JPH02228680A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To easily cope with user's need by means of a simplified operation selection by providing an image forming device with a monochromatic mode and a multicolor mode, and ejecting a transfer paper, which is fixed without transferring a picture, and switching the monochromatic color mode to a normal mode under the multicolor mode. CONSTITUTION:The image forming device is provided with the monochromatic mode and the multicolor mode, and one of them is the normal mode. When the monochromatic color mode is set by a mode selection key E22, copying is performed on a transfer material, fed automatically or manually, by depressing a copying button E10. In the multicolor mode, a transfer paper which is fixed without transferring a picture is ejected by depressing the copying button E10, automatic paper supply is inhibited thereafter, and the monochromatic mode is switched to the normal mode. Thus, a color picture can be easily formed as a user needs.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention provides a device for forming a latent image on an image bearing member, in which the development of the latent image is performed using one replaceable single-color developer cartridge. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, or a facsimile machine, which is capable of producing monochrome or multicolor copies using electrophotography.

[Background of the invention]

There are many ways to obtain color images using electrophotography.
A device has been proposed. That is, for full-color image formation, at least three color developing devices for Y, M, and C are provided, or a developing device main body for four colors including black is provided. For example, JP-A-61-1
As disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 00770, a latent image is formed and developed on a photoreceptor drum according to the number of separated colors of an original image, and each time the development is performed, the latent image is transferred onto a transfer drum to form a multicolor image on the transfer drum. There is a method of forming a color copy and then transferring it onto recording paper to obtain a color copy. In addition to the photoreceptor drum, an apparatus using this method requires a transfer drum large enough to transfer an image for one sheet onto its layer surface, and the apparatus does not have a large and complicated structure. Inevitable.

In addition, a latent image is formed on the image carrier using a dot exposure scanning writing system such as a semiconductor laser or an LED, and furthermore, a COD
, a-3i, and other solid-state image pickup devices, which perform so-called digital color image processing, have been proposed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 61-73977, but none of them are mentioned above. This is causing a similar problem.

On the other hand, regarding the structure of general copying machines, the
As disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 8-54392, a proposal has been made in which a photosensitive drum, a developer, and a cleaner are integrally attached to a support member to facilitate replacement and repair of each unit.

In addition, as a small and simple monochrome compatible device that can be easily handled by general users, there is a device that is integrated with these devices and configured in a disposable format.
It is disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 54255.

Furthermore, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 147366/1983 discloses a printer that incorporates a laser writing system into a similar device.

Furthermore, as a device for forming monochrome, 7-color, or full-color images, the disposable single-color process cartridge can be replaced with a (color) cartridge containing multiple developing units, which is also disposable. As a matter, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 58-7215
Although a multicolor image forming apparatus disclosed in Publication No. 9 has been proposed, it is not easy to operate, small, and inexpensive, and it is not necessarily capable of providing images that satisfy the user when reproducing color images. Not yet reached. In addition, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 63-53
Although proposals have been made in Publication No. 62, etc., they require the provision of an intermediate stacker as a temporary auxiliary storage container for the transfer material, and the need for complex control circuits and devices for adjusting the shrinkage. This not only increases the size and cost of the device, but also makes it nearly impossible to provide a simple device.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

In particular, when trying to obtain monochrome or multi-color images from a color original using a simple image forming device that allows cartridges to be replaced, the color original is usually printed part by part for each corresponding cartridge for which reproduced colors are desired. It is necessary to create and store the manuscripts separately, and the hassle of creating the corresponding manuscripts becomes a major problem.

At the same time, the image magnification and position shift when creating originals corresponding to the developing devices for each single color, and using these originals, toner is layered on the recording medium for each color and transferred and fixed several times. When a multicolor image is formed by repeating this process, the first problem is the registration deviation of the overlapping original images related to the original and the optical system, including the positional deviation of the original document placement. Furthermore, an essential problem is that when creating a multicolor image such as functional color or full color, when forming an overlapping image of toner on transfer paper, the subsequent toner is molded onto the toner from the previous process, such as Y, It is broadly divided into full color using M and C1-toners, and functional color in which each color toner is formed at different dot positions.
Registration misalignment of the toner image for each color occurs due to heat shrinkage when the transfer material is fixed with the fixed image, causing color blurring and blurring, resulting in a decrease in image quality as a whole due to misalignment of the color image, and the user is not able to see the original image. It has not yet been possible to provide a device that is easy to use and inexpensive.

The present invention further solves the problem of the burden loss on the user caused by the difference in the consumption amount of various consumables (photoreceptor, cleaner, toner of each color, etc.) in the disposable multi-color cartridge as seen in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 58-72159, and is an unused portion due to an imbalance in the consumption difference of each color toner and/or developer in a multiple developer cartridge, which the present applicant previously proposed in Japanese Patent Application No. 128069/1986 in conjunction with a similar application. The problem of having to throw away consumables, and the provision of multiple developing units makes the main body of the image forming apparatus as well as its internal mechanism complicated and large, leaving significant problems associated with user loss.

In particular, in the above-mentioned various color image forming apparatuses, if an attempt is made to provide easy-to-use and richly varied color functions, user operations will become extremely complicated. (Multi-color, mono-color, etc.) functions described in detail in this document were not available for users to easily support.

As a result of solving and improving the various problems mentioned above, the present invention improves the conventional simple image forming apparatus, thereby reducing the appearance of the apparatus, making it extremely easy to operate, and providing a simple color image forming apparatus according to individual user needs. To provide an image forming device capable of creating images with minimal user loss, simple and capable of excellent color reproduction without image shift, and also to provide various modes of color copying when used by users. The aim is to provide equipment that is even easier to use.

[Structure of the invention]

The present invention achieves the above object, and is provided with one developing unit that is replaceable, has a mechanism for automatic paper feeding and manual feeding of transfer material, and develops a latent image on an image carrier. An image forming device that performs thermal fixing after transferring onto a transfer material has a monochrome mode and a multicolor mode, and when set to monochrome mode, pressing the copy button automatically or manually A copy is made on the transfer material fed by the , and in multicolor mode, by pressing the copy button, the fixed transfer paper is ejected without image transfer, and in the subsequent multicolor mode. In some cases, automatic paper feeding is prohibited, and this is achieved by image formation* [characterized by the monochrome mode as the standard mode].

[Explanation of configuration]

The present invention has means for manually or automatically selecting, instructing, and controlling color sorting, and has automatic transfer material feeding means such as a cassette and tray, and manual transfer material feeding means such as a manual paper feed and a manual feed tray. This is an image forming apparatus consisting of a process cartridge constituted by one replaceable developing device. In particular, when multi-color selection is made during color image formation, the image is first formed by automatic paper feeding means prior to image copying. The transfer body is contracted in advance by dry firing means for sending out, transporting, fixing, and discharging the transfer body. At this time, in order to control the reduction of the transfer material, the fusing temperature is temporarily raised higher than during normal copying.
Preferably, the fixing temperature and speed are controlled by slowing down the fixing speed while keeping the temperature constant, and more preferably, in conjunction with temperature and humidity sensors, paper thickness, paper quality, etc. Subsequently, a multicolor image is formed on the above-mentioned blank-printed transfer material by the above-described process, but during this time, the automatic paper feeding means does not work and image formation is repeated by manual paper feeding. That is, the developed image on the image carrier is transferred and fixed onto the transfer paper according to the known paper feeding timing.
Furthermore, the developer cartridge is replaced for each color, and the color image for each color is similarly transferred and fixed onto the transfer paper on which the first color was copied by manual paper feeding. During such fixing, compared to the above-mentioned dry copying constant fixing, fixing is performed with slightly more heat than the amount of melting of the toner, so the temperature or fixing speed may be lower or further compared to the dry oven. Alternatively, the difference between the dry firing and the first color can be determined by controlling the properties of the toner or by measuring means using a built-in clock, etc., for the first color, second color, third color, etc., or for each number of times. Time difference, 1st
It is also possible to control the temperature, speed, etc., based on measurement results such as the time difference between the first and second times.

In particular, in the present invention, any one of the various color modes is set as the standard mode, for example, the monochrome copy mode is set as the standard mode; By automatically returning to the single color mode as the standard mode during idle or use, it is designed to prevent operational errors and simplify operation. The present invention is designed to provide a variety of color functions to users by allowing a national color mode or a pull color mode to be used as a standard mode.

Regarding image misalignment in multicolor, the timing between the toner image on the image carrier and the manually fed transfer paper is determined by the accuracy of the timing adjustment means described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 62-266573.62-266574, etc. Good existing technology can be adopted.

As described above, when forming a multicolor image, the automatically fed transfer paper is blank-baked in advance, and then the paper is fed by a manual paper feeder and the toner images are superimposed and fixed. When high humidity occurs (RH7
0-80%) approx. 6-7%, at low temperature (RH20-15%)
In addition to preventing shrinkage of the transfer paper due to fluctuations in moisture content of approximately 2 to 3%, it usually takes at least 15 to 30 minutes at the earliest before the transfer paper air-baked in the outside air is restored to the room humidity. Taking into consideration the fact that multi-color image formation requires cartridge replacement and image formation, the time required for cartridge replacement and image formation can be almost ignored, and registration misalignment, color image misalignment,
A small, compact, inexpensive, and quality-satisfying color image forming device that prevents blurring and blurring is possible.
In addition, in the case of single-color copying, image formation can be performed in the same way as the conventional process, whether by automatic paper feeding or manual feeding, so there is no imbalance in consumables, and the burden on the user is reduced as much as possible. The present invention provides a color image forming apparatus that can meet the needs of users and is also capable of high-level color image formation by setting a standard mode, making it easy for users to use. .

〔Example〕

An embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 1 to 9.

FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional configuration of the image forming apparatus of this embodiment, and FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 with its top and bottom open.

Of course, the present invention as described above can be applied to both analog and digital image forming apparatuses, but in this embodiment, image signals are recorded using the image information reading rate of a solid-state image sensor and a semiconductor laser. A digital image processing device is used as an example.

In FIG. 1, a color document on a document table is optically scanned by an optical system.

This optical system is provided with a fluorescent lamp 33 and a reflecting mirror 35! ; Carriage 36, ■ Mirrors 37A and 37B
It is composed of a movable mirror unit 38 provided with a movable mirror unit 38.

The carriage 36 and the movable unit 38 are respectively caused to travel at predetermined speeds and directions.

Optical information (image information) obtained by illuminating the document 31 with the fluorescent lamp 33 is transmitted to the reflecting mirror 35. Mirror 37A, 37B
is guided to the optical information conversion unit 42 via.

When optically scanning a color document, a commercially available warm white fluorescent lamp is used as the fluorescent lamp 33 in order to prevent optical emphasis or attenuation of specific colors. The lamp 33 is turned on and driven by a high frequency power source of about 40 KHz. In addition, in order to maintain a constant temperature of the tube wall or to promote heating up, a heater using a thermistor is used to keep the tube wall warm.

There is a standard white plate (not shown) on the back side of the left end of the document table 32.
is provided. This is because the image signal is normalized to a white signal by optically scanning the standard white plate.

The optical information conversion unit 42 in this embodiment is the lens 4
0, filter disk 41, and one C as an image sensor
It consists of CD43.

The filter disk 41 has blue color as shown in FIG.
Green, red, and ND"U upper four types of filters are fitted radially, and are rotated via a belt 44 by the rotation of a pulse motor M, so that any one filter is connected to the lens 40 and C.
It is set at a position that crosses the entire optical path between it and the CD 43.

That is, the initial rotational position of the pulse motor M is maintained in advance at a position detected by the photoelectric sensor 45 in which the light-shielding piece 41A provided on the outer periphery of the filter disk 41 is fixed.
The pulse motor M rotates by the number of pulse counts determined as a result of color selection, which will be described later, to set a predetermined filter.

Note that after the image signal is taken in by one filter, the pulse motor M rotates in the reverse direction and returns to the above-mentioned initial position again. Of course, when the configuration is such that a signal corresponding to the filter is output, it is not necessary to return to the initial position.

For example, the green image signal G obtained by the green filter thus obtained is converted into a green recording signal by the signal processing system, and is outputted to the image writing section via the signal processing section. For example, image data converted into four values by a multi-value conversion circuit is output to the writing section B via an interface circuit. A laser beam scanner 69 shown in FIG. 3 is used as the writing section B, and the 4-valued recording signal from the reading section A is modulated and converted into a predetermined optical signal, which is sent to the photoreceptor 72 as an image carrier. written.

The laser beam scanner 69 has a laser oscillator 73, and the laser beam emitted from the oscillator 73 passes through mirrors 75 and 76 to an octahedral rotating polygon mirror (polygon).
The light enters a deflector 71 consisting of, etc. A laser beam is deflected by this polygon, and is irradiated onto the surface of the photoreceptor 72 through an f-θ lens 77 for imaging.

78 and 79 are cylindrical lenses for color correction.

The polygon 71 rotated at a constant speed by the drive motor 70 causes the laser beam to scan the surface of the photoreceptor 72 at a constant speed in a predetermined direction a, and by such scanning, an image corresponding to each color recording signal is created. Exposure will take place.

Note that the f-θ lens 77 is used to adjust the beam diameter on the photoreceptor 72 to a predetermined diameter.

As the deflector C, a galvanometer mirror, optical crystal deflector, etc. can be used. When deflection scanning is started by the laser beam, the beam scanning is detected by the laser beam index sensor 74, and beam modulation by the color recording signal is started.

The modulated beam is caused to scan over the photosensitive drum 72, which is charged with a negative charge by the charger 81.

Here, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to a color signal is formed on the photoreceptor 72 by main scanning by the laser beam and sub-scanning by the rotation of the photoreceptor 72. This electrostatic latent image is prepared as a unit for carrying out a developing process, and is subjected to contact reversal development by a developing device 82 containing developer to form a toner image. This toner image is transferred by the action of the transfer pole 11.1 onto the transfer paper P, which is a transfer medium, conveyed from the automatic paper feed cassette 90 or the manual paper feed table 117 in accordance with the image forming timing.

The developing device 82 is structured so that it can be freely attached to and removed from the main body of the apparatus as a process unit. Blue (B), green (G).

Allied developing units containing red (R) and black (BK) developers are prepared.

After the forward-bending developing device 82 is installed by engaging and being guided by two guide rails 2018 and 202 installed in the depth direction of the main body of the apparatus as shown in FIG. 4, the suppression lever 203 is manually operated. slide it to the left to set it in place.

That is, when the pressing lever 203 is rotated counterclockwise about its support shaft 204, the pressing portion 20 having a cam surface is rotated.
3A translates the pressure plate 206 supported by the upper and lower guide bins 205 to the left against the compression spring 207.

As a result, the upper and lower spring members 208 of the pressure plate 206
presses the right outer surface of the developing device 82 and moves it to the left against the biasing force of the developing device 82 and the return member 209.

The abutting roller 82B provided coaxially with the image forming sleeve 82A abuts a part of the circumferential surface of the photoreceptor 72, and the interval between the developing areas between the developing sleeve 82A and the drum surface is set at a constant interval. .

Further, when the pressing lever 203 is rotated clockwise, the pressing plate 206 is moved in parallel to the right by the action of the compression spring 207, and the spring member 208 is retracted, so that the developing 1i8
2 slides to the right by the action of the return member 209 and returns to a position where it can be taken out from the main body of the apparatus.

Through such operations, other developing devices containing the various types of developers described above can be easily installed and used.

The guide bins 205, spring members 208, and abutment rollers 82B are each provided in pairs in the depth direction of the developing device 82, so that the developing device 82 slides and moves in a well-balanced manner.

Each of the aforementioned developing units has three or four long cams 83A, 83B, 83C (83C) in the sliding direction as shown in FIG.
A microswitch SA is a detection member that is provided with one or more protrusions of any one of 3D) and is provided on the main body side facing the cam by being attached to the device main body.

The actuators of the switches S B and S C (SD) are pressed to turn the switches ON. Note that a photocoupler or the like may also be used as the detection member.

The relationship between the toner color in the developing device and the detection information obtained by the microswitch when this developing device is installed is as follows.

When the developing device for the specific color described above is installed, the microswitch for the specific color is turned ON, and the control unit drives the motor M shown in FIG. 2 based on the above detection information, and the filter shown below It is set at a position that crosses the optical path of the information conversion unit 42.

Further, the developing bias is also switched so that a developing bias corresponding to each developing device is applied during development. The above is performed regardless of the multicolor mode or monocolor mode, which will be explained below.

FIG. 6 shows an example of the panel configuration of the operation/display section E provided on the side of the document table 32, where Elo is a copy button and Elo is a copy button.
, l is the number display panel, El2 is the numeric keypad, E20 is the color display lamp, E21 is the developer replacement request display lamp,
E22 is a mode selection key, and E23 is a multicolor mode release key.

Mono (single color) color mode of the image forming apparatus of the present invention,
Although any of the multi (multicolor) color modes may be used as the standard mode, a case will be described in which the single color mode, which is frequently used by users and is easy to use, is set as the standard mode. Normally, the standard mode (single color mode) is selected when the power is turned on, and the standard state is restored after use in other modes. The operation is controlled differently.

Since the operation in the monochrome mode is similar to that in a general image forming apparatus,
This will be explained using figures.

When trying to form an image in normal monochrome mode,
When the power is turned on, the monochrome key lights up automatically, indicating that monochrome mode is selected. In the color display lamp E20, the lamp of the toner color of the attached developing device is lit. When you enter the number of copies using the numeric keypad E12, the number of copies display panel El
The number of sheets is displayed in f. Then copy button EI
When the O button is pressed, the input number of copies will be made. That is, the original image of the original 31 is scanned by the movement of the carriage 36 and the movable mirror unit 38 and read by the CCD 43. The CCD 43 photoelectrically converts the read optical image information and then performs signal processing, and sends it to the laser beam scanner 69.
The light is irradiated onto the rotating photoreceptor 72.

The photoreceptor 72 uniformly charged by the charger 81 forms a latent image by irradiation with a semiconductor laser, and is reversely developed by the developer 82 to become a toner image, which reaches the transfer portion Ill.

On the other hand, when there is transfer paper in the paper feed cassette 90 or the manual paper feed tray 117, the transfer paper is fed from the manual paper feed tray 117, stops once, and is synchronized with the toner image by the second paper feed roller 118. The paper is fed again in the shape of the image, and the transfer is performed by the action of the transfer pole 111. The transfer paper after the transfer is separated by the separation pole 112 and then transported by the transport means 113, and the toner image is melted and fixed onto the transfer paper by the fixing device 114.
Thereafter, the transfer paper is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 116.

The process when the monochrome mode is specified has been described above, and next, the process when the multicolor mode is selected will be explained. The multicolor mode includes a functional color mode and a full color mode, and its operation is shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 8(a) and 8(b). The operator presses the mode selection key E22 depending on the image to be copied.
Press the function key or full color key.

In the functional color mode, the toner colors of developer cartridges that are generally replaced and stacked are B,
G, R, BKI-toners are used, and full color mode requires superimposition of Y, M, C1-toners.

As mentioned above, as a matter of course, the color inserted into the developer cartridge is displayed on the color display lamp E20, so if the developed color is different, the color of the developer cartridge that the user desires will be determined at any point in the process up to this point. It goes without saying that replacement of the parts may be carried out as necessary.

First, when attempting to form an image in the functional color mode, the functional color mode is set by pressing the functional key. The pressed functional key lights up to indicate that the functional mode is maintained. When the desired number of copies is input using the numeric keypad E12, the number of copies is displayed on the number display panel Ell. Next, when the copy button EIO is pressed, the displayed number of transfer sheets is sequentially fed from the paper feed cassette 90, and the transfer sheets that have been moved along the rotating photoreceptor drum 72 without image formation and without toner images. ,
The sheet is carried into the fixing device 114 by the conveying means 113, heated with no toner attached, and discharged onto the sheet discharge tray 116 in a so-called blank firing state.

The operator sets the ejected dry sheets one by one or in large numbers on the manual paper feed tray 117 depending on the manual paper feeding method, and presses the copy button EIO.
The upper dry-printed paper is sequentially fed, and the toner image formed and developed by the toner color of the installed developing cartridge is transferred onto the blank-printed paper, fixed, and sequentially discharged by the number of sheets shown. The transfer paper is ejected. Set the transfer paper on the manual paper feed table 117 again, replace the developer cartridge with a cartridge of another desired color, replace the original if necessary, turn on the copy button EIO, and remove the replaced toner. A color image is superimposed onto the transfer paper.

In this way, copy images of two or more functional colors can be obtained on the transfer paper in a superimposed form with high precision. When the desired functional color copy is obtained, the multicolor mode release key E23 is pressed. By pressing the multicolor mode release key E23, the functional mode is released, the functional key turns off, and the mode returns to the monochrome copy mode. In order to ensure that the above operation flow is carried out in the image forming apparatus of this embodiment, after the blank paper is ejected, as long as the multicolor mode is maintained, automatic feeding from the automatic paper feeding cassette 90 is performed. Paper is prohibited by the control unit.

Of course, in addition to the above-mentioned B, G, R, and BK, so-called functional developing cartridges such as sepia and orange can be used as functional color developing colors, or C can be used instead of B, and C can be used instead of R. It is also possible to use a full color developing cartridge such as M.

Next, see Section 8 regarding the case of full-color copying.
This will be explained using the flowchart shown in FIG. In this case, press the full color mode key to set full color mode. The pressed full color mode key lights up to indicate that the full color mode is maintained. When the desired number of copies is input using the numeric keypad E12, the number of copies is displayed on the number display panel E11. Next, when the copy button EIO is pressed, the displayed number of transfer sheets is sequentially fed from the paper feed cassette 90, and the transfer sheets are transferred to the photosensitive drum 7, which rotates without image formation and does not have a toner image.
2, and the fixing device 11 is moved along the
4, the sheet is heated without any toner attached thereto, and is discharged onto the sheet discharge tray 116 in a dry state. If the developer cartridge installed in this image forming apparatus is a toner color cartridge of Y, M, or C, it will remain as is; if it is a toner color cartridge other than Y, M, or C, a developer replacement request message will be displayed. Lamp E21 blinks and it says Y.

Request that the developer cartridge be replaced with either M or C toner color developer cartridge. After installing either Y, M, or C developer cartridge, set the blank paper ejected onto the paper ejection tray 116 on the manual paper feed table 117, and press the copy button El.
When the O button is pressed, the blank sheets on the manual paper feed table 117 are sequentially fed, and a toner image of Y, M, or C toner color is transferred onto the blank sheets, fixed, and the displayed number of sheets are sequentially ejected. be done.

Here, Y other than any of Y, M, or C that was set earlier,
Replacement/installation of M and C color developer cartridges is required. For example, if development was performed using seven color toners in the previous image forming process, the developer replacement request indicator lamp E21 blinks until a developer cartridge of M color or 0 color is installed as the next toner color to be replaced.

For example, when a M color toner developer cartridge is installed,
The developer replacement request display lamp E21 goes out.

The operator sets the transfer paper discharged onto the paper output tray 116 on the manual paper feed tray +17, and turns on the copy button EIO to superimpose the replaced M color image on the Y color image transfer paper. The transfer paper with the two-color image that has been fixed is then discharged onto the manual paper feed table 117.

At step 22, the developer replacement request indicator lamp E21 flashes again until the developer cartridge of the last color among Y, M, and C, color 0 in this embodiment, is installed. Install the 0-color developer cartridge, set the transfer paper of the two-color image ejected onto the manual paper feed tray 117, and turn on the copy button EIO. The C color images overlap to obtain a full color copy image. When this series of flows is completed, the mode automatically returns to monochrome mode,
Automatic paper feeding from the automatic paper feed cassette, which was prohibited during copying, is also canceled.

In the above process, if the image forming apparatus includes a reading section, B,
One of complementary color filters is selected from G, R, (ND), etc. In addition to the above-mentioned embodiments, the writing system can be used in many ways, such as an image forming apparatus using an LED or a focusing optical member in addition to the above-mentioned laser embodiment. Those that do not have one (therefore, the filter is not replaced) can also be included in the present invention.

Note that the above standard mode can be set not only as a monochrome color mode as in the example, but also as a standard mode for both functional and full color multicolor modes. Time)
Alternatively, you can change and set the control system by setting the dip switch selection at the time of installation, or when the power is turned off, the mode display lamp of each mode selection key is extinguished, and by pressing the mode selection key, Various forms of control usage are possible, such as selecting this mode as the standard mode and not releasing it even when clearing a jam unless the main power supply is turned off.

Regarding the flowchart for full-color copying, in this embodiment, toner images can be superimposed on transfer paper from any of Y, M, and C, but the order of superimposition is M→ C-Y or C→M4Y, etc.
Of course, it is also possible to create a program so that the images are stacked in a preset order.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As is clear from the above description of the embodiments, although the image forming apparatus of the present invention has a manual feeding function and has a simple structure that allows replacement of a single color developing cartridge, The function is monochrome and multicolor.Furthermore, you can obtain a copy image in the desired mode for both functional color and full color for multicolor, and it is possible to automatically select the most frequently used mode regardless of the usage status. This makes it possible to provide a simple color image forming apparatus that is inexpensive, has many multifunctional uses, and reduces the burden on the user. In addition, especially when forming multi-color images, a program is built in that performs dry firing before transferring and fixing the toner image onto the transfer paper. It became something to have.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 to 9 show an embodiment of the present invention,
1 and 9 are cross-sectional configuration diagrams of the image forming apparatus, and FIG.
The figure is a perspective view of the filter converter, Figure 3 is a configuration diagram of the laser beam scanner, and Figure 4 is the developer (cartridge).
5 is a perspective view of the external appearance of the developing device (cartridge), FIG. 6 is a panel configuration diagram of the operation/display section, and FIG. 7 is a 70-chart diagram in monochrome mode (single color mode).
FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a multicolor mode, FIG. 8(a) is a flowchart of a functional mode, and FIG. 8(b) is a flowchart of a full color mode. A... Image reading section B... Image writing section 40
... Lens 41 ... Filter disk 42 ... Optical information conversion unit 43 ... CCD M ... Pulse motor 72 ... Photoreceptor (drum) 82 ... Developing device 82A.
・Developing sleeve 83A, 83B, 83G, 83D
...Cam S A, S B, S C, S D...
Micro switch 90...Automatic paper feed cassette lOO
... Cleaning device 114 ... Fixing device
117...Manual paper feed tray 118...Second paper feed roller EIO...Copy button Elf...Sheet number display panel E12...Numeric keypad E20...Color display lamp E21...Developer replacement Request display lamp E22・
・Mode selection key

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) One developing unit is replaceable and has mechanisms for automatic paper feeding and manual feeding of transfer material, and develops the latent image on the image carrier and transfers it onto the transfer material. Image forming devices that perform thermal fixing later have a monochrome mode and a multicolor mode, and when set to monochrome mode, by pressing the copy button, copies can be made automatically or manually onto transfer material fed by paper feed. At the same time, in multi-color mode, pressing the copy button will eject the fixed transfer paper without image transfer, and in subsequent multi-color modes, automatic paper feeding will be prohibited. An image forming apparatus characterized by having a monochrome mode as a standard mode. (2) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus automatically returns to the standard mode after the multicolor mode ends.