Image forming device, method for adjusting toner concentration, programs, and recording media of the same

Abstract

An image forming device has image forming units 3-6, a transfer belt 7, a position detection unit 19, a concentration sensor 23, and an adjustment unit. A toner image is formed on the surfaces of the image forming units 3-6, and transferred onto the transfer belt 7. The position detection unit 19 detects a predetermined position on the surface of the transfer belt 7. On the predetermined position, the concentration sensor 23 detects first information relating to the color of the surface of the transfer belt 7. The concentration sensor 23 detects second information relating to the color of the pattern image that is formed on the predetermined position. The adjustment unit adjusts toner concentration at the time of forming an image based on the first information and the second information detected by the concentration sensor 23.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now to the attached drawings which form a part of this original disclosure:

FIG. 1 is a front side cross-sectional view of a copying machine in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is front side view showing the vicinity of an intermediate transfer belt of the copying machine in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a chassis around which the intermediate transfer belt of the copying machine in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention is wound;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the vicinity of an optical sensor of the copying machine in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of portion C shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the vicinity of a group of sensors of the copying machine in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatical view showing a configuration in which the toner concentration is adjusted in the copying machine in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatical view showing a configuration in which the toner concentration is adjusted in the copying machine in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Claims

1. An image forming device comprising: an image forming unit having a surface being configured to have a toner image formed thereon;a transfer belt being configured to have the toner image formed in the image forming unit transferred thereon;a position detection unit being configured to detect a predetermined position of the transfer belt;a first information sensor being configured to detect first information relating to a degree of reflection of the surface of the transfer belt at the predetermined position;a second information sensor being configured to detect second information relating to color concentration of a pattern image being formed to be read at the predetermined position; andan adjustment unit being configured to adjust toner concentration at the time of forming the image based on the first information and second information detected by the first information sensor and the second information sensor.

2. The image forming device according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment unit includes a pattern image forming unit configured to form the pattern image on the predetermined position on the transfer belt based on pattern information relating to color concentration to form the pattern image,a detected information correction unit configured to correct the second information detected by the second information sensor using the first information detected by the first information sensor,a comparison unit configured to compare the second information that is corrected by the detected information correction unit with the pattern information, anda control unit configured to control the toner concentration based on the result of the comparison unit.

3. The image forming device according to claim 2, wherein the detected information correction unit includes a difference calculation unit configured to obtain the difference between the first information and an initial information relating to the degree of reflection of the surface of the transfer belt in an initial state, anda second information correction unit configured to reflect the difference in the second information.

4. The image forming device according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment unit includes a pattern information storage unit configured to store pattern information relating to color concentration to form the pattern image;a pattern information correction unit configured to correct the pattern information that is stored in the pattern information storage unit using the first information that is detected by the first information sensor,a pattern image forming unit configured to form the pattern image on the predetermined position on the transfer belt based on the pattern information that is corrected by the pattern information correction unit,a comparison unit configured to compare the second information that is detected by the second information sensor with the pattern information that has not been corrected, anda control unit configured to control the toner concentration based on the result of the comparison unit.

5. The image forming device according to claim 4, wherein the pattern information correction unit includes a difference calculation unit configured to obtain the difference between the first information and an initial information relating to the degree of reflection of the surface of the transfer belt in an initial state, anda pattern information calculation unit configured to reflect the difference in the pattern information.

6. The image forming device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit adjusts concentration information in image information to form the image.

7. The image forming device according to claim 1, wherein the position detection unit includes a marker arranged on an end of the transfer belt, anda position detection sensor to detect the marker.

8. The image forming device according to claim 7, further comprising a rotation member arranged near the position in which the position detection sensor is arranged, and configured to contact the inner side of the transfer belt.

9. The image forming device according to claim 1, wherein the second information relating to the color concentration is a degree of reflection.

10. The image forming device according to claim 9, wherein the first information sensor is combined with the second information sensor.

11. The image forming device according to claim 1, wherein the surface of the transfer belt is formed by a material with rubber as the main component thereof.

12. A toner concentration adjustment method for an image forming device, comprising: a position detection process to detect a predetermined position on a surface of a transfer belt;a first information detection process to detect first information relating to the degree of reflection of the surface of the predetermined position on the transfer belt;a second information detection process to detect second information relating to color concentration of a pattern image that is formed on the predetermined position; andan adjustment process to adjust toner concentration at the time of forming an image based on the first and second information detected by the first information detection process and the second information detection process.

13. A program for controlling a computer, comprising: a position detection function to detect a predetermined position on a surface of a transfer belt;a first information detection function to detect first information relating to the degree of reflection of the surface of the predetermined position on the transfer belt;a second information detection function to detect second information relating to color concentration of pattern image that is formed on the predetermined position; andan adjustment function to adjust toner concentration at the time of forming an image based on the first and second information detected by the execution of the first information detection function and the second information detection function.

14. A recording media on which a program for controlling a computer is recorded, the program comprising: a position detection function to detect a predetermined position on the surface of a transfer belt;a first information detection function to detect first information relating to the degree of reflection of the surface of the predetermined position of the transfer belt;a second information detection function to detect second information relating to color concentration of pattern image that is formed on the predetermined position; andan adjustment function to adjust toner concentration at the time of forming an image based on the first and second information detected by the execution of the first information detection function and the second information detection function.