JP5988099B2 - Image forming condition setting method and image forming apparatus - Google Patents
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Description
本発明は、画像形成条件の設定方法及びその設定方法を用いた画像形成装置に関し、より詳細には、画像濃度に影響を与える画像形成条件を多段階に変化させてトナー像パッチを形成するとともに、そのトナー像パッチのトナー付着量を検出手段により検出し最適の画像形成条件の設定する方法及びその方法を用いた画像形成装置に関するものである。 The present invention relates to an image forming condition setting method and an image forming apparatus using the setting method, and more specifically, a toner image patch is formed by changing image forming conditions that affect image density in multiple stages. The present invention relates to a method for detecting the toner adhesion amount of the toner image patch by a detection means and setting an optimum image forming condition, and an image forming apparatus using the method.
ファクシミリやプリンタ、複写機などの電子写真方式を用いた画像形成装置では、環境条件の変化や感光体・現像剤の経時劣化などにより最適の画像形成条件が変動するため、初期設定条件のままでは良好な画像形成が達成できない。このため、所定のタイミングで、画像濃度に影響を与える現像バイアス電圧や露光量などの画像形成条件を多段階に変化させて、濃度検出用のトナー像パッチを形成し、このトナー像パッチの濃度をセンサーで検出して、最適の画像形成条件を設定することが従来から行われている。 In an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic system such as a facsimile, a printer, and a copying machine, the optimum image forming conditions fluctuate due to changes in environmental conditions and aging of the photoconductor and developer. Good image formation cannot be achieved. For this reason, at a predetermined timing, a toner image patch for density detection is formed by changing the image forming conditions such as the developing bias voltage and the exposure amount that affect the image density in multiple stages, and the density of the toner image patch Conventionally, an optimal image forming condition is set by detecting a sensor with a sensor.
また、トナー像パッチの濃度（トナー付着量）の測定精度を向上させる観点から、Ｐ波光とＳ波光とを受光する２つの受光手段を用い、これらの受光手段の出力値の差をトナー付着量の情報とする技術も提案されている（例えば特許文献１を参照）。そしてまた、トナー粒径やトナー劣化度を検出してトナー濃度の安定化を図る技術も提案されている（例えば特許文献２〜４を参照） Further, from the viewpoint of improving the measurement accuracy of the density (toner adhesion amount) of the toner image patch, two light receiving units that receive the P wave light and the S wave light are used, and the difference between the output values of these light receiving units is determined as the toner adhesion amount. There is also proposed a technique for using the above information (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In addition, a technique for stabilizing the toner density by detecting the toner particle diameter and the toner deterioration level has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Documents 2 to 4).
ところで、現像装置における現像剤の撹拌などによってトナーの表面状態は変化する。トナーの表面状態が変化すると、トナー像パッチで反射する光の状態も変化し、正確なトナー付着量を検出できないことがある。 By the way, the surface state of the toner changes due to the stirring of the developer in the developing device. When the surface state of the toner changes, the state of light reflected by the toner image patch also changes, and an accurate toner adhesion amount may not be detected.
そこで、本発明は、外添剤の付着量などトナーの表面状態が変化しても、正確なトナー付着量を検出し、最適な画像形成条件を設定できる方法及び画像形成装置を提供することを目的とする。 Therefore, the present invention provides a method and an image forming apparatus capable of detecting an accurate toner adhesion amount and setting optimum image forming conditions even when the toner surface state such as the adhesion amount of an external additive changes. Objective.
前記目的を達成する本発明に係る画像形成条件の設定方法は、表面に静電潜像を担持し回転駆動する無端状の像担持体と、前記静電潜像をトナーにより顕像化してトナー像を形成する現像手段と、画像濃度検出用として形成されたトナー像パッチのトナー付着量を検出するトナー付着量検出手段とを備える画像形成装置において、画像濃度に影響を与える画像形成条件を多段階に変化させてトナー像パッチを形成するとともに、トナー像パッチのトナー付着量を前記トナー付着量検出手段により検出し最適の画像形成条件を設定する方法であって、前記トナー付着量検出手段が、前記像担持体に光を照射する発光手段と、前記発光手段から照射され前記像担持体で反射した光の内、Ｐ波光を受光する第１受光手段と、Ｓ波光を受光する第２受光手段とを備え、トナー付着量を変えてトナー像パッチを形成し、トナー像パッチのトナー付着量と、当該トナー像パッチをトナー付着量検出手段で検出する際の第１受光手段の出力値との関係を求め、第１受光手段の出力値の最下点からトナー粒子の表面状態を検出し、予め求めておいた、トナー粒子の表面状態ごとの、第１受光手段と第２受光手段の検出値の差とトナー像パッチのトナー付着量との相関関係から、トナー像パッチのトナー付着量を求めることを特徴とする。 An image forming condition setting method according to the present invention that achieves the above object comprises: an endless image carrier that carries an electrostatic latent image on a surface and is driven to rotate; and the electrostatic latent image is visualized with toner. In an image forming apparatus including a developing unit that forms an image and a toner adhesion amount detection unit that detects a toner adhesion amount of a toner image patch formed for image density detection, image forming conditions that affect the image density are varied. by changing the phase to form a toner image patch, to a method for setting an image forming condition of the detected optimal toner adhesion amount of the toner image patches by the toner amount detecting means, said toner adhesion amount detecting means A light-emitting means for irradiating the image carrier with light; a first light-receiving means for receiving P-wave light among the light emitted from the light-emitting means and reflected by the image carrier; and a second receiver for receiving S-wave light. A toner image patch is formed by changing the toner adhesion amount, the toner adhesion amount of the toner image patch, and an output value of the first light receiving means when the toner image patch is detected by the toner adhesion amount detection means The surface state of the toner particles is detected from the lowest point of the output value of the first light receiving means, and the first light receiving means and the second light receiving means for each surface state of the toner particles previously obtained are detected . The toner adhesion amount of the toner image patch is obtained from the correlation between the difference between the detection values and the toner adhesion amount of the toner image patch.
検出及び／又は推測するトナー粒子の表面状態としては、トナー粒子表面の凹凸であるのが好ましい。 The surface state of the toner particles to be detected and / or estimated is preferably unevenness on the surface of the toner particles.
トナー粒子表面の凹凸は、トナー粒子表面に付着している外添剤によるものであるのが好ましい。The unevenness on the surface of the toner particles is preferably caused by an external additive attached to the surface of the toner particles.
トナーの表面状態は、所定期間における平均印字率によって推測するようにしてもよい。 The surface state of the toner may be estimated by an average printing rate in a predetermined period.
また、本発明によれば、前記のいずれかに記載の画像形成条件の設定方法を用いることを特徴とする画像形成装置が提供される。 According to the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus characterized by using any one of the image forming condition setting methods described above.
本発明の画像形成条件の設定方法及び画像形成装置では、トナー粒子の表面状態を検出及び／又は推測し、予め求めておいた、トナー粒子の表面状態ごとの、トナー付着量検出手段による検出値とトナー付着量との相関関係から、トナー像パッチのトナー付着量を求めるので、外添剤の付着量などトナーの表面状態が変化しても、正確なトナー付着量を検出でき、最適な画像形成条件を設定できる。 In the image forming condition setting method and the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the detected value by the toner adhesion amount detecting means for each surface state of the toner particle, which is obtained by detecting and / or estimating the surface state of the toner particle and obtained in advance. Since the toner adhesion amount of the toner image patch is obtained from the correlation between the toner adhesion amount and the toner adhesion amount, even if the surface condition of the toner such as the adhesion amount of the external additive changes, the accurate toner adhesion amount can be detected and the optimum image can be detected. Formation conditions can be set.
以下、本発明に係る画像形成条件の設定方法及びその設定方法を用いた画像形成装置について図に基づいて説明するが、本発明はこれらの実施形態に何ら限定されるものではない。 Hereinafter, an image forming condition setting method and an image forming apparatus using the setting method according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.
図１は、本発明に係る画像形成条件の設定方法及びその設定方法を用いた画像形成装置の一例としてのタンデム型フルカラー複写機（以下、「複写機」と記すことがある）の概説図である。以下、図を参照しながら説明する。 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an image forming condition setting method according to the present invention and a tandem full-color copying machine (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as “copying machine”) as an example of an image forming apparatus using the setting method. is there. Hereinafter, description will be given with reference to the drawings.
（複写機の全体構成）
図１の複写機は、画像読取部１０と、画像形成部２０と、制御部１００とを備えている。
(Overall configuration of copier)
1 includes an image reading unit 10, an image forming unit 20, and a control unit 100.
画像読取部１０は、不図示の原稿ガラス板上に載置された原稿の画像を、スキャナ１１を移動させて読み取るものである。スキャナ１１に設置された露光ランプの照射により得られた原稿画像は、光学系により結像され、レッド（Ｒ）、グリーン（Ｇ）、ブルー（Ｂ）の三種類の波長の光にそれぞれ対応したＣＣＤイメージセンサー１２によりＡＤ変換され、原稿に対応したＲ、Ｇ、Ｂの各画像データとされる。 The image reading unit 10 reads an image of a document placed on a document glass plate (not shown) by moving the scanner 11. An original image obtained by irradiation of an exposure lamp installed in the scanner 11 is imaged by an optical system and corresponds to light of three types of wavelengths of red (R), green (G), and blue (B). A / D conversion is performed by the CCD image sensor 12 to obtain R, G, and B image data corresponding to the original.
得られた各色成分の画像データは、制御部１００において各種のデータ処理が施され、更にＹ、Ｍ、Ｃ、Ｋの各再現色（以下、各再現色に関連する構成部分の番号に、このＹ、Ｍ、Ｃ、Ｋを添字として付加する）の画像データに変換される。変換された画像データは制御部１００内の画像メモリ１００ａに再現色ごとに格納され、記録媒体Ｐの供給と同期して１走査ラインごとに読み出され、感光体ドラム５１Ｙ〜５１Ｋを露光するレーザダイオード（不図示、以下、「ＬＤ」と表記する）の駆動信号となる。 The obtained image data of each color component is subjected to various types of data processing in the control unit 100, and further, Y, M, C, K reproduction colors (hereinafter referred to as component numbers related to each reproduction color). Y, M, C, and K are added as subscripts). The converted image data is stored in the image memory 100a in the control unit 100 for each reproduction color, read out for each scanning line in synchronization with the supply of the recording medium P, and exposes the photosensitive drums 51Y to 51K. This is a drive signal for a diode (not shown, hereinafter referred to as “LD”).
画像形成部２０は、周知の電子写真方式により画像を形成するものであって、中間転写ベルト４１が張架されてなる中間転写部４０と、中間転写ベルト４１に対向してその周回方向上流側（以下、単に「上流側」という）から周回方向下流側（以下、単に「下流側」という）に沿って所定間隔で配置されたＹ、Ｍ、Ｃ、Ｋの各色の画像プロセス部５０Ｙ〜５０Ｋとからなる。 The image forming unit 20 forms an image by a known electrophotographic method, and includes an intermediate transfer unit 40 in which an intermediate transfer belt 41 is stretched, and an upstream side in the circumferential direction facing the intermediate transfer belt 41. (Hereinafter, simply referred to as “upstream side”) to Y, M, C, and K image processing units 50Y to 50K arranged at predetermined intervals along the circumferential direction downstream side (hereinafter simply referred to as “downstream side”). It consists of.
他に、矢印Ｂ方向に沿った記録媒体Ｐの搬送経路上には、中間転写部４０の二次転写位置へ記録媒体Ｐを給送する給紙部７０と、中間転写部４０の二次転写位置の、記録媒体搬送方向下流側に配置された定着部８０とがある。 In addition, on the conveyance path of the recording medium P along the arrow B direction, a paper feeding unit 70 that feeds the recording medium P to the secondary transfer position of the intermediate transfer unit 40 and a secondary transfer of the intermediate transfer unit 40. And a fixing unit 80 disposed downstream of the recording medium conveyance direction.
Ｙ、Ｍ、Ｃ、Ｋの各色の画像プロセス部５０Ｙ〜５０Ｋにおいて、露光走査部６０Ｙ〜６０Ｋは、それぞれ上記制御部１００から出力された駆動信号を受けてレーザ光を発するＬＤ（不図示）や、このレーザ光を偏向して感光体ドラム５１Ｙ〜５１Ｋ上を主走査方向に露光走査させるためのポリゴンミラー（不図示）等を備えている。また画像プロセス部５０Ｙ〜５０Ｋは、感光体ドラム５１Ｙ〜５１Ｋと、その周囲に配設された帯電チャージャ５２Ｙ〜５２Ｋ、現像器５３Ｙ〜５３Ｋ、転写チャージャ５４Ｙ〜５４Ｋ及びクリーナ５５Ｙ〜５５Ｋなどからなる。 In the image processing units 50Y to 50K for each color of Y, M, C, and K, the exposure scanning units 60Y to 60K receive LDs (not shown) that emit laser beams in response to the drive signals output from the control unit 100, respectively. A polygon mirror (not shown) for deflecting the laser beam and exposing and scanning the photosensitive drums 51Y to 51K in the main scanning direction is provided. The image processing units 50Y to 50K include photosensitive drums 51Y to 51K, charging chargers 52Y to 52K, developing units 53Y to 53K, transfer chargers 54Y to 54K, and cleaners 55Y to 55K.
感光体ドラム５１Ｙ〜５１Ｋは、前記露光を受ける前にクリーナ５５Ｙ〜５５Ｋで表面の残存トナーが除去され、不図示のイレーサランプに照射されて除電された後、帯電チャージャ５２Ｙ〜５２Ｋにより一様に帯電されており、このように帯電した状態で上記レーザ光により露光を受けると、感光体ドラム５１Ｙ〜５１Ｋの表面に静電潜像が形成される。 Before the exposure, the photosensitive drums 51Y to 51K are cleaned by the cleaners 55Y to 55K to remove the remaining toner on the surface, irradiated to an eraser lamp (not shown), and then neutralized by the chargers 52Y to 52K. When charged and thus exposed to the laser beam in the charged state, electrostatic latent images are formed on the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 51Y to 51K.
現像器５３Ｙ〜５３Ｋには、それぞれの色のトナーをそれぞれ所定のトナー濃度で含有する二成分の現像剤が入っており、各静電潜像は、それぞれ各色の現像器５３Ｙ〜５３Ｋにより各色のトナーで現像される。これにより感光体ドラム５１Ｙ〜５１Ｋの表面にＹ、Ｍ、Ｃ、Ｋのトナー像がそれぞれ形成され、各転写位置において中間転写ベルト４１の裏面側に配設された転写チャージャ５４Ｙ〜５４Ｋの作用により、矢印Ａ方向に周回している中間転写ベルト４１上に順次転写されていく。この際、各色の作像動作は、そのトナー像が、周回してくる中間転写ベルト４１上の同じ位置に重ね合せて転写されるように、上流側から下流側に向けてタイミングをずらして実行される。 The developing devices 53Y to 53K contain a two-component developer containing each color toner at a predetermined toner density, and each electrostatic latent image is stored in each color by each color developing device 53Y to 53K. Developed with toner. As a result, Y, M, C, and K toner images are formed on the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 51Y to 51K, respectively, and the transfer chargers 54Y to 54K disposed on the back side of the intermediate transfer belt 41 at the respective transfer positions. Then, the images are sequentially transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 41 that circulates in the arrow A direction. At this time, the image forming operation for each color is executed while shifting the timing from the upstream side toward the downstream side so that the toner image is transferred in a superimposed manner on the same position on the circulating intermediate transfer belt 41. Is done.
各色のトナー像が多重転写された中間転写ベルト４１は、さらに周回して、中間転写ベルト４１が対向する二次転写ローラ４２と当接して転写ニップ部を形成する位置までやってくる。この転写ニップ部には、中間転写ベルト４１の周回と同期して記録媒体Ｐが給送されてきており、転写ニップ部で中間転写ベルト４１上の多重転写された各色のトナー像が記録媒体Ｐに転写される。なお、記録媒体Ｐに転写されず中間転写ベルト４１上に残存したトナーはクリーニングブレード４９で除去・回収される。 The intermediate transfer belt 41 on which the toner images of the respective colors have been transferred in multiple turns further reaches the position where the intermediate transfer belt 41 comes into contact with the opposing secondary transfer roller 42 to form a transfer nip portion. The recording medium P is fed to the transfer nip portion in synchronism with the rotation of the intermediate transfer belt 41, and the toner images of the respective colors transferred on the intermediate transfer belt 41 at the transfer nip portion are recorded on the recording medium P. Is transcribed. Note that the toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 41 without being transferred to the recording medium P is removed and collected by the cleaning blade 49.
各色のトナー像が多重転写された記録媒体Ｐは、矢印Ｂ方向に定着部８０まで搬送される。定着部８０の定着ローラ８１は内部にヒータＨを備え、制御部１００により、ヒータＨへの通電が制御される。記録媒体Ｐは、定着ローラ８１により高温で加圧され、定着ローラ８１の表面のトナー粒子が記録媒体表面に融着して定着された後、排紙トレイ８２上に排出される。 The recording medium P onto which the toner images of the respective colors are transferred is conveyed to the fixing unit 80 in the arrow B direction. The fixing roller 81 of the fixing unit 80 includes a heater H inside, and energization of the heater H is controlled by the control unit 100. The recording medium P is pressurized at a high temperature by the fixing roller 81, and toner particles on the surface of the fixing roller 81 are fused and fixed on the surface of the recording medium, and then discharged onto the paper discharge tray 82.
制御部１００は、上記のような通常の画像形成動作の制御を行う以外に、画像形成条件の最適化制御のタイミングや内容などの制御も行う。画像形成条件の最適化制御の構成及び制御内容について以下説明する。 In addition to controlling the normal image forming operation as described above, the control unit 100 also controls the timing and contents of optimization control of image forming conditions. The configuration and control contents of the optimization control of the image forming conditions will be described below.
制御部１００は、環境変化、経時変化等による画質の変動に対して、常時適切な画像が形成できるように、画像形成条件の最適化制御を行う。最適化制御として、カブリマージン制御、光量制御、最大濃度制御、ガンマ補正制御、レジスト制御などが実施され、所定のシステム速度や露光量、現像バイアス、帯電電位などのプロセス条件を設定後、中間転写ベルト４１上にトナー像パッチを形成し、トナー付着量検出手段４３により当該パッチを検出し、検出結果に基づいて画像形成条件を調整する。トナー付着量検出手段４３は、光学式にトナー付着量を検知する検出手段であり、その構成などについては後述する。トナー像パッチは、ハーフトーンパターン、ドットパターン、スクリーンパターン、ベタパターンなどいずれのパターンであっても構わない。 The control unit 100 performs optimization control of image forming conditions so that an appropriate image can always be formed against image quality fluctuations due to environmental changes, changes with time, and the like. As optimization control, fog margin control, light intensity control, maximum density control, gamma correction control, resist control, etc. are implemented, and after setting process conditions such as predetermined system speed, exposure amount, development bias, and charging potential, intermediate transfer A toner image patch is formed on the belt 41, the toner adhesion amount detecting means 43 detects the patch, and image forming conditions are adjusted based on the detection result. The toner adhesion amount detection means 43 is a detection means for optically detecting the toner adhesion amount, and the configuration thereof will be described later. The toner image patch may be any pattern such as a halftone pattern, a dot pattern, a screen pattern, or a solid pattern.
なお、トナー像パッチを中間転写ベルト４１から記録媒体Ｐに転写・定着した後、その濃度を検出してもよいが、画像形成条件の最適化の度に記録媒体Ｐを消費することになるので、記録媒体Ｐに転写させることなく中間転写ベルト４１でトナー像パッチのトナー付着量を測定することが望ましい。 The toner image patch may be detected after the toner image patch is transferred and fixed from the intermediate transfer belt 41 to the recording medium P. However, the recording medium P is consumed each time the image forming conditions are optimized. It is desirable to measure the toner adhesion amount of the toner image patch with the intermediate transfer belt 41 without transferring it to the recording medium P.
画像形成条件の最適化制御は定期的に実施される。本実施形態にかかる複写機では、例えば、カラープリントの場合、２００枚プリント毎、モノクロプリントの場合、１００枚プリント毎に実施する。なお、実施の頻度は異なっても実施する最適化制御の内容は共通である。モノクロプリントが１００枚に達した時点、カラープリントが２００枚に達した時点、何れの場合であっても、プリントモードには関係なく、Ｍ、Ｃ、Ｙ、Ｋ、すべての色について最適化制御（トナー像パッチの形成）が行われる。 The optimization control of the image forming conditions is periodically performed. In the copying machine according to the present embodiment, for example, it is performed every 200 sheets for color printing and every 100 sheets for monochrome printing. Note that the content of the optimization control to be executed is common even if the frequency of execution is different. Regardless of the print mode, optimization control is performed for all colors M, C, Y, K, regardless of the print mode, when the monochrome print reaches 100 sheets or when the color print reaches 200 sheets. (Toner image patch formation) is performed.
最適化制御時に用いるトナー像パッチは、モノクロ、カラー何れのプリントモードでも、最適化制御の動作は基本的に共通であるから同一のトナー像パッチを用いることができる。 Since the toner image patch used for the optimization control is basically the same in the monochrome and color print modes, the same toner image patch can be used.
画像形成条件の最適化制御の基本的な手順は以下の通りである。
（１）制御する内容に基づき検出用トナー像パッチを設定する。
（２）設定したトナー像パッチを、画像形成条件を多段階に変化させて画像形成する。
（３）画像形成されたトナー像パッチのトナー付着量をトナー付着量検出手段４３で検出する。
（４）トナー付着量検出手段４３による検出値から、変化させた画像形成条件との相関関係を求める。
（５）求めた相関関係から、トナー付着量検出手段４３が基準出力値となる画像形成条件を定める。
The basic procedure of image forming condition optimization control is as follows.
(1) A detection toner image patch is set based on the contents to be controlled.
(2) An image is formed on the set toner image patch by changing image forming conditions in multiple stages.
(3) The toner adhesion amount of the toner image patch on which the image is formed is detected by the toner adhesion amount detection means 43.
(4) The correlation with the changed image forming condition is obtained from the detection value by the toner adhesion amount detection means 43.
(5) From the obtained correlation, the toner adhesion amount detecting means 43 determines an image forming condition that becomes a reference output value.
トナー付着量検出手段４３によるトナー像パッチのトナー付着量の検出について、以下説明する。図２に、トナー付着量検出手段４３の回路図を示す。 The detection of the toner adhesion amount of the toner image patch by the toner adhesion amount detection means 43 will be described below. FIG. 2 shows a circuit diagram of the toner adhesion amount detection means 43.
図２に示すように、トナー付着量検出手段４３は、発光素子４３１と、発光素子４３１から出射し、中間転写ベルト４１で反射した光のうちＰ波光を受光する受光素子４３２Ｐと、Ｓ波光を受光する受光素子４３２Ｓとを有する。受光素子４３２Ｐと受光素子４３２Ｓからの出力値は増幅器でそれぞれ増幅されてＰ出力値及びＳ出力値として演算回路に送られる。演算回路においてＰ出力値とＳ出力値の差が算出され、Ｐ出力値と共に制御部１００に送られる。制御部１００では、後述するように、送られてきたＰ出力値とＳ出力値との差及びＰ出力値からトナー像パッチのトナー付着量が求められる。また、制御部１００は、受光素子４３２Ｐ，４３２Ｓの出力値に基づいて発光素子４３１の照射光量をフィードバック制御する。 As shown in FIG. 2, the toner adhesion amount detection means 43 includes a light emitting element 431, a light receiving element 432 </ b> P that receives P wave light out of the light emitted from the light emitting element 431 and reflected by the intermediate transfer belt 41, and S wave light. A light receiving element 432S for receiving light. Output values from the light receiving element 432P and the light receiving element 432S are respectively amplified by an amplifier and sent to the arithmetic circuit as a P output value and an S output value. The arithmetic circuit calculates the difference between the P output value and the S output value, and sends it to the control unit 100 together with the P output value. As will be described later, the controller 100 obtains the toner adhesion amount of the toner image patch from the difference between the sent P output value and the S output value and the P output value. Further, the control unit 100 feedback-controls the irradiation light amount of the light emitting element 431 based on the output values of the light receiving elements 432P and 432S.
図３に、トナー付着量検出手段４３の基本構成を示す。トナー付着量検出手段４３は、発光素子４３１と、Ｐ波光を受光する受光素子４３２Ｐと、Ｓ波光を受光する受光素子４３２Ｓと、Ｐ波光のみを透過する偏光板４３３と、Ｐ波光のみを透過する偏光板４３４Ｐと、Ｓ波光のみを透過する偏光板４３４Ｓと備える。発光素子４３１から出射した光は、偏光板４３３によってＰ波光とされ、中間転写ベルト４１上に形成されたトナー像パッチ２０４に照射される。そして、中間転写ベルト４１で反射した光は、振幅方向は変わらずＰ波光のままであるので、偏光板４３４Ｐを透過して受光素子４３２Ｐで受光される。一方、トナー像パッチ２０４で反射した光は、振幅方向が乱されてＰ波光やＳ波光などのランダムな振幅となり、Ｐ波光は偏光板４３４Ｐを透過して受光素子４３２Ｐで受光され、Ｓ波光は偏光板４３４Ｓを透過して受光素子４３２Ｓで受光される。つまり、受光素子４３２Ｐでは、中間転写ベルト４１からの反射光Ｐと、トナー像パッチ２０４からの反射光Ｓｐとが受光され、受光素子４３２Ｓでは、トナー像パッチ２０４からの反射光Ｓｓが受光される。そこで、受光素子４３２Ｐの出力値から受光素子４３２Ｓの出力値を差し引くと、下記式に示されるように、中間転写ベルト４１からの反射光量（トナー像パッチのトナー付着量）の指標値が算出される。そして、予め求めておいた、前記指標値と中間転写ベルト４１上のトナー付着量との相関関係から、トナー像パッチのトナー付着量が求められる。
指標値＝（受光素子４３２Ｐの出力値）−（受光素子４３２Ｓの出力値）
＝（中間転写ベルト４１からの反射光量Ｐ）＋（Ｐ波光の受光量）−Ａ×
（Ｓ波光の受光量）
（式中、Ａは係数）
FIG. 3 shows a basic configuration of the toner adhesion amount detection means 43. The toner adhesion amount detecting means 43 transmits the light emitting element 431, the light receiving element 432P that receives the P wave light, the light receiving element 432S that receives the S wave light, the polarizing plate 433 that transmits only the P wave light, and the P wave light only. A polarizing plate 434P and a polarizing plate 434S that transmits only S-wave light are provided. The light emitted from the light emitting element 431 is converted into P wave light by the polarizing plate 433 and irradiated onto the toner image patch 204 formed on the intermediate transfer belt 41. The light reflected by the intermediate transfer belt 41 remains the P wave light without changing the amplitude direction, and thus passes through the polarizing plate 434P and is received by the light receiving element 432P. On the other hand, the light reflected by the toner image patch 204 is disturbed in the amplitude direction and becomes a random amplitude such as P wave light or S wave light. The P wave light is transmitted through the polarizing plate 434P and received by the light receiving element 432P, and the S wave light is The light passes through the polarizing plate 434S and is received by the light receiving element 432S. That is, the light receiving element 432P receives the reflected light P from the intermediate transfer belt 41 and the reflected light Sp from the toner image patch 204, and the light receiving element 432S receives the reflected light Ss from the toner image patch 204. . Therefore, when the output value of the light receiving element 432S is subtracted from the output value of the light receiving element 432P, an index value of the reflected light amount (toner adhesion amount of the toner image patch) from the intermediate transfer belt 41 is calculated as shown in the following equation. The Then, the toner adhesion amount of the toner image patch is obtained from the correlation between the index value obtained in advance and the toner adhesion amount on the intermediate transfer belt 41.
Index value = (output value of light receiving element 432P) − (output value of light receiving element 432S)
= (Amount of reflected light P from the intermediate transfer belt 41) + (Amount of received P wave light) −A ×
(Received amount of S wave light)
(Where A is a coefficient)
ところが、トナー粒子の表面状態、例えば、トナー粒子表面に付着している外添剤量が異なると、トナー像パッチ２０４からの反射光Ｓｐと反射光Ｓｓとの比率が変化する。図４に概説図を示す。図４（ａ）は外添剤量が通常状態の場合であり、図４（ｂ）は外添剤量が少ない場合である。図４（ｂ）に示すように、トナー粒子表面の外添剤量が少なくなると、外添剤が通常状態の場合に比べて、反射光Ｓｐが増加する一方、反射光Ｓｓは減少する。このため、同じトナー付着量にもかかわらず、外添剤量によって前記指標値が変わり、求めたトナー付着量も変わる。 However, when the surface state of the toner particles, for example, the amount of the external additive attached to the toner particle surface is different, the ratio of the reflected light Sp from the toner image patch 204 to the reflected light Ss changes. FIG. 4 shows a schematic diagram. FIG. 4A shows a case where the amount of the external additive is in a normal state, and FIG. 4B shows a case where the amount of the external additive is small. As shown in FIG. 4B, when the amount of the external additive on the toner particle surface decreases, the reflected light Sp increases while the reflected light Ss decreases compared to the case where the external additive is in the normal state. For this reason, despite the same toner adhesion amount, the index value varies depending on the amount of external additive, and the obtained toner adhesion amount also varies.
そこで、本発明では、外添剤量などのトナー粒子の表面状態ごとに、前記指標値とトナー付着量との相関関係を求めておき、検出及び／又は推測されたトナー粒子の表面状態における、トナー付着量検出手段による検出値とトナー付着量との相関関係から、トナー像パッチのトナー付着量を求める。 Therefore, in the present invention, for each surface state of the toner particle such as the amount of external additive, a correlation between the index value and the toner adhesion amount is obtained, and in the detected and / or estimated surface state of the toner particle, The toner adhesion amount of the toner image patch is obtained from the correlation between the detection value by the toner adhesion amount detection means and the toner adhesion amount.
トナー粒子の表面状態は、例えば、受光素子４３２Ｐの出力値によって検出することができる。すなわち、現像バイアスを変えて、中間転写ベルト４１上にトナー付着量を変えたトナー像パッチを形成し、トナー付着量検出手段４３により当該パッチを検出する。図５に、このときの、受光素子４３２Ｐの出力値とトナー付着量との関係図を示す。受光素子４３２Ｐの出力値は、トナー付着量の増加に伴って小さくなり、最下点を超えると徐々に大きくなる。受光素子４３２Ｐの出力値の最下点は、トナー粒子の表面状態（外添剤量）によって変化する。具体的には、受光素子４３２Ｐの出力値の最下点は、トナー粒子表面の外添剤量が多いと小さくなり、トナー粒子の外添剤量が少ないと大きくなる。そこで、受光素子４３２Ｐの出力値の最下点からトナー粒子の表面状態を検出する。そして、検出したトナー粒子の表面状態に対応する、前記指標値とトナー付着量との相関関係からトナー付着量を求める。 The surface state of the toner particles can be detected by, for example, the output value of the light receiving element 432P. That is, by changing the developing bias, a toner image patch with a changed toner adhesion amount is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 41, and the toner adhesion amount detection unit 43 detects the patch. FIG. 5 shows a relationship diagram between the output value of the light receiving element 432P and the toner adhesion amount at this time. The output value of the light receiving element 432P decreases as the toner adhesion amount increases, and gradually increases beyond the lowest point. The lowest point of the output value of the light receiving element 432P varies depending on the surface state (external additive amount) of the toner particles. Specifically, the lowest point of the output value of the light receiving element 432P becomes smaller when the amount of the external additive on the toner particle surface is large, and becomes larger when the amount of the external additive on the toner particle is small. Therefore, the surface state of the toner particles is detected from the lowest point of the output value of the light receiving element 432P. Then, the toner adhesion amount is obtained from the correlation between the index value and the toner adhesion amount corresponding to the detected surface state of the toner particles.
図６に、トナー粒子の表面状態ごとの、前記指標値とトナー付着量との相関関係例を示す。図６において実線で示す相関関係１は、トナー粒子表面の外添剤量が多い場合であり、破線で示す相関関係２は、トナー粒子表面の外添剤量が少ない場合である。通常、トナー粒子の表面状態は相関関係１と相関関係２との間にある。そこで、相関関係１と相関関係２とを予めメモリー１００ｂに記憶させておく。そして、予め記憶されている下記の表１を用いて、受光素子４３２Ｐの出力値の最下点値から、相関関係１と相関関係２との重み付けを求め、該当する前記指標値とトナー付着量との相関関係を求めてトナー付着量を算出する。 FIG. 6 shows a correlation example between the index value and the toner adhesion amount for each surface state of the toner particles. In FIG. 6, correlation 1 indicated by a solid line is when the amount of external additive on the toner particle surface is large, and correlation 2 indicated by a broken line is when the amount of external additive on the toner particle surface is small. Usually, the surface state of the toner particles is between correlation 1 and correlation 2. Therefore, correlation 1 and correlation 2 are stored in the memory 100b in advance. Then, using the following Table 1 stored in advance, the weights of the correlation 1 and the correlation 2 are obtained from the lowest point value of the output value of the light receiving element 432P, and the corresponding index value and toner adhesion amount are obtained. And the toner adhesion amount is calculated.
トナー粒子の表面状態は、所定期間における平均印字率から推測してもよい。印字率の低い画像の形成ではトナー消費量が少ないため、外添剤が像担持体に付着し、現像装置内のトナー粒子表面の外添剤量が減少する。そこで、所定期間における平均印字率からトナー粒子の外添剤量の変化を推測する。例えば、直近に印字した５０枚の平均印字率をドットカウント回路を用いて取得する。そして、予め記憶されている下記の表２を用いて、相関関係１と相関関係２との重み付けを求め、該当する前記指標値とトナー付着量との相関関係を求めてトナー付着量を算出する。 The surface state of the toner particles may be estimated from an average printing rate in a predetermined period. In the formation of an image with a low printing rate, the amount of toner consumed is small, so that the external additive adheres to the image carrier and the amount of external additive on the surface of the toner particles in the developing device decreases. Therefore, a change in the amount of the external additive of the toner particles is estimated from the average printing rate in a predetermined period. For example, the average printing rate of 50 sheets printed most recently is acquired using a dot count circuit. Then, using the following Table 2 stored in advance, the weights of the correlation 1 and the correlation 2 are obtained, and the correlation between the corresponding index value and the toner adhesion amount is obtained to calculate the toner adhesion amount. .
なお、トナー粒子の外添剤量などの表面状態を、受光素子４３２Ｐの出力値によって検出する場合には、トナー粒子の表面状態を正確に検出することができるが、トナー付着量を変えたトナー像パッチを形成するための制御時間が必要となる。一方、トナー粒子の表面状態を所定期間における平均印字率から推測する場合には、トナー像パッチを形成するための制御時間は不要であるが、トナー粒子の表面状態は推測になる。そこで、トナー粒子の外添剤量などの表面状態を、通常は、所定期間における平均印字率から推測し、トナー像パッチのトナー付着量を求める。そして、所定の時期に、トナー粒子の表面状態を受光素子４３２Ｐの出力値によって検出し、推測されたトナー粒子の表面状態の補正を行うようにしてもよい。 When the surface state such as the amount of the external additive of the toner particles is detected by the output value of the light receiving element 432P, the surface state of the toner particles can be accurately detected. A control time for forming the image patch is required. On the other hand, when the surface state of the toner particles is estimated from the average printing rate in a predetermined period, the control time for forming the toner image patch is unnecessary, but the surface state of the toner particles is estimated. Therefore, the surface state such as the external additive amount of the toner particles is usually estimated from the average printing rate in a predetermined period, and the toner adhesion amount of the toner image patch is obtained. Then, at a predetermined time, the surface state of the toner particles may be detected by the output value of the light receiving element 432P, and the estimated surface state of the toner particles may be corrected.
以上、トナーの表面状態の変化として外添剤量の変化を例に説明したが、トナーの表面状態の変化には、トナー粒子の円形度や平滑度の変化なども含まれる。 As described above, the change in the amount of the external additive has been described as an example of the change in the surface state of the toner. However, the change in the toner surface state includes a change in the circularity and smoothness of the toner particles.
また、本発明で用いるトナー粒子の表面状態の検出方法は、外添剤などをトナーとは別に現像器内に供給するプロセスにおいて、その供給物の量を検出することに利用することもできる。 In addition, the method for detecting the surface state of the toner particles used in the present invention can also be used to detect the amount of the supply in a process of supplying an external additive or the like into the developing device separately from the toner.
本発明に係る画像形成条件の設定方法は、外添剤の付着量などトナーの表面状態が変化しても、正確なトナー付着量を検出でき、最適な画像形成条件を設定でき有用である。 The image forming condition setting method according to the present invention is useful because it can detect an accurate toner adhesion amount and set an optimum image forming condition even if the surface condition of the toner such as the adhesion amount of an external additive changes.
４１ 中間転写ベルト（像担持体）
４３ トナー付着量検出手段
５３Ｙ，５３Ｍ，５３Ｃ，５３Ｋ 現像器（現像手段）
２０４ トナー像パッチ
４３１ 発光素子
４３２Ｐ 受光素子（第１受光手段）
４３２Ｓ 受光素子（第２受光手段）
41 Intermediate transfer belt (image carrier)
43 Toner adhesion amount detection means 53Y, 53M, 53C, 53K Developer (developing means)
204 Toner image patch 431 Light emitting element 432P Light receiving element (first light receiving means)
432S light receiving element (second light receiving means)
Claims (4)
前記トナー付着量検出手段が、前記像担持体に光を照射する発光手段と、前記発光手段から照射され前記像担持体で反射した光の内、Ｐ波光を受光する第１受光手段と、Ｓ波光を受光する第２受光手段とを備え、
トナー付着量を変えてトナー像パッチを形成し、
トナー像パッチのトナー付着量と、当該トナー像パッチをトナー付着量検出手段で検出する際の第１受光手段の出力値との関係を求め、第１受光手段の出力値の最下点からトナー粒子の表面状態を検出し、
予め求めておいた、トナー粒子の表面状態ごとの、第１受光手段と第２受光手段の検出値の差とトナー像パッチのトナー付着量との相関関係から、トナー像パッチのトナー付着量を求めることを特徴とする画像形成条件の設定方法。 An endless image carrier that carries an electrostatic latent image on its surface and is driven to rotate, developing means that visualizes the electrostatic latent image with toner to form a toner image, and toner formed for image density detection In an image forming apparatus comprising a toner adhesion amount detecting means for detecting the toner adhesion amount of an image patch, the toner image patch is formed by changing the image formation conditions that affect the image density in multiple stages. A method of detecting an amount of toner adhesion by the toner adhesion amount detection means and setting an optimum image forming condition,
The toner adhering amount detecting means; a light emitting means for irradiating the image carrier with light; a first light receiving means for receiving P-wave light out of the light emitted from the light emitting means and reflected by the image carrier; Second light receiving means for receiving wave light,
Change the toner adhesion amount to form a toner image patch,
The relationship between the toner adhesion amount of the toner image patch and the output value of the first light receiving means when the toner image patch is detected by the toner adhesion amount detection means is obtained, and the toner is determined from the lowest point of the output value of the first light receiving means. Detect the surface condition of the particles,
Based on the correlation between the difference between the detected values of the first light receiving means and the second light receiving means and the toner adhesion amount of the toner image patch for each surface state of the toner particles, the toner adhesion amount of the toner image patch is calculated in advance. An image forming condition setting method characterized in that the image forming condition is obtained.
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| JP3973818B2 (en) * | 2000-02-24 | 2007-09-12 | 株式会社リコー | Image forming apparatus, toner adhesion amount detection means |
| JP2010078744A (en) * | 2008-09-25 | 2010-04-08 | Ricoh Co Ltd | Image forming apparatus |
| JP5250510B2 (en) * | 2009-08-28 | 2013-07-31 | 京セラドキュメントソリューションズ株式会社 | Image forming apparatus |
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