Image forming system

Abstract

The present application provides an image forming system capable of simultaneously ensuring the accuracy of detecting the characteristics of recording materials and productivity in a structure for detecting the characteristics of recording materials using a medium sensor. An image forming system is configured to include: a conveying section that conveys recording materials; a recording material characteristic detection section that is disposed on a conveying path of the recording materials and detects the characteristics of the recording materials; a fixing section that fixes toner images formed on the recording materials; and a control section that causes the recording material characteristic detection section to detect the characteristics of the recording materials during a period in which the fixing section performs preheating for an image forming job, and sets image forming conditions in the image forming job in accordance with the detected characteristics of the recording materials.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to an image forming system. BACKGROUND

[0002] In an image forming apparatus, a latent image is formed by irradiating a photosensitive body with laser light, and developed by toner, thereby forming a toner image. The image forming apparatus performs image formation to a recording material by transferring the formed toner image to the recording material and performing heat fixation. The image forming apparatus sets optimal image forming conditions such as a fixing temperature and a conveyance speed of the recording material in accordance with recording material characteristics such as a thickness and a surface state of the recording material, and a kind of the recording material.

[0003] The recording material characteristics are set from an operation section provided in the image forming apparatus, or a print setting screen of a printer driver by an operation of a user. Recently, an image forming apparatus that detects recording material characteristics using a built-in sensor (hereinafter referred to as a "media sensor") and automatically sets image forming conditions in accordance with the detection result has been proposed (for example, refer to Patent Literature 1).

[0004] In the image forming apparatus described in the above Patent Literature 1, the media sensor is provided in a conveyance path from a paper feed section of the recording material to a position at which the toner image is transferred. The recording material is conveyed to the position of the media sensor, and the recording material characteristics are detected. The recording material characteristics are detected using the media sensor, and the image formation is performed by performing condition setting of each section in accordance with the detected recording material characteristics, so that the setting of the recording material characteristics by the user is not required, and the convenience is improved.

[0005] A predetermined time is required to accurately detect the characteristics of the recording material using the media sensor, so the conveyance of the recording material is stopped, or the conveyance speed of the recording material is reduced, and the characteristics of the recording material are detected in a state in which the trace of the recording material is stabilized.

[0006] PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS

[0007] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-138406 SUMMARY

[0008] In a general image forming apparatus, a fixing target temperature corresponding to the characteristics of the recording material is required, so after the characteristics of the recording material are detected using the media sensor, the fixing target temperature is decided in accordance with the detection result. Therefore, a waiting time occurs from when the conveyance of the recording material is stopped until the detection of the characteristics of the recording material is completed, and the start of printing including fixation is delayed, and the productivity is reduced.

[0009] In addition, as with the image forming apparatus described in the above-described Patent Document 1, using the recording material property detected in the immediately preceding job, the corresponding fixing target temperature, starting the fixing preheating before the recording material property is detected by the medium sensor, the waiting time is reduced. However, in this method, the recording material used in the job of the original is not necessarily the same property as the immediately preceding job, so in the case where the recording material is replaced or replenished, it cannot be applied, and the reduction in productivity cannot be suppressed.

[0010] To solve the above-described problems, in the present application, there is provided an image forming system and an image forming apparatus capable of simultaneously ensuring the accuracy of detection of the property of a recording material and productivity in a configuration in which the property of the recording material is detected by a medium sensor.

[0011] The image forming system of the present application includes: a conveyance section that conveys a recording material; a recording material property detection section that is disposed on a conveyance path of the recording material and detects a recording material property of the recording material; a fixing section that fixes a toner image formed on the recording material; and a control section that causes the recording material property detection section to detect the recording material property during preheating of the fixing section for an image forming job, and sets an image forming condition in the image forming job in accordance with the detected recording material property.

[0012] According to the present application, there is provided an image forming system and an image forming apparatus capable of simultaneously ensuring the accuracy of detection of the property of a recording material and productivity in a configuration in which the property of the recording material is detected by a medium sensor. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1 is a diagram showing an outline configuration of an image forming system.

[0014] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an image forming system.

[0015] Figure 3 is a functional block diagram of a control section of an image forming system.

[0016] Figure 4 is a flowchart of an image forming process and a process related to detection of a recording material property.

[0017] Figure 5 is a flowchart for explaining Figure 4 the process of Step S14 of the flowchart shown in

[0018] Figure 6 is a diagram showing a relationship between a temperature of a fixing section and a temperature threshold value.

[0019] Figure 7is a graph of temperature rise of a fixing section in preheating.

[0020] Figure 8 is a graph of temperature rise of a fixing section in preheating.

[0021] Figure 9 is a graph of temperature rise of a fixing section in preheating.

[0022] Figure 10 is a graph of temperature rise of a fixing section in preheating.

[0023] (Symbol explanation)

[0024] 1: image forming system; 10: paper feeding device; 11, 61: support shaft; 12, 31, 41: control section; 13, 32, 49: communication section; 14, 44: conveyance section; 15, 34, 48: nonvolatile memory; 20: supply adjustment section; 30: medium detection device; 33: medium detection section; 40: image forming device; 42: operation display section; 43: scanner section; 45: image processing section; 46: image forming section; 47: fixing section; 50: recovery adjustment section; 60: recovery device; 121, 311, 411: communication control section; 122, 414: conveyance control section; 312: medium detection control section; 412: fixing management section; 413: medium detection management section; 415: determination section; 416: condition setting section; 417: condition history management section; 461: exposure section; 462: photosensitive body; 463: developing section; 464: primary transfer roller; 465: intermediate transfer belt; 466: secondary transfer roller; 471: fixing roller; 472: pressure roller. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] <Embodiment of image forming system>

[0026] Hereinafter, an example of a mode for carrying out the present application will be described, but the present application is not limited to the following example.

[0027] Figure 1 An outline structure of an image forming system is shown. Figure 1 The image forming system 1 shown uses a recording material S in a roll shape as a recording medium on which an image is formed. The image forming system 1 is provided with a paper feeding device 10, a medium detection device 30, an image forming device 40, and a recovery device 60 from the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the recording material S. The image forming system 1 is configured to form an image on the recording material S conveyed from the paper feeding device 10, and to recover the recording material S on which the image is formed from the recovery device 60. Figure 1The illustrated image forming system 1 has the medium detection device 30 disposed in the frame of the paper feeding device 10. In addition, the image forming system 1 has the supply adjustment section 20 between the paper feeding device 10 and the image forming device 40, and has the recovery adjustment section 50 between the image forming device 40 and the recovery device 60.

[0028] The paper feeding device 10 has a paper feeding section including a support shaft 11 that rotatably holds a recording material S wound in a roll shape, and a conveyance section 14 that conveys the recording material S wound on the support shaft 11 to the supply adjustment section 20 at a certain speed by a plurality of rollers. Note that the shape of the recording material S is not limited to a continuous paper wound in a roll shape. The recording material S can have a shape longer than the length of the fixing section 47 of the image forming device 40 from the medium detection device 30. For example, a foldable shape or a long paper shape can be applied as the recording material S.

[0029] In addition, the paper feeding device 10 is one example of a recording material supply device that supplies a recording material to the image forming device 40.

[0030] The supply adjustment section 20 conveys the recording material S conveyed from the paper feeding device 10 to the image forming section 46 of the image forming device 40. The supply adjustment section 20 relaxes the recording material S in order to absorb the speed difference between the paper feeding and conveying speed of the recording material S from the paper feeding device 10 and the conveying speed of the recording material S in the image forming section 46, and adjusts the paper feeding of the recording material S to the image forming section 46.

[0031] The medium detection device 30 is disposed in the paper feeding device 10 in the conveying path of the recording material S. The medium detection device 30 has a medium detection section 33 that detects the recording material properties of the recording material S conveyed from the paper feeding device 10 (see Figure 2 ). The medium detection section 33 detects the recording material properties of the recording material S at the time of condition setting of the recording material S at the time of execution of the image forming job. Then, the medium detection device 30 outputs the detected detection information to the image forming device 40.

[0032] Further, the medium detection device 30 is not necessarily provided only in the paper feeding device 10, but can be provided on the upstream side of the image forming section 46 of the image forming apparatus 40, for example, in any one of the frame of the supply adjusting section 20, between the supply adjusting section 20 and the image forming apparatus 40, and in the frame of the image forming apparatus 40 in the conveyance path of the recording material S. Note that the medium detection device 30 is an example of a recording material property detection device that detects the properties of the recording material S. As the medium detection device 30, a conventionally known medium sensor that can detect the properties of the recording material S can be applied. In the medium detection device 30, as the properties of the recording material S, the thickness and the state of the surface (smoothness) of the recording material S, the kind (paper type) of the recording material, the rigidity, the amount of electrification, the moisture content, and the pattern (angle of the fiber direction of the recording material), and the like are detected, for example.

[0033] The image forming apparatus 40 includes a control section 41, an operation display section 42, a scanner section 43, a conveyance section 44, an image processing section 45, an image forming section 46, a fixing section 47, and the like. Further, the image forming apparatus 40 can include the above-described paper feeding device 10 as a recording material supply section in the apparatus of the image forming apparatus 40. In addition, the image forming apparatus 40 can include the above-described medium detection device 30 as a recording material property detection section in the apparatus of the image forming apparatus 40. In the structure in which the image forming apparatus 40 includes the recording material property detection section in the apparatus, it is preferable that the recording material property detection section be arranged in the recording material conveyance path between the paper feeding device 10 (recording material supply section) and the image forming section 46.

[0034] The scanner section 43 exposes and scans a document surface of a document placed on a document table with a light source, receives reflected light from the document surface, generates image data by photoelectrically converting the received reflected light with a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), and outputs the image data to the image processing section 45.

[0035] The control section 41 performs overall control of the image forming system 1 and each structure of the image forming apparatus 40. The image processing section 45 performs image processing on image data input from the scanner section 43 and the control section 41, and outputs the image data to the image forming section 46. Details of the structures of the control section 41 and the image processing section 45 are described later.

[0036] The operation display section 42 is configured of an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or the like, and displays various operation buttons, a state of the apparatus, a display of an action status of each function, and the like on a display screen in accordance with an instruction from the display signal input from the control section 41. The display screen of the LCD is covered with a touch panel of a pressure-sensitive (resistance film pressure) type configured by arranging a transparent electrode in a lattice shape, and the XY coordinates of a force point pressed by a finger or a stylus or the like are detected using a voltage value, and a position signal detected is output as an operation signal to the control section 41. In addition, the operation display section 42 is provided with various operation buttons such as a number button and a start button, and an operation signal obtained by a button operation is output to the control section 41.

[0037] The image forming section 46 forms an image on the recording material S conveyed from the supply adjustment section 20 by an electrophotographic method in accordance with image data of each page input from the image processing section 45. A recording material conveying path in which a conveying belt, a blocking roller, and the like are arranged, and a motor not shown that drives them are provided in the image forming section 46, and an image is formed on the recording material S while the recording material S is conveyed in accordance with a control from the control section 41.

[0038] The image forming section 46 is provided with four groups of an exposure section 461, a photoreceptor 462, a developing section 463, a primary transfer roller 464, an intermediate transfer belt 465, and a secondary transfer roller 466 corresponding to each color component of Y, M, C, and K. The four groups of the exposure section 461, the photoreceptor 462, the developing section 463, and the primary transfer roller 464 are arranged in the order of Y, M, C, and K from the upstream.

[0039] The exposure section 461 includes a laser light source, a polygon motor, a polygon mirror, and a plurality of lenses, and the like. The exposure section 461 exposes the photoreceptor 462 charged by irradiating laser light from the laser light source and the polygon mirror in accordance with a recording material conveying speed, and forms an electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor 462.

[0040] The developing section 463 develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor 462 by supplying toner of a predetermined color (Y, M, C, or K) to the exposed photoreceptor 462.

[0041] A primary transfer roller 464 is disposed opposite the photosensitive body 462. The primary transfer roller 464 is applied with a primary transfer bias of a polarity opposite to that of the toner, and transfers (primary transfers) the toner images formed on the photosensitive body 462 to the intermediate transfer belt 465 by pressing a predetermined position on the intermediate transfer belt 465 against the photosensitive body 462. The primary transfer rollers 464 of Y, M, C, and K press the predetermined positions on the intermediate transfer belt 465 against the photosensitive body 462 in turn, and thereby write the color toner images in which the layers of the respective colors are overlaid, to the intermediate transfer belt 465.

[0042] The intermediate transfer belt 465 is a semiconductive endless belt that is suspended on a plurality of rollers and is rotatably supported, and is rotationally driven in conjunction with the rotation of the rollers, and carries the written toner images to a secondary transfer roller 466.

[0043] The secondary transfer roller 466 is applied with a bias of a polarity opposite to that of the toner, and transfers (secondary transfers) the color toner images written on the intermediate transfer belt 465 to the recording material S by sandwiching the carried recording material S.

[0044] The fixing section 47 heats and presses the toner image transferred to the recording material S, and fixes the toner image to the recording material S. The fixing section 47 includes a fixing roller 471 in which a halogen heater or the like is built in, and a pressure roller 472 that is a pressure member that presses the fixing roller 471, and is disposed at a position opposite the fixing roller 471 across the conveyance path of the recording material. In addition, the fixing section 47 includes a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the fixing roller 471. The fixing section 47 heats and presses the toner image of the recording material S while sandwiching and conveying the recording material S on which the toner image is transferred, in a nip section formed between the fixing roller 471 and the pressure roller 472, and fixes the toner image.

[0045] In addition, the fixing section 47 has a position changing mechanism (not shown) that changes the position of the fixing roller 471, in order to adjust the sandwiching pressure of the nip section between the fixing roller 471 and the pressure roller 472, and to release the pressure, and the like.

[0046] The recovery adjustment section 50 is disposed on the downstream side of the image forming apparatus 40 and on the upstream side of the recovery apparatus 60 in the conveyance direction of the recording material S. The recovery adjustment section 50 is a device that conveys the recording material S conveyed from the image forming apparatus 40 to the recovery apparatus 60, and adjusts the ejection of the recording material S from the image forming apparatus 40 in order to absorb the speed difference between the conveyance speed of the recording material S in the image forming apparatus 40 and the conveyance speed of the recording material S in the recovery apparatus 60, and slackly holds the recording material S.

[0047] The recovery device 60 has a paper discharge section that winds the recording material S conveyed from the recovery adjustment section 50 by the support shaft 61 at a certain speed via a plurality of rollers.

[0048] [Structure of image forming system]

[0049] Next, Figure 2 A block diagram showing a structure example of the image forming system 1 is shown. In Figure 2 , the structure of the paper feeding device 10, the medium detection device 30, and the image forming device 40 as the main structure of the present mode is shown as the image forming system 1, and the structure of the supply adjustment section 20, the recovery adjustment section 50, and the recovery device 60 is omitted from the description.

[0050] As Figure 2 shown, the image forming device 40 has a control section 41, an operation display section 42, a conveying section 44, an image processing section 45, an image forming section 46, a fixing section 47, a nonvolatile memory 48, and a communication section 49. The paper feeding device 10 has a control section 12, a communication section 13, a conveying section 14, and a nonvolatile memory 15. The medium detection device 30 has a control section 31, a communication section 32, a medium detection section 33, and a nonvolatile memory 34.

[0051] The control section 12 of the paper feeding device 10 is constituted by, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and the like, which are not shown. The CPU of the control section 12 reads out various processing programs stored in the ROM and expands them in the RAM, and performs overall control of the operation of each part of the paper feeding device 10, such as the communication section 13, the conveying section 14, and the nonvolatile memory 15, connected via a system bus (omitted from the drawing) of the paper feeding device 10, in accordance with the expanded programs.

[0052] The nonvolatile memory 15 stores programs and the like executed by the control section 12, and is used as a work area of the control section 12.

[0053] The communication section 13 performs transmission and reception of data with the communication section 49 of the image forming device 40 that constitutes the image forming system 1. In addition, the communication section 13 performs transmission and reception of data with each of the communication sections of the medium detection device 30, the supply adjustment section 20, the recovery adjustment section 50, the recovery device 60, and the like via the communication section 49 of the image forming device 40.

[0054] The conveying section 14 extracts the recording material S housed in the paper feeding device 10 and conveys it to the image forming device 40.

[0055] Further, the recovery device 60 can also be configured in the same manner as the paper feeding device 10.

[0056] The control section 41 of the image forming apparatus 40 is configured by, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and the like, which are not shown. The CPU of the control section 41 reads various processing programs stored in the ROM and expands them in the RAM, and performs overall control of the operation of each part of the image forming apparatus 40, such as the operation display section 42, the conveyance section 44, the image processing section 45, the image forming section 46, the fixing section 47, the nonvolatile memory 48, and the communication section 49, which are connected via a system bus of the image forming apparatus 40, in accordance with the expanded programs.

[0057] Further, the control section 41 controls the paper feeding device 10 and the medium detection apparatus 30 via the communication section 49.

[0058] The nonvolatile memory 48 stores programs and the like executed by the control section 41, and is used as a work area of the control section 41. Further, in the nonvolatile memory 48, image forming conditions set in an image forming job, recording material information including the size and the kind of the recording material S, and the like are stored. Also, in the nonvolatile memory 48, information of the recording material characteristics detected by the medium detection apparatus 30 and the like are stored. As the stored image forming conditions, for example, execution conditions in the image forming section 46 and execution conditions (fixing target temperature, pressure, and the like) in the fixing section 47 can be cited.

[0059] The communication section 49 of the image forming apparatus 40 performs transmission and reception of data with the communication section 13 of the paper feeding device 10 and the communication section 32 of the medium detection apparatus 30. Further, the communication section 49 performs transmission and reception of data with each communication section of the supply adjustment section 20, the recovery adjustment section 50, the recovery device 60, and the like, which are not shown.

[0060] The image processing section 45 acquires image data from input job information, and performs image processing. The image processing section 45 performs, as necessary, image processing such as gradation correction, image density adjustment, image compression, and the like, with respect to the acquired image data, based on the control of the control section 41. Then, the image data processed by the image processing section 45 is transmitted to the image forming section 46.

[0061] The conveyance section 44 conveys the recording material S fed from the paper feeding device 10 to the image forming section 46, the fixing section 47, and the like, according to the control of the control section 41.

[0062] The image forming section 46 forms an image on the recording material S conveyed to the image forming section 46 by the conveying section 44, based on the image data subjected to the image processing by the image processing section 45.

[0063] The operation display section 42 has a display section constituted by a display such as a liquid crystal display device, and an operation section constituted by a touch panel provided so as to overlap the display, a plurality of keys, and the like. The operation display section 42 is one example of a display section and an operation section, and displays an instruction menu for a user, information relating to acquired image data, and the like. Further, the operation display section 42 receives various instructions by a user's operation, input of data such as characters and numbers, and outputs the input signal to the control section 41.

[0064] The control section 31 of the medium detection device 30 is constituted by, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and the like, which are not shown. The CPU of the control section 31 reads out various processing programs stored in the ROM and expands them in the RAM, and performs overall control of the operation of each section such as the communication section 32 and the medium detection section 33 connected via a system bus of the medium detection device 30, in accordance with the expanded programs.

[0065] The medium detection section 33 is constituted by an optical sensor, a mechanical sensor, and the like, and detects the recording material characteristics of the recording material S passing through the conveying path of the paper feeding device 10 and the conveying path of the image forming device 40, in accordance with the control of the control section 31. Then, the information of the recording material characteristics detected by the medium detection section 33 is stored in the nonvolatile memory 34.

[0066] The communication section 32 of the medium detection device 30 performs transmission and reception of data with the communication section 49 of the image forming device 40 constituting the image forming system 1. For example, the communication section 32 transmits the information of the recording material characteristics stored in the nonvolatile memory 34 to the communication section 49 of the image forming device 40. In addition, the communication section 32 performs transmission and reception of data with each of the communication sections of the paper feeding device 10, the communication section 13, the supply adjustment section 20, the recovery adjustment section 50, and the recovery device 60, and the like, via the communication section 49 of the image forming device 40.

[0067] [Structure of Control Section]

[0068] Next, the functional structure of the control section 12 of the paper feeding device 10, the control section 31 of the medium detection device 30, and the control section 41 of the image forming device 40 of the above-described image forming system 1 will be described. Figure 3This diagram shows the functional block diagrams of the control unit 12 of the paper feeding device 10, the control unit 31 of the media detection device 30, and the control unit 41 of the image forming device 40.

[0069] The control unit 12 of the paper feeding device 10 includes a communication control unit 121 and a conveying control unit 122. Furthermore, the control unit of the recycling device 60 can also be configured in the same way as the control unit 12 of the paper feeding device 10.

[0070] The control unit 31 of the medium detection device 30 includes a communication control unit 311 and a medium detection control unit 312.

[0071] The control unit 41 of the image forming apparatus 40 includes a communication control unit 411, a fixing management unit 412, a media detection management unit 413, a transport control unit 414, a determination unit 415, a condition setting unit 416, and a condition history management unit 417.

[0072] The communication control unit 121 of the control unit 12 of the paper feeding device 10 controls the communication unit 13 (of the paper feeding device 10) Figure 2 The data transmission and reception are performed by the control unit 31 of the medium detection device 30. The communication control unit 311 controls the communication unit 32 of the medium detection device 30. Figure 2 The data transmission and reception are performed via the control unit 41 of the image forming apparatus 40. The communication control unit 411 of the control unit 41 of the image forming apparatus 40 controls the communication unit 49 of the image forming apparatus 40. Figure 2 The data is transmitted and received. Furthermore, the control unit 12 of the paper feeding device 10, the control unit 31 of the media detection device 30, and the control unit 41 of the image forming device 40 control each other's communication via the communication control unit 121, the communication control unit 311, and the communication control unit 411, respectively, through the communication units 13, 32, and 49 of each device.

[0073] The transport control unit 122 of the control unit 12 of the paper feeding device 10 controls the adjustment of the transport speed of the recording material S, as well as the start and stop of the transport of the recording material S, by controlling the drive of the transport unit 14 of the paper feeding device 10.

[0074] The media detection control unit 312 of the control unit 31 of the media detection device 30 controls the detection of the recording material characteristics of the recording material S performed by the media detection device 30.

[0075] The fixing management unit 412 of the control unit 41 of the image forming apparatus 40 manages the fixing unit 47. Figure 1 For example, the execution instruction for preheating the fixing unit 47, and the temperature control of the fixing unit 47. For example, the fixing management unit 412 controls the temperature rise rate of the fixing unit 47 during the preheating process by controlling the on-time of the heater that heats the fixing unit 47.

[0076] The medium detection management section 413 instructs the execution of the detection of the recording material property to the medium detection device 30 during the execution of the preheating. Then, according to the instruction, the control section 31 of the medium detection device 30 detects the recording material property of the recording material S through the medium detection control section 312.

[0077] The determination section 415 compares the temperature t of the fixing section 47 during the execution of the preheating with the magnitude of the temperature of a predetermined temperature threshold, such as the first temperature threshold tA or the second temperature threshold tB (where tA < tB), based on the temperature t of the fixing section 47 detected by the temperature sensor of the fixing section 47, thereby determining the state of the preheating of the fixing section 47. Then, the determination section 415 determines the comparison result of the temperature t of the fixing section 47 with the temperature threshold T, such as t < tA, tA < t < tB, and t ≥ tB, and the like.

[0078] In addition, the determination section 415 compares the time until the temperature t of the fixing section rises to the first temperature threshold tA or the second temperature threshold tB with the detection completion time of the recording material property during the execution of the preheating, and determines whether the temperature rise time of the fixing section 47 is equal to or less than the detection completion time.

[0079] The conveyance control section 414 controls the adjustment of the conveyance speed of the recording material S, and the start, stop, and the like of the conveyance of the recording material S by controlling the driving of the conveyance section 44 of the image forming device 40. For example, the conveyance control section 414 controls the adjustment of the conveyance speed of the recording material S, and the start, stop, and the like of the conveyance of the recording material S according to the determination result of the determination section 415 described above. In addition, the conveyance control is performed in conjunction with the conveyance control in the paper feeding device 10 and the recycling device 60.

[0080] The condition setting section 416 sets the execution conditions of the image formation in the image forming section 46, the execution conditions of the fixing processing in the fixing section 47, and the like, which are the execution conditions of the image formation in the image forming device 40, based on the recording material property detected by the medium detection device 30 during the execution of the preheating.

[0081] The condition history management section 417 manages the history of the recording material property detected by the medium detection device 30 during the execution of the preheating and the execution conditions of the image formation set by the condition setting section 416 in correspondence with the property. For example, the condition history management section 417 stores a data table including the history of the recording material property and the execution conditions to the nonvolatile memory 48 (or the like). Figure 2 ) and the like.

[0082] For example, when the condition setting section 416 sets the execution condition of image formation based on the condition of the recording material characteristics acquired from the medium detection device 30, the condition history management section 417 reads out the history of the recording material characteristics and the execution condition from the nonvolatile memory 48. Then, the condition setting section 416 sets the execution condition of image formation in the image forming apparatus 40 by selecting the execution condition corresponding to the acquired recording material characteristics from the history data read out from the condition history management section 417. In addition, in a case where the recording material characteristics cannot be acquired in the medium detection device 30, the condition setting section 416 can select an arbitrary execution condition from the history data read out from the condition history management section 417, and set the execution condition of image formation in the image forming apparatus 40. For example, the execution condition immediately after the execution condition implemented before can be selected from the history data, and the execution condition can be set in image formation in the image forming apparatus 40.

[0083] Further, in the above description, an example in which the respective control sections 12, 31, 41 in the paper feeding apparatus 10, the medium detection device 30, and the image forming apparatus 40 cooperatively perform control is shown, but is not limited thereto, and all the functions for controlling the entire image forming system 1 can also be executed in any of the control sections 12, 31, 41. For example, the entire image forming system 1 can also be controlled by the control section 41 of the image forming apparatus 40. Similarly, the functions of all the control sections for controlling the entire image forming system 1 can also be executed in the control section 12 of the paper feeding apparatus 10 or the control section 31 of the medium detection device 30.

[0084] [Image forming processing and detection of recording material characteristics]

[0085] In the image forming system 1 using the recording material S in a roll form as shown above Figure 1 In the image forming system 1 using the recording material S in a roll form as shown above

[0086] Therefore, in the image forming system 1 of the present mode, the recording material characteristic of the recording material S is detected by the medium detection device 30 in the fixing preheating of the fixing section 47 in the image forming apparatus 40. For example, in a state where the conveyance of the recording material S is stopped, if an image forming job is input to the image forming apparatus 40, the fixing section 47 is instructed to preheat in the fixing management section 412 before the image forming section 46 starts the image forming operation. At this time point, the image forming is not performed, so the image forming operation is not affected by the stop of the conveyance of the recording material S or the reduction of the conveyance speed. Therefore, the image forming operation is not affected, and the recording material characteristic of the recording material S can be detected by the medium detection device 30.

[0087] Figure 4 The above-described Figure 1 A flowchart of the image forming process in the image forming system 1 shown in Fig. 1 and the process related to the detection of the recording material characteristic.

[0088] First, if an image forming job is input to the image forming apparatus 40, the conveyance control section 122 of the paper feeding device 10 and the conveyance control section 414 of the image forming apparatus 40 stop the conveyance of the recording material S (step S10). At this time, the conveyance of the recording material S is also stopped in the conveyance control section 122 of the control section 12 in the paper feeding device 10 and the recovery device 60. Further, this process can be omitted in a case where the conveyance of the recording material S has already been stopped.

[0089] Next, the fixing management section 412 determines whether or not to perform the preheating of the fixing section 47 (step Sll). In a case where the temperature of the fixing section 47 is equal to or higher than a predetermined fixing temperature (fixing target temperature), the preheating of the fixing section 47 is not necessary. On the other hand, in a case where the temperature of the fixing section 47 is lower than the predetermined fixing temperature (fixing target temperature), the execution of the preheating for the fixing section 47 is instructed by the fixing management section 412. For example, the image forming apparatus 40 is constituted in advance in such a manner that the control section 41 sets the fixing target temperature which is a basis of the execution determination of the preheating in the fixing section 47 in accordance with the paper kind, the image forming surface, the coverage, and other conditions which are registered as the image forming job.

[0090] Further, the fixing temperature at the time of actually performing the image forming is not dependent on the fixing target temperature, but is set in accordance with the recording material characteristic of the recording material S detected by the medium detection device 30.

[0091] In a case where the preheating of the fixing section 47 is performed (Yes in step Sll), the fixing management section 412 of the control section 11 instructs the fixing section 47 to perform the fixing preheating (step S12).

[0092] Next, the medium detection management section 413 determines whether or not detection of the recording material property of the recording material S is required in the image forming job (step S13).

[0093] In the case where detection of the recording material property is required (YES in step S13), the following processing (hereinafter referred to as processing I) is performed: control of preheating corresponding to the temperature of the fixing section 47, conveyance control, detection of the recording material property (step S14). Details of the processing I of step S14 will be described later.

[0094] Next, the condition setting section 416 sets the execution conditions of image formation in the image forming section 46 and the execution conditions of the fixing processing in the fixing section 47 and the like in the image forming apparatus 40, in accordance with the recording material property detected by the processing I, in the image forming job (step S15).

[0095] After the processing of step S15, or in the case where preheating of the fixing section 47 is not performed (NO in step Sll), or in the case where detection of the recording material property is not required (NO in step S13), the fixing management section 412 determines whether or not preheating of the fixing section 47 is completed (step S16).

[0096] In the case where preheating of the fixing section 47 is not completed (NO in step S16), the processing is continued until preheating of the fixing section 47 is completed.

[0097] In the case where preheating of the fixing section 47 is completed (YES in step S16), the image forming apparatus 40 performs image formation in the image forming section 46 in accordance with the execution conditions of image formation set by the condition setting section 416 (step S17).

[0098] Next, the control section 41 of the image forming apparatus 40 determines whether or not all of the image forming jobs are ended (step S18). In the case where there is a remaining image forming job which is not completed (NO in step S18), the processing returns to step Sll. In the case where all of the image forming jobs are ended (YES in step S18), the processing of the present flowchart is ended.

[0099] (Processing I)

[0100] Next, details of the processing I of step S14 in the flowchart shown in Fig. 7 will be described. Figure 4 The flowchart of the processing I is shown in Fig. 8. Figure 5 The flowchart of the processing I is shown in Fig. 8.

[0101] First, the determination section 415 of the control section 41 of the image forming apparatus 40 determines whether or not the temperature t of the fixing section 47 in preheating is less than the first temperature threshold value tA (step S20).

[0102] If the temperature t of the fixing unit 47 is above the first temperature threshold tA (No in step S20), the determination unit 415 determines whether the temperature t of the fixing unit 47 during preheating is less than the second temperature threshold tB (step S21). Furthermore, the first temperature threshold tA and the second temperature threshold tB are stored in advance as threshold temperature data in the non-volatile memory 48 of the control unit 41 of the image forming apparatus 40. For example, the first temperature threshold tA and the second temperature threshold tB are set based on the paper type, image forming surface, coverage, and other conditions registered for the image forming operation, and the threshold temperature data stored in advance in the non-volatile memory 48, etc.

[0103] Here, the relationship between the temperature t of the fixing section 47 and the first temperature threshold tA and the second temperature threshold tB is explained. Figure 6 The relationship between the temperature t of the fixing unit 47 and the first temperature threshold tA and the second temperature threshold tB is shown.

[0104] exist Figure 6 In the middle, the vertical axis represents temperature [°C], showing the first temperature threshold tA, the second temperature threshold tB, and the preheating (WU) completion temperature (fixing target temperature). In addition, on the horizontal axis, patterns (1) to (3) show the temperature t of the fixing section 47 during preheating (WU).

[0105] The first temperature threshold tA is the upper limit of the temperature at which the recording material S will not be damaged or defective when the recording material S is stopped in contact with the fixing unit 47.

[0106] In addition, the second temperature threshold tB is the upper limit of the temperature at which the recording material S will be damaged or defective when it is stopped in contact with the fixing unit 47, but will not be damaged or defective when it is transported at a speed lower than the normal transport speed during image forming processing.

[0107] Furthermore, the first temperature threshold tA and the second temperature threshold tB are thresholds that were pre-set based on experiments using multiple types of recording materials.

[0108] That is, such as Figure 6 As shown in pattern (1) of temperature t of the fixing section 47 during preheating, if the temperature t of the fixing section 47 is less than the first temperature threshold tA, the transport of the recording material S can be stopped during the preheating of the fixing section 47. Therefore, the media detection device 30 can detect the recording material characteristics of the recording material S when the transport of the recording material S in the image forming system 1 has been stopped.

[0109] In addition, as with the pattern (2) of the temperature t of the fixing portion 47 in the preheating, if the temperature t of the fixing portion 47 is the first temperature threshold tA or more and less than the second temperature threshold tB, the recording material S can be conveyed at a speed lower than the normal conveyance speed at the time of the image forming process. Therefore, the medium detection device 30 can detect the recording material characteristic of the recording material S while conveying the recording material S at a speed lower than the normal conveyance speed in the image forming system 1.

[0110] Also, as with the pattern (3) of the temperature t of the fixing portion 47 in the preheating, in a case where the temperature t of the fixing portion 47 is the second temperature threshold tB or more, in order to suppress the damage to the recording material S caused by the fixing portion 47, the occurrence of defects in the fixing portion 47, it is necessary to convey the recording material S at the normal conveyance speed at the time of the image forming process. Therefore, the medium detection device 30 is difficult to accurately detect the recording material characteristic of the recording material S.

[0111] Returning to Figure 5 In a case where the temperature t of the fixing portion 47 is less than the first temperature threshold tA (YES in step S20), the determination portion 415 compares the time at which the temperature t of the fixing portion 47 in the preheating reaches the first temperature threshold tA and the detection completion time of the recording material characteristic, and determines whether the reaching time to the first temperature threshold tA is the detection completion time or less (step S22).

[0112] In a case where the temperature t of the fixing portion 47 is less than the second temperature threshold tB (YES in step S21), the determination portion 415 compares the time at which the temperature t of the fixing portion 47 in the preheating reaches the second temperature threshold tB and the detection completion time of the recording material characteristic, and determines whether the reaching time to the second temperature threshold tB is the detection completion time or less (step S23).

[0113] In addition, in a case where the temperature t of the fixing portion 47 is the second temperature threshold tB or more (NO in step S21), the image forming job is stopped and the processing of the present flowchart is ended. In a case where the temperature t of the fixing portion 47 is the second temperature threshold tB or more, it is a state where the damage to the recording material S or the occurrence of defects in the fixing portion 47 occurs even if the recording material S is stopped from being conveyed or is conveyed at a low speed. Therefore, it is a state where not only the recording material characteristic cannot be detected but also the image forming cannot be performed, and the image forming job is stopped.

[0114] If the temperature t of the fixing unit 47 during the detection of recording material characteristics in the media detection apparatus 30 reaches or exceeds the first threshold temperature tA, damage to the recording material S or defects in the fixing unit 47 may occur if the transport of the recording material S is stopped. Furthermore, if the temperature t of the fixing unit 47 during the detection of recording material characteristics in the media detection apparatus 30 reaches or exceeds the second threshold temperature tB, damage to the recording material S or defects in the fixing unit 47 may occur if the recording material S is transported at a speed lower than the normal transport speed. Therefore, before detecting the recording material characteristics in the media detection apparatus 30, it is determined whether the time when the temperature t of the fixing unit 47 reaches or exceeds the first threshold temperature tA or the second threshold temperature tB is less than the completion time of the recording material characteristics detection of the recording material S.

[0115] If the time to reach the first temperature threshold tA is less than or equal to the detection completion time ("Yes" in step S22), the fixing management unit 412 controls the temperature rise rate of the fixing unit 47 during preheating to decrease (step S24).

[0116] Additionally, if the time to reach the second temperature threshold tB is less than or equal to the detection completion time ("Yes" in step S23), the fixing management unit 412 controls the temperature rise rate of the fixing unit 47 during preheating to decrease (step S25).

[0117] Here, we will explain the control of the temperature rise rate of the fixing section 47 during preheating. Figures 7 to 10 The graph shows the temperature rise of the fixing section 47 during preheating. Figures 7 to 10 In the graph shown, the vertical axis represents the temperature t [°C] of the fixing section 47, and the horizontal axis represents the elapsed time from the start of preheating.

[0118] In addition, Figures 7 to 10 In the curve shown, as an example of temperature thresholds, the first temperature threshold tA is set to 80℃ and the second temperature threshold tB is set to 120℃.

[0119] In addition, Figures 7 to 10 The graph shown is an example of the detection of the recording material properties of the recording material S starting simultaneously with the start of preheating, and shows an example where the time until the detection of the recording material properties is completed is set to 40 seconds.

[0120] Figure 7is a case where the temperature t of the fixing portion 47 at the start of the preheating is 50°C. Even if the usual preheating of heating the fixing portion 47 with all the heaters turned on is performed, the detection of the recording material property of the recording material S is completed before the temperature t of the fixing portion 47 becomes the first temperature threshold tA or more. Thus, if the temperature of the fixing portion 47 at the completion of the detection of the recording material property of the recording material S is less than the first temperature threshold tA, the detection of the recording material property of the recording material S can be performed in a stopped state without causing damage or defects to the recording material S.

[0121] In contrast to this, Figure 8 is a case where the temperature t of the fixing portion 47 at the start of the preheating is 65°C. In this case, in the graph of the case where all the heaters are turned on as shown by the dotted line, the temperature t of the fixing portion 47 becomes the first temperature threshold tA or more before the detection of the recording material property is completed. Therefore, as shown in the graph of the solid line, the temperature increase rate of the fixing portion 47 is reduced as compared with the usual preheating. Specifically, it is reduced to a temperature increase rate at which the detection of the recording material property is completed before the temperature t of the fixing portion 47 becomes the first temperature threshold tA or more.

[0122] Thus, by reducing the temperature increase rate of the fixing portion 47 in such a manner that the temperature of the fixing portion 47 at the completion of the detection of the recording material property of the recording material S is less than the first temperature threshold tA, the detection of the recording material property of the recording material S can be performed in a stopped state without causing damage or defects to the recording material S.

[0123] In addition, Figure 9 is a case where the temperature t of the fixing portion 47 at the start of the preheating is 95°C. In this case, the temperature t of the fixing portion 47 at the preheating start point is the first temperature threshold tA or more. Therefore, the detection of the recording material property of the recording material S cannot be performed in a stopped state. However, the temperature t of the fixing portion 47 at the start of the preheating is less than the second temperature threshold tB. Even if the usual preheating of heating the fixing portion 47 with all the heaters turned on is performed, the detection of the recording material property is completed before the temperature t of the fixing portion 47 becomes the second temperature threshold tB or more. In this case, in a state where the recording material S is stopped, the recording material property of the recording material S cannot be detected in such a manner that the recording material S does not suffer damage or defects, but by conveying (low-speed conveying) the recording material S at a speed lower than the usual speed at the time of image formation, the detection of the recording material property can be performed in such a manner that the recording material S does not suffer damage or defects.

[0124] In contrast to this, Figure 10 is a case where the temperature t of the fixing portion 47 at the start of the preheating is 105°C. In this case, as with Figure 9The same applies to the case where the recording material S cannot be subjected to the detection of the recording material property in the stopped state.

[0125] Further, in the graph of the case where all the heaters are turned on as shown by the dotted line, the temperature t of the fixing portion 47 becomes equal to or higher than the second temperature threshold tB before the detection of the recording material property is completed. Therefore, as in the case shown by the solid line, even if the recording material S is conveyed at a low speed, the recording material S is damaged or defective due to the detection of the recording material property. Therefore, in the example shown in FIG. 9, the temperature rising rate of the fixing portion 47 is reduced as compared with the normal preheating as shown by the graph of the solid line. Specifically, the temperature rising rate is reduced to a temperature rising rate at which the detection of the recording material property is completed before the temperature t of the fixing portion 47 becomes equal to or higher than the second temperature threshold tB. Figure 9 Figure 10

[0126] Thus, by reducing the temperature rising rate of the fixing portion 47 in such a manner that the temperature of the fixing portion 47 at the completion of the detection of the recording material property of the recording material S is lower than the second temperature threshold tB, it is possible to detect the recording material property while conveying the recording material S at a speed lower than the normal speed at the time of image formation (low-speed conveyance).

[0127] Further, in the example described above Figures 7 to 10 in the example shown in FIG. 9, the detection of the recording material property is performed at the same time as the start of the preheating, but the detection of the recording material property need not be performed at the same time as the preheating. It is sufficient that the detection of the recording material property is started within a predetermined time from the start of the preheating in such a manner that the detection of the recording material property is ended before the preheating is completed. Therefore, in the above description, the comparison determination with the first temperature threshold tA and the second temperature threshold tB is made based on the temperature t of the fixing portion 47 at the start of the preheating, but the above comparison determination can be made based on the temperature of the temperature t of the fixing portion 47 within a predetermined time from the start of the preheating.

[0128] For example, in the fixing management portion 412, the adjustment of the temperature rising rate of the fixing portion 47, the adjustment of the time to reach the temperature threshold of the temperature t of the fixing portion 47 can be performed by the adjustment of the ratio of the on time / off time of the heaters (the adjustment of the duty ratio), the adjustment of the number of heater on, and the like.

[0129] For example, the adjustment of the temperature rising rate performed by the fixing management portion 412 can be performed in accordance with the temperature difference between the temperature t of the fixing portion 47 and the first temperature threshold tA or the second temperature threshold tB, the detection time of the recording material property, and the like.

[0130] ​​Thus, the temperature rise rate of the fixing portion 47 in the preheating is adjusted in such a manner that the time at which the temperature t of the fixing portion 47 reaches the threshold temperature becomes equal to or more than the detection completion time of the recording material characteristic in the medium detection device 30. Thereby, the fixing management portion 412 adjusts the time at which the temperature t of the fixing portion 47 reaches the threshold temperature in such a manner that it is later than the detection completion time of the recording material characteristic. Thereby, the damage to the recording material S, the occurrence of defects in the fixing portion 47 are suppressed, and the recording material characteristic can be detected with high precision.

[0131] In addition, in a case where the temperature rise rate of the temperature t of the fixing portion 47 is adjusted in the step S24 or the step S25, it is preferable to return the temperature rise rate of the temperature t of the fixing portion 47 to the same state as the normal preheating after the detection of the recording material characteristic is performed, as shown in Figure 8 and Figure 10 The fixing management portion 412 returns the temperature rise rate of the fixing temperature to the state before the adjustment, and thereby can minimize the delay of the completion time of the preheating of the fixing portion 47, the delay of the start time of the image forming job, and suppress the reduction of the productivity.

[0132] Returning to Figure 5 the description, in a case where the reaching time of the second temperature threshold tB exceeds the detection completion time (NO in the step S23), or after the processing of the step S25, the conveyance control portion 122 of the paper feeding device 10 and the conveyance control portion 414 of the image forming device 40 perform the conveyance of the recording material S at a speed lower than the normal conveyance speed (step S26). The conveyance control portion 122 and the conveyance control portion 414 can detect the recording material characteristic with high precision in the medium detection device 30, and start the conveyance of the recording material S at a conveyance speed at which the damage to the recording material S, the occurrence of defects in the fixing portion 47 are less likely to occur in the fixing portion 47.

[0133] In a case where the reaching time of the first temperature threshold tA exceeds the detection completion time (NO in the step S22), or after the processing of the step S24, or after the processing of the step S26, the detection of the recording material characteristic is performed in the medium detection device 30 (step S27). After the detection of the recording material characteristic, the processing of the present flowchart is ended, and the above-described processing I is ended.

[0134] According to the above-described Figure 4 and Figure 5The illustrated processing can stop the conveyance of the recording material S or reduce the conveyance speed, and detect the recording material property of the recording material S with high accuracy, by detecting the recording material property of the recording material S in the preheating of the fixing portion 47 in which image formation is not performed. Also, the recording material property can be detected with high accuracy by suppressing damage or defects of the recording material S, by adjusting the conveyance state of the recording material S in accordance with the temperature t of the fixing portion 47. In addition, the recording material property can be detected with high accuracy by suppressing a reduction in productivity, by detecting the recording material property of the recording material S in the preheating of the fixing portion 47 in which image formation is not performed.

[0135] Further, the present application is not limited to the structures described in the above-described embodiment examples, and various modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the structures of the present application.

Claims

1. An image forming system comprising: a conveyance section that conveys a recording material; a recording material property detection section that is disposed on a conveyance path of the recording material, detects a recording material property of the recording material; a fixing section that fixes a toner image formed on the recording material; and a control section that causes the recording material property detection section to detect the recording material property during a period in which the fixing section performs preheating for image formation of a job, and sets an image formation condition in the job according to the detected recording material property, wherein the control section controls a temperature increase rate of the preheating in the period in which the recording material property is detected, according to a temperature of the fixing section in a predetermined time from the start of the preheating.

2. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the control section determines whether a time at which the temperature of the fixing section increases to a first temperature threshold is a detection completion time of the recording material property or later, in a case where the temperature of the fixing section in the predetermined time from the start of the preheating is less than the first temperature threshold, and sets the temperature increase rate of the preheating of the fixing section to be lower than a predetermined temperature increase rate at least in the period in which the recording material property is detected, in a case where the determination result is the detection completion time or later.

3. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the control section determines whether a time at which the temperature of the fixing section increases to a second temperature threshold is a detection completion time of the recording material property or later, in a case where the temperature of the fixing section in the predetermined time from the start of the preheating is the first temperature threshold or more and less than the second temperature threshold, and sets the temperature increase rate of the preheating of the fixing section to be lower than a predetermined temperature increase rate at least in the period in which the recording material property is detected, and conveys the recording material at a conveyance speed lower than a conveyance speed at the time of image formation, in a case where the determination result is the detection completion time or later.

4. The image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control section controls the temperature increase rate by controlling an opening rate of a heater that heats the fixing section.

5. The image forming system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the control section returns the temperature increase rate to the predetermined temperature increase rate after the detection of the recording material property is ended.

6. The image forming system according to claim 2, wherein the control section decides whether to stop or convey the recording material in the period in which the recording material property is detected, according to a result obtained by comparing the temperature of the fixing section in the predetermined time from the start of the preheating with a predetermined temperature threshold.

7. The image forming system according to claim 6, wherein the control section stops the conveyance of the recording material at least in the period in which the recording material property is detected, in a case where the temperature of the fixing section in the predetermined time from the start of the preheating is less than the first temperature threshold. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 8. The image forming system according to claim 6, wherein the control section sets the conveyance speed of the recording material to a speed lower than the conveyance speed at the time of image formation at least during a period in which the recording material characteristic is detected, in a case where the temperature of the fixing section within a predetermined time from the start of preheating is the first temperature threshold value or more.

9. The image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the recording material is a continuous paper.

10. The image forming system according to claim 9, wherein the recording material is a continuous paper wound in a shape of a roll.

11. The image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the image forming system has an image forming section that forms the toner image to the recording material, the control section sets an execution condition of at least one of the image forming section and the fixing section as the image forming condition, in accordance with the recording material characteristic detected in the execution of preheating.

12. The image forming system according to claim 11, wherein the execution condition of the fixing section includes a fixing target temperature.

13. The image forming system according to claim 11, wherein the recording material characteristic detection section is disposed on an upstream side of a path of the recording material than the image forming section.

14. The image forming system according to claim 11, wherein the recording material characteristic detection section is disposed between a supply section of the recording material and the image forming section.

15. The image forming system according to claim 14, wherein there is a supply adjustment section that adjusts the supply of the recording material between the supply section of the recording material and the image forming section that forms an image to the recording material, the recording material characteristic detection section is provided between the supply section and the supply adjustment section.

Images