阅读说明：本技术 图像形成装置及显影剂容器 (Image forming apparatus and developer container ) 是由 阿嶋久延 东畑信男 武田有一郎 于 2019-11-12 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种图像形成装置及显影剂容器,能够使打印动作被限制的时间不长于必要时间。实施方式的图像形成装置具有显影器、传感器、控制信息获取部及控制部。显影器使用显影剂在像保持体上形成图像。传感器生成表示关于显影剂的测定值的信号。控制信息获取部从与显影剂相关联的记录介质获取与测定值预先相关联的一个以上的控制信息来作为显影器的控制信息。控制部在从记录介质获取的一个以上的控制信息中,选择与表示信号的测定值相关联的控制信息。控制部基于所选择的控制信息控制显影器的动作。(An image forming apparatus and a developer container are provided, which can make the time for which the printing operation is limited not longer than necessary. The image forming apparatus according to an embodiment includes a developing unit, a sensor, a control information acquiring unit, and a control unit. The developing device forms an image on the image holding body using a developer. The sensor generates a signal representing a measured value with respect to the developer. The control information acquisition unit acquires, as control information of the developing device, one or more pieces of control information associated in advance with the measurement value from a recording medium associated with the developer. The control unit selects control information associated with a measurement value indicating a signal from among one or more pieces of control information acquired from a recording medium. The control unit controls the operation of the developing unit based on the selected control information.)

1. An image forming apparatus is characterized by comprising:

a developing device for forming an image on the image holding body by using a developer;

a sensor that generates a signal representing a measured value with respect to the developer;

a control information acquisition unit configured to acquire one or more pieces of control information associated in advance with the measurement value from a recording medium associated with the developer as control information of the developing device; and

and a control unit that selects the control information associated with the measurement value indicating the signal from the one or more pieces of control information acquired from the recording medium, and controls an operation of the developing unit based on the selected control information.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,

the measured value for the developer is temperature or humidity,

one or more pieces of control information associated with the measurement values are determined based on at least one of a particle size distribution, a volume average particle diameter, a preservation characteristic, a cohesive strength of an additive, a glass transition temperature, and an amount and a dispersion coefficient of wax of the developer.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,

the control information acquisition portion acquires information of a date of production of the developer from the recording medium,

the control unit changes a result of selection of the control information based on an elapsed time from the production date, and controls an operation of the developing unit based on the changed control information.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,

the recording medium is provided in a developer container detachable with respect to the image forming apparatus.

5. A developer container which is detachable from an image forming apparatus having the developer container, comprising:

a developer used when the developer forms an image on an image holding body; and

and a recording medium that associates and stores in advance at least one of a particle size distribution, a volume average particle diameter, storage characteristics, adhesive strength of an additive, a glass transition temperature, and an amount and a dispersion coefficient of wax of the developer with a measured value regarding the developer.

Technical Field

Embodiments of the present invention relate to an image forming apparatus and a developer container.

Background

The image forming apparatus performs a printing operation using a developer such as toner. Since the conveyance characteristics of the developer are susceptible to heat, conveyance failure of the developer may occur when the temperature in the image forming apparatus reaches a certain temperature or higher. In order to prevent the occurrence of a developer conveyance failure, the image forming apparatus restricts the printing operation when the temperature in the image forming apparatus reaches a predetermined temperature or higher. However, the printing operation may be limited for a longer time than necessary.

Disclosure of Invention

An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus and a developer container capable of limiting a printing operation for a time not longer than necessary.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is an external view showing an example of the overall configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of arrangement of information in the memory of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of arrangement of information in the memory of the ink cartridge according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between the temperature of the developing device and the control information according to the amount of fine powder of the developer in the first embodiment.

Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between the temperature of the developing device and the control information according to the second embodiment in terms of the dispersion coefficient.

Fig. 8 is an external view showing an example of the overall configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment.

Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of arrangement of information in a memory of the image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment.

Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an example of arrangement of information in the memory of the ink cartridge according to the third embodiment.

Fig. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a change in the glass transition temperature of the developer according to the third embodiment.

Fig. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between the temperature range of the developing device and the control information according to the third embodiment in the range of the glass transition temperature of the developer.

Fig. 13 is a diagram showing Tg correction values of the third embodiment for each elapsed day interval.

Fig. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment.

Description of the reference numerals

100 … image forming apparatus, 110 … display apparatus, 120 … control panel, 130 … printer, 131 … charging apparatus, 132 … developer, 133 … photoreceptor drum, 134 … cleaning apparatus, 135 … sensor, 140 … sheet container, 150 … interface, 160 … control section, 170 … memory, 180 … time circuit, 200 … image reader section, 300 … cartridge, 301 … memory.

An image forming apparatus according to an embodiment includes: a developing device for forming an image on the image holding body by using a developer; a sensor that generates a signal representing a measured value with respect to the developer; a control information acquisition unit configured to acquire one or more pieces of the control information associated with the measurement value in advance from a recording medium associated with the developer as control information of the developing device; and a control unit that selects the control information associated with the measurement value indicating the signal from the one or more pieces of control information acquired from the recording medium, and controls an operation of the developing unit based on the selected control information.