Image forming device

Abstract

To provide an image forming apparatus capable of analyzing occurrence factors of abnormalities of a copying device such as a paper jam and a communication error which are secondarily caused by static electricity.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus comprises: a voltage detection unit provided on a conveyance path of a recording medium in the image forming apparatus; an input / output device including components of the image forming apparatus; an input / output control unit that controls the input / output device, and can communicate with the voltage detection unit; and a system control unit that uses the voltage detection unit via the input / output control unit to detect voltage of at least one of the recording medium and the components in contact with the recording medium, compares the detected voltage with a preset abnormality determination reference value, determines conduction abnormalities in the image forming apparatus, and outputs the determination result of conduction abnormalities in the image forming apparatus.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] Methods for diagnosing abnormal conditions in electrophotographic image forming apparatuses and methods for dealing with such abnormal conditions have been developed. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] However, while the above-mentioned method for diagnosing an abnormal state detects an abnormal state in which the recording medium is not transported at a preset timing and an abnormal state in which the recording medium is not separated at a preset timing, it does not directly detect abnormalities caused by external factors of the electrical system of the image forming apparatus, such as a failure of the components of the image forming apparatus itself, and it is difficult to directly determine the cause of the abnormality in the image forming apparatus.

[0004] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above, and aims to provide an image forming device that can analyze the causes of abnormalities in the copying device, such as paper jams and communication errors, that occur secondarily due to static electricity. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, the present invention provides a voltage detection unit provided on a transport path for a recording medium within an image forming apparatus, an input / output device including components of the image forming apparatus, an input / output control unit that controls the input / output device and is capable of communicating with the voltage detection unit, and a system control unit that detects static electricity near the recording medium and at least one of the components with which the recording medium is in contact via the input / output control unit using the voltage detection unit, compares the detected static electricity with a preset abnormality determination reference value, determines an abnormality in electrical continuity of the image forming apparatus, and outputs a determination result of the abnormality in electrical continuity of the image forming apparatus; a communication control unit that transmits a determination result of the electrical continuity abnormality of the image forming apparatus to an external device; Equipped with When the system control unit determines that there is an abnormality in the continuity of the image forming apparatus, the system control unit records the detected static electricity as an abnormal value, and calculates a history abnormal value, which is a set value with which it is possible to determine an abnormality in the continuity of the image forming apparatus, based on statistical data including the recorded abnormal value, and when the statistical data including the recorded abnormal value exceeds the history abnormal value, the communication control unit transmits the abnormality determination result and the statistical data to the external device. do. Effect of the Invention

[0006] According to the present invention, it is possible to analyze the cause of a copying machine abnormality, such as a paper jam or a communication error, which occurs secondarily due to static electricity. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a copying machine to which an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment is applied. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an example of a functional configuration of the copying apparatus according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of a communication process of the abnormality detection result in the copying machine according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an example of a functional configuration of the copying apparatus according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an example of a time stamp for mechanical control of the copying machine according to the second embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of a process for recording a result of detection of an abnormality in the copying machine according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of an image forming apparatus will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0009] (First embodiment) 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a copying machine to which an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment is applied. The copying machine according to this embodiment is, for example, a printing mechanism such as a facsimile machine or a printer, and is an example of an image forming machine that records (prints, forms an image) an image on a recording medium such as paper. Specifically, the copying machine has an image forming unit that electrostatically attracts (transfers) toner to the recording medium, heat-fixes the toner electrostatically attracted to the recording medium by the image forming unit, and then discharges the recording medium.

[0010] The copying machine according to this embodiment has an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) 101, a main body 102, a paper bank 103, an image forming unit 104, a roller 105, a potential sensor 106, and a fixing unit 107, as shown in FIG.

[0011] The ADF 101 is an example of a scanner unit associated with a copying machine. The main body 102 is a housing of the main body of the printing mechanism of the copying machine. The paper bank 103 includes a recording medium 108 such as paper, a separation mechanism for the recording medium 108, a pickup mechanism for the recording medium 108, and the like.

[0012] The image forming unit 104 forms a toner image on a photoconductor, and transfers the toner image formed on the photoconductor to a recording medium 108 by high-voltage electrostatic force. The roller 105 includes a mechanical mechanism for driving a mechanism for transporting the recording medium 108, such as a support unit required for transporting the recording medium 108.

[0013] The potential sensor 106 is an example of a voltage detection unit that is provided on a paper transport path (an example of a transport path) of the recording medium 108 in the copying machine and measures the voltage (charge) of the recording medium 108. In this embodiment, the potential sensor 106 is provided on the upstream side and downstream side of the image creating unit 104 on the paper transport path of the recording medium 108 in the copying machine. In this embodiment, the copying machine has three potential sensors 106, but it is sufficient if multiple potential sensors 106 are provided. This makes it easier to identify the location of a mechanical failure in the copying machine. The fixing unit 107 fixes the toner image transferred to the recording medium 108 by heat welding or the like.

[0014] The copying machine according to this embodiment separates recording media 108 one by one from a stack of recording media 108 in paper bank 103, picks up the recording media 108 with a pickup mechanism, and transports the recording media 108 in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 1. The copying machine also forms an image on the transported recording media 108 with image forming unit 104. Next, the copying machine fixes the image formed on recording medium 108 with fixing unit 107, and then ejects recording medium 108.

[0015] Incidentally, in a conventional image forming apparatus, static electricity is generated in the image forming apparatus due to friction of the recording medium 108 transported in the image forming apparatus, printing electrification, etc., and the image forming apparatus may malfunction due to a discharge current caused by the static electricity. Malfunctioning of the image forming apparatus due to static electricity occurs when a static charge is applied to the paper transport path of the recording medium 108 due to a mechanical failure (grounding failure) of the static electricity earth path, and the static charge reaches a discharge start voltage. Therefore, in the copying apparatus according to the present embodiment, the voltage in the main body 102 is measured by the potential sensor 106, thereby detecting a mechanical failure of the copying apparatus, and the result of the detection of the failure is notified to a service person, etc.

[0016] Next, an example of the functional configuration of the copying machine according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the copying machine according to the first embodiment.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 2, the copying machine according to this embodiment includes a communication control unit 201, a system control unit 202, an I / O control unit 203, an I / O device 204, and a potential sensor 106.

[0018] The communication control unit 201 is a printer communication board or the like, and is an example of a communication control unit that controls communication with an external device, such as notifying a service center of a failure in the copying machine. In this embodiment, the communication control unit 201 is configured to be able to communicate with an external device, such as a service center, via a communication line 205 such as Ethernet (registered trademark), but a communication line other than Ethernet may be used as long as it is possible to communicate with an external device, such as a cloud, via a network.

[0019] The system control unit 202 is an example of a system control unit that controls the entire copying apparatus. Specifically, the system control unit 202 includes a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a program memory, a working RAM, a non-volatile memory, and the like.

[0020] The system control unit 202 detects the voltage of at least one of the recording medium 108 and the mechanism (hereinafter referred to as the component) that the recording medium 108 comes into contact with by the potential sensor 106 via the I / O control unit 203. Here, the component is a mechanism that the recording medium 108 comes into contact with among the mechanical mechanisms of the copying machine. For example, the component is the main body 102 of the copying machine, a roller, a roller 105, a belt, etc. that are provided on the paper transport path of the recording medium 108. The system control unit 202 also compares the detected voltage with a preset abnormality judgment reference value to judge whether there is an abnormality in the conduction of the copying machine. In this embodiment, the system control unit 202 judges that there is an abnormality in the conduction of the copying machine when the detected voltage exceeds the abnormality judgment reference value.

[0021] When the system control unit 202 determines that there is an abnormality in the continuity of the copying machine, it records the determination result in a non-volatile memory (one example of a memory) of the system control unit 202. The system control unit 202 also outputs the determination result recorded in the non-volatile memory to a display unit (for example, a monitor, a liquid crystal display, or an LED (Light Emitting Diode)) of the copying machine. When the system control unit 202 determines that there is an abnormality in the continuity of the copying machine, it can record the detected voltage (sensor value) as an abnormal value in the non-volatile memory of the system control unit 202, and calculate statistical data (one example of data) of the recorded abnormal value. The communication control unit 201 described above transmits the determination result of the abnormality in the continuity of the copying machine to an external device. This makes it possible to measure static electricity that may cause a malfunction of the copying machine and predict a malfunction of the copying machine due to the generation of static electricity. As a result, it is possible to analyze the cause of the abnormality of the copying machine, such as a paper jam or a communication error, which occurs secondarily due to static electricity.

[0022] The I / O control unit 203 is a mechanical control unit and is an example of an input / output control unit that controls the I / O device 204. For example, the I / O control unit 203 has drivers for motors, solenoids, and the like that the I / O device 204 has, and input / output signal buffers for various signals inputted / outputted to / from the I / O device 204.

[0023] The I / O device 204 is an example of an input / output device having components of a copying machine. Specifically, the I / O device 204 includes a drive mechanism and various sensors necessary for the operation of the copying machine, such as a motor, a solenoid, a heater, a lamp, a photosensor (e.g., an interrupter, a reflective sensor), a mechanical sensor, a temperature sensor, and a humidity sensor.

[0024] As described above, a plurality of potential sensors 106 are provided on the paper transport path of the recording medium 108. This makes it easy to identify faulty parts of components of the copying machine, such as faulty earth parts on the paper transport path of the recording medium 108.

[0025] Next, an example of the flow of a communication process of an abnormality detection result in the copying machine according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a flow chart showing an example of the flow of a communication process of an abnormality detection result in the copying machine according to the first embodiment.

[0026] First, the system control unit 202 reads the voltage detection result by the potential sensor 106 via the I / O control unit 203 (step S301). For example, the system control unit 202 reads the voltage detection result by the potential sensor 106 from an input / output signal buffer included in the I / O control unit 203, and converts the read voltage detection result into a digital signal by an A / D converter or the like.

[0027] Next, the system control unit 202 judges whether the voltage detected by the potential sensor 106 exceeds a preset abnormality judgment reference value (step S302). If the voltage detected by the potential sensor 106 is equal to or lower than the abnormality judgment reference value (step S302: No), the system control unit 202 ends the communication process of the detection result of the abnormality of the copying machine.

[0028] On the other hand, if the voltage detected by the potential sensor 106 exceeds the abnormality judgment reference value (step S302: Yes), that is, if it is determined that there is an abnormality in the continuity of the copying machine, the system control unit 202 records the voltage detected by the potential sensor 106 (sensor value) as an abnormal value in the non-volatile memory of the system control unit 202 (step S303).The system control unit 202 also records the sensor value, the number of printed sheets of the recording medium 108 during the print job of the copying machine (print history), the number of times abnormalities have occurred in the components of the copying machine in the past, the sequence during printing of one sheet of the recording medium 108, the duration of the abnormality in the components of the copying machine, and the like in the non-volatile memory of the system control unit 202 (step S304).

[0029] Next, the system control unit 202 calculates statistical data such as abnormal values ​​to be recorded in the non-volatile memory of the system control unit 202. Furthermore, the system control unit 202 calculates a history abnormal value, which is a set value that can determine an abnormality in the continuity of the copying machine, based on the calculated statistical data, and determines whether the calculated statistical data exceeds the history abnormal value (step S305). If the calculated statistical data does not exceed the history abnormal value (step S305: No), the system control unit 202 ends the communication process of the determination result of the abnormality in the continuity of the copying machine.

[0030] On the other hand, if the calculated statistical data exceeds the historical abnormal value (step S305: Yes), the system control unit 202 uploads the determination result of the conductivity abnormality of the copying device and the statistical data to the cloud or transmits it to an external device via the communication control unit 201 (step S306).

[0031] In this way, the copying machine according to the first embodiment can measure the static electricity that causes the copying machine to malfunction, and can predict the malfunction of the copying machine due to the generation of static electricity. As a result, it is possible to analyze the cause of the abnormality of the copying machine, such as paper jams and communication errors, that occurs secondarily due to static electricity.

[0032] (Second embodiment) In this embodiment, a first detection result of a malfunction of the software that controls the components of the copying machine, a second detection result of an abnormality of the components of the copying machine, and a timestamp of the control of the components by the software are recorded in a non-volatile memory of the system control unit, and the first detection result, the second detection result, and the timestamp recorded in synchronization with the non-volatile memory are output to an external device. In the following description, a description of the same configuration as in the first embodiment is omitted.

[0033] Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a copying machine according to the second embodiment. As shown in Fig. 4, the copying machine according to the present embodiment includes a communication control unit 401, a system control unit 402, an I / O control unit 203, an I / O device 204, and a potential sensor 106.

[0034] In this embodiment, the system control unit 402 detects a malfunction of the software that controls the components of the copying machine. Then, the system control unit 402 records a first detection result, which is a detection result of the malfunction of the software, a timestamp of the control of the components by the software (hereinafter, referred to as mechanical control), a second detection result, which is a detection result of an abnormality in the components of the copying machine, and the like, in a non-volatile memory provided in the system control unit 402.

[0035] In this embodiment, the system control unit 402 detects static electricity near at least one of the recording medium 108 and the components by the potential sensor 106 via the I / O control unit 203. Then, when the system control unit 402 detects static electricity, it records the first detection result, a timestamp, and the second detection result in the non-volatile memory. Also, in this embodiment, the system control unit 402 calculates statistical data on the occurrence frequency of each of the first detection result, the timestamp, and the second detection result within a preset period, and records the statistical data in the non-volatile memory.

[0036] The communication control unit 401 outputs the first detection result, the time stamp, and the second detection result, which are synchronously recorded in the nonvolatile memory of the system control unit 402, to an external device or the like. This makes it possible to analyze which event in the operation of the components of the copying machine is the cause of a malfunction of the copying machine due to EMC noise (e.g., paper jam, communication error). In addition, the communication control unit 401 transmits statistical data on the occurrence frequency recorded in the nonvolatile memory of the system control unit 402 to the external device.

[0037] Next, an example of a recording process of various information by the system control unit of the copying machine according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a diagram for explaining an example of a time stamp of the mechanical control of the copying machine according to the second embodiment.

[0038] In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 5, the system control unit 402 generates time stamps for mechanical control from when the recording medium 108 is picked up from the paper bank 103 until the recording medium 108 is discharged from the copier. For example, the system control unit 402 generates time stamps for starting and stopping the clutches and motors of the pickup mechanism of the paper bank 103, the roller 105, the image creating unit 104, the fixing unit 107, etc., and for when the recording medium 108 passes the potential sensor 106. In this embodiment, the system control unit 402 generates time stamps in ms units.

[0039] In a conventional image forming apparatus, an abnormal state in which the recording medium 108 is not conveyed at a preset timing and an abnormal state in which the recording medium 108 is not separated are detected, but the abnormal state is not directly detected as an abnormality caused by an external factor of the electrical system of the image forming apparatus. Therefore, in a conventional image forming apparatus, it is difficult to analyze the cause of the detected abnormality.

[0040] Therefore, in this embodiment, the system control unit 402 synchronizes the following (1) to (3). This makes it possible to analyze which of the mechanical controls caused noise to be the cause of the abnormality (failure) in the copying machine. In other words, it is possible to narrow down the mechanical control (control target) when the abnormality occurred in the copying machine from among the many mechanical controls executed in the copying machine. As a result, it becomes possible to identify the malfunctioning unit that caused the abnormality in the copying machine.

[0041] (1) Detection of malfunctions of software executed in copying equipment The system control unit 402 detects malfunctions of the software executed in the copying machine, such as a WDT (Watch Dog Timer), communication data, or program code decode failure caused by software processing not being completed within a preset time. In particular, the system control unit 402 detects irreparable WDT failures.

[0042] When a system control unit 402 breaks down, it is difficult for that system control unit 402 to detect a software malfunction. Therefore, when a copying machine has multiple system control units 402, various data inputs and interrupts are input to the multiple system control units 402, and the multiple system control units 402 detect each other's malfunction. In other words, when a copying machine has multiple system control units 402, one system control unit 402 detects a malfunction (e.g., the occurrence of an SC) of the other system control unit 402.

[0043] (2) Detection of abnormalities in the components of the copying device The system control unit 402 detects an abnormality in the components of the copying machine when the voltage detected by the potential sensor 106 exceeds the abnormality judgment reference value. In this embodiment, the system control unit 402 records the timing of the system control unit 402 interrupting the CPU and detecting the abnormality in the components of the copying machine in order to reduce an error with the timestamp of the mechanical control described later.

[0044] (3) Mechanical control time stamp As described above, the system control unit 402 generates a time stamp for the mechanical control of the software components from the time when the recording medium 108 is picked up from the paper bank 103 until the recording medium 108 is discharged from the copying machine.

[0045] The system control unit 402 records the detection result (1) (first detection result), the detection result (2) (second detection result), and the timestamp (3) in the nonvolatile memory of the system control unit 402. Then, the communication control unit 401 outputs the detection result (1), the detection result (2), and the timestamp (3) recorded in synchronization with the nonvolatile memory to an external device or the like. In this embodiment, since the system control unit 402 always records the detection result (1), the detection result (2), and the timestamp (3), when an abnormality occurs in the copying machine, it is possible to analyze the cause of the abnormality, and it is also easy to analyze the abnormality in the copying machine after the abnormality occurs and in a reproduction experiment, etc.

[0046] Next, an example of the flow of a process for recording the detection result of an abnormality in the copying machine according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a flow chart showing an example of the flow of a process for recording the detection result of an abnormality in the copying machine according to the second embodiment.

[0047] First, the system control unit 402 reads the voltage detection result by the potential sensor 106 via the I / O control unit 203 (step S601). For example, the system control unit 402 reads the voltage detection result by the potential sensor 106 from an input / output signal buffer included in the I / O control unit 203, and converts the read voltage detection result into a digital signal by an A / D converter or the like.

[0048] Next, the system control unit 402 determines whether or not the voltage (sensor value) detected by the potential sensor 106 exceeds a preset abnormality determination reference value (step S602). If the voltage detected by the potential sensor 106 is equal to or lower than the abnormality determination reference value (step S602: No), the system control unit 402 returns to step S601.

[0049] On the other hand, if the voltage detected by the potential sensor 106 exceeds the abnormality determination reference value (step S602: Yes), the system control unit 402 generates an interrupt and records the voltage (sensor value) detected by the potential sensor 106 in the non-volatile memory of the system control unit 402 (step S603). Next, the system control unit 402 waits for the job routine time until one sheet of the recording medium 108 passes through the copying machine and is discharged (step S604).

[0050] Next, the system control unit 402 judges whether an SC has occurred from the copying machine or an error has occurred in the control data of the copying machine during the job routine time (step S605). If an SC has not occurred from the copying machine and an error has not occurred in the control data of the copying machine (step S605: No), the process of recording the detection result of the abnormality in the copying machine ends.

[0051] On the other hand, if an SC occurs from the copying machine, or an error occurs in the control data of the copying machine (step S605: Yes), the system control unit 402 records the sensor value, the number of sheets of recording medium 108 printed during the copying machine's print job, the number of times an abnormality in the copying machine's components has occurred in the past, the sequence during printing of one sheet of recording medium 108 (print job sequence), the duration of the abnormality in the copying machine's components, the timing of the SC occurrence, etc. in the non-volatile memory of the system control unit 202 (step S606).

[0052] In this way, according to the copying machine of the second embodiment, it is possible to analyze which event in the operation of the components of the copying machine is the cause of a malfunction of the copying machine due to EMC noise (e.g., a paper jam or a communication error).

[0053] In the above embodiment, the image forming apparatus of the present invention is described as being applied to a multifunction peripheral having at least two of the functions of a copy function, a printer function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function. However, the image forming apparatus can be applied to any image forming apparatus such as a copier, a printer, a scanner device, or a facsimile device. [Explanation of symbols]

[0054] 101 ADF 102 Main unit 103 Paper Bank 104 Image creation section 105 Coro 106 Potential Sensor 107 Fixing section 108 Recording media 201,401 Communication control section 202,402 System control section 203 I / O control section 204 I / O Devices 205 Communication Line [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0055] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-049500 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2016-109770 A

Claims

[Claim 1] a voltage detection unit provided on a conveyance path of a recording medium in an image forming apparatus; an input / output device including components of the image forming apparatus; an input / output control unit that controls the input / output device and is capable of communicating with the voltage detection unit; a system control unit that detects static electricity near at least one of the recording medium and the components that contact the recording medium by the voltage detection unit via the input / output control unit, compares the detected static electricity with a preset abnormality determination reference value, determines whether or not there is an abnormality in the electrical continuity of the image forming device, and outputs a determination result of the abnormality in the electrical continuity of the image forming device; a communication control unit that transmits a determination result of the electrical continuity abnormality of the image forming apparatus to an external device; Equipped with when it is determined that there is an abnormality in the electrical continuity of the image forming apparatus, the system control unit records the detected static electricity as an abnormal value, and calculates a history abnormal value, which is a set value by which an abnormality in the electrical continuity of the image forming apparatus can be determined, based on statistical data including the recorded abnormal value; When the statistical data including the recorded abnormal value exceeds the historical abnormal value, the communication control unit transmits the abnormality determination result and the statistical data to the external device.

Images