EP0448039B1 - Elektrografisches Bilderzeugungsgerät - Google Patents
Elektrografisches Bilderzeugungsgerät Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0448039B1 EP0448039B1 EP19910104237 EP91104237A EP0448039B1 EP 0448039 B1 EP0448039 B1 EP 0448039B1 EP 19910104237 EP19910104237 EP 19910104237 EP 91104237 A EP91104237 A EP 91104237A EP 0448039 B1 EP0448039 B1 EP 0448039B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- developer
- toner
- units
- attached
- toner density
- 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
Links
Images
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
-
- 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
- G03G15/0822—Arrangements for preparing, mixing, supplying or dispensing developer
- G03G15/0848—Arrangements for testing or measuring developer properties or quality, e.g. charge, size, flowability
- G03G15/0849—Detection or control means for the developer concentration
Definitions
- the present invention relates to an image forming apparatus according to the preamble of the independent claim 1.
- Such an apparatus is known from US-4 885 611.
- the apparatus may be an electrographic copying machine and a printer, etc. More particularly, the present invention relates to an image forming apparatus with a toner density controller.
- electrographic copying machines have been used in which a latent image formed on the photoreceptor is developed by using plural different colors of toner as well as one color of toner.
- a main developer unit and a sub developer unit are arranged with respect to the periphery of the photoreceptor drum, and these developer units are selectively activated.
- a toner density controlling mechanism is provided in electrographic copying machines to maintain the toner density at a fixed level.
- a toner density sensor is provided on each developer unit, and the toner density detected by the toner density sensor is compared with the predetermined toner density by a microcomputer. Then, by controlling the toner supply with a toner supply roller in response to the control signal out-putted according to the above comparison, toner density is maintained at an appropriate fixed level.
- the initial value is used as the reference value. The difference between the detected toner density and the reference value is calculated to control toner supply.
- the initial value is the ratio T/D of toner to carrier in the initial condition
- the detected toner density is also the ratio of toner to carrier.
- Correction data for the output of the toner density sensor are prepared in consideration of the influence of a magnet roller in a developer sleeve, also called "developer shell", of the developer unit since it is affected by the magnet roller.
- the correction which is based on the data, is not accurately performed since the toner density sensor of the other developer unit is not affected by the magnet roller of the above detached developer unit.
- US-4 885 611 discloses a multicolor image forming apparatus. It is equipped with a plurality of developing units respectively using different color toners. Forming of two color images is inhibitted and an alarm signal is provided, when only one of the plurality of developing units is mounted in place on the frame of the image forming apparatus.
- FR-A-2 596 536 discloses an image forming apparatus.
- a developer unit comprises a toner density detector at the point of agitating the toner. Output signals of this detector are used for producing appropriate displays for a user.
- the dependent claim is directed on a preferred embodiment of the invention.
- control means in the image forming apparatus have a function to control the initial setting of the developer in each developer unit so that the setting is performed only when a predetermined plural number of developer units are attached to the image forming apparatus body in the simulation mode.
- Fig. 1 is a composition diagram of an electrographic copying machine as an embodiment of the present invention that copies originals in plural colors.
- Fig. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the developer units shown in Fig. 1.
- Fig. 3 is a block circuit diagram of the principal section of the image forming apparatus shown in Fig. 1.
- Fig. 4 is a circuit composition diagram of the dip switch shown in Fig. 3.
- Fig. 5 is an external perspective view of a sub developer unit in which the dip switch is provided.
- Fig. 1 the image of an original 6 placed on a contact glass 4, pressed by an original cover 5, is scanned by a scan optical system 7.
- the image information is transmitted on light via condenser lens 8 to a light receiving element 9 such as CCD (Charge Coupled Device).
- a light receiving element 9 such as CCD (Charge Coupled Device).
- CCD Charge Coupled Device
- the image information is formed into a latent image on a photoreceptor drum 1 by a laser scanner unit 11.
- the surface of the photoreceptor drum 1 is charged by a main charger 100.
- the latent image on the photoreceptor drum 1 is developed by a main developer unit 2 or a sub developer unit 3 and is transferred to a paper at transfer position 13.
- Fig. 1, 14 is a bypass table for feeding paper
- 15 is an upper paper feed cassette
- 16 is a lower paper feed cassette
- 17 and 18 are paper feed rollers
- 19 is a conveying roller
- 20 is a resisting roller
- 21 is a transferring charger
- 22 is a separating charger.
- the paper to which an image on the drum 1 is transferred is conveyed to a fixing unit 24 by a conveying belt 23. After fixed at the fixing unit 24, the paper is discharged on a discharge tray 26 through discharge rollers 25.
- the paper fixed at the fixing unit 24 can be led to a middle tray 28 through reverser 27 to be ready for the re-transferring of the image on the drum 1.
- the main developer unit 2 contains black toner to form black images.
- the sub developer unit 3 contains toner of another color to form images of another color.
- the developer units 2 and 3 can separately be attached to or detached from a copying machine body.
- Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the details of the developer units 2 and 3.
- the structure of only main developer unit 2 is described since the main developer unit 2 and the sub developer unit 3 have the same structure and they are different only in that they contain different colors of toner and that the sub developer unit 3 is smaller than the main developer unit 2.
- a developer 33 consisting of toner and carrier is supplied to the developer shell 30 after stirred by a paddle 32 that rotates on the axis parallel to that of the developer shell 30 and on which fins 31 are radially provided.
- the developer shell 30 is attached on the periphery of the magnet roller 34, and the toner on the developer shell 30 is provided to the surface of the photoreceptor drum 1 through the developer shell 30.
- the toner density of the developer 33 is detected by the toner density sensor 35, and the detected value and a predetermined reference value are compared at a control section 40 that comprises a microcomputer shown in Fig. 3.
- the control section 40 operates based on the program stored in a ROM42.
- the control section 40 A/D(analog-to-digital)-converts the toner density detection signal generated by the toner density sensor 35 of the main developer unit 2, and after comparing the detected value with the reference value pre-memorised in RAM43, outputs a control signal.
- the control section 40 controls the toner supply roller driving motor so that the toner supply decreases, and when the detection value is smaller than the reference value, it controls the toner supply roller driving motor so that the toner supply increases.
- control section 40 controls the toner supply in the same manner to maintain the toner density of the sub developer unit 3 at a fixed level.
- control section 40 performs the above-described toner density control operation, the copying operation and an initial setting of developer.
- the control section 40 does not perform the above operations. Therefore, it is necessary to detect whether the developer units 2 and 3 are attached or not. The detection is performed as hereinafter described.
- the main developer unit 2 is judged to be attached when the toner density sensor 35 outputs voltage data of 0V to 5V.
- the toner density sensor 35 does not output voltage data of nearly 0V since the main developer unit 2 contains approximately 1kg of developer and never becomes vacant. If it should become nearly vacant, the voltage of, for example, 2V or 3V is normally outputted.
- whether the sub developer unit 3 is attached or not is judged by using the output of a dip switch 47 instead of that of the toner density sensor 37. Since the entire body of the sub developer unit 3 is smaller than that of the main developer unit 2 and, normally, only approximately 200g of developer is contained in the sub developer unit 3, the output of the toner density sensor 37 is unstable and sometimes reaches nearly 0V.
- the sub developer unit 3 generally comprises a dip switch 47 with a circuit composition as shown in Fig. 4 for indicating the color of the toner the sub developer unit 3 contains.
- the color of the toner is identified by detecting the setting condition of the dip switch 47.
- the color is identified by setting the dip switch 47 in the conditions (a), (b) or (c) shown in Fig. 4, where, for example, the color of the toner is red when the switch is set in the condition (a), blue, in the condition (b), and green, in the condition (c).
- the dip switch 47 is attached to the sub developer unit 3 as shown in Fig. 5, and is set as described above by rotating its rotation driving portion 48 with, for example, a screwdriver. By detecting the output of the dip switch 47, whether the sub developer unit 3 is attached or not is detected.
- the terminals T1 to T4 shown in Fig. 4 are connected to a circuit provided in the copying machine body, and the control section 40 judges which of the terminals T1 to T3 is connected to the terminal T4 through the dip switch 47.
- the above judgment by the control section 40 is an identification of the color of the toner. However, it represents the sub developer unit 3 is attached to the copying machine body that the above judgment can be performed. Therefore, the control section 40 detects whether the developer units are attached or not based on the above judgment.
- the detection of whether the main developer unit 2 and the sub developer unit 3 are attached or not is not necessarily performed in the above-described manner; it can be performed in other appropriate manners. For example, the detection can be also performed by providing a switch which is turned on or off when a developer unit is attached to a copying machine body, on a developer unit attaching section of the copying machine body, so that the control section 40 can perform the judgment with the output of the switch.
- the control section 40 detects whether the main and sub developer units 2 and 3 are attached or not in the above-described manner.
- the control section 40 makes a copying mechanism section 46 operationable when both of the main and sub developer units 2 and 3 are attached; when either of the developer units is not attached, it makes the copying mechanism section 46 unoperationable.
- the toner density control is performed only when a predetermined plural number of developer units are attached to an image forming apparatus body and the output data of the developer units are required to be corrected only when the developer units are attached, malfunction of the correction is not generated.
- the initial value can be set in the condition where either of the developer units is attached or where both of the developer units are attached. Even when only one of the developer units is attached, correct data may be chosen in the correction of the toner density of both the developer units 2 and 3, since it is clear that, in the copying operation, the toner density control is performed only when both of the developer units are attached.
- the above-described is an embodiment when two developer units are provided.
- the same method is applicable to the copying machine with which three or more developer units are provided.
- the copying machine can be so constructed that the copying operation and the initial setting are operationable when predetermined plural number of developer units are attached as well as when all of them are attached.
- the above embodiment is an application of the present invention to a copying machine.
- the present invention is also applicable to a printer.
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Dry Development In Electrophotography (AREA)
- Color Electrophotography (AREA)
- Control Or Security For Electrophotography (AREA)
Claims (2)
- Elektrographische Bilderzeugungsvorrichtung mit
einem Photorezeptor (1);
mehreren Entwicklungseinheiten (2, 3) zur wahlfreien Abgabe von Toner an den Photorezeptor (1) zum Entwickeln eines an dem Photorezeptor (1) erzeugten latenten Bilds, wobei die Entwicklungseinheiten (2, 3) jeweils eine an einer Magnetrolle (34, 39) befestigte Entwicklungstrommel (30, 38) aufweisen, getrennt am Umfang des Photorezeptors (1) befestigbar und von diesem abnehmbar sind und jeweils aus Toner und einem Träger bestehenden Entwickler enthalten, und wobei die Vielzahl von Entwicklungseinheiten (2, 3) ferner eine Hauptentwicklungseinheit (2) zur Erzeugung eines Bilds in einer bestimmten Farbe und eine Zusatzentwicklungseinheit (3) mit einem kleineren Entwicklerbehälter zur Erzeugung eines Bilds in einer anderen Farbe umfassen;
einer Tonerzufuhreinrichtung (31, 36) zur Zufuhr von Toner zu den mehreren Entwicklungseinheiten (2, 3);
einer Erfassungseinrichtung (35, 40, 47) zur Erfassung, ob die Entwicklungseinheiten am Umfang des Photorezeptors (1) befestigt sind; und
einer Steuereinrichtung (40) zur derartigen Steuerung des Bilderzeugungsvorgangs, daß dieser lediglich ausgeführt wird, wenn sämtliche der mehreren Entwicklungseinheiten (2, 3) befestigt sind,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß
jede der mehreren Entwicklungseinheiten (2, 3) einen Tonerdichtesensor (35, 37) zur Erfassung des Verhältnisses von Toner zum Träger aufweist, wobei die Tonerzufuhreinrichtung (31, 36) entsprechend der Differenz zwischen einem Ausgang des Tonerdichtesensors (35, 37) und einem Referenzwert Toner zuführt und die Erfassungseinrichtung (35, 40, 47) anhand des Vorhandenseins der Ausgabe des Tonerdichtesensors (35) eine Befestigung der Hauptentwicklungseinheit (2) erfaßt und anhand einer Ausgabe eines Farbidentifikationsschalters (47), der die Farbe des Toners in der Zusatzentwicklungseinheit (3) angibt, die Befestigung der Zusatzentwicklungseinheit (3) erfaßt. - Bilderzeugungsvorrichtung nach Anspruch 1,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß
die Steuereinrichtung (40) einen Simulationsmodus zur Steuerung einer ursprünglichen Einstellung des Referenzwerts für die Tonerdichte des Entwicklers jeder der mehreren Entwicklungseinheiten (2, 3) aufweist und in diesem derart arbeitet, daß die Einstellung lediglich erfolgt, wenn jede der mehreren Entwicklungseinheiten (2, 3) befestigt ist.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP2068765A JPH03267968A (ja) | 1990-03-19 | 1990-03-19 | 画像形成装置 |
JP68765/90 | 1990-03-19 |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0448039A2 EP0448039A2 (de) | 1991-09-25 |
EP0448039A3 EP0448039A3 (en) | 1992-12-02 |
EP0448039B1 true EP0448039B1 (de) | 1995-11-15 |
Family
ID=13383160
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP19910104237 Expired - Lifetime EP0448039B1 (de) | 1990-03-19 | 1991-03-19 | Elektrografisches Bilderzeugungsgerät |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0448039B1 (de) |
JP (1) | JPH03267968A (de) |
DE (1) | DE69114556T2 (de) |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7136831B2 (en) * | 2001-04-27 | 2006-11-14 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Collection information management server and collection information management method |
Family Cites Families (12)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPS60164776A (ja) * | 1984-02-08 | 1985-08-27 | Hitachi Ltd | 現像装置 |
JPH0679171B2 (ja) * | 1984-12-26 | 1994-10-05 | キヤノン株式会社 | 画像形成装置 |
DE3704993A1 (de) * | 1986-03-31 | 1987-10-08 | Toshiba Kk | Bilderzeugungsgeraet |
JPS6385771A (ja) * | 1986-09-30 | 1988-04-16 | Mita Ind Co Ltd | 複写装置 |
JPS63155062A (ja) * | 1986-12-19 | 1988-06-28 | Toshiba Corp | 画像形成装置 |
JPH0682244B2 (ja) * | 1987-08-03 | 1994-10-19 | キヤノン株式会社 | プロセスカートリッジ及び画像形成装置 |
JPS63206774A (ja) * | 1987-02-24 | 1988-08-26 | Minolta Camera Co Ltd | 画像形成装置 |
JPS63208871A (ja) * | 1987-02-26 | 1988-08-30 | Minolta Camera Co Ltd | 作像装置 |
JPH0820841B2 (ja) * | 1987-03-03 | 1996-03-04 | 三田工業株式会社 | プロセスユニツトの装着検知装置 |
US4897690A (en) * | 1987-09-30 | 1990-01-30 | Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha | Image forming apparatus |
JP2564871B2 (ja) * | 1988-01-13 | 1996-12-18 | ミノルタ株式会社 | 画像形成装置のオプショントナー補給器 |
JPH0266582A (ja) * | 1988-08-31 | 1990-03-06 | Mita Ind Co Ltd | 画像形成装置の多色現像装置 |
-
1990
- 1990-03-19 JP JP2068765A patent/JPH03267968A/ja active Pending
-
1991
- 1991-03-19 DE DE1991614556 patent/DE69114556T2/de not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1991-03-19 EP EP19910104237 patent/EP0448039B1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
JPH03267968A (ja) | 1991-11-28 |
DE69114556D1 (de) | 1995-12-21 |
EP0448039A2 (de) | 1991-09-25 |
EP0448039A3 (en) | 1992-12-02 |
DE69114556T2 (de) | 1996-04-11 |
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