JP2011008120A - Image forming apparatus, and method of processing determination of lifetime component for the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To secure stable image quality by determining a lifetime of a consumable member at high precision in response to various kinds of paper sheets, without forcing a user labors for setting.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus includes a count value holding part 11 for counting the dealing number of paper sheets corresponding to each unit or component used for image forming processing, to be held as the count value, a lifetime value storage part 12 for storing respective lifetime values of the consumable members serving as replacement objects, out of the respective units or components for executing the image forming processing, a paper sheet kind detecting part 13 for detecting the kind of paper sheet, a correction part 14 for correcting the count value of each unit or component, corresponding to the kind of paper sheet detected by the paper sheet kind detecting part 13, and a lifetime determining part 15 for determining the lifetime of the consumable member, by comparing the count value corrected by the correction part 14 with the lifetime value stored in the lifetime value storage part 12.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium such as paper, and more specifically, an image forming apparatus that determines a remaining life of a consumable member in a copying machine, a printer, and the like, and a life component determination process of the image forming apparatus It is about the method.

  Conventionally, many image forming apparatuses that form an image on a recording medium such as paper according to various image forming processes are known. Such an image forming apparatus maintains image quality by performing predetermined maintenance work (repair, replacement, etc.) by a user or a service person. In order to perform such maintenance work, it is necessary to accurately grasp the execution time. For example, in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, in order to determine the life of consumable members such as a photosensitive drum, a developing device, a transfer device, and a fixing device, the number of sheets processed and the distance passed are counted for each print job. In addition, there is known a method for judging the life by comparing the count value with a preset life. This counter function uses a non-volatile storage device such as a hard disk or the like, electrically stores the count value, and updates the count value every time one sheet is processed. Specifically, the following techniques are disclosed.

  A device that detects the paper size, sets a coefficient for each paper size, and counts to determine the life of the consumable member more accurately and notifies the remaining number of printable sheets is disclosed (for example, patents). Reference 1). Further, by detecting the presence / absence of a blank portion of the image formed on the paper, multiplying by a coefficient set in advance according to the presence / absence of the blank portion, and determining whether the added value exceeds a predetermined threshold, the apparatus And an image forming apparatus for determining the life of components (see, for example, Patent Document 2). Further, there is disclosed an image forming apparatus that includes a plurality of counter units each having a different counter function for each paper size to be used, and estimates the remaining life in consideration of the degree of wear deterioration due to the used paper size (for example, (See Patent Document 3).

  By the way, a transfer belt made of a material having a layer having specific conductive characteristics, a photosensitive belt, a fixing belt (roller) having a releasable surface layer, a cleaning blade made of a rubber material such as polyurethane rubber, etc. It is an important part and unit for maintaining a stable process. These parts are handled as consumable members because they change mechanically and physically over time or become unusable due to paper dust or foreign matter on the paper used. Since it is difficult for the user to know the rate of deterioration of the consumable member due to the paper thickness and smoothness, the consumable member becomes faster than the user expects by continuing to use paper with a large burden on the consumable member unintentionally. There is a possibility of deterioration.

  However, in the conventional image forming apparatus having the life judgment function as described above, the characteristics of the paper surface, that is, the paper thickness and the paper surface smoothness depend on the parameters input by the user. Therefore, the deterioration of the consumable member due to the type of paper cannot be accurately grasped. In other words, conventionally, the paper thickness and the smoothness of the paper surface are difficult to determine visually by the user, unlike the paper size, so the life of parts / units having the important functions described above can be accurately determined. In some cases, it was not possible to perform a proper maintenance because a good life judgment could not be obtained. As a result, there is a problem that stable image quality cannot be secured.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and realizes accurate determination of the life of a consumable member according to various types of paper without imposing a setting effort on the user, and provides stable image quality. The purpose is to secure.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present invention includes a count value holding unit that counts the number of sheets to be processed corresponding to each unit or part used in the image forming process, and holds the count value. Of each unit or part for performing the image forming process, a life value storing means for storing a life value of each consumable member to be replaced, a paper type detecting means for detecting the paper type, Corresponding to the type of paper detected by the paper type detection means, correction means for correcting the count value of each unit or part, and the count value corrected by the correction means and the life value storage means are stored. Life judging means for judging the life of the consumable member by comparing with the life value is provided.

  The present invention provides a user with an image forming apparatus capable of printing on paper having various thicknesses and smoothnesses by determining the lifetime of the consumable member while correcting the count value based on the detection result of the paper type. Accurate life judgment can be made without taking time for setting. As a result, there is an effect that the consumable member can be used in a usable state and stable image quality can be ensured.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of a digital copying machine as an image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of the engine in FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the main operations of life count and life determination of consumables in the printing control according to this embodiment. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the life count process in step S102 in FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the life determination process in step S103 in FIG. FIG. 8 is a chart showing an example (part 1) of counter values used in the life count processing according to this embodiment. FIG. 9 is a chart showing an example of the weighting coefficient used in the life count process according to this embodiment. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example of a message when the lifetime is reached according to this embodiment. FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating the life determination process of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment. FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a life determination process of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 13 is a chart illustrating an example (part 2) of the counter value used in the life count processing according to the third embodiment. FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating the life determination process of the image forming apparatus according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating the life determination process of the image forming apparatus according to the fifth embodiment. FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a display example of a message when a large-load sheet according to the fifth embodiment is set. FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration example of a color printer as an image forming apparatus according to the sixth embodiment. FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating printing and life determination processing of the image forming apparatus according to the seventh embodiment. FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the life determination process in FIG.

  Exemplary embodiments of an image forming apparatus and a service life component determination processing method for the image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be explained below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following embodiments, the “type” of paper refers to the thickness of the paper and the smoothness of the paper surface, and the consumable member refers to a transfer device and a fixing device in an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic system. The related members, specifically, the fixing belt 219, the pressure roller 220, the secondary transfer roller 207, the intermediate transfer belt 218, and the like.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of a digital copying machine as an image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. This digital copying machine forms an image for each color of Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and K (black) on an intermediate transfer belt according to an electrophotographic method, and the color image is formed on a sheet. It is transferred, fixed, and discharged.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 201 denotes an intermediate transfer belt cleaning unit, reference numeral 202 denotes a fixing application unit, reference numeral 203 denotes a scanner unit, reference numeral 204 denotes a paper discharge unit, and reference numeral 205 denotes a fixing device having a fixing belt 219 and a pressure roller 220. . Reference numeral 206 denotes an intermediate transfer belt unit having an intermediate transfer belt 218, reference numeral 207 denotes a secondary transfer roller, reference numeral 208 denotes an intermediate transfer waste toner bottle, reference numeral 209 denotes a cleaning unit, and reference numeral 210 denotes a photoreceptor waste toner bottle. Reference numeral 211 denotes a charging unit, reference numeral 212 denotes a first paper feed tray, reference numeral 213 denotes a second paper feed tray, reference numeral 214 denotes an optical writing unit, reference numeral 215 denotes a toner cartridge, reference numeral 216 denotes a developing unit, and reference numeral 217 denotes photosensitive. The body belt 221 is a media sensor.

  Next, the operation of the digital copying machine configured as described above will be described. When an instruction to start copying is given by an operation unit (not shown), the scanner unit 203 reads a document. The read image data is written on the photosensitive belt 217 by the writing unit 214 in order for each color. The photosensitive belt 217 is uniformly charged in advance by the charging unit 211. The laser emitted from the LD unit in the writing unit 214 is applied to the photosensitive belt 217, whereby an electrostatic latent image for each color is formed on the photosensitive belt 217. The electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive belt 217 is developed by the developing unit 216 corresponding to the color, and a toner image is formed on the photosensitive belt 217.

  The paper is set in the first paper feed tray 212 or the second paper feed tray 213, and when a copy start instruction is given, the paper is fed at an appropriate timing. At this time, the media sensor 221 measures the thickness of the paper and the smoothness of the paper. Examples of media sensors include optical transmission light amount detection, specular reflection light amount detection, paper surface unevenness detection sensor, etc., ultrasonic sensors, electrical resistance detection sensors, etc. Measurement is performed by a plurality.

  The types of paper used in this embodiment include normal high-quality paper, thick paper such as medium-quality paper, reprinted paper, postcards, recycled paper bleached by chemicals, etc. Paper, OHP film, etc. are used.

  The toner image formed on the photoreceptor belt 217 is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 218 of the intermediate transfer belt unit 206, and the toner image transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 218 is further transferred to the first paper feed tray 212 or the second paper feed. The image is transferred onto the sheet fed from the tray 213 using the secondary transfer roller 207. The toner image transferred onto the paper is fixed by heating and pressure by the fixing unit 205 and fixed on the paper. The paper on which the toner image is fixed by the fixing unit 205 is discharged by the paper discharge unit 204, whereby a copy image is obtained.

  The toner remaining without being transferred to the photoreceptor belt 217 and the intermediate transfer belt 218 is cleaned by the photoreceptor cleaning unit 209 and the intermediate transfer belt cleaning unit 201, and is respectively transferred to the photoreceptor waste toner bottle 210 and the intermediate transfer waste toner bottle 208. Accumulated as waste toner. The fixing unit 205 is coated with a small amount of silicon oil by the fixing application unit 202 in order to improve the separation of the paper after fixing.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of the engine in FIG. In these drawings, the above-described digital copying machine of FIG. The copying machine 1 as an image forming apparatus includes a controller 100, an operation panel 101, and an engine 111, and is connected to a host machine 112 via a host I / F 102. The controller 100 also has a host I / F 102, a program ROM 103, a font ROM 104, a panel I / F 105, a CPU 106, a RAM 107, an NVRAM 108, an engine I / F 109, and an option RAM 110, and each component is connected via an internal bus. Has been.

  The controller 100 is a control mechanism that converts print data from the host machine 112 into video data and outputs it to the engine 111 in accordance with the control mode set at that time and the control code from the host machine 112. The host I / F 102 is an interface for control signals and data from the host machine 112 to the copying machine 1 and status signals from the copying machine 1 to the host machine 112. The CPU 106 processes data (print data, control data) from the host machine 112 according to the program ROM 103. A RAM 107 is a work memory when the CPU 106 processes, a buffer for managing and temporarily storing data from the host machine 112 in units of pages, and converting the data stored in the buffer into an actual print pattern to obtain video data. Is used for a bitmap memory or the like for storing.

  The NVRAM 108 is a nonvolatile RAM for storing data that is to be retained even when the power is turned off. The NVRAM 108 stores a counter value obtained by counting the usage history of the consumable member. The program ROM 103 stores programs for managing data in the controller 100 and controlling peripheral modules. The font ROM 104 stores various types of fonts used for printing. The engine I / F 109 is an interface for a control signal from the controller 100 to the engine 111 and a status signal from the copier 1 to the controller 100.

  The engine 111 creates and develops an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive belt 217 based on the video signal and the control signal from the controller 100, and the sheet is fed from the first paper feed tray 212, the second paper feed tray 213, or the manual feed tray. Is fed, transferred and fixed to form an image. Panel I / F 105 is a signal interface for switching the state, mode, font, and the like of copying machine 1. The operation panel 101 includes a display unit that indicates the state of the copying machine 1 and a switch unit that switches the mode, font, and the like of the copying machine 1. Data sent through the host I / F 102 is divided into print data and control data by the CPU 106 and others, and the print data and control data are converted into control codes and stored in a buffer. When the print command from the host machine 112 or the data received from the host machine 112 exceeds one page, the controller 100 first converts the intermediate code into video data, and when that is finished, the engine 111 is sent through the engine I / F 109. Command to start printing. The print data from the host machine 112 is printed via the engine 111 in such a series of flows.

  At this time, the thickness and smoothness of the printed paper are measured by the media sensor 221 connected to the engine 111 and temporarily stored in the RAM 107 via the engine I / F 109. Thereafter, the CPU 106 performs a life count calculation using a coefficient corresponding to the detection result and a life determination process. The calculation result of the life count is stored in the NVRAM 108.

  Here, the controller 100 follows each program, and as shown in the functional block of FIG. 4, the count holding unit 11, the life value storage unit 12, the paper type detection unit 13, the correction unit 14, the life determination unit 15, and the notification. The functions of the unit 16, the stop unit 17, the mode switching unit 18, the mode switching instruction receiving unit 19, the avoiding unit 20, and the aggregation processing unit 21 are realized.

  The count holding unit 11 functions as a count holding unit, and is expected to be deteriorated in use such as the intermediate transfer belt 206, the secondary transfer roller 207, and the fixing belt 206. The number of sheets processed is counted and held as a count value.

  The life value storage unit 12 functions as a life value storage means, and stores the life value of each unit or component (a standard value for the number of sheets during image formation).

  The paper type detection unit 13 functions as a paper type detection unit, and uses a media sensor 221 to detect the type of paper used for image formation (plain paper, medium quality paper, additional paper, thick paper, recycled paper, etc.). To do.

  The correction unit 14 functions as a correction unit, and corrects the count value of each unit or component by the count holding unit 11 in accordance with the paper type detected by the paper type detection unit 13.

  The life determination unit 15 functions as a life determination unit, and compares the count value corrected by the correction unit 14 with the life value stored in the life value storage unit 12 to determine the life of the consumable member. Judgment.

  The notification unit 16 functions as a notification unit, and when the life determination unit 15 determines that the consumable member is at the end of its life, a notification that the consumable member is at the end of its life is sent via the operation panel 101, for example. To do.

  The stopping unit 17 functions as a stopping unit, and forcibly stops the image forming process of the currently accepted print job when the lifetime determining unit 15 determines that the consumable member has a lifetime. .

  The mode switching unit 18 functions as a mode switching unit, and when the life determination unit 15 determines that the consumable member is at the end of its life, the current image formation speed of the currently accepted print job is changed to the current normal image formation speed. Is switched from the normal mode to the low consumption mode in which low-speed image forming processing is performed.

  The mode switching instruction accepting unit 19 functions as a mode switching instruction accepting unit, and the mode switching unit 18 accepts an instruction for switching from the normal mode to the low consumption mode via the operation panel 101, for example. is there.

  The avoiding unit 20 functions as an avoiding unit, and when the paper type detected by the paper type detecting unit 13 is a type that expedites consumption of the consumable member, the image forming process corresponding to the detected paper is performed. It is something to avoid.

  The aggregation processing unit 21 functions as an aggregation processing unit. When the life determination unit 15 determines that the consumable member has a lifetime, the aggregation processing unit 21 collects a plurality of images on one sheet and forms an image. is there.

  Next, the characteristic operation of the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment, which is executed with the configuration shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 and the functional configuration shown in FIG. 4, will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the main operations of the life count and life determination of consumables in the print control according to this embodiment. In FIG. 5, first, the operation by the copying machine 1 described above is executed (see FIG. 5) (step S101), and the lifetime of consumable parts (units) is counted (step S102). Subsequently, the life of the consumable part (unit) is determined according to the value of the life count (see FIGS. 6 and 7) (step S103).

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the life count process in step S102 in FIG. First, the life count value is read from the NVRAM 108 (step S111), and the media sensor 221 detects the thickness / smoothness of the paper and reads the value (step S112). Subsequently, the addition value of the counter for each print job is corrected by the detection result coefficient of each detection result (step S113). The calculation result in step S113 is added to the result read in step S111 (step S114) to obtain a new life count value. Finally, a new count value is written into the NVRAM 108 (step S115).

  FIG. 8 is an example of the read count value in FIG. In FIG. 8, the count values of the fixing belt 219, the intermediate transfer belt 218, and the secondary transfer roller 207 are shown. However, the present invention can be applied to items that change depending on the thickness and smoothness of the paper. FIG. 9 is an example of a table of detection coefficient correction coefficients. According to the table of FIG. 9, for example, when the thickness is 1 and the smoothness is 4, the number of sheets passing through the fixing belt 219 is corrected to 1 (sheet) × 0.85 × 1.6 = 1.28 (sheet). .

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the life determination process in step S103 in FIG. When the life count is completed, the life judgment is started and the life count value is read from the NVRAM 108 (step S121). Subsequently, the lifetime number shown in FIG. 8 is compared with the lifetime count value (step S122). Here, when it is determined that the life count value is larger than the life number (determination Yes), for example, a message as shown in FIG. 10 is displayed on the operation panel 101 (step S123) to prompt replacement. Thereafter, the state shifts to a non-printable state (step S124). After making the print impossible until the consumable member is replaced, the life determination is finished. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S122 that the lifetime count value is smaller than the lifetime number (determination No), the lifetime determination is immediately terminated.

  Therefore, according to the above-described embodiment, the life can be determined while correcting the count value based on the detection result of the thickness / smoothness of the paper, so that it is possible to print on the paper having various thickness / smoothness. In the image forming apparatus, it is possible to accurately determine the life without requiring the user to make settings.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment having the same configuration as the image forming apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 will be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating the life determination process of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment. This operation is executed with the configuration shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 and the functional configuration shown in FIG. In the flowchart of FIG. 11, the count value is corrected in the same manner as steps S111, S112, and S113 of FIG. 6 until step S133. Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the corrected count value has increased from the original count value per print job (step S134). Here, when it is determined that the count value has increased from the original count value per print job (determination Yes), it is displayed on the operation panel 101 that a sheet with a quickly consumed consumable member is set (step S135). This display can be displayed on the host machine 112 in addition to the operation panel 101. When it is determined in step S134 that the count value has not increased from the original count value per print job (determination No), or after the display process is performed, the lifetime count value is added (step S136), and the lifetime count value is calculated. Write to the NVRAM 108 (step S137).

  Therefore, the user can cancel the print job by the above operation when the user does not intend to continue using the paper whose consumable member is quickly consumed.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment having the same configuration as that of the image forming apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 will be described. This operation is executed with the configuration shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 and the functional configuration shown in FIG. FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating the life determination process of the image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment. In this embodiment, in addition to the count values shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, a threshold value for forcibly stopping is prepared. An example of this threshold is shown in FIG. In the flowchart shown in FIG. 12, the count value is corrected in the same manner as steps S111, S112, and S113 in FIG. 6 up to step S143.

  Thereafter, the corrected count value is compared with the threshold value (step S144). If it is determined that the corrected count value is greater than the set threshold value (determination Yes), the print job is canceled, that is, printing is forcibly stopped (step S145). When it is determined in step S144 that the corrected count value is smaller than the set threshold value (determination No) or after the forced stop process is performed, the life count value is added (step S146), and the life count value is calculated. Write to the NVRAM 108 (step S147).

  Therefore, the user can cancel the print job by the above operation when the user does not intend to continue using the paper whose consumable member is quickly consumed.

(Fourth embodiment)
Next, a fourth embodiment having the same configuration as that of the image forming apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 will be described. This operation is executed with the configuration shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 and the functional configuration shown in FIG. FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating the life determination process of the image forming apparatus according to the fourth embodiment. In the flowchart of FIG. 14, the count value is corrected in the same manner as steps S131 to S133 of FIG. 11 until step S153. Thereafter, it is determined whether the similarly corrected count value has increased from the original count value per print job (step S154). If it is determined that the corrected count value is increasing (= consumption is fast) (determination Yes), the print mode of the print job is switched to the low consumption mode, here, the half speed mode (step S155). . Since the speed of consumption changes due to switching to the low consumption mode, the count value is recorrected using a correction coefficient table (not shown) (step S156). Next, when it is determined in step S154 that the count value has not increased from the original count value per print job (determination No), or after the processing in steps S155 and S156, the life count value is added (step S157). The life count value is written into the NVRAM 108 (step S158).

  Therefore, according to the above processing, when the user does not intend to continue using the paper whose consumption member is quickly consumed, consumption of the consumption member is reduced and the print job is continued without being canceled. This improves convenience.

(Fifth embodiment)
Next, a fifth embodiment having the same configuration as that of the image forming apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 will be described. This operation is executed with the configuration shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 and the functional configuration shown in FIG. FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating the life determination process of the image forming apparatus according to the fifth embodiment. In the flowchart of FIG. 15, the count value is corrected up to step S163 in the same manner as steps S131 to S133 of FIG. Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the similarly corrected count value has increased from the original count value per print job (step S164). If it is determined that the count value after correction is increased (= consumption is fast) (determination Yes), whether the user prints in the normal mode or the half-speed mode (low consumption mode). An inquiry is made as to whether to interrupt printing (step S165). FIG. 16 is a display example displayed on the operation panel 101 for inquiring the user about the correspondence. As shown in FIG. 16, on the operation panel 101, soft keys that allow touch input such as “print as it is”, “switch to the half-speed mode”, and “cancel printing” are displayed.

  Subsequently, it is determined whether the mode designated by the user is the normal mode, the half-speed mode, or the interruption (step S166). If the user designates the half speed mode, the print mode is switched to the half speed mode for printing (step S167), and the count value is corrected again (step S168). If the user inputs a key for canceling printing, the print job is canceled (step S169). If it is determined in step S166 that the current mode is the normal mode, or after step S168 is executed or if it is determined that the count value corrected in step S169 has not increased (determination No), the life count value is added (step S170). The lifetime count value is written in the NVRAM 108 (step S171).

  Therefore, for the user who does not intend to continue using the paper whose consumption member is quickly consumed, the above operation can reduce the consumption of the consumption member and can continue without canceling the print job. Therefore, convenience is improved.

(Sixth embodiment)
Next, a sixth embodiment will be described. Here, an example will be described in which a transfer belt, a fixing belt, a roller, or the like is a sheet that is recognized as being rapidly consumed due to the type of the sheet, and the printing process is stopped and discharged outside the apparatus. FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the sixth embodiment. This image forming apparatus is a configuration example of a color laser printer. The color laser printer shown in FIG. 17 has a configuration without a scanner using an electrophotographic method by laser writing in an image forming process as in the copying machine shown in FIG. 1, and is basically shown in FIG. It is controlled by such a control block configuration.

  A color printer 600 shown in FIG. 17 has four color images (Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), K (black))) arranged independently according to the laser beam writing and the electrophotographic process. This is a four-drum tandem engine type color laser printer which is formed by the above-mentioned image forming system, and these four color images are sequentially superimposed and transferred to a sheet for synthesis. In FIG. 16, reference numeral 601 denotes a multi-beam type laser exposure unit, reference numeral 610 denotes a photosensitive unit having a photosensitive drum 602, reference numeral 612 denotes a developing unit, reference numeral 620 denotes an intermediate transfer belt unit having an intermediate transfer belt 603, reference numeral Reference numeral 630 denotes a fixing unit having a fixing belt 604, reference numeral 640 denotes a paper feeding unit having paper feeding cassettes 605 and 606, reference numeral 607 denotes a registration roller, reference numeral 608 denotes a paper discharge tray on which sheets after image formation are stacked, and reference numeral 609 denotes This is a discharge tray for forced discharge. Also in this color printer 600, the same media sensor 221 as in FIG. 1 is disposed in front of the registration roller 607.

  Each image forming system includes a photoreceptor unit 610, a developing unit 615, and an intermediate transfer belt unit 620. The photoconductor unit 610 has, for example, a small-diameter OPC (organic photoconductor) photoconductor drum (602Y, 602M, 602C, 602K) as a charging unit from the upstream side of image formation so as to surround the photoconductor drum. It has a charging roller, a cleaning unit, and a static eliminator. The developing unit 615 develops the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum with a developer to form toner images of Y, M, C, and K colors.

  To the side of each developing unit 615Y, 615M, 615C, 615K, there is a toner bottle unit for supplying toner of a predetermined color to the developing units 615Y, 615M, 615C, 615K with Y toner, M toner, C toner, K toner, respectively. Has been placed. Each image forming system is provided with a multi-beam laser exposure unit 601. The laser exposure unit 601 includes a laser diode (LD) light source as a laser light source, optical components such as a collimator lens and an fθ lens, a folding mirror as a deflection scanning unit, and the like.

  The intermediate transfer belt unit 620 is driven to rotate by a drive source (not shown) with the intermediate transfer belt 602 stretched around a roller. On the lower side of the apparatus, paper feed tray cassettes 605 and 606 that store sheets as transfer materials are arranged. A fixing unit 630 having a fixing belt 604 and a pressure roller, a paper discharge roller, and a paper discharge tray 608 are disposed at the top of the apparatus.

  At the time of image formation, in each image forming system, the photosensitive drums (602Y, 602M, 602C, 602K) are rotated by a driving source (not shown), and the photosensitive drums (602Y, 602M, 602C, 602K) are driven by a charging roller. ) Are uniformly charged, the laser exposure unit 601 modulates the laser diode based on the image data of each color, deflects and scans the laser light, and performs optical writing on the photosensitive drum (602Y, 602M, 602C, 602K). As a result, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum (602Y, 602M, 602C, 602K).

  The electrostatic latent images on the photosensitive drums (602Y, 602M, 602C, 602K) are respectively developed by the developing unit 612 to become toner images of Y, M, C, K colors, while the paper feed cassette 605 (or 606). ) Is fed by a paper feed roller and conveyed in the image forming system direction by a conveyance system. The sheet is electrostatically attracted and held by the intermediate transfer belt 603 and conveyed by the intermediate transfer belt 603, and a transfer bias is applied by a transfer bias applying unit (not shown), and the photosensitive drums (602Y, 602M, 602C, A full-color image is formed on the sheet by sequentially superimposing and transferring the Y, M, C, and K toner images on the sheet to the sheet. The sheet on which the full-color image is formed is fixed to the full-color toner image by the action of heat and pressure by the fixing unit 630 and is discharged to the discharge tray 608 by the discharge roller. In addition, an electrical / control device (not shown) that drives and controls each functional element described above and executes various image processing and the like is mounted.

  In this image forming process, when printing is started, a printing sheet is fed from the sheet feeding cassette 605 or the sheet feeding cassette 606 and conveyed to the registration roller 607. At this time, the media thickness is measured by the media sensor 221. As a result of the measurement, when it is determined that the fed printing paper has a heavy load on the consumable member, the paper is discharged to the paper discharge tray 609.

  Therefore, according to the above operation, it is possible to reduce the consumption of the consumable member by avoiding the printing with the paper in which the consumable member is quickly consumed.

(Seventh embodiment)
Next, a seventh embodiment having the same configuration as that of the image forming apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 will be described. Here, in printing on paper with a fast consumption of the consumable member, if the corrected count value increases from the original count value per print job, the print mode is shifted to the aggregate print mode, and the number of sheets processed is reduced. An example will be described.

  FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating printing and life determination processing of the image forming apparatus according to the seventh embodiment. This operation is executed with the configuration shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 and the functional configuration shown in FIG. In FIG. 18, first, paper is fed from the paper feed tray (step S181), and the thickness and smoothness of the paper are detected by the media sensor 221 (step S182). Subsequently, a life determination process (see FIG. 19) is executed (step S183), and it is determined whether the print mode is the normal mode or the aggregate print mode (step S184). When it is determined that the print mode is the aggregate print mode, a known aggregate data generation process is executed (step S185). If it is determined in the above that the normal mode is selected, or after the process of step S185, the printing process is performed (step S186).

  FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the life determination process in FIG. This operation is executed with the configuration shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 and the functional configuration shown in FIG. In FIG. 19, the life count value is read (step S191) and the sheet thickness / smoothness detection result is read (step S192), as in the above-described embodiment. Subsequently, the added value for each print job is corrected by the detection result coefficient (step S193), and it is determined whether or not the corrected count value has increased from the count value per original print job (step S194). If it is determined that the count value after correction is increasing (= consumption is fast) (determination Yes), the printing mode is switched to the aggregate printing mode (step S195). Next, when it is determined in step S194 that the count value per original print job has not been increased (determination No), or after performing the process of step S195, the life count value is added (step S196). The life count value is written in the NVRAM 108 (step S197).

  As described above, when the corrected count value increases from the original count value per print job, the print mode is changed to the aggregate print mode. After the end of the life determination process, it is determined in the printing process that the print mode is aggregate printing, so aggregate data is generated and aggregate printing is performed.

  When printing is performed on a sheet that is quickly consumed by the consumable member, the aggregated data is printed, thereby reducing the number of sheets to be printed and reducing the consumption of the consumable member.

  As described above, the image forming apparatus and the lifetime component determination processing method according to the present invention are useful for image forming apparatuses such as copiers and printers, and in particular, above the thickness and smoothness of paper. Therefore, the present invention is suitable for an apparatus and a method for performing a life determining process for consumable members.

101 Operation panel 106 CPU
108 NVRAM
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 111 Engine 112 Image forming part 113 Paper feeding conveyance part 201 Intermediate transfer belt cleaning unit 206 Intermediate transfer belt unit 207 Secondary transfer roller 209 Cleaning unit 219 Fixing belt 221 Media sensor

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-016037 Japanese Patent No. 4118767 JP-A-10-333509

Claims (8)

A count value holding unit that counts the number of sheets to be processed corresponding to each unit or part used in the image forming process, and holds the count value;
Of each unit or part for performing the image forming process, a life value storage means for storing a life value of each consumable member to be replaced;
Paper type detecting means for detecting the paper type;
Correction means for correcting the count value of each unit or component corresponding to the paper type detected by the paper type detection means;
Life determination means for determining the life of the consumable member by comparing the count value corrected by the correction means and the life value stored in the life value storage means;
An image forming apparatus comprising:   2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a notifying unit that notifies that the consumable member has a life when the consumable member determines that the consumable member has a life.   2. The image according to claim 1, further comprising a stopping unit that forcibly stops an image forming process of a print job currently accepted when the lifetime determining unit determines that the consumable member has a lifetime. Forming equipment.   When the life determining means determines that the consumable member is at the end of its life, the image forming process of the currently accepted print job is changed from a normal mode based on the current normal image forming speed to a low consumable mode in which a low-speed image forming process is performed. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a mode switching unit for switching.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the mode switching unit includes a mode switching instruction receiving unit that receives an instruction to switch from the normal mode to the low consumption mode.   Furthermore, when the paper type detected by the paper type detection unit is a type that expedites consumption of the consumable member, an avoiding unit that avoids the image forming process corresponding to the detected paper is provided. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.   The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an aggregation processing unit that aggregates a plurality of images onto a single sheet to form an image when the lifetime determining unit determines that the consumable member has a lifetime. Image forming apparatus. Of each unit or part for performing the image forming process, it has a life value storage means for storing a life value of each consumable member to be replaced,
A count value holding step in which a count value holding unit counts the number of sheets processed corresponding to each unit or component used in the image forming process, and holds the count value;
A paper type detection step in which the paper type detection means detects the paper type;
A correction step in which the correction means corrects the count value of each unit or component in correspondence with the paper type detected in the paper type detection step;
A life determination step of determining a life of the consumable member by comparing the count value corrected in the correction step with the life value stored in the life value storage means;
A life component determination processing method for an image forming apparatus, comprising:

Images