Image forming apparatus

Abstract

The present invention provides an image forming apparatus that allows for the use of lubricant to the fullest extent possible, suppresses curling of the cleaning blade, and reduces the decrease in work efficiency caused by sudden equipment shutdowns. [Solution] An image forming apparatus comprising an image forming unit for developing a toner image on a photoreceptor drum, an intermediate transfer belt on which the toner image is first transferred from the photoreceptor drum, and a cleaning blade for removing toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt, comprising a counting unit for counting the travel distance of the intermediate transfer belt, a prediction unit for predicting the cumulative consumption of lubricant on the intermediate transfer belt based on the travel distance, a determination unit for determining whether the cumulative consumption predicted by the prediction unit is greater than or equal to a predetermined amount, and a print control unit for slowing down the progress speed of the job if the determination unit determines that the cumulative consumption is greater than or equal to a predetermined amount.

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming unit for developing a toner image on a photoreceptor drum; an intermediate transfer belt on which the toner image is first transferred from the photoreceptor drum; and a cleaning blade for removing toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt, A counting unit for counting the travel distance of the intermediate transfer belt, A prediction unit predicts the cumulative consumption of lubricant in the intermediate transfer belt based on the distance traveled counted by the counting unit, A determination unit that determines whether the cumulative consumption predicted by the prediction unit is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount, If the determination unit determines that the cumulative consumption is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount, the print control unit slows down the job progress speed. An image forming apparatus equipped with [a specific feature].

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing control unit reduces the linear velocity of the image forming apparatus when the determination unit determines that the cumulative consumption is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the printing control unit, after the determination unit has determined that the cumulative consumption is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount, gradually reduces the linear speed of the image forming apparatus in accordance with the increase in the travel distance of the intermediate transfer belt counted by the counting unit.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print control unit, when it is determined by the determination unit that the cumulative consumption is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount, repeatedly pauses the printing operation in the middle of the execution of the job and then resumes the printing operation.

5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing control unit, when it is determined by the determination unit that the cumulative consumption is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount, divides the job, stops the intermediate transfer belt and reverses it by a predetermined amount each time a divided job is executed, and then repeats the operation of executing the next divided job.

6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein, after the determination unit determines that the cumulative consumption is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount, the print control unit gradually reduces the maximum number of continuous prints per divided job in accordance with the increase in the travel distance of the intermediate transfer belt counted by the count unit.

7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the printing control unit, after the determination unit determines that the cumulative consumption is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount, increases the frequency of the reverse operation of the intermediate transfer belt in accordance with the increase in the travel distance of the intermediate transfer belt counted by the count unit.

8. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the printing control unit, after the determination unit determines that the cumulative consumption is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount, increases the amount of reversal of the intermediate transfer belt after the execution of the divided job in accordance with the increase in the travel distance of the intermediate transfer belt counted by the count unit.

9. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the print control unit further supplies a predetermined toner image to the intermediate transfer belt after the execution of the job when the determination unit determines that the cumulative consumption is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount.

10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the printing control unit, after the determination unit has determined that the cumulative consumption is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount, gradually increases the amount of toner discharged to supply the toner image to the intermediate transfer belt in accordance with the increase in the travel distance of the intermediate transfer belt counted by the count unit.

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