Image forming device

Abstract

To make a communication failure between a developer storage container (information recording medium) and the body of an image forming apparatus less likely to occur.SOLUTION: A toner container 32Y (developer storage container) installed with an ID chip 80 (information recording medium) is removably installed in the body of an image forming apparatus 100. A contact terminal 112 in communicable contact with the ID chip 80 of the toner container 32Y mounted in the body of the image forming apparatus 100 is installed in the body of the image forming apparatus 100. A control unit 90 (detection means) detecting a communication failure between the ID chip 80 and the body of the image forming apparatus 100 is installed in the body of the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus executes an excitation mode (control mode) for applying vibration to the ID chip 80 when the communication failure is detected by the control unit 90 (detection means).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile machine, or a combination machine thereof. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, image forming apparatuses such as copying machines have been widely known in which a developer container such as a toner bottle is installed in a detachable (replaceable) manner (see, for example, Patent Document 1). More specifically, in Patent Document 1 and the like, an information recording medium such as an ID chip that stores information about the developer container is installed in such a developer container. When the developer container is attached to the image forming apparatus main body, the information recording medium of the developer container and a contact terminal of the image forming apparatus main body come into communicable contact, enabling information to be exchanged between the developer container (information recording medium) and the image forming apparatus main body. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] With conventional technology, when a developer container is attached to the image forming device main body, poor contact can occur between the information recording medium installed in the developer container and the contact terminals of the image forming device main body, which can prevent normal information exchange between the developer container (information recording medium) and the image forming device main body (leading to poor communication).

[0004] This invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide an image forming device in which communication failures are less likely to occur between a developer storage container (information recording medium) and the image forming device main body. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a developer container in which an information recording medium is installed and which is detachably installed in an image forming apparatus main body, a contact terminal which is installed in the image forming apparatus main body and which is in communicative contact with the information recording medium of the developer container when the developer container is installed in the image forming apparatus main body, and a detection means which detects a communication failure between the information recording medium and the image forming apparatus main body, the developer storage container includes a container body having a spiral protrusion formed on an inner peripheral surface and a protruding portion formed on a part of an outer peripheral surface, the container body being rotatable about a rotation axis to discharge the developer from a discharge port, When a communication failure is detected by the detection means, The container body is rotated A control mode is executed in which vibration is applied to the information recording medium. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus in which communication failures between a developer storage container (information recording medium) and the image forming apparatus main body are unlikely to occur. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state in which a toner container is installed in a toner supply device. [Figure 4] 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which a toner container is installed in a toner-container storage unit. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a toner container and a main part of a toner supply device. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a front view showing a cap portion of the toner container. [Figure 7] 1A is a side view showing a main body terminal unit of an image forming apparatus main body, and FIG. 1B is a plan view showing an ID chip of a toner container. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of control when a vibration mode is executed. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart showing control when a vibration mode is executed according to a first modification. [Figure 10]10 is a flowchart showing control when a vibration mode is executed according to a second modification. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a toner container is installed in a toner supply device according to a third modification. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be appropriately simplified or omitted.

[0009] First, the overall configuration and operation of image forming apparatus 100 will be described. As shown in Figure 1 (and Figure 3), toner container storage section 70 located above image forming apparatus main body 100 has four developer storage containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K corresponding to each color (yellow, magenta, cyan, and black) installed in a removable (replaceable) manner. An intermediate transfer unit 15 is disposed below the toner container storage section 70. Opposite the intermediate transfer belt 8 of the intermediate transfer unit 15, image forming sections 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K corresponding to the respective colors (yellow, magenta, cyan, and black) are arranged side by side. Toner supply devices 60Y, 60M, 60C, and 60K are installed below toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K (developer storage containers), respectively. The toner stored in toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K (storage containers) is supplied to the developing devices of image forming units 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K by toner supply devices 60Y, 60M, 60C, and 60K, respectively.

[0010] 2, the image forming unit 6Y corresponding to yellow is made up of a photosensitive drum 1Y (image carrier), a charging device 4Y, a developing device 5Y, a cleaning device 2Y, a static eliminator (not shown), etc., which are installed around the photosensitive drum 1Y. Then, an image forming process (charging process, exposure process, developing process, transfer process, cleaning process, static eliminator process) is performed on the photosensitive drum 1Y, and a yellow image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1Y.

[0011] The other three image forming units 6M, 6C, and 6K are configured in a manner similar to that of the image forming unit 6Y corresponding to yellow, except that they use different toner colors, and form images corresponding to their respective toner colors. Below, we will omit the explanation of the other three image forming units 6M, 6C, and 6K as appropriate, and will only explain the image forming unit 6Y corresponding to yellow.

[0012] 2, the photosensitive drum 1Y is rotated by a motor in the clockwise direction in Fig. 2. Then, at the position of the charging device 4Y, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1Y is uniformly charged (charging step). Thereafter, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1Y reaches a position irradiated with laser light L emitted from the exposure device 7 (see FIG. 1), and an electrostatic latent image corresponding to yellow is formed by exposure scanning at this position (exposure process).

[0013] Thereafter, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1Y reaches a position facing the developing device 5Y, where the electrostatic latent image is developed to form a yellow toner image (developing step). Thereafter, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1Y reaches a position facing the intermediate transfer belt 8 and the primary transfer roller 9Y, where the toner image on the photosensitive drum 1Y is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 8 (the primary transfer step). At this time, a small amount of untransferred toner remains on the photosensitive drum 1Y.

[0014] Thereafter, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1Y reaches a position facing the cleaning device 2Y, where the untransferred toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 1Y is mechanically collected by the cleaning blade 2a (cleaning step). Finally, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1Y reaches a position facing a charge eliminating device (not shown), where the residual potential on the photosensitive drum 1Y is eliminated. Thus, a series of image forming processes performed on the photosensitive drum 1Y is completed.

[0015] The above-described image forming process is also performed in the other image forming units 6M, 6C, and 6K in the same manner as in the yellow image forming unit 6Y. That is, laser light L based on image information is irradiated from an exposure device 7 disposed below the image forming units onto the photosensitive drums of the image forming units 6M, 6C, and 6K. Thereafter, the toner images of each color formed on each photosensitive drum through the development process are transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 8 in a superimposed manner, thereby forming a color image on the intermediate transfer belt 8.

[0016] 1, the intermediate transfer unit 15 is composed of an intermediate transfer belt 8, four primary transfer rollers 9Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K, a secondary transfer opposing roller 12, a plurality of tension rollers, an intermediate transfer cleaning device, etc. The intermediate transfer belt 8 is stretched and supported by a plurality of roller members, and is moved endlessly in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 1 by the rotational drive of one roller member 12.

[0017] The four primary transfer rollers 9Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K sandwich the intermediate transfer belt 8 between themselves and the photosensitive drums 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K, respectively, to form primary transfer nips. A transfer bias opposite to the polarity of the toner is applied to the primary transfer rollers 9Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K. The intermediate transfer belt 8 then travels in the direction of the arrow and passes sequentially through the primary transfer nips of the four primary transfer rollers 9Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K. In this way, the toner images of each color on the photosensitive drums 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K are primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 8 in a superimposed manner.

[0018] Thereafter, the intermediate transfer belt 8, onto which the toner images of each color have been transferred and superimposed, reaches a position facing a secondary transfer roller 19. At this position, a secondary transfer nip is formed between the secondary transfer opposing roller 12 and the secondary transfer roller 19, sandwiching the intermediate transfer belt 8. The four-color toner images formed on the intermediate transfer belt 8 are then transferred onto a sheet P, such as paper, that has been transported to the position of this secondary transfer nip. At this time, untransferred toner that has not been transferred to the sheet P remains on the intermediate transfer belt 8. Thereafter, the intermediate transfer belt 8 reaches the position of the intermediate transfer cleaning device, where untransferred toner on the intermediate transfer belt 8 is collected. Thus, the series of transfer processes performed on the intermediate transfer belt 8 is completed.

[0019] Here, the sheet P transported to the position of the secondary transfer nip is transported from a paper feed device 26 arranged below the device main body 100 via a paper feed roller 27, a pair of registration rollers 28, etc. More specifically, a plurality of sheets P such as paper are stacked and stored in the paper feed device 26. When the paper feed roller 27 is rotated counterclockwise in FIG. 1, the topmost sheet P is fed toward between the pair of registration rollers 28.

[0020] The sheet P conveyed to the registration roller pair 28 stops temporarily at the roller nip position of the registration roller pair 28, which has stopped rotating. Then, the registration roller pair 28 is rotated in synchronization with the color image on the intermediate transfer belt 8, and the sheet P is conveyed toward the secondary transfer nip. In this way, the desired color image is transferred onto the sheet P.

[0021] Thereafter, the sheet P onto which the color image has been transferred at the secondary transfer nip position is transported to the position of the fixing device 20. Then, at this position, the color image transferred onto the surface is fixed onto the sheet P by heat and pressure from the fixing roller and pressure roller. Thereafter, the sheet P is discharged to the outside of the apparatus through the rollers of the discharge roller pair 29. The sheets P discharged to the outside of the apparatus by the discharge roller pair 29 are sequentially stacked on a stack unit 30 as output images. In this way, a series of image forming processes (printing operations) in the image forming apparatus is completed.

[0022] Next, the configuration and operation of the developing device in the image forming unit will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. The developing device 5Y is composed of a developing roller 51Y facing the photosensitive drum 1Y, a doctor blade 52Y facing the developing roller 51Y, two transport screws 55Y arranged in developer containers 53Y and 54Y, and a concentration detection sensor 56Y that detects the toner concentration in the developer. The developing roller 51Y is composed of a magnet fixed inside and a sleeve that rotates around the magnet. A two-component developer G consisting of carrier and toner is stored inside the developer containers 53Y and 54Y. The developer container 54Y communicates with a toner transport pipe 64Y (toner transport path) through an opening formed above it.

[0023] The developing device 5Y configured in this manner operates as follows. The sleeve of the developing roller 51Y rotates in the direction of the arrow in Figure 2. The developer G carried on the developing roller 51Y by the magnetic field generated by the magnet moves on the developing roller 51Y as the sleeve rotates.

[0024] Here, the developer G in the developing device 5Y is adjusted so that the ratio of toner in the developer (toner concentration) falls within a predetermined range. Specifically, in accordance with the toner consumption in the developing device 5Y, toner as the developer contained in a toner container 32Y (developer containing container) is replenished into the developer containing section 54Y via a toner replenishing device 60Y (see FIGS. 3, 5, etc.). The configuration and operation of toner supply device 60Y will be described in detail later.

[0025] Thereafter, the toner supplied to the developer storage section 54Y is circulated between the two developer storage sections 53Y and 54Y (moving in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper in FIG. 2) while being mixed and stirred together with the developer G by the two transport screws 55Y. The toner in the developer G is then attracted to the carrier due to frictional charging with the carrier, and is carried on the developing roller 51Y together with the carrier by the magnetic force generated on the developing roller 51Y.

[0026] The developer G carried on the developing roller 51Y is transported in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 2 and reaches the position of the doctor blade 52Y. The developer G on the developing roller 51Y is then adjusted to an appropriate amount at this position, and then transported to a position facing the photosensitive drum 1Y (the developing area). The toner is then attracted to the latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 1Y by an electric field formed in the developing area. Thereafter, the developer G remaining on the developing roller 51Y reaches above the developer container 53Y as the sleeve rotates, and is released from the developing roller 51Y at this position.

[0027] Next, the toner supply devices 60Y, 60M, 60C, and 60K will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. Referring to Figure 3 etc., the toner as developer contained in each toner container 32Y, 32M, 32C, 32K installed in the toner container storage section 70 of the device main body 100 is appropriately replenished into each developing device by toner replenishing devices 60Y, 60M, 60C, 60K provided for each toner color according to the toner consumption in the developing device of each color. The four toner supply devices 60Y, 60M, 60C, and 60K and toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K have almost the same structure except for the color of toner used in the image creation process. Therefore, only the toner supply device 60Y and toner container 32Y corresponding to yellow will be described, and descriptions of the toner supply devices 60M, 60C, and 60K and toner containers 32M, 32C, and 32K corresponding to the other three colors will be omitted as appropriate.

[0028] 4, when toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K are attached to toner container holder 70 of apparatus main body 100 (movement along arrow Q), shutter members 34d (see FIG. 3) of toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K move in conjunction with the attachment operation to open toner outlets W, and toner refill ports 72w (see FIG. 3) of toner container holder 70 (toner replenishing devices 60Y, 60M, 60C, and 60K) communicate with toner outlets W. As a result, toner contained in toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K is discharged from toner outlets W and flows from toner replenishing ports 72w of toner container holder 70 (toner replenishing devices 60Y, 60M, 60C, and 60K) to be stored in storage unit 61Y. 3, 6, 7, etc., when the toner container 32Y is attached to the image forming apparatus main body 100, an ID chip 80 serving as an information recording medium attached to the cap portion 34Y of the toner container 32Y is connected to a main body terminal unit 110 (see FIG. 7(A)) of the image forming apparatus main body 100 in response to the attachment operation. This enables information exchange between the ID chip 80 and a control unit 90 of the image forming apparatus main body 100. Based on the information acquired from the ID chip 80, the control unit 90 displays the amount of toner remaining in the toner container 32Y (remaining toner amount) on an operation display panel (attached to the exterior of the image forming apparatus main body 100), determines the timing for toner replenishment from the toner container 32Y to the developing device 5Y, and performs a recovery operation from a toner end state. Furthermore, when the toner container 32Y is removed (taken out) from the image forming apparatus main body 100, the connection between the ID chip 80 and the main body terminal unit 110 is released in conjunction with the removal operation.

[0029] 3 to 5, the toner container 32Y as a developer storage container is a substantially cylindrical toner bottle, and is mainly composed of a cap portion 34Y that is held non-rotatably in the toner container storage portion 70, and a container main body 33Y (bottle main body) integrally formed with a gear 33c. The container body 33Y is held rotatably relative to the cap portion 34Y and is driven to rotate in the directions of the arrows in FIGS. 3 and 5 by a drive mechanism (comprised of a drive motor 91, gears 92, 93, etc.). When the container body 33Y itself rotates around the rotation axis X, the toner contained inside the toner container 32Y (container body 33Y) is transported in the rotation axis direction (longitudinal direction) (from left to right in FIG. 3) by a spiral protrusion 33b (see FIG. 5, etc.) formed on the inner circumferential surface (inner wall surface) of the container body 33Y. The toner is then discharged from the opening 33a serving as a discharge port of the container body 33Y into the cap portion 34Y, and further discharged to the outside of the container from the toner discharge port W of the cap portion 34Y. That is, when the container body 33Y of the toner container 32Y is driven to rotate by the drive motor 91, the toner is supplied to the storage portion 61Y. Each of the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K is replaced with a new one when it reaches the end of its life (when the toner contained therein is almost all consumed and it becomes empty).

[0030] As shown in FIG. 6 and other figures, an ID chip 80 serving as an information recording medium is fitted (installed) in an installation portion 34c formed on the end surface of the cap portion 34Y. This ID chip 80 (information recording medium) is used to exchange various information with the control unit 90 of the image forming apparatus main body 100. Specifically, the ID chip 80 pre-stores information such as the manufacturing date, manufacturing lot number, color, and type of toner contained in the toner container 32Y, as well as information such as the manufacturing date, destination, manufacturing plant, and whether or not the toner container 32Y itself is recycled. This information is then sent to the control unit 90 (apparatus main body). Furthermore, information such as the usage history of the image forming apparatus 100 is also sent from the control unit 90 (apparatus main body) to the ID chip 80 (information recording medium), where it is stored as appropriate.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 6, the end face of the cap portion 34Y is formed with positioning holes 34a and 34b for determining the position of the cap portion 34Y in the toner container storage portion 70 (image forming apparatus main body 100). When the toner container 32Y is attached to the image forming apparatus main body 100, the positioning holes 34a and 34b formed in the cap portion 34Y of the toner container 32Y fit into the positioning pins 120 and 121 (see FIG. 7A) of the image forming apparatus main body 100 in conjunction with the attachment operation. This determines the position of the cap portion 34Y in the toner container storage portion 70 (image forming apparatus main body 100). Then, in the cap portion 34Y positioned in this manner, the ID chip 80 is communicably connected to the main body terminal unit 110 (see FIG. 7) of the image forming apparatus main body 100.

[0032] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7B, the ID chip 80 serving as the information recording medium of the toner container 32Y has four chip-side terminals 80b arranged in a vertical direction. Also, notches 80a are formed at the top and bottom ends of the ID chip 80. In this embodiment, the four chip-side terminals 80b are a clock signal terminal, a ground terminal, a serial data terminal, and a power supply terminal. The ID chip 80 is formed in a generally flat plate shape. 7A, the main terminal unit 110 of the image forming apparatus main body 100 is provided with four contact terminals 112 arranged side by side, which are in conductive contact with the four chip-side terminals 80b of the ID chip 80, respectively. The main terminal unit 110 is also provided with pin portions 111 that fit into the notches 80a of the ID chip 80. In this embodiment, the contact terminals 112 are elastic plate-like members that are bent at the portions that come into contact with the substantially flat chip-side terminals 80b.

[0033] 3 and 5, toner supply devices 60Y, 60M, 60C, and 60K are composed of a toner container holder 70, a storage section 61Y, a conveying coil 62Y, a toner detection sensor 66Y, a drive motor 91, gears 92 to 95, and the like. The storage unit 61Y is installed below the toner discharge outlet W of the toner container 32Y, and stores the toner discharged from the toner discharge outlet W of the toner container 32Y. The bottom of the storage unit 61Y is connected to the upstream part of the toner transport pipe 64Y. A toner detection sensor 66Y is provided on the wall surface of the storage unit 61Y (at a predetermined height from the bottom) as a toner detection unit that detects when the toner (developer) stored in the storage unit 61Y reaches a predetermined amount (the storage unit 61Y is nearly full). A piezoelectric sensor or the like can be used as the toner detection sensor 66Y. When the control unit 90 detects that the toner stored in the storage unit 61Y has not reached the predetermined amount (toner end detection), the control unit 90 controls the drive motor 91 to rotate the container body 33Y of the toner container 32Y for a predetermined time, thereby replenishing toner to the storage unit 61Y. If the toner detection by the toner detection sensor 66Y is not canceled even after repeated execution of this control, the toner container 32Y is deemed to be empty, and a message urging the user to replace the toner container 32Y is displayed on a display panel mounted on the exterior of the device main body 100.

[0034] 3 and 5, the transport coil 62Y is rotatably disposed within the toner transport pipe 64Y and transports the toner stored in the storage section 61Y toward the developing device 5Y via the toner transport pipe 64Y. Specifically, the transport coil 62Y is rotationally driven by the drive motor 91 to transport the toner from the bottom (lowest point) of the storage section 61Y toward the top of the developing device 5Y along the toner transport pipe 64Y. The toner transported by the transport coil 62Y is then replenished into the developing device 5Y (developer storage section 54Y). In this embodiment, the driving source of the conveying coil 62Y is the same as the driving source of the toner container 32Y (container body 33Y). That is, when the drive motor 91 is driven to rotate, the toner container 32Y rotates, and the conveying coil 62Y also rotates.

[0035] 4, the toner container storage unit 70 is mainly composed of a cap receiving portion 73 for non-rotatably holding the cap portion 34Y of the toner container 32Y, a bottle receiving portion 72 for rotatably holding the container body 33Y of the toner container 32Y, and a main body terminal unit 110 (see FIGS. 3 and 7(A)). The main body terminal unit 110 is provided with a plurality of contact terminals 112. 1, when a main body cover (not shown) installed above the front side of the apparatus main body 100 (the front side in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper in FIG. 1) is opened, the toner container storage unit 70 is exposed. Then, with the rotation axis direction (longitudinal direction) of each of the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K set horizontally, the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K are attached and detached from above the front side of the apparatus main body 100 (the attaching and detaching operation is performed with the longitudinal direction of the toner container as the attaching and detaching direction). Specifically, when installing toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K in the device main body 100, each toner container is placed on the toner container storage unit 70 from above the device main body 100 with the main body cover open, and then the cap 34Y is pushed in horizontally (movement along arrow Q in FIG. 4). On the other hand, when removing toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K from the device main body 100, the operation reverse to that for installation is performed.

[0036] The characteristic configuration and operation of image forming apparatus 100 according to this embodiment will be described in detail below. 5 to 7, an ID chip 80 serving as an information recording medium is provided in a toner container 32Y serving as a developer storage container that is detachably mounted on the image forming apparatus main body 100. The toner container 32Y is provided with a container main body 33Y (having a spiral protrusion 33b formed on its inner peripheral surface) that rotates about a rotation axis X to discharge toner as developer from an opening 33a serving as a discharge port, and a non-rotating cap portion 34Y that covers the head of the container main body 33Y where the opening 33a (discharge port) is formed. In addition, the image forming apparatus main body 100 is provided with a contact terminal 112 (main body terminal unit 110) that is in communicative contact with the ID chip 80 (information recording medium) of the toner container 32Y (developer storage container) when attached to the image forming apparatus main body 100.

[0037] Here, the image forming apparatus 100 in this embodiment is provided with a detection means for detecting communication failure between the ID chip 80 (information recording medium) and the image forming apparatus main body 100 (controller 90). Specifically, when the control unit 90 cannot confirm communication from the ID chip 80 via the contact terminal 112 (main terminal unit 110), it determines that a communication failure has occurred with the ID chip 80. In other words, the control unit 90 also functions as a detection means for detecting a communication failure.

[0038] In this embodiment, when the control unit 90 serving as a detection means detects a communication failure with the ID chip 80, a control mode is executed in which vibration is applied to the ID chip 80 (information recording medium). Note that this control mode will hereinafter be referred to as the "vibration mode" where appropriate. More specifically, in this embodiment, when the toner container 32Y (developer storage container) is attached to the image forming apparatus main body 100, such as when replacing the toner container 32Y, the control unit 90 (detection means) detects whether or not there is a communication failure. The reason for detecting whether or not there is a communication failure at this timing is that information is exchanged between the control unit 90 and the ID chip 80 when the toner container 32Y is attached. Furthermore, when a normal printing operation is started after the toner container 32Y is attached, the ID chip 80 is vibrated as the toner container 32Y (container main body 33Y) is rotated during toner replenishment, as will be described later, and this makes it less likely that a communication failure will occur due to poor contact with the contact terminal 112.

[0039] The "vibration mode" is a control mode for driving the toner container 32Y. Specifically, the "vibration mode" is a control mode for driving the container main body 33Y to rotate. Although the cap portion 34Y on which the ID chip 80 is mounted is held non-rotatably in the toner container holder 70 (see FIG. 4, etc.), it vibrates when the container body 33Y is rotated by the drive motor 91. The vibration of the cap portion 34Y also causes the ID chip 80 to vibrate. In other words, the drive motor 91 (see FIG. 3) that rotates the container body 33Y functions as a vibration means that applies vibration to the ID chip 80.

[0040] As a result of the ID chip 80 vibrating, communication failures due to poor contact with the contact terminals 112 are reduced. Specifically, when the toner container 32Y is attached to the image forming apparatus main body 100, the ID chip 80 of the toner container 32Y comes into contact with the contact terminal 112 of the image forming apparatus main body 100. However, if the user (operator) does not attach the toner container 32Y straight, a contact failure may occur in which the ID chip 80 does not make proper contact with the contact terminal 112. Furthermore, a contact failure between the ID chip 80 and the contact terminal 112 may also occur if a foreign object (including dirt or a coating) is caught in the contact area between the ID chip 80 and the contact terminal 112. Such a contact failure may result in a communication failure between the ID chip 80 and the control unit 90, which may result in various control operations not being performed based on the information stored in the ID chip 80. In contrast, in this embodiment, when the control unit 90 (detection means) detects a communication failure with the ID chip 80, the drive motor 91 is operated to rotate the container body 33Y for a predetermined time, in addition to the normal toner supply operation, thereby vibrating the ID chip 80. This causes a slight change in the contact state of the ID chip 80 with the contact terminals 112, resulting in a normal contact state, making it easier to resolve the communication failure. In other words, communication failure between the toner container 32Y (ID chip 80) and the image forming apparatus body 100 (control unit 90) is less likely to occur. In this embodiment, the rotation speed of the container body 33Y in the vibration mode is set to be the same as that in the normal toner supply operation, but it can also be set to be faster than that in the normal toner supply operation. In this case, the vibration applied to the ID chip 80 in the vibration mode becomes larger, which further enhances the effect of reducing the communication failure described above.

[0041] 3 to 5, a protrusion 33d (a protrusion protruding in a direction away from the rotation axis X) is formed on a part of the outer circumferential surface of the container body 33Y of the toner container 32Y in the present embodiment. By providing the protrusion 33d on the container body 33Y in this manner, when the container body 33Y is rotationally driven by the drive motor 91 in the vibration mode (control mode), the protrusion 33d moves up and down in conjunction with the movement of the protrusion 33d onto the bottle receiving portion 72 (see FIGS. 3 and 4), causing the container body 33Y to vibrate, thereby increasing the degree of vibration of the ID chip 80. This further facilitates the elimination of poor contact between the ID chip 80 and the contact terminal 112. In this embodiment, the two protrusions 33d are provided at a part of the longitudinal direction of the container body 33Y at equal intervals in the rotational direction, but the positions and number of the protrusions 33d are not limited to this. In addition, such vibration of the container body 33Y caused by the protrusion 33d also occurs during normal toner supply operations, but the vibration of the container body 33Y reduces the aggregation of toner inside the container during toner supply operations.

[0042] 5, in this embodiment, the container body 33Y is supported by the cap portion 34Y (held non-rotatably in the toner container storage portion 70) at a position H away from the top where the opening 33a is formed toward the bottom (left side in FIG. 3) and the ID chip 80 (information recording medium) is provided on the end surface of the tip of the cap portion 34Y (right end surface in FIG. 3). That is, in the cap portion 34Y, the ID chip 80 is installed at a position sufficiently separated from the support position H of the container body 33Y. With this configuration, the vibration transmitted from the container body 33Y to the ID chip 80 in the vibration mode can be strengthened compared to when the ID chip 80 is installed near the support position H of the container body 33Y. Therefore, poor contact between the ID chip 80 and the contact terminals 112 can be more easily resolved.

[0043] Furthermore, referring to FIG. 6, in this embodiment, the ID chip 80 (information recording medium) is non-rotatably installed at a position away from the rotation axis X (the rotation center of the container body 33Y). That is, the ID chip 80 is disposed at a position sufficiently distant from the rotation axis X in the cap portion 34Y. With this configuration, the vibration transmitted from the container body 33Y to the ID chip 80 in the vibration mode can be strengthened compared to when the ID chip 80 is installed near the rotation axis X. Therefore, poor contact between the ID chip 80 and the contact terminals 112 can be more easily resolved.

[0044] Here, the "vibration mode" is a control mode in which the toner container 32Y (container body 33Y) is driven so that the toner (developer) inside the toner container 32Y (developer storage container) is transported toward the opening 33a (discharge port). Therefore, when the vibration mode is performed for a predetermined time, toner is discharged from the toner container 32Y for that time, and the discharged toner is stored in the storage section 61Y (see FIG. 3). On the other hand, in this embodiment, when the control unit 90 (detection means) detects a communication failure again immediately after the excitation mode (control mode) is executed, the excitation mode (control mode) is executed again. In other words, if the communication failure is not resolved even after the excitation mode is executed, the excitation mode is executed again. However, to avoid infinite repetition of the excitation mode (control mode), the excitation mode is not re-executed more than a predetermined number of times. Specifically, in this embodiment, the upper limit of the number N of times the excitation mode is continuously executed is set to three times. By controlling in this manner, communication failures between the ID chip 80 and the control unit 90 can be efficiently alleviated without wasting too much time.

[0045] In this embodiment, in the vibration mode, the container main body 33Y is rotated in the forward direction, as in the normal toner supply mode. On the other hand, in the vibration mode, unlike during normal toner replenishment, the container body 33Y can be rotated in the opposite direction. That is, the vibration mode can be a control mode that drives the toner container 32Y so that the toner (developer) inside the toner container 32Y (developer storage container) is transported in a direction away from the opening 33a (discharge port). In this case, a forward / reverse rotation type motor is used as the drive motor 91. Furthermore, when the container body 33Y is rotated in the reverse direction in the vibration mode, toner is not actively discharged from the toner container 32Y, so that the vibration mode does not cause a problem such as the storage section 61Y (see FIG. 3) overflowing with toner.

[0046] An example of control when the vibration mode (control mode) is executed will be described below with reference to FIG. 8, first, when the toner container 32Y is set in the image forming apparatus main body 100, the state is detected by a set detection sensor (not shown) installed in the toner container storage unit 70. Then, the number of executions N of the vibration mode is set to zero (step S1). Thereafter, the control unit 90 (detection means) determines whether communication with the ID chip 80 is possible (step S2). As a result, if no communication failure occurs, it is determined that the system is normal, and the flow ends. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S2 that a communication failure has occurred, it is determined whether the number of times N that the vibration mode has been executed is three or less (step S3). As a result, if the number of times N that the vibration mode has been executed is more than three, this flow is terminated. On the other hand, if the number of times N that the vibration mode has been executed is three or less, the vibration mode is executed (step S4), the number of times N that the vibration mode has been executed is incremented by one (step S5), and the flow from step S2 onwards is repeated.

[0047] <Variation 1> Image forming apparatus 100 in variant 1 is configured not to execute the vibration mode (control mode) when toner detection sensor 66Y detects that the toner (developer) stored in storage section 61Y has reached a predetermined amount. By performing such control, the container body 33Y is rotationally driven in the vibration mode, and toner is actively discharged from the toner container 32Y, which makes it less likely that problems such as the storage section 61Y (see Figure 3) overflowing with toner will occur. Specifically, as shown in Figure 9, in the vibration mode (control mode) of variant 1, similar to that shown in Figure 8, the control unit 90 (detection means) determines whether communication with the ID chip 80 is possible in steps S1 to S2. As a result, if it is determined in step S2 that a communication failure has occurred, it is determined whether the storage unit 61Y is full (step S10). Specifically, it is determined whether the toner detection sensor 66Y detects that the toner stored in the storage unit 61Y has reached a predetermined amount. If it is determined that the storage unit 61Y is not full, it is determined whether the number of executions N of the vibration mode is three or less (step S3). If the number of executions N of the vibration mode is three or less, the vibration mode is executed (step S4), the number of executions N is incremented by one (step S5), and the flow from step S2 onwards is repeated. On the other hand, if the number of executions N of the vibration mode exceeds three in step S3 or if it is determined that the storage unit 61Y is full in step S10, a message indicating that a communication failure has occurred is displayed on the operation display panel (not shown) (step S11), and this flow ends. By displaying such a warning, the user can accurately grasp the abnormal state of the device. Also in the first modification, communication failure between the toner container 32Y (ID chip 80) and the image forming apparatus main body 100 (controller 90) can be made less likely to occur.

[0048] <Variation 2> In the image forming apparatus 100 of the second variant, the vibration mode is a control mode that drives the toner container 32Y (developer storage container) so that the toner (developer) inside the toner container 32Y is transported in a direction toward the opening 33a (discharge outlet) or in a direction away from the discharge outlet 33a. Specifically, when the toner detection sensor 66Y detects that the toner (developer) stored in the storage unit 61Y has not reached a predetermined amount, the vibration mode is executed to drive the toner container 32Y so that the toner is conveyed in the direction toward the opening 33a. That is, the drive motor 91 rotates the container body 33Y in the forward direction for a predetermined time. On the other hand, when the toner detection sensor 66Y detects that the toner stored in the storage unit 61Y has reached a predetermined amount, the vibration mode is executed to drive the toner container 32Y so that the toner is conveyed in a direction away from the opening 33a. That is, the drive motor 91 rotates the container body 33Y in the reverse direction for a predetermined time. By performing such control, it is possible to prevent the storage section 61Y (see Figure 3) from overflowing with toner, while also making it less likely that communication problems will occur between the toner container 32Y (ID chip 80) and the image forming apparatus main body 100 (control section 90). Specifically, as shown in Figure 10, in the vibration mode (control mode) of variant example 2, similar to that shown in Figure 8, the control unit 90 (detection means) determines whether communication with the ID chip 80 is possible in steps S1 and S2, and if communication is possible, determines whether the number of times N the vibration mode has been executed is three or less (step S3). As a result, if the number of times N of execution of the vibration mode is 3 or less, it is determined whether the storage unit 61Y is full (step S20). As a result, if it is determined that the storage unit 61Y is not full, the container body 33Y is rotated forward and the vibration mode is executed (step S21). If it is determined that the storage unit 61Y is full, the container body 33Y is rotated backward and the vibration mode is executed (step S22). Then, after the vibration mode, the number of times N of execution is incremented by 1 (step S22), and the flow from step S2 onwards is repeated.

[0049] <Variation 3> As shown in FIG. 11, a toner container 132Y (developer storage container) in Modification 3 has a transport screw 135Y as a developer transport member rotatable about a rotation axis X inside. That is, the toner container 132Y in Modification 3 does not transport toner by rotating the container body 133Y, but transports toner by rotating a transport screw 135Y (developer transport member) installed in the non-rotating container body 133Y using the drive motor 91. Specifically, when the transport screw 135Y is rotated by the drive motor 91, the toner transported by the transport screw 135Y is discharged from the opening 33a of the container body 133Y and is stored in the storage section 61Y via the cap section 134Y. In Modification 3, the vibration mode is a control mode for rotationally driving the transport screw 135Y (developer transport member). When executing such a vibration mode, various controls described above with reference to Figures 8 to 10 can be performed. Also in the third modification, communication failure between the toner container 32Y (ID chip 80) and the image forming apparatus main body 100 (controller 90) can be made less likely to occur.

[0050] As described above, in the image forming apparatus 100 of this embodiment, the toner container 32Y (developer storage container) having the ID chip 80 (information recording medium) installed therein is detachably installed in the image forming apparatus main body 100. Also, the image forming apparatus main body 100 is provided with a contact terminal 112 that is in communicative contact with the ID chip 80 of the toner container 32Y when it is installed in the image forming apparatus main body 100. Furthermore, the image forming apparatus main body 100 is provided with a control unit 90 (detection means) that detects a communication failure between the ID chip 80 and the image forming apparatus main body 100. Then, when the control unit 90 (detection means) detects a communication failure, it executes a vibration mode (control mode) that applies vibration to the ID chip 80. This makes it possible to prevent communication failures between the toner container 32Y (ID chip 80) and the image forming apparatus main body 100 (controller 90).

[0051] In this embodiment, the present invention is applied to an image forming apparatus 100 in which a toner container 32Y serving as a developer storage container containing toner (single-component developer) as a developer is detachably installed. However, the present invention can also be applied to an image forming apparatus in which a developer storage container containing two-component developer (a developer consisting of toner and carrier) as a developer is detachably installed, or an inkjet image forming apparatus in which a developer storage container containing ink as a developer is detachably installed. In addition, in this embodiment, the ID chip 80 is used as the information recording medium, but the information recording medium is not limited to this, and for example, an IC chip, RFID, a printed circuit board, an IC tag, etc. may also be used as the information recording medium. Furthermore, the contact terminal 112 in the image forming apparatus main body 100 is not limited to that in this embodiment as long as it can come into contact with the information recording medium so as to be able to communicate with it. Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the toner container 32Y is attached to the image forming apparatus main body 100, the control unit 90 (detection means) detects whether or not there is a communication failure, and executes the vibration mode (control mode) as necessary, but the timing for detecting whether or not there is a communication failure is not limited to this. Even in such cases, the same effects as those of the present embodiment can be obtained.

[0052] It is to be noted that the present invention is not limited to the present embodiment, and it is clear that the present embodiment can be appropriately modified within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention in addition to the modifications suggested in the present embodiment. Furthermore, the number, position, shape, etc. of the components are not limited to the present embodiment, and the number, position, shape, etc. of the components can be any number, position, shape, etc. that is suitable for implementing the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 32Y, 32M, 32C, 32K toner container (developer container), 33Y container body, 33a opening (outlet), 33b protrusion, 33d protrusion, 34Y cap part, 61Y reservoir, 80 ID chip (information recording medium), 80a notch, 80b Chip side terminal, 90 control unit (detection means), 100 Image forming apparatus (image forming apparatus main body), 110 Main terminal unit, 111 pin part, 112 contact terminal (main body side terminal), 132Y Toner container (developer container), 135Y conveying screw (developer conveying member), X rotation axis. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0054] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-226289

Claims

1. a developer container in which an information recording medium is placed and which is detachably installed in the image forming apparatus main body; a contact terminal that is installed in the image forming apparatus main body and that is in communicative contact with the information recording medium of the developer accommodating container when the developer accommodating container is attached to the image forming apparatus main body; a detection unit for detecting a communication failure between the information recording medium and the image forming apparatus main body; Equipped with the developer storage container includes a container body having a spiral protrusion formed on an inner peripheral surface and a protruding portion formed on a part of an outer peripheral surface, the container body being rotatable about a rotation axis to discharge the developer from a discharge port, When the detecting means detects a communication failure, the image forming apparatus executes a control mode in which the container body is rotationally driven to apply vibration to the information recording medium.

2. The developer storage container has a non-rotating cap portion that covers a head portion of the container body where the discharge port is formed, the container body is supported by the cap portion at a position spaced from the head portion toward the bottom portion, 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information recording medium is placed on an end surface of the tip of the cap portion.

3. An image forming apparatus as described in claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the information recording medium is installed non-rotatingly at a position away from the rotation axis.

4. An image forming apparatus as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the control mode is a control mode in which the developer storage container is driven so that the developer inside the developer storage container is transported toward an outlet.

5. A developer container in which an information recording medium is installed and which is detachably installed in the image forming apparatus body; a contact terminal that is installed in the image forming apparatus main body and that is in communicative contact with the information recording medium of the developer accommodating container when the developer accommodating container is attached to the image forming apparatus main body; a detection unit for detecting a communication failure between the information recording medium and the image forming apparatus main body; a storage section in which the developer discharged from the developer storage container is stored; Equipped with When a communication failure is detected by the detection means, a control mode is executed in which vibration is applied to the information recording medium; an image forming apparatus configured to not execute the control mode when it is detected that the amount of developer stored in the storage section has reached a predetermined amount;

6. The image forming apparatus described in Claim 5, characterized in that the control mode is a control mode in which the developer storage container is driven so that the developer inside the developer storage container is transported toward an outlet.

7. A developer container in which an information recording medium is installed and which is detachably installed in the image forming apparatus body; a contact terminal that is installed in the image forming apparatus main body and that is in communicative contact with the information recording medium of the developer accommodating container when the developer accommodating container is attached to the image forming apparatus main body; a detection unit for detecting a communication failure between the information recording medium and the image forming apparatus main body; Equipped with An image forming apparatus characterized in that, when a communication failure is detected by the detection means, a control mode is executed in which the developer storage container is driven to vibrate the information recording medium so that the developer inside the developer storage container is transported in a direction away from the discharge outlet.

8. A developer container in which an information recording medium is placed and which is detachably installed in the image forming apparatus body; a contact terminal that is installed in the image forming apparatus main body and that is in communicative contact with the information recording medium of the developer accommodating container when the developer accommodating container is attached to the image forming apparatus main body; a detection unit for detecting a communication failure between the information recording medium and the image forming apparatus main body; a storage section in which the developer discharged from the developer storage container is stored; Equipped with when a communication failure is detected by the detection means, a control mode is executed in which the developer inside the developer accommodating container is driven switchably to convey the developer in a direction toward a discharge port or a direction away from the discharge port, and vibration is applied to the information recording medium; When it is detected that the amount of the developer stored in the storage section has not reached a predetermined amount, the control mode is executed to drive the developer storage container so that the developer is transported in a direction toward the discharge port; When it is detected that the amount of developer stored in the storage section has reached the predetermined amount, the control mode is executed to drive the developer storage container so that the developer is transported in a direction away from the discharge port.

9. The developer storage container has a container body on an inner peripheral surface of which a spiral protrusion is formed, and which can rotate around a rotation axis to discharge developer from a discharge port; 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the control mode is a control mode in which the container body is rotationally driven.

10. The developer storage container includes a developer transport member therein that is rotatable about a rotation axis; 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the control mode is a control mode in which the developer transport member is rotationally driven.

11. An image forming apparatus as described in claim 9 or claim 10, characterized in that the information recording medium is installed non-rotatingly at a position away from the rotation axis.

12. When the developer container is attached to the image forming apparatus main body, the detection means detects whether or not there is a communication failure, 12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control mode is a control mode for driving the developer container.

13. The control mode is performed for a predetermined time, 13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control mode is executed again when a communication failure is detected again by the detection means immediately after the control mode is executed.

14. 14. The image forming apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the control mode is not re-executed more than a predetermined number of times.

Images