JPH06266191A - Image forming device and its process cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide an image forming device capable of easily changing image forming conditions even if consumables and parts in a process cartridge are exchanged for reuse, etc. CONSTITUTION:The image forming device is constituted so that the process cartridge 3 is freely attachably/detachably provided on the main body of the image forming device, and the card S of an information transmission means capable of being removed from the process cartridge 3 and transmitting the information of the image forming conditions, a reading part for the information transmission means 60 reading the information of the card S provided on the main body and further, a control part automatically setting the image forming conditions by the reading part 60 are provided as well.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and a process cartridge of the apparatus, and more particularly, to an image forming apparatus which is detachable from the process cartridge and reads the characteristic information of the process cartridge from the main body side, The present invention relates to the technology of a process cartridge of this device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, a mechanical means such as a cam integrally provided in a process cartridge detachably attached to a main body of the image forming apparatus, an electric connector such as an electric connector, or the like. There is a method in which the image forming conditions are automatically set by a mechanical means (for example, see Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 58-72159).

Further, the image forming conditions are automatically set by an electric means such as an IC card in which an IC integrated with a process cartridge which is detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus is incorporated. And, in addition,
There is a device in which an IC card can be inserted / removed if necessary (for example, see Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-144571).

[0004]

However, in the case of automatically performing the image forming condition by the mechanical means and the electric means integrally with the above-mentioned process cartridge, the change of the image forming condition of the process cartridge is required. However, even if the characteristics of the process cartridge change due to replacement of parts of the process cartridge or the like, it is difficult to change the characteristics. In addition, there is a problem in that it is generally complicated when an attempt is made to read information on a card or the like on the process cartridge side by the main body side.

Further, the process cartridge described above is
In the case where the C card is provided and the image forming condition is automatically performed by the electric means, it is difficult to rewrite the information of the IC card. The embedded card itself is often replaced, which is expensive. Further, there is a problem in that it becomes complicated when the information of the card on the process cartridge side is read by the main body side.

An object of the present invention is to solve the problems that occur when the process cartridge for image formation as described above is mounted on the main body. Another object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of easily changing the image forming conditions even if consumables or parts in the process cartridge are replaced for reuse. Another object is to provide a process cartridge in which the information transmitting member can be easily removed, and another object is to provide a card-like form as an information transmitting member that is easy to handle. Further, it is intended to enable a person who does not have specialized knowledge to always form a stable image.

[0007]

The above object can be achieved by the following constitutions. That is, (1) a process cartridge that has at least one or both of a photoconductor portion and a developing portion that is detachably attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus, and information about removable image forming conditions is transmitted to the process cartridge. An image comprising: an information transmitting means; a reading means provided on the main body for reading information of the information transmitting means; and a control means for automatically setting an image forming condition by the reading means. Forming device,
(2) A process cartridge having at least one or both of a photoconductor portion and a developing portion, which is detachably attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus, supplies information to the reading means of the main body according to the operation mode of the process cartridge. A process cartridge of an image forming apparatus characterized by having removable information transmitting means for giving (3) characterized in that the information transmitting means has a card-like form (1)
(4) The image forming apparatus according to the item (4), wherein the information transmitting means sets at least one image forming condition.
The image forming apparatus according to item (1), (5) in item (1),
The image forming apparatus includes an abnormality detection unit that detects an abnormality when the information transmitting unit has an abnormality.

[0008]

The present invention will be described below by taking a copying machine to which an electrophotographic method is applied as an example. 1 is a sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention in an operating state, FIG. 2 is a sectional view of FIG. 1 in an open state, FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a developing unit, and FIG. 4 is a relationship between a card and a reading section. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the process cartridge, and FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the electric control unit of the embodiment.

The main structure of the color image forming apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. 1. A is an image reading system, B is a laser writing system unit, C is an image forming unit, and D is a paper feeding unit. Is used to form a color image.

In the reading system A, 11 is a document table,
The original stored in the original table 11 is illuminated by a halogen lamp 13 mounted on a carriage 12 that slides in the horizontal direction. Movable mirror unit 15 has mirrors 16 and 17
Is attached, also slide horizontally,
In combination with the mirror 14 attached to the carriage 12, the optical image of the original is led to the lens reading unit 20.

The carriage 12 and the movable mirror unit 15 are driven via wires (not shown) connected to a stepping motor, and slide in the same direction.

The lens reading unit 20 includes a lens 21, a CCD 22 at an image forming position behind the lens 21, and a filter 23, which moves in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface, on the front surface of the lens 21. filter
Reference numeral 23 is used for color separation when reading a document on the document table 11, and includes a filter that allows red light and blue light to pass therethrough, and a neutral filter that allows all three color lights to pass therethrough. Filters are set so that a red filter corresponds to development with cyan (C) toner, a green filter corresponds to development with magenta (M) toner, and a blue filter corresponds to development with yellow (Y) toner. A neutral filter corresponds to the development with black (BK) toner. The color signal color-corrected according to the color of the toner is input to the laser writing system unit B, which is an exposing unit.

In the laser writing system unit B, a semiconductor laser (L) generated by a semiconductor laser (not shown) is used.
D) The beam is rotationally scanned by the polygon mirror 52 rotated by the drive motor 51, passes through the fθ lens 53, and is mirrored.
The optical path is bent by 54, and the scorotron charger 55 is used in advance.
Then, the peripheral surface of the photoconductor drum 30 of the photoconductor portion is uniformly scanned by the corona discharge by the grid and the corona discharge wire, and the LD light amount of the laser diode light amount is given. The photoconductor drum 30 is formed by coating an OPC photoconductor on the drum and is grounded and driven clockwise.

On the other hand, when the scanning is started, the beam is detected by the index sensor, the modulation of the beam by the first color signal is started, and the modulated beam scans the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 30. . Therefore, a latent image corresponding to the first color is formed on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 30 by the main scanning by the laser beam and the sub-scanning by the rotation of the photosensitive drum 30. In this embodiment, this latent image is developed by a developing device 31X in which a yellow (Y) toner (visual medium) is loaded, among a plurality of developing means provided in parallel, and a toner image is formed on the drum surface. To be done. The obtained toner image passes under the cleaning device 59 of the cleaning means, which is separated from the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 30 while being held on the drum surface, and enters the next copy cycle.

That is, the photoconductor drum 30 is recharged by the scorotron charger 55, and then the second color signal output from the signal processing unit is input to the writing system unit B and the above-mentioned first color signal is output. Writing on the drum surface is performed in the same manner as in the case of signals to form a latent image.
The latent image is developed as a second color by, for example, a developing device 31Y loaded with magenta (M) toner.

The magenta (M) toner image is formed in the presence of the previously formed yellow (Y) toner image. Reference numeral 31Z is a developing device having cyan (C) toner, which forms a cyan (C) toner image on the drum surface based on the image signal generated by the signal processing unit. Exchange and DC bias are applied to the sleeves of the developing devices 31X, 31Y, 31Z, non-contact development is performed by the two-component toner that is a developing means, and the photoconductor drum 30 is grounded.
The latent image portion is developed in a non-contact manner.

Thus, the color image formed on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 30 is transferred to the transfer pole 56 provided as transfer means.
In the above, the image is transferred onto the recording sheet of the recording medium sent from the sheet feeding section D by the sheet feeding belt, the feeding roller and the like. The recording paper on which the toner image has been transferred is separated from the drum surface by a separating electrode 57 and is carried into a fixing device 58 via a conveyor belt to fix the image.

On the other hand, the blade of the cleaning device 59 is attached to the photosensitive drum 30 in which the recording paper is separated from the peripheral surface of the drum.
59A contacts and removes the residual toner, and the cleaning roller 59B processes the residual cleaning toner.
After that, the drum is separated from the peripheral surface of the drum again, and a new color image forming process is started.

Next, the layout of each of the above-mentioned main components will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the image reading system A is housed in an independent dedicated housing and is mounted and mounted on the upper portion of the main body described later. ing.

An image recording system including the writing system B, the image forming unit C, and the paper feeding unit D is incorporated in the main body, and the image reading system is provided through a flexible cable group connected to the housing. The color signal from A is received.

The main body is divided into an upper housing and a lower housing, which are vertically separated from each other.
30 is located and faces the right peripheral surface of the developing device 31X, 31
Y and 31Z are arranged horizontally, while the scorotron charger 55 and the cleaning device 59 are provided on the left peripheral surface.
Are arranged.

The photosensitive drum 30, the developing devices 31X, 31
The Y, 31Z and the cleaning device 59 are not directly attached to a pair of front and rear substrates fixed to the main body, but are mounted to the process cartridge 3 which is removably incorporated in the upper casing of the main body so as to be bearing-supported or detachably attached. Has been.

The process cartridge 3 is composed of three similar panels whose frame structure is fixed to each other via stays or the like, and is formed by a pair of left and right guide members 4 with respect to the main body. It can be easily taken out and installed.

That is, the rails 4A are fixed to the left and right side edges of the process cartridge 3, and the guide rails 4B are fixed to the positions of the main body corresponding to the rails 4A, and the rails 4A are engaged with the guide rails 4B. Form a pair that can be slid and removed.

A storage case 71 is provided on the outer wall portion of the process cartridge 3 so that the card S of the information transmission means can be stored therein. When the process cartridge is mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus, the card S is taken out in advance and inserted into the reading section of the main body.

The card S, which is the information transmitting means for the image forming condition of the process cartridge, is made of a plastic sheet, and is stored in the storage case so that the string 72 does not separate from the string fixing portion 73 of the process cartridge 3. ing. S1, S2, S3 of the card S produce information on the grid output voltage value by the combination of presence or absence of protrusions, and S4, S5, S6 produce information of the LD output value on the drum by the combination of presence or absence of protrusions. S6 is a concave groove that detects the front and back of the card S, and Sb is a V-shaped groove that allows the card S to be fixed at a predetermined position. When the photoconductor drum of the process cartridge is replaced and the grid output value or the LD output value on the drum changes, the grid output value or the LD output value is input to a new card to replace the old card.

Table 1 below shows a combination table of presence / absence of S1, S2 and S3 protrusions of the grid output voltage value. In Table 1, the mark "○" indicates that there is a protrusion, and the mark "X" indicates that there is no protrusion. For example, if the grid output voltage is set to -685V, S1 of the card S
Only the position is protruding.

[0028]

[Table 1]

Further, the on-drum LD output values S4, S5,
Table 2 below shows a combination table with and without S6 protrusions. "○" in the table
The mark indicates that there is a protrusion, and the “x” mark indicates that there is no protrusion. For example, when the LD output on the drum is set to 167 μW, only the S4 position is protruding.

[0030]

[Table 2]

Further, a pair of left and right reference pins P are attached near the upper side edge of the rear surface of the panel,
The process cartridge 3 is suspended by engaging a hole provided in the hanging part (not shown) derived from the substrate before and after the main body is fixed, in that state.
The photoconductor drum 30 attached to each of the developing devices 31X, 31
Y, 31Z and the relative position of the cleaning device 59 with respect to the main body are set.

Therefore, when the handle 5 on the front surface of the panel is pulled out, the process cartridge 3 is pulled out from the rail 4B to the front of the main body, and when the handle 5 is pushed in, the reference pin P is not shown in the hanging portion. And the process cartridge 3 is suspended again and stored in the main body.

In the color image forming apparatus having the functions described above, the process cartridge 3 of this embodiment is attached to the upper casing and has a two-part structure which can be opened and closed with respect to the lower casing. FIG. 2 shows a state in which the upper housing is opened. In the color image forming apparatus of the present invention, the lower casing and the upper casing are provided with respect to the photoconductor drum 30 by developing units 31X and 31X.
In the example where Y and 31Z are located, the photosensitive drum is located near the one end surface.
A hinge 203, which serves as an opening / closing center, is provided parallel to the axis of 30. On the other side facing the hinge 203, an opening / closing fitting 204 is provided across the upper housing and the lower housing. Opening / closing bracket 2
04 is unlocked and the upper case is opened by lifting it clockwise in the figure. Between the lower housing and the upper housing, there is a balancing member and a lock member which are not shown in the figure and are constituted by a biased spring member and the like, and opening the upper housing in the clockwise direction in the figure does not require much force. Can be easily performed, and the open state is held by the lock member,
The open state is maintained even if you release your hand.

FIG. 3 shows a cross section of the developing unit 3A in which the developing units 31X, 31Y, 31Z are mounted, and the developing unit 3A constitutes a part of the process cartridge 3. The developing unit 3A is a housing having an opening on the side of the photosensitive drum 30, and a guide member 39 including a roller or the like inside.
Are provided and are arranged in parallel with each other.
31Z is a photosensitive drum guided by a guide member, and an elastic member 32 provided behind the developing device and biased.
The developing sleeve is pressed toward the side of 30, and the developing sleeve is maintained at a set distance from the photosensitive drum 30.

The reading unit 60 is incorporated in an optimum position independently of a part of the process cartridge of the main body, and reads the information of the card S. 4, 64 is a main body of the reading unit, 61 is a reading sensor for detecting the presence or absence of the protrusion Sa of the card S, 62 is a pin for fixing the card S, 63 is a spring for crimping the pin 62 to the card S, 64a Is a protrusion 64a for preventing the card S from being inserted backward.

When the card S is inserted into the reading section 60, the pin 62 is fitted in the card V groove Sc. On the other hand, the protrusion S of the card S
The LD output information of the grid output incorporated in a is taken out by the reading sensor 61. In addition,
The reading unit is attached to a part of the electric component unit of the main body (not shown) so that signals from the reading unit can be efficiently transmitted to the CPU.

Next, the electric control unit 80 will be described with reference to FIG. 6. Reference numeral 81 is a card reading unit for reading the information of the card S, 82 is a sequential control of the image forming apparatus, and the information of the card reading unit 81 is processed. CPU, 83 is a grid output value of the card reading unit, an adjusting unit of the image forming mechanism for adjusting each image forming mechanism based on the LD output value on the drum, and 84 is a warning when there is an information error in the card reading unit. , A warning display section. The CPU 82 controls the mechanism of each unit by the conventional technique. The card S constructed as described above
When the card is inserted into the card reading unit, the grid output value of the card S information and the LD output value on the drum are read and sent to the CPU 82. The CPU 82 transmits the grid output value to the adjusting unit 83 of the image forming mechanism and the LD output on the drum. Values are set individually.

Further, if there is a setting error that the combination of the protrusions S1 to S6 of the card S is not shown in Tables 1 and 2, the warning display section 84 displays it on the operation panel (not shown). There is. Even if the warning is displayed, the operation can be performed while issuing a warning of a predetermined value.

Next, the mounting of the reproduced process cartridge will be described. The grid output value changed by the reproduction from the storage case of the process cartridge and L
The card S having the D output value set therein is taken out and inserted into the reading section of the main body to read the information.

Next, as another embodiment, an example in which the process cartridge 3 is replaced and the color copy of the embodiment is switched to the black and white copy will be described. In the case of diverting the embodiment of FIG. 1, the process cartridge 3 for color copying and the card S are taken out, the card is taken out from the storage case of the process cartridge for black and white, and set in the reading section of the main body. The black-and-white copy information is incorporated into the card so that the color copy is switched to the black-and-white copy so that the black-and-white copy can be made.

Next, as another embodiment, a process cartridge including a developing portion will be described. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, assuming that the developing unit is an independent process cartridge, the card having the developing bias voltage value of the developing unit is first taken out from the storage case and set in the reading unit of the main body. At the same time as setting the development bias voltage value, the process cartridge is mounted on the main body.
An image is formed based on the developing bias voltage value of the image forming condition set by the above operation.

As the image forming conditions, in addition to the grid output, the LD output on the drum, and the developing bias voltage value which have already been described in the embodiments, the voltage of the discharging discharger of the latent image forming portion, the transfer for transferring with the image. The voltage of the discharger may be used, and any condition may be used as long as it is related to image formation.

Here, the information transmission means is not limited to the plastic sheet card S of the embodiment, but may be paper, various plastic sheets, metal plate or the like. Further, the method of inputting information is not limited to the combination method according to the embodiment depending on the presence or absence of protrusions, and may be a combination of punch holes, useful magnetism with a magnetic card, or a bar code.

Further, the card S of the process cartridge 3
Although the storage case 71 is provided on the right side wall in the embodiment, it may be located at any position in the process cartridge 3.

Further, as the reading means, an information signal written by a magnetic reading means may be read in addition to the optical reading means by transmitting and blocking the light of the embodiment.

[0046]

Since the present invention is constructed as described above, the following effects can be obtained.

According to the first aspect of the invention, the image forming conditions can be easily changed even if the consumables or parts in the process cartridge are replaced. In addition, it is possible to switch from black image formation to image formation of another color without complicated adjustment of the main body by simply replacing the process cartridge.

The invention of claim 2 provides a process cartridge in which the information transmitting member can be easily removed.

The invention of claim 3 is a card as an information transmitting member which is easy to handle.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since a large amount of information of the process cartridge is put in one information transmission member, the image forming apparatus can be controlled based on the large amount of information.

According to the fifth aspect of the invention, the function of checking whether the information of the information transmitting means is invalid or valid can prevent erroneous operation.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an operating state of an image forming apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the open state of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a developing unit.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a relationship between a card and a reading unit.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the process cartridge of the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an electric control unit according to the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 3 Process Cartridge 3A Development Unit 30 Photosensitive Drum 55 Scorotron Charger 60 Reading Unit 61 Reading Sensor 62 Pin 63 Spring 71 Storage Case 80 Electric Control Unit 82 CPU 83 Image Forming Mechanism Adjusting Unit 84 Warning Display S Card

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A process cartridge having at least one or both of a photoconductor portion and a developing portion, which is detachable from a main body of an image forming apparatus, and information of removable image forming conditions is transmitted to the process cartridge. An image comprising: an information transmitting means; a reading means provided on the main body for reading information of the information transmitting means; and a control means for automatically setting an image forming condition by the reading means. Forming equipment. 2. A process cartridge having at least one or both of a photoconductor portion and a developing portion, which is detachably attached to a main body of an image forming apparatus, serves as a reading means of the main body according to an operation mode of the process cartridge. A process cartridge for an image forming apparatus, comprising a removable information transmission means for giving information. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information transmitting means has a card-like form. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information transmitting unit sets at least one image forming condition. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an abnormality detection unit that detects an abnormality when the information transmission unit has an abnormality.