Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US7593652?dq=autodesk
Timestamp: 2015-07-02 10:19:41
Document Index: 159492533

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 102', 'art 102', 'art 101', 'art 101', 'art 102', 'art 101', 'art 102']

Patent US7593652 - Image forming apparatus and image forming system that calculate operation ... - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign inAdvanced Patent SearchPatentsProcess units, a transfer unit, a belt cleaning unit, a secondary transfer unit and a fixing unit each include a storage unit that stores therein information on the operation amount thereof measured by a controller as operation record with respect to each unit. The controller updates the information...http://www.google.com/patents/US7593652?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US7593652 - Image forming apparatus and image forming system that calculate operation amount of components thereofAdvanced Patent SearchPublication numberUS7593652 B2Publication typeGrantApplication numberUS 11/598,691Publication dateSep 22, 2009Filing dateNov 14, 2006Priority dateNov 30, 2005Fee statusPaidAlso published asUS20070122166Publication number11598691, 598691, US 7593652 B2, US 7593652B2, US-B2-7593652, US7593652 B2, US7593652B2InventorsYutaka Takahashi, Toshihiro Sugiyama, Jun ShioriOriginal AssigneeRicoh Company, LimitedExport CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (8), Referenced by (9), Classifications (11), Legal Events (2) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetImage forming apparatus and image forming system that calculate operation amount of components thereof
US 7593652 B2Abstract
Process units, a transfer unit, a belt cleaning unit, a secondary transfer unit and a fixing unit each include a storage unit that stores therein information on the operation amount thereof measured by a controller as operation record with respect to each unit. The controller updates the information stored in the storage unit after each time the controller measures the operation amount. The controller calculates remaining lifetime of the units based on the operation amount and a predetermined lifetime index.
an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium, including:
a latent image carrier that carries a latent image on a surface of a transfer belt;
a developing unit that develops the latent image on the latent image carrier to a visible image with a developer carried on the transfer belt;
a transfer unit that transfers the visible image on the latent image carrier onto any one of the transfer belt and a recording medium on a surface of the transfer belt;
a fixing unit that fixes the visible image on the recording medium; and
a cleaning unit that cleans the surface of the transfer belt while contacting thereof, and
a measuring unit that measures an operation amount of at least one of the latent image carrier, the developing unit, the the transfer unit, the fixing unit, and the cleaning unit, wherein
any one of the latent image carrier, the developing unit, the transfer unit, the fixing unit, the cleaning unit, and a holding unit, respectively, includes a storage unit that stores therein operation amount information on the operation amount obtained by the measuring unit,
the measuring unit updates the operation amount information after measuring the operation amount, and
the measuring unit measures an accumulated moving distance of at least one of the latent image carrier, the developing unit, the transfer belt, and the fixing unit as an alternative of an accumulated moving distance of the cleaning unit.
2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the measuring unit counts number of recording media on which an image is formed by the image forming unit as the operation amount.
the measuring unit measures the operation amount of at least two of the latent image carrier, the developing unit, the transfer belt, and the fixing unit.
4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the measuring unit further measures an accumulated operating time of at least one of the latent image carrier, the developing unit, the transfer belt, the fixing unit, and the cleaning unit as the operation amount.
5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a transmitting unit that transmits the operation amount information to an information managing apparatus located at a remote place via a communication line.
6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a calculating unit that calculates a remaining lifetime of the component based on the operation amount.
a lifetime management unit including:
a measuring unit that measures an operation amount of at least one of the latent image carrier, the developing unit, the transfer unit, the fixing unit, and the cleaning unit, and
a calculating unit that calculates a remaining lifetime of the latent image carrier, the developing unit, the transfer unit, the fixing unit and the cleaning unit based on the operation amount and-a lifetime index, wherein any one of the latent image carrier, the developing unit, the transfer unit, the fixing unit, and the cleaning unit and a holding unit, respectively, includes a storage unit that stores therein operation amount information on the operation amount obtained by the measuring unit,
8. The image forming system according to claim 7, wherein the lifetime management unit further includes a determining unit that determines whether at least one of the latent image carrier, the developing unit, the transfer belt, the fixing unit, and the cleaning unit needs to be replaced based on the remaining lifetime.
9. The image forming system according to claim 8 further comprising an informing unit that informs an information managing apparatus located at a remote place of a determination result obtained by the determining unit via a communication line.
10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the measuring unit measures the accumulated moving distance of the transfer belt as an alternative of the accumulated moving distance of the cleaning unit.
11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the measuring unit measures the accumulated moving distance of the transfer belt as an alternative of the accumulated moving distance of the cleaning unit.
the measuring unit updates the operation amount information after measuring the operation amount,
the measuring unit measures an accumulated moving distance of at least one of the latent image carrier, the developing unit, the transfer belt, and the fixing unit as an alternative of an accumulated moving distance of the cleaning unit, and
the measuring unit counts number of recording media on which an image is formed by the image forming unit as the operation amount.
The present document incorporates by reference the entire contents of Japanese priority document, 2005-346326 filed in Japan on Nov. 30, 2005.
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that includes a plurality of components and calculates an operation amount of each of the components, and an image forming system that includes the image forming apparatus.
When a failure occurs in a part of various types of devices, depending on the type of the part, the device cannot be used until the part is replaced by a new one, and this imposes inconvenience on a user.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2005-257781 discloses an image forming apparatus that calculates remaining lifetime of a fixing device based on the operation amount of the fixing device, and displays the remaining lifetime thus obtained on a display unit. The conventional image forming apparatus allows a user to determine whether the fixing device will be worn out soon based on the remaining lifetime displayed on the display unit. Accordingly, when the fixing device is likely to be worn out soon, it can be replaced before being worn out. Thus, downtime of the image forming apparatus due to a failure of the fixing device can be reduced.
In the conventional technology, however, replacement of a part or a component such as the fixing device is not always correctly performed. That is, if a user obtains a secondhand part of the image forming apparatus in some way, and a part of his/her image forming apparatus is likely to be worn out, the part can be replaced by not by a new one but the secondhand part. In this case, even if the part is has been used and deteriorated to some extent, the remaining lifetime thereafter is calculated as a new part. Consequently, it is determined that there is a sufficient time until the part is worn out when the part may be worn out soon.
According to an aspect of the present invention, an image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium, and includes a component held in a holding unit, and a measuring unit that measures an operation amount of the component. Any one of the component and the holding unit includes a storage unit that stores therein operation amount information on the operation amount obtained by the measuring unit, and the measuring unit updates the operation amount information after measuring the operation amount.
According to another aspect of the present invention, an image forming system includes an image forming unit and a lifetime management unit. The image forming unit forms an image on a recording medium and includes a component held in a holding unit. The lifetime management unit includes a measuring unit that measures an operation amount of the component, and a calculating unit that calculates a remaining lifetime of the component based on the operation amount and a lifetime index. Any one of the component and the holding unit includes a storage unit that stores therein operation amount information on the operation amount obtained by the measuring unit, and the measuring unit updates the operation amount information after measuring the operation amount.
FIG. 1 is a schematic of a printer in an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 17 is a flowchart of relevant parts of a remaining lifetime informing process performed by the controller;
FIG. 18 is a flowchart of relevant parts of a replacement order process performed by a remote monitoring device in the image forming system; and
FIG. 19 is an enlarged view of four photoconductor gears and a peripheral configuration thereof in a printer of an image forming system according to a modification of the embodiment.
A basic configuration of a printer as an image forming apparatus of an image forming system according to an embodiment is explained first referring to FIG. 1. The printer includes four process units 1Y, 1C, 1M, and 1K that form toner images of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black (hereinafter, “Y, C, M, and K”). The process units 1Y, 1C, 1M, and 1K have the same configuration except that they use toner of different colors Y, C, M, and K to form an image. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the process unit 1Y for forming a Y toner image. The process unit 1Y includes a photoconductor unit 2Y and a developing unit 7Y. As shown in FIG. 3, the photoconductor unit 2Y and the developing unit 7Y are detachably mounted on the printer to be integrated into the process unit 1Y. When detached from the printer, as shown in FIG. 4, the developing unit 7Y can be attached to and detached from the photoconductor unit 2Y.
FIG. 2 depicts the charger 5Y that uniformly charges a surface of the photosensitive drum 3Y rotated clockwise in FIG. 2 by a drive unit (not shown). The charger 5Y uniformly charges the photosensitive drum 3Y by moving a charging roller 6Y rotated counterclockwise in FIG. 2 close to the photosensitive drum 3Y, while a charging bias is being applied thereto by a power source (not shown). Instead of the charging roller 6Y, a charger can also be used in which a charging brush contacts the photosensitive drum 3Y. Further, a charger can also be used which uniformly charges the photosensitive drum 3Y in the same manner as a scorotron charger. The surface of the photosensitive drum 3Y uniformly charged by the charger 5Y is exposed and scanned by a laser beam emitted from an optical writing unit, thereby carrying a Y electrostatic latent image.
Above the process units 1Y, 1C, 1M, and 1K is arranged a transfer unit 40 that endlessly moves an intermediate transfer belt 41 counterclockwise in FIG. 1, while extending the intermediate transfer-belt 41. The transfer unit 40 includes a belt cleaning unit 42, a first bracket 43, and a second bracket 44 in addition to the intermediate transfer belt 41. The transfer unit 40 further includes four primary transfer rollers 45Y, 45C, 45M, and 45K, a secondary transfer backup roller 46, a drive roller 47, a supplementary roller 48, and a tension roller 49. The intermediate transfer belt 41 is endlessly moved counterclockwise in FIG. 1 due to rotation of the drive roller 47, while being extended over eight rollers. The four primary transfer rollers 45Y, 45C, 45M, and 45K put the endlessly moved intermediate transfer belt 41 between the photosensitive drums 3Y, 3C, 3M, and 3K and the primary transfer rollers to form a primary transfer nip. The primary transfer rollers 45Y, 45C, 45M, and 45K then apply a transfer bias of a polarity (for example, positive) opposite to that of the toner to a back face (internal circumference of a loop) of the intermediate transfer belt 41. While the intermediate transfer belt 41 sequentially passes the primary transfer nips for Y, C, M, and K with the endless movement, the Y, C, M, and K toner images on the photosensitive drums 3Y, 3C, 3M, and 3K are superposed and primarily transferred on a front face thereof. Accordingly, a four-color-superposed toner image (hereinafter, “four-color toner image”) is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 41.
When the toner cartridge 100Y is to be set on a cartridge mounting base of the toner supply unit, at first, an opening/closing door (not shown) on a side of the printer is opened so that the cartridge mounting base in the toner supply unit is exposed. On the cartridge mounting base, four depressions in a semi-cylindrical shape are provided in parallel, for mounting four toner cartridges for Y. C, M, and K in parallel. An operator holds the toner cartridge 100Y with the holder part 102Y directed to the front. The operator then puts the holder part 102Y at the end of a depression for Y, of four semi-cylindrical depressions provided on the cartridge mounting base, and slides the cartridge along the rotation axis of the bottle part to insert the entire cartridge. The operator pushes the toner cartridge 100Y to a predetermined position by this sliding movement, and sets the toner cartridge 100Y on the cartridge mounting base.
The thus set toner cartridge 100Y makes a gear portion 111Y formed at the point of the bottle part 101Y engage with the drive transmission gear (not shown) fixed in the toner supply unit. When the drive transmission gear is rotated, the bottle part 101Y rotates, while being held by the holder part 102Y. Due to this rotation, the Y toner in the bottle part 101Y is carried from the rear end toward the point of the bottle, and flows into the holder part 102Y.
While only the process unit 1Y has been explained with reference to the drawings, also in the process units for other colors, the rotation driving force is transmitted to the developing sleeve in the same manner.
Thus, four developing gear groups, each consisting of the drive gear 121, the developing gear 122, the first relay gear 125, the clutch input gear 126, the clutch output gear 128, the second relay gear 129, the third relay gear 130, the sleeve upstream gear 131, the sleeve downstream gear, the second screw gear, and the first screw gear, are formed correspondingly to the process units.
In each color, the developing gear can be driven by a developing motor different from that of the photoconductor gear. In this case, a driven distance D of the developing unit (i=5 to 8) can be calculated based on the operating time of the developing motor.
In the printer having the above basic configuration, an image forming unit that forms an image on the recording paper P as the recording medium is configured by a combination of the process units 1Y, 1C, 1M, and 1K, the transfer unit 40, the belt cleaning unit 42, the secondary transfer unit include the secondary transfer roller 50, and the fixing unit 60.
The characteristic configuration of the image forming system is explained next. FIG. 14 is a block diagram of a part of an electric circuit in the printer of the image forming system. In FIG. 14, a controller 200 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 200 a as a calculation unit, a random access memory (RAM) 200 b and a read only memory (ROM) 200 c as information storage units. The controller 200 controls the entire printer. A control program for controlling respective units in the printer is stored in the RAM 200 b or the ROM 200 c, and based on the control program, the units are controlled and various characteristics are ascertained based on an output signal from respective sensors. The process drive motors 120Y, 120C, 120M, and 120K, and the developing clutches 127Y, 127C, 127M, and 127K are connected to the controller 200 via an input/output (I/O) interface 201. Further, process unit sensors 202Y, 202C, 202M, and 202K, a transfer unit sensor 203, a secondary transfer-unit sensor 204, a print counter 205, an operation display unit 206, a modem 207, a transfer belt motor 208, a secondary transfer motor 209, a fixing motor 210, and a fixing unit sensor 211 are also connected to the controller 200.
The process unit sensors 202Y, 202C, 202M, and 202K respectively detect the process units 1Y, 1C, 1M, and 1K set in the printer and output a detection signal to the controller 200.
The secondary transfer-unit sensor 204 detects the secondary transfer unit formed of the secondary transfer roller 50 and the like set in the printer, and outputs a detection signal to the controller 200.
The fixing unit sensor 211 detects the fixing unit 60 set in the printer, and outputs a detection signal to the controller 200.
The print counter 205 counts the accumulated number of prints by the printer immediately after shipment from factory. The print counter 205 counts up the number of prints every time the printing operation is performed for one sheet of recording paper, and outputs a count-up signal to the controller 200. The print counter 205 outputs a signal indicating the accumulated number of prints to the controller 200 in response to a request from the controller 200.
The operation display unit 206 includes a plurality of key switches and a touch panel (not shown), to convert an input received from the operator through the key switches and the touch panel to an input signal, and output the input signal to the controller 200. Further, the operation display unit 206 displays an image on the touch panel based on a control signal from the controller 200.
The modem 207 transmits a signal received from the controller 200 to a remote apparatus via a telephone line (not shown).
The secondary transfer motor 209 is a rotation driving source of the secondary transfer roller 50 that contacts the front surface of the intermediate transfer belt 41 to form the secondary transfer nip. The fixing motor 210 is a rotation driving source of the rollers and the fixing belt in the fixing unit 60.
The controller 200 detects attachment and detachment of the process units 1Y, 1C, 1M, and 1K to and from the printer based on a combination of fall (OFF) and rise (ON) of the output signal from the process unit sensors 202Y, 202C, 202M, and 202K. The controller 200 detects attachment and detachment of the transfer unit 40 to and from the printer based on the combination of fall and rise of the output signal from the transfer unit sensor 203. The controller 200 detects attachment and detachment of the secondary transfer roller 50 to and from the printer based on the combination of fall and rise of the output signal from the secondary transfer-unit sensor 204. Further, the controller 200 detects attachment and detachment of the fixing unit 60 to and from the printer based on the combination of fall and rise of the output signal from the fixing unit sensor 211.
The photoconductor unit ICs 17Y, 17C, 17M, and 17K are integrated circuits (ICs) mounted on an electronic circuit board (not shown) fixed to a unit case as a holding body in photoconductor units 2Y, 2C, 2M, and 2K. The photoconductor unit ICs 17Y, 17C, 17M, and 17K can store information including unit operating time t(i), driven distance D(i), and number of prints P(i) as the operation record of each part in the photoconductor units 2Y, 2C, 2M, and 2K. The photoconductor units 2Y, 2C, 2M, and 2K are detachably mounted on the printer. At the time of attachment or detachment, an electric contact on the electronic circuit board fixed to the unit case is connected to or disconnected from an electric contact on the printer side.
The developing unit ICs 18Y, 18C, 18M, and 18K are integrated circuits (IC) mounted on an electronic circuit board (not shown) fixed to the unit case as the holding body in the developing unit ICs 7Y, 7C, 7M, and 7K. The developing unit ICs 18Y, 18C, 18M, and 18K can store the information including the unit operating time t(i), the driven distance D(i), and the number of prints P(i) as the operation record of each part in the developing units 7Y, 7C, 7M, and 7K. The developing units 7Y, 7C, 7M, and 7K are detachably mounted on the printer. At the time of attachment or detachment, an electric contact on the electronic circuit board fixed to the unit case is connected to or disconnected from an electric contact on the printer side.
A transfer-unit IC 51 is an IC mounted on an electronic circuit board (not shown) fixed to a bracket as the holding body in the transfer unit 40. The transfer-unit IC 51 can store the information including the unit operating time t(i), the driven distance D(i), and the number of prints P(i) as the operation record of each part in the transfer unit 40. The transfer unit 40 is detachably mounted on the printer. At the time of attachment or detachment, an electric contact of the electronic circuit board fixed to the bracket is connected to or disconnected from an electric contact on the printer side. The same applies to a belt-cleaning unit IC 52, a secondary-transfer unit IC 53 and a fixing unit IC 54, and these ICs can store the information such as the unit operating time t(i), the driven distance D(i), and the number of prints P(i) as the operation record of each part in the belt cleaning unit 42, the secondary transfer unit, and the fixing unit 60.
FIG. 15 is one example of the image forming system. The image forming system includes at least one printer installed in the user's site and a lifetime management device (not shown). The image forming system includes 16 printers A to P (501 to 516) installed in different geographical environments. Actually, however, the image forming system often includes several hundreds to several thousands printers. The 16 printers A to P (501 to 516) in respective users are connected to a remote monitoring device 600 in a maintenance service center via the telephone line.
The lifetime management device includes an operation-amount measuring unit that measures the operation amount or operation record of the respective units, i.e., various types of parts or components mounted on the image forming unit of the printer. The lifetime management device also includes a remaining lifetime calculator that calculates remaining lifetime of the respective units based on the operation amount and a predetermined lifetime index. Further, the lifetime management device includes a replacement-request determining unit that determines whether any of the parts need to be replaced based on the remaining lifetime. All the units are arranged in the printer.
In the maintenance service center, technicians highly skilled in failure diagnosis, inspection, and repair of the printer are at work, and a technician is dispatched to each user in response to a request from the user. The printers A to P (501 to 516) include a function referred to as emergency call, and can transmit an emergency call signal including information on a failure content to the remote monitoring device 600 in the maintenance service center via the telephone line. The maintenance service center immediately dispatches the technician upon receiving the emergency call signal by the remote monitoring device 600.
The remote monitoring device 600 in the maintenance service center is connected to an order acceptance terminal 610 of a parts center. In the parts center, various parts of the printers are stocked, and replacement workers who can perform replacement of these parts are at work. The order acceptance terminal 610 in the parts center dispatches a replacement worker to the user together with necessary parts based on a replacement-work request signal transmitted from the remote monitoring device 600 via the telephone line.
In FIG. 15, the image forming system includes the printers, the remote monitoring device 600, and the order acceptance terminal 610, which can communicate with each other via the telephone line as the communication line; however, other communication lines can also be used, including the Internet and a wireless line.
The lifetime management device manages service life information of the photoconductor units 2Y, 2C, 2M, and 2K, the developing units 7Y, 7C, 7M, and 7K, the Y, M, C, and K developers, the transfer unit 40, and the fixing unit 60 in the respective printers as the parts.
The photoconductor units ICs 17Y, 17C, 17M, and 17K, the developing unit ICs 18Y, 18C, 18M, and 18K, the transfer-unit IC 51, the belt-cleaning unit IC 52, the secondary-transfer unit IC 53, and the fixing unit IC 54 are collectively referred to as a unit IC.
Table 1 shows variables of three items stored in the unit ICs.
Driven distance [mm]
In Table 1, unit operating time t(i) [days] is the operating time of each unit (including developer) after its replacement to the present (elapsed time since replacement), and indicates a characteristic as operation record; driven distance D(i) [mm] is the moving distance of each moving member (rollers and belt) in each unit after its replacement to the present, and also indicates a characteristic as operation record; number of prints P(i) [sheets] is the number of prints produced after replacement of each unit to the present, and also indicates a characteristic as operation record.
Table 2 shows variables of seven items stored in the RAM 200 b in the controller 200 of the printer.
In Table 2, lifetime driven distance Ld(i) [mm] is a lifetime index that is compared to the driven distance D(i) to determine the remaining lifetime of each unit (when the driven distance D(i) reaches the lifetime driven distance Ld(i), the unit is determined to be at the end of its service life); lifetime print volume Lp(i) [sheets] is the number of prints or sheets that can be printed during the lifetime of each unit, i.e., a lifetime index that is compared to the number of prints P(i) to determine the remaining lifetime of each unit (when the number of prints P(i) reaches the lifetime print volume Lp(i), the unit is determined to be at the end of its service life); distance remaining lifetime T1(i) [days] is a remaining lifetime based on a difference between the driven distance D(i) and the lifetime driven distance Ld(i); sheet remaining lifetime T2(i) [days] is a remaining lifetime based on a difference between the number of prints P(i) and the lifetime print volume Lp(i); unit remaining lifetime T3(i) [days] is shorter one of either the distance remaining lifetime T1(i) or the sheet remaining lifetime T2(i); and replacement index X(i) [days] is an index to determine whether to replace each unit.
The variables of three items shown in Table 1 or the variables of seven items shown in Table 2 are individually set for each unit. Lifetime information is managed for the total of 16 units, i.e., the four photoconductor units 2Y, 2C, 2M and 2K, the four developing units 7Y, 7C, 7M and 7K, the Y, M, C, and K developers, the transfer unit 40, the belt cleaning unit 42, the secondary transfer unit, and the fixing unit 60. Accordingly, 144 kinds of variables (nine items �16) are set. In respective variables, (i) indicates the type of each unit, and the value thereof and the unit type have a relationship shown in Table 3.
Among the variables of seven items shown in Table 2, distance remaining lifetime T1(i), sheet remaining lifetime T2(i), and unit remaining lifetime T3(i) are unique values for each unit. When the unit is replaced, an eigenvalue of the old unit must be changed to an eigenvalue of the new unit. Therefore, the controller 200 monitors attachment and detachment of the 16 units to and from the printer based on the output value from respective sensors. When attachment or detachment of any unit is detected, the controller 200 performs a replacement inquiry process for the unit. Specifically, when attachment or detachment of, for example, the process unit 1C is detected, the controller 200 inquires of the replacement worker whether the photoconductor unit 2C and the developing unit 7C have been replaced by a screen display on the operation display unit 206. When a response (key input operation) from the replacement worker with respect to the inquiry is Yes for the photoconductor unit 2C, the controller 200 resets the distance remaining lifetime T1(2), the sheet remaining lifetime T2(2) and the unit remaining lifetime T3(2) of the C photoconductor unit, respectively, to predetermined initial values.
The replacement of each unit is not necessarily determined based on the detection of attachment and detachment of the unit and the replacement inquiry process. A unit ID number stored in each unit can be monitored by the controller 200 to determine the replacement of the unit based on a change of the unit ID number.
Further, various variables can be reset by an input operation by the replacement worker who has replaced the unit on the operation display unit 206, instead of the controller 200 ascertaining the replacement of the unit. However, in this case, there is a possibility that the unit life information becomes inappropriate because the replacement worker forgets to perform a reset operation.
The controller 200 performs the following process with respect to each unit (including the developer) at a predetermined time everyday. That is, the controller 200 adds 1 to the unit operating time t(i) stored in the unit IC to update the unit operating time t(i).
The controller 200 updates the driven distances D(i) of the Y, C, M, and K photoconductor units stored in respective unit ICs. Specifically, a time from the start to the end of an operation is counted for the respective process drive motors 120Y, 120C, 120M, and 120K. On completion of time counting, the counting result is multiplied by a predetermined coefficient to convert the photoconductor-unit operating time [sec] to the photosensitive drum-surface moving distance [mm], and the conversion result is added to the driven distances D(i) of the Y, C, M, and K photoconductor units up to that time.
The printer in the image forming system changes over a print speed mode between a high-speed print mode in which respective photosensitive drums, rollers, and belts are driven at a relatively high speed so that priority is given to printing speed rather than image quality, and a low-speed print mode in which respective photosensitive drums and the like are driven at a relatively low speed so that priority is given to the image quality rather than the printing speed. When the photoconductor-unit operating time is converted to the photosensitive drum-surface moving distance, a coefficient corresponding to each mode is used. The coefficient is properly used for other units (the developing unit and the like) in the same manner.
The controller 200 updates the driven distances D(i) of the Y, M, C, and K developing units stored in the respective unit ICs in the following manner. That is, the time from the start of operation to the end of operation is counted for the respective developing clutches 127Y, 127C, 127M, and 127K. On completion of time counting, the counting result is multiplied by a predetermined coefficient to convert the developing unit operating time [sec] to the developing sleeve-surface moving distance [mm], and the conversion result is added to the driven distances D(i) of the Y, C, M, and K developing units up to that time.
Not only the driven distances D(i=5, 6, 7, or 8) of the developing units but also the driven distances D(i=9, 10, 11, or 12) of the developers are stored in the developing unit ICs 18Y, 18C, 18M, and 18K. The driven distances D(i=9, 10, 11, or 12) are updated by employing the surface moving distance (same as that of the developing sleeve) of the transport screw of the developing unit as an alternative characteristic, according to the following manner. That is, the time from the start to the end of the operation is counted for the respective developing clutches 127Y, 127C, 127M, and 127K. On completion of time counting, the counting result is multiplied by a predetermined coefficient to convert the developer operating time [sec] to the surface moving distance [mm] of the transport screw, and the conversion result is added to the driven distances D(i=9 to 12) of the Y, M, C, and K developers up to that time.
The controller 200 updates the driven distance D(13) of the transfer unit in the following manner. That is, the time from the start to the end of the operation is counted for the transfer belt motor 208. On completion of time counting, the counting result is multiplied by a predetermined coefficient to convert the operating time [sec] of the transfer unit to the surface moving distance [mm] thereof, and the conversion result is added to the driven distance D(13) of the transfer unit up to that time.
The driven distance D(14) of the belt cleaning unit is updated by employing not the moving distance of the cleaning blade 42 a itself but the surface moving distance of the intermediate transfer belt 41 contacting the cleaning blade 42 a as an alternative characteristic. That is, the time from the start to the end of the operation is counted for the transfer belt motor 208. On completion of time counting, the counting result is multiplied by a predetermined coefficient to convert the blade operating time [sec] to the surface moving distance [mm] of the blade, and the conversion result is added to the driven distance D(14) of the belt cleaning unit up to that time.
The controller 200 updates the driven distance D(15) of the secondary transfer unit in the following manner. That is, the time from the start to the end of the operation is counted for the secondary transfer motor 209. On completion of time counting, the counting result is multiplied by a predetermined coefficient to convert the operating time [sec] of the secondary transfer unit to the moving distance [mm] of the secondary transfer roller, and the conversion result is added to the driven distance D(15) of the secondary transfer unit up to that time.
The controller 200 updates the driven distance D(16) of the fixing unit in the following manner. That is, the time from the start to the end of the operation is counted for the fixing motor 210. On completion of time counting, the counting result is multiplied by a predetermined coefficient to convert the operating time [sec] of the fixing unit to the moving distance [mm] of the fixing belt, and the conversion result is added to the driven distance D(16) of the fixing unit up to that time.
The number of prints P(i=1 to 16) in each unit is updated by adding 1 to the number of prints P(i=1 to 16) up to that time every time a countup-signal is received from the print counter 205.
The controller 200 that updates the unit operating time t(i), the driven distance D(i), and the number of prints P(i) of respective units functions as an operation-amount measuring unit that measures the unit operating time, which is the operation amount of each unit.
The lifetime driven distance Ld(i=1 to 16) and the replacement index X(i=1 to 16) stored in the controller 200 in each unit has a characteristic as a constant rather than a variable. However, due to some reason, there is a possibility that these can be updated or corrected by a key input by an operator. In the image forming system, therefore, these are handled as variables.
FIG. 16 is a flowchart of relevant parts of a replacement request process performed by the controller 200. The replacement request process starts upon start of the print job. When a print countup-signal is output from the print counter 205 (Yes at step S1), the number of prints P(i) stored in the unit IC of the respective units is updated in the above process (step S2). It is then determined whether the print job has finished (step S3). When the print job has not finished (No at step S3), the control flow returns to S1. Accordingly, the number of prints P(i) stored in the unit IC of the respective units is updated for each print job, in a continuous printing operation for continuously printing on a plurality of recording paper.
When the print job has finished (Yes at step S3), after a unit variable i expressing the unit type is reset to zero (step S4), 1 is added to the unit variable i (step S5). The driven distance D(i) stored in the unit IC of the respective units is then updated by the above process (step S6). For example, when the unit variable i is 1, the driven distance D(1) of the Y photosensitive drum stored in the photoconductor unit IC 17Y of the Y photoconductor unit is updated. After the update, the distance remaining lifetime T1(i) is calculated based on the following relational expression (step S7): T1(i)={Ld(i)−D(i)}/{D(i)/t(i)}. The sheet remaining lifetime T2(i) is then calculated based on a relational expression: T2(i)={Lp(i)−P(i)}/{P(i)/t(i)} (step S8), and then the unit remaining lifetime T3(i) is updated to either smaller value of the distance remaining lifetime T1 or the sheet remaining lifetime T2 (step S9).
As is understood from the relational expression shown at step S7, the distance remaining lifetime T1(i) is obtained by dividing a difference between the lifetime driven distance Ld(i) as the assumed lifetime index and the driven distance D(i) up to the present by an average driven distance per day. That is, the distance remaining lifetime T1(i) is a numerical value estimating how many days are required for the driven distance D(i) to reach the lifetime driven distance Ld(i), based on the accumulated driven distances of the unit up to the present. On the other hand, the sheet remaining lifetime T2(i) is, as seen from the relational expression shown at step S8, obtained by dividing a difference between the lifetime print volume Lp(i) as the assumed lifetime index and the number of prints P(i) up to the present by an average number of prints per day. That is, the sheet remaining lifetime T2(i) is a-numerical value estimating how many days are required for the number of prints P(i) to reach the lifetime print volume Lp(i), based on the current accumulated number of prints.
While it suffices that only one of the distance remaining lifetime T1(i) and the sheet remaining lifetime T2(i) is calculated and designated as the unit remaining lifetime, in the image forming system, as shown at step S9, the shorter one of T1(i) and T2(i) is designated as the unit remaining lifetime T3(i). This is because of the following reason. That is, the driven distance D(i) and the number of prints P(i) are not in a favorable correlation. Specifically, either in a single printing operation in which an image is formed only on one recording paper or in a continuous printing operation in which images are continuously formed on a plurality of printing paper, an idle operation, in which each unit is driven without forming a toner image, is performed at the time of starting the job and ending the job. The idle operation is performed for the same time period in the single printing operation and the continuous printing operation. Accordingly, in the single printing operation, the percentage of the idle operation time in the total operation time is large, as compared to the continuous printing operation. Further, in the continuous printing operation, the percentage of the idle operation changes according to the number of continuous printing, and as the number of continuous printing increases, the percentage of the idle operation time decreases. Therefore, in a user who performs the single printing operation relatively frequently, the driven distance D(i) relatively increases, although the number of prints by parts P(i) is relatively small. With such a user, if the unit remaining lifetime is determined based on only the number of prints by parts P(i), there is a possibility that the parts can be worn out before life estimation is performed. On the contrary, in a user who performs the continuous printing operation relatively frequently, the number of prints by parts P(i) relatively increases, although the driven distance D(i) is relatively short. With such a user, if the unit remaining lifetime is determined based on only the driven distance D(i), there is a possibility that the parts can be worn out before life estimation is performed. Therefore, in the image forming system, either smaller value of the driven distance D(i) or the number of prints P(i) is designated as the unit remaining lifetime T3(i). Accordingly, unit life estimation can be accurately performed both for the user who performs the single printing operation relatively frequently and the user who performs the continuous printing operation relatively frequently.
The controller 200 that updates the unit remaining lifetime T3(i) in this manner functions as a remaining lifetime calculator that calculates the distance remaining lifetime T1 of each unit based on the unit operating time t(i) and the driven distance D(i), which is the operation record by parts, and the lifetime driven distance Ld(i) as the lifetime index. The controller 200 also functions as a remaining lifetime calculator that calculates the sheet remaining lifetime T2 of each unit as the parts, based on the unit operating time t(i) and the number of prints P(i), which is the operating amount by parts, and the lifetime print volume Lp(i) as the lifetime index.
When the unit remaining lifetime T3(i) is updated, it is then determined whether the unit remaining lifetime T3(i) has reached a predetermined replacement index X(i) (step S10). If the replacement index X(i) is set, for example, to 45 [days], it is determined that “the unit will wear out soon” 45 days prior to the day when the unit is estimated to wear out. If such a determination is not made (No at step S10), in other words, when it is determined that there is enough time until the service life of the unit ends, it is then determined whether the unit variable i is 16, that is, life estimation has been performed with respect to all types of units (step S12). When the unit variable i is not 16 (No at step S12), the control flow returns to S5. Accordingly, life estimation is performed for the next unit.
On the other hand, at step S11, if it is determined that “the unit will wear out soon” (Yes at step S10), after a replacement request flag F1(i) is set for the unit (step S1), the step S12 is performed.
Thereafter, when it is determined that the unit variable i is 16 at step S12, that is, when life estimation has been performed with respect to all types of units, it is then determined whether any one of the replacement request flags F1(1) to F1(16) is being set (step S13). When it is determined that no replacement request flag is being set (No at step S13), the continuous control flow finishes. On the other hand, when it is determined that a replacement request flag is being set (Yes at step S13), it is determined whether a previous report flag F2(i) is being set for the unit (step S14).
The previous report flag F2(i) is set when the unit corresponding to the unit variable i transmits a replacement request signal indicating that replacement is necessary to the remote monitoring device 600, and released when the replacement of the unit is made. When there is a unit with the previous report flag F2(i) being set (Yes at step S14), the replacement request signal was transmitted for the unit in the past. Therefore, the continuous control flow finishes without transmitting the replacement request signal for the unit. On the other hand, when the previous report flag F2(i) is not set for all the units (No at step S14), the replacement request signal for the unit, for which replacement of the unit is required, and a signal of the unit remaining lifetime (u)T3(i) for all other units are transmitted from the modem 207 as a transmitter to the remote monitoring device via the telephone line (step S15). After the previous report flag F2(i) is set for the unit (step S16), the continuous control flow finishes. The reason why the unit remaining lifetime is expressed as (u)T3(i) instead of T3(i) is that not only the information on the unit remaining lifetime but also an individual user ID (or printer ID) added to each user are transmitted at the same time at step S15. The sign “u” expresses the user ID. Since the user ID information is transmitted at the same time, the remote monitoring device having received the signal can specify in which unit of which user the replacement request has been issued.
The controller 200 that performs such a replacement request process functions as a replacement-request determining unit that determines whether replacement of each unit is necessary based on the calculation result by the remaining lifetime calculator, and the distance remaining lifetime T1(i) and the sheet remaining lifetime T2(i) as predetermined replacement indices.
FIG. 17 is a flowchart of relevant parts of a remaining lifetime informing process performed by the controller 200. The remaining lifetime informing process is performed everyday at a predetermined time. When the remaining lifetime informing process is started, the unit variable i is reset to zero (step S1), and 1 is added to the unit variable i (step S2). It is then determined whether the previous report flag F2(i) is being set (step S3). When the previous report flag F2(i) is being set, the replacement request has already been issued in the unit corresponding to the unit variable i, and the replacement request signal for the unit has been already transmitted to the remote monitoring device. In such a case (Yes at step S3), a signal of the unit remaining lifetime (u)T3(i) for all the units not corresponding to the unit variable i is transmitted to the remote monitoring device (step S5). Thus, when a replace request is issued in any unit, the unit remaining lifetime (u)T3(i) of all other units is regularly transmitted to the remote monitoring device everyday at step S5, until the replacement work of the unit is completed.
When it is determined that the previous report flag F2(i) is not being set (No at step S3), it is then determined whether the unit variable i is 16, and when the unit variable i is not 16, the control flow returns to S2. It is then determined whether the previous report flag F2(i+1) is being set for the next unit (i+1).
The remote monitoring device 600 installed in the maintenance service center has a modem as a communication unit, a CPU as a calculation unit, a display as a screen display unit, and an RAM, an ROM, and a hard disk as information storage units. When a signal transmitted from respective printers via the telephone line is received by the modem as the communication unit, various types of data processes are performed based on the signal.
FIG. 18 is a flowchart of relevant parts of a replacement order process performed by the remote monitoring device 600. When a replacement request signal is received from any printer connected to the remote monitoring device 600 via the telephone line (Yes at step S1), a unit order flag (u)F3(i) for the unit in the printer (user) is set (step S2). It is then determined in the subsequent process that it is necessary to order the replacement work of the unit corresponding to the unit variable i in the printer (u), according to the setting of the unit order flag (u)F3(i).
Further, when a signal of the unit remaining lifetime (u)T3(i), which does not include the replacement request signal from some printer connected to the remote monitoring device 600 via the telephone line, is received (Yes step S3), the unit remaining lifetime (u)T3(i) already stored in the hard disk is replaced by a new one (step S4). Accordingly, the unit remaining lifetime (u)T3(i) for other units regularly transmitted everyday from the printer, in which the replacement request has is issued for some unit, is regularly updated everyday in the remote monitoring device.
At the step group of steps S7 to S13, at first, after the unit variable i is reset to zero (step S7), 1 is added to the unit variable i (step S8). It is then determined whether the unit order flag (u)F3(i) corresponding to the unit variable i is being set (step S9). Due to a reason described below, when it is determined that the unit order flag (u)F3(i) is being set (Yes at step S9), the unit variable i at that time corresponds to the unit for which the unit order flag (u)F3(i) has been set at step S2. In such a case, the control flow returns to S8, and 1 is added to the unit variable i to perform determination for the next unit.
On the other hand, when the unit order flag (u)F3(i) is not set (No at step S9), an order determination threshold Z(i) is set to a value obtained by adding an order determining additional value Y(i) to the replacement index X(i) (step S10). The order determination threshold Z(i) is a threshold for determining the necessity of order for replacement work, and is set in unit of day for each type of unit. The replacement index X(i) is the same as the one used in the replacement request process shown in FIG. 16. As explained above, the replacement index X(i) is for determining whether the unit remaining lifetime T3(i) is within a predetermined time. For example, in the case of a unit in which it is desired to issue a replacement request 45 [days] prior to the day when the unit is estimated to wear out, the replacement index X(i) is set to 45 days. On the other hand, the order determining additional value Y(i) indicates time [days] up to a point in time dated back slightly from a point in time when it is desired to issue a replacement request. The replacement request is issued at a point in time dated back by the replacement index X(i) from the day when the unit is estimated to wear out, however, the order determination threshold Z(i) is set to Z(i)=X(i)+Y(i) to determine whether the requirement for issuing the replacement request is satisfied (whether the unit remaining lifetime is within the range) even if the replacement index X(i) is extended slightly longer. At the next step S11, it is determined whether the unit remaining lifetime (u)T3(i) is equal to or less than the order determination threshold Z(i).
When the unit remaining lifetime (u)T3(i) is longer than the order determination threshold Z(i) (No at step S11), it means that the replacement request is not issued even if the replacement index X(i) is extended slightly longer than the original value. In such a case, the determination process for the unit corresponding to the unit variable i finishes (No at step S13), and the determination process for the next unit corresponding to the unit variable i is performed (steps S8 to S11). On the other hand, when the unit remaining lifetime (u)T3(i) is equal to or less than the order determination threshold Z(i) (Yes at step S11), it means that the replacement request is issued if the replacement index X(i) is extended slightly longer than the original value. In such a case, after an order suspension flag (u)F4 corresponding to the user variable u is set (step S12), the continuous control flow returns to the initial step. The order suspension flag (u)F4(i) is a flag for suspending the order of replacement work with respect to the unit in which the unit order flag (u)F3(i) is set.
In other words, in the step group of steps S7 to S13, it is determined whether the requirement for issuing the replacement request is satisfied when the replacement index X(i) is extended slightly longer than the original value, with respect to units other than the unit in which the replacement request has been already issued. When the requirement is satisfied in some unit, the order suspension flag u)F4(i) is set therein, and the order of replacement work with respect to the unit in which the replacement request has been already issued is suspended. At this time, the unit order flag (u)F3(i) for the unit in which the replacement request has been already issued is remained in the set state (step S2).
The control flows shown in FIGS. 16, 17, and 18 can be consolidated as follows. That is, when a replacement request has been issued in some unit, a replacement request signal for the unit and the unit remaining lifetime (u)T3(i) for other units are transmitted to the remote monitoring device 600 in the maintenance service center. Thereafter, the printer continuously transmits the unit remaining lifetime (u)T3(i) for all other units regularly everyday to the remote monitoring device 600, until the replacement of the unit in which the replacement request been issued has finished. On the other hand, upon receiving the unit remaining lifetime (u)T3(i) transmitted regularly everyday from some printer, the remote monitoring device 600 sequentially updates the unit remaining lifetime (u)T3(i). Upon reception of a replacement request signal transmitted from some printer, the remote monitoring device 600 determines whether the order suspension flag (u)F4 is being set for the printer. When the order suspension flag (u)F4 is not set, that is, if there is no other unit, whose replacement work is suspended in the printer, the remote monitoring device 600 determines whether a replacement request will be issued soon in the units in which the replacement request has not been issued yet at present. If there is a unit in which the replacement request will be issued soon, the order of replacement work for the unit in which the replacement request has already been issued is temporary suspended. If there is no unit in which the replacement request will be issued soon, the replacement work of the unit in which the replacement request has already been issued is ordered immediately. Having received the replacement request signal, when the remote monitoring device 600 determines that the order suspension flag (u)F4 is being set, the remote monitoring device 600 concurrently orders the replacement work of the unit corresponding to the replacement request signal received immediately before, and the replacement work of another unit, for which the order of replacement work was suspended in the past. Accordingly, since the replacement work of two units in which the replacement request is issued in a relatively short period is ordered concurrently, maintenance work can be performed more efficiently than before.
In the image forming system having such a configuration, it is assumed that a secondhand part is used instead of a new one as the replacement parts of any unit mounted on the printer. Even in this case, the unit operating time t(i), the driven distance D(i), and the number of prints P(i) up to that time of the secondhand unit can be obtained from the unit IC as the operation-information storage unit provided in the unit case as the holding body of the unit. Accordingly, life estimation of the secondhand unit can be accurately performed by calculating the unit remaining lifetime T3(i) based on the unit operating time t(i), the driven distance D(i), and the number of prints P(i).
A modified example of the image forming system of the embodiment is explained next. The modified example has the same configuration as previously described unless otherwise specified. FIG. 19 is an enlarged view of four photoconductor gears 133Y, 133C, 133M, and 133K, and a peripheral configuration thereof in a printer of an image forming system according to a modification of the embodiment. The Y, C, and M photosensitive drums in the printer are driven by a photoconductor drive motor exclusive for the photoconductor units, instead of using a process drive motor, which also functions as a drive source of the photoconductor units and a drive source of the developing units. Further, the three Y, C, and M photoconductor units are driven by one photoconductor drive motor 135YCM, instead of being driven by each exclusive photoconductor drive motor. A drive gear 121YCM fixed to a motor shaft of the photoconductor drive motor 135YCM engages with the photoconductor gear 133C and the photoconductor gear 133M. Accordingly, the Y photosensitive drum and the M photosensitive drum are rotated.
On the other hand, the K photoconductor unit and the K developing unit are driven by the process drive motor 120K as in the image forming system according to the embodiment. The drive gear 121K fixed to the motor shaft of the process drive motor 120K engages with the photoconductor gear 133K. Accordingly, the K photosensitive drum is rotated. Although not shown for brevity, the drive gear 121K also engages with the developing gear (not shown), and a rotation driving force of the developing gear is transmitted to the developing unit via the developing clutch (not shown).
In the printer having such a configuration, the driven distances D(i=1 to 3) of the Y, C, and M photoconductor units are calculated, respectively, based on the operating time of the one photoconductor drive motor 135YCM. However, since there is a possibility that one or two photoconductor units of the Y, C, and M three photoconductor units can be unexpectedly replaced due to a failure or the like, the driven distances D(i=1 to 3) of the photoconductor units are calculated separately for each color. The number of prints of the Y, C, and M photoconductor units P(i=1 to 3) is also calculated separately for each color of Y, C, and M, due to the same reason.
The driven distances D(i=5 to 7) of the Y, C, and M developing units, and the driven distances D(i=9 to 11) of the Y, C, and M developers are calculated based on the operating time of one developing motor. However, since there is a possibility that one or two developing units of the Y, C, and M three developing units can be unexpectedly replaced due to a failure or the like, the driven distances of the developing units and the driven distances of the developers are calculated separately for each color. The number of prints of the developing units P(i=5 to 7) is also calculated separately for each color of Y, C, and M, due to the same reason.
The driven distance D(4) of the K photoconductor unit, the driven distance D(8) of the K developing unit, and the driven distance D(12) of the K developer are calculated by the same process as in the embodiment.
While the image forming system including the image forming unit that forms color images by the process units for different colors has been explained, the present invention is also applicable to an image forming system with an image forming apparatus that forms only monochrome images.
As described above, according to the embodiment, the controller 200 measures the number of prints P(i), i.e., the number of recording paper sheets on which an image is formed by the image forming unit that includes various types of parts, with respect to each part. Thus, the controller 200 can calculate the sheet remaining lifetime T2(i) based on the number of prints P(i).
The image forming unit includes photosensitive drums 3Y, 3C, 3M, and 3K as latent image carriers each carrying a latent image on the endlessly moving surface, a developing sleeve as a developing member that obtains a visible image by developing the latent image with a developer carried on the endlessly moving surface, the transfer unit 40 that transfers a toner image being the visible image onto the intermediate transfer belt 41 with an endlessly moving surface, and the fixing belt 64 that fixes the toner image on the recording paper P. The controller 200 measures the number of prints P(i) with respect to the photosensitive drums, the developing sleeve, the intermediate transfer belt 41, and the fixing belt 64, respectively. Thus, the controller 200 can calculate the sheet remaining lifetime T2(i) of the photosensitive drums, the developing sleeve, the intermediate transfer belt 41, and the fixing belt 64, respectively.
The controller 200 measures the driven distance D(i), i.e., the accumulated surface moving distance, in addition to the number of prints P(i), as the operation record, of the photosensitive drums, the developing sleeve, the intermediate transfer belt 41, and the fixing belt 64. Thus, the controller 200 can calculate the unit remaining lifetime T3(i) more accurately, compared to a case that the controller 200 calculates the unit remaining lifetime T3(i) based only on the number of prints P(i).
The cleaning blade 42 a cleans the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 41 while contacting the surface thereof, and the controller 200 measures the driven distance D(13) of the intermediate transfer belt 41 as an alternative of the driven distance D(14) of the cleaning blade 42 a. Thus, wear of the cleaning blade 42 a, which is a part whose surface is not endlessly moved, is determined based on the driven distance D(13) of the transfer unit, i.e., the surface moving distance of the intermediate transfer belt 41 contacting the cleaning blade 42 a. The unit remaining lifetime T3(i) of the cleaning blade 42 a (the cleaning unit) can thereby be accurately estimated.
The controller 200 measures the unit operating time t(i), i.e., the accumulated operating time of the photosensitive drums, the developing sleeve, the intermediate transfer belt 41 and the fixing belt 64, in addition to the number of prints P(i) and the driven distance D(i) as the operation record. Thus, the controller 200 can calculate the unit remaining lifetime T3(i) more accurately, compared to a case that the controller 200 calculates the unit remaining lifetime T3(i) based only on the number of prints P(i), on the driven distance D(i), or based only on the both.
The printer can be configured to transmit the measurement results of the unit operating time t(i), the number of prints P(i), and the driven distance D(i) to the remote monitoring device 600 located at a remote site via a communication line such as a telephone line. The remote monitoring device 600 can be configured to calculate the unit remaining lifetime T3(i) based on the measurement results or determine the necessity of the replacement request. In other words, a remaining lifetime calculator and a replacement-request determining unit can be provided in the remote monitoring device 600 as an information processor, instead of being provided in the printer. In this case, the configuration of each printer can be simplified, which enables a reduction in the cost of each printer.
The controller 200 functions as a remaining lifetime calculator that calculates the unit remaining lifetime T3(i) of respective units based on the operation amount thereof and a predetermined lifetime index. Thus, the unit remaining lifetime T3 can be calculated in the user who has the printer installed therein.
The controller 200, which is a part of the lifetime management device, is configured as a replacement-request determining unit that determines whether each unit needs to be replaced based on the unit remaining lifetime T3(i). Therefore, the user can be automatically informed that the replacement work of each unit is required at an appropriate timing before the respective units wear out.
The modem 207 functions as a transmission unit that transmits determination results obtained by the controller 200 to the remote monitoring device 600 located at a remote site via a telephone line as a communication line. Thus, a maintenance service organization at a remote site can be automatically informed that the replacement work is required at an appropriate timing before the respective units wear out.
As set forth hereinabove, according to an embodiment of the present invention, each part of an image forming unit or a holder that holds the part includes a storage unit that stores the operation amount of the part up to that time. Therefore, even when a secondhand part is used as a renewal part of the image forming unit, the operation amount of the secondhand part is obtained based on a period from when the part was new to the present. That is, the operation amount before a part was detached from an image forming unit and that since the part was mounted again as a secondhand part on another image forming unit can be correctly measured. With the operation amount measured in this manner, the remaining lifetime of the secondhand part can be accurately estimated. Thus, it is possible to accurately calculate the end of service life of even a secondhand part.
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