for calculating the accumulated toner usage time by adding up the toner usage time, and stores information on the accumulated toner usage time in the nonvolatile memory 26. The control unit 30 reads the accumulated usage time of the toner from the nonvolatile memory 26 every time the toner cartridge 3 and the toner replenisher 2 are mounted on the print engine, and updates the information every time it is used. The information on the accumulated usage time of toner is stored in the memory 26. In this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the remaining amount of toner is displayed on the display panel 32.

  With such a configuration, when the toner cartridge 3 and the toner replenisher 2 are newly installed, the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment accurately checks the remaining amount of toner in the toner replenisher 2. Further, by checking the remaining amount of toner accurately, the user is notified when the remaining amount of toner is empty, so that the toner can be replenished quickly. Further, in the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, since the information on the accumulated usage time stored in the nonvolatile memory 26 at the time of use is used, the toner cartridge 3 and the toner replenisher 2 are stored in the nonvolatile memory 26. Even when it is used in another image forming apparatus that updates information relating to the accumulated usage time, it is possible to check the accurate remaining amount of toner.

  Next, Example 3 will be described. Since the configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, detailed description thereof is omitted. This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the toner remaining amount detection flow of the toner replenisher 2 in the initial setting mode is different.

  FIG. 6 is a toner remaining amount detection flow in the initial setting mode of this embodiment. After finishing step S1, the control unit 30 performs the process of step S2a in parallel with step S2. Based on the toner amount detected by the toner sensor 25 in the process of step S2a, the control unit 30 temporarily determines the toner concentration in the toner replenisher 2 detected in a time shorter than the detection time in step S2. Set the toner level. For example, in step S2 of the first embodiment, the detection time is set to the time that the toner makes a round in the storage container 21, but in step S2a, the temporary toner is based on the information detected in half the time. Set the remaining capacity. The temporary toner remaining amount set here is referred to as a “temporary remaining amount value”. Note that the processing in steps S1 to S4 in the toner remaining amount detection flow of the present embodiment is the same as the processing in steps S1 to S4 in the toner remaining amount detection flow of the first embodiment, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted. To do. In the toner remaining amount detection flow in the initial setting mode of the present embodiment, when the process of step S4 is completed and when the process of step S2a is completed, the process proceeds to the toner remaining amount detection process in the print mode.

  FIG. 7 is a remaining toner amount detection flow in the print mode processed by the control unit 30 in this embodiment. The remaining toner amount detection process in the print mode is a remaining toner amount detection process in the toner replenisher 2 that is performed in the printing stage of the image detection apparatus 100. In step S11, the control unit 30 sets a cumulative value based on the temporary remaining amount value set in step S2a. Using this accumulated value, the remaining amount of toner in the toner replenishing device 2 is digitized to grasp the remaining amount of toner in the toner cartridge 3 and the toner replenishing device 2. After completing the process of step S11, the control unit 30 proceeds to step S12.

  In step S12, the control unit 30 determines whether there is a remaining amount of toner in the toner replenisher 2. The control unit 30 determines YES when determining that a preset reference amount of toner remains in the toner replenisher 2, and proceeds to step S13. On the other hand, when it is determined that the reference amount of toner does not remain in the toner replenisher 2, it is determined as NO and the process proceeds to step S14.

  The controller 30 subtracts the accumulated value in step S13. On the other hand, in step S14, the control unit 30 adds the accumulated value. In addition, the control unit 30 stores the calculated cumulative value in the main body storage unit 33 and the nonvolatile memory 26 attached to the toner replenisher 2.

  In step S15, the control unit 30 determines whether or not the accumulated value is greater than or equal to a threshold value. If printing is performed while exceeding such a threshold, the print density becomes light and toner runs out. If the control unit 30 determines YES in step S15, that is, if the accumulated value is greater than or equal to the threshold value, the process proceeds to step S16. On the other hand, if the control unit 30 determines NO in step S15, that is, if the accumulated value is less than the threshold value, the process proceeds to step S17.

  In step S16, the control unit 30 determines that the execution of the print mode cannot be continued, displays on the display panel 32 that the remaining amount of toner is insufficient and cannot execute the print mode, and notifies the user. On the other hand, the control unit 30 determines in step S17 that the print mode can be continued, and continues the print mode. Further, the remaining toner amount detection process in this print mode is performed every time printing is performed, and the accumulated value is updated.

  By setting the provisional remaining amount value as in this embodiment, the print mode is executed at an early stage and printing is performed. Further, since the remaining amount accumulated value is updated during the printing operation, even if the accuracy of detection of the remaining amount of toner cannot be obtained in the initial stage of the operation, the remaining amount of toner is corrected during the operation and detection with high accuracy is performed. Moreover, since an inexpensive low-speed motor can be used as the toner supply motor 23, the cost can be reduced.

  Next, Example 4 will be described. In the present embodiment, processing similar to that in the third embodiment is performed. However, this embodiment is different from the third embodiment in that the remaining toner remaining time is used instead of the accumulated value used in the remaining toner detection control flow in the print mode of the third embodiment. FIG. 8 is a toner remaining amount detection flow in the print mode of this embodiment. The configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment is the same as that of the first exemplary embodiment, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The control unit 30 sets the remaining toner remaining time in step S21. The toner remaining amount accumulated time is an accumulated value of the time when the toner in the toner replenisher 2 is used. The control unit 30 calculates the remaining toner remaining time from the time when the toner has been used, and stores it in the nonvolatile memory 26. The control unit 30 reads the remaining toner remaining time stored in the nonvolatile memory 26 by this process. After completing the process of step S21, the control unit 30 proceeds to step S22.

  In step S22, the control unit 30 determines whether the toner supply device 2 has a remaining amount of toner. The control unit 30 determines YES when determining that a preset reference amount of toner remains in the toner replenisher 2, and proceeds to step S23. On the other hand, when it is determined that the reference amount of toner does not remain in the toner replenisher 2, it is determined as NO, and the process proceeds to step S24.

  In step S23, the control unit 30 subtracts the remaining toner remaining time. On the other hand, in step S24, the control unit 30 adds the remaining toner remaining time. Further, the control unit 30 stores the calculated remaining toner remaining time in the main body storage unit 33 and the nonvolatile memory 26 attached to the toner replenisher 2. When the process of step S23 or step S24 is completed, the control unit 30 proceeds to step S25.

  In step S25, the control unit 30 determines whether the remaining toner remaining time is equal to or greater than a threshold value. If printing is performed while exceeding such a threshold, the print density becomes light and toner runs out. If the control unit 30 determines YES in step S25, that is, if the remaining toner amount accumulated time is equal to or greater than the threshold, the process proceeds to step S26. On the other hand, if the control unit 30 determines NO in step S25, that is, if the remaining toner remaining time is less than the threshold, the process proceeds to step S27.

  In step S26, the control unit 30 determines that the print mode cannot be continuously executed, displays on the display panel 32 that the print mode cannot be executed due to a shortage of toner remaining amount, and notifies the user. On the other hand, the control unit 30 determines in step S27 that the print mode can be continued, and continues the print mode. The remaining toner amount detection process in this print mode is performed every time printing is performed, and the remaining toner remaining time is updated.

  Next, Example 5 will be described. The image forming apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment is provided with a toner replenisher 40 of a type in which the toner is conveyed in one direction instead of the toner replenisher 2 of a type in which the toner circulates. Different from the forming apparatus 100. Since other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the internal configuration of the toner replenisher 40. As shown in FIG. 9, the toner replenisher 40 is provided with an auger 42 that transports toner into a container 41 that receives toner from the toner cartridge 3. The auger 42 is driven by a toner supply motor 43. When the toner replenishing motor 43 rotates in the forward direction, the toner is conveyed in the direction indicated by the arrow D in FIG. 9, and when the toner replenishing motor 43 rotates in the reverse direction, the toner is conveyed in the direction opposite to the arrow D. The In addition, the toner replenisher 40 includes a lead-out unit 44, and the lead-out unit 44 is connected to the toner inlet of the developing device 1. The toner conveyed by the auger 42 passes through the lead-out unit 44 and is led out to the developing device 1 side.

  When the remaining amount of toner is detected in this embodiment, the toner supply motor 43 is rotated in the reverse direction. At this time, when toner is detected, it is preferable to assume that toner is present downstream from the detection position. Furthermore, it may be determined that no toner remains in the toner replenisher 2 when the toner sensor 25 detects that there is no toner a plurality of times. The image forming apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment detects and calculates the remaining amount of toner in the toner replenisher 40 when determining that the toner cartridge 3 has been replaced, and determines that the toner cartridge 3 has not been replaced. The remaining amount information may be acquired from the memory 26.

  The above-described embodiments are merely examples for carrying out the present invention, and the present invention is not limited thereto. Various modifications of these embodiments are within the scope of the present invention. It is apparent from the above description that various other embodiments are possible within the scope.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a schematic configuration inside the image forming apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which expanded and showed one of the print engines in FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating an internal configuration of a toner replenisher. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a control flow in the image forming apparatus. 6 is a toner remaining amount detection flow in an initial setting mode according to the first exemplary embodiment. 10 is a toner remaining amount detection flow in an initial setting mode according to a third exemplary embodiment. 10 is a toner remaining amount detection flow in a print mode according to a third exemplary embodiment. 9 is a toner remaining amount detection flow in a print mode according to a fourth exemplary embodiment. FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating an internal configuration of a toner replenisher according to a fifth exemplary embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Image forming apparatus 11 1st print engine 12 2nd print engine 13 3rd print engine 14 4th print engine 15 5th print engine 16 6th print engine 1 Developer 2, 40 Toner replenisher 21, 41 Container 22 42 Auger 23, 43 Toner supply motor 24, 44 Deriving unit 25 Toner sensor 26 Non-volatile memory 27 Attachment / detachment detection sensor 3 Toner cartridge 4 Intermediate transfer belt 30 Control unit 34 Reader / writer

Claims (6)

An image carrier for holding an image to be transferred to a transfer medium;
A developing device for developing a developer on the image carrier;
A developer replenisher configured to be detachable from the image forming apparatus main body and replenishing the developer to the developer;
A developer cartridge configured to be detachable from the developer replenisher, and supplying the developer to the developer replenisher;
Confirmation means for confirming the remaining amount of developer in the developer supply device;
With
When the developer replenisher is installed, the confirmation means is used to confirm the remaining amount of developer in the developer replenisher, and the developer replenisher is controlled according to the remaining amount. Image forming apparatus. The developer replenisher is
A circulation mechanism for circulating the developer in the developer replenisher;
Detection means installed in the developer supply device for detecting the developer;
With
The confirmation means includes
A calculating unit that calculates a remaining amount of the developer in the developer supply unit according to a detection result of the detection unit when the developer in the developer supply unit is circulated by the circulation mechanism; The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The developer replenisher is
A transport member that rotates in a predetermined direction when replenishing the developer to the developer and transports the developer in the developer replenisher;
Detection means installed in the developer supply device for detecting the developer;
With
The confirmation means includes
Computation means for calculating the remaining amount of developer in the developer replenisher according to the detection result of the detection means when the conveying member is rotated in the opposite direction to the predetermined direction. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The developer cartridge is
Comprising storage means for storing developer remaining amount information in the developer replenisher;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the confirmation unit confirms a remaining amount of developer in the developer replenisher according to the remaining amount information stored in the storage unit. The developer replenisher is
A circulation mechanism for circulating the developer in the developer replenisher;
Detection means installed in the developer supply device for detecting the developer;
With
The developer cartridge is
Comprising storage means for storing developer remaining amount information in the developer replenisher;
The confirmation means includes
Calculating means for calculating a remaining amount of developer in the developer supply device according to a detection result of the detection means when the developer in the developer supply device is circulated by the circulation mechanism;
Reading means for reading the remaining amount information stored in the storage means;
With
When it is detected that the developer cartridge and the developer replenisher are attached / detached, the developer replenisher is controlled according to the calculation result of the calculating means, and the developer cartridge, the developer replenisher, 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when it is not detected that the toner is attached or detached, the developer replenisher is controlled in accordance with a reading result of the reading unit. The developer replenisher is
A transport member for transporting the internal developer;
Detection means installed in the developer supply device for detecting the developer;
Detachment detecting means for detecting that the developer cartridge is detached from the developer replenisher in a state where the developer replenisher and the developer cartridge are detached from the image forming apparatus;
With
The developer cartridge is
Comprising storage means for storing developer remaining amount information in the developer replenisher;
The confirmation means includes
A calculation unit that calculates a remaining amount of the developer according to a detection result of the detection unit when the developer is conveyed by the conveyance unit;
Reading means for reading the remaining amount information stored in the storage means;
With
When it is detected that the developer cartridge and the developer replenisher are attached / detached, the developer replenisher is controlled according to the calculation result of the calculating means, and the developer cartridge, the developer replenisher, 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when it is not detected that the toner is attached or detached, the developer replenisher is controlled in accordance with a reading result of the reading unit.

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