Image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide an image forming apparatus that can easily identify the type of a toner storage container with a method that is not easily imitated.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus comprises image forming units, a plurality of toner storage containers, a plurality of odor generation units, odor detection units, and a control unit. The image forming unit includes an image carrier, and a developing device that develops an electrostatic latent image formed on the image carrier into a toner image. The toner storage container stores toner for forming a toner image, and is removably attached to the body of the image forming apparatus. The odor generation unit is provided on each of the toner storage containers, and carries an odor substance. The odor detection unit detects the odor substance diffused from the odor generation unit. The control unit identifies the type of the toner storage container on the basis of the odor substance detected by the odor detection unit. The number of the odor detection units is smaller than the number of the toner storage containers, and one odor detection unit detects the odor substances diffused from the plurality of odor generation units.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer that uses an electrophotographic process, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus that is provided with a toner storage container that is detachable from the image forming apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] In image forming devices that use electrophotographic technology, such as copiers, printers, and facsimiles, powder developers are mainly used, and the electrostatic latent image formed on an image carrier such as a photoreceptor drum is visualized by toner in a developing device, and the toner image is then transferred onto a recording medium directly or via an intermediate transfer body, after which a fixing process is generally performed.

[0003] In addition, in order to reduce the size of the developing device, a system has been proposed in which toner is supplied from outside the developing device according to the amount of toner remaining in the developing device using a replaceable toner storage container such as a toner container or a toner cartridge.

[0004] Generally, print quality is guaranteed by using consumables (hereinafter referred to as genuine products) recommended by the seller of the image forming device for the toner storage container. Consumables (hereinafter referred to as non-genuine products) from other than the seller of the image forming device are not guaranteed by the seller for print quality, and the current situation is that equipment maintenance is not performed. However, since many non-genuine products are inexpensive, there are an increasing number of cases where users use non-genuine products despite knowing that they are non-genuine products. As a result, continued use of non-genuine products causes problems such as breakdowns in the image forming device and deterioration of image quality.

[0005] Therefore, methods have been proposed to restrict the use of non-genuine parts, and as described in Patent Document 1, for example, a method is known in which a wireless tag (IC tag) that stores the type and characteristics of the stored toner and the number of times the cartridge has been used is used as a detection means for identifying the type of toner container. However, the method of identifying the type of toner storage container using a wireless tag requires a wireless tag and a module that reads the information stored in the wireless tag, which leads to increased costs for the toner storage container and the image forming apparatus body. In addition, there is also a problem in that the use of wireless tags to manage toner storage containers makes them susceptible to counterfeiting.

[0006] Furthermore, Patent Document 2 discloses an image forming apparatus including a storage unit that stores color material, a printing unit that prints using the color material, an odor detection unit that changes an output value depending on the odor of the color material, and a control unit that determines whether the color material is genuine or non-genuine based on the output value of the odor detection unit. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] JP 2007-212698 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2018-92029 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] The method of Patent Document 2 detects the odor of toner (coloring material), so the sensor must be placed in a space where toner may rise up. As a result, there is a possibility that the sensor may be contaminated by toner. In addition, since the toner itself needs to be scented, there is a risk that a strong odor may be generated when printing an image with a high printing rate.

[0009] In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of easily identifying the type of a toner storage container in a manner that is difficult to imitate. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] In order to achieve the above object, a first configuration of the present invention is an image forming apparatus including an image forming unit, a plurality of toner storage containers, a plurality of odor generating units, an odor detecting unit, and a control unit. The image forming unit includes an image carrier and a developing device that develops an electrostatic latent image formed on the image carrier into a toner image, and forms a toner image based on image data. The plurality of toner storage containers store toner for forming the toner image, and are detachable from the image forming apparatus main body. The plurality of odor generating units are provided in each of the toner storage containers, and an odor substance is carried therein. The odor detecting unit is provided in the image forming apparatus main body, and detects the odor substance diffused from the odor generating unit. The control unit identifies the type of the toner storage container based on the odor substance detected by the odor detecting unit. The number of odor detecting units is less than the number of the toner storage containers, and one odor detecting unit detects the odor substance diffused from the plurality of odor generating units. Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to the first aspect of the present invention, by identifying the toner storage container by detecting an odorous substance that is difficult to imitate, the type of the toner storage container can be identified with higher accuracy than physical or electrical identification methods such as wireless tags that are easily counterfeited. In addition, since there is no need to add an odor to the toner itself, there is no risk of a strong odor being generated when printing an image with a high printing rate. Furthermore, by arranging a smaller number of odor detection units compared to the number of odor generation units, it is possible to detect odorous substances while suppressing cost increases. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of a color printer 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2]1 is a side cross-sectional view of toner containers 4a to 4d and a toner supply path used in a color printer 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a side view of the toner containers 4a to 4d used in the color printer 100 of the present embodiment, showing an example in which the odor generating unit 40 is disposed on the outer peripheral surface 42b of the container body 42. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a top view of the toner containers 4a to 4d used in the color printer 100 of the present embodiment, showing an example in which the odor generating unit 40 is disposed on the outer peripheral surface 42b of the container body 42. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is a side view of the toner containers 4a to 4d used in the color printer 100 of the present embodiment, showing an example in which the odor generating unit 40 is disposed in the fixed portion 43. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a side view of the toner containers 4a to 4d used in the color printer 100 of the present embodiment, showing an example in which the odor generating unit 40 is disposed on the bottom surface 42a of the container body 42. [Figure 7] A block diagram showing a control path used in the color printer 100 of this embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an example of the arrangement of the toner containers 4a to 4d and the odor sensor 50 used in the color printer 100 of the present embodiment, in which the odor sensor 50 is arranged between the adjacent toner containers 4a and 4b and between the adjacent toner containers 4c and 4d. [Figure 9] 9 is a graph showing the transition of the detection output of the odor sensor 50 when the toner containers 4a and 4b are rotated at the same speed in the configuration of FIG. 8. [Figure 10] Graph showing the transition of the detection output of the odor sensor 50 when the toner containers 4a and 4b are rotated at different speeds in the configuration of FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an example of the arrangement of toner containers 4a to 4d used in a color printer 100 of this embodiment, in which the odor generating units 40 arranged on the fixing parts 43 of the toner containers 4a to 4d face in the same direction. [Figure 12]FIG. 12 is a side view of the fixing portion 43 of the toner containers 4a to 4d arranged as in FIG. 11, showing a configuration in which one odor sensor 50 moves to detect the odor generating portion 40 of the toner containers 4a to 4d. [Figure 13] FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an example of the arrangement of the toner containers 4a to 4d and the odor sensor 50 used in the color printer 100 of the present embodiment, and shows a configuration in which the odor generating section 40 of each of the toner containers 4a to 4d is detected using one odor sensor 50 fixed near the toner container 4d. [Figure 14] FIG. 1 is a side view showing an example of the arrangement of the toner containers 4a to 4d and the odor sensor 50, and showing an example in which an air passage 51 is formed from the fan F to the odor sensor 50. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is a side view showing an example of the arrangement of the toner containers 4a to 4d and the odor sensor 50, in which air passages 51a to 51d corresponding to the toner containers 4a to 4d are formed separately. [Figure 16] Rear view of Color Printer 100 [Figure 17] FIG. 11 is a side view showing another example of the toner containers 4a to 4d mounted in the color printer 100 of the present embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 11 is a plan view showing an example in which a protective member 47 is provided on the odor generating unit 40. [Figure 19] FIG. 11 is a plan view showing another example in which a protective member 47 is provided on the odor generating unit 40. [Figure 20] FIG. 1 is a top view of the toner containers 4a to 4d in which the odor generating unit 40 is disposed on the inner circumferential surface of the container body 42 and the container body 42 has a communication hole 42e. [Figure 21] FIG. 1 is a top view of toner containers 4a to 4d in which an odor generating unit 40 is disposed on the outer circumferential surface of a container body 42 and a shutter 45 for opening and closing the odor generating unit 40 is disposed on the container body 42. [Figure 22] FIG. 1 is a top view of the toner containers 4a to 4d in which a label-type odor generating unit 40 is arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the container body 42. [Figure 23] Schematic diagram of odor generating unit 40 made of highly absorbent beads DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] [1. Overall configuration of image forming device] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention, showing a tandem type color printer. Four image forming sections Pa, Pb, Pc, and Pd are arranged in order from the upstream side in the transport direction (the right side in Fig. 1) inside the main body of the color printer 100. These image forming sections Pa to Pd are provided corresponding to images of four different colors (yellow, cyan, magenta, and black), and sequentially form images of yellow, cyan, magenta, and black through the respective processes of charging, exposure, development, and transfer.

[0014] Photoconductor drums 1a, 1b, 1c, and 1d that carry visible images (toner images) of each color are disposed in these image forming stations Pa to Pd, respectively. An intermediate transfer belt 8 that rotates clockwise in Fig. 1 is disposed adjacent to each of the image forming stations Pa to Pd. Furthermore, a secondary transfer roller 9 is disposed adjacent to the intermediate transfer belt 8.

[0015] When image data is input from a host device such as a personal computer, first, the surfaces of the photoconductor drums 1a-1d are uniformly charged by the charging devices 2a-2d. Next, the exposure device 5 irradiates light according to the image data, and electrostatic latent images corresponding to the image data are formed on the photoconductor drums 1a-1d. The developing devices 3a-3d are filled with a predetermined amount of two-component developer (hereinafter, simply referred to as developer) containing toner of each color of yellow, cyan, magenta, and black by the toner containers 4a-4d. The developing devices 3a-3d supply the toner in the developer onto the photoconductor drums 1a-1d, where it electrostatically adheres to the photoconductor drums. As a result, a toner image corresponding to the electrostatic latent image formed by exposure from the exposure device 5 is formed.

[0016] Then, an electric field is applied between the primary transfer rollers 6a-6d and the photoconductor drums 1a-1d by the primary transfer rollers 6a-6d at a predetermined transfer voltage, and the yellow, cyan, magenta and black toner images on the photoconductor drums 1a-1d are primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 8. Toner and the like remaining on the surfaces of the photoconductor drums 1a-1d after the primary transfer is removed by cleaning devices 7a-7d.

[0017] The transfer paper P onto which the toner image is transferred is stored in a paper cassette 16 located at the bottom of the color printer 100. The transfer paper P is transported from the paper cassette 16 to a nip portion (secondary transfer nip portion) between the secondary transfer roller 9 and the intermediate transfer belt 8 at a predetermined timing via a paper feed roller 12a and a pair of registration rollers 12b. The transfer paper P onto which the toner image has been secondarily transferred is transported to a fixing unit 13.

[0018] The transfer paper P transported to the fixing section 13 is heated and pressurized by the fixing roller pair 13a, so that the toner image is fixed onto the surface of the transfer paper P, and a predetermined full-color image is formed. The transfer paper P on which the full-color image has been formed is discharged onto the discharge tray 17 by the discharge roller pair 15 as is (or after being diverted to the reversing conveying path 18 by the branching section 14 and images are formed on both sides).

[0019] [2, Identifying toner containers using odor sensors] Fig. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the toner containers 4a-4d and the toner supply path used in the color printer 100 according to this embodiment. Figs. 3 and 4 are a side view and a top view showing the toner containers 4a-4d used in the color printer 100 according to this embodiment. The toner containers 4a-4d have the same basic configuration, so the toner containers 4a-4d are shown in a common diagram in Figs. 3 and 4 and Figs. 5-6 described below. This embodiment uses rotational toner containers 4a-4d that replenish toner by rotating the toner containers 4a-4d themselves.

[0020] 2, the toner containers 4a to 4d are connected to the developing devices 3a to 3d via toner supply pipes (sub hoppers) 35. The toner supply pipes 35 are bent in a crank shape. A transport screw 35a is disposed inside the horizontal portion of the toner supply pipe 35, and a transport motor 35b is connected to the transport screw 35a.

[0021] As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the toner containers 4a to 4d each have a container body 42 and a fixing portion 43. The container body 42 is configured to be rotatable about a rotation axis extending in the longitudinal direction. Toners of each color (not shown) are accommodated inside the container body 42. A spiral transport rib 42a is continuously provided on the inner peripheral surface of the container body 42. The transport rib 42a protrudes radially inward from the inner peripheral surface of the container body 42. The odor generating portion 40 is disposed on the outer peripheral surface 42b of the container body 42.

[0022] The odor generating unit 40 is made of a base material such as nonwoven fabric impregnated with an odor substance. For example, a long-fiber nonwoven fabric made of polypropylene or a nonwoven fabric made by directly spinning a polymer whose main component is sodium polyacrylate is used as the base material.

[0023] Specifically, the odorant is an organic compound that contains at least one of carbon atom, hydrogen atom, nitrogen atom, oxygen atom, and sulfur atom, and has a molecular weight of about 20 to 400, and evaporates at room temperature (room temperature volatile). In addition, the odorant may be a compound whose odor cannot be detected by humans. Specific examples of compounds that can be odorants include nerolidol, γ-decalactone, ethyl maltol, anisole, stabilized chlorine dioxide, odorless petrol, linalool, terpineol, allyl ester, sesquiterpene, and green tea catechin. Examples of compounds whose odor cannot be detected by humans include cyclodextrin.

[0024] A sealing member 44 for sealing is attached to the odor generating unit 40. The sealing member 44 is made of a material that is impermeable to the odorous substance impregnated in the odor generating unit 40, and prevents the odorous substance from diffusing during transportation and storage of the toner containers 4a-4d. When using the toner containers 4a-4d, the sealing member 44 is peeled off and then the toner containers 4a-4d are inserted into the container mounting portion 101.

[0025] The fixed portion 43 is non-rotatably attached to the attachment portion 101a (see FIG. 2) of the container attachment portion 101. The fixed portion 43 is formed with a toner discharge port 43a connected to the toner supply pipe .

[0026] Returning to Fig. 2, a toner supply motor 33 that rotates the container body 42 is disposed near the attachment portion 101a. When the toner supply motor 33 rotates the container body 42, the toner in the container body 42 moves toward the fixed portion 43 by the transport ribs 42a, and the toner falls from the toner discharge port 43a into the toner supply tube 35. The toner that has fallen into the toner supply tube 35 is supplied to the developing devices 3a to 3d by the rotation of the transport screw 35a.

[0027] An odor sensor 50 is disposed in the container mounting section 101 at a position facing the odor generating section 40. The odor sensor 50 detects odor substances diffusing from the odor generating section 40. Details of the odor sensor 50 will be described later.

[0028] In the color printer 100 of this embodiment, the toner containers 4a to 4d are identified by detecting the odor substances diffusing from the odor generating units 40 of the toner containers 4a to 4d using the odor sensor 50. Specifically, it is identified whether the toner containers 4a to 4d are genuine or not based on the odor substances detected by the odor sensor 50. In addition, by using different odor substances for each color of the toner containers 4a to 4d, the color and type of toner contained in the toner containers 4a to 4d are identified.

[0029] According to this embodiment, by identifying the toner containers 4a-4d by detecting an odorous substance that is difficult to imitate, the type of the toner containers 4a-4d can be identified with higher accuracy than physical or electrical identification methods such as wireless tags, which can be easily counterfeited. In addition, since there is no need to add an odor to the toner itself, there is no risk of a strong odor being generated when printing an image with a high print ratio.

[0030] 5 and 6 are side and top views showing other examples of toner containers 4a-4d used in the color printer 100 of this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 5, the odor generating unit 40 can also be fixed to the upper surface of the fixing part 43. Also, as shown in Fig. 6, the odor generating unit 40 can be disposed in the center of the bottom surface 42c of the container body 42. In the configurations shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the position of the odor generating unit 40 does not change even if the container body 42 rotates.

[0031] 7 is a block diagram showing an example of a control path used in the color printer 100 of this embodiment. Note that because various controls are performed on each device component when using the color printer 100, the control paths for the entire color printer 100 are complex. Therefore, the following explanation will focus on the parts of the control path that are necessary for implementing the present invention. Also, explanations of parts that have already been explained will be omitted or simplified.

[0032] Image input unit 70 is a receiving unit that receives image data sent from a personal computer or the like to color printer 100. The image signal input by image input unit 70 is converted into a digital signal and then sent to temporary storage unit 94. When the image forming apparatus is a copier or digital multifunction machine, image input unit 70 corresponds to an image reading unit that reads an original image and converts it into image data.

[0033] The operation unit 80 is provided with a liquid crystal display unit 81 and an LED 82 that indicates various states, and is configured to show the state of the color printer 100, the image formation status, and the number of copies to be printed. Various settings for the color printer 100 are made through the printer driver of the personal computer.

[0034] In addition, the operation unit 80 is provided with a start button that the user uses to instruct the start of image formation, a stop / clear button that is used when canceling image formation, and a reset button that is used to reset various settings of the color printer 100 to their default states.

[0035] The odor sensor 50 detects odor substances diffused from the odor generating units 40 attached to the toner containers 4a-4d, and determines whether the toner containers 4a-4d are genuine or non-genuine, and the color, type, etc. of the toner contained in the toner containers 4a-4d. The information detected by the odor sensor 50 is stored in the RAM 93.

[0036] Any type of odor sensor 50 can be used, such as a semiconductor type, a quartz crystal oscillator type, or a membrane-type surface stress type (MSS), but a quartz crystal oscillator type with a sensitive membrane attached and a membrane-type surface stress type can detect multiple types of odors, enabling highly accurate discrimination.

[0037] Semiconductor types include oxide semiconductor types and organic semiconductor types. Semiconductor-type odor sensors 50 detect odors by utilizing the fact that the resistance value of a semiconductor changes when odorant molecules are adsorbed onto the semiconductor surface. Quartz crystal oscillator types include those that use natural lipids and those that use synthetic lipids. Quartz crystal oscillator-type odor sensors 50 have an odor-sensing membrane attached to the surface of the oscillator. When odorant molecules are adsorbed onto the sensing membrane, the mass of the membrane increases and the resonant frequency of the quartz crystal oscillator decreases. The mass of the odorant molecules is measured from the amount of this decrease. With quartz crystal oscillator-type sensors, the odorants that can be detected change depending on the type of sensing membrane.

[0038] The odor sensor 50 can be, for example, a semiconductor type XP-329III (manufactured by Shin Cosmos Electric Co., Ltd.), OMX-SR (manufactured by Shin-eisha Co., Ltd.), or a quartz oscillator type noseStic (manufactured by I-PEX Co., Ltd.) that has been modified.

[0039] The control unit 90 at least includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 91 as a central processing unit, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 92 which is a read-only memory unit, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 93 which is a readable and writable memory unit, a temporary memory unit 94 which temporarily stores image data, etc., and multiple (here, two) I / Fs (interfaces) 95 which send control signals to each device within the color printer 100 and receive input signals from the operation unit 80.

[0040] ROM 92 stores control programs for color printer 100, numerical values ​​necessary for control, and other data that will not change while color printer 100 is in use. RAM 93 stores necessary data that arises during the control of color printer 100, and data that is temporarily required for controlling color printer 100. Temporary storage unit 94 temporarily stores image signals that are input from image input unit 70 and converted into digital signals.

[0041] Furthermore, the control unit 90 transmits control signals from the CPU 91 through the I / F 95 to each part and device in the color printer 100. Furthermore, signals indicating the state of each part and device and input signals are transmitted from each part and device to the CPU 91 through the I / F 95. Examples of each part and device controlled by the control unit 90 include image forming units Pa to Pd, exposure unit 5, fixing unit 13, image input unit 70, operation unit 80, etc.

[0042] The control unit 90 can use the information about the toner containers 4a-4d that is detected by the odor sensor 50 and stored in the RAM 93 to control the color printer 100. For example, by outputting the information stored in the RAM 93 to the liquid crystal display unit 81 and referring to it when the color printer 100 breaks down, it is possible to hasten the identification of the cause of the failure.

[0043] Furthermore, when the toner containers 4a to 4d are identified as genuine or non-genuine, the control unit 90 changes the image forming conditions according to the identified toner containers 4a to 4d as necessary. For example, when the toner containers 4a to 4d are non-genuine and the image density is lower than the target value, the control unit 90 changes the image forming conditions, such as increasing the development voltage.

[0044] Incidentally, when odor sensors 50 are arranged corresponding to the odor generating units 40 of each of the toner containers 4a to 4d, the accuracy of odor substance detection is improved, but four odor sensors 50 are required. On the other hand, when detection is performed using a smaller number of odor sensors 50 than the number of odor generating units 40, the accuracy of odor substance detection may decrease.

[0045] This embodiment is characterized by using a detection method that can maintain the accuracy of odor substance detection while suppressing cost increases by arranging a smaller number of odor sensors 50 compared to the number of odor generating units 40. The method of detecting the odor substance of the odor generating unit 40 by the odor sensor 50 will be described in detail below.

[0046] [2-1. When detecting while rotating the toner container] 8 is a plan view showing an example of the arrangement of toner containers 4a-4d and odor sensors 50 used in the color printer 100 of this embodiment, illustrating an example in which the odor sensors 50 are arranged between adjacent toner containers 4a, 4b and toner containers 4c, 4d. The configuration shown in Fig. 8 uses toner containers 4a-4d in which the odor generating unit 40 is attached to the outer peripheral surface 42b of the container body 42 as shown in Figs. 3 and 4.

[0047] The odor generating section 40 of each of the toner containers 4a to 4d is impregnated with the same or different odor substances, and the odor substances are detected while rotating the toner containers 4a to 4d (container bodies 42). Below, the identification of the toner containers 4a and 4b will be described, but the same explanation will be given for the identification of the toner containers 4c and 4d.

[0048] 9 is a graph showing the transition of the detection output of the odor sensor 50 when the toner containers 4a and 4b are rotated at the same speed. In this case, although the waveform of the detection output of the odor sensor 50 when detecting an odor substance diffusing from the odor generating unit 40 of the toner containers 4a and 4b is divided into two, it is difficult to determine which waveform is the output of the toner container 4a or the output of the toner container 4b. In addition, if the odor generating unit 40 is attached in a phase where the change in distance from the odor sensor 50 is the same, and the detection output waveforms overlap, it is difficult to distinguish between the toner containers 4a and 4b.

[0049] 10 is a graph showing the transition of the detection output of the odor sensor 50 when the toner containers 4a and 4b are rotated at different speeds. In this case, the waveform of the detection output of the odor sensor 50 is divided into two, and the intervals between the peaks of the waveforms are also different. Therefore, it is possible to determine which waveform is the output of the toner container 4a or the output of the toner container 4b based on the difference in the intervals between the peaks, and the two toner containers 4a and 4b can be detected by a single odor sensor 50. In addition, since the waveforms do not completely overlap, it is possible to distinguish between the toner containers 4a and 4b even if the odor generating unit 40 is attached in a phase where the change in distance from the odor sensor 50 is the same.

[0050] Although the method of identifying two toner containers 4a, 4b and toner containers 4c, 4d using one odor sensor 50 has been described here, the method can also be applied to identifying three or more toner containers 4a-4d. Furthermore, the placement of the odor sensor 50 is not limited to between the toner containers 4a-4d, as long as it is a position where the odor sensor 50 can detect the odor substances of the multiple toner containers 4a-4d.

[0051] However, when the container body 42 is rotated, the toner is discharged from the toner containers 4a to 4d. As shown in Fig. 2, if the toner supply pipe 35 is present between the toner containers 4a to 4d and the developing devices 3a to 3d, even if the toner is discharged from the toner containers 4a to 4d, the toner is simply accumulated in the toner supply pipe 35, and the toner concentration in the developing devices 3a to 3d does not increase. However, in a configuration without the toner supply pipe 35, the toner discharged from the toner containers 4a to 4d is immediately replenished to the developing devices 3a to 3d.

[0052] If the developer capacity of the developing devices 3a-3d is large or the amount of toner supply is small and the effect is considered to be small, the odor substance can be detected with toner supply. However, if the effect of toner supply is considered to be large, it is preferable to limit the number of rotations of the toner containers 4a-4d (for example, within 5 rotations) or to reverse the rotation of the toner containers 4a-4d to detect the odor substance. When the toner containers 4a-4d are reversed, the toner is not moved by the transport rib 42a, so the odor substance can be detected without discharging the toner from the toner containers 4a-4d.

[0053] Furthermore, when odor substance detection is not performed, the toner containers 4a-4d are stopped at a position where the odor generating unit 40 is farthest from the odor sensor 50, that is, so that the odor generating unit 40 is on the opposite side of the rotation axis of the toner containers 4a-4d to the odor sensor 50 (standby position). This makes it difficult for the odor substance molecules that diffuse from the odor generating unit 40 to reach the odor sensor 50. As a result, a state in which there is little odor substance near the odor sensor 50 can be maintained, which suppresses adhesion of odor substances to the odor sensor 50 and suppresses deterioration of the odor sensor 50, thereby extending the life of the odor sensor 50.

[0054] [2-2. When detecting with the toner container rotation stopped] Fig. 11 is a plan view showing an example of the arrangement of toner containers 4a to 4d used in the color printer 100 of this embodiment, and shows an example in which the odor generating units 40 arranged on the fixing parts 43 of the toner containers 4a to 4d face in the same direction. The configuration shown in Fig. 11 uses toner containers 4a to 4d in which the odor generating units 40 are attached to the upper surfaces of the fixing parts 43 as shown in Fig. 5.

[0055] FIG. 12 is a side view of the fixing portion 43 of the toner containers 4a to 4d arranged as in FIG. 11, and shows a configuration in which one odor sensor 50 moves to detect the odor generating portion 40 of the toner containers 4a to 4d.

[0056] 12, the odor generating section 40 of each of the toner containers 4a to 4d is impregnated with the same or different odor substances, and the odor sensor 50 is movable to a position (measurement position) facing the odor generating section 40 of each of the toner containers 4a to 4d. When detecting an odor substance, the odor sensor 50 is stopped sequentially at the measurement position to detect the odor substance in the odor generating section 40 of each of the toner containers 4a to 4d.

[0057] Furthermore, when no odor substance is detected, the odor sensor 50 is placed on standby in a position (home position HP) that does not face any of the odor generating units 40. This makes it difficult for the odor substance molecules that diffuse from the odor generating unit 40 to reach the odor sensor 50. As a result, a state in which there is little odor substance near the odor sensor 50 can be maintained, which suppresses deterioration of the odor sensor 50 and extends the life of the odor sensor 50.

[0058] Fig. 13 is a plan view showing an example of the arrangement of the toner containers 4a-4d and the odor sensor 50 used in the color printer 100 of this embodiment, and shows a configuration in which the odor generating section 40 of each of the toner containers 4a-4d is detected using one odor sensor 50 fixed near the toner container 4d. In the configuration of Fig. 13, the odor generating section 40 of each of the toner containers 4a-4d is impregnated with a different odor substance. The odor sensor 50 simultaneously detects the odor substances diffusing from the odor generating sections 40 of each of the toner containers 4a-4d.

[0059] The weight of the odor (ease of diffusion) of odor substances varies depending on the molecular weight. Even if odor substances have approximately the same molecular weight, they can be distinguished by the odor sensor 50 due to the difference in the odor substances. Therefore, by impregnating different types of odor substances with approximately the same molecular weight into the odor generating section 40 of each of the toner containers 4a to 4d, it is possible to distinguish the odor substances of each of the toner containers 4a to 4d with one odor sensor 50. Table 1 shows odor substances with approximately the same molecular weight and their molecular weights.

[0060] [Table 1]

[0061] Alternatively, by impregnating the odor generating section 40 of each of the toner containers 4a to 4d with odor substances having different molecular weights, the odor substances of each of the toner containers 4a to 4d can be identified with one odor sensor 50. Table 2 shows an example of using odor substances with different molecular weights for each color of the toner containers 4a to 4d.

[0062] [Table 2]

[0063] When the molecular weight of an odorant is changed, since some odorants have large molecular weights that are difficult to diffuse and some have small molecular weights that are easy to diffuse, the strength of the odorant that can be detected by the odor sensor 50 varies depending on the molecular weight of the odorant. As a result, there is a risk that some toner containers 4a to 4d will not be able to accurately detect the odorant.

[0064] Therefore, as shown in Table 2, the closer the toner containers 4a to 4d are to the odor sensor 50, the larger the molecular weight of the odor substance is impregnated in the odor generating section 40. The distances to the odor sensor 50 of the toner containers 4a to 4d of each color are shown in Table 3. Note that the distance to the odor sensor 50 mentioned here refers to the shortest distance (straight line distance) from the odor generating section 40 of the toner containers 4a to 4d of each color to the odor sensor 50.

[0065] [Table 3]

[0066] Specifically, nerolidol, which has the highest molecular weight, is used in the black toner container 4d closest to the odor sensor 50, γ-decalactone, which has a smaller molecular weight than nerolidol, is used in the magenta toner container 4c, ethyl maltol, which has a smaller molecular weight than γ-decalactone, is used in the cyan toner container 4b, and anisole, which has the smallest molecular weight, is used in the yellow toner container 4b farthest from the odor sensor 50.

[0067] This allows a single odor sensor 50 to accurately detect the odor substances in each of the toner containers 4a to 4d.

[0068] 14, a fan F may be disposed on the opposite side of each of the toner containers 4a-4d from the odor sensor 50, forming an air passage 51 from the fan F to the odor sensor 50. The air passage 51 is formed so that the toner container 4a, which is the furthest from the odor sensor 50, is located furthest upstream (upwind) in the airflow relative to the odor sensor 50. This makes it easier for odorous substances in all of the toner containers 4a-4d to reach the odor sensor 50.

[0069] 15, fans Fa-Fd can be disposed upstream of each of the toner containers 4a-4d, and air passages 51a-51d can be formed separately from the fans Fa-Fd to the odor sensor 50. In this case, if the air passage 51a corresponding to the toner container 4a that is farthest from the odor sensor 50 has the fastest air speed, and the air passages 51b, 51c, and 51d have slower air speeds in that order as they approach the odor sensor 50, odor substances can be detected with even greater accuracy. Table 4 shows the specific relationship between the distance to the odor sensor 50 and the air speed for each of the toner containers 4a-4d. [Table 4]

[0070] It is thought that in the yellow toner container 4a, which is the farthest from the odor sensor 50, it would be difficult for the odor substances from the odor generating section 40 to reach the odor sensor 50, but by using the ingenuity described above, the odor substances from all of the toner containers 4a to 4d will reach the odor sensor 50 equally, making it possible to accurately identify multiple toner containers 4a to 4d with a single odor sensor 50.

[0071] An example of a timing for the odor sensor 50 to detect an odor substance is when the toner containers 4a-4d are replaced. To detect that the toner containers 4a-4d have been replaced, an opening / closing signal of a container cover 102 that opens and closes a container mounting part 101 when inserting and removing the toner containers 4a-4d can be used, as shown in Fig. 16. The container cover 102 is provided on the rear side of the color printer 100 so as to be openable and closable, and an opening / closing detection switch 103 is attached to the container mounting part 101 at a position where it comes into contact with the container cover 102. When the container cover 102 is opened or closed, an opening / closing detection switch 103 sends an opening / closing signal to the control part 90 (see Fig. 7).

[0072] However, when the color printer 100 is powered off, it cannot be recognized whether the container cover 102 is open or closed. Therefore, it is possible that the toner containers 4a-4d may have been inserted while the color printer 100 was powered off, so odorous substances may be detected when the color printer 100 is powered on. Note that if the container cover 102 is locked except when the toner containers 4a-4d need to be replaced, it is not necessary to detect odorous substances when the color printer 100 is powered on.

[0073] Alternatively, the replacement of the toner containers 4a-4d may be confirmed by the user. The odor detection operation after receiving an opening / closing signal for the container cover 102 or when the color printer 100 is turned on may be limited to after an empty signal for the toner containers 4a-4d is generated. If there are multiple newly installed toner containers 4a-4d, the replaced toner containers 4a-4d may be rotated simultaneously for detection, or the replaced toner containers 4a-4d may be rotated one by one for detection of odor substances in order to suppress the influence of the odor generating units 40 of the other toner containers 4a-4d. Table 5 shows an example of the situation in which the odor detection operation is performed and the toner containers to be detected.

[0074] [Table 5]

[0075] [4. Other configurations] Fig. 17 is a side view showing another example of the toner containers 4a to 4d mounted on the color printer 100 of this embodiment. The toner containers 4a to 4d shown in Fig. 17 are composed only of a container body 42, and do not have a fixing part 43 (see Fig. 3). A toner discharge port 42c is formed in the container body 42. The configuration of other parts is similar to that of the toner containers 4a to 4d shown in Figs. 3 and 4. When refilling toner, the entire toner containers 4a to 4d rotate, and toner is discharged from the toner discharge port 42d only when the toner discharge port 42c faces downward.

[0076] As shown in Figures 18 and 19, a protective member 47 may be provided to protect the surface of the odor generating unit 40. This is to prevent the odor generating unit 40 from being touched accidentally when handling the toner containers 4a to 4d, or from other substances adhering to the odor generating unit 40. The protective member 47 shown in Figure 18 has slits 47a formed therein, and the odorous substance diffuses through the slits 47a. The protective member 47 shown in Figure 19 covers the odor generating unit 50 with nonwoven fabric 47b, and the odorous substance diffuses through the nonwoven fabric 47b.

[0077] Fig. 20 is a diagram showing a configuration in which the odor generating unit 40 is disposed on the inner surface of the container body 42, and the odorous substance diffuses through a communication hole 42e formed in the container body 42. In the configuration of Fig. 20, the container body 42 also functions as the protective member 47. Note that, when a shutter 45 capable of opening and closing the odor generating unit 40 is attached to the toner containers 4a to 4d as shown in Fig. 21, the shutter 45 also functions as the protective member 47.

[0078] 22 is a top view of the toner containers 4a to 4d in which a label-type odor generating unit 40 is disposed on the outer circumferential surface 42b of the container body 42. The odor generating unit 40 is formed by encapsulating an odorant (for example, an oil-based fragrance oil) in microcapsules of about 1 to 5 μm in size, and a label on which letters and symbols are printed using ink in which the microcapsules are dispersed is affixed to the outer circumferential surface of the container body 42 of the toner containers 4a to 4d. Examples of the shell (outer layer) of the microcapsule include a gelatin film, a melamine film, and a urethane film, with a urethane film being preferred in terms of ease of handling.

[0079] A rubbing member (not shown) is provided on the container mounting part 101 side, and when the toner containers 4a-4d are inserted into the container mounting part 101 or when the toner containers 4a-4d rotate, the microcapsules are crushed by the rubbing member, diffusing the odorous substance. With this configuration, the odor generating part 40 can be easily produced by simply printing with ink containing microcapsules. In addition, the seal member 44 (see FIG. 3) required for preventing the diffusion of the odorous substance during transportation and storage of the toner containers 4a-4d becomes unnecessary, and furthermore, the odorous substance can be easily changed by changing the label, making it possible to use the odor generating part 40 with higher convenience.

[0080] Furthermore, when using the sealing member 44 to prevent odor diffusion, if the sealing member 44 peels off during transportation or storage, the level of the odorous substance will decrease. Therefore, when a toner container 4a-4d from which the sealing member 44 has peeled off is mounted in the container mounting part 101, there is a possibility that it may be mistaken for a used toner container 4a-4d. On the other hand, when a label-type odor generating part 40 is used, such a risk can be eliminated.

[0081] Another method is to use capsules as a substitute for the sealing member 44. Specifically, the odor generating unit 40 itself is composed of a collection of capsules in which an odorous substance is enclosed, and the capsules are broken when an odor is detected by the odor sensor 50, thereby dispersing the odorous substance. The capsules are made of a resin material that is impermeable to the odorous substance.

[0082] FIG. 23 is a schematic diagram of an odor generating unit 40 composed of superabsorbent beads 49. Examples of materials for the superabsorbent beads 49 include cross-linked polyacrylates. When the superabsorbent beads 49 are impregnated with an odorant, the odorant retention capacity is increased. Furthermore, by adding polyolefin resin to resin pellets containing an odorant and forming them into a rod shape to form a three-dimensional structure, the odorant can be bled onto the surface of the three-dimensional structure and volatilized from the surface of the three-dimensional structure for a long period of time.

[0083] In addition, the state of the toner in the toner containers 4a to 4d can be predicted based on the attenuation of the odorous substance detected by the odor sensor 50. The odorous substance is more likely to diffuse when the surrounding temperature is high, and is also more likely to diffuse when the surrounding humidity is low. That is, the higher the temperature and lower the humidity, the easier the odorous substance is to diffuse, and the faster the odorous substance attenuates. On the other hand, the lower the temperature and higher the humidity, the slower the odorous substance attenuates. Although it depends on the type of toner external additive, in a high temperature and low humidity environment, there is a high probability that the toner external additive is buried or detached, and the toner performance is likely to deteriorate. On the other hand, in a low temperature and high humidity environment, the toner performance is easily maintained. Therefore, the state of the toner can be predicted to some extent based on the degree of attenuation of the odorous substance.

[0084] If the odor sensor 50 cannot detect an odorous substance, this may be due to poor rotation of the toner containers 4a-4d, a malfunction of the odor sensor 50, forgetting to peel off the seal member 44 covering the odor generating section 40 of the toner containers 4a-4d, etc. Therefore, if the odorous substance cannot be detected when a new toner container 4a-4d is installed, it is preferable to display a notification on the liquid crystal display unit 81 (see FIG. 7) to prompt the user to check whether the seal member 44 has been peeled off.

[0085] Furthermore, if the odor generating unit 40 can retain an odorous substance for a long time, secondary effects such as aroma effect, insect repellent effect, and deodorizing effect can be obtained by retaining an odorous substance having a fragrant, insect repellent, deodorizing effect, etc. When an odorous substance is added to toner, it can only be effective during printing, but if the odorous substance is retained in the odor generating unit 40 of the toner containers 4a to 4d, it can be diffused at all times.

[0086] Examples of odor substances with insect repellent effects include linalool, terpineol, allyl ester, etc. Examples of odor substances with deodorizing effects include stabilized chlorine dioxide, sesquiterpene, green tea catechin, etc. In addition, the color printer 100 is provided with a fan (not shown) for cooling the inside of the device, and by driving this fan, the odor substances can be diffused around the installation location.

[0087] In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the present invention. For example, in the above embodiment, the odor generating unit 40 attached to the toner containers 4a to 4d and the odor sensor 50 provided in the container attachment unit 101 are used as a method for identifying the toner containers 4a to 4d that supply toner to the developing devices 3a to 3d, but the toner storage containers to be identified are not limited to the toner containers 4a to 4d.

[0088] For example, developing cartridges in which toner containers 4a to 4d and developing devices 3a to 3d are integrated, and drum units in which photosensitive drums 1a to 1d are further integrated, are also included in the toner storage containers that are the subject of identification using the identification method using the odor generating unit 40 and the odor sensor 50 in the present invention.

[0089] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the developing devices 3a to 3d that use a two-component developer containing toner and a magnetic carrier, but is also applicable to image forming apparatuses equipped with developing devices of a one-component development system that uses a magnetic one-component developer consisting only of magnetic toner.

[0090] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to color printer 100 as shown in FIG. 1, but can of course be applied to various image forming apparatuses having a removable toner storage container, such as monochrome printers, monochrome copiers, color copiers, digital multifunction machines, and facsimiles. [Industrial Applicability]

[0091] The present invention can be used in an image forming apparatus having a detachable toner storage container, and can provide an image forming apparatus that can easily identify the type of the toner storage container in a manner that is difficult to imitate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0092] 1a to 1d Photoconductor drum (image carrier) 2a~2d Charging device 3a~3d developing device 4a to 4d Toner container (toner storage container) 33 Toner supply motor 40 Odor generating unit 42 Container body 43 Fixed part 50 Odor sensor (odor detection unit) 51, 51a~51d Wind path 90 Control section 100 Color printers (image forming devices) 101 Container mounting section Pa~Pd Image forming section F, Fa~Fd Fan

Claims

1. an image forming section including an image carrier and a developing device for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the image carrier into a toner image, the image forming section forming the toner image based on image data; a plurality of toner storage containers each containing a toner for forming the toner image and each being detachable from a main body of the image forming apparatus; a plurality of odor generating units each provided in each of the toner storage containers and each carrying an odorous substance; an odor detection unit provided in the image forming apparatus body and configured to detect the odorous substance diffused from the odor generating unit; a control unit that identifies a type of the toner storage container based on the odor substance detected by the odor detection unit, An image forming apparatus characterized in that the number of the odor detection units is less than the number of the toner storage containers, and one of the odor detection units detects the odorous substances diffusing from a plurality of the odor generating units.

2. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the odor detection unit detects the odorous substance by sequentially moving to a position facing the odor generating unit of each of the plurality of toner storage containers.

3. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the odor detection unit is capable of simultaneously detecting the odorous substance diffused from the odor generating units of a plurality of the toner storage containers.

4. The plurality of toner storage containers each have a different odor substance supported in the odor generating section, 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the control unit simultaneously identifies the types of the plurality of toner storage containers based on the difference in the odor substance detected by the odor detection unit.

5. The plurality of toner storage containers each have a different distance from the odor generating unit to the odor detecting unit, An image forming apparatus as described in claim 4, characterized in that the odor generating section of the toner storage container that is farthest from the odor detection section carries an odorous substance having a smaller molecular weight than the odor generating section of the toner storage container that is closest to the odor detection section.

6. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the molecular weight of the odorous substance carried by the odor generating unit decreases as the distance from the odor generating unit to the odor detecting unit increases.

7. An air passage is formed through which air flows from the odor generating unit toward the odor detecting unit, 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the toner storage container that is the furthest away from the odor generating unit to the odor detecting unit is disposed on the most upstream side of the direction of flow of the air flow relative to the odor detecting unit.

8. the air passage is formed separately for each of the toner storage containers, 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the flow speed of the air flow passing through the air passage increases as the distance from the odor generating unit to the odor detecting unit increases.

9. each of the plurality of toner storage containers is rotatable, and the odor detection unit is provided at a position where it can rotate together with the toner storage container; The image forming apparatus of claim 3, wherein the control unit rotates the multiple toner storage containers at different speeds, thereby causing the waveform of the odor substance detected and output by the odor detection unit to be different for each of the multiple toner storage containers, thereby simultaneously identifying the types of the multiple toner storage containers.

Images