JP2003233277A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus which determines whether a process unit such as a developing cartridge which can be attached/detached is appropriate or not with an inexpensive and simple structure. <P>SOLUTION: Load units 23 to 27 have information tapes 30. Pieces of initial information such as a production number, a model number, and a production date are recorded on each information tape 30. The image forming apparatus 10 has the load units 23 to 27, a motor 31, a reading part 32, a display and operation panel 33, a CPU 34, a memory 35, and an image forming part 3. The CPU 34 stores matching information or the like concerning the load units 23 to 27 corresponding to the image forming apparatus 10, which are stored in the memory 35. The CPU 34 compares the matching information with the initial information of each of the load units 23 to 27 recognized by the reading part 32, and determines whether the load units 23 to 27 which are matching the image forming apparatus 10 are attached or not. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to, for example, a developing cartridge, a photoconductor cartridge, a transfer roller unit,
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus equipped with a detachable process unit such as a cleaning unit and a charging unit, and particularly to an image forming apparatus capable of determining the suitability of a mounted process unit with an inexpensive and simple configuration.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus, when a toner ratio (T / D) in a developer tank of a detachable process unit such as a developing cartridge decreases, the developing cartridge is replaced. , Replenishing developer.

There are various types of characteristics of the developer, such as the positive charging type and the reverse charging type, and the type of developer is determined depending on the manufacturer and type of the image forming apparatus.

However, the above-described replacement work of the developing cartridge is often performed by the user, and when a plurality of image forming apparatuses are installed in close proximity to each other, each installed image is Care must be taken to mount the appropriate developer cartridge on the forming device. In particular, when the makers are the same and the shapes of the developing cartridges are the same, there is a high possibility that an incorrect developing cartridge is erroneously mounted.

In order to solve such a problem, Japanese Patent Publication No. 4-62075 discloses an image forming apparatus in which a developing cartridge is provided with a storing means such as an IC chip.

According to the image forming apparatus of the above publication, the CPU
The suitability of the mounted developing cartridge can be determined based on the information stored in the storing means by the identifying means on the apparatus main body side such as. Further, it is also possible to read out and memorize the developer information (replenishment amount, lot number, etc.) and change the image forming process condition based on the information and the developer consumption amount.

[0007]

However, in the conventional image forming apparatus as described above, since an expensive IC chip or the like is used as the storing means, there is a problem that the cost of the entire apparatus increases. There is.

Furthermore, since it is necessary to read the information input to the storage means to determine the suitability of the cartridge, there is also the problem of complicated control.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is an image forming apparatus capable of determining the suitability of a detachable process unit such as a developing cartridge with a simple structure. To provide.

[0010]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a detachable mounting unit having a discrimination information section to which discrimination information regarding suitability for the apparatus is attached, and A reading unit that recognizes the discrimination information attached to the discrimination information unit, a storage unit that stores conformity information regarding a mounting unit that conforms to the apparatus, the discrimination information that is recognized by the reading unit, and the storage unit that stores the discrimination information. In the image forming apparatus provided with the compatibility determination unit that determines the compatibility of the mounted unit that is mounted based on the compatibility information, the determination information section is a tape-shaped recording member that records the determination information. It is characterized by that.

According to the above construction, it is possible to determine whether or not the mounting unit mounted on the image forming apparatus is suitable for the image forming apparatus with a low cost and simple structure.

That is, according to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, when the detachable mounting unit is mounted from the main body of the image forming apparatus, the discrimination information recorded on the tape-shaped recording member of the mounting unit is discriminated. The mounting unit is adapted to the image forming apparatus by comparing the discriminative information recognized by the reading unit by rotating the information unit and the recognized matching information stored in advance in the storage unit. It is possible to determine whether or not the unit is a mounting unit. As a result, the suitability of the mounting unit can be determined even with an inexpensive and simple structure such as a tape-shaped recording member without requiring an expensive member such as an IC chip.

Further, since the recording member is in the form of a tape, it is suitable for a magnetic tape, a light reflecting tape, a carbon film-attached tape, a perforated tape, etc. on which discrimination information such as a bar code is recorded. By using the reading means corresponding to these tapes, even when the information to be read is long and complicated, it becomes possible.

Therefore, not only the compatibility determination information of the mounting unit with respect to the image forming apparatus, but also the information such as the characteristics of the mounting unit can be recorded on the tape-shaped recording member, and such additional information is image-formed. It can be reflected in the conditions.

The mounting unit is a consumable item such as a developing cartridge, a photoconductor cartridge, a transfer roller unit, a cleaning unit, and a charging unit, and is a member that needs to be replaced.

It is more preferable that the drive means for providing the rotation drive for driving the mounting unit rotates the tape-shaped recording member together with the drive shaft of the mounting unit.

As a result, the driving means provided in the conventional image forming apparatus for driving the mounting unit is used, and the rotational driving of the driving means at the time of warm-up of the mounting unit is used as a discrimination information section. By rotating the tape-shaped recording member, the reading unit can easily recognize the identification information attached to the tape-shaped recording member. Therefore, it is not necessary to newly provide a driving unit such as a drive motor for determining the compatibility of the mounting unit, and the compatibility of the mounting unit can be determined with an inexpensive and simple configuration.

It is more preferable that the mounting unit includes a winding means for rewinding the tape-shaped recording member of the discrimination information section in a direction opposite to the rotation direction at the time of reading the discrimination information.

Thus, even if the tape reading is not successful, or if there is a power failure while reading the tape-shaped recording member in the discrimination information section, the tape-shaped recording member can be rewound. Thus, the discrimination information can be read again.

More preferably, a notifying unit for notifying the determination result of the compatibility determining unit is provided.

[0021] With this, it is possible to surely inform the user of conformity / nonconformity of the mounting unit, and if the user does not mount the nonconforming mounting unit,
It can be replaced with a suitable mounting unit.

Therefore, it is possible to prevent the image formation from being carried out while the improperly-fitted mounting unit is mistakenly mounted, and to always carry out the good image formation.

[0023]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of an image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 10 of this embodiment includes a scanner unit 1, a paper feeding unit 2, and an image forming unit 3.

The scanner unit 1 has a document table 11 made of transparent glass or the like on the upper surface, and a scanner optical system 12 is provided under the document table 11.

The scanner optical system 12 comprises an exposure light source 13 for irradiating a document placed on the document table 11 with light, a plurality of reflecting mirrors 14a to 14c, an image forming lens 15, and a CCD 16.

In the scanner optical system 12, the reflected light from the original of the light emitted from the exposure light source 13 is guided to the CCD (optical conversion element) 16 via the imaging lens 15 in the scanner optical system 12.

The image forming section 3 includes a sheet feeding roller 20 for conveying the sheet P from the sheet feeding section 2, a laser scanning unit (hereinafter referred to as LSU) 21, a reflecting mirror 22, a photoconductor cartridge (mounting unit) 23, and a developing unit. Cartridge (mounting unit) 24, charging unit (mounting unit)
25, a cleaning unit (mounting unit) 26, a transfer roller unit (mounting unit) 27, a discharge roller 28, and a discharge tray 29.

The original image data read by the CCD 16 is subjected to image processing by an image processing unit (not shown), and the LSU 21 causes the laser light to pass through the reflecting mirror 22 to the surface of the photoconductor 23 'in the photoconductor cartridge 23. And the electrostatic latent image is formed.

The photoconductor 23 'has a drum shape which is driven to rotate in the direction of the arrow. Around the photoconductor cartridge 23 having the photoconductor 23', the photoconductor 23 'rotates from the laser irradiation point. Along a direction, a developing cartridge 24 for developing the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photoconductor 23 'exposed by the laser into a visible image with toner, a transfer roller 27 for transferring the toner image on the photoconductor 23' to a sheet, A cleaning unit 26 and a charging unit 25 that charges the photoconductor 23 'to a predetermined potential are provided in this order.

In the image forming apparatus 10, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photoconductor 23 'based on the input image data, and the electrostatic latent image is developed by the developing roller of the developing cartridge 24 to form a toner image. An image is formed on the sheet P via the transfer roller of the transfer roller unit 27, and the sheet P on which the image is formed is ejected to the sheet ejection tray 29 by the ejection roller 28.

In the image forming apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, the photoconductor cartridge 23 and the developing cartridge 2 are provided as a mounting unit that can be detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus 10.
4, a charging unit 25, a cleaning unit 26, and a transfer roller unit 27.

Since the mounting units 23 to 27 are consumable items and need to be replaced by the user or maintenance company depending on the frequency of use, they are provided so as to be detachable from the image forming apparatus 10. Has been.

For example, the developing cartridge 24 stores a developing solution used for image formation, and the cartridge is replaced as soon as the developing solution is used up.

As shown in FIG. 1, the mounting units 23 to 27 included in the image forming apparatus 10 of this embodiment each include an information tape (discrimination information section) 30.

The information tape 30 has a mounting unit 23 to
Initial information (discrimination information) such as the manufacturing number, model number, and manufacturing date of each of the 27 is attached.

As described above, by recording the initial information on the tape-shaped recording medium, even if the information amount of the initial information is large, the occupied area of the discrimination information portion used for discriminating the suitability of the mounting units 23 to 27 can be reduced. Can be reduced.

On the other hand, the main body of the image forming apparatus 10 in which the mounting units 23 to 27 are mounted is a motor (driving means) 31.
A reading unit (reading unit) 32, a display / operation panel 33, and a CPU (suitability determining unit, notifying unit) 34
A memory (storage means) 35 and the image forming unit 3 described above.
It has and.

The motor 31 is a motor provided in a general image forming apparatus in order to give a rotational drive required for the operation of the mounting units 23 to 27. In the image forming apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, the motor 31 is connected to the information tape 3
It is possible to read the initial information by the reading unit (reading means) 32 that recognizes the initial information of the information tape 30 by also using 0 for rotational driving. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a new drive means for determining the compatibility of the mounting units 23 to 27,
The suitability of the mounting units 23 to 27 can be determined with an inexpensive and simple configuration. The specific configuration of the reading unit 32 will be described later in detail.

The display / operation panel 33 is used for the image forming apparatus 1.
The operation instruction of 0 is input, and the CPU 34 described later
Displays the result of the suitability determination of each of the mounting units 23 to 27.

The CPU 34 controls the driving of the image forming unit 3 and the motor 31, and stores the compatibility information and the like regarding the mounting units 23 to 27 corresponding to the image forming apparatus 10 stored in the memory 35, and the reading unit. Each currently installed mounting unit 23 recognized by 32
To 27 in the initial information, the image forming apparatus 10
It is determined whether or not the mounting units 23 to 27 conforming to are attached, and the display / operation panel 33 is notified of the determination result.

The memory 35 stores compatibility information regarding the mounting units 23 to 27 compatible with the image forming apparatus 10, destination information, and discrimination information attached to the mounting units 23 to 27 recognized by the reading unit 32. .

In this way, by notifying the result of the compatibility determination of the mounting units 23 to 27, the user can surely recognize that the mounted mounting units 23 to 27 are not compatible with the image forming apparatus 10, It can be replaced with a suitable mounting unit 23-27. Therefore, the user always attaches the mounting unit 23 suitable for the image forming apparatus 10.
Stable image formation can be performed in a state in which ~ 27 are mounted.

The destination information is the image forming apparatus 1
It is information that is determined for each destination depending on the use environment (room temperature, humidity, etc.) of 0 and the type of the sheet P (thickness and surface property of the sheet used in each country). Voltage condition to stabilize the charge amount of the
Change the image forming conditions such as the fixing temperature.

The mechanism for determining the suitability of the mounting units 23 to 27 in the image forming apparatus 10 of this embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. 3 to 7.

As shown in FIG. 3, each of the mounting units 23 to 27 comprises an information tape unit 40, a drive shaft 41, a drive gear 42, and a reverse winding reel 43.

In the information tape unit 40, as shown in FIG. 4A, in the initial state, the information tape 30 is wound around the rotary shaft 45a, and the other end of the information tape 30 is centered around the rotary shaft 45b. Intermediate roller 46 rotating
Is connected to a clutch 44 that rotates around the drive shaft 41.

Then, when the information tape 30 is read by the sensor 32a as a reading means, FIG.
As shown in (b), the rotational drive of the motor 31 is applied to the drive shaft 41, and the clutch 44 rotates to rotate the rotary shaft 45.
The information tape 30 wound around a moves to the drive shaft 41 side. At that time, the set of sensors 32a arranged so as to sandwich the moving information tape 30 recognizes the discrimination information regarding the mounting units 23 to 27 recorded on the information tape 30.

Then, the CPU 34 of FIG. 1 determines whether or not the determination information obtained above matches the matching information stored in the memory 35, and displays the determination result on the display / operation panel 33.

As described above, according to the configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 of this embodiment, it is determined whether or not the mounted mounting units 23 to 27 are compatible with the image forming apparatus 10 with a cheap and simple configuration. can do.

Further, as described above, each mounting unit 23-
In the case where the information tape 30 is not properly operated at the time of performing the determination of No. 27, or the determination is not performed properly due to a power failure during the determination operation, FIG. ), The reverse reel 43 is used to transfer the information tape 30 wound around the drive shaft 41 to the rotary shaft 45.
It is also possible to rewind to the side of a, and this makes it possible to make another determination.

Here, the reading unit 32 shown in FIG. 1 will be specifically described.

As shown in FIG. 5A, the reading unit 32 included in the image forming apparatus 10 of the present embodiment is as follows.
The reflective optical sensor 50 can be used.

The reflection type optical sensor 50 is provided with a light emitting section 50a and a light receiving section 50b connected to the CPU 34, and at an angle such that the reflected light is incident from the light emitting section 50a to the light receiving section 50b, as shown in FIG. By irradiating the information tape 30 composed of a light reflecting tape with a bar code, as shown in), the information tape 30 is irradiated on the information tape 30 according to the detection result of detecting the reflected light by the light receiving section 50b. It is possible to recognize the recorded discrimination information.

Besides this, as shown in FIG. 6A, C
The reading unit 32 may be arranged so that the light emitting diode 51 and the photodiode 52 connected to the PU 34 sandwich the information tape 30.

In such a reading unit 32, the light emitting diode 51 irradiates the information tape 30 with light, and when the light is transmitted, the photodiode 52 receives the light. The recorded discrimination information can be recognized.

As shown in FIGS. 6B and 6C, the information tape 30 corresponding to the reading section 32 including the light emitting diode 51 and the photodiode 52 has a transmissive portion and a non-transmissive portion (reflective portion). (Part) is more preferable. Further, as shown in FIG. 6 (d), a perforated tape with holes may be used as the transmission part.

Further, as another example of the reading section 32, as shown in FIG. 7A, there is an electrical continuity sensor 53 having a terminal A and a terminal B connected to the CPU 34.

This electrical continuity sensor 53 is shown in FIG.
As shown in, by applying a voltage in the width direction of the information tape 30 to the information tape 30 in which the carbon film is attached in the form of a bar code, the information is detected by the detection result of the current flowing only at the position of the carbon film. The discrimination information recorded on the tape 30 can be recognized.

Among the reading units 32 as described above, the electrical continuity sensor 53 shown in FIG. 7A is the most inexpensive, and therefore it is more preferable to use the electrical continuity sensor 53.

In the present embodiment, the reading unit 32 has been described by taking the above example, but the present invention is not limited to this. In addition to this, any sensor or reader capable of reading the discrimination information attached to the mounting units 23 to 27 can obtain the same effect as that obtained by the present invention.

Here, the compatibility determination process of the mounting units 23 to 27 in the image forming apparatus 10 of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, in S1, the mounting units 23-
When 27 is attached, it is detected in S2 whether or not the attachment units 23 to 27 are attached.

At this time, if the mounting units 23 to 27 are not attached, an error is displayed on the display / operation panel 33 or the like in S13, and the compatibility determining step is ended in S14.

On the other hand, when it is confirmed that the mounting units 23 to 27 are mounted, in S3,
The rotation of the motor 31 is started to warm up the mounting units 23 to 27.

Subsequently, in S4, it is detected whether or not the discrimination information of the information tape 30 attached to the mounting units 23 to 27 is read in association with the rotation of the motor 31 in S3.

At this time, when the reading of the discrimination information of the mounting units 23 to 27 has already been completed and there is no discrimination information in the present process, the memory 3 is determined in S10.
On the condition that the unit information other than the discriminating information regarding the mounting units 23 to 27 is recorded in No. 5, this is acquired in order to reflect it in the image forming condition and the like. And S1
In 1, it is detected whether or not there is error information in the obtained unit information. If there is error information, S
At 12, the rotation of the motor 31 is stopped, an error is displayed at S13, and the process ends at S14. on the other hand,
When there is no error information in S11, the ready (standby) state is set in S9 as it is, and the compatibility determination step is ended in S14.

Further, in S4, the mounting unit 23
When the information tapes 30 to 27 have the discrimination information, the initial information as the discrimination information attached to the mounting units 23 to 27 is acquired by the reading unit 32 in S5.

Then, in S7, the conformity information including the production lot, the destination / specification information and the like is acquired from the memory 35,
In S <b> 6, the initial information of the mounting units 23 to 27 is compared with the compatibility information to determine whether the currently mounted mounting units 23 to 27 are compatible with the image forming apparatus 10.

If the conformity information recorded in the memory 35 does not match the discrimination information attached to the mounting units 23 to 27, that is, if it is discriminated that there is no conformity, then in S12. The rotation of the motor 31 is stopped, and S
An error message is displayed in 13 and the compatibility determination process is terminated in S 14.

On the other hand, when the matching information recorded in the memory 35 and the discrimination information attached to the mounting units 23 to 27 match, that is, the mounting units 23 to 27 currently mounted are connected to the image forming apparatus 10. If it matches, the initial information of the mounting units 23 to 27 is stored in the memory 35 in S8, the ready (standby) state is set in S9, and the compatibility determining process of the mounting units 23 to 27 is finished in S14. To do.

Further, in the image forming apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, when a trouble occurs such as when the information tape 30 is not read properly, the mounting units 23 to 23 are attached in accordance with an emergency flowchart shown in FIG.
It is possible to determine the compatibility of 27 with the image forming apparatus 10.

That is, in the above steps S1 to S14, when the compatibility determination step is started and the determination information attached to the information tape 30 cannot be read, FIG.
As shown in, the emergency compatibility determination step is started in S15.

Subsequently, the user takes out a predetermined mark sheet from a box or the like placed near the image forming apparatus 10 and S
16, the currently installed mounting unit 23 to
Enter the discrimination information corresponding to 27.

Then, in S17, the entered mark sheet is read by the scanner unit 1 of the image forming apparatus 10 to obtain the initial information, and then compared with the conformity information recorded in the memory 35 in the same manner as described above, and attached. It is possible to determine whether or not the attached units 23 to 27 are suitable for the image forming apparatus 10.

Then, in S18, the initial information is stored in the memory 35, and in S19, the compatibility determining process of the mounting units 23 to 27 in an emergency is completed.

Further, the mark sheet used in such an emergency suitability determining step may be the mark sheet as shown in FIG.

This mark sheet is attached to the mounting unit 23-
It is provided with 27 names, product information, and a mark portion marked by the user, and the compatibility can be determined by scanning the marking portion with the scanner portion.

In this embodiment, the detachable mounting unit has been described by taking the developing cartridge, the photoconductor cartridge, the transfer roller unit, the cleaning unit and the charging unit as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. . For example, as long as it is a member other than this and is detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus, the same effect as above can be obtained by providing the same discrimination information section as above.

Further, in the image forming apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, an example in which the information tape 30 is provided as the discrimination information section attached to the mounting units 23 to 27 has been described, but the invention is not limited to this. is not. For example, as a substitute for the information tape 30, even when a rotatable discrimination information section with discrimination information such as a bar code is provided on the side surface of the column of a cylindrical member, the mounting units 23 to 23 can be used similarly to the above.
By using the rotational driving of the 27 driving motor 31 as it is, the reading unit such as a sensor reads the discrimination information including the unit information and the like, and the suitability of the mounting units 23 to 27 is determined with a simple and inexpensive configuration. be able to.

Further, regarding each configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 described in the present embodiment, even when each is used alone or when each configuration is used in an arbitrary combination, it is peculiar to the present invention. The effect of can be obtained.

[0082]

As described above, the image forming apparatus of the present invention has a structure in which the discrimination information section is a tape-shaped recording member recording the discrimination information.

Therefore, it is possible to determine whether or not the mounting unit mounted on the image forming apparatus is suitable for the image forming apparatus with an inexpensive and simple structure.

That is, according to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, it is not necessary to use an expensive member such as an IC chip, and the compatibility of the mounting unit can be achieved even with an inexpensive and simple structure such as a tape-shaped recording member. It is possible to make a distinction.

Further, since the recording member is in the form of tape, it is possible to deal with the case where the information to be read is long and complicated.
Therefore, not only the compatibility determination information of the mounting unit with respect to the image forming apparatus, but also the information such as the characteristics of the mounting unit can be recorded on the tape-shaped recording member, and these additional information is reflected in the image forming condition. be able to.

It is more preferable that the drive means for providing the rotation drive for driving the mounting unit rotates the tape-shaped recording member together with the drive shaft of the mounting unit.

Therefore, by using the driving means provided in the conventional image forming apparatus for driving the mounting unit, the rotational driving of the driving means at the time of warming up the mounting unit is used as a discrimination information section. By rotating the tape-shaped recording member, the reading unit can easily recognize the identification information attached to the tape-shaped recording member. Therefore, it is not necessary to additionally provide a driving unit such as a drive motor for determining the compatibility of the mounting unit, and it is possible to perform the compatibility determination of the mounting unit with an inexpensive and simple configuration.

It is more preferable that the mounting unit includes a winding means for rewinding the tape-shaped recording member of the discrimination information section in a direction opposite to the rotation direction at the time of reading the discrimination information.

Therefore, the tape-shaped recording member is rewound even in an emergency such as when the reading of the tape is not successful or a power failure occurs during the reading of the tape-shaped recording member of the discrimination information section. As a result, it is possible to read the discrimination information again.

It is more preferable to provide an informing unit for informing the determination result of the compatibility determining unit.

Therefore, the user can be surely informed of conformity / nonconformity of the mounting unit, and the user can
If an incompatible mounting unit is mounted, it can be replaced with a compatible mounting unit. Therefore, there is an effect that it is possible to prevent image formation from being performed by mistakenly mounting the incompatible mounting unit, and to always perform good image formation.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing specific internal components of the image forming apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a side view showing a configuration of a mounting unit mounted on the image forming apparatus of FIG.

4A to 4C are cross-sectional views showing an initial state before reading the information tape of the mounting unit of FIG. 6, a state during reading, and a state during rewinding in the reverse direction, respectively.

5A is a front view showing an example of a reading unit of the information tape of FIG. 1, and FIG. 5B is a plan view showing an example of an information tape corresponding to the reading unit.

6A is a front view showing another example of the reading section of the information tape of FIG. 1, and FIGS. 6B to 6D are other examples of the information tape corresponding to the reading section. It is a top view shown.

7A is a front view showing still another example of the reading section of the information tape of FIG. 1, and FIG. 7B is a plan view showing still another example of the information tape corresponding to the reading section. It is a figure.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a procedure for determining suitability of a mounting unit, which is performed by the image forming apparatus of FIG.

9 is a flowchart showing an emergency procedure when the information tape of FIG. 1 cannot be read.

FIG. 10 is a plan view showing an input sheet used in an emergency of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Scanner section 2 paper tray 3 Image forming section 10 image forming apparatus 11 Platen 12 Scanner optical system 13 Light source for exposure 14a-14c Multiple reflecting mirrors 15 Imaging lens 15 16 CCD 20 paper feed rollers 21 Laser scanning unit (LSU) 22 Reflector 23 Photoconductor cartridge (mounting unit) 24 Development cartridge (mounting unit) 25 Charging unit (mounting unit) 26 Cleaning Unit (Mounting Unit) 27 Transfer roller unit (mounting unit) 28 Discharge roller 29 Output tray 30 Information tape (discrimination information section) 31 motor (driving means) 32 Reading unit (reading means) 32a sensor 33 Display and operation panel 34 CPU (compatibility determination means, notification means) 35 memory (storage unit) 40 Information tape unit (discrimination information section) 41 drive shaft 42 Drive gear 43 Reverse winding reel (winding means) 44 clutch 50 Reflective optical sensor (reading means) 51 Light emitting diode (reading means) 52 Photodiode (reading means) 53 Electrical continuity sensor (reading means)

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Yoshifumi Yoneya             22-22 Nagaikecho, Abeno-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka             Inside the company F term (reference) 2H027 DA27 DD02 DE02 DE07 HB05                       HB13 HB14 HB15 HB16                 2H071 BA03 BA13 BA33 BA34 BA37                       DA06 DA08 DA13 DA15

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A detachable mounting unit having a discrimination information section to which discrimination information regarding suitability for an apparatus is attached, a reading unit for recognizing the discrimination information attached to the discrimination information section, and an attachment suitable for the apparatus. A suitability discriminating unit for discriminating the suitability of the mounted unit mounted on the basis of the storage unit storing the suitability information about the unit, the discrimination information recognized by the reading unit, and the suitability information stored in the storage unit. In the image forming apparatus, the discrimination information section is a tape-shaped recording member recording the discrimination information. 2. The image according to claim 1, wherein the drive means for providing a rotational drive for driving the mounting unit rotates the tape-shaped recording member together with the drive shaft of the mounting unit. Forming equipment. 3. The mounting unit includes a winding means for rewinding the tape-shaped recording member of the discrimination information section in a direction opposite to the rotation direction at the time of reading the discrimination information. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an informing unit for informing a determination result of the compatibility determining unit.