Image forming apparatus and program

Abstract

To provide an image forming apparatus and a program that can prevent a situation where the image forming apparatus cannot predict an abnormality and a failure around a driving unit.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus of an embodiment has a driving unit, a first discrimination unit, a second discrimination unit, and an output unit. The first discrimination unit discriminates the presence or absence of a rotation abnormality related to the rotation of the driving unit. After the first discrimination unit discriminates the presence or absence of the rotation abnormality, based on a current value indicated by a current signal of the driving unit, the second discrimination unit discriminates the presence or absence of a signal abnormality related to a signal line of the current signal. The output unit outputs a result of discrimination made by the second discrimination unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, image forming apparatuses have been equipped with various motors (drive units) and rollers that are rotated by the driving force of the motors. For example, some fixing units include a heating roller with a built-in fixing heater, a pressure roller that is in pressure contact with the heating roller, and a fixing motor that rotates the heating roller and the pressure roller. The fixing unit melts and fixes the toner on the sheet to the sheet as the sheet passes between the heating roller and the pressure roller.

[0003] Some image forming devices are also known to display an error or stop operation if an abnormality occurs in a roller, fixing motor, etc. Also, by monitoring the current value of the current signals of various motors, it is possible to predict abnormalities or failures around the motors.

[0004] However, with conventional technology, it is sometimes not possible to easily identify abnormalities in the signal lines of the current signals of the drive unit, which can make it impossible to predict abnormalities or failures around the motor. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-158083 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus and a program that can prevent abnormalities and failures in the vicinity of the drive unit from becoming impossible to predict. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The image forming apparatus of the embodiment includes a drive unit, a first discrimination unit, a second discrimination unit, and an output unit. Drive control unit and The first discrimination unit discriminates whether or not there is a rotation abnormality related to the rotation of the drive unit. The second discrimination unit discriminates whether or not there is a signal abnormality related to a signal line of the current signal based on a current value indicated by the current signal of the drive unit after the first discrimination unit has discriminated whether or not there is a rotation abnormality. The output unit outputs the discrimination result of the second discrimination unit. The drive control unit determines by the first determination unit Rotational abnormalities When it is determined that there is a signal abnormality, the operation of the drive unit is stopped, and when it is determined that there is a signal abnormality by the second determination unit, the operation of the drive unit is continued. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is an external view showing an example of the overall configuration of an image forming apparatus 100 according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the image forming apparatus 100. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus 100. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a control unit 300. [Figure 5] 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an abnormality determination process for the fixing unit 40 performed by the image forming apparatus 100. FIG. [Figure 6] 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a notification of rotation abnormality in the fixing unit 40 displayed on the display 110. FIG. [Figure 7] 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a notification of a signal abnormality related to the fixing unit 40 displayed on the display 110. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] An image forming apparatus and a program according to an embodiment will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, components having the same or similar functions are denoted by the same reference numerals. Also, descriptions of duplicated components may be omitted.

[0010] First, the overall configuration of an image forming apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 1 is an external view showing an example of the overall configuration of an image forming apparatus 100 according to an embodiment. The image forming apparatus 100 is, for example, a multifunction peripheral. The image forming apparatus 100 includes a display 110, a control panel 120, a printer 130, a sheet storage unit 140, and an image reading unit 150.

[0011] The display 110 is, for example, a touch panel liquid crystal display. The display 110 displays various information. The display 110 also accepts operations from the user.

[0012] The control panel 120 includes various operation keys such as a numeric keypad, a start key, etc. The control panel 120 accepts various input operations from the user. The control panel 120 also outputs operation signals to the control unit in response to the various input operations accepted from the user.

[0013] The printer 130 performs a series of printing operations using various information output from the display 110, the control panel 120, the image reading unit 150, etc. The series of printing operations includes an operation of inputting image information, an operation of forming an image, an operation of transferring the formed image onto a sheet, an operation of transporting the sheet, etc.

[0014] The sheet storage unit 140 includes multiple sheet cassettes. Each sheet cassette stores sheets. The sheets are primarily regular copy paper, but also include photo sheets, label sheets, polyester film sheets, and the like.

[0015] The image reading unit 150 includes an automatic document feeder and a scanner. The automatic document feeder sends documents placed on a document tray to the scanner. The scanner optically scans the document on the document glass and forms an image of the light reflected from the document on the light receiving surface of a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) sensor. In this way, the scanner reads the document image on the document glass. The image reading unit 150 generates image information (image data) using the results of reading by the scanner.

[0016] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of image forming apparatus 100. As shown in FIG. 2, image forming apparatus 100 (printer 130) has four image forming units 20a to 20d arranged in parallel. Image forming apparatus 100 is a so-called four-tandem image forming apparatus. Image forming apparatus 100 has image processing unit 10, image forming units 20 (20a to 20d), intermediate transfer unit 30, fixing unit 40, and sheet conveying unit 50.

[0017] Image processing unit 10 inputs image information. The input image information may be image information generated by image reading unit 150 or image information transmitted from another device. Image processing unit 10 performs digital image processing to process the input image information according to initial settings or user settings. For example, digital image processing includes gradation correction based on gradation correction data. In addition to gradation correction, digital image processing also includes various correction processes for image data, such as color correction and shading correction, as well as compression.

[0018] Next, the image forming units 20 (image forming units 20a to 20d) will be described. The image forming units 20 include an image forming unit 20a corresponding to Y (yellow), an image forming unit 20b corresponding to M (magenta), an image forming unit 20c corresponding to C (cyan), and an image forming unit 20d corresponding to K (black). Each of the image forming units 20a to 20d includes a photosensitive drum 21a to 21d, chargers 22a to 22d, an exposure unit 23, developers 24a to 24d, toner cartridges 25a to 25d, and a drum cleaning device (not shown). Note that the reference numerals a to d will be omitted in the following description.

[0019] The photoconductor drum 21 is, for example, a charge-type organic photoconductor (OPC) in which an undercoat layer, a charge generation layer, and a charge transport layer are sequentially laminated on the circumferential surface of an aluminum conductive cylinder. The photoconductor drum 21 has photoconductivity.

[0020] The charger 22 generates a corona discharge and uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 21.

[0021] The exposure unit 23 is, for example, a semiconductor laser. The exposure unit 23 irradiates the photosensitive drum 21 with laser light corresponding to an image of each color component. When the exposure unit 23 irradiates the photosensitive drum 21 with laser light, the potential of the area on the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 that is irradiated with the laser light changes. This change in potential (potential difference) forms an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 21.

[0022] The developing unit 24 contains a developer. The developing unit 24 deposits toner of each color component onto the surface of the photosensitive drum 21. This forms a toner image on the photosensitive drum 21. In other words, the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 is visualized.

[0023] Here, the developer will be described. For example, a two-component developer is used as the developer. The two-component developer has non-magnetic toner and a carrier. For example, iron powder or polymer ferrite particles with a particle size of several tens of micrometers are used as the carrier. The carrier is mixed with the toner in the developing unit 24 and imparts an electric charge (for example, a negative charge) to the toner by frictional charging. The carrier also transports the toner to the electrostatic latent image portion by magnetic force.

[0024] Furthermore, the drum cleaning device (not shown) includes a cleaning blade that comes into contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 21. The cleaning blade removes residual toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 after the primary transfer. The removed residual toner is collected in a storage unit included in the drum cleaning device.

[0025] Next, a description will be given of the intermediate transfer unit 30. The intermediate transfer unit 30 includes an intermediate transfer body 31, a primary transfer roller 32, a plurality of support rollers 33, a secondary transfer roller 34, a belt cleaning device 35, and the like.

[0026] The intermediate transfer body 31 is, for example, an endless belt (transfer belt). The intermediate transfer body 31 is a belt that is neither conductive nor elastic. Specifically, for example, the intermediate transfer body 31 is a belt made of polyimide. However, the intermediate transfer body 31 may also be conductive and elastic.

[0027] Support rollers 33a to 33c support intermediate transfer body 31 so that tension is applied to intermediate transfer body 31. As a result, intermediate transfer body 31 is formed in a loop shape. Of the multiple support rollers 33a to 33c, one roller (for example, support roller 33a) is a drive roller. The rollers other than the drive roller are driven rollers. As the drive roller rotates, intermediate transfer body 31 runs in the direction A in the figure at a predetermined speed and with a predetermined cycle.

[0028] Here, the direction in which the intermediate transfer body 31 moves can be defined as an upstream direction and a downstream direction. Specifically, the direction in which the intermediate transfer body 31 moves can be defined with the image forming unit 20a as the most upstream direction and the belt cleaning device 35 as the most downstream direction.

[0029] The primary transfer roller 32 is disposed opposite the photosensitive drum 21 via the intermediate transfer body 31. Specifically, the primary transfer roller 32 is disposed so as to apply pressure to the photosensitive drum 21 across the intermediate transfer body 31. As a result, the primary transfer roller 32 and the photosensitive drum 21 form a primary transfer portion that nips the intermediate transfer body 31.

[0030] When the intermediate transfer body 31 passes through this primary transfer portion, the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 21 is transferred onto the intermediate transfer body 31. When the intermediate transfer body 31 passes through the primary transfer portion, a primary transfer bias is applied to the primary transfer roller 32. Specifically, for example, a charge of opposite polarity (positive polarity) to that of the toner is applied to the primary transfer roller 32. As a result, the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 21 is electrostatically transferred to the intermediate transfer body 31.

[0031] The secondary transfer roller 34 is disposed opposite the support roller 33a across the intermediate transfer body 31. Specifically, the secondary transfer roller 34 is disposed so as to apply pressure to the support roller 33a across the intermediate transfer body 31. As a result, the secondary transfer roller 34 and the support roller 33a form a secondary transfer section 38 that nips the intermediate transfer body 31 and the sheet.

[0032] When the sheet passes through the secondary transfer unit 38, the toner image formed on the intermediate transfer body 31 is transferred onto the sheet. When the sheet passes through the secondary transfer unit 38, a secondary transfer bias is applied to the support roller 33a. Specifically, a charge of the same polarity (negative polarity) as that of the toner is applied to the support roller 33a. As a result, the toner image on the intermediate transfer body 31 is electrostatically transferred to the sheet.

[0033] The secondary transfer roller 34 and the support roller 33a are configured to be able to be separated from each other, so that when a sheet becomes jammed in the secondary transfer unit 38, the user can remove the jammed sheet.

[0034] The belt cleaning device 35 has a cleaning blade that comes into contact with the surface of the intermediate transfer body 31. The cleaning blade removes residual toner remaining on the surface of the intermediate transfer body 31 after the secondary transfer. The removed residual toner is collected in a storage unit that the belt cleaning device 35 has.

[0035] The fixing unit 40 applies heat and pressure to the sheet onto which the toner image has been transferred. The fixing unit is, for example, a roller type fixing unit that includes a heating roller that heats the sheet and a pressure roller that presses against the heating roller. In this way, the fixing unit 40 fixes the toner image to the sheet. Note that the fixing unit 40 can also use a method in which the toner image is fixed to the sheet by heating via a film-like member.

[0036] Next, a description will be given of the sheet conveying section 50. The sheet conveying section 50 has a paper feed section 51, a registration section 52, a first guide section 53, a second guide section 54, and a paper discharge section 55.

[0037] The paper feed unit 51 conveys the sheets stored in the sheet storage unit 140 one by one to the registration unit 52. The registration unit 52 stops the sheet conveyed from the paper feed unit 51 and sends it out toward the secondary transfer unit 38 at a predetermined timing. The predetermined timing is the timing at which the toner image formed on the intermediate transfer body 31 is secondarily transferred in the secondary transfer unit 38. The first guide unit 53 regulates the conveyance direction of the sheet sent out from the registration unit 52 to the secondary transfer unit 38.

[0038] The secondary transfer unit 38 transfers the toner image onto the sheet whose transport direction is regulated by the first guide unit 53. Furthermore, the secondary transfer unit 38 sends the sheet onto which the toner image has been transferred toward the fixing unit 40.

[0039] The second guide unit 54 regulates the conveying direction of the sheet sent from the secondary transfer unit 38 to the fixing unit 40. The fixing unit 40 applies heat and pressure to the sheet whose conveying direction has been regulated by the second guide unit 54, and sends the sheet to the paper discharge unit 55. The paper discharge unit 55 sends the sheet to a discharge tray.

[0040] Next, the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIG. Fig. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 100. As shown in Fig. 3, in addition to the above-mentioned configuration, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 201, a memory 202, a communication unit 203, and a speaker 204. These can communicate with each other via a bus.

[0041] The CPU 201 is a central processing unit that reads and executes various programs stored in the memory 202 to control the operation of the image forming apparatus 100. The various programs include an abnormality determination program according to this embodiment. Memory includes ROM, RAM, and hard disks. ROM is read-only memory and stores various types of information used by the CPU, including programs. RAM is readable and writable memory and stores various types of information. For example, RAM stores information obtained from the outside and information generated during various processes. Hard disks store various types of information. The communication unit 203 is an interface for transmitting and receiving information to and from other devices. The speaker 204 outputs sound.

[0042] Next, the functional configuration of the control unit 300 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the control unit 300. The control unit 300 includes a first determination unit 301, an acquisition unit 302, a second determination unit 303, an output unit 304, a drive control unit 305, and a notification unit 306. Each unit is implemented by the CPU 201. That is, the CPU 201 executes a predetermined program stored in memory to realize the function of each unit. Note that the processing according to this embodiment is not limited to being performed by the CPU 201 executing a program. For example, the processing according to this embodiment can be performed using hardware (including circuitry) such as an LSI (Large Scale Integration), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit). Alternatively, the processing according to this embodiment can be performed by a combination of software and hardware.

[0043] In the following, the fixing unit 40 will be described as an example of an object controlled by the control unit 300. In FIG. 4, the fixing unit 40 includes a heating roller 40a and a pressure roller 40b. A nip region is formed between the heating roller 40a and the pressure roller 40b. As the sheet St passes through the nip region, the toner on the sheet St is melted and fixed to the sheet. The heating roller 40a and the pressure roller 40b are rotated by the driving force of a fixing motor 310. The fixing motor 310 is an example of a drive unit.

[0044] The fixing motor 310 only needs to drive one of the heating roller 40a and the pressure roller 40b. The other roller, which is not driven, rotates in response to the driving rotation of the other roller. When printing, the driving force of the fixing motor 310 rotates the heating roller 40a and the pressure roller 40b, which increases the load on the fixing motor 310.

[0045] First discrimination unit 301 discriminates whether or not there is a rotation abnormality related to the rotation of fixing motor 310. Specifically, first discrimination unit 301 acquires a signal indicating the rotation value of fixing motor 310 from rotation detection unit 311. Rotation detection unit 311 is, for example, a sensor that detects the operation of an actuator that rotates in conjunction with the rotation of heating roller 40a and pressure roller 40b. Based on the signal, first discrimination unit 301 determines that fixing motor 310 is normal if heating roller 40a and pressure roller 40b are rotating, and determines that there is an abnormality (abnormal rotation) in fixing motor 310 if they are not rotating.

[0046] After the first determination unit 301 determines whether or not there is a rotation abnormality, the acquisition unit 302 acquires the current value indicated by the current signal of the fixing motor 310. The acquisition unit 302 acquires the current value via a signal line 320. The current signal is, for example, an analog signal. The current value is, for example, the current value when the first determination unit 301 determines whether or not there is a rotation abnormality. The current value indicates the load on the fixing motor 310 and is used for monitoring to predict a malfunction. For example, if the load increases due to deterioration of the sheet conveying belt or decreases due to breakage of the belt, the current value fluctuates accordingly. Note that malfunctions are predicted using various information other than the current value of the fixing motor 310, such as PM counts (such as roller drive time and number of printed sheets) and the occurrence of paper jams.

[0047] The second discrimination unit 303 discriminates whether or not there is a signal abnormality related to the signal line 320 of the current signal, based on the current value acquired by the acquisition unit 302. Specifically, the signal abnormality is a break in the signal line 320 of the harness, or a break or short circuit in the signal line 320 on the circuit board. The second discrimination unit 303 determines that there is no signal abnormality when the current value is appropriate (within a first predetermined range). On the other hand, the second discrimination unit 303 determines that there is a signal abnormality when the current value is not appropriate.

[0048] Whether the signal abnormality is a short circuit or a disconnection can be determined based on whether the current value exceeds an upper limit or falls below a lower limit. For example, the second determination unit 303 determines that a short circuit has occurred when the current value exceeds an upper limit, and determines that a disconnection has occurred when the current value falls below a lower limit.

[0049] The output unit 304 outputs the determination result of the second determination unit 303. The output unit 304 causes the display 110 to display the determination result of the second determination unit 303 in accordance with the determination result of the second determination unit 303. For example, when the second determination unit 303 determines that there is no signal abnormality, the output unit 304 does not cause the display 110 to display the determination result. On the other hand, when the second determination unit 303 determines that there is a signal abnormality, the output unit 304 causes the display 110 to display the determination result.

[0050] Furthermore, depending on the determination result of second determination unit 303, output unit 304 causes the determination result of second determination unit 303 to be transmitted to the terminal device of the support staff via communication unit 203. The support staff is a staff member who visits the installation location of image forming apparatus 100 to perform maintenance, etc. For example, if second determination unit 303 determines that there is no signal abnormality, output unit 304 does not cause the determination result to be transmitted. On the other hand, if second determination unit 303 determines that there is a signal abnormality, output unit 304 causes the determination result to be transmitted.

[0051] Second discrimination unit 303 discriminates whether or not there is a signal abnormality when first discrimination unit 301 discriminates that there is no rotation abnormality. However, second discrimination unit 303 may discriminate whether or not there is a signal abnormality even when first discrimination unit 301 discriminates that there is a rotation abnormality. When second discrimination unit 303 discriminates that there is no signal abnormality despite the fact that there is a rotation abnormality, image forming apparatus 100 can infer that there is a possibility that an abnormality has occurred in rotation detection unit 311.

[0052] When second determination unit 303 determines that there is a signal abnormality, drive control unit 305 enables the operation of fixing motor 310 to be stopped. Stopping the operation of fixing motor 310 means stopping the operation of image forming apparatus 100. However, even when second determination unit 303 determines that there is a signal abnormality, this does not mean that image forming apparatus 100 immediately becomes unusable. For this reason, drive control unit 305 may not stop the operation of fixing motor 310 (the operation of image forming apparatus 100) even when second determination unit 303 determines that there is a signal abnormality.

[0053] Furthermore, a threshold value (second predetermined range) for stopping the operation of the fixing motor 310 may be set. The second predetermined range is a wider range than the first predetermined range. That is, even if it is determined that there is a signal abnormality, the drive control unit 305 may be configured not to stop the operation of the fixing motor 310 if the current value is within the second predetermined range, and may be configured to stop the operation of the fixing motor 310 if the current value is no longer within the second predetermined range.

[0054] In this embodiment, when second determination unit 303 determines that there is a signal abnormality, drive control unit 305 stops the operation of fixing motor 310 in accordance with a user's selection. Note that when first determination unit 301 determines that there is a rotation abnormality, image forming apparatus 100 becomes unusable, so drive control unit 305 immediately stops the operation of fixing motor 310 (operation of image forming apparatus 100).

[0055] The notification unit 306 issues different notifications depending on whether the first discrimination unit 301 determines that there is a rotation abnormality or whether the second discrimination unit 303 determines that there is a signal abnormality. When the first discrimination unit 301 determines that there is a rotation abnormality, the notification unit 306 issues a notification that there is a rotation abnormality. Furthermore, when the second discrimination unit 303 determines that there is a signal abnormality, the notification unit 306 issues a notification that there is a signal abnormality. The notification is made in the form of a display on the display 110, but instead of or in addition to this, the notification may be made in the form of an audio message from the speaker 204.

[0056] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the power supply is turned on, the first discriminator 301 discriminates whether or not there is a rotation abnormality, and the second discriminator 303 discriminates whether or not there is a signal abnormality. The time when the power supply is turned on refers to the time during warm-up immediately after the power supply is turned on. This allows the conditions for discriminating abnormalities to be consistent each time, thereby improving the accuracy of discrimination. However, these discriminations are not limited to being made when the power supply is turned on, and may also be made during warm-up after returning from sleep mode. The warm-up is performed for approximately 10 to 20 seconds.

[0057] Next, an abnormality determination process for the fixing unit 40 performed by the image forming apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an abnormality determination process related to the fixing unit 40 performed by the image forming apparatus 100. As shown in Fig. 5, the image forming apparatus 100 (control unit 300) waits until it is started up, for example, by pressing the power switch (ACT501: NO), and when it is started up (ACT501: YES), it starts warming up (step S502).

[0058] Next, the image forming apparatus 100 clears from the memory 202 the normal current signal information stored in the memory 202 when determining the current value of the fixing motor 310 during the previous warm-up (ACT 503). Then, the image forming apparatus 100 determines whether or not a rotation abnormality of the fixing motor 310 has been detected (ACT 504). If a rotation abnormality of the fixing motor 310 has been detected (ACT 504: YES), the image forming apparatus 100 notifies the rotation abnormality of the fixing motor 310 (ACT 505) and proceeds to ACT 511.

[0059] If no rotation abnormality of the fixing motor 310 is detected (ACT 504: NO), the image forming apparatus 100 determines whether the current value of the fixing motor 310 is appropriate (within a predetermined range) (ACT 506). If the current value of the fixing motor 310 is not appropriate (ACT 506: NO), the image forming apparatus 100 proceeds to ACT 508. If the current value of the fixing motor 310 is appropriate (ACT 506: YES), the image forming apparatus 100 stores current signal normal information in the memory 202 (ACT 507). Next, the image forming apparatus 100 determines whether warm-up is complete (ACT 508).

[0060] If the warm-up is not to be ended (ACT508: NO), the image forming apparatus 100 returns to ACT504 and repeats the processes of ACT504 to ACT507. Therefore, if the current value of the fixing motor 310 is an appropriate value even once, normal current information will be stored in the memory 202. In other words, if the current value of the fixing motor 310 is not always an appropriate value, normal current information will not be stored in the memory 202. However, this is not limiting, and normal current information may be stored in the memory 202 if the current value of the fixing motor 310 is an appropriate value a predetermined number of times or more.

[0061] When the warm-up is completed (ACT508: YES), the image forming apparatus 100 determines whether or not normal current information is stored in the memory 202 (ACT509). When normal current information is not stored in the memory 202 (ACT509: NO), the image forming apparatus 100 notifies the abnormality of the signal line 320 (step S510). Then, the image forming apparatus 100 stops operation (ACT511) and ends the series of processes. When the image forming apparatus 100 notifies the abnormality in ACT505 or ACT510, it transmits the respective contents to the terminal device of the support staff. This makes it possible to prompt the support staff to perform maintenance regarding these abnormalities.

[0062] In ACT509, if the normal current information is stored in the memory 202 (ACT509: YES), the image forming apparatus 100 starts ready control (ACT512) to prepare for printing, and then ends the series of processes.

[0063] Next, an example of a notification of an abnormality related to the fixing unit 40 displayed on the display 110 will be described with reference to FIGS. Fig. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a notification of a rotation abnormality related to the fixing unit 40 displayed on the display 110. In Fig. 6, a rotation abnormality notification screen 601 is a screen that is displayed when a rotation abnormality is detected in the fixing motor 310. The rotation abnormality notification screen 601 includes a message that the fixing motor 310 is abnormal and a message that the operation of the image forming apparatus 100 should be stopped.

[0064] FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a notification of a signal abnormality related to the fixing unit 40, displayed on the display 110. In FIG. 7, the signal line abnormality notification screen 602 includes a message indicating that an abnormality has been detected in the signal line 320 of the fixing motor 310, and a confirmation button for indicating whether or not to stop operation of the image forming apparatus 100. The confirmation buttons include a "Yes" button for accepting the request to stop operation and a "No" button for accepting the request to continue operation. If the user presses the "Yes" button, operation of the image forming apparatus 100 stops. On the other hand, if the user presses the "No" button, operation of the image forming apparatus 100 continues. However, even if operation of the image forming apparatus 100 continues, the image forming apparatus 100 may be configured to issue a notification indicating that maintenance is required at predetermined intervals.

[0065] As described above, the image forming apparatus 100 according to this embodiment determines whether or not there is a rotation abnormality in the fixing motor 310, and then determines whether or not there is a signal abnormality related to the signal line 320 based on the current value indicated by the current signal of the fixing motor 310, and outputs the determination result. This makes it possible to accurately and easily determine whether or not there is an abnormality (short circuit or disconnection) in the signal line 320 of the current signal of the fixing motor 310, while suppressing erroneous determination due to inrush current. This makes it possible to efficiently prevent abnormalities and failures around the fixing motor 310 from being unable to be predicted.

[0066] Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 100 according to this embodiment is configured to determine whether there is a signal abnormality when it is determined that there is no rotation abnormality in the fixing motor 310. This allows the presence or absence of an abnormality in the signal line 320 to be determined under the same condition that there is no rotation abnormality, thereby enabling the determination to be made more accurately.

[0067] Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 100 according to this embodiment is configured to be able to stop the operation of the fixing motor 310 if it is determined that there is a signal abnormality. This allows the use of the image forming apparatus 100 to be stopped if it is determined that there is an abnormality in the signal line 320. This makes it possible to prevent abnormalities or failures around the fixing motor 310 from being impossible to predict.

[0068] Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment issues different notifications depending on whether it determines that there is an abnormality in the rotation of the fixing motor 310 or whether it determines that there is an abnormality in the signal line 320. This allows the user to understand the nature of the abnormality that has occurred. Furthermore, if the image forming apparatus 100 is in the manufacturing stage, by understanding the nature of the abnormality, the manufacturing staff can quickly fix the abnormality.

[0069] Furthermore, when the image forming apparatus 100 according to this embodiment is powered on, it determines whether there is a rotation abnormality in the fixing motor 310 and whether there is a signal abnormality related to the signal line 320. This allows the conditions for determining an abnormality to be the same each time, making it possible to more accurately determine whether there is an abnormality in the fixing motor 310 and whether there is a signal abnormality.

[0070] Furthermore, the drive unit to be controlled by the image forming apparatus 100 according to this embodiment is the fixing motor 310 used in the fixing unit 40. This makes it possible to efficiently prevent abnormalities and failures around the fixing unit 40 from becoming impossible to predict.

[0071] In the present embodiment, the fixing unit 40 has been described as an example of an object controlled by the control unit 300. However, the object controlled by the control unit 300 is not limited to the fixing unit 40. For example, any part that can acquire a current value indicated by a current signal from the drive unit after determining whether or not there is a rotation abnormality in the drive motor and that is rotated by the drive unit can be the object controlled by the control unit 300. More specifically, for example, if the sheet conveying unit 50 is the object to be controlled, the control unit 300 can acquire a drive roller rotated by the drive motor and determine whether or not there is a rotation abnormality in the drive motor, and then acquire a current value indicated by a current signal from the drive motor to determine whether or not there is a signal abnormality. This effectively prevents the possibility of being unable to predict abnormalities or failures around the drive motor.

[0072] The functions of image forming apparatus 100 in the above-described embodiment may be implemented by a computer. In this case, a program for implementing the functions may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program may be loaded into a computer system and executed. Note that the term "computer system" herein includes hardware such as an operating system and peripheral devices. Furthermore, the term "computer-readable recording medium" refers to portable media such as flexible disks, optical magnetic disks, ROMs, and CD-ROMs, as well as storage devices such as hard disks built into a computer system. Furthermore, the term "computer-readable recording medium" may also include media that dynamically store programs for a short period of time, such as communication lines used when transmitting programs via networks such as the Internet or telephone lines, or media that store programs for a fixed period of time, such as volatile memory within a computer system that serves as a server or client. The program may also be a program that implements part of the above-described functions, or may be a program that can be implemented in combination with a program already stored in the computer system.

[0073] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as within the scope of the invention described in the claims and their equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0074] 40...fixing unit, 40a...heating roller, 40b...pressure roller, 100...image forming apparatus, 110...display, 201...CPU, 202...memory, 300...control unit, 301...first determination unit, 302...acquisition unit, 303...second determination unit, 304...output unit, 305...drive control unit, 306...notification unit, 310...fixing motor, 311...rotation detection unit, 320...signal line

Claims

1. A drive unit; a first determination unit that determines whether or not there is a rotation abnormality related to the rotation of the drive unit; a second determination unit that determines whether or not a signal abnormality exists in a signal line of the current signal based on a current value indicated by the current signal of the drive unit after the first determination unit has determined whether or not there is a rotation abnormality; an output unit that outputs the determination result of the second determination unit; a drive control unit that stops operation of the drive unit when the first determination unit determines that there is a rotation abnormality, and that continues operation of the drive unit when the second determination unit determines that there is a signal abnormality; An image forming apparatus comprising:

2. the second determination unit determines whether or not the signal abnormality exists when the first determination unit determines that the rotation abnormality does not exist; The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 .

3. When the second determination unit determines that there is a signal abnormality, the drive control unit stops the operation of the drive unit that has been continuing to operate in response to a user operation.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

4. a notification unit that issues different notifications when the first determination unit determines that the rotation abnormality exists and when the second determination unit determines that the signal abnormality exists, The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The determination of the rotation abnormality by the first determination unit and the determination of the signal abnormality by the second determination unit are performed when the power supply is turned on. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The drive unit is used in a fixing unit that fixes an image on a sheet. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. A computer used in an image forming apparatus having a drive unit, a first determination unit that determines whether or not there is a rotation abnormality related to the rotation of the drive unit; a second determination unit that determines whether or not a signal abnormality exists in a signal line of the current signal based on a current value indicated by the current signal of the drive unit after the first determination unit has determined whether or not there is a rotation abnormality; an output unit that outputs the discrimination result of the second discrimination unit; a drive control unit that stops the operation of the drive unit when the first determination unit determines that the rotation abnormality exists, and continues the operation of the drive unit when the second determination unit determines that the signal abnormality exists; A program that functions as a

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