Invention Grant
- Patent Title: Image forming apparatus that estimates toner deterioration status, from toner use amount and developing current
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Application No.: US17470804Application Date: 2021-09-09
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Publication No.: US11320772B2Publication Date: 2022-05-03
- Inventor: Shiro Kaneko , Hiroka Itani
- Applicant: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
- Applicant Address: JP Osaka
- Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
- Current Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
- Current Assignee Address: JP Osaka
- Agency: IP Business Solutions, LLC
- Priority: JPJP2020-152059 20200910
- Main IPC: G03G15/00
- IPC: G03G15/00 ; G03G15/08

Abstract:
An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier, a developing device, a voltage applier, a current detector, a weight detector, and a control device. The control device acts as a first measurer, a second measurer, and an estimator. The first measurer acquires a toner use amount indicating weight per unit area, of the toner that has migrated from the developing agent carrier to the image carrier, according to a detection result provided by the weight detector. The second measurer acquires the developing current from the current detector. The estimator calculates a value of decision coefficient, obtained by dividing variance of an estimated value in a regression model between the toner use amount and the developing current, by variance of a sample value, and estimates deterioration status of the toner, according to the value of the decision coefficient.
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