JP2004280124A - Color image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suppress color slurring of an image by changing the speed of a transfer body while minimizing influence on the image. <P>SOLUTION: Provided are an image forming body 13 which is made to travel or rotate, an image writing means 9 of writing a latent image by scanning the image forming body 13 with an exposure beam L generated based upon image signals by colors in specified cycles, the transfer body 16 to which a toner image formed on the image forming body is transferred a plurality of times by making the transfer body travel or rotate in the same direction with the image forming body 13 in contact in specified cycles, and a driving means 123 which drives the image forming body 13 and transfer body 16 individually. Further, provided are detecting means 11 and 22 which detect phase differences between the cycles of scanning and cycles of traveling or rotation of the transfer body 16 and a correcting means 100 which corrects the phase differences by increasing or decreasing the traveling or rotating speed of the transfer body 16 when a toner image is not transferred to the transfer body 16. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a color image forming apparatus used for a copier, a printer, a facsimile, and the like, and particularly to a technique for preventing occurrence of color misregistration of an image.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, as a color image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, an apparatus for writing an image with a laser beam has been frequently used. Conventionally, various methods and apparatuses for obtaining a color image using a laser beam have been proposed. These methods can be roughly classified into the following three methods.

(1) Method 1
A first color latent image is formed by scanning a laser beam on the surface of a photoreceptor drum or a photoreceptor belt serving as an image carrier, and the latent image is developed to form a first color toner image. Subsequently, a latent image of the second color is formed and developed. In this way, a toner image of a plurality of colors is formed so as to overlap the surface of the image forming body, and the color image thus formed on the image forming body is formed. The toner image is collectively transferred onto a recording sheet as an image carrier.

(2) Method 2
A first color latent image is formed by scanning a laser beam on the surface of the image forming body, and the latent image is developed to form a first color toner image, and this toner image is used as an intermediate transfer member as an image carrier. Transfer to Subsequently, a second color latent image is formed on the surface of the image forming body, the second color toner image is developed, and the toner image is transferred to the intermediate transfer body. In this way, a plurality of color toner images are formed on the surface of the intermediate transfer member in a superimposed manner, and the color toner images thus formed on the intermediate transfer member are collectively transferred onto recording paper.

(3) Method 3
A first color latent image is formed by scanning a laser beam on the surface of the image forming body, and the latent image is developed to form a first color toner image, and this toner image is formed on a recording paper as an image carrier. Transcribe. Subsequently, a second color latent image is formed on the surface of the image forming body, the toner image is developed, and the toner image is transferred onto a recording sheet. In this manner, a plurality of color toner images are formed on the recording paper so as to overlap each other.

  By the way, in any of the above methods, when the speed of the image forming body or the image carrier changes, a color shift occurs between the toner image to be transferred at that time and the toner image already transferred to the image carrier. I will. Even if there is no speed fluctuation in the image forming body or the like, if the rotation cycle of the image forming body is not an integral multiple of the scanning cycle of the laser beam, the toner image of each color is scanned up to one scan in the sub-scanning direction. There is an inconvenience that a minute color shift occurs. Therefore, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-326374 proposes a technique for preventing such color shift from occurring. The color image forming apparatus according to this proposal is applied to the technique of the above-described method 1, in which a mark is provided on the surface of the photoreceptor belt, and the mark is detected each time a laser beam scans to rotate the photoreceptor belt. Is controlled. Specifically, by delaying the travel of the photoreceptor belt, the timing at which the leading end of the image forming area reaches the scanning start position is adjusted to the scanning start timing of the laser beam.

  Here, let us consider a case where the above technique is applied to the above method. In the method 2, the color misregistration of the image occurs when the toner image formed on the image forming body is overlapped with the already transferred toner image on the intermediate transfer body. Therefore, when the above technique is applied to the method 2, the traveling speed of the intermediate transfer body is set when the image is not written on the image forming body so that there is no problem even if the speed fluctuation of the image forming body occurs. Adjustment is conceivable. However, during that time, the primary transfer from the image forming member to the intermediate transfer member is being performed, so that the speed fluctuation of the intermediate transfer member may adversely affect the primary transfer. Therefore, the present invention provides a color image forming apparatus using an intermediate transfer body, in which the speed of the intermediate transfer body is changed while minimizing the influence on the image, and the occurrence of color misregistration in the image can be suppressed. It is intended to provide an imaging device.

  According to a first configuration of the present invention, a latent image is written by scanning an image forming body that is run or rotated and an exposure beam formed based on an image signal for each color in a predetermined cycle on the image forming body. Image writing means, developing means for developing the latent image to form a toner image, and running or rotating in the same direction as the image forming body while being in contact with the image forming body at a predetermined cycle, thereby forming the image forming apparatus. A color image comprising: a transfer body on which a toner image formed on a body is transferred a plurality of times to form a color image on a surface; and a driving unit that separately drives the image forming body and the transfer body. A detecting device configured to detect a phase difference between the scanning cycle and the traveling or rotating cycle of the transfer body, wherein the transfer unit is configured to transfer the toner image to the transfer body when the transfer of the toner image to the transfer body is not performed. Running or rotating To increase or decrease the degree, and a correction means for correcting the phase difference, the travel or rotational speed of the transfer member is characterized by gradual increase or gradual decrease.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a color image forming apparatus according to the second aspect, wherein the image forming body is driven or rotated, and an exposure beam formed on the image forming body based on an image signal for each color. An image writing unit that scans the latent image at a predetermined period to write a latent image, a developing unit that develops the latent image to form a toner image, and a developing unit that contacts the image forming body based on a predetermined period signal. A transfer body on which the toner image formed on the image forming body is transferred a plurality of times by being run or rotated in the same direction as above, and a color image is formed on the surface; A driving means for driving one of the image forming body and a driving force transmitting means for transmitting the driving force of the driving means to drive the other of the image forming body and the transfer body. Cycle and transfer body Detecting means for detecting a phase difference from a cycle of running or rotation, and increasing or decreasing the running or rotating speed of the transfer body when writing of the latent image on the image forming body is not performed, and detecting the phase difference. And a correcting means for correcting the running speed or the rotating speed of the transfer body.

  According to a third configuration of the present invention, a latent image is written by scanning an image forming body that is run or rotated and an exposure beam formed on the image forming body based on an image signal for each color at a predetermined cycle. Image writing means, developing means for developing the latent image to form a toner image, and running or rotating in the same direction while contacting the image forming body based on a predetermined periodic signal, A transfer body on which a toner image formed on the image forming body is transferred a plurality of times to form a color image on the surface, a plurality of driving sources for individually driving the image forming body and the transfer body, A color image forming apparatus comprising: driving means for driving each driving source with the same driving signal; a detecting means for detecting a phase difference between the scanning cycle and a running or rotating cycle of the transfer body; Writing of the latent image on the formed body Correction means for increasing or decreasing the running or rotation speed of the transfer body when the transfer is not performed, and correcting the phase difference, wherein the running or rotation speed of the transfer body is gradually increased or gradually reduced. Features.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the timing from writing of a latent image on an image forming body such as a photoconductor to transfer of a toner image to a transfer body. In the color image forming apparatus of the present invention, a latent image is written on the image forming body while the transfer body makes one rotation, and writing is performed as shown in FIG. There are times when you can't. Note that a time zone (indicated by a symbol A in the figure) from when the reference position of the transfer body reaches a predetermined position to when a latent image is written is referred to as a “writing non-image area”. Further, in the color image forming apparatus of the present invention, the toner image on the image forming body is transferred to the transfer body while the transfer body makes one rotation, and the transfer is not performed during the transfer of the toner image of each color. There is a band, and the time period (indicated by the symbol B in the figure) is called a “transfer non-image area”.

  By the way, in the first configuration of the present invention, the traveling or rotating speed of the transfer body is gradually increased or decreased in the non-transferred image area, so that there is no influence on the transferred toner image. Further, in the first configuration, since the drive unit for separately driving the image forming body and the transfer body is provided, even if the speed of the transfer body is changed, the speed of the image forming body is hardly affected. . Therefore, even if the speed of the transfer body is changed during the writing of the second color, the image written on the image forming body is hardly affected. According to this configuration, it is possible to correct the displacement of the transferred toner image without causing an influence on the transferred toner image or an effect on the image written on the image forming body.

  In the second and third configurations of the present invention, the running or rotating speed of the transfer member is gradually increased or decreased when the latent image is not written on the image forming member. Does not affect the image written on the image forming body at all. Further, in the second configuration, the image forming body and the transfer body are driven or rotated by one driving unit, and in the third configuration, a plurality of driving sources for individually driving the image forming body and the transfer body are the same. Therefore, when the driving speed of the driving means is changed, the running or rotation speed of the two is changed in the same manner, and there is almost no speed difference between the two. Therefore, even if the speed of the transfer member is changed during the transfer, the transferred toner image is hardly affected. According to these configurations, it is possible to correct the displacement of the transferred toner image without causing an effect on the transferred toner image or an effect on the image written on the image forming body.

(1) First Embodiment A. Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7. FIG. 1 is a side sectional view showing the entire color image forming apparatus of the embodiment. The color image forming apparatus according to the embodiment generally includes an image input unit 1 that scans a document and outputs an image signal, and an image output unit 8 that forms an image on a sheet based on the image signal. The image input unit 1 irradiates a document (not shown) placed on an upper surface of a transparent document table 2 with light from a lamp 3 and causes reflected light from the document to enter a lens 6 via reflection mirrors 4 and 5. . The lens 6 converges the incident light and makes it incident on a charge-coupled device 7 such as a CCD. The charge-coupled device 7 simultaneously decomposes the incident light into red (R), green (G), and blue (B) colors. To output R, B, and G signals.

  The image output unit 8 converts the R, B, and G signals supplied from the image input unit 1 into respective colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), which have complementary colors. The image processing unit (Image Processing System, indicated by reference numeral 8a only in FIG. 3) for decomposing and storing the image signals (also referred to as Y, M, C, and K signals). The image signal supplied from the image processing unit 8a is modulated by the image writing unit 9 into the laser beam L. The laser beam L is deflected by the polygon mirror 10a provided in the image writing section 9, and the main scanning for writing the image is performed at a constant cycle. Reference numeral 10b denotes a motor for rotating the polygon mirror 10a.

  On the optical path of the laser beam L, an SOS sensor (detection unit) 11 that detects the start of main scanning based on the transmission of the laser beam L and outputs a scanning start (SOS) signal is arranged. Further, the laser beam L transmitted through the SOS sensor 11 is reflected by the reflection mirror 12 and is irradiated on the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum (image forming body) 13, and is main-scanned in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 13. . By repeating this main scanning at a constant cycle, an electrostatic latent image of a predetermined color (for example, yellow) is written on the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 13. 1, reference numeral 14a denotes a charger for uniformly charging the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 13 prior to writing the electrostatic latent image, and 14b a cleaner for removing toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 13. It is.

  As soon as the electrostatic latent image is written on the photosensitive drum 13, development is performed by the developing device (developing means) 15. The developing device 15 has developing sleeves 15a to 15d for yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, and supplies a toner of a color corresponding to the written electrostatic latent image to the photosensitive drum 13. Then, the toner image thus formed is primarily transferred to an intermediate transfer belt (transfer member) 16 which is always in contact with the outer periphery of the photosensitive drum 13. Then, a color toner image is formed by sequentially transferring the toner images from yellow to black on the intermediate transfer belt 16. Reference numerals 18 and 19 in the drawing denote support rollers for supporting the intermediate transfer belt 16 so as to be freely movable, and reference numeral 20 denotes a corotron for charging the intermediate transfer belt 16 to a charge having a polarity opposite to that of toner.

  The intermediate transfer belt 16 is driven by the driving roller 17 in the same direction as the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 13 at the same speed. A belt drive motor 123 (shown only in FIG. 3) for rotating the drive roller 17 is provided separately from a motor (not shown) for rotating the photosensitive drum 13. For this reason, even if the running speed of the intermediate transfer belt 16 is increased or decreased to be different from the rotation speed of the photosensitive drum 13, the rotation speed of the photosensitive drum 13 is substantially constant without being affected.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a mark M having a different light reflectance from that of the intermediate transfer belt 16 is formed on a side portion of the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 16. The mark M is detected by a mark sensor (detection means) 22 arranged to face the intermediate transfer belt 16, and at that time, the mark sensor 22 outputs a belt reference signal TR0. Then, the position of the intermediate transfer belt 16 at that time is set as a reference position (Home Position). In FIG. 1, reference numeral 23 denotes a cleaner that removes residual toner on the intermediate transfer belt 16, and reference numeral 25 denotes a secondary transfer roller that is disposed so as to be able to contact and separate from the support roller 19. The sheets stacked on the sheet feed tray 26 are taken out one by one by a sheet feed roller 27 and supplied to a nip portion between the secondary transfer roller 25 and the support roller 19. At this time, the paper is charged to a polarity opposite to that of the toner by a charger (not shown). Thus, the toner on the intermediate transfer belt 16 is secondarily transferred to the sheet at the nip. In this manner, the sheet on which the color toner image has been secondarily transferred from the intermediate transfer belt 16 is sent to the fixing device 28 where the toner image is fixed.

B. FIG. 3 is a control block diagram of the color image forming apparatus. In the figure, reference numeral 102 is a main controller. The main controller 102 generates various control signals for controlling each section of the color image forming apparatus. Reference numeral 100 denotes a control unit that controls the traveling speed of the intermediate transfer belt 16 to correct the traveling speed, and 101 denotes an image writing timing control unit. After inputting the belt reference signal TRO output from the mark sensor 22, the image writing timing control unit 101 counts a predetermined number of SOS signals input from the SOS sensor 11 and activates the write start signal Page Sync. . Then, in response to this, the Y, M, C, and K signals stored in the image processing unit 8 a are output to the image writing unit 9.

  The SOS signal output from the SOS sensor 11 and the belt reference signal TR0 are input to the control unit 100. Then, the control unit 100 calculates a phase difference between the running cycle of the intermediate transfer belt 16 and the scanning cycle of the polygon mirror 10a from these signals, and from this calculation result, a correction signal for increasing or decreasing the running speed of the intermediate transfer belt 16 To the reference clock generator 120. The reference clock generation unit 120 uses a VCC (Voltage Control Oscilater) using a PLL (Phase Locked Loop), and outputs a reference clock having a frequency proportional to the input voltage to the drive motor control unit 121. The drive motor control unit 121 supplies an excitation current having a frequency corresponding to the supplied reference clock to the belt drive motor 123. As the belt drive motor 123, a stepping motor, a DC brushless motor, or the like is used.

  Further, a transfer start signal BTR indicating the transfer start timing output from the main controller 102 is input to the control section 100, and controls the output of the correction signal and the stop timing of the output. That is, in this embodiment, the running speed of the intermediate transfer belt 16 is changed in the primary transfer non-image area as described later. Control. In the second embodiment of the present invention, since the traveling speed of the intermediate transfer belt 16 is changed in the non-image area to be written, the control unit 100 controls the start of writing output from the image writing timing control unit 101. The signal Page Sync is also input.

C. Operation of Color Image Forming Apparatus FIG. 5 shows the timing from the detection of the belt reference signal TR0 by the image writing timing control unit 101 to the start of image writing in the first and second colors. . As shown in this figure, the scanning by the laser beam L is always performed, and the signal from the SOS sensor 11 is always generated at a constant cycle. The M, C, and K signals are converted into a laser beam L. Therefore, until the image write signal Page Sync is output, an image is not written even if scanning by the laser beam L is performed. The laser beam L reaches the image forming area of the photosensitive drum 13 at the same time when the laser beam L has passed through the SOS sensor 11. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 5, the writing of the image is started at the timing of the fall of the signal from the SOS sensor 11. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the fall of the signal from the SOS sensor 11 is used as the SOS signal indicating the start of scanning.

  When the first SOS signal is detected after detecting the first color (yellow) belt reference signal TR0, the image writing timing control unit 101 counts N SOS signals thereafter, as shown in FIG. Then activate the image write signal Page Sync. Thus, writing of the first color image is performed, and subsequently, the image is developed with the first color toner. Similarly, when the first SOS signal is detected after the second color (magenta) belt reference signal TR0 is detected, the number of SOS signals is counted after that, and then the image write signal Page Sync is activated. Thus, the writing of the image of the second color is performed, and then the image is developed with the toner of the second color.

Here, assuming that the time from the detection of the first color belt reference signal TR0 to the detection of the first SOS signal is T ₁ and the cycle of the SOS signal is T _SOS , the first color belt reference signal TR0 is detected. The time from the start to the start of image writing is “T ₁ + T _SOS × N”. In contrast, the time to detect the first SOS signal after the detection of the second color of the belt reference signal TR0 When T _2, until the image write start from the detection of the second color of the belt reference signal TR0 Is “T ₂ + T _SOS × N”. Therefore, the time lag T _E from the detection of the belt reference signal TR0 to writing of the first color and the second color is "T ₂ -T _1] (provided that, T ₁ <T _2). Thus , writing start timing of the latent image of the second color, rather than the writing timing of the latent image of the first color delay of "T ₂ -T _1", the time lag T _E is arrows a and B in FIG. 5 As shown by, the shift is expressed as a distance shift from the mark M provided on the intermediate transfer belt 16 to the transfer start position.

Positional deviation L _E of the first color and the writing start position of the second color on the photosensitive drum 13, the zero speed fluctuation from the belt reference position to the write start, the laser beam of the resolution 400 dpi (scanning line pitch: 25. 4 mm / 400 = 63.5 μm)
L _E = (T ₁ −T ₂ ) / T _SOS × 64.5 μm
It becomes. Therefore, if the second color toner image is transferred and superimposed on the first color toner image while leaving this state, a color shift of up to 64.5 μm will occur.

Here, a specific example will be described with reference to FIG. The running cycle T _TR0 of the intermediate transfer belt 16 is 3300 ms, the count number N of the SOS signal is 625, the time T _A from the detection of the first SOS signal after the detection of the belt reference signal TR 0 to the start of writing of the latent image is 250 ms, and the belt reference signal The time T _{B ′} from the detection of the first SOS signal after the detection of TR 0 to the start of the primary transfer is 890 ms, the time T _PS for writing the latent image on the photosensitive drum 13 is 2620 ms, and the time T for performing the primary transfer to the intermediate transfer belt 16 is T _{The BTR} is 2930 ms. In this case, the time of the writing non-image area is T _A (250 ms), and the time T _B of the primary transfer non-image area is 320 ms because “T _TR0 −T _BTR ”.

Further, the time from the detection of the belt reference signal TR0 to the detection of the first SOS signal (hereinafter referred to as “blank time”) is defined as T ₁ , T ₂ , T ₃ and T ₄ from the first color to the fourth color, respectively. 200 μm, 70 μm, 360 μm and 200 μm. Then, when the transfer of the second and subsequent colors was allowed to this state, the position deviation amount L _E for the first color toner image is the following value. Note that the resolution of the writing scan is 400 dpi (1 line = 63.5 mm).
Color shift amount L _E of the second color: (T ₂ −T ₁ ) / T _SOS × 63.5 =
(70-200) /400×63.5=-20.6 μm
Color shift amount L _E of the third color: (T ₃ −T ₁ ) / T _SOS × 63.5 =
(360−200) /400×63.5=25.4 μm
Color shift amount L _E of the fourth color: (T ₄ −T ₁ ) / T _SOS × 63.5 =
(200-200) /400×63.5=0 μm

Therefore, in the present embodiment, before the toner image of the second color is superimposed on the toner image of the first color, the running speed of the intermediate transfer belt 16 is changed at a constant speed variation rate within a predetermined time, so that L The displacement of the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 16 caused by the displacement of the writing start position corresponding to _E is corrected. Of course, the writing start position is similarly corrected before the third color and the fourth color are overlapped. In the present embodiment, the correction is performed in the above-described primary transfer non-image area because the photosensitive drum 13 and the intermediate transfer belt 16 are rotated or run by separate motors.

The operation of correcting the write position will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, the timer built in the control mechanism of the color image forming apparatus is reset, and then the counting of the timer is started after the first belt reference signal TR0 is detected (steps S1 to S3). Then, when the first SOS signal is detected, it ends the counting by the timer, and stores the count value T ₁ of the case in the memory (step S4 to S6). Next, the count value T _n (in this case, n = 2) from the detection of the second belt reference signal TR0 to the detection of the first SOS signal is stored in the memory (steps S7 to S12).

Then, if the count value T ₁ and T _n by subtracting, calculates the positional deviation amount L _E of the writing start position of the first color and the n color on the intermediate transfer belt 16 (in this case n = 2), sets a correction amount P of the speed of the motor that drives the intermediate transfer belt 16 based on the positional deviation amount L _E (step S12 to S14). The correction amount P is a coefficient for changing the frequency of the reference clock generated from the reference clock generator 120. For example, coefficients are set at intervals of 5 ppm such as 0.999900, 0.999905, 0.999910,..., 1, 1.000005, 1.0000010,. _The coefficient corresponding to _E is selected as the correction amount P. Then, the correction amount P is multiplied by the initial frequency of the reference clock, and the calculation result is used as the frequency of the reference clock output from the reference clock generator 120. As a result, the traveling speed of the intermediate transfer belt 16 increases or decreases with respect to the initial steady speed.

The writing position is corrected by increasing or decreasing the traveling speed of the intermediate transfer belt 16 in the primary transfer non-image area (S15 to S20). In this case, if the correction amount of the traveling speed is large, there is a concern that a slip may occur between the intermediate transfer belt 16 and the drive roller 17, so the correction amount is set as small as possible. Therefore, increase or decrease of the running speed is carried out by maximum use of time T _B of the primary transfer non-image area. For example, since in this embodiment the time T _B is the 320 ms, (hereinafter referred to, the time correction time T _{B ')} for running at a speed increased or decreased during the 300ms of them. When the constant speed of the intermediate transfer belt 16 and V _B, the relationship between the speed of the correction amount P and the position deviation amount L _E is represented by the following formula.
_{P = (L E [μm]} × 10 -3) / (V B [mm / s] × T B '[ms] × 10 -3)

The displacement amount LE of the second color is −20.6 μm, which means that the latent image writing start position of the second color is delayed by 20.6 μm from the latent image writing start position of the first color. Therefore, in order to correct the positional deviation, it is necessary to reduce the traveling speed of the intermediate transfer belt 16 on which the first color toner image is placed. Substituting V _B = 160, the second color displacement L _E = −20.6 μm, and the correction time T _{B ′} = 300 ms into the above equation, the correction amount P becomes approximately −430 PPM. That is, to correct the positional deviation amount L _E of the second color is, 300 ms of the correction time in the state in which the running speed of the intermediate transfer belt 16 is lowered 430 ppm T _{B 'it} is sufficient to travel. Steps S17 to S20 in FIG. 7 show such correction processing. First, the traveling speed of the intermediate transfer belt 16 is reduced by 430 PPM (step S17), and the timer starts counting (step S18). When the count value of the timer reaches 300 ms, the running speed of the intermediate transfer belt 16 is returned to the steady speed (Steps S19 and S20).

Next, the process proceeds to step S21, and returns to step S7 to perform the same processing as described above in order to correct the next third color misregistration. The displacement L _E of the third color is 25.4 μm, which means that the latent image writing start position of the third color is ahead of the latent image writing position of the first color by 20.6 μm. In order to correct this positional deviation, it is necessary to increase the traveling speed of the intermediate transfer belt 16. Then, the correction amount P obtained by substituting the displacement L _E = 25.4 μm into the above equation is about 530 PPM, and the traveling speed of the intermediate transfer belt 16 is increased by 530 PPM in the primary transfer non-image area. Incidentally, since the positional displacement amount L _E of the fourth color is 0, is not performed increase or decrease of the running speed in this case. Then, when the processing of the fourth color is completed, the processing routine of the entire misalignment correction ends.

  In the color image forming apparatus having the above configuration, the traveling speed of the intermediate transfer belt 16 is changed in the primary transfer non-image area, so that there is no influence on the transferred toner image. Further, since the photosensitive drum 13 and the intermediate transfer belt 16 are driven by separate motors, the speed of the photosensitive drum 13 is hardly affected even if the speed of the intermediate transfer belt 16 is changed. Therefore, even if the speed of the intermediate transfer belt 16 is changed during the writing of the latent images of the second and subsequent colors, the latent image written on the photosensitive drum 13 is hardly affected. As described above, in the color image forming apparatus, it is possible to prevent the color shift of the transferred toner image without affecting the transferred toner image and the written latent image.

  In particular, in the above embodiment, since the intermediate transfer belt 16 runs at the correction speed during the maximum use of the time of the primary transfer non-image area, the correction amount P of the running speed can be reduced. As a result, slip between the intermediate transfer belt 16 and the driving roller 17 can be prevented, and color misregistration of the toner image can be reliably prevented.

(2) Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the second embodiment, the intermediate transfer belt 16 and the photosensitive drum 13 are driven by one motor. Specifically, the rotational force of the rotating shaft of one motor is transmitted in two directions, that is, the driving roller 17 of the intermediate transfer belt 16 and the photosensitive drum 13. Alternatively, the drive roller of the intermediate transfer belt 16 may be driven by a motor, and the surface of the photosensitive drum 13 may be pressed against the intermediate transfer belt 16 to rotate the photosensitive drum 13.

  In a configuration in which the intermediate transfer belt 16 and the photosensitive drum 13 are rotated by one motor, when the rotation speed of the motors is changed, the running or the rotation speeds of both motors similarly change, so that there is no difference between the running speed and the rotation speed. Therefore, if the rotation speed of the motor is changed during the primary transfer of the toner image, the transferred toner image is not affected, but if the rotation speed of the motor is changed during the writing of the latent image, the latent image is not changed. The image is disturbed. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the traveling speed of the intermediate transfer belt 16 is changed in the non-image area where the latent image is not written. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing such an operation.

  In step S16 ′ in FIG. 8, it is determined whether or not the area is a write non-image area from when the belt reference signal TR0 is detected until the image write signal Page Sync is output. Then, in the case of the writing non-image area, the traveling speed of the intermediate transfer belt 16 is changed to the writing non-image area in the same manner as described above, and then returned to the steady speed, whereby the primary transfer of the second and subsequent colors is performed. To correct the start position. As described above, since the traveling speed of the intermediate transfer belt 16 is changed when the latent image is not written on the photosensitive drum 13, the latent image written on the photosensitive drum 13 is not affected at all. Further, while the primary transfer to the intermediate transfer belt 16 is being performed, the running speed of the intermediate transfer belt 16 is changed, and the rotation speed of the photosensitive drum 13 also changes in the same manner as the change in the speed of the intermediate transfer belt 16. Since there is no difference in peripheral speed between the two, there is almost no effect on the transferred toner image.

(3) In the modification (i) above embodiments with reference to the idle time T ₁ of the first color, blank time T ₂ of the second or subsequent color, ... and the difference between the idle time T ₁ of the first color The correction value P is calculated on the basis of a predetermined reference time stored in a memory, and a correction is performed based on a difference between the reference time and each blank time T _{1 to} T _{4 of} the first to fourth colors. The value P can also be calculated. As shown in FIG. 6, the blank time is shorter than the cycle of the SOS signal. Therefore, if the reference time is set to, for example, half the period of the SOS signal, the fall timing of the SOS signal is distributed before and after the end of the reference time. Therefore, the difference between the reference time and each of the blank times T _{1 to} T _{4 of} the first to fourth colors decreases, and the value of the correction amount P decreases. Thereby, slip between the intermediate transfer belt 16 and the photosensitive drum 13 can be prevented.
(Ii) In each of the above embodiments, the traveling speed of the intermediate transfer belt 16 is changed at a stretch, but may be changed gradually. For example, the traveling speed for each reference clock pulse 5PPM Increment by or decreased, it is possible to make the intermediate transfer 16 to be delayed or be preceded by a length corresponding to the color shift amount L _E.
(Iii) Although the intermediate transfer belt 16 is used in each of the above embodiments, a drum-shaped transfer member may be used.
(Vi) Although the photosensitive drum 13 is used in each of the above embodiments, a belt-shaped image forming body may be used.
(V) In each of the above embodiments, the belt reference signal TR0 is output when the sensor 22 detects the mark M. However, a rotary encoder is connected to the driving roller 17 or the supporting roller 18 or 19 of the intermediate transfer belt 16. Then, the belt reference signal can be extracted from the output of the rotary encoder.
(Vi) In each of the above embodiments, the toner image is superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 16 and primary-transferred to form a color toner image, and the color toner image is collectively secondary-transferred to paper. The present invention can also be applied to a color image forming apparatus of the above-described method 3 for directly transferring a sheet from a photosensitive drum to a sheet.
(Vii) In the second embodiment, the photosensitive drum 13 and the intermediate transfer belt 16 are driven by one motor, but each is driven by a separate motor to make the control signal for driving the same. You can also.

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view illustrating a color image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating an intermediate transfer belt. FIG. 3 is a control block diagram of the first embodiment. 5 is a time chart showing timings of writing and transferring a latent image. 5 is a time chart showing timing from detection of a belt reference signal to start of writing of a latent image. 5 is a time chart showing timings of writing and transferring a latent image of each color. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the first embodiment. It is a flow chart which shows operation of a 2nd embodiment.

Explanation of reference numerals

9 image writing unit (image writing unit), 11 SOS sensor (detection unit), 13 photoconductor drum (image forming body), 15 developing unit (developing unit), 16 intermediate transfer belt (transfer unit) , 22 ... mark sensor (detection means), 100 ... control unit (correction means), 123 ... belt drive motor (drive means, drive source).

Claims (3)

An image forming body that is driven or rotated, an image writing unit that writes a latent image by scanning an exposure beam formed on the image forming body based on an image signal for each color at a predetermined cycle, and the latent image Developing means for developing the toner image to form a toner image, and running or rotating in the same direction as the image forming body while being in contact with the image forming body at a predetermined cycle, so that the toner image formed on the image forming body is In a color image forming apparatus including a transfer body that is transferred a plurality of times to form a color image on a surface, and a driving unit that separately drives the image forming body and the transfer body,
Detecting means for detecting a phase difference between the scanning cycle and the running or rotating cycle of the transfer body; and the running or rotating speed of the transfer body when the transfer of the toner image to the transfer body is not performed. And correcting means for correcting the phase difference,
A color image forming apparatus, wherein a running or rotation speed of the transfer body is gradually increased or gradually reduced. An image forming body that is driven or rotated, an image writing unit that writes a latent image by scanning an exposure beam formed on the image forming body based on an image signal for each color at a predetermined cycle, and the latent image Developing means for developing a toner image by forming a toner image on the basis of a predetermined periodic signal, while traveling or rotating in the same direction as the image forming body while being in contact with the image forming body, A transfer member on which the toner image is transferred a plurality of times to form a color image on the surface; a driving unit for driving one of the image forming member and the transfer member; and a driving force of the driving unit for transmitting the driving force. In a color image forming apparatus including a driving force transmitting unit that drives the other of the image forming body and the transfer body,
Detecting means for detecting a phase difference between the scanning cycle and the travel or rotation cycle of the transfer body; and the travel or rotation of the transfer body when the latent image is not written on the image forming body. Correction means for increasing or decreasing the speed and correcting the phase difference,
A color image forming apparatus, wherein a running or rotation speed of the transfer body is gradually increased or gradually reduced. An image forming body that is driven or rotated, an image writing unit that writes a latent image by scanning an exposure beam formed on the image forming body based on an image signal for each color at a predetermined cycle, and the latent image Developing means for developing a toner image by forming a toner image on the basis of a predetermined periodic signal, while traveling or rotating in the same direction as the image forming body while being in contact with the image forming body, A transfer body on which a toner image is transferred a plurality of times to form a color image on the surface, a plurality of drive sources for individually driving the image forming body and the transfer body, and each drive source is driven by the same drive signal. And a driving means for driving,
Detecting means for detecting a phase difference between the scanning cycle and the travel or rotation cycle of the transfer body; and the travel or rotation of the transfer body when the latent image is not written on the image forming body. Correction means for increasing or decreasing the speed and correcting the phase difference,
A color image forming apparatus, wherein a running or rotation speed of the transfer body is gradually increased or gradually reduced.

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