JP5911394B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a transfer material using toner.

  2. Description of the Related Art Some image forming apparatuses such as printers, copiers, and multifunction machines form an image on a sheet as a transfer material using toner. Conventionally, petroleum is used as a raw material for the toner. In recent years, the use of bio-toners made from vegetable oils and fats has been promoted in consideration of the global environment and depletion of fossil resources. In order to promote the use of bio-toner, it is aimed to be used in a conventional model premised on the use of conventional toner. In order to use the bio-toner in the conventional model, it is necessary to make the characteristics of the bio-toner the same as the characteristics of the conventional toner. However, the characteristics of bio-toner are not necessarily equal to those of conventional toner.

  In a conventional image forming apparatus, when another toner different from the standard toner is used instead of the standard toner, until the mixing ratio of the standard toner and the other toner reaches 50%, Some process conditions suitable for standard toners are employed, and if the mixing ratio exceeds 50%, some process conditions suitable for other toners are employed (see Patent Document 1).

JP-A-1-232360

  Since the characteristics such as fluidity are different between the bio-toner and the conventional toner, the amount of toner supplied from the toner cartridge to the developing device per unit time is also different. The image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1 changes process conditions and does not perform control related to toner supplied from a toner cartridge to a developing device. That is, Patent Document 1 does not describe a specific method related to toner supply control. Therefore, in the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1, when bio-toner is used, the difference in the amount of toner supplied from the toner cartridge to the developing device compared to the conventional toner, There is a possibility that the density of the toner may fluctuate. When the toner density or the like fluctuates, the image quality of the image formed on the sheet as the transfer material varies by the image forming apparatus.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of stabilizing the image quality of an image formed on a transfer material even when a toner different from the conventional one is used.

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus including an image carrier, a developing unit, a toner cartridge, an information reading unit, and a control unit. The image carrier has a toner image formed on the surface by developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface with toner. The developing unit includes a stirring unit that stirs the toner. The developing unit supplies the toner stirred by the stirring unit to the image carrier. The toner cartridge contains toner. The toner cartridge includes a cartridge storage unit that stores supply amount information related to a supply amount of toner supplied from the toner cartridge to the developing unit, and a toner supply unit that supplies toner to be stored to the developing unit. The information reading unit reads the supply amount information stored in the cartridge storage unit. The control unit controls the toner supply unit to adjust the amount of toner supplied from the toner cartridge to the developing unit based on the supply amount information read by the information reading unit.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of stabilizing the image quality of an image formed on a transfer material even when a toner different from the conventional one is used.

It is a figure for demonstrating arrangement | positioning of each component of a copier. It is a figure for demonstrating a developing device and a photoconductor drum. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a toner fall amount. FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining a schematic functional configuration of a copier. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a replacement rate according to a printing rate and the number of images formed. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the correction value of the replacement rate according to temperature and humidity. It is a figure which shows an example of the correction value of the replacement rate according to T / C.

Hereinafter, embodiments of an image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
With reference to FIG. 1, the overall structure of a copier 1 as an image forming apparatus in the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the arrangement of each component of the copier 1.

As shown in FIG. 1, a copier 1 as an image forming apparatus is disposed on an upper side in the vertical direction Z of the copier 1 and on a lower side of the copier 1 in the vertical direction Z. An apparatus main body M that forms a toner image on a sheet T as a sheet-like transfer material based on image information read by the image reading apparatus 300.
In the description of the copying machine 1, the sub-scanning direction X is also referred to as “left-right direction” of the copying machine 1, and the main scanning direction Y (direction passing through FIG. 1) is also referred to as “back-and-forth direction” of the copying machine 1. The vertical direction Z of the copier 1 is orthogonal to the sub-scanning direction X and the main scanning direction Y.

First, the image reading apparatus 300 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 1, the image reading apparatus 300 includes a reading unit 301 that reads an image of a document G, and a document conveying unit 70 that is arranged above the reading unit 301 and conveys the document G to the reading unit 301. .

  The reading unit 301 includes a housing 306, and a first reading surface 302 </ b> A and a second reading surface 302 </ b> B disposed on the upper side of the housing 306. The reading unit 301 includes an illumination unit 340 including a light source, a plurality of mirrors 321, 322, and 323, and a first frame 311 and a second frame that move in the sub-scanning direction X in an internal space 304 of the housing 306. A body 312, an imaging lens 357, a CCD 358 serving as a reading unit, and a CCD substrate 361 that performs predetermined processing on image information read by the CCD 358 and outputs the image information to the apparatus main body M side. Prepare. The illumination unit 340 and the first mirror 321 are accommodated in the first frame 311. The second mirror 322 and the third mirror 323 are accommodated in the second frame 312.

  The document conveyance unit 70 is connected to the reading unit 301 so as to be opened and closed by a connection unit (not shown). The document transport unit 70 has a document placement unit 71 on the upper side, and a feed roller (not shown) inside. The document conveying unit 70 has a function of protecting the first reading surface 302A and the second reading surface 302B of the reading unit 301.

  The first reading surface 302 </ b> A is a reading surface used when reading the document G conveyed by the document conveying unit 70. First reading surface 302A is formed along the upper surface of first contact glass 335A on which document G is conveyed. The first reading surface 302A is located near the left side surface of the housing 306. Note that this position shown in FIG. 1 is also referred to as a “first reading position”.

The second reading surface 302 </ b> B is a reading surface used when reading the document G without using the document transport unit 70. The second reading surface 302B is formed along the upper surface of the second contact glass 335B on which the document G is placed. The second reading surface 302B is on the right side of the first reading surface 302A and extends over most of the sub-scanning direction X in the reading unit 301.
The first reading surface 302A and the second reading surface 302B extend in a direction orthogonal to the sub-scanning direction X and the main scanning direction Y.

  When reading the document G conveyed by the document conveyance unit 70, the document G is placed on the document placement unit 71. The document G placed on the document placement unit 71 is conveyed to the first reading surface 302 </ b> A of the reading unit 301 by the feed roller provided inside the document conveying unit 70. In this case, the first frame body 311 and the second frame body 312 are arranged at the first reading position and do not move. Then, the original G is conveyed by the original conveying unit 70 so as to slide on the first reading surface 302A, and an image formed on the surface of the original G is read by the CCD 358 as a reading device.

  Further, when the document conveying unit 70 is in an open state, the document G is placed on the second reading surface 302B. In this case, each of the first frame body 311 and the second frame body 312 moves in the sub-scanning direction X while keeping the length of an optical path H (optical path length) to be described later constant. Thereby, the image of the original G placed on the second reading surface 302B is read.

  In the internal space 304 of the housing 306, the plurality of mirrors 321, 322, and 323 form an optical path H for allowing light from the original G to enter the imaging lens 357. In addition, the first frame 311 moves at a constant speed A in the sub-scanning direction X, and the second frame 312 moves at a constant speed A / 2 in the sub-scanning direction X. The length of H is kept constant. Details of the reading unit 301 will be described later.

Next, the apparatus main body M will be described.
The main body M of the apparatus forms an image forming unit GK that forms a predetermined toner image on the paper T based on predetermined image information, and feeds the paper T to the image forming unit GK and discharges the paper T on which the toner image is formed. A paper supply / discharge unit KH for paper.
The outer shape of the apparatus main body M is configured by a case body BD as a casing.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming unit GK includes photosensitive drums 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d as image carriers (photosensitive members), charging units 10a, 10b, 10c, and 10d, and a laser as an exposure unit. Scanner units 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, developing devices 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, toner cartridges 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, toner supply units 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, drum cleaning unit 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, static eliminators 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, intermediate transfer belt 7, primary transfer rollers 37a, 37b, 37c, 37d, secondary transfer roller 8, counter roller 18, fixing Part 9.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the paper feed / discharge unit KH includes a paper feed cassette 52, a manual paper feed unit 64, a conveyance path L for paper T, a registration roller pair 80, a first paper discharge unit 50a, 2 paper discharge unit 50b. As will be described later, the transport path L includes a first transport path L1, a second transport path L2, a third transport path L3, a manual transport path La, a return transport path Lb, and a post-processing transport path Lc. Is a collection of

Hereinafter, each configuration of the image forming unit GK and the paper supply / discharge unit KH will be described in detail.
First, the image forming unit GK will be described.
In the image forming unit GK, charging by the charging units 10a, 10b, 10c, and 10d in order from the upstream side to the downstream side in order along the surface of each of the photosensitive drums 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d, the laser scanner unit 4a, Exposure by 4b, 4c, 4d, development by developing devices 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, primary transfer by intermediate transfer belt 7 and primary transfer rollers 37a, 37b, 37c, 37d, static eliminators 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d Is eliminated, and cleaning is performed by the drum cleaning units 11a, 11b, 11c, and 11d.
In the image forming unit GK, the secondary transfer by the intermediate transfer belt 7, the secondary transfer roller 8 and the opposing roller 18 and the fixing by the fixing unit 9 are performed.

  Each of the photosensitive drums 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d is formed of a cylindrical member and functions as a photosensitive member or an image carrier. Each of the photosensitive drums 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d is disposed so as to be rotatable in the direction of an arrow about a rotation axis that extends in a direction orthogonal to the traveling direction of the intermediate transfer belt 7. An electrostatic latent image can be formed on the surface of each of the photosensitive drums 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d. That is, the photosensitive drums 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d are formed with toner images on the surfaces by developing the electrostatic latent images formed on the surfaces with toner.

  Each of the charging units 10a, 10b, 10c, and 10d is disposed to face the surface of each of the photosensitive drums 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d. Each of the charging units 10a, 10b, 10c, and 10d uniformly charges the surface of each of the photosensitive drums 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d negatively (minus polarity) or positively (plus polarity).

  The laser scanner units 4a, 4b, 4c, and 4d function as exposure units, and are spaced apart from the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d. Each of the laser scanner units 4a, 4b, 4c, and 4d includes a laser light source (not shown), a polygon mirror, a polygon mirror driving motor, and the like.

  Each of the laser scanner units 4a, 4b, 4c, and 4d scans and exposes the surface of each of the photosensitive drums 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d based on image information related to the image read by the reading unit 301. The scanning exposure is performed by each of the laser scanner units 4a, 4b, 4c, and 4d, thereby removing the charges on the exposed portions of the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d. Thereby, electrostatic latent images are formed on the respective surfaces of the photosensitive drums 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d.

  The developing devices 16a, 16b, 16c, and 16d as developing units have a stirring unit that stirs the supplied toner, and supplies the toner stirred by the stirring unit to the photosensitive drums 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d. That is, the developing devices 16a, 16b, 16c, and 16d are provided corresponding to the photosensitive drums 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d, respectively, and are disposed to face the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d. The Each of the developing devices 16a, 16b, 16c, and 16d attaches the toner of each color to the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of each of the photosensitive drums 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d, and converts the color toner image into the photosensitive drum. 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d are formed on the respective surfaces. Each of the developing devices 16a, 16b, 16c, and 16d corresponds to four colors of yellow, cyan, magenta, and black. Each of the developing devices 16a, 16b, 16c, and 16d includes a developing roller disposed opposite to the surface of the photosensitive drums 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d, a stirring roller for stirring the toner, and the like.

  Each of the toner cartridges 5a, 5b, 5c, and 5d is provided corresponding to each of the developing devices 16a, 16b, 16c, and 16d, and each color toner supplied to each of the developing devices 16a, 16b, 16c, and 16d. To accommodate. Each of the toner cartridges 5a, 5b, 5c, and 5d accommodates yellow toner, cyan toner, magenta toner, and black toner. Each of such toner cartridges 5a, 5b, 5c, and 5d includes a memory 501 (corresponding to the “cartridge storage unit” of the present invention, see FIG. 4) and toner supply units 6a, 6b, 6c, and 6d. . The memory 501 stores supply amount information regarding the toner supply amount. Details of the supply amount information will be described later.

  The toner supply units 6a, 6b, 6c, and 6d are provided corresponding to the toner cartridges 5a, 5b, 5c, and 5d and the developing devices 16a, 16b, 16c, and 16d, respectively. The toners of the respective colors accommodated in 5d are supplied to the developing devices 16a, 16b, 16c, and 16d, respectively. Each of the toner supply units 6a, 6b, 6c, and 6d and each of the developing devices 16a, 16b, 16c, and 16d are connected by a toner supply path (not shown).

  To the intermediate transfer belt 7, the toner images of the respective colors formed on the photosensitive drums 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d are sequentially primary-transferred. The intermediate transfer belt 7 is stretched over a driven roller 35, a counter roller 18 including a driving roller, a tension roller 36, and the like. Since the tension roller 36 biases the intermediate transfer belt 7 from the inside to the outside, a predetermined tension is applied to the intermediate transfer belt 7.

  Primary transfer rollers 37a, 37b, 37c, and 37d are arranged to face each other on the side opposite to the photosensitive drums 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d with the intermediate transfer belt 7 interposed therebetween.

  The predetermined portion of the intermediate transfer belt 7 is sandwiched between the primary transfer rollers 37a, 37b, 37c, and 37d and the photosensitive drums 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d, respectively. The predetermined portion thus sandwiched is pressed against the surface of each of the photosensitive drums 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d. Primary transfer nips N1a, N1b, N1c, and N1d are formed between the photosensitive drums 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d and the primary transfer rollers 37a, 37b, 37c, and 37d, respectively. In each of the primary transfer nips N1a, N1b, N1c, and N1d, the toner images of the respective colors developed on the photosensitive drums 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d are sequentially primary-transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 7, respectively. As a result, a full-color toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 7.

  To the primary transfer rollers 37a, 37b, 37c, and 37d, toner images of the respective colors formed on the photosensitive drums 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d are respectively transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 7 by a primary transfer bias applying unit (not shown). A primary transfer bias for transferring the toner image is applied.

  The static eliminators 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d are arranged to face the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d, respectively. The static eliminators 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d respectively irradiate the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d to irradiate light, and the photosensitive drums 2a, 2b, and 2c after primary transfer is performed. 2d, each surface is neutralized (charge is removed).

  The drum cleaning units 11a, 11b, 11c, and 11d are disposed to face the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d, respectively. Each of the drum cleaning units 11a, 11b, 11c, and 11d removes toner and adhering matter remaining on the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d, and conveys the removed toner to a predetermined recovery mechanism. And collect it.

  The secondary transfer roller 8 secondarily transfers the full-color toner image primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 7 onto the paper T. A secondary transfer bias for transferring a full color toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 7 to the paper T is applied to the secondary transfer roller 8 by a secondary transfer bias applying unit (not shown).

  The secondary transfer roller 8 contacts or separates from the intermediate transfer belt 7. Specifically, the secondary transfer roller 8 is configured to be movable between a contact position where the secondary transfer roller 8 is in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 7 and a separation position where the secondary transfer roller 8 is separated from the intermediate transfer belt 7. Specifically, the secondary transfer roller 8 is disposed at a contact position when the full-color toner image primarily transferred onto the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 7 is secondarily transferred to the paper T, and in other cases. It is arranged at a separated position.

  A counter roller 18 is disposed on the opposite side of the intermediate transfer belt 7 from the secondary transfer roller 8. A predetermined portion of the intermediate transfer belt 7 is sandwiched between the secondary transfer roller 8 and the counter roller 18. Then, the paper T is pressed against the outer surface of the intermediate transfer belt 7 (the surface on which the toner image is primarily transferred). A secondary transfer nip N <b> 2 is formed between the intermediate transfer belt 7 and the secondary transfer roller 8. In the secondary transfer nip N2, the full-color toner image primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 7 is secondarily transferred to the paper T.

  The fixing unit 9 melts and presses the toner of each color constituting the toner image secondarily transferred onto the paper T and fixes the toner on the paper T. The fixing unit 9 includes a heating rotator 9a heated by a heater and a pressure rotator 9b pressed against the heating rotator 9a. The heating rotator 9a and the pressure rotator 9b sandwich and pressurize the paper T onto which the toner image has been secondarily transferred, and convey the paper T. By transporting the paper T while being sandwiched between the heating rotator 9a and the pressure rotator 9b, the toner transferred to the paper T is fixed to the paper T by being melted and pressurized. The

Next, the paper supply / discharge unit KH will be described.
As shown in FIG. 1, in the lower part of the apparatus main body M, two paper feed cassettes 52 that store paper T are arranged in an up-down direction. The paper feed cassette 52 is configured to be pulled out from the housing of the apparatus main body M in the horizontal direction. In the paper feed cassette 52, a placement plate 60 on which the paper T is placed is disposed. In the paper feed cassette 52, the paper T is stored in a state of being stacked on the placement plate 60. The paper T placed on the placement plate 60 is sent out to the transport path L by the cassette paper feed unit 51 arranged at the end of the paper feed cassette 52 on the paper feed side (the left end in FIG. 1). The cassette paper feed unit 51 includes a forward feed roller 61 for taking out the paper T on the placement plate 60 and a paper feed roller pair 63 for feeding the paper T one by one to the transport path L. Is provided.

  A manual paper feed unit 64 is provided on the right side surface (right side in FIG. 1) of the apparatus main body M. The manual paper feed unit 64 is provided mainly for supplying the apparatus main body M with a paper T of a size and type different from the paper T set in the paper feed cassette 52. The manual paper feed unit 64 includes a manual feed tray 65 that forms part of the right side surface of the apparatus main body M in the closed state, and a paper feed roller 66. The manual feed tray 65 is attached at its lower end to the apparatus body M in the vicinity of the paper feed roller 66 so as to be rotatable (openable and closable). The paper T is placed on the open manual feed tray 65. The paper feed roller 66 feeds the paper T placed on the open manual feed tray 65 to the manual feed path La.

  A first paper discharge unit 50 a and a second paper discharge unit 50 b are provided on the upper side of the apparatus main body M. The first paper discharge unit 50a and the second paper discharge unit 50b discharge the paper T to the outside of the apparatus main body M. Details of the first paper discharge unit 50a and the second paper discharge unit 50b will be described later.

  The conveyance path L for conveying the paper T includes a first conveyance path L1 from the cassette paper feeding unit 51 to the secondary transfer nip N2, a second conveyance path L2 from the secondary transfer nip N2 to the fixing unit 9, and a fixing unit. 9 to the first paper discharge section 50a, the manual conveyance path La for joining the paper supplied from the manual paper feed section 64 to the first conveyance path L1, and the third conveyance path L3 on the upstream side. The paper transported from the upstream side to the downstream side is reversed and returned to the first transport path L1, and the paper transporting the third transport path L3 from the upstream side to the downstream side is connected to the second paper discharge unit 50b. And a post-processing transport path Lc for transporting to a post-processing apparatus (not shown).

Moreover, the 1st junction part P1 and the 2nd junction part P2 are provided in the middle of the 1st conveyance path L1. A first branch portion Q1 is provided in the middle of the third transport path L3.
The first joining part P1 is a joining part where the manual feed path La joins the first transport path L1. The second junction P2 is a junction where the return conveyance path Lb merges with the first conveyance path L1.
The first branch portion Q1 is a branch portion where the post-processing transport path Lc branches from the third transport path L3. A rectifying member 58 is provided in the first branch portion Q1. The rectifying member 58 rectifies the transport direction of the paper T carried out from the fixing unit 9 to the third transport path L3 toward the first paper discharge section 50a or the post-processing transport path Lc toward the second paper discharge section 50b ( Switch).

  In the middle of the first transport path L1 (specifically, between the second joining portion P2 and the secondary transfer roller 8), a sensor for detecting the paper T and correction of skew (oblique paper feeding) of the paper T In addition, a registration roller pair 80 for aligning the timing of the toner image formation and the conveyance of the paper T in the image forming unit GK is disposed. The sensor is disposed immediately before the registration roller pair 80 in the transport direction of the paper T (upstream in the transport direction). The registration roller pair 80 is a pair of rollers that convey the paper T by performing the above-described correction and timing adjustment based on detection signal information from the sensor.

  The return conveyance path Lb is a conveyance path that is provided to make the opposite surface (unprinted surface) opposite to the already printed surface to the intermediate transfer belt 7 when performing duplex printing on the paper T. According to the return transport path Lb, the paper T transported from the first branching section Q1 to the paper discharge section 50 is turned upside down and returned to the first transport path L1, and is disposed upstream of the secondary transfer roller 8. It can be conveyed upstream of the registration roller pair 80. A predetermined toner image is transferred onto the unprinted surface in the secondary transfer nip N2 on the paper T that is reversed upside down by the return conveyance path Lb.

  A first paper discharge unit 50a is formed at the end of the third transport path L3. The first paper discharge unit 50 a is disposed on the upper side of the apparatus main body M. The first paper discharge unit 50a opens toward the right side of the apparatus main body M (the right side in FIG. 1, the manual paper feed unit 64 side). The first paper discharge unit 50a discharges the paper T transported through the third transport path L3 to the outside of the apparatus main body M.

  On the opening side of the first paper discharge section 50a, a paper discharge stacking section M1 is formed. The paper discharge stacking unit M1 is formed on the upper surface (outer surface) of the apparatus main body M. The paper discharge stacking unit M1 is a part formed by the upper surface of the apparatus main body M being depressed downward. The bottom surface of the paper discharge stacking unit M1 constitutes a part of the top surface of the apparatus main body M. In the paper discharge stacking unit M1, sheets T formed with a predetermined toner image and discharged from the first paper discharge unit 50a are stacked and stacked.

A second paper discharge unit 50b is formed at the end of the post-processing conveyance path Lc. The second paper discharge unit 50b is disposed on the upper side of the apparatus main body M. The second paper discharge section 50b opens toward the left side of the apparatus main body M (left side in FIG. 1, the side to which the post-processing apparatus is connected). The second paper discharge unit 50b discharges the paper T conveyed through the post-processing conveyance path Lc to the outside of the apparatus main body M.
A post-processing device (not shown) is connected to the opening side of the second paper discharge unit 50b. The post-processing device performs post-processing (stapling, punching, etc.) of paper ejected from the image forming apparatus (copy machine 1).
A sheet detection sensor is disposed at a predetermined position in each conveyance path.

Next, a paper jam (JAM) in the main transport path L1 to L3 (the first transport path L1, the second transport path L2, and the third transport path L3 are collectively referred to as “main transport path” hereinafter) and the return transport path Lb. A structure for eliminating the problem will be briefly described.
As shown in FIG. 1, on the left side surface (left side in FIG. 1) of the apparatus main body M, main conveyance paths L1 to L3 and a return conveyance path Lb are arranged in parallel so as to mainly extend in the vertical direction. A cover body 40 is provided on the left side of the apparatus body M (left side in FIG. 1) so as to form a part of the side surface of the apparatus body M. The cover body 40 is connected to the apparatus main body M via a fulcrum shaft 43 at the lower end thereof. The fulcrum shaft 43 is disposed along the direction in which the axial direction crosses the main transport paths L1 to L3 and the return transport path Lb. The cover body 40 is configured to be rotatable between a closed position (position shown in FIG. 1) and an open position (not shown) with the fulcrum shaft 43 as a center.

  The cover body 40 includes a first cover portion 41 that is rotatably connected to the apparatus main body M by a fulcrum shaft 43, and a second cover portion 42 that is rotatably connected to the apparatus main body M by the same fulcrum shaft 43. It consists of and. The first cover portion 41 is located on the outer side (side surface side) of the apparatus main body M than the second cover portion 42. In FIG. 1, the hatched portion with the left-down dashed line is the first cover portion 41, and the hatched portion with the right-down dashed line is the second cover portion 42.

In the state where the cover body 40 is located at the closed position, the outer surface side of the first cover portion 41 forms a part of the outer surface (side surface) of the apparatus main body M.
Further, in the state where the cover body 40 is located at the closed position, the inner surface side (the apparatus main body M side) of the second cover portion 42 forms a part of the main transport paths L1 to L3.
Further, in a state where the cover body 40 is located at the closed position, the inner surface side of the first cover portion 41 and the outer surface side of the second cover portion 42 form at least a part of the return conveyance path Lb. That is, the return conveyance path Lb is formed between the first cover part 41 and the second cover part 42.

  The copying machine 1 of the present embodiment includes the cover body 40 having such a configuration, so that when a paper jam (JAM) occurs in the main transport paths L1 to L3, the cover body 40 is closed as shown in FIG. By rotating from the position to an open position (not shown) to open the main transport paths L1 to L3, it is possible to process paper jammed in the main transport paths L1 to L3. On the other hand, when a paper jam occurs in the return conveyance path Lb, the cover body 40 is rotated to the open position, and then the second cover portion 42 is moved to the apparatus main body M side (right side in FIG. ) To open the return conveyance path Lb, the paper jammed in the return conveyance path Lb can be processed.

Next, the developing device will be described. Although the copying machine 1 includes four developing units 16a, 16b, 16c, and 16d, each of the developing units 16a, 16b, 16c, and 16d has the same configuration. Therefore, the developing unit 16a will be described as a representative here.
FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the developing device 16a and the photosensitive drum 2a.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the developing device 16 a includes a developing container 110 that contains toner, stirring rollers 120 a and 120 b as stirring units disposed inside the developing container 110, and one stirring roller 120 a in the vertical direction. The magnetic roller 130 disposed above, the layer thickness regulating blade 140 disposed close to the magnetic roller 130, the scattered toner capturing cover 141 disposed above the layer thickness regulating blade 140 in the vertical direction, and the magnetic roller 130, a developing roller 150 disposed opposite to 130, and a voltage application unit 401.

To the developing container 110, toner is supplied from a toner cartridge 5a (see FIG. 1) via a toner supply unit 6a (see FIG. 1).
Agitation rollers 120 a and 120 b agitate the toner stored in the developing container 110.
The magnetic roller 130 supplies the agitated toner to the developing roller 150.

The layer thickness regulating blade 140 regulates the layer thickness (height) of the toner held on the surface of the magnetic roller 130 by causing the tip portion to face and approach the surface of the magnetic roller 130 to keep the layer thickness constant. Keep on.
The scattered toner capturing cover 141 is a member that constitutes a part of the case body of the developing device 16a. The scattered toner capturing cover 141 is disposed above the layer thickness regulating blade 140 and suppresses the toner from being scattered outside the developing device 16a.
A toner layer is formed on the surface of the developing roller 150 by carrying the toner supplied from the magnetic roller 130. A bias voltage in which direct current and alternating current are superimposed is applied to the developing roller 150 from the voltage application unit 401. The developing roller 150 develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 2a because the toner carried on the surface moves to the photosensitive drum 2a when the bias voltage is applied.

Hereinafter, characteristic portions of the copying machine 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
First, the amount of falling toner of different types will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the toner fall amount. FIG. 3 shows the result of examining the time from the start of dropping until the predetermined container is emptied with a drop amount measuring device after dropping a predetermined amount of toner stored in the predetermined container. In the measurement, the number of grams of toner dropped per 2 minutes when the driving of the motor for dropping the toner (driving time 125 msec) / non-driving was repeated was examined. The motor is driven 90 times per 2 minutes. The toner to be measured is a conventional toner using petroleum as a raw material and a bio toner using vegetable oil as a raw material. As a result of the measurement, the conventional toner dropped 4.5 g per 2 minutes. On the other hand, 3.9 g of biotoner dropped per 2 minutes.

  When an image having a printing rate of 10% is formed on one A4 size paper T, the amount of toner necessary for image formation is 50 mg. In this case, a conventional copier using toner controls the toner supply unit for, for example, 125 msec based on the result of the fall amount, that is, supply that supplies toner from the toner cartridge to the developing device. It is necessary to drive the motor. On the other hand, a copy machine using bio-toner needs to control a toner supply unit for 144 msec, for example, based on the amount of fall, that is, to drive a supply motor that supplies toner from a toner cartridge to a developing device. There is.

  The copying machine 1 according to the present embodiment adjusts the amount (supply time) of supplying toner for each toner based on the toner characteristics (falling amount) as described above, so that the image can be recorded regardless of the type of toner. An amount of toner necessary for formation is supplied from the toner cartridge 5 to the developing device 16.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram for explaining a schematic functional configuration of the copy machine 1.
The copying machine 1 includes an information reading unit 405 and a control unit 406 in addition to the configuration described above. Hereinafter, the toner cartridges 5a, 5b, 5c, and 5d will be described as the toner cartridge 5. The toner supply units 6a, 6b, 6c, and 6d will be described as the toner supply unit 6. The developing devices 16a, 16b, 16c, and 16d will be described as the developing device 16.

  The information reading unit 405 reads supply amount information stored in the memory 501. The information reading unit 405 reads supply amount information stored in the memory 501 when the toner cartridge 5 is replaced. The supply amount information is information relating to the supply amount of toner supplied from the toner cartridge 5 to the developing device 16. As a specific example, the supply amount information is information on the supply amount of toner per rotation speed of the supply motor 601 that operates the toner supply unit 6 when toner is supplied from the toner cartridge 5 to the developing device 16. is there. The supply motor 601 is a motor for supplying toner from the toner cartridge 5 to the developing device 16.

  The control unit 406 controls the toner supply unit 6 to adjust the amount of toner supplied from the toner cartridge 5 to the developing device 16 based on the supply amount information read by the information reading unit 405.

For example, the control unit 406 performs the following control. The control unit 406 has information regarding the supply amount (reference supply amount) of the reference toner per rotation number of the supply motor 601. When the information reading unit 405 reads the supply amount information, the control unit 406 compares the toner supply amount based on the supply amount information with the reference supply amount.
When the toner supply amount is smaller than the reference supply amount, the control unit 406 makes the supply time for supplying the toner from the toner cartridge 5 to the developing device 16 longer than the reference, or the rotation of the supply motor 601. The toner supply unit 6 is controlled so that the number is larger than the reference. The supply time or the rotation speed is set according to the difference between the toner supply amount and the reference supply amount. Accordingly, the control unit 406 determines the toner supply amount (total amount) supplied from the toner cartridge 5 to the developing device 16 based on the reference supply amount even when the toner supply amount is smaller than the reference supply amount. The supply amount (total amount) of the reference toner supplied from 5 to the developing device 16 can be made comparable.

  On the other hand, when the supply amount of the toner is larger than the reference supply amount, the control unit 406 shortens the supply time for supplying the toner from the toner cartridge 5 to the developing device 16 below the reference, or the supply motor 601. The toner supply unit 6 is controlled so that the number of rotations is less than the reference. The supply time or the rotation speed is set according to the difference between the toner supply amount and the reference supply amount. Accordingly, the control unit 406 determines the toner supply amount (total amount) supplied from the toner cartridge 5 to the developing device 16 based on the reference supply amount even when the toner supply amount is larger than the reference supply amount. The supply amount (total amount) of the reference toner supplied from 5 to the developing device 16 can be made comparable.

The control unit 406 controls the stirring rollers 120a and 120b so as to adjust the time for stirring the toner stored in the developing device 16 based on the supply amount information read by the information reading unit 405 and the replacement rate. .
The replacement rate is a ratio between the first toner and the second toner when the first toner stored in the developing device 16 is replaced with a second toner different from the first toner. For example, the first toner is a conventional toner made from petroleum. For example, the second toner is a bio-toner using vegetable oil as a raw material. The replacement rate is stored in the storage unit 403. Details of the replacement rate will be described later.

  For example, the control unit 406 performs the following control. The control unit 406 has information on the time (reference stirring time) for stirring the reference toner by the stirring rollers 120a and 120b when the reference toner is supplied to the developing device 16. When the information reading unit 405 reads the supply amount information, the control unit 406 compares the toner supply amount based on the supply amount information with the reference supply amount. When the supply amount of toner is smaller than the reference supply amount, the control unit 406 controls the stirring rollers 120a and 120b so as to lengthen the time for stirring the toner according to the replacement rate. For example, when the toner supply amount is smaller than the reference supply amount, the control unit 406 sets the replacement rate based on the print rate obtained based on the image information and the image formation number (integrated image formation number). The stirring rollers 120a and 120b are controlled so as to lengthen the time for stirring the toner according to the acquired replacement rate. As a specific example, when the reference stirring time is 60 seconds, the control unit 406 sets the switching rate to 0% and the stirring time to 60 seconds, sets the switching rate to 50% and sets the stirring time to 75 seconds, and changes the switching rate. The agitation rollers 120a and 120b are controlled so that the agitation time is 90 seconds with 100%. As a result, even when toner with poor fluidity such that the supply amount is smaller than the reference supply amount is supplied from the toner cartridge 5 to the developing device 16, the control unit 406 performs characteristics caused by stirring, for example, the toner The charge amount and the like can be set to the same level as the charge amount of the reference toner.

Next, the replacement rate will be described.
The replacement rate indicates that when the toner cartridge 5 containing the first toner is replaced with the toner cartridge 5 containing the second toner, the first toner contained in the developing device 16 is consumed along with image formation. This is the ratio when the toner in the developing device 16 is replaced when the second toner is supplied to the developing device 16.

  The replacement rate is obtained from the toner replenishment amount obtained based on the amount of toner stored in the developing device 16 and the integrated printing rate after the toner cartridge 5 is replaced. Further, the replacement rate may be obtained based on the color difference (ΔE).

  A method for obtaining the replacement rate based on the color difference (ΔE) is as follows. The replacement rate is obtained based on the color difference (ΔE1) between the first image and the second image and the color difference (ΔE2) between the third image and the second image. The first image is an image when a toner image based only on the first toner is transferred to the paper T. The second image is an image when a toner image based only on the second toner is transferred to the paper T. The third image is an image when a toner image based on the first toner and the second toner is transferred to the paper T. The third image is an image when a toner image is formed with a toner obtained by mixing the first toner and the second toner, and the toner image is transferred to the paper T. More specifically, the replacement rate is obtained by 100 − ((ΔE1 / ΔE2) × 100).

  The replacement rate is a printing rate which is a rate at which an image is formed on the paper T when the toner image is transferred to the paper T, the temperature and humidity of the environment where the copier 1 is arranged, and the toner stored in the developing device 16. Depending on the concentration of FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the replacement rate according to the printing rate and the number of formed images. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a correction value of the replacement rate according to temperature and humidity. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a correction value of the replacement rate according to T / C (toner / carrier).

  A specific example of the replacement rate obtained based on the color difference is as shown in FIG. Here, the conditions for obtaining the replacement rate shown in FIG. 5 are as follows. That is, the printing rate is 10 to 100%, the environment is a laboratory environment, the number of image formations (total number of image formations) is 100, and the amount of the first toner stored in the developing device 16 is 15 g. When the printing rate is 10%, 40 mg of toner is consumed. FIG. 5 shows that the replacement rate is small when the printing rate is small and the number of images formed is small. FIG. 5 shows that the replacement rate is large when the printing rate is large and the number of images formed is large. Here, in the case of the printing rate or the number of formed images not shown in FIG. 5, the replacement rate can be obtained by performing proportional calculation from the replacement rate shown in FIG.

  The replacement rate is corrected according to the temperature and humidity of the copying machine 1. The correction values corresponding to the temperature and humidity are as shown in FIG. When the temperature is low and the humidity is low, the correction value is a value that decreases the replacement rate. When the temperature is high and the humidity is high, the correction value is a value that increases the replacement rate.

  The replacement rate is corrected according to T / C (toner / carrier) accommodated in the developing device 16. T / C is the ratio of the weight of the toner accommodated in the developing device 16 and the weight of the carrier when the developer accommodated in the developing device 16 is two components. The correction value corresponding to T / C is as shown in FIG. T / C is obtained based on the density of the toner in the developing device 16 measured by a density sensor (not shown). When T / C is small, the correction value is a value that decreases the replacement rate. When T / C is large, the correction value is a value that increases the replacement rate.

As described above, according to the copying machine 1 of the present embodiment, the following effects are produced.
That is, the copier 1 of the present embodiment adjusts the amount of toner supplied from the toner cartridge 5 to the developing device 16 based on the supply amount information. As a result, even when the toner cartridge 5 containing another toner different from the standard toner is arranged in the copying machine 1, the supply amount (total amount) of another toner supplied to the developing device 16 is the supply of the standard toner. Since the amount is almost the same as the amount (total amount), it is possible to suppress the occurrence of problems relating to development characteristics such as a shortage of toner necessary for development. That is, the copying machine 1 can stabilize the image quality of the image formed on the paper T because the toner density in the developing device 16 does not vary between the standard toner and another toner.

  The copying machine 1 adjusts the time for stirring the toner stored in the developing device 16 based on the supply amount information and the replacement rate. As a result, the copying machine 1 can sufficiently stir the toner even when toners having different fluidity are mixed in the developing device 16, and the characteristics and the like resulting from the stirring can be made comparable to those of the standard toner. .

  The replacement rate is obtained based on the color difference between the first image and the second image and the color difference between the third image and the second image. That is, the replacement rate is obtained based on an image formed on the paper T by using the first toner and the second toner. For this reason, the value of the replacement rate can be set in accordance with the actual situation.

  The replacement rate is obtained in accordance with the printing rate, which is the rate at which a toner image is formed on the paper T, the temperature / humidity of the copier 1, or the density (T / C) of the toner stored in the developing device 16. Thereby, the value of the replacement rate can be set to a value in accordance with the environment in which the copier 1 is installed or the conditions for forming an image.

In addition, this invention is not limited to embodiment mentioned above, It can implement with a various form.
The copier 1 of the present embodiment is a color copier, but is not limited to this form and may be a monochrome copier.
In the copying machine 1 of the present embodiment, the toner image is transferred to the paper T via the intermediate transfer belt 48 (indirect transfer method). However, the present invention is not limited to this form, and is formed on the photosensitive drum. The transferred toner image may be directly transferred to the paper T (direct transfer method).
The copier 1 of the present embodiment is configured to print both sides of the paper T, but is not limited to this, and may be configured to print only one side of the paper.

Further, the image forming apparatus of the present invention is not limited to the copying machine 1 described above. In other words, the image forming apparatus of the present invention may be a multi-function machine having a copy function, a facsimile function, a printer function, and a scanner function, or may be a facsimile or a printer.
The transfer material on which the toner image is fixed by the image forming apparatus of the present invention is not limited to the paper T, and may be a film sheet such as an OHP (overhead projector) sheet.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Copy machine (image forming apparatus), 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d ... Photosensitive drum (image carrier), 5 (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d) ... Toner cartridge, 6 (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) ) ... toner supply unit, 16 (16a, 16b, 16c, 16d) ... developer (development unit), 120a, 120b ... stirring roller (stirring unit), 405 ... information reading unit, 406 ... control unit, 501 ... memory ( Cartridge storage unit)

Claims (4)

An electrostatic latent image formed on the surface is developed with toner, whereby an image carrier on which a toner image is formed;
A developing unit that stirs the toner with a stirring roller and supplies the stirred toner to the image carrier;
A cartridge storage unit for storing toner, wherein the cartridge storage unit stores supply amount information relating to a supply amount of toner supplied from the toner cartridge to the developing unit;
The toner cartridge having a toner supply unit that supplies toner to be stored to the developing unit;
An information reading unit for reading the supply amount information stored in the cartridge storage unit;
A control unit that controls the toner supply unit so as to adjust the amount of toner supplied from the toner cartridge to the developing unit based on the supply amount information read by the information reading unit;
The control unit controls the agitation roller to adjust a time for agitating the toner stored in the developing unit based on the supply amount information read by the information reading unit and a replacement rate,
The replacement rate is a ratio of the first toner and the second toner when the first toner as the toner accommodated in the developing unit is replaced with the second toner as the toner different from the first toner. The
The controller is
The printing rate, which is the rate at which an image is formed on the paper by transferring the toner image to the paper, and the replacement rate according to the number of images formed, and the replacement corrected by the correction value according to the temperature and humidity Depending on the rate, the stirring roller is controlled to change the time for stirring the toner,
When the supply amount of the toner supplied from the toner cartridge to the developing unit is smaller than a reference supply amount, the stirring roller is controlled to lengthen the time for stirring the toner according to the replacement rate. > Image forming device. Further, the agitation time of the agitation roller is lengthened in accordance with the change rate corrected with a correction value corresponding to the weight ratio (toner / carrier) of the toner and carrier contained in the developing unit.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The correction value according to the temperature and humidity is a value that decreases the replacement rate when the temperature is low and the humidity is low, and increases when the temperature is high and the humidity is high. The value to be
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. When the toner-carrier weight ratio (toner / carrier) contained in the developing unit is small, the correction value corresponding to the toner-carrier weight ratio (toner / carrier) is a value that reduces the replacement rate. When the weight ratio of the toner and the carrier (toner / carrier) is large, the correction value corresponding to the weight ratio of the toner and the carrier (toner / carrier) is a value that increases the replacement rate.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2.

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