JPH03146973A - Laser beam printer - Google Patents
Laser beam printerInfo
- Publication number
- JPH03146973A JPH03146973A JP1286337A JP28633789A JPH03146973A JP H03146973 A JPH03146973 A JP H03146973A JP 1286337 A JP1286337 A JP 1286337A JP 28633789 A JP28633789 A JP 28633789A JP H03146973 A JPH03146973 A JP H03146973A
- Authority
- JP
- Japan
- Prior art keywords
- laser
- laser beam
- laser power
- beam printer
- measuring device
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Pending
Links
- 108091008695 photoreceptors Proteins 0.000 claims description 6
- 230000001678 irradiating effect Effects 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000005259 measurement Methods 0.000 claims 1
- XKRFYHLGVUSROY-UHFFFAOYSA-N Argon Chemical compound [Ar] XKRFYHLGVUSROY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 abstract description 16
- 229910052786 argon Inorganic materials 0.000 abstract description 8
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 abstract description 7
- 238000001514 detection method Methods 0.000 abstract description 5
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 7
- 230000007423 decrease Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000003247 decreasing effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000012423 maintenance Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000000737 periodic effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000013459 approach Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005421 electrostatic potential Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005516 engineering process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000002360 preparation method Methods 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01S—DEVICES USING THE PROCESS OF LIGHT AMPLIFICATION BY STIMULATED EMISSION OF RADIATION [LASER] TO AMPLIFY OR GENERATE LIGHT; DEVICES USING STIMULATED EMISSION OF ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION IN WAVE RANGES OTHER THAN OPTICAL
- H01S3/00—Lasers, i.e. devices using stimulated emission of electromagnetic radiation in the infrared, visible or ultraviolet wave range
- H01S3/0014—Monitoring arrangements not otherwise provided for
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Electromagnetism (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Plasma & Fusion (AREA)
- Optics & Photonics (AREA)
- Laser Beam Printer (AREA)
- Exposure Or Original Feeding In Electrophotography (AREA)
- Control Or Security For Electrophotography (AREA)
- Dot-Matrix Printers And Others (AREA)
Abstract
Description
【発明の詳細な説明】
〔産業上の利用分野〕
本発明はレーザビームプリンタに係り、さらに詳細には
、使用レーザの寿命を自動的に検出することのできる、
レーザビームプリンタの改良に関する。DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a laser beam printer, and more particularly, the present invention relates to a laser beam printer that can automatically detect the lifespan of a laser used.
Concerning improvements to laser beam printers.
本発明の説明に先立ち、従来形レーザビームプリンタの
全体的印刷系を第３図にもとづいて説明すると、同図に
おいて、１は感光体、２は用紙、３は帯電器、４はヘリ
カドレーザ（Ｉ−Ｉｅ−ｃｄレーザ）、５はレーザ光、
６は現像機、７は転写器、８は定着ローラである。Before explaining the present invention, the overall printing system of a conventional laser beam printer will be explained based on FIG. -Ie-cd laser), 5 is a laser beam,
6 is a developing device, 7 is a transfer device, and 8 is a fixing roller.
以上の構成において、帯電器３によって一様に帯電され
た感光体１には、レーザ光５が照射され、静電潜像が形
成される、そして、前記静電潜像は、現像機６によって
現像され、トナー像となって、転写器７により用紙２に
転写され、続いて前記トナー像は、定着ローラ８により
定着されて印刷を完了する。In the above configuration, the photoreceptor 1 uniformly charged by the charger 3 is irradiated with laser light 5 to form an electrostatic latent image, and the electrostatic latent image is transferred by the developing device 6. The toner image is developed and transferred to the paper 2 by the transfer device 7, and then the toner image is fixed by the fixing roller 8 to complete printing.
しかして、高速機種であるレーザビームプリンタにおい
て、前記したレーザ４には、レーザ光５を発振させるた
めにレーザチューブ電流を一定に保つ方式が採用されて
いるが、第４図に示すように、時間の経過を横軸にとり
、レーザチューブ電流値とレーザパワーと値を縦軸にと
ると、レーザパワー値は、同図に示すような経時的変化
を示す。これを換言すると、時間の経過とともに次第に
レーザパワーが減少して行き、やがて感光体］」二に静
電潜像を形成できなくなり、寿命になる。However, in the laser beam printer, which is a high-speed model, a method is adopted for the laser 4 described above to keep the laser tube current constant in order to oscillate the laser beam 5, but as shown in FIG. If the horizontal axis represents the passage of time and the vertical axis represents the laser tube current value and laser power, the laser power value shows a change over time as shown in the figure. In other words, the laser power gradually decreases with the passage of time, and eventually it becomes impossible to form an electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor, which reaches the end of its life.
なお、レーザの使用時間と寿命との関係を第５図に示す
が、レーザの寿命は、一般的に、ガウス分布に相当する
ことが知られている。ところで、従来、レーザの交換方
式としては、あらかじめ定められた一定の使用時間が経
過すると保守員によって定期交換するという方式をとる
のが一般的であった。The relationship between the usage time and the lifespan of a laser is shown in FIG. 5, and it is known that the lifespan of a laser generally corresponds to a Gaussian distribution. Incidentally, in the past, it has been common practice to replace lasers periodically by maintenance personnel after a certain predetermined usage time has elapsed.
しかし、第５図に示すように、レーザの寿命にはある程
度バラツキがあり、従来、このバラツキが原因となって
、以下に示すような問題を生じていた。すなわち、
（１）定期交換以前にレーザパワーが落ちて、ユーザに
多大な迷惑をかけることがあった。However, as shown in FIG. 5, there is some variation in the lifespan of lasers, and this variation has conventionally caused the following problems. That is, (1) the laser power may drop before regular replacement, causing great inconvenience to the user.
（２）前記（１）とは反対に、定期交換時、いまだ使用
に耐え得る非常に高価なレーザを無駄にすることがあっ
た。(2) Contrary to (1) above, during periodic replacement, a very expensive laser that is still usable may be wasted.
本発明の目的は、従来定期交換していたレーザの真の寿
命を知ることにより、高価なレーザの寿命を最大限有効
に活用することができ、しかもプリンタ使用の途中、突
然レーザパワーが低下してマシン停止し、ユーザに対し
て多大な迷惑をかけることのない、経済性、機器の信頼
性のいずれの点でもすぐれた、改良されたレーザビーム
プリンタを提供することにある。The purpose of the present invention is to make it possible to make the most effective use of the lifespan of expensive lasers by knowing the true lifespan of lasers, which conventionally had to be replaced regularly, and to prevent the laser power from suddenly decreasing while the printer is in use. An object of the present invention is to provide an improved laser beam printer that does not cause a great deal of inconvenience to a user by stopping the machine due to a machine failure, and is excellent in terms of both economical efficiency and reliability of the device.
前記目的は、帯電器により一様に帯電された感光体にレ
ーザ光を照射して、静電潜像を形成するレーザビームプ
リンタにおいて、前記レーザ光を照射するガスレーザに
レーザパワー測定器を具備せしめ、かつ前記レーザパワ
ー測定器の出力信号を外部に取り出して表示する手段を
具備することによって達成される。The object is to provide a laser beam printer that forms an electrostatic latent image by irradiating a photoconductor uniformly charged with a charger with a laser beam, in which a gas laser that irradiates the laser beam is equipped with a laser power measuring device. This is achieved by providing means for extracting and displaying the output signal of the laser power measuring device to the outside.
すなわち、本発明はガスレーザの発振を、レーザパワー
を一定にしておこなうと、当該レーザパワーの値とレー
ザチューブ電流の値とからレーザの寿命が求まるという
点に着目し、前記面出力値を測定するレーザパワー測定
器をガスレーザに具備せしめ、かつ前記レーザパワー測
定器の出力信号を外部に取り出して表示する手段を具備
することにより、従来定期交換していたレーザの真の寿
命をユーザに知らせて高価なレーザの寿命を最大限有効
に活用することができ、またこれとは逆に、プリンタ使
用の途中、突然レーザパワーが低下してマシン停止し、
ユーザに対して多大な迷惑をかける不具合をも未然に防
止することができる。That is, the present invention focuses on the fact that when a gas laser is oscillated at a constant laser power, the life of the laser can be determined from the value of the laser power and the value of the laser tube current, and the surface output value is measured. By equipping a gas laser with a laser power measuring device and providing a means for extracting and displaying the output signal of the laser power measuring device externally, the user can be informed of the true lifespan of the laser, which conventionally had to be replaced regularly, and the cost can be reduced. The lifespan of the laser can be utilized to the maximum extent possible, and conversely, the laser power suddenly decreases while the printer is in use and the machine stops.
It is also possible to prevent problems that cause a great deal of inconvenience to users.
以下、本発明を、第１図および第２図にもとづいて説明
すると、第１図は本発明に係るレーザビームプリンタの
一実施例を示す静電潜像形成系説明図、第２図は第１図
に符号９で示すアルゴンレーザの経時的レーザパワー値
とレーザチューブ電流値との関係を示す特性線図である
。Hereinafter, the present invention will be explained based on FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an electrostatic latent image forming system showing an embodiment of a laser beam printer according to the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 1 is a characteristic diagram showing the relationship between the laser power value over time and the laser tube current value of the argon laser indicated by reference numeral 9 in FIG.
第１−図において、第３図に示す従来形レーザビームプ
リンタと同一符号は同一部分、９はアルゴンレーザ（Ａ
ｒ”レーザ）を示し、アルゴンレーザ（Ａｒ“レーザ
）９の内部には、レーザパワーとレーザチューブ電流と
を測定するレーザパワー測定器１０を具備している。In Fig. 1, the same reference numerals and parts as in the conventional laser beam printer shown in Fig. 3 indicate the same parts, and 9 indicates the argon laser (A
The argon laser (Ar" laser) 9 is equipped with a laser power measuring device 10 for measuring laser power and laser tube current.
そして、前記レーザパワー測定器１０からレーザパワー
検出回路１１に信号が送られ、レーザ９が寿命に近くな
ると、レーザビームプリンタ（図示せず）上のＬＥＤ１
２が点灯し、ユーザにレーザ９の寿命が近いことを知ら
せる。なお、前記レーザパワー検出回路１１は、一定の
レーザ使用時間ごとに、レーザパワー値とレーザチュー
ブ電流値とをメモリーしておき、メンテナンス時あるい
は適宜これを出力（印刷）することにより、前記レーザ
９の交換時期を推定して準備させることも可能である。Then, a signal is sent from the laser power measuring device 10 to the laser power detection circuit 11, and when the laser 9 approaches the end of its life, the LED 1 on the laser beam printer (not shown)
2 lights up to inform the user that the laser 9 is nearing the end of its life. The laser power detection circuit 11 memorizes the laser power value and the laser tube current value for each fixed laser usage time, and outputs (prints) them during maintenance or as appropriate. It is also possible to estimate the replacement time and make preparations.
次に、レーザパワーを一定に制御するアルゴンレーザ９
の、レーザパワーとレーザチューブ電流との関係を、第
２図を用いて説明すると、同図に示すように、レーザパ
ワーは、レーザチューブ電流値が一定値（８Ａ）を越え
るまでは２０ｍＷで安定し、その後徐々に低下するとい
う特性を有している（使用Ａｒ”レーザニオムクロム社
製ＡｒレーザＭｏｄｅ１５３２８）。Next, the argon laser 9 is used to control the laser power to a constant level.
The relationship between laser power and laser tube current is explained using Figure 2. As shown in the figure, the laser power remains stable at 20 mW until the laser tube current value exceeds a certain value (8A). However, it has a characteristic of gradually decreasing after that (Ar" laser used: Ar laser Model 15328 manufactured by Niomchrome Co., Ltd.).
そこで、図示実施例においては、レーザチューブ電流を
測定して８Ａになった時点でＬＥＤ１３を点灯させると
いう比較回路をレーザパワー検出回路１１に設けたもの
であって、これにより、従来定期交換していたレーザの
真の寿命をユーザに知らせて、高価なレーザの寿命を最
大限有効に活用することができ、またこれとは逆に、プ
リンタ使用の途中、突然レーザパワーが低下してマシン
停止し、ユーザに対して多大な迷惑をかける不具合をも
未然に防止することができる。Therefore, in the illustrated embodiment, the laser power detection circuit 11 is provided with a comparison circuit that lights up the LED 13 when the laser tube current reaches 8A. It allows users to know the true lifespan of their lasers, allowing them to make the most of the lifespan of their expensive lasers, and vice versa, when the laser power suddenly drops while the printer is in use and the machine stops. Therefore, it is possible to prevent problems that cause a great deal of inconvenience to users.
なお、前記実施例においては、帯電器３によって一様に
帯電された感光体１にレーザ光５を照射し、静電潜像を
形成する具体的手段として、アルゴンレーザ９を用いた
場合について例示したが、本発明においてはこれにのみ
限定されるものではなく、他のガスレーザを用いて図示
実施例と同様の効果を得るようにしてもよい。In the above embodiments, an argon laser 9 is used as a specific means for irradiating the photoreceptor 1 uniformly charged by the charger 3 with the laser beam 5 to form an electrostatic latent image. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other gas lasers may be used to obtain the same effect as the illustrated embodiment.
本発明は以上のごときであり、図示実施例の説明からも
明らかなように、本発明によれば、帯電器により、−様
に帯電された感光体にレーザ光を照射して、静電潜像を
形成するレーザビームプリンタにおいて、前記レーザ光
を照射するガスレーザにレーザパワー測定器を具備せし
め、かつ前記レーザパワー一定器の出力信号を外部に取
り出して表示する手段を備えることにより、従来定期交
換していたレーザの真の寿命を知ることにより、高価な
レーザの寿命を最大限有効に活用することができ、しか
もプリンタ使用の途中、突然レーザパワーが低下してマ
シン停止し、ユーザに対して多大な迷惑をかけることの
ない、経済性、機器の信頼性のいずれの点でもすぐれた
、改良されたレーザビームプリンタを得ることができる
。The present invention is as described above, and as is clear from the description of the illustrated embodiments, according to the present invention, a charger irradiates a laser beam onto a negatively charged photoreceptor to generate electrostatic potential. In a laser beam printer that forms an image, the gas laser that irradiates the laser beam is equipped with a laser power measuring device, and the output signal of the laser power constant device is provided with a means for taking out and displaying the output signal outside, thereby eliminating the conventional periodic replacement. By knowing the true lifespan of an expensive laser, you can make the most of the lifespan of an expensive laser.Moreover, in the middle of using the printer, the laser power suddenly decreases and the machine stops, causing the user to It is possible to obtain an improved laser beam printer that does not cause much trouble and is excellent in terms of both economy and equipment reliability.
第１図は本発明に係るレーザビームプリンタの一実施例
を示す静電潜像形成系説明図、第２図は第１図に符号９
で示すアルゴンレーザの経時的レーザパワー値とレーザ
チューブ電流値との関係を示す特性線図、第３図は従来
形レーザビームプリンタの全体的印刷系説明図、第４図
は第３図に符号８で示すヘリカドレーザの経時的レーザ
パワー値とレーザチューブ電流値との関係を示す特性線
図、第５図はレーザの使用時間と寿命との関係を示す特
性線図である。
１は感光体、５はレーザ光、９はアルゴンレーザ、１０
はレーザパワー測定器、１１はレーザパワー検出回路、
１２はＬＥＤ。FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an electrostatic latent image forming system showing an embodiment of a laser beam printer according to the present invention, and FIG.
A characteristic diagram showing the relationship between the laser power value of the argon laser over time and the laser tube current value as shown in Figure 3 is an explanatory diagram of the overall printing system of a conventional laser beam printer, and Figure 4 shows the reference numerals in Figure 3. 8 is a characteristic diagram showing the relationship between the laser power value and the laser tube current value over time of the helicad laser, and FIG. 5 is a characteristic diagram showing the relationship between the usage time and the lifetime of the laser. 1 is a photoreceptor, 5 is a laser beam, 9 is an argon laser, 10
is a laser power measuring device, 11 is a laser power detection circuit,
12 is an LED.
Claims (1)
照射して、静電潜像を形成するレーザビームプリンタに
おいて、前記レーザ光を照射するガスレーザにレーザパ
ワー測定器を具備せしめ、かつ前記レーザパワー測定器
の出力信号を外部に取り出して表示する手段を具備して
なることを特徴とするレーザビームプリンタ。 ２、特許請求の範囲第１項記載の発明において、レーザ
パワー測定器の出力値が所定の値となってガスレーザの
交換に到った時期を報知する手段を備えたレーザビーム
プリンタ。３、特許請求の範囲第１項記載の発明におい
て、レーザパワー測定器出力を一定の印刷時間Ｔの間隔
で記録し、その結果を印刷する手段を備えたレーザビー
ムプリンタ。[Scope of Claims] 1. In a laser beam printer that forms an electrostatic latent image by irradiating a photoreceptor uniformly charged with a charger with a laser beam, a laser power measurement is performed on a gas laser that irradiates the laser beam. 1. A laser beam printer, characterized in that the laser beam printer is equipped with a device and means for extracting and displaying an output signal of the laser power measuring device to the outside. 2. A laser beam printer according to the invention set forth in claim 1, comprising means for notifying when the output value of the laser power measuring device reaches a predetermined value and the gas laser needs to be replaced. 3. A laser beam printer according to the invention as set forth in claim 1, which is equipped with means for recording the output of the laser power measuring device at regular intervals of printing time T and printing the results.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP1286337A JPH03146973A (en) | 1989-11-02 | 1989-11-02 | Laser beam printer |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP1286337A JPH03146973A (en) | 1989-11-02 | 1989-11-02 | Laser beam printer |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| JPH03146973A true JPH03146973A (en) | 1991-06-21 |
Family
ID=17703081
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP1286337A Pending JPH03146973A (en) | 1989-11-02 | 1989-11-02 | Laser beam printer |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JPH03146973A (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JP2022041129A (en) * | 2020-08-31 | 2022-03-11 | 三菱電機株式会社 | Gas laser device |
-
1989
- 1989-11-02 JP JP1286337A patent/JPH03146973A/en active Pending
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JP2022041129A (en) * | 2020-08-31 | 2022-03-11 | 三菱電機株式会社 | Gas laser device |
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