JP2021117370A - Powder amount detection device, powder amount detection program, and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

To detect, even when a container storing powder is replaced during a sleep mode, the amount of powder remaining in the container without performing unnecessary energization.SOLUTION: A powder amount detection device comprises: a power supply control unit that performs power supply control for operating a device using powder; an open state detection unit that detects an open state of a door that is opened and closed when a container storing the powder is attached and detached with respect to the device; and a powder amount calculation unit that calculates the amount of powder in the powder storage container. When an image forming apparatus is transitioned to a sleep mode for making the apparatus enter a dormant state, the power supply control unit maintains energization to the open state detection unit and the powder amount calculation unit to be in an operating state. When the open state of the door is detected by the open state detection unit during the sleep mode, the powder amount calculation unit calculates the amount of powder in the powder storage container.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

The present invention relates to a powder amount detection device, a powder amount detection program, and an image forming device.

Conventionally, a powder amount detecting device for detecting the amount of powder in a powder container based on the capacitance between a pair of electrodes has been known. For example, in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-71299), an image forming apparatus for detecting a powder amount detecting apparatus with a pair of flat plate electrodes provided in parallel with each other on an inner wall surface of a box-shaped powder container is provided. It is disclosed.

Here, when a non-use state of the image forming apparatus for a predetermined time or longer is detected, a sleep mode is known to save power by energizing only the minimum necessary parts and stopping the energization of other parts. Has been done. Further, when an operation related to the start of image formation such as a button operation of a copy button or a scanner button is detected, the return control from the sleep mode to the normal mode is performed.

However, the container in which the powder is stored is replaced by opening the container replacement door of the image forming apparatus, but in the case of the conventional image forming apparatus, the opening operation of the container replacement door is performed from the sleep mode. There was no requirement to return to normal mode. Therefore, even if the container replacement door is opened to replace the container containing the powder in the sleep mode, the remaining amount of the powder in the container is not detected, so that the remaining amount sensor is erroneously determined as a failure. There was a problem to be done.

If the opening operation of the container replacement door is a requirement for returning from the sleep mode to the normal mode, it is necessary to energize each part and return to the normal mode even though the image forming operation such as copying is not performed. Become. This is unnecessary and useless energization for container replacement, which is not preferable from the viewpoint of power saving.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and even when the container containing the powder is replaced during the sleep mode, the remaining amount of the powder in the container can be detected without unnecessary energization. It is an object of the present invention to provide a powder amount detection device, a powder amount detection program, and an image forming device that can be enabled.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, the present invention attaches / detaches a power supply control unit that controls power supply for operating a device using powder and a container containing the powder to the device. The power supply control unit is provided with an open state detection unit that detects the open state of the door that is opened and closed at the time, and a powder amount calculation unit that calculates the amount of powder in the powder storage container. When the mode is changed, the open state detection unit and the powder amount calculation unit are kept energized to be in the operating state, and the powder amount calculation unit is in the open state detection unit when the open state of the door is detected during the sleep mode. In addition, the amount of powder in the powder storage container is calculated.

According to the present invention, even when the container containing the powder is replaced during the sleep mode, it is possible to detect the remaining amount of the powder in the container without unnecessary energization. ..

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the printer device of the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a developing device provided in the printer device. FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the toner replenishing device. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the toner replenishing device. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a toner replenishing device in which a pair of electrodes are provided in an arc shape along the outer circumference of the toner container. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an uneven distribution state of toner in a toner replenishing device in which a pair of electrodes are provided in an arc shape along the outer circumference of the toner container. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the distribution of electric lines of force in a toner replenishing device in which a pair of electrodes are provided in an arc shape along the outer circumference of the toner container. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a main part of the printer device of the embodiment. FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram of each function that controls energization when the toner container is replaced in the sleep mode of the printer device of the embodiment. FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram of each function for calculating the remaining amount of toner in the toner container replaced in the sleep mode of the printer device of the embodiment. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a flow of calculation operation of the remaining amount of toner in the replaced toner container in the sleep mode of the printer device of the embodiment. FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining a change in capacitance corresponding to the remaining amount of toner in the toner container in the normal mode of the printer device of the embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the inconvenience that the remaining amount of toner in a new toner container replaced in the sleep mode is not detected in the printer device as a comparative example. FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining the inconvenience that the remaining amount of toner in the used toner container replaced in the sleep mode is not detected in the printer device as a comparative example. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing how the remaining amount of toner in the used toner container replaced in the sleep mode is detected in the printer device of the embodiment.

Hereinafter, the printer device of the embodiment will be described with reference to the attached drawings.

(Configuration of printer device)
First, FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the configuration of the printer device 100 of the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, four toner containers 32 (Y, M, C, K) corresponding to each color (yellow, magenta, cyan, black) are detachably attached to the toner container accommodating portion 70 of the printer device 100. It is installed (replaceable). An intermediate transfer unit 15 is arranged below the toner container accommodating portion 70. Image forming portions 6 (Y, M, C, K) corresponding to each color are arranged side by side so as to face the intermediate transfer belt 8 of the intermediate transfer unit 15. Further, below the toner container 32 (Y, M, C, K), toner replenishment devices 60 (Y, M, C, K) are arranged, respectively. Then, the toner contained in the toner container 32 (Y, M, C, K) is subjected to the image forming unit 6 (Y, M, C, K) by the toner replenishing device 60 (Y, M, C, K), respectively. ) Is supplied (supplied) in the developing device (powder-using part).

The four toner containers 32 (Y, M, C, K) corresponding to each color, the image forming unit (Y, M, C, K) and the toner replenishing device 60 (Y, M, C, K) are the toners used. It has the same configuration except that the color of is different. Therefore, in the following description and drawings, the subscripts "Y", "M", "C", and "K" indicating the color of the toner to be used will be omitted as appropriate.

(Structure of image formation part)
FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing an image forming unit 6. As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming unit 6 includes a photoconductor 1, a charging unit 4 arranged around the photoconductor 1, a developing device 5 (developing unit), a cleaning unit 2, a static elimination unit, and the like. Has been done. Then, an image forming process (charging step, exposure step, developing step, transfer step, cleaning step) is performed on the photoconductor 1, and an image of each color is formed on the photoconductor 1.

The photoconductor 1 is rotationally driven clockwise in FIG. 2 by a drive motor. Then, the surface of the photoconductor 1 is uniformly charged at the position of the charging portion 4. After that, the surface of the photoconductor 1 is exposed and scanned by the laser beam L from the exposure apparatus 7. As a result, electrostatic latent images corresponding to each color are formed on the surface of the photoconductor 1. After that, an electrostatic latent image is developed on the surface of the photoconductor 1 at a position facing the developing device 5. As a result, toner images of each color are formed on the surface of the photoconductor 1.

After that, the toner image on the surface of the photoconductor 1 is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 8 at the primary transfer portion facing the primary transfer roller 9 with the intermediate transfer belt 8 interposed therebetween. By superimposing and transferring the toner images of each color formed on the photoconductor 1 of each color on the intermediate transfer belt 8, a color image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 8.

A small amount of untransferred toner remains on the surface of the photoconductor 1 that has passed through the primary transfer portion. When the photoconductor 1 reaches a position facing the cleaning unit 2, the untransferred toner is mechanically collected by the cleaning blade 2a. Finally, the static elimination unit removes the residual potential on the surface of the photoconductor 1.

The intermediate transfer unit 15 includes an intermediate transfer belt 8, four primary transfer rollers 9 (Y, M, C, K), a secondary transfer backup roller 12, a plurality of tension rollers, an intermediate transfer cleaning unit, and the like. The intermediate transfer belt 8 is stretched and supported by a plurality of tension rollers, and is endlessly moved in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 1 by the rotational drive of the secondary transfer backup roller 12 among the roller members. Each of the four primary transfer rollers 9 (Y, M, C, K) forms a primary transfer nip by sandwiching the intermediate transfer belt 8 with the photoconductor 1 (Y, M, C, K). ..

Then, a transfer bias opposite to the polarity of the toner is applied to the primary transfer roller 9 (Y, M, C, K). The intermediate transfer belt 8 travels in the direction of the arrow and sequentially passes through the primary transfer nips of the respective primary transfer rollers 9 (Y, M, C, K). In this way, the toner images of each color on the photoconductor 1 (Y, M, C, K) are superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 8 and first-order transferred.

The intermediate transfer belt 8 on which the toner images of each color are superimposed and transferred reaches the secondary transfer portion facing the secondary transfer roller 19. In the secondary transfer unit, an intermediate transfer belt 8 is sandwiched between the secondary transfer backup roller 12 and the secondary transfer roller 19 to form a secondary transfer nip. The four-color toner images formed on the intermediate transfer belt 8 are transferred onto a recording medium P such as transfer paper conveyed to the position of the secondary transfer nip. At this time, untransferred toner that has not been transferred to the recording medium P remains on the intermediate transfer belt 8. After that, the intermediate transfer belt 8 reaches the position of the intermediate transfer cleaning section, and the untransferred toner on the intermediate transfer belt 8 is collected. In this way, a series of transfer processes performed on the intermediate transfer belt 8 is completed.

The recording medium P conveyed to the position of the secondary transfer nip is conveyed from the paper feeding unit 26 arranged below the main body of the apparatus via the paper feeding roller 27, the resist roller pair 28, and the like. .. Specifically, a plurality of recording media P are stacked and stored in the paper feed unit 26. Then, when the paper feed roller 27 is rotationally driven in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 1, the top recording medium P is fed between the resist rollers and the rollers 28. The recording medium P conveyed to the resist roller pair 28 is temporarily stopped by the roller nip of the resist roller pair 28 that has stopped the rotational drive. Then, the resist roller pair 28 is rotationally driven in time with the color image on the intermediate transfer belt 8, and the recording medium P is conveyed toward the secondary transfer nip. In this way, the desired color image is transferred onto the recording medium P.

The recording medium P on which the color image is transferred by the secondary transfer nip is conveyed to the fixing unit 20. Then, at this position, the color image transferred to the surface is fixed on the recording medium P by the heat and pressure of the fixing belt and the pressure roller. After that, the recording medium P is discharged to the outside of the device through the space between the paper ejection rollers and the rollers 29. The recording medium P discharged to the outside of the device by the paper ejection roller pair 29 is sequentially stacked on the stack unit 30 as an output image. In this way, a series of image forming processes in the printer device 100 is completed.

Next, the configuration and operation of the developing device in the image forming unit will be described in more detail. As shown in FIG. 2, the developing apparatus 5 includes a developing roller 51 facing the drum-shaped photoconductor 1, a doctor blade 52 facing the developing roller 51, a first developing agent accommodating portion 53, and a second developing agent accommodating portion 54. It includes two transport screws 55 arranged inside. Further, a toner concentration detection sensor 56 for detecting the toner concentration in the developer of the first developer housing unit 53 is provided. The developing roller 51 is composed of a magnet fixed inside, a sleeve that rotates around the magnet, and the like. In the developer accommodating portion (53, 54), a two-component developer G composed of a carrier and toner is accommodated. The second developer accommodating portion 54 communicates with the toner drop transport path 64 through an opening formed above the second developer accommodating portion 54.

The sleeve of the developing roller 51 is rotationally driven in the direction of the arrow (counterclockwise) in FIG. Then, the developer G supported on the developing roller 51 by the magnetic field formed by the magnet moves on the developing roller 51 as the sleeve rotates. The developer G in the developing apparatus 5 is adjusted so that the ratio of toner (toner concentration) in the developing agent is within a predetermined range. Depending on the toner consumption in the developing device 5, the toner stored in the toner container 32 is replenished in the second developing agent storage unit 54 via the toner replenishing device 60. The configuration and operation of the toner replenishment device will be described in detail later.

The toner replenished in the second developing agent accommodating portion 54 circulates in the two developing agent accommodating portions (53, 54) while being mixed and stirred together with the developing agent G by the two conveying screws 55. Then, the toner in the developer G is adsorbed on the carrier by triboelectric charging with the carrier, and is supported on the developing roller 51 together with the carrier by the magnetic force formed on the developing roller 51. The developer G supported on the developing roller 51 is conveyed in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 2 and reaches the position of the doctor blade 52.

Then, the developer G on the developing roller 51 is conveyed to a position facing the photoconductor 1 (development region) after the amount of the developer is adjusted to an appropriate amount at this position, and the photoconductor G is conveyed by the electric field formed in the developing region. Toner is adsorbed on the latent image formed on 1. After that, the developer G remaining on the developing roller 51 reaches above the first developing agent accommodating portion 53 as the sleeve rotates, and is separated from the developing roller 51 at this position.

Next, the toner replenishing device 60 and the toner container 32 will be described in detail. FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of one of the four toner replenishing devices 60 cut along the longitudinal direction. Further, FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. 3) in which the toner replenishing device 60 is cut along the radial direction.

The toner in the toner container 32 installed in the toner container accommodating portion 70 of the printer device 100 is appropriately colored by the toner replenishing device 60 provided for each toner color according to the toner consumption in the developing device 5 for each color. It is replenished in the developing device 5.

By moving the toner container 32 in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface (back side of the paper surface) of FIG. 1 with respect to the toner container storage unit 70 of the printer device 100 main body, the toner container 32 is mounted on the toner container storage unit 70.

As an example, the toner container 32 is supported by two guide portions 72 shown in FIG. The toner container 32 is a substantially cylindrical toner bottle, and as shown in FIG. 3, a container body 33 in which a cap 34 held in the toner container accommodating portion 70 in a non-rotating manner and a gear 33c are integrally formed. And have.

The container body 33 is held so as to be rotatable relative to the cap 34, and the gear 33c is configured to mesh with the drive output gear 81 of the toner replenishing device 60. By rotating the drive output gear 81, the drive motor 91 transmits the drive to the gear 33c of the container body 33, and the container body 33 is rotationally driven while the outer peripheral surface of the container body 33 is guided by the guide portion 72.

As the container body 33 rotates, the toner contained inside the container body 33 is drawn along the longitudinal direction of the container body 33 by the spiral protrusion 331 spirally formed on the inner peripheral surface of the container body 33. It is transported from the left side to the right side in 3. The conveyed toner is discharged from the toner container 32, and the toner is supplied into the hopper portion 61 of the toner replenishing device 60. That is, the drive motor 91 appropriately rotates and drives the container body 33 of the toner container 32, so that the toner is appropriately supplied to the hopper portion 61. The toner containers 32 (Y, M, C, K) of each color are replaced with new or used ones when they reach the end of their service life (when almost all the toner contained is consumed and emptied).

As shown in FIG. 3, the toner replenishment device 60 includes a toner container accommodating portion 70, a hopper portion 61, a toner transfer screw 62, a drive motor 91, and the like. The toner supplied from the toner container 32 is stored in the hopper portion 61, and the toner transport screw 62 is arranged.

When the toner concentration detection sensor 56 (see FIG. 2) detects a decrease in the toner concentration in the developing device 5, the control unit rotates the toner transport screw 62 for a predetermined time to replenish the developing device 5 with toner. .. By controlling the rotation speed of the toner transport screw 62 in accordance with the amount of toner supplied to the developing device 5, an appropriate amount of toner can be accurately supplied to the developing device 5.

A toner end sensor for detecting that the amount of toner stored in the hopper 61 is less than a predetermined amount is provided on the wall surface of the hopper 61. As the toner end sensor, a piezoelectric sensor or the like can be used. When the toner end sensor detects that the amount of toner stored in the hopper 61 is less than a predetermined amount (toner end detection), the drive motor 91 is driven and controlled. Then, the container body 33 of the toner container 32 is rotationally driven for a predetermined time, and the toner is replenished to the hopper portion 61.

The toner discharged from the toner container 32 may be directly supplied to the developing device 5 without going through the hopper portion 61.

Next, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the toner replenishing device 60 is provided with a pair of parallel plates along the longitudinal direction of the outer circumference of the toner container 32 and facing each other with the toner container 32 interposed therebetween. The electrodes 65 and 66 are provided. The length of the parallel plate electrodes 65 and 66 in the lateral direction (the length in the left-right direction in FIG. 4) is longer than the diameter of the toner container 32, and the length in the longitudinal direction (the length in the left-right direction in FIG. 3). The length) is more than half the length of the toner container 32.

The parallel plate electrode 65 is fixed to the upper wall surface portion 67 of the toner replenishing device 60 facing above the toner container 32 via a fixing member such as double-sided tape or screws. Further, the parallel plate electrode 66 is fixed to the lower wall surface portion 68 of the toner replenishing device 60 facing below the toner container 32 via a fixing member such as double-sided tape or screws. As an example, the parallel plate electrodes 65 and 66 can be formed of any conductive member such as an iron plate material.

The sizes of the pair of parallel plate electrodes 65 and 66 are substantially the same. By making the sizes of the pair of parallel plate electrodes 65 and 66 substantially the same, it is possible to suppress variations in the density of electric lines of force between the parallel plate electrodes 65 and 66, and due to the uneven distribution of toner in the toner container 32, the same toner It is possible to prevent the inconvenience that different capacitances are detected in spite of the amount.

As will be described later with reference to FIG. 8, each of the parallel plate electrodes 65 and 66 is connected to a toner remaining amount detection board 402 provided with a capacitance detection microcomputer (capacitance detection microcomputer) 412. Capacitance detection Applying a voltage from the microcomputer 412 to the pair of parallel plate electrodes 65 and 66 Detects the remaining amount of toner based on the capacitance generated between the parallel plate electrodes 65 and 66.

As an example, as a method of detecting capacitance, a constant voltage (or constant current) is applied between the parallel plate electrodes 65 and 66, and the capacitance is electrostatic based on the relationship between the time at the charging arrival point and the voltage (or current). A charging method that measures capacitance can be used.

The capacitance detection microcomputer 412 provided on the toner remaining amount detection board 402 is an example of the powder amount calculation unit, and calculates the toner remaining amount in the toner container 32 based on the detected capacitance. The detected capacitance changes depending on the dielectric constant between the parallel plate electrodes 65 and 66. Since toner has a higher dielectric constant than air, the dielectric constant changes according to the amount of toner in the range of the electric field between the parallel plate electrodes 65 and 66. Therefore, the capacitance changes according to the amount of toner in the toner container 32 sandwiched between the pair of parallel plate electrodes 65 and 66 from the outer peripheral side of the toner container 32. Thereby, the toner amount of the toner container 32 can be calculated by detecting the capacitance.

Specifically, in the non-volatile memory 411 provided on the toner remaining amount detection board 402, which will be described later, calibration curve information indicating the relationship between the capacitance and the toner amount is obtained and stored in advance. The capacitance detection microcomputer 412 calculates the remaining amount of toner in the toner container 32 based on the calibration curve information and the detected capacitance. The remaining amount of toner calculated in this way is notified to the engine control CPU and displayed on the display unit.

By providing the parallel plate electrodes 65 and 66 on the outside of the toner container 32, it is possible to prevent the inconvenience of toner adhering to the parallel plate electrodes 65 and 66 and enable accurate detection of the remaining amount of toner. Further, the number of parts of the toner container 32 can be reduced, and the cost of the toner container 32 can be reduced. Further, it is not affected by the thermal expansion of the toner container 32, and the remaining amount of toner can be accurately detected even in a high temperature environment.

Further, since the pair of parallel plate electrodes 65 and 66 are provided so as to face each other with the toner container 32 interposed therebetween, the toner container 32 is not affected by the shape error or the rotational eccentricity of the toner container 32. It is possible to detect the capacitance and accurately detect the remaining amount of toner.

Further, by setting the length of the pair of parallel plate electrodes 65 and 66 in the longitudinal direction to be substantially the same as the length of the toner container 32 in the longitudinal direction, substantially the entire area of the toner container 32 can be placed between the parallel plate electrodes 65 and 66. It can be located in the electric line of force (in the electric field) generated in. Therefore, even if the toner is unevenly distributed in the toner container 32, the remaining amount of toner in the toner container 32 can be accurately detected, and the user can be notified of the accurate remaining amount of toner in the toner container 32. It can be notified.

As shown in FIG. 5, the pair of electrodes 501 and 502 may be provided in an arc shape along the outer circumference of the toner container 500, but in this case, the following inconvenience occurs. That is, as shown in FIG. 6, the toner G in the toner container 500 may be unevenly distributed in the toner container 500. When the electrodes 501 and 502 are provided in an arc shape, a difference in the density of electric lines of force is generated between the A region at the end of the electrodes 501 and 502 and the B region at the center as shown in FIG. As a result, different capacitance values are detected depending on whether the toner G is unevenly distributed or the toner G is uniformly present. On the other hand, in the case of the printer device 100 of the embodiment, a pair of parallel plate electrodes 65 and 66 having a length in the longitudinal direction substantially the same as the length in the longitudinal direction of the toner container 32 are provided. , It is possible to accurately detect the remaining amount of toner without being affected by the bias of the toner in the toner container 32.

(Calculation operation of remaining toner in sleep mode)
Next, the printer device 100 of the embodiment has a "normal mode" in which each part is energized to perform an image forming operation, and energization is performed only in the minimum necessary parts, and energization in other parts is stopped to save power. It has a "sleep mode" to improve the system.

In the sleep mode, when the toner container 32 is replaced with, for example, a new or used toner container 32, the energization of the toner remaining amount detection board is stopped, so that the remaining amount of toner in the replaced toner container 32 is reduced. It becomes difficult to detect. Further, it is not preferable from the viewpoint of power saving to return to the normal mode only for detecting the remaining amount of toner in the toner container 32 after replacement.

Therefore, in the printer device of the embodiment, it is necessary to calculate the remaining amount of toner by using the opening operation of the container replacement door of the printer device, which is opened / closed when the toner container 32 is replaced, as a trigger in the sleep mode. Resume energization only in certain places. As a result, the remaining amount of toner in the toner container 32 replaced in the sleep mode can be calculated while maintaining power saving.

(Hardware configuration of the main part of the printer device)
FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a main part of the printer device 100 of the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 8, the printer device 100 includes an engine control board 401, a toner remaining amount detection board 402, a controller (CTL) 403, and a cover open detection sensor 404. As an example, as the cover open detection sensor 404, a photo sensor or a micro switch can be used.

The engine control board 401 is provided with an engine control CPU (Center Processing Unit) 410. The engine control CPU 410 displays the detected remaining amount of toner on a display unit or the like. The toner remaining amount detection board 402 includes a capacitance detection microcomputer 412 and a non-volatile memory 411. The toner remaining amount calculation program is stored in the non-volatile memory 411. Further, in the non-volatile memory 411, calibration curve information indicating the relationship between the capacitance and the amount of toner is obtained and stored in advance. The capacitance detection microcomputer 412 operates based on the toner remaining amount calculation program, calculates the toner remaining amount in the toner container 32 based on the calibration curve information and the detected capacitance, and notifies the engine control CPU 410. ..

The controller (CTL) 403 has a main CPU 412, a sub CPU 413, and a memory 414. The power supply control program is stored in the memory 414. In the normal mode, the engine control board 401, the toner remaining amount detection board 402, the controller (CTL) 403, and the cover open detection sensor 404 are energized.

In the sleep mode, the energization of the engine control board 401 and the toner remaining amount detection board 402 is stopped. Further, in the sleep mode, the energization of the main CPU 412 of the controller (CTL) 403 is stopped, but the energization of the sub CPU 413 and the memory 414 is maintained. Further, in the sleep mode, the energization of the cover open detection sensor 404 is maintained.

When the cover open detection sensor 404 detects the opening operation of the container replacement door of the printer device 100 in the sleep mode, the sub CPU 413 detects the remaining amount of toner based on the power control program stored in the memory 414. The substrate 402 is energized. As a result, the capacitance detection microcomputer 412 and the non-volatile memory 411 of the toner remaining amount detection board 402 can be returned to the activated state, and the toner remaining amount in the toner container 32 is calculated even in the sleep mode. be able to.

(Software configuration of sub CPU)
FIG. 9 shows the software configuration of the sub CPU 413. The sub CPU 413 executes the power supply control program stored in the memory 414 to execute the sleep mode detection unit 451, the power supply control unit 452, and the cover open detection unit 453 (an example of the open state detection unit) as shown in FIG. And functions as a return notification unit 454.

(Software configuration of capacitance detection microcomputer)
FIG. 10 shows the software configuration of the capacitance detection microcomputer 412. By executing the toner remaining amount calculation program stored in the non-volatile memory 411, the capacitance detection microcomputer 412 executes the voltage application control unit 461, the capacitance detection unit 462, and the toner remaining amount as shown in FIG. It functions as a calculation unit 463 (an example of a calculation unit) and a toner remaining amount notification unit 464.

(Flow of calculation operation of remaining toner in sleep mode)
The flowchart of FIG. 11 shows the flow of the operation of calculating the remaining amount of toner in the sleep mode. In the flowchart of FIG. 11, the processes of steps S1 to S4 are processes of the sub CPU 413 based on the power supply control program stored in the memory 414. Further, in the flowchart of FIG. 11, the processes of steps S5 to S8 are the processes of the capacitance detection microcomputer 412 based on the toner remaining amount detection program stored in the non-volatile memory 411.

In this flowchart, first, when the printer device 100 is in a non-operation state and a predetermined time elapses, the main CPU 412 of the printer device 100 notifies the sub CPU 413 to shift to the "sleep mode", and then shifts to the "sleep mode". The sleep mode detection unit 451 shown in FIG. 9 determines whether or not the mode has shifted to the "sleep mode" based on the notification from the main CPU 412. Until the transition to the "sleep mode", the main CPU 412 operates in the normal mode (step S1: No).

When the sub CPU 413 determines that the sleep mode has been entered (step S1: Yes), the power supply control unit 452 energizes the sub CPU 413, the memory 414, and the cover open detection sensor 404 among the units shown in FIG. Maintain and stop energizing other parts (step S2). That is, the region surrounded by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 8 is a region showing each part energized in the normal mode. On the other hand, the area surrounded by the dotted line in FIG. 8 is the area showing each part energized in the sleep mode.

The cover open detection sensor 404, which is constantly energized, detects whether or not the container replacement door has been opened even in the sleep mode. The cover open detection unit 453 determines whether or not the container replacement door has been opened based on the detection output from the cover open detection sensor 404. When the opening operation of the container replacement door is detected (step S3: Yes), the power supply control unit 452 energizes the toner remaining amount detection board 402 (step S4), and operates the toner remaining amount detection board 402. Return to possible. As a result, as shown by being surrounded by a solid line in FIG. 8, the capacitance detection microcomputer 412 and the non-volatile memory 411 can be returned to the activated state in the sleep mode.

When the capacitance detection microcomputer 412 returns to the activated state, it functions as a voltage application control unit 461 based on the toner remaining amount calculation program stored in the non-volatile memory 411, and the parallel plate electrodes 65 and 66 of the toner container 32. A predetermined voltage is applied to the. Then, it functions as a capacitance detection unit 462 and detects the capacitance of the toner container 32 (step S5).

Next, the capacitance detection microcomputer 412 calculates the remaining amount of toner in the toner container 32 based on the calibration curve information stored in the non-volatile memory 411 and the detected capacitance (step S6). ). The toner remaining amount notification unit 464 temporarily writes the toner remaining amount information calculated in this way to the non-volatile memory 411.

When the normal mode is restored, the toner remaining amount notification unit 464 notifies the engine control CPU 410 of the toner remaining amount written in the non-volatile memory 411. The engine control CPU 410 controls the display of the notified remaining amount of toner on the display unit. As a result, the remaining amount of toner calculated during the sleep mode can be displayed when the normal mode is restored. In the sleep mode, the engine control board 401 may be energized to return to the operating state, and the toner remaining amount calculated in the sleep mode may be displayed on the display unit.

Next, the sleep mode detection unit 451 shown in FIG. 9 determines whether or not the sleep mode has been entered again because the non-operation state has continued for a predetermined time or longer. When it is determined that the sleep mode has been entered again (step S7: Yes), the process returns to step S2 via step S1, and the power supply to the parts other than the sub CPU 413, the memory 414, and the cover open detection sensor 404 is again energized. It will be stopped.

The operation of calculating the remaining amount of toner in the sleep mode is repeated until the return detection unit 454 detects a predetermined return operation to the normal mode (step S8: Yes) (step S8: No). ..

FIG. 12 shows a change in capacitance when the toner container 32 is replaced with a new one during the normal mode. As shown in FIG. 12, normally, the detection of the capacitance value starts from the state where the toner container 32 is substantially full of toner (full tank), and the capacitance value is executed as printing (using toner) is executed. The value gradually decreases. Then, when it is determined that there is no remaining amount of toner in the toner container 32, the user is urged to replace the toner.

If the user replaces the toner container with a new toner container 32, the capacitance value corresponding to the state in which the toner container 32 is substantially full of toner is detected again. Since the engine control board 401 and the toner remaining amount detection board 402 are energized during the normal mode, it is possible to detect whether or not the toner container 32 has been replaced.

FIG. 13 shows the change in the capacitance value when the toner container 32 is replaced with a new one during the sleep mode in the conventional configuration. In this case, since the engine control board 401 and the toner remaining amount detection board 402 are not energized, it becomes difficult to detect the replacement of the toner container 32. However, the capacitance value has changed from the determination range of no toner remaining to the determination range of full toner. From this, it can be detected that the toner container 32 has been replaced.

On the other hand, FIG. 14 shows a change in the capacitance value when the toner container 32 is replaced with a used toner container 32 during the sleep mode in the conventional configuration. In this case, since the engine control board 401 and the toner remaining amount detection board 402 are not energized, the user may have replaced the toner container 32 during the sleep mode, or the capacitance detection function may have a problem. It becomes difficult to judge. In such a case, an error is displayed as a failure of the capacitance detection function.

FIG. 15 shows a change in the capacitance value when the printer device 100 of the embodiment is replaced with a used toner container 32 during the sleep mode. In the case of the printer device of the embodiment, the toner remaining amount detection board 402 is energized by the opening operation of the container replacement door in the sleep mode as a trigger, and the capacitance value of the toner container 32 is detected.

The capacitance value of the toner container 32 is repeatedly detected at arbitrary intervals. When the detected capacitance value is within the arbitrarily set non-no toner bottle determination range, the capacitance detection microcomputer 412 of the toner remaining amount detection board writes the toner container insertion / removal flag in the non-volatile memory 411.

The toner container insertion / removal flag written in the non-volatile memory 411 is notified to the engine control CPU 410 by the toner remaining amount notification unit 464 the next time the normal mode is restored.

Thereby, the printer device of the embodiment can notify the user that the toner container 32 has been replaced even when the toner container 32 is replaced with the used toner container 32 during the sleep mode. Therefore, it is possible to avoid an erroneous determination that the capacitance sensor system has failed. In addition, since it can be realized by energizing the minimum required source in the sleep mode, power saving can be maintained.

A photo sensor, a micro switch, or the like may be used as a means for detecting the replacement of the toner container 32 in the sleep mode. Further, by connecting to the toner remaining amount detection board 402 in the same manner as the capacitance sensor, the influence on power saving can be minimized.

(Effect of embodiment)
As is clear from the above description, when the printer device 100 of the embodiment shifts to the sleep mode, the energization of the engine control board 401 and the toner remaining amount detection board 402 is stopped, and the controller (CTL) 403 The energization of the main CPU 412 is stopped. On the other hand, the energization of the sub CPU 413 and the memory 414 is maintained, and the energization of the cover open detection sensor 404 is also maintained.

Then, in the sleep mode, when the cover open detection sensor 404 detects the opening operation of the container replacement door of the printer device 100, the sub CPU 413 energizes the toner remaining amount detection board 402. As a result, the capacitance detection microcomputer 412 and the non-volatile memory 411 of the toner remaining amount detection board 402 can be returned to the activated state, and the toner remaining amount in the toner container 32 is calculated even in the sleep mode. be able to.

Therefore, even if the toner container 32 is replaced during the sleep mode, it is possible to detect the remaining amount of toner in the toner container without performing unnecessary energization.

Finally, the embodiments described above are presented as an example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. This novel embodiment can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. Further, the embodiment and the modification of the embodiment are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.

1 Photoreceptor 5 Developer 32 Toner container 60 Toner replenishment device 61 Hopper part 62 Toner transfer screw 64 Toner drop transfer path 65 Parallel plate electrode 66 Parallel plate electrode 67 Upper wall part 68 Lower wall part 81 Drive output gear 91 Drive motor 100 Printer 401 Engine control board 402 Toner remaining amount detection board 403 Controller 404 Cover open detection sensor 410 Engine control CPU
411 Non-volatile memory 412 Capacitance detection microcomputer 413 Sub CPU
414 Memory 451 Sleep mode detection unit 452 Power supply control unit 453 Cover open detection unit 454 Recovery notification unit 461 Voltage application control unit 462 Capacitance detection unit 463 Toner remaining amount calculation unit 464 Toner remaining amount notification unit

Special Table 2010-52087

Claims (7)

A power supply control unit that controls the power supply to operate a device that uses powder,
An open state detection unit that detects the open state of the door that is opened and closed when the container containing the powder is attached to and detached from the device.
A powder amount calculation unit for calculating the amount of powder in the powder storage container is provided.
When the power supply control unit shifts to the sleep mode in which the device is put into a hibernation state, the power supply control unit maintains energization of the open state detection unit and the powder amount calculation unit to put them into an operating state.
The powder amount calculation unit calculates the amount of powder in the storage container of the powder when the open state of the door is detected by the open state detection unit during the sleep mode. Detection device. The powder amount calculation unit
A capacitance detection unit that detects the capacitance of the powder storage container, and
A calculation unit that calculates the amount of powder in the storage container based on the detected capacitance,
The powder amount detecting apparatus according to claim 1. The powder amount detecting device according to claim 2, wherein the capacitance detecting unit is a pair of flat plate electrodes provided so as to face each other with the powder storage container interposed therebetween. The powder amount detecting device according to claim 3, wherein the pair of the flat plate electrodes has substantially the same overall length as the container for storing the powder. The powder amount calculation unit once writes information indicating the powder amount calculated in the sleep mode to the storage unit, and when returning to the normal mode, reads the information indicating the powder amount from the storage unit and displays the display. The powder amount detecting device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the control unit is notified. A power supply control unit that controls the power supply to operate a device that uses powder,
An open state detection unit that detects the open state of the door that is opened and closed when the container containing the powder is attached to and detached from the device.
A powder amount detection program in an apparatus provided with a powder amount calculation unit for calculating the amount of powder in the powder storage container.
Computer,
When operating as the power supply control unit, when the device shifts to the sleep mode in which the device is in a hibernation state, the open state detection unit and the powder amount calculation unit are operated so as to maintain energization and enter an operating state.
When operating as the powder amount calculation unit, when the open state of the door is detected by the open state detection unit during the sleep mode, the powder amount in the storage container of the powder is calculated. A powder amount detection program characterized by this. The powder amount detecting device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.
An image forming portion that forms an image with the powder and
An image forming apparatus characterized by having.

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