WO2022210027A1 - Reusage determination method for component used in drum cartridge - Google Patents

Reusage determination method for component used in drum cartridge Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2022210027A1
WO2022210027A1 PCT/JP2022/012604 JP2022012604W WO2022210027A1 WO 2022210027 A1 WO2022210027 A1 WO 2022210027A1 JP 2022012604 W JP2022012604 W JP 2022012604W WO 2022210027 A1 WO2022210027 A1 WO 2022210027A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
drum
information
determined
transfer roller
reuse
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/JP2022/012604
Other languages
French (fr)
Japanese (ja)
Inventor
俊二 吉元
慎太郎 鈴木
帆 徐
千栄子 三村
Original Assignee
ブラザー工業株式会社
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by ブラザー工業株式会社 filed Critical ブラザー工業株式会社
Publication of WO2022210027A1 publication Critical patent/WO2022210027A1/en

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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G21/00—Arrangements not provided for by groups G03G13/00 - G03G19/00, e.g. cleaning, elimination of residual charge
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G21/00—Arrangements not provided for by groups G03G13/00 - G03G19/00, e.g. cleaning, elimination of residual charge
    • G03G21/16—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements
    • G03G21/18—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements using a processing cartridge, whereby the process cartridge comprises at least two image processing means in a single unit

Definitions

  • the present disclosure relates to a reuse determination method for parts used in drum cartridges.
  • the toner cartridges may be supplied from multiple different suppliers. Different suppliers of toner cartridges may have different lifetimes of components used in drum cartridges. In the prior art, it was not possible to appropriately determine whether or not the parts used in the drum cartridge can be reused in such cases.
  • an object of the present disclosure is to appropriately determine whether the parts used in the drum cartridge can be reused.
  • a method for determining reuse of parts used in drum cartridges according to the first aspect for solving the above-described problems includes a reading step and a determining step.
  • the drum cartridge can be attached to or detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus.
  • a drum cartridge includes a photosensitive drum and a drum memory.
  • a drum cartridge is used with a toner cartridge.
  • the reading step is a step of reading life information about the life of components and supply information, which is information about the supplier of the toner cartridge used together with the drum cartridge, from the drum memory.
  • the determining step is a step of determining whether the parts used in the drum cartridge are reusable based on the life information and supply information read from the drum memory.
  • the life information and the supply information which is information about the supply source of the toner cartridge, it is determined whether the parts used in the drum cartridge are reusable. It is possible to appropriately determine whether or not the part that is being used can be reused.
  • the drum cartridge of the first aspect may further include a charger that charges the photosensitive drum, and the component that determines whether the cartridge is reusable may include the charger. .
  • the determination step of the second aspect if at least one of the supply information is not information related to a predetermined supply source, it may not be determined that the charger is reusable.
  • the charger when at least one piece of supply information is not information related to a predetermined supply source, the charger is not reused, so it is possible to suppress problems with the reused charger.
  • the number of abnormal discharge determinations which is the number of abnormal discharges in the charger, is read from the drum memory, and in the determination step, the supply information read from the drum memory. is not information related to a predetermined supply source, or if the number of times of abnormal discharge is equal to or greater than a predetermined number of times, it may not be determined that the charger is reusable.
  • the number of times of reuse which is the number of times the charger has been reused, is read from the drum memory, and in the determination step, the number of times of reuse is read from the drum memory. If the number of times of reuse is equal to or greater than a predetermined number of times, it may not be determined that the charger is reusable.
  • the charger according to any one aspect of the second to fifth aspects has a wire and a cleaner for cleaning the wire, and in the reading step, the cleaner is removed from the drum memory.
  • the number of times the wire has been cleaned is read out, and in the determining step, if the number of times of cleaning read out from the drum memory is equal to or greater than a predetermined number of times, it may not be determined that the wire is reusable.
  • the component for determining whether it is reusable in any one of the first to sixth aspects may be configured to include a photosensitive drum.
  • the reuse determination method of the eighth aspect in the determination step of the seventh aspect, if at least one of the supply information is not information relating to a predetermined supply source, it may not be determined that the photosensitive drum is reusable.
  • the photoreceptor drum is not reused.
  • the severe environment usage history which is the history of use in the harsh environment
  • the determination step at least one piece of the supply information is specified. It may be configured such that it is not determined that the photoreceptor drum is reusable if the drum memory does not have the information about the supply source of the photoreceptor drum, or if the history of use in the harsh environment is recorded in the drum memory.
  • the photoreceptor drum is not reused. Defects of the drum can be suppressed.
  • the photoconductor drum is reused.
  • a configuration may be adopted in which it is not determined to be available.
  • the photoreceptor drum is reused.
  • a configuration in which it is not determined to be possible may be adopted.
  • the photoconductor drum when the remaining life of the photoconductor drum calculated from the life information of the photoconductor drum is equal to or less than the threshold value, the photoconductor drum is not reused, so that the problem of the reused photoconductor drum can be suppressed.
  • the drum cartridge according to any one of the first to eleventh aspects is a transfer roller positioned to face the photoreceptor drum and transferring the toner image on the photoreceptor drum to a sheet. and the component for determining whether it is reusable may include a transfer roller.
  • the transfer roller in the determination step of the twelfth aspect, if at least one piece of the supply information is not information relating to a predetermined supply source, it may not be determined that the transfer roller is reusable.
  • the transfer roller when at least one piece of supply information is not information related to a predetermined supply source, the transfer roller is not reused, so it is possible to suppress defects in the reused transfer roller.
  • the severe environment usage history which is a history of use in a harsh environment
  • the determination step at least one piece of supply information is specified. It may be configured such that it is not determined that the transfer roller is reusable if the drum memory does not have the information about the supply source of the transfer roller and the severe environment usage history is recorded in the drum memory.
  • the transfer roller when at least one piece of supply information is not information about a predetermined supply source, or when a history of use in a harsh environment is recorded in the drum memory, the transfer roller is not reused. Defects can be suppressed.
  • the transfer roller life progress degree calculated from the transfer roller life information is equal to or greater than a threshold value, the transfer roller is reusable.
  • a configuration in which it is not determined to be present may be adopted.
  • the transfer roller in the determination step of the thirteenth aspect or the fourteenth aspect, if the remaining life of the transfer roller calculated from the life information of the transfer roller is equal to or less than a threshold value, the transfer roller is reusable. It is good also as composition which does not judge.
  • the transfer roller when the remaining life of the transfer roller calculated from the life information of the transfer roller is equal to or less than the threshold value, the transfer roller is not reused, so it is possible to suppress defects of the reused transfer roller.
  • the severe environment usage history of the ninth aspect or the fourteenth aspect includes at least use at a predetermined temperature or higher, use at a predetermined temperature or lower, and use at a predetermined humidity or higher. It is good also as a structure containing one.
  • the image forming apparatus of the present disclosure it is possible to appropriately determine whether the parts used in the drum cartridge can be reused.
  • FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment
  • FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view showing the structure of the drum cartridge
  • FIG. It is a perspective view (a) of a charger, and a perspective view (b) showing a cleaner of the charger.
  • FIG. 2A shows the circuit configuration around the charger
  • FIG. 2B shows the configuration of the detection substrate.
  • 7 is a graph showing the relationship between the number of rotations of the transfer roller and the electrical resistance value at low humidity, medium humidity, and high humidity.
  • 4 is a flowchart showing a wire reuse determination method according to the first embodiment.
  • 4 is a flow chart showing a method for judging reuse of a photosensitive drum according to the first embodiment
  • 5 is a flow chart showing a transfer roller reuse determination method according to the first embodiment.
  • 9 is a flowchart showing a wire reuse determination method according to the second embodiment.
  • 10 is a flow chart showing a method for judging reuse of a photosensitive drum according to the second embodiment; 10 is a flow chart showing a transfer roller reuse determination method according to the second embodiment.
  • the image forming apparatus 1 is a monochrome laser printer.
  • the image forming apparatus 1 includes an apparatus body 2 , a feeder section 3 , an image forming section 4 , a control section 100 and a detection board 200 .
  • the device main body 2 has a hollow case shape.
  • the apparatus main body 2 has side walls 21R and 21L and a front wall 22 connecting the side walls 21R and 21L.
  • the front wall 22 has a body opening 22A.
  • the front wall 22 is provided with a front cover 23 for opening and closing the body opening 22A.
  • the feeder section 3 has a supply tray 31 and a supply mechanism 32 .
  • the supply tray 31 is detachably attached to the lower portion of the apparatus main body 2 .
  • the supply mechanism 32 feeds the supply tray 31 and the sheet S in the supply tray 31 toward the image forming section 4 .
  • the image forming section 4 includes a scanner unit 5 , a belt unit 6 , a fixing device 7 , a drum cartridge 8 and a toner cartridge 9 .
  • the scanner unit 5 is provided in the upper part of the apparatus main body 2, and includes a laser emitting section, a polygon mirror, a lens, a reflecting mirror, and the like (not shown).
  • the scanner unit 5 irradiates a laser beam onto the surface of a photosensitive drum 81, which will be described later, at high speed scanning.
  • the belt unit 6 has a belt 61, a driving roller 62, and a driven roller 63.
  • the belt unit 6 is detachable from the apparatus main body 2 .
  • the drum cartridge 8 is arranged between the feeder section 3 and the scanner unit 5 .
  • the drum cartridge 8 is detachable from the apparatus main body 2 .
  • the drum cartridge 8 can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body 2 through a main body opening 22A that is opened and closed by the front cover 23 of the apparatus main body 2 .
  • the drum cartridge 8 is used together with the toner cartridge 9.
  • the toner cartridge 9 can be attached to or removed from the drum cartridge 8 .
  • the toner cartridge 9 can be attached to or detached from the apparatus main body 2 while being attached to the drum cartridge 8 .
  • the drum cartridge 8 has a drum frame 80 , a photosensitive drum 81 , a transfer roller 82 , a charger 83 and a drum memory 85 .
  • a toner cartridge 9 can be mounted on the drum frame 80 .
  • the drum frame 80 rotatably supports the photosensitive drum 81 and the transfer roller 82 .
  • the photoreceptor drum 81 rotates about a first shaft 81X extending in the axial direction of the photoreceptor drum 81 (simply referred to as “axial direction” in the following description).
  • the transfer roller 82 is positioned to face the photosensitive drum 81 .
  • a transfer roller 82 transfers the toner image on the photosensitive drum 81 onto a sheet.
  • the charger 83 is positioned facing the photosensitive drum 81 .
  • the charger 83 has a wire 831, a grid electrode 832, a charging frame 833, and a cleaner 834 (see FIG. 3).
  • the charger 83 generates corona discharge by applying a wire voltage to the wire 831 to charge the surface of the photosensitive drum 81 .
  • the wire 831 extends along the axial direction.
  • the grid electrode 832 is an electrode positioned between the wire 831 and the photoreceptor drum 81 .
  • the charging frame 833 is a frame that covers the charger 83 .
  • a charging frame 833 supports wires 831 and grid electrodes 832 .
  • the cleaner 834 is slidably provided on the charging frame 833. As shown in FIG. The cleaner 834 is slidable in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 81 .
  • the cleaner 834 cleans the wire 831 by moving in contact with the wire 831 .
  • the cleaner 834 has a support member 834A and a sponge 834B.
  • the support member 834A supports the sponge 834B.
  • the wire 831 is sandwiched between the sponges 834B. With the drum cartridge 8 detached from the apparatus main body 2, the wire 831 is cleaned by sliding the support member 834A by the user. If there is any deposit on the surface of the wire 831, the wire 831 removes the deposit.
  • the drum memory 85 is, for example, a medium such as an IC chip that stores information, and is not limited to the IC chip.
  • the controller 100 is electrically connected to the drum memory 85 while the drum cartridge 8 is attached to the apparatus main body 2 (see FIG. 1).
  • the drum memory 85 has a storage area for storing supply information, which is information regarding the supply source of the toner cartridge 9 used together with the drum cartridge 8 .
  • supply information is stored in the drum memory 85.
  • the information on the supplier is, for example, information indicating manufacturer information and information indicating genuine products or non-genuine products.
  • the toner cartridge 9 has a housing 90 , a developing roller 91 , a supply roller 92 , a blade 93 and a toner memory 95 .
  • the housing 90 can contain toner inside.
  • the developing roller 91 supplies toner to the photosensitive drum 81 .
  • the developing roller 91 rotates about a second shaft 91X extending in the axial direction.
  • the supply roller 92 supplies the toner in the housing 90 to the developing roller 91 .
  • the blade 93 regulates the thickness of the toner layer supplied to the developing roller 91 .
  • the toner memory 95 is, for example, a medium such as an IC chip that stores information, and is not limited to the IC chip.
  • the controller 100 is electrically connected to the toner memory 95 while the toner cartridge 9 is attached to the apparatus main body 2 .
  • the toner memory 95 has a storage area in which supply information of the toner cartridge 9 is stored.
  • the surface of the rotating photosensitive drum 81 is uniformly charged by the charger 83 and then exposed by high-speed scanning of the laser beam from the scanner unit 5 . As a result, the potential of the exposed portion is lowered, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photoreceptor drum 81 based on the image data.
  • the toner in the toner cartridge 9 is supplied to the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 81 by the rotationally driven developing roller 91 to form a toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 81 .
  • the toner image carried on the surface of the photoreceptor drum 81 is transferred onto the sheet S by conveying the sheet S between the photoreceptor drum 81 and the transfer roller 82 .
  • the fixing device 7 has a heating roller 71 and a pressure roller 72 .
  • the pressure roller 72 is positioned to face the heating roller 71 .
  • the pressure roller 72 presses the heating roller 71 .
  • the fixing device 7 thermally fixes the toner transferred onto the sheet S while the sheet S passes between the heating roller 71 and the pressure roller 72 .
  • the sheet S heat-fixed by the fixing device 7 is conveyed to the paper discharge rollers 24 located downstream of the fixing device 7 and sent from the paper discharge rollers 24 onto the paper discharge tray 25 .
  • the control unit 100 includes a CPU, RAM, ROM, nonvolatile memory, ASIC, input/output circuits, and the like.
  • the control unit 100 executes control by performing various arithmetic processing based on the print command, the signal output from the detection board 200, and the programs and data stored in the ROM or the like.
  • the detection board 200 is a board that detects the discharge state of the charger 83 .
  • the detection board 200 is a circuit board capable of detecting the occurrence of abnormal discharge, that is, abnormal discharge due to spark discharge.
  • the charger 83 generates corona discharge.
  • corona discharge is called normal discharge or discharge that is not abnormal discharge.
  • spark discharge is used as discharge other than corona discharge.
  • the detection board 200 is capable of detecting spark discharge.
  • the detection board 200 is connected to the charger 83 via the capacitor 15 . Further, the detection board 200 is connected to the control section 100 .
  • a wire 831 of the charger 83 is connected to the high-voltage power supply section 16 .
  • the high-voltage power supply unit 16 is a circuit that applies a high-voltage wire voltage to the wire 831 .
  • the high-voltage power supply unit 16 is shown in a simplified form for the sake of convenience.
  • a current flows through the grid electrode 832 .
  • the grid electrode 832 of each charger 83 is grounded via the first resistor 17 and the second resistor 18 connected in series.
  • the potential of the grid electrode 832 is determined by the grid current and the resistance values of the first resistor 17 and the second resistor 18 .
  • a wiring connecting the grid electrode 832 and the first resistor 17 and the capacitor 15 are connected at a first connection point P1.
  • the capacitor 15 plays a role of causing the AC component of the current at the first connection point P1 to flow to the detection board 200. As shown in FIG.
  • a wiring that connects the first resistor 17 and the second resistor 18 and the control unit 100 are connected at a second connection point P2.
  • the control unit 100 detects the grid current flowing through the grid electrode 832 from the potential at the second connection point P2.
  • the detection board 200 is composed of a plurality of resistors 201, capacitors 202, transistors 203, resistors 204, and the like.
  • Each resistor 201 and capacitor 202 are provided to convert the current accompanying the abnormal discharge input from each capacitor 15 into a voltage using a predetermined circuit constant and apply the voltage to the base of the transistor 203 . Since the current associated with the abnormal discharge is instantaneous, only the AC component of the current flowing through the grid electrode 832 is input to the detection substrate 200 via the capacitor 15 .
  • the transistor 203 has its emitter connected to the ground, its collector connected to the power supply through the resistor 204 , and its base connected to the capacitor 15 through the resistor 201 and the capacitor 202 .
  • a third connection point P3 is provided between the transistor 203 and the resistor 204 and connected to the control section 100 .
  • the resistor 204 is provided to pull up the potential of the third connection point P3.
  • the potential at the third connection point P3 is 3.3 volts, which is substantially the same as the power supply voltage, and the output of the detection board 200 is in a high state. becomes.
  • an AC component of the current associated with the abnormal discharge flows through the detection board 200 via the capacitor 15 .
  • the current accompanying the abnormal discharge is applied to the base of the transistor 203 as a voltage determined by the voltage division ratio of the capacitors 15 and 202 .
  • the potential of the third connection point P3 becomes close to 0 V, and the output of the detection substrate 200 becomes low.
  • control unit 100 controls supply information, life information of the photoreceptor drum 81, life information of the transfer roller 82, the number of cleaning execution times of the wire 831, A process of writing the number of abnormal discharges of the charger 83 and the history of use in a harsh environment in the drum memory 85 is executed.
  • the control unit 100 reads the supply information stored in the toner memory 95 of the toner cartridge 9 and writes it to the drum memory 85 .
  • the supply information of the toner cartridge 9 this time is written in the drum memory 85 . Therefore, the supply information of a plurality of toner cartridges 9 may be stored in the drum memory 85 .
  • the life information of the photoreceptor drum 81 includes at least one of the number of rotations of the photoreceptor drum 81 and the number of prints printed using the photoreceptor drum 81 .
  • the life information of the photoreceptor drum 81 is the number of rotations of the photoreceptor drum 81 , the accumulated dot count, and the number of rotations of the developing roller 91 .
  • the control unit 100 stores the number of rotations of the photosensitive drum 81, the number of prints printed using the photosensitive drum 81, the cumulative dot count, and the number of rotations of the developing roller 91 at predetermined time intervals or for each print job. write to In this embodiment, the control unit 100 writes the number of rotations of the photosensitive drum 81, the accumulated dot count, and the number of rotations of the developing roller 91 in the drum memory 85 for each print job.
  • the control unit 100 controls the number of rotations Xn of the photosensitive drum 81 when the developing roller 91 is stopped, the number of rotations Yn of the photosensitive drum 81 when the developing roller 91 is rotating, are stored separately. Specifically, during the n-th job, the control unit 100 counts the number of rotations Xn of the photoreceptor drum 81 when the photoreceptor drum 81 rotates and the developing roller 91 stops. When the photosensitive drum 81 rotates and the developing roller 91 rotates, the number of rotations Yn of the photosensitive drum 81 is counted.
  • the life information of the transfer roller 82 includes at least one of the number of rotations of the transfer roller 82 and the number of prints printed using the transfer roller 82 .
  • the life information of the transfer roller 82 is the number of rotations of the transfer roller 82 .
  • the control unit 100 writes the number of times the transfer roller 82 rotates and the number of printed sheets printed using the transfer roller 82 in the drum memory 85 at predetermined time intervals or for each print job.
  • the controller 100 writes the number of rotations of the transfer roller 82 to the drum memory 85 for each print job.
  • control unit 100 records the wire voltage in the main body memory (not shown) every 1 ms.
  • the control unit 100 continuously records the wire voltage while the image forming apparatus 1 is powered on.
  • the control unit 100 determines whether the wire 831 of the charger 83 has been cleaned when the front cover 23 is opened and when the power is turned on.
  • the control unit 100 compares the wire voltage immediately before the front cover 23 is opened with the wire voltage immediately after the front cover 23 is closed. If it is smaller than the voltage, it is determined that the wire 831 of the charger 83 has been cleaned.
  • the control unit 100 compares the wire voltage immediately before the power of the image forming apparatus 1 is turned off with the wire voltage immediately after the power is turned on. If it is lower than the voltage by a predetermined voltage or more, it is determined that the wire 831 of the charger 83 has been cleaned.
  • the controller 100 determines that the wire 831 of the charger 83 has been cleaned, it adds 1 to the cleaning execution count and writes it to the drum memory 85 .
  • the control unit 100 continues to determine whether abnormal discharge has occurred in the charger 83 while the image forming apparatus 1 is powered on. Based on the output signal of the detection board 200, the control unit 100 determines whether abnormal discharge, that is, spark discharge has occurred.
  • the grid current is, for example, about 300 to 350 ⁇ A when the discharge in the charger 83 is normal. Become. However, since the grid current during abnormal discharge becomes a large current value momentarily, the control unit 100 may not be able to accurately detect the grid current during abnormal discharge in the sampling period for the application process. . Therefore, when the output of the detection board 200 is in a high state, the control section 100 determines that the charger 83 is performing normal discharge, that is, corona discharge. On the other hand, the control unit 100 determines that spark discharge is occurring when the output of the detection board 200 is in a low state.
  • control unit 100 determines whether or not the charger 83 has abnormal discharge, and writes the number of abnormal discharges in the drum memory 85 .
  • control unit 100 records the temperature and humidity in the main body memory at predetermined time intervals.
  • the control unit 100 writes the severe environment usage history to the drum memory 85 .
  • the severe environment use history includes at least one of use at a predetermined temperature or higher, use at a predetermined temperature or lower, and use at a predetermined humidity or higher.
  • the severe environment usage history includes usage history at a temperature exceeding 50°C, usage history at a temperature of 10°C or less for a total of 5 days or more, and usage history at a temperature of 32.5°C or higher for a total of 5 days or more.
  • Usage history A cumulative usage history of 5 days or more in an environment with a humidity of 80% or higher.
  • the method for judging the reuse of parts used in the drum cartridge 8 includes a reading process and a judging process.
  • the parts that are determined to be reusable include the charger 83 , the photoreceptor drum 81 , and the transfer roller 82 .
  • the reading step is a step of reading life information about the life of parts from the drum memory 85 and supply information that is information about the supplier of the toner cartridge 9 used together with the drum cartridge 8 .
  • the life information is the number of times the charger 83 is reused.
  • the drum memory 85 does not store the number of times of reuse, the number of times of reuse of the charger 83 is zero.
  • the charger 83 is reused 1 is added to the number of times of reuse of the charger 83 and written in the drum memory 85 .
  • the life information is the number of rotations of the photoreceptor drum 81 .
  • the progress of life of the photosensitive drum 81 is calculated. The progress of life increases as the photoreceptor drum 81 is used, and indicates the progress of the life of the photoreceptor drum 81 .
  • the threshold value is determined by considering the amount of wear obtained by adding the amount of wear due to cleaning during reuse and the amount of wear that can withstand the number of rotations planned for use after reuse.
  • the progress of life of the photosensitive drum 81 is calculated as follows.
  • the progress of life of the photosensitive drum 81 is calculated by adding the amount of wear from the beginning of use to the present.
  • the wear amount A(n) of the photoreceptor drum 81 in the (n)th job and the wear amount A(n+1) in the (n+1)th job are calculated by the following equations.
  • A(n+1) A(n)+(p ⁇ v1 ⁇ 1/T ⁇ Xn+q ⁇ v2 ⁇ 1/T ⁇ Yn+Sc ⁇ (Xn+Yn) ⁇ r)
  • Xn is the number of rotations of the photoreceptor drum when the photoreceptor drum rotates while the developing roller is stopped during the n-th job.
  • Yn is the number of rotations of the photoreceptor drum when the photoreceptor drum rotates while the developing roller is rotating in the n-th job.
  • v1 is the relative velocity of the photosensitive drum with respect to the developing roller when the photosensitive drum rotates while the developing roller is stopped.
  • v2 is the relative speed of the photosensitive drum with respect to the developing roller when the photosensitive drum rotates while the developing roller is rotating.
  • p and q are coefficients that differ depending on whether the developing roller is stopped or rotating while the photosensitive drum is rotating.
  • r is a coefficient determined by the temperature and humidity when the print job is executed.
  • 1/T is a coefficient indicating how easily the photoreceptor drum is worn due to deterioration of the toner, which is determined by the accumulated dot count and the number of rotations of the developing roller.
  • the life information is the number of times the transfer roller 82 rotates.
  • the progress of life of the transfer roller 82 is calculated from the number of rotations of the transfer roller 82 stored in the drum memory 85 .
  • the progress of life increases as the transfer roller 82 is used, and indicates the progress of the life of the transfer roller 82 .
  • the threshold value in this case is determined by taking into account the degree of progress of life that is the sum of the degree of progress of life at present and the degree of progress of life due to the number of rotations that are planned to be used after reuse.
  • the progress of life of the transfer roller 82 is calculated as follows.
  • the progress of the life of the transfer roller 82 is calculated by adding an increase in electrical resistance value according to the environment when the transfer roller 82 rotates.
  • the increase in the electric resistance value of the transfer roller 82 is calculated by the following procedure.
  • the number of rotations of the transfer roller 82 and the electric A relationship with an increase in resistance is shown.
  • the increase in the electrical resistance of the transfer roller 82 progresses faster in a low humidity environment than in a high humidity environment.
  • the increase in the electric resistance value of the transfer roller 82 when the number of rotations of the transfer roller 82 is from k to k+1 is calculated from the graph in FIG. and m3 at high humidity.
  • the control unit 100 calculates the amount of increase in the resistance value of the transfer roller 82 by totaling the amount of increase in the electrical resistance value calculated for each print job.
  • the determination step is a step of determining whether the parts used in the drum cartridge 8 are reusable based on the life information and supply information read from the drum memory 85 . In this embodiment, if at least one of the supply information is not information relating to a predetermined supply source in the determination step, it is not determined that the charger 83, photoreceptor drum 81, and transfer roller 82 are reusable.
  • the number of times of reuse which is the number of times the charger 83 has been reused
  • the number of times of reuse read out from the drum memory 85 in the reading process is equal to or greater than the predetermined number of times. If there is, it is not determined that the charger 83 is reusable.
  • the wire 831 is not determined to be reusable.
  • the progress of the life of the photosensitive drum 81 calculated from the life information of the photosensitive drum 81 in the determination step is the threshold value. In the case above, it is not determined that the photosensitive drum 81 is reusable.
  • the life information of the transfer roller 82 is read from the drum memory 85 in the reading process, and the progress of the life of the transfer roller 82 calculated from the life information of the transfer roller 82 in the determination process is equal to or greater than the threshold. In this case, it is not determined that the transfer roller 82 is reusable.
  • the wire 831 reuse determination method first reads out the supply information, the number of times the wire 831 is reused, and the number of cleaning times of the wire 831 from the drum memory 85 (S11).
  • step S11 it is determined whether at least one of the supply information is a specific supplier (S12)
  • step S12 If it is determined in step S12 that at least one piece of supply information is not a specific supplier (S12, Yes), it is determined that the wire 831 cannot be reused (S16).
  • step S12 If it is not determined in step S12 that at least one piece of supply information is not from a specific supply source (S12, No), it is determined whether the number of times the wire 831 is reused is a times or more, where a is a predetermined threshold value. (S13).
  • step S13 if it is determined that the number of times the wire 831 has been reused is a times or more (S13, Yes), it is determined that the wire 831 cannot be reused (S16).
  • step S13 if it is not determined that the number of times the wire 831 is reused is a times or more (S13, No), it is determined whether the number of cleaning execution times of the wire 831 is b times or more, where b is a predetermined threshold value. Determine (S14).
  • step S14 when it is determined that the number of cleaning executions of the wire 831 is b times or more (S14, Yes), it is determined that the wire 831 cannot be reused (S16).
  • step S14 If it is not determined in step S14 that the number of cleaning execution times of the wire 831 is b times or more (S14, No), it is determined that the wire 831 can be reused (S15).
  • the reuse determination method for the photoreceptor drum 81 first reads the life information, supply information, and severe environment usage history of the photoreceptor drum 81 from the drum memory 85 (S21). The progress of life of the photosensitive drum 81 is calculated (S22).
  • step S22 it is determined whether the degree of progress of the life of the photosensitive drum 81 is equal to or greater than the threshold (S23).
  • step S23 If it is determined in step S23 that the life progress of the photoreceptor drum 81 is greater than or equal to the threshold value (S23, Yes), it is determined that the photoreceptor drum 81 cannot be reused (S27).
  • step S23 If it is not determined in step S23 that the life progress of the photosensitive drum 81 is equal to or greater than the threshold (S23, No), it is determined whether at least one piece of supply information is a specific source (S24).
  • step S24 If it is determined in step S24 that at least one piece of supply information is not from a specific supplier (S24, Yes), it is determined that the photosensitive drum 81 cannot be reused (S27).
  • step S24 If it is not determined in step S24 that at least one of the supply information is not from a specific supply source (S24, No), it is determined whether the severe environment usage history is recorded in the drum memory 85 (S25).
  • step S25 If it is determined in step S25 that the history of use in the harsh environment is recorded in the drum memory 85 (S25, Yes), it is determined that the photosensitive drum 81 cannot be reused (S27).
  • step S25 If it is not determined in step S25 that the severe environment usage history is recorded in the drum memory 85 (S25, No), it is determined that the photosensitive drum 81 can be reused (S26).
  • the transfer roller 82 reuse determination method first reads life information, supply information, and severe environment usage history of the transfer roller 82 from the drum memory 85 (S31). The progress of life of the drum 81 is calculated (S32).
  • step S32 it is determined whether the progress of life of the transfer roller 82 is equal to or greater than the threshold (S33).
  • step S33 If it is determined in step S33 that the progress of life of the transfer roller 82 is equal to or greater than the threshold (S33, Yes), it is determined that the transfer roller 82 cannot be reused (S37).
  • step S33 If it is not determined in step S33 that the progress of life of the transfer roller 82 is greater than or equal to the threshold value (S33, No), it is determined whether at least one piece of supply information is a specific source (S34).
  • step S34 If it is determined in step S34 that at least one piece of supply information is not from a specific supplier (S34, Yes), it is determined that the transfer roller 82 cannot be reused (S37).
  • step S34 If it is not determined in step S34 that at least one of the supply information is not from a specific supply source (S34, No), it is determined whether the severe environment usage history is recorded in the drum memory 85 (S35).
  • step S35 When it is determined in step S35 that the history of use in the harsh environment is recorded in the drum memory 85 (S35, Yes), it is determined that the transfer roller 82 cannot be reused (S37).
  • step S35 If it is not determined in step S35 that the severe environment usage history is recorded in the drum memory 85 (S35, No), it is determined that the transfer roller 82 can be reused (S36).
  • the determination process if at least one of the supply information is not information related to a predetermined supply source, it is not determined that the charger 83 is reusable. As a result, problems with the reused charger 83 can be suppressed.
  • the determination process if the number of times of reuse read from the drum memory 85 is equal to or greater than a predetermined number of times, it is not determined that the charger 83 is reusable. As a result, problems with the reused charger 83 can be suppressed.
  • the determination process if the number of times of cleaning read from the drum memory 85 is equal to or greater than a predetermined number of times, it is not determined that the wire 831 is reusable. Therefore, problems caused by the reused wire 831 can be suppressed.
  • the photosensitive drum 81 is not reused. As a result, problems with the reused photosensitive drum 81 can be suppressed.
  • the determination process if the degree of progress of the life of the photoconductor drum 81 calculated from the life information of the photoconductor drum 81 is equal to or greater than the threshold, it is not determined that the photoconductor drum 81 is reusable. As a result, problems with the reused photosensitive drum 81 can be suppressed.
  • the determination process if at least one of the supply information is not information related to a predetermined supply source, it is not determined that the transfer roller is reusable. Therefore, problems with the reused transfer roller 82 can be suppressed.
  • the determination process if the progress of life of the transfer roller 82 calculated from the life information of the transfer roller 82 is equal to or greater than the threshold value, it is not determined that the transfer roller 82 is reusable. Therefore, problems with the reused transfer roller 82 can be suppressed.
  • the charger 83 In the second embodiment, in the determination step, if at least one piece of supply information read from the drum memory 85 is not information related to a predetermined supply source, and if the number of abnormal discharges is equal to or greater than a predetermined number of times, the charger 83 Not determined to be reusable.
  • step S11 it is determined whether at least one piece of supply information is information related to a predetermined supply source (S121).
  • step S121 If it is determined in step S121 that at least one of the supply information is not information related to a predetermined supply source (S121, Yes), it is determined that the wire 831 cannot be reused (S16).
  • step S121 If it is not determined in step S121 that at least one piece of supply information is not information relating to a predetermined supply source (S121, No), it is checked whether the number of abnormal discharges is c times or more, where c is a predetermined threshold value. (S122).
  • step S122 If it is determined in step S122 that the number of abnormal discharges is c or more (S122, Yes), it is determined that the wire 831 cannot be reused (S16).
  • step S122 If it is not determined in step S122 that the number of abnormal discharges is c or more (S122, No), the process proceeds to step S13. Since the steps from step S13 are the same as those in the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.
  • the charger 83 when at least one of the supply information is not information about a predetermined supply source and when the number of abnormal discharges is equal to or greater than a predetermined number of times, the charger 83 is reused. Since it is not used, troubles of the reused charger 83 can be suppressed.
  • the severe environment usage history which is the history of use in a harsh environment
  • the drum memory 85 in the reading step, the severe environment usage history, which is the history of use in a harsh environment, is read from the drum memory 85, and in the determining step, at least one piece of supply information is related to a predetermined supply source. If it is not information and if the drum memory 85 has a history of use in a harsh environment, it is not determined that the photosensitive drum 81 is reusable.
  • step S23 if it is not determined in step S23 that the life progress of the photosensitive drum 81 is equal to or greater than the threshold value (S23, No), it is checked whether the severe environment usage history is recorded in the drum memory 85. Determine (S241).
  • step S241 If it is not determined in step S241 that the severe environment usage history is recorded in the drum memory 85 (S241, No), it is determined that the photosensitive drum 81 can be reused (S26).
  • step S241 If it is determined in step S241 that the severe environment usage history is recorded in the drum memory 85 (S241, Yes), it is determined whether at least one piece of supply information is not a predetermined source (S242).
  • step S242 If it is not determined in step S242 that at least one of the pieces of supply information is not from a predetermined supply source (S242, No), it is determined that the photosensitive drum 81 can be reused (S26).
  • step S242 If it is determined in step S242 that at least one piece of the supply information is not a predetermined supply source (S242, Yes), it is determined that the photosensitive drum 81 cannot be reused (S27).
  • the photosensitive drum 81 of this embodiment if at least one piece of the supply information is not information about a predetermined supply source and the drum memory 85 records a history of use in a harsh environment, the photosensitive drum 81 can be reused. Since the body drum 81 is not reused, troubles of the reused photosensitive drum 81 can be suppressed.
  • the severe environment usage history which is the history of use in a harsh environment
  • the drum memory 85 in the reading step, the severe environment usage history, which is the history of use in a harsh environment, is read from the drum memory 85, and in the determining step, at least one piece of supply information is related to a predetermined supply source. If it is not information and if the drum memory 85 has a history of use in a harsh environment, it is not determined that the transfer roller 82 is reusable.
  • step S33 if it is not determined in step S33 that the progress of life of the transfer roller 82 is equal to or greater than the threshold value (S33, No), it is determined whether or not the severe environment usage history is recorded in the drum memory 85. (S341).
  • step S341 If it is not determined in step S341 that the severe environment usage history is recorded in the drum memory 85 (S341, No), it is determined that the transfer roller 82 can be reused (S36).
  • step S341 If it is determined in step S341 that the severe environment usage history is recorded in the drum memory 85 (S341, Yes), it is determined whether at least one piece of supply information is not a predetermined supply source (S342).
  • step S342 If it is not determined in step S342 that at least one piece of supply information is not from a predetermined supply source (S342, No), it is determined that the transfer roller 82 can be reused (S36).
  • step S342 If it is determined in step S342 that at least one piece of supply information is not from a predetermined supply source (S342, Yes), it is determined that the transfer roller 82 cannot be reused (S37).
  • the transfer roller 82 of this embodiment if at least one of the supply information is not information about a predetermined supply source and the drum memory 85 records a history of use in a harsh environment, the transfer roller Since the transfer roller 82 is not reused, problems with the reused transfer roller 82 can be suppressed.
  • the determination step if the degree of progress of the life of the photosensitive drum 81 calculated from the life information of the photosensitive drum 81 is equal to or greater than the threshold value, it is not determined that the photosensitive drum 81 is reusable. However, without being limited to this configuration, if the remaining life of the photoreceptor drum 81 calculated from the life information of the photoreceptor drum 81 is equal to or less than a threshold value in the determination step, it is determined that the photoreceptor drum 81 can be reused. A configuration in which no determination is made is also possible. The remaining life decreases as the photoreceptor drum 81 is used and indicates the remaining life of the photoreceptor drum 81 .
  • the determination step if the progress of life of the transfer roller 82 calculated from the life information of the transfer roller 82 is equal to or greater than the threshold value, it is not determined that the transfer roller 82 is reusable.
  • the determination step if the remaining life of the transfer roller 82 calculated from the life information of the transfer roller 82 is equal to or less than a threshold value, it is not determined that the transfer roller 82 is reusable. good too.
  • the remaining life decreases as the photoreceptor drum 81 is used and indicates the remaining life of the photoreceptor drum 81 .
  • the parts for determining whether they are reusable include the charger 83, the photosensitive drum 81, and the transfer roller 82, but other parts are reusable. You can determine if there is
  • the severe environment usage history was the usage history at a temperature exceeding 50°C, but the temperature and humidity of the severe environment can be changed as appropriate.
  • control unit 100 is configured to write the history of use in the harsh environment to the drum memory 85 when it is determined that there has been use in the harsh environment.
  • the number of times of use may be written in the drum memory 85 .
  • reusability may be determined according to the type of severe environment and the number of times of use in the severe environment.
  • the control unit 100 calculates the degree of progress of life of the photosensitive drum 81 and the transfer roller 82 in consideration of the environment (temperature, humidity) during execution of the print job, and determines that the degree of life progress is equal to or greater than the threshold.
  • the configuration is such that it is not determined to be reusable when it is determined that it is, the configuration is not limited to this configuration.
  • the control unit 100 calculates the life progress of the photosensitive drum 81 and the transfer roller 82 without considering the environment (temperature, humidity) when the print job is executed. It may be configured such that it is not determined to be reusable when it is determined that it is equal to or greater than a threshold value calculated in consideration of the environment (temperature, humidity).
  • the surface of the photoreceptor drum 81 is charged by the scorotron charger 83, but the photoreceptor drum may be charged by a charging roller.
  • the toner cartridge 9 assembled with the drum cartridge 8 is detachable from the apparatus main body 2.
  • the toner cartridge and the drum cartridge can be separately attached to the apparatus main body. There may be.
  • the toner cartridge has the developing roller, the supply roller, and the layer thickness regulating blade. good.
  • the detection substrate 200 as shown in FIG. 4A is connected to the grid electrode as the abnormal discharge detection section, but the present invention is not limited to this, and voltage is applied to the wire.
  • a detection board may be connected to the high-voltage power supply unit.
  • the image forming apparatus 1 is a monochrome laser printer, but it is not limited to this, and may be applied to color printers and other image forming apparatuses such as copiers and multifunction machines.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Computer Vision & Pattern Recognition (AREA)
  • Control Or Security For Electrophotography (AREA)
  • Electrophotography Configuration And Component (AREA)

Abstract

The present invention properly determines whether a component used in a drum cartridge can be reused. According to the present invention, a reusage determination method for a component used in a drum cartridge includes a readout step (S11) and determination steps (S12–S16). The drum drum cartridge can be removably installed on a device body of an image formation device. The drum cartridge comprises a photoreceptor drum and a drum memory. The drum cartridge is used with a toner cartridge. The readout step (S11) is a step for reading out lifespan information and supply information from the drum memory, the lifespan information being information about the lifespans of components, and the supply information being information about supply sources for toner cartridges that have been used with the drum cartridge. The determination steps (S12–S16) are steps for determining, on the basis of the lifespan information and supply information read out from the drum memory, whether the component used in the drum cartridge can be reused.

Description

ドラムカートリッジに使用されている部品の再利用判定方法Reuse determination method for parts used in drum cartridges
　本開示は、ドラムカートリッジに使用されている部品の再利用判定方法に関する。 The present disclosure relates to a reuse determination method for parts used in drum cartridges.
　従来、画像形成装置のドラムカートリッジに使用されている部品の再利用判定方法が知られている（特許文献１参照）。この再判定方法では、ドラムカートリッジのメモリに各部品の寿命情報が記憶され、メモリに記憶された情報から各部品の寿命を判定する。 Conventionally, there has been known a method for judging reuse of parts used in drum cartridges of image forming apparatuses (see Patent Document 1). In this re-determining method, the life information of each component is stored in the memory of the drum cartridge, and the life of each component is determined from the information stored in the memory.
特開２００６－０３０９２９号公報JP 2006-030929 A
　画像形成装置に使用されるトナーカートリッジとドラムカートリッジが別々である場合においては、トナーカートリッジが複数の異なる供給元から供給される場合がある。トナーカートリッジの供給元が異なると、ドラムカートリッジに使用されている部品の寿命も異なる場合がある。従来の技術では、このような場合にドラムカートリッジに使用されている部品が再利用できるかを適切に判定することができなかった。 When the toner cartridge and the drum cartridge used in the image forming apparatus are separate, the toner cartridges may be supplied from multiple different suppliers. Different suppliers of toner cartridges may have different lifetimes of components used in drum cartridges. In the prior art, it was not possible to appropriately determine whether or not the parts used in the drum cartridge can be reused in such cases.
　そこで、本開示は、ドラムカートリッジに使用されている部品が再利用できるかを適切に判定することを目的とする。 Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to appropriately determine whether the parts used in the drum cartridge can be reused.
　上述の課題を解決するための、第１態様におけるドラムカートリッジに使用されている部品の再利用判定方法は、読出工程と、判定工程と、を含む。ドラムカートリッジは、画像形成装置の装置本体に装着または取り外し可能である。ドラムカートリッジは、感光体ドラムと、ドラムメモリと、を備える。ドラムカートリッジは、トナーカートリッジと共に使用される。読出工程は、ドラムメモリから部品の寿命に関する寿命情報と、ドラムカートリッジと共に使用されたトナーカートリッジの供給元に関する情報であるサプライ情報と、を読み出す工程である。判定工程は、ドラムメモリから読み出した寿命情報およびサプライ情報に基づいて、ドラムカートリッジに使用されている部品が再利用可能であるかを判定する工程である。 A method for determining reuse of parts used in drum cartridges according to the first aspect for solving the above-described problems includes a reading step and a determining step. The drum cartridge can be attached to or detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus. A drum cartridge includes a photosensitive drum and a drum memory. A drum cartridge is used with a toner cartridge. The reading step is a step of reading life information about the life of components and supply information, which is information about the supplier of the toner cartridge used together with the drum cartridge, from the drum memory. The determining step is a step of determining whether the parts used in the drum cartridge are reusable based on the life information and supply information read from the drum memory.
　このような構成によれば、寿命情報およびトナーカートリッジの供給元に関する情報であるサプライ情報に基づいて、ドラムカートリッジに使用されている部品が再利用可能であるかを判定するため、ドラムカートリッジに使用されている部品が再利用できるかを適切に判定することができる。 According to such a configuration, based on the life information and the supply information, which is information about the supply source of the toner cartridge, it is determined whether the parts used in the drum cartridge are reusable. It is possible to appropriately determine whether or not the part that is being used can be reused.
　第２態様における再利用判定方法において、第１態様のドラムカートリッジは、感光体ドラムを帯電させる帯電器をさらに備え、再利用可能であるかを判定する部品は、帯電器を含む構成としてもよい。 In the reuse determination method of the second aspect, the drum cartridge of the first aspect may further include a charger that charges the photosensitive drum, and the component that determines whether the cartridge is reusable may include the charger. .
　第３態様における再利用判定方法において、第２態様の判定工程において、サプライ情報の少なくとも１つが所定の供給元に関する情報でない場合、帯電器が再利用可能であると判定しない構成としてもよい。 In the reuse determination method of the third aspect, in the determination step of the second aspect, if at least one of the supply information is not information related to a predetermined supply source, it may not be determined that the charger is reusable.
　これによれば、サプライ情報の少なくとも１つが所定の供給元に関する情報でない場合、帯電器を再利用しないので、再利用した帯電器の不具合を抑制できる。 According to this, when at least one piece of supply information is not information related to a predetermined supply source, the charger is not reused, so it is possible to suppress problems with the reused charger.
　第４態様における再利用判定方法において、第２態様の読出工程において、ドラムメモリから帯電器に異常放電があった回数である異常放電判定回数を読み出し、判定工程において、ドラムメモリから読み出したサプライ情報の少なくとも１つが所定の供給元に関する情報でない場合、または、異常放電の回数が所定回数以上である場合、帯電器が再利用可能であると判定しない構成としてもよい。 In the reuse determination method of the fourth aspect, in the reading step of the second aspect, the number of abnormal discharge determinations, which is the number of abnormal discharges in the charger, is read from the drum memory, and in the determination step, the supply information read from the drum memory. is not information related to a predetermined supply source, or if the number of times of abnormal discharge is equal to or greater than a predetermined number of times, it may not be determined that the charger is reusable.
　これによれば、サプライ情報の少なくとも１つが所定の供給元に関する情報でない場合、かつ、異常放電の回数が所定回数以上である場合、帯電器を再利用しないので、再利用した帯電器の不具合を抑制できる。 According to this, when at least one piece of supply information is not information relating to a predetermined supply source, and when the number of times of abnormal discharge is equal to or greater than a predetermined number of times, the charger is not reused. can be suppressed.
　第５態様における再利用判定方法において、第３態様または第４態様の読出工程において、ドラムメモリから帯電器が再利用された回数である再利用回数を読み出し、判定工程において、ドラムメモリから読み出した再利用回数が所定回数以上である場合、帯電器が再利用可能であると判定しない構成としてもよい。 In the reuse determination method according to the fifth aspect, in the reading step of the third aspect or the fourth aspect, the number of times of reuse, which is the number of times the charger has been reused, is read from the drum memory, and in the determination step, the number of times of reuse is read from the drum memory. If the number of times of reuse is equal to or greater than a predetermined number of times, it may not be determined that the charger is reusable.
　これによれば、再利用回数が所定回数以上である場合、帯電器を再利用しないので、再利用した帯電器の不具合を抑制できる。 According to this, when the number of times of reuse is equal to or greater than the predetermined number of times, the charger is not reused, so that the problem of the reused charger can be suppressed.
　第６態様における再利用判定方法において、第２態様から第５態様のいずれか一態様の帯電器は、ワイヤと、ワイヤをクリーニングするクリーナと、を有し、読出工程において、ドラムメモリから、クリーナによってワイヤがクリーニングされたクリーニング回数を読み出し、判定工程において、ドラムメモリから読み出したクリーニング回数が所定回数以上の場合、ワイヤが再利用可能であると判定しない構成としてもよい。 In the reuse determination method according to the sixth aspect, the charger according to any one aspect of the second to fifth aspects has a wire and a cleaner for cleaning the wire, and in the reading step, the cleaner is removed from the drum memory. The number of times the wire has been cleaned is read out, and in the determining step, if the number of times of cleaning read out from the drum memory is equal to or greater than a predetermined number of times, it may not be determined that the wire is reusable.
　これによれば、クリーニング回数が所定回数以上の場合、ワイヤを再利用しないので、再利用したワイヤの不具合を抑制できる。 According to this, when the number of times of cleaning is equal to or greater than the predetermined number of times, the wire is not reused, so that the problem of the reused wire can be suppressed.
　第７態様における再利用判定方法において、第１態様から第６態様のいずれか一態様の再利用可能であるかを判定する部品は、感光体ドラムを含む構成としてもよい。 In the reuse determination method in the seventh aspect, the component for determining whether it is reusable in any one of the first to sixth aspects may be configured to include a photosensitive drum.
　第８態様における再利用判定方法において、第７態様の判定工程において、サプライ情報の少なくとも１つが所定の供給元に関する情報でない場合、感光体ドラムが再利用可能であると判定しない構成としてもよい。 In the reuse determination method of the eighth aspect, in the determination step of the seventh aspect, if at least one of the supply information is not information relating to a predetermined supply source, it may not be determined that the photosensitive drum is reusable.
　これによれば、サプライ情報の少なくとも１つが所定の供給元に関する情報でない場合、感光体ドラムを再利用しないので、再利用した感光体ドラムの不具合を抑制できる。 According to this, if at least one of the supply information is not information related to a predetermined supply source, the photoreceptor drum is not reused.
　第９態様における再利用判定方法において、第７態様の読出工程において、ドラムメモリから、過酷な環境で使用された履歴である過酷環境使用履歴を読み出し、判定工程において、サプライ情報の少なくとも１つが所定の供給元に関する情報でなく、または、ドラムメモリに過酷環境使用履歴が記録されていた場合、感光体ドラムが再利用可能であると判定しない構成としてもよい。 In the reuse determination method of the ninth aspect, in the reading step of the seventh aspect, the severe environment usage history, which is the history of use in the harsh environment, is read from the drum memory, and in the determination step, at least one piece of the supply information is specified. It may be configured such that it is not determined that the photoreceptor drum is reusable if the drum memory does not have the information about the supply source of the photoreceptor drum, or if the history of use in the harsh environment is recorded in the drum memory.
　これによれば、サプライ情報の少なくとも１つが所定の供給元に関する情報でなく、かつ、ドラムメモリに過酷環境使用履歴が記録されていた場合、感光体ドラムを再利用しないので、再利用した感光体ドラムの不具合を抑制できる。 According to this, when at least one piece of supply information is not information relating to a predetermined supply source, and the history of use in severe environments is recorded in the drum memory, the photoreceptor drum is not reused. Defects of the drum can be suppressed.
　第１０態様における再利用判定方法において、第８態様または第９態様の判定工程において、感光体ドラムの寿命情報から算出した感光体ドラムの寿命進行度が閾値以上である場合、感光体ドラムが再利用可能であると判定しない構成としてもよい。 In the reuse determination method according to the tenth aspect, in the determination step of the eighth aspect or the ninth aspect, if the degree of progress of the life of the photoconductor drum calculated from the life information of the photoconductor drum is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the photoconductor drum is reused. A configuration may be adopted in which it is not determined to be available.
　第１１態様における再利用判定方法において、第８態様または第９態様の判定工程において、感光体ドラムの寿命情報から算出した感光体ドラムの残寿命が閾値以下である場合、感光体ドラムが再利用可能であると判定しない構成としてもよい。 In the method for determining reuse according to the eleventh aspect, in the determining step of the eighth aspect or the ninth aspect, if the remaining life of the photoreceptor drum calculated from the life information of the photoreceptor drum is equal to or less than a threshold, the photoreceptor drum is reused. A configuration in which it is not determined to be possible may be adopted.
　これによれば、感光体ドラムの寿命情報から算出した感光体ドラムの残寿命が閾値以下である場合、感光体ドラムを再利用しないので、再利用した感光体ドラムの不具合を抑制できる。 According to this, when the remaining life of the photoconductor drum calculated from the life information of the photoconductor drum is equal to or less than the threshold value, the photoconductor drum is not reused, so that the problem of the reused photoconductor drum can be suppressed.
　第１２態様における再利用判定方法において、第１態様から第１１態様のいずれか一態様のドラムカートリッジは、感光体ドラムと向かい合って位置し、感光体ドラム上のトナー像をシートに転写する転写ローラをさらに備え、再利用可能であるかを判定する部品は、転写ローラを含む構成としてもよい。 In the reuse determining method according to the twelfth aspect, the drum cartridge according to any one of the first to eleventh aspects is a transfer roller positioned to face the photoreceptor drum and transferring the toner image on the photoreceptor drum to a sheet. and the component for determining whether it is reusable may include a transfer roller.
　第１３態様における再利用判定方法において、第１２態様の判定工程において、サプライ情報の少なくとも１つが所定の供給元に関する情報でない場合、転写ローラが再利用可能であると判定しない構成としてもよい。 In the reuse determination method of the thirteenth aspect, in the determination step of the twelfth aspect, if at least one piece of the supply information is not information relating to a predetermined supply source, it may not be determined that the transfer roller is reusable.
　これによれば、サプライ情報の少なくとも１つが所定の供給元に関する情報でない場合、転写ローラを再利用しないので、再利用した転写ローラの不具合を抑制できる。 According to this, when at least one piece of supply information is not information related to a predetermined supply source, the transfer roller is not reused, so it is possible to suppress defects in the reused transfer roller.
　第１４態様における再利用判定方法において、第１２態様の読出工程において、ドラムメモリから、過酷な環境で使用された履歴である過酷環境使用履歴を読み出し、判定工程において、サプライ情報の少なくとも１つが所定の供給元に関する情報でなく、かつ、ドラムメモリに過酷環境使用履歴が記録されていた場合、転写ローラが再利用可能であると判定しない構成としてもよい。 In the reuse determination method according to the fourteenth aspect, in the reading step of the twelfth aspect, the severe environment usage history, which is a history of use in a harsh environment, is read from the drum memory, and in the determination step, at least one piece of supply information is specified. It may be configured such that it is not determined that the transfer roller is reusable if the drum memory does not have the information about the supply source of the transfer roller and the severe environment usage history is recorded in the drum memory.
　これによれば、サプライ情報の少なくとも１つが所定の供給元に関する情報でなく、または、ドラムメモリに過酷環境使用履歴が記録されていた場合、転写ローラを再利用しないので、再利用した転写ローラの不具合を抑制できる。 According to this, when at least one piece of supply information is not information about a predetermined supply source, or when a history of use in a harsh environment is recorded in the drum memory, the transfer roller is not reused. Defects can be suppressed.
　第１５態様における再利用判定方法において、第１３態様または第１４態様の判定工程において、転写ローラの寿命情報から算出した転写ローラの寿命進行度が閾値以上である場合、転写ローラが再利用可能であると判定しない構成としてもよい。 In the reuse determination method according to the fifteenth aspect, in the determination step of the thirteenth aspect or the fourteenth aspect, if the transfer roller life progress degree calculated from the transfer roller life information is equal to or greater than a threshold value, the transfer roller is reusable. A configuration in which it is not determined to be present may be adopted.
　第１６態様における再利用判定方法において、第１３態様または第１４態様の判定工程において、転写ローラの寿命情報から算出した転写ローラの残寿命が閾値以下である場合、転写ローラが再利用可能であると判定しない構成としてもよい。 In the reuse determination method of the sixteenth aspect, in the determination step of the thirteenth aspect or the fourteenth aspect, if the remaining life of the transfer roller calculated from the life information of the transfer roller is equal to or less than a threshold value, the transfer roller is reusable. It is good also as composition which does not judge.
　これによれば、転写ローラの寿命情報から算出した転写ローラの残寿命が閾値以下である場合、転写ローラを再利用しないので、再利用した転写ローラの不具合を抑制できる。 According to this, when the remaining life of the transfer roller calculated from the life information of the transfer roller is equal to or less than the threshold value, the transfer roller is not reused, so it is possible to suppress defects of the reused transfer roller.
　第１７態様における再利用判定方法において、第９態様または第１４態様の過酷環境使用履歴は、所定温度以上で使用したこと、所定温度以下で使用したこと、および所定湿度以上で使用したことの少なくとも１つを含む構成としてもよい。 In the reuse determination method of the seventeenth aspect, the severe environment usage history of the ninth aspect or the fourteenth aspect includes at least use at a predetermined temperature or higher, use at a predetermined temperature or lower, and use at a predetermined humidity or higher. It is good also as a structure containing one.
　本開示の画像形成装置によれば、ドラムカートリッジに使用されている部品が再利用できるかを適切に判定することができる。 According to the image forming apparatus of the present disclosure, it is possible to appropriately determine whether the parts used in the drum cartridge can be reused.
実施形態に係る画像形成装置の断面図である。1 is a cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment; FIG. ドラムカートリッジの構造を示す拡大断面図である。4 is an enlarged sectional view showing the structure of the drum cartridge; FIG. 帯電器の斜視図（ａ）と、帯電器のクリーナを示す斜視図（ｂ）である。It is a perspective view (a) of a charger, and a perspective view (b) showing a cleaner of the charger. 帯電器周りの回路構成を示す図（ａ）と、検出基板の構成を示す図（ｂ）である。FIG. 2A shows the circuit configuration around the charger, and FIG. 2B shows the configuration of the detection substrate. 低湿度、中湿度、高湿度による転写ローラの回転回数と電気抵抗値の関係を示すグラフである。7 is a graph showing the relationship between the number of rotations of the transfer roller and the electrical resistance value at low humidity, medium humidity, and high humidity. 第１実施形態におけるワイヤの再利用判定方法を示すフローチャートである。4 is a flowchart showing a wire reuse determination method according to the first embodiment. 第１実施形態における感光体ドラムの再利用判定方法を示すフローチャートである。4 is a flow chart showing a method for judging reuse of a photosensitive drum according to the first embodiment; 第１実施形態における転写ローラの再利用判定方法を示すフローチャートである。5 is a flow chart showing a transfer roller reuse determination method according to the first embodiment. 第２実施形態におけるワイヤの再利用判定方法を示すフローチャートである。9 is a flowchart showing a wire reuse determination method according to the second embodiment. 第２実施形態における感光体ドラムの再利用判定方法を示すフローチャートである。10 is a flow chart showing a method for judging reuse of a photosensitive drum according to the second embodiment; 第２実施形態における転写ローラの再利用判定方法を示すフローチャートである。10 is a flow chart showing a transfer roller reuse determination method according to the second embodiment.
　次に、本開示の実施形態について、適宜図面を参照しながら詳細に説明する。
　図１に示すように、画像形成装置１はモノクロ用のレーザプリンタである。画像形成装置１は、装置本体２と、フィーダ部３と、画像形成部４と、制御部１００と、検出基板２００とを備える。 Next, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate.
As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 is a monochrome laser printer. The image forming apparatus 1 includes an apparatus body 2 , a feeder section 3 , an image forming section 4 , a control section 100 and a detection board 200 .
　装置本体２は、中空のケース状である。装置本体２は、側壁２１Ｒ，２１Ｌと、側壁２１Ｒおよび側壁２１Ｌを繋ぐ前壁２２とを有している。前壁２２は、本体開口２２Ａを有する。前壁２２には、本体開口２２Ａを開閉するフロントカバー２３が設けられている。 The device main body 2 has a hollow case shape. The apparatus main body 2 has side walls 21R and 21L and a front wall 22 connecting the side walls 21R and 21L. The front wall 22 has a body opening 22A. The front wall 22 is provided with a front cover 23 for opening and closing the body opening 22A.
　フィーダ部３は、供給トレイ３１と、供給機構３２とを備えている。供給トレイ３１は、装置本体２の下部に着脱可能に装着される。供給機構３２は、供給トレイ３１と、供給トレイ３１内のシートＳを画像形成部４に向けて給紙する。 The feeder section 3 has a supply tray 31 and a supply mechanism 32 . The supply tray 31 is detachably attached to the lower portion of the apparatus main body 2 . The supply mechanism 32 feeds the supply tray 31 and the sheet S in the supply tray 31 toward the image forming section 4 .
　画像形成部４は、スキャナユニット５と、ベルトユニット６と、定着装置７と、ドラムカートリッジ８と、トナーカートリッジ９とを備えている。 The image forming section 4 includes a scanner unit 5 , a belt unit 6 , a fixing device 7 , a drum cartridge 8 and a toner cartridge 9 .
　スキャナユニット５は、装置本体２内の上部に設けられ、図示しないレーザ発光部、ポリゴンミラー、レンズおよび反射鏡などを備えている。このスキャナユニット５では、レーザビームを、後述する感光体ドラム８１の表面上に高速走査にて照射する。 The scanner unit 5 is provided in the upper part of the apparatus main body 2, and includes a laser emitting section, a polygon mirror, a lens, a reflecting mirror, and the like (not shown). The scanner unit 5 irradiates a laser beam onto the surface of a photosensitive drum 81, which will be described later, at high speed scanning.
　ベルトユニット６は、ベルト６１と、駆動ローラ６２と、従動ローラ６３と、を有している。ベルトユニット６は、装置本体２に対して着脱可能である。 The belt unit 6 has a belt 61, a driving roller 62, and a driven roller 63. The belt unit 6 is detachable from the apparatus main body 2 .
　ドラムカートリッジ８は、フィーダ部３とスキャナユニット５との間に配置されている。ドラムカートリッジ８は、装置本体２に対して着脱可能である。具体的に、ドラムカートリッジ８は、装置本体２のフロントカバー２３で開閉される本体開口２２Ａを通して、装置本体２に対して着脱可能である。 The drum cartridge 8 is arranged between the feeder section 3 and the scanner unit 5 . The drum cartridge 8 is detachable from the apparatus main body 2 . Specifically, the drum cartridge 8 can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body 2 through a main body opening 22A that is opened and closed by the front cover 23 of the apparatus main body 2 .
　ドラムカートリッジ８は、トナーカートリッジ９と共に使用されるものである。本実施形態では、図２に示すように、ドラムカートリッジ８は、トナーカートリッジ９が装着または取り外し可能である。トナーカートリッジ９は、ドラムカートリッジ８に組み付けられた状態で、装置本体２に装着または取り外し可能である。 The drum cartridge 8 is used together with the toner cartridge 9. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the toner cartridge 9 can be attached to or removed from the drum cartridge 8 . The toner cartridge 9 can be attached to or detached from the apparatus main body 2 while being attached to the drum cartridge 8 .
　ドラムカートリッジ８は、ドラムフレーム８０と、感光体ドラム８１と、転写ローラ８２と、帯電器８３と、ドラムメモリ８５とを有している。 The drum cartridge 8 has a drum frame 80 , a photosensitive drum 81 , a transfer roller 82 , a charger 83 and a drum memory 85 .
　ドラムフレーム８０は、トナーカートリッジ９を装着可能である。ドラムフレーム８０は、感光体ドラム８１および転写ローラ８２を回転可能に支持する。感光体ドラム８１は、感光体ドラム８１の軸方向（以下の説明では単に「軸方向」という。）に延びる第１軸８１Ｘについて回転する。転写ローラ８２は、感光体ドラム８１と向かい合って位置する。転写ローラ８２は、感光体ドラム８１上のトナー像をシートに転写する。 A toner cartridge 9 can be mounted on the drum frame 80 . The drum frame 80 rotatably supports the photosensitive drum 81 and the transfer roller 82 . The photoreceptor drum 81 rotates about a first shaft 81X extending in the axial direction of the photoreceptor drum 81 (simply referred to as “axial direction” in the following description). The transfer roller 82 is positioned to face the photosensitive drum 81 . A transfer roller 82 transfers the toner image on the photosensitive drum 81 onto a sheet.
　帯電器８３は、感光体ドラム８１に向かい合って位置する。帯電器８３は、ワイヤ８３１と、グリッド電極８３２と、帯電フレーム８３３と、クリーナ８３４（図３参照）と、を有している。帯電器８３は、ワイヤ８３１にワイヤ電圧が印加されることでコロナ放電を発生させ、感光体ドラム８１の表面を帯電させる。 The charger 83 is positioned facing the photosensitive drum 81 . The charger 83 has a wire 831, a grid electrode 832, a charging frame 833, and a cleaner 834 (see FIG. 3). The charger 83 generates corona discharge by applying a wire voltage to the wire 831 to charge the surface of the photosensitive drum 81 .
　ワイヤ８３１は、軸方向に沿って延びている。グリッド電極８３２は、ワイヤ８３１と感光体ドラム８１との間に位置する電極である。帯電フレーム８３３は、帯電器８３を覆うフレームである。帯電フレーム８３３は、ワイヤ８３１と、グリッド電極８３２とを支持している。 The wire 831 extends along the axial direction. The grid electrode 832 is an electrode positioned between the wire 831 and the photoreceptor drum 81 . The charging frame 833 is a frame that covers the charger 83 . A charging frame 833 supports wires 831 and grid electrodes 832 .
　図３（ａ），（ｂ）に示すように、クリーナ８３４は、帯電フレーム８３３にスライド移動可能に設けられている。クリーナ８３４は、感光体ドラム８１の軸方向にスライド移動可能である。クリーナ８３４は、ワイヤ８３１に接しながら移動することで、ワイヤ８３１を清掃する。具体的には、クリーナ８３４は、支持部材８３４Ａと、スポンジ８３４Ｂとを有する。支持部材８３４Ａは、スポンジ８３４Ｂを支持している。スポンジ８３４Ｂは、ワイヤ８３１を挟んでいる。ドラムカートリッジ８を装置本体２から外した状態で、ユーザによって支持部材８３４Ａをスライド移動されることで、ワイヤ８３１が清掃される。仮に、ワイヤ８３１の表面に付着物がある場合には、ワイヤ８３１によって付着物が取り除かれる。 As shown in FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b), the cleaner 834 is slidably provided on the charging frame 833. As shown in FIG. The cleaner 834 is slidable in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 81 . The cleaner 834 cleans the wire 831 by moving in contact with the wire 831 . Specifically, the cleaner 834 has a support member 834A and a sponge 834B. The support member 834A supports the sponge 834B. The wire 831 is sandwiched between the sponges 834B. With the drum cartridge 8 detached from the apparatus main body 2, the wire 831 is cleaned by sliding the support member 834A by the user. If there is any deposit on the surface of the wire 831, the wire 831 removes the deposit.
　図２に戻り、ドラムメモリ８５は、例えば、ＩＣチップなどの情報を記憶する媒体であり、ＩＣチップに限られない。ドラムカートリッジ８が装置本体２に装着された状態で、制御部１００は、ドラムメモリ８５と電気的に接続されている（図１参照）。本実施形態では、ドラムメモリ８５は、ドラムカートリッジ８と共に使用されたトナーカートリッジ９の供給元に関する情報であるサプライ情報を記憶する記憶領域を有する。なお、ドラムカートリッジ８に共に複数のトナーカートリッジ９が使用された場合には、使用されたすべてのトナーカートリッジ９のサプライ情報がドラムメモリ８５に記憶される。供給元に関する情報とは、例えば、メーカ情報、純正品または非純正品を示す情報、を示す情報である。 Returning to FIG. 2, the drum memory 85 is, for example, a medium such as an IC chip that stores information, and is not limited to the IC chip. The controller 100 is electrically connected to the drum memory 85 while the drum cartridge 8 is attached to the apparatus main body 2 (see FIG. 1). In this embodiment, the drum memory 85 has a storage area for storing supply information, which is information regarding the supply source of the toner cartridge 9 used together with the drum cartridge 8 . When a plurality of toner cartridges 9 are used together with the drum cartridge 8, the supply information of all the used toner cartridges 9 is stored in the drum memory 85. FIG. The information on the supplier is, for example, information indicating manufacturer information and information indicating genuine products or non-genuine products.
　トナーカートリッジ９は、筐体９０と、現像ローラ９１と、供給ローラ９２と、ブレード９３と、トナーメモリ９５とを有している。筐体９０は、内部にトナーを収容可能である。現像ローラ９１は感光体ドラム８１にトナーを供給する。現像ローラ９１は、軸方向に延びる第２軸９１Ｘについて回転する。供給ローラ９２は筐体９０のトナーを現像ローラ９１に供給する。ブレード９３は、現像ローラ９１に供給されたトナーの層厚を規制する。 The toner cartridge 9 has a housing 90 , a developing roller 91 , a supply roller 92 , a blade 93 and a toner memory 95 . The housing 90 can contain toner inside. The developing roller 91 supplies toner to the photosensitive drum 81 . The developing roller 91 rotates about a second shaft 91X extending in the axial direction. The supply roller 92 supplies the toner in the housing 90 to the developing roller 91 . The blade 93 regulates the thickness of the toner layer supplied to the developing roller 91 .
　トナーメモリ９５は、例えば、ＩＣチップなどの情報を記憶する媒体であり、ＩＣチップに限られない。トナーカートリッジ９が装置本体２に装着された状態で、制御部１００は、トナーメモリ９５と電気的に接続されている。本実施形態では、トナーメモリ９５は、トナーカートリッジ９のサプライ情報が記憶された記憶領域を有する。 The toner memory 95 is, for example, a medium such as an IC chip that stores information, and is not limited to the IC chip. The controller 100 is electrically connected to the toner memory 95 while the toner cartridge 9 is attached to the apparatus main body 2 . In this embodiment, the toner memory 95 has a storage area in which supply information of the toner cartridge 9 is stored.
　このドラムカートリッジ８では、回転する感光体ドラム８１の表面が、帯電器８３により一様に帯電された後、スキャナユニット５からのレーザビームの高速走査により露光される。これにより、露光された部分の電位が下がって、感光体ドラム８１の表面に画像データに基づく静電潜像が形成される。 In the drum cartridge 8 , the surface of the rotating photosensitive drum 81 is uniformly charged by the charger 83 and then exposed by high-speed scanning of the laser beam from the scanner unit 5 . As a result, the potential of the exposed portion is lowered, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photoreceptor drum 81 based on the image data.
　次いで、回転駆動される現像ローラ９１によってトナーカートリッジ９内のトナーが感光体ドラム８１の静電潜像に供給されて、感光体ドラム８１の表面上にトナー像が形成される。その後、感光体ドラム８１と転写ローラ８２の間でシートＳが搬送されることで、感光体ドラム８１の表面に担持されているトナー像がシートＳ上に転写される。 Next, the toner in the toner cartridge 9 is supplied to the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 81 by the rotationally driven developing roller 91 to form a toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 81 . After that, the toner image carried on the surface of the photoreceptor drum 81 is transferred onto the sheet S by conveying the sheet S between the photoreceptor drum 81 and the transfer roller 82 .
　定着装置７は、加熱ローラ７１と、加圧ローラ７２とを備えている。加圧ローラ７２は、加熱ローラ７１と向かい合って位置している。加圧ローラ７２は、加熱ローラ７１を押圧する。定着装置７は、シートＳ上に転写されたトナーを、シートＳが加熱ローラ７１と加圧ローラ７２との間を通過する間に熱定着する。 The fixing device 7 has a heating roller 71 and a pressure roller 72 . The pressure roller 72 is positioned to face the heating roller 71 . The pressure roller 72 presses the heating roller 71 . The fixing device 7 thermally fixes the toner transferred onto the sheet S while the sheet S passes between the heating roller 71 and the pressure roller 72 .
　定着装置７で熱定着されたシートＳは、定着装置７の下流側に位置する排紙ローラ２４に搬送され、この排紙ローラ２４から排紙トレイ２５上に送り出される。 The sheet S heat-fixed by the fixing device 7 is conveyed to the paper discharge rollers 24 located downstream of the fixing device 7 and sent from the paper discharge rollers 24 onto the paper discharge tray 25 .
　制御部１００は、ＣＰＵ、ＲＡＭ、ＲＯＭ、不揮発性メモリ、ＡＳＩＣおよび入出力回路などを備えている。制御部１００は、印刷指令と、検出基板２００から出力されてくる信号と、ＲＯＭ等に記憶されたプログラムやデータに基づいて各種演算処理を行うことによって、制御を実行する。 The control unit 100 includes a CPU, RAM, ROM, nonvolatile memory, ASIC, input/output circuits, and the like. The control unit 100 executes control by performing various arithmetic processing based on the print command, the signal output from the detection board 200, and the programs and data stored in the ROM or the like.
　図４（ａ）に示すように、検出基板２００は、帯電器８３の放電状態を検出する基板である。本実施形態では、検出基板２００は、異常放電、すなわち火花放電による異常放電が発生したことを検出可能な回路基板である。 As shown in FIG. 4( a ), the detection board 200 is a board that detects the discharge state of the charger 83 . In this embodiment, the detection board 200 is a circuit board capable of detecting the occurrence of abnormal discharge, that is, abnormal discharge due to spark discharge.
　なお、本実施形態では、帯電器８３は、コロナ放電を発生させるものである。このため、コロナ放電を通常の放電、または、異常放電でない放電という。これに対し、本実施形態では、コロナ放電以外の放電として火花放電がある。検出基板２００は、火花放電を検出可能である。 It should be noted that in the present embodiment, the charger 83 generates corona discharge. For this reason, corona discharge is called normal discharge or discharge that is not abnormal discharge. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, spark discharge is used as discharge other than corona discharge. The detection board 200 is capable of detecting spark discharge.
　検出基板２００は、コンデンサ１５を介して、帯電器８３に接続されている。また、検出基板２００は、制御部１００に接続されている。 The detection board 200 is connected to the charger 83 via the capacitor 15 . Further, the detection board 200 is connected to the control section 100 .
　帯電器８３のワイヤ８３１には、高圧電源部１６が接続されている。高圧電源部１６は、ワイヤ８３１に高圧のワイヤ電圧を印加する回路である。なお、図４（ａ）においては、便宜上、高圧電源部１６を簡略化して図示している。 A wire 831 of the charger 83 is connected to the high-voltage power supply section 16 . The high-voltage power supply unit 16 is a circuit that applies a high-voltage wire voltage to the wire 831 . In addition, in FIG. 4A, the high-voltage power supply unit 16 is shown in a simplified form for the sake of convenience.
　ワイヤ８３１に高圧のワイヤ電圧を印加すると、グリッド電極８３２があることで、コロナ放電が発生し、感光体ドラム８１が帯電する。感光体ドラム８１の電位は、グリッド電極８３２の電位によって決定されている。なお、コロナ放電が発生すると、グリッド電極８３２には、電流（以下、「グリッド電流」ともいう。）が流れる。 When a high wire voltage is applied to the wire 831, the presence of the grid electrode 832 causes corona discharge to charge the photosensitive drum 81. The potential of the photosensitive drum 81 is determined by the potential of the grid electrode 832 . Note that when corona discharge occurs, a current (hereinafter also referred to as “grid current”) flows through the grid electrode 832 .
　各帯電器８３のグリッド電極８３２は、直列接続された第１抵抗１７および第２抵抗１８を介して接地されている。グリッド電極８３２の電位は、グリッド電流と、第１抵抗１７および第２抵抗１８の抵抗値によって決定される。グリッド電極８３２と第１抵抗１７とを繋ぐ配線と、コンデンサ１５とは、第１接続点Ｐ１で接続されている。コンデンサ１５は、第１接続点Ｐ１の電流の交流成分を検出基板２００に流す役割をしている。 The grid electrode 832 of each charger 83 is grounded via the first resistor 17 and the second resistor 18 connected in series. The potential of the grid electrode 832 is determined by the grid current and the resistance values of the first resistor 17 and the second resistor 18 . A wiring connecting the grid electrode 832 and the first resistor 17 and the capacitor 15 are connected at a first connection point P1. The capacitor 15 plays a role of causing the AC component of the current at the first connection point P1 to flow to the detection board 200. As shown in FIG.
　第１抵抗１７と第２抵抗１８とを繋ぐ配線と、制御部１００とは、第２接続点Ｐ２で接続されている。制御部１００は、第２接続点Ｐ２における電位から、グリッド電極８３２に流れるグリッド電流を検出する。 A wiring that connects the first resistor 17 and the second resistor 18 and the control unit 100 are connected at a second connection point P2. The control unit 100 detects the grid current flowing through the grid electrode 832 from the potential at the second connection point P2.
　図４（ｂ）に示すように、検出基板２００は、複数の抵抗２０１、コンデンサ２０２、トランジスタ２０３、抵抗２０４などで構成されている。各抵抗２０１とコンデンサ２０２は、各コンデンサ１５から入力される異常放電に伴う電流を所定の回路定数によって電圧に変換し、トランジスタ２０３のベースに印加するために設けられている。異常放電に伴う電流は瞬間的であるため、コンデンサ１５を介して、グリッド電極８３２に流れる電流の交流成分のみが検出基板２００に入力されるように構成されている。 As shown in FIG. 4(b), the detection board 200 is composed of a plurality of resistors 201, capacitors 202, transistors 203, resistors 204, and the like. Each resistor 201 and capacitor 202 are provided to convert the current accompanying the abnormal discharge input from each capacitor 15 into a voltage using a predetermined circuit constant and apply the voltage to the base of the transistor 203 . Since the current associated with the abnormal discharge is instantaneous, only the AC component of the current flowing through the grid electrode 832 is input to the detection substrate 200 via the capacitor 15 .
　トランジスタ２０３は、エミッタがグランドに接続され、コレクタが抵抗２０４を介して電源に接続され、ベースが抵抗２０１およびコンデンサ２０２を介してコンデンサ１５に接続されている。第３接続点Ｐ３は、トランジスタ２０３と抵抗２０４との間に設けられ、制御部１００に接続されている。なお、抵抗２０４は、第３接続点Ｐ３の電位をプルアップするために設けられている。トランジスタ２０３のベースに電圧が印加されず、コレクタ・エミッタ間が非導通状態の場合は、第３接続点Ｐ３の電位は電源電圧と略同じ３．３ボルトとなり、検出基板２００の出力はハイ状態となる。 The transistor 203 has its emitter connected to the ground, its collector connected to the power supply through the resistor 204 , and its base connected to the capacitor 15 through the resistor 201 and the capacitor 202 . A third connection point P3 is provided between the transistor 203 and the resistor 204 and connected to the control section 100 . Note that the resistor 204 is provided to pull up the potential of the third connection point P3. When no voltage is applied to the base of the transistor 203 and the collector and emitter are non-conductive, the potential at the third connection point P3 is 3.3 volts, which is substantially the same as the power supply voltage, and the output of the detection board 200 is in a high state. becomes.
　帯電器８３で異常放電が発生した場合、コンデンサ１５を介して異常放電に伴う電流の交流成分が検出基板２００に流れる。異常放電に伴う電流は、コンデンサ１５とコンデンサ２０２の分圧比によって決まる電圧として、トランジスタ２０３のベースに印加される。トランジスタ２０３のベースに電圧が印加され、コレクタ・エミッタ間が導通状態の場合は、第３接続点Ｐ３の電位が０Ｖに近くなり、検出基板２００の出力はロー状態となる。 When an abnormal discharge occurs in the charger 83 , an AC component of the current associated with the abnormal discharge flows through the detection board 200 via the capacitor 15 . The current accompanying the abnormal discharge is applied to the base of the transistor 203 as a voltage determined by the voltage division ratio of the capacitors 15 and 202 . When a voltage is applied to the base of the transistor 203 and the collector and emitter are in a conductive state, the potential of the third connection point P3 becomes close to 0 V, and the output of the detection substrate 200 becomes low.
　次に、画像形成装置１がオンされてからオフされるまでに、制御部１００がドラムメモリ８５に書き込む情報について説明する。本実施形態では、制御部１００は、画像形成装置１がオンされてからオフされるまでに、サプライ情報、感光体ドラム８１の寿命情報、転写ローラ８２の寿命情報、ワイヤ８３１のクリーニング実行回数、帯電器８３の異常放電の回数、過酷環境使用履歴、をドラムメモリ８５に書き込む処理を実行する。 Next, information written in the drum memory 85 by the control unit 100 from when the image forming apparatus 1 is turned on until it is turned off will be described. In the present embodiment, the control unit 100 controls supply information, life information of the photoreceptor drum 81, life information of the transfer roller 82, the number of cleaning execution times of the wire 831, A process of writing the number of abnormal discharges of the charger 83 and the history of use in a harsh environment in the drum memory 85 is executed.
　制御部１００は、トナーカートリッジ９のトナーメモリ９５に記憶されているサプライ情報を読み出して、ドラムメモリ８５に書き込む。ドラムカートリッジ８に、前回使用されたトナーカートリッジ９と異なるトナーカートリッジ９が装着された場合には、今回のトナーカートリッジ９のサプライ情報がドラムメモリ８５に書き込まれる。このため、ドラムメモリ８５には、複数のトナーカートリッジ９のサプライ情報が記憶される場合がある。 The control unit 100 reads the supply information stored in the toner memory 95 of the toner cartridge 9 and writes it to the drum memory 85 . When a toner cartridge 9 different from the toner cartridge 9 used last time is attached to the drum cartridge 8 , the supply information of the toner cartridge 9 this time is written in the drum memory 85 . Therefore, the supply information of a plurality of toner cartridges 9 may be stored in the drum memory 85 .
　感光体ドラム８１の寿命情報は、感光体ドラム８１の回転回数および感光体ドラム８１を使用して印刷した印刷枚数の少なくとも一方を含む。本実施形態では、感光体ドラム８１の寿命情報は、感光体ドラム８１の回転回数と、累積ドットカウントと、現像ローラ９１の回転回数である。制御部１００は、例えば、所定時間ごとや印刷ジョブごとに感光体ドラム８１の回転回数、感光体ドラム８１を使用して印刷した印刷枚数、累積ドットカウントおよび現像ローラ９１の回転回数をドラムメモリ８５に書き込む。本実施形態では、制御部１００は、印刷ジョブごとに感光体ドラム８１の回転回数、累積ドットカウントおよび現像ローラ９１の回転回数をドラムメモリ８５に書き込む。 The life information of the photoreceptor drum 81 includes at least one of the number of rotations of the photoreceptor drum 81 and the number of prints printed using the photoreceptor drum 81 . In this embodiment, the life information of the photoreceptor drum 81 is the number of rotations of the photoreceptor drum 81 , the accumulated dot count, and the number of rotations of the developing roller 91 . For example, the control unit 100 stores the number of rotations of the photosensitive drum 81, the number of prints printed using the photosensitive drum 81, the cumulative dot count, and the number of rotations of the developing roller 91 at predetermined time intervals or for each print job. write to In this embodiment, the control unit 100 writes the number of rotations of the photosensitive drum 81, the accumulated dot count, and the number of rotations of the developing roller 91 in the drum memory 85 for each print job.
　本実施形態では、制御部１００は、現像ローラ９１が停止していた場合の感光体ドラム８１の回転回数Ｘｎと、現像ローラ９１が回転していた場合の感光体ドラム８１の回転回数Ｙｎと、を分けて記憶する。詳しくは、制御部１００は、ｎ回目のジョブ時において、感光体ドラム８１が回転し、現像ローラ９１が停止したときの感光体ドラム８１の回転回数Ｘｎをカウントし、ｎ回目のジョブ時において、感光体ドラム８１が回転し、現像ローラ９１が回転したときの感光体ドラム８１の回転回数Ｙｎをカウントする。 In this embodiment, the control unit 100 controls the number of rotations Xn of the photosensitive drum 81 when the developing roller 91 is stopped, the number of rotations Yn of the photosensitive drum 81 when the developing roller 91 is rotating, are stored separately. Specifically, during the n-th job, the control unit 100 counts the number of rotations Xn of the photoreceptor drum 81 when the photoreceptor drum 81 rotates and the developing roller 91 stops. When the photosensitive drum 81 rotates and the developing roller 91 rotates, the number of rotations Yn of the photosensitive drum 81 is counted.
　転写ローラ８２の寿命情報は、転写ローラ８２の回転回数および転写ローラ８２を使用して印刷した印刷枚数の少なくとも一方を含む。本実施形態では、転写ローラ８２の寿命情報は、転写ローラ８２の回転回数である。制御部１００は、例えば、所定時間ごとや印刷ジョブごとに転写ローラ８２の回転回数や転写ローラ８２を使用して印刷した印刷枚数をドラムメモリ８５に書き込む。本実施形態では、制御部１００は、印刷ジョブごとに転写ローラ８２の回転回数をドラムメモリ８５に書き込む。 The life information of the transfer roller 82 includes at least one of the number of rotations of the transfer roller 82 and the number of prints printed using the transfer roller 82 . In this embodiment, the life information of the transfer roller 82 is the number of rotations of the transfer roller 82 . For example, the control unit 100 writes the number of times the transfer roller 82 rotates and the number of printed sheets printed using the transfer roller 82 in the drum memory 85 at predetermined time intervals or for each print job. In this embodiment, the controller 100 writes the number of rotations of the transfer roller 82 to the drum memory 85 for each print job.
　また、画像形成装置１の電源がオンされると、制御部１００は、１ｍ秒ごとにワイヤ電圧を図示せぬ本体メモリに記録する。制御部１００は、画像形成装置１が電源オンされている間はずっとこのワイヤ電圧の記録を継続して行う。 Also, when the power of the image forming apparatus 1 is turned on, the control unit 100 records the wire voltage in the main body memory (not shown) every 1 ms. The control unit 100 continuously records the wire voltage while the image forming apparatus 1 is powered on.
　制御部１００は、フロントカバー２３が開けられた場合と電源がオンされた場合に、帯電器８３のワイヤ８３１がクリーニングされたかを判定する。
　制御部１００は、フロントカバー２３が開けられる直前のワイヤ電圧と、フロントカバー２３が閉じられた直後のワイヤ電圧を比較し、閉じられた直後のワイヤ電圧が、開けられる直前のワイヤ電圧よりも所定電圧以上小さくなっていた場合、帯電器８３のワイヤ８３１がクリーニングされたと判定する。
　制御部１００は、画像形成装置１の電源がオフされる直前のワイヤ電圧と、電源がオンされた直後のワイヤ電圧を比較し、電源がオンされた直後のワイヤ電圧がオフされる直前のワイヤ電圧よりも所定電圧以上小さくなっていた場合、帯電器８３のワイヤ８３１がクリーニングされた判定する。
　制御部１００は、帯電器８３のワイヤ８３１がクリーニングされたと判定した場合には、クリーニング実行回数を１加算してドラムメモリ８５に書き込む。 The control unit 100 determines whether the wire 831 of the charger 83 has been cleaned when the front cover 23 is opened and when the power is turned on.
The control unit 100 compares the wire voltage immediately before the front cover 23 is opened with the wire voltage immediately after the front cover 23 is closed. If it is smaller than the voltage, it is determined that the wire 831 of the charger 83 has been cleaned.
The control unit 100 compares the wire voltage immediately before the power of the image forming apparatus 1 is turned off with the wire voltage immediately after the power is turned on. If it is lower than the voltage by a predetermined voltage or more, it is determined that the wire 831 of the charger 83 has been cleaned.
When the controller 100 determines that the wire 831 of the charger 83 has been cleaned, it adds 1 to the cleaning execution count and writes it to the drum memory 85 .
　制御部１００は、画像形成装置１が電源オンされている間、帯電器８３に異常放電が発生したかを判定し続ける。制御部１００は、検出基板２００の出力信号により、異常放電すなわち火花放電が発生したかを判定する。 The control unit 100 continues to determine whether abnormal discharge has occurred in the charger 83 while the image forming apparatus 1 is powered on. Based on the output signal of the detection board 200, the control unit 100 determines whether abnormal discharge, that is, spark discharge has occurred.
　ここで、グリッド電流は、帯電器８３での放電が正常な場合には、例えば３００～３５０μＡ程度であるが、帯電器８３で火花放電が発生した場合には、例えば１ｍＡ程度の大きな電流値となる。
　しかし、異常放電時のグリッド電流が大きな電流値となるのは、瞬間的であるため、制御部１００は、印加処理のためのサンプリング周期では異常放電時のグリッド電流を正確に検出できない場合がある。そこで、制御部１００は、検出基板２００の出力がハイ状態である場合は、帯電器８３が正常な放電、すなわち、コロナ放電を行っていると判定する。一方、制御部１００は、検出基板２００の出力がロー状態である場合は、火花放電が発生していると判定する。 Here, the grid current is, for example, about 300 to 350 μA when the discharge in the charger 83 is normal. Become.
However, since the grid current during abnormal discharge becomes a large current value momentarily, the control unit 100 may not be able to accurately detect the grid current during abnormal discharge in the sampling period for the application process. . Therefore, when the output of the detection board 200 is in a high state, the control section 100 determines that the charger 83 is performing normal discharge, that is, corona discharge. On the other hand, the control unit 100 determines that spark discharge is occurring when the output of the detection board 200 is in a low state.
　このようにして、制御部１００は、帯電器８３に異常放電があったかを判定し、異常放電の回数をドラムメモリ８５に書き込む。 In this way, the control unit 100 determines whether or not the charger 83 has abnormal discharge, and writes the number of abnormal discharges in the drum memory 85 .
　また、画像形成装置１の電源がオンされると、制御部１００は、所定時間ごとに、気温と湿度を本体メモリに記録する。 Also, when the power of the image forming apparatus 1 is turned on, the control unit 100 records the temperature and humidity in the main body memory at predetermined time intervals.
　制御部１００は、過酷環境使用履歴をドラムメモリ８５に書き込む。過酷環境使用履歴は、所定温度以上で使用したこと、所定温度以下で使用したこと、および所定湿度以上で使用したことの少なくとも１つを含む。本実施形態では、過酷環境使用履歴は、気温が５０℃を超える温度での使用履歴、１０℃以下の環境で累計５日間以上の使用履歴、３２．５℃以上の環境で累計５日間以上の使用履歴、湿度８０％以上の環境で累計５日間以上の使用履歴をいう。 The control unit 100 writes the severe environment usage history to the drum memory 85 . The severe environment use history includes at least one of use at a predetermined temperature or higher, use at a predetermined temperature or lower, and use at a predetermined humidity or higher. In this embodiment, the severe environment usage history includes usage history at a temperature exceeding 50°C, usage history at a temperature of 10°C or less for a total of 5 days or more, and usage history at a temperature of 32.5°C or higher for a total of 5 days or more. Usage history: A cumulative usage history of 5 days or more in an environment with a humidity of 80% or higher.
　ドラムカートリッジ８に使用されている部品の再利用判定方法は、読出工程と、判定工程と、を含む。本実施形態では、再利用可能であるかを判定する部品は、帯電器８３と、感光体ドラム８１と、転写ローラ８２とを含む。 The method for judging the reuse of parts used in the drum cartridge 8 includes a reading process and a judging process. In this embodiment, the parts that are determined to be reusable include the charger 83 , the photoreceptor drum 81 , and the transfer roller 82 .
　読出工程は、ドラムメモリ８５から部品の寿命に関する寿命情報と、ドラムカートリッジ８と共に使用されたトナーカートリッジ９の供給元に関する情報であるサプライ情報と、を読み出す工程である。 The reading step is a step of reading life information about the life of parts from the drum memory 85 and supply information that is information about the supplier of the toner cartridge 9 used together with the drum cartridge 8 .
　再生する部品が帯電器８３の場合、寿命情報は、帯電器８３の再利用回数である。ドラムメモリ８５に再利用回数が記憶されていない場合には、帯電器８３の再利用回数は、０回である。この帯電器８３の再利用回数は、再利用された場合、１加算されてドラムメモリ８５に書き込まれる。 When the part to be regenerated is the charger 83, the life information is the number of times the charger 83 is reused. When the drum memory 85 does not store the number of times of reuse, the number of times of reuse of the charger 83 is zero. When the charger 83 is reused, 1 is added to the number of times of reuse of the charger 83 and written in the drum memory 85 .
　本実施形態では、再生する部品が感光体ドラム８１の場合、寿命情報は、感光体ドラム８１の回転回数である。ドラムメモリ８５に記憶されている感光体ドラム８１の回転回数または印刷枚数から感光体ドラム８１の寿命進行度を算出する。寿命進行度は、感光体ドラム８１の使用によって増え、感光体ドラム８１の寿命の進行度を示すものである。算出した感光体ドラム８１の寿命進行度が閾値以上であると判定した場合、感光体ドラム８１が再利用可能であると判定しない。
　この場合における閾値は、再利用するときのクリーニングによる摩耗量と、再利用した後に使用される予定の回転回数に耐えうる摩耗量と、を加算した摩耗量を考慮して決定する。 In this embodiment, when the part to be regenerated is the photoreceptor drum 81 , the life information is the number of rotations of the photoreceptor drum 81 . Based on the number of rotations of the photosensitive drum 81 or the number of printed sheets stored in the drum memory 85, the progress of life of the photosensitive drum 81 is calculated. The progress of life increases as the photoreceptor drum 81 is used, and indicates the progress of the life of the photoreceptor drum 81 . When it is determined that the calculated degree of progression of life of the photosensitive drum 81 is equal to or greater than the threshold value, it is not determined that the photosensitive drum 81 is reusable.
In this case, the threshold value is determined by considering the amount of wear obtained by adding the amount of wear due to cleaning during reuse and the amount of wear that can withstand the number of rotations planned for use after reuse.
　感光体ドラム８１の寿命進行度は、次のようにして算出する。
　感光体ドラム８１の寿命進行度は、使い始めから現在までの摩耗量を加算して算出される。感光体ドラム８１の（ｎ）回目のジョブにおける摩耗量Ａ（ｎ）と、（ｎ＋１）回目のジョブにおける摩耗量Ａ（ｎ＋１）とは次式で算出される。
 
Ａ（ｎ＋１）＝Ａ（ｎ）＋（ｐ×ｖ１×１／Ｔ×Ｘｎ＋ｑ×ｖ２×１／Ｔ×Ｙｎ＋Ｓｃ×
（Ｘｎ＋Ｙｎ）×ｒ）
 
　Ｘｎは、ｎ回目のジョブ時において、現像ローラが停止した状態で感光体ドラムが回転したときの感光体ドラムの回転回数である。
　Ｙｎは、ｎ回目のジョブ時において、現像ローラが回転した状態で感光体ドラムが回転したときの感光体ドラムの回転回数である。
　ｖ１は、現像ローラが停止した状態で感光体ドラムが回転したときの現像ローラに対する感光体ドラムの相対速度である。
　ｖ２は、現像ローラが回転した状態で感光体ドラムが回転したときの現像ローラに対する感光体ドラムの相対速度である。
　ｐ，ｑは、感光体ドラムが回転しているときに現像ローラが停止しているか回転しているかで異なる係数である。
　ｒは、印刷ジョブ実行時の温度、湿度によって定まる係数である。
　１／Ｔは、累積ドットカウントと現像ローラの回転回数によって決定される、トナーの劣化による感光体ドラムの摩耗させやすさを示す係数である。 The progress of life of the photosensitive drum 81 is calculated as follows.
The progress of life of the photosensitive drum 81 is calculated by adding the amount of wear from the beginning of use to the present. The wear amount A(n) of the photoreceptor drum 81 in the (n)th job and the wear amount A(n+1) in the (n+1)th job are calculated by the following equations.

A(n+1)=A(n)+(p×v1×1/T×Xn+q×v2×1/T×Yn+Sc×
(Xn+Yn)×r)

Xn is the number of rotations of the photoreceptor drum when the photoreceptor drum rotates while the developing roller is stopped during the n-th job.
Yn is the number of rotations of the photoreceptor drum when the photoreceptor drum rotates while the developing roller is rotating in the n-th job.
v1 is the relative velocity of the photosensitive drum with respect to the developing roller when the photosensitive drum rotates while the developing roller is stopped.
v2 is the relative speed of the photosensitive drum with respect to the developing roller when the photosensitive drum rotates while the developing roller is rotating.
p and q are coefficients that differ depending on whether the developing roller is stopped or rotating while the photosensitive drum is rotating.
r is a coefficient determined by the temperature and humidity when the print job is executed.
1/T is a coefficient indicating how easily the photoreceptor drum is worn due to deterioration of the toner, which is determined by the accumulated dot count and the number of rotations of the developing roller.
　本実施形態では、再生する部品が転写ローラ８２の場合、寿命情報は、転写ローラ８２の回転回数である。ドラムメモリ８５に記憶されている転写ローラ８２の回転回数から転写ローラ８２の寿命進行度を算出する。寿命進行度は、転写ローラ８２の使用によって増え、転写ローラ８２の寿命の進行度を示すものである。算出した転写ローラ８２の寿命進行度が閾値以上であると判定した場合、転写ローラ８２が再利用可能であると判定しない。この場合における閾値は、現在の寿命進行度と、再利用した後に使用される予定の回転回数による寿命進行度と、を加算した寿命進行度を考慮して決められる。 In this embodiment, when the part to be regenerated is the transfer roller 82, the life information is the number of times the transfer roller 82 rotates. The progress of life of the transfer roller 82 is calculated from the number of rotations of the transfer roller 82 stored in the drum memory 85 . The progress of life increases as the transfer roller 82 is used, and indicates the progress of the life of the transfer roller 82 . When it is determined that the calculated progress of life of the transfer roller 82 is equal to or greater than the threshold value, it is not determined that the transfer roller 82 is reusable. The threshold value in this case is determined by taking into account the degree of progress of life that is the sum of the degree of progress of life at present and the degree of progress of life due to the number of rotations that are planned to be used after reuse.
　転写ローラ８２の寿命進行度は、次のようにして算出する。転写ローラ８２の寿命進行度は、転写ローラ８２が回転したときの環境に応じた電気抵抗値上昇を加算して算出される。転写ローラ８２の電気抵抗値上昇は、次の手順で算出される。 The progress of life of the transfer roller 82 is calculated as follows. The progress of the life of the transfer roller 82 is calculated by adding an increase in electrical resistance value according to the environment when the transfer roller 82 rotates. The increase in the electric resistance value of the transfer roller 82 is calculated by the following procedure.
　図５のグラフには、湿度０～２０％である低湿度環境と、湿度５０％付近である中湿度環境と、湿度８０％以上である高湿度環境と、における転写ローラ８２の回転数と電気抵抗値上昇との関係が示されている。転写ローラ８２の電気抵抗値上昇は、高湿環境より低湿環境の方が早く進行する。１つの印刷ジョブにおいて、転写ローラ８２の回転回数がｋ回からｋ＋１回までの転写ローラ８２の電気抵抗値上昇は、図５のグラフから算出され、低湿度のときにはｍ１となり、中湿度のときにはｍ２となり、高湿度のときにはｍ３となる。制御部１００は、印刷ジョブごとに算出された電気抵抗値上昇量を合計して転写ローラ８２の抵抗値上昇量を算出する。 In the graph of FIG. 5, the number of rotations of the transfer roller 82 and the electric A relationship with an increase in resistance is shown. The increase in the electrical resistance of the transfer roller 82 progresses faster in a low humidity environment than in a high humidity environment. In one print job, the increase in the electric resistance value of the transfer roller 82 when the number of rotations of the transfer roller 82 is from k to k+1 is calculated from the graph in FIG. and m3 at high humidity. The control unit 100 calculates the amount of increase in the resistance value of the transfer roller 82 by totaling the amount of increase in the electrical resistance value calculated for each print job.
　判定工程は、ドラムメモリ８５から読み出した寿命情報およびサプライ情報に基づいて、ドラムカートリッジ８に使用されている部品が再利用可能であるかを判定する工程である。本実施形態では、判定工程において、サプライ情報の少なくとも１つが所定の供給元に関する情報でない場合、帯電器８３、感光体ドラム８１および転写ローラ８２が再利用可能であると判定しない。 The determination step is a step of determining whether the parts used in the drum cartridge 8 are reusable based on the life information and supply information read from the drum memory 85 . In this embodiment, if at least one of the supply information is not information relating to a predetermined supply source in the determination step, it is not determined that the charger 83, photoreceptor drum 81, and transfer roller 82 are reusable.
　また、読出工程において、ドラムメモリ８５から帯電器８３が再利用された回数である再利用回数を読み出した場合であって、読出工程において、ドラムメモリ８５から読み出した再利用回数が所定回数以上である場合、帯電器８３が再利用可能であると判定しない。 Further, in the reading process, when the number of times of reuse, which is the number of times the charger 83 has been reused, is read out from the drum memory 85, and the number of times of reuse read out from the drum memory 85 in the reading process is equal to or greater than the predetermined number of times. If there is, it is not determined that the charger 83 is reusable.
　また、読出工程において、ドラムメモリ８５から、クリーナ８３４によってワイヤ８３１がクリーニングされたクリーニング回数を読み出した場合であって、判定工程において、ドラムメモリ８５から読み出したクリーニング回数が所定回数以上の場合、ワイヤ８３１が再利用可能であると判定しない。 Further, when the number of cleanings of the wire 831 by the cleaner 834 is read from the drum memory 85 in the reading step, and the number of cleanings read from the drum memory 85 is equal to or greater than a predetermined number in the determination step, the wire 831 is not determined to be reusable.
　また、読出工程において、ドラムメモリ８５から、感光体ドラム８１の寿命情報を読み出した場合であって、判定工程において、感光体ドラム８１の寿命情報から算出した感光体ドラム８１の寿命進行度が閾値以上である場合、感光体ドラム８１が再利用可能であると判定しない。 Further, when the life information of the photosensitive drum 81 is read from the drum memory 85 in the reading step, the progress of the life of the photosensitive drum 81 calculated from the life information of the photosensitive drum 81 in the determination step is the threshold value. In the case above, it is not determined that the photosensitive drum 81 is reusable.
　また、読出工程において、ドラムメモリ８５から、転写ローラ８２の寿命情報を読み出した場合であって、判定工程において、転写ローラ８２の寿命情報から算出した転写ローラ８２の寿命進行度が閾値以上である場合、転写ローラ８２が再利用可能であると判定しない。 Further, when the life information of the transfer roller 82 is read from the drum memory 85 in the reading process, and the progress of the life of the transfer roller 82 calculated from the life information of the transfer roller 82 in the determination process is equal to or greater than the threshold. In this case, it is not determined that the transfer roller 82 is reusable.
　次に、図６のフローチャートを参照して、第１実施形態における帯電器８３のワイヤ８３１の再利用判定方法の一例について説明する。ここでは、一例として、帯電器８３を構成する部品であるワイヤ８３１の再利用方法を説明しているが、ワイヤ８３１に限られず、帯電器８３、グリッド電極８３２、帯電フレーム８３３、クリーナ８３４など、帯電器８３を構成する他の部品に適用してもよい。 Next, an example of a reuse determination method for the wire 831 of the charger 83 in the first embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Here, as an example, a method of reusing the wire 831, which is a component of the charger 83, is described. It may be applied to other parts that constitute the charger 83 .
　図６に示すように、ワイヤ８３１の再利用判定方法は、まず、ドラムメモリ８５から、サプライ情報と、ワイヤ８３１の再利用回数と、ワイヤ８３１のクリーニング実行回数と、を読み出す（Ｓ１１）。 As shown in FIG. 6, the wire 831 reuse determination method first reads out the supply information, the number of times the wire 831 is reused, and the number of cleaning times of the wire 831 from the drum memory 85 (S11).
　ステップＳ１１の後、サプライ情報の少なくとも１つが特定の供給元でないかを判定する（Ｓ１２） After step S11, it is determined whether at least one of the supply information is a specific supplier (S12)
　ステップＳ１２において、サプライ情報の少なくとも１つが特定の供給元でないと判定した場合（Ｓ１２，Ｙｅｓ）、ワイヤ８３１の再利用が可能でないと判断する（Ｓ１６）。 If it is determined in step S12 that at least one piece of supply information is not a specific supplier (S12, Yes), it is determined that the wire 831 cannot be reused (S16).
　ステップＳ１２において、サプライ情報の少なくとも１つが特定の供給元でないと判定しなかった場合（Ｓ１２，Ｎｏ）、ワイヤ８３１の再利用回数が、所定の閾値をａとして、ａ回以上であるかを判定する（Ｓ１３）。 If it is not determined in step S12 that at least one piece of supply information is not from a specific supply source (S12, No), it is determined whether the number of times the wire 831 is reused is a times or more, where a is a predetermined threshold value. (S13).
　ステップＳ１３において、ワイヤ８３１の再利用回数がａ回以上であると判定した場合（Ｓ１３，Ｙｅｓ）、ワイヤ８３１の再利用が可能でないと判断する（Ｓ１６）。 In step S13, if it is determined that the number of times the wire 831 has been reused is a times or more (S13, Yes), it is determined that the wire 831 cannot be reused (S16).
　ステップＳ１３において、ワイヤ８３１の再利用回数がａ回以上であると判定しなかった場合（Ｓ１３，Ｎｏ）、ワイヤ８３１のクリーニング実行回数が、所定の閾値をｂとして、ｂ回以上であるかを判定する（Ｓ１４）。 In step S13, if it is not determined that the number of times the wire 831 is reused is a times or more (S13, No), it is determined whether the number of cleaning execution times of the wire 831 is b times or more, where b is a predetermined threshold value. Determine (S14).
　ステップＳ１４において、ワイヤ８３１のクリーニング実行回数がｂ回以上であると判定した場合（Ｓ１４，Ｙｅｓ）、ワイヤ８３１の再利用が可能でないと判断する（Ｓ１６）。 In step S14, when it is determined that the number of cleaning executions of the wire 831 is b times or more (S14, Yes), it is determined that the wire 831 cannot be reused (S16).
　ステップＳ１４において、ワイヤ８３１のクリーニング実行回数がｂ回以上であると判定しなかった場合（Ｓ１４，Ｎｏ）、ワイヤ８３１の再利用が可能であると判断する（Ｓ１５）。 If it is not determined in step S14 that the number of cleaning execution times of the wire 831 is b times or more (S14, No), it is determined that the wire 831 can be reused (S15).
　次に、図７のフローチャートを参照して、第１実施形態における感光体ドラム８１の再利用判定方法の一例について説明する。 Next, an example of a reuse determination method for the photosensitive drum 81 in the first embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
　図７に示すように、感光体ドラム８１の再利用判定方法は、まず、ドラムメモリ８５から、感光体ドラム８１の寿命情報と、サプライ情報と、過酷環境使用履歴と、を読み出し（Ｓ２１）、感光体ドラム８１の寿命進行度を算出する（Ｓ２２）。 As shown in FIG. 7, the reuse determination method for the photoreceptor drum 81 first reads the life information, supply information, and severe environment usage history of the photoreceptor drum 81 from the drum memory 85 (S21). The progress of life of the photosensitive drum 81 is calculated (S22).
　ステップＳ２２の後、感光体ドラム８１の寿命進行度が閾値以上であるかを判定する（Ｓ２３）。 After step S22, it is determined whether the degree of progress of the life of the photosensitive drum 81 is equal to or greater than the threshold (S23).
　ステップＳ２３において、感光体ドラム８１の寿命進行度が閾値以上であると判定した場合（Ｓ２３，Ｙｅｓ）、感光体ドラム８１の再利用が可能でないと判断する（Ｓ２７）。 If it is determined in step S23 that the life progress of the photoreceptor drum 81 is greater than or equal to the threshold value (S23, Yes), it is determined that the photoreceptor drum 81 cannot be reused (S27).
　ステップＳ２３において、感光体ドラム８１の寿命進行度が閾値以上であると判定しなかった場合（Ｓ２３，Ｎｏ）、サプライ情報の少なくとも１つが特定の供給元でないかを判定する（Ｓ２４）。 If it is not determined in step S23 that the life progress of the photosensitive drum 81 is equal to or greater than the threshold (S23, No), it is determined whether at least one piece of supply information is a specific source (S24).
　ステップＳ２４において、サプライ情報の少なくとも１つが特定の供給元でないと判定した場合（Ｓ２４，Ｙｅｓ）、感光体ドラム８１の再利用が可能でないと判断する（Ｓ２７）。 If it is determined in step S24 that at least one piece of supply information is not from a specific supplier (S24, Yes), it is determined that the photosensitive drum 81 cannot be reused (S27).
　ステップＳ２４において、サプライ情報の少なくとも１つが特定の供給元でないと判定しなかった場合（Ｓ２４，Ｎｏ）、ドラムメモリ８５に過酷環境使用履歴が記録されているかを判定する（Ｓ２５） If it is not determined in step S24 that at least one of the supply information is not from a specific supply source (S24, No), it is determined whether the severe environment usage history is recorded in the drum memory 85 (S25).
　ステップＳ２５において、ドラムメモリ８５に過酷環境使用履歴が記録されていると判定した場合（Ｓ２５，Ｙｅｓ）、感光体ドラム８１の再利用が可能でないと判断する（Ｓ２７）。 If it is determined in step S25 that the history of use in the harsh environment is recorded in the drum memory 85 (S25, Yes), it is determined that the photosensitive drum 81 cannot be reused (S27).
　ステップＳ２５において、ドラムメモリ８５に過酷環境使用履歴が記録されていると判定しなかった場合（Ｓ２５，Ｎｏ）、感光体ドラム８１の再利用が可能であると判断する（Ｓ２６）。 If it is not determined in step S25 that the severe environment usage history is recorded in the drum memory 85 (S25, No), it is determined that the photosensitive drum 81 can be reused (S26).
　次に、図８のフローチャートを参照して、第１実施形態における転写ローラ８２の再利用判定方法の一例について説明する。 Next, an example of a reuse determination method for the transfer roller 82 in the first embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
　図７に示すように、転写ローラ８２の再利用判定方法は、まず、ドラムメモリ８５から、転写ローラ８２の寿命情報と、サプライ情報と、過酷環境使用履歴と、を読み出し（Ｓ３１）、感光体ドラム８１の寿命進行度を算出する（Ｓ３２）。 As shown in FIG. 7, the transfer roller 82 reuse determination method first reads life information, supply information, and severe environment usage history of the transfer roller 82 from the drum memory 85 (S31). The progress of life of the drum 81 is calculated (S32).
　ステップＳ３２の後、転写ローラ８２の寿命進行度が閾値以上であるかを判定する（Ｓ３３）。 After step S32, it is determined whether the progress of life of the transfer roller 82 is equal to or greater than the threshold (S33).
　ステップＳ３３において、転写ローラ８２の寿命進行度が閾値以上であると判定した場合（Ｓ３３，Ｙｅｓ）、転写ローラ８２の再利用が可能でないと判断する（Ｓ３７）。 If it is determined in step S33 that the progress of life of the transfer roller 82 is equal to or greater than the threshold (S33, Yes), it is determined that the transfer roller 82 cannot be reused (S37).
　ステップＳ３３において、転写ローラ８２の寿命進行度が閾値以上であると判定しなかった場合（Ｓ３３，Ｎｏ）、サプライ情報の少なくとも１つが特定の供給元でないかを判定する（Ｓ３４）。 If it is not determined in step S33 that the progress of life of the transfer roller 82 is greater than or equal to the threshold value (S33, No), it is determined whether at least one piece of supply information is a specific source (S34).
　ステップＳ３４において、サプライ情報の少なくとも１つが特定の供給元でないと判定した場合（Ｓ３４，Ｙｅｓ）、転写ローラ８２の再利用が可能でないと判断する（Ｓ３７）。 If it is determined in step S34 that at least one piece of supply information is not from a specific supplier (S34, Yes), it is determined that the transfer roller 82 cannot be reused (S37).
　ステップＳ３４において、サプライ情報の少なくとも１つが特定の供給元でないと判定しなかった場合（Ｓ３４，Ｎｏ）、ドラムメモリ８５に過酷環境使用履歴が記録されているかを判定する（Ｓ３５） If it is not determined in step S34 that at least one of the supply information is not from a specific supply source (S34, No), it is determined whether the severe environment usage history is recorded in the drum memory 85 (S35).
　ステップＳ３５において、ドラムメモリ８５に過酷環境使用履歴が記録されていると判定した場合（Ｓ３５，Ｙｅｓ）、転写ローラ８２の再利用が可能でないと判断する（Ｓ３７）。 When it is determined in step S35 that the history of use in the harsh environment is recorded in the drum memory 85 (S35, Yes), it is determined that the transfer roller 82 cannot be reused (S37).
　ステップＳ３５において、ドラムメモリ８５に過酷環境使用履歴が記録されていると判定しなかった場合（Ｓ３５，Ｎｏ）、転写ローラ８２の再利用が可能であると判断する（Ｓ３６）。 If it is not determined in step S35 that the severe environment usage history is recorded in the drum memory 85 (S35, No), it is determined that the transfer roller 82 can be reused (S36).
　上述した第１実施形態の画像形成装置１によれば、次のような効果を奏することができる。 According to the image forming apparatus 1 of the first embodiment described above, the following effects can be obtained.
　このような構成によれば、寿命情報およびトナーカートリッジ９の供給元に関する情報であるサプライ情報に基づいて、ドラムカートリッジ８に使用されている部品が再利用可能であるかを判定するため、ドラムカートリッジ８に使用されている部品が再利用できるかを適切に判定することができる。 According to such a configuration, based on the life information and the supply information, which is information about the supply source of the toner cartridge 9, it is determined whether the parts used in the drum cartridge 8 are reusable. It is possible to appropriately determine whether the parts used in 8 can be reused.
　また、判定工程において、サプライ情報の少なくとも１つが所定の供給元に関する情報でない場合、帯電器８３が再利用可能であると判定しない。このため、再利用した帯電器８３の不具合を抑制できる。 Also, in the determination process, if at least one of the supply information is not information related to a predetermined supply source, it is not determined that the charger 83 is reusable. As a result, problems with the reused charger 83 can be suppressed.
　また、判定工程において、ドラムメモリ８５から読み出した再利用回数が所定回数以上である場合、帯電器８３が再利用可能であると判定しない。このため、再利用した帯電器８３の不具合を抑制できる。 Also, in the determination process, if the number of times of reuse read from the drum memory 85 is equal to or greater than a predetermined number of times, it is not determined that the charger 83 is reusable. As a result, problems with the reused charger 83 can be suppressed.
　また、判定工程において、ドラムメモリ８５から読み出したクリーニング回数が所定回数以上の場合、ワイヤ８３１が再利用可能であると判定しない。このため、再利用したワイヤ８３１の不具合を抑制できる。 Also, in the determination process, if the number of times of cleaning read from the drum memory 85 is equal to or greater than a predetermined number of times, it is not determined that the wire 831 is reusable. Therefore, problems caused by the reused wire 831 can be suppressed.
　また、サプライ情報の少なくとも１つが所定の供給元に関する情報でない場合、感光体ドラム８１を再利用しない。このため、再利用した感光体ドラム８１の不具合を抑制できる。 Also, if at least one piece of supply information is not information relating to a predetermined supply source, the photosensitive drum 81 is not reused. As a result, problems with the reused photosensitive drum 81 can be suppressed.
　また、判定工程において、感光体ドラム８１の寿命情報から算出した感光体ドラム８１の寿命進行度が閾値以上である場合、感光体ドラム８１が再利用可能であると判定しない。このため、再利用した感光体ドラム８１の不具合を抑制できる。 Also, in the determination process, if the degree of progress of the life of the photoconductor drum 81 calculated from the life information of the photoconductor drum 81 is equal to or greater than the threshold, it is not determined that the photoconductor drum 81 is reusable. As a result, problems with the reused photosensitive drum 81 can be suppressed.
　また、判定工程において、サプライ情報の少なくとも１つが所定の供給元に関する情報でない場合、転写ローラが再利用可能であると判定しない。このため、再利用した転写ローラ８２の不具合を抑制できる。 Also, in the determination process, if at least one of the supply information is not information related to a predetermined supply source, it is not determined that the transfer roller is reusable. Therefore, problems with the reused transfer roller 82 can be suppressed.
　また、判定工程において、転写ローラ８２の寿命情報から算出した転写ローラ８２の寿命進行度が閾値以上である場合、転写ローラ８２が再利用可能であると判定しない。このため、再利用した転写ローラ８２の不具合を抑制できる。 Also, in the determination process, if the progress of life of the transfer roller 82 calculated from the life information of the transfer roller 82 is equal to or greater than the threshold value, it is not determined that the transfer roller 82 is reusable. Therefore, problems with the reused transfer roller 82 can be suppressed.
　次に、第２実施形態における、ドラムカートリッジ８に使用されている帯電器８３の再利用判定方法について説明する。第２実施形態の具体的な説明については、図９のフローチャートを参照して説明する。図９のフローチャートについては、図６のフローチャートと異なる部分のみ説明し、共通する部分の説明は省略する。 Next, a method for determining reuse of the charger 83 used in the drum cartridge 8 in the second embodiment will be described. A specific description of the second embodiment will be given with reference to the flowchart of FIG. With regard to the flowchart of FIG. 9, only different parts from the flowchart of FIG. 6 will be described, and descriptions of common parts will be omitted.
　第２実施形態においては、判定工程において、ドラムメモリ８５から読み出したサプライ情報の少なくとも１つが所定の供給元に関する情報でない場合、かつ、異常放電の回数が所定回数以上である場合、帯電器８３が再利用可能であると判定しない。 In the second embodiment, in the determination step, if at least one piece of supply information read from the drum memory 85 is not information related to a predetermined supply source, and if the number of abnormal discharges is equal to or greater than a predetermined number of times, the charger 83 Not determined to be reusable.
　図９に示すように、ステップＳ１１の後、サプライ情報の少なくとも１つが所定の供給元に関する情報でないかを判定する（Ｓ１２１）。 As shown in FIG. 9, after step S11, it is determined whether at least one piece of supply information is information related to a predetermined supply source (S121).
　ステップＳ１２１において、サプライ情報の少なくとも１つが所定の供給元に関する情報でないと判定した場合（Ｓ１２１，Ｙｅｓ）、ワイヤ８３１の再利用が可能でないと判断する（Ｓ１６）。 If it is determined in step S121 that at least one of the supply information is not information related to a predetermined supply source (S121, Yes), it is determined that the wire 831 cannot be reused (S16).
　ステップＳ１２１において、サプライ情報の少なくとも１つが所定の供給元に関する情報でないと判定しなかった場合（Ｓ１２１，Ｎｏ）、異常放電の回数が、所定の閾値をｃとして、ｃ回以上であるかを確認する（Ｓ１２２）。 If it is not determined in step S121 that at least one piece of supply information is not information relating to a predetermined supply source (S121, No), it is checked whether the number of abnormal discharges is c times or more, where c is a predetermined threshold value. (S122).
ステップＳ１２２において、異常放電の回数がｃ回以上であると判定した場合（Ｓ１２２，Ｙｅｓ）、ワイヤ８３１の再利用が可能でないと判断する（Ｓ１６）。 If it is determined in step S122 that the number of abnormal discharges is c or more (S122, Yes), it is determined that the wire 831 cannot be reused (S16).
　ステップＳ１２２において、異常放電の回数がｃ回以上であると判定しない場合（Ｓ１２２，Ｎｏ）、ステップＳ１３に移行する。ステップＳ１３からは第１実施形態と同じであるため説明を省略する。 If it is not determined in step S122 that the number of abnormal discharges is c or more (S122, No), the process proceeds to step S13. Since the steps from step S13 are the same as those in the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.
　この実施形態の帯電器８３に関する再利用判定方法によれば、サプライ情報の少なくとも１つが所定の供給元に関する情報でない場合、かつ、異常放電の回数が所定回数以上である場合、帯電器８３を再利用しないので、再利用した帯電器８３の不具合を抑制できる。 According to the reuse determination method for the charger 83 of this embodiment, when at least one of the supply information is not information about a predetermined supply source and when the number of abnormal discharges is equal to or greater than a predetermined number of times, the charger 83 is reused. Since it is not used, troubles of the reused charger 83 can be suppressed.
　次に、第２実施形態における、ドラムカートリッジ８に使用されている感光体ドラム８１の再利用判定方法について説明する。第２実施形態の具体的な説明については、図１０のフローチャートを参照して説明する。図１０のフローチャートについては、図７のフローチャートと異なる部分のみ説明し、共通する部分の説明は省略する。 Next, a method for judging reuse of the photosensitive drum 81 used in the drum cartridge 8 in the second embodiment will be described. A specific description of the second embodiment will be given with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Regarding the flowchart of FIG. 10, only the parts different from the flowchart of FIG. 7 will be explained, and the explanation of the common parts will be omitted.
　また、第２実施形態においては、読出工程において、ドラムメモリ８５から、過酷な環境で使用された履歴である過酷環境使用履歴を読み出し、判定工程において、サプライ情報の少なくとも１つが所定の供給元に関する情報でなく、かつ、ドラムメモリ８５に過酷環境使用履歴が記録されていた場合、感光体ドラム８１が再利用可能であると判定しない。 Further, in the second embodiment, in the reading step, the severe environment usage history, which is the history of use in a harsh environment, is read from the drum memory 85, and in the determining step, at least one piece of supply information is related to a predetermined supply source. If it is not information and if the drum memory 85 has a history of use in a harsh environment, it is not determined that the photosensitive drum 81 is reusable.
　図１０に示すように、ステップＳ２３において、感光体ドラム８１の寿命進行度が閾値以上であると判定しなかった場合（Ｓ２３，Ｎｏ）、ドラムメモリ８５に過酷環境使用履歴が記録されているかを判定する（Ｓ２４１）。 As shown in FIG. 10, if it is not determined in step S23 that the life progress of the photosensitive drum 81 is equal to or greater than the threshold value (S23, No), it is checked whether the severe environment usage history is recorded in the drum memory 85. Determine (S241).
　ステップＳ２４１において、ドラムメモリ８５に過酷環境使用履歴が記録されていると判定しない場合（Ｓ２４１，Ｎｏ）、感光体ドラム８１の再利用が可能であると判断する（Ｓ２６）。 If it is not determined in step S241 that the severe environment usage history is recorded in the drum memory 85 (S241, No), it is determined that the photosensitive drum 81 can be reused (S26).
　ステップＳ２４１において、ドラムメモリ８５に過酷環境使用履歴が記録されていると判定した場合（Ｓ２４１，Ｙｅｓ）、サプライ情報の少なくとも１つが所定の供給元でないかを判定する（Ｓ２４２）。 If it is determined in step S241 that the severe environment usage history is recorded in the drum memory 85 (S241, Yes), it is determined whether at least one piece of supply information is not a predetermined source (S242).
　ステップＳ２４２において、サプライ情報の少なくとも１つが所定の供給元でないと判定しなかった場合（Ｓ２４２，Ｎｏ）、感光体ドラム８１の再利用が可能であると判断する（Ｓ２６）。 If it is not determined in step S242 that at least one of the pieces of supply information is not from a predetermined supply source (S242, No), it is determined that the photosensitive drum 81 can be reused (S26).
　ステップＳ２４２において、サプライ情報の少なくとも１つが所定の供給元でないと判定した場合（Ｓ２４２，Ｙｅｓ）、感光体ドラム８１の再利用が可能でないと判断する（Ｓ２７）。 If it is determined in step S242 that at least one piece of the supply information is not a predetermined supply source (S242, Yes), it is determined that the photosensitive drum 81 cannot be reused (S27).
　この実施形態の感光体ドラム８１に関する再利用判定方法によれば、サプライ情報の少なくとも１つが所定の供給元に関する情報でなく、かつ、ドラムメモリ８５に過酷環境使用履歴が記録されていた場合、感光体ドラム８１を再利用しないので、再利用した感光体ドラム８１の不具合を抑制できる。 According to the reuse determination method for the photosensitive drum 81 of this embodiment, if at least one piece of the supply information is not information about a predetermined supply source and the drum memory 85 records a history of use in a harsh environment, the photosensitive drum 81 can be reused. Since the body drum 81 is not reused, troubles of the reused photosensitive drum 81 can be suppressed.
　次に、第２実施形態における、ドラムカートリッジ８に使用されている転写ローラ８２の再利用判定方法について説明する。第２実施形態の具体的な説明については、図１１のフローチャートを参照して説明する。図１１のフローチャートについては、図８のフローチャートと異なる部分のみ説明し、共通する部分の説明は省略する。 Next, a method for judging reuse of the transfer roller 82 used in the drum cartridge 8 in the second embodiment will be described. A specific description of the second embodiment will be given with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 11 . Regarding the flowchart of FIG. 11, only the parts different from the flowchart of FIG. 8 will be explained, and the explanation of the common parts will be omitted.
　また、第２実施形態においては、読出工程において、ドラムメモリ８５から、過酷な環境で使用された履歴である過酷環境使用履歴を読み出し、判定工程において、サプライ情報の少なくとも１つが所定の供給元に関する情報でなく、かつ、ドラムメモリ８５に過酷環境使用履歴が記録されていた場合、転写ローラ８２が再利用可能であると判定しない。 Further, in the second embodiment, in the reading step, the severe environment usage history, which is the history of use in a harsh environment, is read from the drum memory 85, and in the determining step, at least one piece of supply information is related to a predetermined supply source. If it is not information and if the drum memory 85 has a history of use in a harsh environment, it is not determined that the transfer roller 82 is reusable.
　図１１に示すように、ステップＳ３３において、転写ローラ８２の寿命進行度が閾値以上であると判定しなかった場合（Ｓ３３，Ｎｏ）、ドラムメモリ８５に過酷環境使用履歴が記録されているかを判定する（Ｓ３４１）。 As shown in FIG. 11, if it is not determined in step S33 that the progress of life of the transfer roller 82 is equal to or greater than the threshold value (S33, No), it is determined whether or not the severe environment usage history is recorded in the drum memory 85. (S341).
　ステップＳ３４１において、ドラムメモリ８５に過酷環境使用履歴が記録されていると判定しない場合（Ｓ３４１，Ｎｏ）、転写ローラ８２の再利用が可能であると判断する（Ｓ３６）。 If it is not determined in step S341 that the severe environment usage history is recorded in the drum memory 85 (S341, No), it is determined that the transfer roller 82 can be reused (S36).
　ステップＳ３４１において、ドラムメモリ８５に過酷環境使用履歴が記録されていると判定した場合（Ｓ３４１，Ｙｅｓ）、サプライ情報の少なくとも１つが所定の供給元でないかを判定する（Ｓ３４２）。 If it is determined in step S341 that the severe environment usage history is recorded in the drum memory 85 (S341, Yes), it is determined whether at least one piece of supply information is not a predetermined supply source (S342).
　ステップＳ３４２において、サプライ情報の少なくとも１つが所定の供給元でないと判定しなかった場合（Ｓ３４２，Ｎｏ）、転写ローラ８２の再利用が可能であると判断する（Ｓ３６）。 If it is not determined in step S342 that at least one piece of supply information is not from a predetermined supply source (S342, No), it is determined that the transfer roller 82 can be reused (S36).
　ステップＳ３４２において、サプライ情報の少なくとも１つが所定の供給元でないと判定した場合（Ｓ３４２，Ｙｅｓ）、転写ローラ８２の再利用が可能でないと判断する（Ｓ３７）。 If it is determined in step S342 that at least one piece of supply information is not from a predetermined supply source (S342, Yes), it is determined that the transfer roller 82 cannot be reused (S37).
　この実施形態の転写ローラ８２に関する再利用判定方法によれば、サプライ情報の少なくとも１つが所定の供給元に関する情報でなく、かつ、ドラムメモリ８５に過酷環境使用履歴が記録されていた場合、転写ローラ８２を再利用しないので、再利用した転写ローラ８２の不具合を抑制できる。 According to the reuse determination method for the transfer roller 82 of this embodiment, if at least one of the supply information is not information about a predetermined supply source and the drum memory 85 records a history of use in a harsh environment, the transfer roller Since the transfer roller 82 is not reused, problems with the reused transfer roller 82 can be suppressed.
　なお、本開示は前記実施形態に限定されることなく、以下に例示するように様々な形態で利用できる。 It should be noted that the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments, and can be used in various forms as exemplified below.
　上述した実施形態においては、判定工程において、感光体ドラム８１の寿命情報から算出した感光体ドラム８１の寿命進行度が閾値以上である場合、感光体ドラム８１が再利用可能であると判定しない構成であったが、この構成に限られず、判定工程において、感光体ドラム８１の寿命情報から算出した感光体ドラム８１の残寿命が閾値以下である場合、感光体ドラム８１が再利用可能であると判定しない構成であってもよい。残寿命は、感光体ドラム８１の使用によって減り、感光体ドラム８１の残りの寿命を示すものである。 In the above-described embodiment, in the determination step, if the degree of progress of the life of the photosensitive drum 81 calculated from the life information of the photosensitive drum 81 is equal to or greater than the threshold value, it is not determined that the photosensitive drum 81 is reusable. However, without being limited to this configuration, if the remaining life of the photoreceptor drum 81 calculated from the life information of the photoreceptor drum 81 is equal to or less than a threshold value in the determination step, it is determined that the photoreceptor drum 81 can be reused. A configuration in which no determination is made is also possible. The remaining life decreases as the photoreceptor drum 81 is used and indicates the remaining life of the photoreceptor drum 81 .
　上述した実施形態においては、判定工程において、転写ローラ８２の寿命情報から算出した転写ローラ８２の寿命進行度が閾値以上である場合、転写ローラ８２が再利用可能であると判定しない構成であったが、この構成に限られず、判定工程において、転写ローラ８２の寿命情報から算出した転写ローラ８２の残寿命が閾値以下である場合、転写ローラ８２が再利用可能であると判定しない構成であってもよい。残寿命は、感光体ドラム８１の使用によって減り、感光体ドラム８１の残りの寿命を示すものである。 In the above-described embodiment, in the determination step, if the progress of life of the transfer roller 82 calculated from the life information of the transfer roller 82 is equal to or greater than the threshold value, it is not determined that the transfer roller 82 is reusable. However, it is not limited to this configuration, and in the determination step, if the remaining life of the transfer roller 82 calculated from the life information of the transfer roller 82 is equal to or less than a threshold value, it is not determined that the transfer roller 82 is reusable. good too. The remaining life decreases as the photoreceptor drum 81 is used and indicates the remaining life of the photoreceptor drum 81 .
　上述した実施形態においては、再利用可能であるかを判定する部品は、帯電器８３と、感光体ドラム８１と、転写ローラ８２とを含む構成であったが、その他の部品が再利用可能であるかを判定してもよい。 In the above-described embodiment, the parts for determining whether they are reusable include the charger 83, the photosensitive drum 81, and the transfer roller 82, but other parts are reusable. You can determine if there is
　上述した実施形態においては、過酷環境使用履歴は、気温が５０℃を超える温度での使用履歴などであったが、過酷環境の温度、湿度は、適宜変更できる。 In the above-described embodiment, the severe environment usage history was the usage history at a temperature exceeding 50°C, but the temperature and humidity of the severe environment can be changed as appropriate.
　上述した実施形態においては、制御部１００は、過酷環境における使用があったと判定した場合に、ドラムメモリ８５に過酷環境使用履歴を書き込む構成であったが、過酷環境の種類と、過酷環境での使用回数をドラムメモリ８５に書き込んでもよい。この場合、過酷環境の種類と、過酷環境での使用回数に応じて、再利用可能かの判定をしてもよい。 In the above-described embodiment, the control unit 100 is configured to write the history of use in the harsh environment to the drum memory 85 when it is determined that there has been use in the harsh environment. The number of times of use may be written in the drum memory 85 . In this case, reusability may be determined according to the type of severe environment and the number of times of use in the severe environment.
　上述した実施形態においては、制御部１００は、感光体ドラム８１および転写ローラ８２の寿命進行度を、印刷ジョブ実行時の環境（温度、湿度）を考慮して算出し、寿命進行度が閾値以上であると判定した場合に再利用可能であると判定しない構成であったが、この構成に限定されない。
　例えば、制御部１００は、感光体ドラム８１および転写ローラ８２の寿命進行度を、印刷ジョブ実行時の環境（温度、湿度）を考慮せずに算出し、寿命進行度が、印刷ジョブ実行時の環境（温度、湿度）を考慮して算出された閾値以上であると判定した場合に再利用可能であると判定しない構成であってもよい。 In the above-described embodiment, the control unit 100 calculates the degree of progress of life of the photosensitive drum 81 and the transfer roller 82 in consideration of the environment (temperature, humidity) during execution of the print job, and determines that the degree of life progress is equal to or greater than the threshold. Although the configuration is such that it is not determined to be reusable when it is determined that it is, the configuration is not limited to this configuration.
For example, the control unit 100 calculates the life progress of the photosensitive drum 81 and the transfer roller 82 without considering the environment (temperature, humidity) when the print job is executed. It may be configured such that it is not determined to be reusable when it is determined that it is equal to or greater than a threshold value calculated in consideration of the environment (temperature, humidity).
　上述した実施形態においては、スコロトロン型の帯電器８３によって感光体ドラム８１の表面を帯電させていたが、感光体ドラムは、帯電ローラによって帯電させる構成であってもよい。 In the above-described embodiment, the surface of the photoreceptor drum 81 is charged by the scorotron charger 83, but the photoreceptor drum may be charged by a charging roller.
　上述した実施形態においては、トナーカートリッジ９はドラムカートリッジ８に組み付けられた状態で装置本体２に対して着脱可能であったが、トナーカートリッジおよびドラムカートリッジがそれぞれ単体で装置本体に対して装着可能であってもよい。 In the above-described embodiment, the toner cartridge 9 assembled with the drum cartridge 8 is detachable from the apparatus main body 2. However, the toner cartridge and the drum cartridge can be separately attached to the apparatus main body. There may be.
　上述した実施形態においては、トナーカートリッジは現像ローラ、供給ローラおよび層厚規制ブレードを有していたが、トナーカートリッジは現像ローラ、供給ローラおよび層厚規制ブレードを有していない構成であってもよい。 In the above-described embodiments, the toner cartridge has the developing roller, the supply roller, and the layer thickness regulating blade. good.
　上述した実施形態では、異常放電検出部として図４（ａ）に示すような検出基板２００がグリッド電極に接続されたものを例示したが、本発明はこれに限定されず、ワイヤに電圧を印加する高圧電源部に検出基板が接続されていてもよい。 In the above-described embodiment, the detection substrate 200 as shown in FIG. 4A is connected to the grid electrode as the abnormal discharge detection section, but the present invention is not limited to this, and voltage is applied to the wire. A detection board may be connected to the high-voltage power supply unit.
　上述した実施形態では、画像形成装置１がモノクロ用のレーザプリンタであったが、これに限定されず、カラープリンタ、その他の画像形成装置、例えば複写機や複合機などに適用してもよい。 In the above-described embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 is a monochrome laser printer, but it is not limited to this, and may be applied to color printers and other image forming apparatuses such as copiers and multifunction machines.
　上述した実施形態および変形例で説明した各要素を、任意に組み合わせて実施することもできる。 The elements described in the above-described embodiment and modified examples can be arbitrarily combined and implemented.
　１　　　画像形成装置
　２　　　装置本体
　８　　　ドラムカートリッジ
　９　　　トナーカートリッジ
　８１　　感光体ドラム
　８２　　転写ローラ
　８３　　帯電器
　８５　　ドラムメモリ
　９１　　現像ローラ
　９５　　トナーメモリ
　１００　制御部
　８３１　ワイヤ
　８３２　グリッド電極
　８３４　クリーナ REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 image forming apparatus 2 apparatus main body 8 drum cartridge 9 toner cartridge 81 photoreceptor drum 82 transfer roller 83 charger 85 drum memory 91 developing roller 95 toner memory 100 control unit 831 wire 832 grid electrode 834 cleaner

Claims (17)

  1. 　画像形成装置の装置本体に装着または取り外し可能なドラムカートリッジであって、感光体ドラムと、ドラムメモリと、を備え、トナーカートリッジと共に使用されるドラムカートリッジに使用されている部品の再利用判定方法であって、
    　前記ドラムメモリから前記部品の寿命に関する寿命情報と、前記ドラムカートリッジと共に使用された前記トナーカートリッジの供給元に関する情報であるサプライ情報と、を読み出す読出工程と、
    　前記ドラムメモリから読み出した前記寿命情報および前記サプライ情報に基づいて、前記部品が再利用可能であるかを判定する判定工程と、を含むことを特徴とするドラムカートリッジに使用されている部品の再利用判定方法。     A method for judging the reuse of parts used in a drum cartridge that is attachable to or detachable from the main body of an image forming apparatus, includes a photosensitive drum and a drum memory, and is used together with a toner cartridge. There is
    a reading step of reading, from the drum memory, life information relating to the life of the component and supply information, which is information relating to a supplier of the toner cartridge used together with the drum cartridge;
    and a determination step of determining whether the parts are reusable based on the life information and the supply information read from the drum memory. Usage judgment method.
  2. 　前記ドラムカートリッジは、前記感光体ドラムを帯電させる帯電器をさらに備え、
    　前記部品は、前記帯電器を含むことを特徴とする請求項１に記載のドラムカートリッジに使用されている部品の再利用判定方法。     The drum cartridge further comprises a charger that charges the photosensitive drum,
    2. A method for determining reuse of parts used in a drum cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said parts include said charger.
  3. 　前記判定工程において、前記サプライ情報の少なくとも１つが所定の供給元に関する情報でない場合、前記帯電器が再利用可能であると判定しないことを特徴とする請求項２に記載のドラムカートリッジに使用されている部品の再利用判定方法。 3. The charging device used in the drum cartridge according to claim 2, wherein in the determination step, if at least one of the supply information is not information relating to a predetermined supply source, it is not determined that the charger is reusable. Reuse determination method for parts that are used.
  4. 　前記読出工程において、前記ドラムメモリから前記帯電器に異常放電があった回数である異常放電判定回数を読み出し、
    　前記判定工程において、前記ドラムメモリから読み出した前記サプライ情報の少なくとも１つが所定の供給元に関する情報でない場合、または、前記異常放電の回数が所定回数以上である場合、前記帯電器が再利用可能であると判定しないことを特徴とする請求項２に記載のドラムカートリッジに使用されている部品の再利用判定方法。     In the reading step, the abnormal discharge determination count, which is the number of abnormal discharges in the charger, is read from the drum memory;
    In the determination step, if at least one of the supply information read from the drum memory is not information relating to a predetermined supply source, or if the number of abnormal discharges is a predetermined number or more, the charger is reusable. 3. A method for judging reuse of parts used in drum cartridges according to claim 2, wherein it is not judged that there are any.
  5. 　前記読出工程において、前記ドラムメモリから前記帯電器が再利用された回数である再利用回数を読み出し、
    　前記判定工程において、前記ドラムメモリから読み出した前記再利用回数が所定回数以上である場合、前記帯電器が再利用可能であると判定しないことを特徴とする請求項３または請求項４に記載のドラムカートリッジに使用されている部品の再利用判定方法。     In the reading step, the number of times the charger has been reused is read out from the drum memory;
    5. The method according to claim 3, wherein in the determination step, if the number of times of reuse read out from the drum memory is equal to or greater than a predetermined number of times, it is not determined that the charger is reusable. A method for judging reuse of parts used in drum cartridges.
  6. 　前記帯電器は、ワイヤと、前記ワイヤをクリーニングするクリーナと、を有し、
    　前記読出工程において、前記ドラムメモリから、前記クリーナによって前記ワイヤがクリーニングされたクリーニング回数を読み出し、
    　前記判定工程において、前記ドラムメモリから読み出した前記クリーニング回数が所定回数以上の場合、前記ワイヤが再利用可能であると判定しないことを特徴とする請求項２から請求項５のいずれか１項に記載のドラムカートリッジに使用されている部品の再利用判定方法。     the charger has a wire and a cleaner for cleaning the wire;
    In the reading step, the number of times the wire has been cleaned by the cleaner is read from the drum memory;
    6. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that, in said determining step, if said number of times of cleaning read out from said drum memory is equal to or greater than a predetermined number of times, said wire is not determined to be reusable. A method for judging reuse of parts used in the described drum cartridge.
  7. 　前記部品は、前記感光体ドラムを含むことを特徴とする請求項１から請求項６のいずれか１項に記載のドラムカートリッジに使用されている部品の再利用判定方法。 A method for judging reuse of parts used in a drum cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the parts include the photosensitive drum.
  8. 　前記判定工程において、前記サプライ情報の少なくとも１つが所定の供給元に関する情報でない場合、前記感光体ドラムが再利用可能であると判定しないことを特徴とする請求項７に記載のドラムカートリッジに使用されている部品の再利用判定方法。 8. The drum cartridge used in the drum cartridge according to claim 7, wherein in the determination step, if at least one of the supply information is not information relating to a predetermined supply source, it is not determined that the photosensitive drum is reusable. Reuse determination method for parts that are
  9. 　前記読出工程において、前記ドラムメモリから、過酷な環境で使用された履歴である過酷環境使用履歴を読み出し、
    　前記判定工程において、前記サプライ情報の少なくとも１つが所定の供給元に関する情報でなく、または、前記ドラムメモリに前記過酷環境使用履歴が記録されていた場合、前記感光体ドラムが再利用可能であると判定しないことを特徴とする請求項７に記載のドラムカートリッジに使用されている部品の再利用判定方法。     In the reading step, a harsh environment usage history, which is a history of use in a harsh environment, is read from the drum memory;
    In the determination step, if at least one of the supply information is not information relating to a predetermined supply source, or if the severe environment usage history is recorded in the drum memory, it is determined that the photosensitive drum is reusable. 8. The method for judging reuse of parts used in drum cartridges according to claim 7, wherein the judging is not made.
  10. 　前記判定工程において、前記感光体ドラムの前記寿命情報から算出した前記感光体ドラムの寿命の進行度を示す寿命進行度が閾値以上である場合、前記感光体ドラムが再利用可能であると判定しないことを特徴とする請求項８または請求項９に記載のドラムカートリッジに使用されている部品の再利用判定方法。 In the determination step, if a life progression degree of the photosensitive drum calculated from the life information of the photosensitive drum is equal to or greater than a threshold value, it is not determined that the photosensitive drum is reusable. 10. The method for judging reuse of parts used in drum cartridges according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that:
  11. 　前記判定工程において、前記感光体ドラムの前記寿命情報から算出した前記感光体ドラムの残りの寿命を示す残寿命が閾値以下である場合、前記感光体ドラムが再利用可能であると判定しないことを特徴とする請求項８または請求項９に記載のドラムカートリッジに使用されている部品の再利用判定方法。 In the determination step, if a remaining life indicating the remaining life of the photoconductor drum calculated from the life information of the photoconductor drum is equal to or less than a threshold value, it is not determined that the photoconductor drum is reusable. 10. A method for judging reuse of parts used in a drum cartridge according to claim 8 or 9.
  12. 　前記ドラムカートリッジは、前記感光体ドラムと向かい合って位置し、前記感光体ドラム上のトナー像をシートに転写する転写ローラをさらに備え、
    　前記部品は、前記転写ローラを含むことを特徴とする請求項１から請求項１１のいずれか１項に記載のドラムカートリッジに使用されている部品の再利用判定方法。     The drum cartridge further comprises a transfer roller positioned to face the photoreceptor drum and transferring the toner image on the photoreceptor drum to a sheet,
    12. The method for determining reuse of parts used in a drum cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the parts include the transfer roller.
  13. 　前記判定工程において、前記サプライ情報の少なくとも１つが所定の供給元に関する情報でない場合、前記転写ローラが再利用可能であると判定しないことを特徴とする請求項１２に記載のドラムカートリッジに使用されている部品の再利用判定方法。 13. The drum cartridge according to claim 12, wherein, in said determination step, if at least one of said supply information is not information relating to a predetermined supply source, it is not determined that said transfer roller is reusable. Reuse determination method for parts that are used.
  14. 　前記読出工程において、前記ドラムメモリから、過酷な環境で使用された履歴である過酷環境使用履歴を読み出し、
    　前記判定工程において、前記サプライ情報の少なくとも１つが所定の供給元に関する情報でなく、または、前記ドラムメモリに前記過酷環境使用履歴が記録されていた場合、前記転写ローラが再利用可能であると判定しないことを特徴とする請求項１２に記載のドラムカートリッジに使用されている部品の再利用判定方法。     In the reading step, a harsh environment usage history, which is a history of use in a harsh environment, is read from the drum memory;
    In the determination step, if at least one of the supply information is not information relating to a predetermined supply source, or if the history of use in the harsh environment is recorded in the drum memory, it is determined that the transfer roller is reusable. 13. The method for judging reuse of parts used in the drum cartridge according to claim 12, wherein the parts are not reused.
  15. 　前記判定工程において、前記転写ローラの前記寿命情報から算出した前記転写ローラの寿命の進行度を示す寿命進行度が閾値以上である場合、前記転写ローラが再利用可能であると判定しないことを特徴とする請求項１３または請求項１４に記載のドラムカートリッジに使用されている部品の再利用判定方法。 In the determination step, if a life progression degree of the transfer roller calculated from the life information of the transfer roller and indicating a progress degree of the life of the transfer roller is equal to or greater than a threshold value, it is not determined that the transfer roller is reusable. 15. A method for judging reuse of parts used in a drum cartridge according to claim 13 or 14.
  16. 　前記判定工程において、前記転写ローラの前記寿命情報から算出した前記転写ローラの残りの寿命を示す残寿命が閾値以下である場合、前記転写ローラが再利用可能であると判定しないことを特徴とする請求項１３または請求項１４に記載のドラムカートリッジに使用されている部品の再利用判定方法。 In the determining step, if a remaining life indicating a remaining life of the transfer roller calculated from the life information of the transfer roller is equal to or less than a threshold value, it is not determined that the transfer roller is reusable. 15. A method for judging reuse of parts used in the drum cartridge according to claim 13 or 14.
  17. 　前記過酷環境使用履歴は、所定温度以上で使用したこと、所定温度以下で使用したこと、および所定湿度以上で使用したことの少なくとも１つを含むことを特徴とする請求項９または請求項１４に記載のドラムカートリッジに使用されている部品の再利用判定方法。 15. The severe environment use history includes at least one of use at a predetermined temperature or higher, use at a predetermined temperature or lower, or use at a predetermined humidity or higher. A method for judging reuse of parts used in the described drum cartridge.
PCT/JP2022/012604 2021-04-01 2022-03-18 Reusage determination method for component used in drum cartridge WO2022210027A1 (en)

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