JP2006201699A - Image forming apparatus, process cartridge, and memory medium for process cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To accurately determine the life of a cartridge and notify it to a user, and to accurately analyze the defect contents even when there is an abnormality at the user.
A cartridge having at least an image carrier 101 or a developing means 104 and having a memory medium 120 is detachable from an image forming apparatus having a plurality of uses, and an image is formed using the image forming apparatus. An image forming apparatus comprising: a process cartridge that stores a use history of formation in the memory medium for each of the uses.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention generally forms an electrostatic latent image on an image carrier by an electrophotographic method, and the electrostatic latent image is visualized by a cartridge having a developing unit and containing a developer. Alternatively, the present invention relates to a cartridge that can be attached to and detached from an image forming apparatus having usage conditions, that is, a process cartridge, a developing device formed into a cartridge, and the like.

  Here, examples of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus include an electrophotographic copying machine, an electrophotographic printer (for example, an LED printer, a laser beam printer, etc.), an electrophotographic facsimile apparatus, and the like.

  The process cartridge means a cartridge in which at least the developing means and the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed, and the cartridge can be attached to and detached from the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

  A configuration example of an electrophotographic color image forming apparatus will be described with reference to FIG.

  The image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 5 has a charging unit 602 (602Y, 602M, 602C, 602K) around a photosensitive drum 601 (601Y, 601M, 601C, 601K), and a laser scanner 603 (603Y, 603Y as an exposure unit). 603M, 603C, 603K) and developing roller 604a (604aY, 604aM, 604aC, 604aK), etc. , 604C, 604K) and the like are respectively installed.

  The image developed on the photosensitive drum 601 by the developing unit 604 is transferred onto the transfer material P by using a transfer unit 605 (605Y, 605M, 605C, 605K) disposed to face the photosensitive drum 601.

  The transfer material P is carried and transferred by the transfer material transport body E, and the photosensitive drums 601 (601Y, 601M, 601C, 601K) are arranged in the order of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black in the running direction of the transfer material transport body E. The toner images of the respective colors are sequentially transferred onto the transfer material P.

  The remaining toner after the transfer is removed around the photosensitive drum 601 by a cleaning blade 606 as a cleaning device, and is used for the next image formation.

  Next, an image forming operation of the image forming apparatus having the above configuration will be described.

  The surface of the photosensitive drum 601 that is uniformly charged by the charging roller as the charging unit 602 is irradiated with a laser beam modulated in accordance with image data from a host such as a personal computer by the exposure unit 603, and a desired electrostatic charge is applied. A latent image is formed. The latent image is reversely developed at the development site and visualized as a toner image by a developing unit 604 that is a developing device including toner of each color disposed facing the photosensitive drum 601. This toner image is fed by a sheet feeding means (not shown) and is sequentially transferred by the transfer means 605 to the transfer material P conveyed by the conveying means. This toner image is melted and fixed by the fixing device 608 and permanently fixed on the transfer material P, and a desired full-color print image is obtained.

  In the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 5, the photosensitive drum 601, the charging unit 602, and the developing unit 604 of the image forming unit are integrated to form a process cartridge 610 as shown in FIG. 6.

  The process cartridge 610 is configured to be detachable from the apparatus main body by cartridge mounting means (not shown).

  In the image forming apparatus having the above configuration, when a means for detecting the remaining amount of toner in the cartridge 610 is provided, when the toner runs out and the life is reached, the user can continue to use it by simply replacing the cartridge. This is possible, and maintenance by a service person such as that performed by a copying machine or the like is not necessary.

  Further, for example, the photosensitive drum 601, the charging unit 602, and the developing unit 604 of the image forming unit are integrated into a cartridge, so that a good image that is always stable and free of defects can be obtained until the end of its lifetime. In addition, there is an advantage that the user can easily perform replacement when the service life is reached.

In addition, many multifunction machines that use such an image forming apparatus for a plurality of purposes such as a printer, a fax machine, and a copying machine have been put into practical use (see, for example, Patent Document 1 below). The installation space has been reduced (a multi-function machine will be described as an MFP later).
JP-A-6-253106

  In the MFP electrophotographic image forming apparatus configured as described above, image formation is executed in various operation modes (printer, fax machine, copier). Even when trying to analyze whether a defect occurred, there were cases where it was not understood well.

  Further, the image quality of the MFP electrophotographic image forming apparatus configured as described above varies depending on the application (operation mode). For example, high-quality images are desired for users of copiers and printers, but faxes are monochrome, resolution is low, and longer life of cartridges is desired than image quality. Since the degree differs, there is a case where the life of the cartridge cannot be accurately determined by simply counting the number of printed sheets.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and can accurately determine the life of the cartridge and notify the user. Furthermore, even if there is an abnormality at the user's site, An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus, a process cartridge, and a memory medium for the process cartridge that can accurately analyze the defect contents.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention comprises the following configurations (1) to (3).

  (1) Using at least the image forming apparatus having a control means capable of controlling image formation in a plurality of operation modes, having at least an image carrier or developing means, a cartridge having a memory medium is detachable An image forming apparatus comprising: a storage control unit configured to store a use history of image formation in the memory medium for each operation mode.

  (2) A cartridge having at least an image carrier or developing means and having a memory medium is detachable from an image forming apparatus having a plurality of operation modes, and image formation is performed using the image forming apparatus. A process cartridge in which the usage history is stored in the memory medium for each operation mode.

  (3) A cartridge having at least an image carrier or developing means and having a memory medium is detachable from an image forming apparatus having a plurality of operation modes, and image formation is performed using the image forming apparatus. A memory medium for a process cartridge, wherein the usage history is stored for each operation mode.

  According to the present invention, according to the image forming apparatus, the cartridge that can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus, and the memory medium, the image having at least the image carrier or the developing unit, and the cartridge having the memory medium has a plurality of uses. Since it is configured to be stored in the memory medium for each use (operation mode), the usage history of image formation using the image forming apparatus can be attached to and detached from the forming apparatus. It is possible to accurately determine and notify the user, and further, even when there is an abnormality at the user destination, the defect content analysis can be performed accurately.

  Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention and a cartridge detachable from the image forming apparatus will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

  In this embodiment, the color image forming apparatus of the present invention has the same configuration as that of the image forming apparatus described above with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, and members having the same configuration and function are shown in FIGS. The conventional example shown in FIG. 6 is in the 600 range, but in FIG. 1, it is shown in the 100 range and will not be described in detail. Further, in the color image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, only a part having a different operation will be described in detail.

  Also in the electrophotographic image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, the photosensitive drum 101, the charging unit 102, and the developing unit 104, which are image forming units, are respectively integrated into a process cartridge 110 (110Y, 110M, 110C) similar to FIG. 110K). The process cartridge 110 is detachably mounted by a user on a cartridge mounting means (not shown) provided in the image forming apparatus main body.

  In the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, a cleaning blade 106 serving as a cleaning unit is disposed around the photosensitive drum 101, but a cleaner system in which the toner remaining after transfer is simultaneously collected by the developing unit is employed. It is also possible.

  In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus receives image information from a host computer, a telephone line, and a scanner 30 and forms an image on a transfer material, for example, recording paper, an OHP sheet, a cloth, etc. by an electrophotographic image forming process. .

  According to the present invention, a memory medium 120 is mounted on the process cartridge 110. The memory medium, that is, the memory will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the case of this embodiment, on the side of the process cartridge, a memory 120 (Y, M, C, K) and a cartridge side transmission unit 121 (Y, M, C, K) for controlling reading and writing of information to and from the memory 120 are provided. Have. When the cartridge 110 (Y, M, C, K) is mounted on the image forming apparatus, the cartridge transmission unit 121 (Y, M, C, K) and the control unit 122 (Y, M, C) on the image forming apparatus main body side. , K) are arranged facing each other. The main body control unit 122 also includes a function as a cartridge transmission unit 121 and data transmission means on the main body side. In addition to the configuration in which the control unit is provided for each of the cartridges 120 (Y, M, C, K) as described above, when data is transmitted with a single control unit, switching is performed for each cartridge. You may make it the structure which provides a means.

  The main body control unit is provided with a calculation unit for calculating information from the memory 120, a circuit unit (functional unit) for instructing rotation of the photosensitive member, and a print number detection unit for detecting the number of prints.

  FIG. 4 shows the configuration of the memory 120 and the main body control unit 122 in more detail. In the memory 120, an area for storing print number information for each operation mode such as a print mode and a fax mode, and the like. And an area for storing information relating to the cartridge. Then, data transmission is performed with the transmission unit 122 a of the main body control unit 122 via the transmission unit 121. The main body control unit 122 includes a calculation unit 122b and a control unit 122c. The calculation unit calculates a usage amount in each operation mode as will be described later, and the control unit determines the life of the cartridge based on the calculation result of the calculation unit. Control such as notification to the outside.

  Further, according to the present invention, the memory 120 has a storage area for storing the number of printed sheets when the cartridge 110 forms an image with any one of a printer, a fax machine, and a copying machine.

  As the memory medium used in the present invention, that is, the memory 120, a normal semiconductor electronic memory such as a nonvolatile memory, a combination of a volatile memory and a backup battery can be used without particular limitation. In particular, when the memory 120 is a non-contact memory that performs data communication between the memory 120 and the read / write IC by electromagnetic waves, the cartridge-side transmission unit and the main body control unit may be non-contact, The possibility of contact failure due to the mounting state of the process cartridge is eliminated, and highly reliable control can be performed.

  Next, an image forming operation by the image forming apparatus having the above configuration will be described.

  The surface of the photosensitive drum 101 uniformly charged by the charging roller as each charging unit 102 is irradiated by the exposure unit 103 with a laser beam modulated in accordance with image data from a host such as a host computer, a telephone line, or a scanner 30. As a result, a desired electrostatic latent image is formed.

  In the present embodiment, the voltage application method for primary charging is changed between when image data is transmitted from the host computer and scanner 30 and when image data is transmitted from the telephone line 30.

  When image data is transmitted from a personal computer or scanner When a so-called printer or copier is used, a high-quality image is required. Therefore, a DC voltage similar to the desired drum potential is at least twice the discharge start voltage. A method is selected that is excellent in charging uniformity in which the AC voltage is superimposed. Also, when image data is transmitted from a telephone line, when a so-called fax machine is used, it is necessary to extend the life of the cartridge. Therefore, the drum length to which only a DC voltage obtained by adding a discharge start voltage to a desired drum potential is applied. Select a method that is advantageous for longevity.

  When only a DC voltage is applied, the life of the photosensitive drum 101 is quadrupled compared to AC + DC charging.

  This latent image is visualized as a toner image by being reversely developed at the development site by the developing means 104 which is a developing device containing toner disposed opposite to the latent image.

  The image developed on the photosensitive drum 101 by the developing unit 104 is transferred onto the transfer material P by using the transfer unit 105 arranged to face the photosensitive drum 101.

  In the image forming apparatus A of this example, the remaining toner after transfer is removed around the photosensitive drum 101 by a cleaning blade 106 as a cleaning device, and is used for the next image formation.

  The toner image developed on the photosensitive drum 101 by the developing unit 104 is transferred to a transfer material P such as paper fed by a paper feeding unit (not shown) and conveyed by a conveyance unit E, and is transferred onto the transfer material P. A toner image is formed. According to the present invention, at this time, the memory 120 installed in the cartridge 110 stores, in the storage area for the apparatus, the number of printed sheets in any of the operation modes (printer mode, fax mode, copier mode). Keep it.

  The toner image on the transfer material P is melt-fixed by the fixing device 108 and permanently fixed on the transfer material P, and a desired print image is obtained.

  In this embodiment, since the transfer member 105 is not separated from the photosensitive drum 101 to the release position in the image forming apparatus, the photosensitive drum 101 is always connected directly to the transfer member 106 or via a transfer material. The contact is rotated.

  According to the present embodiment, among the image forming operations in one image forming apparatus, the number of prints in any of the printer mode, the fax mode, and the copying machine mode is stored in the memory 120 of the process cartridge 110, respectively. It will be.

  If the information stored in the memory 120 of the process cartridge 110 is used, for example, “If a color cartridge prints 10,000 sheets by fax, the degree of wear will be the same as if 2500 sheets were printed as a printer”. Therefore, by using this coefficient, it is possible to appropriately represent the life of the process cartridge 110 according to the intended use. That is, when the operation mode is the fax mode, the counted number of printed sheets × 0.25 (coefficient) is calculated as the usage amount. In addition, in the copying machine mode, the usage amount is similarly calculated using a predetermined coefficient.

  Such information can be displayed on a display unit of the image forming apparatus, for example, or can be transmitted to a display unit such as a host computer for display.

  Even if the above information is not used for calculating the life of the process cartridge 110, even if the process cartridge 110 is defective and returned at the user's site, in addition to the above information, in any operation mode By storing the defect history information indicating whether or not the error has occurred in the memory 120, it becomes easier to analyze the defect.

  In each of the above embodiments, the color image forming apparatus has been described as an example. However, in the case where the image quality is set for each application, the same effect can be obtained with a monochrome image forming apparatus as shown in FIG. . Note that the same configurations as those of the first embodiment are all denoted by reference numerals in the 200s.

  In the above two embodiments, the process cartridge 210 in the image forming apparatus of the present invention has been described as integrating the photosensitive drum 201, the charging unit 202, the developing unit 204, and the cleaning unit 206. The process cartridge 210 is not limited, and as described above, at least the developing unit 204 and the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 are integrally formed into a cartridge, and the cartridge 210 can be attached to and detached from the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. It may be a thing.

  Furthermore, the image forming apparatus of the present invention may be a cartridge 210 in which only the developing unit 204 is detachable from the image forming apparatus main body.

  In each of the above embodiments, the number of printed sheets for each application (operation mode) is stored in the memories 120 and 220 mounted on the process cartridges 110 and 210. However, the photosensitive drums 101 and 201 and / or the developing unit 104 are used. , 204 may be stored.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the color image forming apparatus has been described in the first embodiment. However, in the case where the image quality is set for each application, the same effect can be obtained in the monochrome image forming apparatus as in the second embodiment. Play.

  In each of the above embodiments, the transfer members 105 and 205 for transferring the toner image on the image carrier such as the photosensitive drums 101 and 201 directly transfer the toner image on the image carrier to the transfer material P such as paper. Although the transfer body is a transfer body such as a transfer roller and a transfer system and a transfer belt that carries and conveys the transfer material P, the present invention is not limited to this, and as shown in FIG. It is also possible to use a transfer body such as an intermediate transfer belt that transfers the toner image once to the transfer material P and then transfers the toner image.

Sectional explanatory drawing which shows Example 1. Sectional drawing of the principal part which shows Example 2. Main unit configuration diagram shown in block diagram Cartridge configuration Cross-sectional explanatory drawing showing the configuration of a conventional example Cross-sectional view of the main part of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

101 Photosensitive drum 102 Charging roller (charging means)
103 Exposure Unit 104 Development Device (Development Unit)
105 Transfer member (transfer means)
106 Cleaning device 110 Process cartridge 120 Memory medium, memory 30 Host computer, telephone, scanner E Transfer material carrier

Claims (10)

At least an image carrier or developing means, and a cartridge having a memory medium is detachable,
Control means capable of controlling image formation in a plurality of operation modes;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a storage control unit that stores a use history of image formation using the image forming apparatus in the memory medium for each operation mode.   At least a cartridge having an image carrier or developing means and having a memory medium can be attached to and detached from an image forming apparatus having a plurality of operation modes, and an image is formed using the image forming apparatus. Is stored in the memory medium for each operation mode.   3. The process cartridge according to claim 2, wherein the operation mode includes any two or all of a printer mode, a copier mode, and a facsimile mode.   The process cartridge according to claim 2, wherein the use history is a number of printed sheets.   3. The process cartridge according to claim 2, wherein the use history is a surface moving distance of the image carrier or the developing means.   3. The process cartridge according to claim 2, wherein the usage history is a driving time of the image carrier or the developing unit.   At least a cartridge having an image carrier or developing means and having a memory medium can be attached to and detached from an image forming apparatus having a plurality of operation modes, and an image is formed using the image forming apparatus. Is stored for each operation mode. A process cartridge memory medium.   8. The process cartridge memory medium according to claim 7, wherein the number of printed sheets is stored as the use history.   8. The process cartridge memory medium according to claim 7, wherein a surface movement distance of the image carrier or the developer carrier is stored as the use history.   8. The process cartridge memory medium according to claim 7, wherein a driving time of the image carrier or the developer carrier is stored as the use history.