JP2004294646A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus which is capable of determining whether development unit cartridges are new ones or old ones at a low cost, separately identifying the development unit cartridges mounted, and counting for each development unit cartridge the number of sheets used for development, thereby correctly detecting the lifetime of each of the development unit cartridges. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus 1 includes a rotation detecting part 18 which detects that a rotary member 6 has reached a preset reference position in a toner storage chamber 4; a measurement part 19 which measures time needed for the rotary member 6 to reach the reference position from the start of its rotation or the number of steps of a motor 15; and a determination part 20 which determines whether the mounted development unit cartridge 2 is a new one or old one based upon the time or the number of steps measured by the measurement part 19. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus capable of discriminating whether a detachably mounted developing device cartridge is new or old, and performing individual recognition.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a cartridge-type developing device cartridge has been widely used as a developing device mounted on an image forming apparatus. Usually, such a developing device cartridge has a toner storage chamber in which toner is stored, and when the toner in the toner storage chamber is exhausted, it can be used repeatedly by supplying new toner to the toner storage chamber. . Further, as a characteristic of the developing device, when the number of developed sheets exceeds a predetermined number, the printing performance is extremely reduced. Therefore, in order to prevent a decrease in printing performance, a counter is conventionally provided in the developing device cartridge, the number of developed images is counted by the counter, and when the number of developed images exceeds a predetermined number, the developing device is forcibly disabled. I was
[0003]
However, if the developing device cartridge is provided with the counter as described above, the manufacturing cost of the developing device cartridge, which is a consumable product, rises, and the user must determine when to replace the developing device, which is inconvenient. There was a problem. In some cases, the image forming apparatus is provided with a counter or the like to detect the number of developed units in the image forming apparatus.In this case, when the developing unit cartridge in use is replaced with a new developing unit cartridge, Since the replacement cannot be detected, the user has to manually reset the counter in order to count the number of developments of a new developer cartridge from the beginning. Further, when the developing device used halfway is replaced with another developing device cartridge, and then re-installed and re-used, the counting number becomes inaccurate, so that it cannot be coped with.
[0004]
In order to solve such a problem, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-163873 discloses a method in which an IC chip or a barcode is mounted on a consumable unit such as a developer cartridge that is exchangeably mounted on an image forming apparatus. A consumable unit identification device that can individually manage the number of developed cartridges on the image forming apparatus side and detect the life of the cartridges by discriminating the number of developed cartridges is disclosed.
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2002-316461 A
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the above conventional technology has the following problems.
[0007]
(1) In the consumable unit identification device of Patent Document 1, it is necessary to mount an IC chip for communicating with the image forming apparatus main body on the developing device cartridge or mount a barcode reading device on the image forming apparatus main body. For this reason, there is a problem that the manufacturing cost is significantly increased.
[0008]
(2) Further, in the conventional image forming apparatus that does not individually identify the developing device cartridge, when the developing device cartridge is replaced on the way, it is not possible to notify the user of the life of the developing device cartridge based on the number of developed images. In addition, there has been a problem that the number of developed sheets of a developing device cartridge in which a failure such as a failure has occurred cannot be confirmed, and it is difficult to specify the cause of the failure.
[0009]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems. It is possible to judge whether a product is new or old at a low cost, and to individually identify a plurality of developing device cartridges to be mounted. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of accurately detecting the life of a developing device cartridge by individually identifying and counting the number of developed images.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problem, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a developing device cartridge including a toner storage chamber for storing toner, and a rotating member disposed in the toner storage chamber and rotated by driving a motor unit. An image forming apparatus to be mounted, wherein the rotation member detects that the rotation member has reached a preset reference position in the toner storage chamber, and the rotation member has reached the reference position from the start of rotation of the rotation member. A measuring unit that measures the time until the operation or the number of steps of the motor unit, and determines whether the mounted developing device cartridge is new or old based on the time or the number of steps measured by the measuring unit. It has a configuration including a new / old determination unit.
[0011]
With this configuration, it is possible to determine whether the cartridge is new or old without adding a new component or performing processing, and to individually identify a plurality of developing device cartridges to be mounted. It is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of accurately detecting the life of a developing device cartridge by individually identifying each cartridge and counting the number of developed images.
[0012]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
An image forming apparatus according to claim 1 of the present invention is provided with a developer cartridge having a toner storage chamber for storing toner, and a rotating member disposed in the toner storage chamber and rotated by driving a motor unit. A rotation detection unit that detects that the rotating member has reached a preset reference position in the toner storage chamber, and from the start of rotation of the rotating member until the rotation member reaches the reference position. Measuring unit for measuring the time or the number of steps of the motor unit, and new / old determination for determining whether the mounted developer cartridge is new or old based on the time or the number of steps measured by the measuring unit. And a part.
[0013]
With this configuration, the following operation is provided.
[0014]
(1) When the power is turned on or when the developing device cartridge is replaced, the measuring unit measures the time from the start of rotation of the rotating member to the arrival at the reference position, or the step if the motor unit is a stepping motor. The number can be measured, and the new / old determining unit can determine whether the developing device cartridge is new or old based on the measured time or the number of steps.
[0015]
(2) Since the timing at which the rotating member reaches the reference position in the rotation cycle of the rotating member is always constant, the new / old determination unit may detect the position of the rotating member at the start of rotation based on the reference position. it can. The rotating member repeatedly rotates and stops every time the initial operation or printing is performed. Therefore, by controlling the stop position, it is possible to perform the old / new determination and the individual identification.
[0016]
(3) For example, when a new developing device cartridge is mounted on a new developing device cartridge, the rotating member is stopped in a preset new area at the time of shipment from the factory, so that the new developing device cartridge is positioned in the new area. Is detected, it can be determined that this is new.
[0017]
(4) A toner stirring member such as an existing stirring paddle in a conventional developing device cartridge is used as a rotation member, and a rotation detection unit that detects rotation of the rotation member to detect a remaining amount of toner is used as a rotation detection unit. Since it is possible to detect that the rotating member has reached a preset reference position in the toner storage chamber, it is possible to determine the old and new by using the existing developing device cartridge without adding a new component or performing processing. Individual identification can be performed.
[0018]
Here, a toner stirring member such as a stirring paddle or the like is used as the rotating member.
[0019]
The rotation detection unit includes a magnetic force detector as a proximity sensor that detects the approach of a magnetic body provided on a detection member loosely fitted to a rotation shaft to detect the remaining amount of toner in the toner storage chamber, and a rotation member. A photosensor or the like that detects the passage of the rotating member by blocking the light beam by the rotation of is used.
[0020]
A timer or the like is used as the measuring unit. When a stepping motor is used as the motor unit, a unit that measures the number of steps of the stepping motor can be used as the measuring unit.
[0021]
When a proximity sensor using a magnetic force is used as the rotation detecting unit as the preset reference position in the toner storage chamber, the reference position may be a position where the rotating member approaches and the proximity sensor is turned on and then turned off. When a photo sensor is used as the rotation detecting unit, the position detected by the photo sensor on the rotating member, that is, the mounting position of the photo sensor in the toner storage chamber can be set as the reference position. As described above, the reference position can be set at an arbitrary position by appropriately setting the attachment position of the rotation detection unit.
[0022]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the new / old determining unit rotates the rotating member based on a time or the number of steps measured by the measuring unit. A start position is calculated, and if the rotation start position is within a preset new area, it is determined to be new, and if it is within an old product area, it is determined to be an old product.
[0023]
With this configuration, the following operation is obtained in addition to the operation of the first aspect.
[0024]
(1) The new / old determination unit calculates the rotation start position of the rotating member based on the time or the number of steps measured by the measurement unit, and determines that the rotation member is new if the rotation start position is within a preset new area. If it is within the old product area, it can be determined to be an old product.
[0025]
Here, the new product area and the old product area can be appropriately set so as not to overlap the reference position in the toner storage room. The new area is set as a stop position of the rotating member when the developing device cartridge is shipped from the factory. The old product area is set as a stop position when the rotation of the rotating member of the used developer cartridge is stopped. Since the toner is replenished in the toner storage chamber, the old product area is preferably set below the rotation axis of the rotary member in the toner storage chamber so that the toner supply port is not blocked by the rotary member. , It is more preferable to be set immediately below the rotation axis.
[0026]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image forming apparatus according to the first or second aspect, further comprising a stop position setting unit for setting a stop position when the rotation of the rotary member is stopped. are doing.
[0027]
With this configuration, the following operation is obtained in addition to the operation of the first or second aspect.
[0028]
(1) The stop position when the rotation of the rotary member is stopped can be set to an area other than the new area such as the old product area by the stop position setting section. And the determination accuracy is excellent.
[0029]
(2) By setting the same stop position for the same developing device cartridge, the developing device cartridge can be individually identified.
[0030]
The image forming apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to the third aspect, further comprising a stop position storage unit that stores the stop position set by the stop position setting unit, The stop position setting unit, when the developing unit cartridge mounted by the new / old determination unit is not determined to be new, the rotation start position of the rotating member and the previous stop position stored in the stop position storage unit. Are compared, and if they match, the previous stop position is set to the current stop position, and if they are different, the rotation start position is set to the current stop position.
[0031]
With this configuration, the following operation is obtained in addition to the operation of the third aspect.
[0032]
(1) Since the stop position storage section is provided, a plurality of stop positions set by the stop position setting section can be stored for the plurality of developing device cartridges to be mounted, and the developing devices are stored based on the stop positions. Cartridges can be individually identified.
[0033]
(2) The rotation start position of the rotating member of the mounted developer cartridge is compared with the previous stop position, and if they match, the mounted developer cartridge is the same as the one previously mounted. Thus, the previous stop position can be set as the current stop position. If they are different, it is determined that the mounted developer cartridge is different from the previously mounted developer cartridge, and the rotation start position can be set to the current stop position.
[0034]
(3) When the rotation start position of the rotating member of the mounted developer cartridge is different from the previous stop position, the rotation start position is set to the current stop position, whereby the mounted developer cartridge is By assigning a new stop position and thereafter identifying by the stop position, a plurality of developer cartridges can be individually identified.
[0035]
An image forming apparatus according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the image forming apparatus includes a number counter for counting the number of developed images of the developing device cartridge. A processing unit, wherein the counter processing unit includes a plurality of the number-of-sheets counters corresponding to a plurality of the stop positions for each of the developer cartridges stored in the stop position storage unit.
[0036]
With this configuration, in addition to the function of any one of claims 1 to 4, the following function is provided.
[0037]
(1) Since a plurality of counters corresponding to a plurality of stop positions for each developing device cartridge are provided, it is possible to accurately count the total developed number of each of the plurality of mounted developing device cartridges.
[0038]
Here, a sheet detection switch, a count circuit, and the like are used as the number counter.
[0039]
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described.
[0040]
(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a main part configuration diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a main part configuration diagram illustrating a configuration inside a toner storage chamber according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
[0041]
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes an image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment, reference numeral 2 denotes a replaceable developing cartridge mounted on the image forming apparatus 1, reference numeral 3 denotes a casing of the developing cartridge 2, reference numeral 4 denotes toner formed in the casing 3. (Not shown), a toner storage chamber 5, a rotary shaft 5 disposed substantially at the center of the toner storage chamber 4, and a toner 6 as a rotating member fixed to the rotary shaft 5 and rotating about the rotary shaft 5. A stirring member 7 is a detection member having one end loosely fitted to the rotating shaft 5 and a magnetic body 8 fixed to the other end, and 9 is a toner member disposed in the developing device cartridge 2 for storing toner in the toner storage chamber 4. The supply roller 10 for supplying the toner to the developing roller is disposed in contact with the supply roller 9 in the developing device cartridge 2 and uniformly supplies the toner onto the photosensitive member 12 described later. The predetermined layer thickness A blade for adjustment, 12 is a photoconductor disposed in contact with the developing roller 10 in the image forming apparatus 1, 15 is a motor unit for rotating a toner stirring member (rotating member) 6 via a rotating shaft 5, and 16 is a motor A motor driver 17 for transmitting a drive signal to the unit 15; a motor control unit 17 for controlling the driving and stopping of the motor unit 15 via the motor driver 16; 8, a rotation detecting unit for detecting the magnetic force of 8, a measuring unit 19 for measuring time, 20 a new / old determining unit for determining whether the developing device cartridge 2 is new or old based on a value measured by the measuring unit 19, 21 Is a stop position setting section for setting a stop position of the toner stirring member (rotating member) 6, 21a is a stop position storage section for storing the stop position set in the stop position setting section 21, and 22 is a developing device cart. A plurality of sheet counter C for counting the developing number of Tsu di 2 ₁ , C ₂ , ... C _n This is a counter processing unit that controls.
[0042]
Here, the toner stirring member (rotating member) 6 is rotated at a predetermined peripheral speed by obtaining power from a motor unit 15 as a driving source via a gear or the like.
[0043]
The rotation detecting unit 18 includes a magnetic force detector that is turned on when the magnetic body 8 is in the vicinity and turned off when the magnetic body 8 is separated. The detection member 7 having the magnetic body 8 fixed to the end is rotated by being pushed by the toner stirring member (rotating member) 6 when the toner stirring member (rotating member) 6 rotates clockwise at a constant speed. When the rotational top dead center in the toner storage chamber 4 is reached, the detecting member 7 naturally falls clockwise due to its own weight, and lands on the toner draft surface. Next, the toner stirring member (rotating member) 6 rotates clockwise to follow the detection member 7 on the toner, and after catching up with the detection member 7, pushes the detection member 7 from behind. While rotating inside the toner storage chamber 4 together, the toner is stirred. When the remaining amount of toner in the toner storage chamber 4 is large, the detection member 7 is not detected by the rotation detecting unit 18 even if it falls by its own weight from the top dead center of rotation and lands on the toner because the draft surface of the toner is high. However, when the remaining amount of toner is small, the draft detecting surface 7 is detected by the rotation detecting unit 18 when the detection member 7 falls on the toner because the draft surface of the toner is low. For this reason, when the remaining amount of toner is small, the ON time of the rotation detecting unit 18 becomes longer. Thus, the remaining amount of toner can be detected.
[0044]
As shown in FIG. 2, the reference position in the toner storage chamber 4 detected by the rotation detecting unit 18 is set to a position where the rotation detecting unit 18 changes from on to off (rotation detecting unit off point). By using the rotation detection unit off point as the reference position in this way, the rotation detection unit 18 always has a constant rotation cycle of the toner stirring member (rotation member) 6 regardless of the remaining amount of toner in the toner storage chamber 4. Since the state changes from ON to OFF at the timing, the new / old determination unit 20 can detect the position at the start of rotation of the toner stirring member (rotating member) 6 by referring to the reference position. Further, the stop position of the toner stirring member (rotating member) 6 can be set by the stop position setting unit 21 based on the reference position.
[0045]
In the first embodiment, a magnetic force detector that detects the magnetic force of the magnetic body 8 is used as the rotation detecting unit 18. However, the present invention is not limited to this. As long as it can detect passing through a predetermined reference position in the inside, for example, a photo sensor fixed to the inner wall surface of the casing 3 in the toner storage chamber 4 may be used to detect the remaining amount of toner. . In this case, when the toner stirring member (rotating member) 6 passes through the photo sensor, the position can be recognized as the reference position. In this case, there is no need to provide the magnetic body 8 and the detecting member 7.
[0046]
The old / new determining unit 20 detects the position at the start of rotation of the toner stirring member (rotating member) 6 based on the time measured by the measuring unit 19, and sets the detected position at the start of rotation as shown in FIG. It can be determined whether the new product area is in the new product area, the old product area, or neither area. That is, the measurement unit 19 starts measurement when the motor unit 15 is driven and the toner stirring member (rotating member) 6 starts rotating, and the rotation detecting unit 18 causes the toner stirring member (rotating member) 6 to pass through the above-described reference position. Measure the time until you do it. Since the rotation cycle of the toner stirring member (rotating member) 6 is always constant, the old / new determining unit 20 can calculate the position of the toner stirring member (rotating member) 6 at the start of rotation from the measured time. .
[0047]
The counter processing unit 22 includes a number counter C corresponding to a plurality of stop positions set by the stop position setting unit 21. ₁ , C ₂ , ... C _n Is provided.
[0048]
The operation of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment configured as described above will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0049]
FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention at the time of initializing. Note that the initial operation is an initialization operation performed after the cover is closed when the power is turned on or when the developing device cartridge is replaced.
[0050]
First, a drive signal is transmitted from the motor control unit 17 at the time of initial operation to start driving the motor unit 15 (S1). Subsequently, a new / old determination process for the mounted developer cartridge 2 is performed (S2). If it is determined in S2 that the product is new (S3), it is determined whether or not the toner stirring member (rotating member) 6 has been normally stopped last time (S4). Here, whether or not the toner stirring member (rotating member) 6 has normally stopped last time is determined based on a value of the normal stop flag provided with a normal stop flag. The value of the normal stop flag is set to 0 when the rotation of the toner stirring member (rotating member) 6 is started, and is rewritten to 1 when the toner stirring member is normally stopped. As a result, when the cover for removing the developing device cartridge 2 is opened or the power supply of the image forming apparatus 1 is forcibly turned off while the motor unit 15 is being driven, the normal stop flag is 0. Is determined not to have stopped normally based on When the normal stop flag is 1, it is determined that the normal stop is performed.
[0051]
In S4, if it is determined that the operation has stopped normally last time, the counter ₁ , C ₂ , ... C _n Of these, the currently used number counter (for example, the number counter C ₁ ) Reset and set to start counting from 0 (S5). Further, the stop position setting unit 21 newly sets a stop position from a place other than the new area shown in FIG. 2 (S6). If it is determined in S4 that the stop has not been performed normally previously, the counter number of the current sheet counter C ₁ Is stored and reset, and a setting is made so as to start counting from 0 (S7). Further, the stop position setting unit 21 newly sets a stop position from a place other than the new area shown in FIG. 2 (S8). At this time, the stored number counter C ₁ Is displayed on a display unit (not shown) of the image forming apparatus 1 and used to notify the user. That is, the stored value is integrated with the current value of the number-of-sheets counter and displayed, and the fact that the operation is not normally stopped is displayed. You can know that there is sex.
[0052]
In step S7, the current number counter C ₁ Is stored and reset, and counting is newly started from 0. However, the present invention is not limited to this. ₁ Is temporarily suspended, and a new counter (for example, C ₂ ) May be set.
[0053]
If it is not a new article determination in S2 (S3: NO), that is, if it is an old article determination, the current sheet counter C ₁ Is continuously counted (S9). The stop position setting unit 21 sets the previous stop position of the toner stirring member (rotary member) 6 as the current stop position (S10). The number counter C ₁ , C ₂ , ... C _n Among them, the value of the number counter corresponding to the currently mounted developing device cartridge 2 is displayed on a display unit (not shown) of the image forming apparatus 1 and notified to the user. At this time, the value of the number counter may be displayed at all times, or may be displayed together with an instruction prompting replacement only when the counted value reaches a preset number.
[0054]
Next, the operation of the new / old determination processing in S2 will be described.
[0055]
When the motor unit 15 starts driving in S1, the measurement unit 19 starts measurement, and measures the time until the toner stirring member (rotating member) 6 rotates clockwise and reaches the reference position shown in FIG. (S11). The new / old determining unit 20 calculates the position at the start of rotation of the toner stirring member (rotating member) 6 based on the time measured by the measuring unit 19 (S12). Subsequently, if the stay area of the toner agitating member (rotating member) 6 at the start of rotation is within the new area (S3: Yes), the new / old determining section 20 performs a new article determination. A determination is made (S17), and if neither the new area nor the old product area, an error is stored (S16), and an old product determination is performed (S17). Note that the error stored in S16 can be displayed together with the display when the number of developments of the currently mounted developing device cartridge 2 is displayed, and can be notified to the user.
[0056]
Since the image forming apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment is configured as described above, it has the following operation.
[0057]
(1) The measuring unit 19 can measure the time from the start of rotation of the toner stirring member (rotating member) 6 to the arrival at the reference position when the power is turned on or when the developing device cartridge 2 is initialized. The new / old determining unit 20 can determine whether the developing device cartridge 2 is new or old based on the measured time.
[0058]
(2) Since the timing of reaching the reference position in the rotation cycle of the toner stirring member (rotating member) 6 is always constant, the new / old determining section 20 rotates the toner stirring member (rotating member) 6 based on this reference position. The starting position can be detected.
[0059]
(3) The new / old determination unit 20 calculates the rotation start position of the toner stirring member (rotation member) 6 based on the time measured by the measurement unit 19, and determines whether the rotation start position is within a preset new area. If it is within the old product area, it can be determined that the product is new.
[0060]
(4) Since the stop position when the rotation of the rotary member is stopped can be assigned to an area other than a new area such as an old product area by the stop position setting unit 21 for each developing device cartridge 2, the used developing device can be used. The toner agitating member (rotating member) 6 of the developer cartridge 2 is not erroneously determined as a new one, the determination accuracy is excellent, and the developing device cartridge 2 can be individually identified.
[0061]
(5) The toner agitating member (rotating member) 6 repeats the rotation and the stop each time the initial operation or the printing is performed. Therefore, the stop position set by the stop position setting unit 21 is controlled, so that the old / new determination and the individual identification can be performed. It can be carried out.
[0062]
(6) When a new developing device cartridge 2 is mounted, the toner agitating member (rotating member) 6 is stopped in a preset new area when the new developing device cartridge 2 is mounted. Since it is detected that the stirring member (rotating member) 6 is located in the new area, it can be determined that this is new.
[0063]
(7) A toner stirring member (rotation member) 6 such as an existing stirring paddle is used in the conventional developing device cartridge 2 as the rotation member, and a magnetic body disposed at the tip of the detection member 7 at the tip as the rotation detection unit 18 Since the rotation detecting unit 18 that detects the proximity of the toner storage unit 8 can detect that the toner stirring member (rotary member) 6 has reached a preset reference position in the toner storage chamber 4, a new component can be detected. It is possible to use the existing developing device cartridge 2 to determine whether the cartridge is new or old or to perform individual discrimination without adding or processing.
[0064]
(8) Since the stop position storage unit 21a is provided, a plurality of stop positions set by the stop position setting unit 21 can be stored for the plurality of mounted developer cartridges 2, and based on the stop positions. Thus, the developer cartridges 2 can be individually identified.
[0065]
(9) A plurality of counters C corresponding to a plurality of stop positions for each of the developer cartridges 2 stored in the stop position storage unit 21a. ₁ , C ₂ , ... C _n Is provided, the total number of developed images of each of the plurality of mounted developer cartridges 2 can be accurately counted.
[0066]
(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention at the time of initializing. The configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, and a description thereof will not be repeated.
[0067]
First, a drive signal is transmitted from the motor control unit 17 at the time of the initialization to start driving the motor unit 15 (S19). Subsequently, a new / old determination process for the mounted developer cartridge 2 is performed (S20). Note that the new / old determination processing in S20 is the same as that described in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will not be repeated. If it is determined in S20 that the toner is new (S21), it is determined whether or not the toner stirring member (rotating member) 6 normally stopped last time (S22). If it is determined that the operation has stopped normally previously, the counter C ₁ Is reset, and a setting is made so as to start counting from 0 (S23). Further, the stop position setting unit 21 newly sets a stop position from a place other than the new area shown in FIG. 2 (S24). At this time, in the counter processing unit 22, the reset counter C ₁ And the newly set stop position are stored in association with each other.
[0068]
If it is determined in S22 that the toner agitating member (rotating member) 6 has not stopped normally before, the stop position of the toner agitating member (rotating member) 6 stored at the time of abnormal stop and the position of the toner agitating member (rotating member) 6 at the start of rotation Is determined whether they match (S25). If they match, the number counter C currently counted ₁ Are continuously counted (S26), and the stop position previously set in the stop position setting unit 21 is continuously set as the stop position (S27).
[0069]
In S25, if the stop position stored at the time of the abnormal stop and the position at the start of rotation of the toner stirring member (rotating member) 6 do not match, the current number of sheets C ₁ Is stored in the counter C ₁ Is reset, and a setting is made so as to start counting from 0 (S28). In addition, the stop position setting unit 21 newly sets a stop position from a place other than the new area shown in FIG. 2 (S29). In S28, the current number counter C ₁ Is stored and reset, and counting is newly started from 0. However, the present invention is not limited to this. ₁ Is temporarily suspended, and a new counter (for example, C ₂ ) May be set.
[0070]
If it is not a new product determination in the new / old determination process in S20, that is, if it is an old product determination, whether the current rotation position of the toner stirring member (rotating member) 6 matches the previously set stop position? It is determined whether or not this time (S30). If the current rotation position of the toner stirring member (rotating member) 6 coincides with the previously set stop position, the currently counted sheet counter C ₁ Are continuously counted (S31), and the stop position previously set by the stop position setting unit 21 is continuously set as the stop position (S32). If they do not match, the current number counter C ₁ Is stored in the counter C ₁ , C ₂ , ... C _n Is reset, and a setting is made so as to start counting from 0 (S28). In addition, the stop position setting unit 21 newly sets a stop position from a place other than the new area shown in FIG. 2 (S29).
[0071]
As described above, since the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment is configured, it has the following operation in addition to the operation of the first embodiment.
[0072]
(1) The rotation start position of the toner stirring member (rotating member) 6 of the mounted developing device cartridge 2 is compared with the previous stop position, and if they match, the mounted developing device cartridge 2 is mounted last time. The previous stop position can be set as the current stop position by judging that the stop position is the same as the previous stop position. If different, it is determined that the mounted developing device cartridge 2 is different from the previously mounted one, and the rotation start position can be set to the current stop position.
[0073]
(2) If the rotation start position of the rotating member of the mounted developing device cartridge 2 is different from the previous stop position, the rotation start position is set to the current stop position, thereby setting the mounted developing device cartridge. By assigning a new stop position to the cartridges 2 and thereafter identifying the plurality of developer cartridges 2, the plurality of developer cartridges 2 can be individually identified.
[0074]
(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 6 is a main part configuration diagram of a developing device cartridge according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.
[0075]
In FIG. 6, reference numeral 2 denotes a developing device cartridge, 3 denotes a casing, 4 denotes a toner storage chamber, 5 denotes a rotating shaft, 6 denotes a toner stirring member (rotating member), 9 denotes a supply roller, 10 denotes a developing roller, and 11 denotes a blade. Since these are the same as those described in FIG. 1, the same reference numerals are given and the description is omitted. Reference numeral 18 'denotes a photo sensor as a rotation detecting unit for detecting the rotation of the toner stirring member (rotating member) 6. The photo sensor (rotation detecting unit) 18 ′ is used for detecting the remaining amount of toner in the toner storage chamber 4. When the toner is sufficiently stored in the toner storage chamber 4, the photo sensor (rotation detection unit) is used. (Part) 18 'is shut off by the toner and turned off. When the amount of toner is reduced, the photo sensor (rotation detecting unit) 18 'is turned on without being blocked by the toner, so that it is detected that the remaining amount of toner is reduced. The photosensor (rotation detecting section) 18 'used for detecting the remaining amount of toner has its surface cleaned by a toner stirring member (rotating member) 6 which rotates so that the toner does not adhere. Thus, by setting the mounting position of the photo sensor (rotation detecting unit) 18 'as the reference position, it is possible to detect that the toner stirring member (rotating member) 6 has reached this reference position.
[0076]
The image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment configured as described above uses a photosensor (rotation detecting unit) 18 ′ instead of a magnetic force detecting unit as the rotation detecting unit 8, and a photosensor (rotation detecting unit) 18 ′. Except that the rotation of the toner stirring member (rotating member) 6 is detected by turning on and off the power supply, the description is omitted because it is the same as that of the first embodiment. Thus, the image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment detects the rotation of the toner stirring member (rotating member) 6 using the photo sensor (rotation detecting unit) 18 ′ in addition to the operation of the first embodiment. It has an effect that the position of the toner stirring member (rotating member) 6 at the start of rotation can be detected, and whether the developing device cartridge 2 is new or old and individual identification can be performed.
[0077]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the following advantageous effects can be obtained.
[0078]
According to the first aspect of the present invention,
(1) When the power is turned on or when the developing device cartridge is replaced, the measuring unit measures the time from the start of rotation of the rotating member to the arrival at the reference position, or the step if the motor unit is a stepping motor. It is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of measuring the number of cartridges and determining whether the developer cartridge is new or old based on the measured time or the number of steps.
[0079]
(2) Since the timing at which the rotating member reaches the reference position in the rotation cycle of the rotating member is always constant, the new / old determination unit may detect the position of the rotating member at the start of rotation based on the reference position. it can. Since the rotating member repeatedly rotates and stops every time an initial operation or printing is performed, by controlling the stop position, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of performing new / old determination and individual identification.
[0080]
(3) For example, in a case of a new developing device cartridge, a rotating member is stopped in a preset new area at the time of shipment from a factory, so that when a new developing device cartridge is mounted, the developing device cartridge is positioned in the new area. Is detected, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of determining that the product is new.
[0081]
(4) A toner stirring member such as an existing stirring paddle in a conventional developing device cartridge is used as a rotation member, and a rotation detection unit that detects rotation of the rotation member to detect a remaining amount of toner is used as a rotation detection unit. Since it is possible to detect that the rotating member has reached a preset reference position in the toner storage chamber, it is possible to determine the old and new by using the existing developing device cartridge without adding a new component or performing processing. It is possible to provide an image forming apparatus which can perform individual identification and is excellent in productivity and cost saving.
[0082]
According to the invention described in claim 2, in addition to the effect of claim 1,
(1) The new / old determination unit calculates the rotation start position of the rotating member based on the time or the number of steps measured by the measurement unit, and determines that the rotation member is new if the rotation start position is within a preset new area. In addition, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that can determine an old product within the old product area.
[0083]
According to the invention described in claim 3, in addition to the effect of claim 1 or 2,
(1) The stop position when the rotation of the rotary member is stopped can be set to an area other than the new area such as the old product area by the stop position setting section. It is possible to provide an image forming apparatus which is excellent in the accuracy of the determination which does not make the determination.
[0084]
(2) By setting the same stop position for the same developing device cartridge, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of individually identifying the developing device cartridge.
[0085]
According to the invention described in claim 4, in addition to the effect of claim 3,
(1) Since the stop position storage unit is provided, a plurality of stop positions set by the stop position setting unit can be stored for a plurality of developing device cartridges to be mounted, and the developing devices are stored based on the stop positions. An image forming apparatus capable of individually identifying a cartridge can be provided.
[0086]
(2) The rotation start position of the rotating member of the mounted developer cartridge is compared with the previous stop position, and if they match, the mounted developer cartridge is the same as the one previously mounted. Thus, the previous stop position can be set as the current stop position. Further, when different, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that can determine that the mounted developing device cartridge is different from the one that was previously mounted, and can set the rotation start position to the current stop position.
[0087]
(3) When the rotation start position of the rotating member of the mounted developer cartridge is different from the previous stop position, the rotation start position is set to the current stop position, whereby the mounted developer cartridge is By providing a new stop position and thereafter identifying by the stop position, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of individually identifying a plurality of developing unit cartridges.
[0088]
According to the fifth aspect of the invention, in addition to the effect of the fourth aspect,
(1) Since a plurality of number-of-sheets counters corresponding to a plurality of stop positions for each of the developing unit cartridges are provided, the life determination for accurately counting the total number of developments of each of the plurality of mounted developing unit cartridges is performed. An image forming apparatus with excellent accuracy can be provided.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a main configuration diagram showing an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a main part configuration diagram showing a configuration inside a toner storage chamber according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention at an initial time;
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a new / old determination process of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an initial operation of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a main part configuration diagram of a developing device cartridge according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Image forming apparatus
2 Developing device cartridge
3 casing
4 Toner storage room
5 Rotation axis
6 Toner stirring member (rotating member)
7 Detection member
8 Magnetic material
9 Supply roller
10 Developing roller
11 blade
12 Photoconductor
15 Motor section
16 Motor driver
17 Motor control unit
18 Rotation detector
19 Measurement section
20 New / old decision section
21 Stop position setting section
21a Stop position storage unit
22 Counter processing unit
C ₁ , C ₂ , ... C _n Number counter

Claims (5)

An image forming apparatus in which a developing device cartridge including a toner storage chamber for storing toner and a rotating member disposed in the toner storage chamber and rotated by driving a motor unit is mounted.
A rotation detection unit that detects that the rotation member has reached a preset reference position in the toner storage chamber,
A measurement unit that measures the time from the start of rotation of the rotating member to the time when the reference position is reached or the number of steps of the motor unit.
A new / old determination unit that determines whether the developing device cartridge mounted is new or old based on the time or the number of steps measured by the measurement unit;
An image forming apparatus comprising: The new / old determination unit calculates a rotation start position of the rotating member based on the time or the number of steps measured by the measurement unit, and determines that the rotation member is new if the rotation start position is within a preset new area. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is determined to be an old product if it is in the old product area. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a stop position setting unit that sets a stop position when the rotation of the rotating member stops. A stop position storage unit that stores the stop position set by the stop position setting unit, wherein the stop position setting unit determines that the developing device cartridge mounted by the new / old determination unit is not determined to be new. Compares the rotation start position of the rotating member with the previous stop position stored in the stop position storage unit, sets the previous stop position as the current stop position if they match, and sets the rotation if different. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the start position is set to the current stop position. A counter processing unit having a number counter for counting the number of developments of the developing device cartridge, wherein the counter processing unit includes a plurality of stop positions corresponding to the plurality of stop positions for each of the developer unit cartridges stored in the stop position storage unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising the number counter.

Images