Drive state determination device, image forming apparatus, drive state determination method, and drive state determination program

Abstract

To facilitate detection of the state of a driven unit.SOLUTION: A drive state determination device comprises: a driving unit that drives a driven unit; a detection unit 51 that detects information on a load related to the driving unit; an extraction unit 57 that extracts specific information from the information related to the load detected by the detection unit 51 on the basis of a predetermined frequency related to the driving unit; and a determination unit 59 that determines the state of the driven unit on the basis of the specific information extracted by the extraction unit 57.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a drive condition determining device, an image forming apparatus, a drive condition determining method, and a drive condition determining program. [Background technology]

[0002] An image forming apparatus, typified by an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral), has a motor and a member rotated by the motor. A technique for detecting a malfunction in either the member or the motor is known. For example, JP 2022-69938 A describes a method for detecting a malfunction in a drive system by performing a first process of acquiring drive system data indicating a dynamic state of the drive system, a second process of acquiring analysis data indicating a power spectrum of the drive system data by performing a frequency analysis on the drive system data, and a third process of obtaining a Gaussian distribution of the analysis data and acquiring a feature amount indicating the Gaussian distribution, and determining whether the drive system is abnormal based on the feature amount.

[0003] However, the frequency analysis performed on drive system data is an analysis using the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT), which requires multiple convolution operations, and requires a high-performance dedicated microcomputer capable of high-speed operations, resulting in problems such as high costs. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2022-69938 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a drive condition determination device capable of easily detecting the condition of a driven part.

[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of easily detecting the state of a driven portion.

[0007] It is still another object of the present invention to provide a method for determining a drive state, which is capable of easily detecting the state of a driven part.

[0008] It is still another object of the present invention to provide a drive condition determination program that can easily detect the condition of a driven part. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention, a drive condition determination device includes a drive unit that drives a driven part, a detection unit that detects information related to a load associated with the drive unit, an extraction unit that extracts specific information from the information related to the load detected by the detection unit based on a predetermined frequency related to the drive unit, and a determination unit that determines the state of the driven part based on the specific information extracted by the extraction unit.

[0010] According to another aspect of the present invention, an image forming apparatus includes the above-described drive state determination device.

[0011] According to another aspect of the present invention, a drive condition judgment method includes a detection step of detecting information regarding a load associated with a driving unit that drives a driven unit, an extraction step of extracting specific information from the information regarding the load detected by the detection unit based on a predetermined frequency related to the driving unit, and a judgment step of judging the condition of the driven part based on the specific information extracted in the extraction step.

[0012] According to another aspect of the present invention, a drive condition judgment program causes a computer to execute a detection step of detecting information regarding a load associated with a driving unit that drives a driven unit, an extraction step of extracting specific information from the information regarding the load detected by the detection unit based on a predetermined frequency related to the driving unit, and a judgment step of judging the condition of the driven part based on the specific information extracted in the extraction step. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an MFP in one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of the hardware configuration of an MFP according to the present embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of the MFP. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a toner bottle and a toner hopper. [Diagram 5] FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a toner hopper. [Figure 7] FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a control circuit for a supply motor. [Figure 9] 2 is a block diagram showing an example of functions of a CPU included in the MFP. FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of specific current data. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of a drive state determination process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an MFP in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an outline of the hardware configuration of the MFP in this embodiment. With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) 100 is an example of an image processing device. The MFP 100 includes a main circuit 110, a document reading unit 130 that reads a document, an automatic document feeder 120 that transports the document to the document reading unit 130, an image forming unit 140 that forms an image on paper based on image data, a paper feed unit 150 that supplies paper to the image forming unit 140, and an operation panel 160 as a user interface.

[0016] Automatic document feeder 120 automatically conveys multiple documents set on document tray 125 one by one to a document reading position of document reading unit 130. Document reading unit 130 reads the documents and outputs image data. Automatic document feeder 120 discharges the documents, from which the images formed on the documents have been read by document reading unit 130, onto document discharge tray 127.

[0017] Image forming unit 140 forms an image by a well-known electrophotographic method on paper transported by paper feed unit 150. In this embodiment, image forming unit 140 forms an image on paper transported by paper feed unit 150 under image forming conditions corresponding to image data and the medium type of the paper. The paper on which the image has been formed is discharged to paper discharge tray 159.

[0018] Main circuit 110 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 111 that controls the entire MFP 100, a communication interface (I / F) unit 112, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 113, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 114, a hard disk drive (HDD) 115 as a large-capacity storage device, a facsimile unit 116, and an external storage device 118. CPU 111 is connected to automatic document feeder 120, document reading unit 130, image forming unit 140, paper feeding unit 150, and operation panel 160, and controls the entire MFP 100.

[0019] The ROM 113 stores a program executed by the CPU 111 or data required to execute the program. The RAM 114 is used as a work area when the CPU 111 executes the program. The RAM 114 also temporarily stores image data continuously sent from the document reading unit 130.

[0020] Operation panel 160 is provided on the top of MFP 100. Operation panel 160 includes display unit 161 and operation unit 163. Display unit 161 is, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD), and displays an instruction menu for the user, information related to acquired image data, and the like. Note that instead of an LCD, for example, an organic EL (electroluminescence) display can be used as long as it is a device that displays images.

[0021] The operation unit 163 includes a touch panel 165 and a hard key unit 167. The touch panel 165 is of a capacitance type. Note that the touch panel 165 is not limited to the capacitance type, and other types such as a resistive film type, a surface acoustic wave type, an infrared type, and an electromagnetic induction type can be used.

[0022] Touch panel 165 is provided with its detection surface superimposed on the upper or lower surface of display unit 161. Here, the size of the detection surface of touch panel 165 is the same as the size of the display surface of display unit 161. Therefore, the coordinate system of the display surface and the coordinate system of the detection surface are the same. Touch panel 165 detects, on the detection surface, a position indicated by the user on the display surface of display unit 161, and outputs the coordinates of the detected position to CPU 111. Since the coordinate system of the display surface and the coordinate system of the detection surface are the same, the coordinates output by touch panel 165 can be replaced with the coordinates of the display surface.

[0023] Hard key unit 167 includes a plurality of hard keys. The hard keys are, for example, contact switches. Touch panel 165 detects a position on the display surface of display unit 161 designated by the user. When a user operates MFP 100, the user is often in an upright position, so the display surface of display unit 161, the operation surface of touch panel 165, and hard key unit 167 are arranged facing upward. The user can easily view the display surface of display unit 161, and can easily designate operation unit 163 with a finger.

[0024] The communication I / F unit 112 is an interface for connecting the MFP 100 to a network. The communication I / F unit 112 communicates with other computers or data processing devices connected to the network using a communication protocol such as TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) or FTP (File Transfer Protocol). The network to which the communication I / F unit 112 is connected is a local area network (LAN), and the connection form may be either wired or wireless. In addition, the network is not limited to a LAN, and may be a wide area network (WAN), a public switched telephone network (PSTN), the Internet, or the like.

[0025] Facsimile unit 116 is connected to a public switched telephone network (PSTN) and transmits facsimile data to the PSTN or receives facsimile data from the PSTN. Facsimile unit 116 stores the received facsimile data in HDD 115, converts the data into print data that can be printed by image forming unit 140, and outputs the data to image forming unit 140. As a result, image forming unit 140 forms an image of the facsimile data received by facsimile unit 116 on paper. Facsimile unit 116 also converts the data stored in HDD 115 into facsimile data and transmits the data to a facsimile device connected to the PSTN.

[0026] The external storage device 118 is controlled by the CPU 111 and stores a CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read Only Memory (ROM) 118A or a semiconductor memory is attached. In this embodiment, an example will be described in which CPU 111 executes a program stored in ROM 113. When CPU 111 executes a program stored in CD-ROM 118A, it controls external storage device 118 to read the program from CD-ROM 118A, loads the read program into RAM 114, and executes it.

[0027] CPU 111 controls image forming unit 140 to form an image of image data on a recording medium such as paper. The image data output by CPU 111 to image forming unit 140 includes image data input from document reading unit 130 as well as image data such as print data received from the outside.

[0028] The recording medium for storing the program executed by CPU 111 is not limited to CD-ROM 118A, but may be a medium such as a flexible disk, a cassette tape, an optical disk (MO (Magnetic Optical Disc) / MD (Mini Disc) / DVD (Digital Versatile Disc)), an IC card, an optical card, a mask ROM, or a semiconductor memory such as EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM). Furthermore, CPU 111 may load a program stored in HDD 115 into RAM 114 and execute the program by CPU 111. The program stored in HDD 115 includes a program downloaded by CPU 111 from a computer connected to the network, and a program written to HDD 115 by a computer connected to the network. The program here includes not only a program directly executable by CPU 111, but also a source program, a compressed program, an encrypted program, and the like.

[0029] Fig. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of the MFP. Referring to Fig. 3, automatic document feeder 120 sorts one or more documents placed on document tray 125 and conveys them one by one to document reading unit 130. Automatic document feeder 120 includes a motor and rollers that rotate when the driving force of the motor is transmitted, in a conveyance path along which the documents are conveyed. When the motor drives the rollers, the rollers rotate and the documents are conveyed along the conveyance path. Therefore, the motor that drives the rollers receives a load from the rollers.

[0030] The document reading unit 130 exposes the image of the document set on the document glass 11 by the automatic document feeder 120 with an exposure lamp 13 attached to a slider 12 moving below the document glass 11. The light reflected from the document is guided to a lens 16 by a mirror 14 and two reflecting mirrors 15 and 15A, and forms an image on a CCD (Charge Coupled Devices) sensor 18. The exposure lamp 13 and the mirror 14 are attached to the slider 12, which is moved by a scanner motor 17 in the direction of the arrow (sub-scanning direction) shown in FIG. 3 at a speed V according to the copying magnification. The scanner motor 17 that drives the slider 12 receives a load from the slider 12. This makes it possible to scan the entire surface of the document set on the document glass 11. In addition, the two reflecting mirrors 15 and 15A move in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 3 at a speed V / 2 in accordance with the movement of the exposure lamp 13 and the mirror 14. This ensures that the optical path length of the light irradiated onto the document by the exposure lamp 13, after being reflected by the document, is always constant until an image is formed on the CCD sensor 18. Upon startup when the operation mode switches from the power saving mode to the normal mode, the document reading unit 130 executes shading correction as an initialization process and moves the slider 12 to a predetermined position.

[0031] The reflected light that forms an image on the CCD sensor 18 is converted into image data as an electrical signal within the CCD sensor 18. The image data is converted into printing data for cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K) and output to the image forming unit 140.

[0032] The image forming section 140 includes image forming units 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K for yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, respectively. Here, "Y", "M", "C", and "K" represent yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, respectively. Print data for yellow, magenta, cyan, and black are input to the image forming units 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K, respectively. The image forming units 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K differ only in the color of the toner they handle, so here, the image forming unit 20Y for forming a yellow image will be described.

[0033] The image forming unit 20Y includes an exposure device 21Y, a photoconductor drum 23Y which is an image carrier, a main charger 22Y, a developing device 24Y, a transfer charger 25Y, a toner bottle 41Y, and a toner hopper 42Y.

[0034] The exposure device 21Y emits light according to image data (electrical signals) and exposes the surface of the photoconductor drum 23Y rotated by a motor. The motor that drives the photoconductor drum 23Y receives a load from the photoconductor drum 23Y. After the photoconductor drum 23Y is charged by the main charger 22Y, the photoconductor drum 23Y is irradiated with laser light emitted by the exposure device 21Y. As a result, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photoconductor drum 23Y.

[0035] Next, the developing unit 24Y deposits toner supplied from the toner bottle 41Y on the electrostatic latent image to form a toner image. The toner image formed on the photoconductor drum 23Y is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 30 by the transfer charger 25Y.

[0036] Meanwhile, the intermediate transfer belt 30 is suspended by a driving roller 33A and a driven roller 33C so as not to slacken. The driving force of a motor is transmitted to the driving roller 33A to rotate. When the driving roller 33A rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 3, the intermediate transfer belt 30 rotates counterclockwise in the figure at a predetermined speed. As the intermediate transfer belt 30 rotates, the driven roller 33C rotates counterclockwise. The driving roller 33A receives a load from the intermediate transfer belt 30. The motor that drives the driving roller 33A receives a load from the driving roller 33A.

[0037] As a result, the image forming units 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K sequentially transfer the toner images onto the intermediate transfer belt 30. The timing at which each of the image forming units 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K transfers a toner image onto the intermediate transfer belt 30 is adjusted by detecting a reference mark provided on the intermediate transfer belt 30. As a result, the yellow, magenta, cyan, and black toner images are superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 30.

[0038] The toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 30 is transferred to the paper by the transfer roller 26. The paper with the toner image transferred thereto is transported to the fixing roller pair 32. The fixing roller pair 32 includes a heating roller having a heat source, and a pressure roller that is pressed against the heating roller with a predetermined force. The pressure roller is rotated by the driving force of a motor. The motor that drives the pressure roller receives a load from the pressure roller. While the paper passes between the heating roller and the pressure roller, the toner formed on the paper is heated by the heating roller and pressurized by the pressure roller. This melts the toner and fixes it to the paper. The paper is then discharged to the paper output tray 159.

[0039] A remover 28 is provided upstream of the image forming unit 20Y of the intermediate transfer belt 30. The remover 28 removes toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 30.

[0040] Paper of different sizes is set in the paper feed cassettes 35, 35A, 35B. The paper stored in the paper feed cassettes 35, 35A, 35B is supplied to the transport path by the take-out rollers 36, 36A, 36B attached to the paper feed cassettes 35, 35A, 35B, respectively, and sent to the timing roller 31 by the paper feed roller 37. The take-out rollers 36, 36A, 36B, the paper feed roller 37, and the timing roller 31 are rotated by the driving force of a motor. The motor that drives the paper feed roller 37 receives a load from the paper feed roller 37.

[0041] When forming a full-color image, the MFP 100 drives all of the image forming units 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K. When forming a monochrome image, the MFP 100 drives any one of the image forming units 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K. The MFP 100 can also form an image by combining two or more of the image forming units 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K. The image forming unit 140 is of a tandem type including the image forming units 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K that form four color toners on a sheet of paper. The image forming unit 140 may be of a four-cycle type that transfers the four color toners to a single photoconductor drum in sequence onto the sheet of paper.

[0042] Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the toner bottle and the toner hopper. Referring to Fig. 4, each of the toner bottles 41Y, 41M, 41C, and 41K includes a bottle portion 411 that contains toner and a cap portion 412 that is attached to one end of the bottle portion 411. A knob 413 is provided on the cap portion 412. With the toner bottles 41Y, 41M, 41C, and 41K inserted into the MFP 100, the knob 413 is rotated a certain angle to fix the cap portion 412 to the MFP 100. Toner hoppers 42Y, 42M, 42C, and 42K are provided integrally with the toner bottles 41Y, 41M, 41C, and 41K, respectively. When the toner bottles 41Y, 41M, 41C, and 41K are inserted into the MFP 100, the cap portions 412 of the toner bottles 41Y, 41M, 41C, and 41K are positioned above the toner hoppers 42Y, 42M, 42C, and 42K, respectively.

[0043] The bottle portion 311 has a convex portion that protrudes inward from the inner circumferential surface and extends spirally around the axis. The bottoms of the toner bottles 41Y and 41M are connected to a bottle rotation mechanism 43A. The bottle rotation mechanism 43A includes a stepping motor. The rotational force of the stepping motor is transmitted to the toner bottles 41Y and 41M, thereby rotating the toner bottles 41Y and 41M. The stepping motor that drives the toner bottles 41Y and 41M receives a load from the toner bottles 41Y and 41M. The bottle rotation mechanism 43A includes a clutch and can transmit the rotational force of the stepping motor to either one or both of the toner bottles 41Y and 41M. The bottoms of the toner bottles 41M and 41K are connected to a bottle rotation mechanism 43B. The bottle rotation mechanism 43B includes a stepping motor. The rotational force of the stepping motor is transmitted to the toner bottles 41M and 41K, thereby rotating the toner bottles 41M and 41K. The stepping motor that drives the toner bottles 41C and 41K receives a load from the toner bottles 41C and 41K. The bottle rotation mechanism 43B includes a clutch and can transmit the rotational force of the stepping motor to either one or both of the toner bottles 41M and 41K.

[0044] For example, when the toner bottle 41Y is rotated by the bottle rotation mechanism 43A, the toner in the bottle part 411 moves toward the cap part 412 due to a convex part formed on the inner circumferential surface of the bottle part 411, and flows out from an opening formed below the cap part 412. The toner flowing out from the opening is supplied to the toner hopper 42Y.

[0045] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the toner hopper. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the toner hopper. In Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, some members are omitted in order to explain the internal configuration of the toner hopper 42Y.

[0046] 5 and 6, toner hopper 42Y has a rectangular shape that is long in one direction in a plan view, and has a housing having an internal space for storing toner. An opening 425Y that opens the internal space upward is formed in the housing. The internal space communicates with an opening formed in cap portion 412 of toner bottle 41Y via opening 425Y.

[0047] The toner hopper 42Y includes a supply motor 421Y, a supply screw 422Y, two stirring members 423Y and 424Y, and two stirring motors 429Y. The supply screw 422Y includes a rotation shaft extending parallel to the longitudinal direction of the internal space, and a convex portion extending from the rotation shaft toward the outer periphery. The convex portion is a blade extending in a spiral shape from one end of the supply screw 422Y to the other end, centered on the axis of the supply screw 422Y. The supply screw 422Y is disposed at the bottom of the internal space, approximately in the center in the front-rear direction.

[0048] Each of the two stirring members 423Y, 424Y includes a rotating shaft extending parallel to the longitudinal direction of the internal space, and a plurality of stirring plates. Each of the plurality of stirring plates has a plate-like shape. Each of the plurality of stirring plates is disposed in a dispersed manner in the direction of the rotating shaft, and extends perpendicularly from the rotating shaft to the outer circumferential direction. Each of the plurality of stirring plates has a plurality of holes formed therein.

[0049] The two stirring members 423Y, 424Y are disposed above the supply screw 422Y at positions where their rotation axes are parallel to the rotation axis of the supply screw 422Y. The two stirring members 423Y, 424Y are disposed with the supply screw 422Y therebetween in a plan view.

[0050] The inner surface of the bottom of the housing of toner hopper 42Y has a shape in which parts of the side surfaces of three cylinders are arranged in parallel. The three cylinders include a cylinder whose rotational symmetry axis is the rotational axis of supply screw 422Y and a cylinder whose rotational symmetry axis is the rotational axis of each of two stirring members 423Y and 424Y.

[0051] A discharge port 428Y that opens the internal space downward is formed at the bottom of the housing of the toner hopper 42Y. The discharge port 428Y overlaps with a part of the supply screw 422Y in a plan view. The discharge port 428Y communicates with the internal space of the developing unit 24Y.

[0052] The toner hopper 42Y receives the toner supplied from the toner bottle 41Y through an opening 425Y. The internal space of the toner hopper 42Y is filled with a predetermined amount of toner.

[0053] The toner hopper 42Y has a first toner sensor 426Y and a second toner sensor 427Y in the internal space. The first toner sensor 426Y and the second toner sensor 427Y are fixed to the side of the housing at a position at a predetermined height from the bottom of the housing of the toner hopper 42Y. The first toner sensor 426Y and the second toner sensor 427Y are arranged side by side at a predetermined interval in a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the supply screw 422Y. The first toner sensor 426Y is closer to the opening 425Y than the second toner sensor 427Y, and the second toner sensor 427Y is closer to the discharge port 428Y than the first toner sensor 426Y.

[0054] When the first toner sensor 426Y and the second toner sensor 427Y detect toner, they each output an ON signal to the CPU 111, and while they do not detect toner, they each output an OFF signal to the CPU 111. The first toner sensor 426Y and the second toner sensor 427Y are, for example, piezoelectric elements.

[0055] The toner supplied from the toner bottle 41Y falls into the internal space from the opening 425Y of the toner hopper 42Y. The toner hopper 42Y accommodates the toner in the internal space of the housing. When the agitation members 423Y and 424Y are rotated by the two agitation motors 429Y, the toner accommodated in the internal space of the toner hopper 42Y is agitated by the two agitation members 423Y and 424Y. The toner is a fluid. The agitation plates of the two agitation members 423Y and 424Y come into contact with the toner, which comes into contact with the toner accommodated in the internal space of the housing of the toner hopper 42Y and agitates it. During this time, the two agitation motors 429Y receive loads from the two agitation members 423Y and 424Y.

[0056] When the supply motor 421Y drives the supply screw 422Y, the supply screw 422Y rotates. When the supply screw 422Y rotates, the blades of the supply screw 422Y come into contact with the toner. As a result, the toner stored in the internal space of the toner hopper 42Y near the bottom of the internal space is transported by the supply screw 422Y in a direction toward the discharge port 428Y. The toner transported in the direction toward the discharge port 428Y falls from the discharge port 428Y into the developing device 24Y. The supply motor 421Y is a stepping motor. The supply motor 421Y that drives the supply screw 422Y receives a load from the supply screw 422Y. The amount of toner that falls into the developing device 24Y per unit time is adjusted by adjusting the amount of rotation of the supply screw 422Y.

[0057] Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the developing unit. Referring to Fig. 7, the developing unit 24Y includes a housing 200Y, a supply screw 201Y, an agitating screw 203Y, a magnetic permeability sensor 204Y, a developing roller 205Y, and a regulating member 209Y. The housing 200Y, the supply screw 201Y, the agitating screw 203Y, the developing roller 205Y, and the regulating member 209Y each have an elongated shape extending along the axial direction of the photoconductor drum 23Y (perpendicular to the paper surface). Hereinafter, the up-down direction is defined based on the position of the agitating screw 203Y.

[0058] The housing 200Y is made of resin such as ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer synthetic resin), and contains a developer therein. The internal space of the housing 200Y is divided into a first storage chamber Sp1 and a second storage chamber Sp2 by a partition wall 207Y extending in the axial direction of the photoconductor drum 23Y.

[0059] The first storage chamber Sp1 contains the developing roller 205Y and the supply screw 201Y, and the second storage chamber Sp2 contains the stirring screw 203Y. The supply screw 201Y is disposed diagonally below the developing roller 205Y, and the stirring screw 203Y is disposed diagonally below the supply screw 201Y. A partition wall 207Y that separates the first storage chamber Sp1 and the second storage chamber Sp2 is erected at an angle to the vertical direction, and the second storage chamber Sp2 is disposed diagonally below the first storage chamber Sp1 across the partition wall 207Y. The developing roller 205Y, the supply screw 201Y, and the stirring screw 203Y are rotated by the driving force transmitted by the motor. The motor that drives the developing roller 205Y, the supply screw 201Y, and the stirring screw 203Y receives a load from each of the developing roller 205Y, the supply screw 201Y, and the stirring screw 203Y. It should be noted that there may be a plurality of motors for driving the developing roller 205Y, the supply screw 201Y, and the stirring screw 203Y.

[0060] The first storage chamber Sp1 has an opening at a position facing the photosensitive drum 23Y. The developing roller 205Y has a portion on the opposite side to the side where the supply screw 201Y is located that protrudes from the opening of the first storage chamber Sp1. The developing roller 205Y has a cylindrical magnet body 205bY that is inserted along the axial direction inside the cylindrical developing sleeve 205aY. The magnet body 205bY has a portion where a plurality of magnetic poles, for example, S1, N1, etc., are formed, arranged in order in the circumferential direction. The magnet body 205bY has an axial end fixed to the housing 200Y in a non-rotatable state. Each magnetic pole extends along the axial direction.

[0061] The developing sleeve 205aY rotates in the direction of arrow E with the portion facing the photoconductor drum 23Y exposed through the opening of the housing 200Y. The developing sleeve 205aY rotates around the stationary magnet body 205bY. The developer is carried on the surface of the developing sleeve 205aY by the magnetic force of the magnet body 205bY.

[0062] The supply screw 201Y rotates in the direction of the arrow F to transport the developer in the first storage chamber Sp1 along the axial direction, and supplies a portion of the developer to the developing roller 205Y during the transport. The stirring screw 203Y rotates in the direction of the arrow G to transport the developer in the second storage chamber Sp2 while stirring it in the direction opposite to the transport direction by the supply screw 201Y.

[0063] The regulating member 209Y is disposed with a predetermined gap between its tip and the surface of the developing roller 205Y, and regulates the amount of developer passing through the gap. This adjusts the amount of developer on the surface of the developing roller 205Y to an appropriate amount at the developing position 208Y where the photoconductor drum 23Y and the developing roller 205Y face each other.

[0064] As described above, MFP 100 in the present embodiment includes a plurality of motors, which are controlled by CPU 111. Below, control of a plurality of motors by CPU 111 will be described taking control of supply motor 421Y as an example.

[0065] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a control circuit of a supply motor. Referring to FIG. 8, the supply motor 421Y is connected to a driver IC 431. The driver IC 431 is connected to a power source PW via a resistor R1, and is connected to the CPU 111 by a control line. The driver IC 431 rotates the supply motor 421Y at a rotation speed determined by the control signal according to a control signal input from the CPU 111. The driver IC 431 detects the rotation speed of the supply motor 421Y based on, for example, the output of an encoder, and adjusts the current flowing through the supply motor 421Y so that the rotation speed of the supply motor 421Y becomes the rotation speed determined by the control signal. At this time, the value of the current flowing through the resistor R1 is proportional to the load of the supply motor 421Y. The current flowing through the resistor R1 is information on the load of the supply motor 421Y.

[0066] The amplifier 432 detects the voltage of the resistor R1 and outputs the amplified voltage to the low-pass filter 433. The low-pass filter 433 has a resistor R2 and a capacitor C1. The low-pass filter 433 removes high-frequency voltage from the voltage input from the amplifier 432. The CPU 111 includes an AD converter 111A. The AD converter 111A converts the analog voltage input from the low-pass filter 433 into digital data. The CPU 111 detects the load of the supply motor 421Y based on the digital data indicating the voltage. The digital data indicating the voltage is called voltage data.

[0067] Fig. 9 is a block diagram showing an example of functions of a CPU included in the MFP. The functions shown in Fig. 9 are realized by CPU 111 included in MFP 100 as CPU 111 executes a drive state determination program stored in ROM 113, HDD 115, or CD-ROM 118A. Referring to Fig. 9, CPU 111 included in MFP 100 has detection unit 51, mode switching 52, drive control unit 53, rotation frequency acquisition unit 55, extraction unit 57, determination unit 59, and notification unit 61.

[0068] The detection unit 51 is connected to the AD converter 111A, and receives voltage data from the AD converter 111A. The voltage data is data indicating a temporal change in the voltage applied to the driver IC 431 to drive the supply motor 421Y. The detection unit 51 converts the voltage data into digital data indicating a current value using the resistance value of the resistor R1. The digital data indicating the current value is called current data. The detection unit 51 outputs the current data to the extraction unit 57.

[0069] The mode switch 52 switches the operation mode of the MFP 100. The mode switch 52 switches the operation mode based on the type of recording medium on which the image forming unit 140 forms an image. The type of recording medium is set in advance by the user in correspondence with each of the paper feed cassettes 35, 35A, and 35B. For example, the type of recording medium is determined by the basis weight, paper type, etc. of the recording medium. Here, an example will be described in which the types of recording medium are determined as three types, thick paper, plain paper, and thin paper, in descending order of basis weight. As a setting value used by the image forming unit 140 to form an image, one of the paper feed cassettes 35, 35A, and 35B is set by the user. The mode switch 63 acquires the type of recording medium set for one of the paper feed cassettes 35, 35A, and 35B determined by the setting value. The mode switch 52 refers to the operation mode table stored in the HDD 115 and determines the operation mode corresponding to the acquired type of recording medium.

[0070] Moreover, the mode switch 52 determines a process speed corresponding to the operation mode. A process speed table that associates the operation mode with the process speed is stored in advance in the HDD 115. The mode switch unit 63 determines a process speed corresponding to the operation mode by referring to the process speed table. The process speed is the speed at which the image forming unit 140 forms an image on the recording medium, and is equal to the conveying speed of the recording medium. The process speed is set faster as the basis weight increases. The mode switch 52 outputs the process speed to the drive control unit 53 and the rotation frequency acquisition unit 55.

[0071] The drive control unit 53 is connected to the driver IC 431 and controls the driver IC 431. The rotation speed (number of rotations per unit time) of the supply motor 421Y is determined in accordance with the process speed. Here, a rotation speed table that associates the process speed with the rotation speed of the supply motor 421Y is stored in advance in the HDD 115. For example, the higher the process speed, the greater the amount of toner consumed per unit time by the developing device 24Y. For this reason, the rotation speed table associates a larger value with the process speed. Note that instead of the rotation speed table, an arithmetic expression that associates the process speed with the rotation speed may be determined. The drive control unit 53 refers to the rotation speed table to determine the rotation speed that corresponds to the process speed input from the mode switching unit 63. The drive control unit 53 controls the driver IC 431 at the determined rotation speed. Specifically, the drive control unit 53 outputs a control signal including the rotation speed to the driver IC 431.

[0072] The rotation frequency acquisition unit 55 receives the process speed from the mode switching unit 63. The rotation frequency acquisition unit 55 determines a rotation frequency corresponding to the process speed for the supply motor 421Y. Specifically, the rotation frequency acquisition unit 55 refers to a rotation speed table stored in the HDD 115 and determines a rotation speed corresponding to the process speed input from the mode switching unit 63. The rotation frequency acquisition unit 55 determines a rotation frequency for the supply motor 421Y based on the rotation speed. The rotation frequency acquisition unit 55 outputs the rotation frequency of the supply motor 421Y to the extraction unit 57. The rotation speed is the number of rotations per unit time of the supply motor 421Y. The rotation frequency of the supply motor 421Y is a value determined by the rotation speed of the supply motor 421Y. Here, the rotation speeds of the supply motor 421Y and the supply screw 422Y are the same. When the rotation speeds of the supply motor 421Y and the supply screw 422Y are different, the rotation frequency of the supply motor 421Y may be equal to the rotation speed of the supply screw 422Y.

[0073] The extraction unit 57 receives the current data from the detection unit 51 and the rotation frequency from the rotation frequency acquisition unit 55. The current data is data indicating a change over time in the current flowing through the driver IC 431 to drive the supply motor 421Y. Since the supply motor 421Y rotates the supply screw 422Y, the rotation of the supply motor 421Y and the rotation of the supply screw 422Y are synchronized. Therefore, the magnitude of the current data is a value proportional to the load that the supply motor 421Y receives from the supply screw 422Y.

[0074] The extraction unit 57 includes a quadrature detection unit 65. The quadrature detection unit 65 extracts specific information related to the supply motor 421Y from the current data. The specific information is a rotational frequency component extracted from the current data and input from the rotational frequency acquisition unit 55. Specifically, the quadrature detection unit 65 extracts the rotational frequency component from the current data as the specific information using a quadrature detection method. Since the quadrature detection method is a well-known technique, detailed description will not be repeated here. For example, the rotational frequency component is derived from the current data using the inner product of the current data and a sine function and a cosine function of the rotational frequency. Hereinafter, the rotational frequency component of the current data is referred to as specific current data.

[0075] In this embodiment, the rotation period of the supply motor 421Y and the rotation period of the supply screw 422Y are the same, but the rotation period of the supply motor 421Y and the rotation period of the supply screw 422Y may be different. In this case, at least one of the rotation frequency determined based on the rotation period of the supply motor 421Y and the rotation frequency determined based on the rotation period of the supply screw 422Y may be used as the rotation frequency used to extract the specific current data from the current data. Both the rotation frequency of the supply motor 421Y and the rotation frequency of the supply screw 422Y are used as the rotation frequency. The sum of the component of the rotation frequency of the supply motor 421Y extracted from the current data and the component of the rotation frequency of the supply screw 422Y extracted from the current data is set as the specific current data.

[0076] The current data is represented by f(t), the sine function of the rotation frequency is represented by sin(ωt), and the cosine function of the rotation frequency is represented by cos(ωt). The inner product S of the current data and the sine function of the rotation frequency is represented by the following equation (1), and the inner product C of the current data and the cosine function of the rotation frequency is represented by the following equation (2). The phase lag θ and amplitude A of specific current data are represented by the following equations (3) and (4) using the inner product S and the inner product C, respectively.

[0077] S = ∫f(t) sin(ωt)dt…(1) C = ∫f(t) cos(ωt)dt…(2) θ = arctan(C / S)…(3) A = a√(S 2 +C 2 )…(4) where a is a proportionality constant.

[0078] Therefore, the specific current data can be calculated by performing calculation using the rotation frequency from the current data, so that a general-purpose calculation device can be used as the CPU 111. The extraction unit 57 outputs the specific current data to the determination unit 59.

[0079] The determination unit 59 determines the state of the supply screw 422Y based on the specific current data. The determination unit 59 outputs the determination result to the notification unit 61. The determination unit 59 includes a load detection unit 71, an abnormality determination unit 73, and a replacement determination unit 75. The load detection unit 71 detects the load of the supply motor 421Y from the specific current data. An arithmetic expression that defines the relationship between the current flowing through the driver IC 431 and the load of the supply motor 421Y is stored in advance in the HDD 115. Note that, instead of the arithmetic expression, a conversion table that defines the relationship between the current and the load of the supply motor 421Y may be used. The load detection unit 71 converts the current data into load data using the arithmetic expression. The load data is data that indicates a change over time in the load of the supply motor 421Y. The load detection unit 71 outputs the load data to the abnormality determination unit 73 and the replacement determination unit 75.

[0080] The abnormality determination unit 73 determines whether the supply screw 422Y is abnormal based on the load data. Specifically, the abnormality determination unit 73 compares the amplitude of the load data with an abnormality determination threshold Th1, and determines that the supply screw 422Y is abnormal if the amplitude of the load data is equal to or greater than the abnormality determination threshold Th1.

[0081] The replacement determination unit 75 determines whether or not it is time to replace the supply screw 422Y based on the load data. Specifically, the replacement determination unit 75 compares the amplitude of the load data with a replacement determination threshold, and determines that it is time to replace the supply screw 422Y if the amplitude of the load data is equal to or greater than the replacement determination threshold Th2. The replacement determination threshold Th2 is a value greater than the abnormality determination threshold Th1.

[0082] If the abnormality determining section 73 does not determine that there is an abnormality, in other words, if the amplitude of the load data is smaller than the abnormality determination threshold, the determining section 59 determines that the supply screw 422Y is normal.

[0083] Notification unit 61 notifies the user of the judgment result input from judgment unit 59. When replacement judgment unit 75 judges that it is time to replace the battery, notification unit 61 notifies the user that it is time to replace the battery. When abnormality judgment unit 73 judges that there is an abnormality, notification unit 61 notifies the user that there is an abnormality. The notification may be made by displaying a message on display unit 161, by generating a sound, or by sending an email to the user.

[0084] 10 is a diagram showing an example of specific current data. The horizontal axis indicates the passage of time, and the vertical axis indicates the amplitude of the current value. The amplitude of the specific current data when the supply screw 422Y is in a normal state is shown by a thick line graph, and the amplitude of the specific current data when the supply screw 422Y is in an abnormal state is shown by a thin line graph. The amplitude of the specific current data when the supply screw 422Y is in a normal state fluctuates at a value equal to or less than the abnormality determination threshold Th1. The amplitude of the specific current data when the supply screw 422Y is in an abnormal state fluctuates at a value equal to or less than the replacement determination threshold Th2, but there are multiple time periods where the amplitude is equal to or more than the abnormality determination threshold Th1.

[0085] 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of a driving state determination process. The driving state determination process is executed by CPU 111 included in MFP 100 as CPU 111 executes a driving state determination program stored in ROM 113, HDD 115, or CD-ROM 118A.

[0086] 11, CPU 111 included in MFP 100 acquires an operation mode (step S01), and proceeds to step S02. The paper type of the recording medium on which image forming unit 140 forms an image is acquired, and an operation mode corresponding to the acquired type of recording medium is determined. Specifically, the operation mode table stored in HDD 115 is referenced to determine the operation mode corresponding to the paper type.

[0087] In step S02, the rotation frequency is determined, and the process proceeds to step S03. A rotation speed of the supply motor 421Y that is predetermined for the operation mode determined in step S01 is determined. The rotation frequency is determined based on the rotation speed of the supply motor 421Y.

[0088] In step S03, a drive command is output, and the process proceeds to step S04. Specifically, the CPU 111 outputs a control signal including a rotation speed to the driver IC 431. In step S04, a current value is detected, and the process proceeds to step S05. The current flowing through the resistor R1 is detected as the current flowing through the driver IC 431. The current flowing through the driver IC 431 is proportional to the current flowing through the supply motor 421Y. The current flowing through the supply motor 421Y is proportional to the load of the supply motor 421Y.

[0089] In step S05, the current value acquired in step S04 is time-series current data. A rotation frequency component is extracted from the current data by quadrature detection processing. The rotation frequency is the rotation frequency determined in step S02.

[0090] In step S06, the rotation frequency component of the current data is converted to the load of the supply motor 421Y. The rotation frequency component of the current data is converted to the load of the supply motor 421Y using an arithmetic expression that associates the value of the current flowing through the driver IC 431 with the load of the supply motor 421Y.

[0091] In step S07, it is determined whether the amplitude of the load is equal to or greater than the abnormality determination threshold Th1. The abnormality determination threshold Th1 is a value determined for the supply motor 421Y, and is stored in advance in the HDD 115. If the amplitude of the load is equal to or greater than the abnormality determination threshold Th1, the process proceeds to step S08, but if not, the process proceeds to step S11. In step S11, the operating state of the supply screw 422Y is set to normal, which indicates that the supply screw 422Y is operating normally, and the process proceeds to step S12.

[0092] In step S08, it is determined whether the amplitude of the load is equal to or greater than replacement determination threshold Th2. Replacement determination threshold Th2 is a value determined for supply motor 421Y, and is stored in advance in HDD 115. Replacement determination threshold Th2 is a value greater than abnormality determination threshold Th1. If the amplitude of the load is equal to or greater than replacement determination threshold Th2, the process proceeds to step S09, but if not, the process proceeds to step S10. In step S09, a notification is given to replace supply screw 422Y, and the process proceeds to step S12. The user is notified that it is time to replace supply screw 422Y. For example, a message stating that the supply screw 422Y should be replaced is displayed on display unit 161.

[0093] In step S10, the abnormality is notified, and the process proceeds to step S12. The user is notified that the supply screw 422Y is in an abnormal state. For example, a message such as "The supply screw 422Y is abnormal. Please check the toner hopper 42Y" is displayed on the display unit 161.

[0094] In step S12, it is determined whether or not MFP 100 has stopped. For example, it is determined that MFP 100 has stopped when the power of MFP 100 is switched OFF. If MFP 100 has not stopped, the process returns to step S01, but if it has stopped, the process ends.

[0095] As described above, the MFP 100 in this embodiment functions as a drive state determination device and includes a supply motor 421Y that drives a supply screw 422Y that is a driven part. The CPU 111 detects the current flowing through the driver IC 431 that drives the supply motor 421Y as information related to the load related to the supply motor 421Y. The CPU 111 extracts a component of a rotation frequency determined by the number of revolutions of the supply motor 421Y from the current flowing through the driver IC 431 as specific information. The CPU 111 determines the state of the supply screw 422Y based on the specific information. The predetermined frequency related to the supply motor 421Y is a rotation frequency related to the rotation operation of the supply motor 421Y. The component of the rotation frequency of the supply motor 421Y is extracted as specific information from the current flowing through the driver IC 431 that drives the supply motor 421Y. The load that the supply motor 421Y periodically receives from the supply screw 422Y is extracted as specific information. The state of the supply screw 422Y is determined from the load that the supply motor 421Y periodically receives from the supply screw 422Y, so that the state of the supply motor 421Y can be easily detected.

[0096] Furthermore, the CPU 111 detects the load from specific information, which is a component of the rotation frequency of the supply motor 421Y, among the current flowing through the driver IC 431. The specific information indicates the load that the supply motor 421Y periodically receives from the supply screw 422Y. The supply motor 421Y that drives the supply screw 422Y receives a load from the supply screw 422Y. The load that the supply motor 421Y periodically receives from the supply screw 422Y indicates a load received from the outside when the supply screw 422Y rotates. This makes it easy to detect the load on the supply screw 422Y.

[0097] Furthermore, the CPU 111 uses a quadrature detection method to extract, as specific information, a load component that is a component of the rotation frequency of the supply motor 421Y from the current flowing through the driver IC 431. Therefore, the component of the load that the supply motor 421Y receives in order to drive the supply screw 422Y can be easily extracted from the load that the supply motor 421Y receives from the outside.

[0098] Furthermore, the predetermined frequency is the rotation frequency of the supply motor 421Y and / or the supply screw 422Y. Since the component of the rotation frequency of the supply screw 422Y and / or the supply motor 421Y is extracted from the load that the supply motor 421Y receives from the outside, the load of the supply motor 421Y can be easily extracted.

[0099] Furthermore, the supply motor 421Y operates in one of a plurality of operation modes, and the predetermined frequency is a frequency that is predetermined for the operation mode in which the supply motor 421Y operates among the plurality of operation modes. Therefore, the load of the supply motor 421Y in the plurality of operation modes is extracted.

[0100] The CPU 111 determines that the supply screw 422Y has reached the end of its life when the rotation frequency component of the supply motor 421Y is equal to or greater than a determination threshold value from the current flowing through the driver IC 431. This makes it possible to determine when to replace the supply screw 422Y.

[0101] The CPU 111j determines that the supply screw 422Y is abnormal when the rotation frequency component of the supply motor 421Y from the current flowing through the driver IC 431 is equal to or greater than the abnormality determination threshold value that is smaller than the determination threshold value. Therefore, it is possible to determine that the supply screw 422Y is in an abnormal state.

[0102] CPU 111 determines that supply screw 422Y is normal when the rotation frequency component of supply motor 421Y is smaller than the abnormality determination threshold value from the current flowing through driver IC 431. Therefore, it is possible to determine whether supply screw 422Y is abnormal.

[0103] The CPU 111 notifies the result of comparison between the component of the rotation frequency of the supply motor 421Y from the current flowing through the driver IC 431 and the abnormality determination threshold or the replacement determination threshold. This makes it possible to prevent a breakdown caused by the supply screw 422Y.

[0104] The supply screw 422Y rotates around its axis, includes a blade that is a convex portion that is provided around the axis and extends in a spiral shape from one end to the other end around the axis of the rotation shaft, and is driven by the supply motor 421Y to rotate around the rotation shaft. Therefore, the blade receives a load from the toner while the supply screw 422Y rotates. Therefore, it is possible to detect the load that the supply screw 422Y receives from the toner.

[0105] The supply screw 422Y is driven by the supply motor 421Y while in contact with the toner. Therefore, the supply screw 422Y receives a load from the toner. Therefore, the load that the supply screw 422Y receives from the toner can be detected.

[0106] <Modifications of Operation Mode> In the above-described embodiment, the mode switch 52 switches the operation mode based on the type of recording medium on which the image forming unit 140 forms an image, and determines the process speed corresponding to the operation mode. The drive control unit 53 rotates the supply motor 421Y at a rotation speed determined corresponding to the process speed. Alternatively, the drive control unit 53 may detect the amount of toner contained in the developing unit 24Y based on the output of the magnetic permeability sensor 204Y of the developing unit 24Y, and determine the rotation speed based on the toner amount. In this case, a plurality of rotation speeds are determined corresponding to the plurality of toner amounts. A rotation speed table in which the amount of toner contained in the developing unit 24Y and the rotation speed are associated with each other is stored in the HDD 115 in advance. The mode switch unit 63 refers to the rotation speed table to determine the rotation speed corresponding to the toner amount.

[0107] Also, the drive control unit 53 may switch the rotation speed with the passage of time. For example, the drive control unit 53 detects the amount of toner contained in the developing unit 24Y based on the output of the magnetic permeability sensor 204Y of the developing unit 24Y. When the amount of toner becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value, the drive control unit 53 determines the operation mode to be the initial mode. The drive control unit 53 determines the operation mode to be the intermediate mode after a predetermined time T1 has elapsed since the initial mode was determined. The drive control unit 53 determines the operation mode to be the final mode after a predetermined time T2 has elapsed since the intermediate mode was determined.

[0108] <Other embodiments> In the above-described embodiment, the load of the supply motor 421Y is detected to detect the state of the supply screw 422Y driven by the supply motor 421Y. Not limited to this, the load of another motor may be detected to detect the state of a rotating body rotated by the other motor. For example, in the roller for conveying the document by the automatic document feeder 120 and the motor for rotating the roller, the load of the motor driving the roller is detected to detect the state of the roller. Also, the load of the scanner motor 17 driving the slider 12 is detected to detect the state of the slider 12. The load of the motor driving the photoconductor drum 23Y is detected to detect the state of the photoconductor drum 23Y. The load of the motor driving the driving roller 33A is detected to detect the state of the driving roller 33A and / or the intermediate transfer belt 30. The load of the motor driving the pressure roller of the fixing roller pair 32 is detected to detect the state of the fixing roller pair 32. The load of the motor driving the paper feed roller 37 of the paper feed unit 150 is detected to detect the state of the paper feed roller 37. The loads of the stepping motors that drive the bottle rotation mechanisms 43A and 43B are detected, thereby detecting the states of the bottle rotation mechanisms 43A and 43B. The loads of the motors that drive the two stirring motors 429Y of the toner hopper 42Y are detected, thereby detecting the states of the two stirring members 423Y and 424Y. The loads of the motors that drive the supply screw 201Y, the stirring screw 203Y, and the developing roller 205Y of the developing unit 24Y are detected, thereby detecting the states of the supply screw 201Y, the stirring screw 203Y, and the developing roller 205Y.

[0109] <Summary of the embodiment> (Item 1) A driving unit that drives a driven unit; A detection unit that detects information regarding a load associated with the drive unit; an extracting unit that extracts specific information from information about the load detected by the detecting unit based on a predetermined frequency related to the driving unit; a determination unit that determines a state of the driven part based on the specific information extracted by the extraction unit.

[0110] According to this aspect, information regarding the load associated with the driving unit is detected, specific information is extracted from the information regarding the load associated with the driving unit based on a predetermined frequency related to the driving unit, and the state of the driven unit is determined based on the specific information. The predetermined frequency related to the driving unit is related to the periodically repeated operation of the driving unit. Since specific information that coincides with the period of the periodic operation of the driving unit is extracted from the information regarding the load associated with the driving unit, the load that the driving unit periodically receives from the driven unit is extracted. Since the state of the driven unit is determined from the load that the driving unit periodically receives from the driven unit, a driving state determination device capable of easily detecting the state of the driven unit can be provided.

[0111] (Item 2) The driving condition determination device according to item 1, further comprising a load detection unit that detects a load from the specific information extracted by the extraction unit.

[0112] According to this aspect, the load on the driven part is detected from specific information. The specific information indicates the load that the driving part receives periodically from the driven part. The driven part is driven by the driving part, and the driving part receives a load from the driven part. The load that the driving part receives periodically from the driven part indicates the load on the driven part. Therefore, the load on the driven part can be easily detected.

[0113] (Item 3) The drive condition determination device according to item 1, wherein the extraction unit extracts a load component as the specific information from information related to the load by using a quadrature detection method.

[0114] According to this aspect, it is possible to easily extract the component of the load that the driving part receives in order to drive the driven part from the load that the driving part receives from the outside.

[0115] (Item 4) The drive condition determination device according to item 3, wherein the predetermined frequency is a rotation frequency of the driven part and / or the drive part.

[0116] According to this aspect, since the rotational frequency component of the driven part and / or the driving part is extracted from the load that the driving part receives from the outside, the load of the driven part can be easily extracted.

[0117] (Item 5) The drive unit operates in one of a plurality of operation modes, 4. The drive state determination device according to item 3, wherein the predetermined frequency is a frequency that is predetermined for an operation mode in which the drive unit operates among the plurality of operation modes.

[0118] According to this aspect, it is possible to detect the load on the driven part when the rotational frequency at which the driving part drives the driven part differs for a plurality of operation modes.

[0119] (Item 6) The drive condition determination device according to item 3, wherein the determination unit determines that the driven part has reached the end of its life when the load component is equal to or greater than a determination threshold value.

[0120] In accordance with this aspect, it is possible to determine the time to replace the driven part.

[0121] (Item 7) The drive condition determination device according to item 6, wherein the determination unit determines that the driven part is abnormal when the load component is equal to or greater than an abnormality determination threshold that is smaller than the determination threshold.

[0122] According to this aspect, it is possible to determine whether the driven part is in an abnormal state.

[0123] (Item 8) The drive condition determination device according to item 7, wherein the determination unit determines that the driven part is normal when the load component is smaller than the abnormality determination threshold value.

[0124] In accordance with this aspect, it is possible to determine whether or not the driven part is abnormal.

[0125] (Item 9) The driving condition determination device according to item 1, further comprising a notification unit that notifies based on a result of the determination by the determination unit.

[0126] According to this aspect, since the result of the determination is notified, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a failure caused by the driven part.

[0127] (Item 10) The drive condition determination device according to item 1, wherein the information about the load is a value of a current flowing in the drive unit.

[0128] According to this aspect, since the current flowing through the driving part is proportional to the load that the driving part receives from the outside, it is possible to easily detect the load that the driving part receives from the driven part.

[0129] (Item 11) The driven part has a rotating shaft, a protrusion provided around the rotation shaft, 2. The driving condition determination device according to item 1, which is driven by the driving unit to rotate around the rotation axis.

[0130] According to this aspect, the protrusion receives a load from the outside while the driven part rotates, so that the load that the driven part receives from the outside can be detected.

[0131] (Item 12) The drive state determination device according to item 1, wherein the driven part is driven by the drive part while being in contact with a fluid.

[0132] According to this aspect, the driven part receives a load from the fluid, so that the load that the driven part receives from the fluid can be detected.

[0133] (Item 13) An image forming apparatus including the drive state determination device according to any one of items 1 to 12.

[0134] According to this aspect, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of easily detecting the state of a driven part.

[0135] (Item 14) A developer for forming an image; a toner hopper that stores toner and supplies the toner to the developing device; Item 14. The image forming apparatus according to item 13, wherein the driven portion is provided in a toner hopper.

[0136] According to this aspect, the state of the toner hopper can be easily detected.

[0137] (Item 15) A detection step of detecting information regarding a load related to a driving unit that drives a driven unit; an extraction step of extracting specific information from information about the load detected by the detection unit based on a predetermined frequency related to the drive unit; a determining step of determining a state of the driven part based on the specific information extracted in the extracting step.

[0138] According to this aspect, it is possible to provide a driving condition determining method capable of easily detecting the condition of a driven part.

[0139] (Item 16) A detection step of detecting information regarding a load related to a driving unit that drives a driven unit; an extraction step of extracting specific information from information about the load detected by the detection unit based on a predetermined frequency related to the drive unit; a determination step of determining a state of the driven part based on the specific information extracted in the extraction step,

[0140] According to this aspect, it is possible to provide a drive condition determination program that can easily detect the condition of the driven part.

[0141] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0142] 100 MFP, 110 main circuit, 111 CPU, 111A AD converter, 112 communication I / F section, 113 ROM, 114 RAM, 115 HDD, 116 facsimile section, 118 external storage device, 118A CD-ROM, 120 automatic document feeder, 125 document tray, 127 document ejection tray, 130 document reading section, 140 image forming section, 150 paper feed section, 159 paper ejection tray, 160 operation panel, 161 display section, 163 operation section, 165 touch panel, 167 hard key section, 11 document glass, 12 slider, 13 exposure lamp, 14 mirror, 15 reflecting mirror, 15A reflecting mirror, 16 lens, 17 scanner motor, 18 CCD sensor, 20C image forming unit, 20K image forming unit, 20M Image forming unit, 20Y image forming unit, 21Y exposure device, 22Y main charger, 23Y photoconductor drum, 24Y developing device, 25Y transfer charger, 26 transfer roller, 28 removal device, 30 intermediate transfer belt, 31 timing roller, 32 fixing roller pair, 33A drive roller, 33C driven roller, 35, 35A, 35B paper feed cassette, 36, 36A, 36B take-out roller, 37 paper feed roller, 41Y, 41M, 41C, 41K toner bottle, 42Y, 42M, 42C, 42K toner hopper, 43A,43B bottle rotation mechanism, 51 detection unit, 52 mode switching, 53 drive control unit, 55 rotation frequency acquisition unit, 57 extraction unit, 59 judgment unit, 61 notification unit, 63 mode switching unit, 65 quadrature detection unit, 71 load detection unit, 73 abnormality judgment unit, 75 replacement judgment unit, 200Y housing, 201Y supply screw, 203Y stirring screw, 204Y magnetic permeability sensor, 205Y developing roller, 205aY developing sleeve, 205bY magnet body, 207Y partition wall, 208Y developing position, 209Y regulating member, 311 bottle portion, 411 bottle portion, 412 cap portion, 413 knob, 421Y supply motor, 422Y supply screw, 423Y stirring member, 424Y stirring member, 425Y opening, 426Y First toner sensor, 427Y second toner sensor, 428Y discharge port, 429Y stirring motor, 431 driver IC, 432 amplifier, 433 low pass filter, PW power supply, R1 resistor, Sp1 first storage chamber, Sp2 second storage chamber, Th1 abnormality judgment threshold, Th2 replacement judgment threshold.

Claims

1. A driving unit that drives a driven unit; A detection unit that detects information regarding a load associated with the drive unit; an extracting unit that extracts specific information from information about the load detected by the detecting unit based on a predetermined frequency related to the driving unit; a determination unit that determines a state of the driven part based on the specific information extracted by the extraction unit.

2. The driving condition determination device according to claim 1 , further comprising a load detection unit that detects a load from the specific information extracted by the extraction unit.

3. The drive condition determination device according to claim 1 , wherein the extracting section extracts a load component as the specific information from the information relating to the load by using a quadrature detection method.

4. The drive condition determination device according to claim 3 , wherein the predetermined frequency is a rotation frequency of the driven part and / or the drive part.

5. The drive unit operates in any one of a plurality of operation modes, The drive condition determination device according to claim 3 , wherein the predetermined frequency is a frequency that is predetermined for an operation mode in which the drive unit operates among the plurality of operation modes.

6. The drive condition determination device according to claim 3 , wherein the determination unit determines that the driven part has reached the end of its life when the load component is equal to or greater than a determination threshold value.

7. 7. The drive condition determination device according to claim 6, wherein the determination unit determines that the driven part is abnormal when the load component is equal to or greater than an abnormality determination threshold that is smaller than the determination threshold.

8. 8. The drive condition determination device according to claim 7, wherein the determination unit determines that the driven part is normal when the load component is smaller than the abnormality determination threshold value.

9. The driving condition determination device according to claim 1 , further comprising a notification unit that notifies based on a result of the determination made by the determination unit.

10. The drive condition determination device according to claim 1 , wherein the information relating to the load is a value of a current flowing in the drive unit.

11. The driven part includes a rotating shaft and a protrusion provided around the rotation shaft, The drive condition determination device according to claim 1 , which is driven by the drive unit to rotate about the rotation axis.

12. The drive condition determination device according to claim 1 , wherein the driven part is driven by the drive part in a state of contact with a fluid.

13. An image forming apparatus comprising the drive state determination device according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. A developer for forming an image; a sub-hopper that stores toner and supplies the toner to the developing device; The image forming apparatus according to claim 13 , wherein the driven portion is provided in a sub-hopper.

15. A detection step of detecting information regarding a load associated with a driving unit that drives a driven unit; an extraction step of extracting specific information from information about the load detected by the detection unit based on a predetermined frequency related to the drive unit; a determining step of determining a state of the driven part based on the specific information extracted in the extracting step.

16. A detection step of detecting information regarding a load associated with a driving unit that drives a driven unit; an extraction step of extracting specific information from information about the load detected by the detection unit based on a predetermined frequency related to the drive unit; a determination step of determining a state of the driven part based on the specific information extracted in the extraction step,

Images