JPH096196A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To obtain a stable image over a long period, without futilely using toner by executing a proper warming display, when the toner is reduced to a fixed amount or less or consumable members are used to the limit or the like. CONSTITUTION: A toner layer triboelectrified by a developing blade 10d is formed on the surface of a developing sleeve 10c and the toner of the toner layer is transferred to a photoreceptor drum 7 in accordance with a latent image, to form a toner image, that is, make the latent image visual. At this time, the image forming device is provided with a first detecting means 12 for detecting the life of the drum 7, a second detecting means 13 for detecting the life of the developing sleeve 10c of a developing unit 10 and a third detecting means 14 for detecting the fact that the toner in a toner housing part 10a is reduced to the fixed amount or below and constituted so that a control means 15 displays a prescribed warning on a display part 16 as a display means by the combination and order of signals from the respective detecting means 12, 13 and 14.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus for forming an image using a developer, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus capable of detecting the life of consumables.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Today, electrophotographic image forming apparatuses such as copying machines are widely used. This electrophotographic image forming apparatus exposes an electrophotographic photosensitive member with information light to form a latent image. An image is formed, and this latent image is visualized by developing it with a developer (hereinafter referred to as "toner") by a developing means, and the toner image is transferred to a recording medium to form an image. Then, the toner remaining on the electrophotographic photosensitive member after the toner image transfer is removed by a cleaning unit,
The latent image is again formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member.

In such an image forming apparatus, a toner remaining amount detecting means is provided, and when the toner is reduced to a certain amount or less, the toner replenishment is prompted.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is a further development of the above-mentioned conventional image forming apparatus. The purpose of the present invention is to reduce the life of a consumable member when the amount of toner falls below a certain amount. By displaying an appropriate warning message when it reaches, without wasting toner,
An image forming apparatus capable of obtaining a stable image for a long period of time.

[0005]

A typical constitution according to the present invention for achieving the above object is to provide an electrophotographic photosensitive member and the electrophotographic photosensitive member in an image forming apparatus for forming an image using toner. The developing means that acts on the electrophotographic photosensitive member, the first detecting means for detecting the life of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, the second detecting means for detecting the life of the developing means, and the amount of toner being less than a certain amount. A third detection means for detecting the above, a control means for controlling to output a predetermined warning signal in response to signals from the first detection means, the second detection means and the third detection means, and the warning It is characterized in that a display means for displaying according to a signal is provided.

[0006]

In the above structure, the warning content for the user is appropriately changed according to the combination of the signals from the respective detecting means and the order thereof, so that the electrophotographic photosensitive member, the developing means or the toner is consumed. It is possible to prevent the improper use of the product and prevent wasteful consumption of the toner to obtain a stable image for a long period of time.

[0007]

An embodiment according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

First Embodiment First, an image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment will be specifically described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9. 1 is a schematic explanatory diagram of the overall configuration of the image forming apparatus, FIG. 2 is a schematic explanatory diagram of an image forming portion, and FIGS. 3 to 5 are configuration explanatory diagrams of life detecting means for consumable items such as electrophotographic photosensitive members. Is.

As an order of description, the overall structure of the image forming apparatus will be described first, then the structure of the detection means will be described, and further the control structure of the detection result and the warning display will be described.

{Overall Structure of Image Forming Apparatus} As shown in FIG. 1, this electrophotographic image forming apparatus (laser beam printer) uses a drum-shaped electrophotographic photosensitive member to emit information light based on image information from an optical system 1. To form a latent image on the photoconductor, and the latent image is developed to form a toner image. In synchronism with the formation of the toner image, the recording medium 2 is conveyed from the cassette 3 by a conveying means including a pickup roller 4, a pair of conveying rollers (not shown) and a guide plate, and the toner image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member. Is transferred to the recording medium 2 by applying a voltage to a transfer roller 5 as a transfer unit. Then, the recording medium 2 after the image transfer is conveyed to a fixing means 6 including a fixing rotating body having a built-in heater and a drive roller for pressing and conveying the recording medium 2 to the rotating body, and the transferred toner image is fixed on the recording medium 2. To do. And this recording medium 2
Is discharged to a discharge portion outside the apparatus by a pair of discharge rollers (not shown).

The image forming means, as shown in FIG.
A photosensitive drum 7 having a photosensitive layer which is an electrophotographic photosensitive member is rotated, and its surface is uniformly charged by applying a voltage to a charging roller 8 which is a charging means, and an information light from the optical system 1 is exposed and exposed. The photosensitive drum 7 is exposed to light via 9 to form a latent image, and the latent image is developed by the developing device 10 which is a developing means.

The developing device 10 feeds the toner in the toner storage portion 10a by a toner feeding member (not shown), and the fixed magnet 10b.
A developing sleeve 10c having a built-in roller is rotated, and a toner layer to which a triboelectric charge is applied by the developing blade 10d is formed on the surface of the developing sleeve 10c, and the toner is transferred to the photosensitive drum 7 according to the latent image. To form a toner image to make the latent image visible. Then, after applying a voltage having a polarity opposite to that of the toner image to the transfer roller 5 to transfer the toner image to the recording medium 2, the cleaning blade 11a scrapes off the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 7, and the scooping sheet 11b scoops it. take,
The residual toner on the photosensitive drum 7 is removed by the cleaning means 11 that collects in the waste toner storage portion 11c.

In the image forming apparatus having the above-mentioned structure, the first detecting means 12 for detecting the life of the photosensitive drum 7 and the second detecting means for detecting the life of the developing sleeve 10c of the developing device 10 are provided.
13. Third detection means 14 is provided for detecting that the amount of toner in the toner storage portion 10a is below a certain amount. Then, the control means 15 is configured to display a predetermined warning on the display section 16 which is the display means depending on the combination and order of the signals from the respective detection means 12, 13, and 14.

{Structure of the detecting means} Next, the structure of the detecting means will be described.

(Photosensitive Drum Life Detecting Structure) First, the drum life detecting means 12 which is the first detecting means for detecting the life of the photosensitive drum 7 will be described with reference to FIG.

The photosensitive drum 7 in this embodiment has a diameter of
An aluminum cylinder having a length of 30 mm and a length of 260 mm is used as a substrate, a charge generating layer having a thickness of 0.15 μm is formed by coating on the substrate, and a charge transporting layer having a thickness of 16 μm is formed by coating on the charge generating layer. ing.

At the end of the photosensitive drum 7 in the longitudinal direction, the charge generation layer is exposed to form an exposed portion 7a. A roller-shaped voltage applying and current detecting member 17a made of a conductive material is disposed in contact with the exposed portion 7a, and a similar voltage and current detecting member is also provided on the non-exposed portion 7b of the charge generation layer.
17b is provided. An AC voltage is applied to each of the detection members 17a and 17b from a power source 12a, and the current value flowing at that time is detected by ammeters 12b1 and 12b2.

The capacitance of the photosensitive drum in the absence of the charge transport layer is measured by measuring the current flowing through the photosensitive drum through the detecting member 17a in the exposed portion 7a of the charge generating layer. At the same time, the unexposed portion 7b
The capacitance of the photosensitive drum including the charge transport layer is measured by measuring the current flowing to the photosensitive drum through the detecting member 17b in FIG.

Here, the electrostatic capacity of the photosensitive drum increases as the photosensitive layer becomes thinner, and an alternating current easily flows. Therefore, when the value obtained by subtracting the current value of the unexposed portion from the current value of the exposed portion of the charge generation layer is less than or equal to a predetermined value, the detection unit 12c outputs a warning signal, and the control means 15 which has received the warning signal. Outputs a warning signal prompting the replacement of the photosensitive drum 7, and displays a predetermined message on the display unit 16.

(Developing Device Life Detecting Structure) Next, the structure of the developing device life detecting means 13, which is the second detecting means for detecting the life of the developing sleeve 10c in the developing device 10, will be described with reference to FIG. To do.

The developing sleeve 10c in this embodiment has a diameter
On the base 10c1 made of a 16 mm aluminum pipe,
As the conductive resin layer 10c2, a resin liquid prepared by dispersing carbon black fine particles and graphite fine particles as conductive fine particles in a phenol resin in an appropriate amount was applied to a thickness of 10 μm and thermally cured to form a layer. The developing sleeve 10c thus obtained contains a magnet 10b having four magnetic poles of 600 to 800 gauss (800 gauss at a position facing the photosensitive drum).

A developing sleeve rotational speed detecting member 13a for detecting the rotational speed of the developing sleeve 10c is in contact with the non-image area of the developing sleeve 10c in the longitudinal direction.
It is designed to rotate following the rotation of c. Developing sleeve 10c detected by this rotation speed detecting member 13a
The rotation speed of is recorded by the rotation speed recording means 13b.
When the rotational speed of the developing sleeve 10c recorded by the rotational speed recording means 13b reaches a predetermined value, the developing device life determining means 13c determines the remaining life of the developing sleeve 10c,
The developing device life detecting means 13 outputs a detection signal to the control means 15, and the control means 15 receiving this outputs a warning signal for prompting replacement of the developing device, and a predetermined message is displayed on the display section 16.

(Structure of Toner Amount Detecting Means) Next, the toner remaining amount detecting means 14 which is a third detecting means for detecting that the amount of toner in the toner containing portion 10a has become below a certain amount
The configuration will be described with reference to FIG.

An opening / closing lid 10a1 is provided on the top of the toner storage portion 10a in this embodiment, and toner can be replenished by opening / closing the lid 10a1. Further, rod-shaped antenna wires 18a and 18b made of two metal conductors are arranged at predetermined positions in the toner storage portion 10a. The lower antenna line 18b is changed in height so that the lower antenna line 18b is in the toner T when the toner is not used, and the upper antenna line 18a is in the toner T at a predetermined depth. It is arranged in the axial direction of the sleeve 10c.

The capacitance between the antenna wires 18a and 18b is measured by measuring the magnitude of the alternating current generated by applying an alternating voltage from the power supply 14a between the antenna wires 18a and 18b by the ammeter 14b and the detection circuit 14c. Is required. The value of the electrostatic capacitance becomes smaller when the toner surface, which was initially between the antenna wires 18a and 18b, is lowered toward the lower antenna wire 18b as the toner decreases. For this reason,
The current between the antenna lines 18a and 18b when an AC constant voltage is applied between the antenna lines 18a and 18b decreases as the toner is consumed. When this current value becomes smaller than a predetermined value, the detection means 14 outputs a detection signal, and the control means 15 receiving this output a warning signal for prompting toner replenishment, and a predetermined message is displayed on the display unit 16. Is displayed.

As shown in FIG. 6, the control means 15 for inputting the detection signals from the drum life detecting means 12, the developing device life detecting means 13, and the remaining toner amount detecting means 14 has CPUs 15a and R, respectively.
It consists of OM15b and RAM15c.

The CPU 15a is a central processing unit, reads various programs and various data of a ROM 15b described later, performs necessary calculations and judgments, and performs various controls. ROM
Reference numeral 15b is a read-only memory, which stores various programs necessary for the CPU 15a to operate and various data necessary for image formation, which are shown in the flowcharts described later. RA
M15c is a read / write memory, and the CPU15a
Includes a working area for temporarily storing the data in the instruction and the operation result, a buffer area for storing various input data, and the like.

The control means 15 includes the respective detection means 12,
An image for inputting the detection signals from 13 and 14 and causing a predetermined warning display on the display unit 16 or driving the photosensitive drum 7 or the developing device 10 as described later according to the combination of these signals and the input order. It controls the operation of the forming means 19.

{Warning Control Configuration} Next, the warning configuration by the control means 15 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 7 to 9.

First, as shown in the flow chart of FIG. 7, when the control means 15 first receives the signal from the toner remaining amount detection means 14 (S1), the user continues to use the image forming apparatus. Therefore, there is a possibility that adverse effects such as accelerated wear of the conductive resin layer of the developing sleeve 10c and curling of the cleaning blade 11a may occur. Therefore, a warning prompting for toner replenishment is immediately displayed on the display unit 16 (S2). After that, if the user ignores this warning and continues to form an image, a re-warning signal that urges the toner to be replenished is issued,
The fact is displayed on the display means 16 (S3, S4).

Further, as shown in the flow chart of FIG. 8, when the detection signal from the developing device life detection means 13 first enters the control means 15 in step S11, the toner is still in the toner storage portion 10a. An image can be formed because the toner remains, but a satisfactory image cannot be obtained even if the toner is replenished as it is because the conductive resin layer of the developing sleeve 10c is worn. Therefore, in step S12, the control means 15 outputs a message prompting the user to replace the developing device 10 at the next toner exhaustion when the developing device 10 has reached the end of life. Then, step S15
When a signal for detecting that the toner amount is below a certain amount is received from the toner remaining amount detecting means 14 in step S16, a warning signal is issued in step S16 to inform that the developing device 10 has already reached the end of life and to prompt replacement of the developing device 10. Then, a message to that effect (display without toner) is displayed on the display unit 16. Here, if the user ignores the toner-free display and continues image formation, in order to prevent the cleaning blade from being turned over by the rotation of the photosensitive drum when the toner in the developing device is completely consumed, A re-warning signal that strongly encourages replacement of the developing device 10 is output, and a message to that effect is displayed on the display unit 16 (S17,
S18).

If the life detection signal of the photosensitive drum is received from the drum life detection means 12 before receiving the signal from the remaining toner amount detection means 14 in step S15, the control means 15 controls the photoconductor drum. A warning signal for prompting the replacement is output and a message to that effect is displayed on the display unit 16 (S
13, S14).

Further, as shown in the flow chart of FIG.
When a signal for detecting the life of the photosensitive drum from the drum life detecting means 12 first enters the control means 15 (S21),
Outputs a warning signal prompting replacement of the photosensitive drum 7 and displays
A message to that effect is displayed on 16 (S22). If the user ignores the above display and continues image formation, there is no particular adverse effect on the toner and the developing device 10, and no further warning is displayed. After that, when a detection signal indicating that the developing device 10 has reached the end of life is received from the developing device life detecting means 13 (S2
3), the warning signal is output and the developing device 1
A message prompting the replacement of 0 is displayed on the display unit 16 (S2
9) Further, when the signal from the toner remaining amount detecting means 14 is received to detect that the toner amount is below a certain amount (S3
0), when replenishing the toner, a re-warning signal prompting replacement of the developing device 10 is output, and a message to that effect is displayed on the display unit 16 (S31).

Further, when the detection signal from the toner remaining amount detecting means 14 enters the control means 15 before the life of the developing device 10 reaches its end (S24), a warning signal for prompting toner replenishment is outputted and the display unit A message to that effect is displayed on 16 (S25). After that, if image formation is continued, the developing device 10 will eventually reach the end of its life.
A warning display prompting replacement of both 10 and the photosensitive drum 7 is output, and a message to that effect is displayed on the display unit 16 (S26-
S28).

As described above, the control means 15 issues a warning as described above depending on the combination and order when the detection signals from the drum life detection means 12, the developing device life detection means 13, and the toner remaining amount detection means 14 are input. By outputting a signal and displaying a predetermined message on the display unit, it is possible to prevent improper use of each consumable item and obtain a stable image for a long period of time without wasting supply toner. You can

[Second Embodiment] Next, the configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to the flow charts of FIGS. 10 to 12 are flowcharts showing the control operation of the control means 15.

The operation of the apparatus according to the second embodiment is basically the same as that of the above-described first embodiment when used improperly, but consumable items such as the photosensitive drum 7 and the developing sleeve 10c are not used. It is characterized in that the image forming operation of the image forming apparatus is forcibly stopped and the other parts are protected when it is consumed earlier than the original life.

Therefore, the control is performed as shown in the flow charts of FIGS. For example, when the life detecting signal of the developing device 10 is first input from the developing device life detecting means 13, the control is performed as shown in the flowchart of FIG. The control configuration shown in FIG. 10 is substantially the same as the control configuration shown in FIG. 8 described above, but in the case where the user ignores this and continues image formation even after re-warning the replacement of the developing device 10 in step S47. The control means 15 outputs an image formation stop signal to the image forming means 19 to forcibly stop the image forming operation (S48, S49).

The stopped state of image formation is step S50.
The process is continued until the developing device 10 is replaced in step S3, and the image forming is controlled by replacing the developing device.

Further, as shown in the flow chart of FIG.
A signal for detecting the life of the photosensitive drum 7 from the drum life detecting means 12 first enters the control means 15, and then in step S53, a detection signal indicating that the toner amount is below a certain amount is sent to the control means 15 from the remaining toner amount detecting means 14. Even if it enters, in order to prevent the cleaning blade 11a from turning over and the photosensitive drum from becoming unusable, a warning prompting the user to replenish toner is displayed in step S54, but the user ignores the warning. If the user does not replenish the toner, the image forming operation is forcibly stopped in step S58 to replenish the toner. It is controlled so that the stopped state is continued until is performed.

In the control structure, after the detection signal from the drum life detecting means 12, the developing device life detecting means 13
When the life detection signal from the developing device is input from the controller, the image forming operation is forcibly stopped when the image forming is continued without replacing the developing device 10 as shown in the procedure from step S60. To do.

Further, as shown in the flow chart of FIG.
When a signal for detecting that the toner amount is below a certain amount is first input to the control unit 15 from the toner remaining amount detection unit 14,
If the image formation is continued as it is, the developing sleeve 10c and the photosensitive drum 7 may be strongly rubbed by the blade when the developing sleeve 10c and the photosensitive drum 7 rotate without any toner. Therefore, in step S72, a warning display prompting the user to replenish toner is displayed. However, if the user ignores the warning and continues the image formation in step S73, a re-warning prompting the toner replenishment is displayed more strongly in step S74. If the user still continues to form images without replenishing toner,
In step S76, the image forming operation is forcibly stopped,
Control is performed so that the stopped state continues until toner is replenished.

In this way, when the user ignores the warning and continues to form an image, the image forming operation is forcibly stopped in order to prevent damage to consumables and the like. It is possible to more reliably obtain a stable image over a long period of time as compared with the above.

[Third Embodiment] In the first embodiment described above,
The example in which the image forming apparatus is configured by directly incorporating the photoconductor drum 7, the developing device 10, the cleaning means 11 and the like in the main body of the image forming apparatus has been described, but the photoconductor drum 7, the charging means 8, the developing device 10, and the cleaning means 11 are described. The same can be configured even in an image forming apparatus in which the above components are incorporated into a frame to form a cartridge to form a process cartridge, and the process cartridge is detachably attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus. In such a device for attaching and detaching the process cartridge, the photoconductor drum 7 and the developing device, which are consumable items, are
When 10 has reached the end of its life, the entire process cartridge can be replaced, so that the parts with a long life can be replaced easily.

As the process cartridge, at least the electrophotographic photosensitive member and the developing means may be integrated into a cartridge, and the cartridge can be attached to and detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus. The developing unit, the electrophotographic photosensitive member, the charging unit and the cleaning unit are integrally made into a cartridge, which can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body. Further, a developing means and an electrophotographic photoreceptor,
A unit that can be attached to and detached from the main body of the device by integrating the charging unit or the cleaning unit into a cartridge. Further, there is one in which the developing means and the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally made into a cartridge, which can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body.

In the image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment, the drum life detecting means 12 for detecting the life of the photosensitive drum, the developing equipment life detecting means 13 for detecting the life of the developing device, as in the above-mentioned embodiment, A control unit that has a toner remaining amount detection unit 14 that detects that the amount of toner in the toner storage unit has fallen below a certain amount, and controls to display a predetermined warning display on the display unit 16 according to these detection signals. Although it has 15, the photosensitive drum 7, the charging roller 8, the developing device 10, and the cleaning means 11 are made into a cartridge, and an opening / closing lid is provided above the toner storing portion 10a of the developing device 10, and the toner storing portion 10a is provided with toner. A process cartridge adapted to replenish the image forming apparatus is detachably attached to the image forming apparatus main body. And
Based on the detection signals from the detection means, the control means 15
A warning is displayed according to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 13 and 14.

The control configuration shown in the flow chart of FIG.
When the control means 15 first receives the detection signal from the developing device life detecting means 13 that the developing device 10 has reached the end of its life (S81), a warning display to that effect is displayed (S82), and the toner remaining amount detecting means 14 further detects the toner. When a signal is detected that the value has become equal to or less than a certain amount (S83), a warning display prompting replacement of the process cartridge is displayed (S84). Furthermore, if the user ignores the warning and continues to form an image (S85), a warning is displayed to the effect that a normal image may not be obtained (S86).
Even if the user does not follow the warning in step S86, since the developing device 10 has reached the end of its life, the process cartridge is used until the toner in the cartridge is completely used up, and then the process cartridge must be replaced. There is no problem if you do it.

FIG. 13 is a flow chart when the developing device 10 reaches the end of life, but the warning display configuration when the photoconductor drum 7 reaches the end of life is also the same.

Further, as shown in the flow chart of FIG.
When the control means 15 first receives a signal from the toner remaining amount detection means 14 to detect that the toner amount is below a certain level (S
91), the photosensitive drum and the developing sleeve 10c are strongly rubbed by the blade in a state where the image formation is continued as it is and the toner is completely absent, so that the user is warned to replenish the toner (S92). When the user continues to form an image without following the warning (S93), a warning display for urging the toner replenishment is further strongly displayed (S94), but after the warning, the control unit 15 causes the developing unit life detecting unit 13 to detect the developing unit. When the life detection signal for the photoconductor drum or the life detection signal for the photosensitive drum is input from the drum life detection unit 12, it is difficult to obtain a normal image even if the toner is replenished, and the replenishment toner is wasted. I will end up. Therefore, in order to prevent the waste of the toner, a warning display prompting the replacement of the process cartridge itself is displayed after the toner is completely used up in step S96. By performing warning control in this manner, the developing device 10 and the photoconductor drum 7 may be damaged by improper use even in the process cartridge in which the photoconductor drum 7 and the developing device 10 are integrated to enable toner replenishment. It can be used up efficiently and with no life. Further, since a large amount of toner does not remain when the developing device 10 and the photoconductor drum 7 reach the end of their lives, the toner can be used without waste.

[Fourth Embodiment] FIG. 15 is a flow chart showing a warning display structure in a fourth embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is substantially the same as the above-described first embodiment, but the photosensitive drum 7 at the time when a signal for detecting that the toner remaining amount is below a certain amount is issued from the toner remaining amount detecting means 14. And the number of revolutions of the developing sleeve 10c are detected by the drum life detecting means 12 and the developing device life detecting means 13, and the remaining life of the photosensitive drum 7 and the developing sleeve 10c is replenished with toner after the toner is replenished next time. When it is determined that the number of sheets is less than the number of images that can be formed, a message prompting replacement of the photosensitive drum 7 or the developing device 10 before toner supply is displayed.

As shown in FIG. 15, the control means 15 receives the signal from the toner remaining amount detecting means 14 for detecting that the toner remaining amount is below a certain level (S101), and the drum life detecting means 12 and The remaining life of the photosensitive drum 7 and the developing sleeve 10c is discriminated from the signal from the developing device life detecting means 13 (S102, S103). Here, the remaining life of the photosensitive drum 7 is determined by the detecting members 17a and 17b as described in the first embodiment.
Can be calculated by the current value flowing through the developing sleeve 10c, and the remaining life of the developing sleeve 10c can be calculated by the number of revolutions of the developing sleeve 10c up to the present number of revolutions until the developing sleeve 10c reaches its life.

When the remaining life of the photosensitive drum 7 or the developing device 10 thus obtained is shorter than the number of images that can be image-formed by one replenishment of toner, the toner will run out next time even if toner is replenished. Before that, the photosensitive drum 7 or the developing device 10 reaches the end of its life. Therefore, if the photosensitive drum 7 is replaced with toner remaining, the toner may be scattered, and if the developing device 10 is replaced with toner remaining, the supplied toner is wasted.

Therefore, when the remaining life of the photosensitive drum 7 or the developing device 10 at the time of toner replenishment is shorter than the number of images that can be formed by one toner replenishment, the photosensitive drum 7 or the developing device 10 is replaced with toner. A warning message prompting replacement before replenishment is displayed (S106, S108). If the user does not replace the photoconductor drum 7 or the developing device 10 without following the warning, a warning message prompting replacement again is displayed.

In this embodiment, as in the second embodiment, the image forming operation is forcibly stopped when the user does not replace the photosensitive drum 7 or the developing device 10. You may.

[Other Embodiments] Next, other examples of each part of the image forming apparatus according to the above-described embodiment will be described. As a method for developing the latent image formed on the photoconductor drum 7 in image formation, various known developing methods such as a two-component magnetic brush developing method, a cascade developing method, a touchdown developing method and a cloud developing method can be used. It is possible.

Further, the electrophotographic photosensitive member is not limited to the above-mentioned photosensitive drum, and includes, for example, the following. First, a photoconductor is used as the photoconductor, and examples of the photoconductor include amorphous silicon, amorphous selenium, zinc oxide, titanium oxide, and an organic photoconductor (OP).
C) and the like. The shape on which the photoconductor is mounted includes, for example, a rotating body such as a drum or a belt, and a sheet. In general, a drum-shaped or belt-shaped one is used. For example, in the case of a drum-type photoconductor, a photoconductor is deposited or coated on a cylinder of an aluminum alloy or the like. It is.

As for the structure of the charging means, the so-called contact charging method was used in the above-mentioned first embodiment, but a tungsten wire which has been conventionally used as another structure is provided with a metal shield such as aluminum around three sides. It goes without saying that a configuration may be used in which positive or negative ions generated by applying a high voltage to the tungsten wire are moved to the surface of the photosensitive drum to uniformly charge the surface of the drum.

The charging means may be of a blade type (charging blade), a pad type, a block type, a rod type, a wire type or the like, other than the roller type.

Further, as a method for cleaning the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum, the cleaning means may be constituted by using a blade, a fur brush, a magnetic brush or the like.

Further, although the laser beam printer is exemplified as the image forming apparatus in the above-mentioned embodiments, the present invention is not limited to this, and other examples such as an LED printer, an electrophotographic copying machine, a facsimile machine, or a word processor can be used. Of course, it can be used in an image forming apparatus.

[0061]

As described above, according to the present invention, in the image forming apparatus using the electrophotographic photosensitive member, the developing means and the toner, the electrophotographic photosensitive member life detecting means, the developing means life detecting means and the toner remaining amount detecting means. By appropriately displaying the warning to the user according to the combination and order of the signals from the consumables, it is possible to prevent the improper use of the consumables and to provide a stable image for a long period of time. It is possible to prevent waste of toner due to proper toner supply.

Further, when the warning is not obeyed, the image forming operation is forcibly stopped, so that the improper use of the consumables can be more surely prevented and the replenishment toner can be prevented from being wasted. It is possible.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration explanatory diagram of an image forming unit.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a life detection configuration of a photosensitive drum.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a developing sleeve life detection configuration.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a toner remaining amount detection configuration.

FIG. 6 is a configuration block diagram of control means.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a control procedure according to the first embodiment when a first detection signal is input from the toner remaining amount detection means.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a control procedure according to the first embodiment when a first detection signal is input from the developing device life detection unit.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a control procedure according to the first embodiment when a first detection signal is input from a drum life detection unit.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a control procedure according to the second embodiment when the first detection signal is input from the developing device life detection unit.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a control procedure according to the second embodiment when the first detection signal is input from the drum life detection means.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a control procedure according to a second embodiment when a first detection signal is input from the toner remaining amount detection means.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of a control procedure according to the third embodiment when the first detection signal is input from the developing device life detection unit.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of a control procedure according to a third embodiment when a first detection signal is input from the toner remaining amount detection means.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart of a control procedure according to the fourth embodiment when a first detection signal is input from the toner remaining amount detection means.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Optical system, 2 ... Recording medium, 3 ... Cassette, 4 ... Pickup roller, 5 ... Transfer roller, 6 ... Fixing means, 7 ... Photosensitive drum, 7a ... Exposed part, 7b ... Unexposed part, 8 ... Charging roller , 9 ... Exposure opening, 10 ... Developing device, 10a ... Toner storage portion, 10b ... Magnet, 10c ... Developing sleeve, 10c1 ... Base, 10
c2 ... Conductive resin layer, 10d ... Developing blade, 11 ... Cleaning means, 11a ... Cleaning blade, 11b ... Squeeze sheet, 11c ... Waste toner storage section, 12 ... Drum life detecting means, 12a ... Power supply, 12b1, 12b2 ... Ammeter , 12c ... Detector,
13 ... Developing device life detecting means, 13a ... Rotation speed detecting member, 13b
... rotation speed recording means, 13c ... life determining means, 14 ... toner remaining amount detecting means, 14a ... power supply, 14b ... ammeter, 14c ... detection circuit, 15 ... control means, 15a ... CPU, 15b ... ROM, 15c
... RAM, 16 ... Display section, 17a, 17b ... Detection member, 18a,
18b ... antenna wire, 19 ... image forming means

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (72) Inventor Junichi Kato 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Masashi Ojima 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo In Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Koichi Suwa 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Hiroshi Sato 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Stock Inside the company (72) Inventor Satoshi Inami, 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Tetsuya Sano, 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. ( 72) Inventor Seiji Yamaguchi 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc.

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus for forming an image using a developer, an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a developing unit that acts on the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and a first unit for detecting the life of the electrophotographic photosensitive member. 1 detecting means, 2nd detecting means for detecting the life of the developing means, and 3rd detecting means for detecting that the amount of the developer is below a certain amount.
Detection means, control means for controlling to output a predetermined warning signal in response to the signals from the first detection means, the second detection means, and the third detection means, and for displaying according to the warning signal An image forming apparatus comprising: 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit outputs a re-warning signal when the image forming operation is continued after outputting the warning signal. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the image forming operation to be stopped when the image forming operation is continued after outputting the warning signal. 4. The control means outputs a warning signal for prompting developer replenishment when a signal for detecting that the amount of developer is below a certain level is first input from the third detecting means,
3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image forming apparatus outputs a re-warning signal for prompting the developer replenishment when the image forming operation continues without replenishing the developer. 5. The control means outputs a warning signal urging replacement of the developing means when a signal for detecting that the developing means has reached the end of its life is first inputted from the second detecting means,
The warning signal for prompting replacement of the electrophotographic photosensitive member is output when a signal for detecting that the electrophotographic photosensitive member has reached the end of its life is input from the first detecting unit before replacing the developing unit. 1. The image forming apparatus according to 1. 6. The control means outputs a warning signal for prompting replacement of the developing means when a signal for detecting that the developing means has reached the end of its life is first inputted from the second detecting means,
A re-warning signal for prompting replacement of the developing means is output when a signal for detecting that the amount of the developer is below a certain level is input from the third detecting means before replacing the developing means. 1. The image forming apparatus according to 1. 7. The control means outputs a warning signal for prompting replacement of the electrophotographic photosensitive member when a signal for detecting that the electrophotographic photosensitive member has reached the end of its life is first input from the first detecting means. When the signal for detecting that the developing means has reached the end of its life is inputted from the second detecting means before replacing the electrophotographic photosensitive member, the electrophotographic photosensitive member should be replaced together with the developing means when the developer is replenished. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus outputs a prompting warning signal. 8. The control means outputs a warning signal for prompting replacement of the electrophotographic photosensitive member when a signal for detecting the end of life of the electrophotographic photosensitive member is first input from the first detecting means. When a signal for detecting that the amount of the developer is below a certain level is input from the third detecting means before replacing the electrophotographic photosensitive member, a warning signal for prompting the replenishment of the developer is output and the electrophotographic photosensitive member is output. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus outputs a re-warning signal for prompting the replacement of the body. 9. The first detecting means can detect the remaining life of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, the second detecting means can detect the remaining life of the developing means, and the control means can Whether or not the remaining life of the electrophotographic photosensitive member and the developing means is maintained until the replenished developer is used up when a signal for detecting that the amount of the developer is below a certain level is first inputted from the third detecting means. If it is determined that the remaining life is short, the warning signal urging the replacement of the electrophotographic photosensitive member or the developing means is output before the warning signal urging the developer replenishment. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the electrophotographic photosensitive member and the developing unit are detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus as a process cartridge. 11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an electrophotographic copying machine, a laser beam printer, or a facsimile machine.