Image forming device

Abstract

To suppress the performance of a new drum cartridge from being affected by belt filming and degraded thereby.SOLUTION: The present invention comprises: a drum cartridge 51 having a photoreceptor drum 53 and being removable; a belt unit 70 having a transfer belt 73 which is in contact with the photoreceptor drum 53; and a controller 100. The controller 100 executes: a step S125 for determining whether or not the drum cartridge 51 is a new product; a step S120 for determining whether or not there is occurrence of belt filming to the transfer belt 73; and a step S135 for disabling printing using the drum cartridge 51 and the belt unit 70 when it is determined that the drum cartridge 51 is a new product, and that there is occurrence of belt filming.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an image forming apparatus including a photosensitive drum and a transfer belt. [Background technology]

[0002] In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, a toner image is formed on a photosensitive drum. The toner image is then transferred onto paper transported by a transfer belt and the photosensitive drum. This forms an image on the paper. As the number of prints increases, the transfer belt becomes covered in a film of paper dust, toner, and other adhering matter, known as belt filming. Patent Document 1 discloses an image forming apparatus that uses an optical sensor to detect belt filming that occurs on the transfer belt. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-20970 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In some cases, when a drum cartridge containing a photosensitive drum is replaced with a new one while belt filming has occurred on the transfer belt, the new drum cartridge may become contaminated with the filming that has occurred on the transfer belt, potentially degrading the performance of the photosensitive drum.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that can prevent the performance of a photosensitive drum in a new drum cartridge from deteriorating. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the image forming apparatus disclosed in the first aspect of the present application comprises a housing, a drum cartridge that is detachable from the housing and has a photosensitive drum, a belt unit that has a transfer belt that contacts the photosensitive drum, and a controller, wherein the controller executes a drum determination process that determines whether the drum cartridge is new or not, a filming determination process that determines whether belt filming has occurred on the transfer belt, and a first print prohibition process that prohibits printing using the drum cartridge and the belt unit when the drum determination process determines that the drum cartridge is new and the filming determination process determines that belt filming has occurred.

[0007] In the image forming apparatus disclosed in the first aspect of the present application, the drum determination process determines whether the photosensitive drum is new or not, and the filming determination process determines whether belt filming has occurred on the transfer belt or not.

[0008] If the photosensitive drum is replaced with a new one due for replacement and belt filming is occurring, both the drum determination process and the filming determination process are satisfied, and the first print prohibition process is performed. In the first print prohibition process, printing using the photosensitive drum and transfer belt is prohibited. This prevents the performance of the new photosensitive drum from being adversely affected by belt filming on the old transfer belt.

[0009] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the image forming apparatus disclosed in the second application comprises a drum cartridge having a photosensitive drum, a belt unit having a transfer belt in contact with the photosensitive drum, and a controller, and the controller executes a drum determination process for determining whether the drum cartridge is new or not, a filming determination process for determining whether belt filming has occurred on the transfer belt, and a first inquiry display process for outputting a display signal for displaying whether or not to use a new drum cartridge when the drum determination process determines that the drum cartridge is new and the filming determination process determines that belt filming has occurred.

[0010] In the image forming apparatus disclosed in the second aspect of the present invention, the drum determination process determines whether the photosensitive drum is new or not, and the filming determination process determines whether belt filming has occurred on the transfer belt or not.

[0011] If the photosensitive drum has been replaced with a new one due for replacement and belt filming is occurring, both the drum determination process and the filming determination process are satisfied, and a first inquiry display process is performed. In the first inquiry display process, a message is displayed inquiring whether or not to use the photosensitive drum. Therefore, by viewing the inquiry display, the user realizes that continuing to print as is will have a negative impact on the photosensitive drum, and can replace the transfer belt with a new one. This prevents the performance of a new photosensitive drum from being adversely affected by belt filming on an old transfer belt and degrading. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to prevent the performance of the photosensitive drum of a new drum cartridge from deteriorating. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1]1 is a schematic diagram showing an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus. [Figure 3] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of information stored in a drum memory. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in a belt memory. [Figure 5] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the relationship between the timing of occurrence of belt filming and the usage state of the photosensitive drum. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing in detail the procedure of a print prohibition determination process executed by a controller of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart illustrating in detail the procedure of a printing prohibition confirmation process executed by a controller of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] First Embodiment An image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[0015] <Configuration of image forming device> Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an image forming apparatus 1 according to an embodiment. The image forming apparatus 1 is, for example, a color laser printer, and as shown in Fig. 1, includes a housing 10, a feed section 20, an image forming section 30, a discharge section 90, and a fan 14. The feed section 20, the image forming section 30, the discharge section 90, and the fan 14 are located inside the housing 10. For ease of explanation, the up-down direction and the front-rear direction of the image forming apparatus 1 are defined as shown by the arrows in Fig. 1.

[0016] The housing 10 has a cover 11 and a discharge tray 13. The cover 11 is located on the top of the housing 10. The cover 11 is rotatable around a rotation shaft 12. The discharge tray 13 is located on the top surface of the cover 11. The discharge tray 13 supports the sheet P discharged from the housing 10.

[0017] The housing 10 has two fans 14. The two fans 14 are located inside the housing 10. One of the two fans 14 is located at the front of the housing 10, and the other is located at the rear of the housing 10. The fans 14 rotate by driving force from a fan motor 110 (see FIG. 2). As a result, the air inside the housing 10 is ventilated, and the temperature inside the housing 10 drops. The positions and number of the fans 14 can be changed as appropriate.

[0018] The feeding unit 20 has a feeding tray 21 and a sheet feeding mechanism 22. The feeding tray 21 is detachably disposed at the bottom inside the housing 10. The sheet feeding mechanism 22 has a feeding roller 23, a separation roller 24, a separation pad 25, a paper dust removal roller 26, and a pinch roller 27. The sheet feeding mechanism 22 transports the sheet P from the feeding tray 21 to the image forming unit 30.

[0019] The feeding roller 23 feeds the sheets P in the feeding tray 21 toward the separation roller 24. The separation roller 24 and the separation pad 25 separate the sheets P one by one. The paper dust removing roller 26 and the pinch roller 27 remove paper dust from the sheets P.

[0020] The image forming unit 30 forms an image on the sheet P conveyed by the feeding unit 20. The image forming unit 30 has four LED units 40, four process cartridges 50, a belt unit 70, and a fixing unit 80.

[0021] The LED unit 40 has an LED print head 41. The LED print head 41 is positioned above the photosensitive drum 53 and faces the photosensitive drum 53.

[0022] The process cartridge 50 is located between the cover 11 and the feed unit 20. The process cartridges 50 are lined up in the front-to-rear direction. Each process cartridge 50 has a drum cartridge 51 and a toner cartridge 60. The toner cartridge 60 is detachably attached to the drum cartridge 51. Note that a process cartridge in which the toner cartridge 60 and the drum cartridge 51 are integrally configured may also be used.

[0023] The process cartridge 50 can be attached and detached through the opening of the housing 10 after the cover 11 is rotated upward. That is, the process cartridge 50 is detachably attached to the housing 10 together with the toner cartridge 60, with the toner cartridge 60 attached to the drum cartridge 51. Note that each process cartridge 50 has the same configuration, with the only difference being the color of toner contained in the toner containing chamber 63.

[0024] Drum cartridge 51 has a charger 52, a photosensitive drum 53, and a drum memory 510 (described later) configured with an IC chip. Charger 52 is, for example, a scorotron charger. The surface of photosensitive drum 53 is uniformly charged by charger 52. Photosensitive drum 53 is exposed to LED light emitted from LED print head 41. As a result, an electrostatic latent image based on print data is formed on photosensitive drum 53. Drum status information is stored in drum memory 510 (see FIG. 3 described later).

[0025] The drum cartridge 51 also has a cleaning roller 54. The cleaning roller 54 cleans the photosensitive drum 53 by coming into contact with the photosensitive drum 53. In other words, the cleaning roller 54 collects foreign matter such as toner and paper dust adhering to the surface of the photosensitive drum 53. When a print job is completed, the foreign matter is discharged onto the transfer belt 73 via the photosensitive drum 53 and collected by a belt cleaning roller 75, which will be described later.

[0026] The toner cartridge 60 has a developing roller 61, a supply roller 62, and a toner storage chamber 63. The toner stored in the toner storage chamber 63 is supplied to the developing roller 61 by the rotation of the supply roller 62.

[0027] When the developing roller 61 comes into contact with the photosensitive drum 53, the toner carried on the developing roller 61 is supplied to the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 53. As a result, a toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 53.

[0028] The belt unit 70 is located between the feeding section 20 and each process cartridge 50. The belt unit 70 has a belt memory 71 configured with an IC chip, a drive roller 72A, a driven roller 72B, a transfer belt 73, four transfer rollers 74, and a belt cleaning roller 75. The belt memory 71 stores belt filming information indicating the possibility of belt filming occurring (see FIG. 4 described below).

[0029] The drive roller 72A and the driven roller 72B are spaced apart in the front-to-rear direction. The transfer belt 73 is an endless belt. The transfer belt 73 is located between the drive roller 72A and the driven roller 72B. The transfer belt 73 faces the four process cartridges 50. The transfer belt 73 is in contact with each of the photosensitive drums 53.

[0030] The four transfer rollers 74 are positioned inside the transfer belt 73. The transfer belt 73 is sandwiched between each transfer roller 74 and each photosensitive drum 53. Each transfer roller 74 faces each photosensitive drum 53. A transfer voltage is applied to the transfer rollers 74 by constant current control during transfer.

[0031] As the sheet P passes between each photosensitive drum 53 and each transfer roller 74, the toner image formed on each photosensitive drum 53 is transferred onto the sheet P supplied onto the transfer belt 73.

[0032] The belt cleaning roller 75 is located below the transfer belt 73. The belt cleaning roller 75 collects foreign matter such as toner from the transfer belt 73. The collected foreign matter is stored in a toner reservoir .

[0033] The fixing unit 80 is located behind each process cartridge 50 and the belt unit 70. The fixing unit 80 has a heating roller 81 and a pressure roller 82. The pressure roller 82 faces the heating roller 81. The pressure roller 82 presses the heating roller 81. When the sheet P passes between the heating roller 81 and the pressure roller 82, the toner image transferred onto the sheet P is thermally fixed.

[0034] The discharge section 90 has a discharge path 91 and discharge rollers 92. The discharge path 91 extends upward from the exit of the fixing unit 80. The discharge path 91 is formed so as to turn over to the front side. The discharge rollers 92 transport the sheet P on which an image has been formed along the discharge path 91. The discharge rollers 92 discharge the sheet P on which an image has been formed onto the discharge tray 13.

[0035] <Electrical configuration of image forming apparatus> 2 is a block diagram showing the image forming apparatus 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 1 further includes a fan motor 110, a touch panel 120, an open / close sensor 130, a humidity sensor 140, and a communication interface (I / F) 150.

[0036] The controller 100 includes a CPU 101, a ROM 102, a RAM 103, a NVRAM 104, an ASIC 105, a voltage application circuit 106, and an abnormal discharge detection circuit 107. The CPU 101, the ROM 102, the RAM 103, the NVRAM 104, the ASIC 105, the voltage application circuit 106, and the abnormal discharge detection circuit 107 are connected by an internal bus.

[0037] The ROM 102 stores a control program for controlling the image forming apparatus 1 and setting information related to the image forming apparatus 1. For example, the control program stored in the ROM 102 includes a print prohibition determination process shown in FIG. 6, which will be described later.

[0038] The RAM 103 is used as a work area from which the control program is read and as a storage area for temporarily storing print data.

[0039] NVRAM (Non Volatile Random Access Memory) 104 stores a control program for controlling the image forming apparatus 1 and setting information related to the image forming apparatus 1. NVRAM 104 is used as a working area from which the control program is read, and as a storage area for temporarily storing print data and setting information.

[0040] The ASIC 105 is electrically connected to the feeding section 20, the LED unit 40, the process cartridge 50, the belt unit 70, the discharge section 90, the voltage application circuit 106, the abnormal discharge detection circuit 107, the fan motor 110, the touch panel 120, the open / close sensor 130, the humidity sensor 140, the communication I / F 150, and the network I / F 160, etc.

[0041] The voltage application circuit 106 applies a voltage to the wire and grid of the charger 52. The abnormal discharge detection circuit 107 detects the occurrence of abnormal discharge based on the value of the current flowing through the voltage application circuit 106.

[0042] The touch panel 120 is, for example, a device that integrates a liquid crystal display and a touchpad. The touch panel 120 is located on the top surface of the housing 10. The touch panel 120 can display information and accept user operations. Note that instead of the touch panel 120, a display device such as a liquid crystal panel that functions as a display unit, and an operation device such as hard keys that functions as an operation unit may be used. The open / close sensor 130 is a sensor that detects whether the cover 11 is opened or closed. When the open / close sensor 130 detects whether the cover 11 is opened or closed, it outputs the detection result to the controller 100.

[0043] The humidity sensor 140 is a sensor that detects the humidity outside the housing 10. The humidity sensor 140 is located, for example, on the rear surface of the housing 10. The humidity sensor 140 outputs a signal to the controller 100 according to the detected humidity.

[0044] The communication I / F 150 is connected to a network such as a LAN. The communication I / F 150 can be connected to an external device such as a PC terminal 160 that has a driver for the image forming apparatus 1 installed. The image forming apparatus 1 can receive print jobs and the like from the PC terminal 160 and the like via the communication I / F 150.

[0045] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in the drum memory 510. As shown in Fig. 3, the drum memory 510 stores information such as a drum ID 511, a cumulative drum rotation count 512, a cumulative drum print count 513, and a new drum flag 515.

[0046] The drum ID 511 is identification information for identifying the drum cartridge 51. The cumulative drum rotation count 512 is the cumulative number of rotations of the photosensitive drum 53 since the drum cartridge 51 began to be used. The cumulative drum print count 513 is the cumulative number of prints since the drum cartridge 51 began to be used. The new drum flag 515 is a flag that is set to ON when each of the installed drum cartridges 51 of each color is in an unused state.

[0047] Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in the belt memory 71. As shown in Fig. 4, the belt memory 71 stores information such as a belt ID 711, a belt cumulative print count 712, printing conditions 713, a new belt flag 714, and a belt filming occurrence flag 715.

[0048] The belt ID 711 is identification information for identifying the belt unit 70. The belt ID 711 is, for example, a serial number unique to each belt unit 70. The belt cumulative print count 712 is the cumulative number of prints since the belt unit 70 began to be used. The printing conditions 713 store information about the printing conditions when printing is performed using the transfer belt 73, such as an external humidity table, a print speed table, and a media type table (not shown). The new belt flag 714 is a flag that is set to ON when the installed belt unit 70 is in an unused state. The belt filming occurrence flag 715 is a flag that is set to ON when it is estimated that belt filming, which will be described later, has occurred in the transfer belt 73 of the installed belt unit 70.

[0049] The touch panel 120 is an example of a display unit, the ASIC 105 is an example of a drum communication unit and a belt communication unit, and the belt cumulative print count 712, printing conditions 713, new belt flag 714, and belt filming occurrence flag 715 are examples of belt filming information.

[0050] <Countermeasures against belt filming> Belt filming is a phenomenon in which external additives (fine inorganic powder such as SiO2) of toner components cover the surface of the transfer belt 73. In addition to the external additives, paper dust also adheres and covers the surface of the transfer belt 73.

[0051] When a brand new photosensitive drum 53 is used in combination with a transfer belt 73 that has belt filming, there is a possibility that poor image quality will occur early on. This is because drum filming, which causes poor image quality, is likely to occur on the surface of the photosensitive drum 53 for a certain period of time after it is first used.

[0052] In other words, using a combination of a photosensitive drum 53 that has just been used and a transfer belt 73 that is in a state where belt filming is occurring will promote the growth of drum filming on the photosensitive drum 53, significantly shortening the product life.

[0053] Furthermore, the product life of a typical belt unit 70 may be more than twice as long as the product life of the drum cartridge 51, for example, which may result in an increase in the frequency of replacement of the drum cartridge 51.

[0054] In contrast, in this embodiment, when there is a specific relationship between the timing of belt filming occurrence and the usage state of the photosensitive drum 53 as shown in Figure 5, a print prohibition determination process is executed to prohibit printing by the image forming device 1, prioritizing maintaining the product life of the photosensitive drum 53.

[0055] Specifically, the controller 100 periodically executes a separate control program (not shown) to estimate whether belt filming has occurred on the transfer belt 73 based on the belt cumulative print count 712 and printing conditions 713. Since a known method can be used for the process of estimating the occurrence of belt filming, a detailed description thereof will be omitted here. If it is estimated that belt filming has occurred, the belt filming occurrence flag 715 in the belt memory 71 is set to ON.

[0056] Then, using the timing of belt filming as a starting point, if the cumulative drum rotation count 512 of each color drum cartridge 51 (photosensitive drum 53) exceeds the first quarter of the product life rotation count L ((1 / 4)L), as shown in Figure 5(a), printing continues.

[0057] However, if the timing of belt filming occurrence is such that the cumulative drum rotation count 512 of any one color drum cartridge 51 (photosensitive drum 53) is equal to or less than the first quarter ((1 / 4)L) of the product life rotation count L, as shown in Figure 5(b). Note that the first quarter ((1 / 4)L) of the product life rotation count L also includes the case immediately after the drum cartridge 51 is replaced, i.e., when the value of the cumulative drum rotation count 512 is 0.

[0058] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5C, if belt filming occurs when the drum cartridge 51 (photosensitive drum 53) of any color is replaced with a new one, printing is also prohibited.

[0059] When the belt unit 70 is replaced with a new one, the belt filming occurrence flag 715 is reset to OFF. Although not shown, the new drum flag 515 of the drum cartridge 51 and the new belt flag 714 of the belt unit 70 are set to ON when the drum cartridge 51 and the belt unit 70 are shipped.

[0060] The first quarter of the product life rotation count L ((1 / 4)L) of the drum cartridge 51 (photosensitive drum 53) is an example of the predetermined limit value.

[0061] <Control procedure> An example of a control procedure executed by the controller 100 of the image forming apparatus 1 to realize the print prohibition determination process in this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 6. First, the process shown in the flowchart in Fig. 6 is called and started when the open / close sensor 130 detects whether the cover 11 is open or closed, or at a predetermined time interval.

[0062] First, in step S105, various information is obtained from the drum memory 510 and the belt memory 71. Specifically, the information to be obtained includes the new belt flag 714, the belt filming occurrence flag 715, the new drum flag 515, and the cumulative drum rotation count 512.

[0063] Next, the process proceeds to step S110, where it is determined whether the new belt flag 714 is ON at that time. If the new belt flag 714 is ON (S110: YES), the belt filming occurrence flag 715 is reset to OFF in step S115, and if printing was prohibited up until then, it is released and the state transitions to a printable state, and this flow ends. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S110 that the new belt flag 714 is OFF (S110: NO), the process proceeds to step S120.

[0064] In step S120, it is determined whether the belt filming occurrence flag 715 is ON. If the belt filming occurrence flag 715 is OFF (S120: NO), this flow ends. On the other hand, if the belt filming occurrence flag 715 is ON (S120: YES), the flow proceeds to step S125.

[0065] In step S125, it is determined whether the new drum flag 515 for each color at that time is ON. If any one of the new drum flags 515 is ON (S125: YES), the process proceeds to step S135. On the other hand, if all of the new drum flags 515 for each color are OFF (S125: NO), the process proceeds to step S130.

[0066] In step S130, it is determined whether the value of the cumulative drum rotation count 512 for each color is equal to or less than one-fourth ((1 / 4)L) of the product life rotation count L. If the values ​​of the cumulative drum rotation count 512 for all colors are greater than one-fourth ((1 / 4)L) of the product life rotation count L (S130: NO), this flow ends. On the other hand, if the value of any one of the cumulative drum rotation counts 512 is equal to or less than one-fourth ((1 / 4)L) of the product life rotation count L (S130: YES), the flow proceeds to step S135.

[0067] In step S135, a separate process is performed to transition to a printing prohibited state in which no further print jobs are accepted.

[0068] Next, the process moves to step S140, where a print prohibition message is displayed on touch panel 120 to prohibit printing and urge the user to replace belt unit 70. Although not specifically shown, an example of a print prohibition message might be "The drum unit may be nearing the end of its life. Please replace the belt unit with a new one." Then, this flow ends.

[0069] In the above, step S125 is an example of drum determination processing, step S120 is an example of filming determination processing, step S135 is an example of first print prohibition processing and second print prohibition processing, step S110 is an example of belt determination processing, and step S130 is an example of rotation speed determination processing.

[0070] <Effects of the first embodiment> As described above, in the image forming apparatus 1 of the first embodiment, in step S125, it is determined whether or not the photosensitive drum 53 is new. In step S120, it is determined whether or not belt filming has occurred on the transfer belt 73.

[0071] If the photosensitive drum 53 has reached the replacement time and has been replaced with a new one, and belt filming has occurred, printing prohibition processing is performed in step S135. In step S135, printing using the photosensitive drum 53 and transfer belt 73 is prohibited. This prevents the performance of the new photosensitive drum 53 from being affected by belt filming and degraded.

[0072] In particular, in this embodiment, the controller 100 executes step S125 after executing step S120. As a result, if the occurrence of belt filming is denied based only on the information of the belt filming occurrence flag 715 in step S120, it is possible to avoid repeated determination processing based on the information of the new drum flag 515 corresponding to each of the four colors in step S125. This reduces the processing load on the controller 100.

[0073] In this embodiment, the controller 100 further executes step S110 to determine whether the belt unit 70 is new. If it is determined that the transfer belt 73 is new, it can be determined that belt filming has not occurred without executing step S120.

[0074] Furthermore, particularly in this embodiment, if it is determined in step S110 that the belt unit 70 is not new, the controller 100 executes step S120 and then executes step S125. As a result, it executes step S110 and then executes step S120 to determine whether belt filming has occurred only when the transfer belt 73 is not new. This makes it possible to prevent filming determination from being made when the transfer belt 73 is new.

[0075] Although not shown, if the controller 100 determines in step S110 that the belt unit 70 is new, it may omit execution of step S120 and execute step S125. In this case, when it is determined that the transfer belt 73 is new after execution of step S110, it is possible to avoid executing step S120.

[0076] In particular, in this embodiment, the drum cartridge 51 has a drum memory 510 capable of storing information on a drum new flag 515 indicating that the drum cartridge 51 is new, and the image forming apparatus 1 further has an ASIC 105 capable of communicating with the drum memory 510.

[0077] As described above, in this embodiment, the drum cartridge 51 equipped with the photosensitive drum 53 has a drum memory 510. The drum memory 510 stores a new drum flag 515 that indicates whether the photosensitive drum 53 is in an unused state or a used state. This allows the controller 100 to read the information of the new drum flag 515 from the drum memory 510 via the ASIC 105 and use it when making a determination.

[0078] Furthermore, particularly in this embodiment, in step S125, the controller 100 determines whether the drum cartridge 51 is new or not based on the information of the new drum flag 515 acquired from the drum memory 510 via the ASIC 105. This allows the controller 100 to determine with high accuracy whether the photosensitive drum 53 is new or not by using the information of the new drum flag 515 stored in the drum memory 510 provided in the drum cartridge 511.

[0079] In particular, in this embodiment, the belt unit 70 has a belt memory 71 capable of storing information on a belt filming occurrence flag 715 indicating whether or not belt filming has occurred on the transfer belt 73, and the image forming apparatus 1 further has an ASIC 105 capable of communicating with the belt memory 71.

[0080] As described above, in this embodiment, the belt unit 70 equipped with the transfer belt 73 has a belt memory 71. The belt memory 71 stores information about a belt filming occurrence flag 715 that indicates whether or not belt filming has occurred on the transfer belt 73. This allows the controller 100 to read the information about the belt filming occurrence flag 715 from the belt memory 71 via the ASIC 105 and use it when making a determination.

[0081] Furthermore, particularly in this embodiment, in step S120, the controller 100 determines whether belt filming has occurred based on the information of the belt filming occurrence flag 715 acquired from the belt memory 71 via the ASIC 105. This allows the controller 100 to determine with high accuracy whether belt filming has occurred on the transfer belt 73 by using the information of the belt filming occurrence flag 715 stored in the belt memory 71 provided in the belt unit 70.

[0082] Furthermore, particularly in this embodiment, the belt memory 71 stores information including a belt cumulative print count 712 printed using the transfer belt 73 and printing conditions 713 used when printing was performed using the transfer belt 73. In step S120, the controller 100 determines whether belt filming has occurred based on the belt cumulative print count 712 and the printing conditions 713. This allows the controller 100 to determine with high accuracy whether belt filming has occurred based on the belt cumulative print count 712 and the printing conditions 713.

[0083] The method for determining whether belt filming has occurred is not limited to the method based on the cumulative belt print count 712 and the printing conditions 713. Alternatively, a known method may be used (not shown) in which, for example, an optical sensor is used to optically detect a film layer adhered to the surface of the transfer belt 73.

[0084] In addition, in this embodiment, particularly when it is determined in step S125 that the photosensitive drum 53 is not new, the controller 100 executes step S130 to determine whether the value of the cumulative drum rotation count 512 has reached one-fourth ((1 / 4)L) of the product life rotation count L.

[0085] As a result, even if the photosensitive drum 53 is not new, if it is in a condition close to new, the influence of belt filming will be significant. In response to this, in this embodiment, if it is determined in step S125 that the photosensitive drum 53 is not new, step S130 is performed.

[0086] As a result, if the value of the cumulative drum rotation count 513 of the photosensitive drum 53 has not reached one-fourth ((1 / 4)L) of the product life rotation count L, the photosensitive drum 53 is deemed to be in a state close to new, and processing similar to that for a new drum can be performed. Note that the threshold value for determining whether the photosensitive drum 53 is in a state close to new is not limited to the first one-fourth ((1 / 4)L) of the product life rotation count L described above, and any other appropriate value may be used.

[0087] Furthermore, particularly in this embodiment, if it is determined in step S130 that the value of the cumulative drum rotation count 512 has reached one-fourth ((1 / 4)L) of the product life rotation count L and it is determined in step S120 that belt filming has occurred, the controller 100 executes step S135 to prohibit printing using the drum cartridge 51 and the belt unit 70.

[0088] As described above, in this embodiment, if the photosensitive drum 53 is in a near-new condition and belt filming has occurred, step S135 is performed, and printing using the photosensitive drum 53 and transfer belt 73 is prohibited. This makes it possible to prevent performance degradation due to the influence of belt filming even for a photosensitive drum 53 that is not new but is in a near-new condition.

[0089] Second Embodiment The image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment will be described below with reference to Fig. 7. Note that the description of the same configuration and processing procedures as those of the first embodiment will be omitted as appropriate.

[0090] In the first embodiment, when the drum cartridge 51 is new or nearly new and belt filming has occurred on the transfer belt 73, the image forming device 1 is forcibly prohibited from printing, prioritizing the maintenance of the product life of the photosensitive drum 53.

[0091] However, continuing to print under such conditions simply increases the likelihood of drum filming on the photosensitive drum 53, and does not immediately result in printing defects. For this reason, for users who want to print quickly without waiting for the belt unit 70 to be replaced, even if it means some deterioration of the photosensitive drum 53, the printer may be configured to accept a selection between prohibiting printing and continuing printing.

[0092] 7 is a flowchart illustrating the detailed steps of the print prohibition confirmation process 100A in this embodiment executed by the controller 100. In the following, only the steps that differ from the print prohibition determination process 100 in the first embodiment will be explained, and the explanation of the other steps will be omitted.

[0093] 7, in step S150, which is executed in place of step S135, a display signal for displaying a print prohibition confirmation message is output to touch panel 120. The print prohibition confirmation message displays a message indicating that deterioration of photosensitive drum 53 has made it more likely that printing defects will occur, and prompts the user to choose whether to continue printing or prohibit printing. Although not specifically shown, an example of the print prohibition confirmation message could be something like "The drum unit may be reaching the end of its life soon. Press the YES button if you want to continue using it as is, or the NO button if you want to replace the belt unit."

[0094] Next, the process proceeds to step S155, where it is determined whether or not the user has input an operation to continue printing on touch panel 120. If the user has input an operation to continue printing (S155: YES), the new drum flag 515 is reset to OFF in step S150, and then this flow ends.

[0095] On the other hand, if the user has input an operation to prohibit printing (S155: NO), a separate process is performed in step S170 to transition to a printing prohibited state, and then this flow is terminated.

[0096] In the above, step S150 is an example of the first inquiry display process and the second inquiry display process, and the print prohibition confirmation message is an example of an inquiry display.

[0097] <Effects of the second embodiment> As described above, in the image forming apparatus 1 of the first embodiment, in step S125, it is determined whether or not the photosensitive drum 53 is new. In step S120, it is determined whether or not belt filming has occurred on the transfer belt 73.

[0098] If the photosensitive drum 53 has reached the replacement time and has been replaced with a new one, and belt filming is occurring, step S150 is performed. In step S150, a print prohibition confirmation message is displayed, inquiring whether or not to use the photosensitive drum 53. Therefore, by seeing the print prohibition confirmation message, the user can recognize that continuing to print will affect the photosensitive drum 53, and can therefore replace the transfer belt 73 with a new one. This makes it possible to prevent a performance degradation of the new photosensitive drum 53 due to the effects of belt filming.

[0099] Furthermore, particularly in this embodiment, image forming apparatus 1 has touch panel 120, and controller 100 outputs a display signal for a print prohibition confirmation message to touch panel 120 in step S150. As a result, the print prohibition confirmation message is displayed as an inquiry on touch panel 120, so that a user who is about to operate image forming apparatus 1 to print can reliably recognize that printing as is will have an effect on photosensitive drum 53.

[0100] In addition, when the image forming apparatus 1 is operated from the PC terminal 160 via the communication interface 150, a display signal for the print prohibition confirmation message may be output to the touch panel 120 as well as to the PC terminal 160, and displayed on its display or the like.

[0101] Furthermore, in the above, the flowcharts shown in Figures 6 and 7 do not limit the present disclosure to the procedures shown in the flowcharts, and procedures may be added or deleted or the order may be changed within the scope that does not deviate from the intent and technical idea of ​​the present disclosure.

[0102] In addition to the above, the methods according to the above embodiments and modifications may be used in appropriate combination.

[0103] Although not specifically illustrated, the present disclosure can be implemented with various modifications within the scope of the spirit thereof. [Explanation of symbols]

[0104] 1. Image forming device 10. Cabinet 30 Image forming unit 51 Drum cartridge 53 Photosensitive drum 70 Belt unit 71 Belt Memory 73 Transfer belt 100 Controllers 105 ASIC (drum communication unit, belt communication unit) 120 Touch panel (display) 510 Drum Memory 512 cumulative drum rotations 513 Drum cumulative print count 515 Drum New Flag 712 Belt cumulative print count (belt filming information) 713 Printing conditions (belt filming information) 714 Belt New Flag (Belt Filming Information) 715 Filming occurrence flag (belt filming information)

Claims

1. The housing and a drum cartridge detachably attached to the housing, the drum cartridge having a photosensitive drum; a belt unit having a transfer belt that contacts the photosensitive drum; A controller; Equipped with The controller a drum determination process for determining whether the drum cartridge is new or not; a filming determination process for determining whether or not belt filming occurs on the transfer belt; a first print prohibition process that prohibits printing using the drum cartridge and the belt unit when the drum determination process determines that the drum cartridge is new and the filming determination process determines that the belt filming has occurred; Run An image forming apparatus characterized by:

2. a drum cartridge having a photosensitive drum; a belt unit having a transfer belt that contacts the photosensitive drum; A controller; Equipped with The controller a drum determination process for determining whether the drum cartridge is new or not; a filming determination process for determining whether or not belt filming occurs on the transfer belt; a first inquiry display process for outputting a display signal for displaying whether or not to use a new drum cartridge when the drum determination process determines that the drum cartridge is new and the filming determination process determines that the belt filming has occurred; and Run An image forming apparatus characterized by:

3. It has a display unit, The controller In the first inquiry display process, the display signal is output to the display unit.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2.

4. The controller After the filming determination process is performed, the drum determination process is performed.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

5. The controller further comprises: A belt determination process for determining whether the belt unit is new or not Run 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

6. The controller If it is determined in the belt determination process that the belt unit is not new, the filming determination process is executed, and then the drum determination process is executed.

6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5.

7. The controller If the belt unit is determined to be new in the belt determination process, the filming determination process is omitted and the drum determination process is executed.

6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5.

8. The drum cartridge is a drum memory capable of storing a drum new flag indicating that the drum cartridge is new; the image forming apparatus, a drum communication unit capable of communicating with the drum memory; Further equipped 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

9. The controller, in the drum determination process, Whether the drum cartridge is new or not is determined based on the drum new product flag acquired from the drum memory via the drum communication unit.

9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8.

10. The belt unit a belt memory capable of storing belt filming information indicating whether or not belt filming has occurred on the transfer belt; the image forming apparatus, a belt communication unit capable of communicating with the belt memory; Further equipped 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

11. The controller, in the filming determination processing, Based on the belt filming information acquired from the belt memory via the belt communication unit, it is determined whether the belt filming has occurred.

11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10.

12. The belt filming information is The number of sheets printed using the transfer belt and the printing conditions when printing is performed using the transfer belt are included, The controller, in the filming determination processing, Whether or not the belt filming has occurred is determined based on at least one of the cumulative number of printed sheets on the belt and the printing conditions.

12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11.

13. The controller a rotation number determination process for determining whether or not the cumulative number of rotations of the photosensitive drum has reached a predetermined limit value when the photosensitive drum is determined to be new in the drum determination process; Run 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

14. The controller a second print prohibition process for prohibiting printing using the drum cartridge and the belt unit when the operation determination process determines that the operation history information has reached the limit value and the filming determination process determines that the belt filming has occurred; Run 14. The image forming apparatus according to claim 13.

15. The controller a rotation number determination process for determining whether the cumulative number of rotations of the photosensitive drum has reached a predetermined limit value when the drum cartridge is determined to be new in the drum determination process; Run 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2.

16. The controller a second inquiry display process for outputting a display signal for displaying whether or not to use the drum cartridge when the rotation speed determination process determines that the cumulative number of rotations of the drum has reached the limit value and the filming determination process determines that the belt filming has occurred; and Run 16. The image forming apparatus according to claim 15.

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