JPH06324608A - Method for detecting amount of developer recovered by cleaning and image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Object] To calculate the amount of collected toner collected from the photoconductor 1 by the cleaning device 7 and stored in the toner recovery container 73 based on the amount of developer consumed from the developing device 3. , The change in the transfer rate according to the image ratio of the image to be formed is reflected so that an accurate calculation can be performed. [Structure] In order to calculate the amount of cleaning recovery toner in consideration of the change in the agent recovery rate due to the image ratio, the number of copies per cartridge 36 is counted as a substitute characteristic such as the image ratio, and the number of copies is calculated. The amount of toner collected for cleaning per one cartridge 36 is calculated using this.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile and a printer, and more specifically, a cleaning and collecting developer in an image forming apparatus for cleaning and collecting residual developer on an image carrier. It relates to a detection method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as an image forming apparatus of this type, the residual developer on the image bearing member is cleaned and collected, and is placed in a collecting container such as a casing of the cleaning device or a container detachably attached to the casing. It is known to store things. When such a collection container is filled with the collected developer, the collected developer, which cannot be contained in the container, leaks from the opening portion of the cleaning device facing the image carrier and stains around the image carrier. . For this reason, it is detected that the collection container is full or close to it by using the total amount of collected developer detecting means such as a piezoelectric sensor provided in the container, and Display, etc.,
The operator is urged to remove or clean the collected developer from the collection container or replace the collection container itself.

Further, unlike the direct detection of the total amount of collected developer using such a piezoelectric sensor, an image forming apparatus for obtaining the total amount of collected developer by calculation using various information in the image forming apparatus is also proposed. Has been done. For example, the total amount of collected developer is obtained from the number of rotations of the image bearing member and the time (for example, JP-A-59-26774 and JP-A-59-2677).
No. 5, No. 59-36276, JP-A-2-62579), a method for obtaining the total amount of collected developer from the number of times of image formation (see, for example, JP-A-63-30878), from the hopper of the developing device to the inside of the developing device. A method in which the total amount of recovered developer is obtained from the amount of developer replenished to the developer and the amount of developer used in the developing device (for example, JP-A-62-159171 and JP-A-1-155).
No. 383), the total amount of collected developer is obtained from the number of times of replacement of a replenishment developer container containing a developer to be replenished to a developing device (for example, JP-A-60-15668 and 64-64).
4787, Actual Kaihei 1-79071, JP-A-3-1665.
No. 71, 4-109256), a method for obtaining the total amount of collected developer from the number of dots of an image and the light emission time of a digital optical system (for example, JP-A-62-105180 and 62-62).
-106477, 63-247783, JP-A-2-2
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 93886) has been proposed. In these image forming apparatuses, the cost can be reduced because the piezoelectric sensor is not used, and a defect due to erroneous detection due to insufficient sensor accuracy can be avoided.

[0004]

However, the amount of developer adhering to the image carrier during development differs depending on the image to be formed, and the amount of developer adhering to the image carrier may affect cleaning. Since the amount of collected developer is different,
If the total amount of collected developer is obtained only from the number of rotations or time of the image carrier or the number of times of image formation as in the above or the related art, the total amount of collected developer cannot be accurately obtained. In this regard, in the above or the related art, since the total amount of collected developer is obtained in a manner that reflects the amount of developer that adheres to the image carrier during development to some extent, the total amount of collected developer can be relatively accurately determined. You can ask.

However, according to the study by the present inventor, the total amount of the recovered developer is obtained in a manner that the amount of the developer attached to the image bearing member by the development is reflected to some extent as in the above-mentioned or prior art. Even when the collection container is full, the prediction of the time when the collection container will be full is incorrect, and the display of full when it is not full is displayed, or conversely, the display of full is delayed and the collection agent leaks from the opening of the cleaning device. It turns out that there is a risk of doing so.

Then, when the cause was carefully studied,
An image that not only differs in the amount of developer that adheres to the image bearing member during development depending on the image formed, but also the ratio of the total area of the developer adhered part (character part, etc.) in the image to the area of the entire image. It was clarified that the transfer ratio, which is the ratio of the amount of the developer transferred to the transfer member to the amount of the developer attached to the image carrier, varies depending on the ratio. As a result, for example, as shown by a characteristic line a in FIG. 2A, the agent recovery rate (left vertical axis), which is the ratio of the cleaning recovery developer amount to the image carrier adhered developer amount, is the image ratio (horizontal axis). Axis). Further, even if the image ratio is the same, for example, the developer constituting the solid image portion on the image carrier and the developer constituting the line image portion have different suction forces to the image carrier, and as a result, the transfer It was also revealed that the efficiencies differ. That is, in the conventional technique for obtaining the total amount of the collected developer in such a manner that the amount of the developer adhering to the image carrier during the development is reflected to some extent, it is obtained in advance in consideration of, for example, the setting of the transfer electric field condition in the transfer device. Since the amount of collected developer and the total amount of collected developer are calculated on the premise of a constant transfer rate, when the transfer rate changes depending on the image ratio of the image to be formed, etc., the collected developer amount etc. must be accurately calculated. It turned out that I couldn't do it.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to detect information relating to the amount of developer consumed and to collect the developer from the image carrier by cleaning based on the information. In the cleaning recovery developer amount detection method for calculating the amount or the image forming apparatus implementing the method, by reflecting the change in the transfer rate, it is possible to detect the cleaning recovery developer amount more accurately than before. It is to be.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1 is an image forming apparatus for cleaning and recovering the residual developer on the image carrier, and the data of the image formed. Detects information on the amount of developer consumed for adhering to the image carrier during development, such as the amount of developer used for image formation on the image carrier and the number of times of image formation, and based on the information. In a cleaning recovery developer amount detection method for calculating the amount of developer recovered by cleaning, the adhesive force of the developer forming the developer image on the image carrier to the developer carrier, or the image formed. When the information regarding the image ratio is detected and the cleaning recovery developer amount is calculated based on the consumed developer amount information, the information regarding the adhesive force or the image ratio is used for weighting the consumed developer amount information. When Is shall.

Further, the invention of claim 2 is used in the image forming apparatus for cleaning and recovering the residual developer on the image carrier, for the data of the image to be formed and the image formation on the image carrier. Constituting a consumed developer amount detecting means for detecting information on the amount of consumed developer attached to the image carrier during development, such as the amount of developer and the number of image formations, and a developer image on the image carrier. An adhesive force of a developer to the developer carrying member, or an adhesive force or an image ratio detecting means for detecting information about an image ratio of an image to be formed; information detected by the consumed developer amount detecting means; And a collected developer amount calculating means for calculating the amount of developer collected by cleaning based on the adhesive force or the information detected by the image ratio detecting means.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, an image is formed on the image bearing member by the developer replenished using the replenishing container containing the replenishing developer, and the residual developer on the image bearing member is formed. In an image forming apparatus for cleaning and collecting the replenishment time, a replenishment timing detecting means for detecting information on a replenishment timing using the replenishment container such as a shortage of the developer in the hopper portion of the developing device or a replenishment operation by the replenishment container, Counting means for counting the number of times of image formation during the replenishment interval period; and a collected developer amount calculating means for calculating the cleaning collected developer amount per one replenishing container based on the count content of the counting means, Is provided.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the third aspect in which the cleaning recovery developer is stored in a predetermined recovery container, the recovery obtained by the recovery developer amount calculation means is accompanied by the replenishment. A collected developer total amount storage means for accumulating and storing the developer amount, and a collected developer amount calculated by the collected developer amount calculation means upon replenishment and stored in the collected developer total amount storage means. Based on the amount of recovered developer and the capacity of the recovery container, the predictive determination means for determining whether or not the total recovered developer amount exceeds the capacity until the next replenishment, and the predictive determination means. When it is determined that the total amount of collected developer exceeds the capacity, the amount of collected developer obtained by the collected developer amount calculation means, and the collected developer amount stored in the collected developer storage means, Based on the capacity and Is characterized in that the container is provided with an image forming count calculating means for calculating a number of times of image formation until the full or nearly full, the.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the third aspect in which the cleaning recovery developer is stored in a predetermined recovery container, a recovery container empty detecting means for detecting information regarding replacement or cleaning of the recovery container. And a collected developer total amount storage means for accumulating and storing the collected developer amount obtained by the collected developer amount calculation means along with the replenishment.
A count value storage means for storing the count content of the counting means, and a time different from the time of the replenishment,
Control for storing the count content of the count means in the count value storage means and clearing the count content of the count means and the stored content of the collected developer total amount storage means when the recovery container is replaced or cleaned. Means for controlling the collected developer amount calculating means and the count content stored in the count value storage means and the count of the count means when the replenishment is performed for the first time after the predetermined processing by the control means. It is characterized in that the cleaning recovery developer amount per one replenishing container is calculated based on the contents.

Further, in the invention of claim 6, the developer is replenished by using a replenishing container containing a replenishing developer, respectively.
In addition, a plurality of developing devices having different replenishment frequencies are
4. A cleaning recovery developer is stored in a predetermined recovery container, and the cleaning recovery developer is stored in a predetermined recovery container.
Alternatively, in the image forming apparatus of No. 4, the counting unit is provided in each developing unit, and the developing unit other than the developing unit having the highest replenishment frequency is counted based on the count content of the counting unit for the developing unit. With respect to the collected developer amount calculating means for calculating the collected developer amount according to the contents, and the developing devices other than the developing device having the highest replenishment frequency with the above replenishment of the developing device having the highest replenishment frequency. Is calculated by the collected developer amount calculating means, the cleaning collected developer by image formation using the developing device until then, and the collected developer amount according to claim 3 for the developing device having the highest replenishment frequency. And a control unit for calculating the amount of the cleaning and collected developer per one replenishing container by the calculation unit.

[0007]

According to the present invention, in the image forming apparatus for cleaning and recovering the residual developer on the image carrier, the data of the image to be formed and the development used for the image formation on the image carrier. Information on the amount of the consumed developer such as the amount of the developer and the number of times of image formation, which is attached to and consumed by the image carrier during development, and the amount of the developer constituting the developer image on the image carrier with respect to the developer carrier. The adhesive force or information about the image ratio of the image formed is detected. Then, when the cleaning recovery developer amount is calculated based on the information on the consumed developer amount, the information on the adhesive force or the image ratio is used for weighting the consumed developer amount information. The change in the transfer rate due to the image ratio is reflected in the calculation of the amount of cleaning recovery developer.

Here, in the image forming apparatus for forming the electrostatic latent image by digital writing, the information on the adhesive force or the image ratio can be detected by using image data for digital writing, for example. For example, the ratio of the solid image portion to the line image or the like can be used as the information regarding the adhesive force. Further, in the image forming apparatus that replenishes the developer used for image formation on the image bearing member by using a predetermined container, as the information regarding the adhesive force or the image ratio, one time replenishment using the container is performed. The number of times the image is formed can be used. This is shown in FIG.
As shown by the characteristic line b in (a), the image is formed by the image ratio (horizontal axis) of the image to be formed and the developer by a single replenishment using the container, that is, a fixed amount of the developer. Since there is a certain relationship (inversely proportional relationship in the case of the illustrated example) with the number of possible image formations (vertical axis on the right side), the number of image formations per replenishment using this container As a substitute characteristic of the image ratio.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus for cleaning and recovering the residual developer on the image carrier, the information on the amount of the consumed developer attached to and consumed by the image carrier during development. Is detected by the consumed developer amount detecting means, and the information on the adhesive force of the developer forming the developer image on the image carrier to the developer carrier or the image ratio of the formed image is attached. It is detected by the force of attachment or the image ratio detecting means. Then, based on the information detected by the consumed developer amount detecting means and the information detected by the adhesive force or the image ratio detecting means, the developer amount recovered by cleaning is collected by the collected developer amount calculating means. calculate. As a result, the change in the transfer rate due to the adhesive force or the image ratio is reflected in the calculation of the cleaning recovery developer amount.

According to the third aspect of the invention, an image is formed on the image bearing member by the replenished developer using a replenishing container containing a replenishing developer, and the residual development on the image bearing member is performed. In an image forming apparatus that cleans and collects the developer, the replenishment timing detection unit detects information about the timing of replenishment using the replenishment container such as lack of the developer in the hopper portion of the developing device and replenishment operation by the replenishment container. In addition, the number of times of image formation during the replenishment interval period is counted by the counting means. The replenishment container 1 is based on the count content of the counting means, that is, the number of image formations within the replenishment interval period that can be a substitute characteristic of the image ratio as described above.
The amount of cleaning recovery developer per unit is calculated by the recovery developer amount calculation means.

Further, in the invention of claim 4, the cleaning recovery developer is stored in a predetermined recovery container.
In the image forming apparatus, the collected developer amount calculated by the collected developer amount calculation means along with the replenishment is accumulated and stored in the collected developer total amount storage means, and the collected developer amount calculation means is stored. Based on the collected developer amount obtained by the above, the collected developer amount stored in the collected developer total amount storage means, and the capacity of the collection container, the collected developer total amount is calculated until the next replenishment. Whether or not the capacity is exceeded is judged by the prediction judgment means. Then, when the predictive judging means judges that the total amount of collected developer exceeds the capacity, the collected developer amount obtained by the collected developer amount calculation means and the collected developer storage means are stored. Based on the amount of collected developer and the capacity, the number of times of image formation until the collection container is full or almost full is calculated by the image formation number calculation means.

Further, in the invention of claim 5, the cleaning recovery developer is stored in a predetermined recovery container.
In the image forming apparatus, the information regarding the replacement or cleaning of the recovery container is detected by the recovery container empty detection means, and the recovered developer amount obtained by the recovered developer amount calculation means is accompanied by the replenishment, The collected developer total amount storage means accumulates and stores. Then, when the recovery container is replaced or cleaned at a time different from the time of the replenishment, the control means stores the count content of the count means in the count value storage means, and the count content of the count means. Also, the stored contents of the collected developer total amount storage means are cleared. Then, with the first replenishment after the predetermined processing by the control means, based on the count content stored in the count value storage means and the count content of the count means, one per replenishment container The amount of cleaning recovery developer is calculated by the recovery developer amount calculation means.

Further, according to the invention of claim 6,
The developer is replenished using a replenishing container containing a replenishing developer, and a plurality of developing devices having different replenishing frequencies are arranged to face one image carrier, and The image forming apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the cleaning recovery developer is stored in a predetermined recovery container, and the counting means is provided in each developing device. Then, with respect to the developing devices other than the developing device having the highest replenishment frequency, the collected developer amount corresponding to the count content is collected by the collected developer amount calculating means based on the count content of the counting means for the developing device. Calculate Then, with the replenishment of the developing device having the highest replenishment frequency, the control means controls the recovered developer amount calculation means and the recovered developer amount calculation means of claim 3. That is, for a developing device other than the developing device with the highest replenishment frequency, the cleaning developer collected by the image forming using the developing device up to that time is calculated by the recovered developer amount calculating means, and the replenishment frequency is increased. The cleaning recovery developer amount per one replenishing container for the developing device having the highest
The calculated amount of collected developer is calculated.

[0008]

Embodiments Embodiments in which the present invention is applied to an electrophotographic copying machine (hereinafter referred to as a copying machine) which is an image forming apparatus will be described below. FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a main part of the copying machine according to the present embodiment.

First, the overall outline will be described. This copying machine uses a drum-shaped photosensitive member 1 as an image bearing member, and is provided with a device for executing a well-known electrophotographic process around the photosensitive member 1. That is, the surface of the photoconductor 1 rotated clockwise by the arrow is uniformly charged by the charging charger 2, and a latent image is formed on the charged surface of the photoconductor 1 by using an exposure optical system (not shown). There is. Then, when the latent image on the photoconductor 1 passes through a portion facing the developing device 3, toner as a developer is supplied for development to form a toner image on the photoconductor 1, and the toner image is formed. Is transferred by a transfer charger 4 to a transfer paper 5 as a transfer body sent from a paper feeding / conveying device (not shown). The transfer paper 5 onto which the toner image has been transferred is separated from the photoconductor 1 by a separation charger 6, and the toner image is fixed by a fixing device (not shown). After the transfer, the photosensitive member 1 is cleaned by a cleaning device 7, the residual toner is removed, and then the residual charge is removed by a charge eliminating lamp (not shown) or the like, to prepare for the next copy.

Here, the developing device 3 includes a developing roller 31 as a developer bearing member and a developing device 32 in which a two-component developer composed of iron powder and toner as a carrier is stored. To store toner to be supplied to the developing device 32
A hopper 34 having a toner replenishing roller 33 is additionally provided at a communication port with the inside. A toner residual sensor 35 for detecting the amount of toner remaining in the hopper 34 is provided on the side surface of the hopper 34, and the replenishment toner stored therein is replenished into the hopper 34 at the upper portion of the opening. A cartridge 36 as a replenishing container which has become empty at the end is mounted as it is as an opening lid of the hopper 34. Further, the developing device 3 below the toner supply roller 33
Inside 2, a mixing and stirring mechanism 37 for mixing and stirring the replenished toner and the two-component developer is provided.

Further, in the cleaning device 7, the cleaning blade 71, the tip of which abuts against the surface of the photoconductor 1 in the opening toward the photoconductor 1, and the cleaning blade 7.
A fur brush roller 72 is provided for conveying the residual toner scraped off by 1 to the inner side of the casing, and a toner recovery container 73 is detachably attached to the opposite side of the photoconductor 1. Further, a rotating member 74 for feeding the collected toner into the toner collecting container 73 is provided at the communication part between the toner collecting container 73 and the main body casing of the cleaning device 7.

Further, the cartridge replacement display means 22 for indicating that the cartridge needs to be replaced and the cleaning display means 16 for indicating that the toner recovery container 73 needs to be cleaned are the operation display section of the copying machine. Etc. Further, cleaning detection means 19 for detecting the attachment / detachment of the toner recovery container 73 is provided. Note that, in FIG. 1, for example, functions performed by a microcomputer for the calculation control of the amount of cleaning and recovery toner described later are shown in blocks.

Next, the calculation of the amount of toner collected for cleaning in the copying machine of this embodiment will be described. The copying machine according to the present embodiment has the characteristics as shown in FIG. 1A described above, and in order to calculate the cleaning recovery toner amount in consideration of the change of the agent recovery rate due to the image ratio and the like, the image The number of copies per cartridge 36 as a substitute characteristic such as a ratio is counted, and the number of copies is used to calculate the amount of cleaning recovery toner per cartridge 36.

In FIG. 3, first, a toner recovery container 73
The inside is empty and the inside of the hopper 35 is the first cartridge 36.
It is assumed that copying is started from the initial state where the toner has just been replenished from. It is also assumed that the first counter n (block 12 in FIG. 1) that counts the number of copies during the replacement interval of the cartridge 36 is initially set to zero. When copying is started from this initial state, the first counter n is counted up for each copy operation, and it is determined whether toner remains in the hopper 34 using the signal from the toner remaining amount sensor 35 ( Steps 1-3).
By this judgment, the replenisher end detecting means in FIG. 1 is realized.

Here, it is judged that the replenishment toner from the cartridge 36 remains in the hopper 34, and the process returns to the main flow (step 4). After that, the copying operation is repeated while repeating steps 1 to 4, and it is determined that there is no toner remaining in the hopper 35 (hereinafter, referred to as a replenishment agent end), that is, it is time to replace the toner with the second cartridge 36. Based on the contents of the first counter n at that time, the amount Yf of the collected toner collected by the cleaning device 7 is calculated by the end of the first replenishing agent (step 5). In this calculation step 5, the collected toner amount calculation means 11 in FIG. 1 is realized.

Specifically, for example, as shown in the flow chart, variables a and b which are experimentally determined in advance according to the count value n of the first counter n are used to collect the collected toner amount Yf.
Is calculated. The variables a and b may be stored in a data table that is looked up using the count value n, or may be stored as an arithmetic expression for obtaining the a and b themselves using the count value n. In any case, when the cleaning recovery toner amount Yf is calculated from the toner consumption amount per one cartridge 36, that is, the replenishment toner amount of one cartridge 36, the smaller the count value n, that is, the larger the image ratio, the experiment The variables a and b are set so that the cleaning recovery toner amount Yf becomes a small value in conformity with.

This collected toner amount Yf is added to the collected toner cumulative memory (13 in FIG. 1), and it is further determined whether or not the collected toner cumulative amount Y after the addition is equal to or larger than the capacity K of the toner collecting container 73 ( Steps 6 and 7). At the first replenishing agent end stage, a sufficient margin remains in the toner recovery container 73, so it is determined here that the accumulated amount Y of collected toner is not greater than or equal to the capacity K of the toner recovery container 73. The collected toner amount Y is added to the collected toner cumulative amount Y after addition.
It is determined whether the amount to which f is added is equal to or larger than the collection container capacity K (step 8). This judgment is based on the second cartridge 3
If the same amount of collected toner as the collected toner amount up to the first replenisher end is generated before the second replenisher end is detected after the replacement to 6, the total collected toner amount is the collection container capacity K. The prediction judgment means 18 in FIG. 1 is realized by predicting and judging in advance whether or not it becomes the above. At the first replenishing agent end stage, there is still a sufficient margin left in the toner recovery container 73, so again it is determined that the capacity is not greater than the recovery container capacity K, and the first counter is cleared (step 9). After that, the above steps 1, 2, 3, 4 are repeated until the second replenisher end is detected.
repeat.

Then, in step 3, the second replenishment agent is added.
When the battery is detected, the same as when the first replenisher end is detected
Go to steps 5 to 7, and in this step 7, collect toner
-Whether the accumulated amount Y is greater than or equal to the capacity K of the toner collection container 73
to decide. Here, at the second replenisher end stage, when the toner recovery container 73 has a sufficient margin as in the first replenisher end stage, the same as when the first replenisher end is detected.
Similarly, proceed to steps 7, 8, 9, and 4.

Similarly, at the time of detecting the replenisher end after the fourth time, the first counter n is cleared at step 9 as long as the toner recovery container 73 has a sufficient margin and the process proceeds to steps 7, 8 and 9. After that, it counts up for each copy operation, counts the number of copies until the next replenisher end is detected, and based on this number of copies, the collected toner from the last replenisher end to the current replenisher end is collected. The amount Yf and the accumulated amount Y of collected toner at that time are calculated (steps 5 and 6), and the accumulated amount Y of collected toner is used to determine whether or not the collecting container 73 is full and when the next replenisher end is detected. By then, it is judged whether or not the recovery container 73 is likely to be full (steps 7 and 8).

Toner replenishment by the cartridge 36 is repeated many times, and when the replenisher end is detected, the process proceeds to steps 5 to 7,
When it is determined in step 7 that the accumulated amount Y of collected toner is equal to or larger than the capacity K of the toner collection container 73, the second counter n ′ is set to 250, for example (step 10).
For example, 2 as a set value for the second counter n ′
The numeral 50 surely overflows by utilizing the space inside the main body casing of the cleaning device 7 and / or by setting the calculation of the cleaning recovery amount Yf in step 5 to be large for safety. It is a value that can be copied without doing. Then, in order to promote cleaning for removing the collected toner in the toner collection container 73, the display starts blinking (step 11), and the second counter n ′ is counted down for each copy operation (step 12).
15 to 15), when the count value reaches 0, the display is switched to continuous lighting (step 16) and the copy operation is prohibited. When it is determined by the output of the cleaning detection means that the toner recovery container 73 has been cleaned, the display lighting is released and the collected toner amount cumulative memory Y is cleared (step 18).

In contrast to this, in step 7, it is determined that the accumulated amount Y of collected toner is not greater than or equal to the capacity K of the toner collection container 73, and in step 8, the collection container 73 is full by the time the next replenisher end is detected. If it is determined that there is a risk of becoming, the process proceeds to step 19. In this step 19,
A value obtained by dividing the difference between the collection container capacity K and the cumulative amount Y of the collected toner after addition in step 6, that is, the spare capacity of the collection container by the number Y of the first counter n obtained in step 5, that is, the copy. It is divided by the average value of the collected toner amount per time, and the value is set in the second counter n ′ (block 15 in FIG. 1). In this step 19, the image forming number calculating means 17 in FIG. 1 is realized. The set value of the second counter n ′ is set when the amount of collected toner per copy is the same as that in the copy from the previous replenisher end to the current replenisher end after the present replenisher end. , A predicted value of the number of copies that can be taken before the collection container 73 becomes full. And this second
It is determined whether the set value of the counter n'is 250 or less (step 20). If the number of sheets is 250 or less, the process immediately proceeds to step 11, and blinking of the display is started to prompt cleaning of the toner collection container 73.
Execute 18. If it is not less than 250 sheets, the second
The second counter n ′ is counted down for each copy operation until the content of the counter n ′ reaches 250 (steps 21 to 23), and when the count reaches 250, the process proceeds to step 11 to clean the toner recovery container 73. The blinking of the display is started to prompt the user, and thereafter, the above-mentioned steps 12 to 18 are executed.

The cleaning display control means 14 in FIG.
Steps 7, 11, 12, 15, 16, 17, 18
Has been realized in. Further, the control means 20 in FIG. 1 is realized by the above 2, 9, and 18.

Next, FIGS. 2 (b) to 2 (d), FIG. 4 (a),
A modified example of the above control will be described with reference to (b).
As shown in FIG. 2B, there is also a fixed relationship between the agent recovery rate and the humidity inside the copying machine. Generally, the higher the humidity, the higher the agent recovery rate. Therefore, it is desirable to calculate the cleaning recovery amount Yf in step 5 in FIG. 3 in consideration of the relationship with the humidity. FIG. 4A shows an example of processing relating to this. In step A1, for example, a signal from a humidity sensor indicated by reference numeral 8 in FIG. 1 is read, and in step A2, a lookup in which the above relationship is stored. A constant C for calculation is looked up from the table, and this constant C is also used in step 5A to obtain the cleaning recovery amount Yf.
Is being calculated.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2 (c), there is a fixed relationship between the rotation time of the image bearing member (photoreceptor 1) and the agent recovery rate. Generally, the longer the rotation time, the agent recovery rate. Becomes higher. Therefore, it is desirable to calculate the cleaning recovery amount Yf in step 5 in FIG. 3 in consideration of the relationship with the rotation time. FIG. 4B shows an example of the processing relating to this. In step b1, the one rotation time of the photosensitive member during the copying operation is counted, and at the end of the replenishing agent, the above-mentioned relationship is stored in step B2. A constant D for calculation is looked up from the table, and this constant C is also used in step 5B to determine the cleaning recovery amount Yf.
Is being calculated.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2 (d), there is a fixed relationship between the driving time of the developing device (developing device rotation time) and the agent recovery rate. Generally, the longer the driving time of the developing device is, Agent recovery rate increases. Therefore, step 5 in FIG.
It is desirable that the calculation of the cleaning recovery amount Yf in step 1 is performed in consideration of the relationship with the drive time of the developing device.
An example of processing in this case is similar to that of FIG. It should be noted that each of the above-described modified examples reflects the amount of change in the amount of cleaning and recovery toner due to background stains and background stains.

Next, still another modification will be described with reference to FIG. When cleaning of the toner collection container 73 is detected by the cleaning detection means 19 (step C1)
Then, the count content of the first counter n at that time is stored in the count value memory (block 21 in FIG. 1) (step C2), and then the first counter n and the collected toner accumulation memory Y are cleared (c). .. When the replenishment agent end is detected after this cleaning (Y in step C4),
The cleaning recovery toner amount Y is obtained by summing (nx + n) the count number nx before cleaning stored in the count value memory and the count value n of the first counter n at that time.
f is calculated (step C5), and the calculation result is summed with the count value n of the first counter n at that time (nx +).
n) and multiply by to obtain the toner recovery container 73 at that time.
The amount of cleaning recovery toner stored in the inside is set (steps 6 and 7).

Next, another modification will be described with reference to FIG. This control is an example of control in a device configuration in which a developing device using black toner and a monocolor developing device using red toner are opposed to the same photoconductor.
In this case, the first counter (nm for black and ns for red is shown) is provided for each developing device, and these are counted up for each copy (steps 2, 3, 4). . Then, when the replenisher end is detected for the black developing device which consumes much toner and whose cartridge 36 is frequently replaced (step 5).
In Y), the cleaning recovery toner amount Yf of the black developing device is calculated in the same manner as in the above embodiment (step 7).
On the other hand, the same applies to the mono-color developing device
Cleaning recovery toner amount Ys using the count value ns
Is calculated (step 8), and the sum of the two is added to the collected toner cumulative memory (13 in FIG. 1) (steps 9 and 10), and the cumulative amount of the total is used to carry out the above-mentioned operation. Collected toner accumulated amount Y in the example
Is performed (steps 14, 15, 1)
6 etc.). The first counter is cleared for each developing device (step 13).

[0023]

According to the invention of claim 1, in calculating the cleaning recovery developer amount based on the information on the detected amount of consumed developer, the information on the detected adhesive force or image ratio is used as the amount of consumed developer. Used for weighting information,
Since the change in the transfer rate due to the adhesive force or the image ratio is reflected in the calculation of the cleaning recovery developer amount, the conventional method for detecting the amount of the cleaning recovery developer does not consider the change in the transfer rate due to the adhesive force or the image ratio. In comparison, the cleaning recovery developer amount can be detected more accurately. Therefore, if the cleaning recovery developer amount detection method of the present invention is applied to, for example, an image forming apparatus that stores the cleaning recovery developer in a predetermined recovery container, the full time of the recovery container can be more accurately predicted and operated. It is possible to notify the operator of the fullness of the recovery container and to prohibit the image forming operation to prevent the leakage of the cleaning recovery developer to the outside of the recovery container due to excessive recovery at a more accurate time than before. In this way, it is possible to improve the efficiency of cleaning or replacing the recovery container and the leakage prevention property of the cleaning / recovery developer.

According to the second aspect of the invention, in the image forming apparatus for cleaning and recovering the residual developer on the image carrier, the information detected by the consumed developer amount detecting means and the adhesive force or the image are detected. Based on the information detected by the ratio detection means, the amount of developer recovered by cleaning,
Since the change in the transfer rate due to the adhesive force or the image ratio is reflected in the calculation of the cleaning recovery developer amount by calculating with the collected developer amount calculating means, the change in the transfer rate due to the adhesive force or the image ratio is taken into consideration. As compared with the conventional image forming apparatus that does not, the cleaning recovery developer amount can be detected more accurately. Therefore, for example, when the cleaning recovery developer is stored in a predetermined recovery container, the full time of the recovery container is more accurately predicted, the operator is informed of the fullness of the recovery container, and the recovery container due to excessive recovery is collected. Cleaning recovery to the outside Prohibition control of image forming operation to prevent leakage of developer is performed at a more accurate time than in the past, which improves efficiency of cleaning or replacement of the recovery container and cleaning recovery. The developer leakage prevention property can be improved.

According to the third aspect of the invention, an image is formed on the image bearing member with the replenished developer by using the replenishing container containing the replenishing developer, and the residual toner remains on the image bearing member. In the image forming apparatus that cleans and collects the developer, as described above, it may be a substitute characteristic of the image ratio.
The number of image formations within the replenishment interval period is obtained by the replenishment timing detection means and a predetermined counting means, and based on the number of image formations, the cleaning recovery developer amount per one replenishment container is calculated as the recovery developer amount. Since it is calculated by the calculation means,
With a simple structure that effectively uses the replenishment timing detection means provided in the image forming apparatus, cleaning recovery can be performed more accurately as compared with a conventional image forming apparatus that does not consider the change in transfer rate due to image ratio. The amount of developer can be detected.

According to the invention of claim 4, in the image forming apparatus of claim 3, wherein the cleaning recovery developer is stored in a predetermined recovery container, the recovery developer total amount storage means collects and develops in association with the replenishment. The amount of developer is accumulated and stored, and based on the amount of collected developer and the like, it is determined whether or not the total amount of collected developer exceeds the capacity until the next replenishment by the prediction determination means, and the prediction is performed. When the judging means judges that the total amount of collected developer exceeds the capacity, the number of times of image formation until the collection container is full or almost full is calculated based on the amount of collected developer and the like. Since the calculation is performed by the means, basically, as described above, the amount of the cleaning recovery developer is detected more accurately as compared with the conventional image forming apparatus with a simple structure, and the recovery container is collected at a time other than the replenishment time. Is full or almost full Made situation also can be predicted accurately.

According to the invention of claim 5, in the image forming apparatus of claim 3, wherein the cleaning recovery developer is stored in a predetermined recovery container, the recovery container is replaced at a time different from the replenishment time. When the contents are equalized, the count content of the count means up to that point is stored in the count value storage means, and the count content of the count means and the stored content of the collected developer total amount storage means are cleared,
Also, based on the count content of the number of times of image formation before the exchange stored in the count value storage means and the count content after the exchange by the count means, for the first replenishment after the predetermined processing. Since the amount of cleaning recovery developer per replenishing container is calculated, basically, as described above, more accurate detection of the amount of cleaning recovery developer is simpler than that of the conventional image forming apparatus. While performing the replacement, even when the replacement of the recovery container is performed at a time different from the time of the replenishment, the cleaning recovery developer amount is also considered in consideration of the cleaning recovery developer amount due to the image formation before the replacement, etc. You can

Further, according to the invention of claim 6, a plurality of developing devices, each of which is replenished with a developer using a replenishing container containing a developer for replenishment and whose replenishment frequency is different from each other, are provided. The two image carriers are arranged to face each other, and
The image forming apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the cleaning recovery developer is stored in a predetermined recovery container. With the replenishment of the developing device having the highest replenishment frequency, The amount of cleaning recovery developer per replenishing container is calculated, and the cleaning recovery developer by image formation using the developing device up to then is also calculated for the developing devices other than the developing device having the highest replenishment frequency. Therefore, basically, as described above, with respect to the developing devices other than the developing device having the highest replenishment frequency, the cleaning recovery developer amount is detected more accurately as compared with the conventional image forming device with a simple configuration. Even if the replenishment is not carried out for a long time, the amount of the cleaning recovery developer is also taken into consideration in consideration of the amount of the cleaning recovery developer by the image formation of the developing device. It can be carried out.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a copying machine according to an embodiment.

2A to 2D are characteristic diagrams of the copying machine.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of control of the copying machine.

4A to 4C are flowcharts each showing a part of the same control according to a modification.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a part of the same control according to another modification.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 photoconductor 3 developing device 4 transfer charger 5 transfer paper 7 cleaning device 8 humidity sensor 10 replenisher end detection means 11 collected toner amount calculation means 12 first counter 13 collected toner accumulated memory 16 cleaning display means 17 image formation number calculation means 18 Prediction judging means 19 Cleaning detecting means 20 Control means 21 Count value memory 34 Hopper 35 Toner remaining amount sensor 36 Cartridge 73 Toner collection container

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] May 19, 1993

[Procedure 3]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Name of item to be amended] Detailed explanation of the invention

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile and a printer, and more specifically, a cleaning and collecting developer in an image forming apparatus for cleaning and collecting residual developer on an image carrier. It relates to a detection method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as an image forming apparatus of this type, the residual developer on the image bearing member is cleaned and collected, and is placed in a collecting container such as a casing of the cleaning device or a container detachably attached to the casing. It is known to store things. When such a collection container is filled with the collected developer, the collected developer, which cannot be contained in the container, leaks from the opening portion of the cleaning device facing the image carrier and stains around the image carrier. . For this reason, it is detected that the collection container is full or close to it by using the total amount of collected developer detecting means such as a piezoelectric sensor provided in the container, and Display, etc.,
The operator is urged to remove or clean the collected developer from the collection container or replace the collection container itself.

Further, unlike the direct detection of the total amount of collected developer using such a piezoelectric sensor, an image forming apparatus for obtaining the total amount of collected developer by calculation using various information in the image forming apparatus is also proposed. Has been done. For example, the total amount of collected developer is obtained from the number of rotations of the image bearing member and the time (for example, JP-A-59-26774 and JP-A-59-2677).
No. 5, No. 59-36276, JP-A-2-62579), a method for obtaining the total amount of collected developer from the number of times of image formation (see, for example, JP-A-63-30878), from the hopper of the developing device to the inside of the developing device. A method in which the total amount of recovered developer is obtained from the amount of developer replenished to the developer and the amount of developer used in the developing device (for example, JP-A-62-159171 and JP-A-1-155).
No. 383), the total amount of collected developer is obtained from the number of times of replacement of a replenishment developer container containing a developer to be replenished to a developing device (for example, JP-A-60-15668 and 64-64).
4787, Actual Kaihei 1-79071, JP-A-3-1665.
No. 71, 4-109256), a method for obtaining the total amount of collected developer from the number of dots of an image and the light emission time of a digital optical system (for example, JP-A-62-105180 and 62-62).
-106477, 63-247783, JP-A-2-2
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 93886) has been proposed. In these image forming apparatuses, the cost can be reduced because the piezoelectric sensor is not used, and a defect due to erroneous detection due to insufficient sensor accuracy can be avoided.

[0004]

However, the amount of developer adhering to the image carrier during development differs depending on the image to be formed, and the amount of developer adhering to the image carrier may affect cleaning. Since the amount of collected developer is different,
If the total amount of collected developer is obtained only from the number of rotations or time of the image carrier or the number of times of image formation as in the above or the related art, the total amount of collected developer cannot be accurately obtained. In this regard, in the above or the related art, since the total amount of collected developer is obtained in a manner that reflects the amount of developer that adheres to the image carrier during development to some extent, the total amount of collected developer can be relatively accurately determined. You can ask.

[0005] However, according to studies made by the present inventors, the above, or as in the prior art, seek to recover developer amount in the form of the amount of the developer will adhere to the image bearing member in a developing is somewhat reflected Even when the collection container is full, the prediction of the time when the collection container will be full is incorrect, and the display of full when it is not full is displayed, or conversely, the display of full is delayed and the collection agent leaks from the opening of the cleaning device. It turns out that there is a risk of doing so.

[ 0006 ] Then, as a result of diligent examination of the cause,
An image that not only differs in the amount of developer that adheres to the image bearing member during development depending on the image formed, but also the ratio of the total area of the developer adhered part (character part, etc.) in the image to the area of the entire image. It was clarified that the transfer ratio, which is the ratio of the amount of the developer transferred to the transfer member to the amount of the developer attached to the image carrier, varies depending on the ratio. As a result, for example, as shown by a characteristic line a in FIG. 2A, the agent recovery rate (left vertical axis), which is the ratio of the cleaning recovery developer amount to the image carrier adhered developer amount, is the image ratio (horizontal axis). Axis). Further, even if the image ratio is the same, for example, the developer constituting the solid image portion on the image carrier and the developer constituting the line image portion have different suction forces to the image carrier, and as a result, the transfer It was also revealed that the efficiencies differ. That is, in the conventional technique for obtaining the total amount of the collected developer in such a manner that the amount of the developer adhering to the image carrier during the development is reflected to some extent, it is obtained in advance in consideration of, for example, the setting of the transfer electric field condition in the transfer device. Since the amount of collected developer and the total amount of collected developer are calculated on the premise of a constant transfer rate, when the transfer rate changes depending on the image ratio of the image to be formed, etc., the collected developer amount etc. must be accurately calculated. It turned out that I couldn't do it.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to discover information about consumption developer amount, the developer collected from the image carrier by the cleaning on the basis of the information In the cleaning recovery developer amount detection method for calculating the amount or the image forming apparatus implementing the method, by reflecting the change in the transfer rate, it is possible to detect the cleaning recovery developer amount more accurately than before. It is to be.

[ 0008 ]

In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1 is an image forming apparatus for cleaning and recovering the residual developer on the image carrier, and the data of the image formed. Detects information on the amount of developer consumed for adhering to the image carrier during development, such as the amount of developer used for image formation on the image carrier and the number of times of image formation, and based on the information. In a cleaning recovery developer amount detection method for calculating the amount of developer recovered by cleaning, the adhesive force of the developer forming the developer image on the image carrier to the developer carrier, or the image formed. When the information regarding the image ratio is detected and the cleaning recovery developer amount is calculated based on the consumed developer amount information, the information regarding the adhesive force or the image ratio is used for weighting the consumed developer amount information. When Is shall.

[0009] According to a second aspect of the invention, an image forming apparatus for recovering and cleaning a residual developer on the image carrier, the data of the image formed, was used for image formation on the image bearing member Constituting a consumed developer amount detecting means for detecting information on the consumed developer amount consumed by being attached to the image carrier during development, such as the amount of developer and the number of times of image formation, and a developer image on the image carrier. An adhesive force of the developer to the developer carrier, or an adhesive force or an image ratio detecting means for detecting information about an image ratio of an image to be formed; information detected by the consumed developer amount detecting means; And a collected developer amount calculation unit for calculating the amount of developer collected by cleaning based on the adhesive force or information detected by the image ratio detection unit.

[0010] The invention of claim 3, thereby forming an image on an image bearing member by replenished developer using the refill container containing a developer for replenishment, residual developer on the image bearing member In an image forming apparatus for cleaning and collecting the replenishment time, a replenishment timing detecting means for detecting information on a replenishment timing using the replenishment container such as a shortage of the developer in the hopper portion of the developing device or a replenishment operation by the replenishment container, Counting means for counting the number of times of image formation during the replenishment interval period; and a collected developer amount calculating means for calculating the cleaning collected developer amount per one replenishing container based on the count content of the counting means. Is provided.

Further, the invention of claim 4, the image forming apparatus according to claim 3 for storing the cleaning recovered developer in a predetermined collection container, collecting determined by the collected developer amount calculation means in accordance with the above replenishment A collected developer total amount storage means for accumulating and storing the developer amount, and a collected developer amount calculated by the collected developer amount calculation means upon replenishment and stored in the collected developer total amount storage means. Based on the amount of recovered developer and the capacity of the recovery container, the predictive determination means for determining whether or not the total recovered developer amount exceeds the capacity until the next replenishment, and the predictive determination means. When it is determined that the total amount of collected developer exceeds the capacity, the amount of collected developer obtained by the collected developer amount calculation means, and the collected developer amount stored in the collected developer storage means, Based on the capacity and And an image forming count calculating means for collecting container calculates the number of times of image formation until the full or nearly full, is characterized in that the provided.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the third aspect in which the cleaning recovery developer is stored in a predetermined recovery container, a recovery container empty detection means for detecting information regarding replacement or cleaning of the recovery container. And a collected developer total amount storage means for accumulating and storing the collected developer amount obtained by the collected developer amount calculation means along with the replenishment.
A count value storage means for storing the count content of the counting means, and a time different from the time of the replenishment,
Control for storing the count content of the count means in the count value storage means and clearing the count content of the count means and the stored content of the collected developer total amount storage means when the recovery container is replaced or cleaned. Means for controlling the collected developer amount calculating means and the count content stored in the count value storage means and the count of the count means when the replenishment is performed for the first time after the predetermined processing by the control means. It is characterized in that the cleaning recovery developer amount per one replenishing container is calculated based on the contents.

Further, the invention of claim 6, respectively, the developer using the refill container containing a developer for replenishment is replenished,
In addition, a plurality of developing devices having different replenishment frequencies are
4. A cleaning recovery developer is stored in a predetermined recovery container, and the cleaning recovery developer is stored in a predetermined recovery container.
Alternatively, in the image forming apparatus of No. 4, the counting unit is provided in each developing unit, and the developing unit other than the developing unit having the highest replenishment frequency is counted based on the count content of the counting unit for the developing unit. With respect to the collected developer amount calculating means for calculating the collected developer amount according to the contents, and the developing devices other than the developing device having the highest replenishment frequency with the above replenishment of the developing device having the highest replenishment frequency. Is calculated by the collected developer amount calculating means, the cleaning collected developer by image formation using the developing device until then, and the collected developer amount according to claim 3 for the developing device having the highest replenishment frequency. And a control unit for calculating the amount of the cleaning and collected developer per one replenishing container by the calculation unit.

[ 0014 ]

According to the present invention, in the image forming apparatus for cleaning and recovering the residual developer on the image carrier, the data of the image to be formed and the development used for the image formation on the image carrier. Information on the amount of the consumed developer such as the amount of the developer and the number of times of image formation, which is attached to and consumed by the image carrier during development, and the amount of the developer constituting the developer image on the image carrier with respect to the developer carrier. The adhesive force or information about the image ratio of the image formed is detected. Then, when the cleaning recovery developer amount is calculated based on the information on the consumed developer amount, the information on the adhesive force or the image ratio is used for weighting the consumed developer amount information. The change in the transfer rate due to the image ratio is reflected in the calculation of the amount of cleaning recovery developer.

[0015] Here, information on the adhesion or the image ratio in an image forming apparatus for forming an electrostatic latent image in a digital writing, for example, can be detected by using the image data for digital writing. For example, the ratio of the solid image portion to the line image or the like can be used as the information regarding the adhesive force. Further, in the image forming apparatus that replenishes the developer used for image formation on the image bearing member by using a predetermined container, as the information regarding the adhesive force or the image ratio, one time replenishment using the container is performed. The number of times the image is formed can be used. This is shown in FIG.
As shown by the characteristic line b in (a), the image is formed by the image ratio (horizontal axis) of the image to be formed and the developer by a single replenishment using the container, that is, a fixed amount of the developer. Since there is a certain relationship (inversely proportional relationship in the case of the illustrated example) with the number of possible image formations (vertical axis on the right side), the number of image formations per replenishment using this container As a substitute characteristic of the image ratio.

[0016] In the invention of claim 2, an image forming apparatus for recovering and cleaning a residual developer on the image carrier, the information about the consumption amount of the developer consumed to adhere to the image carrier in a developing Is detected by the consumed developer amount detecting means, and the information on the adhesive force of the developer forming the developer image on the image carrier to the developer carrier or the image ratio of the formed image is attached. It is detected by the force of attachment or the image ratio detecting means. Then, based on the information detected by the consumed developer amount detecting means and the information detected by the adhesive force or the image ratio detecting means, the developer amount recovered by cleaning is collected by the collected developer amount calculating means. calculate. As a result, the change in the transfer rate due to the adhesive force or the image ratio is reflected in the calculation of the cleaning recovery developer amount.

Further, in the invention of claim 3, thereby forming an image on an image bearing member by replenished developer using the refill container containing a developer for replenishment, residual developing on the image carrier In an image forming apparatus that cleans and collects the developer, the replenishment timing detection unit detects information about the timing of replenishment using the replenishment container such as lack of the developer in the hopper portion of the developing device and replenishment operation by the replenishment container. In addition, the number of times of image formation during the replenishment interval period is counted by the counting means. The replenishment container 1 is based on the count content of the counting means, that is, the number of image formations within the replenishment interval period that can be a substitute characteristic of the image ratio as described above.
The amount of cleaning recovery developer per unit is calculated by the recovery developer amount calculation means.

[0018] In the invention of claim 4, claim 3 for storing the cleaning recovered developer in a predetermined collection container
In the image forming apparatus, the collected developer amount calculated by the collected developer amount calculation means along with the replenishment is accumulated and stored in the collected developer total amount storage means, and the collected developer amount calculation means is stored. Based on the collected developer amount obtained by the above, the collected developer amount stored in the collected developer total amount storage means, and the capacity of the collection container, the collected developer total amount is calculated until the next replenishment. Whether or not the capacity is exceeded is judged by the prediction judgment means. Then, when the predictive judging means judges that the total amount of collected developer exceeds the capacity, the collected developer amount obtained by the collected developer amount calculation means and the collected developer storage means are stored. Based on the amount of collected developer and the capacity, the number of times of image formation until the collection container is full or almost full is calculated by the image formation number calculation means.

[0019] In the invention of claim 5, claim 3 for storing the cleaning recovered developer in a predetermined collection container
In the image forming apparatus, the information regarding the replacement or cleaning of the recovery container is detected by the recovery container empty detection means, and the recovered developer amount obtained by the recovered developer amount calculation means is accompanied by the replenishment, The collected developer total amount storage means accumulates and stores. Then, when the recovery container is replaced or cleaned at a time different from the time of the replenishment, the control means stores the count content of the count means in the count value storage means, and the count content of the count means. Also, the stored contents of the collected developer total amount storage means are cleared. Then, with the first replenishment after the predetermined processing by the control means, based on the count content stored in the count value storage means and the count content of the count means, one per replenishment container The amount of cleaning recovery developer is calculated by the recovery developer amount calculation means.

Further, in the invention of claim 6, respectively,
The developer is replenished using a replenishing container containing a replenishing developer, and a plurality of developing devices having different replenishing frequencies are arranged to face one image carrier, and The image forming apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the cleaning recovery developer is stored in a predetermined recovery container, and the counting means is provided in each developing device. Then, with respect to the developing devices other than the developing device having the highest replenishment frequency, the collected developer amount corresponding to the count content is collected by the collected developer amount calculating means based on the count content of the counting means for the developing device. Calculate Then, with the replenishment of the developing device having the highest replenishment frequency, the control means controls the recovered developer amount calculation means and the recovered developer amount calculation means of claim 3. That is, for a developing device other than the developing device with the highest replenishment frequency, the cleaning developer collected by the image forming using the developing device up to that time is calculated by the recovered developer amount calculating means, and the replenishment frequency is increased. The cleaning recovery developer amount per one replenishing container for the developing device having the highest
The calculated amount of collected developer is calculated.

[ 0021 ]

Embodiments Embodiments in which the present invention is applied to an electrophotographic copying machine (hereinafter referred to as a copying machine) which is an image forming apparatus will be described below. FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a main part of the copying machine according to the present embodiment.

[0022] First, a description will be given of the entire outline. This copying machine uses a drum-shaped photosensitive member 1 as an image bearing member, and is provided with a device for executing a well-known electrophotographic process around the photosensitive member 1. That is, the surface of the photoconductor 1 rotated clockwise by the arrow is uniformly charged by the charging charger 2, and a latent image is formed on the charged surface of the photoconductor 1 by using an exposure optical system (not shown). There is. Then, when the latent image on the photoconductor 1 passes through a portion facing the developing device 3 (hereinafter, referred to as a blank space), toner as a developer is supplied for development to form a toner image on the photoconductor 1. Then, this toner image is transferred by a transfer charger 4 onto a transfer paper 5 as a transfer body sent from a paper feeding / conveying device (not shown). The transfer paper 5 on which the toner image is transferred is separated from the photoconductor 1 by the separation charger 6.
The toner image is fixed by a fixing device (not shown). A cleaning device 7 is provided on the photoconductor 1 after the transfer.
The residual toner is removed by a cleaning lamp (not shown) and the like, and the residual toner is removed, and the next copy is prepared.

[0023] Here, the developing device 3, the developing roller 31 and the developing unit 32 that two-component developer from the iron powder and the toner as a carrier is accommodated as a developer bearing member, in the developing device 32 To store toner to be supplied to the developing device 32
A hopper 34 having a toner replenishing roller 33 is additionally provided at a communication port with the inside. A toner residual sensor 35 for detecting the amount of toner remaining in the hopper 34 is provided on the side surface of the hopper 34, and the replenishment toner stored therein is replenished into the hopper 34 at the upper portion of the opening. A cartridge 36 as a replenishing container which has become empty at the end is mounted as it is as an opening lid of the hopper 34. Further, the developing device 3 below the toner supply roller 33
Inside 2, a mixing and stirring mechanism 37 for mixing and stirring the replenished toner and the two-component developer is provided.

Further, the cleaning device 7, the opening toward the photosensitive member 1, a cleaning blade 71 tip contacts the surface of the photosensitive member 1, the cleaning blade 7
A fur brush roller 72 is provided for conveying the residual toner scraped off by 1 to the inner side of the casing, and a toner recovery container 73 is detachably attached to the opposite side of the photoconductor 1. Further, a rotating member 74 for feeding the collected toner into the toner collecting container 73 is provided at the communication part between the toner collecting container 73 and the main body casing of the cleaning device 7.

Further, the operation display unit of the cleaning display means 16 copier for smelling indicate that cleaning of the cartridge replacement display unit 22 and the toner container 73 for displaying is required that the cartridge replacement is required Etc. Further, cleaning detection means 19 for detecting the attachment / detachment of the toner recovery container 73 is provided. Note that, in FIG. 1, for example, functions performed by a microcomputer for the calculation control of the amount of cleaning and recovery toner described later are shown in blocks.

Next, a description will be given operation of cleaning collected toner amount in the copying machine of the present embodiment. The copying machine according to the present embodiment has the characteristics as shown in FIG. 1A described above, and in order to calculate the cleaning recovery toner amount in consideration of the change of the agent recovery rate due to the image ratio and the like, the image The number of copies per cartridge 36 as a substitute characteristic such as a ratio is counted, and the number of copies is used to calculate the amount of cleaning recovery toner per cartridge 36.

[0027] In FIG. 3, first, the toner recovery container 73
The inside is empty and the inside of the hopper 35 is the first cartridge 36.
It is assumed that copying is started from the initial state where the toner has just been replenished from. It is also assumed that the first counter n (block 12 in FIG. 1) that counts the number of copies during the replacement interval of the cartridge 36 is initially set to zero. When copying is started from this initial state, the first counter n is counted up for each copy operation, and it is determined whether toner remains in the hopper 34 using the signal from the toner remaining amount sensor 35 ( Steps 1-3).
By this judgment, the replenisher end detecting means in FIG. 1 is realized.

[0028] Here, it is determined that supplementation toner from the cartridge 36 remains in the hopper 34, the flow returns to the main flow (Step 4). After that, the copying operation is repeated while repeating steps 1 to 4, and it is determined that there is no toner remaining in the hopper 35 (hereinafter, referred to as a replenishment agent end), that is, it is time to replace the toner with the second cartridge 36. Based on the contents of the first counter n at that time, the amount Yf of the collected toner collected by the cleaning device 7 is calculated by the end of the first replenishing agent (step 5). In this calculation step 5, the collected toner amount calculation means 11 in FIG. 1 is realized.

[0029] More specifically, as shown in the flow, the variable a previously determined experimentally according to the count value n of the first counter n, with b, collected toner amount Yf
Is calculated. The variables a and b may be stored in a data table that is looked up using the count value n, or may be stored as an arithmetic expression for obtaining the a and b themselves using the count value n. In any case, when the cleaning recovery toner amount Yf is calculated from the toner consumption amount per one cartridge 36, that is, the replenishment toner amount of one cartridge 36, the smaller the count value n, that is, the larger the image ratio, the experiment The variables a and b are set so that the cleaning recovery toner amount Yf becomes a small value in conformity with.

[0030] added to the collected toner amount Yf the recovery toner accumulation memory (13 in FIG. 1), further, the collected toner cumulative amount Y after the addition is determined whether or capacity K of the toner recovery container 73 ( Steps 6 and 7). At the first replenishing agent end stage, a sufficient margin remains in the toner recovery container 73, so it is determined here that the accumulated amount Y of collected toner is not greater than or equal to the capacity K of the toner recovery container 73. The collected toner amount Y is added to the collected toner cumulative amount Y after addition.
It is determined whether the amount to which f is added is equal to or larger than the collection container capacity K (step 8). This judgment is based on the second cartridge 3
If the same amount of collected toner as the collected toner amount up to the first replenisher end is generated before the second replenisher end is detected after the replacement to 6, the total collected toner amount is the collection container capacity K. The prediction judgment means 18 in FIG. 1 is realized by predicting and judging in advance whether or not it becomes the above. At the first replenishing agent end stage, there is still a sufficient margin left in the toner recovery container 73, so again it is determined that the capacity is not greater than the recovery container capacity K, and the first counter is cleared (step 9). After that, the above steps 1, 2, 3, 4 are repeated until the second replenisher end is detected.
repeat.

[0031] Then, when detecting the second replenishers end in Step 3, the process proceeds first replenisher end detection time and also step 5-7, at step 7, the collected toner cumulative amount Y toner recovery It is determined whether or not the capacity of the container 73 is equal to or more than K. Here, when there is a sufficient margin in the toner collecting container 73 at the second replenisher end stage as in the first refill step, steps 7 and 8 are performed as in the first replenisher end detection. , 9, 4 and so on.

[0032] Thereafter, likewise, even when detection of the fourth and subsequent supplements end, as long as there remains a sufficient margin in the toner collecting container 73 and Step 7, 8 and 9, clears the first counter n in step 9 After that, it counts up for each copy operation, counts the number of copies until the next replenisher end is detected, and based on this number of copies, the collected toner from the last replenisher end to the current replenisher end is collected. The amount Yf and the accumulated amount Y of collected toner at that time are calculated (steps 5 and 6), and the accumulated amount Y of collected toner is used to determine whether or not the collecting container 73 is full and when the next replenisher end is detected. By then, it is judged whether or not the recovery container 73 is likely to be full (steps 7 and 8).

The superimposed also times toner replenishment by cartridge 36, when supplements end detection, the process proceeds to step 5-7,
When it is determined in step 7 that the accumulated amount Y of collected toner is equal to or larger than the capacity K of the toner collection container 73, the second counter n ′ is set to 250, for example (step 10).
For example, 2 as a set value for the second counter n ′
The numeral 50 surely overflows by utilizing the space inside the main body casing of the cleaning device 7 and / or by setting the calculation of the cleaning recovery amount Yf in step 5 to be large for safety. It is a value that can be copied without doing. Then, in order to promote cleaning for removing the collected toner in the toner collection container 73, the display starts blinking (step 11), and the second counter n ′ is counted down for each copy operation (step 12).
15 to 15), when the count value reaches 0, the display is switched to continuous lighting (step 16) and the copy operation is prohibited. When it is determined by the output of the cleaning detection means that the toner recovery container 73 has been cleaned, the display lighting is released and the collected toner amount cumulative memory Y is cleared (step 18).

[0034] Alternatively, in Step 7, the collected toner cumulative amount Y is determined to not more than the capacity K of the toner recovery container 73 and collecting container 73 until the next replenishers end detection in step 8 is full If it is determined that there is a risk of becoming, the process proceeds to step 19. In this step 19,
A value obtained by dividing the difference between the collection container capacity K and the cumulative amount Y of the collected toner after addition in step 6, that is, the spare capacity of the collection container by the number Y of the first counter n obtained in step 5, that is, the copy. It is divided by the average value of the collected toner amount per time, and the value is set in the second counter n ′ (block 15 in FIG. 1). In this step 19, the image forming number calculating means 17 in FIG. 1 is realized. The set value of the second counter n ′ is set when the amount of collected toner per copy is the same as that in the copy from the previous replenisher end to the current replenisher end after the present replenisher end. , A predicted value of the number of copies that can be taken before the collection container 73 becomes full. And this second
It is determined whether the set value of the counter n'is 250 or less (step 20). If the number of sheets is 250 or less, the process immediately proceeds to step 11, and blinking of the display is started to prompt cleaning of the toner collection container 73.
Execute 18. If it is not less than 250 sheets, the second
The second counter n ′ is counted down for each copy operation until the content of the counter n ′ reaches 250 (steps 21 to 23), and when the count reaches 250, the process proceeds to step 11 to clean the toner recovery container 73. The blinking of the display is started to prompt the user, and thereafter, the above-mentioned steps 12 to 18 are executed.

It should be noted, cleaning the display control unit 14 in FIG. 1,
Steps 7, 11, 12, 15, 16, 17, 18
Has been realized in. Further, the control means 20 in FIG. 1 is realized by the above 2, 9, and 18.

[0036] Next FIG 2 (b) ~ (d) , FIG. 4 (a), the
A modified example of the above control will be described with reference to (b).
As shown in FIG. 2B, there is also a fixed relationship between the agent recovery rate and the humidity inside the copying machine. Generally, the higher the humidity, the higher the agent recovery rate. Therefore, it is desirable to calculate the cleaning recovery amount Yf in step 5 in FIG. 3 in consideration of the relationship with the humidity. FIG. 4A shows an example of processing relating to this. In step A1, for example, a signal from a humidity sensor indicated by reference numeral 8 in FIG. 1 is read, and in step A2, a lookup in which the above relationship is stored. A constant C for calculation is looked up from the table, and this constant C is also used in step 5A to obtain the cleaning recovery amount Yf.
Is being calculated.

Further, the image carrier as shown in FIG. 2 (c) there is a certain relationship also between the rotation time and the agent recovery of (photosensitive member 1), generally the rotating time is long enough agent recovery Becomes higher. Therefore, it is desirable to calculate the cleaning recovery amount Yf in step 5 in FIG. 3 in consideration of the relationship with the rotation time. FIG. 4B shows an example of the processing relating to this. In step b1, the one rotation time of the photosensitive member during the copying operation is counted, and at the end of the replenishing agent, the above-mentioned relationship is stored in step B2. A constant D for calculation is looked up from the table, and this constant C is also used in step 5B to determine the cleaning recovery amount Yf.
Is being calculated.

[0038] Further, as shown in FIG. 2 (d), there is a certain relationship also between the drive time of the developing device (developing unit rotation time) and agent recovery, as the driving time of the general developing apparatus is long Agent recovery rate increases. Therefore, step 5 in FIG.
It is desirable that the calculation of the cleaning recovery amount Yf in step 1 is performed in consideration of the relationship with the drive time of the developing device.
An example of processing in this case is similar to that of FIG. It should be noted that each of the above-described modified examples reflects the amount of change in the amount of cleaning and recovery toner due to background stains and background stains.

Next, with reference to FIG. 4 (c), the further described another modification. When cleaning of the toner collection container 73 is detected by the cleaning detection means 19 (step C1)
Then, the count content of the first counter n at that time is stored in the count value memory (block 21 in FIG. 1) (step C2), and then the first counter n and the collected toner accumulation memory Y are cleared (c). .. When the replenishment agent end is detected after this cleaning (Y in step C4),
The cleaning recovery toner amount Y is obtained by summing (nx + n) the count number nx before cleaning stored in the count value memory and the count value n of the first counter n at that time.
f is calculated (step C5), and the calculation result is summed with the count value n of the first counter n at that time (nx +).
n) and multiply by to obtain the toner recovery container 73 at that time.
The amount of cleaning recovery toner stored in the inside is set (steps 6 and 7).

Next, with reference to FIG. 5, further described another modification. This control is an example of control in a device configuration in which a developing device using black toner and a monocolor developing device using red toner are opposed to the same photoconductor.
In this case, the first counter (nm for black and ns for red is shown) is provided for each developing device, and these are counted up for each copy (steps 2, 3, 4). . Then, when the replenisher end is detected for the black developing device which consumes much toner and whose cartridge 36 is frequently replaced (step 5).
In Y), the cleaning recovery toner amount Yf of the black developing device is calculated in the same manner as in the above embodiment (step 7).
On the other hand, the same applies to the mono-color developing device
Cleaning recovery toner amount Ys using the count value ns
Is calculated (step 8), and the sum of the two is added to the collected toner cumulative memory (13 in FIG. 1) (steps 9 and 10), and the cumulative amount of the total is used to carry out the above-mentioned operation. Collected toner accumulated amount Y in the example
Is performed (steps 14, 15, 1)
6 etc.). The first counter is cleared for each developing device (step 13).

[ 0041 ]

According to the invention of claim 1, in calculating the cleaning recovery developer amount based on the information on the detected amount of consumed developer, the information on the detected adhesive force or image ratio is used as the amount of consumed developer. Used for weighting information,
Since the change in the transfer rate due to the adhesive force or the image ratio is reflected in the calculation of the cleaning recovery developer amount, the conventional method for detecting the amount of the cleaning recovery developer does not consider the change in the transfer rate due to the adhesive force or the image ratio. In comparison, the cleaning recovery developer amount can be detected more accurately. Therefore, if the cleaning recovery developer amount detection method of the present invention is applied to, for example, an image forming apparatus that stores the cleaning recovery developer in a predetermined recovery container, the full time of the recovery container can be more accurately predicted and operated. It is possible to notify the operator of the fullness of the recovery container and to prohibit the image forming operation to prevent the leakage of the cleaning recovery developer to the outside of the recovery container due to excessive recovery at a more accurate time than before. In this way, it is possible to improve the efficiency of cleaning or replacing the recovery container and the leakage prevention property of the cleaning / recovery developer.

Further, according to the invention of claim 2, an image forming apparatus for recovering and cleaning a residual developer on the image carrier, and information detected by the consumed developer amount detecting means, adhesion or image Based on the information detected by the ratio detection means, the amount of developer recovered by cleaning,
Since the change in the transfer rate due to the adhesive force or the image ratio is reflected in the calculation of the cleaning recovery developer amount by calculating with the collected developer amount calculating means, the change in the transfer rate due to the adhesive force or the image ratio is taken into consideration. As compared with the conventional image forming apparatus that does not, the cleaning recovery developer amount can be detected more accurately. Therefore, for example, when the cleaning recovery developer is stored in a predetermined recovery container, the full time of the recovery container is more accurately predicted, the operator is informed of the fullness of the recovery container, and the recovery container due to excessive recovery is collected. Cleaning recovery to the outside Prohibition control of image forming operation to prevent leakage of developer is performed at a more accurate time than in the past, which improves efficiency of cleaning or replacement of the recovery container and cleaning recovery. The developer leakage prevention property can be improved.

Further, according to the invention of claim 3, thereby forming an image on an image bearing member by replenished developer using the refill container containing a developer for replenishment, residual on the image bearing member In the image forming apparatus that cleans and collects the developer, as described above, it may be a substitute characteristic of the image ratio.
The number of image formations within the replenishment interval period is obtained by the replenishment timing detection means and a predetermined counting means, and based on the number of image formations, the cleaning recovery developer amount per one replenishment container is calculated as the recovery developer amount. Since it is calculated by the calculation means,
With a simple structure that effectively uses the replenishment timing detection means provided in the image forming apparatus, cleaning recovery can be performed more accurately as compared with a conventional image forming apparatus that does not consider the change in transfer rate due to image ratio. The amount of developer can be detected.

Further, according to the invention of claim 4, the image forming apparatus according to claim 3 for storing the cleaning recovered developer in a predetermined collection container, with the above replenishment, collected developer with the recovered developer amount storing means The amount of developer is accumulated and stored, and based on the amount of collected developer and the like, it is judged by the prediction judgment means whether or not the total amount of collected developer exceeds the capacity until the next replenishment. When the judgment means judges that the total amount of collected developer exceeds the capacity, the number of times of image formation until the collection container is full or almost full is calculated based on the amount of collected developer and the like. Since the calculation is performed by the means, basically, as described above, more accurate detection of the amount of the cleaning and recovery developer as compared with the conventional image forming apparatus is performed with a simple configuration, and the recovery container is not used at the time other than the replenishment time. Is full or almost full Situation in which it also becomes possible to predict accurately.

Further, according to the invention of claim 5, the image forming apparatus according to claim 3 for storing the cleaning recovered developer in a predetermined collection container, at different times from the timing of the replenishment, the collection container is exchanged When the contents are equalized, the count content of the count means up to that point is stored in the count value storage means, and the count content of the count means and the stored content of the collected developer total amount storage means are cleared,
Also, based on the count content of the number of times of image formation before the exchange stored in the count value storage means and the count content after the exchange by the count means, for the first replenishment after the predetermined processing. Since the amount of cleaning recovery developer per replenishing container is calculated, basically, as described above, more accurate detection of the amount of cleaning recovery developer is simpler than that of the conventional image forming apparatus. While performing the replacement, even when the replacement of the recovery container is performed at a time different from the time of the replenishment, the cleaning recovery developer amount is also considered in consideration of the cleaning recovery developer amount due to the image formation before the replacement, etc. You can

Further, according to the invention of claim 6, respectively, the developer using the refill container containing a developer for replenishment is replenished, and the該補charging frequency is different plurality of developing devices, 1 The two image carriers are arranged to face each other, and
The image forming apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the cleaning recovery developer is stored in a predetermined recovery container. With the replenishment of the developing device having the highest replenishment frequency, The amount of cleaning recovery developer per replenishing container is calculated, and the cleaning recovery developer by image formation using the developing device up to then is also calculated for the developing devices other than the developing device having the highest replenishment frequency. Therefore, basically, as described above, with respect to the developing devices other than the developing device having the highest replenishment frequency, the cleaning recovery developer amount is detected more accurately as compared with the conventional image forming device with a simple configuration. Even if the replenishment is not carried out for a long time, the amount of the cleaning recovery developer is also taken into consideration in consideration of the amount of the cleaning recovery developer by the image formation of the developing device. It can be carried out.

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. Data of an image formed by an image forming apparatus for cleaning and collecting residual developer on an image carrier,
Detects information related to the amount of developer used for image formation on the image bearing member, the number of times of image formation, and the amount of developer consumed that is consumed by being attached to the image bearing member during development, and cleaning is performed based on the information. In the cleaning recovery developer amount detection method for calculating the amount of developer collected by the above method, the adhesive force of the developer forming the developer image on the image carrier to the developer carrier or the image of the formed image When the information regarding the ratio is detected and the cleaning recovery developer amount is calculated based on the consumed developer amount information, the information regarding the adhesive force or the image ratio is used for weighting the consumed developer amount information. Cleaning recovery developer amount detection method. 2. An image forming apparatus for cleaning and collecting residual developer on an image carrier, data of an image to be formed, amount of developer used for image formation on the image carrier, number of times of image formation. And the like, the consumed developer amount detecting means for detecting information on the amount of the consumed developer attached to the image carrier during development, and the developer of the developer forming the developer image on the image carrier. Adhesive force or image ratio detecting means for detecting information relating to the adhesive force to the carrier or the image ratio of the image formed, information detected by the consumed developer amount detecting means, and the adhesive force or image ratio detecting means An image forming apparatus, comprising: a collected developer amount calculating means for calculating the amount of developer collected by cleaning based on the information detected by. 3. An image which forms an image on an image bearing member with the developer replenished by using a replenishing container containing a replenishing developer and cleans and collects the residual developer on the image bearing member. In the forming apparatus, a replenishment timing detecting means for detecting information on the timing of replenishment using the replenishment container such as lack of developer in the hopper portion of the developing device and replenishment operation by the replenishment container, and A counting means for counting the number of times of image formation; and a collected developer amount calculating means for calculating the amount of cleaning collected developer per one replenishing container based on the count content of the counting means. Image forming apparatus. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the cleaning recovery developer is stored in a predetermined recovery container, and the recovery developer amount calculated by the recovery developer amount calculating means is accumulated with the replenishment. A collected developer total amount storage means for storing, a collected developer amount obtained by the collected developer amount calculation means accompanying the replenishment, and a collected developer amount stored in the collected developer total amount storage means. A prediction judgment means for judging whether or not the total amount of the recovered developer exceeds the capacity until the next replenishment, based on the capacity of the recovery container; When it is determined that the capacity is exceeded, based on the recovered developer amount obtained by the recovered developer amount calculation means, the recovered developer amount stored in the recovered developer storage means, and the capacity, The collection container is full or almost The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the number of times of image formation operation means, that the provided for calculating the number of times of image formation until the cup. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the cleaning recovery developer is stored in a predetermined recovery container, and a recovery container empty detecting means for detecting information on replacement or cleaning of the recovery container, and the replenishment. Collected developer total amount storage means for accumulating and storing the collected developer amount obtained by the collected developer amount calculation means, count value storage means for storing the count content of the counting means, and the replenishment timing When the recovery container is replaced or cleaned at a different time from, the count content of the count means is stored in the count value storage means, and the count content of the count means and the collected developer total amount storage means are stored. A control means for clearing the stored contents is provided, and the collected developer amount calculation means is provided for the first replenishment after the predetermined processing by the control means. In this case, the cleaning recovery developer amount per one replenishing container is calculated based on the count content stored in the count value storage means and the count content of the count means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, which is characterized in that. 6. A plurality of developing devices, each of which is replenished with a replenishing container containing a replenishing developer and whose replenishing frequencies are different from each other, are opposed to one image carrier. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the cleaning means is disposed in a predetermined collecting container and the cleaning and collecting developer is stored in a predetermined collecting container. Of the developing device, the collected developer amount calculating means for calculating the collected developer amount according to the count content based on the count content of the counting means for the developing device, and the developing device with the highest replenishment frequency. Along with the above replenishment of the device, for the developing devices other than the developing device with the highest replenishment frequency, the collected developer amount calculating means is used to form an image using the developing device up to that point. Control means for calculating the cleaning recovery developer according to claim 3, and for the developing device having the highest replenishment frequency, calculating the recovery recovery developer amount per replenishing container by the recovery developer amount calculation means of claim 3. 4. The method according to claim 3, further comprising:
Alternatively, the image forming apparatus of item 4.