JPH046571A - Life monitoring device for image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To smoothly perform an operation by monitoring always, the states of consumables used in respective units and the remaining life of the respective units themselves, and informing a user of a replacement period while displaying or printing the rest of consumables, fullness state, and remaining life at an operation display part. CONSTITUTION:A control part (CPU) 16 monitors data from the toner rest sensor 19-1 for a developing device 7, sensors 19, etc., of the consumables monitoring data detecting means 19-2 such as a toner fullness sensor for a cleaning device 13, and a counter 20 as the life detecting means for the units, and compares the data with utilization limit data stored previously in a RAM 21. When it is judged that the life is left, the remaining life is calculated and it is judged whether or to the calculation result is displayed at the display part 22; and the result is displayed as necessary. Further, when it is judged by a life judging process that o life is left, a normal end replacement display is made at the display part 22. The user can, therefore, prepare the consumables and units by looking at the display or printed data. Consequently, the operation can smoothly be performed.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention (Industrial Application Field) The present invention provides a lifespan monitoring device for an image forming apparatus that displays and prints the remaining life of each unit constituting the image forming apparatus and prompts the user when to replace the unit. Regarding.

(Prior Art) FIG. 3 shows the configuration of a laser printer as an example of an image forming apparatus, and to explain the outline of its operation, the recording paper 2 fed from the paper feeding device 1 in the direction of arrow A is moved by the registration rollers. A drum-shaped photoreceptor 4 is timed by pair 3.
The latent image carrier is conveyed to a latent image carrier consisting of. The photoreceptor 4 is rotationally driven in a clockwise direction, the surface of which is charged by the charger 5, and irradiated with laser light from a laser optical system 6 to form an electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor.

This latent image is made visible by toner when passing through the developing device 7, and this visible image is transferred to the recording paper 2 conveyed to the photoreceptor 4.
A transfer charger 8 transfers the visible image onto the recording paper, and a fixing device 9 fixes the transferred visible image on the recording paper. and,
The recording paper that has left the fixing device 9 is discharged to a paper discharge section 11 in the direction of arrow B.

On the other hand, residual toner is removed from the photoreceptor 4 after the visible image has been transferred by a cleaning device [ 13 having a cleaning blade 12 , and a charge removal action is performed by a charge removal brush 14 . The toner removed from the photoreceptor is collected by a second collection roller 16 into a toner collection chamber 15 and stored therein. Note that 10 is the printer body, 16 is a control unit (CPU),
17 is a paper feed roller, and 8 is a paper discharge roller.

Each unit constituting such an image forming apparatus, for example, the toner in the developing device 7 or the cleaning device 13
When the discharged toner inside the printer is full, or when the photoreceptor 4 or the like has printed a certain number of sheets, it is necessary to replenish toner, discharge the toner, and replace the photoreceptor.

(Problem to be Solved by the Invention) Conventionally, as mentioned above, when it is necessary to replenish or discharge consumables used in each unit or to replace the unit itself, a control unit (microcomputer: C
PU) constantly monitors the battery, and only when the above-mentioned replenishment, replacement, etc. become necessary, displays are displayed on the operation display section to prompt the user to replenish, replace, etc.

However, when printing in large quantities, if the consumables used in each of the above units run out during printing, it is inefficient to replenish the consumables and to replace the units themselves when they reach the end of their service life. .

In addition, if the service life is reached and a replacement message is suddenly displayed as described above, if the user has run out of a new unit (for example, a photoconductor), printing operations will have to be stopped and operations will be disrupted. There was a fear that it would happen.

In view of these circumstances, the present invention aims to constantly inform the user of the remaining amount of consumables used in each unit, the fullness status, and the remaining life of each unit itself, so that there is no hindrance to business execution. purpose.

(Means for Solving the Problems) In order to achieve the above object, the present invention includes means for detecting data such as the amount of consumables used by each unit constituting an image forming apparatus, and the usage time and number of times of each unit itself; Means for storing in advance usage limit data such as the amount of consumables used for each unit and the usage time and number of times for each unit itself, and means for calculating remaining life data from a comparison of data from both the detection means and the storage means. and means for displaying and printing out the remaining life based on the output of the calculation means.

(Function) Since the present invention is configured as described above, the status of the consumables used in each unit of the image forming apparatus and the remaining life of each unit itself are constantly monitored, and the remaining amount of consumables and the full capacity of each unit are constantly monitored. By displaying and printing the status and remaining life on the operation display and notifying the user of the replacement time, they can take prompt action and smoothly carry out their work.

(Embodiment) FIG. 1 shows a configuration block diagram according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 19 indicates monitoring sensors in each unit of the image forming apparatus.

19-1 is the toner remaining amount sensor 19-2 of the developing device f7
is a cleaning outfit! 13 is a consumables monitoring data detection means such as a toner full sensor. 20 is a counter that counts the number of prints on the photoreceptor 4, and is a unit life detection means. 21 is the usage amount and full amount of the above consumables,
RAM 22 is a control unit (CPU) 1B, which serves as a storage means in which usage limit data of each photoreceptor etc. is stored in advance.
These are each section that displays and prints the status of each of the above units under the control of.

As shown in the figure, the CPU 16 receives data from the sensors 19 and the counter 20, compares it with the data in the RAM 21, and displays the comparison output on the display section 1 and the printing section 22.
It is configured to print.

This can be explained using the operation flowchart in Figure 2.
The CPU 16 is connected to sensors 19. Always monitor the data from the counter 20 (S1) and compare it with the usage limit data stored in advance in the RAM 21 (S2). Calculate (S3), determine whether to display the calculation result on the display unit 22 (S,), and display it if necessary (S).
SS), and if it is determined in the lifespan determination process (S2) that there is no lifespan (YES in SZ), the display section 22
Then, a normal end exchange display is performed (S6).

In the above description, the display section 22 may be an LED or LCD, or may be incorporated into a test print normally used by a user as a printing section, or may be in a dedicated format. The user can prepare consumables and units by looking at this display and print data, and can take appropriate action without interfering with work, allowing for efficient use.

(Effects of the Invention) As described above, the present invention constantly displays and prints the remaining life of consumables used in each unit constituting an image forming apparatus and the replacement period of the unit itself to inform the user. Able to deal with issues without disrupting business operations.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration block diagram according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
This figure is an operation flowchart of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the laser printer. 16...control unit (microcomputer: CPU),
19...Sensors, 19-1...Toner remaining amount sensor, 19-2...Toner full sensor,
20...Counter, 21...RAM, 22.
...Display section, printing section.

Claims (1)

[Claims] Means for detecting data such as the amount of consumables used by each unit constituting the image forming apparatus, the usage time and number of times of use of each unit itself, and the means for detecting data such as the amount of consumables used of each unit, the usage time and number of times of each unit itself, etc. means for storing usage limit data of the detector; means for calculating remaining life data from a comparison of data from both the detecting means and the storing means; and means for displaying and printing out the remaining life based on the output of the calculating means. A lifespan monitoring device for an image forming apparatus, comprising: