Patent Application
20240353784
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an image forming system, and relates to, for example, the image forming apparatus, such as a copying machine or a printer, of an electrophotographic type or an electrostatic recording type.
In a conventional color image forming apparatus, a plurality of photosensitive members are independently scanned with light beams by a plurality of optical devices, respectively, and toner images of colors are formed by a plurality of developing devices. The toner images of colors formed on the photosensitive members are superposed on an intermediary transfer belt and then are finally transferred onto a sheet, or are transferred superposedly onto a transfer material on a belt. Conventionally, such a tandem type is used and a color image is formed. In the image forming apparatus of the tandem type, the photosensitive member and a toner image forming means such as a developing means in each of image forming portions are integrally assembled into a cartridge, so that a process cartridge is provided in some instances. The resultant process cartridges each in a cartridge form are arranged in a line so as to be attachable to and detachable from an image forming apparatus main assembly. In the image forming apparatus provided with such process cartridges, for example, when a developer is used up, a user himself (herself) exchanges the process cartridge(s) without relying on a service person in some instances. By doing so, it becomes possible to form the image again, and in addition, other consumables such as the photosensitive member can also be exchanged at the same time, and therefore, a maintenance property is improved.
Incidentally, in the image forming apparatus, in consideration of environment, various techniques for causing the user to use a process cartridge including a toner container to end have been proposed. For example, it has been disclosed that a stopper of the process cartridge is set invalid (release) and thus a state in which the process cartridge is mountable and dismountable is formed (for example, see, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application (JP-A) 2005-091462). Further, it has been disclosed that a locking means for locking a cover of the toner container and a means for detecting a no toner state of the toner container are used (for example, JR-A 2011-008142). In this constitution, when the no toner state of the toner container occurs, lock of the cover of the toner container is released by an operation from the user, so that the toner container is made exchangeable.
Thus, in consideration of the environment, until the toner in the cartridge is used up, lock(ing) is carried out by providing a locking mechanism for prohibiting the exchange of the cartridge, so that the user cannot simply release the locking mechanism. However, in such a constitution, the following problem arises in some cases.
Depending on various use environments, use conditions, and the like for users, the case where an image defect due to the cartridge occurs before a timing when the exchange of the cartridge becomes possible would be also considered.
In such a case, even in the case where the user desires the exchange of the cartridge, the user cannot exchange the cartridge until an exchangeable timing of the cartridge determined on an apparatus side. Further, when the image defect occurs, even in the case where the user can exchange the cartridge, there is a liability that the user erroneously exchange a cartridge, which does not cause the image defect, when the user exchange a cartridge, so that there arises a problem such that unnecessary exchange is performed.
The present invention has been accomplished in the above-described circumferences. A principal object of the present invention is to prevent an erroneous exchange of a cartridge, which is not required to be exchanged, by properly notifying a consumable to be exchanged and thus to improve usability during the exchange of the cartridge.
In order to solve the above-described problem, according to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus comprising: a cartridge including an accommodating portion configured to accommodate a developer; and a main assembly to which the cartridge is detachably mountable, wherein the main assembly includes an acquiring portion configured to acquire an acquisition value on a use amount of the cartridge; a switching mechanism capable of switching a restricted state in which detachment of the cartridge from the main assembly is restricted and a non-restricted state in which the detachment is not restricted; a detecting portion configured to detect abnormality of the cartridge; and a controller configured to control the switching mechanism, and wherein the controller controls the switching mechanism so that in a first period until the acquisition value reaches a threshold, switching from the restricted state to the non-restricted state is not permitted in a case that the abnormality of the cartridge is not detected by the detecting portion, and the switching from the restricted state to the non-restricted state is permitted in a case that the abnormality of the cartridge is detected by the detecting portion, and so that in a second period after the acquisition value reached the threshold, the switching from the restricted state to the non-restricted state is permitted.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming system comprising: an image forming apparatus which includes a cartridge including an accommodating portion configured to accommodate a developer, and a main assembly to which the cartridge is detachably mountable; and a server connected to the image forming apparatus via a network, wherein the image forming system includes an acquiring portion configured to acquire an acquisition value on a use amount of the cartridge; a detecting portion configured to detect abnormality of the cartridge; and at least one controller configured to control the switching mechanism, wherein the main assembly includes a switching mechanism capable of switching a restricted state in which detachment of the cartridge from the main assembly is restricted and a non-restricted state in which the detachment is not restricted; wherein the at least one controller controls the switching mechanism so that in a first period until the acquisition value reaches a threshold, switching from the restricted state to the non-restricted state is not permitted in a case that the abnormality of the cartridge is not detected by the detecting portion, and the switching from the restricted state to the non-restricted state is permitted in a case that the abnormality of the cartridge is detected by the detecting portion, and so that in a second period after the acquisition value reached the threshold, the switching from the restricted state to the non-restricted state is permitted.
According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus comprising: a cartridge accommodating a developer; and a main assembly to which the cartridge is detachably mountable, wherein the main assembly includes a notifying portion configured to notify first information on a lifetime or an exchange of the cartridge and second information on abnormality of the cartridge; a switching mechanism capable of switching a restricted state in which detachment of the cartridge from the main assembly is restricted and a non-restricted state in which the detachment is not restricted; and a controller configured to control the switching mechanism, and wherein the controller controls the switching mechanism so that in a first period until the first information is notified, switching of the switching mechanism from the restricted state to the non-restricted state is not permitted in a case that the second information is not notified, and the switching of the switching mechanism from the restricted state to the non-restricted state is permitted in a case that the second information is notified, and so that in a second period after the first information is notified, the switching from the restricted state to the non-restricted state is permitted.
Further features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings.
Parts (a) and (b) of
Parts (a) and (b) of
Parts (a) and (b) of
In the following, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention and an image forming system according to the present invention will be specifically described while making reference to the drawings. Incidentally, the following embodiments do not limit the present invention according to the appended claims. In the embodiments, a plurality of features and described, but all the plurality of features are not necessarily be essentially required, and these features may also be arbitrarily combined with each other. Further, in the attached drawings, the same or similar constituent elements are represented by the same reference numerals or symbols, and redundant description will be omitted.
Next, an electrophotographic process will be described. A surface of the photosensitive drum 13 is electrically charged uniformly by the charging roller 15, and then is irradiated with laser light modulated depending on image data by the laser scanner 11, so that electric charges at a portion irradiated with the laser light are removed. By this, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 13. By the developing roller 16, charged toner is deposited on the electrostatic latent image, so that a toner image of an associated color is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 13. Then, the toner images formed on the surfaces of the respective photosensitive drums 13 are successively transferred superposedly onto the intermediary transfer belt 17 by the primary transfer rollers 18 (primary transfer).
On the other hand, the sheet 21 in the cassette 22 is fed by the feeding roller 25 and is conveyed to the registration roller pair 27 by the conveying roller pair 26. Then, the toner images on the intermediary transfer belt 17 are transferred onto the sheet 21 conveyed by the registration roller pair 27 (secondary transfer). An unfixed toner image on the sheet 21 is fixed by the fixing device 30, and thereafter is discharged to an outside of the image forming apparatus 1 by the discharging roller pair 59. In the neighborhood of the discharging roller pair 59, the discharging portion paper presence/absence sensor 53 for detecting the presence or absence of the sheet 21 discharged from the discharging roller pair 59 is provided. The intermediary transfer belt 17 after the transfer is cleaned by the cleaning blade 19.
Further, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a control substrate 60, a remaining toner amount detecting portion 62 which is a remaining amount detecting means, and a display portion 50. The display portion 50 is, for example, an operation panel, and is a display device for notifying a user of information from the image forming apparatus 1, and is also capable of inputting the information in addition to display of the information. On the control substrate 60, a controller 61 which is a control means for controlling the image forming apparatus 1. The controller 61 collectively controls an operation of the image forming apparatus 1, such as control of a driving source relating to conveyance of the sheet 21, control relating to the image formation, and the like. The controller 61 includes a storing portion (not shown), in which model information is stored in advance at the time of, for example, factory shipping. The remaining toner amount detecting portions 62Y, 62M, 62C, and 62K are units for detecting remaining toner amounts in the toner containers 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K, respectively. Incidentally, members attributing to the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 until the image is formed on the sheet 21 are included in the image forming portion.
Next, a mounting constitution of the cartridge 12 in the embodiment 1 will be described using
Part (a) of
Part (b) of
The locking pin 44 is controlled by the controller 61, and the controller 61 is constituted so as to switch between a state in which the taking-out of the cartridge 12 is permitted (hereinafter, this state is referred to as taking-out permission) and a state in which the taking-out of the cartridge 12 is prohibited (hereinafter, this state is referred to as a taking-out prohibition). As described above, the image forming apparatus 1 of
A lock controller 210 executes the information management of the cartridge 12 and the lifetime management of the cartridge 12. The lock controller 210 includes a lock condition discrimination controller 230 and a lock release condition discrimination controller 220. The lock condition discrimination controller 230 carries out discrimination as to whether or not a lock execution condition is satisfied and execution of lock(ing) of the consumables. The lock release condition discrimination controller 220 carries out discrimination as to whether or not a lock-releasing condition is satisfied and release of the lock. The lock controller 210 including the lock condition discrimination controller 230 and the lock release condition discrimination controller 220 functions as a discrimination means for discriminating whether or not the lock is executed or whether or not the lock is released.
The cartridge 12 includes a dependent information storing portion 70 for storing consumable dependent information and a lifetime information storing portion 71 for storing consumable lifetime information. The consumable dependent information is information indicating, for example, a serial number or the like uniquely determined for each cartridge 12. The consumable lifetime information is information indicating, for example, a lifetime of each cartridge 12. Each of the dependent information storing portion 70 and the lifetime information storing portion 71 is connected to the lock controller 210 when the associated cartridge 12 is mounted in the image forming apparatus 1.
A consumable information storing portion 72 which is a first storing means is provided in the image forming apparatus 1 and is a non-volatile storing means for storing contents of the dependent information storing portion 70 and the lifetime information storing portion 71.
The consumable information storing portion 72 is used for detecting that the cartridge 12 is exchanged.
The display portion 50 is used for notifying the user of a state of the printer (for example, a printable state, a state in which the cartridge 12 reaches an end of a lifetime thereof, or the like) and an exchange open of the cartridge 12. The controller 61 functions as a notifying potion for notifying the user of first information on the lifetime or the exchange of the cartridge 12 and second information on abnormality of the cartridge 12. Further, the display portion 50 also has a function of, for example, a touch panel, and the user is capable of inputting and setting predetermined information by touching a predetermined portion of a screen displayed at the display portion 50.
In a table 1, contents stored in the dependent information storing portion 70Y which is a second storing means are shown. In a table 2, contents stored in the lifetime information storing portion 71Y are shown. The tables 1 and 2 are tables each storing items in a first column and values corresponding to the items. The storing contents of the dependent information storing portion 70Y are a serial number (“Serial No.”) intrinsic to each cartridge 12, a model information of the image forming apparatus 1 in which the cartridge 12 is used, and cartridge color information indicating a color of the cartridge 12. The storing contents are not updated by the controller 61 (specifically, the lock controller 210). For example, in the dependent information storing portion 70Y for yellow, information such that the serial No. is “12345”, the model information is “LBPXXXX”, and the cartridge color information is “Y” is stored.
In the lifetime information storing portion 71Y, a lifetime discrimination rotation time of the photosensitive drum 13Y and a rotation integration time of the photosensitive drum 13Y are stored (held). The rotation integration time of the photosensitive drum 13Y is integrated during the rotation of the photosensitive drum 13 during the operation of the image forming apparatus 1, and is updated whenever necessary. The controller 61 calculates a remaining lifetime relating to the rotation time of the photosensitive drum 13 by using values of the lifetime discrimination rotation time and the rotation integration time. For example, in the table 2, the lifetime discrimination rotation time of the photosensitive drum 13Y is stored as 10000 sec, and the rotation integration time is stored as 6000 sec. For this reason, when a use amount is represented by %, the use amount is 6000/10000×100=60%, so that a remaining lifetime of the photosensitive drum 13 is 40% (=100%−60%).
In the lifetime information storing portion 71Y, a lifetime discrimination rotation distance of the photosensitive drum 13Y and a rotation integration distance of the photosensitive drum 13Y are stored (held). The rotation integration distance of the photosensitive drum 13Y is integrated during the rotation of the photosensitive drum 13 during the operation of the image forming apparatus 1, and is updated whenever necessary. The controller 61 calculates a remaining lifetime relating to the rotation distance of the photosensitive drum 13 by using values of the lifetime discrimination rotation distance and the rotation integration distance. For example, in the table 2, the lifetime discrimination rotation distance of the photosensitive drum 13Y is stored as 5000 m (meters), and the rotation integration distance is stored as 3500 m. For this reason, when a use amount is represented by %, the use amount is 3500/5000×100=70%, so that a remaining lifetime of the photosensitive drum 13 is 30% (=100%−70%).
Further, the remaining amount of the toner container 6Y in the table 2 is a toner remaining amount of the toner in the toner container 6Y detected by the remaining toner amount detecting portion 62Y and is stored whenever necessary. As a general technique, the toner remaining amount is calculated by integrating the number of pixels of the image formed by an associated one of the laser scanners 11Y, 11M, 11C, and 11K. Incidentally, the toner remaining amount may also be acquired by another method. In the table 2, a minimum (smallest) value of three remaining amounts (remaining lifetimes) consisting of a remaining lifetime acquired using the rotation integration time, a remaining amount acquired using the rotation integration distance, and the toner remaining amount is a remaining amount of the cartridge 12Y. Incidentally, information indicating the minimum value of the three remaining lifetimes is hereinafter referred to as minimum (shortest) lifetime information (acquisition value on the use amount of the cartridge).
In an example of the table 2, a remaining lifetime is acquired as 40% from the rotation integration time, a remaining lifetime is acquired as 30% from the rotation integration distance, and the toner remaining amount is acquired as 25%. From this, the controller 61 regards the remaining lifetime as the minimum lifetime information, and the minimum lifetime information is set to 25%. Thus, the controller 61 functions as an acquiring portion for acquiring the minimum lifetime information from a plurality of pieces of the lifetime information which are stored in the lifetime information storing portion 71 for the cartridges 12 and which are acquired by different means, and discriminates the acquired minimum lifetime information as a lifetime of the associated cartridge 12. Incidentally, in the embodiment 1, the lifetime of the cartridge 12 was discriminated from a plurality of pieces of information, specifically on the basis of the rotation integration time, the rotation integration distance, and the toner remaining amount. However, for example, on the basis of one information, specifically either one of the rotation integration time, the rotation integration distance, and the toner remaining amount, the lifetime of the cartridge 12 may also be discriminated. Further, another information may be used when the information correlates with the lifetime of the cartridge 12.
The lock release remaining amount of the cartridge 12Y is a set value preliminarily set for the remaining amount in order to release the locking mechanism in the case where the remaining amount of the cartridge 12 becomes smaller than this value (hereinafter, this value is referred to as a remaining amount set value). In the case where the remaining lifetime of the cartridge 12Y becomes the lock release remaining amount or less, the controller 61 performs the release of the locking mechanism. The controller 61 functions as a first discriminating means for discriminating that a timing is a timing when the toner (cartridge) is exchanged in the case where the amount of the toner accommodated in the toner container 6 becomes smaller than the remaining amount set value set in advance. In the example of the table 2, in the case where the minimum lifetime information becomes 5% or less, the controller 61 performs the release of the locking mechanism. This is also true for other colors, and therefore description thereof will be omitted. The case where the controller 61 discriminates that a time is an exchange time of the cartridge 12 on the basis of the minimum lifetime information and the lock release remaining amount and then releases the lock of the locking mechanism is hereinafter referred to as locking mechanism release. Thus, the controller 61 acquires the lifetime (use amount) of the cartridge 12 on the basis of at least one of the rotation time of the photosensitive drum 13, the rotation distance of the photosensitive drum 13, and the number of pixels of the image data.
In a table 3, pieces of information stored in the consumable information storing portion 72 are shown. In the consumable information storing portion 72, pieces of information selected from pieces of information stored in the storing portions 70 and 71 for the respective cartridges 12 are stored. In this embodiment, serial numbers for comparison, locked states of the respective locking mechanisms, and the minimum lifetime information are stored.
The table 3 is a table in which colors are stored in a first column, items corresponding to the colors are stored in a second column, and values corresponding to the items are stored in a third column. For example, as regards the yellow (Y), as the serial No., information of, for example, “12345” read from the dependent information storing portion 70% is stored. Further, as the locked state, information (“Lock execution” or “Lock release”) when the controller 61 controls the locking mechanism is stored, for example, information of “Lock execution” is stored. Further, as the minimum lifetime information, information of “25%” read from the lifetime information storing portion 71Y is stored.
Here, a processing method of the locking mechanism by the controller 61 will be described using a flowchart of
When the controller 61 receives an instruction of image formation, the controller 61 starts processing at a step(S) 101 and later. In S101, the controller 61 carries out the image formation. In S102, the controller 61 causes the lock controller 210 to discriminate whether or not the remaining lifetime of at least one of the cartridges 12 reaches a reference of the release of the locking mechanism during or after the image formation by making remaining to the information of the table 2 stored in the lifetime information storing portion 71. Here, a time when the remaining lifetime of the cartridge 12 reaches the reference of the release of the locking mechanism is a time when the cartridge 12 reaches an end of the lifetime thereof. In the case where the controller 61 causes the lock controller 210 to discriminate in S102 that the remaining lifetime reaches the reference, the controller 61 causes the processing to go to S103. In the case where the controller 61 causes the lock controller 210 to discriminate in S102 that the remaining lifetime does not reach the reference, the controller 61 causes the processing to go to S106. For example, the controller 61 causes the lock controller 210 to discriminate in S102 that the remaining lifetime is 25% from the minimum lifetime information of the table 3 and that the reference is 5% from the lock release remaining amount of the table 2, for the yellow cartridge 12Y. The lock controller 210 compares these values, and discriminates that the yellow cartridge 12Y does not reach the reference.
In S103, the controller 61 causes the locking pin 44 to be put in the recessed state, for the cartridge 12 is discriminated by the lock controller 210 as that the remaining lifetime reached the reference of the release of the locking mechanism, and thus releases the lock. For example, in the case where the remaining lifetime of the yellow cartridge 12Y was 5% or less in terms of the lock release remaining amount, the lock controller 210 puts the locking pin 44Y in the recessed state.
In S104, the controller 61 causes the lock controller 210 to store information (for example, “Lock release” or the like) indicating a lock-released state, as the locked state of the cartridge 12 discriminated that the cartridge 12 reached the end of the lifetime thereof in the table 3, in the consumable information storing portion 72. In S105, the controller 61 causes the display portion 50 to display the following information. The controller 61 causes the display portion 50 to not only notify that the cartridge 12 reached the end of the lifetime but also display (exchange instruction or the like) prompting the user to exchange the cartridge 12 reached the end of the lifetime to a new cartridge (hereinafter, referred to as a fresh cartridge), and then cases the processing to go to S106. In S106, the controller 61 discriminates whether or not there is a subsequent image forming instruction. In the case where the controller 61 discriminated that the image forming instruction is provided, the controller 61 causes the processing to return to S101, and in the case where the controller 61 discriminated that the image forming instruction is not provided, the controller 61 ends the processing.
Thus, in the case where the cartridge 12 becomes a predetermined lifetime or less, the lock of the cartridge 12 is released. By this, a constitution in which an occurrence of unnecessary cost due to erroneous exchange with another cartridge, for example, a fresh cartridge in the case where the lifetime of the cartridge 12 remains is prevented is realized.
In the embodiment 1, as a detecting method of detecting abnormality of the cartridge 12 (toner container 6), the case where a driving torque detection of the cartridge 12 will be described. As described above, in general, the lock of the cartridge 12 is released in the case where the lifetime of the cartridge 12 becomes the predetermined lifetime or less.
However, depending on a use environment or a use condition the abnormality of the cartridge 12 occurs due to a factor other than the above-described rotation integration distance, the rotation integration time, and the toner remaining amount, and thus the case where an image defect occurs and the user requires the exchange of the cartridge 12 would be assumed. That is, on the basis of the above-described three pieces of information, the exchange of the cartridge 12 is required by the user although the timing does not reach the exchange timing in terms of a value of either one of the above-described three pieces of information. In the embodiment 1, as one of the abnormality of the cartridge 12, abnormality of the driving torque is detected. Further, a constitution in which in the case where the user requires the exchange of the cartridge 12, the cartridge 12 for which the abnormality occurs is specified and then the lock of the cartridge 12 which is an exchange object is released even at a timing before the lifetime of the cartridge 12 reaches the end of the lifetime due to the conventional factors is employed.
Here, specifically, during the image forming operation, occurrence or non-occurrence of the abnormality is detected by periodically monitoring a maximum value and an average value of a driving torque value of the cartridge 12 during an actuation operation or the like, and an average torque value during normal printing. In the following, details will be described. A torque detecting portion 208 which is a detecting portion (torque detecting portion, current detecting portion) detects a torque of a driving motor (not shown) for the cartridge 12. Specifically, a current detecting device (not shown) connected to the driving motor for the cartridge 12 is used. The torque detecting portion 208 measures a current (detection value, current value) flowing through the driving motor under control of the management controller 202, so that the torque of the driving motor is detected, and a detection result is outputted to the controller 61 and then is stored in the ROM whenever necessary. In the embodiment 1, the cartridges 12Y, 12M, 12C, and 12K for Y, M, C, and K are driven by associated driving motors (not shown), respectively, and torques of the respective driving motors (not shown) are independently detected. On the basis of values of the torques of the driving motors detected by the torque detecting portion 208, the controller 61 predicts (discriminates) whether or not the cartridges 12 cause the abnormality.
On the other hand, a plot of a broken line is an example of the case where the torque increases with progression of the use of the cartridge 12, and in this case, the torque abruptly increases in the second half of a period until the lifetime of the cartridge 12 reaches the end of the lifetime. The increase itself in torque occurring with the progression of the user of the cartridge 12 does not cause failure of the device soon, and normally has no influence. However, depending on a factor of the torque increase, even within the lifetime (less than lifetime arrival), the case where a phenomenon such as a stripe image due to improper cleaning, a development stripe due to a lowering in developing property, and an image defect due to a lowering in charging property would be assumed. Here, in the factor of the torque increase, for example, abrasion of a blade, a sliding resistance of a roller, contamination of the various rollers, and the like are included.
In this embodiment, the case where abnormality discrimination of the cartridge 12 is executed when the user recognizes some image defect within the lifetime of the cartridge 12 and then requests the exchange of the cartridge 12. Specifically, the controller 61 compares a threshold current I_th1 for abnormality discrimination of the cartridge 12 stored in advance in the ROM with a present detected current I, and thus discriminates whether or not the cartridge 12 is in an abnormality state. In the embodiment 1, the present detected current I refers to a value calculated from a moving average of data corresponding to the last 100 jobs. The controller 61 compares this detected current I with the threshold current I_th1, and in the case where a present torque value is not less than a threshold for abnormality value discrimination, the controller 61 discriminates that the cartridge 12 is in an exchangeable state. The controller 61 functions as a second discriminating means for specifying the cartridge 12 causing the abnormality in the case where discrimination that the abnormality occurs is made in such a manner that in the case where the user requires the exchange of the cartridge 12, the controller 61 discriminates occurrence or non-occurrence of the abnormality of the cartridge 12 on the basis of a detection result of the torque detecting portion 208. Specifically, the controller 61 discriminates that the abnormality occurs in the case where the current detected by the torque detecting portion 208 becomes not less than the threshold current set in advance (abnormality detection). Incidentally, a calculating method of the detected current I is not limited thereto, but the detected current I may also be acquired by another method using the number of data used for calculation. For example, the detected current I may only be required to be appropriately set by a print volume or the like of the image forming apparatus 1.
Incidentally, a torque measuring method is not limited to the above-described method. For example, a method using a strain gage, a method using a magnetometric sensor, a method using an acceleration sensor, an optical method, a method using a torsion sensor, a method using a piezoelectric element, and the like method may be used. In the method using the strain page, the strain page is stuck to a rotatable portion, and a torque is measured on the basis of a deformation amount of the strain gage deformed by application of the torque. In the method using the magnetometric sensor, the magnetometric sensor is mounted on a rotatable portion, and a torque is measured on the basis of a change in magnetic field. In the optical method, a reflection plate is mounted on a rotatable portion, and a torque is measured by detecting light, reflected from a light source, by a light receiving device. In the method using the acceleration sensor, the acceleration sensor is mounted on a rotatable portion, and a torque is measured on the basis of a change in acceleration. In the method using the torsion spring, the torsion spring is provided on each of a rotatable member and a detecting portion, and when the rotatable member is rotated, deformation generating in the torsion spring is detected and thus the torque is measured. In the method using piezoelectric element, a voltage generated by exerting stress on the piezoelectric element under application of a torque to a rotatable member is detected, and thus the torque is measured. Whether to measure to torque with use of which method may only be required to be determined depending on a shape, a size, measurement accuracy, and the like of the rotatable portion (member) of a detection object.
A flowchart of
In S201, the controller 61 receives the exchange diagnosis of the cartridge 12, and starts the exchange diagnosis. In S202, the controller 61 makes reference to a detection result of the torque detecting portion 208, specifically a current detection result (current detection data). In S203, the controller 61 compares the detected current I with the threshold current I_th1. The controller 61 discriminates whether or not the detected current I is not less than the threshold current I_th1. In this case, the controller 61 compares the detected current I with the threshold current I_th1 for each of the cartridges 12 for Y, M, C, and K, and discriminates whether or not the detected current I is not less than the threshold current I_th1 for each of the cartridges 12 for Y, M, C, and K.
In S203, in the case where the controller 61 discriminated that at least one of the cartridges 12 for which the detected current I is not less than the threshold current I_th1 exists, the controller 61 causes the processing to go to S204. On the other hand, in S203, in the case where the controller 61 discriminated that there is no cartridge 12 for which the detected current I is not less than the threshold current I_th1, the controller 61 causes the processing to go to S208.
In S204, the controller 61 discriminates an exchangeable cartridge 12 (relevant cartridge). In S205, the controller 61 causes the display portion 50 (operation panel) to display the exchangeable (exchange object) cartridge 12 and guidance of an operation when the exchange is executed (operation instruction). In S206, the controller 61 releases the locking pin 44 of the relevant cartridge 12. The user successively executes door lock release in accordance with the operation, and then executes the exchange operation of the relevant cartridge 12. In S207, the controller 61 causes the display portion 50 (operation panel) to display a message requesting the user to perform an operation after completion of the exchange of the cartridge 12. In response to input of exchange completion from the user, the controller 61 puts the locking pin 44 in the locked state and executes ending processing, and thus ends a series of exchange flows.
In S208, the controller 61 causes the display portion 50 (operation panel) to display a message prompting the user to check again whether or not the image defect occurs (re-check instruction). In S209, the controller 61 waits for input from the user and then discriminates whether or not the user inputs the occurrence of the image defect at the display portion 50. In S209, in the case where the controller 61 discriminated that the user inputs the occurrence of the image defect, the controller 61 causes the processing to go to S210. In S210, the controller 61 causes the display portion 50 to display a message prompting the user to request service person handling (service person handling instruction). In
S209, in the case where the controller 61 discriminated that the user inputs non-occurrence of the image defect, the occurrence of the image defect is a temporary phenomenon, and there is a high possibility that this phenomenon disappears, and therefore, the controller 61 end a series of processes as it is.
Thus, in the case where the user requests the exchange of the cartridge 12 although the cartridge 12 does not reach the end of the lifetime thereof, the controller 61 executes the abnormality diagnosis (exchange diagnosis). Then, the controller 61 discriminates the occurrence or non-occurrence of the abnormality of the cartridge 12 and thus discriminates (specifies) the exchange object cartridge 12, and then executes relates of the locking pin 44 only for the exchange object cartridge 12. By this, it is possible to prevent an unnecessary exchange of the cartridge 12 and an erroneous exchange of the cartridge 12.
In the embodiment 1, the locking mechanism of the color image forming apparatus including the plurality of cartridges was described, but in a monochromatic image forming apparatus including only one cartridge, similar control is capable of being carried out. As described above, according to the embodiment 1, it is possible to improve usability relating to the locking mechanism for the exchangeable unit.
In the embodiment 1, description was made using the constitution shown in
Thus, the image forming apparatus 1 of part (a) of
Part (b) of
Thus, the image forming apparatus 1 of part (b) of
As described above, according to the embodiment 1, when the user wishes the cartridge exchange, the consumable which should be exchanged is properly notified to the user, so that the erroneous exchange of the cartridge of which exchange is unnecessary is prevented and thus usability during the exchange of the cartridge can be improved.
In an embodiment 2, the case where in an image forming apparatus including a reading device for reading an image formed on a sheet 21, image diagnosis is executed and on the basis of a diagnosis result, exchange discrimination of the cartridge 12 and control of door lock for the cartridge 12 are carried out will be described.
When the user executes the exchange diagnosis of the cartridge 12 from the display portion 50, the controller 61 receives image data for the image diagnosis and once stores the received image data in a memory of the management controller 202. Then, the management controller 202 control the image forming apparatus on the basis of the image data stored in the memory, so that the image is formed on the sheet 21. The image diagnosis controller 211 controls a reading portion in accordance with an instruction of the management controller 202 during image diagnosis execution requirement, and causes the reading portion to read the formed image and executes discrimination of the occurrence or non-occurrence of the image defect and specification (identification) of a unit causing the image defect.
Incidentally, a constitution of the image forming apparatus 2 is similar to the constitution of the image forming apparatus 1 of
In S303, the controller 61 discriminates occurrence or non-occurrence of the image defect. Specifically, the controller 61 discriminates whether or not the image has a defect. The controller 61 functions as image defect detecting portion for detecting image defect of an inspection image on the basis of image data read by the original reading unit 300. In S303, in the case where the controller 61 discriminated that the image defect occurred, the controller 61 causes the processing to go to S304. In S303, in the case where the controller 61 discriminated that the image defect did not occur, the controller 61 ends a series of processes.
Incidentally, in the case where as a result of the diagnosis, the image defect does not occur, the controller 61 may cause the display portion 50 to display a message that for the exchange request from the user, as the result of the diagnosis, the abnormality does not occur and there is no need to exchange the cartridge 12.
In S304, the controller 61 discriminates whether or not the image defect occurs due to the cartridge 12. In S304, in the case where the controller 61 discriminated that the image defect occurs due to the cartridge 12, the controller 61 causes the processing to go to S305. Incidentally, whether or not the image defect results from the cartridge 12 will be described later with reference to
In S307, the controller 61 waits for an end of execution of the exchange operation by the user through opening/closing of the door 40. In S308, the controller 61 causes the display portion 50 to display a message prompting the user to perform an operation of ending the exchange of the cartridge 12. In S308, the controller 61 executes the lock of the cartridge 12 and ends a series of processes after the end of the operation by the user. In S309, the controller 61 causes the display portion 50 to display a message of service person handling and ends the series of processes.
The inspection image includes a plurality of reference images formed in a region A with a plurality of reference colors, respectively.
In the embodiment 2, the plurality of reference colors are yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, and reference images PY, PM, PC, and PK are formed in the region A. Further, the inspection image includes, in a region B, a discrimination image Pb of yellow (toner), magenta (toner), cyan (toner) and black (toner) superposed each at a density (concentration) of 10%. Incidentally, the density of each color (toner) is not limited to 10%. The discrimination image Pb is formed as large as possible.
In S401, the controller 61 forms the inspection image. In S402, the controller 61 causes the user to set an original G, on which the inspection image is formed, on the tray 301 of the original reading unit 300 and causes the original reading unit 300 to read the sheet 21 (original G) on which the inspection image is formed.
The original reading unit 300 outputs read image data to the controller 61.
As shown in part (A) of a table 4 below, the controller 61 discriminates color values of the reference images PY, PM, PC, and PK, and a region in which the reference images PY, PM, PC, and PK, and the discrimination image Pb are not formed (hereinafter this region is referred to as a ground region (“ground”) in RGB color space, and causes the memory to store these color values. Incidentally, each of the color values of the reference images PY, PM, PC, and PK can be taken as an average value of a specific pixel or all the pixels in the reference image. Further, the color value of the ground region can be taken as an average value of a specific pixel or all the pixels in the ground region. For example, the controller 61 acquires a value of (R, G, B)=(255, 212, 0) as a result of reading the reference image PY. Further, the controller 61 acquires a value of (R, G, B)=(239, 236, 237) as a result of reading the ground region.
In S403, the controller 61 converts the color values of the reference images PY, PM, PC, and PK and the ground region in the RGB color space, acquired in S402 into color values in L*a*b* color space. Part (B) of the table 4 is a table 4 is a table showing the color values in the L*a*b* color space converted from the color values shown in part (A) of the table 4. In the following, unless otherwise specified, the “color space” means the L*a*b* color space, and the “color value” means the color values in the L*a*b* color space. For example, the controller 61 acquires a value of (L*a*b*)=(87.7, −6.3, 99.7) as a result of color conversion for the reference image PY. Further, the controller 61 acquires a value of (L*a*b*)=(91, −0.2, 4.2) as a result of color conversion for the ground region.
In S404, the color value is normalized. First, the controller 61 subtracts the color value of the ground region from the color values of the reference images PY, PM, PC, and PK shown in part (B) of the table 4. This processing corresponds to that the color value of the ground is taken as the origin of the color space. Part (C) of the table 4 shows values obtained by subtracting the color value of the ground region from the color values of the reference images PY, PM, PC, and PK shown in part (B) of the table 4. For example, the controller 61 acquires a value of (L*a*b*)=(−3.3, −6.2, 95.6) for yellow.
Then, the controller 61 normalizes each of the color values shown in part (C) of the table 4 to vector of a length of 1 in the color space. For example, the controller 61 acquires a normalized value of (L*a*b*)=(=−0.034, −0.064, 0.997) for yellow. Incidentally, this processing corresponds to that a unit vector is acquired for each of the vectors of part (D) of the table 4. Hereinafter, the color values of the reference images PY, PM, PC, and PK shown in part (D) of the table 4 are referred to as reference vectors of Y, M, C, and K, respectively.
Further, the controller 61 also similarly converts the color value of each pixel of the discrimination image Pb, read by the original reading unit 300, in the RGB space to a color value in the L*a*b* color space, and after the color value of the ground region is subtracted from the color value (in the L*a*b* color space), converts the resultant color values to a unit vector. In the following, this unit vector of the pixel of the discrimination image Pb is referred to as a discrimination vector.
In S405, the controller 61 discriminates a change amount. Here, the controller 61 discriminates a highest-density image and a lowest-density image in the discrimination image Pb, discriminated from the image data read from the discrimination image Pb, on the basis of the color values of each pixel. Then, the controller 61 acquires an inner product between a discrimination vector of the highest-density pixel and a reference vector of each of Y, M, C, and K and an inner product between a discrimination vector of the lowest-density pixel and the reference vector of each of Y, M, C, and K.
For example, part (A) of a table 5 shows the discrimination vector of the highest-density pixel and the discrimination vector of the lowest-density pixel in the discrimination image Pb in the case where the inspection image is formed as shown in part (b) of
Part (b) of the table 5 shows an inner product between the discrimination vector shown in part (A) of the table 5 and the reference vector of each of Y, M, C, and K. In S405, the controller 61 acquires, as the change amount, a difference (absolute value) between the inner product with the maximum-density pixel and the inner product with the lowest-density pixel for each reference color as shown in part (B) of the table 5. Both the reference vector and the discrimination vector are unit rectors, and therefore, the inner product between the reference vector and the discrimination vector becomes a value depending on an angle between the reference vector and the discrimination vector. Accordingly, the change amount shown in part (B) of the table 5 corresponds to a maximum value of the change amount of an angle of the discrimination vector of each of the plurality of pixels in the discrimination image Pb.
In S406, the controller 61 discriminates whether or not all the change amounts acquired in S405 are larger than a first threshold. Incidentally, the first threshold can be made the same irrespective of color and can also be made different values for each color. In the case where the controller 61 discriminated that the change amounts for all the colors is not more than the first threshold, the controller 61 discriminates that there is no image defect, i.e., the image defect due to the cartridge 12 does not occur, and then ends the processing of the image diagnosis.
On the other hand, in the case where the controller 61 discriminated in S406 that there is a color for which the change amount is larger than the first threshold, the controller 61 causes the processing to go to S407. In S407, the controller 61 discriminates that the image defect occurs. This is because a change amount in angle of the discrimination vector relative to the reference vector for a certain reference color becomes larger with a larger change in the reference color in the discrimination image Pb. Further, in this case, the cartridge 12 causing the image defect corresponds to a color for which the change amount is larger than the threshold. The controller 61 discriminates the occurrence of the image defect and the cartridge 12 causing the image defect, and then ends the processing of the image diagnosis.
In this embodiment, as described above, as shown in
As described above, according to the embodiment 2, when the user wishes the cartridge exchange, the consumable which should be exchanged is properly notified to the user, so that the erroneous exchange of the cartridge of which exchange is unnecessary is prevented and thus usability during the exchange of the cartridge can be improved.
Both the discrimination by the torque detection in the embodiment 1 and the discrimination by the image diagnosis in the embodiment 2 were described as an example in which these discriminations are controlled by the controller 61 in the engine, but in an embodiment 3, a constitution in which these discriminations are executed through arithmetic processing by an external server via an external network.
In
In the user environment E1, the user utilizes the image forming apparatus 1 or the image forming apparatus 2.
In the image forming apparatuses 1 and 2, as described above, an arbitrary image is printed by way of the image forming process. During this image formation, a detection result detected by the torque detecting portion 208 in the embodiment 1 is acquired and is stored in the memory, and then is sent to the management server 400. In the management server 400, from the sent data, a state of the cartridge 12 is discriminated by averaging processing, regressive processing, or the like processing. That is, the discrimination of S102 of
Further, the management server 400 used in this embodiment is implemented as an application server, a data base server, or a cloud server. Thus, in the case where analysis is made using an external storing means or an external processing (operation) means, connected via the network, without being affected by restriction of performance and capacity of a CPU incorporated in the image forming apparatus main assembly, statistical processing such as averaging and regression is performed using many data, so that analysis becomes possible. For that reason, detection accuracy of torque abnormality and discrimination accuracy of identification of the cartridge can be improved. Incidentally, a function of the management server 400 may be provided by a single device, or may also be provided so that a plurality of physically separated devices are cooperated mutually and function as the management server 400 as a whole.
The image forming apparatus 1 sends, to a printer engine, image data and print instruction which are sent from a host computer (not shown). The management server 400 includes a management server controller 410 including an operation device 412 and a storing device 414, and is connected via networks through which the management server 400 has access to the image forming apparatus 1 and the monitoring tool 500 by directionally. The operation device 412 performs execution of a program stored in the storing device 414 and reading/writing of various data. To the operation device 412, a CPU or a GPU may be assigned. To the storing device 414, a RAM, a HDD, or an SSD, or the like may be directly assigned, or a virtual environment such as a virtual machine may be assigned. The management server controller 410 is connected to the controller 61 in the image forming apparatus 1, so that it is possible to transfer information between itself and the controller 61.
The monitoring tool 500 is a tool used in the case where a dealer manages each image forming apparatus and includes a monitoring tool controller 510 for receiving information from the management server controller 410 and an operation display portion 520 for displaying the received information. Here, the operation display portion 520 included by the monitoring tool 500 includes a display, a keyboard, a mouse, and the like (which are not shown). Incidentally, the form of the monitoring tool 500 is not limited to a personal computer or a server, but may also be a virtual environment such as a virtual machine or a tablet terminal. Incidentally, in
Operations of the controller 61, the management server controller 410, and the monitoring tool 500 will be described using a flowchart of
Here, in the flowchart of
Incidentally, in the embodiment 1, a result of the exchange diagnosis, i.e., information on whether or not the torque abnormality occurs and as to which cartridge 12 causes the torque abnormality in the case where the torque abnormality occurs was displayed at the display portion 50 of the image forming apparatus 1. Then, the user notified the controller 61 of an end of the exchange of the cartridge 12 or the like result by operating the display portion 50. In the embodiment 3, not only by the display portion 50, but also by the operation display portion 520 of the monitoring tool 500, display and input of the information may be performed.
In S502, the management server controller 410 starts arithmetic (operation) processing with use of a detection result sent from the controller 61 by the operation device 412 and the storing device 414 (sever data operation start). In S503, the management server controller 410 performs the operation such that is executed by the controller 61 in the embodiment 1, and acquires a current detection subjected to operation processing (operation result acquisition). Incidentally, the operation processing by the management server controller 410 may be any operation processing. For example, the current detection result may be the last current detection result obtained by averaging all the last data or by extracting a maximum value for day from data of the last one month and then by acquiring moving average from data of the maximum value in one month. In addition, the current detection result may be corrected depending on a print condition and then may be used. Thus, the operation processing is carried out on the management server 400 side, so that it becomes possible to perform the operation which was complicated and difficult on the controller 61 side of the image forming apparatus 1. In this case, moving average data of the maximum value in one month were used.
Incidentally, this is also true for the case where the image forming apparatus 1 is replaced with the image forming apparatus 2. For example, of the processings of
That is, in the case where exchange request is made from a user who uses the image forming apparatus 2, processing in accordance with the flowchart of
Thus, in the case where the user requests the image data, the cartridge abnormality diagnosis (exchange diagnosis) is carried out, and discrimination of occurrence or non-occurrence of the abnormality and discrimination of the cartridge which is the exchange object are made, and then release of the locking mechanism only for the exchange object cartridge is carried out. By this, also in the embodiment 3, it is possible to prevent unnecessary exchange and the erroneous exchange of the cartridge.
In this embodiment, an example in which the operation is executed from the detection result stored in the management server 400 at the timing when the user request the exchange and then the discrimination is made was described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, at a predetermined timing, the last current detection result operated on the management server 400 is periodically notified to the memory of the controller 61, and then discrimination is made using an updated detection result. For example, a constitution in which the current detection result acquired on the management server 400 side is stored in the memory of the controller 61 while being updated for each day, and then the image forming apparatus 1 make reference to the stored result may be employed. In this case, even when the exchange request is made, the last current detection result is stored in advance in the memory, and therefore, the image forming apparatus 1 may only be required to make reach to the current detection result, so that it becomes possible to shorten a processing time. As in the embodiment 3, the operation and the analysis such as regression become possible from mass data on the external server, and therefore, in a condition in accordance with the use state of the user, it becomes possible to notify a substantially lifetime with high accuracy.
As described above, according to the embodiment 3, when the user wishes the cartridge exchange, the consumable which should be exchanged is properly notified to the user, so that the erroneous exchange of the cartridge of which exchange is unnecessary is prevented and thus usability during the exchange of the cartridge can be improved.
While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.
This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-064157 filed on Apr. 11, 2023, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-064157 | Apr 2023 | JP | national |
