Information processing apparatus and image forming apparatus

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an information processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus. An information processing apparatus that communicates with an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a sheet. The image forming apparatus includes a motor, a first load, a second load, a drive transmission member configured to selectively transmit a drive of the motor to the first load and the second load, and a control member configured to control the drive transmission member to transmit the drive of the motor to the first load so that the first load is driven, and control the drive transmission member to transmit the drive of the motor to the second load so that the second load is driven. The information processing apparatus includes an acquisition member configured to acquire information related to an error that has occurred in the image forming apparatus, the information including timing information related to a time of the error occurrence.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a technology for inferring a cause of an error in an image forming apparatus such as a copier, a multifunction machine, a printer, and a facsimile machine. BACKGROUND

[0002] An electrophotographic image forming apparatus forms an image on a sheet by formation and transfer of a latent image. When an abnormality occurs, it is difficult for such an image forming apparatus to determine at which step the abnormality occurs. Further, one abnormality can be associated with a plurality of parts. In a case where a part needs to be replaced due to the occurrence of an abnormality, it is difficult to identify the part to be replaced. In such a case, in order to identify the part to be replaced, it is necessary to replace the parts one by one and perform a test until the abnormality is eliminated. This can increase the amount of work performed from the occurrence of the abnormality to the recovery. In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-034636, an image forming apparatus is disclosed in which a count value of a jam is notified and information related to replacement of a part is displayed on an operation panel, thereby reducing the amount of work of a service person at the time of occurrence of an abnormality.

[0003] Hitherto, a counter that counts the usage of a part has been provided, and a part that needs to be replaced is identified from a count value. As another example, a failure notification device directly associated with a part is prepared, thereby identifying the part to be replaced.

[0004] In a case where a part to be replaced is identified based on a count value, when the count value can be directly associated with the part to be replaced, for example, a periodic consumption part that needs to be periodically replaced, it is possible to determine whether the part needs to be replaced. However, it is difficult to determine whether a part that is not associated with the count value needs to be replaced. Further, in a case where an unexpected abnormality occurs that is not dependent on the count value, it is difficult to narrow down candidates for the part to be replaced. In a case where a failure notification device is associated with a plurality of parts, it is difficult to determine which parts are candidates for the part to be replaced. For example, in a configuration in which one drive source is connected to a plurality of loads, even when the drive source is associated with the failure notification device, it is not clear which one of the drive source and the plurality of loads needs to be replaced. SUMMARY

[0005] An information processing apparatus according to the present disclosure communicates with an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet, and the image forming apparatus includes a motor, a first load, a second load, a drive transmission member configured to selectively transmit a drive of the motor to the first load and the second load, and a control member configured to control the drive transmission member to transmit the drive of the motor to the first load so that the first load is driven, and to control the drive transmission member to transmit the drive of the motor to the second load so that the second load is driven, the information processing apparatus including an acquisition member configured to acquire information related to an error that has occurred in the image forming apparatus, the information including timing information related to a time at which the error has occurred, a storage configured to store the information acquired by the acquisition member, and a controller configured to determine an error part in the image forming apparatus from a plurality of candidates including the motor, the first load, and the second load based on first timing information and second timing information, wherein the first timing information is included in the information in the storage and is related to a time at which a first error of the first load has occurred, and wherein the second timing information is included in the information in the storage and is related to a time at which a second error of the second load has occurred, and output a result of the determination of the error part.

[0006] Further features of the present application will become apparent from the following description of example embodiments (with reference to the drawings). BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0007] Figure 1 is a configuration diagram of the image forming apparatus.

[0008] Figure 2 is a configuration diagram of the control unit.

[0009] Figure 3A , Figure 3B and Figure 3C are explanatory diagrams of the toner bottle.

[0010] Figure 4 is an explanatory diagram of the toner remaining amount detection unit.

[0011] Figure 5A and Figure 5B are explanatory diagrams of the toner bottle rotation detection unit.

[0012] Figure 6A and Figure 6B are explanatory diagrams of the toner replenishment processing and the processing of replacing the toner bottle.

[0013] Figure 7A , Figure 7B , Figure 7C and Figure 7D are explanatory tables of the relationship between information at the time of error occurrence and a part to be replaced.

[0014] Figure 8 is a flowchart for illustrating a process of identifying a part to be replaced.

[0015] Figure 9 is a configuration diagram of a part-to-be-replaced identification system.

[0016] Figure 10 is a configuration diagram of a management device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] A description will now be given of an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0018] Configuration of image forming apparatus

[0019] Figure 1 is a configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. The image forming apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment is a four-color full-color printer using an electrophotographic method. Figure 1 The image forming apparatus 200 of can be appropriately combined with another apparatus to be configured as a copier, a multifunction machine, or a facsimile machine.

[0020] The image forming apparatus 200 forms an image on a sheet S based on a print signal acquired from an external apparatus. The sheet S is a recording medium on which an image can be printed, and is, for example, plain paper, art paper, an OHT sheet, a label, or the like. The image forming apparatus 200 converts the acquired print signal into image signals that are separated into four colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). The image forming apparatus 200 charges a plurality of photosensitive members corresponding to the respective colors to a predetermined potential, and exposes the charged photosensitive members based on the image signals of the respective colors, thereby forming an electrostatic latent image of the color corresponding to the respective photosensitive members. The image forming apparatus 200 develops the electrostatic latent image by using toner of the corresponding color to form a toner image on the respective photosensitive members, and transfers the toner image from the respective photosensitive members to an intermediate transfer member by superimposing the toner images. The image forming apparatus 200 batch-transfers the toner images from the intermediate transfer member to the sheet S. The image forming apparatus 200 performs a fixing process on the sheet S on which the toner image is transferred by using a heat press, and discharges the sheet S as a printed matter to the outside of the apparatus.

[0021] To perform the above-mentioned image forming process, the image forming apparatus 200 includes parts such as image forming units Pa to Pd, an intermediate transfer belt 7 as an intermediate transfer member, and a fixing device 13. The image forming apparatus 200 is a tandem intermediate transfer system in which the image forming units Pa to Pd are arranged along the intermediate transfer belt 7. The intermediate transfer belt 7 is provided in an intermediate transfer belt frame (not shown) and is an endless belt stretched by a plurality of rollers including a driving roller 18, a tension roller 17, and a secondary transfer inner roller 8. The intermediate transfer belt 7 is conveyed (rotated) in an R7 direction by the driving roller 18. The image forming units Pa to Pd form different color toner images, respectively. In this embodiment, the image forming unit Pa forms a yellow (Y) toner image. The image forming unit Pb forms a magenta (M) toner image. The image forming unit Pc forms a cyan (C) toner image. The image forming unit Pd forms a black (K) toner image.

[0022] The image forming units Pa to Pd differ from each other only in the color used, and have similar configurations and perform similar operations. Hereinafter, the image forming unit Pa that forms a yellow toner image is described, and the descriptions of the image forming units Pb to Pd are omitted. In addition, in the following description, "a" to "d" at the end of the reference numerals are omitted unless it is required to distinguish the colors in the description.

[0023] The image forming unit Pa has a configuration in which a photosensitive drum la as a photosensitive member is provided at the center, and a charging device 2a, an exposure device 3a, a developing device 10a, a primary transfer portion Tla, and a drum cleaner 6a are arranged around the photosensitive drum la.

[0024] The photosensitive drum la includes a cylindrical ground conductor element tube on which a photosensitive layer is formed, and is driven to rotate clockwise with respect to a drum shaft in the drawing. The charging device 2a has the shape of a roller, and includes an elastic layer formed around a conductive center shaft. The charging device 2a is pushed against the photosensitive drum la, thereby rotating with the rotation of the photosensitive drum la while forming a nip between the charging device 2a and the photosensitive drum la. At this time, a charging bias is applied to the center shaft of the charging device 2a by a charging high voltage power supply, so the charging device 2a uniformly charges the surface (photosensitive layer) of the photosensitive drum la to a predetermined potential.

[0025] The exposure device 3a is a laser scanner that performs scanning and exposure of laser light emitted from a laser emission element in the drum shaft direction on the photosensitive drum la via a polygon mirror or an fθ optical system. The exposure device 3a modulates the laser light by using a drive signal generated based on an image signal. The modulated laser light is emitted to the photosensitive drum la. This causes a potential to drop in a portion of the surface of the photosensitive drum la exposed to the laser light, and an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image signal is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum la.

[0026] The developing device 10a includes a stirring-conveying unit filled with a two-component developer composed of a magnetic carrier and a non-magnetic toner, a developing sleeve, and a regulating member placed at a predetermined distance from the developing sleeve. The developing sleeve includes an electrically conductive member provided around a fixedly placed magnetic roller. The developer is stirred and conveyed in the stirring-conveying unit, and thus the toner is charged with a predetermined electric charge. The charged developer is carried and conveyed on the developing sleeve by the magnetic force of the magnetic roller and the rotation of the developing sleeve, and is regulated to have a predetermined thickness by the regulating member. The developer that has been regulated to have the predetermined thickness on the developing sleeve is supplied to the photosensitive drum la.

[0027] The supply of the developer to the photosensitive drum la is achieved by applying a developing bias voltage to the developing sleeve from a developing high-voltage power supply. When the developing bias voltage is applied to the developing sleeve, an electromagnetic force is generated due to a potential difference between the latent electrostatic image formed on the photosensitive drum la and the developing bias voltage. By the electromagnetic force, the toner moves from the developing sleeve to the photosensitive drum la. The toner that has moved to the photosensitive drum la adheres to the latent electrostatic image and develops the latent electrostatic image into a toner image. In this embodiment, a toner having a negative polarity is used.

[0028] Meanwhile, in the developing device 10a, yellow toner is repeatedly replenished from a toner bottle Ta that is a replenishment container of the developer to the stirring-conveying unit. This stabilizes the amount of the toner (toner concentration) in the developing device 10a to a predetermined reference amount. Thus, the developing device 10a can stabilize the amount of the toner adhering to the photosensitive drum la. Likewise, the developing device 10b is replenished with magenta toner from a toner bottle Tb. The developing device 10c is replenished with cyan toner from a toner bottle Tc. The developing device 10d is replenished with black toner from a toner bottle Td. In this embodiment, a description is made taking a two-component developer as an example, but the developer can be a single-component developer composed of only a magnetic toner or a non-magnetic toner. Also in the case of the single-component developer, the toner is replenished from the toner bottle T to the developing device 10, and the amount of the toner (toner concentration) contained therein is stabilized to a predetermined reference amount.

[0029] The primary transfer portion Tla includes a primary transfer roller at a position where the primary transfer roller opposes the photosensitive drum la with the intermediate transfer belt 7 interposed therebetween. The primary transfer roller is pressed against the photosensitive drum la, thereby forming a primary transfer nip between the photosensitive drum la and the intermediate transfer belt 7. A primary transfer bias having a polarity opposite to that of the toner is applied to the primary transfer roller, and thus the toner image on the photosensitive drum la is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 7. At this time, a part of the untransferred toner remaining on the photosensitive drum la is collected by the drum cleaner 6a. The photosensitive drum la from which the remaining toner has been collected by the drum cleaner 6a is used again to form an image.

[0030] The image forming units Pb to Pd perform similar processes to those performed by the image forming unit Pa, thereby forming toner images of their corresponding colors on the photosensitive drums lb to Id. A magenta toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum lb. A cyan toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum lc. A black toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum Id. The intermediate transfer belt 7 is driven to rotate at a surface speed substantially equal to the surface speed of the photosensitive drums la to Id. The toner images of the respective colors formed by the image forming units Pa to Pd are superimposed and transferred in alignment with each other on the intermediate transfer belt 7 in accordance with the rotation speed of the intermediate transfer belt 7.

[0031] The image forming apparatus 200 includes a sheet feed cassette 60, a sheet feed roller pair 61, a registration roller pair 62, and the secondary transfer outer roller 9 along a conveyance path through which the sheet S is conveyed, so as to feed the sheet S on which an image is to be formed. The secondary transfer outer roller 9 and the secondary transfer inner roller 8 together form a secondary transfer portion T2. The sheet feed cassette 60 stores a stack of sheets S therein. In synchronization with image formation by the image forming units Pa to Pd, the sheets S are separated by friction by the sheet feed roller pair 61 and are fed and conveyed one by one to the conveyance path. The sheets S are conveyed to the registration roller pair 62 via the conveyance path. The registration roller pair 62 corrects skew of the sheets S and then conveys the sheets S to the secondary transfer portion T2 at adjusted timing.

[0032] In the secondary transfer portion T2, the secondary transfer outer roller 9 is pressed against the secondary transfer inner roller 8 with the intermediate transfer belt 7 interposed therebetween, thereby forming a secondary transfer nip between the secondary transfer portion T2 and the intermediate transfer belt 7. The secondary transfer outer roller 9 rotates with the rotation of the intermediate transfer belt 7. The sheet S supplied to the secondary transfer portion T2 is conveyed while being pinched by the secondary transfer nip. At this time, a secondary transfer bias of polarity opposite to that of the toner is applied to the secondary transfer outer roller 9, and thus the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 7 is transferred onto the sheet S. A portion of the untransferred toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 7 is collected by the belt cleaner 11 placed to face the tension roller 17 with the intermediate transfer belt 7 interposed therebetween. The intermediate transfer belt 7 from which the remaining toner is collected by the belt cleaner 11 is used again for forming an image.

[0033] The sheet S on which the toner image is transferred is conveyed by the secondary transfer outer roller 9 to a fixing device 13. The fixing device 13 includes a roller pair with a built-in heater and fuses the toner image to fix the toner image to the sheet S by heat pressure. The multicolor toner image generates colors to become a full-color image during the fusing fixation. The fixing device 13 includes a heater serving as a heat source and is controlled so that an optimum temperature (fixing temperature) is always maintained. The sheet S on which the full-color image is fixed is discharged as a print product onto a sheet discharge tray 63.

[0034] In the case of double-sided printing, the sheet S on which an image has been printed on one surface is conveyed by the reversing conveyance mechanism 70 to the registration roller pair 62. At this time, the surface of the sheet S on which an image is to be printed is reversed. As a result of the reversal, in the sheet S conveyed from the registration roller pair 62 to the secondary transfer portion T2, an image is formed on the other surface. In this way, the image forming apparatus 200 can form an image on a sheet based on a print signal.

[0035] <Control unit>

[0036] Figure 2 is a configuration diagram of a control unit that controls the operation of the image forming apparatus 200. The control unit is an information processing device including a central processing unit (CPU) 300, a read only memory (ROM) 301, and a memory 302. Furthermore, the control unit includes a motor driver 303, a toner bottle rotation detection unit 308, a cap opening / closing detection unit 309, a toner remaining amount detection unit 310, and an operation unit 311, which are connected to the CPU 300. The motor driver 303 is connected to a toner bottle driving motor 304. The toner bottle driving motor 304 is connected to a toner bottle T (first load) and a bottle cap 307 (second load). The bottle cap 307 is an openable / closable cap for preventing contact with the toner bottle T from the outside at any time other than the replacement time.

[0037] The CPU 300 is a controller that controls the operation of each part of the image forming apparatus 200 by executing a computer program stored in the ROM 301. Furthermore, the CPU 300 has a function of identifying a part to be replaced when an error occurs. For this purpose, the CPU 300 includes a part-to-be-replaced identification unit 313. The memory 302 is a work memory used by the CPU 300 when processing is performed. Furthermore, in the power-off state of the image forming apparatus 200, the memory 302 can also hold data with a battery (not shown). The memory 302 is provided with a state accumulation unit 312, which is a storage area in which information at the time of an error occurrence is stored.

[0038] The motor drive unit 303 drives the toner bottle drive motor 304 under the control of the CPU 300. The toner bottle drive motor 304 is a drive source that exclusively drives the toner bottle T and the cap 307. The toner bottle drive motor 304 is connected to the toner bottle T and the cap 307 via a drive transmission mechanism 305 that includes a plurality of gears. Connecting the drive transmission mechanism 305 to either one of the toner bottle T or the cap 307 allows the driving force from the toner bottle drive motor 304 to be selectively transmitted to the toner bottle T and the cap 307. The CPU 300 determines which of the toner bottle T and the cap 307 is driven by the toner bottle drive motor 304. The CPU 300 functions as a controller (control unit) that controls the driving of the toner bottle drive motor 304 to be transmitted to the toner bottle T so that the toner bottle T is driven, and controls the driving of the toner bottle drive motor 304 to be transmitted to the cap 307 so that the cap 307 is driven.

[0039] When the toner bottle drive motor 304 is driven by the motor drive unit 303 in a state in which the drive transmission mechanism 305 is connected to the toner bottle T, the toner bottle drive motor 304 drives the toner bottle T to rotate. The rotation of the toner bottle T causes toner to be supplied from the toner bottle T to the developing device 10.

[0040] When the toner bottle drive motor 304 is driven by the motor drive unit 303 in a state in which the drive transmission mechanism 305 is connected to the cap 307, the toner bottle drive motor 304 drives the cap 307. When the toner bottle T is replaced, the motor driver 303 can open and close the cap 307 without rotating the toner bottle T under the control of the CPU 300.

[0041] Further, the image forming apparatus 200 is described as having a configuration in which the drive transmission mechanism 305 is connected to either one of the toner bottle T or the cap 307, but the image forming apparatus 200 is not limited to this configuration. For example, the image forming apparatus 200 can have a configuration in which driving is transmitted to the toner bottle T when the toner bottle drive motor 304 rotates in a first rotation direction, and driving is transmitted to the cap 307 when the toner bottle drive motor 304 rotates in a second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction.

[0042] The toner bottle rotation detection unit 308 detects whether the toner bottle T is rotating, and notifies the CPU 300 of the detection result. The cap opening / closing detection unit 309 detects whether the cap 307 is open or closed, and notifies the CPU 300 of the detection result. The toner remaining amount detection unit 310 detects the remaining amount of toner in the toner bottle T, and notifies the CPU 300 of the detection result.

[0043] The operation unit 311 is a user interface including an input interface and an output interface. The input interface is a key, a touch panel, or the like. The output interface is a display, a speaker, or the like. The operation unit 311 displays an image on the display under the control of the CPU 300. For example, the operation unit 311 displays an error on the display under the control of the CPU 300. A user can use the input interface of the operation unit 311 to issue an instruction to start a maintenance work of the image forming apparatus 200. When the instruction to start the maintenance work is issued via the input interface, the operation unit 311 notifies the CPU 300 of the start of the maintenance work.

[0044] <toner bottle>

[0045] Figure 3A 、 Figure 3B and Figure 3C are explanatory diagrams of the toner bottle T. Figure 3A is an external view of the toner bottle T. Figure 3B and Figure 3C are explanatory diagrams of an internal structure of the toner bottle T. The toner bottle T includes an accommodation portion 207 that accommodates toner, a drive transmission portion 206 to which a rotational drive force is transmitted from the toner bottle drive motor 304 via a drive gear 223, and a cap portion 222 that includes a structure to discharge the toner. The accommodation portion 207 communicates with the cap portion 222 via the drive transmission portion 206.

[0046] A recessed portion 205 that protrudes inward is formed in the accommodation portion 207. The recessed portion 205 is formed in a spiral shape in an outer surface of the accommodation portion 207. In response to rotation of the accommodation portion 207, the recessed portion 205 conveys the toner within the accommodation portion 207 toward a discharge portion 212. The accommodation portion 207 and the drive transmission portion 206 are coupled to each other, so that rotation of the drive transmission portion 206 also rotates the accommodation portion 207 therewith. The cap portion 222 includes the discharge portion 212 that includes a discharge port 211 through which the toner is discharged, a pump portion 210 to discharge the toner in the discharge portion 212 through the discharge port 211, and a reciprocating member 213 that expands and compresses the pump portion 210.

[0047] The drive transmission portion 206 includes a protruding portion 220 and a cam groove 214. The cam groove 214 is formed on a circumference of the drive transmission portion 206 so as to extend in a rotation direction of the drive transmission portion 206. The cam groove 214 and the protruding portion 220 are integrally formed with each other and rotate with each other as the drive transmission portion 206. By transmitting a rotational drive force from the toner bottle drive motor 304 to the drive transmission portion 206 of the toner bottle T via the drive gear 223, the drive transmission portion 206 and the accommodation portion 207 coupled to the drive transmission portion 206 rotate.

[0048] The lid portion 222 is restricted from rotating, so even if the drive transmission portion 206 is rotated at the time of installation, the lid portion 222 does not follow the drive transmission portion 206 in rotation. Like the lid portion 222, the discharge port 211, the pump portion 210, and the reciprocating member 213 are also restricted from rotating. Therefore, rotation of the drive transmission portion 206 does not cause the discharge port 211, the pump portion 210, and the reciprocating member 213 to rotate.

[0049] A rotation restriction groove is formed on the inner side of the lid portion 222. The rotation restriction groove restricts rotation of the reciprocating member 213 when the drive transmission portion 206 is rotated. Therefore, when the drive transmission portion 206 is rotated, the reciprocating member 213 engages with the rotation restriction groove. The reciprocating member 213 is connected to the pump portion 210, and a peg portion (not shown) thereof engages with the cam groove 214 of the drive transmission portion 206. When the drive transmission portion 206 is rotated, the reciprocating member 213 moves along the cam groove 214 while being restricted from rotating. In this way, the reciprocating member 213 reciprocates in the direction of the arrow X (the long side direction of the toner bottle T).

[0050] The reciprocating member 213 is coupled to the pump portion 210. Reciprocation of the reciprocating member 213 causes the pump portion 210 to repeatedly expand and contract. Specifically, when the reciprocating member 213 moves in the direction of the arrow X, the pump portion 210 expands. Expansion of the pump portion 210 lowers the internal pressure of the toner bottle T, and air is drawn in through the discharge port 211, so that toner in the discharge portion 212 is loosened. When the reciprocating member 213 moves in the direction opposite to the direction of the arrow X, the pump portion 210 is compressed. Compression of the pump portion 210 increases the internal pressure of the toner bottle T, and toner deposited at the discharge port 211 is supplied from the discharge port 211 to the developing device 10. That is, the toner bottle drive motor 304 functions as a drive source that expands and compresses the pump portion 210 by rotating the installed toner bottle T.

[0051] The lid portion 222 includes a sealing member 222b for sealing the discharge port 211. Sealing the discharge port 211 by the sealing member 222b can prevent toner in the toner bottle T from leaking through the discharge port 211. The sealing member 222b is removed when the toner bottle T is installed in the image forming apparatus 200. As a result of the sealing member 222b being removed, the discharge port 211 of the toner bottle T is opened.

[0052] Figure 3B A state in which the pump portion 210 of the toner bottle T is expanded as much as possible is shown. Figure 3CA state in which the pump portion 210 of the toner bottle T is compressed as much as possible is shown. The pump portion 210 is a bellows pump made of resin and having a volume that can change with expansion and compression. Specifically, the pump portion 210 is formed of an arrangement of "mountain fold" portions and "valley fold" portions repeatedly alternating along the long-side direction of the toner bottle T.

[0053] In the cam groove 214, two peaks and two valleys are formed in the order of valley, peak, valley, and peak. During a change from valley to peak in a position in which the reciprocating member 213 is engaged with the cam groove 214, the pump portion 210 expands as much as possible. During a change from peak to valley in a position in which the reciprocating member 213 is engaged with the cam groove 214, the pump portion 210 is compressed as much as possible. When the position in which the reciprocating member 213 is engaged with the cam groove 214 is valley, the pump portion 210 remains compressed as much as possible. Due to the above-described configuration, in this embodiment, two operations of supplying toner are performed when the toner bottle T rotates once. A single operation of supplying toner starts in a state in which the pump portion 210 is compressed as much as possible, and ends in a state in which the pump portion 210 is compressed as much as possible again after expansion and compression.

[0054] <toner remaining amount detection unit>

[0055] Figure 4 is an explanatory view of the toner remaining amount detection unit 310. A description of a toner remaining amount detection unit 310 of the capacitance type is given here, but any type that can detect the remaining amount of toner in the toner bottle T can be employed. The direction in which the bottle cap 307 is inserted with respect to the toner bottle T is placed behind. The bottle cap 307 is opened and closed when the toner bottle T is replaced.

[0056] The toner remaining amount detection unit 310 includes two detection electrodes 306a and 306b provided in the vicinity of the toner bottle T. The two detection electrodes 306a and 306b are placed so that the entire containing portion 207 of the toner bottle T is interposed therebetween. The detection electrodes 306a and 306b function as capacitors and have a capacity corresponding to the remaining amount of toner in the toner bottle T. When a voltage is applied to the detection electrodes 306a and 306b, a charge corresponding to the capacity is accumulated. The CPU 300 acquires a voltage corresponding to the charge accumulated in the detection electrodes 306a and 306b as a detection signal. The CPU 300 can detect the remaining amount of toner in the toner bottle T on the basis of the acquired detection signal.

[0057] <toner bottle rotation detection unit>

[0058] Figure 5A and Figure 5Bis an explanatory diagram of the toner bottle rotation detection unit 308. The toner bottle rotation detection unit 308 in the present embodiment is, for example, an optical sensor including a light emitter and a light receiver that receives light emitted from the light emitter. The toner bottle rotation detection unit 308 detects rotation of the toner bottle T based on a change in the light receiving state of the light receiver caused by a flag 204 provided near the toner bottle T.

[0059] The flag 204 is an L-shaped bent member that swings around a rotation axis 204a. In the flag 204, the bent portion comes into contact with a drive transmission portion 206 of the toner bottle T due to its own weight. When the flag 204 comes into contact with a protruding portion 220 of the drive transmission portion 206, the flag 204 swings around the rotation axis 204a. This causes a free end, which is a terminal end of the flag 204, to come into contact with the toner bottle rotation detection unit 308. In this state, light from the light emitter of the toner bottle rotation detection unit 308 is blocked and is not received by the light receiver. In a case where the flag 204 is not in contact with the protruding portion 220 of the drive transmission portion 206, light from the light emitter of the toner bottle rotation detection unit 308 is received by the light receiver without being blocked.

[0060] In this way, the toner bottle rotation detection unit 308 can detect whether the flag 204 is in contact with the protruding portion 220. The toner bottle rotation detection unit 308 can detect the rotational phase (rotation angle) of the toner bottle T by detecting contact between the flag 204 and the protruding portion 220. Specifically, the toner bottle rotation detection unit 308 can detect the rotational phase of the toner bottle T by detecting the position at which the protruding portion 220 of the toner bottle T comes into contact with the flag 204.

[0061] Figure 5A A state in which the flag 204 is in contact with the drive transmission portion 206 is shown. In this case, the flag 204 does not block light from the light emitter of the toner bottle rotation detection unit 308. Therefore, the light receiver receives light emitted from the light emitter. The amount of light received by the light receiver is equal to or greater than a threshold value. Because the amount of light received by the light receiver is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the toner bottle rotation detection unit 308 outputs a high-level (H) signal. That is, when the flag 204 is in contact with the drive transmission portion 206, the toner bottle rotation detection unit 308 transmits a high-level signal to the CPU 300.

[0062] Figure 5BThe state in which the shutter 204 is in contact with the protruding portion 220 is shown. In this case, the shutter 204 blocks the light from the light emitter of the toner bottle rotation detection unit 308. Therefore, the light receiver does not receive the light emitted from the light emitter. The amount of light received by the light receiver is less than the threshold value. Because the amount of light received by the light receiver is less than the threshold value, the toner bottle rotation detection unit 308 outputs a low-level (L) signal. That is, when the shutter 204 is in contact with the protruding portion 220, the toner bottle rotation detection unit 308 transmits a low-level signal to the CPU 300.

[0063] The CPU 300 detects the position of the protruding portion 220 based on the level of the signal acquired from the toner bottle rotation detection unit 308. Therefore, the CPU 300 can detect the rotational phase of the toner bottle T. After the signal output from the toner bottle rotation detection unit 308 changes from low level to high level, the pump portion 210 of the toner bottle T starts to expand. When the signal output from the toner bottle rotation detection unit 308 remains at high level, the pump portion 210 undergoes a maximum expansion state and starts to be compressed. Before the signal output from the toner bottle rotation detection unit 308 changes from high level to low level, the pump portion 210 is placed in a maximum compression state. That is, when the shutter 204 is in contact with the drive transmission portion 206, the pump portion 210 is compressed and supplies toner to the developing device 10.

[0064] <toner replenishment processing and toner bottle replacement processing>

[0065] Figure 6A and Figure 6B is an explanatory view of the toner replenishment processing and the processing of replacing the toner bottle T. Figure 6A is a flowchart for illustrating the toner replenishment processing. Figure 6B is a flowchart for illustrating the processing of replacing the toner bottle T.

[0066] First, the toner replenishment processing is described. The CPU 300 determines whether or not toner needs to be supplied based on the amount of toner in the developing device 10 (step S101). The amount of toner in the developing device 10 is detected by a sensor (not shown) provided in the developing device 10. When toner does not need to be supplied (step S101: No), the CPU 300 continues to perform the processing of determining whether or not toner needs to be supplied. When toner needs to be supplied (step S101: Yes), the CPU 300 starts toner replenishment control (step S102).

[0067] The CPU 300, which has started the toner replenishment control, drives and controls the toner bottle drive motor 304 by using the motor drive unit 303, thereby performing the toner replenishment processing as described with reference to Figure 3A , Figure 3B and Figure 3CThe toner replenishment process is described. Simultaneously, the CPU 300 monitors whether the toner bottle T is rotating in a predetermined manner based on the detection results from the toner bottle rotation detection unit 308. In this way, the CPU 300 determines whether a rotation error of the toner bottle T has occurred (step S103).

[0068] When it is determined that no rotation error of the toner bottle T has occurred (step S103: No), the CPU 300 monitors the rotation of the toner bottle T until toner replenishment is complete (step S105: No). For example, when the amount of toner in the developing apparatus 10 becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined amount, it is determined that toner replenishment is complete. When toner replenishment is complete (step S105: Yes), the CPU 300 ends the toner replenishment process.

[0069] When a rotation error (abnormality) is detected in the toner bottle T (step S103: Yes), the CPU 300 displays the occurrence of the rotation error (toner bottle rotation error) on the operation unit 311, thereby notifying the user of the occurrence of the rotation error (step S104). Furthermore, the CPU 300 stores information related to the occurrence of the rotation error in the status accumulation unit 312 in the memory 302. Then, the CPU 300 terminates the toner replenishment process.

[0070] Next, the toner bottle replacement process is described. CPU 300 determines whether toner replenishment is performed based on the amount of toner in the developing unit 10. Figure 6A The CPU 300 increases the amount of toner in the developing equipment 10 to determine whether the toner bottle T needs to be replaced (step S201). When the amount of toner in the developing equipment 10 increases (step S201: No), the CPU 300 monitors the increase in the amount of toner in the developing equipment 10 until the toner replenishment process is completed.

[0071] When the amount of toner in the developing apparatus 10 does not increase (step S201: Yes), the CPU 300 determines that there is no toner remaining in the toner bottle T itself. In this case, the CPU 300 determines that the toner bottle T needs to be replaced and displays a replacement instruction screen for the toner bottle T on the operation unit 311, thereby prompting the user to replace the toner bottle T. In the replacement instruction screen, a bottle replacement button and a "close cap" button, described later, are displayed and can be selected (pressed) via the operation unit 311.

[0072] The user replaces the toner bottle T in response to the display on the operation unit 311. To do so, the user presses the bottle replacement button displayed on the operation unit 311. The CPU 300 acquires information indicating that the bottle replacement button is pressed from the operation unit 311, and then drives and controls the toner bottle drive motor 304 by using the motor drive unit 303, thereby opening the bottle cap 307 (step S202). In response to the pressing of the bottle replacement button, the cap opening / closing detection unit 309 starts detecting whether the bottle cap 307 is normally opened. The CPU 300 can check whether the bottle cap 307 is properly opened based on the detection result of the cap opening / closing detection unit 309.

[0073] When the replacement of the toner bottle T ends, the user inputs a request to close the bottle cap 307 by using the operation unit 311. To do so, after the bottle cap 307 is opened, the CPU 300 waits for the input of the closing request from the operation unit 311 (step S203: No). The request to close the bottle cap 307 is input, for example, by pressing the "Close Cap" button displayed on the operation unit 311.

[0074] When the request to close the bottle cap 307 is acquired (step S203: Yes), the CPU 300 closes the bottle cap 307 by using the motor drive unit 303 (step S204). The CPU 300 checks whether the bottle cap 307 is properly closed based on the detection result of the cap opening / closing detection unit 309 (step S205). When the bottle cap 307 is properly closed (step S205: Yes), the CPU 300 ends the toner bottle replacement processing.

[0075] When the bottle cap 307 is not properly closed (step S205: No), the CPU 300 determines that the opening / closing error (abnormality) of the bottle cap 307 has occurred (step S206). The CPU 300 also determines whether the bottle cap 307 is properly opened when the bottle cap 307 is opened, thereby determining whether the opening / closing error of the bottle cap 307 has occurred. Thus, in the processing step of step S206, it is also determined whether the opening / closing error has occurred during the opening state. The CPU 300 displays the occurrence of the opening / closing error (cap opening / closing error) of the bottle cap 307 on the operation unit 311, thereby notifying the user of the occurrence of the opening / closing error (step S207). Further, the CPU 300 stores information related to the cap opening / closing error that has occurred into the state accumulation unit 312 in the memory 302. Then, the CPU 300 ends the toner bottle replacement processing.

[0076] <Parts Replacement>

[0077] Figure 7A 、 Figure 7B 、 Figure 7C and Figure 7Dis a table of explanation of the relationship between the information at the time of error occurrence and the parts to be replaced. Figure 7A 、 Figure 7B and Figure 7C shows an example of a log of the information at the time of error occurrence stored in the state accumulation unit 312 in the memory 302 by the processing of Figure 6A and Figure 6B The log of the information at the time of error occurrence includes an ID 601, a date / time of occurrence 602, a cumulative number of pages at the time of error occurrence 603, and an error occurred 604 indicating details of the error that has occurred. The ID 601 identifies the error (anomaly) that has occurred. The date / time of occurrence 602 indicates the date and time when the occurrence of the corresponding error was detected. The cumulative number of pages 603 is the number of times (job count value) the image forming apparatus 200 has formed an image at the time when the occurrence of the corresponding error was detected. Both the date / time of occurrence 602 and the cumulative number of pages 603 are timing information about the time of error occurrence. The error occurred 604 is either the rotation error of the toner bottle T or the opening / closing error of the bottle cap 307 in the present embodiment.

[0078] Figure 7D is a table that manages the parts to be replaced associated with the error that has occurred. In the case where the parts to be replaced include a plurality of parts combined with each other, the table also manages the mode (replacement mode) of the parts to be replaced among the parts to be replaced. Here, the parts to be replaced 611 are managed in association with the replacement part mode 610. A plurality of replacement modes are set in association with one error. This table is stored in the memory 302, for example.

[0079] The CPU 300 refers to those logs and tables, thereby identifying the parts that caused the error at the time of error occurrence. The CPU 300 notifies the user of the identified parts as the parts to be replaced that need to be replaced by using the operation unit 311. The specific processing is described with reference to Figure 7A 、 Figure 7B 、 Figure 7C 、 Figure 7D and Figure 8 . Figure 8 is a flowchart for illustrating the processing of identifying the parts to be replaced. The CPU 300 performs the processing of identifying the parts to be replaced by using the replacement part identification unit 313.

[0080] The description given is the case where the bottle cap opening / closing error has occurred and Figure 7A The date / time of occurrence 602 of the CPU 300’s replacement part identification unit 313 is “2021 / 6 / 15 13:02”. The replacement part identification unit 313 refers to Figure 7AWhile reviewing past logs, analysis is performed to determine which part in the image forming apparatus 200 needs to be replaced. The cause of the cap opening / closing error lies in any of the toner bottle drive motor 304, the cap 307, and the cap opening / closing detection unit 309 used to open and close the cap 307. Analysis identifies which part needs to be replaced.

[0081] The replacement part identification unit 313 checks whether a toner bottle rotation error occurred within a predetermined period before the time the cap opening / closing error occurred, i.e., "2021 / 6 / 15 13:02" (step S301). The replacement part identification unit 313 performs this process by referring to the log stored in the status accumulation unit 312. The predetermined period is determined based on timing information or the cumulative page count 603 (job count). For example, when using timing information, the predetermined period is determined such that the occurrence date / time 602 is within one hour before the latest error occurrence time. When using the cumulative page count 603, the predetermined period is determined such that the difference between the cumulative page count 603 at the time of the latest error occurrence is equal to or less than 1000.

[0082] exist Figure 7A As shown in rows ID "100" and ID "101", a toner bottle rotation error occurs within a predetermined time period (step S301: Yes). Since the toner bottle rotation error occurs before the cap opening / closing error, it can be inferred that the part to be replaced (the faulty part) is the toner bottle drive motor 304. Therefore, the part to be replaced 611 is replacement part pattern "1". The replacement part identification unit 313 determines that the part to be replaced 611 is replacement part pattern "1" (step S302). When the date (time) of the toner bottle rotation error differs from the date (time) of the cap opening / closing error by one hour, the replacement part identification unit 313 determines that the faulty part (faulty location) is the toner bottle drive motor 304.

[0083] CPU 300 displays on operation unit 311 and Figure 7D The part to be replaced is associated with the replacement part pattern "1" in the process (step S306). Then, the replacement part identification process ends.

[0084] The description given is that a bottle cap opening / closing error occurred and Figure 7B The occurrence date / time 602 is "2021 / 7 / 15 13:02". The CPU 300's replaceable part identification unit 313 is referenced... Figure 7B While reviewing past logs, an analysis is performed to determine which part in the image forming apparatus 200 needs to be replaced.

[0085] The replacement parts identification unit 313 checks whether a toner bottle rotation error has occurred in a predetermined period before the time when the bottle cap opening / closing error occurred, that is, "2021 / 7 / 15 13:02" (step S301). The replacement parts identification unit 313 performs this processing by referring to the log stored in the state accumulation unit 312. The predetermined period is as described above.

[0086] In Figure 7B , no toner bottle rotation error has occurred in the predetermined period (step S301: No). Therefore, the replacement parts identification unit 313 checks whether another bottle cap opening / closing error has occurred in a predetermined period before the time when the bottle cap opening / closing error occurred, that is, "2021 / 7 / 15 13:02" (step S303). The replacement parts identification unit 313 performs this processing by referring to the log stored in the state accumulation unit 312. The predetermined period is as described above.

[0087] In Figure 7B , as shown in the rows of IDs "200" and "201", a bottle cap opening / closing error has occurred in the predetermined period (step S303: Yes). A bottle cap opening / closing error has occurred without any toner bottle rotation error, and thus it can be inferred that the replacement parts are the bottle cap 307 or the cap opening / closing detection unit 309. Therefore, the replacement parts 611 are the replacement parts pattern "2". The replacement parts identification unit 313 determines that the replacement parts 611 are the replacement parts pattern "2" (step S304). For example, when the occurrence date (time) of the toner bottle rotation error and the occurrence date (time) of the bottle cap opening / closing error differ by more than one hour, the replacement parts identification unit 313 determines that the error parts are the bottle cap 307 or the cap opening / closing detection unit 309.

[0088] The CPU 300 displays the replacement parts associated with the replacement parts pattern "2" in Figure 7D on the operation unit 311 (step S306). Then, the replacement parts identification processing ends.

[0089] The description given is the case where a bottle cap opening / closing error has occurred and Figure 7C the occurrence date / time 602 is "2021 / 7 / 25 13:02". The processing steps up to step S303 are similar to those in the case where a bottle cap opening / closing error has occurred and Figure 7B the occurrence date / time 602 is "2021 / 7 / 15 13:02". In Figure 7CIn this case, as shown in the rows of IDs "300" and "301", no cap opening / closing error has occurred in the predetermined period (Step S303: No). Therefore, the replacement part identification unit 313 determines the replacement part 611 to be replaced is the replacement part mode "3" (Step S305). This is because no error has occurred in the predetermined time before the cap opening / closing error occurred, and thus the replacement part 611 to be replaced cannot be identified. For example, in a case where no error has occurred within one hour before the date (time) of the occurrence of the cap opening / closing error, the replacement part identification unit 313 determines the error part is the toner bottle drive motor 304, the cap 307, or the cap opening / closing detection unit 309. The CPU 300 displays the replacement part to be replaced associated with the replacement part mode "3" in the operation unit 311 (Step S306). Then, the replacement part identification processing ends. Figure 7D

[0090] The replacement part identification unit 313 determines in Step S301 whether a toner bottle rotation error has occurred in the past in the case where the cap opening / closing error has occurred, but the replacement part identification unit 313 is not limited to this configuration. For example, the replacement part identification unit 313 can be configured to determine that the replacement part is the toner bottle drive motor 304 when the cap opening / closing error has occurred within a predetermined period before the time when the toner bottle rotation error has occurred. In the above processing, for the cap opening / closing error, the error that has occurred in the past in the predetermined period is also considered in identifying the part that caused the error. For the cap opening / closing error, any one of the toner bottle drive motor 304, the cap 307, and the cap opening / closing detection unit 309 is the error cause (i.e., there are multiple candidates for the error part). In this embodiment, the error that has occurred in the past is considered in identifying the error cause, and the part that caused the error is identified from among these parts. With this processing, the part that is the cause can be accurately identified at the time of the abnormality, and the abnormality can be promptly dealt with.

[0091] <Modification Example>

[0092] In the above embodiment, the replacement part is identified by using the log of the error information stored in the state accumulation unit 312 in the memory 302. This processing is performed in the image forming apparatus 200. In a modification example of the present disclosure, a case where this processing is performed in an information processing apparatus provided outside the image forming apparatus 200 is described. Here, a description is given of a case where this processing is performed by an information processing apparatus connected to the image forming apparatus 200 via a network.

[0093] Figure 9 ​is a configuration diagram of a replacement-part identifying system that an external information processing apparatus identifies a part to be replaced in an image forming apparatus 200. The replacement-part identifying system 800 includes one or more image forming apparatuses 801 and 802, a server 803, and a management apparatus 804. In this modified example, two image forming apparatuses 801 and 802 are provided in the replacement-part identifying system 800. The image forming apparatuses 801 and 802 each have a configuration in which a network interface is added to the image forming apparatus 200, and form an image on a sheet S to produce a printed matter.

[0094] The image forming apparatuses 801 and 802, the server 803, and the management apparatus 804 are capable of communicating with each other via a network. Here, the network is the Internet 805. The network can be a telecommunication line such as a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN). The server 803 and the management apparatus 804 function as an information processing apparatus that collects data from each of the image forming apparatuses 801 and 802 and identifies a part to be replaced in each of the image forming apparatuses 801 and 802 based on the collected data.

[0095] Each of the image forming apparatuses 801 and 802 stores a log of error information into a state accumulation unit 312 of a memory 302 by the processing of Figure 6A and Figure 6B Each of the image forming apparatuses 801 and 802 periodically transmits the log stored in the state accumulation unit 312 to the server 803.

[0096] The server 803 stores the log acquired from each of the image forming apparatuses 801 and 802 therein for each of the image forming apparatuses 801 and 802 from which the log is acquired. For example, the server 803 assigns identification information for identifying the acquisition source to the acquired log, and stores the log therein. For another example, the server 803 prepares a storage area for each of the image forming apparatuses 801 and 802 in advance, and stores the acquired log in the corresponding storage area. The server 803 transmits the stored log to the management apparatus 804 in response to a request from the management apparatus 804.

[0097] Figure 10 is a configuration diagram of the management apparatus 804. The management apparatus 804 includes a CPU 901, a memory 902, a storage apparatus 903, a network interface (I / F) 904, and an operation unit 906. The CPU 901, the memory 902, the storage apparatus 903, and the network I / F 904 are connected to each other via a system bus 905 so as to be capable of communicating with each other. The I / F 904 functions as an acquisition unit that acquires information related to an error from the server 803.

[0098] The CPU 901 controls the overall operation of the management apparatus 804. The storage 902 stores a boot program of the CPU 901 and data required for execution of the boot program. The storage apparatus 903 is a storage device having a larger capacity than that of the storage 902, and is, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), or the like. The storage apparatus 903 stores a control program to be executed by the CPU 901 and the like.

[0099] The CPU 901 executes the boot program stored in the storage 902 at the time of the startup of the management apparatus 804. The boot program is a program for loading the control program stored in the storage apparatus 903 into the storage 902. The CPU 901 executes the control program loaded into the storage 902 and performs various controls. Further, the CPU 901 communicates with other apparatuses such as the server 803 via the Internet 805 by using the network I / F 904. The operation unit 906 has a function similar to that of the operation unit 311. The operation unit 906 notifies the CPU 901 of an instruction to start identification of a part to be replaced. Further, the operation unit 906 displays the identification result of the part to be replaced under the control of the CPU 901.

[0100] The CPU 901 executes the processing of Figure 8 , thereby identifying the part to be replaced. When the instruction to start identification of the part to be replaced is acquired from the operation unit 906, the CPU 901 acquires the error logs of the image forming apparatuses 801 and 802 from the server 803. The instruction to start identification of the part to be replaced includes information indicating which image forming apparatus is a processing target. The information includes, for example, identification information related to the image forming apparatus, and information of the ID 601, the occurrence date, the cumulative number of pages, and the type of the error that has occurred. The CPU 901 acquires the logs corresponding to the information from the server 803. The above information is stored in the storage 902 in accordance with the logs acquired from the server 803. Each of the occurrence date and the cumulative number of pages is timing information related to the time of occurrence of the error.

[0101] The CPU 901 analyzes the acquired log, thereby identifying a part to be replaced in the image forming apparatuses 801 and 802. For example, when the difference between the occurrence date (time) of the toner bottle rotation error and the occurrence date (time) of the bottle cap opening / closing error is one hour, the CPU 901 determines that the part to be replaced (error part) is the toner bottle drive motor 304. In a case where an action needs to be taken as a result of the identification, the CPU 901 displays details of the action to be taken on the operation unit 906. For another example, the CPU 901 outputs the part to be replaced (error part) selected from a plurality of candidates on the display of the operation unit 906. For yet another example, the CPU 901 controls the operation unit 311 of the image forming apparatus in which the part replacement is needed to display the details of the action to be taken. In this way, when an error occurs in the image forming apparatuses 801 and 802 being managed, the part to be replaced identification system 800 can identify the part to be replaced corresponding to the error, and issue an instruction for a maintenance work.

[0102] As described above, the image forming apparatus 200 of the present embodiment identifies a part to be replaced to overcome an error by using information of another error that has occurred within a predetermined period of time before the time when the error occurs. This makes it possible to accurately identify the part to be replaced, which would be difficult to accurately identify using only information related to the error. This processing makes it possible to accurately identify the part to be replaced also for an error occurring in a part other than a regularly consumed part or an error occurring unexpectedly.

[0103] While the present application has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the application is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.

[0104] This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-205977, filed December 20, 2021, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Claims

1. An information processing apparatus that communicates with an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet, the image forming apparatus including: a motor; a first load; a second load; a drive transmission member configured to selectively transmit a drive of the motor to the first load and the second load; and a control member configured to control the drive transmission member to transmit the drive of the motor to the first load so that the first load is driven, and to control the drive transmission member to transmit the drive of the motor to the second load so that the second load is driven, the information processing apparatus including: an acquisition member configured to acquire information related to an error that has occurred in the image forming apparatus, the information including timing information related to a time of error occurrence; a storage configured to store the information acquired by the acquisition member; and a controller configured to: determine an error part in the image forming apparatus from a plurality of candidates including the motor, the first load, and the second load, based on first timing information and second timing information, wherein the first timing information is included in the information in the storage and relates to a time of a first error occurrence of the first load, and wherein the second timing information is included in the information in the storage and relates to a time of a second error occurrence of the second load; and output a result of the determination of the error part.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a display configured to display the result of the determination of the error part.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the timing information is information related to a time of error occurrence, and wherein the controller is configured to determine the error part from the plurality of candidates based on a difference between a time indicated by the first timing information and a time indicated by the second timing information.

4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the timing information is a time of error occurrence, and wherein the controller is configured to determine that the error part is the motor when a difference between a time indicated by the first timing information and a time indicated by the second timing information is less than a predetermined period.

5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the controller is configured to determine that the error part is another candidate different from the motor when the difference is greater than the predetermined period.

6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the timing information is a cumulative number of pages on which the image forming apparatus has printed an image in a case of error occurrence, and wherein the controller is configured to determine the error part from the plurality of candidates based on a difference between a cumulative number of pages indicated by the first timing information and a cumulative number of pages indicated by the second timing information.

7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the timing information is a cumulative number of pages on which the image forming apparatus has printed an image in a case of error occurrence, and wherein the controller is configured to determine the error part from the plurality of candidates based on a difference between a cumulative number of pages indicated by the first timing information and a cumulative number of pages indicated by the second timing information. wherein the controller is configured to determine the defective part from the plurality of candidates when a difference between the cumulative number of pages indicated by the first timing information and the cumulative number of pages indicated by the second timing information is less than a predetermined amount. 8.The information processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the controller is configured to determine that the defective part is another candidate different from the motor when the difference is greater than the predetermined amount. 9.The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1-8, wherein the image forming apparatus further includes: a mount to which a container containing a developer is to be mounted; and a cover configured to be opened to replace the container mounted to the mount, wherein the first load is the container mounted to the mount of the image forming apparatus, and wherein the second load is the cover. 10.The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1-8, wherein the image forming apparatus further includes: a mount to which a container containing a developer is to be mounted; and a cover configured to be opened to replace the container mounted to the mount, wherein the first error is an error in which rotation of the container mounted to the mount is not detected, and wherein the second error is an error in which the cover is not opened or closed. 11.An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a sheet, comprising: a motor; a first load; a second load; a drive transmission member configured to selectively transmit drive of the motor to the first load and the second load; a memory; and a control member configured to: control the drive transmission member to transmit the drive of the motor to the first load so that the first load is driven, and control the drive transmission member to transmit the drive of the motor to the second load so that the second load is driven; store first timing information related to a time of occurrence of a first error of the first load into the memory, and store second timing information related to a time of occurrence of a second error of the second load into the memory when the second error occurs; and determine a defective part in the image forming apparatus from a plurality of candidates including the motor, the first load, and the second load based on the first timing information in the memory and the second timing information in the memory. 12.The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising a display configured to display a result of the determination of the defective part. 13.The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the first timing information is information related to a time of occurrence of the first error, wherein the second timing information is information related to a time of occurrence of the second error, and wherein the control member is configured to determine the defective part from the plurality of candidates based on a difference between a time indicated by the first timing information and a time indicated by the second timing information. ​ 14. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the first timing information is information related to a time at which the first error occurs, wherein the second timing information is information related to a time at which the second error occurs, and wherein the control means is configured to determine that the error part is the motor when a difference between the time indicated by the first timing information and the time indicated by the second timing information is smaller than a predetermined period.

15. The image forming apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the control means is configured to determine that the error part is another candidate different from the motor when the difference is larger than the predetermined period.

16. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the first timing information is a cumulative number of pages on which the image forming apparatus has printed an image in a case where the first error occurs, wherein the second timing information is a cumulative number of pages on which the image forming apparatus has printed an image in a case where the second error occurs, and wherein the control means is configured to determine the error part from the plurality of candidates based on a difference between the cumulative number of pages indicated by the first timing information and the cumulative number of pages indicated by the second timing information.

17. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the first timing information is a cumulative number of pages on which the image forming apparatus has printed an image in a case where the first error occurs, wherein the second timing information is a cumulative number of pages on which the image forming apparatus has printed an image in a case where the second error occurs, and wherein the control means is configured to determine the error part from the plurality of candidates when a difference between the cumulative number of pages indicated by the first timing information and the cumulative number of pages indicated by the second timing information is smaller than a predetermined number.

18. The image forming apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the control means is configured to determine that the error part is another candidate different from the motor when the difference is larger than the predetermined number.

19. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 11 to 18, further comprising: a mount to which a container that accommodates a developer is to be mounted; and a lid configured to be opened to replace the container mounted to the mount, wherein the first load is the container mounted to the mount of the image forming apparatus, and wherein the second load is the lid.

20. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 11 to 18, further comprising: a mount to which a container that accommodates a developer is to be mounted; and a lid configured to be opened to replace the container mounted to the mount, wherein the first error is an error in which rotation of the container mounted to the mount is not detected, and wherein the second error is an error in which the lid is not opened or closed.

Images