Method for controlling image forming apparatus, and image forming apparatus

Abstract

To reduce downtime in print processing when a supply source of a developer is changed in the case that two developer storage units storing developers of the same color are attached.SOLUTION: A control device 8 selects one of two attachment units 7 in which a sufficient remaining amount state is detected by a remaining amount detection section 5s as a target unit. When a main preparation start condition is established, the control device 8 causes a stirring drive mechanism 53 to execute a stirring operation to rotate a stirring section of a preparation unit that is not the target unit, of the two attachment units 7, until a main preparation completion condition is established. When an empty state of the target unit is detected by the remaining amount detection section 5s and the stirring operation is completed, the control device 8 selects the preparation unit as the new target unit. The main preparation start condition is that a specific remaining amount state of the preparation unit is detected by the remaining amount detection section.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a control method for an image forming apparatus capable of mounting two developer containing units containing developers of the same color, and to an image forming apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] The image forming apparatus includes one or more mounting sections to which developer accommodating units that accommodate developers are attached. For example, when the image forming apparatus is capable of performing color printing, the image forming apparatus includes a plurality of mounting sections corresponding to a plurality of developing colors.

[0003] It is also known that an image forming apparatus has a configuration in which two toner containers can be attached for each of four colors of toner, namely, yellow, magenta, cyan, and black (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The toner is an example of a developer. The toner container is an example of the developer accommodating unit.

[0004] When the image forming apparatus includes two mounting portions for each developing color, one of the two developer accommodating units is selected as a supply unit. The supply unit is a supply source of the developer.

[0005] When one of the two developer accommodating units runs out of developer, the supply unit is switched over, so that even during replacement of one of the two developer accommodating units, printing can be continued using the other unit. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] JP 2014-157350 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] The developer accommodating unit has an agitating portion that rotates to agitate the developer. The image forming apparatus includes an agitation drive mechanism that rotates the agitating portion. The developer is charged by being agitated.

[0008] In order to obtain an output image of sufficient density, the developer is sufficiently agitated in the developer containing unit before being supplied to a printing device.

[0009] If the newly selected supply unit supplies developer after the developer has been stirred, the downtime of the printing process may become longer.

[0010] An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming device control method and an image forming device that can reduce downtime of printing processing when the developer supply source is switched when two developer storage units containing developers of the same color are installed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] A control method for an image forming apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention is a method for controlling an image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus includes a printing device, two mounting units, an agitation drive mechanism, a supply mechanism, and a remaining amount detection unit. The printing device executes a printing process for forming an image on a sheet. The two mounting units can mount two developer accommodating units that accommodate developers of the same color and have an agitation unit to be supplied to the printing device. The agitation drive mechanism rotates the agitation units of the two mounting units, which are the two developer accommodating units, individually when the two mounting units are mounted in the two mounting units. The supply mechanism supplies the developer from one of the two mounting units to the printing device. The remaining amount detection unit detects an empty state, a specific remaining amount state in which the remaining amount of the developer is greater than the empty state, and a sufficient remaining amount state in which the remaining amount of the developer is greater than the specific remaining amount state, for each of the two mounting units. The control method includes the control device selecting one of the two mounting units in which the sufficient remaining amount state is detected by the remaining amount detection unit as a target unit. The control method further includes the control device causing the supply mechanism to execute an operation of supplying the developer from the target unit to the printing device. The control method further includes the control device causing the stirring drive mechanism to execute a stirring operation of rotating the stirring section of a preparation unit that is not the target unit among the two mounting units until a main preparation end condition is satisfied when a main preparation start condition is satisfied under a situation in which the printing device is performing the print process. The control method further includes the control device selecting the preparation unit as the new target unit when the empty state of the target unit is detected by the remaining amount detection section and the stirring operation is completed. The main preparation start condition is that the specific remaining amount state of the preparation unit is detected by the remaining amount detection section.

[0012] An image forming apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention includes the printing device, the two mounting units, the stirring drive mechanism, the supply mechanism, the remaining amount detection unit, and the control device that realizes the control method. Effect of the Invention

[0013] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a control method for an image forming device and an image forming device that can reduce downtime of printing processing when the developer supply source is switched when two developer containing units containing developers of the same color are installed. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a control device in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a first configuration diagram of the toner supply unit in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a second configuration diagram of the toner supply unit in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure for stirring control in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure for additional stirring control in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure for container selection processing in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiment is an example of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the technical scope of the present invention.

[0016] [Configuration of image forming apparatus 10] The image forming apparatus 10 according to the embodiment is capable of executing a print process for forming an image on a sheet 9. The image forming apparatus 10 shown in Fig. 1 is a printer. Note that the image forming apparatus 10 may also be a copier, a facsimile machine, a multifunction machine, or the like.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 10 includes a main housing 1, a sheet storage unit 2, a conveying device 3, a printing device 4, a toner supply unit 50, a control device 8, an operation device 801, and a display device 802.

[0018] The main housing 1 is a housing that houses the transport device 3, the printing device 4, the toner supply unit 50, and the control device 8. Inside the main housing 1, a transport path 300 that is a passage for a sheet 9 is also provided.

[0019] The conveying device 3 includes a sheet feeding mechanism 30 and a plurality of pairs of conveying rollers 31. The sheet feeding mechanism 30 sends out the sheets 9 stored in the sheet storage unit 2 to a conveying path 300 one by one.

[0020] The plurality of pairs of transport rollers 31 transport the sheet 9 along the transport path 300. One of the plurality of pairs of transport rollers 31 discharges the sheet 9, on which an image has been formed by the printing device 4, from the transport path 300 onto a discharge tray 1x.

[0021] The printing device 4 performs the printing process on the sheet 9 transported along the transport path 300. In the example shown in Fig. 1, the printing device 4 performs the printing process by electrophotography.

[0022] The electrophotographic printing apparatus 4 includes an exposure device 40, one or more image forming units 4x, a transfer device 44, and a fixing device 46. The printing apparatus 4 shown in Fig. 1 is a tandem color printing apparatus. In this case, the printing apparatus 4 includes a plurality of image forming units 4x corresponding to a plurality of developing colors.

[0023] In the example shown in FIG. 1, the printing device 4 includes four image forming units 4x corresponding to the developing colors of yellow, magenta, cyan and black.

[0024] Each of the image forming units 4x includes a photoconductor 41, a charging device 42, a developing device 43, and a drum cleaning device 45. The photoconductor 41 rotates, and the charging device 42 charges the surface of the photoconductor 41.

[0025] The exposure device 40 writes an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photoreceptor 41 by scanning a laser beam over the charged surface of the photoreceptor 41. The development device 43 develops the electrostatic latent image into a toner image by supplying toner to the surface of the photoreceptor 41.

[0026] The transfer device 44 transfers the toner image on the surface of the photoconductor 41 onto the sheet 9 transported along the transport path 300 .

[0027] In the tandem printing apparatus 4, the transfer device 44 includes an intermediate transfer belt 441, a plurality of primary transfer devices 442, a secondary transfer device 443, and a belt cleaning device 444. The plurality of primary transfer devices 442 are provided corresponding to the plurality of image forming units 4x.

[0028] The intermediate transfer belt 441 rotates with a part of it aligned with the multiple image forming units 4x. The multiple primary transfer devices 442 transfer the toner images on the surfaces of the photoconductors 41 of the multiple image forming units 4x onto the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 441. As a result, a color toner image in which the toner images of multiple colors are combined is formed on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 441.

[0029] The secondary transfer device 443 transfers the color toner image on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 441 onto a sheet 9. The fixing device 46 fixes the color toner image onto the sheet 9 by applying heat and pressure to the color toner image on the sheet 9.

[0030] The toner supply unit 50 supplies toner to the developing devices 43 of the multiple image forming units 4x in the printing device 4. The toner supply unit 50 includes multiple mounting units 5. Each of the mounting units 5 is a portion to which a toner container 7 is removably mounted.

[0031] The toner supply unit 50 supplies toner in the multiple toner containers 7 mounted in the multiple mounting units 5 to the developing devices 43 of the multiple image forming units 4x for each development color.

[0032] The sheet 9 is a sheet-like image forming medium such as paper. The toner is an example of a developer. Each of the toner containers 7 is an example of a developer accommodating unit that accommodates the developer.

[0033] The operation device 801 is a device that accepts operations by a person. For example, the operation device 801 includes one or both of a touch panel and operation buttons.

[0034] The display device 802 is capable of displaying various types of information. For example, the display device 802 is a panel display device such as a liquid crystal display device. The control device 8 controls various types of electric devices included in the image forming apparatus .

[0035] As shown in FIG. 2, the control device 8 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 80, a random access memory (RAM) 81, a secondary storage device 82, a signal interface 83, a communication device 84, and the like.

[0036] The CPU 80 is an example of a processor that executes various control and data processing by executing a computer program. The RAM 81 temporarily stores the computer program executed by the CPU 80 and various data.

[0037] The secondary storage device 82 is a computer-readable non-volatile storage device. The secondary storage device 82 stores the computer programs executed by the CPU 80 and various data. For example, one or both of a flash memory and a hard disk drive are adopted as the secondary storage device 82.

[0038] The signal interface 83 converts the detection signals of the various sensors into digital detection data. The detection data is transmitted to the CPU 80.

[0039] The communication device 84 communicates with a plurality of external devices including one or more host devices through a network. The CPU 80 communicates with each of the external devices through the communication device 84. The host device is an information processing device that requests the image forming apparatus 10 to perform the print process.

[0040] The CPU 80 includes a plurality of processing modules that are realized by executing the computer programs, including a main control unit 8a, a supply control unit 8b, and a print control unit 8c (see FIG. 2).

[0041] The main control unit 8a executes a process of receiving various requests and a control of making other modules execute processes according to the requests. For example, the main control unit 8a receives a print request through the operation device 801 or the communication device 84. Furthermore, the main control unit 8a causes the print control unit 8c to execute a process according to the print request.

[0042] The supply control unit 8 b controls the toner supply unit 50 to thereby control the supply of toner from the toner supply unit 50 to the printing device 4 .

[0043] The print control unit 8c controls the conveying device 3 and the printing device 4. The print control unit 8c causes the conveying device 3 to convey the sheet 9, while causing the printing device 4 to execute the printing process.

[0044] In this embodiment, the toner supply unit 50 includes two mounting units 5 for each of a plurality of developing colors (see FIG. 3). The toner supply unit 50 includes two mounting units 5 for each of the four colors of toner: yellow, magenta, cyan, and black.

[0045] In other words, the toner supply unit 50 can accommodate two toner containers 7 containing toner of the same color.

[0046] One of the two toner containers 7 for each developing color is selected as a target container. The target container is a toner supply source. In the following description, the other of the two toner containers 7 for each developing color that is not the target container is referred to as a preparation container.

[0047] When one of the two toner containers 7 for each developing color runs out of toner, the target container is switched. This allows the print process to be continued using the other container even during replacement of one of the two toner containers 7 for each developing color.

[0048] Incidentally, each of the toner containers 7 has an agitator 72 that rotates to agitate the developer (see FIG. 4). The toner supply unit 50 includes an agitation drive mechanism 53 that rotates the agitator 72. The toner in each of the toner containers 7 is charged by being agitated.

[0049] In order to obtain an output image of sufficient density, the toner is sufficiently agitated in each toner container 7 before being supplied to the developing device 43 .

[0050] If the toner is supplied to the newly selected target container after the toner has been stirred, the downtime of the printing process may become longer.

[0051] When two toner containers 7 containing the same color toner are attached to the image forming apparatus 10, the supply control unit 8b executes stirring control (see FIG. 5), which will be described later. This reduces the downtime of the print process when the target container is switched.

[0052] [Configuration of toner supply unit 50] The configuration of the toner supply unit 50 will be described below.

[0053] The toner supply unit 50 includes four mounting portion sets 5x (see FIG. 3). The four mounting portion sets 5x correspond to yellow, magenta, cyan, and black toners, respectively. Yellow, magenta, cyan, and black are examples of developing colors.

[0054] Each of the four mounting portion sets 5x includes two mounting portions 5. Therefore, the toner supply unit 50 includes eight mounting portions 5. In each of the four mounting portion sets 5x, two toner containers 7 of the same color can be attached to the two mounting portions 5.

[0055] Each of the toner containers 7 has a supply port 70, a shutter 71, and an agitator 72 (see FIG. 4). FIG. 4 shows the configuration of a portion corresponding to one of the four mounting portion sets 5x in the toner supply unit 50.

[0056] The supply port 70 is an opening formed in each of the toner containers 7. The toner is discharged from each of the toner containers 7 through the supply port 70 and supplied to the developing device 43.

[0057] The shutter 71 is capable of opening and closing the supply port 70. The agitating unit 72 has a spiral agitating blade, and agitates the toner in each of the toner containers 7 by rotating.

[0058] In this embodiment, each toner container 7 is rotatably mounted in each mounting portion 5. The agitating portion 72 is a protrusion formed in a spiral shape on the inner surface of each toner container 7. In this case, the agitation drive mechanism 53 rotates each toner container 7, thereby rotating the agitating portion 72.

[0059] On the other hand, the agitator 72 may be a screw conveying member disposed inside each toner container 7. In this case, the agitator drive mechanism 53 rotates the shaft portion of the screw conveying member.

[0060] In this embodiment, the toner supply unit 50 includes a shutter drive mechanism 51 and a container rotation mechanism 52. The shutter drive mechanism 51 can individually open and close the shutters 71 of each toner container 7. The container rotation mechanism 52 can individually rotate each toner container 7.

[0061] The shutter drive mechanism 51 and the container rotation mechanism 52 can perform a supply operation and a stirring operation. The supply operation is an operation of supplying toner from the target container to the printing device 4. The stirring operation is an operation of stirring the toner in the preparation container.

[0062] The supply operation is an operation in which the container rotation mechanism 52 rotates the target container while the shutter drive mechanism 51 opens the shutter 71 of the target container. As a result, the agitator 72 of the target container sends the toner in the target container from the supply port 70 to the developing device 43 while agitating the toner.

[0063] The stirring operation is an operation in which the container rotation mechanism 52 rotates each of the toner containers 7 while the shutter drive mechanism 51 closes the shutters 71 of each of the toner containers 7. As a result, the stirring unit 72 of each of the toner containers 7 stirs the toner in each of the toner containers 7.

[0064] In the present embodiment, the shutter drive mechanism 51 and the container rotation mechanism 52 are an example of a supply mechanism 54 that supplies toner from one of the two toner containers 7 in each of the mounting portion sets 5x to the printing device 4. That is, the shutter drive mechanism 51 and the container rotation mechanism 52 function as the supply mechanism 54 when performing the supply operation.

[0065] The shutter drive mechanism 51 and the container rotation mechanism 52 also function as the agitation drive mechanism 53. That is, the shutter drive mechanism 51 and the container rotation mechanism 52 function as the agitation drive mechanism 53 when performing the agitation operation.

[0066] The stirring drive mechanism 53 can individually rotate the stirring parts 72 of the two mounting units. The stirring drive mechanism 53 and the supply mechanism 54 may be provided separately.

[0067] The toner supply unit 50 further includes eight locking mechanisms 6 and eight remaining amount sensors 5s corresponding to the eight mounting units 5.

[0068] The eight locking mechanisms 6 are divided into four locking mechanism sets 6x corresponding to the four mounting portion sets 5x (see FIG. 3). Each of the four locking mechanism sets 6x includes two locking mechanisms 6 corresponding to two mounting portions 5.

[0069] The eight remaining amount sensors 5s detect the remaining amount of toner in each of the eight toner containers 7 attached to the eight mounting units 5. For example, each of the remaining amount sensors 5s is a magnetic permeability sensor. Each of the remaining amount sensors 5s is an example of a remaining amount detection unit.

[0070] Each of the remaining amount sensors 5s may be a plurality of photosensors that detect the toner storage level in each of the toner containers 7. Also, each of the remaining amount sensors 5s may be a load cell that measures the weight of each of the toner containers 7.

[0071] Each remaining amount sensor 5s can detect an empty state, a low amount state, and a sufficient amount state for each toner container 7 attached to each mounting portion 5.

[0072] The empty state is a state in which no toner remains in each toner container 7. The low amount state is a state in which the amount of toner remaining is greater than that in the empty state. The sufficient amount state is a state in which the amount of toner remaining is greater than that in the low amount state. The low amount state is an example of a specific remaining amount state.

[0073] The supply control unit 8b causes the supply mechanism 54 to execute the supply operation on condition that the remaining amount of toner in the target container is not in the empty state.

[0074] That is, the supply mechanism 54 executes an operation of supplying the toner in the target container to the developing device 43 on the condition that the remaining amount of toner in the target container is not in the empty state.

[0075] Each of the locking mechanisms 6 is a mechanism that can be selectively switched between a locked state and an unlocked state.

[0076] The locked state of each locking mechanism 6 prevents removal of each toner container 7 from its corresponding mounting portion 5. The released state of each locking mechanism 6 allows removal of each toner container 7 from its corresponding mounting portion 5.

[0077] In this embodiment, each lock mechanism 6 includes a container cover 6a, a cover sensor 6b, and a cover locking mechanism 6c (see FIG. 3). The container cover 6a can open and close an opening leading to one of the eight mounting parts 5 in the main housing 1.

[0078] The cover locking mechanism 6c selectively switches between a state in which the container cover 6a is locked in the closed position and a state in which the container cover 6a is released from the locked position in accordance with an input lock control signal. For example, the cover locking mechanism 6c includes a solenoid or the like whose state is switched in accordance with the lock control signal.

[0079] The state in which the cover locking mechanism 6c locks the container cover 6a in the closed position is the locked state of the lock mechanism 6. The state in which the cover locking mechanism 6c releases the lock on the container cover 6a is the released state of the lock mechanism 6.

[0080] The cover sensor 6b detects whether the container cover 6a is in a cover closed state or a cover open state. The cover closed state is a state in which the container cover 6a is in the closed position. The cover open state is a state in which the container cover 6a is not in the closed position.

[0081] The corresponding container cover 6a is opened when each toner container 7 is attached to or detached from the corresponding mounting portion 5. For example, the cover sensor 6b is a non-contact type photosensor or a contact type microswitch.

[0082] The supply control unit 8b outputs the lock control signal to control each of the lock mechanisms 6 to one of the locked state and the released state.

[0083] In this embodiment, each toner container 7 further includes an IC tag (Integrated Circuit Tag) 73. The IC tag 73 is an RFID tag (Radio Frequency Identification Tag) that stores product information of each toner container 7.

[0084] When each of the toner containers 7 is a genuine product corresponding to the image forming device 10, the product information includes genuine product information indicating that each of the toner containers 7 is the genuine product. On the other hand, when each of the toner containers 7 is not the genuine product, the product information does not include the genuine product information.

[0085] The toner supply unit 50 includes eight tag readers 55 corresponding to the eight mounting units 5 (see FIG. 4). Each tag reader 55 reads the product information from the IC tag 73 by performing short-range wireless communication with the IC tag 73 of each toner container 7 mounted in each mounting unit 5. Each tag reader 55 is an example of a unit communication device.

[0086] In this embodiment, the supply control unit 8b executes a tag reading process to read the product information from the IC tag 73 of each toner container 7 through each tag reader 55.

[0087] Furthermore, the supply control unit 8b determines whether each of the mounting units 5 is in an attached state or an unattached state based on the detection result of each of the remaining amount sensors 5s.

[0088] The attached state is a state in which the toner container 7 is attached to one of the plurality of mounting units 5 to be determined. The non-attached state is a state in which the toner container 7 is not attached to one of the plurality of mounting units 5 to be determined.

[0089] That is, each remaining amount sensor 5s also serves as an attachment sensor that detects whether each attachment section 5 is in the attached state or the non-attached state.

[0090] The eight tag readers 55 may also function as the mounting sensors.

[0091] That is, the state in which each tag reader 55 can read the product information is the attached state, whereas the state in which each tag reader 55 cannot read the product information is the non-attached state.

[0092] Alternatively, eight dedicated attachment sensors may be provided. Each dedicated attachment sensor is a sensor that detects whether or not each of the toner containers 7 is attached to each of the attachment sections 5.

[0093] In the following description, the two toner containers 7 mounted in the two mounting parts 5 in each mounting part set 5x are referred to as two mounted containers. The two mounted containers in each mounting part set 5x are an example of two mounting units.

[0094] The supply control unit 8b selects one of the two attached containers as the target container for each of the attachment unit sets 5x.

[0095] In the following description, the one of the two mounting containers in each mounting set 5x that is not the target container is referred to as a preparation container. The target container is an example of a target unit. The preparation container is an example of a preparation unit.

[0096] The supply control unit 8b selects one of the two attached containers as the target container for each attachment unit set 5x as the initial state. At that time, the supply control unit 8b selects the one of the two attached containers that is detected as being in the sufficient remaining amount state by the remaining amount sensor 5s as the target container.

[0097] Furthermore, when the remaining toner amount in the target container changes from the small amount state to the empty state, if a predetermined condition is met, the supply control unit 8b selects the preparation container as the new target container.

[0098] [Mixing control] The supply control unit 8b executes stirring control when the print process is performed. An example of the procedure of the stirring control will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0099] The stirring control is an example of a process that realizes a control method for the image forming apparatus 10. In this embodiment, the control device 8 including the supply control unit 8b realizes the control method for the image forming apparatus 10.

[0100] The stirring control shown in FIG. 5 is executed for each mounting portion set 5x in which two toner containers 7 are mounted.

[0101] In the following description, S101, S102, ... represent identification symbols of a plurality of steps in the agitation control. In the agitation control, the process of step S101 is executed first.

[0102] <Process S101> In step S101, the supply control unit 8b executes a process of acquiring the product information from the IC tag 73 of the preparation container through the tag reader 55.

[0103] Further, in step S101, the supply control unit 8b determines whether or not the product information indicating that the preparation container is the genuine product has been acquired.

[0104] The supply control unit 8b executes the process of step S102 when the product information indicating that the preparation container is the genuine product can be acquired. On the other hand, the supply control unit 8b executes the process of step S105 when the product information indicating that the preparation container is the genuine product cannot be acquired.

[0105] If the supply control unit 8b is unable to communicate with the IC tag 73 of the preparation container, it executes an error process (not shown).

[0106] <Process S102> In step S102, the supply control unit 8b determines whether or not a predetermined main preparation start condition is satisfied.

[0107] The main preparation start condition is that the low amount state of the target container is detected by the remaining amount sensor 5s.

[0108] In step S102, the supply control unit 8b waits until the main preparation start condition is satisfied. When the main preparation start condition is satisfied, the supply control unit 8b executes the process of step S103.

[0109] <Process S103> In step S103, the supply control unit 8b starts the stirring operation in the stirring drive mechanism 53. As a result, the stirring drive mechanism 53 continues the stirring operation until the supply control unit 8b causes the stirring drive mechanism 53 to end the stirring operation.

[0110] After executing the process of step S103, the supply control unit 8b executes the process of step S104.

[0111] <Process S104> In step S104, the supply control unit 8b determines whether or not a predetermined main preparation end condition is met.

[0112] The main preparation end condition is a first operation time condition that a time of the stirring operation reaches a preset first target time.

[0113] The main preparation end condition may be a logical product of the first operation time condition and a toner empty condition, the toner empty condition being a condition that the empty state of the target container is detected by a toner remaining amount sensor 5s.

[0114] The supply control unit 8b causes the stirring drive mechanism 53 to continue the stirring operation until the main preparation end condition is satisfied. The supply control unit 8b executes the process of step S108 when the main preparation end condition is satisfied.

[0115] <Process S105> On the other hand, in step S105, the supply control unit 8b determines whether or not a predetermined sub-preparation start condition is satisfied.

[0116] For example, the secondary preparation start condition is a remaining amount condition in which the sufficient amount state of the target container is detected by the remaining amount sensor 5s.

[0117] Generally, if the preparation container is a counterfeit product, it takes a long time to sufficiently charge the toner. Therefore, if the toner in the preparation container is started to be stirred when the low toner state of the target container is detected, the stirring must be continued even after the empty state of the target container is detected. In this case, a relatively long downtime of the printing process occurs.

[0118] Therefore, the auxiliary preparation start condition is a condition that is satisfied at a timing sufficiently earlier than the time when the small amount state of the target container is detected by the remaining amount sensor 5s. In other words, the auxiliary preparation start condition is a condition that is satisfied in a situation where the main preparation start condition is not satisfied.

[0119] In step S105, the supply control unit 8b waits until the auxiliary preparation start condition is satisfied. When the auxiliary preparation start condition is satisfied, the supply control unit 8b executes the process of step S106.

[0120] <Process S106> In step S106, the supply control unit 8b starts the stirring operation in the stirring drive mechanism 53. As a result, the stirring drive mechanism 53 continues the stirring operation until the supply control unit 8b causes the stirring drive mechanism 53 to end the stirring operation.

[0121] After executing the process of step S106, the supply control unit 8b executes the process of step S107.

[0122] <Process S107> In step S107, the supply control unit 8b determines whether or not a predetermined sub-preparation end condition is met.

[0123] The secondary preparation end condition is a second operation time condition that a time of the stirring operation reaches a second target time set in advance. The second target time is longer than the first target time.

[0124] The secondary preparation end condition may be a logical product of the second operation time condition and the toner empty condition.

[0125] The supply control unit 8b causes the agitation drive mechanism 53 to continue the agitation operation until the auxiliary preparation end condition is satisfied. The supply control unit 8b executes the process of step S108 when the auxiliary preparation end condition is satisfied.

[0126] <Process S108> In step S108, the supply control unit 8b causes the stirring drive mechanism 53 to end the stirring operation. After executing the process of step S108, the supply control unit 8b executes the process of step S109.

[0127] <Process S109> In step S109, the supply control unit 8b sets the preparation flag to the ON state.

[0128] The ON state of the preparation flag indicates that the agitation operation of the agitation driving mechanism 53 has been completed. In other words, the ON state of the preparation flag indicates that the toner in the preparation container has been sufficiently agitated. The initial value of the preparation flag is OFF.

[0129] After executing the process of step S109, the supply control unit 8b executes the process of step S110.

[0130] When the main preparation end condition in step S104 is a logical product of the first operation time condition and the toner empty condition, the supply control unit 8b executes the process of step S109 and then ends the stirring control.

[0131] <Process S110> In step S110, the supply control unit 8b executes additional stirring control (see FIG. 6). After executing the process of step S110, the supply control unit 8b ends the stirring control.

[0132] The supply control unit 8b executes the stirring control for the new preparation container when the preparation container is selected as the new target container.

[0133] The pre-additional stirring control is a control for causing the stirring drive mechanism 53 to perform an additional stirring operation when the time from when the stirring of the toner in the preparation container is stopped in step S108 until the target container is changed is long.

[0134] [Additional mixing control] Next, an example of a procedure for the additional agitation control will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0135] The additional mixing control shown in FIG. 6 is executed for each mounting portion set 5x in which two toner containers 7 are mounted.

[0136] In the following description, S201, S202, ... represent identification symbols of a plurality of steps in the additional agitation control. In the additional agitation control, the process of step S201 is executed first.

[0137] <Process S201> In step S201, the supply control unit 8b determines whether or not the time during which the rotation of the agitator 72 of the preparation container is stopped has exceeded a preset upper limit time.

[0138] After completing the process of step S108, the supply control unit 8b measures the stop time.

[0139] The supply control unit 8b executes the process of step S202 when the stop time does not exceed the upper limit time, whereas the supply control unit 8b executes the process of step S203 when the stop time exceeds the upper limit time.

[0140] <Process S202> In step S202, the supply control unit 8b selects the next process depending on whether a new target container has been selected or not.

[0141] When a new target container is selected, the supply control unit 8b ends the additional mixing control for the previous preparation container, thereby ending the mixing control for the previous preparation container.

[0142] On the other hand, if a new target container has not been selected, the supply control unit 8b executes the process of step S201 until the stop time exceeds the upper limit time.

[0143] <Process S203> In step S203, the supply control unit 8b starts the stirring operation in the stirring drive mechanism 53. As a result, the stirring drive mechanism 53 continues the stirring operation until the supply control unit 8b causes the stirring drive mechanism 53 to end the stirring operation.

[0144] After executing the process of step S203, the supply control unit 8b executes the process of step S204.

[0145] <Process S204> In step S204, the supply control unit 8b determines whether or not the stirring time, which is the duration of the stirring operation started in step S203, has exceeded a preset reference time.

[0146] The supply control unit 8b executes the process of step S205 when the mixing time does not exceed the reference time. On the other hand, the supply control unit 8b executes the process of step S205 when the mixing time exceeds the reference time.

[0147] <Process S204> In step S204, the supply control unit 8b selects the next process depending on whether a new target container has been selected or not.

[0148] When a new target container is selected, the supply control unit 8b ends the additional mixing control for the previous preparation container, thereby ending the mixing control for the previous preparation container.

[0149] On the other hand, if a new target container has not been selected, the supply control unit 8b executes the process of step S204 until the mixing time exceeds the reference time.

[0150] <Process S205> In step S205, the supply control unit 8b causes the stirring driving mechanism 53 to end the stirring operation. After executing the process of step S206, the supply control unit 8b repeats the processes of step S201 and thereafter.

[0151] By executing pre-additional mixing control, a decrease in the charge amount of the toner in the preparation container is prevented when a long period of time passes between when the mixing of the toner in the preparation container is stopped in step S108 and when the target container is changed.

[0152] [Container selection process] The supply control unit 8b executes the container selection process when the print process is being executed after the target container is first selected.

[0153] The stirring control shown in FIG. 5 is executed for each mounting portion set 5x in which two toner containers 7 are mounted.

[0154] As an initial state before the container selection process is executed, one of the two mounted containers in each mounting unit set 5x is selected as the target container.

[0155] An example of the procedure of the container selection process will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0156] In the following description, S301, S302, ... represent identification codes of a plurality of steps in the container selection process. In the container selection process, the process of step S301 is executed first.

[0157] <Process S301> In step S301, the supply control unit 8b waits until the empty state of the target container is detected by the remaining amount sensor 5s.

[0158] The supply control unit 8b executes the process of step S302 when the empty state of the target container is detected by the remaining amount sensor 5s.

[0159] <Process S302> In step S302, the supply control unit 8b selects the next process depending on whether the sufficient amount state of the preparation container is detected by the remaining amount sensor 5s or not.

[0160] The supply control unit 8b executes the process of step S303 when the sufficient amount state of the preparation container is detected by the remaining amount sensor 5s. On the other hand, the supply control unit 8b executes the process of step S305 when the sufficient amount state of the preparation container is not detected by the remaining amount sensor 5s.

[0161] <Process S303> In step S303, the supply control unit 8b executes the process of step S304 on the condition that the preparation flag is in an ON state.

[0162] In step S303, if the preparation flag is in the OFF state, the supply control unit 8b waits until the preparation flag is in the ON state.

[0163] <Process S304> In step S304, the supply control unit 8b selects the preparation container as the new target container.

[0164] By executing the processing of step S304, the target container whose empty state was detected in step S301 is treated as the preparation container.

[0165] After executing the process of step S304, the supply control unit 8b executes the processes of steps S301 and after for the new target container and the preparation container.

[0166] After the process of step S304 is executed, the supply control unit 8b causes the supply mechanism 54 to execute the supply operation with the target container newly selected in step S304 as the toner supply source.

[0167] <Process S305> In step S305, the supply control unit 8b executes a special process. An example of the special process will be described below.

[0168] The supply control unit 8b executes a confirmation input process for inputting permission information or disapproval information when the low amount state of the preparation container is detected by the remaining amount sensor 5s.

[0169] For example, the supply control unit 8b outputs a confirmation message via the display device 802 or the communication device 84. The confirmation message notifies the user that the remaining amount of toner in the preparation container is insufficient, and prompts the user to input the permission information or the prohibition information.

[0170] Furthermore, the supply control unit 8b inputs one of the permission information and the prohibition information via the display device 802 or the communication device 84.

[0171] Furthermore, when the permission information is input, the supply control unit 8b ends the special process and executes the process of step S303.

[0172] On the other hand, when the unacceptable information is input, the supply control unit 8b waits until the sufficient amount state of the preparation container is detected by the remaining amount sensor 5s. Furthermore, when the sufficient amount state of the preparation container is detected by the remaining amount sensor 5s, the supply control unit 8b ends the special process and executes the process of step S303.

[0173] As described above, the supply control unit 8b selects, for each mounting unit set 5x, one of the two mounted containers for which the remaining amount sensor 5s detects the sufficient remaining amount state as the target container (see step S304 in Figure 7).

[0174] Furthermore, the supply control unit 8b causes the supply mechanism 54 to execute the supply operation for supplying toner from the target container to the printing device 4.

[0175] When the main preparation start condition is satisfied while the printing device 4 is performing the printing process, the supply control unit 8b causes the stirring drive mechanism 53 to perform the stirring operation until the main preparation end condition is satisfied (see steps S102 to S104 and step S108 in FIG. 5).

[0176] Furthermore, when the empty state of the target container is detected by the remaining amount sensor 5s and the stirring operation is completed, the supply control unit 8b selects the preparation container as the new target container (see step S108 in Figure 5 and steps S301 to S304 in Figure 7).

[0177] The main preparation start condition is that the small amount state of the target container is detected by the remaining amount sensor 5s (see step S104 in FIG. 5).

[0178] By employing the image forming apparatus 10, the downtime of the printing process when the toner supply source is switched is reduced.

[0179] Furthermore, the supply control unit 8b executes a process of acquiring the product information from the IC tag 73 of the preparation container through the tag reader 55 (see step S101 in FIG. 5).

[0180] Furthermore, when the main preparation start condition is satisfied under the circumstance where the product information indicating that the preparation container is the genuine product has been acquired, the supply control unit 8b executes the processing of steps S103 to S108. In steps S103 to S108, the supply control unit 8b causes the stirring drive mechanism 53 to execute the stirring operation until the main preparation end condition is satisfied.

[0181] On the other hand, when the supply control unit 8b is unable to acquire the product information indicating that the preparation container is the genuine product and the secondary preparation start condition is satisfied, it causes the stirring drive mechanism 53 to perform the stirring operation until the secondary end condition is satisfied (see steps S105 to S108 in Figure 5).

[0182] As described above, the secondary preparation start condition includes the sufficient remaining amount state of the preparation container being detected by the remaining amount sensor 5s.

[0183] In other words, when the preparation container is the non-genuine product, the stirring operation of the stirring drive mechanism 53 for the preparation container is performed at an earlier timing than when the preparation container is the genuine product.

[0184] Therefore, even if the preparation container is a non-genuine product, the downtime of the printing process when the toner supply source is switched is reduced.

[0185] [Application example] Application examples of the image forming apparatus 10 will now be described.

[0186] When the secondary preparation start condition in step S105 is the remaining amount condition, the toner in the preparation container is constantly stirred when the printing process is performed.

[0187] However, if the capacity of the preparation container is large, the toner in the preparation container may be deteriorated due to excessive stirring. Of the eight toner containers 7, two corresponding to black toner may have a larger capacity than the other six.

[0188] In this application example, the supply control unit 8b measures an integrated supply time, which is an integrated value of the operation time of the supply mechanism 54 from when the target container is selected until when a new target container is selected.

[0189] In this application example, the secondary preparation start condition is a logical product of the remaining amount condition and a supply time condition, the supply time condition being a condition that the integrated supply time exceeds a preset reference supply time.

[0190] That is, the secondary preparation start condition in this application example is a condition in which the sufficient remaining amount state of the preparation container is detected by the remaining amount sensor 5s and the integrated supply time exceeds the reference supply time.

[0191] By adopting this application example, deterioration of the toner caused by excessive stirring in a case where the capacity of the preparation container is large can be avoided. [Explanation of symbols]

[0192] 3: Transport device 4: Printing device 4x: Image forming section 5: Mounting part 5s: Remaining amount sensor (remaining amount detection part) 5x: Mounting set 6: Locking mechanism 7: Toner container 8: Control device 10: Image forming device 40: Exposure equipment 41: Photoreceptor 42: Charging device 43: Developing device 44: Transcription device 46: Fixing device 50: Toner supply unit 53: Agitation drive mechanism 54: Supply mechanism 55: Tag reader (unit communication device). 70: Supply port 71: Shutter 72: Mixing section 73: IC tag

Claims

1. A control method for an image forming apparatus, comprising: The image forming apparatus includes: a printing device that executes a printing process for forming an image on a sheet; two mounting portions capable of mounting two developer accommodating units each having an agitating portion and accommodating the same color developer to be supplied to the printing device; a stirring drive mechanism that individually rotates the stirring portions of the two mounting units that are the two developer accommodating units mounted in the two mounting portions; a supply mechanism for supplying the developer from one of the two mounting units to the printing device; a remaining amount detection unit that detects an empty state, a specific remaining amount state in which the remaining amount of the developer is greater than that in the empty state, and a sufficient remaining amount state in which the remaining amount of the developer is greater than that in the specific remaining amount state, for each of the two mounting units, a control device selecting, as a target unit, one of the two attachment units for which the remaining amount detection unit has detected the sufficient remaining amount state; the control device causes the supply mechanism to supply the developer from the target unit to the printing device; when a main preparation start condition is satisfied while the control device is performing the print process, agitation drive mechanism is caused to execute an agitation operation for rotating the agitation section of a preparation unit that is not the target unit out of the two mounting units until a main preparation end condition is satisfied; the control device selecting the preparation unit as a new target unit when the empty state of the target unit is detected by the remaining amount detection unit and the stirring operation is completed, The control method for an image forming apparatus, wherein the main preparation start condition is that the specific remaining amount state of the target unit is detected by the remaining amount detection section.

2. The method for controlling an image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the main preparation end condition includes a condition that a time period of the stirring operation reaches a preset target time period.

3. When the image forming apparatus includes a unit communication device capable of acquiring product information indicating that each of the two fitting units is a genuine product from each of the two fitting units by performing short-range wireless communication with each of the two fitting units, The control device executes a process of acquiring the product information from the preparation unit through the unit communication device; When the control device has acquired the product information indicating that the preparation unit is the genuine product and the main preparation start condition is satisfied, the control device causes the stirring drive mechanism to execute the stirring operation until the main preparation end condition is satisfied. when the control device cannot acquire the product information indicating that the preparation unit is the genuine product and a secondary preparation start condition is satisfied under a circumstance in which the main preparation start condition is not satisfied, causing the stirring drive mechanism to execute the stirring operation until a secondary end condition is satisfied, 3. The method of controlling an image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sub-preparation start condition includes a condition in which the sufficient remaining amount state of the preparation unit is detected by the remaining amount detection section.

4. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the auxiliary preparation end condition includes a condition that a time period for the stirring operation reaches a preset target time period.

5. the control device measures an integrated supply time which is an integrated value of an operation time of the supply mechanism from when the target unit is selected until when a new target unit is selected, 4. The control method for an image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the secondary preparation start condition includes that the sufficient remaining amount state of the preparation unit is detected by the remaining amount detection unit, and the integrated supply time exceeds a preset reference supply time.

6. a printing device that executes a printing process for forming an image on a sheet; two mounting portions capable of mounting two developer accommodating units each having an agitating portion and accommodating the same color developer to be supplied to the printing device; a stirring drive mechanism that individually rotates the stirring portions of the two mounting units that are the two developer accommodating units mounted in the two mounting portions; a supply mechanism for supplying the developer from one of the two mounting units to the printing device; a remaining amount detection unit that detects an empty state, a specific remaining amount state in which the remaining amount of the developer is greater than that in the empty state, and a sufficient remaining amount state in which the remaining amount of the developer is greater than that in the specific remaining amount state, for each of the two mounting units; 3. An image forming apparatus comprising: a control device that realizes the control method for an image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

Images