Image forming apparatus

Abstract

An image forming apparatus of the present invention intends to reduce a difference of usage frequency among a plurality of sheet feeding section and comprises: a plurality of sheet feeding section capable of feeding different types of sheets; a printer main body for forming an image on a sheet fed by the sheet feeding section; an accumulation counter for counting the accumulation quantity of fed sheets of each of the plural sheet feeding section; and a controller for determining bias of usage frequency of each sheet feeding section based on a counting result of the accumulation counter and changing the allocation of the sheets of each sheet feeding section to reduce the bias of the usage frequency of each sheet feeding section.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a plurality of sheet feeding sections. [0003] 2. Description of the Related Art [0004] Generally, the image forming apparatus such as a copier and printer is provided with a plurality of feeding trays. Different kinds of sheets are often set in these feeding trays depending on user's usage purpose. In the meantime, the “different kinds” means that at least one of various parameters for specifying the sheet, such as its material, thickness, size is different. [0005] When a print job is received, the controller of the image forming apparatus selects a feeding tray in which sheets of material and thickness specified by user are accommodated or a feeding tray in which sheets of a size suitable for the size of image to be formed are accommodated and starts image forming operation. [0006] Generally, when different kinds of sheets are set in a plurality of ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is an image forming apparatus that reduces the difference in usage frequency among multiple sheet feeding sections. It includes a plurality of sheet feeding sections, an image forming portion, and an accumulation feeding quantity counting means. The control means determines the bias of usage frequency of each sheet feeding section and changes the allocation of sheets to reduce the bias. This results in a more even usage of the sheet feeding sections.

Problems solved by technology

These members are worn and deteriorated as the quantity of sheets increases and their surfaces are deteriorated when they are left in an unused state for a long time. when this deterioration progresses, the friction coefficient of a contact face with the sheet drops or the conveyance amount drops due to wearing of the outer periphery of the roller, so that a jam due to a conveyance delay or double feeding occurs.

When there exists a bias in the usage frequency among the feeding trays as described above, rollers of the feeding trays used frequently are worn unevenly or the rollers of the feeding tray used less frequently are deteriorated because they are left not used, so that the service life is fulfilled early.

As a consequence, such a trouble as jamming and double feeding is likely to occur.

Further, there occurs such a problem that a service person needs to replace the feeding rollers frequently.

Thus, that conventional technology cannot be applied to an ordinary use condition in which sheets of different kinds are set in each feeding tray.

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