Image forming apparatus, image forming system, program, and method for controlling image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide an image forming apparatus that is capable of maintenance control according to the type of paper without inputting the type of paper in advance.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus 1 comprises: an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet of paper P; a conveyance path 30 through which the paper is conveyed to the image forming unit; a paper detection unit 31 that is provided on the conveyance path 30 and detects the type of the paper P conveyed through the conveyance path 30; and a control unit 10 that performs control related to maintenance of the conveyance path 30 on the basis of the type of the paper detected by the paper detection unit 31.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, an image forming system, a program, and a method for controlling an image forming apparatus, which perform maintenance control of a conveyance system. [Background technology]

[0002] Image forming devices that form images on paper use a configuration in which paper is transported by transport rollers. If paper dust adheres to the transport rollers, the transport force decreases, causing paper transport problems. However, there are various types of paper used in image forming devices, and if paper with a lot of paper dust is used, the transport force may decrease more quickly than expected. For this reason, maintenance such as inspection, cleaning, and replacement of the transport rollers is required.

[0003] Conventionally, an image forming apparatus has been proposed that has multiple paper trays, a paper feed roller equipped with a roller cleaning means, and an information input means for recording paper placed in the paper trays. In this apparatus, when a specific type of recording paper is selected, the cleaning conditions of the roller cleaning means are changed (for example, see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2004-359449 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In conventional image forming devices, the user of the image forming device must input information about the recording paper placed in the paper tray. Therefore, whenever the paper type is changed, information about the paper type must be input, which is time-consuming.

[0006] The present invention has been made to solve such problems, and provides an image forming apparatus, an image forming system, a program, and a control method for an image forming apparatus that enable maintenance control according to the paper type without having to input the paper type in advance. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention is an image forming apparatus that includes an image forming unit that forms an image on paper, a transport path that transports paper to the image forming unit, a paper detection unit provided on the transport path that detects the type of paper transported along the transport path, and a control unit that controls maintenance of the transport path based on the type of paper detected by the paper detection unit.

[0008] The present invention also relates to an image forming system including an image forming device, the image forming device including an image forming unit that forms an image on paper, a transport path that transports paper to the image forming unit, a paper detection unit provided on the transport path that detects the type of paper transported along the transport path, and a control unit that controls maintenance of the transport path based on the type of paper detected by the paper detection unit.

[0009] Furthermore, the present invention is a program executed in a control unit of an image forming device having an image forming unit that forms an image on paper and a transport path that transports paper to the image forming unit, the program causing the control unit to execute a step of detecting the type of paper transported along the transport path with a paper detection unit provided on the transport path, acquiring the type of paper detected by the paper detection unit, and performing control related to maintenance of the transport path based on the type of paper detected by the paper detection unit.

[0010] The present invention also relates to a control method for an image forming device having an image forming unit that forms an image on paper and a transport path that transports paper to the image forming unit, the control method for the image forming device executing a step of detecting the type of paper transported along the transport path with a paper detection unit provided on the transport path, acquiring the type of paper detected by the paper detection unit, and a step of controlling maintenance of the transport path based on the type of paper detected by the paper detection unit. Effect of the Invention

[0011] In the present invention, by providing a paper detection unit in the transport path, it is possible to detect the paper type of paper transported along the transport path. As a result, in the present invention, maintenance control according to the paper type is possible without the user of the image forming device having to input the paper type in advance. Even if the paper type is changed, maintenance control according to the paper type is possible. Therefore, stable paper transport can be achieved regardless of the paper type used. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of an example of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] 1 is a diagram showing a main configuration of an example of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 3] 1 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 is a configuration diagram showing an example of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 5] 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a control method of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of an image forming apparatus, an image forming system, a program, and a method for controlling an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0014] <Examples of configurations of image forming apparatus, image forming system, and program according to the present embodiment> FIG. 1 is a general configuration diagram showing an example of an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing a main part of the example of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment.

[0015] The image forming apparatus 1 forms an image by an electrophotographic method. The image forming apparatus 1 includes, for example, an apparatus main body 2 and an image reading unit 3.

[0016] The image reading unit 3 is a well-known unit that optically reads an original document and converts it into an electrical signal. If the image forming apparatus 1 forms a color image, the image reading unit 3 separates the optically read image of the original document into the three primary colors of RGB and converts it into an electrical signal. The image reading unit 3 transfers this electrical signal to the control unit 10.

[0017] The image forming apparatus 1 includes imaging units 11 (11Y, 11M, 11C, and 11K). Each of the imaging units 11Y, 11M, 11C, and 11K includes a photoconductor drum 12, a laser scanning optical unit 13, and a developing unit 14. Each of the imaging units 11Y, 11M, 11C, and 11K also includes a charger (not shown), and a cleaner for residual toner and residual charge.

[0018] The control unit 10 transfers image data corresponding to each color of Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and K (black) to a laser scanning optical unit 13. The laser scanning optical unit 13 forms a latent image on a photoconductor drum 12. A developing unit 14 develops the latent image on the photoconductor drum 12 to form a toner image of each color. Such an image forming process is well known, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0019] The image forming apparatus 1 includes an intermediate transfer belt 15. The intermediate transfer belt 15 is endlessly stretched around a drive roller 16 and a driven roller 17. The intermediate transfer belt 15 rotates in the direction of arrow A as the drive roller 16 is rotated by a motor 18. The photoconductor drums 12 of the imaging units 11Y, 11M, 11C, and 11K face a primary transfer roller 19 via the intermediate transfer belt 15.

[0020] The image forming apparatus 1 includes paper feed rollers 20 and 21, a registration roller 22, and a secondary transfer roller 23. The image forming apparatus 1 also includes a paper feed cassette 24a, a manual feed tray 24b, and a paper discharge unit 25.

[0021] The paper feed cassette 24a is provided at the lower stage of the device main body 2. The paper feed cassette 24a stores a plurality of sheets of paper P in a stacked manner. The paper feed roller 20 feeds the paper P from the paper feed cassette 24a. The paper feed roller 21 feeds the paper P from the manual feed tray 24b. The secondary transfer roller 23 faces the drive roller 16 via the intermediate transfer belt 15. A secondary transfer nip portion 26 is formed at the location where the secondary transfer roller 23 and the intermediate transfer belt 15 face each other. The registration roller 22 transports the paper P fed by the paper feed roller 20 or the paper feed roller 21 to the secondary transfer nip portion 26.

[0022] The toner images formed on the photoconductor drums 12 are sequentially primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 15 by an electric field applied by the primary transfer roller 19 and combined. This combined image is secondarily transferred onto the paper P by an electric field applied by the secondary transfer roller 23 at the secondary transfer nip 26. The paper P is then transported to the fixing unit 27 where the toner is heated and fixed, and is discharged from the discharge roller 28 to the paper discharge section 25 of the device main body 2. In this way, the image forming section of the image forming apparatus 1 is made up of the secondary transfer roller 23 that transfers the toner image onto the paper P, the intermediate transfer belt 15 that faces the secondary transfer roller 23, and the like.

[0023] The image forming apparatus 1 includes a paper guide 29. The paper guide 29 is provided to face the surface of the paper P. The image forming apparatus 1 includes a conveying path 30. The conveying path 30 is made up of rollers such as a paper feed roller 20, a paper feed roller 21, and a registration roller 22, the paper guide 29, and the like.

[0024] The transport path 30 includes a transport path 30a connected to the paper feed cassette 24a and a transport path 30b connected to the manual feed tray 24b. The transport path 30 also includes a transport path 30c between a point P1 where the transport paths 30a and 30b join together and the registration rollers 22. The transport path 30 also includes a transport path 30d between the registration rollers 22 and the discharge rollers 28.

[0025] The image forming apparatus 1 includes a paper detection unit 31. The paper detection unit 31 detects the type of paper P, for example, by using reflection or transmission of light. For this reason, the paper detection unit 31 is configured, for example, with an optical sensor having a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit. The paper detection unit 31 is provided such that the optical sensor faces the paper guide 29. The paper detection unit 31 is provided on the conveying path 30c between the registration rollers 22 and a position P1 where the conveying paths 30a and 30b join together.

[0026] Both the paper P fed from the paper feed cassette 24a and the paper P fed from the manual feed tray 24b pass through the conveyance path 30c. Therefore, a paper detection unit 31 is provided on the conveyance path 30c, and the paper detection unit 31 detects the type of the paper P and counts the number of sheets passed for each paper type. This makes it possible to count the total number of sheets P fed from the paper feed cassette 24a and the manual feed tray 24b.

[0027] The image forming apparatus 1 includes an optical sensor in the transport path 30 in order to control the transport speed of the paper P. Therefore, the paper detection unit 31 may utilize such an existing sensor.

[0028] 3 is a functional block diagram showing an example of an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. The image forming apparatus 1 includes a control unit 10, a storage unit 32, an operation unit 33, and a communication unit .

[0029] The control unit 10 is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), etc. The storage unit 32 is composed of a HDD (Hard Disk Drive), etc. The operation unit 33 is composed of a display unit 33a such as a liquid crystal display that displays information, a touch panel provided on the display unit 33a, and an input unit 33b such as a button independent of the touch panel. The communication unit 34 is composed of a communication interface that can be connected to a LAN (Local Area Network), the Internet, etc.

[0030] The storage unit 32 stores a program for carrying out predetermined control related to maintenance in accordance with the paper type and the number of sheets passed through the printer 1. The predetermined control related to maintenance is also referred to as maintenance control.

[0031] The control unit 10 performs maintenance control according to the paper type and the number of sheets passed according to a predetermined program. That is, the control unit 10 obtains the paper type of the paper P passing through the transport path 30 from the paper detection unit 31 according to the predetermined program. The control unit 10 also counts the number of sheets of paper P passing through the transport path 30 according to the paper type according to the predetermined program. Then, the control unit 10 performs maintenance control according to the paper type of the paper P and the number of sheets passed according to the predetermined program.

[0032] The image forming apparatus 1 includes a motor 35. The motor 35 drives the paper feed roller 20, the paper feed roller 21, the registration roller 22, etc. to transport the paper P. The motor 35 may be a single motor that drives multiple rollers. The motor 35 may also include multiple motors corresponding to the respective rollers. The control unit 10 controls the motors 18 and 35 to transport the paper P.

[0033] The image forming apparatus 1 may include a cleaning unit 36. The cleaning unit 36 ​​operates a cleaning member (not shown) under the control of the control unit 10 to clean the conveying path 30. The cleaning unit 36 ​​cleans each roller constituting the conveying path 30, such as the paper feed roller 20, the paper feed roller 21, and the registration roller 22. The cleaning unit 36 ​​may be configured to clean some of the rollers constituting the conveying path 30, or may be configured to clean all of the rollers. The cleaning unit 36 ​​may also be configured to select and clean any or all of the rollers constituting the conveying path 30 under the control of the control unit 10. The cleaning unit 36 ​​also cleans the paper guide 29 constituting the conveying path 30. As a result, the cleaning unit 36 ​​removes paper dust and the like attached to the surface of each roller.

[0034] The program for implementing the maintenance control is stored in the storage unit 32, but is not limited to this. For example, a storage medium storing the program may be prepared, and the program stored in this storage medium may be stored in the storage unit 32. The storage medium storing the program is, for example, an external storage medium such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, or an SSD (Solid State Drive). The program may also be stored in a server connected to the image forming apparatus 1 via the communication unit 34 through a wired or wireless network. The program is sent from the server to the image forming apparatus 1 via the network, and stored in the storage unit 32.

[0035] The control unit 10 reads out the program from the storage unit 32 and executes it. This performs maintenance control. However, the maintenance control may be realized by processing by a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) instead of processing by the control unit 10. The maintenance control may be realized in part by processing by the DSP, or in whole by processing by the DSP. Furthermore, the maintenance control may be realized by processing by the DSP together with the processing by the control unit 10. Similarly, the maintenance control may be realized by processing by a dedicated hardware circuit instead of or together with processing by software.

[0036] 4 is a block diagram showing an example of an image forming system according to the present embodiment. The image forming system 100 includes the image forming apparatus 1 and a paper feeder 101 described above.

[0037] The paper feed device 101 includes a paper feed cassette 102 and a paper feed roller 103. The paper feed cassette 102 stores a larger number of sheets of paper P than the paper feed cassette 24a. The paper feed device 101 includes at least one paper feed cassette 102. The paper feed roller 103 feeds paper P from the paper feed cassette 102 in cooperation with the image forming apparatus 1.

[0038] The image forming system 100 may be provided with a post-processing device including at least a mechanism for stapling the paper P, a mechanism for punching holes in the paper P, and a mechanism for sorting the paper P. The image forming system 100 may be provided with both the paper feeder 101 and a post-processing device (not shown) for the image forming apparatus 1, or may be provided with either one of them.

[0039] The image forming system 100 may include cleaning units in the sheet feeding device 101 and the post-processing device (not shown). The cleaning unit in the sheet feeding device 101 cleans the sheet feeding rollers 103 and the like that constitute the conveying path. The cleaning unit in the post-processing device cleans the rollers and the like that constitute the conveying path.

[0040] <Examples of operation of the image forming apparatus, image forming system, and program according to the present embodiment> 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a control method for the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. Next, as a control method for the image forming apparatus, a process example of maintenance control performed in the image forming apparatus and the image forming system will be described.

[0041] Control unit 10 controls motor 35 and the like in accordance with the program, and transports paper P in step SA1. For example, when feeding paper P from paper feed cassette 24a, paper feed roller 20 is rotated to feed paper P from paper feed cassette 24a to transport path 30. When feeding paper P from manual feed tray 24b, paper feed roller 21 is rotated to feed paper P from manual feed tray 24b to transport path 30.

[0042] The paper P fed from the paper feed cassette 24a or the manual feed tray 24b passes through a transport path 30c in which a paper detection unit 31 is provided, and reaches the registration rollers 22. The paper detection unit 31 detects the paper type of the paper P in step SA2.

[0043] Control unit 10 acquires the paper type of paper P detected by paper detection unit 31. In step SA3, control unit 10 determines whether the paper type detected by paper detection unit 31 meets a specific condition.

[0044] If the control unit 10 determines that the paper type detected by the paper detection unit 31 does not meet the specific conditions, it performs normal image formation processing in step SA4. If the control unit 10 determines that the paper type detected by the paper detection unit 31 meets the specific conditions, it counts the number of sheets of paper P that have passed in step SA5.

[0045] In step SA6, the control unit 10 determines whether the number of sheets of paper P whose paper type meets the specific condition has reached a predetermined number. If the control unit 10 determines that the number of sheets of paper P whose paper type meets the specific condition has not reached the predetermined number, the control unit 10 performs normal image formation processing in step SA4. If the control unit 10 determines that the number of sheets of paper P whose paper type meets the specific condition has reached the predetermined number, the control unit 10 performs predetermined maintenance control in step SA7.

[0046] As a maintenance control, the control unit 10 may control the cleaning unit 36 ​​to clean the conveying path 30. When the number of sheets of paper P that meet certain conditions, such as a type that is prone to generating paper dust, increases, the amount of paper dust that adheres to each roller that constitutes the conveying path 30 may increase.

[0047] Therefore, the cleaning unit 36 ​​cleans each roller constituting the conveying path 30, such as the paper feed roller 20, the paper feed roller 21, and the registration roller 22. This allows the cleaning unit 36 ​​to remove paper dust and the like adhering to the surface of each roller at a predetermined timing controlled by the control unit 10. The cleaning unit 36 ​​may also clean the paper guide 29 constituting the conveying path 30.

[0048] Furthermore, as a maintenance control, the control unit 10 may display on the display unit 33a a message that prompts the user to perform predetermined maintenance such as cleaning or replacing each roller that constitutes the conveying path 30. Furthermore, as a maintenance control, the control unit 10 may send an email prompting the user to perform the above-mentioned predetermined maintenance to a predetermined destination that is registered in advance via the communication unit 34.

[0049] This allows notifications to be output at predetermined times to the user of the image forming apparatus 1 or maintenance personnel to prompt inspection, cleaning, replacement, etc. of each roller. Furthermore, the control unit 10 may change the frequency of performing maintenance control based on the paper type and number of sheets passed through the paper P. For example, in the case of paper P whose paper type meets certain conditions, such as being prone to generating paper dust, the frequency of performing maintenance control may be increased compared to paper P that is not.

[0050] In a configuration in which a plurality of paper feed cassettes 24a are provided, the number of sheets passed through each paper feed cassette 24a is stored, and maintenance control may be performed based on the number of sheets passed through each paper feed cassette.

[0051] In the image forming system 100, the control unit 10 may control a cleaning unit of the paper feeder 101 as the maintenance control to clean the paper feed roller 103 that constitutes the conveying path. The control unit 10 may also display a message on the display unit 33a to prompt the user to perform predetermined maintenance such as cleaning or replacing the paper feed roller 103 that constitutes the conveying path of the paper feeder 101. The control unit 10 may also send an email to a predetermined destination registered in advance as the maintenance control, via the communication unit 34. The conveying path of the paper feeder 101 may also be provided with a paper detection unit so that the paper type of the paper P fed from the paper feeder 101 can be detected.

[0052] As a maintenance control, the control unit 10 may control a cleaning unit of the post-processing device (not shown) to clean the rollers constituting the transport path. Furthermore, the control unit 10 may display a message on the display unit 33a to prompt the user to perform predetermined maintenance such as cleaning or replacing the rollers constituting the transport path of the post-processing device. Furthermore, as a maintenance control, the control unit 10 may send an email to a predetermined destination registered in advance, to prompt the user to perform the above-mentioned predetermined maintenance, via the communication unit 34. Furthermore, a paper detection unit may be provided on the transport path of the post-processing device so that the paper type of the paper P transported through the post-processing device can be detected. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 1...image forming apparatus, 2...apparatus main body, 3...image reading unit, 10...control unit, 11 (11Y, 11M, 11C, 11K)...imaging unit, 12...photoconductor drum, 13...laser scanning optical unit, 14...developing unit, 15...intermediate transfer belt, 16...drive roller, 17...driven roller, 18...motor, 19...primary transfer roller, 20...paper feed roller, 21...paper feed roller, 22...registration roller roller, 23...secondary transfer roller, 24a...paper feed cassette, 24b...manual feed tray, 25...paper discharge section, 26...secondary transfer nip section, 27...fusing unit, 28...discharge roller, 29...paper guide, 30, 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d...transport path, 31...paper detection section, 32...storage section, 33...operation section, 33a...display section, 33b...input section, 34...communication section, 35...motor, 36...cleaning section, P...paper

Claims

1. an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet; a conveying path for conveying paper to the image forming unit; a paper detection unit provided on the transport path and configured to detect a type of paper transported on the transport path; a control unit that performs control related to maintenance of the transport path based on the type of paper detected by the paper detection unit; An image forming apparatus comprising:

2. The control unit counts the number of sheets of paper conveyed along the conveying path, and controls maintenance of the conveying path based on the type of paper and the number of sheets of paper detected by the paper detection unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 .

3. a cleaning unit that operates under the control of the control unit and cleans the conveying path; The control unit controls the cleaning unit to clean the transport path based on the type of paper detected by the paper detection unit, and performs control related to maintenance of the transport path. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 .

4. A display unit for displaying information is provided, The control unit displays a message on the display unit to prompt maintenance of the transport path based on the type of paper detected by the paper detection unit, and controls maintenance of the transport path. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 .

5. A communication unit for performing communication is provided, The control unit transmits an email prompting maintenance of the transport path through the communication unit based on the type of paper detected by the paper detection unit, and controls maintenance of the transport path. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 .

6. The control unit changes a frequency of performing control related to maintenance of the transport path based on the type of paper detected by the paper detection unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 .

7. In an image forming system including an image forming apparatus, The image forming apparatus includes: an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet; a conveying path for conveying paper to the image forming unit; a paper detection unit provided on the transport path and configured to detect a type of paper transported on the transport path; a control unit that controls maintenance of the transport path based on the type of paper detected by the paper detection unit. Image forming system.

8. an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet; A program executed by a control unit of an image forming apparatus having a conveying path for conveying paper to the image forming unit, a step of detecting a type of paper conveyed on the conveyance path by a paper detection unit provided on the conveyance path, and acquiring the type of paper detected by the paper detection unit; performing control regarding maintenance of the transport path based on the type of paper detected by the paper detection unit; The control unit executes the program.

9. an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet; A control method for an image forming apparatus including a conveying path for conveying paper to the image forming unit, comprising: a step of detecting a type of paper conveyed on the conveyance path by a paper detection unit provided on the conveyance path, and acquiring the type of paper detected by the paper detection unit; performing control regarding maintenance of the transport path based on the type of paper detected by the paper detection unit; A method for controlling an image forming apparatus that executes the above.

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