JP5764928B2 - Component deterioration degree calculating device, image forming device, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a component deterioration degree calculating apparatus, an image forming apparatus, and a program.

  Conventionally, various inventions have been proposed regarding failure prediction of an image forming apparatus that forms and outputs an image on a recording material such as paper and life prediction of its component parts (for example, a transport roll).

  For example, a rotating body that conveys a sheet, a consumption level detection unit that detects a decrease in conveyance performance due to consumption of the rotating body, a time management unit that measures an operating time of the rotating body, and the rotating body that is conveyed due to consumption A limit consumption degree storage means for storing in advance a limit consumption degree immediately before becoming impossible, and a life prediction means for predicting a time when the rotating body cannot be conveyed due to wear, and the life prediction means, Utilizing the degree of consumption of the rotating body detected by the consumption level detecting means, the operating period of the rotating body measured by the time management means, and the limit consumption degree stored in the limit consumption degree storage means, An invention has been proposed in which a life time when the rotating body becomes unconveyable due to wear is calculated using a prediction function (see Patent Document 1).

  For example, a plurality of types of information related to the state of the image forming apparatus are acquired, an index value is calculated from the plurality of types of information, and the subsequent image forming apparatus An invention for determining a change in state has been proposed (see Patent Document 1).

JP 2003-261237 A JP 2005-017874 A

  An object of the present invention is to propose a technique capable of accurately calculating the degree of deterioration of a component related to conveyance of a recording material for an image forming apparatus that can use recording materials of different types.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, for a part of an image forming apparatus that deteriorates due to the conveyance of a recording material that forms an image, the type of recording material that gives discontinuity to the progress of deterioration of the part is changed. A detection means for detecting a type, a period during which the type of recording material immediately before the switching is used, and a relational expression for each type that defines a relationship between the number of conveyed recording materials and the degree of deterioration of the component, and the detection A calculating unit that selects a relational expression according to a detection result by the unit and calculates an increment of the deterioration level of the component in a period in which the type immediately before the switching is used; and a deterioration level of the component calculated by the calculation unit And the relational expression defines the relationship between the number of days elapsed from a reference date and the number of conveyed recording materials and the degree of deterioration of the parts, and the calculating means includes: Opening the period The elapsed number of days that the cumulative value of the degree of deterioration of the component at the time is obtained by the selected relational expression is calculated based on the number of transported recording materials at the start of the period and the selected relational expression. Based on the value obtained by adding the length of the period to the number of elapsed days and the number of recording materials conveyed at the end of the period and the selected relational expression, the degree of deterioration of the component at the end of the period is calculated, The increment of the deterioration degree of the part in the period is calculated based on the cumulative value of the deterioration degree of the part at the start time of the period and the calculated value of the deterioration degree of the part at the end time of the period. This is a component deterioration degree calculation device.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, an approximate curve representing a transition of the deterioration degree of the component accumulated by the accumulating means is obtained, and the deterioration degree of the component is obtained using the approximate curve. It is a component deterioration degree predicting device characterized by including a predicting means for predicting a time at which reaches a limit value.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, the approximate curve relates to a most recent period in a graph representing a relationship between elapsed days and the degree of deterioration of the component accumulated by the accumulating unit. An apparatus for predicting the degree of deterioration of a component, characterized in that an approximate curve passing through the point of deterioration of the component is obtained.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording material and a component that deteriorates due to conveyance of the recording material on which an image is formed by the image forming unit are discontinuous in the progress of deterioration of the component. The relationship between the type of recording material that gives the recording property, the type immediately before the switching, the detection means for detecting the period in which the type of recording material immediately before the switching was used, and the number of conveyed recording materials and the degree of deterioration of the component Calculating means for selecting the relational expression according to the detection result by the detecting means, and calculating the increment of the degree of deterioration of the component in the period in which the type immediately before the switching is used And cumulative means for accumulating the degree of deterioration of the component calculated by the calculating means, and the relational expression includes the number of days elapsed from a reference date, the number of conveyed recording materials, and the degree of deterioration of the part. connection of The calculation means calculates the number of days that the cumulative value of the degree of deterioration of the component at the start time of the period is obtained by the selected relational expression as the number of recording materials conveyed at the start time of the period. Based on the selected relational expression, based on a value obtained by adding the length of the period to the calculated elapsed days, the number of recording materials conveyed at the end of the period, and the selected relational expression, Calculate the degree of deterioration of the component at the end of the period, and based on the cumulative value of the degree of deterioration of the part at the start of the period and the calculated value of the degree of deterioration of the part at the end of the period, An image forming apparatus that calculates an increase in the degree of deterioration of the component in a period .

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, for a part of an image forming apparatus that deteriorates due to the conveyance of a recording material that forms an image, the computer switches the type of recording material that gives discontinuity to the progress of deterioration of the component, The type immediately before switching, the detection function for detecting the period in which the recording material of the type immediately before switching is used, and the relational expression for each type that defines the relationship between the number of conveyed recording materials and the degree of deterioration of the parts A calculation function that selects a relational expression according to a detection result by the detection function and calculates an increment of the degree of deterioration of the component in a period in which the type immediately before the switching is used; and the component calculated by the calculation function a program for realizing a cumulative function, the to accumulate the degree of deterioration, the relational expression, the number of days elapsed and conveying sheets of the recording material from the date as a reference the relationship between the degree of deterioration of the component And the calculation function calculates the number of days that the cumulative value of the degree of deterioration of the component at the start time of the period is obtained by the selected relational expression as the number of transported recording materials at the start time of the period. Based on the selected relational expression, based on a value obtained by adding the length of the period to the calculated elapsed days, the number of recording materials conveyed at the end of the period, and the selected relational expression, Calculate the degree of deterioration of the component at the end of the period, and based on the cumulative value of the degree of deterioration of the part at the start of the period and the calculated value of the degree of deterioration of the part at the end of the period, An increase in the degree of deterioration of the part over a period is calculated .

  According to the first, fourth, and sixth aspects of the present invention, the degree of deterioration of a component related to the conveyance of the recording material in the image forming apparatus is calculated in consideration of the progress of deterioration due to the difference in the type of recording material. Thus, the calculation accuracy of the degree of deterioration of the component can be improved.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to improve the accuracy of prediction when the degree of deterioration of the parts related to the conveyance of the recording material reaches the limit value.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to perform prediction using an approximate curve that more accurately represents the transition of the degree of deterioration of a part related to the conveyance of the recording material, and the degree of deterioration of the part reaches the limit value. The prediction accuracy of the arrival time is improved.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating functional blocks of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention. It is a figure which illustrates the prediction formula used with the image forming apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining the preparation method of the prediction formula used with the image forming apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which illustrates the calculation flow of the deterioration degree of the consumable by the image forming apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining the 1st method concerning addition of the degree of degradation (increment) by the image forming device concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which illustrates the processing flow of the 1st method concerning addition of the deterioration degree (increment) by the image forming apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a degree of deterioration of consumables in an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure explaining the 2nd method concerning addition of the degree of degradation (increment) by the image forming device concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which illustrates the processing flow of the 2nd method concerning addition of the deterioration degree (increment) by the image forming apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining the 3rd method concerning addition of the degree of degradation (increment) by the image forming device concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure explaining calculation of the remaining life days by the image forming apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which illustrates the calculation flow of the deterioration degree of consumables in the case of calculating the remaining life days by the image forming apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which illustrates the calculation flow of the remaining life days of a consumable by the image forming apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the modification of curve fitting by the image forming apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. 1 is a diagram illustrating the structure of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention. 1 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a computer according to an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
First, an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The image forming apparatus is an apparatus having an image forming function for forming and outputting an image on a recording material such as paper. Examples of the image forming apparatus include a printer (printing apparatus), a copier (copying apparatus), a facsimile machine, and the like, as well as a multi-function machine having multiple functions such as printing, copying, and facsimile.

FIG. 16 illustrates the structure of the image forming unit in the image forming apparatus of this example.
The image forming apparatus of this example is an intermediate transfer method generally called a tandem type, and as a representative functional unit, a plurality of image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and the like that form toner images of respective color components by an electrophotographic method. 1K, a primary transfer unit 10 that sequentially transfers (primary transfer) each color component toner image formed by each of the image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K to the intermediate transfer belt 15, and is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 15. A secondary transfer unit 20 that collectively transfers (secondary transfer) the superimposed toner image onto a sheet P (an example of a recording material), and a fixing unit 34 that fixes the secondary transferred image onto the sheet P are provided. .
Further, the image forming apparatus of this example includes a control unit 40 that controls the operation of each unit, and a user interface (UI) 41 for receiving information presented to the user and instructions from the user.

In this example, each of the image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K includes a photosensitive drum 11 (11Y, 11M, 11C, and 11K) that rotates in the arrow A direction. Further, around each of the photosensitive drums 11, a charger 12 that charges the photosensitive drum 11, an exposure unit 13 that writes an exposure beam Bm on the photosensitive drum 11 to write an electrostatic latent image, and each color component toner And a developing device 14 that visualizes the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 11 with toner, and each color component toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 11 is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 15 by the primary transfer unit 10. Various types of electrophotographic devices such as a primary transfer roll 16 for transferring to the drum and a drum cleaner 17 for removing residual toner on the photosensitive drum 11 are sequentially arranged.
These image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K are arranged substantially linearly in the order of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) from the upstream side of the intermediate transfer belt 15. The intermediate transfer belt 15 can be contacted and separated.

  Further, the image forming apparatus of the present example includes, as a paper transport system, a paper feed mechanism unit 31 that performs a paper feed operation of taking out the paper P from the paper storage unit and feeding it to the secondary transfer unit 20, and the secondary transfer unit 20. A conveyance belt 32 that conveys the passed paper P to the fixing device 34 side, a fixing inlet guide 33 that guides the paper P to the inlet of the fixing device 34, and a discharge that guides the paper P discharged from the fixing device 34. A paper guide 35 and a paper discharge roll 36 for discharging the paper P guided by the paper discharge guide 58 to the outside of the apparatus are provided.

  That is, the paper P fed from the paper storage unit to the secondary transfer unit 20 by the paper feed mechanism unit 31 is electrostatically transferred to the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 15 by the secondary transfer unit 20. The paper is transported to the transport belt 32 while being peeled from the intermediate transfer belt 15. Then, the toner is conveyed by the conveyance belt 32 to the fixing device 34 through the fixing inlet guide 33 in accordance with the operation speed of the fixing device 34. The unfixed toner image on the paper P conveyed to the fixing device 34 is fixed on the paper P by receiving a fixing process in which heat and pressure are applied by the fixing device 34. Thereafter, the paper P on which the fixed image is formed is conveyed to a paper discharge container (not shown) provided outside the apparatus via a paper discharge guide 35 and a paper discharge roll 36.

FIG. 1 illustrates functional blocks of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
The image forming apparatus according to the present example has a deterioration degree calculation function for calculating a deterioration degree so far, and a deterioration degree reaches a limit value for a part that deteriorates due to conveyance of a sheet (recording material) that is an object of image formation. It has a life prediction function that predicts the future time, and as processing units related to these functions, a parameter condition selection / change unit 51, a prediction formula selection / change unit 52, a deterioration degree calculation unit 53, a remaining life days calculation unit 54, a controller 55, a data storage unit 56, a display unit 57, and the like.

  Various parts provided in the paper conveyance path can be targeted as the parts for deterioration degree calculation and life prediction. For example, recording such as a roll member or a belt member provided in each part of the paper conveyance system. Parts that deteriorate as the material is conveyed (hereinafter referred to as consumables) are targeted. Such consumables are used for image formation (conveyed), although the deterioration progresses continuously while the same type of size, paper quality, basis weight, etc. is used (conveyed). ) When the paper type is switched, the progress of deterioration changes discontinuously before and after the switching.

Here, for example, considering that the paper type is included as a parameter in the prediction formula for predicting the degree of deterioration of consumables, nonlinear effects and interference between parameters become significant, and a highly accurate prediction formula is created. Is difficult.
Therefore, in the image forming apparatus of this example, as will be described later, the paper type is classified into a plurality of paper conditions, and a prediction formula for each paper condition (the relationship between the number of conveyed recording materials and the degree of deterioration of components is determined). A relational expression) is prepared, a prediction expression is selected according to the type of paper used (conveyed) for image formation, and the degree of deterioration (increment) of the consumables during the period in which the corresponding type of paper is used ) And the calculated deterioration degree (increment) is accumulated to calculate the current deterioration degree of the consumables, thereby improving the calculation accuracy of the deterioration degree of the consumables.

In the following, a case will be described in which the deterioration degree of a consumable item is calculated and the life is predicted based on a print command that instructs execution of a print (printing) process for forming and outputting a designated image on a sheet. Without limitation, for example, based on a copy command for instructing execution of a copy (copying) process for forming and outputting a document image obtained by reading an image of a document on a sheet, the deterioration degree of the consumables and the lifespan are calculated. You can also make predictions.
In the above print command (or copy command, etc.), information for specifying the paper condition indicating the type (size, paper quality, basis weight, etc.) of the paper (recording material) that is the image formation destination is set. Shall. Specifically, for example, for an image forming apparatus including a plurality of paper storage units, a paper condition of paper stored in the paper storage unit is set in advance in association with each paper storage unit, and a print command ( In a copy command or the like, information for identifying a sheet storage unit is set as information for specifying a sheet condition.

In response to receiving a print command from an external terminal or the like, the controller 55 (control unit 40) controls print processing based on the print command.
Further, the controller 55 acquires the value of a parameter used as an explanatory variable in a prediction formula (described later) regarding the degree of deterioration of the consumable when executing a print process based on a print command. For example, as parameters of a prediction formula related to a fixing roll (an example of consumables) provided in the fixing device 34 in the paper conveyance path, the temperature and humidity in the apparatus, the number of prints, the paper conditions, and a motor that rotationally drives the fixing roll The operating time of the is acquired. The value of each parameter acquired by the controller 55 is stored in the data storage unit 56.
In this example, the parameter value for each print command is stored as a history in the data storage unit 56, but only the minimum data necessary for calculating the deterioration degree may be stored. In this example, as the number of prints, the number of prints for each paper condition after the target consumable is provided (replaced) in the image forming apparatus is stored, and the target consumable as the operation time of the motor. Is stored in the image forming apparatus (after being replaced).

  The parameter condition selection / change unit 51 specifies the sheet condition selected (designated) by the print command every time the print command is received (execution of the printing process). Further, based on the identification result, the paper condition is changed (switched), the type immediately before the switching, and the period during which the recording material of the immediately previous type was used. That is, for example, while the print command related to the paper condition X is continuously received, the switching of the paper condition is not detected, and the print command related to the paper condition Y is received following the print command related to the paper condition X. In this case, the switching of the sheet condition is detected, and further, the sheet condition X immediately before the switching and the period during which the recording material of the immediately preceding sheet condition X was used are detected.

  The prediction formula selection / change unit 52 deteriorates a prediction formula (a relational equation that defines the relationship between the number of conveyed recording materials and the degree of component deterioration) corresponding to the sheet condition specified by the parameter condition selection / change unit 51. This is selected as a prediction formula to be used in the degree calculation unit 53. When the parameter condition selection / change unit 51 detects a change in the sheet condition, the prediction formula used in the deterioration level calculation unit 53 is changed.

In this example, as illustrated in FIG. 2, a prediction formula to be used in the deterioration degree calculation unit 53 is selected from a plurality of prediction formulas prepared for each paper condition (size, paper quality, basis weight, etc.). To do.
In the example of FIG. 2, the parameters of the prediction formula related to the fixing roll (an example of consumables) are parameters other than paper conditions (temperature and humidity in the apparatus, number of prints, motor operating time) as common parameters, and the paper conditions are , Size (2 types of A3 and A4), paper quality (2 types of plain paper and coated paper), basis weight (2 types of A and B), grouped into 8 types (P1 to P8) . Then, eight types of prediction formulas (Pre1 to Pre8) for calculating the degree of deterioration of the fixing roll are prepared corresponding to the common parameters and the eight types of paper conditions (P1 to P8). Each coefficient (α, β, γ, ε) related to the common parameter is the same value in each prediction formula (Pre1 to Pre8), and each coefficient (δ1 to δ8) related to the paper conditions (P1 to P8) The value depends on the paper conditions.
Each prediction formula may be created from consideration of a deterioration mechanism of a consumable (in this example, a fixing roll), or may be created experimentally based on a result of a load test or the like.
The degree of deterioration is an index value representing the degree of deterioration of the consumables. For example, values such as the outer diameter of the fixing roll and the surface condition (strain amount, deformation amount, roughness, etc.) can be used.

As a specific example of the prediction formula, a case where “prediction formula Pre1 = α (temperature) + β (humidity) + γ (cumulative operation time) + δ1 (number of printed sheets) + ε” will be described. In this example, data is collected through experiments, and coefficients are determined through multiple regression analysis.
First, print processing is repeated using paper of paper condition P1 (size; A4, paper quality; plain paper, basis weight; A), and data is collected. At this time, data on the temperature and humidity in the apparatus, and the accumulated operation time are collected every predetermined number of prints (for example, every 2000 sheets starting from 1000). Further, as the degree of deterioration (Pre1) at that time, for example, the wear ratio (ratio of the outer diameter of the new fixing roll to the outer diameter of the worn fixing roll) is measured.
FIG. 3 exemplifies data (actual measurement values) of the degree of deterioration, the number of prints, the temperature, the humidity, and the accumulated operation time collected by the above operation. When the multiple regression analysis is performed based on the data (measured values) of FIG. Each coefficient value is shown in floating point notation.
α = 2.551E-06
β = 0.001027
γ = −2.733E-05
δ1 = −9.640E-06
ε = −0.04695
By applying the above coefficients to the prediction formula Pre1 and substituting each explanatory variable (number of prints, temperature, humidity, cumulative operation time of the corresponding paper conditions) and calculating the objective variable (degradation degree), the data (actual measurement) in FIG. (Value) can be calculated with high accuracy.

The deterioration degree calculation unit 53 uses the prediction formula selected by the prediction formula selection / change unit 52 to perform print processing using a sheet that matches the sheet condition (paper condition immediately before switching) corresponding to the prediction formula. The degree of deterioration (increment) of the consumable item during the specified period is calculated, and the calculated degree of deterioration (increment) is accumulated to calculate the degree of deterioration of the consumable item. That is, by substituting each parameter value (number of prints, temperature, humidity, and cumulative operation time for the corresponding paper condition) into the selected prediction formula, the deterioration degree (increment) of the consumables in the corresponding period is calculated, and the total is obtained. Thus, the degree of deterioration of the consumable item is calculated.
In this example, when the paper condition is changed, the degree of deterioration of the consumables before the change is calculated and stored in the data storage unit 56 in association with the change date and time of the paper condition. That is, the history of the degree of deterioration of consumables is accumulated in the data storage unit 56. In this example, each parameter value (number of prints of the corresponding paper condition, temperature, humidity, cumulative operation time) used for calculating the degree of deterioration is also associated with the change date and time of the paper condition, and the data storage unit 56. Is stored as a history.

  The remaining life days calculation unit 54 obtains an approximate curve representing the transition of the deterioration level of the consumables based on the history of the deterioration level of the consumables stored in the data storage unit 56 (calculation result by the deterioration level calculation unit 53). Then, the date and time (future time) when the deterioration level of the consumables reaches the limit value is predicted using the approximate curve, and the remaining life (lifetime) is calculated from the difference between the predicted date and time and the current date and time. Specifically, for example, the number of days (elapsed days since replacement of the fixing roll) until the approximate curve representing the transition of the deterioration degree of the fixing roll reaches the limit value stored in the data storage unit 56 is calculated. The remaining life days of the fixing roll are calculated by subtracting the elapsed days up to the present time.

  The data storage unit 56 stores various data relating to the calculation of the deterioration level of consumables and the life prediction. For example, the latest data of each parameter value (the temperature and humidity in the apparatus, the number of prints, the paper conditions, the cumulative operating time of the motor) is stored. Further, for example, history data relating to the degree of deterioration of consumables is stored. More specifically, the history data of the paper condition change date, the history data of the deterioration level of the consumables, the history data of the remaining life days, the limit value data of the deterioration level, the parameter values at the time of calculating the deterioration level (inside the device) Temperature data, humidity, number of printed sheets, paper conditions, accumulated operating time of the motor), and the like are stored.

  The display unit 57 (UI 41) displays the calculation result by the remaining life days calculation unit 54 on the display device. Note that the date and time (future time) when the degree of deterioration of the consumable item reaches the limit value may be displayed, or the remaining life of the consumable item may be displayed. Further, the deterioration level (latest deterioration level) of the consumable item at the present time calculated by the deterioration level calculating unit 53 may be displayed, and the transition of the deterioration level of the consumable item may be displayed in a graph.

  That is, the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment switches the sheet condition (recording material type) that gives discontinuity to the progress of the deterioration of a component that deteriorates due to the conveyance of the sheet (recording material), and immediately before the switching. A function unit that detects a period during which a sheet of the sheet condition of the immediately preceding sheet condition has been used, and a prediction formula (relational expression) for each sheet condition that defines the relationship between the number of sheets conveyed and the degree of deterioration of components. A function unit that selects a prediction formula corresponding to the paper condition and calculates a degree of deterioration of the component in a period in which the paper condition immediately before the switching is used, and a function unit that accumulates the calculated degree of deterioration. Operates as a component deterioration degree calculation device.

The configuration of the image forming apparatus described above is merely an example, and other configuration modes may be used.
That is, as in this example, the image forming apparatus itself is not configured to include a component deterioration degree calculating device, and is, for example, a device separate from the image forming device (for example, a server device that can communicate with the image forming device). A component deterioration degree calculation device may be provided, and the component deterioration degree calculation and the like related to a plurality of image forming apparatuses may be performed by a common component deterioration degree calculation device.
Further, as in this example, every time a change (switching) in paper conditions is detected, the degree of deterioration (increment) of consumables in the previous period (the period between the previous change time and the current change time) For example, the deterioration degree (increment) of the consumables due to the printing may be calculated for every execution of the print command or every N prints.

FIG. 4 illustrates a flow for calculating the degree of deterioration of consumables by the image forming apparatus of this example.
When the calculation of the deterioration level is started for the first time after the replacement of the target consumable item, each parameter value (common parameter data and paper condition (one of eight types)) is set by the controller 55 (step) S11, S12). Further, the date data at this time is stored in the data storage unit 56 (step S13). The latest data of each parameter value is stored in the data storage unit 56. Based on the paper condition among the latest parameter values, the corresponding prediction formula is selected from the eight types of prediction formulas (step S14). Then, the deterioration degree (increment) calculated by substituting the latest common parameter into the selected prediction formula is calculated as the deterioration degree of the current consumable item, and the date and time stored in step S13 in the data storage unit 56. The data is stored in association with the data (step S15). Further, the calculated degree of deterioration of the consumable item is displayed on the display unit 57 so that the consumable item manager or the like can view it (step S17).
Next, when a print command specifying a different paper condition is generated, a change in the paper condition is detected (step S16), and each parameter value is set and date / time data at the time of the change is stored (steps S12 and S13). ). Then, the corresponding prediction formula is selected (step S14), and the deterioration level (increment) calculated by substituting the latest common parameter into the selected prediction formula is accumulated to calculate the current deterioration level of the consumables. The data storage unit 56 stores the date and time data stored in step S13 in association with each other (step S15).

Next, processing for calculating the deterioration level of consumables by accumulating the deterioration levels (increments) calculated using different prediction formulas will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 5, the horizontal axis represents the number of days elapsed from the reference date (for example, the replacement date of the consumable item), and the vertical axis represents the degree of deterioration of the consumable item.
In the first method, the deterioration degree (increment) calculated by each prediction formula is added from the viewpoint of the elapsed days. That is, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 5A, the value (D2a) of the prediction formula Pre2 at the start time (30 days) of the period (30 days to 40 days) corresponding to the paper condition 2 and the end of the period By calculating the value (D2b) of the prediction formula Pre2 at the time (40 days) and calculating the difference (D2b−D2a), the increase (D2) of the deterioration degree in the period is calculated, and the calculated increment (D2) ) Is added to the deterioration level of the consumables so far (deterioration degree increase (D1) in the period corresponding to the paper condition 1 (0 days to 30 days)), and when 40 days have passed since the replacement of the consumables The degree of deterioration of the consumable at (A point) is calculated. FIG. 5B shows the transition of the degree of deterioration of the consumables obtained as a result of the above processing.

The above processing flow will be described with reference to the processing flow illustrated in FIG.
The date / time data is stored for each deterioration time calculation start time and each subsequent paper condition change (that is, prediction formula change) time. Therefore, the most recent date and time data at the point when 40 days have passed since the replacement of the consumables (point A) is 30 days elapsed when the paper condition 2 is satisfied. At this time, the latest date and time data and parameters (temperature, humidity, number of prints, cumulative operating time of the motor) are read (step S21), and the degree of degradation (D2a) at the 30th day is calculated using the parameters and the prediction formula Pre2. (Step S22). Next, the current date and time data and parameters are read (step S23), and the degree of deterioration (D2b) at the 40th day is calculated using the parameters and the prediction formula Pre2 (step S24). Then, the deterioration degree increment (D2) is calculated by subtracting the deterioration degree (D2a) from the deterioration degree (D2b) (step S25). Thereafter, the latest deterioration degree data (point R in FIG. 5) is read (step S26), and the current deterioration degree is calculated by adding the deterioration degree increment (D2) to the latest deterioration degree data (step S27). The data is stored in the data storage unit 56 (step S28).

Here, the degree of deterioration of the consumables will be described.
As the degree of deterioration of the fixing roll, which is an example of a consumable product, the outer diameter of the fixing roll, the surface condition (strain amount, deformation amount, roughness, etc.) are used. For example, the degree of deterioration can be expressed using the deformation amount of the outer diameter of the fixing roll (flatness; ratio of two diameters orthogonal to each other in the cross section in the radial direction of the fixing roll), the amount of decrease in the outer diameter of the fixing roll, and the like. That is, as illustrated in FIG. 7A, the degree of deterioration is related to the value of the deformation amount or the reduction amount. In the example of FIG. 7A, a linear correspondence is set, but it may be a curved correspondence, which is obtained experimentally (or theoretically) and set in advance. By making such a relationship, it is possible to indicate the amount of deformation or reduction of the limit as 100% (percent) and the current deterioration level as a value between 0 to 100%, and the current state is about the limit. It is possible to specify how far the position is. For example, if the current value is 80%, it can be said that the remaining life is 20%. FIG. 7B shows an example in which the calculated degree of deterioration is displayed as a percentage with respect to the limit.

Next, a second method for calculating the deterioration level of consumables by accumulating the deterioration levels (increments) calculated using different prediction formulas will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 8, the horizontal axis represents the number of days elapsed from the reference date (for example, the replacement date of consumables), and the vertical axis represents the degree of deterioration of the consumables.
In the second method, the deterioration degree (increment) calculated by each prediction formula is added from the viewpoint of the deterioration degree as a reference. That is, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 8A, on the prediction formula Pre2 that is the same value (D2a) as the deterioration degree increment (D1) in the period (0 day to 30 days) corresponding to the paper condition 1 A value (D2b) at the time of obtaining the elapsed days and adding the length (15 days) of the period (30 days to 45 days) corresponding to the paper condition 2 to the elapsed days is calculated, and the difference (D2b−D2a) Is calculated to calculate the increment (D2) of the deterioration degree in the period, and the calculated increment (D2) is the deterioration degree of the consumables so far (period corresponding to the paper condition 1 (0 days to 30 days). Is added to the deterioration degree increment (D1)), and the deterioration degree of the consumables at the time point (A point) after 40 days from the replacement of the consumables is calculated. FIG. 8B shows the transition of the degree of deterioration of the consumables obtained as a result of the above processing.

The flow of the above processing will be described with reference to the processing flow illustrated in FIG.
The date / time data is stored for each deterioration time calculation start time and each subsequent paper condition change (that is, prediction formula change) time. Therefore, the most recent date and time data at the point when 40 days have passed since the replacement of the consumables (point A) is 30 days elapsed when the paper condition 2 is satisfied. The most recent date and time data and parameters (temperature, humidity, number of prints, cumulative operating time of the motor) at this time are read (step S31), and the degree of deterioration (D1) at the 30th day is calculated using the parameters and the prediction formula Pre1. (Step S32). Next, the elapsed days on the prediction formula Pre2 having the same degree of deterioration (D2a) is obtained (step S33), and the length of the period (30 days to 45 days) corresponding to the paper condition 2 is set to the elapsed days (15 Deterioration degree (D2b) at the time of adding (day) is calculated (step S34). Then, the deterioration degree increment (D2) is calculated by subtracting the deterioration degree (D2a) from the deterioration degree (D2b) (step S35). Thereafter, the latest deterioration degree data (point R in FIG. 8) is read (step S36), and the current deterioration degree is calculated by adding the deterioration degree increment (D2) to the latest deterioration degree data (step S37). The data is stored in the data storage unit 56 (step S38).

Next, a third method for calculating the deterioration level of consumables by accumulating the deterioration levels (increments) calculated using different prediction formulas will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 10, the horizontal axis represents the number of days elapsed from the reference date (for example, the replacement date of the consumable item), and the vertical axis represents the degree of deterioration of the consumable item.
In the third method, the elapsed days are reset to zero when the paper condition is changed, and the deterioration degree (increment) calculated by each prediction formula is added. That is, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 10A, a value (D2a) when the number of elapsed days is 0 days is calculated using the prediction formula Pre2, and the period corresponding to the paper condition 2 (30 days) is calculated. (45 days), the value (D2b) at the time of adding the length (15 days) is calculated, and the difference (D2b−D2a) is calculated to calculate the deterioration degree increment (D2) in the period. The calculated increment (D2) is added to the degree of deterioration of the consumables so far (degradation degree increase (D1) in the period corresponding to the paper condition 1 (0 days to 30 days)) to replace the consumables. The degree of deterioration of the consumables at the time when 40 days have passed (point A) is calculated. FIG. 10B shows the transition of the degree of deterioration of the consumables obtained as a result of the above processing.
That is, in the second method, the elapsed days in the prediction formula before the change is converted into the elapsed days in the predicted formula after the change in accordance with the change in the paper conditions, whereas in the third method, the paper conditions are changed in the third method. The difference is that the elapsed days are reset to zero.

Next, calculation of the remaining life days of consumables will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 11, the horizontal axis represents the number of days elapsed from the reference date (for example, the replacement date of the consumable item), and the vertical axis represents the degree of deterioration of the consumable item.
First, the deterioration degree stored in the data storage unit and the elapsed day data at the time of calculation are read out. At this time, the current elapsed days and the degree of deterioration are also calculated. Then, using the method as described above, the degree of deterioration of the consumables at each time when the sheet condition is changed is accumulated. FIG. 11 (a-1) shows an example of cumulative cases by the first method, and FIG. 11 (a-2) shows an example of cumulative cases by the second method. In any example, the paper condition change (that is, the prediction formula change) has occurred four times after the reference date, and the progress of the deterioration of the consumables changes discontinuously at each change time. I understand. Since there are four prediction formula changes, there are 6 data points including the start point and the current point. FIG. 11B is a diagram in which these data points are extracted and the deterioration degree (cumulative value) of the consumables is plotted on the graph. Next, a curve is fitted to these data. Various methods such as multiple regression analysis and regression analysis using a basis function (polynomial, logarithm, exponent, etc.) can be used for fitting the curve. FIG. 11 (c) shows an example in which a curve is fitted to FIG. 11 (b). When a curve equation is obtained by fitting the curve, the time (life days) when the deterioration level reaches the limit value can be obtained by substituting the limit value of the deterioration level into the equation. And the remaining life days can be calculated | required by subtracting the present elapsed days from this life days.

FIG. 12 illustrates a flow for calculating the degree of deterioration of the consumable when the remaining life days are calculated by the image forming apparatus of this example.
When the calculation of the deterioration level is started for the first time after the replacement of the target consumable item, each parameter value (common parameter data and paper condition (one of eight types)) is set by the controller 55 (step) S41, S42). Further, the date data at this time is stored in the data storage unit 56 (step S43). The latest data of each parameter value is stored in the data storage unit 56. Based on the paper condition among the latest parameter values, the corresponding prediction formula is selected from the eight types of prediction formulas (step S44). Then, the deterioration degree (increment) calculated by substituting the latest common parameter into the selected prediction formula is calculated as the deterioration degree of the current consumable item, and the date and time stored in step S13 in the data storage unit 56. The data is stored in association with the data (step S45).
Next, when a print command specifying a different paper condition is generated, a change in the paper condition is detected (step S47), and each parameter value is set and date / time data at the time of the change is stored (steps S42 and S43). ). Then, the corresponding prediction formula is selected (step S44), and the deterioration level (increment) calculated by substituting the latest common parameter into the selected prediction formula is accumulated to calculate the current deterioration level of the consumables. The data storage unit 56 stores the date and time data stored in step S13 in association with each other (step S45).
If the setting is made to calculate the remaining life days, the remaining life is calculated (steps S46 and S47) after calculating and storing the deterioration level of the current consumables (step S45). . Whether or not to calculate the remaining life days is set by, for example, an operation input by a consumables administrator or the like.

FIG. 13 illustrates a calculation flow of the remaining life days of consumables.
First, the past elapsed days and the deterioration degree of the consumables are read from the data storage unit 56 (step S51), the current deterioration degree of the consumables is calculated based on the current elapsed days, and the consumables at each elapsed day are calculated. The degree of deterioration is fitted to the curve (step S52), and based on the obtained curve formula and the limit value of the deterioration degree, a future time (life days) at which the deterioration degree reaches the limit value is obtained (step S53). The remaining life days are calculated by subtracting the current elapsed days from the days (step S54), and the calculated remaining life days are displayed on the display device (step S55).

FIG. 14 shows a modified example of curve fitting.
The curve fitting is performed using the past and present elapsed days and the degree of deterioration at that time. Here, each time the sheet condition is changed, the prediction formula is changed and the deterioration degree is calculated, so that each deterioration degree tends to be difficult to be applied to a smooth curve. On the other hand, since the prediction formula corresponding to each paper condition is used, the degree of deterioration is good in accuracy. Therefore, as illustrated in FIG. 14, in the graph showing the relationship between the elapsed days and the deterioration degree, the deterioration degree point (in the figure) related to the most recent period (the period from the last paper condition change to the present time). The prediction accuracy of the remaining life days is improved by fitting the curve so as to pass through the point A).
For example, in the case of cubic polynomial approximation, calculation is performed using the following formula (where y indicates a deterioration index and x indicates the number of days elapsed).
y = a0 + a1 * x + a2 * x ² + a3 * x ³
That is, in the above equation, the relationship between each coefficient of a0 to a3 is obtained so as to pass through point A (the point of deterioration related to the latest period), one coefficient is deleted, and the remaining coefficient is obtained ( For example, it can be calculated by an optimization operation by a normal least square method).

FIG. 16 illustrates a hardware configuration of a computer according to the image forming apparatus of this example.
In this example, a main memory such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 81 that performs various arithmetic processing, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 82 that is a work area of the CPU 81, and a ROM (Read Only Memory) 83 that records basic control programs. Device, auxiliary storage device such as HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 84 for storing programs and various data according to an embodiment of the present invention, display device for displaying and outputting various information, and operations used for input operations by the operator Consists of a computer having hardware resources such as an input / output I / F 85 that is an interface with an input device such as a button or a touch panel, and a communication I / F 86 that is an interface for performing wired or wireless communication with other devices. Has been.
Then, the program according to the embodiment of the present invention is read from the auxiliary storage device 84 and the like, expanded in the RAM 82, and executed by the CPU 81, thereby realizing the functional units related to the calibration control described above on the computer. doing.

Note that the program according to the embodiment of the present invention is based on, for example, a computer according to this example depending on a format read from an external storage medium such as a CD-ROM storing the program or a format received via a communication network. Set to
Moreover, it is not restricted to the aspect which implement | achieves each function part by software configuration like this example, You may make it implement | achieve each function part with a dedicated hardware module.

  51: Parameter condition selection / change unit 52: Prediction formula selection / change unit 53: Deterioration degree calculation unit 54: Remaining life days calculation unit 55: Controller 56: Data storage unit 57: Display unit

Claims (5)

For the parts of the image forming apparatus that deteriorate due to the conveyance of the recording material that forms the image, the recording material type switching that gives discontinuity to the progress of the deterioration of the part, the type immediately before the switching, and the type recording immediately before the switching Detecting means for detecting a period during which the material is used;
It has a relational expression for each type that defines the relationship between the number of recording material conveyed and the degree of deterioration of the component, and the relational expression is selected according to the detection result by the detection means, and the type immediately before the switching is used. Calculating means for calculating an increment of the degree of deterioration of the component in a period;
A totaling unit that accumulates the degree of deterioration of the component calculated by the calculating unit;
Equipped with a,
The relational expression defines the relationship between the number of days elapsed from the standard date and the number of conveyed recording materials and the degree of deterioration of the parts,
The calculation means calculates the number of days that the cumulative value of the degree of deterioration of the component at the start of the period is obtained by the selected relational expression, the number of recording materials conveyed at the start of the period, and the selected relational expression. Based on a value obtained by adding the length of the period to the calculated elapsed days, the number of recording materials conveyed at the end of the period, and the selected relational expression, at the end of the period. The degree of deterioration of the part is calculated, and the deterioration of the part in the period is calculated based on the cumulative value of the degree of deterioration of the part at the start of the period and the calculated value of the degree of deterioration of the part at the end of the period. An apparatus for calculating a degree of deterioration of a component, characterized by calculating an increment of a degree. Obtaining an approximate curve representing a transition of the deterioration degree of the component accumulated by the accumulating means, and comprising a predicting means for predicting a time when the deterioration degree of the component reaches a limit value using the approximate curve.
The component deterioration degree prediction apparatus according to claim 1. The predicting means, as the approximate curve, is an approximate curve that passes a point of the degree of deterioration of the part over the most recent period in a graph representing the relationship between the number of days elapsed and the degree of deterioration of the part accumulated by the accumulating means. Ask,
The component deterioration degree prediction apparatus according to claim 2, wherein Image forming means for forming an image on a recording material;
For a component that deteriorates due to conveyance of a recording material on which an image is formed by the image forming unit, switching of the recording material type that gives discontinuity to the progress of deterioration of the component, the type immediately before the switching, the type immediately before the switching Detecting means for detecting a period during which the recording material is used,
It has a relational expression for each type that defines the relationship between the number of recording material conveyed and the degree of deterioration of the component, and the relational expression is selected according to the detection result by the detection means, and the type immediately before the switching is used. Calculating means for calculating an increment of the degree of deterioration of the component in a period;
A totaling unit that accumulates the degree of deterioration of the component calculated by the calculating unit;
Equipped with a,
The relational expression defines the relationship between the number of days elapsed from the standard date and the number of conveyed recording materials and the degree of deterioration of the parts,
The calculation means calculates the number of days that the cumulative value of the degree of deterioration of the component at the start of the period is obtained by the selected relational expression, the number of recording materials conveyed at the start of the period, and the selected relational expression. Based on a value obtained by adding the length of the period to the calculated elapsed days, the number of recording materials conveyed at the end of the period, and the selected relational expression, at the end of the period. The degree of deterioration of the part is calculated, and the deterioration of the part in the period is calculated based on the cumulative value of the degree of deterioration of the part at the start of the period and the calculated value of the degree of deterioration of the part at the end of the period. An image forming apparatus that calculates an increment in degrees . On the computer,
For the parts of the image forming apparatus that deteriorate due to the conveyance of the recording material that forms the image, the recording material type switching that gives discontinuity to the progress of the deterioration of the part, the type immediately before the switching, and the type recording immediately before the switching A detection function for detecting the period during which the material was used;
It has a relational expression for each type that defines the relationship between the number of recording material conveyed and the degree of deterioration of the component, and the relational expression is selected according to the detection result by the detection function, and the type immediately before the switching is used. A calculation function for calculating an increase in the degree of deterioration of the component in a period;
A cumulative function for accumulating the degree of deterioration of the component calculated by the calculation function;
A program for realizing a
The relational expression defines the relationship between the number of days elapsed from the standard date and the number of conveyed recording materials and the degree of deterioration of the parts,
The calculation function includes the number of days that the cumulative value of the degree of deterioration of the component at the start of the period is obtained by the selected relational expression, the number of recording materials conveyed at the start of the period, and the selected relational expression. Based on a value obtained by adding the length of the period to the calculated elapsed days, the number of recording materials conveyed at the end of the period, and the selected relational expression, at the end of the period. The degree of deterioration of the part is calculated, and the deterioration of the part in the period is calculated based on the cumulative value of the degree of deterioration of the part at the start of the period and the calculated value of the degree of deterioration of the part at the end of the period. A program characterized by calculating the degree increment .

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