JP2009288552A - Image forming apparatus, controller, toner cartridge, developing cartridge, and process cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a user to freely select a choice between a high-image-quality mode that a low-coloring-degree toner is used and a normal-image-quality mode that a normal-coloring-degree toner is used without increasing image formation stations. <P>SOLUTION: A CPU of a controller 37 calls a sticking amount control function (control mode) as a corresponding imaging condition from a ROM and selects it based upon specific toner coloring degree information from an information recording medium 30 of a toner cartridge 27 which is transmitted through an information recognition means 31, and adjusts a development potential (exposure energy and/or a developing bias) set by the function to control a toner sticking amount. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile machine, a printer, a plotter, or a multifunction machine having a plurality of functions thereof, a control device mounted on the image forming apparatus, a toner cartridge, a developing cartridge, and a process cartridge.

  With recent advances in image forming apparatuses, the level of market or user needs has increased, and various electrophotographic image forming apparatuses that increase the number of colors compared to conventional four-color image forming apparatuses have been proposed (for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3). And some of them have already been realized. In addition to the conventional four colors of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black, they correspond to special colors such as red, blue, green, gold, silver, and fluorescent colors, and are common in inkjet systems. There are various things such as adding light black, light cyan, light magenta and the like. The purpose is to improve the color reproduction range and the low contrast reproducibility in terms of image quality.

  Specifically, the technology described in each patent document performs the following objects and configurations. In the technique described in Patent Document 1, in order to reduce the number of photoconductors, two photoconductors are provided for each photoconductor, and low-concentration toner and high-concentration toner each composed of similar color pigments are used. The non-magnetic one-component developer is used for the developing device, the two-component magnetic brush developing method is used for the high-density toner developing device, and the developing device for the low-density toner develops gravity against the developing device for the high-density toner. It is the structure of arrange | positioning in the direction upper side (upstream side). With the above configuration, image uniformity, density stability, and the like are ensured, image quality can be improved, and the apparatus body can be reduced in size and cost.

  In the technique described in Patent Document 2, color tone is maintained and color development is improved, and at the same time, a monochrome image can be easily and efficiently formed, and a color image can be formed using either a dark or light toner image. In order to form dark and light toner images of different colors on a plurality of image forming bodies, the light and dark stations are arranged adjacent to each other, and the respective toner images are superimposed on the intermediate transfer member to obtain the dark toner images of the same color. In this configuration, the light toner image is formed adjacent to each other.

  In the technique described in Patent Document 3, when an image is formed using two kinds of color materials, the density of the light color material is optimally set to obtain an image having good graininess in the entire gradation range. In addition, when the recording rate of the dark dots is 0% and the recording rate of the light dots is changed from 0% to 100%, the first granularity and the recording rate of the light dots are 100%. In this configuration, there is provided density setting means for setting the color material density of the light dots so that the second granularity when the recording rate of the dark dots is changed from 0% to 100%.

  Conventionally, in a general electrophotographic apparatus, an electrostatic latent image is formed by exposing the surface of an image carrier uniformly charged by a charging unit with a light beam generated by a latent image forming unit / exposure unit. The electrostatic latent image is developed and visualized with toner supplied from the developing means to obtain a toner image, and then the toner image formed on the surface of the image carrier is transferred to a recording paper or the like as a transfer material by the transfer means. It is configured to be transferred and further fixed by fixing means to obtain a printed matter (see FIG. 1).

  In the exposure / latent image forming step, the light beam for exposing the surface of the photoconductor as the image carrier is obtained by condensing the light generated by the laser diode (LD), and is attached to the scanner motor. Reflected by a polygon mirror of a polyhedron that rotates at high speed, deflected and scanned, and irradiated to the surface of the photosensitive member with a Fθ lens with a predetermined diameter to form a light spot that scans and exposes the surface of the photosensitive member. The developer for developing the electrostatic latent image is a mixture of a carrier and a toner in the case of the two-component development method, and a toner in the case of the one-component development method, and the toner adheres to the electrostatic latent image. A toner image is formed.

Further, in a digital image forming apparatus, image exposure is performed by, for example, pulse width modulated dots, and reversal development is performed in which toner adheres to the dot portions. The amount of toner adhering to the dot portion (hereinafter also referred to as “toner adhering amount”) depends on the area of the dot portion on the image carrier, the state of the potential, the development bias with respect to this, the state of the charge of the toner, etc. Determined.
That is, the high-density image portion recorded on the image carrier by the exposure means has a large number of dots per area and a large size of one dot. On the other hand, the low density image portion has a small number of dots per area and a small size of one dot. Thus, after development, the toner adhesion amount is large in the high density image portion on the image carrier, and the toner adhesion amount is small in the low density image portion. As described above, the difference in density of the recorded image is expressed by the amount of toner adhesion per area deposited on the image carrier by development.

  For this reason, it is difficult to form an image with good gradation when a normal high color toner is used. In particular, since the dots are small in the highlight portion (low density portion), the adhesion of a very small amount of toner per area is unstable, image unevenness is likely to occur, and it is difficult to obtain a stable gradation. Further, in the high density portion, the toner is in an excessive toner adhering state, the image density is easily saturated, and there is a problem that gradation in a wide region (dynamic range) is not obtained.

  As measures against such problems, yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C) and black (Bk) light color toners (hereinafter referred to as “low color toner”) and dark color toners are used. An image forming apparatus that performs development on an image carrier using two types of toner (hereinafter also referred to as “normal toner” or “normal color degree toner”) has been proposed in Patent Document 2 and the like.

JP 2005-250044 A JP 2002-148893 A JP 2006-189727 A

  However, when trying to use low color toner and normal toner in the same image forming apparatus / machine, the conventional technology increases the number of developing devices, photoreceptor devices, etc., and the image forming apparatus main body / machine main body is large. The problem of becoming. Further, when trying to reproduce the normal toner only with the low color toner, the necessary amount of toner adhesion increases, resulting in a problem that the amount of toner consumption increases and the user is burdened.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems and circumstances, and without increasing the number of image forming stations, a high image quality mode using low color toner and a normal image quality mode using normal color toner. Can be freely selected, and an image forming apparatus that allows a user to easily select a color image with excellent gradation or low cost, a control device mounted on the image forming apparatus, and low coloration It is a main object to provide a toner cartridge, a developing cartridge, and a process cartridge for supplying a high degree toner and a normal color degree toner.

In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the above-described object, the invention according to each claim employs the following characteristic means and configuration.
The invention according to claim 1 is an image carrier, a latent image forming unit for forming a latent image on the image carrier, and a developing unit for developing the latent image on the image carrier with a developer containing toner. In the image forming apparatus having the above, it is possible to set a plurality of types of toner storage units having similar colors and different toner coloring degrees.

  The invention according to claim 2 is a control device for image formation control mounted on the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, and is set with storage means for storing image forming conditions for different toner coloring degrees. And a control unit that selects a corresponding image forming condition from the storage unit based on a specific toner coloring degree of the toner storage unit and executes image formation according to the image forming condition.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the control device according to the second aspect, the latent image forming unit includes an exposure unit that forms a latent image by applying exposure energy onto the image carrier, and the memory The means stores a function of the development potential and the toner adhesion amount for each of the different toner coloring degrees as the image forming condition, and the control means sets a specific toner coloring degree of the set toner storage means. Based on the function, the corresponding function is selected from the storage unit, and the toner adhesion amount is controlled by adjusting the developing potential based on the function.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus equipped with the control device according to the second or third aspect, wherein the control device can be mounted on a model of an image forming apparatus of the same series. And

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus equipped with the control device according to the second or third aspect, wherein a plurality of types of toner storing means storing toners having different toner coloring degrees are set to be interchangeable for each type. It is possible.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus equipped with the control device according to the second or third aspect, wherein a set portion capable of simultaneously using a plurality of types of toner storage means storing toners having different toner coloring degrees is provided. It is characterized by having.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the fifth or sixth aspect, the toner storage unit records information about the degree of coloration of the toner filled in the toner storage unit, and the image forming apparatus main body side is provided. It has an information recording medium communicable with the control device, and the control device selects the image forming conditions based on the information from the information recording medium, and executes the control.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first or fourth to seventh aspects, a small particle size polymerized toner is used as the toner.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a toner cartridge wherein the toner storage means according to any one of the first to eighth aspects constitutes a toner cartridge that is detachable from the developing means. is there.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, the toner storage means according to any one of the first to eighth aspects constitutes a developing cartridge that is detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus. It is.

  According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the toner storage means according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, at least the image carrier and the developing device are integrated, and the image forming apparatus main body is detachable. A process cartridge is characterized by constituting a simple process cartridge.

  According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the toner cartridge according to the ninth aspect, a carrier is included in addition to the toner.

According to the present invention, a novel image forming apparatus, control device, toner cartridge, developing cartridge, and process cartridge can be realized and provided by solving the above-described problems. The effects of the invention for each main claim are as follows.
According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to set a plurality of types of toner storage units having similar colors and different toner coloring levels, so that they can be used corresponding to a plurality of types of toner coloring levels in a single image forming apparatus. In addition, for example, a low color toner can be used for high image quality, and a high color toner can be used for running cost reduction depending on the needs of the user.

  According to the second and third aspects of the invention, since the single control device is provided with a control mode (function) that can handle a plurality of types of toners, the single image forming apparatus can have a plurality of types. Therefore, it is possible to perform optimal image formation control corresponding to the toner coloring degree. The same control device can be used for a plurality of models.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to use both the old type toner storage means and the new type that are already distributed in the market.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent inconveniences due to color mixing due to toner color change and toner shape change.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, since the toner storage means has the set portion that can be used simultaneously for each type, even if the toner coloring degree differs among the color developing means, the single control device can be used for each toner coloring degree. The optimal control device can be achieved.

  According to the seventh and ninth to twelfth aspects of the present invention, for example, when the toner is filled in a factory, it is possible to input information on the degree of coloration of the toner, and it is possible to facilitate the performance of the use thereafter. . Further, by using a toner cartridge, a developing cartridge, or a process cartridge, the replacement workability is improved.

  According to the invention described in claim 8, the small particle size polymerized toner is a toner having a toner volume average particle size of, for example, 3 to 6 μm, and has a sharp particle size distribution as compared with the pulverized toner. It is possible to create a high-quality image that can reproduce minute dots and lines.

  DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments including the best mode and examples for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the embodiment and the modified examples, components such as members and components having the same function are denoted by the same reference numerals unless they are confused, and the description thereof is omitted. In order to simplify the drawings and the description, even components that are to be represented in the drawings may be omitted as appropriate without being specifically described in the drawings. When a constituent element such as a published patent gazette is cited and explained as it is, the reference numeral is attached with parentheses to distinguish it from that of each embodiment.

First, an overall configuration and operation of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 shows a general electrophotographic apparatus as an image forming apparatus. In the electrophotographic apparatus shown in FIG. 1, the surface of a drum-shaped photoreceptor 1 (hereinafter referred to as “photoreceptor drum 1”) as an image carrier uniformly charged by a charging roller 2 as a charging means is applied to a light beam 3. To form an electrostatic latent image. Then, the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 1 is transferred to the toner T supplied from a developing sleeve (developing roller) 9 in a developing device 8 (hereinafter also referred to as “developing device 8”) as developing means. As a sheet-like recording medium that is developed and visualized to obtain a toner image, and subsequently conveyed by a transfer roller 10 as transfer means at a predetermined timing from a paper feed unit (not shown) via a pair of registration rollers. The image is transferred to the recording paper S, and further fixed by a fixing device 11 comprising a fixing roller and a pressure roller as fixing means to obtain a printed matter and discharged to a paper discharge tray 14 or the like.
Here, the sheet-like recording medium or sheet is, for example, paper such as the recording paper or transfer paper (including thick paper, postcard, envelope, plain paper, thin paper, etc.), coated paper (including coated paper, art paper, etc.) ), An OHP sheet or an OHP film, tracing paper, and the like, and is a broad concept term that means an image forming medium capable of image transfer.

The light beam 3 for exposing the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is obtained by condensing light generated by a laser diode (LD) 4 as a light source, and is a polyhedron that is attached to a scanner motor 5 and rotates at high speed. Reflected by the polygon mirror 6 and deflected and scanned, the Fθ lens 7 squeezes to a predetermined diameter and irradiates the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 to form a light spot that scans and exposes the surface of the photosensitive drum. The developer of the developing device 8 that develops the electrostatic latent image is a mixture of carrier and toner in the case of the two-component development method, and toner in the case of the one-component development method, and the toner T adheres to the electrostatic latent image. Thus, a toner image is formed.
The laser diode 4, scanner motor 5, polygon mirror 6, Fθ lens 7, folding mirror, etc. are exposure means / exposure devices among latent image forming means for forming a latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 as an image carrier. Is configured.

Although partly described above, a static elimination lamp (not shown) as a static elimination means for neutralizing the photosensitive drum 1 is arranged around the photosensitive drum 1 in the order of rotation indicated by arrows in FIG. The charged roller 2, the light beam 3 that is the exposure from the exposure device, the developing device 8, the transfer roller 10, and a cleaning device (not shown) for removing and cleaning the residual toner on the photosensitive drum 1 are disposed. Thus, an image forming unit is configured.
The developing device 8 is disposed opposite to the photosensitive drum 1 and carries a two-component developer including a toner T and a carrier (not shown) for holding the toner T in the case of the two-component developing method. A developer sleeve 9 (developing roller) is provided as a developer carrying member that conveys the developer to a developing region formed between the photosensitive drum 1 and has a magnet (not shown) therein. The electrostatic latent image formed on the surface is developed with toner T supplied from the developing sleeve 9. In addition to the developing sleeve 9, the developing device 8 regulates the developer roller fixed to the housing side wall of the developing device 8 on the outer peripheral surface of the developing sleeve 9 to a predetermined layer thickness. It is mainly composed of a doctor blade 12 or the like as a developer layer thickness regulating member. The developing device 8 is simply shown by omitting the doctor blade 12 and the like in the drawings other than FIG.

With reference to FIG. 2 to FIG. 5, the effect of the image quality after development when the low color toner is used will be described. As an example, when a toner having a toner particle diameter of 4 to 5 μm is used, the relationship between the toner adhesion amount (hereinafter also referred to as “M / A”) and the image density (hereinafter also referred to as “ID”) is various. The results of the experiments that have been performed are summarized as shown in FIG.
In the above experiment, “Imagio MP C3500” manufactured by Ricoh Co., Ltd. was used, and the development conditions were the same as the mechanical conditions and developer specifications described later. Hereinafter, in this specification, “toner particle diameter” and “toner average particle diameter” specifically mean toner volume average particle diameter unless otherwise specified.

In FIG. 2, the normal color toner is toner A, and the low color toner is toner B. The toner B has a color degree that is about ½ that of the toner A, and the toner C is a toner that has a color degree that is about の that of the toner A. From the figure, toner A has M / A: 0.4 (mg / cm ² ) and ID: 1.4, whereas toner B has M / A: 0.4 and ID: 0.8 to 0. It can be seen that toner B has an ID of 1.4 with M / A = 0.8, which is about twice that of toner A. It can also be seen that the toner C has an M / A that is approximately three times that of the toner A.

From the dot image at the highlight area (low density area) and the dot diameter calculated from the area of the actual output image, the standard deviation of the dot diameter, and the dot variation (dot variation = standard deviation of the dot diameter / dot diameter average value) FIG. 3 shows a chart of (required).
In FIG. 3, toner A is a 1-by-3 image (a pattern in which 1 dot is written and 3 dots are opened), whereas when toner B having a coloring degree ½ that of toner A is used, the image area is the same for the same density. When the toner A → B, the dot variation was improved from 5.7 to 3.5% (62%) and from 3.5 to 2.0% (57%).

  With reference to FIG. 4, the granularity will be described as an index representing the graininess which is a feeling of roughness. This granularity is calculated, for example, by converting an image read by a scanner into a spatial frequency component and performing correction based on visual spatial frequency characteristics (VTF) and correction based on the average brightness of the image. However, since the granularity value does not have a physical meaning, the specific value such as 0.05 differs depending on the granularity calculation method.

  The calculation result of the granularity is shown in FIG. 4 in relation to the granularity with respect to the average brightness. The granularity means that the lower the numerical value, the better the granularity. In the figure, (1) Toner A adhesion amount M is plotted with normal toner at the target ID (for example, M / A: 0.4 hour), and the result of Toner B at the same adhesion amount M is (2) Toner. Plotted on the adhesion amount M of B.

(2) When the adhesion amount M of the toner B is (1) shifted to a lower granularity on the lower brightness side than when the adhesion amount M of the toner A, it can be seen that the graininess is improved. However, since the present invention achieves ID: 1.4 with only the toner B without using the toner A, (3) M / A twice as much as the adhesion amount M of the toner B is also required. When the adhesion amount of the toner B was 2M, the granularity was exactly the same as that when the adhesion amount of the toner A was M.
For example, considering the switching between light black (hereinafter abbreviated as “Lk”) and 2Lk (= 2M Lk of the adhesion amount) as the Bk-based color, the case where ID is 1.4 only with toner B is roughly shown. 4 is a plot like (4) toner B adhesion amount M + 2M. In this example, switching between Lk and 2Lk is performed at an average brightness of about 50. It can be seen that the granularity is improved even in this case.

Next, the concept of switching timing in image processing will be described with reference to FIG. In the case of only the conventional dark toner (Bk), the halftone is used with the image area ratio of the dark toner (Bk) lowered. When two types of light and dark toner are used, the halftone is represented by light toner, and is reproduced using dark toner from a density of light toner of 100% or more. In any case, M / A is 0.30 mg / cm ² or less.

In the present invention, only the light toner (Lk) is used, and the dark toner is used with the toner adhesion amount twice as much as the light toner (M / A: 0.6 mg / cm ² ). Use it the same way you use it. Reproduction is also performed using a light toner × double toner adhesion amount from a density of light toner of 100% or more. These are one example of the concept of switching timing in image processing. The results obtained by the experiments described above are reflected in the following embodiments and the like.

(First embodiment)
The first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in parentheses in FIG. 7, toner storage is performed corresponding to the copy types: X1, Y1, and Z1 having different printing speeds (number of copies per minute: cpp) and different internal layout shapes of the image forming apparatus. Toner cartridges 27 (X1), 27 (Y1), and 27 (Z1) are used as means. Hereinafter, when it can be determined that the toner cartridge corresponds to each copy model: X1, Y1, and Z1, the parentheses are omitted and the toner cartridge 27 is also referred to (the same applies to modified examples described later). In these copy models: X1, Y1, and Z1, the shape of the toner cartridge 27 is also different. However, as shown in FIG. 8, the X1 series image forming apparatus main body has any of the copy models: X1, Y1, and Z1. The toner cartridge 27 can also be mounted. That is, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the toner cartridges 27 corresponding to the copy types: X1, Y1, and Z1 are all configured to be detachable from the toner cartridge receiving portion 25 constituting the toner replenishing device. Has been.

  Although the illustration of a specific configuration for detachably setting the toner cartridge 27 with respect to the toner cartridge receiving portion 25 is omitted, for example, the toner cartridge 27 with respect to the concave member formed on the toner cartridge receiving portion 25 side is omitted. An attachment / detachment means including an insertion / removal means including a known combination with a convex member that is formed on the side and loosely fits into the concave member is used, and an appropriate known positioning means is used in combination therewith. The same applies to the developing cartridge 28 shown in FIG. 15 and the process cartridge 29 shown in FIG.

  Each toner cartridge 27 includes various information and data relating to the toner filled in the cartridge, that is, a toner volume average particle diameter, a development potential and a toner adhesion amount obtained by an experiment or the like in advance for each different toner coloring degree. Information and data, specifically, exposure energy (laser diode lighting time) and / or development bias (voltage) set for each toner coloring degree and / or function data of toner adhesion amount is recorded in advance. A medium 30 is attached. The information recording medium 30 includes an ID chip or an IC tag as an electronic component.

On the other hand, the toner cartridge receiver 25 on the image forming apparatus main body side can read various information and data related to the toner recorded on the information recording medium 30 so as to be communicable with the information recording medium 30 of the mounted toner cartridge 27. Possible information recognition means 31 are arranged. Further, the information recording medium 30 is configured to be able to communicate with a control device described later via the information recognition means 31.
Specific examples of the information recording medium 30 and the information recognition means 31 include a tag memory (50) and an antenna substrate (60) described in paragraphs “0018” to “0020” of Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-186354, Although those using a resonance circuit are mentioned, all known ones may be used in consideration of cost and the like.

The information recognition unit 31 is electrically connected to the control device 37. The control device 37 includes a CPU (central processing unit), an I / O (input / output) port (not shown), a ROM (read only storage device), a RAM (read / write storage device), a timer, etc., not shown. A microcomputer having a configuration in which they are connected by a signal bus is provided. The control device of the present invention may be configured by adding information recognition means 31 to the control device 37 described above.
The CPU is electrically connected to the information recognition means 31 via the input port and the input circuit. Further, the CPU adjusts exposure energy (to adjust the lighting time of the laser diode) via the output port, a laser diode drive circuit (not shown), and a development (not shown) to adjust the development bias voltage. The bias voltage circuits are electrically connected to each other, and command signals are transmitted to them. The RAM temporarily stores calculation results in the CPU and inputs and outputs signals.

The ROM stores storage means for storing image forming conditions for different toner coloring degrees, and more specifically, storing means for storing a function of a development potential and a toner adhesion amount obtained in advance by experiments or the like for each different toner coloring degree. As a function. In the ROM, related data shown in FIG. 9 for the CPU to perform a control function described later is stored in advance in a data table or the like.
The CPU calls and selects a control function (function (mode)) to be described later as a corresponding image forming condition from the ROM based on a specific toner coloring degree of the set toner cartridge 27 (toner storage means). As a development potential set by the function, the toner adhesion amount is controlled by adjusting at least one of exposure energy and development bias.

Here, the adhesion amount control function f (x) will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a graph showing the relationship of the toner adhesion amount: M / A (mg / cm ² ) to the development potential. Toner A has a relationship such as f (x): a, toner B has a relationship such as f (x): b, and toner C has a relationship such as f (x): c.
As shown in FIG. 2, in order to obtain the same ID, the toner B requires M / A twice that of the toner A, and the toner C requires M / A three times that of the toner A. In terms of the development potential M, the relationship is M / A: a = 2 × M / A: b = 3 × M / A: c. Ultimately, these results in being controlled by exposure energy (pulse width modulation or the like) and development bias (voltage).

  Hereinafter, for the sake of simplicity of explanation, the CPU will be described as controlling the toner adhesion amount by adjusting the lighting / irradiation time of the laser diode to adjust the exposure energy. For this, for example, a technique described in JP-A-2001-239696 may be used. That is, in the above technique, exposure is performed such that the exposure energy when exposing the photoreceptor is smaller than the exposure energy obtained from the light attenuation characteristics of the photoreceptor, and more specifically, the range of the small exposure energy. If the output of the laser diode as the light source is increased as much as possible and the lighting / irradiation time of the laser diode per dot is shortened as much as possible, the spot diameter of the beam spot that exposes the photoconductor is optically reduced. Even without this, the electrostatic latent image can be optically written at a high density.

  In FIG. 8, for example, when a new toner cartridge 27 related to the copy model X1 is attached to the toner cartridge receiving portion 25, the information record recorded on the information recording medium 30 of the toner cartridge 27 is read by the information recognition means 31, and the previous time When a toner cartridge 27 of a different type from that of the toner cartridge is mounted, the control device 37 sets image forming conditions based on the toner type information recorded on the information recording medium 30.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the image forming condition is an adhesion amount control function: f (x). The adhesion amount control function: f (x) is expressed by a functional expression of the development potential and the toner adhesion amount: M / A as described above.
As shown in the chart of FIG. 9, the adhesion amount control function f (1) for the toner type O, the adhesion amount control function f (2) for the toner type P, and the adhesion amount control for the toner type Q. Select and set function f (3). In the case of the same toner cartridge as the previous time, the setting of the adhesion amount control function remains the same as the previous time. The toner types O, P, and Q are, for example, the toner coloring degrees A, B, and C in this order.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, the toner cartridges 27 (X 1), 27 (Y 1), and 27 (Z 1) can be set as a plurality of types of toner storage units having different toner coloring degrees. In addition, a single image forming apparatus can be used corresponding to a plurality of types of toner coloring, and, for example, a low coloring toner is used for high image quality and high for reducing running cost according to the needs of the user. A color toner can be used.
In addition, since the single control device 37 is provided with an adhesion amount control function (control mode) capable of dealing with a plurality of types of toner, the single image forming apparatus is optimally adapted to a plurality of types of toner coloring degrees. Image formation control can be performed, and the same control device 37 can be used for a plurality of models.

(Modification 1 of the first embodiment)
With reference to FIG. 10, the modification 1 of 1st Embodiment is demonstrated. The modification 1 is characterized in that the control device can be mounted on a model of an image forming apparatus of the same series.
In the case of copy models X1, X2, and X3 of the same series, as shown in FIG. 10, the machine internal layout of the image forming apparatus and the shape of the toner cartridge 27 are the same, but the toner filled in the toner cartridge 27 is different. There is a case. This is because there are many market demands for high image quality, toner production technology and low-cost technology are improved, and polymerization toner and toner are reduced in color from pulverized toner.
For example, among the series machines already on the market, both the old type (X1 machine) and the new series machine (X3 machine) are recorded on the information recording medium 30 attached to each toner cartridge 27. Based on certain toner type information, the adhesion amount control function value is set by the same controller configuration as shown in FIG. Thereby, the above-mentioned effect is produced.

  The toner cartridge 27 shown in FIGS. 7 and 10 includes a carrier in addition to the toner. In the image forming apparatus at that time, the developer, which is a mixture of toner and carrier, is replenished to the developing device 8, and excess developer is discharged, so that the carrier is automatically replaced.

(Modification 2 of the first embodiment)
With reference to FIG. 11, the modification 2 of 1st Embodiment is demonstrated. The modified example 2 is characterized in that a plurality of types of toner storage means storing toners having different toner coloring degrees can be set interchangeably for each type.
In the case of a color machine, the toner cartridge 27 can be set interchangeably for each color type. If the toner colors are different, the toner cartridge 27 is made incompatible. Further, when the toner type is pulverized toner, compatibility is provided so that only the pulverized toner can be set. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, the toner type O is toner A, the toner type P is toner B, and the toner type Q is toner C.
Also in the second modification, the adhesion amount control function is controlled by the same controller configuration as shown in FIG. 8 based on the toner type information recorded on the information recording medium (not shown) attached to each toner cartridge 27. Set the value. Thereby, the above-mentioned effect is produced.

(Modification 3 of the first embodiment)
With reference to FIG. 12, the modification 3 of 1st Embodiment is demonstrated. Modification 3 is characterized in that it has a set portion that can simultaneously use a plurality of types of toner storage means storing toners of different toner coloring degrees.
As shown in FIG. 12, toner cartridges 27a, 27b, and 27c individually filled with three types of toners (for example, toners A, B, and C) can be set in the toner cartridge receiving portion 25 of the image forming apparatus main body. Three different types of toners A, B, and C can be replenished from the respective toner cartridges 27a, 27b, and 27c to the toner replenishing tank unit 26, and are switched to replenish the replenishing tank unit 26 and the developing unit 8 during use. is there.
Based on the toner type information recorded on the information recording medium 30 attached to the toner cartridges 27a, 27b, and 27c shown in FIG. 12, the adhesion amount control function value is obtained by the same control device configuration as shown in FIG. Set. Thereby, the above-mentioned effect is produced.

(Modification 4 of the first embodiment)
A modification 4 of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14.
As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the present invention can be applied and applied to a color machine. The image forming apparatus shown in both figures is a full-color image forming apparatus, and a photosensitive drum as an image carrier for each of four colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (Bk). A tandem apparatus configuration that includes a developing device as a developing unit and forms a full-color image by sequentially transferring a toner image of each color onto a transfer material (recording paper) as an example of a sheet-like recording medium. .

In the main body of the full-color image forming apparatus, four photosensitive drums 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1Bk are arranged in this order from right to left in the drawing. Each of the photosensitive drums 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1Bk is provided with an image forming unit for forming images of four colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (Bk). Yes. A full color image is formed by these image forming units. Since the image forming units of the respective colors perform the same configuration and operation, only the yellow (Y) image forming unit disposed in the rightmost part will be described, and the other image forming units are the same. The description is omitted by attaching the same Arabic numeral to the part and adding an alphabetical character representing the color.
The yellow (Y) image forming unit includes a photosensitive drum 1Y and a charging device (not shown) as a charging unit that is disposed around the photosensitive drum 1Y and repeatedly forms yellow (Y) images. A light beam 3Y emitted from an exposure apparatus (not shown), a developing device 8Y as a developing means, a cleaning device (not shown) as a cleaning means, and the like are included.

The photosensitive drum 1Y is supported by a housing side plate (not shown) of the apparatus main body so as to be rotatable in the direction of the arrows in the figure. The exposure apparatus has a laser beam scanning optical system (not shown), and is scanned by irradiating the surface of the photosensitive drum 1Y with the light beam 3Y uniformly charged.
In both drawings of the arrangement positions of the photosensitive drums 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1Bk, a conveyance transfer belt 15 as a conveyance transfer unit that adsorbs and conveys a recording sheet as an example of a transfer material is opposed and stretched. ing. The conveyance transfer belt 15 is stretched between the driving roller 16 and the driven roller 17 and travels and conveys in the direction of the arrow (counterclockwise) in the figure.

  In both figures facing the photosensitive drums 1Y, 1M, 1C and 1Bk, below the transfer devices 10Y, 10M, 10C and 10Bk provided with transfer rollers as contact transfer means with the conveyance transfer belt 15 interposed therebetween. Has been. Each of the transfer devices 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10Bk has an electric field on the recording paper that is transported by electrostatically attracting the toner images of the respective colors formed on the photosensitive drums 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1Bk by the transport transfer belt 15. It has a well-known function of transcription by the action of. The recording paper is selected by a registration roller pair (not shown) as registration means (not shown) by selecting one of a plurality of paper feeding units (not shown) disposed at the lower part of the apparatus main body. It is sent out onto the transfer transfer belt 15 at a predetermined timing.

  In both figures, which are downstream of the transfer material conveyance path, a separation device (not shown) for separating the recording paper from the conveyance transfer belt 15 is connected to the driving roller 16 via the conveyance transfer belt 15 on the left side of the apparatus main body. Opposed. On the left side of the separating device is a fixing roller (not shown) having a fixing roller and a pressure roller for fusing and fixing each color toner image transferred to the recording paper, and further above the fixing device. Is provided with a paper discharge section having a paper discharge tray (not shown) for discharging recording paper on which a toner image is formed via a paper discharge guide plate and a pair of paper discharge rollers (both not shown). Has been.

Next, the operation during full color image formation will be described.
When a full color image formation signal is transmitted by a key operation on an operation panel (not shown), the yellow (Y), cyan (C), magenta (M), and black (Bk) image forming units are respectively set at predetermined timings. In operation, toner images of the respective colors are formed on the photosensitive drums 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1Bk. This is exemplified by a yellow (Y) image forming unit. The photosensitive drum 1Y rotates in the direction of the arrow in both drawings, and its outer surface is uniformly charged by a charging device (not shown), and then the image signal is output from the LD. Accordingly, the laser beam 3Y is irradiated and exposed and imaged on the photosensitive drum 1Y while being scanned by a polygon mirror (not shown) to form an electrostatic latent image. When the photosensitive drum 1Y on which the electrostatic latent image is formed faces the developing device 8Y, the developing sleeve 9Y in the developing device 8Y causes the developer in the developing device 8Y to go to the developing nip region facing the photosensitive drum 1Y. By being conveyed, the toner in the developer is supplied and attached to the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1Y and developed, and the yellow (Y) image is visualized on the photosensitive drum 1Y. A toner image is formed. In the other color image forming units, a toner image is formed in the same manner as the yellow (Y) image forming unit.

On the other hand, the recording paper set in a paper feeding cassette of a paper feeding unit (not shown) is taken out by a paper feeding roller (not shown) and sent to a pair of registration rollers (not shown) along a transfer material conveyance path. By the registration roller pair, the leading edge of the recording paper is sent to the transfer area of the transfer portion of the photosensitive drum 1Y in time with the yellow (Y) toner image of the first color formed on the photosensitive drum 1Y.
At the transfer position of the yellow (Y) toner image of the first color, the yellow (Y) toner image is transferred onto the recording paper by the action of the electric field formed by the transfer device 10Y. Is electrostatically attracted to the transport transfer belt 15 and transported by the transport transfer belt 15. The recording paper on which the yellow (Y) toner image is transferred in this way is located at a transfer position between the transfer devices 10M, 10C, and 10Bk provided in order for each color and the photosensitive drums 1M, 1C, and 1Bk. The cyan (C) toner image, the magenta (M) toner image, and the black (Bk) toner image that are sequentially conveyed and formed on the photosensitive drums 1M, 1C, and 1Bk are sequentially transferred onto the recording paper. In this way, the toner images of all colors are transferred onto the recording paper, so that a full-color toner image is formed on the recording paper.

The recording paper on which the full-color toner image is formed is separated from the transport transfer belt 15 by the separation device, and then sent to the fixing device, where the full-color toner image is melted and pressure-fixed by the fixing device. Is completed and discharged onto a paper discharge tray (not shown) via a paper discharge roller pair of a paper discharge section (not shown).
On the other hand, in a cleaning device (not shown), residual toner or the like remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1Y without being completely transferred onto the recording paper is removed by a cleaning blade. The surface of the photosensitive drum 1Y that has passed through the cleaning device is then uniformly charged by the yellow (Y) charging device, and the next image forming process is repeated. The same operation is performed in the remaining image forming units.

  Even in the case of using toners having different toner coloring levels among the respective color developing units in the above-described quadruple tandem machine, optimum control for each toner coloring level can be executed by a single control device similar to that shown in FIG. Of course. 13 and 14, toners A, B, and C shown in parentheses are stored in toner cartridges 27 </ b> Bk, 27 </ b> C, 27 </ b> M, and 27 </ b> Y that supply toner corresponding to the color to the image forming unit for each color. It represents the degree of toner coloring of the toner used.

  The color image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied is not limited to the full-color image forming apparatus shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, but, for example, four colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (Bk) Each of the colors includes a photoconductor as an image carrier, a developing device as a developing unit, and the like, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on a plurality of photoconductors by an exposure unit (such as an optical scanning device). The latent image is developed with different color toners for each image carrier, and the toner images formed on the respective photoreceptors are sequentially transferred onto the intermediate transfer member, and then transferred onto a transfer material at a time to transfer a color image. Needless to say, the present invention can also be applied to a full color image forming apparatus and a color image forming apparatus having two or more colors.

  The toner storage means of the present invention is not limited to the toner cartridge described above, but may be a developing cartridge 28 that replaces each developing unit of the developing device 8 when the toner end is reached, as shown in FIG. The developing cartridge 28 is configured to be detachable from the image forming apparatus main body.

Further, the toner storage means of the present invention is not limited to the toner cartridge described above or the developing cartridge 28 shown in FIG. 15, but is also a photosensitive drum 1 as an image carrier and toner storage means as shown in FIG. The process cartridge 29 may be integrated with the developing device 8 and configured to be detachable from the image forming apparatus main body.
Also in the developing cartridge 28 and the process cartridge 29, an information recording medium is provided on them, and based on the toner type information recorded on the developing cartridge 28 and the process cartridge 29, the adhesion amount control function value is set by the same control device configuration as shown in FIG. Needless to say, it is possible to perform optimum control for each degree of toner coloring with a single control device and to achieve the above-described effects.

  The above-described first embodiment and modifications 1 to 4 are also characterized in that a small particle size polymerized toner is used as the toner used for development. The small particle size polymerized toner is a toner having a toner volume average particle size of 3 to 6 μm and has a sharp particle size distribution as compared with the pulverized toner, so that it can reproduce fine dots and lines with a small amount of adhesion. Images can be created.

An example of the development conditions of the above embodiment, each modification, etc. is shown below (see FIG. 1).
(A) Mechanical conditions Gap GP between developing sleeve 9 and photosensitive drum 1: 0.2 to 0.6 mm
Gap GD between developing sleeve 9 and doctor blade 12: 0.2 to 0.8 mm
Diameter of developing sleeve 9: 10 to 30φ
Photoconductor drum 1 linear velocity: 60 to 350 mm / sec
Ratio of linear speed of developing roller 9 to linear speed of photosensitive drum 1: 1.0 to 2.5
(B) Developer specifications Carrier: Made of ferrite, average 20 to 70 μm
Toner: A small particle polymerization toner made of polyol resin and polyester resin and having a toner volume average particle diameter of 3 to 7 μm was used.
Additive amount: 0.5-2.0 wt%
Carrier coverage: 20-90%
Charge amount (Q / M): 10 to 50 μC / g

  Although the present invention has been described with respect to specific embodiments and modifications, the technical scope disclosed by the present invention is not limited to those exemplified in the above-described embodiments, modifications, or examples. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various embodiments, modifications, and examples can be configured within the scope of the present invention in accordance with the necessity and application. is there.

1 is a schematic front view of a main part of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied. 6 is a graph for explaining a relationship between a toner adhesion amount and an image density. 10 is a chart for explaining a dot image at a highlight portion and an actual dot diameter calculated from the area of an output image, a standard deviation of the dot diameter, and dot variation. It is a graph explaining the relationship between average brightness and granularity. 5 is a chart / graph illustrating the concept of switching timing in image processing in comparison with the prior art and the present invention. 6 is a graph for explaining the relationship between the development potential and the toner adhesion amount for each toner coloring degree when the toner coloring degree is used as a parameter. FIG. 3 is a perspective view schematically showing an external shape of a toner cartridge when a copy model is different in the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a simplified front view showing the periphery of the toner cartridge, the receiving portion of the toner cartridge on the image forming apparatus main body side, the developing device, and the control device according to the first embodiment. 6 is a chart in which an adhesion amount control function is set according to the toner type in the first embodiment. FIG. 11 is a perspective view schematically showing an external shape of a toner cartridge in the case of the same series model in Modification 1. 11 is a chart in which an adhesion amount control function is set according to a plurality of different types of toner such as a color machine in Modification 2. FIG. 10 is a simplified front view illustrating a toner cartridge, a receiving portion thereof, and a periphery of a developing device according to a third modification. 1 is a front view of a main part in which the present invention is applied to a quadruple tandem full-color image forming apparatus. FIG. 14 is a front view of a main part of an example different from FIG. 13 in which the present invention is applied to a quadruple tandem full-color image forming apparatus. FIG. 3 is a simplified cross-sectional view showing a developing cartridge. It is a simplified sectional view showing a process cartridge.

Explanation of symbols

1, 1Bk, 1Y, 1M, 1C Photosensitive drum (image carrier)
3, 3Bk, 3Y, 3M, 3C Laser light (latent image forming means / exposure means)
4 Laser diode (light source)
8 Developing unit, developing device (developing means)
22Y, 22M, 22C, 22Bk Image forming section 27 Toner cartridge 28 Developing cartridge 29 Process cartridge 30 Information recording medium 31 Information recognition means 37 Control device (control means)
50 Full-color image forming device Lk Light black T Toner

Claims (12)

An image forming apparatus comprising: an image carrier; a latent image forming unit that forms a latent image on the image carrier; and a developing unit that develops the latent image on the image carrier with a developer containing toner.
An image forming apparatus, wherein a plurality of types of toner storage units having similar colors and different toner coloring levels can be set. A control device for image formation control mounted on the image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
Storage means for storing image forming conditions for different toner coloring degrees;
A control unit that selects a corresponding image forming condition from the storage unit based on a specific toner coloring degree of the set toner storage unit, and executes image formation according to the image forming condition;
A control device comprising: The control device according to claim 2, wherein
The storage means stores, as the image forming conditions, a function of a development potential and a toner adhesion amount for each of the different toner coloring degrees,
The control unit selects the corresponding function from the storage unit based on a specific toner coloring degree of the set toner storage unit, and adjusts the development potential based on the function to adjust the toner adhesion amount. A control device characterized by controlling. An image forming apparatus equipped with the control device according to claim 2,
The image forming apparatus, wherein the control device can be mounted on a model of an image forming apparatus of the same series. An image forming apparatus equipped with the control device according to claim 2,
An image forming apparatus, wherein a plurality of types of toner storage units storing toners having different toner coloring levels can be set interchangeably for each type. An image forming apparatus equipped with the control device according to claim 2,
An image forming apparatus, comprising: a set portion capable of simultaneously using a plurality of types of toner storage units storing toners having different toner coloring degrees. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5 or 6,
The toner storage means has an information recording medium on which information related to the degree of coloration of toner filled in the toner storage means is recorded and is communicable with the control device on the image forming apparatus main body side,
The image forming apparatus, wherein the control device selects the image forming condition based on the information from the information recording medium and executes the control. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 and 4 to 7,
An image forming apparatus using a small particle size polymerized toner as a toner.   9. The toner cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the toner storage unit constitutes a toner cartridge that is detachable from the developing unit.   9. The developing cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the toner storage means constitutes a developing cartridge that is detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus.   9. The toner storage unit according to claim 1, wherein at least the image carrier and the developing device are integrated to constitute a process cartridge that is detachable from the image forming apparatus main body. A process cartridge characterized by that.   The toner cartridge according to claim 9, further comprising a carrier in addition to the toner.

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