EP0266946B1 - Adaptiereinrichtung für eine Entwicklungsvorrichtung sowie Bilderzeugungsgerät und Entwicklungsvorrichtung - Google Patents

Adaptiereinrichtung für eine Entwicklungsvorrichtung sowie Bilderzeugungsgerät und Entwicklungsvorrichtung Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0266946B1
EP0266946B1 EP87309441A EP87309441A EP0266946B1 EP 0266946 B1 EP0266946 B1 EP 0266946B1 EP 87309441 A EP87309441 A EP 87309441A EP 87309441 A EP87309441 A EP 87309441A EP 0266946 B1 EP0266946 B1 EP 0266946B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
developing device
accommodating
image forming
gear
driving
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP87309441A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0266946A2 (de
EP0266946A3 (en
Inventor
Toshirou Kasamura
Masashi Ohashi
Toshihiko Kusumoto
Naoki Okuda
Akiyoshi Kimura
Minoru 1-16-42-303 Inadazutsumi Nada
Masamichi Ikeda
Nobukazu Sasaki
Katsumi Munenaka
Yasuhide Canon-Ryo Hishikawa
Yasunori Maeda
Yoshikuni Toyama
Ken Tanabe
Takashi Ozawa
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Canon Inc
Original Assignee
Canon Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from JP61256215A external-priority patent/JPS63109466A/ja
Priority claimed from JP61256214A external-priority patent/JPS63109465A/ja
Priority claimed from JP61256216A external-priority patent/JPS63109467A/ja
Priority claimed from JP61256217A external-priority patent/JPH0625884B2/ja
Priority claimed from JP61256218A external-priority patent/JPS63109469A/ja
Priority claimed from JP61265097A external-priority patent/JPS63118769A/ja
Priority claimed from JP61265095A external-priority patent/JPH0642097B2/ja
Priority claimed from JP61268390A external-priority patent/JPS63121877A/ja
Priority claimed from JP61268386A external-priority patent/JPS63121874A/ja
Priority claimed from JP61268389A external-priority patent/JPH0642098B2/ja
Priority claimed from JP61274585A external-priority patent/JPH0625885B2/ja
Priority claimed from JP61274586A external-priority patent/JPH0627956B2/ja
Priority claimed from JP62052902A external-priority patent/JPS63220180A/ja
Priority claimed from JP62159816A external-priority patent/JPS644771A/ja
Priority claimed from JP62167920A external-priority patent/JPH0625886B2/ja
Priority claimed from JP62167921A external-priority patent/JPS6413164A/ja
Priority claimed from JP62171181A external-priority patent/JPS6415765A/ja
Application filed by Canon Inc filed Critical Canon Inc
Publication of EP0266946A2 publication Critical patent/EP0266946A2/de
Publication of EP0266946A3 publication Critical patent/EP0266946A3/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0266946B1 publication Critical patent/EP0266946B1/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
    • G03G15/06—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for developing
    • G03G15/08—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for developing using a solid developer, e.g. powder developer
    • G03G15/0896—Arrangements or disposition of the complete developer unit or parts thereof not provided for by groups G03G15/08 - G03G15/0894
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
    • G03G15/01—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for producing multicoloured copies
    • G03G15/0105—Details of unit
    • G03G15/0126—Details of unit using a solid developer

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an apparatus for accommodating plural developing device for an image forming apparatus such as copying machine, recording machine and printer and to an image forming apparatus and a developing apparatus usable therewith, more particularly to such apparatuses wherein the developing device is detachably mountable into the image forming apparatus.
  • a developing apparatus is set in place in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine by an expert service operator, and thereafter, the user operator does not take the developing device out of the copying machine. Therefore, it has been dominant that a service man manually inserts the developing device into the assembly to a position, for example, a position where the developing device is near a photosensitive member but is not contacted to the photosensitive member, and then, a manual lever is operated to urge the developing device to the photosensitive drum to correctly position it with respect to the photosensitive member.
  • This type is disclosed in U.S. Patents Nos. 4,373,468 and 4,583,832, for example.
  • the non-uniform distribution of the developer in the container is solved by stirring the developer, and in consideration of variations in the manner of handling by various users, the stirring period is made relatively longer to cover wide variations. Therefore, the time required until a first copy is obtained is long after the developing device is exchanged, or after the developer is supplied in the type of the device wherein the developing device is demounted from the apparatus to supply the developer. Where the developing device is limited by a stopper when the developing device is mounted into the apparatus, the degree of resulting non-uniform distribution of the developer and the scattering vary depending on the speed at which the user abuts the developing device to the stopper.
  • the mounting operation is like closing a drawer by the user, and therefore, the shock imparted to the developing device is different depending on the user's peculiarity in the force of mounting it. If it is strong, the strong shock is applied in the longitudinal direction of the developing device (in the system wherein the developing device is inserted through a front door of the apparatus in a direction of a generating line of a photosensitive drum contained therein), the developer in the container becomes non-uniformly distributed in the longitudinal direction. And, the developer having been urged to the rear side may blow out through a clearance around a cover of the developing device to scatter out.
  • a toner bottle containing a supply of developer to be replenished is shaked so as to increase the fluidability of the developer in order for the developer therein to be completely removed from the developer bottom into the container of the developing device. This makes the developer easy to scatter.
  • the developer contained in the developer container in the developing device usually has been kept stationary for a relatively long period of time, and therefore, the fluidability is not so high.
  • stirring means such as stirring rod. Therefore, the time period for pre-rotation of the photosensitive member to prepare the apparatus for image forming operation, has to be longer. This also results in the longer time period to the first copy from the start of the copying apparatus.
  • an apparatus accommodating a plurality of developing devices, comprising: an accommodating case movable in a first direction, including plural partition stages arranged in the first direction for movably accommodating the plural developing devices and a drive receiving member for receiving driving force to move the accommodating case in the first direction; means for mounting said accommodating case to an image forming apparatus including an image bearing member means for forming a latent image on said image bearing member , a conveying passage extending toward said image bearing member to guide a selected one of the developing devices; a moving mechanism for engaging with a selected one of the developing devices on the partition stages to move the selected developing device relative to the partition stage into said conveying passage in a second direction crossing with the first direction; characterised in that: each of said developing devices is provided with first and second drive receiving portions at respective lateral side portions thereof with respect to the second direction; and said moving mechanism has first and second drive transmission members engageable with such the first and second drive receiving portions of the selected developing device , respectively to apply to them substantially the same driving forces.
  • Figure 1 is a sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 2 is a partial top plan view of the image forming apparatus illustrating a developer moving means.
  • Figure 3 is a side view of the developer moving means.
  • Figure 4 is a sectional view taken along a line IV-IV.
  • Figure 5 is a perspective view of the image forming apparatus seen from the developer accommodating device side.
  • Figure 6 is an enlarged perspective view of Figure 5.
  • Figure 7 is a flow chart illustrating a part of operations in the apparatus shown in Figure 1.
  • Figure 8 is a sectional view illustrating junction between the image forming apparatus and the developing device accommodating apparatus.
  • Figure 9 is a top plan view illustrating another example other than Figure 8 example.
  • Figure 10 is a sectional view further illustrating a major part of Figure 9 arrangement.
  • Figure 11 is a sectional view illustrating movement of the developing device according to a first example.
  • Figure 12 is a side view of Figure 11 arrangement.
  • Figure 13 is a sectional view illustrating a further preferable second example of the developing device moving mechanism.
  • Figure 14 is a sectional view further illustrating the second example.
  • Figures 15 - 17 are top, front and top views illustrating a linking member between the image forming apparatus and the developing device accommodating apparatus.
  • Figures 18 - 23 illustrate a relation between the developing device accommodating apparatus and a mechanism for manually feeding a copy sheet.
  • Figures 24 and 25 are sectional views illustrating a developer collecting means for developing passages.
  • Figure 26 is a perspective view of an apparatus which is a modification of Figure 21 apparatus.
  • Figures 27 - 31 illustrate a safety mechanism for the apparatus for accommodating plural developing devices.
  • Figure 32 illustrates a modification of Figures 13 and 14 structures.
  • Figure 33 is a sectional front view in a structure according to Figures 32 and 13.
  • Figure 34 is a sectional front view illustrating a second example of the developing device moving means in accordance with Figure 32 structure.
  • Figure 35 is a front sectional view of a part of an image forming apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 36 is a side view illustrating Figure 35 embodiment.
  • Figures 37 and 38 illustrate a third example of the moving means.
  • an image forming apparatus more particularly a copying machine in this example, used with an apparatus for accommodating plural developing devices according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the exemplified image forming apparatus is capable of performing images on the opposite sides of a sheet in different colors and capable of forming superimposed images in different colors.
  • an original 2 placed on an original supporting platen glass 1 is illuminated by a lamp 3, and the resulting image light is introduced onto a photosensitive drum (image bearing member) 11 by way of an optical system including a reflecting mirrors 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 and zoom lens 10.
  • the lamp 3 and the mirror 4 and the mirrors 5 and 6 are moved at predetermined respective speeds in the direction indicated by an arrow A to scan the original 2.
  • the photosensitive drum 11 is rotating in the direction indicated by an arrow B while being uniformly charged by a primary charger 12.
  • a chromatic color developing device 13C Adjacent to the surface of the photosensitive drum 11, there are provided a chromatic color developing device 13C containing a chromatic color developer (green, for example) and a black developer 14 containing black developer.
  • the developing devices 13C and 14 are movable in directions C and C ⁇ , C", respectively to access to the photosensitive drum 11 in accordance with selection of the color to develop the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 11 into a visualized image.
  • Figure 1 is shown as the chromatic developing device (green developing device, for example) 13C being disposed away from its operative position, while the black developing device 14 being in its operative position close to the photosensitive drum 11, so that a black image can be formed on the photosensitive drum 11.
  • the developed image is transferred onto a sheet of paper (recording medium) by a transfer charger 15. Thereafter, the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 is conveyed to the cleaning means which is a cleaning station 16 where the remaining toner is removed from the surface of the photosensitive drum 11, so that it is prepared for the next image forming operation.
  • the sheet 17 is fed in the following manner. There are several types of supplying means for supplying the sheet 17 to an image forming station including a photosensitive drum 11. In a first type, the sheet 17 accommodated in an upper cassette 18 is fed to the roller couple 12 by a pickup roller 19. The roller couple 17 is effective, when two or more sheets 17 are fed out, to separate the topmost sheet 17 and supply it to the image forming station.
  • the sheet 17 accommodated in the lower cassette 18 is fed to a roller couple 26 by a pickup roller 19, in the similar manner as described above.
  • the registration roller 23 once stops the coming sheet 17 and starts to rotate in timed relationship with the developed image formed on the photosensitive drum 11 to align the image with the sheet.
  • the sheet 17 is advanced to the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 by way of a top guide 31 and a bottom guide 32.
  • the sheet 17 receives the image from the photosensitive drum 11 by the operation of a transfer charger 15.
  • the sheet 17 is then separated from the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 by the separating charger 34 and is further advanced through the conveying passage 34 to an image fixing device 35 which contains a heating roller and a pressing roller.
  • an image fixing device 35 which contains a heating roller and a pressing roller.
  • the fixing device 35 the sheet 17 is heated and pressed so that the image on the sheet 17 is fixed into a permanent image.
  • the sheet 17 is transported to a first discharge roller 36 and is further transported to a second discharging roller 39 by a flappers 37 and 38, by which it is discharged out of the apparatus.
  • the flapper 38 is shown as closing the sheet passage, but since the flapper 38 is made of a light and soft material, and therefore, is flexible in the direction indicated by an arrow D, the flapper 38 is raised by the leading edge of the sheet 17 when it passes, so that the flapper 38 does not obstruct the passage of the sheet 17.
  • the sheet 17 is transported in the same manner as described above (simplex image formation mode) so that an image of the original is transferred and fixed on one side (the first side) of the sheet.
  • the sheet is transported to the second discharging roller 39 and is further advanced thereby to an unshown tray.
  • the trailing edge of the sheet 17 is detected by a sheet detecting mechanism comprising a detecting lever 40 and a photosensor 41, and after a predetermined time elapses (i.e.
  • the second discharging roller 39 starts to reversely rotate so as to reinsert it into the apparatus.
  • the sheet 17 is transported back with the then trailing edge leading, along the flapper 38, a left side inclined surface of the flapper 37 and the guiding plate 42. Further, it is transported by way of the guiding plate 43 and 44 and is advanced to the roller 45 with its facing orientation reversed.
  • the sheet 17 is further advanced to a lateral registration roller 47 through a roller 46. At this time, the lateral registration roller 47 is at rest, so that the leading edge of the sheet 17 abuts the nip of the rollers 47, and thereafter, the roller couples 45 and 46 stop.
  • the lateral registration roller 47 starts to rotate so as to supply the sheet 17 along guiding plates.
  • a lateral edge of the transfer sheet 17 is detected by a photosensor, and the lateral registration roller 47 corrects the lateral position of the sheet 17 in the direction perpendicular to the movement direction of the sheet 17, that is, perpendicular to the sheet of drawing, so as to align the lateral edge with the lateral edge position at the first image formation.
  • the operations after the sheet 17 reaches the registration roller 23 are similar to the simplex image forming operations as described above. After an image is formed on the second side of the sheet 17, the sheet is discharged to the outside tray by the second discharging roller 39.
  • the first image formation operation is the same as the image formation in the simplex mode described hereinbefore.
  • the flapper 37 is placed at a position indicated by broken lines, and therefore, the sheet 17 is discharged by the first discharging roller 36 and is transported to the guides 42 and 43 along the right side inclined surface of the flapper 37. Further, it is conveyed to the roller 45 along the guides 43 and 44. Then, the sheet 17 reaches the lateral registration roller 47 by a roller 46.
  • a predetermined period of time elapses after the trailing edge of the sheet 17 is detected by the detecting lever 40 and the photosensor 41, the flapper 37 is reset to the solid line position.
  • the lateral registration roller 47 starts to rotate.
  • the lateral shifting of the sheet 17 is the same as the case of the second side image formation in the duplex image forming operation.
  • the foregoing explanation has been made as to the case where two images are superimposed, but a greater number of images may be superimposed, in which the movements of the sheet are basically the same.
  • the resetting of the flapper 37 from the broken line position to the solid line line position is performed only prior to the final image formation.
  • the developing device accommodating apparatus 150 is optionally attached to an outside of the image forming apparatus 100, in this embodiment.
  • the accommodating apparatus 150 can optionally be attached to an outside of the image forming apparatus 100 when a chromatic color image formation is desired using a chromatic color developing device other than black developing device which is fixed in the apparatus 100 in this embodiment. Then, a desired color developing device is conveyed and supplied to the neighborhood of the photosensitive drum 11 in the image forming apparatus 100.
  • the accommodating apparatus 150 includes as a main body an accommodating case 151 provided with partition bottom walls or stages 151a, 151b, 151c and 151d which are formed integral with the case 151.
  • partition stages 151a, 151b, 151c and 151d On the partition stages 151a, 151b, 151c and 151d, chromatic color developing devices containing different color toners, for example, a red developing device 13A containing a red developer, a blue developing device 13B containing a blue developer, a green developing device 13C containing a green developer and a brown developing device 13D containing a brown developer are placed and are movable away from the stages toward the image forming apparatus 100.
  • the green developing device 13C is not contained in the accommodating case 151, but is in the apparatus 100 adjacent to the photosensitive drum 11, which is ready for developing the latent image.
  • the transportation or transfer of the chromatic color developing device (green developing device 13C) is performed by a developer transporting means X (means rotating in the direction of arrows E and E ⁇ in Figures 2 - 4).
  • the developing device is transported into the apparatus 100 through an openable shutter (inlet) provided in the image forming apparatus 100.
  • the shutter 55 is rotatable about a shutter shaft 54 in the directions F and F ⁇ , and when the color developer is transported into the apparatus 100, the shutter is retracted to the broken line position by an unshown solenoid or the like so as not to obstruct the transportation of the developing device.
  • the accommodating apparatus 150 is further provided with means Y for moving the case ( Figure 5 which will be described hereinafter).
  • the case moving means Y By the case moving means Y, the accommodating case 151 as a whole is movable up and down relative to the apparatus 100. Therefore, one of the partition stages 151a - 151d which accommodates the developing device containing the desired color is moved by the case moving means Y into alignment with the inlet of the image forming apparatus 100 constituted by the above described shutter 55 (in the example of the Figure, the partition stage 151c is in alignment).
  • a desired developing device can be transported into the apparatus 100.
  • the green developing device 13C then placed in the apparatus 100 is first transported back onto the partition stage 151c of the accommodating case 151 by the developing device moving means X. During this back transportation, the shutter 55 is retracted to the broken line position i.e., the open position.
  • a discriminating means Z which will be described hereinafter in conjunction with Figure 6 confirms the presence of the green developing device 13C in the case 151.
  • the case moving means starts to shift the entire case 151 vertically relative to the apparatus 100 (in this case, downwardly) by the case moving means Y, and stops when the partition stage 151a supporting the desired red developing device 13A is brought into alignment with the inlet (shutter 55) of the apparatus 100. Then, the red developing device 13A is transported to the neighborhood of the photosensitive drum 11 by the developing device moving means X shown in Figures 2 - 4, and therefore, it is placed readily for developing the latent image. The operation is the same when another color developing device in the accommodating case 151 is selected.
  • Front and rear plates 101 and 102 of the image forming apparatus 100 have slide guides 111 and 112 fixed thereto at insides to support and guide the color developing device from the accommodating case 151 to the photosensitive drum 11.
  • the shutter shaft of the shutter 55 constituting the inlet of the apparatus 100 is fixed to the front and rear plates 101 and 102 at its opposite ends.
  • the shutter takes the closing position as indicated by solid lines in Figure 1
  • the shutter is attracted to a magnet catch 551 provided on the apparatus 100 to maintain the closed state.
  • an end of the shutter 55 is abutted to a stay 104 of the apparatus 100 to maintain the open state.
  • the shutter is set attracted by an unshown solenoid or the like, as described hereinbefore. Adjacent a position where the shutter 55 abuts the stay 104, a microswitch MS is provided to detect the shutter 55 taking the open position.
  • a groove 13a is formed by ribs on an outside surface of the bottom wall of each of the chromatic color developing devices 13A, 13B, 13C and 13D to be engaged with a pressing roller of a driving arm which will be described hereinafter.
  • the top wall of each of the developing devices is provided with an opening 13b for supplying the developer, which is covered by a cover 13c.
  • opposite end flanges of a developing sleeve 13d are provided with rotatable abutting rollers 13e for maintaining a predetermined clearance between the developing sleeve 13d surface and the photosensitive drum 11 surface.
  • a driving arm 130 having a driving area to transport a selected color developing device from the accommodating case 151 to the neighborhood of the photosensitive drum 11 of the apparatus 100.
  • the driving arm 130 is rotatable about a shaft 131 mounted perpendicularly to the slide guide 112.
  • a long arm 132 is mounted to the color developer side and is provided at its one end with a thin 133 supporting a pressing roller 134 engageable with the slot 13a of the color developing device.
  • a worm wheel gear (sector gear) 135 is mounted to the other end of the arm 132.
  • the worm wheel gear has a central shaft 131 and is projected out of a rear plate 102 through an opening provided therein.
  • the worm wheel gear 135 is meshed with a worm gear 140 provided on the image forming apparatus 100 outside the rear plate 102.
  • the worm gear 140 is operatively connected to a motor (DC motor) 142 reversely rotatable through a torque limiter 141.
  • a photointerruptor 145 to detect the amount of rotation of the arm 132.
  • the photointerruptor 145 is effective to detect the current position of the arm 132 by detecting a slot or slots of a disk 136 formed as a part of the driving arm 130.
  • the operation of the driving arm 130 will be described.
  • the motor 142 is released from the locking, whereby the twisting of the torque limiter 141 spring-charged is eased, so that the pressure by which the green developing device 13C is pressed toward the photosensitive drum 11 is released.
  • the motor 142 starts to rotate in the backward rotation so that the pressing roller 134 at the end of the arm 132 pushes the wall of the groove 13a on the bottom of the green developing device 13C so as to move the green developing device 130 in the direction E ⁇ .
  • the arm 132 swings.
  • the photointerruptor 145 detects the slot of the disk 136. A predetermined period of time thereafter, the motor 142 stops.
  • the green developing device 13C is accommodated back into the partition stage 151c of the accommodating case 151.
  • the discriminating means Z shown in Figure 6 confirms the existence of the green developing device 13C.
  • the accommodating case 151 is moved vertically, more particularly, downwardly, by the case moving means Y ( Figure 5), and when the partition stage 151a accommodating the red developing device 13A which is the desired developing device is brought into alignment with the inlet of the apparatus 100, it stops.
  • the motor 142 starts to rotate in the forward direction, by which the arm 132 swings, so as to move the red developing device 13A in the direction E through the pressing roller 134. It is transported into the apparatus 100 through the shutter 55.
  • the arm 132 rotates further, and when the pressing roller 134 reaches that edge of the movable range which is near the photosensitive drum, the slot of the disk 136 actuates the photointerruptor 145 to inform a control means of the image forming apparatus of the completion of the red developing device 13A transportation.
  • the motor 142 continues to rotate, by which a spring of the torque limiter 141 is charged, and a pressure is urged to the pressing roller 134 at an end of the arm 132. Therefore, the red developing device 13A is contacted to the photosensitive drum 11 through spacer rollers 13e mounted coaxially with the developing sleeve 13d to maintain a space between the developing sleeve 13d and the photosensitive drum 11.
  • a couple of rails 200 are mounted to the rear plate 103 of the apparatus 100 and are extended substantially vertically and in parallel with each other. With the rails 200, the accommodating case 151 is engaged for vertical movement. The accommodating case 151 is engaged with the rails 200 through guides 150a formed at the upper and lower positions thereof. The guide 150a is provided with roller 150b to reduce the friction, and the roller 150b rolls on the inside surface of the rail 200.
  • To the side plate 103 there are rotatably mounted a driving pulley 201a and a follower pulley 201b which constitute moving means.
  • a belt 202 is trained around the pulleys 201a and 201b with a predetermined tension.
  • an arm 150c integral with the accommodating case 151 is connected to a part of the belt 202.
  • a central shaft of the bottom pulley which is a driving pulley 201a is connected to a reversible motor (pulse motor) 203, so that the accommodating case 151 moves substantially vertically relative to the apparatus 100 along the rails 200 by the rotation of the motor 203.
  • a microswitch 204 is mounted to the accommodating case 151, and is actuated by a part of the accommodating case 151 when the red developing device 13A accommodated on the top stage of the accommodating case 151 is positioned in alignment with the inlet of the apparatus 101.
  • the operation timing of the accommodating case moving means Y has been described together with the operation of the developing device moving means X, and therefore, the description thereof is omitted for the sake of simplicity, with the exception of the following.
  • the motor 203 starts to rotate in response to the instructions from the control means of the image forming apparatus 100 and stops after rotating through a predetermined amount in a predetermined direction. The direction and the amount are set depending on how far is the color developing device currently placed from the inlet of the apparatus.
  • the moving mechanism essentially consists of a driving pulley 201a, a follower pulley 201b and a belt 202.
  • a rack-pinion mechanism or linear motor mechanism may be usable.
  • the accommodating case moving means Y also functions in the case that the pressing roller 134 of the arm 132 is released from the groove 13a of the color developing device when the developing device accommodated in the apparatus 100 is returned into the accommodating case 151 by the driving arm 130 in response to developer changing instructions.
  • the pressing roller 134 of the arm 132 is in engagement with the groove 13a of the color developing device, so that the arm 132 is in the position where it can not be retracted to the position not interfering with the vertical movement of the accommodating case 151.
  • the accommodating case moving means Y drives the case 151 slightly when it is confirmed by the discriminating means Z that the color developing device is returned into the accommodating case 151. More particularly, the motor 203 rotates through a small amount to lift the accommodating case 151 through an amount corresponding to the width of the pressing roller 134. By doing so, the arm 132 is now able to retract to a position not interfering the vertical movement of the accommodating case 151. Only then, the moving means Y performs predetermined operations to move the accommodating case 151.
  • the accommodating case moving means Y raises the accommodating case 151 to release engagement between the pressing roller 134 of the arm 132 and the groove 13a of the color developing device side.
  • a rib constituting the groove 13a is made pivotable so that when the color developing device is accommodated back into the accommodating case 151, the rib is pivoted to release the engagement between the pressing roller 134 and the groove 13a, by which the arm 132 can be retracted to the position not obstructing the vertical movement of the accommodating case 151.
  • the discriminating means Z for discriminating a color of the developer contained in a particular color developing device when it is returned onto a predetermined partition stage of the accommodating means 151 by the developing device moving means X from the apparatus 100.
  • the discriminating means Z comprises color detecting switches (microswitch) mounted in the accommodating case 151 and a color detection projection provided in the color developing device.
  • a rear wall 155 of the accommodating case 151 is provided with three color detecting switches 160a, 160b and 160c which are juxtaposed for each of the developing device accommodating portions constituted by the partition stages 151a - 151d, respectively.
  • the rear wall of each of the color developing devices 13A, 13B, 13C and 13D is provided with three color detection projections 161a, 161b and 161c which are juxtaposed to actuate the color detection switches 160a, 160b and 160c, respectively.
  • the color detection projections 161a, 161b and 161c actuate color detecting switches 160a, 160b and 160c.
  • the color of the developer contained in the color developing device is discriminated, simultaneously with the detection of presence or absence of the color developing device in the respective developing device accommodating portions.
  • the color and the presence-or-absence detections are carried out in this manner.
  • the signals from the color detection switches 160a, 160b and 160c are represented by switches S1, S2 and S3, respectively, which signals are 0 when opened, and 1 when closed.
  • the absence of the color developing device is detected by all the signals S1, S2 and S3 being 0.
  • the color detection projections 161a, 161b and 161c are constructed so as to the above formula.
  • the color and the presence-or-absence of the color developing device are detected by cooperation between the three microswitches for color detection 160a, 160b and 160c provided in the developer accommodating portions of the accommodating case 151 and the three color detection projections 161a, 161b and 161c provided in the color developing devices 13A, 13B, 13C and 13D.
  • the number of those switches are not limited to this example, but may be suitably selected by one ordinary skilled in the art.
  • the color detection switches may be of a photointerruptor type or the like in place of the microswitch type. What is required here is that the color discrimination and the presence-or-absence discrimination can be performed when the color developing device is accommodated in place in the developing device accommodating portions.
  • the developing device accommodating apparatus is thus provided with the developing device detecting means for the respective developing device accommodating portions, and therefore, the following advantages are provided:
  • the number of developing devices accommodatable in the accommodating case 151 is determined, depending on the space in which the accommodating case 151 can occupy and which is outside the apparatus 100. Any number of developing devices can be placed as long as the space accommodates.
  • the developing device contained in the accommodating case 151 is not limited to the one containing the chromatic colors as explained in the foregoing, but may be an auxiliary developer containing the black toner.
  • the developing devices accommodatable in the case 151 do not necessarily contain different color developers, on the contrary, plural number of developing devices for the same color may be contained, if for example, the color is frequently used.
  • the auxiliary black developing device is contained or plural developing devices containing frequently used color developer, the developer (toner) may be supplied to the empty one without stopping the image forming operation. Therefore, the necessity has been eliminated for the interruption of the image forming operation which is required conventionally when the developing device becomes empty or short of the developer.
  • the toner scattering during the toner replenishing operation can be avoided, so that the image deterioration which otherwise is caused by contaminating guiding plate or the like in the sheet conveying passage can be eliminated.
  • the plural developing device accommodating apparatus is an option, so that the image forming apparatus is operable without the accommodating apparatus.
  • the usual monochromatic image forming operation is performed using the black developing device 14 equipped in the apparatus 100.
  • step 1 When a selection signal is inputted into the control means (step 1), discrimination is first made as to whether or not the selected color developing device is set in the apparatus 100 from the information provided by the discriminating means Z (step 2). When it is confirmed that the selected developing device is set in the apparatus 100 (yes), the sequence goes to step 3 where the color developing device is shifted to the operative position by the above-described developing device means means X. If, on the other hand, it is discriminated that the selected color developing device is not in the apparatus 100 (no) by the sensors S1 and S2, the sequence goes to a step 4, where discrimination is made further as to whether or not the selected color developing device is in the developing device accommodating apparatus 150 from the information provided by the color discriminating means Z.
  • the sequence goes to a step 5 where discrimination is made as to whether a color developing device is in the transportation passage in the apparatus 100 or not. If so, the sequence goes to a step 6 where an empty stage of the accommodating apparatus 150 is brought into alignment with the shutter 55 (inlet to the apparatus 100) by the case moving means Y, and then at step 7, the color developing device in the transportation passage of the apparatus 100 is accommodated back into the empty stage by the developing device moving means X, and subsequently at step 8, the selected developing device in the accommodating apparatus 150 is moved to the supply level by the case moving means Y. At step 9, the selected color developing device is supplied into the apparatus 100 from the accommodating apparatus 150.
  • the switch S1 detects that the selected developing device is now at the developing-stand-by position, the supplied color developing device is moved to the operative position at step 10.
  • the developing device moving means X operates.
  • the sequence goes to step 11 to display incapability of development and necessity of setting the developing device into the accommodating apparatus 150. If at step 5, it is discriminated that there is no color developing device in the passage of the apparatus 100, the sequence goes to step 8 where the selected color developing device in the accommodating apparatus 150 is moved to the supplying inlet.
  • the developing operation is performed at step 12; and at step 13, the necessity of continuing the operation is discriminated. If the necessity exist, (yes), the feedback control is executed, while if not (no), this routine ends.
  • the control means 400 is provided with an interface for transmitting a signal from the main apparatus 100 to the developing device accommodating apparatus 150 and for transmitting a signal from the accommodating apparatus 150 to the main apparatus.
  • a developing device selected in accordance with a selection signal is automatically sent out of the developing device accommodating portion, and the developing device is automatically transported into the apparatus to place the image forming apparatus under the condition of performing the desired image forming operation, whereby the setting of the required developing device can be executed without resort to manipulation by the operator and with precision and high speed.
  • the apparatus can be avoided for the apparatus to become bulky by being equipped with plural developing devices.
  • Figure 8 illustrates a connecting portion between the apparatus 100 and the accommodating apparatus 150.
  • a developing device transportation passage 500 by slide guides 112 to connect the development operative position in the neiborhood of the photosensitive drum 11 and the developing device inlet 22 closed or opened by the shutter 55.
  • the developing device accommodating apparatus 150 comprises a base member 7 in the form of a flat plate provided with a developer supplying inlet 22A at predetermined inlet positions and an accommodating case 151 substantially vertically movable by an unshown driving mechanism relative to the base member 7.
  • the front end (left side in this Figure) of the accommodating case 151 is opened, and the base member functions also as a cover for the case 151.
  • pins (engaging means) 211 and 211 are fixedly mounted to the base member 7 of the accommodating apparatus 150 at front and rear sides of the supplying inlet 22A to correctly position the developing device supplying inlet 6 relative to the developing device inlet 2 in the vertical and horizontal directions.
  • the pins 211 and 211 have tapered ends.
  • the apparatus 150 When the developing device accommodating apparatus 150 is to be mounted to the main body 100 of the image forming apparatus, the apparatus 150 is so positioned so that horizontal pins 211 are aligned with horizontal holes formed at both sides of the developing device inlet 2 in association with the pins 211, and then the apparatus 150 is moved so that the pins are engaged into the holes. Thereafter, the base member 7 is fixed to the main body 100 by disengageable fixing means such as both or the like.
  • the supply port 22a of the developing device accommodating apparatus 150 is positioned with respect to the developing device inlet 22 of the apparatus 100 with high precision. Therefore, a selected color developing device selected in the accommodating apparatus 150, i.e. the green developing device 13D in the illustrated example can be smoothly transported to the supply port 22a, and it is further smoothly transported from the inlet 2 to the operative position by the transporting means in the apparatus 100 (lack 511 and pinion 52), so that the desired developing device can be delivered to the operative position without problem.
  • the pins 211 and holes 221 may be interchanged.
  • the slide guides 28 of the apparatus 100 and the slide guides 27 of the accommodating case are expanded to provide a wider sliding space at the respective connecting sides.
  • the slide guides 27 and 28 are in the form of a channel to be engaged with associated projections formed on the bottom surface of the developing device at both sides, and the lateral walls 272 and 282 and the bottom walls 281 and 271 of the channel are slanted to provide gradually expanding guide space. Therefore, even if there is a horizontal deviation and/or a vertical deviation between the slide guide 27 of the apparatus 100 and the slide guide 28 of the accommodating case 150, the color developing device is positively guided by the inclined surface so that it can be transferred to the opposite apparatus with certainty.
  • FIG 11 the description will be made with respect to a developing device urging means P.
  • the solid lines show the state wherein the developing device urging means P is in the position of urging the developing device, while the phantom lines illustrate the state wherein it is released.
  • the urging means P is disposed below each of the slide guides 112 adjacent the operative position in the apparatus 100, and performs its urging and releasing operation in association with operations of the developing device transporting means.
  • the releasing operation is effected when color changing instructions are produced in the image forming apparatus, and the developing device transporting means starts operation, while the urging operation is effected when it is known that the developing device transportation into the image forming apparatus by the developing device transporting means has completed.
  • the urging means P includes an urging lever 21 actable on a lower portion of the rear surface of the developing device (red developing device 13A, for example) to urge the developing device to the outer surface of the photosensitive drum 11, a cam 211 for rotating the urging lever 21 and a reset spring.
  • the urging lever 21 is rotatably mounted about a fixed pin 213.
  • the cam 21 is fixed on a rotatable shaft 211.
  • the urging lever 21 rotates about the fixed pin 213 while being in contact with the cam surface behind the lever 21.
  • the urging lever 21 moves upwardly.
  • the urging lever 21 is moved downwardly by the function of the spring as shown in Figure 11.
  • the maximum rotatable range when the urging lever 21 is at the top position is limited by a regulating pin (stopper 175 which is provided for the purpose of safety in an emergent situation).
  • the urging lever 21 upon urging operation, urges the developing device under predetermined pressure in the transportation passage, while upon being released, it is retracted to below the slide guide 112, that is, it is retracted from the passage 500 downwardly. Therefore, the developing device is positioned at the operative position by the urging means with certainty and with high accuracy, and further the horizontal movement of the developing device can be performed smoothly.
  • the image forming apparatus includes the main body X and the developing device accommodating apparatus Y juxtaposed therewith.
  • the accommodating apparatus Y accommodates therein on stages plural developing devices 13A, 13B and 13C containing different color toners.
  • the accommodating apparatus Y is movable substantially vertically to face a desired developing device, for example, 13A to an inlet of the main body X, and the developing device is transported to an inoperative position (chain line position in Figure 11) adjacent the photosensitive drum 11.
  • An urging means P functions to urge the developing device 13A positioned at the inoperative position to the photosensitive drum 11 so as to be in contact therewith.
  • the urging means P includes an urging cam 212 fixed to a driving shaft 211 rotatable by a driving source and an urging lever 21 journaled on a pin 213 and is kept in contact with the urging cam 212 by a spring.
  • a transporting means 52 for transporting the developing device between the inoperative position and the accommodating apparatus Y will be described.
  • An idler gear 523 is fixed to a driving shaft 528 driven by an unshown driving means, and a lever 526 is rotatably mounted to the driving shaft 528.
  • a first transporting gear 522 is mounted in meshing engagement with the idler gear 524 at all times.
  • the other end of the lever 526 is connected to an operating arm of a solenoid 525 and is always urged in the clockwise direction by a spring 523 mounted to the first transporting gear 522 side.
  • the accommodating apparatus Y is provided with a second transportation gear 51 at each of the accommodating portions, which is meshable with a rack 511 formed on left and right portions of the top surface of each of the developing devices 13A, 13B and 13C.
  • the driving source for the second transportation gear 51 may be common with or separate from that for the first transportation gear 522.
  • the second transportation gear 51 rotates to transport the developing device 13A toward the main body X by way of the rack 511.
  • a microswitch S3 mounted in the main body X detects the arrival of the developing device 13A
  • the solenoid 525 is driven to rotate the lever 526 in the counterclockwise direction.
  • the first transportation gear 522 moves to the position indicated by chain lines in Figure 11 to be brought into meshing engagement with the rack 511 of the developing device 13A.
  • the urging cam 212 of the urging means rotates to the solid line position from the chain line position to rotate the urging lever 21, by which the developing device 13A is urged by the urging lever 21 to the solid line position, that is, the development operating position, and is urged to the photosensitive drum 1 at a predetermined pressure.
  • the developing device 13A is placed in the position capable of developing the latent image on the photosensitive drum 11.
  • the main body X is equipped with an additional developing device (not shown), for example, a black developing device which is always set therein adjacent the photosensitive drum.
  • an additional developing device for example, a black developing device which is always set therein adjacent the photosensitive drum.
  • the above-described red developing device 13A has to be retracted to its inoperative position.
  • the pressing cam 212 is rotated to the chain line position, by which the urging lever 21 rotates in the clockwise direction so that the urging action to the developing device 13A is eased, and the developing device 13A is retracted to the inoperative position by a conventional moving means responsive to the easing of the urging action.
  • the discrimination is first made as to whether or not the developing device 13A is in the inoperative position, using the microswitch S3. If this is discriminated, the solenoid 525 is driven, so that the lever 526 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction, and the first transportation gear 522 is meshed with the rack 511. Next, by the reverse rotation of the first transportation gear 522, the reverse transportation of the developing device 13A starts. When the developing device 13A reaches the accommodating apparatus Y, the back transportation is continued by the second transportation gear 51. When the microswitch 150B is actuated, the back transportation is completed, and is stopped.
  • the developing device 13A when the developing device 13A is in the image forming apparatus, more particularly, in the developing position, the first transportation gear 522 of the transportation means 52 is not meshed with the rack 511, but is engaged with the rack 511 when the developing device 13A is at the inoperative (stand-by) position. Due to this disengagement between the first transportation gear 522 and the rack 511, the transportation means 52 and the urging means are free from interference with each other. As a result, the developing device can be positioned in the image forming apparatus with accuracy, and it is contacted to the photosensitive drum 11 with a proper pressure.
  • the driving source for the first transportation gear 522 is not given an unnecessary load, and when the developing device 13A returns to the inoperative position, the gear 522 and the rack 511 can be meshed in good order.
  • a modification of the above described second embodiment will be described in conjunction with Figures 13 and 14. This modification is made to the drive transmission system for the rack and gear of the developing device and the gear of the accommodating apparatus in Figures 11 and 12 structure.
  • a driving shaft F1 is operatively connected to an unshown driving source.
  • the driving force is transmitted to a gear 51A through the driving shaft F1.
  • the gear 51A is mounted to a plate 51F.
  • gears 51E and 51G are mounted at one side of the gear 51A, and gears 51H and 51C and the second transportation gear 51 are mounted at the opposite side thereof.
  • an end of a link 52C connected to an unshown solenoid is connected to the plate 51.
  • the plate 51F is rotatable in a horizontal plane by the solenoid.
  • the gear 51G is meshed with the gear 51D, while the second transportation gear 51 is meshed with the rack 511 formed at the side wall of the developing device 13A.
  • the rotation of the gear 51G is transmitted to the rotational shaft F through the gears 51D, 51D ⁇ and bevel gear F21 and is further transmitted to the first transportation gear 52 through gears, 51C (51I), 52B and 52A.
  • the first transportation gear 52 is meshable within the main body of the image forming apparatus with the rack 521 formed on the top surface of the developing device 13A.
  • the first transportation gear when the developing device 13A is in the inoperative (stand-by) position, the first transportation gear is displaced to such a position where it is engaged with the rack 521, but when the developing device is in the operative position, the first transportation gear 52 is displaced to be in meshing engagement therewith.
  • the solenoid When the developing device 13A is transported between the main body X and the accommodating apparatus Y, the solenoid is energized to rotate the plate 51F to a solid line position of Figure 14, to transmit the driving force from an unshown driving source to the first transportation gear 52 and the second transportation gear 51 so as to transport the developing device 13A through the racks 521 and 511. After completion of the transportation, the solenoid is deenergized to rotate the plate 51F to the chain line position. Then, the engagement between the second transportation gear 51 and the rack 511 is released.
  • the developing device is correctly positioned at the developing operation position, and further it is placed in proper pressure contact with the image bearing member.
  • a length of the rack 521 on the top, alternatively or bottom surface of the developing device and the rack 511 on the side thereof, measured along transportation direction of the developing device is larger than a distance L1 between a meshing position C1 between the rack 511 and the gear 51 and a meshing position C2 between the rack 521 and the gear 52 (L1 ⁇ L), in order to further improve the transportation between the image forming apparatus and the developing device accommodating apparatus.
  • FIG. 15 - 17 description will be made to a structure for accommodating positional deviation at the connecting portion between the image forming apparatus and the developing device accommodating apparatus used therewith, so as to improve the transfer therebetween.
  • the feature in this embodiment is in an intervening member for assisting the transfer of the developing device, disposed in the junction between the guide of the accommodating apparatus and the guide of the main body of the image forming apparatus.
  • intervening plate and intervening roller are disposed opposed to the bottom surface of the developing device.
  • the intervening member is provided at the main body of the image forming apparatus, while in Figure 16 they are provided in the accommodating apparatus.
  • the intervening plate 24 is disposed both to guiding members of the main body and the accommodating apparatus for guiding the projection of the developing device.
  • the function of the intervening plate 24 is similar to the expanded guide portion 272 and 282 explained in conjunction with Figure 9, which is better than this structure from the practical standpoint.
  • Figure 16 shows an example wherein guiding rollers 24 are rotatably mounted to the respective partition stages 151A - 151D of the accommodating case Y.
  • Figure 17 shows a structure to accommodate the horizontal deviation, the guiding rollers 24 are disposed at both sides of the slide guides of the main body X.
  • the guiding rollers 24 may be in the form of a freely rotatable rollers or may be rotationally driven by a reversible pulse motor.
  • the transportation between the main body X and the accommodating apparatus can be performed smoothly, so that the developing device supplying performance is improved.
  • the image forming apparatus is provided with means for allowing a manual feed of the recording medium, in addition to the construction shown in Figure 1.
  • the recording medium or sheet manually fed onto the manual feed tray 66 and is received in the image forming apparatus by a feeding roller 64. Thereafter, the sheet is advanced to a registration roller 23 by way of guiding plates and roller couples.
  • the manual feed device 67 is formed integrally with the developing device accommodating apparatus B at the lower position thereof. Additionally, integrally mounted to the accommodating apparatus is a member 70 for receiving developer falling from the developing device.
  • the member 70 extends from its base integrally fixed to the accommodating apparatus to its free end and is inclined a little upwardly away from the base end, as shown in Figure 18.
  • the receiving member 70 is effective to prevent the manual feed of the recording sheet from being contaminated by the developer which can fall from the developing device being moved for the purpose of transfer between the main body of the apparatus and the accommodating apparatus, since it receives the falling developer.
  • Figures 22 - 25 show modifications.
  • the manual feeding device and the falling developer receiving member 70 are fixed below the vertical movable range of the accommodating case 150 in the accommodating apparatus.
  • the vertical movable range of the accommodating case 150 is longer, or when the manual feed device is desired to be positioned at as high as possible position, the manual feed device 60 and the falling developer receiving member 70 are desired to be disposed within the movable range of the accommodating case 150.
  • Figures 22 and 23 embodiment meet this.
  • the manual feed tray and the receiving member 70 are movable, but without driving mechanism therefor.
  • the manual feed tray 65 and the developer receiving member 70 are rotated by engagement with the receiving member 70 with the accommodating apparatus Y moving downwardly into a recess of the main body for accommodating the receiving member 70 and the manual feed tray 65.
  • the manual feed tray 65 and the falling developer receiving member 70 are integrally rotatable about a shaft 66 into the recess 67 of the main body X.
  • the accommodating apparatus Y moves down as shown in Figure 23.
  • the bottom end of the developing device accommodating apparatus Y is brought into contact with the receiving member 70, by which the receiving member 70 together with the manual feed tray 65, is rotated about the shaft 66 in the direction indicated by an arrow in this Figure, so that they are accommodated in the recess 67.
  • the developing device accommodating apparatus Y is moved upwardly to the original position shown in Figure 22. Then, the manual feed tray 65 and the receiving member 70 swings back upwardly by the moment provided by the unshown urging means, so that it is reset to the operable position shown in Figure 22, thus enabling manual feeding operation.
  • the operation of returning the accommodating apparatus Y to the Figure 22 position may be performed to enable the manual feed operation, only when the manual feed is selected on the operation panel of the image forming apparatus.
  • a recess or set-back portion is formed at a lower portion of the main body which has the same positional level as in Figure 18 arrangement, and in the set-back portion, a falling developer receiving member 70 is fixed which is in the form of a container. From the receiving container 70, an elastic resin sheet 70a is extended inclinedly. The falling toner is collected in the container along the elastic resin sheet 70a. The free end of the elastic resin sheet 70a is so positioned that when the developing device accommodating apparatus B comes to the bottommost position, the bottom thereof is contacted to the free end of the elastic resin sheet 70a. Then, the toner on the resin sheet 70a is efficiently collected into the container 70 by the resulting vibration.
  • the bottom of the accommodating case 150 of the developing device accommodating apparatus B is formed into a container 70 for receiving the falling developer, from which the similar elastic resin sheet 70a is extended. By this, the falling toner is collected into the container 70 along the elastic resin sheet. It is preferable that the elastic resin sheet 70a is contacted to the main body.
  • a switching mechanism D for selectively transmitting driving force from a single driving source (motor 493) to the manual feed device 67 or to the developing device accommodating apparatus Y.
  • the motor 493 has an output shaft to which a gear 494 is fixed. The rotation thereof is transmitted either to a gear 643 or to a gear 207 through a gear 495 and a swingable gear 208.
  • the swingable gear 208 is mounted on an arm 206 adjacent its end, the arm is in the shape of "L" and being rotatable about a shaft 205 of the gear 495 in the direction indicated by arrows P1 and P2.
  • Another "L" arm 491B which is swingable in the direction indicated by an arrows N1 and N2 about a shaft 491C, is connected to a solenoid 49 at its one end. The other end of the arm 491B is engaged with the other end of the arm 206.
  • the arm 491B is normally urged in the direction N1 by the function of a spring 492 mounted to an end of the arm 491A fixed to the center of the arm 491B, so that the arm 206 is normally urged in the direction P1, and therefore, the gear 208 is normally meshed with the gear 207 as shown by solid lines.
  • the gear 207 transmits the driving force from the motor to the developer accommodating apparatus or a developing device automatic exchanger B.
  • the gear 643 is effective to transmit the driving force to the manual feed device 67.
  • a bevel gear 642 is fixedly mounted to the other end of the shaft 64B of the gear 643, and is meshed with another bevel gear 641, to which a couple of feeding rollers 64 and 64 is fixedly mounted.
  • the swingable gear 208 shifts in the direction P2 through the arms 491 and 201 to be meshed with the gear 463, by which the rotation of the motor 493 is transmitted to the bevel gears 642 and 641 through the gears 494, 495, 208, 207 and shaft 64B, and further to the feeding rollers 64 and 64 through the shaft 215.
  • a recording medium or sheet 17 placed on the manual feed tray 66 is inserted into the main body A.
  • the automatic exchanger Y includes a developing device accommodating case 150 for accommodating a plurality of developing devices 13A, 13B and 13C and driving means C for vertically driving the accommodating case 150 as a whole (in the direction indicated by Y-Y ⁇ ) and also for transporting a selected developing device 13B, for example toward the image forming station in a direction indicated by X-X ⁇ .
  • the driving means C is applicable to the arrangements shown in Figure 14 and in Figure 32 which will be described hereinafter.
  • the driving means C includes a solenoid 491 which has a rod 491A movable in directions indicated by arrows a-a ⁇ as shown in Figure 21.
  • a swingable lever having a shape of "L" is rotatably mounted on a pin 107.
  • An end of the swingable lever 106 is journaled to a shaft 105a of the gear 105, and adjacent the other end of the lever 106, a gear 108 is mounted for rotation in a horizontal plane, the gear 108 being normally meshed with the gear 105.
  • the gear 105 is meshed with the gear 207 ( Figure 19) adjacent an end of the switching mechanism D.
  • gears 111 and 51A Adjacent the gear 108, there are gears 111 and 51A which are rotatable in a horizontal plane and which are to be selectively meshed with the gear 108.
  • a worm gear 114 is fixed to a rotational shaft supporting the gear 111 as shown in the Figure.
  • the worm gear 114 is meshed with a rack 115 extending substantially vertical on an end of the developing device accommodating case 150 near the main body.
  • the gear 51A is meshed with a gear 51 for moving the developing device in X-X ⁇ direction through the gears 51H and 51I which are rotatable in a horizontal plane.
  • the gear 51 is meshed with a rack 511 formed on a side of the developing device 13B.
  • the swingable lever 106 is swingable about a shaft 105a of the gear 105 in the direction of b-b ⁇ .
  • the swingable lever 106 is normally urged by a return spring 120 in the direction b, and when the solenoid is not energized, the gear 108 mounted thereto is meshed with the gear 111, as shown in Figure 21.
  • the motor 208 is rotated in the forward direction by an unshown control means with the swingable gear 210 of the driving mechanism D meshed with the gear 207, as shown in Figure 19, and with the gear 108 shown in Figure 21 meshed with the gear 111, the rotation of the motor is transmitted to the worm 114 through the gears 207, 204, 210, 206, 105, 108 and 111 and the shaft 113 to rotatingly drive the worm 114, by which the accommodating case 150 provided with the rack 115 meshed with the worm 114 is moved in Y direction, for example, upwardly. If the motor is reversely rotated, the accommodating case 150 moves in the Y ⁇ direction, that is, downwardly.
  • the accommodating case 150 is moved up and down, and therefore, one developing device having a desired color developer selected from the developing devices in the accommodating case 150 is brought to be opposed to an unshown developing device inlet of the main body X, by stopping the motor 493 at this position.
  • the control means 400 of Figure 6 drives the solenoid 104 to retract the rod 104a in the direction a ⁇ .
  • the swingable lever 106 swings about the shaft 105a in the direction B ⁇ together with the gear 108 against the spring force of the return spring 120, and as shown in Figure 26, the gear 108 is switched to be meshed with gear 51A from with the gear 111.
  • the developing device can be automatically exchanged.
  • the automatic developing device exchanger and the manual feed device are prevented from operating simultaneously, and therefore, the toner scattering or image disturbance which can be resulted from the movement of the developing device can be avoided, and also an erroneous image forming operation can be avoided, thus providing good quality images.
  • the control system for the driving of the apparatus according to the present invention may be in the form of the following.
  • the automatic developing device exchanger may be simplified and can be reduced in size with the advantage that the possibility of transmitting the driving force to both directions can be prevented (if the drive is transmitted to both directions, the accommodating case or the developing device will be damaged).
  • the later described type of the horizontal driving mechanism for the developing device ( Figures 9 - 14, 15, 17, 21 and 32) is advantageous over the former described type of the horizontal driving mechanism ( Figures 2 - 4), since in the latter type, the driving force is applied to both lateral sides of a developing device with respect to its transportation direction so that the transportation is stabilized, as contrasted to the former case wherein the driving force is imparted in a single line, and since if a rack and gear mechanism is used for the drive transmission the driving force applied to the respective sides are substantially equal.
  • the developing device is transported while receiving substantially the same driving forces at both lateral sides thereof.
  • the developing device can be transported stably and smoothly without inclination with respect to the transportation direction.
  • the "L" shaped lever 27 functions to lock the developing device accommodated in the accommodating apparatus in the state shown in Figure 8, and is actuatable by the solenoid 28 to be retracted out of the developing device passage.
  • the horizontal driving mechanism for driving the developing device in a horizontal plane in the accommodating apparatus and the image forming apparatus is provided to each of the lateral sides of the developing device with respect to the developing device transportation direction so that substantially the same driving force is transmitted to the both sides by dividing the horizontal driving mechanism into the first and second transmitting means.
  • the first and second transmitting means may be provided at the top and bottom surfaces, respectively.
  • the first and second transmitting means is formed by substantially the same rack-pinion mechanism of substantially the same design (511-51, 521-52) so as to transmit the same driving forces to both sides.
  • the gear-and-rack mechanism smoothly transports the developing device, and the guiding means (concave) and the intervening members further stabilize the transportation.
  • the driving mechanism for the vertical movement of the developing device accommodating apparatus is of both-way type, and therefore, when the motor stops by, for example, power shut-down, the driving source is unintentionally driven by the weight of the developing device accommodating apparatus, with the result that the apparatus falls.
  • a control member is provided to limit movement of the accommodating apparatus. Because of the provision of the control member, the accommodating apparatus is prevented from falling by its own weight, even if the driving source is shut down for some reason or another, since the control member is effective to allow the transmission of the driving force between the driving source and the accommodating apparatus only in one direction.
  • the driving means C includes a pulse motor M reversely actuatable by a motor driver O, and the output shaft of the pulse motor M is upstanding as shown in the Figure. Adjacent its end a worm gear 114 functioning as the control member is formed to establish the one-way property in the drive transmission from the pulse motor M.
  • the worm gear 114 allows only the drive transmission from the pulse motor M to the accommodating apparatus Y.
  • the worm gear 114 is always in meshing engagement with the rack 115 formed on the end of the accommodating apparatus B.
  • the drive transmission is allowed only from the rotation of the worm 114 to the linear movement of the rack 115, but the reverse transmission from the linear movement of the rack 115 to the rotational movement of the worm gear 114 is prohibited. Therefore, even if the pulse motor M shuts down due to power source failure or the like during the driving by the pulse motor M, the worm gear 114 is not rotated through the rack 115 by the weight of the accommodating apparatus, so that the accommodating apparatus Y is prevented from falling by its own weight.
  • FIG 28 a modification of Figure 27 arrangement is shown in a top plan view.
  • a step gear mechanism is employed in the driving means C ⁇ for driving vertically the accommodating apparatus Y.
  • a resistance resulting from a reduction function provided by the step gear mechanism is utilized to prevent the accommodating apparatus Y from falling by its weight.
  • the pulse motor M constituting the driving means C ⁇ has an output shaft 114G which is provided with large and small diameter gears 114A and 114F fixed thereto.
  • the small diameter gear 114F is meshed with a large diameter gear 114E rotatably supported on a shaft 114G ⁇ fixed to the main body X.
  • a small diameter gear 114C is rotatably supported, and the gear 114C is meshed with a gear 114A fixed to a long shaft 114B extending parallel to the shaft 114G ⁇ .
  • a gear 114A having the same diameter as that of the gear 114A is fixed, and those gears 114A and 114A are meshed with racks 115 and 115 extending substantially vertically at both sides of the accommodating apparatus Y.
  • the rotation of the motor M is transmitted to the gear 114A with the two step reduction (in this embodiment, it is reduced to about 1/40).
  • the pulse motor M stops due to power source failure or the like, the weight of the accommodating apparatus Y tends to rotate the gears 114A and 114A meshed with the racks 115 and 115, respectively, however, the drive transmission from the gear 114A to the pulse motor M must involves increasing the speed, and therefore, a large resistance against the transmission.
  • the gears 114A and 114A are not rotated, so that the developing device accommodating apparatus Y is prevented from falling due to its own weight.
  • a stopper is employed for the same purpose.
  • the stopper is engageable with the rack 115 ( Figure 29) and the bottom of the accommodating case 150 ( Figure 39).
  • the stopper is moved upon power failure or the like by the control means 117 which effects movement of the pins 116 and 118 by deenergization of a solenoid to prevent the falling of the accommodating case.
  • a mechanical stopper 119 is disposed to engage the bottom of the accommodating case 150 when it takes the bottommost position for the developing device transportation.
  • the stopper is provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus.
  • the developing device transporting means within the main body of the image forming apparatus for transporting the developing device to the image forming station is constituted by a rack formed on the top or bottom surface of the developing device, a gear engageable therewith and a motor for driving the gear. Because of this structure, the developing device can be easily mounted or demounted.
  • the driving mechanism within the accommodating apparatus includes a gear 51 displaceable by the lever 51F connected to the solenoid P3 between the operative position for engagement with the rack 511 and a retracted disengagement position, and the gear 51I rotatable about the fixed shaft F1 for transmitting the driving force thereto.
  • the driving mechanism operates at the timing described hereinbefore.
  • the driving mechanism within the main body of the image forming apparatus is disposed above the developing device.
  • guiding passages 80 and 81 extend in the direction perpendicular to the direction of movement of the developing device toward and away from the image forming station. That one 80 of the driving passages which is near the photosensitive member 11 is narrower than the other.
  • Those passages are associated with projections indicated by broken lines formed on the bottom of the developing device, and they function as a fool-proof means to assure that a developing sleeve side of a developing device is faced to the photosensitive drum 11.
  • the developing device 13B can be retracted out of the main body of the apparatus X only by being pulled out (downward in Figure 32) along the guides 80 and 81, without a large-scaled releasing operation from the driving mechanism (solenoid M1 and gear 52). Therefore, the mechanism of the image forming apparatus can be simplified.
  • the driving mechanism within the image forming apparatus is preferably disposed above the developing device 13A, since otherwise, that is, when the driving mechanism is disposed below the developing device 13A, the developing device 14 has to be disposed further below, which will influence image forming conditions and would result in deterioration of the image.
  • FIG. 35 and 36 there is shown an arrangement wherein a hopper H for supplying replenishing developer into the black developing device 14 is disposed so as to avoid interference with the first conveying means 52.
  • the green developing device 13A when, for example, the green developing device 13A requires maintenance or toner supply, the green developing device 13A is pulled out along the developing device guides 80 and 81 ( Figure 32) without the necessity of retracting the gear 12 or the like, then it is taken out of the main body of the image forming apparatus.
  • the mechanical arrangement of the main body X can be simplified.
  • the black developing device containing one component magnetic developer is disposed at an upper level
  • a chromatic developing device 13A (13B, 13C) containing two component non-magnetic toner is disposed at a lower level, and therefore, it can be avoided that the image density is decreased as a result of dark decay of the photosensitive member and that the damage to the sleeve, erroneous operation and occurrence of void in an image result from carrier deterioration.
  • FIG. 37 and 38 there is shown a structure wherein the developing device driving or containing mechanisms provided in the main apparatus X and the accommodating apparatus Y are linked by gear when they are joined. Because of this structure, the driving motor can be made common to both apparatuses. Additionally, according to this example, the developing device can be moved correctly synchronously.
  • a couple of conveying means (left and right) are provided.
  • a DC motor M is fixed as a driving source, and the rotation of its output shaft is transmitted to a transmission shaft 75 through gears 71 and 72.
  • the rotation of the transmission shaft 75 is transmitted to shafts 74A and 74A through bevel gears 73 and 73, 74 and 74 disposed at the respective sides, and is further transmitted to a gear 51 mounted to levers 51F through the gear at the lower position of Figure 38.
  • the lever 51F is mounted to the shaft 74A for rotation in a horizontal plane.
  • an operation rod of the solenoid 76 is mounted, whereas to the other end, a spring SP is mounted.
  • a link 77A is pivotably mounted adjacent an end thereof, and the other end of the link 77A is pivotably mounted to the accommodating apparatus Y.
  • the link 77A and said one of the levers 51F is connected by a link 77.
  • gears 78 and 78 In the middle of the transmission shaft 75, there are mounted left and right gears 78 and 78.
  • the rotation of the transmission shaft 75 is transmitted to the gears 52 and 52 which are meshed with racks 521 and 521 formed on both sides of the top surface of the developing device 13A, through the gears 78 and 78 and gears 79 and 79.
  • the similar racks are formed for engagement with the gears 51 and 51.
  • the gear 51 is brought to meshing engagement with the rack 511 and the DC motor M is actuated, and then the gears 51 and 52 at both sides are driven simultaneously.
  • the developing device is transported toward the image forming apparatus.
  • the gears 52 and 52 are meshed with the racks 521 and 521, by which the transportation of the developing device 13A is continued until the developing device 13A is placed in position in the image forming station.
  • a single driving source (DC motor M) may be used for driving plural driving means for conveying the developing device in synchronization.
  • the driving mechanism containing the DC motor (driving source) is disposed in the accommodating apparatus Y, but it may be disposed in the main body of the image forming apparatus, and the conveying means may be divided into the accommodating apparatus side mechanism and a main body side mechanism.
  • a motor for this particular purpose may be utilized, or another motor in the main body X may be utilized in which case, the driving force is taken out as desired through a transmission mechanism such as a clutch, or the like.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Color Electrophotography (AREA)

Claims (12)

  1. Eine Vorrichtung (150) zur Aufnahme einer Mehrzahl von Entwicklungseinrichtungen (13), die umfaßt:
    - ein in einer ersten Richtung bewegbares Aufnahmegehäuse (151), das eine Mehrzahl von in der ersten Richtung angeordneten Trennwandbühnen (151a, 151b, 151c, 151d) zur bewegbaren Aufnahme der mehreren Entwicklungseinrichtungen (13) sowie ein Antriebsempfangsteil (115), um eine Antriebskraft für ein Bewegen des Aufnahmegehäuses in der ersten Richtung zu empfangen, enthält;
    - Mittel zur Montage des genannten Aufnahmegehäuses an einem Bilderzeugungsgerät (100), das ein bildtragendes Bauteil (11), Einrichtungen zur Ausbildung einer latenten Abbildung an dem besagten bildtragenden Bauteil (11) sowie eine zu dem besagten bildtragenden Bauteil (11) hin sich erstreckende Transportbahn (112), um eine ausgewählte der Entwicklungseinrichtungen (13) zu führen, enthält;
    - einen Bewegungsmechanismus (51A, 51H, 51I, 51) für einen Eingriff mit einer ausgewählten der Entwicklungseinrichtungen (13) auf den Trennwandbühnen (151), um die ausgewählte Entwicklungseinrichtung (13) relativ zu der Trennwandbühne (151) in die erwähnte Transportbahn (112) in einer zweiten, mit der ersten Richtung sich kreuzenden Richtung zu bewegen;
    dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß:
    - jede der besagten Entwicklungseinrichtungen (13) mit ersten sowie zweiten Antriebsempfangsteilen (511) an ihren jeweiligen, mit Bezug zur zweiten Richtung querliegenden Seitenteilen versehen ist; und
    - der erwähnte Bewegungsmechanismus erste sowie zweite Antriebsübertragungselemente (51) hat, die jeweils mit diesen ersten sowie zweiten Antriebsempfangsteilen (511) der ausgewählten Entwicklungseinrichtung (13) zum Eingriff zu bringen sind, um auf diese im wesentlichen dieselben Antriebskräfte aufzubringen.
  2. Eine Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, in welcher die ersten sowie zweiten Antriebsempfangsteile einer jeden der Entwicklungseinrichtungen in Form einer Zahnstange (511) und die ersten sowie zweiten Antriebsübertragungselemente in Form von Zahnrädern (51) vorhanden sind.
  3. Eine Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, in welcher die erwähnten ersten sowie zweiten Antriebsübertragungselemente (51) von dem besagten Aufnahmegehäuse (151) in Querrichtung zurücktreten, wenn sich das besagte Aufnahmegehäuse (151) in der ersten Richtung bewegt.
  4. Eine Vorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 2, in welcher der genannte Bewegungsmechanismus ein Antriebsübertragungselement (51) für jede der erwähnten Trennwandbühnen (151a-d) enthält.
  5. Eine Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, die ferner einen Antriebsmotor (M) und Schaltglieder (108, 491) zum Umschalten eines Antriebsübertragungspfades vom Antriebsmotor zwischen dem Antriebsempfangsteil (115) des besagten Aufnahmegehäuses (151) und dem Antriebsübertragungselement (51) des genannten Bewegungsmechanismus umfaßt.
  6. Eine Vorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 1 - 5, die ferner Elemente (20, 23, 50) zur Zufuhr eines Blatts (17) zu dem besagten Bilderzeugungsgerät (100) umfaßt, wobei diese Zufuhrelemente (20, 23, 50) unterhalb einer untersten der Trennwandbühnen angeordnet sind.
  7. Eine Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 6, die ferner ein Bauteil (70) zum Auffangen von von den Entwicklungseinrichtungen (13) abgefallenem Entwickler umfaßt, wobei dieses Auffangbauteil (70) oberhalb der genannten Zufuhrelemente (20, 23, 50) und unterhalb der untersten der genannten Trennwandbühnen (151a - 151c) angeordnet ist.
  8. Eine Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 6, die ferner eine Antriebsquelle (493), um die genannten Zufuhrelemente (20, 23, 50) sowie das besagte Aufnahmegehäuse (151) anzutreiben, und einen Umschaltmechanismus (D), um die Übertragung der Antriebskraft zwischen den genannten Zufuhrelementen (20, 23, 50) sowie dem besagten Aufnahmegehäuse (151) umzuschalten, umfaßt.
  9. Eine Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, die ferner eine Führung (80, 81) mit einer im wesentlichen konkaven Ausgestaltung, um einen an jeder der Entwicklungseinrichtungen (13) vorgesehenen Vorsprung (Fig.32) zu führen, umfaßt und in welcher ein dem erwähnten Bilderzeugungsgerät (100) nahegelegenes Ende der Führung erweitert ist.
  10. Eine Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, die ferner ein Kontrollorgan umfaßt, um die Vertikalbewegung des besagten Aufnahmegehäuses (151) zu begrenzen.
  11. Eine Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 10, in welcher das genannte Kontrollorgan in Form eines Schneckengetriebemechanismus (114, 115), von Stufengetrieben, eines Schaltmagneten oder mechanischen Anschlags vorliegt.
  12. Eine Vorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 1 - 11, in welcher die erste Richtung im wesentlichen die vertikale Richtung und die zweite Richtung die horizontale Richtung ist.
EP87309441A 1986-10-28 1987-10-26 Adaptiereinrichtung für eine Entwicklungsvorrichtung sowie Bilderzeugungsgerät und Entwicklungsvorrichtung Expired - Lifetime EP0266946B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (34)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP61256217A JPH0625884B2 (ja) 1986-10-28 1986-10-28 画像形成装置
JP256215/86 1986-10-28
JP61256218A JPS63109469A (ja) 1986-10-28 1986-10-28 現像器自動交換装置
JP61256215A JPS63109466A (ja) 1986-10-28 1986-10-28 画像形成方法とその装置
JP256214/86 1986-10-28
JP61256216A JPS63109467A (ja) 1986-10-28 1986-10-28 画像形成装置
JP256216/86 1986-10-28
JP256217/86 1986-10-28
JP61256214A JPS63109465A (ja) 1986-10-28 1986-10-28 複数現像器収納装置
JP256218/86 1986-10-28
JP265097/86 1986-11-07
JP265095/86 1986-11-07
JP61265095A JPH0642097B2 (ja) 1986-11-07 1986-11-07 複数現像器収納装置の取付構造
JP61265097A JPS63118769A (ja) 1986-11-07 1986-11-07 現像器、現像器搬送方法及びその装置
JP268386/86 1986-11-11
JP61268390A JPS63121877A (ja) 1986-11-11 1986-11-11 画像形成装置
JP268390/86 1986-11-11
JP61268389A JPH0642098B2 (ja) 1986-11-11 1986-11-11 画像形成装置
JP268389/86 1986-11-11
JP61268386A JPS63121874A (ja) 1986-11-11 1986-11-11 画像形成装置
JP61274586A JPH0627956B2 (ja) 1986-11-18 1986-11-18 画像形成装置
JP61274585A JPH0625885B2 (ja) 1986-11-18 1986-11-18 画像形成装置
JP274586/86 1986-11-18
JP274585/86 1986-11-18
JP52902/87 1987-03-10
JP62052902A JPS63220180A (ja) 1987-03-10 1987-03-10 複数現像器収納装置
JP62159816A JPS644771A (en) 1987-06-29 1987-06-29 Image forming method
JP159816/87 1987-06-29
JP167921/87 1987-07-07
JP167920/87 1987-07-07
JP62167921A JPS6413164A (en) 1987-07-07 1987-07-07 Image forming device
JP62167920A JPH0625886B2 (ja) 1987-07-07 1987-07-07 画像形成装置
JP62171181A JPS6415765A (en) 1987-07-10 1987-07-10 Image forming device
JP171181/87 1987-07-10

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0266946A2 EP0266946A2 (de) 1988-05-11
EP0266946A3 EP0266946A3 (en) 1988-10-19
EP0266946B1 true EP0266946B1 (de) 1993-01-27

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EP87309441A Expired - Lifetime EP0266946B1 (de) 1986-10-28 1987-10-26 Adaptiereinrichtung für eine Entwicklungsvorrichtung sowie Bilderzeugungsgerät und Entwicklungsvorrichtung

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EP (1) EP0266946B1 (de)
DE (1) DE3783867T2 (de)

Families Citing this family (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4870456A (en) * 1987-01-23 1989-09-26 Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba Developing-unit shifting apparatus with two speed cooling fan
JPH01294127A (ja) * 1988-05-20 1989-11-28 Canon Inc 画像形成装置
JP2627946B2 (ja) * 1988-11-30 1997-07-09 三田工業株式会社 カラー画像生成機
US5243395A (en) * 1989-02-03 1993-09-07 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Color image forming apparatus with developing unit moving means
US5182584A (en) * 1989-11-29 1993-01-26 Mita Industrial Co., Ltd. Multicolor developing device with improved movable frame arrangement
KR940005127B1 (ko) * 1991-11-25 1994-06-11 삼성전자 주식회사 전자사진 방식을 이용한 기기의 구동부 구동장치

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS57204567A (en) * 1981-06-12 1982-12-15 Fujiretsukusu Kk Color electrographic developing device
US4615612A (en) * 1984-06-06 1986-10-07 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Color image forming apparatus

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS5077042A (de) * 1973-11-07 1975-06-24
JPS587971A (ja) * 1981-07-07 1983-01-17 Canon Inc 両面画像形成装置
EP0082561B1 (de) * 1981-12-16 1986-03-19 Coulter Stork Patents B.V. Verfahren zur Herstellung von mehrfarbigen Druckformen ausgehend von mindestens zwei Farben und Einrichtung zur Durchführung des Verfahrens

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS57204567A (en) * 1981-06-12 1982-12-15 Fujiretsukusu Kk Color electrographic developing device
US4615612A (en) * 1984-06-06 1986-10-07 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Color image forming apparatus

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE3783867T2 (de) 1993-08-12
EP0266946A2 (de) 1988-05-11
EP0266946A3 (en) 1988-10-19
DE3783867D1 (de) 1993-03-11

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