JP2002328570A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a simply-constituted image forming device in which the propriety of a developer replenishing container loaded to the device main body can be decided, dispensing with a loading detection means such as a switch, etc. SOLUTION: As for the image forming device which is replenished with the developer by constituting the developer replenishing container 45 for storing the developer used in the device main body so that the container 45 can be attached/detached to/from the device main body, and the propriety of the loaded developer replenishing container 45 is decided by discriminating by a discriminating means 47 on the device main body side for discriminating peculiar information stored in a storing means 46 arranged in the developer replenishing container 45, it is decided by the discriminating means 47 that the developer replenishing container 45 is not loaded yet in the case that the discrimination results at resetting in accordance with the power supply and the opening/closing of a door are inappropriate.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a developer supply container containing a developer, which can be attached to and detached from an apparatus main body, in order to supply a developer such as a toner or a toner and a carrier. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to a technique in which a storage unit such as an IC chip is provided in a developer supply container, and the identification of a mounted developer supply container is determined by identification means on the apparatus main body side such as a CPU.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus, a developer supply container is made detachable from an apparatus main body as described above.
When the toner ratio (T / D) in the developing tank decreases, the developer is replenished by replacing the developer replenishing container. The developer, like a positive charging system or a reverse charging system,
There are various types of the characteristics, and the characteristics adapted to each maker or model of the image forming apparatus are determined.

However, the replacement of the developer supply container is often performed on the user side, and when a plurality of image forming apparatuses are installed close to each other, each of the image forming apparatuses may be replaced. Care must be taken to install an appropriate developer supply container for the printer. In particular, when the maker is the same and the shape of the developer supply container is the same, the possibility of mounting an inappropriate developer supply container increases.

In order to solve such a problem, for example, in Japanese Patent Publication No. 4-62075, a storage means such as an IC chip is provided in a developer supply container, and identification means on the apparatus main body side such as a CPU is used. To determine the suitability of the loaded developer supply container, and to determine the developer information (replenishment amount, Lo
t. No., etc.) is read and stored, and the process conditions for image formation are changed based on the information and the consumption amount of the developer.

[0005]

However, in the above-mentioned prior art, the mounting / dismounting of the developer supply container to / from the apparatus main body is detected by a switch, and the CPU communicates with the IC chip, whereby the mounted developing device is mounted. Since the propriety of the agent supply container is determined, there is a problem that the configuration for the determination becomes complicated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides an image forming apparatus having a simple structure capable of determining the suitability of a developer supply container mounted on an apparatus main body without requiring a mounting detection means such as a switch. The purpose is to provide.

[0007]

According to the present invention, means for solving the above-mentioned problems are constituted as follows.

(1) A developer replenishing container containing a developer used in the apparatus main body is made detachable from the apparatus main body to realize replenishment of the developer, and is provided in the developer replenishing container. In the image forming apparatus, the identification unit on the side of the apparatus body identifies the unique information stored in the storage unit to determine the suitability of the attached developer supply container. If the identification result at the time of resetting upon the loading and opening / closing of the door is inappropriate, it is determined that the developer supply container is not mounted.

According to this structure, the developer replenishing container containing the replenishing developer is provided with information storing means realized by an IC chip or the like, and stores the information such as the name of the applicable manufacturer, the name of the adaptive type, and the serial number. The unique information stored in
The identification means on the apparatus main body side realized by a CPU or the like acquires and identifies by communication, thereby determining whether or not the mounted developer supply container is appropriate for the apparatus main body. In an image forming apparatus designed to prevent failure due to the use of a developer, if the identification result at the time of turning on the power and resetting due to opening and closing of the door is inappropriate, while the power is off or the door is closed. In most cases, communication is not performed because the developer supply container remains detached while it is open and is not mounted.

Therefore, it is possible to determine whether or not the developer supply container is normally mounted on the apparatus main body by using a signal for determining whether the developer supply container is appropriate.
A configuration for detecting mounting of a switch or the like is not required, and the configuration can be simplified.

(2) A developer replenishing container containing a developer used in the apparatus main body is made detachable from the apparatus main body so that replenishment of the developer is realized, and provided in the developer replenishing container. An image wherein the unique information stored in the storage means is identified by the identification means on the apparatus main body side to determine whether the attached developer supply container is appropriate for the apparatus main body. In the forming apparatus, the identification unit is configured to determine whether the developer supply container is appropriate or not and determine whether the developer supply container is attached to the apparatus main body at the time of power-on and resetting due to opening and closing of a door. When it is determined that the identification result is inappropriate, it is determined that the developer supply container is not mounted on the apparatus main body.

According to this configuration, at the time of reset, even if the developer supply container is identified as being appropriate for the apparatus main body, if the developer supply container is not securely (appropriately) attached to the apparatus main body, , It is determined that it is not installed,
(Similar to the preceding paragraph, the configuration for detecting the mounting of the switch or the like is not required, and the configuration can be simplified, and the result of the mounting operation (the mounting state) can be more reliably determined.

(3) If the discriminating means determines that the developer supply container is not mounted on the apparatus main body, a notifying means for notifying that the developer replenishing container is not mounted is provided. I do.

According to this configuration, when it is determined that the camera is not mounted, the user is notified of the fact.
Immediately, appropriate measures can be taken, and the occurrence of troubles due to non-mounting (or erroneous mounting) can be effectively prevented.

(4) When the identification means determines that the developer supply container is not mounted on the apparatus main body, the power supply to the apparatus main body is released.

According to this configuration, when it is determined that the apparatus is not mounted, the power supply to the apparatus main body is immediately released, so that the user can take a countermeasure (appropriate mounting) (semi-forced). Therefore, it is possible to more reliably prevent troubles caused by non-mounting (or erroneous mounting).

[0017]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a configuration of an image forming apparatus 1. This image forming apparatus 1 is a scanner that converts a document image placed on a platen 2 made of transparent glass or the like into a scanner placed on the back side of the platen 2. The optical system 3 reads the image data, and the image forming unit 4 forms an image on the sheet 5 in accordance with the read image data.

The scanner optical system 3 includes an exposure light source 11 for irradiating the original image placed on the original table 2 with light, and a reflecting mirror 12 for guiding light reflected from the original so as to maintain a constant optical path length. To 14, the imaging lens 15, and the photoelectric conversion element (C
The scanning light source 11 and the reflecting mirror 12 scan at a speed V from one end of the document table 2 to the other end, and in response to this, the reflecting mirrors 13 and 14
Unit has a speed V / 2 from one end to the center of the document table 2.
Scanning from each scanning part of the original
The optical path length up to 16 is kept constant.

The original image data read by the CCD 16 is subjected to image processing, and then is processed by the image forming unit 4.
Laser scanning unit (hereinafter referred to as LSU)
The photosensitive drum 22 is irradiated with a laser beam corresponding to the original image, thereby forming an electrostatic latent image.

The photosensitive drum 22 has a drum shape that is driven to rotate in the direction of the arrow 23. Around the photosensitive drum 22 is exposed from the laser irradiation point in the rotating direction 23 by exposure. A developing device 24 for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface into a visible image with toner, a transfer charger 25 for transferring the toner image to the paper 5,
A cleaning device (not shown) for removing toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 22, a main charger 26 for charging the photosensitive drum 22 to a predetermined potential, and the LSU 21
Etc. are provided in order. Thus, the image forming unit 4
Forms a toner image on the sheet 5 by an electrophotographic method.

The image forming section 4 also includes a sheet feeding cassette 2.
7, a pickup roller 28 for taking out the paper 5 one by one from the paper cassette 27, and feeding the taken-out paper 5 to the transfer section at a predetermined timing, where the toner image on the photosensitive drum 22 and the position of the paper 5 are transferred. Registration roller 29 for alignment
And a fixing device 30 for heating and fixing the toner image transferred to the paper 5, a paper discharge roller 31, a paper discharge tray 32, and the like.

The developing device 24 includes a developing roller 41,
Stirring rollers 42 and 43, a member 44 for regulating the layer thickness of the developer, a toner box 45 as a developer supply container,
It comprises an IC chip 46 and the like. The developing device 24 has a unit structure and can be pulled out in the front of the paper surface of FIG. 1 as a whole, and can be replaced with a new unit indicated by reference numeral 24a.

In the developing device 24, the toner box 45 can be replaced when it is pulled out, and the developer is supplied by replacing the toner box 45. For this reason, each toner box 45 is provided with an IC chip 46 in order to identify whether or not the toner box 45 is appropriate and the amount of consumed toner.

In the present embodiment, in particular, in the state where the developing device 24 is mounted on the device main body, the IC chip 4
6 is different from the conventional one in that only the data communication becomes possible between the CPU 6 and the CPU 47 facing the same, and there is no mounting detection means for detecting that the developing device 24 is mounted on the apparatus main body side. .

More specifically, as will be described in detail later, when a communication error occurs between the IC chip 46 and the CPU 47,
Conventionally, a communication error was determined in any case, whereas in the present embodiment, a communication error immediately after power-on and at the time of resetting due to opening and closing of a door indicates that the power is OFF.
It is determined that the developing device 24 itself or the toner box 45 has been removed and is not mounted while the door or the door is opened.

Therefore, using the signal for judging the suitability of the toner box 45, the developing device 24
Alternatively, it can be determined whether or not the toner box 45 is normally mounted. As described above, the configuration for detecting the mounting of the switch or the like is unnecessary, and the number of parts can be reduced and the configuration can be simplified. There are advantages.

Also, once determined to be appropriate,
By determining the subsequent communication error as a hardware error, it is possible to determine the presence or absence of the IC chip 46 and a communication trouble with a minimum system.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the connection between the IC chip 46 and the CPU 47. Toner box 4
When the developing device 24 on which the IC chip 5 is mounted is mounted on the main body of the apparatus, the substrate 48 on which the IC chip 46 is mounted and the substrate 49 on which the CPU 47 is mounted are electrically and mechanically interconnected via the connector 50. Is done.

Thus, the power supply VCC is supplied to the IC chip 46 from the substrate 49 on the apparatus main body side by the power supply lines 51 and 52, and the IC chip 46 becomes operable. Further, a clock is supplied from the CPU 47 via a line 53, and data can be transmitted / received via a line 54.

FIGS. 3A to 3D are waveform diagrams for explaining a method of determining whether or not the data communication is possible. The CPU 47 sends the line 5 to the IC chip 46.
3 outputs a clock as shown in FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (c). At the time of power-on and reset, the CPU 47 sends the data to the IC chip 46 via the line 54, as shown in FIG. 3B and FIG. Send commands such as data reading.

As a result, the developing device 24 having the toner box 45 attached thereto is mounted on the main assembly of the device, and the substrate 4
9 is connected to the substrate 48, the IC chip 4
6 responds to the command, as shown in FIG.
At time tl, the line 54 falls to a low level. Thereafter, the CPU 47 transmits the next command in synchronization with the clock.

On the other hand, when the toner box 45 or the developing device 24 is not mounted on the main body of the apparatus and the substrate 48 is not connected to the substrate 49, the IC chip 46 does not respond to the command. Figure 3
As shown in (d), at time tl, the line 54
Remains at the high level, and then the CPU 47 stops transmitting the clock. In this way, it is determined whether or not data communication as described above is possible.

The IC chip 46 is provided with a memory 46a as shown in FIG. 4, and stores information of the toner box 45 corresponding to each address. For example, the toner box 45 is located at the address 0001.
Is available, the lot number of the developer stored in the toner box 45 is at address 0002, the content of the developer is at address 0003, and the toner is at address 0005. The number of times the container in the box 45 has been recycled, and whether the toner box 45 is initially used or not are stored in the address 0006, respectively.

At the address 0004, a random number generated by the CPU 47 of the apparatus main body is written as described later. When the toner box 45 is accommodated in the apparatus main body together with the developing device 24, the IC chip 46 is fitted into the connector 50 provided at a predetermined position in the apparatus main body. An electrical connection is made.

On the other hand, in the apparatus main body, data read from the IC chip 46 is written as shown in FIG. 4 and data relating to the apparatus main body are stored in advance so that the CPU 47 determines the information of the toner box 45. Memory 47a. In this memory 47a, for example, an address 0001 is a device main body name and a model number stored in advance, an address 0002 is a developer lot number read from the memory 46a of the IC chip 46, and an address 0
At the address 003, the remaining amount of the developer calculated based on the internal capacity of the developer read from the memory 46a of the IC chip 46 is generated. At the address 0004, the CPU 47 generates the writing to the memory 46a of the IC chip 46. Information such as the designated random number, the address 0005, the number of recycles read from the memory 46a of the IC chip 46, and the address 0006 are written with information such as the result of determining whether or not the toner box 45 is used for the initial time.

The CPU 47 is connected to the memory 4 of the IC chip 46.
It is determined whether or not the usable device name read from 6a includes the device name of the memory 47a of the device itself, and from the determination result, whether the toner box 45 is compatible with the device body. Whether or not it is displayed on the display panel of the apparatus main body, and the image forming operation is controlled as described later. Further, it is also determined whether or not the number of times of recycling exceeds the limit, and the conformity / nonconformity of the toner box 45 is displayed.

The remaining amount of the developer is stored in the memory 4 of the IC chip 46.
Using the internal capacity read from 6a as an initial value, the amount of toner consumption obtained from the number of rotations of the toner supply roller 60 of the toner box 45 is subtracted from the initial value to calculate the amount.
When the toner becomes empty, the fact is displayed on the display panel, and the replacement of the toner box 45 is prompted.

When the toner box 45 is first mounted, the random number generated by the CPU 47 is written into the memory 46a of the IC chip 46, and the toner box 45 mounted and recognized by the apparatus main body is used. During this period, the toner box 45 is simply specified at any time by the random number. Such a determination by the CPU 47 is made every time the power of the apparatus main body is turned on.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are flowcharts for explaining the procedure for determining the suitability of the toner box 45 as described above. When the power of the apparatus main body is turned on or the door is opened / closed and reset, the process proceeds to step S1, and the CPU 4
7 reads out information describing conditions to be satisfied by the toner box 45 to be mounted from the memory 47a.

In step S2, the CPU 47 determines whether or not the data communication has been normally performed. If the data communication has not been normally performed as shown in FIG. 3C and FIG. Then, the process proceeds to step S3 to display the non-attachment. If the operation is normally performed as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the process proceeds to step S4 and subsequent steps.

In step S4, it is determined whether or not the information obtained by the communication matches the information of the apparatus main body (other than the remaining amount of toner). If not, the flow advances to step S5 to proceed to step S5. Is prohibited, and the process ends.

In step S4, the toner box 4
If the information about the toner box 45 matches the information on the toner box 45, the flow advances to step S6 to determine from the information on the address 0006 in the memory 46a obtained through the communication whether the toner box 45 is an unused item. If so, the process proceeds to step S7, where a random number is generated.
The generated random number is stored in the memory 46a of the IC chip 46.
At the address 0004 of the
In step 9, the random number is also written in the address 0004 of the memory 47a of the apparatus main body, and in step S10, it is written in the address 0006 of the memory 46a of the IC chip 46 that it is being used. Since preparation for copying is completed, the process proceeds to step S11 and shifts to the normal copy mode.

On the other hand, if the toner box 45 is not unused in step S6, that is, if toner has been supplied to the developing tank several times after being mounted on the apparatus main body, the used toner box 45 is not used. In order to confirm whether or not it is the same as the one previously attached, the process proceeds to step S12, and the address 00 in the memory 46a of the main body of the apparatus is read.
The random number stored at address 04 is read, and step S1 is executed.
3 is the address 000 of the memory 46a of the IC chip 46
The random number stored at address 4 is read out, and step S14 is executed.
To compare. As a result of the comparison, if both match, there is no problem even if copying is performed. Therefore, the process shifts to the normal copy mode in the step S11. Therefore, the process proceeds to step S5, and the use of the toner box 45 is prohibited.

In the normal copy mode, print processing is performed in step S21, and in step S22, the amount of toner required for the print processing is obtained from the number of print processing sheets, and is stored at address 0003 in the memory 47a of the apparatus body. The remaining toner value is updated. Similarly, in step S23, the remaining toner value stored at the address 0003 of the memory 46a of the IC chip 46 is updated.

In step S24, the presence or absence of the remaining amount is determined from the updated toner remaining amount value. If toner remains, the process waits until the next copy request. The address 000 of the toner box 45 is stored in the memory 46a.
The use prohibition is written in No. 7 and the process is terminated.

As described above, in the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, if the identification result of the toner box 45 at the time of power-on and resetting due to opening / closing of the door is inappropriate, the power-supplying operation is performed while the power is off. While the door was open, with the toner box 45 and the developing device 41 removed,
Since it is determined that the toner box 45 is not mounted, the toner box 45 is determined using a signal for determining whether the toner box 45 is appropriate.
Can be determined as to whether or not the toner box 45 is normally mounted, and a configuration for detecting the mounting of the toner box 45 such as a switch is not required, and the configuration can be simplified.

When not mounted, it is preferable to activate a notifying means (not shown) for notifying the user of the fact by a command from the CPU 47. For example, as described above, Main unit display panel (operation panel)
May be displayed, and an alarm (buzzer, pseudo sound, etc.) may be generated. Further, after such a notification, the power may be forcibly shut off (power supply to the apparatus main body is released), or the power may be shut off without notification. By taking such a measure, the user can immediately recognize the result of the determination, and can prevent the occurrence of a trouble due to non-wearing.

[0048]

As is apparent from the above description, the present invention has the following effects.

According to the first aspect, the identification means determines that the developer supply container is not mounted when the identification result at the time of resetting the power supply and opening / closing of the door is inappropriate. It is possible to prevent the occurrence of trouble due to non-mounting (or erroneous mounting) without requiring a configuration for detecting mounting of a switch or the like, and to simplify the configuration.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the power supply is turned on and the door is opened and closed, the identification means determines whether the developer supply container is appropriate or not, and whether the developer supply container is mounted on the apparatus main body. If the identification result is determined to be inappropriate (identification), it is determined that the developer supply container is not attached to the apparatus main body. Even if the replenishment container is identified as being appropriate for the apparatus main body, if mounting to the apparatus main body is not performed securely (appropriately), a configuration for detecting mounting such as a switch is not required, and Since it is determined that the device is not mounted, the result of the mounting operation can be more reliably determined, and the occurrence of troubles due to the non-mounted (or incorrectly mounted) can be more effectively prevented, and the configuration Simplify It can be.

According to the third aspect, when it is determined that the developer supply container is not mounted on the apparatus main body, the user is notified by the notification means, so that an appropriate Can be taken, not installed (or incorrectly installed)
Can be prevented from occurring.

According to the fourth aspect, when it is determined that the developer supply container is not mounted on the apparatus main body, the control means stops the power supply to the apparatus main body. It is inevitable to take a countermeasure (appropriate mounting) in the middle (forcibly in the middle), and it is possible to more reliably prevent troubles caused by non-mounting (or erroneous mounting).

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a connection state between the IC chip and a CPU.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a method for determining whether or not the data communication is possible.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the correspondence between the IC chip and the memory contents of a CPU.

FIG. 5 is a part of a flowchart illustrating a procedure for determining whether the toner box 45 is appropriate.

FIG. 6 is the remainder of the flowchart.

[Explanation of symbols]

 45-developer supply container 46-storage means 47-identification means

Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Masakazu Suzuki 22-22 Nagaike-cho, Abeno-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Inside (72) Inventor Michiaki Nishimura 22-22 Nagaike-cho, Abeno-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Sharp Corporation F-term (reference) 2H027 DA26 DA27 DE07 DE09 ED10 EE01 EE07 EE10 EF01 EJ17 EK06 GA30 GA48 GB07 HB02 HB05 HB06 HB13 HB17 2H071 AA17 BA03 BA13 BA14 BA17 BA20 BA33 BA34 DA08 DA32 DA34 EA08 AD16 DA22 DA09 DA32 DA80 DA82 DB10 GA04

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A developer replenishing container accommodating a developer used in an apparatus main body, which is detachable from the apparatus main body, thereby realizing replenishment of the developer, and a storage provided in the developer replenishing container. An image forming apparatus configured to determine whether the attached developer supply container is appropriate by identifying the unique information stored in the unit by the identification unit on the apparatus main body side; An image forming apparatus configured to determine that the developer supply container is not mounted when the identification result at the time of resetting due to opening and closing of the door is inappropriate. 2. A developer replenishing container accommodating a developer used in an apparatus main body is made detachable from the apparatus main body so as to realize replenishment of the developer, and is provided in the developer replenishing container. Image forming means for judging whether or not the attached developer supply container is appropriate for the apparatus main body by identifying the unique information stored in the means by the identification means on the apparatus main body side In the apparatus, the identification unit identifies whether the developer supply container is appropriate or not and determines whether the developer supply container is attached to the apparatus main body at the time of power-on and resetting due to opening and closing of a door. An image forming apparatus configured to determine that the developer supply container is not mounted on the apparatus main body when it is determined that the identification result is inappropriate. 3. When the identification means determines that the developer supply container is not mounted on the apparatus main body,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a notification unit configured to notify that the image forming apparatus is not mounted. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the identification unit determines that the developer supply container is not mounted on the apparatus main body, the power supply to the apparatus main body is released. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1.